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Accepted MBA Updates

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Follow These DARING Steps to Ensure a Winning R2 MBA Application [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   06 Oct 2021, 09:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Follow These DARING Steps to Ensure a Winning R2 MBA Application



Do you know how to craft an application that portrays you at your best? An application that presents you as a perfect match for the schools you are aiming for? Do you know how to translate your stats into a compelling narrative?

In very busy Round 2, you’ve got to do all this and more. You’ve got to make every inch of your application real estate count. With the clock ticking toward application deadlines, you must begin to plan for success NOW. 

Join us on Thursday, October 14, at 10 a.m. PT/1 pm ET for our free, information-packed webinar, How to Create Compelling Round 2 MBA Applications. This interactive presentation will provide our practical, time-proven “DARE” approach to building a successful R2 MBA application. 

Led by Accepted founder and CEO Linda Abraham, you will learn how to:  

  • Make a great first impression with an impact-filled, achievement-oriented resume

  • Map your essays to match the criteria, mission, and values of the school

  • Demonstrate leadership and teamwork challenges and achievements 

  • Reflect multicultural fluency and diversity without sounding trite or cliched

  • Cultivate a purpose-driven and goal-centered attitude towards your application

  • Secure compelling recommendations

This session is free, but seats are filling up fast. This is an opportunity to propel your application into the major leagues. You do not want to miss this. Register today!

Register for the webinar:


For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. Want an MBA admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
The post Follow These DARING Steps to Ensure a Winning R2 MBA Application appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.
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How to Get Into Darden MBA [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   12 Oct 2021, 09:01
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: How to Get Into Darden MBA
[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Pod_Dawna_Clarke_Oct_2021_REV_copy.jpg[/img]
[url=https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/www.accepted.com/hubfs/Podcast_audio_files/Podcast/439_Dawna-Clarke_2021.mp3][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Pod_Dawna_Clarke_Oct_2021_REV_copy.jpg[/img][/url]

Get to know UVA Darden’s thoughtful application process [Show summary]

Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at Darden School of Business explores the program’s unique case method and recounts how the school proactively adapted during COVID-19. 

What makes UVA Darden unique? A choice-rich MBA experience and a close-knit student community [Show notes]

Welcome to the 439th episode of Admissions Straight Talk, thanks for tuning in. Are you ready to apply to your dream business schools? Are you competitive at your target program? [url=https://www.accepted.com/mba-quiz]Accepted’s MBA Admissions Calculator[/url] can give you a quick reality check, just go to accepted.com/mbaquiz, complete the quiz and you not only get an assessment, but also tips on how to improve your chances of acceptance. Plus it’s all free.

It gives me great pleasure to have on Admissions Straight Talk Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at UVA Darden. Dawna is one of the most experienced and respected MBA admission directors I’ve had the privilege of knowing. She started her career in MBA admissions at UNC Kenan-Flagler, then moved to Darden (which is where we first met) and served for 15 years as director of admissions, and then served in the same role at Tuck and even spent a short period as an MBA admissions consultant. She returned to Darden in 2017. In all her positions and roles in MBA admissions, Dawna is known for running an applicant-friendly admissions process while attracting great candidates to the schools that she has been associated with. [url=https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/www.accepted.com/hubfs/Podcast_audio_files/Podcast/439_Dawna-Clarke_2021.mp3]Dawna, welcome to Admissions Straight Talk[/url] and congratulations again on your new title.

Can we start with a basic overview of the Darden MBA program for listeners who are not that familiar with it, focusing on its more distinctive elements? [2:18]

Sure, absolutely. I’m happy to give an overview of [url=https://blog.accepted.com/uva-darden-mba-essay-tips-deadlines/]Darden[/url]. Darden is a two-year, full-time, general management program. Assuming we’re primarily talking about the full-time format, we do offer other formats as well, but I will focus on the full-time format. I will say one of the most distinctive elements of Darden is that it is primarily a case method school. Over the years, our faculty has revisited the curriculum and asked whether a case method is the most relevant teaching method. To date, since the school was founded in the 1950s, they continue to commit to the case method. 

The philosophy is that the best way to learn how to make business decisions is to start making them. At Darden, we’re trying to cultivate a variety of skills, leadership skills, team skills — it’s a general management program. So people are going to get accounting skills, financial skills, global skills, but one of the most relevant skills that we’re trying to cultivate are strong business decision-making skills. The philosophy is that the best way to start to cultivate those skills is to practice. Students do over 500 cases while they’re at Darden. So there’s a lot of practice. It’s very practical and relevant. One of the benefits of the case method that a lot of people don’t know about is that it exposes you to a lot of industries. So for students who are coming to Darden, a lot of people know that they want to transition into a business career, but they may not know what functional area. Through the general management program, you’re going to get a lot of exposure to all the functional areas of business like accounting and economics and finance. But because it’s a case method school, every case is set within an industry. So in your two years at Darden, a student is going to get exposed to almost 70 different industries. Even if you don’t go into energy, knowing a little bit about energy may be really valuable to you if you have a client in the future, who’s from the energy industry. You’re going to have cases from transportation, hospitality, financial services, consulting, startups, petrochemical companies. I love the phrase, “We don’t know what we don’t know.” 

The average age for entering MBA students to the full-time format tends to be 27 or 28, and I’ve just seen so many examples of people who were not sure what they wanted to do come through our program. I can think of one woman who was never previously exposed to the airline industry. She hadn’t even thought about pursuing a career in the airline industry. In her first year, she did about three or four cases in the airline industry, and it really resonated with her. She did an internship with American Airlines, got a full-time job offer and ended up rising the ranks of American Airlines to a C-Suite position. That is the beauty of the case method. You get to experiment and learn a lot about different industries. 

Darden is also known for its sense of community. There are a multitude of things you can get involved in at Darden. There are affinity groups that you can become involved in. There are professional organizations, there are things like the choir and social organizations. I also think our location is an asset. Darden is part of the University of Virginia. UVA has nine professional schools where Darden students can cross register and take up to two electives in the second year at any of those nine schools, as long as they’re a graduate level class. I always encourage students to tap into some joy and just get lost on the UVA website as well as the Darden website. I also think our location in Charlottesville, just in terms of a place to spend two years of your life, is an asset. I think if I didn’t work for Darden, I’d work for the Charlottesville tourism department. It’s rated the number one foodie town in the country by Rand McNally, has 41 vineyards, lots of breweries, and lots of history so I do encourage people as they’re looking at Darden to take advantage of the opportunities that are at the University of Virginia, as well as Darden and the opportunities to try a different area of the country.

We also have Amtrak right here. If I have to go to New York City for work, I hop on the Amtrak. It’s a five hour trip. I can take Amtrak up to DC. I would prefer to be on the train rather than driving, but we also have a decent airport here with direct flights to Atlanta, New York and Chicago. It’s a little bit more accessible than some people think.

What COVID adaptations does Darden intend to keep in its MBA program and admissions moving forward? [8:24]

I’m really glad that you asked this question because I think the manner in which the school has navigated COVID says a lot about the school, and I could not be more proud of the way that Darden navigated COVID. I’m going to give everybody a little bit of an overview of how we navigated it so you have some context about how I think that’s going to carry forward. 

First of all, I think it starts from the top down. I’m on the Dean’s leadership team, and the mantra from the beginning was really to navigate COVID with a great deal of compassion, obviously a high level of commitment to the safety and health of our entire community, but to do so with a great level of compassion. When COVID struck in March, you may remember that a lot of students who were applying to business schools in Round 3 could not take a GMAT or GRE because test centers were closed worldwide. Again, the guiding mantra was to really be compassionate. Imagine what it would be like if you were a student and you wanted to apply to business school and you couldn’t take one of the entrance exams. So Darden immediately went to a model of test flexibility to help accommodate students. During COVID we granted 94 deferrals of students who could not get here last year to this year. In a 35-year career in the industry, I have never been in a position to have to grant so many deferrals, but it was the right thing to do. 

Darden is the only top business school that introduced the option to start in January. Say you’re an international student from around the world, I think that they felt really cared for because they could defer their enrollment for a full year. Any of our admitted students also had the option to start in January and that was a heavy lift on the part of the faculty and staff to have two starts. I think that says a lot. 

Darden also has a lockstep first year, is that right? [10:42]

Yes, we do. They condensed it so that if you didn’t start in August, you start on January 4th and finish on July 4th. They condensed the entire first year into that six month period of time. That is what we call Section J. They are incredibly close. I mean, they were kind of in this bubble of about 56 of them together and they were virtual. But I think that that is a good example of [url=https://blog.accepted.com/uva-darden-announces-radical-flexibility-for-the-class-of-2022-applicants/]the lengths that Darden went through to accommodate students[/url] who were navigating and trying to get here. 

We were one of the only schools that did not have to shut down last year. The protocols that were in place were really top notch. I was fortunate to be on the COVID-19 committee. They had epidemiologists from UVA on our committee to help guide us. At no point did we have to completely shut down. There was a virtual hybrid rotation that was going on, but we did not have to shut down. 

The school was very concerned about the sense of community, we’re really known for our sense of community. So what the school did was provide free lunch for all the first year students and provided permanent tents outside and places where they could eat safely together to foster a sense of community. Darden was named by Poets & Quants the school that navigated COVID with the most flexibility and compassion, and I’m really proud to have been a part of that.

I think some of these things are self-perpetuating. You do it because it’s the right thing to do, you get positive feedback and then there’s more of that, that is done. I think that what will go forward is a good reinforcement of how important flexibility and compassion are to each other in these times and also generosity. I think it was amazing that the school provided free lunch for the whole year for students to foster a sense of community at a time when that sense of community was really vulnerable, because people were virtual. 

We did not replicate the January section this year. We’re going to study the January section and see what they have to say about it and then how they do in terms of recruitment as second years. But it went well. One of the silver linings is that they are such a close cohort and they just came back. They started today as the second year class and it’s kind of fun because they’re meeting some of their classmates for the first time. Again, I’m very, very, very proud to be part of a school that handled COVID so well and I think that kind of sensitivity to human beings and a sense of being accommodating is really something to be proud of.

[url=https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590][img]https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590.png[/img][/url]

Did most of the deferrals go to Section J or were they deferred a full year? [14:05]

That’s interesting because about 55 started in January and then an additional 94 were deferred to this class. Some of that, we also have the future year scholars program. So I think 16 of the 94 were future year scholars and 81 of the 94 actually matriculated last week. They really stuck with us. I think, again, these things are self-perpetuating. I think students really appreciated the accommodation. They had a dream. They wanted to be here last year and in some cases just couldn’t get here because of COVID or visas or both. They were very loyal to us. So 81 out of the 94 deferrals showed up to Darden.

Did the deferrals mean that you had to accept fewer people from the applicant pool last year? [14:57]

It was more competitive last year. This year it’s back to a normal level of deferrals because fortunately most of the students were able to get here. Their orientation started last week. It’s a really excellent class in terms of objective measures like the average GMAT and the record high GPA. We’re also really proud that it’s the most [url=https://www.accepted.com/mba-quiz]diverse class[/url] in Darden’s history, across multiple dimensions: 40% international students, 40% women, highest percentage of underrepresented minorities, highest percentage of total minority students, highest percentage of first generation college students, highest percent that identify as LGBTQ+, highest percentage of dual degree students and numbers with an advanced degree. We’re really excited for this class. It’s such a stellar class and really, really diverse which is nice because the previous year in many business schools, it was hard to get the same representation that we normally have of international students because of COVID.

You mentioned Darden has made test waivers requests available to applicants. Who should seek them and who shouldn’t? [16:21]

Great question, Linda. Thanks for asking that. The philosophy behind [url=https://blog.accepted.com/test-optional-mba-programs-everything-you-need-to-know/]offering a test waiver[/url] really stems from our belief that not all stellar applicants are stellar test-takers. I’m sure that you, as a very experienced, highly reputable admissions consultant have interacted with lots of those students – people who are incredible and have so much to offer a business school and will be high impact leaders that they can’t master to the extent that they wish they could in a three and a half hour exam. Our philosophy is that it’s 2021, it’s not 1950 anymore. We have great respect for the GMAT and GRE. The validity studies that we participated in the past do show that they’re valuable instruments, but we did a lot of data analytics in advance of this policy shift to see what other factors correlate with academic success at Darden.

There have been a couple phases of those studies. For example, we found that the interview correlates more with academic success than we would have thought. We found that the verbal GMAT is a better predictor than the quantitative GMAT. The GPA is a better predictor than the test scores. We’re going through analysis right now and looking to see if there is a correlation if you have a CFA, if you have a CPA, if you’ve done some Darden Coursera classes, if you have a master’s degree in a relevant area, if you have a quantitatively oriented job, etc. We’re continuously looking at data to help guide our policies but to answer your question about who should apply, I would recommend the test waiver process for candidates who have strong alternative evidence that they can do well academically. Maybe a candidate has a strong undergraduate GPA in a relevant field. Maybe he or she has earned a master’s in a relevant field. Maybe they have a very quantitatively oriented job, maybe they have earned a CFA or CPA, maybe they’ve taken some post-bacc classes. I would say the test waiver is not for someone who has no alternative evidence. It is really for people who maybe struggle a little bit with a standardized test, but perform really well in a class. 

I’m a big fan of HBx CORe, which is now HBS online. I’ve seen hundreds of applicants who have taken that class. My own son took that class as a liberal arts major, and I heard such great things about it. We have Coursera classes at Darden people can take. Wharton has Business Fundamentals. There’re a lot of certification programs out there, but ultimately we’re looking for high impact leaders, and we believe that the GMAT was carrying too much. There’s too much emphasis on GMAT scores when in this day and age there’s so many alternative ways that somebody can prove that they’re academically ready.

[youtube2]figure>

[/youtube2]

Is it a blind interview? [36:31]

It is blind. They’re intentionally blind. We do that because we don’t want anything in the application to positively or negatively influence us. Too much research shows if you know a GPA or a GMAT, even if you try to block it out, you might make assumptions. So they are blind. I think people will find that they’re quite conversational and a pleasant experience.

What’s the most common mistake you see applicants make? [36:58]

It’s such an easy mistake for us all to make, maybe writing an essay with more the lengths of, “I’m going to write what I think these people want to hear” as a opposed to [url=https://blog.accepted.com/admissions-tip/]being really in tune with yourself[/url] and like, “I am so excited to let them know about this.” Like I said, maybe that example that I gave earlier of the woman who used the example of teaching her grandmother might not be an obvious response that we got, but it worked really well, and it was very authentic to her.

I think sometimes when people are writing an essay you see people who say something like, “According to Thomas Jefferson, blah, blah, blah.” That’s not really helpful because it tells me something about Thomas Jefferson, but not the applicant. We see this one every day, somebody might apply to Darden and say this is why XYZ school is my top choice and it’s not Darden. Basic proofreading is important. I think another one is to watch my video blog.

I have a video blog that I encourage people to watch because we try to be transparent about the process and try to give you some helpful tips. It is not a requirement to have a perfectly polished resume. However you’re going to have to do [url=https://blog.accepted.com/4-mba-resume-tips-short-video/]a resume[/url] eventually when you’re in an MBA program; why not do a little research? Learn the format for what’s a really professionally oriented format and really spend some time on your resume, both in terms of the substance and also the layout. Occasionally we see some not very professionally looking resumes, and a resume is an opportunity to show your personality and your impact. When I’m interviewing someone, sometimes I see their personal aspect of their resume. What are they interested in? Where have they traveled? Sometimes it’s nice just in terms of striking up a conversation with someone, but that is an opportunity to really show your professionalism and personality and impact that some people might not take so much care with.

How do you view applicants who had a dip in grades, perhaps a period of unemployment due to depression or emotional illness? [39:49]

I’m going to speak for myself because I can’t speak for other admissions officers at other schools. We are fortunate in that I think I’ve had a fair amount of education around mental health issues. I personally am really inspired when people feel comfortable disclosing that as part of their history. If people fell and broke their ankle, there would be no shame in telling us they fell and broke their ankle. There should be no shame affiliated with having had a bout of depression either. It’s a growing number of students that experience mental health issues. I think the important question to ask yourself, regardless of any medical condition, whether it’s mental health or physical health is, “Am I ready?”

We empower you to make that decision for yourself. The vast majority of mental health issues happen. They’re not chronic ongoing issues. Even if they are, I’m really proud to say Darden has two full-time psychologists here to help students who might need some support, whether it’s just a low level of stress or maybe a mental health challenge. We have some incredible resources here. Some people are much more open about it and some people choose to be private, that’s your choice but I have seen in the last couple years, an increase in the number of people who talk about, “Maybe I needed to take a year off or a semester off because of one of these challenges,” and it’s no different than any kind of physical challenge. I think again, the most important thing is, regardless of what your medical issue is, is this timing the best for you? Or would the following year be better for your timing in terms of having proper treatment or surgery or whatever an individual needs for a medical challenge. I am more impressed and I think this is a good sign of our times so that this generation is comfortable disclosing something that maybe in a previous generation they would not be. That’s a positive trend.

How about somebody with either academic infractions or a criminal record? [42:44]

I think it depends on what the infraction was. If it was an assault, I think we’re going to be pretty concerned as opposed to being caught with an open can of beer. We’re all human beings, human beings make mistakes. I think [url=https://blog.accepted.com/can-you-get-accepted-after-doing-something-stupid/]it’s important to be honest[/url] because there are background checks that are done later, and it’s so much better to be up front about it from the beginning. I would say the overwhelming majority of things that are disclosed are things that fall into the camp of “We were all immature at one point and may have made some misjudgments as human beings.” I have seen a few in my career where the red flag was more concerning. But that’s rare.

Where can listeners learn more about Darden? 

[url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba]https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba[/url]

[url=https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/www.accepted.com/hubfs/Podcast_audio_files/Podcast/439_Dawna-Clarke_2021.mp3][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ListenToTheShow.png[/img][/url]

[b] Related resources:[/b]

[list][*][url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba]UVA Darden’s website[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/uva-darden-mba-essay-tips-deadlines/]UVA Darden MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022][/url][/*][*][url=https://reports.accepted.com/mba/guide/mba-admissions-report]Navigate the MBA Maze: 11 Tips to Acceptance[/url], a free guide[/*][*][url=https://www.accepted.com/mba/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=podcast_439_UVA_Darden&utm_source=blog]Accepted’s MBA Admissions Consulting Services[/url][/*][/list]

[b]Related shows:[/b]

[list][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/duke-enrolls-its-strongest-mba-class-ever-hear-from-its-admissions-dean/]Duke Enrolls Its Strongest MBA Class Ever, Hear From Its Admissions Dean[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/are-you-interested-in-nyu-stern/]Are You Interested in NYU Stern?[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/how-to-get-an-mba-from-dartmouth-tuck/]How to Get an MBA From Dartmouth Tuck[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/how-to-get-a-cmu-tepper-mba/]How to Get a CMU Tepper MBA[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/all-about-becoming-a-georgetown-mcdonough-mba/]All About Becoming a Georgetown McDonough MBA[/url][/*][/list]

[url=https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/58291/0569a129-6a19-4722-9907-4feb089abe1a][img]https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/58291/0569a129-6a19-4722-9907-4feb089abe1a.png[/img][/url]

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The post [url=https://blog.accepted.com/how-to-get-into-darden-mba-episode-439/]How to Get Into Darden MBA [Episode 439][/url] appeared first on [url=https://blog.accepted.com]Accepted Admissions Blog[/url].
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Will Your Application Rise to the Top of the R2 Applicant Pool? [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   13 Oct 2021, 09:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Will Your Application Rise to the Top of the R2 Applicant Pool?



Our free, one-hour webinar, How to Create Compelling Round 2 MBA Applications, is airing live on Thursday, October 14, at 10 a.m. PT/1 pm ET.  Good news: There’s still time for you to register to join us! 

Your R2 application needs to be a real multitasker. In it, you need to show you can flourish academically and socially in the program; demonstrate impact through your work experience; offer strong recommendations; show you understand and are aligned with the school’s values and mission; and have a clear and logical vision for your future career.

Checking all those boxes in this busiest round of an already crowded application season is no cakewalk. But with guidance from Linda Abraham, Accepted’s founder and CEO and one of the nation’s leading MBA consultants, your application is sure to catch the adcom’s attention – even in R2. You’ll be so glad you took the time to invest in this supremely valuable one-hour webinar. Save your spot here!

Register for the webinar:


For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. Want an MBA admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
The post Will Your Application Rise to the Top of the R2 Applicant Pool? appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.
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Cornell EMBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022] [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   15 Oct 2021, 09:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Cornell EMBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022]



The Cornell Executive MBA Program has three required essay questions, and the word count for all three is short. While no one is going to be counting individual words, the short word count guideline is a clear indicator that you should work on clarity of thought with all of your answers. Cornell interviews every applicant to its program, so if you are concerned that the essay format doesn’t give you enough opportunity to share everything you want to, rest assured you will have the opportunity to discuss them further in the interview.

Cornell EMBA application essays

Cornell EMBA essay #1

In a concise statement, tell us why you are seeking an MBA. Specifically, what are your short and long-term career goals? And how will an MBA earned through an Executive MBA program at Cornell University help you achieve your goals? (400 words max)

You first want to identify why you feel you need an MBA, linking your past/current career experience with your short and long term goals and what about an MBA degree will allow you to achieve them. Then you need to relay “Why Cornell?” and “Why EMBA?” For the former, be convincing about the reasons Cornell is the best choice for you, and show you have done your homework – “location” and “reputation” won’t cut it. The admissions committee wants to know what you anticipate the program will be like, what you will get out of it, how the program fits with your career vision, and what the entire experience means to you as a person. For the latter, by making the choice to apply to an Executive MBA program, you are of course signaling you will keep your job while going to school. Indicate why that format is the best fit.

Cornell EMBA essay #2

Describe your first experience as a leader in a professional setting, and your current leadership role. Explain how your first experience in a leadership position influenced your style and how you act as a leader today. (400 words)

This essay wants you to showcase how you have grown as a leader, built upon strengths, and learned from mistakes. Perhaps your leadership style was influenced by a mentor or someone you admire, or perhaps it came from seeing someone lead with a style you were determined NOT to emulate. Explain what you learned from that very first experience, what you decided to continue doing as you moved forward in leadership roles, what you decided to stop doing, and how you evolved your style over time. You don’t need to have direct reports to successfully answer this question – leadership comes in many forms in a professional setting, and no doubt you have had the chance to exhibit it at some point – so don’t worry if that is the case.

Cornell EMBA essay #3

What else would you like us to know? Please use this statement to address potential concerns such as gaps in employment or prior academic difficulties. You can also use this statement to highlight any achievements or significant life events that are not included elsewhere in the application. (250 words)

If there are flaws in your application, they will be noticed. You want to be in control of the narrative of those blemishes rather than letting admissions committee members draw their own conclusions – they are much easier to address upfront than in an interview situation. Be as honest and direct as possible. Keep in mind the admissions committee members are human, too, and they have flaws as well! If you opt to share additional accomplishments, make sure they truly add to your application and the type of student you will be, so that the additional information enhances your candidacy rather than comes across as bragging.

For expert guidance with your Cornell EMBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA and EMBA programs and look forward to helping you too!

Cornell Executive MBA Americas

Fall deadlineNovember 15, 2021Priority considerationJanuary 15, 2022Expedited decisionMarch 15, 2022Final submissionMay 15, 2022

*After May 15, applications will be accepted on a rolling and space-available basis.

Cornell Executive MBA Metro NY

Fall deadlineNovember 15, 2021Priority considerationJanuary 5, 2022Expedited decisionMarch 15, 2022Final submissionMay 15, 2022

*After May 15, applications will be accepted on a rolling and space-available basis.

EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership

Fall deadlineNovember 15, 2021Priority considerationJanuary 5, 2022Expedited decisionMarch 15, 2022Final submissionMay 15, 2022

*After May 15, applications will be accepted on a rolling and space-available basis.

Source: Cornell Johnson EMBA website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***


Jen Weld is a former Accepted admissions consultant and Assistant Director of Admissions at Cornell’s EMBA program. She has an additional 10 years of experience in higher ed and corporate marketing. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!



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University of Michigan Ross Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   18 Oct 2021, 09:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: University of Michigan Ross Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022]



Taken together, the two mandatory Ross EMBA essays provide both a macro forest-level (essay 2, goals) and close-up, tree-level (professional achievement) view of your career. Each question gives a specific lens through which to focus your approach and shape your answer. Thus, while you address the two questions’ points and nuances, keep in mind the larger picture of your career and your character that they portray together. Also, since question 2 refers specifically to the Michigan Model of Leadership, ensure that the story you present in essay 1 is consistent with the model’s underlying values and character.

Michigan Ross Executive MBA application essays

Ross EMBA essay #1

What is your proudest professional achievement? (maximum 400 words)

Although this essay asks you to discuss your proudest professional achievement, it also, indirectly, is personal, because what is important to you in any area of your life reflects your values, your concerns, your interests, your passions. Accordingly, even though the question doesn’t ask it, I suggest clarifying WHY the chosen achievement is your proudest. It might just be a phrase or sentence, but “why” is what will ultimately make it resonate.

Select a more recent achievement, if there is one that can rise to the superlative (proudest) level, as it’s a chance to show the reader your impact in a higher-level context that you’ll also be bring to the “EMBA table.” If it’s an older experience, it should be truly pivotal, and perhaps add a sentence about how the experience has influenced you going forward. With only 400 words, keep the structure simple – start with the story and tell is directly, with perhaps a brief concluding reflection.



Ross EMBA essay #2

Adopted by thousands of businesses and leaders around the world, and recognized by the Financial Times as one of the 40 most important management frameworks in history, the Michigan Model of Leadership underlies all leadership research and teaching at Michigan Ross. Please describe your personal leadership goals and how the Michigan Model of Leadership and the EMBA leadership development curriculum will help in the achievement of those goals. (maximum 400 words)

First, to state the obvious, familiarize yourself with the Michigan Model of Leadership (MMoL). To encapsulate, I quote from an article on MMoL by Ross professors and others: “At the centre of the MMoL is a core purpose: to make a positive difference in the world” and “The Michigan Model of Leadership enables leaders to recognise and effectively manage competing tensions in organisational life. Leaders who utilise the process of Mindful Engagement learn to balance these tensions and make an impact in a world where there are no easy answers. We need leaders with empathy, drive, integrity, and courage … whose core purpose is to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

With that as a context, discuss your goals, spotlighting the leadership component. That means what you will do in terms of position, industry/company, AND how your envisioned impact aligns with the MMoL AND how in the specific positions you will employ leadership consistent with MMoL. Give more detail about the roles immediately post-EMBA and the several years following. Longer-term goals need less detail, but they should present a clear direction, building on the earlier roles. In both short- and long-term goals, present them through the MMoL lens – i.e., discuss things such as the difference you want to make, the likely tensions and conflicts that you’ll face, the ambiguity you’ll have to navigate, and how you intend to employ MMoL-based leadership in managing these factors.

In discussing how the MMoL approach and Ross’s leadership development curriculum will benefit you, again be specific: describe where you are as a leader and where you need to improve, and how the program meets those needs.

Ross EMBA essay #3 (optional statement)

This might be an opportunity to elaborate on your skills, describe your experiences, or tell us why joining the Michigan Ross EMBA program is important to you. (maximum 400 words)

This Ross EMBA optional statement is an invitation not just to explain anything that needs explaining, but also to discuss a topic (or topics) that will enhance your application in some way. Take a holistic view of what relevant, impressive, and/or compelling experiences or skills are not yet portrayed in the application, and feel free to discuss it here. I suggest doing so by anecdote and example, not just explanation. And link it to the application; clarify why it’s important for the adcom to know – how and why you think it adds a pertinent dimension to your candidacy. 

If you choose to discuss further why this program is important to you, avoid redundancy with the second essay. Be specific about aspects of the program and why they are important to you.

For expert guidance with your Michigan Ross Executive MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top EMBA programs and look forward to helping you too!

Michigan Ross EMBA 2022 application deadlines

Round 1December 15, 2021Round 2February 1, 2022Round 3March 15, 2022Round 4May 1, 2022

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

Source: Michigan Ross EMBA website




Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

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What’s New at Wharton MBA [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   19 Oct 2021, 09:01
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: What’s New at Wharton MBA



What makes Wharton’s MBA program unique, and how to demonstrate to the adcom that YOU belong there [Show summary]

Blair Mannix, Wharton’s Director of Admissions, shares the ways the admissions committee aims to reduce stress in the application process and offer a positive experience. She dispels myths about the Wharton admissions process and offers advice for students seeking acceptance to the MBA program.

From the structure of a TBD to why standardized testing is here to stay: Your guide to the Wharton admissions process [Show notes]

Welcome to the 440th episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for tuning in. Are you ready to apply for your dream business schools? Are you competitive at your target programs? Accepted’s MBA Admissions Calculator can give you a quick reality check. Just go to accepted.com/mbaquiz. Complete the quiz, and you’ll not only get an assessment but tips on how to improve your qualifications and your chances of acceptance. Plus, it’s all free. 

It gives me great pleasure to have back on Admissions Straight Talk Blair Mannix, Director of Admissions at Wharton. Blair first came to Penn as a graduate student where she earned her Masters in Higher Education Management in 2010. She joined Penn’s undergraduate admissions staff in 2008. She’s been at Wharton’s since 2012 and became Director of Admissions in 2017. She was last on Admissions Straight Talk just under two years ago. And what a two years it’s been. Let’s catch up on life and admissions at Wharton. 

Blair, welcome back to Admissions Straight Talk.

Can you just start by providing a basic overview of the Wharton MBA program for listeners who may not be that familiar with it, focusing on its more distinctive elements? [1:56]

Absolutely. It’s difficult to put Wharton into five to seven sentences, but I will try. So, Wharton was the first business school in the United States, established in 1881. Wharton’s first MBA class was in 1921 so this year it was actually the 100th class that Dean Erika James welcomed in August, which was really, really exciting. It is a perfect bookend in terms of 100 years of classes for me that this year’s class is more than 50% women, which I’m sure we’ll talk about. But it just feels like this beautiful bow. One hundred years, 50% women. That’s great.

What I think makes the Wharton education distinct is that it’s very hands-on. It’s very practical. It’s very tactile. You’re never going to look at a problem from 30-feet away. You’re going to get right into the guts of it and try to figure it out. And that’s what we teach because that’s what we believe that businesses need.

We’re known for innovation across many disciplines. We are certainly known for finance, and we’re really proud of that reputation. 100 years of the best finance education you can get, but we are many other things, and I think that’s important for people to understand.

There are two distinguishing centers that I really want to mention: The Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance, which is financial technology and the Harris Center for Alternative Investments, which is VC, hedge funds, and a hub for all of those research projects, corporations, communities, students, and businesses. These are both at Wharton, which is really exciting. I’d love for your listeners to check out the Stevens Center at Wharton or the Harris Center at Wharton. 

The last thing I’ll say that I think is a differentiator is we’re a pretty large program, 864 students, but we really work hard to make sure that it is a robust social experience. Business is a team sport. It’s not a solo sport. You have to meet and interact with your classmates, and we stop at nothing to make sure that that happens. 

So to summarize, I would say: first in its class, started in 1881, finance, tactile, practical, and then a robust social life as well.

That’s great. Thank you. Can I add something? [4:19]

Please.

One of the things that I’ve been struck with, whenever I’ve interacted with the Wharton admissions staff, is the amount of time and attention devoted to supporting students. There are so many options at Wharton, and I think Wharton is very intentional and very dedicated to helping each student find their path through all those opportunities. [4:49]

I’ll just say two words on that. We have a group called the Advising Support Network. Everything at Wharton is an acronym. We call it the ASN. Basically it’s your personal board of directors, advisors across academics, career management, student life, and leadership that will help guide you through two years. You’ll never be more supported than you are during a Wharton MBA.

What COVID-19 adaptations has Wharton made that you think are going to stick? [5:26]

I love this question, because the way I think of this is everything has changed. Everything has changed in your personal life, your professional life, in school life, everything has changed for all of us. So, there are a couple of things, and actually probably more than a few things that are going to stay post-COVID. I don’t know if there are any parents listening. A lot of the schools have gone to outside the building drop-offs. And I have a feeling that teachers like that. They’re like, “I don’t want these parents coming in.” I’m sure that will stay, there are just so many things personally and professionally that will stay. 

At Wharton, a couple of the things I like to mention are virtual advising appointments. That board of directors that I mentioned, your advisors across five different divisional offices, they’re going to continue advising in-person if you would like or online, virtually via Zoom if you would like that. Sometimes it’s just more efficient for schedules, particularly the students’. If you’re recruiting in New York and you want to take a Friday advising appointment, you can do that. So, why would we get rid of these beautiful advances? So hybrid advising across all departments will stay. Hybrid recruiting in the Career Management Office – corporations, companies, staff coming to campus, there were so many wins in the virtual recruiting space that we will now dovetail into a hybrid recruiting space. Really big Wharton alums that wouldn’t necessarily fly from L.A. or San Francisco to come to a recruiting event on campus can now pop in virtually. I think the wins in that space will stay as well because they’re just so clear. The last thing is admissions recruiting will, at least for the foreseeable future, remain hybrid.

I’ve done a ton of focus groups with our prospective students on whether or not they enjoyed meeting us virtually or enjoyed meeting us in person , and I’ve really gotten a plethora of answers. A lot of people say, “No, I really liked seeing you guys in New York. I really liked you guys coming to Houston.” And some were like, “Listen, I can get the information online at 7:30 at night and have not had to leave my house. I loved it.” So, for at least the Wharton MBA admissions staff, hybrid admissions recruiting is here to stay.



In the past, Wharton offered many global study opportunities. COVID probably put a crimp on the global gallivanting that the MBA students enjoy. What’s going to come in place? How do you see it coming back, if it’s going to come back? Is it going to be hybrid? What do you see happening? [7:47]

What a funny statement, a global gallivanting. That is the most perfect way to describe it. I feel like that’s picture-perfect, Linda. There’s a lot of global gallivanting at Wharton. It’s part of the culture, part of the program, something that we’re proud to give our students just because business is global, the world is global, Wharton has been global for decades. That’s one of the reasons folks come to Philadelphia to be in the program. 

Like you mentioned, there’s been a pause on global gallivanting for the last 18 months for sure, but Wharton doesn’t like to take things lying down, so we actually welcomed the first cohort of students, our Lauder Institute cohort, which is a joint degree, a masters in International Studies and an MBA in two years. They’re actually in Alaska right now. We sent about 70 students, and they’re studying Indigenous cultures relative to the American history context. I actually just got an email from them yesterday that they’ve had a lot of bear sightings. They’re not climbing mountains in Kathmandu, but they are doing similar things in Alaska because we were not going to take those experiences lying down. They’re also going to Iceland in October as part of that program. 

I think these are the two early breadcrumbs you can see of Wharton trying to ramp up our global gallivanting because the larger programs like our Global Modular Courses will kick back up in January. So, we’re really excited about that.

Is the hope that the Global Modular Courses will actually include travel as opposed to being more virtual? [9:45]

I think I’ve learned a lesson during the pandemic to not try to predict anything. Certainly, some of 2020 I did that, and I wasn’t always correct. But yes, the world is opening back up. People are vaccinated. Vaccinations are required at the University of Pennsylvania, so my hope is the plans for that can go full steam ahead. But who knows what will happen? We could get hit by a meteor. Who knows?

What are some myths that you’d like to dispel about Wharton?

I love this question. You mentioned meeting some of my admissions colleagues on the road. We are such a small subset of the Wharton community, but often, we are some of the first faces people meet so we hope desperately that we can get across this notion. The first myth I’d like to displace is that Wharton’s a cutthroat place. We hear so often, “I thought Wharton was cutthroat and competitive, and then I meet you guys, and it’s not like that at all.” And I’m like, “Well, we’ve done one portion of our job, but really my job is to convince people that we’re not cutthroat before you meet us. I always feel like people saying that is actually a detriment. I feel like I needed to do a better job on the forefront. So, people think that way about Wharton, but it’s actually a massively collaborative place. Group interview prep is one of the most common things you’ll see on campus. They’re not all competing for the same jobs. They’re actually helping each other.

And we have grade non-disclosure. For 40 years, the students vote and say that they all agree not to share their GPAs with potential employers. So, that cuts down on the competition in the classroom, which is something that’s bedrocked to our culture.

You mentioned finance. We’re really proud of our finance background, and clearly, we’re doubling down on that as it relates to some of our new centers in innovation and financial technology, but really, if you are not a finance person, I really want people to understand that you have a home at Wharton. People don’t always understand the depth and breadth of expertise we have across disciplines. 

The last thing I’d love to dispel, which is kind of cultural and kind of admissions, is this phrase I hear a lot: “I’m a traditional student.” or “I’m a non-traditional student.” And I just kind of want to dispel the idea that there is a traditional and non-traditional student right now in 2021. I had never used that lexicon in almost 10 years of sitting on the Wharton ad com. What is traditional? We’ve seen the diversification of our applicant pool. I can only speak for 10 years. So anybody listening to this, I would love for them not to say, “Oh, I have this background. I’m non-traditional,” or, “I have this background. I’m traditional,” because it really just doesn’t operate like that anymore. We have talent, and we want that talent to be at Wharton. Whether or not your background is deemed in the historical context of non-traditional or traditional, that’s not something we really talk about. But I just like to say that out loud sometimes.

Wharton requires either the GMAT or the GRE. You’re not accepting the Executive Assessment? [14:27]

Correct. 

Are there any plans to accept a wider variety of tests? Any plans to lessen reliance on the GMAT/GRE, either by going test-optional, offering waivers or opening the door to other tests? [14:37]

Such a good question, and thank you for asking it. We have no plans to diversify from the GMAT and GRE, and I will get into that. No plans to go test-optional. No plans for waivers. We’re really excited to have added the GRE onto our docket. Obviously, this was 10 years ago, but we’ve seen a lot of admissions businesses do that like law school admissions now accept the GRE.

It really opened the aperture of talent that feel like they can find a home at one of these programs, and that’s something we’re excited about. The reason we’re not looking to diversify the testing or go test-optional or go test waiver is we are Wharton. We do a ton of data dives on the back. Wharton’s such a data-driven place so we wouldn’t just have an admissions component and a criteria and not study it. Admissions has a full-time data scientist. She is the smartest person I’ve ever known. She and I share an office. Our walls come apart, and we talked before COVID, literally person-to-person through the walls every day. She has done more than one study that says how predictive testing is to your success in a program. So, that’s why we’re not going to go optional or offer waivers.

I will say that testing is predictive of your success in the program, but a wide variety of scores are predictive for different pieces of success in the program. So, when people say, “Wharton’s GMAT mean is X. I have to hit that to get in,” if anything, we pay attention to the GMAT and GRE way less than any human being outside my walls would ever believe me, and nobody will ever believe me. But I swear, we pay attention to it way less than people think. But it has been proven as significant, and that’s why we’re going to keep it as part of the application.

What other elements are you finding to be very significant in terms of being predictive of success? [16:33]

Well, there’s a white paper on my desk right now that is waiting to be published so, maybe I shouldn’t give them now, but I will say two things, neither of which will be surprising. Both quantitative, testing, transcripts, things like that, and a lot of qualitative things that Wharton and my staff particularly have spent the last seven years trying to quantify the unquantifiable. There are a lot of soft skills that we’ve been trying to quantify a lot of the stuff in your extracurricular lists, how do you quantify that? A lot of your behaviors in our team-based discussion, which we’ll talk about, how do you quantify that?

We’ve quantified more of the soft skills and those have been predictive of success. I’m not trying to leave you hanging but it is sitting on a white paper and I think it needs to be approved. So when it is, I will tell you.

What happens to applications after the applicant hits submit? [17:28]

I love this question. My bones and my bread and butter are in the fair and accurate evaluation of candidates. I could do that all day, every day, and did for years until I was fortunate enough to be put into this role kind of as my core job. 

So, after you press submit, one question that always comes into this is, “Does it matter if I apply in July or if I apply one day before the deadline?” Nope. It does not matter. We will not read anything until every application is in, the deadline is closed, and then we start reading them the next day.

Each application gets two blind reads. And when I say blind, it means I read the application, somebody else on my staff reads the application without having any knowledge of each other’s commentary on the talent coming across in the file. And that’s really important because bias in evaluation, bias in hiring is rampant and problematic, and you can do … and we do … a lot to get the bias down. You can never get rid of it. Blind reading is one way to do that.

So, two readers read the application in a blind context. Then, we actually- and people are surprised by this one- but we sit in committee for a week to 10 days to determine the interview class. I tell our staff all the time, if we don’t get it right now in terms of talent selection, we will not have the opportunity to get it right later. That is actually one of the biggest weeks of our year, those three weeks, round one, round two.

We announce the interview class all in one day. It’s very important to me to get that stress level down. We’re not doing drips of interview releases. You find out if you were interviewed on one day and it’s within one hour of when I’ve told you we’re going to release it on the website, or I feel like I have failed. If I say mid-day on Wednesday and it gets out at 2:00, I’m like, “That was a failure.”

The day it comes out, the hour I said it would come out, we run through our team-based discussion interview. When it comes back from team-based discussion again, we’re trying to quantify the unquantifiable. Certain behaviors that have been indicative of success in the classroom and future careers are what we’re looking for. An additional read is done by a different staff member, third touchpoint on the file, third read in order to decrease bias. So there are three readers and one interview reviewer. 

We do blind interviews, meaning the person walking into the interview doesn’t have your resume and hasn’t studied up on you. There are different academic opinions about that, but the way Wharton believes, and I believe this because I’ve studied it a lot, is you can be really biased for or against somebody if you have a piece of documentation walking into the room. So, we feel very strongly about getting a different viewpoint.

Wharton has two required questions and one optional which is, “Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere on your application and that you would like to share with the admissions committee.” It has a 500-word limit. It gives a lot of latitude. Is it truly optional, and do most admitted students write one? [20:31]

Such a good question. The answer is it’s truly optional. To answer your second question, “Do most admitted students write them?”, this is in service to probably the answer of the first question: I don’t know. I don’t know if most admitted students write them, and that probably can prove to people that the first answer is a real answer. It’s not required. I really don’t know.

The reason we have it worded like that is because there’s just something in the admissions business that is lacking in terms of trying to get to know applicants. Essays kind of get there, but they don’t fully get there unless there’s a whole overhaul on how we do admissions. I’m really looking to give somebody a chance to just be a human being and tell us their story. So that’s why we have it written like that.

The advice I give is twofold. If you want to talk about why you had a C in statistics your sophomore year, write me a bullet: “I had a C in statistics. I got mono. I’m really bad at statistics. I wanted to let you know that. Something happened with my family, and I didn’t do really well junior year.” That’s just a bullet point. That’s great. Please put that.

But the other piece of advice I give is: finish your application and walk away from it for a couple days. If you feel like there’s a story that you need to tell somebody reading it to have that person understand who you are and how you’ve operated through your life and career, write that story. A lot of times, there’s a project, a client, a deal that really kicked you into wanting to come to business school. Sometimes there’s not a place for that, and detailing that whole story, even if it’s just 150 words, can be really, really helpful.

If there’s a piece to your story that can be just unpacked in a couple of words, write that there. Also, leave it blank. Also, give me bullet points.

It seems to me that the professional story is pretty much covered in the required essays, but somebody might have a non-professional story, obstacles overcome, a triumph, whatever, that is part of their story. It doesn’t necessarily relate directly to their profession. Are you interested in that too? [22:50]

Yeah, you’re right. The first essay is the professional essay, so a lot of those professional, I call them pivot moments are explored in that first essay. But, again, I have read absolutely 10,000 hours of applications, and it would be not correct to say that everybody’s true professional story can be gotten across in 500 words so, a lot of times, I do see professional stories in that optional essay. Again, it’s up to the student what component of their life they still need to get across to the ad com.

We’ve touched briefly on the TBD. What is an interview like at Wharton, and what are some of those soft skills that you are looking for? [23:48]

So this is how I like to talk about the team-based discussion. I like to get the stress level from high to low. I think I’ll get it to medium but I’ll try for medium-low. A couple of things on the top, on the macro. As I said in the intro, business is a team sport and not a solo sport. Wharton is a team-centric culture, and team-centric learning experience. Why would we have a solo inbound? So almost 10 years ago in 2012, we did our first team-based discussion based on these principles, also based on the principles that one-on-one interviews, whether they’re behavioral or another style, can be very biased.

What if somebody sat down across from me and we went to the same school or have the same passion in an extracurricular. I can’t turn that off in my brain in terms of bias or no bias. And so, we like to run a skills-based interview, team-based, obviously, for the other reasons that I mentioned. So, that’s ideologically why we do it.

As I mentioned before, every interview notification goes out the same day. When you get invited to interview, in that email, you get two things. One, you will get your prompt. We’re not going to torture you and not give you your prompt until 20 minutes before the session. You will have your prompt. You will have step-by-step instructions, minute by minute, of what the team-based discussion will look like.

You will also get a series of slots across three weeks of which you can sign up to do a team-based discussion. We do not orchestrate the groups. One, because that would be a logistical nightmare, and two, because of the diversity of our applicant pool we find that the groups are actually naturally very diverse, especially now that they’re virtual. Virtual interviews over Zoom will continue through the next 2021/2022 cycle. We have actually been running team-based discussions via Zoom since 2012. So, we were Zoom beta users, none of this was new to us. 

This is what the interview feels like. You will get a prompt. You will get a problem to solve in that prompt, something that is very generic. We are not going to ask high finance questions. That’s not fair to the fighter pilots. We’re not going to ask education questions. That’s not fair to the energy space employee, right? Or the investment banker, totally not fair to the investment bankers. Something that’s very general, approachable, and typically Wharton-centric. 35 minutes in a Zoom call, a discussion on how to solve that problem. The way I say it to students is, “It feels like you’re meeting at work.” You’re at work, and you’re trying to solve a problem in 35 minutes with five other strangers.

To dovetail to the second part of your question, there are skills, of which I’m actually not going to share, not because they’re in the white paper, they are, but because that’s the whole point of the team-based discussion. There are behaviors and skills that have been academically researched that if you have them and if you do them, you are better and stronger in teams and in the classroom and in your future career. So, that’s what we’re looking for on the macro.

Right under that in stuff that I like to talk about is that a lot of folks think that in any admissions context you would hit the interview marker and you either do well and get admitted or do poorly and get denied, right? I’m actually really excited to say that it doesn’t work like that at Wharton. I cannot speak for the rest of the business schools, but it doesn’t work like that at Wharton, and this is why.

There are some students that have gotten all A’s in computer science, physics, mechanical engineering. That’s a certain type of person. That person is not always the room runner. Someone who sees and feels people’s energies and knows how to solve a problem and bring quiet people in and advance ideas and build on others’ ideas, that’s a skill. We’re a school. We want to teach you that skill, but we also want the people who have that skill innately coming into the interview process to learn from people that got A’s in physics. That’s why we feel pretty strongly about this because we’re admitting students all the time that do really well in the application process but maybe not so well in the team-based discussion and vice versa. 

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Let’s say somebody had a dip in grades or perhaps a period of unemployment due to an emotional issue, depression, anxiety, whatever it might be. Should they keep it a secret? Should they hide it from you? Is it going to be held against them if they disclose it? [32:21]

No. So, two things I think about this question. One, and I’ve said this often, we’re human beings reading other human beings’ stories. To me, that’s part of a lot of people’s journeys and if that’s an authentic part of your journey, it needs to be in the file. The second thing is, especially in 2021, the struggles of mental health have become so much more in the forefront. I was actually just listening to a podcast that Adam Grant did, one of the Wharton faculty and the title was Sad Days Should Be Allowed Just As Much As Sick Days.

Especially in 2021, I think it’s much more in the forefront of the culture, so I would say, please talk about it if it affected your employment or your grades or something like that. We are humans trying to understand other human beings’ stories.

What about people who had academic infractions as an undergrad, or perhaps a misdemeanor on their record? [33:43]

I would just say there’s a question on the application, “Have you had an academic infraction or misdemeanor,” and you need to answer that truthfully.

I say that because we’re going through a situation right now where somebody did not mention that truthfully. You sign on your application that everything is true and accurate to the best of your information. So, just kind of on a broad base, it needs to be truthful.

In terms of an evaluative-based, it really depends, to be honest. What we have seen though- again through the lens of human beings trying to understand other human beings’ stories- is that say you had a disciplinary infraction. This honestly happens all the time. You had a disciplinary infraction, plagiarism when you were a sophomore. You’re now 29 years old. You are not the same person that plagiarized that one paper in sophomore year English.

So, in that case, it’s not going to be a big deal, right? But if it was something more serious in terms of a pretty serious crime committed last year, we may look at it a little bit more closely. It just depends on what it is. But I would say the vast majority of things we see come through are very benign and even if they’re not benign, they’re so far away from your current reality that we don’t give them a ton of weight.

What advice do you have for applicants wanting to join the class of 2024, those applying this cycle? [35:51]

I would say engage with the resources that the Wharton admissions committee is putting out. One of the ideologies I had when taking this role three years ago was, how do I be as transparent as possible, and how do I democratize the information? If you’re not checking out our website, we’ve actually been pumping out a ton of content, application tips, webinars, etc. I did an application tips webinar on YouTube that’s gotten over 25,000 views and I’ve just gotten feedback that it’s been really helpful to people.

We also started a new program called Ask the Adcom and we’ve been doing these biweekly, where we just crowdsource questions and try to answer them as quickly as possible. I would just say engage with the stuff that we have going on and know that the folks that are trying to give you this information are not hiding anything. We’re just trying to be as transparent as possible to democratize the information.

I know a lot of people normally answer that question by saying something like sit with your authentic feelings and really figure out why you want to come to business school. And that’s a tough thing for someone in my seat to say because it’s so personal. A lot of folks don’t need to sit with their authentic feelings. They know exactly why they want to come to business school. And maybe some other people listening will really need to do that.

I will say that you’ll have a better success record in business school no matter where you go if you come in with really focused and dedicated reasons for being there. I’ve actually heard people saying putting it on a little card, three things, just to have them be your true north. So, I think exploring those in prep is never a bad thing, but we’re trying to help you craft the best application you can so take us up on it.

What advice would you give to somebody planning ahead for a fall 2022 or later application? [37:40]

I would say the same. Engage with our content. We’re not going to be changing anything. We’re not going to be changing deadlines or rounds or essays. The world is already chaotic enough, so the Wharton admissions is committed to at least the next 18 months of not going crazy. So, a lot of the things you see online in terms of prepping for applications in this current cycle will remain the same going forward.

That would be my same advice, whether you’re prepping for round two spring 2021, fall 2021, or spring 2023.



What about applicants for the Deferred Admission Moelis program? [38:22]

My first goal with the folks that are applying to our deferred admissions program is to get this information in the hands of as many students as possible. I know this is probably common, but we talk about this all the time internally. We’re like, “Okay, it would be easy to go get this information out to the top 25 schools in the country, but that’s not actually what we’re doing.” We’re trying to make sure that folks around the country at a variety of state schools, private schools, small schools, big schools, urban schools, rural schools – everybody knows that this exists because I think this is a really interesting moment in time.

If you are 19 or 20, many times, if you’re not at the flagship Ivy League school on the East Coast, you’re not going to be thinking about an MBA. We want folks all over the country to be thinking that an MBA and especially an MBA at a top school can be a place for them. So, we have spent a ton of time, effort, and talent trying to make sure that that information is democratized.

In terms of prepping them, again, just knowing that it exists, I feel, is my victory in prep. The documents, webinars, resources on our website will be the same for them as it is for the full-time. I would encourage them to check it out and connect with our staff. We do a lot more one-on-one conversations for those folks than we typically have time for with full-time applicants. So, reach out to our staff, and we’ll be happy to have a one-on-one conversation with them.

Has Wharton started matriculating any people admitted through the Moelis Program? [39:55]

Yes. So, I believe 2016 was our first admission intake, and last year was the first year we started matriculating. And the matriculations are going to go up exponentially. It’s like two, six, 12, 50. So, that’s what we’re going to be doing. We have our second class, I believe, of Moelis Fellows who just entered into the class of 2023. And we’ll have exponentially more in the class of ’24. They’re some of the most talented students we welcome every year. They’re amazing.

Read: Deferred MBA Programs and Other Options for MBA Hopefuls With No Work Experience >>

Is there anything you would have liked me to ask you? [40:31]

The only last thing that I like to bring up, and I kind of touched on it around the edges is we talk about democratizing the information. We talk about being transparent with the information. We talk about making sure the reach for the Moelis Deferred Access Program goes as far and wide as humanly possible, but the main most important thing we talk about- and I don’t have it on little gold plaques on all our offices, but I probably should- is this philosophy, and I know you’ve heard me say this before, that’s called “Read to Admit”, which means every application we open, we are looking for reasons to admit you and not for reasons to deny you.

I think folks don’t probably think that’s a big deal on the other side of the desk, but it’s a huge deal. Your application is going to be read with people that are looking for your best day and not your worst day with positive headspace and not a negative headspace. So, don’t self-select out. If you’re thinking that business school at Wharton could be a place for you, just know that the people that are reading your story are on your side. And I just like to say that as many times as I can.

Where can listeners and potential applicants learn more about Wharton’s MBA program and admissions processes? [41:41]

Absolutely. A couple of resources that I want to call your attention to, I mentioned the application tips webinar, the Ask the Adcom Webinars that we have on our website as well as all the information sessions you would expect. But one specific program I would love to call anybody listening’s attention to is our Admissions Fellows Program. There are a ton of questions that people have that full-time admissions committee members are not best suited to answer.

“What is it like moving from a partner from the West Coast to Philadelphia?” “How is it you recruit for consulting out of tech?” “What is it like to try to network into your next job through alumni?”

Students are better off answering those questions. We have 55 second-year students on our payroll. Please use them because I pay them to answer your questions. Admissions Fellows, right on the admissions website, you can search and filter their backgrounds by passport, and company, and internship, and leadership, and club, and you can connect with the person you want to connect with.

They have personal email addresses and links to calendars in which you can auto-schedule appointments too. So, please check them out because, again, they’re on my payroll, and they can give you some great intel!



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Build Your Blueprint for R2 MBA Application Success [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   22 Oct 2021, 09:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Build Your Blueprint for R2 MBA Application Success
[url=https://reports.accepted.com/mba/webinar/create-compelling-round-2-apps-recording?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_source=webinar&utm_medium=Round_2_2021_avail][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Compelling_Round_2_MBA_2022_BLOG2_copy.jpg[/img][/url]

Did you miss our recent webinar, [url=https://reports.accepted.com/mba/webinar/create-compelling-round-2-apps-recording?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_source=webinar&utm_medium=Round_2_2021_avail]How to Create Compelling Round 2 MBA Applications?[/url]

We would have loved to have had you in this interactive session, but don’t worry: The webinar on building a winning, strategic game plan for your R2 b-school applications is [url=https://reports.accepted.com/mba/webinar/create-compelling-round-2-apps-recording?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_source=webinar&utm_medium=Round_2_2021_avail]now available to watch[/url].

Listen and take notes, because this class will deliver the goods. You’ll gain essential tools and knowledge that will supercharge your chances of acceptance into your top choice program. 

Watch the webinar:

[url=https://www.accepted.com/mba/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=blog_bio_mba&utm_source=blog][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/accepted_admissions_consulting.jpg[/img][/url]
For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. [url=https://www.accepted.com/mba/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=blog_bio_mba&utm_source=blog][b]Want an MBA admissions expert [/b][b]to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch![/b][/url]
The post [url=https://blog.accepted.com/build-your-blueprint-for-r2-mba-application-success/]Build Your Blueprint for R2 MBA Application Success[/url] appeared first on [url=https://blog.accepted.com]Accepted Admissions Blog[/url].
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Chicago Booth Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022] [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   25 Oct 2021, 05:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Chicago Booth Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022]



Chicago Booth EMBA gives you just one mandatory essay, but with ample space to make your case holistically. This approach to the essay question indicates that they are looking for people who can organize their thoughts, build a credible and compelling case for their candidacy, and maintain an extended yet focused discussion. The Booth EMBA adcom clearly puts value on verbal expression for its students, both during the program and as an indicator of success later in their careers. Give yourself time to develop and refine your essay accordingly.

Chicago Booth Executive MBA application essays

Chicago Booth Executive MBA essay #1

Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth and what unique knowledge and experiences do you hope to contribute to the program? (maximum 2 pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

The question zeroes in on the elements directly relevant to the adcom, and also allows you to elaborate within those parameters. Considering the pivotal role this one required essay plays in your application, the key challenge to making it shine is making good decisions about the following four elements:

  • Within the overall space allowance, how much space should you allocate to each part of the question?

    It will vary person to person. For example, a person who has her own company will require some “backstory” for context setting before discussing future plans, so she would allocate more space to the whole goals component than someone who is rising up the ladder at a well-known global-brand company. Someone with atypical goals will need to spend more time clarifying why he wants the Booth MBA than a more conventional applicant will. Analyze your own case and block out the essay accordingly.

  • You have to discuss your professional goals in order to explain why you are “seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth,” but how to present them?

    Since EMBA programs are part-time, an ideal place to start is your current work: what do you want to achieve and how do you want to grow during the years in the program? (This has the added benefit of giving the adcom a view of what you’ll bring to the table based on this work.) From there, move on to your goals for the 5-year period following graduation – give the most detail here; make it really concrete. Then sketch your longer-term career vision/plans, necessarily less detailed.

    Finally, explain how each of these career/goals phases requires skills, knowledge, and perhaps relationships derived through the Booth EMBA.

  • How should you structure this relatively long, complex essay?

    Simply and straightforwardly is usually best. Start with your current/immediate goals. (If you need to provide some backstory for context, as noted above, do so as succinctly as possible.) Then progress through your goals. Next, discuss why you need the Booth EMBA now, connecting your reasons to the previously stated goals. Finally, present your contributions.

  • What “unique knowledge and experiences” should you talk about?

    Select two to four, and for at least two, give concrete examples. For all, discuss relevant insights gained – after all, that’s what you’re really bringing, not just the fact of having done something. To select the best examples, consider what aspects of your experience would be interesting and/or useful to the Booth EMBA cohort and give them fresh perspective. These experiences could be related to industry, function, geographic/global experience, a formative personal experience, a particularly meaningful extracurricular (community or other non-work) involvement, etc. Choose points that expand the reader’s understanding of you, things they won’t necessarily glean from your resume.

Chicago Booth Executive MBA essay #2 (optional)

If there is anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you, please share that information here. (maximum 1 page, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

This question invites you to present new material that will enhance your application, as well as to explain anything that needs explaining (e.g., gap in employment, choice of recommender if not using a direct supervisor, etc.). As far as enhancement points, there should be a clear value to the information you’re sharing – and it should not be content that more appropriately belongs in the main essay (contributions of unique knowledge and experiences).

Chicago Booth Executive MBA essay #3 (reapplicants only)

Please give us an update on your professional, academic, and community activities since your previous application and highlight what you have done to strengthen your application. (maximum 1 page, single spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

Whatever developments you discuss, for each, describe the situation/experience concretely and clarify the impact you had. Also clarify how it demonstrates growth (i.e. not just “another” achievement), and why it makes you a stronger candidate.

Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your Booth EMBA application? We hope so. It’s our mission to help smart, talented applicants like you gain acceptance to your target EMBA program. With so much at stake, why not hire a consultant whose expertise and personalized guidance can help you make your dream come true? We have several flexible consulting options—click here to get started today!

Chicago Booth 2020-21 Executive MBA application deadlines

First DeadlineNovember 29, 2021Second DeadlineFebruary 14, 2022Third DeadlineApril 4, 2022Final DeadlineJune 6, 2022

Source: Chicago Booth website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***




Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

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Would You Benefit From a Mock Wharton TBD (Team-Based Discussion)? [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   27 Oct 2021, 12:01
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Would You Benefit From a Mock Wharton TBD (Team-Based Discussion)?



Can I prepare for a Wharton TBD?

“Chance favors the prepared mind,” said Louis Pasteur, and I agree.

A successful Wharton Team-Based Interview is all about the team’s success and your contribution to the team. It’s not about strutting your stuff or dominating the conversation. It’s also not about being a wallflower or going with the flow.

You need to listen carefully and contribute constructively. The team’s success is paramount.

Most traditional interviews are the opposite. They focus on you, and you are supposed to engage in a dialogue that highlights your individual contributions and fit with the interviewing MBA program. There is no team. The TBD – or any group interview – is a different ballgame and one you need to train for – unless you want to leave the results to chance.

This is your opportunity to show the adcom what you’ll contribute to Wharton – an opportunity you truly don’t want to miss. Train and practice for it with Accepted’s Mock Wharton Team-Based Discussion. Our Mock TBD is a prime-time rehearsal. Details and prices are here.



Wharton Mock TBD reviews

Don’t take our word for it, though. Here’s some of the feedback we’ve received from mock interview participants:

“I truly valued the opportunity to practice discussing the interview topic with other skilled and motivated candidates. I believe after participating in one of these groups, the candidates are much more prepared for the real interview.”

“This exercise gave me the opportunity to practice with students who actually have received the interview invite as well. It gave me a clear picture of how the discussion would flow and identify areas I need to focus on to improve my performance in the actual interview. Thank you!”

“The benefits of the Mock Wharton Team-Based Discussion include: Trying out the experience of the group IV with other people invited to interview. Seeing my own weaknesses and other people’s strengths.”

Be ready. Be poised. Be confident.

Learn more about Accepted’s Mock Wharton Team-Based Discussion and snag a spot here.



Watch: Director of Admissions Blair Mannix describes what happens at a Wharton TBD




By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!



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Compelling Reasons to Apply for an MBA This Year [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   28 Oct 2021, 10:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Compelling Reasons to Apply for an MBA This Year
[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Accepted-Delta-Variant-affect-on-MBA-applications.jpg[/img]
The booming job market coupled with the emergence of the Delta variant spells “o-p-p-o-r-t-u-n-i-t-y” for MBA applicants and those contemplating an MBA, according to Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. In October Accepted conducted a survey to gauge how these two trends were affecting MBA application plans. The results based on close to 250 responses were eye-opening. 

While a majority of people said that they still planned to apply for MBA programs (see chart), a notable minority (15% – 17%) decided not to apply this year due to either the Delta variant and/or the robust job market. 14.2% attributed their decision not to apply to both factors. 7.7% attributed second thoughts and doubts to both factors but are still planning to apply.

Q1: How has the booming job market affected your MBA application plans?

[list][*]I decided not to apply now because of all the professional opportunities that have developed – 15%[/*][*]I’m having second thoughts about applying, but will probably apply anyways – 14%[/*][*]No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 71%[/*][/list]

[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Accepted-Delta-Variant-affect-on-MBA-applications-1024x633.jpg[/img]

Q2: How has the emergence of the delta variant affected your MBA application plans?

[list][*]No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 54%[/*][*]It’s increasing my interest in applying this cycle for an MBA – 9%[/*][*]It’s giving me pause because I’m afraid schools will return to remote learning and/or I’ll have visa problems – 20%[/*][*]As a result of the delta variant’s emergence, I have decided not to apply – 17%[/*][/list]

[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Accepted-Booming-Job-Market-affect-on-mba-applications-1024x633.jpg[/img]

What do these results mean for you?

This may be the best time to apply since the MBA application slowdown during the years 2017-19, when many applicants were accepted to programs where they may not have been admitted during the busier 2020-21 season, when application volume was higher. Linda Abraham recalls of the 2017-19 years, “We also saw more scholarship offers, and sometimes schools competed for students via scholarships. If the survey results portend a return to the ‘normal’ of 2017-19, we will see both developments again. Implications for applicants: If you are committed to applying this cycle, the potential decline in MBA application volume means you can apply to a ‘stretch’ school or two and have a greater chance of acceptance.”

Accepted consultant[url=https://www.accepted.com/experts/esmeralda-cardenal?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=blog_bio_esme&utm_source=mba_survey_results] Esmeralda Cardenal[/url] adds, “I have been speaking to many applicants in the past weeks wondering whether they should apply in Round 2 or wait until next year. Given this data, and the potential decline of MBA applications this year, [url=https://reports.accepted.com/mba/webinar/create-compelling-round-2-apps-recording]my advice would be to apply now.[/url] You still have time to put together a strong application this year. Furthermore, the economy is cyclical. As vaccination rates increase, classrooms go back to normal, and when the economy inevitably slows down once again, we will see a surge of MBA applications. I see this decline as a window of opportunity for many MBA applicants.”

[b]Now more than ever, your top-choice MBA program is within your reach. Just as we have helped hundreds of applicants get into the b-school of their dreams, Accepted can help you, too, through professional assessment of your profile, expert honing of your application, and confidence-boosting, targeted interview prep. [url=https://www.accepted.com/mba/services/application-packages?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=blog_bio_esme&utm_source=mba_survey_results]Check out our MBA Services Packages[/url] to get the personalized, one-on-one attention you need to GET ACCEPTED![/b]

[url=https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590][img]https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590.png[/img][/url]

[img]https://blog.accepted.com/linda-abraham-accepted-founder/[/img]
By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. [b][url=https://www.accepted.com/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=blog_bio_linda&utm_source=blog]Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch![/url][/b]

[b]Related Resources:[/b]

[list][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/from-the-mouths-of-mba-adcom-members/]MBA Admissions Advice From the Mouths of MBA Adcom Members[/url][/*][*][url=https://reports.accepted.com/top-mba-essay-tips?hsLang=en]School-Specific MBA Application Essay Tips[/url][/*][*][url=https://www.accepted.com/mba/selectivity-index]The MBA Selectivity Index: Discover the Programs Where You are Competitive[/url][/*][/list]

The post [url=https://blog.accepted.com/compelling-reasons-to-apply-for-an-mba-this-year/]Compelling Reasons to Apply for an MBA This Year[/url] appeared first on [url=https://blog.accepted.com]Accepted Admissions Blog[/url].
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Survey Says: MBA Applicants Have Increased Chances of Acceptance in 20 [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   28 Oct 2021, 12:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Survey Says: MBA Applicants Have Increased Chances of Acceptance in 2020-21

The booming job market coupled with the emergence of the Delta variant spells “o-p-p-o-r-t-u-n-i-t-y” for MBA applicants and those contemplating an MBA, according to Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. In October Accepted conducted a survey to gauge how these two trends were affecting MBA application plans. The results based on close to 250 responses were eye-opening. 

While a majority of people said that they still planned to apply to MBA programs (see chart), a notable minority (15% – 17%) decided not to apply this year due to either the Delta variant and/or the robust job market. 14.2% attributed their decision not to apply to both factors. 7.7% attributed second thoughts and doubts to both factors but are still planning to apply.

Q1: How has the booming job market affected your MBA application plans?

  • I decided not to apply now because of all the professional opportunities that have developed – 15%
  • I’m having second thoughts about applying, but will probably apply anyways – 14%
  • No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 71%



Q2: How has the emergence of the delta variant affected your MBA application plans?

  • No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 54%
  • It’s increasing my interest in applying this cycle for an MBA – 9%
  • It’s giving me pause because I’m afraid schools will return to remote learning and/or I’ll have visa problems – 20%
  • As a result of the delta variant’s emergence, I have decided not to apply – 17%



What do these results mean for you?

This may be the best time to apply since the MBA application slowdown during the years 2017-19, when many applicants were accepted to programs where they may not have been admitted during the busier 2020-21 season, when application volume was higher. Linda Abraham recalls of the 2017-19 years, “We also saw more scholarship offers, and sometimes schools competed for students via scholarships. If the survey results portend a return to the ‘normal’ of 2017-19, we will see both developments again. Implications for applicants: If you are committed to applying this cycle, the potential decline in MBA application volume means you can apply to a ‘stretch’ school or two and have a greater chance of acceptance.”

Accepted consultantEsmeralda Cardenal adds, “I have been speaking to many applicants in the past weeks wondering whether they should apply in Round 2 or wait until next year. Given this data, and the potential decline of MBA applications this year, my advice would be to apply now. You still have time to put together a strong application this year. Furthermore, the economy is cyclical. As vaccination rates increase, classrooms go back to normal, and when the economy inevitably slows down once again, we will see a surge of MBA applications. I see this decline as a window of opportunity for many MBA applicants.” 

Now more than ever, your top-choice MBA program is within your reach. Just as we have helped hundreds of applicants get into the b-school of their dreams, Accepted can help you, too, through professional assessment of your profile, expert honing of your application, and confidence-boosting, targeted interview prep. Check out our MBA Services Packages to get the personalized, one-on-one attention you need to GET ACCEPTED!




By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

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Survey Says: MBA Applicants Have Increased Chances of Acceptance in 20 [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   28 Oct 2021, 17:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Survey Says: MBA Applicants Have Increased Chances of Acceptance in 2021-22

The booming job market coupled with the emergence of the Delta variant spells “o-p-p-o-r-t-u-n-i-t-y” for MBA applicants and those contemplating an MBA, according to Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. In October Accepted conducted a survey to gauge how these two trends were affecting MBA application plans. The results based on close to 250 responses were eye-opening. 

While a majority of people said that they still planned to apply to MBA programs (see chart), a notable minority (15% – 17%) decided not to apply this year due to either the Delta variant and/or the robust job market. 14.2% attributed their decision not to apply to both factors. 7.7% attributed second thoughts and doubts to both factors but are still planning to apply.

Q1: How has the booming job market affected your MBA application plans?

  • I decided not to apply now because of all the professional opportunities that have developed – 15%
  • I’m having second thoughts about applying, but will probably apply anyways – 14%
  • No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 71%



Q2: How has the emergence of the delta variant affected your MBA application plans?

  • No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 54%
  • It’s increasing my interest in applying this cycle for an MBA – 9%
  • It’s giving me pause because I’m afraid schools will return to remote learning and/or I’ll have visa problems – 20%
  • As a result of the delta variant’s emergence, I have decided not to apply – 17%



What do these results mean for you?

This may be the best time to apply since the MBA application slowdown during the years 2017-19, when many applicants were accepted to programs where they may not have been admitted during the busier 2020-21 season, when application volume was higher. Linda Abraham recalls of the 2017-19 years, “We also saw more scholarship offers, and sometimes schools competed for students via scholarships. If the survey results portend a return to the ‘normal’ of 2017-19, we will see both developments again. Implications for applicants: If you are committed to applying this cycle, the potential decline in MBA application volume means you can apply to a ‘stretch’ school or two and have a greater chance of acceptance.”

Accepted consultantEsmeralda Cardenal adds, “I have been speaking to many applicants in the past weeks wondering whether they should apply in Round 2 or wait until next year. Given this data, and the potential decline of MBA applications this year, my advice would be to apply now. You still have time to put together a strong application this year. Furthermore, the economy is cyclical. As vaccination rates increase, classrooms go back to normal, and when the economy inevitably slows down once again, we will see a surge of MBA applications. I see this decline as a window of opportunity for many MBA applicants.” 

Now more than ever, your top-choice MBA program is within your reach. Just as we have helped hundreds of applicants get into the b-school of their dreams, Accepted can help you, too, through professional assessment of your profile, expert honing of your application, and confidence-boosting, targeted interview prep. Check out our MBA Services Packages to get the personalized, one-on-one attention you need to GET ACCEPTED!




By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

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Kellogg EMBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 – 2021] [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   29 Oct 2021, 09:01
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Kellogg EMBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 – 2021]



Kellogg’s two required EMBA application essay questions present a paradox: they’re straightforward and complex. Together, they draw out a fully rounded view of you as a person and as a professional, what you’ve done and how you think and perceive the world. To the extent possible, ground your essays in detail and concrete experience, and use reflection as the thread weaving those details and experiences into a vivid whole.

Essays 1 and 2 together should amplify and resonate with each other. They should be neither redundant nor discordant. Before or while drafting them, consider them as a whole. While they must each succeed as a separate statement, to do you the most justice they also should work together as parts of a dynamic whole.

Kellogg EMBA 2021-22 Application Essays

Essay #1

What are your short-term and long-term career goals? What have you already done to get there and how do you think Kellogg can help you? (450 word maximum)

In presenting your goals, frame them with “why” you want to pursue that path and the impact you hope to have. Clarifying this motivation will animate the essay and engage the reader. Also, of course, support this vision by describing your goals in specific terms: likely positions, which company or industry, desired location, and some related context, e.g. anticipated challenges you or your organization may face, your take on industry trends and how they affect your goals, and so forth. Then connect the dots: explain how this stated path will enable you to deliver the desired impact.

In asking what you have already done to pursue these goals, the adcom is essentially seeking evidence that you are truly committed to this career path. Answering this part allows you to show that you are proactive, strategic, and resourceful. Don’t cite everything you’ve done in this regard, but rather identify the 2-3 most important experiences – and what you gained from them. In explaining why Kellogg must be the next step on that path, link the resources of the Kellogg EMBA to the specific learning and professional needs arising from your planned path.

Essay #2

Define what community means to you. Share an example of how you contribute to a community and how that contribution is impacting that community. (450 word maximum)

This question aims right at the heart of what Kellogg cares about (and always has). Kellogg’s sense of community is a central value of the business school and reflects its core identity. To define what community means to you, be concrete. There are many communities in your life, and probably they overlap. Your work, your neighborhood and the broader region, your friends from various areas of your life, any organizations or groups you belong to or participate in, cultural or religious groups, etc. When you describe what community means to you, give examples referencing your communities — your definition should encompass different communities.  

To address the “contribute” part, present a straightforward story about one of your community contributions. Identify and describe what community you are referring to. Clarify why it’s meaningful to you, and briefly summarize your history with and roles in the community. Next, action: what did you do to contribute. I.e., what need did you recognize and what did you do in response? What was the outcome of your action(s), what changed as a result?

Essay #3 (Optional)

If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.).

This question explicitly limits the potential topics to extenuating circumstances, so don’t use it to further market yourself by presenting new material to enhance your application. If you do not have extenuating circumstances, do not write the essay. If you do need to provide such information, do it succinctly and straightforwardly.

You’ve worked so hard to get to this point in your journey. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Kellogg EMBA application. Get a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

Kellogg Executive MBA application deadlines for January 2022 and September 2022 start dates

 January 2022 Start DateSeptember 2022 Start DateRound 1August 18, 2021April 20, 2022Round 2October 6, 2021June 1, 2022

Source: Kellogg website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***




Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

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Yale School of Management Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   31 Oct 2021, 12:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Yale School of Management Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022]



Yale School of Management’s Executive MBA fully reflects the character of the SOM and more broadly of Yale University: strong, vibrant community; intellectual vigor; and real-world engagement and impact. Yale EMBA’s unique “areas of focus” approach is central to its identity, and while it may not be for everyone, for the right people, it will be perfect. Make sure you are in the latter category before applying – and, if you are, allow this approach to organically drive your application. Carefully review the website, read the blog, and, if possible, interact with the adcom by visiting the school and/or attending an info session. I strongly recommend obtaining the offered pre-assessment. These efforts should inform your essays and will help you convey fit.

Yale School of Management Executive MBA application essays

Yale SOM EMBA essay #1

What is your motivation for applying for an Executive MBA at this point in your career? Please discuss your interest in the Yale SOM MBA for Executives program, your area of focus, and your professional and personal goals. (500 words maximum)

Starting off the question with why-now indicates that timing is so important to the adcom—this program should help you at a pivotal career moment, to make some significant advancement or transition—launch or leap… It also requires you to evaluate and interpret your career trajectory. Of course, fundamentally, your whole application in aggregate should answer this “why now” question. In this essay, address it explicitly.

Yale’s EMBA program is unusual in its emphasis on “areas of focus.” In the essay, integrate your reason for selecting your area of focus with your discussion of goals and how the Yale EMBA will help you achieve them.

With only 500 words to answer this multi-part question, keep the structure simple. A straightforward, effective way to structure it is to start with your professional goals, including both “what” (industry, function, positions, perhaps geographies) and “why” (what motivates these goals, what footprint do you hope to have)—including “why now” in this part of the discussion.

The question has an interesting twist in asking about your personal goals. These can be personal growth areas and/or explorations you wish to make for personal interest. They may or may not be directly connected to your professional goals. Most people will, understandably and appropriately, devote more space to the professional goals. But DO discuss personal goals as well. This part of the question aligns with Yale’s holistic perspective and is important for fit.

In discussing how the program will benefit you, be specific: describe what skills and knowledge you seek, and how the program will provide it. Yale’s “areas of focus” approach is unique; convey how and why this approach is ideal for your needs.



Yale SOM EMBA essay #2

Cite a statistic that you find shocking. As a leader for business and society, what actions could you take to address this challenge, and what would be your guiding principles and values? (500 words maximum)

You might reasonably think that you should choose a statistic strategically linked to your career goals in some way. Or that will show some distinctive area of knowledge or experience you possess. Well, maybe. Or maybe not.

Just picking some random statistic that you really did find shocking when you heard it might be a bit unnerving for an MBA essay. I’ve seen it work. Why? Yale SOM’s intellectual dimension:  They appreciate people who are open to intellectual exploration and find interest in the world around them. In this question, the Yale SOM adcom is truly interested in the quality of your thinking and your curious nature, not just how advantageously you can portray your existing interests.

Use and write from the perspective of “leader for business and society” when you discuss prospective actions to take in addressing the challenge that arises from (or leads to) the shocking statistic. (And in citing “leader for business and society” the adcom clearly indicates an important aspect of “fit” they are looking for.) With that framework, you clearly must identify actions that involve mobilizing people beyond yourself and friends/family. While your actions, if described with meaningful specificity, will naturally reflect your “guiding principles and values,” still address this part of the question explicitly, with at least one sentence describing how they do.

Intended area of focus

Why have you selected this area of focus? Please describe how your current professional role relates to your chosen area of focus. (Word count: 150-250 words)

While you’ll discuss the Area of Focus in essay 1 vis-à-vis your goals, here you must link it to your existing work. For some people, that will mean emphasizing how it builds on their current role; for others it will mean emphasizing how it represents a turn or transition from the current role. The former situation is frankly easier and simpler; for the latter, which is more complicated, identify some aspects of your current work that will be valuable and relevant in the new direction. 

Optional information

If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognitions, etc.), please provide a brief description here. (200 words maximum)

Use this space if you have an extenuating issue to address or a point that needs clarification. It is not an invitation to write a whole new essay that goes beyond providing context.

For expert guidance with your Yale SOM EMBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to Yale SOM’s EMBA program and look forward to helping you too!

Yale SOM Executive MBA application deadlines for 2021-2022

Round 1November 3, 2021Round 2January 31, 2022Round 3March 30, 2022   

Source: Yale SOM EMBA website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***




Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

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7 Tips For MBA Applicants From a Family Business Background [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   01 Nov 2021, 09:01
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: 7 Tips For MBA Applicants From a Family Business Background
[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/7-Tips-For-MBA-Applicants-From-Family-Businesses-.jpg[/img]
[url=https://www.accepted.com/mba][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/7-Tips-For-MBA-Applicants-From-Family-Businesses-.jpg[/img][/url]

You work for the family business and are applying for an MBA. Will this background be a net plus for you, or a minus? How can you make the most of this experience?

Whether you work for your family’s tiny startup with headquarters in your home’s basement, at one of your family-owned local grocery stores, or at your family’s multimillion dollar enterprise with hundreds of employees, you definitely have numerous strengths that you can focus on in your essays.

Here are some benefits of working for your family business:

[list][*][b]You have an immersive experience for all the working parts of a business.[/b]

If you’ve grown up in the business, no matter its size, you probably have gained valuable knowledge in many areas, which can include:  sales, production, marketing, product research and innovation, customer recruitment and retention, customer service, basic finance, perhaps even legal issues relating to the business (licensing, leasing, etc.). Particularly if you started working in the business on weekends as teenagers and especially if the business is small, you will have at least the same advantage as other applicants who also have worked in startups or small businesses.

Most likely you will have learned how to be flexible, filling different roles as needed and gaining a more holistic view of how the business operates. This immersive experience has taught you a great deal of knowledge of and appreciation for how various business functions work together for a common goal.

[url=https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590][img]https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590.png[/img][/url]

[/*][*][b]You have an owner’s mindset, not an employee’s mindset.[/b]

As a family member, you have a vested interest in the ongoing success of the business and its destiny. This will be true whether you plan to return to work there post-MBA or not. This personal incentive to see the business thrive and grow may have prompted you to work after-hours on projects that you initiated. Additionally, with some level of built-in trust from management, you may also have been given more leeway to innovate. The potential impact of your contributions will be that much greater and the lessons learned that much more valuable.

[/*][*][b]You’ve developed communications skills that allow you to influence those senior to you.[/b]

You are most likely much younger than your relatives who own the company and may also be considerably younger than other employees who have management responsibilities. Therefore, you may have helped to introduce more tech-savvy innovations, a social media campaign, or other ideas to tap into a new market. Getting “buy-in” from an “old school” mentality is another opportunity to show your communication skills and savvy.

[/*][*][b]You have a job when you graduate, if you want it.[/b]

The school won’t need to worry about your employment prospects if you want to return to the family business. Having said all that, you still need to prove that you’ve enjoyed the level of responsibility that you claim.[/*][/list]

Challenges for MBA applicants who work in a family business

The adcom members may be skeptical that your dad/mom/uncle/aunt really held your feet to the fire in meeting deadlines or proving yourself on the job. The dynamics among relatives who work together can also be tricky, and [url=https://blog.accepted.com/mba-recommendation-letters-10-tips-for-writing-them-right/]getting letters of recommendation[/url] will be a challenge.

Here’s how you can deal with these issues:

[list][*][b]Quantify your achievements and offer as much anecdotal evidence as possible.[/b]

This is strategically important even if you are not from a family business background, but it’s especially true here. If you successfully negotiated a new lease agreement for the business, saving it $X per month, found a better way to find job applicants through UpWork, Fiverr or other gig economy platforms, brought in new customers through targeted social media ads or posts, write about it. The classic rule of “[url=https://blog.accepted.com/proving-character-traits-in-your-application-essays/]show, don’t tell[/url]” is critical here.

Just as you would with any other company, if you began with one lower-level function but now have a higher-level title, list these roles, along with your added responsibilities. This shows your professional growth.

[/*][*][b]Demonstrate your ability to navigate the pitfalls of working with family members.[/b]

There are often built-in conflicts between and among family members who all have a stake in a family business. One client of ours proved his management chops when he helped resolve a huge, ugly fight over succession. The family patriarch and founder of the family business had passed away, and all the siblings were fighting over who was next in line for company control, which had been left unclear legally. Our client convinced everyone in the family to agree to work with a skilled mediator to help reach an understanding. [url=https://blog.accepted.com/display-teamwork-in-application-essays/]The mediation succeeded[/url], which arguably saved the business from being destroyed by lawsuits. It also managed to preserve family relationships.

What if older family members continue to resist ideas you are convinced are necessary, such as introducing a new CRM or other software program, or introducing an additional service or product line? What if you have conflicts with a long-term, highly valued employee? If you find ways to overcome these obstacles you will have substantial and compelling stories to tell about thriving in this business environment. For example, you might have been able to find research that convinced decision-makers that your new ideas were excellent calculated risks. You might have sought advice from a business management consultant to find a way to smooth relations with the long-term, valued employee. Finding creative ways to solve problems will emphasize your skills as a future business leader.

[/*][*][b]Don’t ask relatives, especially those who share your last name, for your letters of recommendation.[/b]

Even if that relative is your direct supervisor and knows your work and capabilities better than anyone, there is simply no way that a letter from a parent, cousin, grandparent, or other family member will seem objective enough to be credible. So, who should you ask? Possibilities include: a supervisor from a previous job or other organization where you were an active volunteer or member. Either one should be able to attest to your maturity, quantitative skills and initiative, and other achievements. 

Still, you need recommenders who can speak about your abilities in the recent past – within the last two years. If you’ve only worked in the family business, perhaps someone affiliated with the business might be suitable: an accountant or attorney, or an important customer or supplier. Remember, your interactions with these individuals must be frequent enough and substantial enough for them to comment intelligently and with some specificity on your work and personal character traits.[/*][/list]

All in all, working for a family business has probably provided you with extremely valuable experience. It has taught you to be nimble in your abilities to work across different departments and given you a front-row seat in watching your relatives deal with the ongoing challenges of running a business in rapidly changing times. Not a bad set of experiences with which to apply to b-school!

[b]If you are applying to b-school with the unique–and uniquely valuable–experience of working in a family business, our consultants can help you present it to a winning advantage. We have teamed up with many clients with this same background and helped them [url=https://www.accepted.com/mba/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=family_business&utm_source=blog]achieve their dreams of acceptance[/url] at the MBA programs of their choice. [/b]

By Judy Gruen, former Accepted admissions consultant. Judy holds a Master’s in Journalism from Northwestern University. She is the co-author of Accepted’s first full-length book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools. [b][url=https://www.accepted.com/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=blog_bio_Judy&utm_source=blog]Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch![/url][/b]

[url=https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/58291/27a53f66-11aa-4ee4-8459-c8b3a9f7330d][img]https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/58291/27a53f66-11aa-4ee4-8459-c8b3a9f7330d.png[/img][/url]

[b]Related Resources:[/b]

• [url=https://reports.accepted.com/top-mba-essay-tips?hsLang=en]Top MBA Application Essays: How to Answer Them Right[/url], a free guide
• [url=https://blog.accepted.com/how-an-admissions-committee-views-mba-work-experience/]How an Admissions Committee Views MBA Work Experience[/url]
• [url=https://blog.accepted.com/4-tips-for-demonstrating-professional-growth-in-a-flat-organization/]4 Tips for Demonstrating Professional Growth in a Flat Organization[/url]

The post [url=https://blog.accepted.com/7-tips-for-mba-applicants-from-family-businesses/]7 Tips For MBA Applicants From a Family Business Background[/url] appeared first on [url=https://blog.accepted.com]Accepted Admissions Blog[/url].
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What Makes Yale SOM Unique? [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   02 Nov 2021, 09:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: What Makes Yale SOM Unique?
[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Pod_Bruce_DelMonico_Oct_2021_REV_copy.jpg[/img]
[url=https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/www.accepted.com/hubfs/Podcast_audio_files/Podcast/442_Bruce-DelMonico_2021.mp3][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Pod_Bruce_DelMonico_Oct_2021_REV_copy.jpg[/img][/url]

[b][/b]

Are you dreaming of a spot at Yale School of Management? [Show summary]

Bruce DelMonico, Yale School of Management’s Assistant Dean of Admissions, returns and shares how the school has endured the pandemic and highlights updates in the admissions process. 

What applicants need to know about this mission-driven, case-based MBA program [Show notes]

Welcome to the 442nd episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for listening. Are you preparing to apply to your dream business schools? Are you competitive at your target programs? Accepted’s MBA admissions calculator can give you a quick reality check. Just go to [url=https://www.accepted.com/mba-quiz]accepted.com/mbaquiz[/url], complete the quiz, and you’ll not only get an assessment, but tips on how to actually improve your qualifications and your chances of acceptance. Plus, it’s all free!

[url=https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590][img]https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/58291/a7004604-d7d1-4d1f-98ef-a0ec53d7e590.png[/img][/url]

It gives me great pleasure to have back on Admissions Straight Talk and introduce Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the Yale School of Management. He has been on the admissions team at Yale since 2004, became the Director in 2006, and the Assistant Dean in 2012. He was last on Admissions Straight Talk almost exactly two years ago in October 2019. It seems like a lifetime ago, because that was, of course, before COVID. 

[url=https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/www.accepted.com/hubfs/Podcast_audio_files/Podcast/442_Bruce-DelMonico_2021.mp3]Bruce, welcome to Admissions Straight Talk.[/url] It’s a pleasure to have you back on the show. So much has changed in the last two years.

[b]We’re going to do some review from the last conversation. I would actually recommend that all listeners also listen to Bruce’s previous interview which is at [/b][url=https://blog.accepted.com/yale-mba-the-inside-scoop-on-essays-videos-behavioral-assessment-episode-338/][b]accepted.com/338[/b][/url][b] but let’s start here.[/b]

Can you please provide a basic overview of the Yale SOM MBA program for listeners who may not be that familiar with it, focusing on its more distinctive elements? [2:17]

Sure, happy to. So here at Yale, we have a full-time, two-year MBA. Hopefully the listeners are familiar with the general structure of the MBA program. I think some of the things that make our program distinctive are the fact that we are very mission oriented. Our founding mission is to educate leaders for business and society. That’s a very broad, multi-sector mission. I think that definitely does animate and influence just about everything that happens here at the School of Management. For students who are here, for those of your listeners who come here to Yale, that means a few things. The first year of your experience, the core curriculum consists of our integrated curriculum, which is different from what you would experience in other business schools. I think that’s one distinctive aspect. And we can go more into that, but I won’t bore you with all the details now. But it’s a very integrated, as the name implies, a multidisciplinary approach, really trying to get our students to think broadly across disciplines and functions.

We also are case-based, but we have our own case writing team, so we use raw cases, as we call them. That’s another distinct feature. Although it’s become more common, we do have a very global orientation, and so many global opportunities exist here. That’s actually a required part of your experience here at Yale. I think that was something that, again, has become more common, but I think we’re the first school to really make that a required part of the experience. 

What’s the difference between a raw case and a more traditional case? [4:00]

So a traditional case, or a cooked case, as we call them, involves the case writing team doing the research, gathering all the materials, and then distilling it all down, boiling it all down into a 10 to 12 page document that leads the reader to a single point or the thrust of the case. It’s very linear and makes one culminating point. The idea is that all the things that are irrelevant or extraneous are weeded out and the student doesn’t really need to worry about that.

The insight that the faculty had here at Yale is that that’s really not how you experience information in the real world. All of our listeners here who are in jobs, and at work, and having to find solutions to problems, they’re not given a 10-page document saying “Here’s all that you need to know, go figure out the answer.” Much of what you have to do is find out what’s relevant. You have to figure out what facts you need to know, and try to fill in gaps if they’re missing, or try to reconcile inconsistent pieces of information. That’s how our cases are constructed. Our case writing team came from other schools that have case writing teams, and what they do is they do all the research they would do in the other schools, but then they give all that research to the students. So as a student, you will get all that raw material, all the real world material that you would get in your professional life.

You get earning statements. You get securities filings. You get quarterly reports, your 10Ks, 10Qs. You get media coverage. You get interviews with key stakeholders, all the things that you will experience as a professional. The idea is that that skill is as important if not more important as figuring out the solution, because of how you frame a solution. We actually have had a course called problem framing. How you frame the solution, how you set it up really dictates what the outcome is. We’re trying to teach our students, even in the classroom, we’re trying to give our students those real world skills of learning how to sift through information, learning how to make sense of information, because that’s such a critical skill that you need to learn. That’s how our cases are constructed. That’s what we call the raw versus cooked, or Yale versus traditional.

The class profile for Yale SOM for the entering class of 2023 had some pretty impressive stats: 730 median GMAT, increased diversity across the board. To what do you attribute these developments? [6:52]

Well, I would say I don’t know that [url=https://som.yale.edu/programs/mba/admissions/class-profile]our numbers[/url] are dramatically different than they have been in the past. I think our median GMAT, you’re right, is 730 and has been in the last few years. But I think the year before, it may have dipped just slightly into 720. The median is typically 730, and the average GRE I think was 165 and GPA is 3.6. 

I think the diversity numbers are pretty consistent with where they have been in the past to the extent they are increasing on all those dimensions. They have varied a little bit, I think that’s right. Not dramatically, but definitely up a little bit. It’s a factor of a few things. I think it’s partly attributable, and I don’t know what other admissions professionals are saying, but I think that the year was a very competitive year. We had one of, I think, the top three application years in terms of application volume which I think played a factor. We are trying to really focus on having[url=https://blog.accepted.com/different-dimensions-diversity-episode-193/] a well represented class across all dimensions[/url]. I think that is reflected in some of the numbers, and not just in terms of the…diversity numbers you mentioned: underrepresented students of color, grad students in terms of citizenship, and in terms of gender, in terms of professional backgrounds. We’ve always focused on this, but we’re really wanting to make sure that we’re paying particular attention, and I think that’s hopefully reflected in the numbers.

In terms of the GMAT score, certainly over time, there has been a tremendous increase in GMAT score. I don’t just mean in the last two or three years. Not just for Yale, but in general terms. I can easily remember 20 years ago that a 700 was a great score. I don’t know if the students have gotten smarter, the prep has gotten better, the test has gotten easier. [8:45]

I think there are a number of factors at play. I don’t think the test has really changed. I think the preparation has gotten better. There are other things in terms of the score reporting and cancellation policies, that I think people can cancel whatever they want so they’re only really getting their high… They can keep taking, taking, taking till they get that score that they want, and then we don’t see any of the other scores. I think that’s pushing things up a little bit.

This might be a little bit of a tangent, it’s been quieter more recently, but there was a period of time where we were pushing quite strongly for GMAC to rescale the GMAT, because the score inflation had gotten really out of control. I think there is, actually quite frankly, a good bit of score compression, especially on the quant side, that makes it very difficult for us to really get the kind of variants we need to be able to distinguish candidates in a useful way. So, that is an area where I think it would be frankly helpful for some rescaling and to decompress some of the scores. That would help us in our jobs, and I think would be more meaningful. That could be a whole other conversation but I think there are a number of factors that play into it, both the preparation and the reporting policies.

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I’m sure there were tons of COVID adaptations at Yale. Which ones are Yale planning to keep? What has been the silver lining in this situation? [11:02]

It’s funny to think back. Funny is not necessarily the word. I was in China with a colleague in November of 2019. And it was just a couple weeks after we got back that we started to hear. Actually, while we were on the trip, people were starting to hear about it and then to hear when all the things that have happened, all the changes. 

As with other schools, we’ve had to adapt. At Yale, we consider ourselves a residential program. Being here on campus is an important part of the experience so, this past year plus has been very difficult for students, for faculty, for really everybody. I think that’s the case across the board. We’re back on campus. I’m on campus now. My office just returned. Students have been on campus all semester. Knock on wood, Yale has a very low incidence rate. It’s doing well, and did have to pivot and make some major changes over the last year and a half.

To your question, it will be interesting to see what sticks. This faculty has developed some expertise now with online courses, and there’s talk about having some of those extended beyond the pandemic, and thinking about different modes of delivery. We continue to, even though students are fully in class now, we’re obviously still, for example, recording classes and having hybrid options for students who are either feeling under the weather, or who can’t make it to classwork for various reasons. I think those things might endure. I think more broadly, this predates the pandemic, but the faculty is actually currently undergoing or undertaking a curriculum review. This was conceived of and planned independently and prior to the pandemic, but I’m sure that that will inform some of the things that come out of it. Beyond the different modes of delivery and the online coursework, I think there could be some even greater experimentation that comes out of it that is maybe inspired by this last year and a half.

One of the things that we’ve heard from many of your colleagues is that the ability to have visiting speakers has been enhanced, because they don’t have to physically show up. They can virtually show up and talk to students. [13:17]

We definitely had that. I think in particular, Jeff Sonnenfeld, who’s one of our prominent faculty members, had a course that’s Basic Leadership Across Sectors and it basically was a class where they would have basically two CEOs or two heads of organizations come and talk to a class, and it was laptops closed, books down, it was a very confidential conversation with these luminaries of the business and nonprofit and public sectors. Oftentimes, they would be here in person in New Haven, but sometimes they would be beamed in. And that happened pre-pandemic. That kind of thing already happened to some degree. I’m sure that happened elsewhere too. But I think the difference is the degree of acceptance, and the feeling that this is not unusual. I think it’s only heightened the opportunities that exist. I think that’s right.

I think that does open the door to more of these kinds of guest speakers, as you say. And not to turn it on admissions, but the past year and a half has been entirely virtual, and [url=https://blog.accepted.com/cant-visit-b-schools-person/]we’re still virtual in terms of recruiting[/url]. Even when travel resumes, we will still, I think, be heavily virtual in terms of how we do things. I don’t know what the right, ultimate balance will be, but it’s been wonderful to really speak to and connect with people who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to get to an event in Beijing, or Mumbai, or London or wherever you are. It’s really opened up a lot of doors for candidates too. So, anyway, I think that’s a bit of an aside. But that is one of the changes that I’m sure will endure.

Do you think admissions will, in terms of recruiting and also in terms of job recruiting, become a hybrid balance where you’ll have some events, but also offer online events? [15:21]

I certainly hope so. I think it’s been a healthier balance. For the admissions, and as you say, for career recruiting, this year is continuing to be virtual for us. That was what the recruiters wanted. They thought that that worked well, and that was beneficial to them. I think it hopefully will continue to open up access and level the playing field in lots of ways on both the incoming student side and the career side. The tough thing is, it’s a little bit of a collective action issue. We know we intend to do more, we’re hoping to, but then to the extent another school says, “Well, we need to really be in person to be effective,” and then everyone else is, well, okay, if they’re in person, we’re going to be in person too. So, it can be a little bit of a race to the bottom. I’m hoping we’ll settle on [url=https://blog.accepted.com/mba-program-visits-fairs-receptions-success/]a healthy balance between in person and virtual[/url] going forward.

Pre COVID, Yale gave students a lot of opportunity for global study. It also participated in and co-founded the Global Studies Network, which allowed for online classes globally. I’m guessing that COVID put a damper on some of the physical travel. Perhaps it made the Global Studies Network more valuable. Where is Yale at now, or hopes to be even in the upcoming year? [16:33]

That’s exactly right, that, obviously, the travel didn’t happen. One of the global studies requirements and one of the global studies opportunities are these global network weeks, which happen through the Global Network for Advanced Management. This is the network of 30 schools that you mentioned. Our pivot in March of 2020 to going hybrid happened and we were really within hours of people getting on planes to do these global studies trips. So, it was very close to that time. It was very, very close. Since then, all these opportunities have happened virtually and we’ve been able to do that. Some of them were already virtual. So, we affectionately call it, a Ted Snyder term, SNOCs. He loves that term, Small Network Online Courses. Those always existed. Those were semester-long courses that were virtual through the global network, and then as a Yale student, you’ll be taking courses with students from the other global network schools. Those have continued throughout, and they’ve expanded, because those have been filling the void that some of the other opportunities have left.

There have been these global network weeks that have happened virtually in the last year and a half. So, instead of traveling to Koc University in Turkey or FGV in Brazil, these opportunities were happening virtually instead and that will continue this fall. Then in March, the plan is to start to resume travel. I don’t know if it will be fully resuming or again, some hybrid or mixed, in person or virtual. My understanding is there are intentions to resume some of those trips then. For our current students who were affected by this disruption, the lack of opportunity to travel, the school has invited them to participate in future trips as alumni because it’s a really highly rated and a special part of the experience that people really do regard well and would like, I think, to participate in to the extent that people or the students haven’t had a chance to.

Is there anything that you’d like people to know about Yale SOM? Maybe a common misconception that you’d like to dispel? [19:17]

I’m sure there’s more than one but I think the one that I hear, I don’t know most frequently, but I still hear frequently is that we’re “the non-profit school.” It’s always difficult to dispel that, because I don’t think it’s wrong that we are incredibly strong in the non-profit space. We have lots of students, about a quarter of our class, who come from the non-profit and public sectors. We have lots of students who then go back into those sectors or who came from the private sector and go into the non-profit or public sector. We’re very proud of that. I don’t want to say that we’re not. I would say that we’re not just “the non-profit school,” and make it an “and,” an ampersand. We’re very big on the ampersand here. I think we are all the sectors. It’s not about one versus the other. But then we have lots of graduates who… I like to think of the SOM story, who have [url=https://blog.accepted.com/life-at-yale-som-with-goals-of-serving-the-underrepresented-community/]success in careers that span the sectors[/url], and will do well and understand the interconnection and intersection of the sectors.

I think that’s a myth that still lingers, even though I think people know more about the school now than they did when I started. We really consider ourselves to be a general management school and we really look to prepare our graduates to be successful in every sector, every industry when it regards to what they want to do. I guess it’s an ancillary myth that I also hear a good bit of, is that we’re not a finance school. I think frankly, when you look at SOM, and you consider the people who have been and who are currently here, and think about Sir Andrew Metrick and Gary Gorton from Wharton, and I work with Toby Moskowitz, and others who came from Chicago, and just all the luminaries who are here, I think it’s Anjani Jain, who runs the MBA program, says fairly consistently, we’re more broadly in the top five finance schools. I think that’s right, probably higher than that, but certainly as good as any school in finance.

And you said a good percentage of your grads go into Wall Street, right? [21:52]

That’s right. About a third of our students go into consulting, and about 20-25% go into finance, generally. It tends to be mostly investment banking or PE, VC, investment management, and then sometimes diversified financial services. 

Yale SOM requires the GMAT or the GRE. Obviously, there’s been enormous change in that field in the last two years. Any plans to either expand the number of tests that you accept, or issue test waivers, or go test optional? [22:33]

We don’t. That’s a great question. We have seen [url=https://blog.accepted.com/test-optional-mba-programs-everything-you-need-to-know/]other schools who are making moves in these directions[/url] and we have not done that, and we don’t have plans to do that right now. I can’t remember if we talked about this two years ago. We’re always looking and experimenting with different ways to evaluate candidates and have tried to broaden the base, and look at different instruments to evaluate different competencies. 

Really, the GMAT and the GRE are predictive of performance, midpoint performance here in the program, but that’s obviously a short term metric. They’re very blunt instruments. There are sometimes people who score well who don’t do well here at the campus, people who score modestly who do do well. So, we’ve looked for years, been trying to find ways to gauge or do a better job of gauging or finding secondary or tertiary indicators that will predict performance here, and then obviously, looking at performance beyond school as well.

We have other things. We have a behavioral assessment that we’ve had in place for a number of years. We use our video questions. We have other instruments that we’re using that are trying to gauge things other than testing and looking at us, things other than non-cognitive traits. So, we’ll continue to do that. Those right now are supplementing. They’re additive. We’re looking at ways we can make them substitutes for. And we’re still investigating that. I personally don’t feel comfortable, because grades and scores and I would say actually, grades are frankly more predictive than scores when we analyze between the two. But to the extent that those are doing work and adding value in the evaluative process, I’m reluctant to take those away without having confidence that there’s no loss of fidelity in our evaluations. I don’t know if other schools feel like they’ve cracked the code. I feel like we don’t feel comfortable just taking them away without having anything else in their stead. So, we’re continuing to look.

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To your point, I think there is some room for candidates to say, I think I know a little bit about what Yale’s about, so I can present these examples that maybe are a little bit more consistent. But I think you definitely want to be led by, I guess, the logic and you want to be led by what the school is asking. Don’t try to shoehorn in this anecdote or this point you want to get. If the school is asking for something else, or the school is looking for other information, you have to meet the school where it is, and what we’re asking for, and what we care about. Because we all have largely overlapping applications in some ways, but they’re all different in other ways.

Well Yale has a very distinctive application. The one essay question is distinctive. You do have the video essay, which some schools have, but most don’t. You also have a situational judgment test. So, you have a very distinctive application. [42:17]

Yeah, and I think we’ve constructed it very intentionally, again, to draw out different complementary aspects of a candidate’s profile so that we do have a very balanced perspective. I guess the mistake is trying to work against that too much. Understand what the schools are asking and go with it. Obviously, that’s part of what an application is. But don’t be an investment banker, who says, “Oh, Yale’s a non-profit school, so I’m going to say my [url=https://reports.accepted.com/mba/guide/why-mba]post MBA goals[/url] are in the nonprofit space.” That’s not going to help you. It’s just going to look like the application is disjointed.

How do you view applicants who had a dip in grades, or perhaps a period of unemployment due to depression or emotional illness? [45:22]

I think, obviously, the caveat I make for every and any comment is that we look at every application individually based on the overall profile. It’s tough to pull out any one element and talk about it in isolation, because it really only derives meaning in the context of the overall application. But in those instances, if there was a mental illness, or some emotional challenge that caused a period of unemployment or different grades, you should, if you feel comfortable, put that in your optional essay. I think that’s a place to explain it, because it’s not something we would see elsewhere. Unless you made that your essay itself, it might be something you talk about there.

We will see, obviously, the gap in employment if that’s what it is. We will see the different grades if that’s what it is. And we do look in the transcript. We don’t just look at the overall GPA, but we go semester by semester, look at the courses, and we’ll look at the trends. And if there’s a discrete period of low grades or unemployment, if there’s a certain abnormality, or something that is atypical for your overall profile, we will notice it. [url=https://blog.accepted.com/mba-optional-essay-not-really-optional/]It’s helpful to have that context and have that explanation[/url]. The question is really asking whether it’s okay to share that, or whether there could be people who are concerned about the stigma of surmounted mental illness, but I think it’s something that happens with people all the time. If you’re showing that it’s so transient, and that you’ve been able to overcome it and tackle it, I think that’s something that speaks to other values. It helps to know the reason behind it, again, if you feel comfortable sharing that so that we can understand the context behind that abnormality, and if it is in terms of your employment or your academic performance. If it is transient, we have to obviously take that into context to understand that.

What about an institutional action, let’s say an academic infraction, or maybe a misdemeanor? If somebody has that on their record, is that going to be an application killer? [47:51]

It’s intriguing you asked that question, because that’s something, actually this year, we’ve made changes on that front. We did this at the start of last year, and actually really more fully this year, because that’s an area where we are concerned that the application review people have their own values, their own judgments they bring towards a DUI, or any number of other infractions, academic or otherwise. We found that it’s very inconsistent in terms of how your application readers approach it. It’s really not based on anything other than their own views on this. 

I believe the College Board has moved to suppress this information from the Common App. I think they’re looking at moving towards not asking. So, actually, that’s what we’ve done, and we’ve been benchmarking with Yale College. We’re close with them and other schools here at Yale to see what their best practices are. We suppress that information, any [url=https://blog.accepted.com/can-you-get-accepted-after-doing-something-stupid/]academic infraction or criminal record[/url]. The readers don’t see that, and that would only become an issue after a decision is made on the application, because we don’t want that to influence the outcome of the application. That’s an area we don’t advertise. I don’t know if that’s a little bit too insider baseball, maybe I shouldn’t be sharing that. But I think we think that’s a smarter way. We’re trying. Again, that’s one aspect I talked about earlier about suppressing certain information in a scenario where we don’t feel like that’s relevant to the application decision. It’s only needlessly influencing. I think it’s unduly influencing or can unduly influence. We try to make sure that it doesn’t do that, but we worry that it could. That’s why we’re trying to take it out of the review process and have it be a separate thing.

Where would a criminal record come in if it’s suppressed from readers? [49:59] 

This is a change this year, a small committee would review it before any final decision but we don’t want it to inform the general review process. We found, actually, what we understand in doing research is that even applicants who have an [url=https://blog.accepted.com/can-you-get-accepted-after-doing-something-stupid/]academic infraction or criminal record[/url] who are seeing that being asked are less likely to apply. They’re less likely to follow through in the application process. That tends to be a deterrent to applying. I think that was a reason behind the College Board moving toward suppressing that information. I don’t want to speak out of something I don’t know if that’s not right. But I think that that’s where they’re going. Part of the reason too is we don’t want to chill people from applying for something that wouldn’t really influence their outcome anyway.

What advice do you have for applicants, either applying this cycle or thinking ahead to an application next cycle? [51:14]

There’s so much advice. Last year was a very abnormal, atypical year in a lot of fronts, in a lot of regards and I think there’ll be a turn, knock on wood, more to normalcy this year in terms of the application pool and the application process. To the extent last year and the year before were so atypical, I think this will be, hopefully, a better year to apply in terms of those seeking normalcy. I think hopefully, again, knock on wood, that the academic experience will be even more back to normal next year. The message from that is, I think this is probably a good year to apply. And next year, hopefully, will be as well for people thinking about getting an MBA.

The other thing is hearkening back to an earlier comment, we don’t have, for example campus to campus tours. We don’t have campus visitors. We’re not doing on campus interviews. But we’ve built out all sorts of tools for people to be able to engage with us virtually at the admissions office. These are things we’ve done even previously in terms of application guide, and other tools we have coming out with a virtual tour. There are ways to connect with students. I think these are all great ways to learn more about the program. I would encourage people to take advantage of them. Campus visits are great, but I always caution people not to put too much stock in them because only certain subsets of people can actually come to campus. They’re close enough, they can afford to, and we don’t want to disadvantage people who live far away, and they can’t make it to campus. That has no influence in the evaluation process. I’m hoping that because no one could visit campus, that’s even more of a level set or an equalizer in terms of people’s access to information and learning about the program and actually expanding the scope of what people can experience here at Yale, even if it’s not in person. So, I’d say take advantage of those resources.

Is there anything you would have liked me to ask you? [53:55]

Nothing comes to mind. I think we’ve covered a good bit of ground and it’s always great to talk to you. I really appreciate the opportunity and certainly look forward to sharing more information another time as well.

Where can listeners and potential applicants learn more about Yale SOM’s MBA program? [54:18]

Our website is [url=https://som.yale.edu/]som.yale.edu[/url]. That’s probably the best starting point. If you have specific questions, you can always email us at [email=mba.admissions@yale.edu]mba.admissions@yale.edu[/email]. That’s our direct email address. Our website has all the information about the application process, upcoming events, student profiles, information about the curriculum, so that’s really the place to go.

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MIT Sloan Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022] [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   03 Nov 2021, 09:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: MIT Sloan Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022]



These essay questions show that the MIT EMBA adcom seeks applicants who have the judgment and practical skills to take on the challenges that will fly at them as they redefine and reshape industries and functions to meet the needs of the future. Applicants who push the boundary of what’s possible and provide principled leadership amidst a torrent of change. The essays (including Statement of Purpose) are your main means to show that you possess the qualities that indicate fit for the MIT EMBA. While the statement of purpose challenges you to succinctly create your applicant portrait, the three essay questions probe how your perspective, ideas, and thinking lead to specific impacts and outcomes. As always, MIT Sloan is interested in what you’ve done – actions you’ve taken and impacts you’ve created.

In an overall plan for the essays, the statement of purpose works as a positioner, an opening pitch, a frame. In each of the three essays, strategically select experiences that show different facets of your experience to give a comprehensive view. Also, if possible, discuss recent experiences in at least 2 of the essays, to allow the adcom to see you working at a high level and to show what you’ll bring to the table. A pitfall of the essays is potential overlap in topics and examples. Before drafting essays, I suggest mapping out your topics and examples to ensure you present different types of impacts and experiences and “allocate” your relevant examples/experiences optimally. Finally, MIT EMBA’s mission is stated at the start of the essay questions; keep it on the radar for context as you draft the essays.

MIT Executive MBA application writing prompts

MIT Executive MBA statement of purpose

Please provide a statement on your personal and professional qualifications. What is motivating you to apply to the MIT Executive MBA at this point in your career? (500 words or less)

This is your portrait – your candidacy at a glance. It should convey a vivid, immediate sense of you as a person and as a candidate for this program. It should go beyond just facts to present a point of view and a message (theme). Determine your message before drafting the essay, and be guided by it in selecting and elaborating the content details.

Beware of a potential pitfall: in discussing the qualifications (ideally reflecting accomplishments), do not repeat your resume in prose format. Select your examples thoughtfully, focusing on those that (a) are truly distinctive and relevant to the EMBA and/or (b) support your goals directly or indirectly, and (c) reflect your message. Make a short, meaningful point about each, such as the insight it lends or its influence on you. Don’t forget to include at least one personal (non-work) accomplishment!

For why you are pursuing the MIT EMBA, of course you’ll discuss your professional goals and objectives. Focus not only on what you want to do, but also why — your vision, what motivates this plan. Addressing “why now” should be part of this goals discussion. Finally, address how this program will help you realize your plans – note 2-3 specific attributes and components of the program and thoughtfully link them concretely to your needs. 

MIT EMBA application essays

Three essays are required. The two short-form essays, and one long-form essay will provide you with the opportunity to highlight recent experiences from your professional life.

MIT Executive MBA essay #1

Lasting impact can happen on large and small scales. Tell us about how you inspired your team, and what you learned about yourself as a leader, through a recent difficult time. (250 words or less)

The bulk of the essay will focus on action – your chosen story of leading/inspiring your team through difficulty to achieve a lasting impact. While the story should reflect MIT’s educational mission, don’t strain to find something that literally mirrors all the specific points (innovative, principled, generate ideas, advance management practice). Rather, your story can reflect the spirit of this mission. The key to making this a gripping, memorable essay is including a bit about your thought process as you narrate your actions – at a key point, why you made an important decision, etc. And note the word “recent” in the question – hence the experience should have occurred within the last couple of years.

MIT Executive MBA essay #2

MIT Sloan finds strength through diversity. We believe that a commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and well-being is a key component of both principled leadership and sound management practice. We seek to create a community that encompasses all dimensions of diversity and fosters excellence within MIT Sloan. This includes diversity of identity, thought, role, and perspective.

Please describe a time when you contributed toward making a work environment or organization more welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. (250 words or less)

Again, MIT seeks evidence that you take actions and have an impact that are consistent with its values. They are interested in learning how you implement change in what essentially is culture: diversity, inclusivity, welcoming – a potential pitfall here is to use “warm and fuzzy” verbiage; MIT is interested in concrete changes that make a real difference. You should cite actual outcomes as a result of your contributions. With only 250 words, keep it simple: focus on telling the story. Be sure to clarify your own actions and note your thinking at 1-2 key points. In selecting your example, keep in mind your topics for essays 1 and 3, to ensure that all together you are representing strategically meaningful aspects of your experience.

MIT Executive MBA essay #3

Please tell us about a time when you introduced an idea that changed the way in which your organization approached a business challenge or opportunity. What factors did you consider, what barriers or obstacles did you face, and how did you measure success? (500 words or less)

This question requires you to address both thought (idea) and action (introduced…). MIT Sloan seeks people who have strength in both areas – who have vision and can execute that vision.

A suggested approach is to draft it straightforwardly, as a story: start with your idea and what prompted it, and then narrate your action – how you introduced the idea, and how you implemented it. Conclude with the results, clarifying the change in approach to the opportunity or challenge, and how you measured the success.

There are 2 ways to address the last part of the question. Option A: As you narrate the story, include and “zoom in” on factors you considered and the barriers/obstacles you encountered in the process; make them part of the story. Option B: narrate the story, and then in a concluding paragraph discuss the factors you considered and the barriers/obstacles faced.

For expert guidance with your MIT Sloan EMBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to MIT Sloan’s EMBA program and look forward to helping you too!

MIT Executive MBA application deadlines for 2021-2022

Round 1January 13, 2022Round 2March 17, 2022*Final RoundMay 26, 2022
*Suggested for International applicants

Source: MIT Sloan EMBA website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***


Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!



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How to Quantify Accomplishments on Your Resume [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   05 Nov 2021, 10:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: How to Quantify Accomplishments on Your Resume



How can you demonstrate impact in your resume or CV?

Answer: Use numbers.

Showing that you have made an impact is essential for a successful resume. We’ve created a checklist with 38 experiences that can be quantified so that you can wow an admissions reader or potential employer.

Some examples:

  • Number of people whom you have taught as a teacher.
  • Number of people who attended an event you organized.
  • How many people you and your team registered in a get-out-the-vote effort.
  • Number of languages you speak, countries you’ve visited or lived in.
  • Years you’ve played a musical instrument and/or been part of an orchestra.
  • How many people did you motivate or organize to start running/hiking/meditating at your place of work?

And we’ve got 32 more where these come from.

Use the checklist as a guide and a reference to quantify the experiences and expertise that is unique to your journey. It will also serve as a springboard to help you come up with other quantifiable achievements so that you end up with a resume that earns you an acceptance!

Fill out the form below and get to work on that killer resume!


For 25 years, Accepted has helped applicants gain acceptance to top undergraduate and graduate programs. Our expert team of admissions consultants features former admissions directors, PhDs, and professional writers who have advised clients to acceptance at top programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD, MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern.
Want an admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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Testing, Testing, 1-2-3: What’s the Right Test Prep For You? [#permalink] Accepted MBA Updates   09 Nov 2021, 11:00
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3: What’s the Right Test Prep For You?
[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pod_Mike_Bergin_Amy_Seeley_Oct_2021_REV_copy.jpg[/img]
[url=https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/www.accepted.com/hubfs/Podcast_audio_files/Podcast/443_Mike-Bergin-Amy-Seeley_2021.mp3][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pod_Mike_Bergin_Amy_Seeley_Oct_2021_REV_copy.jpg[/img][/url]

Are you thinking about taking a standardized test for undergraduate or graduate admissions? Read on for must-know test-prep information! [Show summary]

We’re calling in test prep leaders and co-hosts of the Tests and the Rest podcast, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley to discuss tips and strategies for choosing the right test prep for you as well as the best approach to test taking all the way from SATs and ACTs to GMATs and LSATs.

Test-prep pros Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley share their expertise and advise [Show notes]

Welcome to the 443rd episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for joining me. 

Today’s show is all about test prep, and I’d like to start with a one question quiz for you. What is the paradox at the heart of graduate school admissions? You have five seconds, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. I’ll tell you. You have to show that you belong at your target programs and that you stand out in this applicant pool. Doing so is a paradox, and it’s a challenge. Accepted’s free download, Fitting In & Standing Out: The Paradox At The Heart of Admissions will show you how to do both simultaneously. Master this paradox and you are well on your way to acceptance. Download your guide at [url=https://accepted.com/fiso]accepted.com/fiso[/url] as in fitting in, standing out. 

I want to thank Alex Levenger for leaving a review on our July 20th episode. I’m going to quote excerpts from it. He wrote, “I gained some excellent bits from the July 20th episode. Number one, there really are two disparate attitudes that can make the GMAT tough: thinking you’re better than the exam and freezing into paralysis.” And his second point was, “The GMAT is a metaphor for a study or general work tasks. My main quibble is with the initial assessment test. I think it’s faulty to gain any useful granular info into a student by using this test.” Lots of people agree with you, Alex. 

Our guests today are test prep experts and fellow podcasters, Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley. A word about each of them. 

With over 27 years of intensive experience in every aspect of standardized test preparation, Mike Bergin knows what works in test prep and what doesn’t. A nationally recognized leader in test prep, Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be. Mike is also the founding president of the board of directors of the National Test Prep Association, a non-profit dedicated to promoting the highest ethical standards and best practices in the test prep industry, while advocating for the appropriate administration and use of standardized tests for admissions and assessment purposes. Lastly, Mike is also the co-host of Tests and the Rest, the college admissions industry podcast and creator of the Facebook industry group for test prep professionals, Test Prep Tribe. He and his podcast co-host Amy Seeley even run the nation’s leading test prep conferences and online summits. 

Turning to Amy. Amy Seeley began her career in test preparation over 28 years ago, working for Princeton Review after gaining valuable knowledge and experience as a part-time tutor, she turned that passion into a career with Townsend Learning Centers. She quickly assumed the role of director of test preparation services, creating, managing, and administering all aspects of Townsend’s test preparation programs. After leaving Townsend in 2006, Amy began Seeley Test Preparation services, meeting the test preparation needs of several hundred students annually in the greater Cleveland area. As demand grew for Amy’s assistance in improving test scores, Seeley Test Pros was born in 2012 with the addition of tutors trained and successful methods and strategies of Amy’s experience. Amy’s knowledge of standardized tests is unsurpassed. Amy is the founder and co-host with Mike Bergin of Tests and the Rest, college admissions industry podcast, which discusses the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning and education with experts. She is a co-founder of the National Test Preparation Association and a leader of its inaugural board of directors. She has presented at national test preparation conferences and is a contributor to the Test Prep Tribe, a national collaboration of test prep professionals on Facebook. 

[url=https://media.blubrry.com/admissions_straight_talk/p/www.accepted.com/hubfs/Podcast_audio_files/Podcast/443_Mike-Bergin-Amy-Seeley_2021.mp3]Mike and Amy, welcome to Admissions Straight Talk.[/url]

There are lots of test prep options out there. Regardless of whether you’re taking online or offline grad school, applicants need to choose between self-study, what I’d like to call online guided self study (online courses that you go at your own pace), formal courses and individual one-on-one tutoring. How can students choose the right approach for them? [4:38]

[b]Mike: [/b]I’m glad that you phrased the question, assuming that everyone’s going to prepare for these really important tests, because that should be the foundation of the conversation. If you are taking a [url=https://blog.accepted.com/gmat-or-gre/]GRE or GMAT[/url], LSAT, MCAT, any important test – you’re going to study. You’re going to prepare. Just like if you’re taking the final exam for your course. If you don’t, you know what happens. So, everybody should prepare, especially because selective admissions is highly competitive. Understanding that preparation is key is the first step.

The second step is being brutally honest about who you are as a learner and that there are some individuals who are autodidacts. Anything that they’re interested in, they can learn themselves to a very high level. I have a friend who never played music before. One day he picked up a guitar and fast forward, 30 years later, he’s a rock and roll lawyer. He likes the rock and roll more than the law.

He taught himself to be a phenomenal musician, engineer, song writer, everything. But most people aren’t like that. I picked up a guitar lots of times. I put it back down when everybody asked me to stop, whatever it was that I was doing. Most of us need some kind of support, whether it’s a class or something more individualized. While many people begin with books and they begin with self-study programs, people often find that they just wasted time and put themselves off track, because they started that first, when they never really learned that way effectively in the past. Amy, do you agree?

[b]Amy: [/b]I’m going to add something very practical and that would be, I think you’ve got to consider things like your timeline, your budget, your goals. Depending on when you plan to take a test or when you need those test scores, you’ve got to consider what amount of time that you have, because that may influence whether you have different options or you can start as a self prepper. Maybe you elevate that prep versus knowing you have to have a test score by a certain time. If you have a certain goal in mind, you may realize that trying to fiddle at this for a while, you don’t have the time to be able to achieve that goal.

Lastly and obviously, for some students, it’s going to be the budget. How much money is at stake here? In the world that Mike and I operate, often with college admissions, we see lots of students who are trying to leverage test scores for the financial benefit of scholarship. Oftentimes the conversation is about what’s going to be the return on investment. I can justify spending a certain amount of money knowing that at the end of the line, if I get a $10,000 year scholarship or more, putting in $500 or $700, you get a huge return on that. So, to me, those are some of the considerations about how you may look at what kind of preparation you might want to embark on.

Let’s say for a moment that all options are equally expensive (or inexpensive, depending upon your perspective) and a student has four months to prepare so they’re doing okay in terms of time. In that case, holding the other things constant, what are some of the criteria? Would distance away from target score be a factor? Would difficulty in one particular area or in both areas of an exam or multiple areas of exam, depending upon the exam, be a factor? What would you advise that client? [8:13]

[b]Mike: [/b]I’ll just jump in and say that those factors definitely dictate because the more specific a person’s need, the more likely individual instruction is necessary.

[b]Amy: [/b]100%. I would also say that, and I do, when I talk to families where let’s say the student is really starting at a high level, there is no question that a few tips or tools or suggestions may be all that student needs. So, self prep is just a need for some guidance. Some guidance in launching. For lower starting test score, it’s often very difficult to self prep, because you don’t know what you don’t know. You are getting a low score because you don’t know or don’t understand material. Being able to sort of teach yourself is oftentimes not as much in the card. I would certainly use a benchmark of average to below average scoring on whatever test it is. I think it makes self prep a much more difficult and frustrating road. 

I often use  this analogy of short leash, long leash test prep. I’ll tell families or students if a student is starting at a high score, I’m probably going to keep them on a long leash, which means I’m going to let them loose with some guidance, suggestions, some ability to reach out and here’s what you should be doing independently. Versus that short lease with someone who’s got a lower score, I’m going to keep them tight because I want to make sure I’m monitoring that and giving suggestions at every little step to make sure that I can even help with frustration so that someone doesn’t get so frustrated that they want to give up.

[b]Mike: [/b]I would also say that this ties into how important it is that when a person has a sense of his or her timeline and budget that he or she seeks out the highest level of expertise possible, because what Amy just described is a realization that is earned over decades of working with students and understanding different types. So, assuming that the calculus is that higher test score on a graduate admissions exam opens up the opportunity to have a better chance of getting into the target school and knowing, and Linda you can attest to this, that the more prestigious, certain graduate programs are, especially on the business and the law side, the more money you’re likely to make when you graduate. 

Knowing all of that, you want to invest in expertise. You want to look at it, it could be an individual or an enterprise, but when you’re considering who you’re going to be personally working with, how much experience does that person have? How effective has that person been? If that person is part of an organization, what is the history of the organization, especially in terms of positive word of mouth, lots of referrals. Do they have a specific curriculum that’s proven? Do they use official practice tests? For all of the graduate exams, there’s abundant material available. There’s a lot of different questions you want to look at and not just seek someone out because that person impressed you in a phone call or comes in $10 per hour under others. Think about how successful that individual has been and how experienced that person has. Because test preparation is definitely the kind of trade that people get better at iteratively.

I didn’t mean to imply in any way, shape or form that the time factors or the budgetary factors aren’t important. They should definitely be considered. [12:43]

How can an applicant evaluate both the company and if they’re going for tutoring, the individual tutor? [13:26]

[b]Amy: [/b]I would say to you that one of the things that I think is so amazing within our industry, and Mike and I with our work with the National Test Prop Association, is that it’s just full-time tutors. A lot of people take for granted that somebody who’s going to work with you is more like a gig worker. Some people do this work for a very short period of time. It fills a gap. They might not consider it their professional career, but certainly Mike and I look at it as a profession. The idea of “I do this full time.” It is all I do. It’s all I think about. I’m always, like Mike said, iterating. I’m always thinking about how I make something better. And that’s one of the beautiful things about why you want someone who does this full time. It means they’re constantly refining because as you get new students, I won’t say we churn them out, but we do. They’re in, they’re out so you have this capability to just get better and better because you’re constantly doing it.

Another thing I’ll mention is just materials-wise. It is so critical in our industry that students are working on official practice test material to get as close to the test maker as one can. There are certain tests out there that I would say are a little harder to come by the official material. But the basic idea is while some people will create their own material, create their own tests for understandable reasons, you really want to be working at the source. That’s another criteria, what material do students work on as far as taking practice tests goes. 

And I’ll throw one extra thing in there. I’m highly suspicious of anyone who has a guarantee. In terms of guaranteeing someone’s success. There are so many variables at play and you’ve been mentioning them: how much time do you have, how much you’re trying to improve, etc. There are a lot of factors that we as test prep providers cannot control for. When someone says, I can guarantee you a certain score, very often they guarantee the fine print. When I see the fine print, I kind of laugh, because I know where it’s coming from. Often it might be from a good place. But I will never tell a parent that I would guarantee anything. Much like I wouldn’t say if I was going to a weight loss program and someone was going to guarantee the 50 pounds I would like to lose.

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[b]Amy: [/b]I’ll say the same thing. I think with the GRE, we definitely see that. Especially when I see students returning, who may have worked with me for the SAT or the ACT. Sometimes those challenges like math will rear their ugly heads. But sometimes with the grad level tests and in a way that at least with math, you think a student is just completing their third year, their fourth year of math in high school. So, math should be fresh. It is a little bit different at the college level, because for grad tests you can find students who have done no quantitative work at the college level. In some cases you may find that they might not even be as strong with math as they might have been in high school, given that they may have had no interaction with it.

I will say this. At the high school level students are in a good position. At least they have some options, as far as choosing between the SAT and ACT, given that all colleges will take either score. What has been very interesting, at least for me at the grad level, has been a similar development as far as students having the ability to choose between possibly a GRE, or a GMAT, or an LSAT. I do find now, what is interesting is that advising grad students on, “You came to me for the GMAT, but let’s talk GRE.” Or, “You came for the LSAT, let’s…” I actually try to, if I get them to the GRE because I find the preparation for GRE to be a little bit more straightforward. I will say the SAT and the GRE back in the 90s and early 2000s, the SAT and GRE weren’t any different. And it was a natural hopping point to be like, “Well, what should you do for SAT prep? You’re going to do the same thing for GRE.” That is not true today. So, given the GRE having quantitative comparisons that these students have never seen, there is a difference there. But I would say that, like Mike said, you figure out if you did preparation for your SAT or ACT you know what it may involve what it might take, and you’re going to start to reboot that. Some things possibly from why you did well earlier will help you. And then you may have to supplement or augment. Like in today’s world with GRE focuses on vocabulary, the SAT and the ACT don’t. That’s a big difference. Some students will have to reckon with what amount of work they want to put in towards improving their vocabulary when they’re taking the GRE.

[b]Mike: [/b]I will say you have to hope that by the time a student gets to a graduate test, he or she did a lot more reading than was done in high school for the verbal sections of the test. I mean, again, if you’re applying to law school, you should be a really strong reader. And a weakness in that area, if it comes out and it impacts your ability to score well on the LSAT. That’s a deeper issue for how well you’re going to do in law school in general.

When I got my start with Kaplan, I took all the different tests. I would have to teach them. They’d say, “Okay, now it’s time for you to teach GMAT.” And I go, “I never took the GMAT before.” Well, you will. And your SAT and you’re going to do the GRE. There’s absolutely a continuity of skills and strategies that help on all different tests. If you can excel on one test, chances are, you can excel on similar tests. Sometimes you have to pick up some content. 

[b]Amy: [/b]I had an interesting experience with tests in high school. My first time, it was very average. My second time was significantly above average. That was back in the day when you didn’t prep. Who can explain why the first one was so average and the second one was so much higher? It does speak to the idea of probably trying to test more than one time when possible if you think that you have the ability to raise the score.

I also say to students, I feel like I’ve really earned my stripes over the years in terms of really learning what are good practices, techniques, strategies, and where they need to review or study content. For me, I come from a place of, I didn’t consider myself a great tester but it can be learned. It can be taught with motivation and dedication. So that’s what I like to bring to my students. Yes, if this is important to you and you’re willing to put in the effort, then you can improve your score significantly.

[b]Check out the average test scores at your target schools: [/b]

[url=https://www.accepted.com/mba/selectivity-index]B-School Selectivity Index[/url]; [url=https://www.accepted.com/medical/med-selectivity-index]Med School Selectivity Index[/url]; [url=https://www.accepted.com/law/selectivity-index]Law School Selectivity Index[/url]

Let’s say I’m going to take an exam and I have other responsibilities. I’m either in school or working full-time and I want to take the test in three months. Is that enough time? Would two months be enough time? How about one month? Should I take a weekend crash course? [25:42]

[b]Mike: [/b]Let’s put aside the fact that this is clearly a multi-variable equation, which has to incorporate your baseline score, the amount of time you’re able to commit, the amount of pressure that’s distracting you from really making this meaningful and how you learn best. We’ll put all that aside. And we’ll just say, how long is enough to prep? 

I love, and Amy tell me if you agree with me, I love to look at preparation as a season. We work with so many high school students and even the students that play the same sport every season – they’re in a soccer club, they do club soccer, they do school soccer. They’re always doing soccer. Yet each season is three months long. It’s not one 12 month season. There’s an important reason why every sport is like that, every musical. I mean, unless you’re on Broadway and you’re in something that’s running for 18 months. But every performance begins from auditions and casting to get to the final rehearsal before the performance. It’s about three months.

So, you think about how long you can maintain your interest in working towards peak performance. That’s a good span of time to say that if I work diligently over a three month span, I may have room to spare, or I may really be crunched at the end. But if I go for six months, if I go for a year, I’m going to lose interest. I’m not going to maintain that peak performance.

[b]Amy: [/b]The motivation tend to be either if there’s an indefinite term, like I don’t know when I’m going to take the test. You don’t tend to see the same sort of dedication and motivation. I’ll often say to students, especially my [url=https://www.accepted.com/grad]grad students[/url]: pick a date. Get a date because your perception will change when there’s a date on the calendar. We see that with a lot of our students. Their mentality changes as they get closer to game time so sometimes getting the date on the calendar matters. I will also say to kind of build in there, I think for grad level tests the motivation is to be one and done. There’s a different mentality at the grad level that students ideally want to do, want to be done.

At the [url=https://www.accepted.com/college/services/collegeservices]college admissions[/url] level, I would always tell my student to take more than one, usually to see what you can do the second time. But I would say at the grad level you do have to consider if you’d ever want to consider the possibility of retesting because I find the term of when they’re starting may not allow for a second test if they’re not careful. So, I think not everyone should prep with the idea of “I’m going to test twice,” but I do think you have to be careful when accounting for that.

I find at the grad level, that means it’s in terms of these seasons that Mike is suggesting and that’s really important. The time that students in college have to prep for grad tests, they have to be very mindful of when they have those pockets of time and make sure that they have that season. Often it’s the summer. Maybe they’re trying to do it over the holidays or winter break, but usually it’s tricky to pair this with college studies if they are currently enrolled in college.

[b]Mike: [/b]If you’re a professional, if you’re already working full time, then you have other logistical issues. The benefit of course, is that most of these grad tests have rolling testing processing.

[b]Amy: [/b]Now that they’re on a computer.

[b]Mike: [/b]You can pick your target based on not just the deadlines of the particular schools you’re focused on, but what fits your calendar.

What are your tips for the day before the exam and the day of the exam? [31:54]

[b]Amy: [/b]I usually would say the day before the exam, I don’t really encourage students to be doing anything test oriented. A lot of times it’s at that point, whatever time you’ve invested, that’s what you’re going to coast into the test day with. I would say things like trying to get a good night’s sleep the few nights prior so that you’re on a regular schedule. Certainly you want a good night’s sleep the night before the test. But don’t go to bed too early. Like, there’s that idea of going to bed too early and then you wake up and you’re up and you’re wired. Maybe you’re looking at a few of your materials, a little bit of review. If somebody really feels like they want to do some review. I usually say don’t do more than an hour’s worth of review the day before the test. 

I will use myself as an example. I took the LSAT years ago and where it was offered was a site I wasn’t familiar with. So, for me, part of my ritual was the week before, I drove to where it was. So, I knew ahead of time, where am I going to park? How much time will it take to get there? Is there a parking garage where I need to allocate the time to get from there to the site? Those were all things I did to minimize any test day stress. Making sure that when you wake up on test day, you’re in your zone, it’s like this process of just easing into it.When you wake up in the morning, I say, give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go. And if it’s winter time, make sure you’re planning for the weather. Make sure you eat a good breakfast and plan time for that. Much like an athlete. The athletes who wear the headphones, it’s like I’m just in my own zone. Making sure that test morning leads in really smoothly. 

I had accounted for all of that, prior to my LSAT day. And long story short, the funny story is I went for breakfast before, because I’m not even making my own breakfast. And when I get up to leave for breakfast, I realized I left my admission ticket at home. Which is why I tell students too, and this has happened with my own kids – print out your admission ticket the day before, make sure your printer works, your ink works. Put it in your purse, set it out ahead of time. All of these behaviors, what I’m suggesting are behaviors to make sure there’s no head space the day of being devoted to logistics. It’s all about getting to the test.

[b]Mike: [/b]Amy shared indispensable wisdom regarding doing well on a test. Control every detail and aspect of your day that you can ahead of time so that you can focus on what you’re doing. I think it’s really helpful for people to look at events like these as pivotal moments that deserve their full focus. I would urge someone who was getting ready for the GMAT to prepare for the day itself as if they were actually giving a big presentation or making a huge sales presentation.

I would ask someone who’s applying to law school to think: what if this was going to be your first big case, how prepared would you want to be? How confident would you want to be? How comfortable would you want to be? What would you do in advance? Because these are moments we know that you can retake the test if you have to, but you don’t want to, if you can avoid it. These are snapshots of your potential and the more you can do to narrow the gap between your potential and your actual performance in the moment, the happier you’re going to be with your results. So, take it seriously. Just treat it like it’s a really important day and put everything off until after it. Hopefully if you do that, you won’t have to go through the process again, you’ll be really proud of your accomplishment.

Do you have any advice specific for graduate applicants who are retaking the test? Maybe for the second or third time? [36:25]

[b]Mike: [/b]First, get back on the horse. Don’t allow yourself to perseverate over your failure to reach your goal and put it off until everything that you learned in preparation for the first test fades away and you’re basically starting over. Be honest about why you didn’t get your goal. If you didn’t reach your score goal for content reasons, fix it. If you didn’t reach it, because the form of preparation you used wasn’t aligned properly with the way you learned best, upgrade. If it was simply performance, you got anxious. That means you need more practice testing. There are different reasons why people don’t hit their goals, but iterate quickly. Whatever it is, identify what the problem is and address it. You don’t need another three months. You want to shorten that cycle there to leverage all the good things you did going into that first exam.

[b]Amy: [/b]I would definitely concur with that. The idea of looking at the pieces or parts where you felt like you were more vulnerable or that resulted in the less desirable score. Like if it’s the GRE and you feel it was the vocabulary that sort of gave you a run, well, then you’re going to have to look back and see what amount of vocabulary prep did you do? Are you going to have to think differently about that prep going into the next one? If you found that in the math or quantitative, there was geometry and you weren’t as prepared for it, then you’re going to go back and you’re going to dig into that geometry. So, ideally, if you can kind of really figure out on a microscopic level, what are the pieces. That’s where you go back and you dig into those areas.

Secondly, you consider some things with the modality of what choices you made in your prep the first time. If you chose to self prep, maybe you need to have some intervention and somebody like Mike or I coming in to help out. If you didn’t practice as frequently as you should have, maybe you up the reps. So, you start, much like an athlete. You’re looking at why you didn’t get the performance at that game you wanted to, and you’re watching that game day tape and then you’re going to figure out what to do differently.

We talked about the fact that graduate students are frequently working full time. They’ve been out of school. They might have not been in school for five years or more. They’re non-traditional applicants in that sense and they probably haven’t prepared for a test in five years or more, however many years they’ve been out of school. Any advice for them? [40:54]

[b]Amy: [/b]I do find that they want to shy away from actually taking a practice test. Oftentimes I’m like, “No, you need to take one to launch. You want to take a full practice test in the format that you’re going to be testing.” Meaning, adults right now have probably not ever taken a test in a computer based format which is what most of these grad tests are on. So, taking a test, seeing what the scores are and evaluating what things did or didn’t go well. I do find, at least in my experience, it’s usually intimidation by the quantitative components. When they’ve been out of school a long time, especially if they’ve been engaged in a career, that’s more reading and writing. The math seems to really intimidate.

I think then they’ve got to determine what level of math review they need because you have to then quantify how much time it’s going to take to work your way back through arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. It’s hard. That is the one aspect that I’ll tell them. I can’t give you a number. I can just say get a baseline score from practice. Dig into those areas you are weaker in, and then start to realize, you’re going to have to say to yourself, how many hours a week do you want to devote to strictly working with the math. That’s what I find with those students, that’s a big consideration and what their timeline might look like that often would be different than a student who’s currently enrolled in college and is planning on going to grad school after college.

[b]Mike: [/b]I agree that a lot of students that are coming back to testing have certain deficits that they have to be clear about and willing to overcome. I would urge them to not overlook the advantages they have over those individuals who test during college as part of just a process that they’re not exactly certain about, but they know these are the steps they have to take. The individuals who are returning, they left school, they’ve entered the workforce – now they have a career goal that aligns with attendance to some graduate program. They have advantages in terms of motivation and awareness and hopefully they’ve developed great executive function skills. They’re more organized perhaps than college students. They keep better, healthier hours. Those can be assets and it’s important for those non-traditional applicants to leverage the assets.

What advice do you have to stay calm on test day? [44:53]

[b]Mike: [/b]Before we started recording, we were talking about how Amy and I are both proctoring practice tests. We’re not doing it for ourselves. We’re not doing it because we don’t have plans during the weekend. We’re doing it because nothing beats practice tests. The idea that a person would be nervous, wouldn’t manage their time properly, wouldn’t know how well they were going to do, felt flustered at any aspect of the test, often signals lack of adequate practice. You have your preparation and people think about what they’re learning from the book, what they’re hearing from a teacher but it’s like the athlete who thinks that a coach telling her what to do is going to translate directly to the field without actually doing it.

We know that doesn’t work. We know that for test preparation, the test piece is irreplaceable so students should take advantage of the fact that each of these pivotal graduate exams has lots of practice material behind it. There are a number of available GREs. There’s exponentially more LSATs available. LSAC has always been great about providing as many practice LSATs as a person could bear to take. That’s a lot of tests. Since we’re sharing aphorisms, I’ll share the one that says don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.

[b]Amy: [/b]I do want to chime in because I think what Mike is saying is so important. Taking practice tests. However, I think there’s a misunderstanding, and I think this happens more with self preppers that just taking practice tests makes you better at the test. As we said earlier, if you don’t have some introspection about what you got on a practice test and you don’t go back and look at what you got wrong and evaluate, then the practice tests are probably going to keep telling you the same thing. Often I find a self prep mentality tends to be voraciously taking tests with that lack of introspection.  

[b]Mike: [/b]That happens a lot with GRE students. They took all of the practice tests before they come to you. But they didn’t do anything between each test. And so they’re like, well now you can help me. 

[b]Amy: [/b]To use my weight loss analogy. Just stepping on the scale every week doesn’t mean I’m going to lose the weight.

What do you see in your crystal ball for test prep and standardized testing on the graduate level? Do you see it going the way of undergraduate testing where fewer and fewer schools are requiring it, but students are still taking the test? [48:08]

[b]Mike: [/b]It’s interesting that you phrase the question that way, Linda, with the presumption that standardized testing has gone away in college admissions. Because it’s kind of up and down. Like last year there were more students than ever who submitted applications without test scores. It was only later that we found out that a lot of them were accepted at a lower rate than the ones with test scores. So, there is a trend with a lot of grad schools, especially graduate school, specifically. Not so much law and business, but grad school. A lot of schools waived the testing requirement for a year or two. But we don’t know what they learned about who they accepted from that.

[url=https://blog.accepted.com/test-optional-mba-programs-everything-you-need-to-know/][Read: Test-Optional MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2022][/url]

I feel like as far as testing goes, as long as schools find the information they get from a specific graduate exam helpful in making great choices about students, they’ll continue to use them. LSAC claims that LSAC produces the LSAT and they claim that LSAT score is the single most predictive factor in success in law school. Even more so than undergraduate GPA. If that trend holds true, then law schools will continue to value the LSAT. If they can make those decisions without that criterion, they will. It has to do with the value of the tests to them. But as long as the tests are there, test prep will be essential.

[b]Amy: [/b]I do feel like there is extreme grade inflation that we see not only at the high school level but also at the college level. I feel like as much as we’ve had some leeway given to people’s access to tests and becoming test optional, I do believe that we’re going to start to see trends where without those test scores, we know less about a student’s capabilities than we knew before. I’m afraid that in this wave of making it optional to accommodate conditions across the country, we’re going to lose the ability to measure grades in a meaningful way because there’s a lot of subjectivity to even grading at the high school and college level.

I think we are going to see more as time goes on that the scores serve a role. They serve a role, they serve a purpose and they won’t go away. I think in some instances they’re going to put some things in perspective. So, for some students they’re going to want those test scores to put their academic record in perspective.

[b]Mike: [/b]The jockeying for relevance among some of the graduate exams is interesting in that in the past, the GRE was for graduate school exclusively, the GMAT was for business school, the LSAT was for law school. But now we’re seeing a little mixing and matching. And if anything, that’s an area to continue to watch, because what we’ve seen in undergraduate admissions where the SAT and ACT at one time were almost on separate pads. If you applied to certain schools, you had to submit an SAT. If you applied to certain schools, you had to submit an ACT.

Today, all colleges accept both tests equally and that means that for students, for whom the ACTs a better test, they only have to take the ACT. So if the GRE is a great test for you and you want to go to law school, well, you may not be out of luck. Or vice versa, maybe it’s the GMAT for you. I’ll be interested to see as we progress, if there’s more of an expansion of options. Or if schools snap back and say, “You know what, our brief dalliance with this particular test is over. We just prefer that one.

What would either one of you have liked me to ask that I didn’t ask? [52:39]

[b]Amy: [/b]I’ll throw in a piece of advice I think is interesting. If a student is currently enrolled in college, I would really strongly encourage them to consider, even if they don’t have immediate plans to apply to grad school or grad program, I would really consider getting a GRE in the bag. Obviously there is a timeline to when scores expire, usually it’s about five years.

I do feel like while you’re in school and you’re approaching graduation, it’s not a bad idea. Especially the GRE because we’re really seeing this trend of the versatility of a GRE score. I am telling students, “You might want to consider taking one because you have a five year period of time where you can use that.” The potential is you can use it for a variety of programs that if you get in under five years, you’re like, “Oh, I may have a score and I don’t have to worry about being four years out.”  

[b]Amy: [/b]Linda, you were so thorough and you guided this conversation perfectly. I’ll add one final point just about the value of the tests from an applicant’s perspective. For most people looking at graduate school, law school, business school, this is just another burden. Another hoop that they have to jump through. Especially if they’re not projecting this score as well as they’d like. I urge people to consider a shift in perspective, to see this as another way to train up, to be fully ready to excel in graduate school. There’s a reason why each graduate program finds the test valuable and picks out complimentary skills to what you’re doing in college. Not exactly the same, but complimentary. There’s a reason why high scores might correlate with high achievement and vice versa. So, take the note that your scores are giving you.

Where can listeners and test takers or future test takers learn more about you and both your work? [54:54]

[b]Amy: [/b]You can reach me at [email=amy@seeleytestpros.com]amy@seeleytestpros.com[/email]. 

[b]Mike: [/b]You can reach me at [email=mike@chariotlearning.com]mike@chariotlearning.com[/email]. 

You can find both of us at [url=https://testsandtherest.com]testsandtherest.com[/url]. That’s the Tests and the Rest podcast. 

And if you happen to be in the test prep profession, seek out the National Test Prep Association.

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[b]Related links:[/b]

[list][*]Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin’s [url=https://testsandtherest.com]Test and the Rest podcast[/url][/*][*][email=mike@chariotlearning.com]Chariot Learning[/email] (Mike Bergin)[/*][*][email=amy@seeleytestpros.com]Test Pros[/email] (Amy Seeley)[/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/test-taking-advice-for-people-with-learning-disabilities-or-test-anxiety/]Test-Taking Advice for People with Learning Disabilities or Test Anxiety[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/how-to-overcome-gre-test-anxiety-and-perform-at-your-best/]Making Friends With the GRE: How To Overcome Test Anxiety and Perform at Your Best[/url][/*][*][url=https://www.accepted.com/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=podcast_443_bergin_and_seeley&utm_source=blog]Accepted Admissions Consulting Services[/url][/*][/list]

[b]Related shows:[/b]

[list][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/how-to-eliminate-test-anxiety/]How to Eliminate Test Anxiety[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/making-the-lsat-learnable-with-blueprint-prep/]Making the LSAT Learnable with Blueprint Prep[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/what-happened-to-the-lsat-flex/]What Happened to the LSAT-Flex?[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/mcat-veteran-teaches-you-how-to-prepare-for-your-test/]MCAT Veteran Teaches You How to Prepare for Your Test[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/advice-for-the-mcat-from-an-mcat-expert/]Advice for the MCAT from an MCAT Expert[/url][/*][*][url=https://blog.accepted.com/why-these-gmat-experts-approach-test-taking-with-empathy/]Why These GMAT Experts Approach Test-Taking With Empathy[/url][/*][/list]

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FROM Accepted.com Blog: London Business School Master’s in Management (MiM) Essay Questions, Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022], Class Profile



Everything you need to know about the LBS MiM Program

Overview of the program

The Masters in Management (MiM) is London Business School’s longest running Early Careers (EC) programme. The first to be introduced to the EC portfolio in 2009, it has been developed in partnership with LBS’ world-renowned faculty and the recruiters who budding business practitioners aim to work for. It focuses on an applied learning approach, combining theory and practice so that students “hone the critical business understanding, adaptive mind-set, and practical skills that are required to excel” in the post-MiM job world. This is all underpinned by the ethos that learning in a diverse environment (diversity extending to nationality, academic background, professional experience, interests) creates that all-important global perspective.

The MiM offers a flexible programme with exit points at 12-16 months. While some students will choose to complete the degree in three terms, those wishing to complete a summer internship, go on an international exchange, or take an additional three electives can opt to continue with a fourth term. Regardless of exit point, all students are required to take 10 core courses along with online pre-programme courses. These core courses are brought together in the form of three integrated modules aimed to help students build adaptive thinking and problem-solving skills:

  • Integrated module 1: microeconomics and data analytics, including a business simulation to fast-track decision making skills. 
  • Integrated module 2: management accounting, organisational behaviour, and strategy
  • Integrated module 2: LondonLAB

Alongside the core curriculum, students are required to select 3 electives from a selection of 60+ elective options across the subject areas Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management Science & Operations, Marketing, Organisational Behaviour, and Strategy & Entrepreneurship. Electives are held across programmes and give students a unique opportunity to work alongside MBAs, EMBAs, and other degree programme students. The cross-generational learning element is carried across to other aspects of the programme, such as with the mentorship scheme whereby MiMs can be mentored by MBA and MiF students and alumni.

In addition to the core curriculum and electives that develop hard academic skills, MiMs also focus time on developing the “soft skills that will enable you to build relationships, influence outcomes, and negotiate terms with self-awareness and confidence. Through the Skills Programme, students work on understanding and honing the skills that employers expect, including interpersonal skills as well as numerical and digital skills.

Experiential learning is a key aspect of the MiM experience and the programme allows students “to explore the real world of international business through hands-on experience”. Faculty-led Global Immersion Field Trips (GIFT), which focus on either Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship or Social Innovation and Impact, give students “the chance to apply their learning in new contexts and have a real-world impact on communities and businesses” in locations such as Tel Aviv, Accra, Cape Town, Medellín and Kathmandu (at time of writing, trips may be run remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic). The LondonLAB tasks students to apply learning from their core and skills courses to tackle a current business challenge in a live 10-week, team-based business project for leading companies in London such as the BBC, UNICEF, and Salesforce. 

Essay tips

LBS MiM Essay #1

After several years with its mainstay ‘how will the programme support your academic and professional goals’ question, the MiM has switched gears slightly and introduced a new essay 1 (and reduced word count):

What learning outcomes are you aiming to achieve as part of your Masters in Management programme? What challenge(s) might you encounter? (500 words)

While a different approach to the previous essay prompt, this question still tasks applicants to reflect on what they want to get out of the programme. In thinking of learning outcomes, this can be viewed as academic outcomes or professional outcomes.

In addressing academic learning outcomes, it would be wise to touch on the knowledge gaps you’re expecting the MiM to fill. Perhaps you come from a business/management background, but your undergraduate degree didn’t offer particular courses you need to achieve your career aims or took a more theoretical approach. Or you come from the sciences or the arts and need general management tuition to help launch your business. Here you want to discuss a few of the academic components that will support your learning and fill the outlined gaps. But steer clear of providing a list; this is where you want to show research and that you have a solid understanding of how the academic resources will fulfil your individual learning needs. Also avoid incorporating LBS resources here. This question is specifically about the MiM.

Learning outcomes can also extend to the professional. A large piece of the MiM curriculum revolves around skills development. Think about whether you need to hone any interpersonal skills to confidently present presentations to clients or to attend networking events with recruiters. Perhaps you need to scrub up on your modelling skills to achieve your consulting aims. This would be a good place to touch on how the Skills Programme and Career Management will support those professional learning outcomes. A brief reminder of your career aims here is fine but keep it concise as these aims are already discussed in the application form.

The second half of the question – ‘what challenges might you encounter’ – was previously asked in the application form, so it’s not entirely new. But its presence as a standalone essay question indicates the ad com’s interest in understanding your level of self-awareness. This question really requires some introspection. While you may want to touch on the challenges that may arise with achieving the aforementioned learning aims, such as adapting to a new type of study environment or teaching method, it’s fine to also mention any personal challenges. After all, you’re a person. Perhaps you’ll need to employ time management and organisational tools to cope with the hectic schedule and pace, or you’ll need to switch gears in how you approach study in a grad school environment. A brief word on your ability to overcome these challenges to succeed in achieving your learning aims would make for a nice close to this essay.

LBS MiM Essay #2

If essay 1 is about what you have to gain, essay 2 is about what you have to give back and remains with a focus on the wider school community:

During your time as a Masters in Management student, how will you contribute to the School community? (400 words)

The idea of being communal is an essential value at LBS (more on that below). This question gives you a chance to showcase your achievements and how your past successes will allow you to impact the LBS community.

In thinking about how you can add value and contribute, start by reflecting on your experience – academic (undergraduate studies), professional (internships), and personal (extracurricular engagements). Think about where you’ve achieved success and how you can apply learnings or skills from those experiences to contribute. Presenting 3-4 ideas is advisable, but you may find you want to dedicate more word space to 1 or 2 ideas. And make sure these ideas are concrete; writing your international experience will support the learning experience of your peers doesn’t say anything. This is your chance to set yourself apart and show that you’ve not only done your research and understand what the community has to offer, but that you’ve put thought into how you can enhance the community around you.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for the MiM, applicants must have less than two years of postgraduate work experience (only postgraduate work experience is considered towards the two-year limit; internships taken during your studies don’t count). 

MiMs come from a variety of undergraduate study backgrounds and while there’s no degree requirement, applicants must have achieved or expect to achieve a bachelor’s degree result equivalent to a UK 2:1 minimum / GPA 3.3 or above. Along with a strong undergraduate degree, GMAT or GRE is required and must be taken prior to applying. While there is no minimum score, it is recommended applicants apply with a 600+. 

As with other degree programmes, the MiM now requires only one reference, which must be submitted via the school’s online reference system. It is recommended applicants select a previous or current employer, though an academic referee will suffice so long as they can speak to the applicant’s character and abilities.

Along with reference, GMAT/GRE score, and undergraduate degree, applicants are required to submit a one page CV/resume, proof of English, and pay an application fee. Along with all of this comes a number of short answer questions in the application form. As these questions sit in the application form there’s sometimes thought that they’re not as important as the long form essays. Not true! The short answers, which ask questions around your interests, programme/school research, international experience, and career aims are key as they give the ad com an insight into who you are outside of your stats, what motivates you, and what you want to achieve. So do spend time crafting answers to these questions. 

The programme runs a staged admissions process. Applicants can apply at any one of the five stages, though early application is advised as competition becomes more intense in the final months. Those wishing to be considered for a scholarship are encouraged to apply by the 30 March deadline.

Deadlines for the August 2022 (MiM2023) intake are:

Deadline 1September 29, 2021Deadline 2November 3, 2021Deadline 3January 24, 2022Deadline 4March 30, 2022Deadline 5May 27, 2022

Source: LBS MiM website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***


Jamie Wright has more than eight years of recruitment and admissions experience at London Business School, and is the former Admissions Director for Early Career Programmes at LBS. Originally from the U.S., Jamie is now based in London. Want Jamie to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch with Jamie Wright.

LBS MiM Class of 2023 Profile

Students: 298

Nationalities: 46

Women: 43%

International students: 95%

Alumni: 46,000+

MiM 2021 Undergraduate Study Discipline

  • Business Management: 34%
  • Economics: 19%
  • Finance/Accounting: 12%
  • Engineering: 9%
  • Social Science: 8%
  • Maths/Science: 7%
  • Humanities: 7%
  • Law: 1%
  • Other: 3%

MiM 2021 Nationalities by Region

Europe (excl. UK): 47%

South East/East Asia: 30%

South Asia: 11%

United Kingdom: 5%

North America: 3%

Africa/Middle East: 2%

Central Asia: 1%

Central/South America: 1%



Who Gets Accepted to the LBS MiM Program

(Can be a written analysis of the class profile, or focused on character traits, etc)

The MiM is aimed at driven early career business practitioners who have graduated within the last two years, and with a maximum of two years of postgraduate work experience. While work experience isn’t required – some students will join immediately following their undergraduate degree – most students will have completed some type of professional work experience, whether an internship or full-time role. Work experience is as varied as undergraduate study discipline and students may have worked in MNCs, start-ups, or family businesses. Brand doesn’t necessarily mean everything; the ad com wants to understand why you’ve made the academic and professional choices that you have (connect the dots for them!), skills developed, and learning outcomes, all of which will support your learning experience, and that of your cohort, once on the programme.

While students will be educated on the types of industries and roles they may target post-programme, and where their skillset can be best utilised, all students are expected to be ready to build a foundation for a career in business. What does this mean? That they’ll have thought about their career aims and be able to demonstrate an understanding their intended path through the application process. The ad com wants to see ambitious individuals who want to make an impact in the world around them. And they want to see individuals who have already achieved success and impacted those around them, be it at school or at work, and seeks students who can demonstrate a track of excellence, achievement, and leadership potential.

Acceptance rate

While data for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests may be found online, LBS, like many of its European counterparts, does not commonly supply information on acceptance or retention rates. But being LBS, it’s safe to assume that competition is fierce. MiMs are just as talented and driven as their more senior counterparts across other degree programmes and there are a lot of big fish looking to make a splash in a relatively small pond.

That said, the MiM admissions process should be considered a selection process. They’re keen to understand applicant journeys and that all important (and rather intangible) fit. This is done primarily through the interview process. While an interview does not guarantee an offer, it’s a sign that the ad com sees something interesting in you that it wants to further explore.

Life at LBS

(A note about student life, community, etc)

Community is one of the most important aspects of life at LBS – for students, alumni, faculty, and staff alike. This can be seen early from the application stage, where most degree programmes have at last one question in the application about the community and about how an applicant will add value to it. 

To be sure, the school doesn’t require, or indeed even expect every student to take a leadership position in a club or lead a trek. But it wants individuals on-campus who are communal in nature; those who participate, who enjoy peer-to-peer learning and teaching, who thrive in collaborative environments. 

More than 75 student clubs run more than 1,000 events every year, including social, professional, and cultural clubs. Students play a key role in developing and running student-led events such as the Women in Business Conference, EUROUT and China Business Forum. Whether participating as an organiser or spectator, these events give students the chance to network with one another as well as industry or subject-area experts and engage in discussion and debate about the most important issues facing business.

And community members jump at the chance to socialise outside of the classroom and professional interest clubs or business treks. Whether the annual Tattoo, which celebrates the school’s diversity through food, dance and entertainment, or the fortnightly Sundowners, where students, alumni, faculty, and staff can meet and network, LBSers never miss a chance to celebrate being part of the community.

Related Resources:

The post London Business School Master’s in Management (MiM) Essay Questions, Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022], Class Profile appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.
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