Whether my clients are native or non-native English speakers, almost everyone tells me their biggest interview concern is getting a question they aren’t prepared for. One way to reduce those chances is to try guiding the interview in the direction you want to go. I’m not saying you should be a politician and only hit your talking points while avoiding the original question, but you can string together related topics to ensure you are strategically introducing your best stories.

For example, let’s say the interviewer asks for a leadership story. Once you’ve covered that thoroughly but concisely, you can then contrast your success with a failure, which you can then connect to why you want an MBA and how School X can help you grow. In this case, it might seem strange to introduce a failure when your interviewer didn’t ask for one, but offering a failure shows that you are humble and forthcoming enough to admit a mistake, and that you recognize your growth needs. And now your interviewer doesn’t have to ask you for a failure, which they might do in a way you don’t like or aren’t prepared to answer. This is a common pattern of connections that I work with my clients on exploiting, but I’m sure there are many more.

In fact, you could conceivably enter this chain at any of these points, which represent common MBA interview questions, and guide it to the next link. The key is knowing what stories and examples represent your best qualities and strengths, matching those with what the interviewer wants to know, and finding transitions that can lead from one topic smoothly to the next. You won’t be able to do this all the time, but practicing this approach can help you feel more prepared and comfortable, and it can help you see the connections among your stories, which can in turn help you present a more comprehensive picture of yourself. It can also improve the rhythm of a stagnant interview, or give you a strategy against a particularly aggressive interviewer.

This is probably the most difficult level to achieve in interview competence, and it builds on many of the tips I’ve written about before. Here those are again for your reference:

1. MBA Interview Overview
2. MBA Interviews – The Absolute Basics
3. MBA Interviews – Introducing Yourself
4. MBA Interviews – “Walk Me Through Your Resume”
5. MBA Interviews – Asking Good Questions/The Myth of “Killer Questions”
6. MBA Interviews – Leadership vs. Teamwork
7. MBA Interviews – One-Sentence Stories
8. MBA Interviews – Connecting to a School’s Culture

Since many of you will be facing the student visa application process soon, we thought it would be a good idea for some of my first blog posts to provide you with information about the immigration-related issues that will affect you while studying in the U.S. I’ve spent much of my career advising students on these matters and have served as a certified United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Designated School Official.  I’m also a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the San Francisco Bay Area Professional International Educators Roundtable (BA-PIER) that meets once a month to talk about any changes to policy or regulations.   These are not the most exciting meetings but thankfully the coffee is usually strong and there are free snacks.

I’m calling this a “chat” because my aim is to simplify what can be very confusing information and also because I’m hoping to make this a two-way conversation:  I’d love to hear from you with any immigration-related questions about being a student in the U.S.  Please email me at michele@elite-essays.com and I’ll post your questions and my answers each week.

Let’s start at the beginning.  You’ve been admitted to the academic degree program of your dreams–congratulations!   The next step is for you to apply for your F-1 or J-1 student visa.

Before I outline the process, let’s get the rumors out of the way.  I’ve heard several times over the last 20 years that there’s one mean-spirited visa officer who denies visas to all students and just keeps transferring to different posts around Asia.  There’s no truth to this story and no truth to the rumor that there is a daily quota of visas issued and that students are just randomly denied visas once the quota is met. OK. That’s done.

The U.S. Government wants to see three things when they review your student visa application and speak to you in your interview:

1. That you have a permanent residence in your home country that you plan on keeping
2. That you will leave the U.S. after finishing your program
3. That you can pay all the costs of your program

There are three main steps required before the interview stage:

PRE-INTERVIEW STEP 1: OBTAIN FORM I-20 or DS-2019 FROM YOUR SCHOOL

The Forms I-20 and DS-2019 are certificates of eligibility that are issued through the USCIS’ SEVIS system and that are used to apply for a student visa.   When your new school sends you the offer of admission, they will likely include what is called an “I-20 or DS-2019 Request Form” or direct you to a website where you can request the form online.   Be sure to fill out this form very carefully as even small errors can hold up the application process.

To complete the application process you will need:

• original and current bank statement(s) and/or sponsor support letter, all provided in English or translated into English in USD figures
• photocopies of the first two pages of your passport (make sure it is current and will not expire before departure)

After reviewing the completed form and documentation, your school should send you your official Form I-20 or DS-2019. When you have received the form, you can go on to step two.

PRE-INTERVIEW STEP 2:

FILL OUT THE DS-160 ONLINE NON-IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION, PAY YOUR VISA APPLICATION FEE AND MAKE YOUR INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT

This is the actual visa application.  You can fill out the DS-160 application online at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. To complete your DS-160 application, you will need the following information:

• Your passport
• Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States if you have previously traveled to the United States.
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Your SEVIS ID This ID number is printed in the top right hand corner of your Form I-20 or DS-2019. You also will be asked to provide the address of your school and this is also listed on the Forms.

When you are finished, be sure to print out the confirmation page with your application ID number on it, as you will need the 10-digit barcode to both pay the application fee and schedule your appointment.  You will also need to bring this piece of paper with you to your visa interview appointment.

After filling out the DS-160 Application, you can pay your visa application fee (currently USD $140) and make your interview appointment online.   Please check the website of the Consular Office/Embassy that you plan to visit for specific payment and interview scheduling procedures.  For a full listing of offices, visit http://www.usembassy.gov/.

You usually will be asked to bring a copy of your Appointment Confirmation to your interview in order to enter the building. The system will not send a confirmation email so be sure to print this out after making the appointment.

PRE-INTERVIEW STEP 3: PAY THE SEVIS I-901 FEE

The current fee is USD $200 for F-1 visa applicants and USD $180 for J-1 applicants. You can pay this fee online by credit card or you can pay by mail by sending the form and a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency.  The address: I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee, P.O. Box 970020, St. Louis, MO 63197-0020, U.S.A.

The fee must be processed at least three business days prior to the date of the visa interview and you must print out and bring a copy of the receipt of payment with you to the interview.

Visit the Visa Process tab under the Application Resources section for a more detailed outline of the application process as well as helpful links and a glossary of terms.

**  Please note that this information is subject to change and that you should always check your Embassy or Consulate website for the latest information and requirements.**

Next week:  The Visa Interview

A few people have struggled with this over the past few MBA interview trainings I’ve done. And while it seems like it shouldn’t be difficult — after all everyone wrote “Why MBA School X?” many times in their essays — the problem occurred when my clients tried to connect not to a school’s specific classes or programs (which was easy because their goals were clear) but to a school’s less-tangible “culture” — Northwestern Kellogg’s teamwork culture, Michigan Ross’ hands-on culture, Tuck’s close-knit culture, etc. What I’ve found is that if you don’t support your connection to the culture with personal experience, your answer will seem pro-forma and shallow; saying only, “I want to experience Ross’ hands-on culture,” means nothing if everyone else is saying it.

So, why do you want to experience Ross’ hands-on culture? How is it similar or different from the learning styles you’ve experienced so far? If it’s similar, great! You can explain how you understand the benefits of trial and error and real-world application. It it’s dissimilar, also great! You can explain how your studies or work up till now didn’t allow you to “get your hands dirty” but now you need that experience for your future career.

What about Kellogg’s teamwork culture? If you have a lot of teamwork and project-based experience, excellent! Share those experiences and lessons with the interviewer to express your comfort in that setting. If, like me, your work is done on a more individual basis, also excellent! Kellogg will be a great opportunity to learn the joys and sorrows of collaboration.

I’ll leave you with a real example from a few years ago. My client was applying to Tuck, his dream school. His educational experiences had ranged from a large public high school to a small liberal arts college, so he knew the benefits and drawbacks of both. In his Tuck Goals essay and also his interview, he emphasized how much he had grown at his small liberal arts college and how he was looking to duplicate that experience at Tuck. He was very sincere in his reasoning and I’m sure the interviewer picked up on that. I’m convinced it played an important role in his acceptance.

A lot has changed since I wrote last. To start with, I moved to New York City in early December, which has made it much easier to work with my international clients, especially in Asia. And of course there is the art, the food, the architecture, the history, etc.

It’s true what they say about this city. It has a vibrancy all its own, and that energy has re-animated me, as has working with great clients this year. So I’ve decided to postpone my retirement and take Elite Essays in some new directions.

The first is that I’ll be working with more applicants to undergraduate programs, so you’ll probably see more information aimed at that crowd on the blog.

The second is that I’ll be working with a colleague I’ve known and trusted for a long time.  Her name is Michele Rabin and she has a distinguished career in admissions, including as Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions at the University of California at Berkeley and the City University of New York (CUNY). She graduated with a Master’s in Educational Administration from Harvard, and she was also a Fulbright Program Adviser and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Designated School Officer (DSO). Like me, she specializes in working with international students, having lived in Japan for several years, and with students at all levels throughout Asia. We have a similar philosophy and ideals about admissions, and I’m looking forward to working closely with her. You can see her full bio (and mine) here and she’ll be posting regularly on the blog as well.

Now that Round 2 is winding down and interview training is gearing up, I’ll be posting about the most common interview issues my clients are facing. If you have any specific topics you’d like me to address, please send them through the contact form, Twitter or Facebook.

I’m forwarding this a former client and current student.

———

Kellogg School of Management在校生・卒業生とのコーヒーチャット開催のご案内】

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern Universityを受験される皆さまへ

今般、一時帰国する在校生の主催により、下記要領にて、受験生の皆さまとのコーヒーチャットを開催することとなりました。当日は、Kellogg卒業生も交え、学校生活、キャリア及びMBA受験等について、ざっくばらんにお話をできればと思っております。

【日時】  12月28日（水）　19:00-20:00（予定）

【場所】  六本木近辺のカフェ等（予定／詳細は追ってご連絡致します）

（時間帯や場所等については諸事情により変更になる可能性もある点ご了承頂けますと幸いです）

【申込要領】　ご参加頂ける方は、下記申し込みフォームにご記入のうえ送信をお願い致します。

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHdsMlZTYkhpVjc0NEJwMm1CYzNoYkE6MQ

本会については、定員に達し次第受付を終了させて頂きますので、お早めにお申込み頂ければ幸いです。お申込頂いた方には確認のメールを別途お送りいたします。なお、希望者が定員を大幅に上回る場合は今年度出願(2012年1月出願)予定の方を優先させて頂く可能性がある点、ご承知置き頂けますと幸いです。

また、本会は、Kelloggの日本人在校生・卒業生によって自主的に企画されたものであり、出願審査とは一切関係ございません。インフォーマルな形式の会ですので、カジュアルな服装でお越しください。

その他ご不明な点等ございましたら黒田（kkuroda2013@kellogg.northwestern.edu）宛までご一報頂ければと存じます。

年末のお忙しい時期かとは存じますが、本会は、Kelloggについての理解を深め、エッセイ・インタビューに向けた準備にお役立て頂ける良い機会かと思います。皆さまのご参加をお待ちしております。

Kellogg School of Management在校生一同

DEADLINES

CMU Tepper Deadlines 2011-2012

ESSAYS

A. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals. (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about the Tepper School.)

B. The Tepper School’s culture relies on all members to be active contributors to our community. With your values, experiences, and interests, how will you make a unique contribution to the Tepper community? Your examples may include: classroom interaction, student activities, career development, community service, etc.

C. Please answer two of the following three questions or statements. Please clearly specify which questions you are answering. Your two answers should equal a total of two pages or less.

1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?

2. Describe a time in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?

3. One thing people would be surprised to know about me is . . .

D. Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? Note: if you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION QUESTIONS

In what area is the candidate most exceptional?

In what area does the candidate need most improvement?

Discuss how effective the candidate is when working with others. (Consider whether the candidate is a leader, is sought out as a team member, commands respect of his or her associates.)

Rate the candidate’s achievements when compared to his or her peers. (Consider the opportunities the candidate has had to make use of his or her abilities and how effectively he or she has exploited them; also, consider whether the candidate completes assignments and is an effective performer under stress.)

Describe the candidate’s ability to communicate verbally, in writing, and through presentations. (For a non-native English speaker, how well does he or she use English?)

Any additional statement you may wish to make concerning the candidate’s aptitude for an MBA and/or her or his potential for becoming a responsible and successful business leader.

DEADLINES

Cornell Johnson 2011-2012 Deadlines

ESSAYS

1) What career do you plan to pursue upon completion of an MBA degree and why? (400 words)

2) You are the author for the book of Your Life Story.  Please write the table of contents for the book.  Note: Approach this essay with your unique style.  We value creativity and authenticity. (400 words)

3) What legacy would you hope to leave as a Johnson graduate? (200 words)

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION QUESTIONS

How long have you known the applicant?

In what capacity have you known the applicant?

What are the applicant’s most outstanding abilities or characteristics?

What are the applicant’s most noticeable weaknesses?

What impact has the applicant had on the organization?

Please comment on the applicant’s personal and professional integrity.

Please give examples of the applicant’s performance for any Top 2% ratings. (referring to ratings table)

DEADLINES

ESSAYS

Cover Letter

Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.

Essays

1) Please describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established or popular. (500 words of fewer, limited to one page)

2) Please describe a time when you convinced an individual or group to accept one of your ideas. (500 words of fewer, limited to one page)

3) Please describe a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information you needed. (500 words of fewer, limited to one page)

DEADLINES

Tuck MBA Deadlines 2011-2012

ESSAYS

Although there is no formal restriction on the length of your response, most applicants use, on average, 500 words for each essay and you should work hard to try to keep your answers around that length. There are no right or wrong answers, so tell us what you really think rather than what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Please double-space your responses.