Chicago App - Slides

Question

I just looked at the essay questions for GSB and #3 is really interesting.

3. We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application. In this portion of the application, we invite you tell us about yourself using a non-traditional application format--a PowerPoint presentation. In four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are.

dabots · Answer

i have so many questions about this...


will printouts be in color or grayscale?

because of the open ended question, does this question cannibalize the "optional essay?"

do they REALLY want the additional notes document?

are pictures of yourself a definite for inclusion?

argh

rhyme · Answer

I saw this recently and thought wow...

I'd say expect a B&W copy printout (but if you want to, just call and ask).

I think this is about clarity of message and ability to convey meaning in a concise way. Think elevator speech. Be creative and interesting I think. Don't focus on achievements (those are what you've done, not who you are) but rather on your interests and background. At least thats what I'd probably do. 
I actually wish I'd had this question last year. Really cool.

3underscore · Answer

As I said in the apps thread up top, it is quite similar to the creative essay at Stern, but forcing the format a little (mainly for consistency).

It does really show how Chicago are looking to shake the (unfair) image that some put upon them.

This would be really hard, but is such a great opportunity as an "essay".

rhyme · Answer

By the way... mad props on the correct usage of the term cannibalize

As for it cannibalizing, i'd say no... the optional essay is, in my view, a place to discuss anything you feel you need to mitigate - a low gpa, a gap in employment, any "unanswered questions" or items you really wish you could have put into the essay but didn't. The powerpoint is more of an expression of creativity and showing the admissions staff who you are.... If you are using the optional essay to convey who you are and what you are about, you've likely missed the boat on the other essays anyway.

lhotseface · Answer

Sounds similar to NYU app..?

GMATcram · Answer

Chicago often has an essay for you to show your creativity and uniqueness. I remember GSB also had the last year's essay like this " tell us something about yourself that nobody knows..."
I like this kind of essay. It can be tough but interesting...

kripalkavi · Answer

Why?! You already  are  going to the GSB!

rhyme · Answer

I said *last* year... I think I would have enjoyed answering it... more than say, something like "What movie, play or book matters most to you and why?" (it was something like that).

forcefeed · Answer

What are ya'll thinking about including for your slides? I am thinking about having 3 slides that cover the following:

Personal Life (family, friends, hobbies, extra curriculars, etc.)

School (Academics & clubs)

Work (projects & international experience)

Are you planning on having a lot of text or mostly graphics?

shmegs · Answer

I was thinking of putting in stuff that I don't really focus on in my essays. i.e. interests outside work (not clubs/etcs) but things that I'm passionate about. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to show my personality rather than the traditional why I want a MBA etc.

kripalkavi · Answer

Well, we cant use any animation 'cause they will be looking at printouts of our slides. I guess I'll be going with mostly text - bulleted probably.

dabots · Answer

i dont think ive ever used animation in a deck anyway. ill definitely be creative with graphics, if they wanted just text they would have made this a regular essay.

mNeo · Answer

Disclaimer: I am not applying to Chicago, but the idea of using slides sounds so interesting to me that I have been following this discussion too. 

Well, I don't think that using a lot of graphics is going to work. It may make the slides look less professional, instead. I agree that if they wanted just text, they would have made this a regular essay. But what they want is "formatted text" .. which fits well in a limited number of slides, and is presentable (i.e. short sentences). None of this means more graphics. So I would recommend "controlled use of graphics".

dabots · Answer

whats unprofessional about graphics? most consulting decks have tons of graphics. they can help explain things better than just words.

mNeo · Answer

Nothing's wrong with graphics (As long as they are not used just because your presentation application supports them). I never said that "any" graphics is unprofessional. I said that too much graphics may become unprofessional. So, there should be a controlled use of them - i.e. only when the graphics help sell yourself to the school.

rhyme · Answer

It depends on what you mean by "graphics"... An example of not enough graphics (slides 1-19) and far far too much (20 and beyond): https://www.campbell.edu/resource/cs/Tec ... aching.ppt

helg · Answer

I just looooove the new GSB approach to essays.

kryzak · Answer

I must say I LOVE that question! Maybe I'll apply to Chicago just because of that!

kripalkavi · Answer

Hmm...you do have a point there. But I think I will keep the 'graphics' down to a bare minimum anyway.

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