A Conceptual View of Admissions (EASDL)

I have included the following conceptual view of admission to aid the self-evaluation process of GMAT members.

E
A
S
D
L

One can view the admissions process as minimizing a set of risks. The value placed on any given risk varies with each school(please note that I am not using "risk" in any formal sense in this discussion). Further, these risks overlap to some extent.

Employment Risk: The danger that employers will be reluctant or unwilling to hire a school's students. Gauged in part by work history, interview, and letters of reference.

Academic Risk: The danger that students will be unable to cope with the coursework. Typically gauged by means of past academic performance including GPA, class standing, and GMAT scores.

Social Skills/Class Contribution/Social Communication Risk: The danger that students will lack the necessary skills to interact with their classmates or make meaningful contributions in class or collaborative projects. The ability of students to express themselves in English can be included under this heading. Largely gauged by interview and letters of reference

Demographic Risk: The danger that all students will come from the same background (ethnicity, race, gender, age, nationality, employer, etc.)

Leadership Risk: The danger that the student lacks leadership qualities and/or leadership potential. Sometimes "poor ethics/ immorality/ amorality" risk is included under leadership risk.

Keep these different risks in mind when evaluating your candidacy.

That's awesome info in a nutshell. I don't think I have ever seen anyone putting the admission criteria in such a succinct and accurate manner.

Keep in mind the "Big 6" components of your admit file

In alphabetical order:

1) Essays
2) GMAT
3) Interview
4) LOR
5) Undergraduate Record/Coursework
6) Work Experience

Carefully evaluate which factors are fixed and which are variable