Ask MBA & Beyond-if you want to go to your dream school with a purpose

ARE YOU PLANNING TO APPLY IN ROUND 3? LET’S SEE IF YOU’RE AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR ROUND 3!

Points Covered:

WHY ARE ROUND 3 MBA APPLICATIONS COMPETITIVE?
SHOULD YOU APPLY FOR TOP US SCHOOLS IN ROUND 3?
WHAT KIND OF CANDIDATES US BUSINESS SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING FOR IN ROUND 3 MBA APPLICATIONS?
HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES TO TOP US BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN ROUND 3?

Applying to Top business schools in Round 3 is like the last-ditch effort, made in desperation with only a small chance of success. But this is not to outright deny your chances. What you need to understand is by Round 3, business schools have a clear idea of the class profile of the current season and from Round 3, they are trying to now bring diversity to the incoming MBA cohort and fill those few final seats.

To give you a better context, recently one of our applicants with a 670 GMAT converted INSEAD in Round 3! She is an Indian engineer, going for a second MBA and had two years of gap in her professional career but still could make it to INSEAD. How? Because she understood the school well and crafted her applications in line with the business school’s values and culture.

WHY ARE ROUND 3 MBA APPLICATIONS COMPETITIVE?

Business Schools have a handful of seats available, and they are keen to offer it to those who can, one, bring diversity to their incoming class and two, are exceptionally good. Also, at this point, business schools will require plausible reasons from you for procrastinating and applying in round 3 MBA applications. They do not want candidates who are least interested in their programs or are not serious enough about pursuing an MBA at this point.

SHOULD YOU APPLY IN ROUND 3 FOR US BUSINESS SCHOOLS?

If you’re a US candidate and wishing to apply in Round 3 MBA applications to top US schools, you must give it a “smart” chance because if you won’t apply now, you may have to wait unnecessarily for a whole one year. But you need to place your bets on the schools which have a good acceptance rate in Round 3 and give a fair shot to candidates in this round.

WHAT KIND OF CANDIDATES US BUSINESS SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING FOR IN ROUND 3 MBA APPLICATIONS?

Most of the spots in the Top US business schools have already been filled, and admission committees of these top US schools mostly use round 3 to bring diversity- diversity of not only background but also the diversity of perspective and contribution, in their incoming class.

Here is a list of the top business schools in the US which have high acceptance rates in Round 3.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES TO TOP US BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN ROUND 3 IF YOU’RE A US MBA APPLICANT?

Bring “intentionality” in your Round 3 MBA applications:

Think sharply about what your post-MBA goals are, why a certain post-MBA path is the most optimal choice for you, what skills you need to achieve those goals, and how an MBA from a specific b-school can help you achieve them.

Reflect your work-exp thoroughly:

Highlight the problems you've encountered in your career and how you're approaching them.

Understand your target school for Round 3:

Before you start working on your application, it’s important for you to understand your target business school thoroughly. Network to alumni, current students, directors and adcoms through events to understand the most important values of your target school. Try to peek in and understand it’s culture and what “exactly” the school is looking for in its applicants.

Determine your fit:

It’s very important for you to understand what you’re looking to gain from a business school and vice-versa and it should not be limited to your short-term goals. Believe me, 10 years down the road, it won’t matter how you reached your short-term goals. What’s going to matter most, then, is how these two years of journey has shaped your personality forever! READ MORE.

HERE ARE SOME OBSTACLES FACED IN ROUND 3 BY INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES.

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!


Cheers!

MBA AND BEYOND.

The power of storytelling: Story of a military veteran with 16 years of experience shaking traditional barriers and going for a full-time MBA.

Background:

“I come from a farmer’s family and I started working very early in my life, at the age of nineteen. I joined the military right after high school and completed my graduation during the early days of my job. So, in the crux, I served in Indian Air Force from 2004 to 2009, took my Combined Defense Services Exam, then underwent my training for one year at Officers Training Academy, Chennai, and was commissioned into the Indian Army as a Short Service Commissioned Officer.”

Profile:

Professional designation: Short service commissioned officer in Indian Army
GMAT: 690
Undergrad GPA: 68%
Post-Graduation: PGDBA (Human Resources) from Symbiosis University
Schools Applied: IIM A,B,C, ISB and Schulich
Gaps in Profile: Low GMAT, Low GPA, Age

Talking Points:

MBA after huge experience in Military
The whole application journey- the ups and downs
Gaps in the profile, how he overcame them
Older applicant- how he addressed this in his application
Tips for older applicant and military veterans

Q. AFTER SERVING THE MILITARY FOR SIXTEEN LONG YEARS, HOW THE PLAN OF SWITCHING FROM MILITARY TO MBA CAME IN THE PICTURE?

Being a short service commission officer, I had the option of either continuing with the job or taking a risk of going into the corporate world. Well, I took a calculated risk. It was 2017 when I first started thinking about my options after my tenure got completed and that is when the business world started intriguing me.

Q. DO YOU THINK YOUR PRIOR EXPERIENCE HELPED YOU TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS AND QUALITIES NEEDED TO MAKE THIS LEAP FROM MILITARY TO MBA?

I was involved in operations and supply chain during my tenure in the armed forces and with more research, I found out I have very good prospects for these functions in the business world. So, in that way, the military experience has helped me build many relevant skills required to make this switch and exhibit them right in my applications.

Q. HOW WAS THE WHOLE APPLICATION JOURNEY FOR YOU AND HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT FOR YOU TO MAKE THIS TRANSITION FROM MILITARY TO MBA?

The business world is very different from the armed forces and so this leap from military to MBA was not easy for me. People from our background are very new to the whole application procedure. And so, when we take the help of a consultancy, it is very important for us to find one that can understand us, our work-experience and our challenges to put forth the right picture.

Q. I BELIEVE YOU BEING AN OLDER APPLICANT MUST BE A MAJOR HICCUP OF YOUR PROFILE. HOW DID YOU ADDRESS THAT IN YOUR APPLICATIONS?

So, you see, 16 years of experience can be a turn-off for the adcoms given the requirement FT MBA programs have. But you can still convert it to your advantage by talking about the experiences that you have and a younger applicant may not even have encountered such experiences that you have.
Second, you need to show how you are a learner in every phase of your life and how you still can gain the most from an MBA that you otherwise cannot. Once you crack the initial round and get to the interview, you own the world.

But for everyone, older or younger, military or non-military, the key is LOGIC. If you can make sense of how an MBA is the most right step for you now and how a school can give you the exact opportunities you need to reach your short-term and long-term goals, then I don’t see why you will not crack the admissions.

Q. ANY TIPS FOR OLDER APPLICANTS AND MILITARY VETERANS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR Full-Time MBA?

Well, when you write your essays, it all boils down to how you recognise yourself and project your story. Also, I feel, people (especially in the military) understate themselves. We feel like we may not have the right stories to project or the right experiences to demonstrate. But when we sit and think about it, we may come across a lot of experiences that we have forgotten and when explained cogently, these stories can do wonders.

I also have seen people with a GMAT Score of 740-750 being rejected by the same schools I got admitted into. So, your story plays a much larger role, as long as it makes sense than any of your gaps, say, of being older applicants.

Also, the key to a good application is to introspect, introspect, introspect! I sat for 8-10 hours daily thinking about my stories and refining my application for about 2 weeks before I came out with my first draft.

You can read his full story in detail here

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!


Cheers!

MBA AND BEYOND

Are you applying to INSEAD? If YES! Then you must read this article on Top employment opportunities at INSEAD.

Points covered:

Analysis of latest INSEAD employment rate
Entrepreneurship at INSEAD
INSEAD recruitment: Advantage over other business schools
Opportunities offered at INSEAD MBA for networking

INSEAD MBA Program is one of the most reputed MBA programs in the world and has many times topped Financial Times rankings giving tough time to the trio of HSW! These are one of those times when, again, you can see INSEAD topping the charts of Financial Times, 2021 for the best business school in the world.

ANALYSIS OF THE LATEST INSEAD EMPLOYMENT REPORT

With students from 88 nationalities making their mark in 61 countries post-MBA, INSEAD is truly the business school of the world!
INSEAD boasts of a strong track record of placements and career outcomes for the graduates of its MBA program. With 79% of INSEAD 2019 class changing careers (across industry, function and country), the overall annual average salary reported was $105,900 with the median sign-on bonus being $25,000. This brings the total median compensation to $129,500. This compares favourably with other top business schools in the U.S as well as Europe.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT INSEAD

Entrepreneurship is in the air of INSEAD! No matter which careers or jobs INSEAD MBA graduates pursue post-MBA, they have the entrepreneurial zeal in them to solve the problems of this new era world. They are shaped into personalities who believe in continuous learning and staying ever-evolving.

4% of INSEAD 2019 MBA graduates pursued entrepreneurship. The Rudolf and Valeria Maag INSEAD Centre for Entrepreneurship (ICE) is to accelerate the entrepreneurial ambitions of INSEAD students.

INSEAD RECRUITMENT: ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER BUSINESS SCHOOLS

INSEAD, because of its campuses in different continents, can be an advantage in getting in with companies that might not be typical on-campus recruiters. For example, if you’re looking for a single job position in Kenya, you can study at the Abu Dhabi Campus through January intake and through internships and networking with different alums, can get an opportunity to be interviewed for your targeted company and position.

OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED AT INSEAD MBA FOR NETWORKING

INSEAD TALENT MANAGEMENT FORUM

With locations in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and now in North America (San Francisco), INSEAD's business education and research spans four regions.

INSEAD MBA graduates go into as diverse fields as one can imagine in every part of the world! One way it enables it is through it’s Talent Management Forum. Every year, INSEAD holds one of these forums in Paris, Singapore and Abu Dhabi and invites companies to network with MBA students of both intakes. It’s a great informal network opportunity for the INSEAD mba students with students of other campuses and companies to get better clarity about their processes, preferences and opportunities.

INSEAD CAREER DEVELOPMENT

INSEAD Career Development Team consists of personal career coaches, employer engagement specialists, and operations team members. The team will reach out to recently admitted MBAs online. Webinars will be set up on how to prepare your CV and organize your ideas. Meanwhile, the career development centre will learn about your post-MBA goals and your background.

Once you start your MBA program at INSEAD, the career development centre will assign you a career coach who will guide you and help you with your CV and story pitch for a convincing interview. There are also mock interviews, CV prep sessions, and special events to help you transition from one industry to another if you are looking to make a change.

Read the full article here

Cheers!

MBA AND Beyond

Are you a Badass applicant for M7?


When you’re beginning your search for an MBA Program in the US into a top-notch Business school, M7 Universities are likely to be the first to attract your attention, the reason being their quality education, social elitism, high reputation, academic excellence, selectivity in admissions, etc.

Points covered:

1) How competitive it is to get into the M7 b-school

2) How can you enhance your application to get into the M7 b-school

M7 Business Schools’ is a term used to describe the group of America’s well-known elite business schools. M in M7 stands for Magnificent or Magic. Deans of these Seven Private Business Schools came together to form the most influential informal group known as ‘M7 Business Schools’. These elite universities have achieved a huge name in being America’s best universities. They are known for their quality education, high placement opportunities, and many Nobel Prize winners being former M7 graduates.

HOW COMPETITIVE IT IS TO GET INTO THE M7 BUSINESS SCHOOL

STRONG ACADEMICS IS THE KEY:

M7 looks for candidates from good academic institutions with proven academic credentials to ascertain whether you have the required intellectual ability for the course or not. Test scores of GMAT, GRE, GPA are few parameters to judge your fit to these schools. Apart from these, IELTS, TOEFL, or academic scores may be required to prove English language ability. The schools look for your academic abilities to determine your intellectual capacity and agility to participate in the MBA class fully and significantly contribute to it.

EXTRACURRICULARS AND SOCIAL IMPACT PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE:

M7 selects the candidates having an overall good profile but what exactly is a good profile for M7? A good profile here implies that you must highlight your extracurriculars, your awards and achievements, your experience in social works, and what positive impact you have created on your surroundings and your contribution to society!

FOCUS ON DIVERSITY:

The competition to get into M7 B-schools is very high. To stand out from the crowd and make a mark on adcoms, you need to convey through your application how uniquely you and your experiences are going to contribute to these B-schools community. What diversity (diversity of background, ideas, perspectives, intellect, etc) you are bringing in, and how your presence will enhance the school’s environment.

HIGHLIGHT YOUR LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL:

B-schools frame their Admission process in such a way that they can easily get to know whether you possess leadership qualities or not. So from extracurricular activities to academics or career success, personal accomplishments\ or volunteer initiatives, make sure you highlight your leadership potential.

HOW CAN I ENHANCE MY MBA APPLICATIONS TO GET INTO THE M7 COLLEGE

M7 Universities have consistently appeared among the list of the business schools which offer the most prestigious MBA programs not just in the US but in the world. So to get admission to these Universities, you need to achieve standards that are much higher than the ones at an average public university.

Here are some tips that will help your MBA application stand out for M7 business schools:

1. PRE-MBA APPLICATION: RESEARCH PHASE

This is going to be the most important phase in your M7 MBA applications. This is when you are going to set the theme and narrative of your story. And most applicants leave this phase in their M7 MBA application process, especially when they’re far away from the deadlines.

Start writing questions for yourself. To help you start, here are a few questions to introspect: Why do you want to do an MBA? Can you reach your short-term goals without an MBA? What is it that you seek to gain from doing an MBA from an M7 business school (include skills, personality, exposure, leadership)? And then when you are very much sorted on this part, start making a questionnaire for yourself to know in-depth about your personality.

2. FOCUS ON ESSAYS:

Essays are an important factor in your written M7 MBA application that can get you an interview call. In essays the topics which adcoms highly focus on are :

What are your post-MBA goals?

Tell us about your Personal Story

How will an MBA help you achieve your goals?

Few of these questions are easy but most of them require a lot of research and time to answer. For most M7 MBA applicants, writing about themselves is the most daunting task that needs a lot of brainstorming and introspection, but the only solution to this problem is you should not rush while writing these essays. Start early and take a couple of months just to brainstorm. We have an extensive content gathering process where we just spend hours brainstorming and talking to the candidates’ closed ones just to set the theme and narrative of the story. After brainstorming and finding questions to answer, writing steadily and slowly with good research will definitely help you to produce your best work.

3. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CRUCIAL:

For M7 Universities you need to have a minimum of two referees. One academic, and one professional- can be a former employer or client but what’s the most difficult part is getting the best LOR for M7 is convincing your recommenders to take time out to get on calls with you, understand the theme of your story, and write the recommendations down.

Unless you are not giving yourself enough time to brainstorm and network, you are not going to get into these elite schools! But don’t you worry, we are here with you and for you! Prepare your game plan now and make your application stronger than ever for US Round 1 application.

Read the whole article here

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!


Cheers!


MBA AND BEYOND

Are you in dilemma whether you should target US schools in R3/R4 or wait for R1. If YES! Then this article is for you.

Applying to top-notch business schools in Round 3 is a tricky business. However, if you’re a US candidate (or a very strong international candidate) and wishing to apply in Round 3 MBA applications to top US schools, you must give it a “smart” chance because you may have to wait unnecessarily if you don’t apply now for a whole year. But you need to place your bets on the schools which have a good acceptance rate in Round 3 and give a fair shot to candidates in this round.

In this article, we will help you evaluate if you’re a good candidate to apply to the US schools in Round 3 or you should wait for Round 1, and how you can improve your chances to give the best shot at this most thrilling round!

Most of the Top US business schools’ spots have already been filled, and admission committees of these top US schools mostly use round 3 to bring diversity- diversity of background and the diversity of perspective and contribution in their incoming class.

SHOULD YOU GO FOR ROUND 3 OR ROUND 1

Outliers are the most common admits to round 3, and by outliers, I mean somebody who has a unique personal story, a unique background, and it can be even just somebody from an underrepresented industry. These schools really want to have a diverse classroom from each perspective to make the classroom learnings richer. They are looking for someone who stands out.

Do take expert advice on your profile and know your chances in the Round 3/last rounds of any top business school. However, If you have slightest doubts about applying in Round 3 and really want to make it to your dream school, we would suggest you go for fall deadlines, i.e. Round 1 of 2021-22 application cycle.

So, bifurcating this discussion into two parts, if you’re a domestic applicant- you may go for Round 3 if you have an exceptionally strong profile or an advantage of diversity (in terms of profession/background/story). If you’re an international candidate, chances are quite slim for you (especially, if you’re applying for US Schools). You must go for Round 3 only if you can not afford to spend any more time on your applications or waste another year.

TIPS ON MBA APPLICATION FOR ROUND 3:

Show how different your story is- If you are applying for Round 3 MBA applications, then, your story needs to be outstanding and different. In round 3, b-schools are searching for applicants that can bring diversity to the incoming cohort. Dig in deep to find your USPs and show how unique you are and how you can make a contribution to their community.

Explain why you have applied in Round 3- You must provide reasons for your MBA application in Round 3. You may be asked this question in an interview, so it is best that you clarify it in an optional essay so that the adcoms do not disqualify you at the first phase only! They need to know that you're seriously considering their schools and do not have any blocks now.

Highlight your work experience - You must highlight your work experience thoroughly as it is the most crucial part of your Round 3 MBA application. You must demonstrate the difficulties, the problems you have encountered, and how you have overcome them and contributed to your organisation's growth. Pick up the pain points from your experience and highlight them tying to the target schools’ core values.

Read more tips here.

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!

Let’s maximize your chances for US Schools.


Cheers!


MBA AND BEYOND

Have you got waitlisted? Here are some tips for MBA waitlisted candidates that may help you get some direction.

Finding yourself on the waitlist for your dream business school is a mixed bag of experience. Although it's difficult not to have a final yes, you're still in the running and should take some comfort in realising that you've cleared a crucial hurdle with the adcoms.

Schools may also determine how dedicated an applicant is to get into the school by putting him or her on the waitlist. The way a candidate reacts to the waitlist decision has a signal value. Some candidates on the waitlist accept proposals from other schools they would like to join, in which case they will opt-out. Others are still adamant that the school that has waitlisted them is their only option and will wait to see if they are admitted.

However, here are few strategic waitlist tips to help you make your next move:

1) Since each school is unique, determine what your target school expects from applicants. Some schools are only interested in knowing whether you want to be on the waitlist or be released. If this is the case, don't try to give more detail or pester the admissions committee on their reasoning; you'll just be punishing yourself.

2) Some schools request an extra 250-300 word essay from waitlisted candidates—it is critical to include an update. It's a good idea to look back through your essays to see if there's something about your background or passions that you haven't mentioned yet. Taking the opportunity to write about important recent experiences, promising changes in your nomination, and aspects you've improved your perception of the curriculum is a pleasant indication of your engagement in the school and a strong technique for telegraphing your commitment to attend. It is, of course, also in your best interests to ensure that the adcoms has the most up-to-date records so that it can make an educated decision the next time your file is reviewed.

3) If you've been promoted or taken on more responsibilities at work, raised your GMAT score, strengthened your volunteer engagement, or had a fresh, meaningful travel experience, be sure to share it and explain why these changes make you a great prospect, and therefore student, who will enrich their curriculum.

4) If you interact with students or alumni of the program during the admissions process, it might be worth contacting them again and updating them on your status. They could be able to have an extra letter of approval for your candidacy at this point of the process if you made a good impact during the admissions process.

5) While it is critical to remain consistent and enthusiastic when waitlisted and to communicate with staff at your target program, it is also prudent to have a backup plan. If you are waitlisted, there is still time to put together a solid application for another school with the coming round deadlines for some top programs just over a month out. Even if you've been waitlisted at your dream school and want to reapply if accepted, it's never too early to start dreaming about the next year and what steps you could take to improve your candidacy.

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you! If you need any direction/guidance over any aspect of your application and have any specific concerns, you can ask us on this forum.


Also, for all the waitlisted/rejected applicants, we want to assure you that all is not lost!



Let’s maximize your chances for US Schools




Cheers!



MBA AND BEYOND

IS IT WORTH APPLYING TO TOP MBA PROGRAMS WITHOUT GMAT?

With no signs of the world and economies recovering from the global pandemic, many top-notch business schools are reconsidering their application process to cushion the candidates against many problems posed by the pandemic and shutdowns. Candidates across the world are facing difficulties in taking GMAT amid shutdowns or at home due to many interruptions and are found to score way less than their potential due to the anxiety induced by such unconventional measures. The list of the schools which waived GMAT/GRE or any standardized test requirement for 2020-21.

WHAT IMPACT THE TEST-WAIVERS CAN HAVE ON THE PROCESS?

To understand this, we need to first know the significance of the tests. As the nature of tests suggests, they are an indicator of your academic potential and your analytical and quantitative aptitude which are important to thrive in a rigorous academic environment such as MBA. Since a standardized test score is removed from the process, the first direct impact is the burden of demonstrating the analytical and quantitative skills shift to other aspects of the application, say, undergraduate/graduate coursework, full-time work experience, and professional certifications.

HOW CAN YOU ENHANCE YOUR CANDIDACY EVEN WITHOUT THESE SCORES FOR THE TOP-NOTCH SCHOOLS?

A test waiver can only have a limited impact on your application especially when you have a lot of other alternatives to mitigate this impact. More than three-fourth of your candidacy still depends on your professional story, personality, your perspectives, your story, and your potential of contributing to a school’s community. So, if you think you align with a school and it can be a perfect fit for you, do not keep reservations about applying without GMAT. It’s rather a golden opportunity for you where your life experiences are being given more importance than your scores which may or may not provide the perfect picture of your potential.

Here is an article about one of our recent admits into Rotman with a 20,000 CAD scholarship who has a “low GMAT”. It will definitely help you feel more confident about yourself and your story than a test score.


Read the full article here


To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you! If you need any direction/guidance over any aspect of your application and have any specific concerns, you can ask us on this forum.


Let’s maximize your chances for US Schools

Cheers!

MBA AND BEYOND

IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE WORK EXPERIENCE FOR MBA?

The importance of work experience for MBA admissions is beyond discussion. MBA programs are essentially all about peer education through active classroom participation. Experienced students can provide real instances from their practical knowledge. Especially at case-method schools like the Harvard Business School, where students earn 50 percent of the grades in some courses from class participation, they extensively rely on peer education.

In this article, we will help you understand the importance of applications and how an MBA with little work-experiences, you can still make the strongest case for yourself and enhance your chances to your dream business school.

DOES LOW WORK EXPERIENCE HAMPER ONE'S TO TOP B-SCHOOLS?

Well, Yes and No! Adcoms aren't on the lookout for a specific number of years of work experience, but rather the quality of work and professional maturity along with a compelling career trajectory. You might have heard that business schools look for at least, say, 5 years, and anything lesser than that will undermine your candidacy. But that is one of the greatest folk tales in the industry! Business schools define a range of work experience, but that is under the assumption that you may get the relevant skills and maturity to pursue an MBA in those number of years.

So, they weigh quality more than quantity. Substitutes like community experience and ECs are considered to determine your fit to your target B- school when your profile falls short in terms of the number of work experience.

Hence, when business schools say they need experienced candidates, it is true! But the experience is not solely determined by the years of your work. It rather very much depends on your skills, maturity, career growth, contributions, and personality!

SHOULD YOU APPLY TO MBA PROGRAMS IF YOU HAVE LITTLE WORK EXPERIENCE?

There's not a prescription that one size fits all. Some people are ready after two years. Strong academic background, scholarships, internships, and part-time work experience can help sway an admissions committee towards accepting a student with lower-than-average work experience. You need to show your work experience as a strength, connect the experiential dots to your goals. Show that your work experience is an asset to the business school and its community, no matter if it's two-years or ten-years. Exhibit how you have gained relevant skills necessary to achieve your post-MBA goals. Bring maturity and leadership experience in your work-ex and your personality.

HOW CAN YOU ENHANCE YOUR APPLICATIONS DESPITE A LOW WORK EXPERIENCE AND MAKE A STRONG CASE FOR YOUR CANDIDATURE?

And that's what we will analyze in this article. Rather than completely baffling about being enlightened about the secrets of what will get you in, let's talk about the factors you can focus on to improve your chances of getting into the best MBA schools in the world, even with low experience. You can work on two areas to build your profile - soft skills and hard skills.

Soft skills include communication and interpersonal skills, intellect, creativity, and a keen business sense. Some of these (such as intellect) are inherent, but you can improve some (like communication skills) with a clear plan and dedicated effort.

Let's now move to hard skills, so here is a list of things that you can do to make your profile irresistible to the top B-schools to convince adcoms that you are the desired fit for their programs.

Demonstrate leadership:

It will help if you keep in mind that those schools that offer MBA without work experience or little work experience prefer applicants with some "work involvement" (as some would like to call it) of a year or two. And all they are on the lookout for is 'diversity of experience.' Adcoms will be assessing the rigor of your work ex. through these questions-

Were you challenged in your job role?

Did you develop a varied skill set?

Were you a star performer?

Did you contribute to your organization in a meaningful way?

How have you stepped in a role to solve a problem?

Bring out instances and examples to frame answers for these questions to prove your initiatives, risk-taking abilities, and impact at work.

Go above and beyond work:

If leadership opportunities seem scanty at work, you should consider looking outside of work for sure! Try exhibiting your robust extracurriculars, community involvements, hobbies to strengthen your application. This won't only help you showcase your leadership aptitude but also reveal your values and interests. Focus on bringing uniqueness to your profile rather than providing points just as one among the crowd. For which, injecting personality is imperative.

We understand your concerns about having a low work experience. It does become all the more difficult when you also belong to an over-represented pool of applicants. The key is to understand your target schools and your strengths concerning them.

Read more here...


To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!

If you need any direction/guidance over any aspect of your application and have any specific concerns, you can ask us on this forum.


Let’s maximize your chances for US Schools


Cheers!


MBA AND BEYOND

LOW GMAT SUCCESS STORY: JOURNEY TO ROTMAN

In this article, we are speaking to a chemical engineer who supposedly has a regular profile of an Indian engineer with a “low GMAT score” of 670 and still cracked the admissions of one of the best business schools in Canada (Rotman) to embark on his journey for her second MBA.

Through the journey of a successful candidate, we are here, addressing issues like how to bring uniqueness in your applications despite belonging to an over-represented MBA applicant pool, how important is GMAT for MBA, how to choose the right MBA programs and what Rotman looks for in a candidate.

Q: AT WHAT POINT IN YOUR CAREER DID YOU DECIDE THAT YOU NEED A SECOND MBA ABROAD?

I have been thinking about a second MBA for a long time. But once when I got the opportunity to visit and work in my company’s London office, my interaction with many different personalities from varied cultures inspired me to start considering global options for my second MBA.
Also, pursuing a second MBA can be a golden opportunity for me now because I belong to the Oil & Gas Industry and it’s very niche. Now, with the pandemic, the industry is going through a rough time and so from the career point of view, it made sense to do an MBA now and pivot my career to consulting.

Q: BEING A 670 GMAT, WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY A “LOW GMAT SCORE”, DID YOU FEEL UNDER-CONFIDENT AS REGARDS YOUR CHANCES TO THE TIER 1 BUSINESS SCHOOLS?

So, I got this score back in 2019 and I still remember vividly, I was not at all satisfied and for me it was a low GMAT compared to my mocks and back then also, I reached out to Shantanu for advice on whether to retake or not. Since I had time, he advised me to give it another shot and I did, not just once, but several times and it did not work out for me. And I think it’s okay to have a low GMAT score if you have an otherwise strong profile. Also, a lot depends on how you communicate your profile to adcoms which in many ways also helps to compensate for a low GMAT. So, while I knew a 670 GMAT is a low GMAT score especially for a candidate from an over-represented MBA applicant pool like an Indian engineer, I did not lose hope and Shantanu always advised me that it’s the overall profile that matters.

Q: AT WHAT POINT IN YOUR MBA APPLICATION PROCESS DID YOU FEEL THE NEED FOR A CONSULTANT?

My biggest hurdle, which I think many Indian applicants can relate with, was a low GMAT score with an over-represented MBA applicant pool of Indian, engineer applicants and so, I knew I was not playing on very safe ground. Being a low GMAT, I had to have exceptional essays in my MBA applications to make a mark on the adcoms and so, for that, you need someone who understands the school well as well as put more than the required effort in understanding you to connect each and every dot. So, I knew what I was looking for in a consultant and I found Shantanu an optimal choice because of his deep and expert understanding of the school and the scientific process he follows throughout the application which also made me believe that my low GMAT has a very limited effect on my application.

Q: SO, NOW THAT YOU ARE A ROTMAN ADMIT WITH A 20,000 CAD SCHOLARSHIP, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE KEY TO CRACK ROTMAN’S MBA ADMISSIONS?

I think I may sound very cliche here but when Rotman says it reviews your profile holistically, it does truly mean it. And I believe that is why Rotman’s average GMAT is low compared to its counterparts in Europe and the US. So, I would suggest every Rotman MBA aspirant out there who is hesitating to apply to Rotman due to low GMAT or other concerns should definitely give it a try putting the best foot forward. And to make you believe in what I said, I am a real testimony to it. I have a low GMAT, I come from an over-represented MBA applicant pool and I am going for my second MBA!

It’s hard for me to comment on the key to Rotman’s admissions but there are a few things every MBA aspirant for Rotman must care about. Rotman asks a very different question which is about the Spike factor. The fact that it’s a 1000 word essay already advocates for the importance of this question. So, the first requirement of this essay is to make it interesting enough for the adcoms to compel them to go through your entire essay in one go and already make your mark.

And by interesting, I do not mean that you must have a very adventurous life or moments to speak about. This essay should speak about something that you think has changed you drastically personally and professionally. To give you my example, there was one time when I was not getting paid for my work but I did not let it affect my work and contribution to the company. And that became my spike factor! But the success of this essay depends as much on how you write and present yourself as much as it does on what you write. Also, putting pictures help you create an impact and connect the story well in this essay.

Read the whole story here.


To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!


If you need any direction/guidance over any aspect of your application and have any specific concerns, you can ask us on this forum.


Let’s maximize your chances in Round 1 for fall intake


Cheers!


MBA AND BEYOND.

Role of Extracurricular Activities for your MBA applications

We all know that extracurricular activities are an important part of MBA applications. Every business school asks for a “well-rounded application” to analyze candidates’ potential but have you ever wondered why do adcoms care about extracurriculars and what “exactly” is the meaning of extracurriculars?

Extracurricular activities are simply anything you do that is not a high school course or paid employment (which are essential for everybody to pursue). Extracurriculars are anything that you pursue with passion, something that makes you more productive and healthy, and work as a stress buster for you. It implies you always do not need to have some NGO experience or win big awards. You can speak about anything that you do beyond work and that truly makes you happy and satisfied.

In this article, we will help you know exactly what extracurriculars adcoms are looking for and how you can differentiate yourself through your interests and passion (even if you do not have any volunteer experience or you think you don’t have much to talk about!)

WHY ADCOMS ARE LOOKING FOR EXTRACURRICULARS?

Adcoms are on the lookout to know what really matters to you, and then to get a sense of the skills you’ve developed through your experiences. Your extracurricular section is an opportunity to showcase leadership, collaboration, initiative, and passion for a cause. It’s also about your commitment to, and involvement in, the communities to which you belong. They are looking for people who are ahead of the curve, who are progressing at a faster pace than their peers. But it’s not just about wanting to be successful in the business world.

TIPS TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR EXTRACURRICULARS:

As you think about your extracurricular involvement, keep these points in mind:

DON'T BE A DABBLER!

Colleges would rather see the depth of involvement in one or two activities, rather than a large number of extracurricular activities that reflect superficial involvement. Extracurriculars are mentioned to help you highlight a different side of yours that can help adcoms know who you truly are. For example, there was a successful applicant to INSEAD who did not have a lot of NGO experience but he liked cooking and used to pursue this interest of his whenever he could get time. He, in his MBA application, mentioned how this activity is meditative for him and helps him be more productive and get through bad days! This showed his capability to survive in a fast-paced program like INSEAD’s. Show that you are dedicated to developing and deepening your personal self.

SHOWCASE YOUR PASSION FOR YOUR INTERESTS:

Whatever you do, do it well. If you are doing what you love to do, doing it well, and taking the lead in the activity, will help you showcase your passion and dedication towards it. Something quirky like being an expert can turn into a meaningful extracurricular activity that will be attractive to college admissions offices.

The actual activity doesn't matter much. No one activity is better than another. Drama, music, sports, dance, community service, any one of these can be a winner on a college application if you reveal dedication, leadership, and passion. Colleges offer a wide range of sports, clubs, musical ensembles, theater groups, and student organizations. The college wants to enroll a group of students with diverse interests so that you can effectively contribute to their overall community.

ALIGN YOUR ECS WITH A SCHOOL’S COMMUNITY:

Make sure your activity aligns well with the college. Do your research so that you know what extracurricular activities are offered at the schools to which you apply. Colleges aren't simply looking for students with meaningful extracurricular involvement. They are looking for students whose meaningful extracurricular involvement will be an asset to the school.

WHAT COUNTS AS EXTRACURRICULAR?

ARTS:

Theater, music, dance, painting, photography, creative writing, and other creative endeavors.

HOBBIES:

Be creative here. Something as seemingly trivial as it can be transformed into a meaningful extracurricular activity. Also, colleges are interested in your passion whether it be rocketry, model railroads, collecting, blogging, or quilting. These activities show that you have interests outside of the classroom.

MUSIC:

Chorus, band orchestra, ensembles, and solo. These musical groups could be through school, the community, or your personal group or solo efforts.

SPORTS:

Football, baseball, hockey, track, gymnastics, dance, lacrosse, swimming, soccer, skiing, cheerleading, and so on. If you are a highly accomplished athlete, be sure to look into the recruiting practices of your top choice colleges early in the admissions process.

WHAT ARE THE BEST EXTRACURRICULARS FOR MBA?

Many of us are really keen to know what activities will most impress colleges, and the reality is that any of them can. Your achievements and depth of involvement matter much more than the activity itself. If your extracurricular activities show that you are passionate about something outside of the classroom, you've chosen your activities well. If they show that you are accomplished, all the better. Music, sports, community service all can create a path to a selective college.


Read more here....



To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!


Let’s maximize your chances in Round 1 for fall intake


Cheers!



MBA and Beyond

Hey everyone!

This post may be useful for those who are preparing for fall deadlines.

In this session, we will be walking you through snippets of a few good profiles we have converted to top business schools. We will read out some essays of successful applicants too.

We will be sharing what business Schools want to see in an application and will be sharing tips on how you can stand out even if you belong to an overrepresented pool.

Agenda:

Explain your plan: Rather than how flashy a plan is, we need to prove it is feasible and achievable

Leadership/Achievements: How to showcase your leadership & achievements to align them with the values of your target school

Contribution to the community: Communicate your contribution and impact on the lives of people around you even when you don't have NGO/community experiences

Why a specific School

You may know more about the session here.

Dinged everywhere? Here is all that you need to know now

The last rounds of most schools are over now, and people are waiting/getting the results of their Round 3 and Round 4 application efforts. Some got accepted, some have been waitlisted, still waiting for their closure, and for some, the journey has come to a disappointing end. You've spent countless days and sleepless nights studying for the GMAT, researching schools, writing essays, preparing for interviews. But today, all you have is a rejection letter right in front of your eyes which you never thought of receiving even in your dream. Let's get into finding out what your choices are now and what did or did not make the first cut, and what should be the best way forward for you.

This article will help candidates whose application got rejected and unfortunately, did not park into any of the MBA programs they applied to and are now stressing over which path to follow. We'll discuss different strategies to tackle this situation in the coming future and get every process right.

WHAT CHOICES DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR CAREER NOW?

Even before you go into the ocean of introspection into your application, the first part is to evaluate the options you have in your career now. Very straightforward, there are two ways to go- reapply following season/other schools in the next rounds or go ahead with your job. Now, we can’t tell you what's good for you. You will have to analyze where you want to go- is an MBA something you want to do and help your career? If yes, then go ahead with the first option as it will also involve, now, less effort and better planning to help you get into your target schools. But if you can not go through with the whole process again and go ahead in your career even without an MBA- then move on!

Here we have simplified this whole decision-making process for you into some paths:

Reapply in fall intake: Well, something that we consider a bright option! The September deadlines are only a few months away, and you have already made many efforts into the application process. Thus, without losing much time and going through the whole process, you will have the brightest chances of going into your dream school if you reapply in fall intake. It will also exhibit your genuine interest in a school, something that each school would like to see in their potential students.

Reapply at an appropriate time in the future: The most important thing to do as a reapplicant is to reapply at the right time. And this time, make sure you have something new to talk about that would strengthen your candidacy and help give a completely new face to your application.

Apply to other programs: If you did not get into your preferred school, it's okay to look to other schools which can still help you reach your destination. Search through the MBA Programs that align well with your career aspirations. Look into their curriculums, what they will be offering you and how all that will help bolster your chances of getting in.

REFLECT ON WHAT WENT WRONG:

1) How did my GMAT score stack up?

2) Undergrad GPA (was it at par with the school's average)?

If it was not, did you do anything to compensate for it and exhibit that you have the academic potential?

3) Did I sufficiently talk about 'Impact' in my work experience?

It would be best to convince the admission committee that you are experienced enough to grapple with the competitive B-school environment, building upon your prior business skills. Show that your work experience is an asset to the business school and its community, whether it's two years or ten years. Exhibit how you have gained relevant skills necessary to achieve your post-MBA goals. Bring maturity in your profile and talk about impact and leadership experience in your work-ex and personality.

4) Did I demonstrate my ECs well?

Suppose a candidate has no activities other than work. In that case, an application reader will wonder how much the person will actively participate in the school community and how that lack of participation might reflect the school's future. You can read more about what activities to talk about to add to your ECs.

DECIDE WHICH SCHOOLS TO TARGET IN THE NEXT CYCLE:

Selection of the right MBA programs is critical for you to increase your chances of selection at a school. So, take time to get school-specific insights and reflect on why you have not been selected to a school. And if you still want to reapply to the same mix of schools or wish to change some schools in the portfolio.

Sometimes things happen for a reason, so view rejections as necessary encouragement to strengthen your application in the next round. Even if you don't get a 'yes' from your number one choice, your chance of admission to a rival prestige school could be pretty good.

For those reading this article and for the ones who think of reapplying in the future, please know that it would be best to be thorough and thoughtful in applying to the top business programs. The key is to understand your potential and improve your candidacy. One rejection is not the end of your story and if it helps, here is the story of a reapplicant who got into Darden without changing one single aspect of his application.

Continue reading....

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!


Let’s maximize your chances in Round 1 for fall intake


Cheers!


MBA and Beyond

Ross to continue GMAT waiver for the 2020-2021 application cycle.

As the novel coronavirus spreads throughout the world, several countries have closed standardized research centers where MBA candidates will normally take the GMAT and GRE tests. As a result, several schools are revising their late-round MBA application deadlines and procedures. The most frequent modifications are schools delaying Round 3 and Round 4 deadlines or reviewing applications without standardized test scores. As more shelter-in-place restrictions are being imposed, schools can continue performing virtual admissions interviews and holding orientation events online.
Michigan Ross reveals that for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, students will be able to seek a waiver of their standardized test requirements. This article will walk you through some of the essential facets of the GMAT waiver process and improve the submission of the MBA application without taking the GMAT.

IS GMAT WAIVED FOR 2021? - WHICH OTHER B-SCHOOLS ARE WAIVING THE GMAT IN 2021?

The next business school to follow the footsteps of Ross is Darden. It extends its GMAT waiver policy to the 2021-22 application cycle after high demand from applicants. Speaking about numbers, roughly 13% of its next entering cohort of MBAs this fall will have enrolled with an approved GMAT waiver.
We believe, with last year’s experiment of waiving standardized test requirements, the schools have seen success in admitting stellar applicants, and now with two of the best b-schools waiving GMAT requirements, others will follow the lead and make their application process a little more flexible by allowing GMAT waivers.

HOW DO THESE TOP BUSINESS SCHOOLS PERCEIVE MBA APPLICANTS WITHOUT GMAT?

As Poets & Quants reports, Darden and Ross unequivocally believe that the GMAT waivers have attracted a more diverse and successful group of applicants. As a result, Darden considers waiving standardized tests altogether for applicants with “strong alternate indicators of academic, personal or professional accomplishment.”

Dawna Clarke, executive director of admissions, remarks, “The GPA is correlating more than the GMAT. The interviews are predictive of academic success. And now, we are looking at factors like Coursera classes, CPA or CFA certifications, or students who have taken HBx online for applicants enrolling for MBA without GMAT.

Similarly, Michigan Ross claims to find ‘many incredible applicants’ who applied using GMAT waivers. “We found that many incredible applicants applied using a test waiver. Whether it was prior coursework, work experience, or professional certifications, they demonstrated their ability to handle the rigor of the MBA program without GMAT(a standardized test).”

SHOULD YOU APPLY TO ROSS AND OTHER TOP MBA PROGRAMS WITHOUT GMAT?

The GMAT/GRE is required as part of the application process for an MBA program. It's overwhelming, necessitates a lot of studying, and you would, of course, pay for the test. Participants are well aware that doing well on the GMAT/GRE would significantly improve their chances of admission to business schools. Since due to the GMAT waiver, standardized test scores are no longer needed. Thus, the responsibility of displaying analytical and quantitative abilities shifts to other aspects of the application, such as undergraduate/graduate coursework, full-time work experience, and professional certifications. If you are applying to top MBA programs without GMAT, there is a strong possibility for more competition.

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, 67% of business schools worldwide announced increased applications in 2020 due to policy changes and GMAT waivers. In addition, 43% of those schools registered an increase in applications of more than 20%. However, with many top schools, the figure may be even higher. This is a great advantage for MBA aspirants who are applying via the GMAT waiver.

Ross reports that it will continue to allow candidates to seek a GMAT waiver, significantly increasing competition for Ross GMAT waiver applicants draws more students than at the other colleges. “If you are going to a school with a GMAT waiver, everything else in your application, particularly the essays, must be exceptional.” Therefore, if you wish to apply for an MBA without GMAT in the 2021 application cycle, you must have “exceptional” essays and evidence of your academic potential. Even if you have all these qualities, sometimes applying with a GMAT would considerably add weight to your profile, and sometimes it harms your profile. And we have seen applicants have problems with this decision. So let’s break it down into parts:

1. Those who have not taken GMAT yet and are thinking of applying for MBA without GMAT:

If you have not taken the GMAT yet and already have an excellent profile, it’s prudent not to spend so many months preparing for the GMAT. Instead, invest good time in your application and make sure you bring out an authentic personality on paper so that your MBA application stands out even without a GMAT. However, if you think you do not have good academics during your undergrad and not much evidence of your quantitative aptitude, it would be better to take the GMAT and target a good score.

2. Those who have taken GMAT:

If you have already taken the GMAT and are in conundrum about applying with a GMAT waiver, you should look at your test scores. If it’s 690+, then using the GMAT should make sense. However, if you have an otherwise excellent profile and a low GMAT, it would be prudent to apply with a GMAT waiver because that score can only harm your candidature.

HOW CAN YOU ENHANCE YOUR APPLICATION FOR ROSS WITHOUT GMAT?

The GMAT score is an integral part of an MBA program. While the essays, MBA letters of support, statement of purpose, interviews, and work experience, contribute to the application’s overall success, the GMAT score provides a much more objective look at an applicant's skills. After all, it is a ranking based on a uniform and standardized exam. Therefore, if you are applying for a GMAT waiver, the business school will require all relevant details from you in order to make an accurate decision.

As a result, to assist you in making your profile appealing with a GMAT waiver, we'll go over all of the best practices for making your MBA profile appealing to the MBA admissions committee of your target business school even without a GMAT.

Read here: How can you enhance your application for ROSS without GMAT and ROSS GMAT waiver request process.

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!


Cheers!


MBA and Beyond

Hi Mba and Beyond

I would really appreciate a profile evaluation.

Background: Indian
Age 27, Female

Education: B.E in Electrical Engineering, GPA: 8.14/10

GMAT: 750

Work experience: 3 months of a summer internship at Thermal power plant.
4 years of experience in L&T
Joined as GET(Graduate Engineer Trainee)
-Work on different projects with the senior engineers in a team.
Promoted 1 time
-Now working as a Senior Engineer. Lead the junior team and work on various projects related to the organization.

1 year gap due to preparation of competitive exam

Extracurricular activities: 1) Worked with non-profit health based NGO as a blog editor, capturing their fieldwork and sharing their stories with the world.
2) I participated in various events take place in the organization.
3) Participated in different sports competition in undergrad and won 1st prize in volleyball
Things I like to do: Yoga, Read self-help books.

Post-MBA goals: To work in a Management consulting/ Tech

Target colleges: M7 and European schools such as INSEAD and HEC.

What more I need to focus on my profile to increase my chances?

Hi Nehaa21,

Thank you for sharing your profile here

Your profile looks good on the surface. Starting with stats, your undergrad GPA is good, and with 750 GMAT you are defining your academic potential. On the work front, I can see a good career progression. You must bring examples of leadership and impact. As you are working in teams, you must have all of these capabilities and understand their impact on the organization. You have a one-year gap in your resume. The time taken by you here is classified as a study gap period. You will need to explain this gap thoroughly. Show achievements, if any, gained during the gap period. You are free to discuss anything you have done during this time frame. Studying for competitive tests, participating in outdoor activities, learning new skills, and so forth. Prepare your answer thoroughly. Always, always be honest about your reason for the gap and keep the explanation short.

Your Ecs seem good. You can tell the story of the NGO and its impact. Such as how far the stories have spread and the influence they have had. If you are really passionate about yoga and have reached a high level of experience about it, this will be a game-changer in your profile. Admissions officers sit through thousands of applicants in search of the gems in the rough. Imagine them sitting around at the end of the day recalling and discussing hundreds of essays – how will yours be remembered? They should remember, “You’re the yoga girl from India who worked in L&T.” How will your application stand out? What interests/projects/talents/experiences make you unique? Try to elaborate on all these.

I'd like to learn more about your post-MBA goals. You must link your post-MBA goals to your previous work experience. You have a chance at the b-schools you choose, but it would be determined by your essays and how interesting your stories are.

What more I need to focus on my profile to increase my chances?

You will need to focus on stories. I would like to hear more about your profile and guide you better on enhancing your application.

Overall you have a good profile. If you’d like, we are happy to hop on a call with you sometime this week to discuss your profile in length and guide you more. Feel free to book a free session with us as per your convenience.

How to enhance your application and maximize your chances in Round 1 for fall intake

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
Testimonials
Email: shantanu@mbaandbeyond.com
What s app: +65-97158525

Thank you MBAandBeyond for your detailed reply. Yes, I've many accomplishments in Yoga. I will book a session with you to discuss it further.

What are we doing for our MBA applicants in COVID?

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. - Anne Lamott

And that’s precisely what we need to do right now- Hold on to ‘HOPE’ and ‘DO THE RIGHT THING’ - Hope for a brighter future. Hope for a safer world. Hope for this pandemic to end. And hope for us to take our lessons and be better prepared for the future.

This past year we learnt a very important lesson that now more than ever, business and government have a pivotal role to play in protecting people’s health, reinforcing the economy, and developing both practical solutions and game-changing innovations. We believe that the world needs business leaders like yourself to take these lessons and prepare for the next health crisis.

With multiple waves of Coronavirus hitting the world, we learnt our lessons too. We saw the impact of Covid on MBA students and it affecting MBA admissions and strategies. We learnt that if we have to qualify potential leaders to join the world’s best business schools for the domino effect to continue, we need to get in their shoes to understand their situation. In the process we learnt that MBA applicants are facing several challenges in the application world today due to Covid.

1. The worst impact of Covid on MBA students was they signed up with a consultant for a limited period of time to get help on applications, but they were infected with COVID (it did happen with a lot of Indian applicants when the second wave hit the country). And the thousands of dollars that they paid to the consultants went to waste.

2. Someone in the MBA applicants’ family got infected with COVID when they were just a few days away from their application deadline, who they had to take care of, and hence had to drop their plans for application this year.

3. Some applicants couldn’t take their GMAT in time because the centers were closed, which stalled their plans to start their MBA application in time.

4. Some applicants had to break their GMAT prep, just when they started touching 700+ in mock tests, because one of their colleagues passed away due to COVID and they couldn’t get back to normal in time to put their best foot forward in the business school world.

5. Some applicants are also struggling to understand what the business school world holds for them in 2022. Is it going to be as tough to get in top business schools in 2022 as it was in 2021?

HOW ARE WE STRIVING TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS?- ADMISSION STRATEGY DURING COVID-19.

I’ll give you a real example here. One of our applicants Veronica (real name hidden for privacy reasons), who was going to appear for her GMAT in April and start working on her applications for 7 schools in May couldn’t meet her goals, because of the second wave of COVID in India. Now, because of some situation in the family, she decided to appear for GMAT later, in August and start working on her applications alongside. When Veronica decided to sign up for a 7 school package with us, she had a genuine concern:

1. What happens if I don’t get a good score in GMAT?

2. What happens if I catch COVID?

3. What happens if someone in my family catches COVID and I have to cater to their needs and am unable to focus on GMAT or MBA applications?

And these are all valid questions, so we buckled up and tweaked the admission strategy during Covid for her, and here’s what the plan looked like:

1. We start working on her personal brand for MBA, while she prepares for her GMAT (this will take her 21 days)

2. Analyze the scores in her mocks (average of 3 consecutive mocks) after the personal brand is ready in June

3. Identify the schools she should target in R1 and the others in R2 by mid-June.

4. Start working on MBA applications one by one.

5. If because of the impact of Covid on MBA students, a situation arises that she decides to defer her applications to next year and go for MBA in 2023, when times are better, then we park the application on the side for now, so that Veronica can deal with other problems, which are the need of the hour.

6. When the situation gets better in a couple of months and Veronica’s life is back to normal, Veronica can reach out to Paridhi and decide on a date to start her application again in Feb or March, 2022.

7. Veronica will then pick up from where she left (at no extra cost) and we will help her add a few snippets (or important things) that were added to her profile in the in-between months from August to February.

Just like Veronica, a lot of our MBA applicants have been impacted by Covid and had genuine concerns and not all concerns are general and common (as we all are experiencing this pandemic and the aftermath for the first time). So if you feel that you have any such questions or concerns that you would like to discuss with us prior to signing up, then I am more than happy to jump on a call with you to discuss your strategy.

To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!

How to enhance your application and maximize your chances in Round 1 for fall intake


Cheers!


MBA and Beyond