The GMAT Club » Admissions Consulting

MBA Admissions News Round Up

Accepted.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:17:58 +0000

You can now buy a bundle pack of pre-MBA exams and save money. GMAC announced last week that it was teaming up with Pearson to provide MBA applicants who need to take the GMAT and prove English proficiency with a discounted test bundle. The two providers will offer their respective tests (the GMAT and the Pearson Test of English Academic) together with a $100 discount.
In another recent GMAC press release, the company announced the launch of its Ideas to Innovation (I2I) Challenge, a global contest in which contestants will answer the question, “What one idea would improve graduate management education?” to compete for cash prizes up to $50,000. Submit a three-paragraph proposal (one single idea) to www.gmacmetfund.org between July 21 and October 8 to win some of the $250,000 that the GMAC and the MET Fund have stashed away for this huge competition.
Berkeley Haas‘ International Business Development (IBD) course is growing by leaps and bounds, despite the fact that business ventures all around it are “shrinking and taking financial hits,” reports a Haas School press release. In the last year alone, IBD grew by 50%, bringing the total number of students to a record high of 120 and the total number of projects to 30. (Next year’s goal is to hit the 160 student mark.) New clients acquired this year include for-profit companies (like SunPower) and nonprofits (like the Clinton Foundation); and countries that now have IBD coverage include Ecuador, Fiji, Honduras, and Uruguay. IBD expansion is attributed to the curriculum changes in the Haas program, mainly the fact that “all Berkeley MBA students take an experiential learning course that prepares them to solve real-world business and organizational problems.” Being involved in IBD fulfils that new requirement. Client interest in the IBD program has increased as more and more clients realize that they can get McKinsey-quality consulting at Haas student prices.
Cornell Johnson applicants who haven’t yet read Businessweek’s chat transcript with Johnson’s assistant dean of admissions Randall Sawyer, should do so now. The chat is loaded with advice for applicants, including information on GMAT scores, work experience, the waitlist, international applicants, recruiting, and more. Check it out.
I just finished listening to MBA Podcaster’s two-part series “From the Military to an MBA.” It is excellent. If you are attempting to go from the military to business school, I encourage you to listen to Part 1 and Part 2.

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Stanford GSB Admissions Associate Director Speaks: Top 8 Mistakes Applicants Make on Their Essays

Accepted.com — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:08:59 +0000

Here’s some advice: When the associate director of MBA admissions from your target school offers pointed, clear essay tips, MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THEM!

So for those of you applying to Stanford GSB, listen up as Allison Davis shares the top 8 mistakes applicants make on their essays:

1. Not making Essay B specific to the GSB.
2. Choosing a topic for Essay 3A, B, C, or D that is NOT within 3 years.
3. Combining your 2 essay C’s into 1 essay.
4. Cutting and pasting your essays from essays you’ve written for other schools. You risk not answering the question we’re asking…and big risk of leaving the name of the other school in your Stanford essay!
5. Writing what you think we want to hear, instead of what you genuinely want us to know about you. Be yourself…corny but true!
6. Single-spacing your essays. Please double space–our readers are reading hundreds of applications.
7. Using too small of a font on your essays. Please use 12-point font. Remember, our readers’ eyes!
8. Using an alternate font for essays. Use one of the recommended fonts: Arial, Courier, and Times New Roman to avoid legibility problems when your essays are downloaded on our end.

For more information about the essay questions for the class entering fall 2011 visit our tip-filled blog post.

For one-on-one guidance through the Stanford MBA application process, please check out Accepted.com’s Stanford Application Package or our other MBA essay editing and MBA admissions consulting assistance. Until July 31, 2010 you can save 10% on Accepted’s non-rush MBA services. Use coupon code EB10 at checkout to start early and save.

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MBA Admissions Telethon July 22

Accepted.com — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:05:55 +0000

For all of you setting your sights on joining the MBA Class of 2013, mark your calendars now—Accepted.com is hosting its next MBA Admissions Telethon on Thursday, July 22, 2010 between 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM GMT.

During the telethon, you will receive a free 15-minute consultation with an MBA admissions expert who will answer your questions on school choice, application strategy, mitigating negatives, differentiating yourself, and any other burning admissions questions you may have.

Sign up for this exclusive telethon today and receive valuable tips that will help you start your MBA applications on the right foot.

Learn more about the telethon and register now!

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

Save 20% on Must-Have Scholarship Resource Guide during July

Accepted.com — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:05:04 +0000

Applying to graduate school can be complicated enough—and that’s before you start worrying about how you’re going to pay for it. This month’s featured ebook, Financing Your Future: Winning Fellowships, Scholarships and Awards for Grad School, will provide you with valuable tips on how to secure funds for the next stage in your educational future.

Want a preview of some of the tips you’ll find in Financing Your Future? Here are a few on staying organized during the scholarship search:

You’ll likely be juggling fellowship applications and your grad school applications simultaneously. Grad School itself can be a constant dance of deadlines, projects, courses, extracurricular activities, and work. Organization, needless to say, is key.

Whatever organizational system works best for you—using paper files, going all electronic, programming deadlines into your phone—make sure you use it consistently.

Track all deadlines and all activity on each open application.
Note your interactions with your recommenders. When did you contact your recommenders? When did they respond? Have you scheduled meetings or phone calls?
Check the order time for official transcripts. When do you need to order them?
During your research, when you identify future funding opportunities, file that information with your other fellowship materials and make a note of their deadlines.

In this easy-to-download ebook you’ll find more practical tips on when, where, and how to apply to various funding sources, as well as receive helpful links and resources about scholarships, awards, and fellowships.

Invest in your graduate school future when you buy Financing Your Future today. Save 20% by entering coupon code FUTURE20 by July 31, 2010.

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2010 AIGAC Conference in Boston

Accepted.com — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:54:32 +0000

I will run out of superlatives if I attempt to describe the 2010 AIGAC Conference in Boston. Suffice it say that it was extraordinarily illuminating. MIT Sloan and Harvard Business School graciously and generously hosted the event, which was kicked off by MIT Sloan’s Dean David C. Schmittlein, who discussed the reasoning behind MIT Sloan’s portfolio of programs as well as the school’s three-fold focus on innovation, action learning, and knowledge creation. He was followed by multiple presentations about MIT Sloan, several panels with representatives from Columbia, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, INSEAD, Tuck, Yale SOM, Haas, Kelley, UCLA Anderson, UVA Darden, and Duke Fuqua. The conference ended at HBS with a dynamic presentation and tour of the magnificent HBS campus. (Ok I’ll can the superlatives.)

Several impressions and take-aways for applicants from the different events and sessions:

MIT Sloan Panels:

From the MIT panels it is clear that MIT is looking for demonstrated success academically and professionally. The latter translates into success or professional progression that is better than the norm for your peers. In terms of those fuzzy attributes and personal characteristics that schools talk about, Sloan wants to see drive; an ability to build relationships and influence others; and the establishment, pursuit and achievement of goals. A few details about the individual programs:

100% of the MFin grads have jobs this year, this program’s inaugural graduating class.
The EMBA is a program for those in mid-management with a demonstrated record of success who either want to advance in their career or make a slight career change without leaving their job. Neither sponsorship nor the GMAT is required. (the latter may be requested if MIT has questions about the applicant’s quant skills.)
The LGO program focuses on managing the global production and distribution of goods and services. It is a joint, quant-heavy 24-month program between MIT Sloan and MIT’s School of Engineering. Participants earn both an MBA and an MS in Engineering.

We also heard two presentations by MIT Sloan professors. If you have any doubt that MIT Sloan is serious about innovation and global reach, abandon them. The creativity and global impact evident in just these two hours would force you to reshape your views.

Impressions from Conference Day 2 (Multiple presentations by various schools reps)

Schools and admissions committee members look at different elements when they evaluate an application. Pay attention to the nuances.
Your informal and personally identifiable interactions with school admissions personnel are highly revealing. They COUNT! Arrogance at any point in time is a death knell for your application (and most relationships too.) Rudeness to a receptionist is a ding. What qualities impress positively? In your essays and interviews, reveal dignity, generosity of spirit, self-awareness, authenticity, and consideration of others. These qualities cannot be faked or “spun.”
Regarding financial aid, merit aid tends to go to the top X% based on academic stats. Generally, when evaluating fellowship essays, the readers do not refer to your application essays. Poor credit can prevent you from obtaining the loans necessary for you to attend the school of your dreams if merit aid and your resources don’t cover the tab; get your credit in order before you apply.
Regarding career development, the MBA employment picture improved throughout 2009-10. Read the employment reports for schools before you decide to apply and certainly before you decide to attend; you need to know school strengths as revealed in these reports. Understand the role of the career services staff (educating students about effective career planning and job search) and the limitations of that role. (They don’t create or find jobs for you.) Networking, which is about building relationships not the size of your contact list, is more important than ever. In order to build relationships, you must move beyond email.

Harvard Business School

At Harvard, we enjoyed an interactive two-hour presentation that was stimulating and engaging. To the extent it reflected the dynamism of the Harvard educational experience, I was extremely impressed.

This visit clarified for me that Harvard’s unparalleled brand is not just a matter of US News Rankings or smoke-and-mirrors branding. At the same time, HBS is not for everyone, but like any top graduate program, it can be a fantastic experience for the right individuals.

Before the conference started my husband and I met with an acquaintance who is a professor at HBS. The professor was curious about my work, and I was curious about his. He asked me what I believe distinguishes Harvard students from the rest of the applicant pool. I thought for a moment and replied, “Leadership and impact.” He smiled, and the conversation moved on. Just before leaving, I asked him, “From your perspective as an HBS professor, what is a common quality shared by HBS students?” He replied, “I smiled when you answered my question because the students come from incredibly diverse backgrounds. However, if I have to identify a common thread, it would be leadership and impact.” If you are serious about attending Harvard Business School, make sure you demonstrate leadership and impact.

Reflections and Thank yous

It is our job as admissions consultants to help you choose the best target programs and show that you belong at your chosen schools. The candor and graciousness shown by the hosting schools as well as by the presenting admissions directors will help Accepted’s staff do exactly that.

I am proud to report that Accepted’s staff was well represented at the conference. In addition to myself, Jennifer Bloom, Paul Bodine, Judy Gruen, Tanis Kmetyk, Cindy Tokumitsu, and Robbie Walker attended.

Profound thanks to the hosts and presenters as well as to AIGAC, led by Graham Richmond of Clear Admit, and specifically to Maxx Duffy of Maxx Associates and Anna Ivey of Ivey Consulting who co-chaired the event. Thanks also to the sponsors: Veritas Prep, Clear Admit, Hult International Business School, Manhattan GMAT, MBA Podcaster, and Zoom Interviews

Learn More: Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Choosing the One for You.

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

European B-Schools Expand to U.S.

Accepted.com — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:22:51 +0000

Top American business schools are not the only ones expanding worldwide in an effort to widen their global footprint; European b-schools are also setting up new foreign outposts…in the United States, reports a recent BusinessWeek article.

Reaching out to American students is not a new concept for European business schools which have been recruiting American students for the last ten years or so to attend their Europe-based programs. Now, top European business schools are taking this initiative one step further—by opening up satellite campuses on American turf. What better way to attract American students to European MBA programs than to open European business schools in America?

One European business school, Spain’s IESE, opened its New York campus last month. The six-story building, located on West 57th Street, won’t be offering an MBA program, but will host executive training programs, a research center, and will serve as an activity base for corporate sponsors and alumni. IESE’s goal is to use the New York campus to attract more American students to their Barcelona- and Madrid-based MBA programs. IESE’s incoming MBA class is about 12-15% American. (You can view a BusinessWeek video interview with the dean of IESE, Jordi Canals, here.)

Manchester Business School is another popular European b-school that has recently entered the U.S. market. Its plan includes setting up a campus in Miami that will house the school’s global part-time MBA program. The school chose Miami as its new home away from home since there are currently no other top business schools in that area, and since the city is so close to so many Fortune 500 company headquarters. “We felt we could be the highest ranked B-school in the region and also have access to the Caribbean, South America, and other markets,” explained Michael Luger, Manchester Business School dean.

A third European b-school planning on setting up shop in the U.S. this year is France’s largest business school, SKEMA. SKEMA’s ambitious global expansion plans include partnering with North Carolina State University’s full-time MBA program, setting up collaborative, dual degree programs with the school, and opening up a nearby 30,000 square-foot campus in Raleigh, North Carolina.

But will American students embrace these new European programs on American soil, asks the BusinessWeek article? After all, when U.S. students choose to get their MBAs abroad, isn’t the reason, at least in part, because the European programs are shorter, less expensive, and more diverse? How will the European programs in America compare on those three concerns? Also, will these new programs have strong enough recruiting relationships with American companies? Will these European schools in American prepare students adequately for a career in Europe? What about in America?

These questions remain unanswered, for now. We’ll see how these new programs fare over the course of the next year and get back to you.

In the meantime, if you’re considering applying to business school—either in the United States or abroad—and could use our assistance, then you should get an early start by checking out our early bird special and saving 10%! Enter coupon code EB10 at checkout.

Related Accepted.com Resources:

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Newsflash: Accepted.com Publishes New Special Report and Email Course on how to Create Exemplary Essays!

Accepted.com — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:13:03 +0000

Reading sample essays is a great way to stimulate your creative juices before you sit down to write your essays. However, most people spend a ton of time reading sample essays, but have no idea how to apply the techniques used in the perfectly crafted examples to their own essays.

In this exciting new special report (which can also be downloaded as a free, 5-day ecourse), you’ll learn how to transform your boring or bland application essays or personal statements into intriguing and exemplary works of prose by studying other successful essays.

Here are some tips from the first section of From Example to Exemplary:

Open with a colorful anecdote or a question to engage the reader’s interest right from the beginning.
Hold the reader’s interest by building on your story, sentence by sentence, adding new information and avoiding repetition.
Refer back to your opening when you conclude your essay, bringing your story full circle.

However, in the special report the tips all reference the sample essays on Accepted.com. You can see exactly how applicants just like you applied these techniques and created compelling personal statements and application essays. When you download the free From Example to Exemplary special report or subscribe to the Exemplary email course, you’ll receive more insightful tips and rich advice about how to transform your essays into masterful writing.

From Example to Exemplary author, Judy Gruen, is an Accepted editor and co-author of the ebook, MBA Letters of Recommendation That Rock. She has helped hundreds of students through the application process and knows what works and what doesn’t. Profit from her knowledge, experience, and skill.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Save 10% When You Start Working on Applications NOW

Accepted.com — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:24:11 +0000

The best applications are those that are started early and completed without rushing, hassle, or stress. To encourage you to start working on your essays or personal statements early, Accepted is unrolling its Early Bird Special.

Get the experienced advice you need to create polished, compelling essays and save 10% with Accepted’s MBA essay editing, b-school comprehensive packages, law school essay editing, or graduate school essay editing services, and college personal statement services.

Enter coupon code EB10 at checkout to save up to $460, start your applications early, and submit outstanding application essays, personal statements, or statements of purpose!

This unbelievable sale ends July 31, 2010, so act quickly to save!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Free Essays that Stick Webinar Recording Up and Running!

Accepted.com — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:50:01 +0000

A few weeks ago Linda presented the packed-to-capacity presentation of Essays that Stick for AIGAC’s Graduate Admissions Summit. The first-run, “sold-out” webinar was followed by a second heavily-attended presentation. People just couldn’t get enough of Linda’s helpful tips and advice on how to create application essays or personal statements that stand out and engage the adcoms, leaving a memorable, positive impression.

We thought that a presentation in such demand should be posted for your easy availability…anytime you need it.

So whether you attended the webinar and just want to review, or if you’re curious to see what all the hype is about, you can now view or download the Essays that Stick webinar straight from our website.

The 45-minute presentation is free, easily downloadable, and extremely helpful for grad school applicants aiming to compose memorable prose that will get them accepted to their top-choice programs.

View or download Essays that Stick now!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Free MBA Consultations for 2011 Applicants

Accepted.com — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:06:41 +0000

Considering joining the MBA Class of 2013? Not sure how to develop a compelling MBA admissions strategy? Sounds like you need some advice!

I would like to invite all 2011 MBA applicants to sign up for the upcoming 2011 MBA Admissions Telethon on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 between 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM GMT.

Pre-registered telethon participants can call to speak with one of our MBA admissions experts for 15 minutes during the two-hour telethon block of time. Those 15 minutes are yours to ask your burning MBA questions, review your resume (which you’ll send us in advance, along with a short questionnaire that we’ll provide for you), and receive valuable tips that will get you started on your MBA quest headed towards acceptance.

Learn more about the telethon and sign up now!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best