The Application Process

So I'm in the middle of filling out my applications for various business schools and I have a few questions. Anything you call can tell me would be a great help.

1. Many of the essays have word LIMITS. How negatively will my essays be looked at if for example, mine is 575 words and the LIMIT is 750?

2. When it asks for amount of years work experience, should I put my current amount of experience, or the number of months/years I will have when the actual classes being?

3. What kind of questions can I expect during the Interview Process?

Thanks in advance.

Here is my take on the questions:

1. Many of the essays have word LIMITS. How negatively will my essays be looked at if for example, mine is 575 words and the LIMIT is 750?

A very common norm is that you can go +/- 10% of the word limit. writing a 575 word essay where the limit is 750 might look a bit short. But it depends on the quality of the essay. If you write a very interesting and engaging essay and are able to communicate all that you want them to know, then i this shorter essay will work in your favor. The adcoms will be reading hundreds of essays and if they come across a short interesting essay then they would actually welcome it..

2. When it asks for amount of years work experience, should I put my current amount of experience, or the number of months/years I will have when the actual classes being?

Normally the amount of experience is till the date of matriculation i.e., till when you quit your job for the MBA.

3. What kind of questions can I expect during the Interview Process?
The most common interview questions are:

1. Why do you want to do an MBA and why now?
2. Why you think <xyz> business school is the best place place to do your MBA?
3. What are your career aspiration and in what way would xyz business school fulfill them?
4. Also expect some impromptu questions based on your application!! Like if you had mentioned something unique like "I am passionate about mountain climbing" then they'd ask you to describe one of your experiences!!

Hope that helped..