Traditionally, written essay questions have been the cornerstone of MBA applications, but of late many top b-schools have introduced a new element that will, likelier than not, be adopted by other B-schools as well in the near future. This new element is the video essay.
The primary purpose of the MBA video essay is to get to know you at a more personal level. It will give the adcom a better opportunity to know you as you really are, without a prepared script from which you can read out. You will be given short questions, and a time limit of 1-2 minutes in which to answer them.
Answering on the video is something that will require practice, no doubt, but it is nothing to be anxious about. The intention of the adcom is not to stump you with brain teasers or tricky questions. The questions are generally about all the usual things that b-schools want to know – your motivations, your dreams, your achievements, your likes and dislikes, the goals you have in mind, etc.
Once in a while, though, just to test your presence of mind – a key quality in would-be business leaders – you might be asked a question you wouldn’t even have dreamt preparing for. Like a student who had applied to Kellogg was asked, “If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?”
The video essay enables the adcom to see what kind of visual presence you have, and how confident and articulate you are. If you are an international student, it will also serve as a test of your ability to communicate in English.
Earlier, we mentioned the necessity of practice. This is especially so because talking to a dumb video camera is a totally different experience from talking to a human being. It is something you need to get used to.
What are the factors you should keep in mind while answering the video questions? Here is a list:
If the school provides dress guidelines, you will naturally follow them. But, even otherwise, you should be dressed as for a formal interview. Men should appear shaved, and with their beards and moustaches properly trimmed. Women should desist from wearing revealing attire or heavy jewellery. Their make-up should be light.
Have a smile of on your face, sit straight, bend a little forward, and look at the camera, not at the screen. Try not to gesture or make nervous movements as you speak. If you are the kind who perspires easily, keep the AC turned on.
Just be friendly and give your answer with a smile on your face. Practice in front of a webcam so that you get used to talking to a camera lens without any human feedback or expression. This is not the same as talking on Skype. Remember to put a smiley face above or below the camera to remind you to smile at appropriate points in your statement. Then view your practice videos several times to perfect your delivery.
You should be as relaxed and natural as you can, but this does not give you the licence to resort to slang. When recording the video, take your time and speak slowly and clearly into the camera. Think of it as an interview, and try to be natural and comfortable as you respond.
Your time to answer is limited, so there is not scope for beating around the bush. Address the questions directly, and as succinctly as you can.
Ensure that your location is quiet and away from pets and children. Blank walls make a great background.
All the best!
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