• Test prep companies have a busy season ahead of them; test prep traffic is bound to increase as future b-school applicants scramble to prepare for the Next Generation GMAT, reports a Businessweek article, “GMAT Test Prep: Changes on the Way.” The new GMAT, which will launch in 2012, will include a new integrated reasoning section in which test takers must analyze data and draw conclusions using multiple data sources. This BW article highlights some of the changes top test prep courses plan to make in the next years in response to the GMAT’s new section.
• Applicants planning on applying to NYU Stern should check out Businessweek’s latest Admissions Q&A on NYU with Anika Davis Pratt, Stern’s assistant dean for MBA admissions and financial aid. Wondering if you’re a fit with NYU’s prestigious program? According to Pratt, this is what they’re looking for: “While our academic program is certainly rigorous, and we certainly seek students who are bright and accomplished, intellectually curious, and who will excel in the classroom, we also place a very high value on emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills. We attract students who are forward-thinking and student who really want to have an impact right away.” Check out BW’s article for tips that could help you improve your chances of getting into NYU Stern. (Or contact us — we could help you with that too!)
• A new Poets & Quants article, “In Consulting, Which B-School is No. 1?,” John Bryne lists the top b-schools for consulting, in general and in individual cities, based on a new survey by Vault.com. Here are the results (see his article for his commentary — he doesn’t completely agree with Vault’s methodology):

Top 10 Schools for Consulting:

1. Northwestern Kellogg
2. Harvard Business School
3. Chicago Booth
4. Wharton
5. Michigan Ross
6. Columbia
7. Duke Fuqua
8. MIT Sloan
9. Stanford
10. NYU Stern

Top 3 B-Schools for Consulting in New York

1. HBS
2. Columbia
3. NYU Stern

Top 3 B-Schools for Consulting in Boston

1. HBS
2. MIT Sloan
3. Dartmouth Tuck

Top 3 B-Schools for Consulting in Washington, D.C.

1. UVA Darden
2. Wharton
3. Northwestern Kellogg

Top 3 B-Schools for Consulting in Atlanta

1. Emory Goizueta
2. HBS
3. Duke Fuqua

Top 3 B-Schools for Consulting in Silicon Valley

1. UC Berkeley Haas
2. MIT Sloan
3. Michigan Ross

Note the role of geography in determining top schools in specific regions. Something to keep in mind if you know where you want to live.

Related Accepted.com Resources:

• The Rankings: An Accepted.com Special Report
• The Consultant’s Guide to MBA Admission, an instantly downloadable ebook



Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

For all those applicants who have recently opened a calendar to plot out the next few months only to realize they can’t possibly fit in campus visits on top of full time jobs and essay writing, never fear!  It’s true that traveling to a school’s campus is the ideal way to learn about their MBA program, but visiting is often not a viable option for applicants who are located remotely or unsure of their level of interest in a given school.  The good news is that business schools might very well come to them.  Many b-schools are getting ready to hit the road and embark on worldwide tours to dispense information and recruit qualified applicants.  Such events offer a great opportunity for interested students to meet with admissions staff (and sometimes with current students and/or alumni), learn about the program and ask specific questions.

Some of the top schools are already on the road, so we recommend looking into the travel schedules for programs of interest and planning accordingly. Keeping in mind that these schedules are updated and amended throughout the fall, here are some of the top programs’ itineraries for the months ahead:

Berkeley / Haas:
https://ssl.haas.berkeley.edu/Admissions/Events/index.cfm

Chicago Booth:
http://www.chicagobooth.edu/fulltime/admissions/events/

Columbia:
http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/events

Duke / Fuqua:
https://www.fuquaworld.duke.edu/www/public/infosess_all_view.jsp

HBS:
http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/events.html

Northwestern / Kellogg:
http://bit.ly/Zrg7b

Michigan / Ross:
http://www.bus.umich.edu/Admissions/Mba/forumsreceptions/RossReceptions.htm

MIT / Sloan:
http://mitsloan.mit.edu/academic/events.php

Stanford GSB:
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/outreach/info_sessions.html

NYU / Stern:
http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/admissions/cgibin/sched_events.cgi

Dartmouth / Tuck:
http://www.tuck.dartmouth.edu/admissions/events.html

UCLA / Anderson:
http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x5525.xml

UNC / Kenan Flagler:
http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/Programs/MBA/infoSessions/index.cfm

UVA / Darden:
https://apply.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/events/EventsSchedule.tap?sp=103

U Penn / Wharton:
http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/mba/admissions/admission-events.cfm

Yale SOM:
http://mba.yale.edu/MBA/admissions/events.shtml

IESE:
http://www.iese.edu/aplicaciones/emba/events/events_emba.asp?lang=en

IMD:
http://www.imd.ch/programs/mba/infosessions/index.cfm

INSEAD:
http://www.insead.edu/mba/offevents/index.cfm?fuseaction=offcampus

LBS:
http://www.london.edu/programmes/infoevents/do?progSelect=MBA&locationSelect=

Math (PS)

What is the last digit of ?

(A) 1
(B) 3
(C) 6
(D) 7
(E) 9

OA and Explanation

Verbal (CR)

Studies have shown that elderly people who practice a religion are much more likely to die immediately after an important religious holiday period than immediately before one. Researchers have concluded that the will to live can prolong life, at least for short periods of time.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the researchers conclusion?

(A) Elderly people who practice a religion are less likely to die immediately before or during an important religious holiday than at any other time of the year.
(B) Elderly people who practice a religion appear to experience less anxiety at the prospect of dying than do other people.
(C) Some elderly people who do practice a religion live much longer than most elderly people who do not.
(D) Most elderly people who participate in religious holidays have different reasons for participating than young people do.
(E) Many religions have important holidays in the spring and fall, seasons with the lowest death rates for elderly people.

OA and Explanation

Over these past few months of posting blogs on BTG, you’ve probably noticed that I like to associate important GMAT concepts with common situations. Well, with regards to pacing on data sufficiency questions, the best way to approach them is to know the material and content through and through. However, while on the actual GMAT and as you practice with CAT tests, keep in mind the words of Kenny Rogers, The Gambler:

You Got to Know When to Hold Them…

As you are working through some of the most difficult Data Sufficiency problems, we always stress not to do any more calculations then you need to. However, some questions require a hefty amount of manual calculations. If you know you will be able to get the right answer but it might take you a bit longer than you like – that is ok! But, realize you’ll have to go faster on another question. While some questions require more work than others, with enough practice, you will know which questions you should spend your time.

…You Got to Know When to Walk Away…

We’ll all been there. We work through a question and we get stuck at some point. If you find that you’re stuck on a data sufficiency question, realize that you can stare at the question for another 30 seconds or quickly evaluate the parts of the question you do know – i.e. if you know for sure Statement 1 or 2 is sufficient or insufficient. From what you know, a quick guess is far superior to spending another couple minutes hoping an epiphany will come.

…And Know When to Run…

On the extremely rare occasion (hopefully!), there may be a question that you’re just not sure how to approach. If you don’t understand the question (or if you understand the question but are not sure where to go with it), you should guess and move on, quickly. It is better to guess at 1 minute instead of 2 minutes – and, even better to guess at 30 seconds instead of 1 minute.

…You Never Count Your Money Sitting At The Table…

This may be the most important statement – don’t look behind you as you are working through the test. Perhaps you guessed on a question or two. Perhaps you just remembered how to answer a previous question. Perhaps you thought the last question was entirely too easy and that might mean you aren’t doing as well as you typically do. Perhaps you won’t do well enough on this test and be relegated to complete and utter obscurity?!?! Stop! You must always focus on the hand (or question) in front of you. Nothing good happens when you think about previous questions. Stay focused on the task at hand.

…There’ll Be Time Enough for Counting, When the Dealing (or the test) is Done.

Once the test is over, then you can count the questions that could have been. However, surprisingly, you won’t actually care anymore. You’ll get your fantastic score and start dreaming about the acceptance letters that you’re going to be getting… Best of luck as you continue studying!

Brian Fruchey
Kaplan GMAT

Math (PS)

The safety distance (meters) between cars moving on a motorway depends on their speed (meters per second):

If two cars want to maintain a time interval of 1 second between each other, which of the following speeds will breach the safety regulation?

(A) 5 m/s
(B) 10 m/s
(C) 25 m/s
(D) 50 m/s
(E) 90 m/s

OA and Explanation

Verbal (CR)

Neither a rising standard of living nor balanced trade, by itself, establishes a country’s ability to compete in the international marketplace. Both are required simultaneously since standards of living can rise because of growing trade deficits and trade can be balanced by means of a decline in a country’s standard of living.

If the facts stated in the passage above are true, a proper test of a country’s ability to be competitive is its ability to

(A) balance its trade while its standard of living rises
(B) balance its trade while its standard of living falls
(C) increase trade deficits while its standard of living rises
(D) decrease trade deficits while its standard of living falls
(E) keep its standard of living constant while trade deficits rise

OA and Explanation

A recent Wall Street Journal article asks: Is taking the MBA Oath enough to keep more than 100,000 new MBA students from turning into corrupt businessmen, like many of their predecessors have become?

The WSJ article, titled “Promises Aren’t Enough: Business Schools Need to Do a Better Job Teaching Students Values,” likens the MBA Oath to a chastity vow—in that a steadfast commitment to values, in lieu of proper moral education, can easily stir up a “false sense of moral inoculation,” making the oath-taker more, not less, prone to violating the points set out in the oath. Oaths, after all, are just words—in the case of a chastity vow, they won’t protect against the consequences of unprotected sex.

The same thing is true in our case of the business student who has sworn off unethical behavior, but who is lacking in ethical education—”MBAs who take an ethics oath without enough supporting leadership education are likely more vulnerable to ethical breaches.” Those who take chastity vows are often the ones who end up…in trouble.

The article continues to explain how business education has become more “scientific” in recent years due to an increasingly strong emphasis on economics and statistics. During such a shift, true moral teaching gets neglected. Leadership courses end up focusing on public speaking and social influence, and business ethics courses focus more on legal ethics than on anything else. The long-term impact of one’s actions is rarely discussed, and thus hardly grasped by b-school students.

The solution, according the Rodrigo Canales, B. Cade Massey, and Amy Wrzesniewski, authors of the WSJ article, is that business school teachers better prepare their students for “the difficult decisions they will face, often under enormous pressure.”

Most people have no trouble keeping to a set of values when things are running smoothly; it’s when the going gets tough that people turn to desperate (and sometimes unethical) measures.

Business schools need to simulate such challenging situations through experiential learning because “students otherwise find it far too easy to believe they would never engage in the reprehensible behavior that others have.” To truly understand vulnerability, and its consequences, students must face challenges during their education, so they know how to handle them once they’re out in the real world.

The authors conclude by reiterating how a pledge to do the right thing likely won’t lead to the right thing, when faced with a serious ethical challenge in business. Action-based leadership training, perhaps alongside an oath, will properly prepare students for the battle ahead.

My personal view, for what it’s worth, is that a stated, public commitment to an ethical code of conduct is an excellent first step towards carrying out that code of conduct. There are tons of studies showing that people who write down commitments or tell someone their latest resolution tend much more to stick to that diet, exercise plan, or whatever even if facing their favorite éclair or a normally overwhelming urge to hit the snooze button instead of getting up and going to the gym. However, I agree that a one-time oath taken five, ten, or thirty years ago will not provide lifetime immunity from the temptation frequently presented by major financial reward or loss. Ethical education is a life-long need. Perhaps alumni magazines and reunions should include refresher courses on leadership with an ethical component. Or perhaps the oath should be modified to include a commitment to continue ethical training – essentially a commitment to obtain booster shots.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

There are two things that could happen during an MBA fair:

1. You could wander around aimlessly in your Hawaiian shirt and flip flops, pocketing pretty brochures, and having the occasional, obvious-question-filled chat with admissions directors from long-shot schools, or
2. You could dress to impress, arrive fully prepped having done b-school research, and speak pointedly with admissions directors from b-schools where you actually stand a chance of getting in.

If you are taking your b-school applications seriously, and in return, want to be taken seriously by admissions representatives, then you probably want to shoot for #2, the option where you put your best face forward and make a lasting (good) first impression.

Accepted.com’s free special report, MBA Fairs: Advancing Your MBA Ambitions, will help you prepare for your next MBA fair, by teaching you the benefits of attending an MBA fair, who the most popular MBA tour operators are, what admissions directors like to see at an MBA fair, what they can’t stand, and how you can best prepare for the experience so you enter the arena with the right clothes, the right questions, and the right attitude.

Download MBA Fairs: Advancing Your MBA Ambitions today to prepare for your next MBA fair!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Linda Abraham to discuss what college students and graduates need to know about applying for graduate school September 7, 2010 at 6 pm Pacific/ 9 pm Eastern on #CollegeChat

Los Angeles, CA, September 1, 2010—Linda Abraham, a graduate school admissions expert and president of Accepted.com, will provide college students and graduates with an overview of what they need to know about applying for and preparing for graduate school during #CollegeChat on Twitter on September 7, 2010 at 6 pm Pacific/ 9 pm Eastern, Theresa Smith, principal of Pathway Communications and moderator of #CollegeChat announced today.

Attending graduate school is a goal of many college graduates especially in a turbulent job market. Long term statistics show that this strategy may pay off. According to the Census Bureau, in 2008 college graduates between 25 and 29 with a master’s degree made on average $7,954 more annually than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

During the upcoming live #TwitterChat, Abraham (http://twitter.com/accepted) will address questions on  how college students and graduates can best prepare including:

• Does going to graduate school make sense financially
• What are the differences between the graduate school admission process and the undergraduate admissions process
• Should college students go directly to graduate school
• What is a personal statement and why is it critical
• Where are good places to start researching graduate programs, especially MBA, Law and Medical School
• What steps should college students take during college to prepare for graduate school
• How to finance graduate school, how much can be borrowed

Linda Abraham has been a leader in the admissions consulting field since 1994. Today her consultancy, Accepted.com, serves thousands of applicants each year through its web resources, information products, and premier advising and editing services. Abraham is also is a co-founder and first president of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC), the only organization dedicated exclusively to the field of private graduate admissions advising. Abraham has also written or co-authored 13 ebooks on the admissions process.

New to Twitter?

In order to participate in the chat, attendees will need to have a Twitter account.  To sign up for a Twitter account, go to http:// twitter.com. The easiest way to follow the chat is to use TweetChat (http://tweetchat.com). Simply log in to TweetChat with your Twitter information (email or username followed by password) and then enter in CollegeChat without the “#” and you will be placed into the chat room with only those participating in #CollegeChat. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and using TweetChat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat.

About #CollegeChat

#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. Questions for each #CollegeChat edition can be sent to Theresa Smith, the moderator of #CollegeChat via http://Twitter.com/collegechat, by entering questions online on the CollegeChat Facebook page at http://ht.ly/1XIqV, or by email. CollegeChat can also be found on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/collegechat.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Math (PS)

All pages of the book are numbered. If the first page is numbered 1 and the last page is numbered 705, on how many pages does digit 9 appear in the numeration?

(A) 70
(B) 77
(C) 126
(D) 133
(E) 140

OA and Explanation

Verbal (SC)

After moving to Switzerland in the 1890’s, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.

(A) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing
(B) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developed
(C) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and he developed
(D) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, developing
(E) attending the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and developing

OA and Explanation

This London Business School 2011 MBA Application tip post is one of a series of posts providing MBA application and essay advice for applicants to top MBA programs around the world. You can access the entire series athttp://blog.accepted.com/acceptedcom_blog/tag/2011-mba-application-tips. My tips for answering the LBS essay questions are in blue below.

London Business School 2011 MBA Essay Questions

Essays

Question 1. Give us a brief assessment of your career progress to date.

In what role do you see yourself working in immediately after graduation and what is your longer term career vision?

How will your past and present experiences help you to achieve this?

How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal?

Why is this the right time for you to pursue an MBA? (750 Words)

This is a classic goals question with the focus on your short-term goals — what you want to do immediately after you receive your MBA. How did you develop this goal? Why does it appeal to you? How did your experiences shape your goal and how do they reveal the appropriateness of your goal. (If you are a couch-potato or klutz, don’t say you want to be a professional athlete–which wouldn’t be a match for b-school anyway.)  Finally, how will LBS help you achieve your goal?

Question 2. Give a specific example of when you have had to test your leadership and team working skills. Given this experience what role will you play in a first year study group? (300 Words)

First think of an example of you in a team setting and taking a leadership role. You don’t need to have had the title of “team lead” or “captain.” You need to have influenced, persuaded, and motivated other team members. What qualities did you exhibit that allowed you to succeed? Good listening skills? The ability to take a back seat when someone else knew more? Your teammates trust in your technical knowledge? There could be an infinite number of other traits; these are just a few that I thought of.

Then research the first year study groups at London Business School. The web site says, “When you arrive at London Business School, you will be assigned to a Study Group of six or seven people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. You will work with them throughout the first year and achieve around 50 per cent of your first year grade together.” You should also watch this video. Then show how the traits that made you successful in your example would also help you in a LBS Study Group.

Question 3. Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London Business School MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. Please describe how you will contribute to student clubs and the community and why? (300 Words)

They shortened this question this year by 100 words. Again, you need to research student life at LBS before you can answer this question. The best answers will directly respond to all elements in the question by showing that you have been involved in similar college, community, or professional organizations in the past. And you will be able to illustrate your abilities to contribute to LBS by discussing your earlier contributions.

Question 4. London Business School offers a truly global and diverse experience. Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country or culture. What did you gain and how will your experience contribute to London Business School? (300 Words)

And they added 150 words to this essay this year. This question reflects the importance of international and cross-cultural experiences for London Business School. What were the most 1-2 significant experiences you have had outside your home country and what did you learn from them.

Please choose ONE of the following options.

First rule when you have a choice: Choose the option that complements your other essays and is easiest for you to write a compelling, persuasive engaging essays. That is almost always the option you are most enthusiastic about writing, the one that almost writes itself.

Whatever you choose, keep it short & sweet. You only have 150 words.

Question 5a. You have decided to stand for the role of Student Association President. Announcing your campaign to the London Business School community for the first time, please describe your manifesto. (150 Words)

To respond to this question, you need to have a clear understanding of student life at LBS and the role of the Association President. What would you introduce or change? How are you qualified to be the LBS Association president?

OR

Question 5b. What is your most substantial achievement to date and why? (150 Words)

If at all possible demonstrate the impact of your achievement using numbers, If you have room, mention a challenge you faced along the way. Definitely include why you consider this experience to be your most substantial.

Question 6 (optional). Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application? (300 Words)

Please see “The Optional Question: To Be or Not to Be.”

Question 7 (for re-applicants only). How has your candidacy for the London Business School MBA improved since your last application? Have your views of London Business School or the MBA programme changed since you last applied? (300 Words)

This is THE key question for all reapplicants. London just asks it explicitly. Please see:

• Application Advice for MBA Reapplicants
• Create a Better Sequel: How to Reapply Right to Business School
• Take 2: MBA Reapplicant Webinar

Question 8. Please provide a CV/Resume. This CV must only be one page in length. If you have any significant gaps in your employment history, please tell us why on a separate sheet.

Go beyond mere job description to highlight achievement. If your title is “consultant,” saying that you “consulted on projects” is uninformative at best. If you are a financial analyst boasting that you did financial analysis states the obvious. Writing that you “Led a 6-member team working on a biotech outsourcing project to Slovakia with a budget of $X. It came in on time and under budget.” conveys infinitely more.

If you would like help with your London Business School MBA application, please consider Accepted’s MBA essay editing and admissions consulting or an LBS MBA Package, which includes essay editing, interview coaching, consultation, and a resume edit for the LBS MBA application.

By Linda Abraham, President and Founder of Accepted.com.