Offering candidates the chance to live and study in three different cosmopolitan cities makes the Bachelor programme at ESCP unique. However, a unique programme needs equally unique students who will make the most of the opportunities it offers. So how do we find the right candidates?
The interview is your opportunity to show the admissions officers at ESCP Business School that you are the ideal applicant. But what are admissions officers looking for, and how can you prepare for interview day?
We spoke to Hannah Thomas, Admissions Coordinator at ESCP, for an insider perspective on how students can excel in the interview. Hannah is involved in every aspect of the admissions process, as she is responsible for reviewing applications, inviting candidates to interview, organizing interview sessions, and more.
Read on to find out how you can prepare for an interview with ESCP.
Know What to Expect
If your online application to study for a Bachelor degree in Management is successful, you will be invited to an interview. The personal interview will last around 30 minutes and include three types of questions:
- Motivational questions
- Current news questions
- Competency-based questions
Hannah has some useful tips for students looking to prepare. “Ask somebody, like a parent or a friend, to hold a practice interview,” she says. “It might feel weird at first to be interviewed by someone you know, but the best way to prepare is to get some practice!”
“Think about the questions that you might be asked, and your mock interviewer should do the same, then think about your answers ahead of time. Try to make the practice admission interview as realistic as possible to maximise the effect.”
Try to prepare a mix of questions on your motivations, current events, and skills, so that you are well-prepared.
Demonstrate Exposure to Different Cultures Before you Study Abroad
As part of the three year ESCP Bachelor in Management (BSc) students will live and study in three different countries. Applicants should try to show that they are comfortable working in other countries with different cultures in the interview, if possible. Hannah believes that the study abroad element of the program presents a unique set of challenges.
“We have a responsibility to only admit students who will succeed on the course,” she explains. “So it’s important that applicants are mature and prepared to adapt to life in three countries in three years.”
Showing your enthusiasm for travel and venturing outside of your comfort zone could help you in this regard. You could also mention any international work or volunteer experience that you have done abroad.
Try to Relax Before the Interview
It can be difficult to relax in interviews, especially if you do not have much interview experience. However, if you are relaxed, you will perform better and come across as more confident.
As well as this, ESCP Business School welcomes a large number of international students each year, many of whom do not speak English as a first language. Try to listen and speak in English as much as possible before the interview, so that you feel confident.
Hannah encourages students to remember that the exam is not an intellectual examination. Instead, she sees it as an “informal conversation with applicants to give them the opportunity to introduce themselves, present their achievements, and demonstrate their interest in business.”
In other words, the admissions officers want to get to know you and what motivates you. Try to relax, be yourself, and you might even enjoy it!
Do you want to learn more about how to get a Bachelor’s degree?
Contact ESCP Business School today!
