The GMAT Club » Accepted.com

Analyze 4 GMAT Score Case Studies in Today’s Webinar

accepted.com — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:15:02 +0000

You’re running out of time to reserve your spot for this afternoon’s free webinar, That GMAT Score: Implications for Your MBA Application.

Linda Abraham is going to analyze 4 different applicant case studies focusing on their GMAT scores and the question of retaking or not.

So register for That GMAT Score: Implications for Your MBA Application and mark your calendars now!

The webinar will take place today, Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET.

Accepted.com’s experienced admissions consultants can help you create the most impressive application possible with comprehensive packages, or provide targeted assistance from picking perfect programs to designing a dazzling resume, constructing engaging essays, or preparing for intense interview s…and more! Accepted.com has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top MBA programs since 1994 – we know what works and what doesn’t, so contact us to get started now!

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

Against the Odds: Indian MBA Hopefuls Must Prep for Uphill Battle

accepted.com — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:45:46 +0000

Indian candidates face fierce competition on their quest to MBA admission abroad. But that probably isn’t news to you.

India alone offers up the highest number of foreign MBA applicants (43%), followed by China (27%) then the US (6%) according to a 2012 study by the Graduate Management Admission Council. Applicants “from China and India are more than four to five times likely to be turned down for admission than either domestic applicants or those from Europe, Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East,” states a recent article by Poets&Quants on CNN Money.

For MBA programs, the main issue behind the disparity in foreign applicant pool numbers and their slice of acceptances can be attributed to many factors: the sheer volume of applications from a particular background, the schools’ desire to diversify their classes, anticipated student loan debt burdens, and visa hurdles for foreign students who want to work abroad after graduation, according to interviews with MBA officers and another Poets&Quants article.

This is the first in a series of five blog posts oriented to Indian MBA hopefuls on how you can set yourself apart before, during and after (i.e. job hunt) the application process. Your potential success in front of a recruiter is ultimately what many admissions committees are judging too.

“For us, at Duke, we see lots of candidates from India who are strong in a functional role,” says Dan McCleary, Regional Director for India at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. “The biggest question we ask when trying to decide is how this person going to fair when they are being interviewed for a client-facing role.”

“Getting into business school is only half the battle. We are looking for candidates who can go the distance and get hired by these organizations.”

McCleary goes on to say that over the past four years he’s seen Indian candidates become much more sophisticated in their application approach. They’re not just looking at marketing materials. They’re connecting with business school representatives, current students and alumni. They’re reading blogs to find out insider details. They’re showing a good fit with the school’s curriculum and culture. Those who don’t will stand out — but not in a good way.

“We still see applicants from people who haven’t done their homework, and it becomes more obvious.” McCleary advises, “Pick a smaller set of schools to apply to and connect with more people.”

What can you do to get to know more people at your array of school choices –(which should include your dream picks, good fits, and safeties!)

1. Network with those you know. Ask among your batchmate network or among family friends for referrals to b-school connects. Gauge whether or not it’s safe to ask work mentors or colleagues for introductions to MBA alums (but be careful not to tip off your interest in leaving the company if it’s a sensitive issue). Be prepared with a brief message (about 200 words) detailing why you’re interested in the school and your future career goals. Ask your friends to pass it along in an email introduction.

2. Prepare to ace the first of many MBA interviews. Once you’re connected, inquire about meeting for tea/coffee or stopping in for a brief chat. Or if distance doesn’t allow, set up a phone call or Skype session. Be prepared and respect their time! You should know the basics about the school and why you think you’re a good fit. Come up with good questions so you can get an insider’s perspective. If you feel like you’ve really hit it off, ask for referrals to other alums, a note on your behalf to the admissions committee, and any other advice they can give.

3. Visit the campus, or attend a school-sponsored MBA event. This shows the school that you’re really interested in their program. It’s not the time for you to monopolize the presentation with all your questions, or rattle out your specific profile and ask if you have a chance to get in! MBA programs are more and more looking at emotional intelligence when they decide whom to admit. They want to see that you’re personable and approachable, just as you hope they would be. So show them! Come prepared with one or two insightful questions, introduce yourself to other applicants and current students, and gather contact information for follow-ups.

Bottom line: Prepare yourself now to be the type of student or alum you’d like to network with if you become accepted. Well-informed, articulate, and resourceful.

Feel free to add to the comments on this post other successful methods you’ve used to network on your path toward MBA acceptance!

Stay tuned for more posts in this upcoming series …

- Look at fit, then brand

- Speak to your audience (in their language)

- Find a way to pay

- Prepare for your job hunt now … at home or abroad, what’s best

Michelle Stockman is a professional journalist, former Columbia Business School admissions insider, and experienced MBA admissions consultant.

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

GMAT Facts [Infographic]

accepted.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:15:21 +0000

Thanks to the folks at GMAT Cheat Sheet for sharing this great infographic!

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

4 MBA Resume Tips [Short Video]

accepted.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:42 +0000

This is a must-see for all MBA applicants!

Linda Abraham shares four MBA resume tips that you simply need to know before you submit your application!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

Important GMAT Webinar on Wednesday! Grab Your Seat Now!

accepted.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:06:40 +0000

We’ll be hosting our MBA webinar, That GMAT Score: Implications for Your MBA Application, on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET.

If you are applying to b-school and struggling to understand how your GMAT fits into your MBA profile and the rest of your application, then you won’t want to miss this event.

During the FREE webinar, Linda Abraham, Accepted.com founder/CEO and GMAT number decoding expert, will be offering specific advice on how to prepare for the GMAT, analyze your score, determine if and when you should retake the exam, and more.

Reserve your spot for That GMAT Score: Implications for Your MBA Application now!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

New Guide to B-Schools for Management Consultants!

accepted.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:55:17 +0000

Are you applying to a top MBA program with a management consulting goal? Not sure which programs offer the best support and education for individuals with your goals?

Check out Accepted’s newest special report, MBA In Sight: Focus on Management Consulting.

This guide will highlight the career stats, courses, clubs, research centers, and study abroad options that pave the way for a career in management consulting for graduates of these elite programs.

Download MBA In Sight: Focus on Management Consulting for free right now!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

INSEAD 2014 Application Deadlines

accepted.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 15:30:10 +0000

There are a bunch of INSEAD application deadlines coming up, both for January 2014 intakes (class of 2014 – December) and for September 2014 intakes (class of 2015 – July).

Mark your calendars and please let us know how we can help you meet your INSEAD (or any other school) goals!

For January 2014 Start Date

- June 12, 2013 – R2 application deadline
- August 7, 2013 – R3 application deadline

For September 2014 Start Date

- October 2, 2013 – R1 application deadline
- November 27, 2013 – R2 application deadline
- March 5, 2014 – R3 application deadline

The first deadline on the list (in June) is less than a month away, and the others will creep up on you shortly thereafter! It’s time to get to work on those INSEAD applications!

For specific advice on how to get into INSEAD, check out our INSEAD B-School Zone. For one-on-one guidance through the application process, see our MBA Application Packages.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

We’re on Stitcher!

accepted.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:06 +0000

Good news, y’all! Linda Abraham’s awesome podcast, Admissions Straight Talk, is now available on Stitcher!

So all you Stitcher people: run, don’t walk, to your nearest iPhone, Androiod, iPad, or PC and join Linda for a bi-weekly discussion of what’s new, thought-provoking, and useful in the world of graduate admissions.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

MBA Blogger Interview with MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations’ Victoria Knight

accepted.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:35:58 +0000

Get ready to read about our next student blogger, Victoria Knight, who blogs at Let’s Get Operating. Victoria talks about her experience in MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations program. Read on for more information!

Accepted: Let’s start by getting some basics: Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad? Where did you work before heading to MIT?

Victoria: Hi Accepted.com! My name is Victoria Knight and I am a second year student in MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations program. I grew up in Massachusetts, but have also lived in Michigan for three years. I studied Architecture at MIT for my undergrad degree and, after school, I worked for an architecture firm and then in medical device manufacturing. My goal in going to graduate school was to continue to do something tangible afterwards, like manufacturing, rather than make a career transition to finance or something like that.

Accepted: Can you tell us about the dual degree you’re pursuing and about the Leaders for Global Operations program you’re in?

Victoria: Leaders for Global Operations (LGO), is a dual degree program between MIT’s Sloan School of Business and MIT’s School of Engineering. It requires a minimum of two years of work experience and was founded 25 years ago with the goal of supporting US manufacturing excellence. It is now more global and also has a focus on operations. After 24 months (18 months of classes and six months of internship), students graduate from the program with a MBA and a MS in an engineering department of their choice. You do have to write a thesis.

I chose Engineering Systems Division (ESD) for my engineering master’s. ESD is a department which covers lots of things, most of which I characterize as “meta engineering” – they look at high level systems problems. These can be anything from supply chain issues and transportation network planning to technology policy. Many of the classes I take are cross-listed in the Mechanical Engineering department.

Accepted: What is your favorite thing about MIT? Least favorite?

Victoria: My favorite thing about MIT is that it is impossible to be bored. Where MIT could most improve is probably is helping people find out about all the cool stuff that is going on and all the resources the campus (or their website) has to offer. I continue to learn about new offices, programs, lecture series, services, etc. that I never knew about before. I did not even know about LGO while I was at MIT for undergrad; I only found out about it in a young alumni email.

Accepted: What is your favorite class?

Victoria: My favorite class that I have taken as part of LGO would have to be a seminar called Lion Teams – we split into teams and acted as consultants for manufacturing companies in China. As part of the class, we visited these companies in China and complete additional on-site work. That was the first time I had been to Asia and it was a fantastic real world opportunity. I think it also gave me useful credibility for my position at Corning Incorporated.

Accepted: Congrats on your job offer! What will you be doing at Corning Incorporated? How did MIT help you find or secure that position?

Victoria: I will start there in mid-July and will be working on manufacturing strategy for their displays division. A large portion of my job will be visiting Corning’s manufacturing plants, many of which are in Asia, and completing analyses for them related to cost, capacity, etc.

I originally applied for a general strategy position at Corning which was listed on MIT Sloan’s Career website. To prep for my interviews I contacted a recent MIT Sloan alumnus who had worked in that role to get more background on the position and the company. After my on-site interview, the HR person from Corning suggested me for this manufacturing focused strategy position and which is the one I ultimately accepted. So, I would say that MIT helped me make the initial connection, but Corning worked to coordinate the final match.

Accepted: Why did you decide to blog about your grad school journey? What have you gained from the experience?

Victoria: I decided to blog about my LGO/grad school experience because of three things:

1. Reading current LGO student blogs was very helpful and important to me in learning more about the program; I wanted to continue that tradition.
2. As an MIT undergrad alumna, I felt that I could add extra information to my blog about how to make the most of campus and things in the Boston/Cambridge area that other LGOs could not.
3. I had kept a personal blog for three years before beginning LGO and so it was something I felt comfortable continuing.

Benefits that have come or will come from my blogging experience are: awesome satisfaction when an applicant tells me that my blog helped them decide to come to LGO, getting to share more about a school I love and finally, having a great set of “memories” written out that I can refer to in the future. I printed the personal blog that I had referenced earlier in a book form and intend to do the same for Let’s Get Operating.

Since I found out about LGO, to some extent, by chance, I am very happy that Accepted.com asked to interview me and that I could help more people learn about the program.

Do you want to be featured in Accepted.com’s blog, Accepted Admissions Blog? If you want to share your MBA/EMBA journey with the world (or at least with our readers), email us at mbabloggers@accepted.com.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.

Curious about Management Consulting?

accepted.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:16:02 +0000

For my next Admissions Straight Talk podcast, I’m going to interview Victor Cheng. Victor has many claims to fame, including:

Former McKinsey consultant, resume screener, and case interviewer.
Passed 60 out of 61 case interviews and landed 7 consulting job offers.
Author of Case Interview Secrets, an extremely clear and well-written book on excelling in case interviews.
Since 2003, strategic adviser and consultant to owners of mid-size business in service or web- based industries with $1M – $25M in sales.
Speaker and expert on business issues turned to by media outlets including TIME, The Wall Street Journal, Inc, Fortune, and others.

I plan to focus this segment of Admissions Straight Talk on preparation for a career in management consulting. I have a bunch of questions I know I want answers to, but I am also wondering:

What would you like me to ask Victor? What would you ask him if you could?

Please put those suggestions, requests, and questions in comments below. Don’t be shy. I am asking this same question in various social media too.

I’ll take the ones I’m dying to ask along with the best ones you send me, and they will be the building blocks of the next Admissions Straight Talk podcast.

We’ll post the segment here on Thursday May 23. To make sure you don’t miss it or any other segments of Admissions Straight Talk, the podcast for graduate school applicants, please subscribe:

It can’t be easier, just put your questions in a comment below.

By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted.com and co-author of the new, definitive book on MBA admissions, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools .

This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.