Texas A&M- Bush School interview

[wasistdas]

Anyone going to the interviews for the Bush School?

I got the email invitation yesterday, but won't be able to attend as I live out of the country and even with the generous 25-33% reimbursement, it is still too hefty of a financial burden.

They say that not attending won't negatively impact admission of financial aid/scholarship opportunities, but I would think it would be impossible not to, what do you think?

[lbjane]

I applied to the Bush School when I applied to policy schools. Since I was in-state, I went to the interview conference. It was basically a way for you to get to know more about the school and meet current students and a way for the school to get to know more about you. As I recall, they did phone or Skype interviews for people who were not able to attend the conference. I don't think that not attending is a real problem. They understand that not everyone can come in for out of state or overseas.

[Crippling Anxiety]

I too received that e-mail. Do they invite pretty much everyone who applied or does getting an invitation mean that the admission committee has reviewed and liked your application? Any insights?

Edited February 7, 2012 by Crippling Anxiety

[wasistdas]

from the TAMU website: "Shortly after the January priority deadline, the Bush School Admissions Committee reviews all of the submitted applications and narrows the pool of applicants to a manageable number, usually about double the intended class size. Selected applicants are invited to the Interview Conferences in February and March, where applicants have the opportunity to meet Bush School faculty, students, and staff to learn more about the Bush School. Final decisions are announced in mid-March."

If you got the email, you made the first cut and now need to make sure you are in the top 50%

[Crippling Anxiety]

@godlessgael- thanks.

Any ideas what kind of questions to expect during the phone/skype interview?

Edited February 8, 2012 by Crippling Anxiety

[AkashC]

I'll be scheduling mine on the 28th or 29th. Not sure.

This is what I came across while I was looking for the kind of questions expected to be asked.

Sample Traditional Interview Questions:

• Tell me a little about yourself.
  
• Why did you choose Texas A&M?
  
• Why did you select your major?
  
• Which courses did you find most difficult? Why?
  
• What would you like to be doing five years from now?
  
• What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
  
• Describe your greatest strengths and weaknesses.
  
• Would you rather be in charge of a project or work as part of a team?
  
• What have you learned from the experiences you have held?
  
  
  

  Sample Behavioral Interview Questions:

  • Describe the best/worst team of which you have been a member.
    
  • Tell me about a time when your course load was heaviest. How did you get all of your work done?
    
  • Give me a specific example of a time when you sold someone on an idea or concept.
    
  • Tell me about a time when you were creative in solving a problem.
    
  • Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together.
    
  • Tell me about a time when you made a bad decision. What did you learn? What would you do differently?
    
    
    

    Sample Stress Interview Questions:

    • What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with?
      
    • What are some of the things you find difficult to do?
      
    • How would you evaluate me as an interviewer?
      
    • What interests you least about this job?
      
    • How do you handle rejection?
      
    • What is the worst thing you have heard about our company?
      
    • See this pen I'm holding. Sell it to me
      

    Sample Case Interview Questions:

    [*]A chain of grocery stores currently receives its stock on a decentralized basis. Each store deals independently with its suppliers. The president of the chain is wondering whether the firm can benefit from a centralized warehouse. What are the key considerations in making this decision?

    [*]A magazine publisher is trying to decide how many magazines she should deliver to each individual distribution outlet in order to maximize profits. She has extensive historical sales volume data for each of the outlets. How should she determine delivery quantities? http://careercenter.tamu.edu/guides/interviews/questions.cfm?sn=parents

[mellowyellow03]

I just did the web conference interview. From my experience, be ready to expand on your personal statement, academic/work background, reasons for applying to the school, and commitment to public service. There wasn't really any atypical interview questions.

[AkashC]

hey mellowyellow!

could you please elaborate a bit on 'commitment to public service'; what exactly are they wanting to listen? Is it about our plans post completion of the program or the work we have done up until now?

[Helpplease123]

Is it about our plans post completion of the program or the work we have done up until now?

I imagine they will ask you about both of these things, so prepare them equally. Commitment to public service questions tend to be more about how you've demonstrated it thus far but they will definitely want to know how that and the masters will tie in to your future plans.

[mellowyellow03]

My question was more about how I showed commitment to public service through my previous experience. I honestly can't recall whether or not they asked me about future plans; but I did prepare some answers for that question.

[cptdelorean]

how do all yalls apps/resumes/stats go? I am looking to apply to LBJ and bush next cycle, and just wondering how competitive it is and/or what they are looking for exactly.

[AkashC]

Thanks Helpplease123 & mellowyellow for your inputs.

My interview went well I am guessing. I dont know. They told me that I was one of the 75 applicants shortlisted for the interviews( or was it the fall class?! dont really remember!). And also that I'll be hearing about financial aid and all that by mid march. Dont know what to make of it?!

@helpplease123

Congrats for your first admit! USC is an awesome university

Edited February 28, 2012 by AkashC

[Helpplease123]

Thanks Helpplease123 & mellowyellow for your inputs.

My interview went well I am guessing. I dont know. They told me that I was one of the 75 applicants shortlisted for the interviews( or was it the fall class?! dont really remember!). And also that I'll be hearing about financial aid and all that by mid march. Dont know what to make of it?!

@helpplease123

Congrats for your first admit! USC is an awesome university

That's awesome...well done! Thank's I am so, so happy - can't wait til Fall And congrats on yours at FSU and NYU!

[mellowyellow03]

Glad to hear your interview went well. They told me I should receive their decision 7 to 10 days after the interview.

I actually came out of the interview feeling underwhelmed about the program. I felt like they kept blaming their shortcomings on the "small" size of the program. However, they told me their MPSA and MPSIA each had about 150 students (total of 300). I don't know, but I thought that was a pretty big number for a policy/international affairs program.

[wasistdas]

any feedback from the people that went to the interview weekend?