NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 25 Apr 2024, 09:37 It is currently 25 Apr 2024, 09:37
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

The "Why this bschool?" question

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
User avatar
saurabh357
Current Student
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Posts: 138
Own Kudos [?]: 4 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: New Delhi
 Q49  V44
Send PM
The "Why this bschool?" question [#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 08:16
I have observed that a number of bschools have an essay about why we want to apply to them...now, of course people have different takes on this but I really wanted opinions here....so if there is a dicussion link for last year about this or some one wanting to put in their own thoughts, most welcome....
User avatar
CerealsMBA
Manager
Manager
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 136
Own Kudos [?]: 17 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 08:33
On my side, my two top choices are also geographically motivated, as my wife has a job and that it is difficult for her to relocate (thank god it is Chicago though!).

Talking last week to a GSB and a Kellogg alumni, they told me that stressing a geographical preference in the application was a good thing.

Anyone has an opinion on this ?
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 699 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 10:13
I haven't been able to talk to any alums. UCLA refused to give out any alum info. Stanford's alum association president said to talk to the adcom, and Haas I'm still waiting for a response.

But here are some general things I'm going to talk about in the "Why this school?" essay:

- Geographical Preference: This is a biggie for me, and one of the reasons why I'm only applying to 3-4 schools and am not even applying to Harvard/MIT. I hope to also know if this is a good idea to stress geographical preference

- School Curriculum: I want a more flexible curriculum like Stanford's new one, instead of Harvard's fixed curriculum.

- School strengths: I'm looking for entrepreneurship, VC, and/or Global Management, so the schools I'm applying to have strengths in those.

- Culture/Atmosphere: I'll have to visit the schools before I can talk about this, but it'll be in the essays for sure!

- Teaching method: Ditto above

Any others?
avatar
aviroop
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 48 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: HKUST MBA - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44
GPA: 3.2
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 10:21
Job preferences - some schools are more finance based, some are more consulting based - post MBA job scene....

alumni networks, social networking - some schools like an indivualistic approach, some prefer team work.

these 2 came in my mind
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 699 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 10:31
good point about the alumni network. That's one BIG reason why I am only applying to elite and above schools, for the flexibility of moving around the country if I need to after graduation and still have a good alumni presence.
User avatar
gmatmba
Director
Director
Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 518
Own Kudos [?]: 112 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: France
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 10:45
I would disagree on the geographic location bit as I dont think that carry a lot of weight. I think the response should be more focussed on a combination of:

1. Academics - what kind of 1st year core and electives offer and how that may be of interest to you. this may include classes, profs, educational seminars, etc.
2. what your career goals are as far as industry, recruiting companies that come to schools, placements for school. also may include networking opportunities, alum network, etc as well as clubs available that you can be a part of.

I am sure realistically geography of school plays a part but I would not advice on making it the numero uno reason...maybe just mention it as secondary reason.
User avatar
CerealsMBA
Manager
Manager
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 136
Own Kudos [?]: 17 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 12:25
kryzak wrote:
I haven't been able to talk to any alums. UCLA refused to give out any alum info. Stanford's alum association president said to talk to the adcom, and Haas I'm still waiting for a response.



If you want to get in touch with alumni, you should try local alumni chapters or cross check people on social networks (LinkedIn is great for that) with whichever company you work for. These options worked very well for me.

I was extremely pleasantly surprised by the spontaneous responses I received, and these guys' will to spend some time after work talking about their school.
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 699 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 12:28
Sweet, thanks CerealMBA! I will try Linked in and some Yahoo and Google groups.
User avatar
zakk
Manager
Manager
Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 230
Own Kudos [?]: 7 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: The 408
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2007, 12:38
gmatmba wrote:
I would disagree on the geographic location bit as I dont think that carry a lot of weight. I think the response should be more focussed on a combination of:

1. Academics - what kind of 1st year core and electives offer and how that may be of interest to you. this may include classes, profs, educational seminars, etc.
2. what your career goals are as far as industry, recruiting companies that come to schools, placements for school. also may include networking opportunities, alum network, etc as well as clubs available that you can be a part of.

I am sure realistically geography of school plays a part but I would not advice on making it the numero uno reason...maybe just mention it as secondary reason.


excellent points. Also remember that this is your chance to market yourself to their program. I would also add to the points above how you fit into them and what makes them appealing to you.

bad: The GAP program at Anderson sounds neat.

good: My experience working with engineers from all corners of the globe spurred my interest in working for a global IT company, such as Cisco Systems. The GAP program at Anderson is an important opportunity for me personally to segue from IT consulting to global business management and further hone my teambuilding and leadership skills.

Show what you're interested in, how the school fits with your plans and what you'll contribute as well.
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
[#permalink]
23 Jul 2007, 12:38

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions