The Heath Integrated Business & Engineering Program selection process consists of four steps: a video response, a written response, an in-person interview, and a finalist reception. The video and written response steps are completed through Kira, an online admission assessment platform.
Step 1: Video Response
Using the Kira platform, you’ll respond to a single question on video. Before recording your official response, you’ll have the opportunity to practice with sample questions. Your actual interview question will not be shared in advance.
To begin, register on the Kira platform using your @vols.utk.edu email address. You’ll receive a confirmation email with a link you can use to return to your assessment and record your response starting November 1st.
Note: Kira-generated emails may reference the Haslam College of Business — this is expected and applies to engineering applicants as well.
Step 2: Written Response
Applicants advancing past the video response will be invited to complete a written response through the Kira platform. This step is not open to all applicants — only those selected after video review will receive an invitation.
If invited, you’ll upload your resume and respond to five short-answer questions. Each response should be no more than 2,000 characters; we recommend drafting in a word processor first, then pasting your final response into the application.
AI Use Policy: Responses must be written entirely in your own words. Use of AI tools (such as ChatGPT or similar) to generate, draft, or substantially edit your answers is not permitted. Before submitting, you’ll be required to certify that your responses are your own original work and that you understand this requirement is a condition of participating in the Heath IBEP program. All submissions are screened for AI-generated content, and violations may result in disqualification from the applicant pool.
Written Response Questions
- What draws you specifically to a program that combines business and engineering, rather than pursuing either discipline on its own?
- What are one or two questions you would ask a senior business or engineering leader if given the chance, and why does the answer matter to you?
- Describe a time you combined technical and business thinking to solve a problem or explore an idea. What motivated you, and what did you learn?
- What is something about how you work or think that people are often surprised to learn?
Step 3: In-Person Interview
Applicants selected to advance will be invited to a 30-minute in-person interview with a panel that includes Haslam and Tickle faculty or staff, current Heath IBEP student, and program administrators. Interviews typically run from early-February through early-March.
If selected, you’ll be notified by email and given a link to schedule your interview. Invitations are sent to all selected applicants at the same time, and scheduling is first-come, first-served.
Step 4: Finalist Reception
Semi-finalists will be invited to a Finalist Reception in late March. Final admission decisions will be announced in early-April.