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Should Business Schools Require Longer Admissions Essays?

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Do some MBA applicants want longer admissions essays?

Get to know the students in Columbia’s Business School’s class of MBA students, learn about the latest application trends, and find out why some applicants favor longer admissions essays. Here is everything that’s trending in the world of business education.

Meet the new class at Columbia Business School

It’s time to meet the newest MBA class at Columbia Business School. Matching a trend we are seeing among other top business schools across the country, the average GMAT score for new students at CBS is higher than it was for last year’s entering class: 717—compared to 715 in 2015. New students’ undergraduate GPAs averaged 3.5, the same exact figure it’s been for the past five graduating classes; the lowest incoming GPA was 3.1, while the highest was a 3.9. The percentage of women in the new class inched up as well, from 36% last year to 38% this year. The percentage of international students also rose.

“Our incoming students are interested in a broader range of disciplines, more so than ever before and they have a wider range of experiences,” said, Amanda Carlson, Columbia Business School’s assistant dean of admissions. “They are another wonderfully robust, dynamic class full of talent for whom we see a continued bright future!” (Poets & Quants)

MBA application trends

New research from the Graduate Management Admission Council, the organization that writes the GMAT, has revealed some interesting trends about aspiring MBAs. Surveyed programs reported receiving 440,000 applications in 2016; in 2014, business schools reported receiving 292,000 applications, though more business schools were surveyed this year compared to two years ago.

Reports of application bumps were more frequent among European business schools than American ones—65% to 46%, respectively. The biggest jumps in applications were for one-year MBA programs and specialized degrees.

“The proliferation of programs has spread candidates out more than ever before. Candidates can focus on what they want to do in the business world now,” said Gregg Schoenfeld, director of research at GMAC. (The Wall Street Journal)

The challenge of brevity

Over the past few admissions cycle, there’s been a noticeable trend in MBA admissions: In an effort to streamline their application processes, many business schools have either decided to cut the number of essays that they require applicants to write or have slashed the maximum word count for those essays. There are pros and cons to this move, depending on the type of applicant you are.

Many students are relieved because it means less work in an already very busy, sometimes stressful admissions process. But for others who feel they have a lot to share but cannot fit it in in fewer essays and words, it’s not a positive shift.

As one admissions expert says, “With so many accomplishments to highlight and leadership examples to share, the critical task of editing leaves many applicants incredibly anxious since it’s their one shining moment to share their story.” (U.S. News & World Report)

Getting into Wharton

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s most storied and highly ranked MBA programs. In other words: Getting in isn’t easy. In addition to getting top scores on the GMAT and demonstrating that you have the professional experience necessary to be a serious student, the school’s admissions officers are looking for those “X” factors too.

As one admissions expert says from studying up on the school’s practices, “Wharton graduates will compete in a global marketplace, so experience with the challenges of doing business globally and a natural curiosity for learning more about other countries and cultures will be valued by the admissions committee and should therefore be emphasized during your interview.” (Business Insider)

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The post Should Business Schools Require Longer Admissions Essays? appeared first on Business School Insider.