Calling all LBS Applicants - (2015 Intake) - Class of 2017

To be honest, it's good to see another applicant here. I was getting concerned if LBS would have to select me just because there weren't enough applicant.

Yes I was kind of hoping the same... but I think we better prepare good applications... it seems unlikely that suddenly one of the most selective programs receives no applicants

Have you read this https://www.london.edu/assets/documents/programmes/Post_Study_Work_Guidance.pdf
Was wondering if they issue such guidance regularly, or just this time because low turnout. We can't ignore the uncertainty the Scottish referendum created. I had really given up on the LBS application until last week. Thank God, the referendum failed! UK market would have taken pretty bad hit otherwise.

thanks for the doc.... yes, that could be an explanation. nonetheless it is quite a few years that the UK/EU economy raises concerns... gut feeling, issues may apply more to non-MBA graduates at LBS.

Personally I do not require any VISA to work in the UK, thus I never took into account these considerations..

EU national .. (y)
Scottish independence would affected UK market bad in short term, and entire EU market in medium term. No one's sure about long term impact. Anyways, it's a done deal. Future looks bright on this side of atlantic too.
Now that this thread has got a bit of activity, guess I'll try to keep it abuzz.

LBS Research made easy:
1. Link to the clubs - https://clubs.london.edu/groups
2. Link to Innovation Library of Deloitte Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship - https://innovation.london.edu/search-results/index.html
3. Link to Post Study Work Guidance for non-EU nationals - https://www.london.edu/assets/documents/programmes/Post_Study_Work_Guidance.pdf
4. Link to landing page for military candidates - https://mba.london.edu/military/
5. Link to get your candidacy assessed* - https://interact.london.edu/link.asp?coursesysid=38&menu=submitcv
6. Link to get your candidacy assessed (military candidates)* - https://interact.london.edu/link.asp?coursesysid=38&menu=submitcv&advertcode=MBA/MILITARY (I believe both links lead to same page, however LBS might use the various links for their research about effective ness of certain adverts.)

I hope these links help. I'll try to keep this post updated.

* - Though it is not mentioned at the landing page you might find it useful. Once a candidate has submitted his/her CV for assessment LBS will contact him/her only if the admissions office finds itself interested in the candidate within one business week due to large number of CV submitted to them for assessment. You'll see this notice after you've successfully submitted your CV.

FROM LBS Current Students Blog: Spring Break

My recap of term 2: Undertaking the MBA at London Business School Spring Break!!! It was a fast-paced term. It whizzed by before we even knew what was happening. From the first Corporate Partner Presentations in the second week of January down to the final core course exam on Sunday, March 23, it’s been one roller-coaster of a ride. Without the hurling, of course. There’s a huge divide amongst the 2015 MBA student body, the haves and the have-nots. The haves, it seems, are walking with considerable swag, their heads held high, without a worry in the world. The have-nots are walking with swag (MBAs, after all!), their heads held level, with perhaps a sense of uncertainty about the future. I’m talking about… internships. Places in the highly coveted banking and consulting gigs are mostly (if not fully) taken. The 2014s, out of the abundance of experience, tell us not to worry. Their prevailing line seems to be summed up thus – ‘Everyone who wants an internship will get something. It may not be what you wanted prior to coming to do the MBA, but it’ll work out right in the end.’ Fingers crossed! The high point of this term for me was my very first career trek to the United Arab Emirates – organised by the Energy Club. Best trek ever!! (I know, hyperbole, considering I have no prior experiences to compare with). But it was! Why? 5 reasons. Not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4… Excellent organisation (kudos to Bassam Frem & Marius van Straaten!!) Great group dynamics Free accommodation!!! (beat that, other LBS treks!!) We got to meet and discuss with leading companies and public sector institutions in different sectors of energy – Petrofac, GE, McKinsey & DEWA – to name a few. We learnt a lot about the current state and future of the industry in the Middle East Our hosts were very accommodating. In one case, we finished a company visit with a huge lunch, and started a second company visit with… wait for it… another huge lunch! Sign me up next year!!! Two awesome treks taking place during the spring break – the Japan trek, and the Morocco trek. Sadly, I am in neither place. In conclusion, I was just reminded that school resumes in 2 weeks L. On the bright side, I have 2 free weeks J !!

FROM LBS Current Students Blog: The Intern

This blog feels like an attic that I haven’t been to in years!!! Excuse me for a moment while I clean the dust…       There… Much better now!   I’ve been quite busy trying to earn my keep as an MBA Intern. Between June and September, I had the privilege of working with Shell International Petroleum Company here in London. I worked with the Retail Engineering Team – the people that manage the construction and maintenance of Shell retail stations all over the world. During my first week on the job, I visited a station that previously belonged to a competitor but was being converted to Shell standards, what is called a ‘KDRB’ – Knock Down and Re-Build. Suffice to say, there is so much thought and effort that goes into the construction and maintenance of fuel stations that the average consumer neither knows nor sees. All we do is get in, buy fuel, perhaps go into the shop, use the restroom, and then get out. But setting up a retail station to ensure that customers get safety, speed and ease of use – well, let’s just say I appreciate that team a whole lot more!   Working with Shell was a marvellous experience. My first paradigm-altering experience was with the lifts at Shell Towers. You know the story about the janitor/cleaner that tells the engineer (or was it architect) that he could put the lift outside the building instead of inside it? At Shell Towers, the floor buttons are outside the lifts. That first week, I had to consciously resist the temptation to stretch out my fingers to input my destination after getting into the lift, even though I already had done that before entering the lift.   More importantly, I enjoyed the collaborative and consensus-driven culture that operates at Shell. In my mind, the culture is a clear expression of the principle that no single person knows everything. While working at Shell, I had numerous interactions with lots of people within and outside my team – and they were only too willing to help. People thought nothing of spending significant time with me to help me understand not only the project I worked on, but also, the ways of working at Shell. In addition, decision-making processes are structured in such a way as to get the opinions and buy-in of a number of stakeholders, to ensure that there is broad support for initiatives executed. Obviously, getting consensus can slow down the decision-making process, but I guess that’s the trade off you get – speed versus support. That’s one of the core lessons from Strategy & Operations Management – picking a strategy and executing it; it’s about making a choice, prioritising a set of values or system over another. You can’t have everything.   The other thing I liked about working with Shell was work-life balance. Days I would get in by 8.00 a.m, and my floor would be empty. Days when I left by 7.00 p.m, I was the last to leave. In addition, it is possible to work from home (obviously pre-arranged with your manager, and if your physical presence is not required at the office). I did visit the gym in the building on some days, but seeing as I’m still packing pounds on my body, I guess I didn’t spend enough time there!   It wasn’t easy leaving. I felt a good kind of tired on the last day of my internship – like I had put in my all, and my effort was appreciated. I worked with amazingly great people (time to name-drop) – Bernard, Pedro, Graham, Gena – thanks for the wonderful experience!   So what’s next? Year 2 of the MBA begins! But that story is definitely for another time – hopefully not as much dust would have accumulated by then.

Thats is weird. My emails have gone through without a problem. Hope they can fix the problem for you!

One of the emails went out smooth. The receiver has in fact completed the form and submitted it already. Guess, I'll just have to cancel this person and send it to the back up referee. Don't wanna miss R1.

FROM LBS Admissions Blog: A view from the top

Meet Imran Changezi, EMBA 2009. Hotel Manager at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Read his fascinating story, in which he explains how hard work and determination allowed him to transform his career from front desk clerk to becoming a leading member of one of the world’s most luxurious hotel brands. “Believe me, I tried applying almost everything […] Read the rest of this entry...

I was told that some of the UK schools saw a decrease in applicants from the US because of the new UK work policies, however, I have never actually heard this confirmed from the admissions team.

Also, a number of the MB's seem slow. INSEAD, Cambridge, and LBS have very few posts.

Hi Joe,

With my LBS application last year, I was very cautious. They seemed strict about the word limit and I followed it - a few extra words may not add much value but there's a risk of the AdCom interpreting it as "this person cannot follow instructions". I did some solid editing and finally managed to fit it into the word limit.

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out again.
Abhishek.

abhisheksahay - you withdrew your apps from LBS & Booth for INSEAD! Man, you've done some serious homework .. Congrats, on your success ..

Hahaha... Thanks neo656. Yes, "did some serious homework" is an understatement. But I'm comfortable with the decision - confident that INSEAD is a better fit.
Feel free to PM me if you wish to discuss further.

Cheers,
Abhishek.

Hi guys

Quick question - how much are you typically writing for the in-application questions (eg. what are your interests outside of work etc)?

Thanks in advance

I can share my experience from last year:
1. For the "Additional information - Interests and activities", I'd listed down 4-5 short bullet points, totaling ~75 words
2. For the "Job responsibilities", I had a longer description - around 180 words.

I should add a disclaimer here that I'm speaking about the last year's application; not sure if there are any changes in the wording of the question etc. for this year.

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out again.
Abhishek.