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MBA Admissions Essays: Harvard Business School [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: MBA Admissions Essays: Harvard Business School
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Are you applying to HBS this year?
Wondering whether or not you should write the ‘optional’ HBS admissions essay? If so, how will you write an essay that gets you accepted?
Harvard took a pretty big step two years ago when they made their single essay question optional, leaving thousands of applicants to decide if they really needed an essay.

Now, admissions officials say that the concept is still working, and that they’re getting more varied, helpful essays. MBA applicants, however, have found the open-ended question fairly difficult, and have often struggled with what to say in their essay and how to say it.

In this post, we’ll give you the one reason why you should write the HBS optional essay and then we’ll show you four ways you can develop an HBS essay that’s unique and compelling.

The One Reason Why You Should Write The HBS Essay
Should you or should you not write the HBS optional essay?

In the vast majority of cases, the answer is an emphatic YES! Here’s the one reason why you should consider writing the HBS optional essay:

MBA admissions essays are your best chance to showcase your personality and personal brand before you’re even allowed to interview. 

It’s vital to show a side of yourself that goes beyond grades and resumes. You want to jump off the page as a human being – a vibrant, interesting person that’ll contribute value to HBS’ exceptional community.

The HBS essay is typically your best chance to:

  • Drive home the point that you’re a vibrant, interesting person that can make a contribution to the HBS community,
  • Introduce a new interesting, compelling and unique element to your application, and
  • Prove your character as someone with a track record of making an impact through leading, changing or creating.
Now, let’s get down to the specifics of the HBS optional essay.

How To Write Your HBS Essay
So, here’s the HBS optional essay question:

You’re applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, school transcripts, extra-curricular activities, awards, post-MBA career goals, test scores and what your recommenders have to say about you.

What else would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?

This is pretty broad, and as such, can be very intimidating. To get started, think about your personal brand themes and the key brand elements that you want to convey.

  • What have you already emphasized in your application?
  • What do you want to emphasize more?
  • Are there any new elements or examples that you want to include?
  • Do you have any key anecdotes that drive these points home?
Once you specify the brand elements that you want to convey, begin thinking about how you can illustrate those traits and tell your story.

This is your chance to introduce yourself to the HBS MBA admissions board, and, to borrow a phrase from HBS’ main competitor (guess who?), tell them what matters most to you.

Here are four ways you can develop a unique and compelling personal story for your HBS essay:

1. Share stories or examples that have driven your career choices.
If you’re particularly sure and passionate about your career path, this is a great time to tell the MBA Admissions Board what has motivated that passion.

Did you work in the family business as a child? Have you come through the fire of entrepreneurial failure? Can you fill a need in a particular community?

2. Share your personal background.
If you’ve had an unusual childhood or adolescence, you could use this space to give the admissions committee more insight into how those experiences have shaped who you are today.

Don’t keep things entirely in the past, though. Make sure you emphasize your character today and how you’ve reacted to your childhood circumstances.

You want the MBA admissions board to see how you’ll behave on the HBS campus. Emphasize how your previous choices have shaped who you are, and where you will go next.

3. Share significant community involvement.
If a particular charity or cause is a large part of your life, discuss your involvement, how you’ve impacted the organization, and how it has impacted you.

If you’ve got plans to continue your involvement while in business school, detail how you’ll do so.

4. Share examples where you’ve made an impact.
HBS is all about impact. The school wants applicants who’ve made a big impact at work, school or in their community and are looking to make an even bigger impact in the future – with the help of the HBS MBA and the HBS community.

So what does that mean for you? You need to tell stories of where you had an impact at work, school or in your community.

Led a group or team before? What did you achieve? What was the impact of your leadership? Changed something that already existed or created something new? What impact did you have in either case?

Once you’ve settled on the stories you want to tell in your essay, you’ll need to develop the outline and structure of your essay.

Make sure that you structure your essay as a narrative, with a clear beginning, middle and end.

With such an open-ended prompt, it’s tempting to simply list a few different subjects, but you don’t want to ramble.

You want to tell your story.

Admissions board members, like most people, enjoy hearing a good story, rather than a simple laundry list.

Conclusion
In this post, we gave you the one reason why you should write the HBS optional essay and then we showed you four ways you can develop your own unique and compelling HBS essay.

Yes, the HBS MBA admissions essay is ‘optional’, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less critical to your application. This is your opportunity to tell your story in your own words and define your application in your own terms.

A great MBA essay transforms an average application into something extraordinary. Strive for this transformation, and put in the time and effort required to make it happen.

For more information on the HBS application, click here to visit the HBS Admissions website.

HBS Application Deadlines:
Round 1- September 9, 2014;

Round 2- January 5, 2015;

Round 3- April 6, 2015 

Have more questions about the HBS admissions essay? Send your question to questions@expartus.com and we will get back to you.
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16 Critical GMAT Preparation Strategies [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: 16 Critical GMAT Preparation Strategies
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Do you have GMAT preparation strategies in mind? Or are you planning on just “winging it”?

The GMAT is one of the most critical building blocks of a successful MBA application, and any serious application will begin studying and preparing for the test several months in advance. In this blog post, I will provide you with tried-and-true GMAT tips and GMAT preparation strategies that will help you perform your very best on test day.

First, let’s start with some key GMAT facts:

  • Aim to take the GMAT once, twice at most. It is best to prepare well for the first test and avoid several retakes.
  • There are three sections: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal and Quantitative
  • The test last three and a half hours: 30 minutes each for Analytical Writing and Integrated Reasoning and 75 minutes each for Quantitative and Verbal
  • GMAT scores are valid for five years.
General GMAT Preparation Tips

There are a few key GMAT preparation strategies that you should keep in mind as you begin your initial preparation.

  • Set a baseline. Take an initial practice test on the GMAT website to gauge where you are and where you need to go. Don’t study too much before taking this test- you want to truly understand where your weaknesses are.
  • Keep track of your weaknesses: In a spreadsheet or journal (whatever feels most comfortable) keep track of the GMAT questions and topics that give you trouble. Make sure that you are consistent and update it after every study session.
  • Prioritize consistency over cramming: It is tempting to save studying for several weekend cram sessions, but it is actually more valuable to study a bit every day, even if you can only spare thirty minutes for some practice problems.
GMAT Analytical Writing Preparation Tips

You will receive one question in the analytical writing section and have 30 minutes to answer. Questions will require you to analyze and critique the reasoning behind a given argument.

  • Consider multiple perspectives. As you analyze the argument, make sure to consider the perspective of every stakeholder impacted by the decision made. Otherwise, your analysis will be incomplete.
  • Outline your answer. Always outline your answer before you begin writing. This will help keep you on track as the minutes tick by and make sure that you cover all of the points that you wanted to.
  • Make your points clearly and quickly. Do not waste time on extra words or long introductions. You only have thirty minutes. Get to your points quickly, explain them concisely, and move on to the next point.
  • Focus on argument, not writing. You are being graded primarily on the quality of your argument, not on elaborate writing. For writing, your primary focus should be avoiding grammar errors and keep your sentences simple and clear.
GMAT Integrated Reasoning Tips

The Integrated Reasoning section has 12 questions, scored separately on a scale of 1-8. There are four broad question types: two-part analysis, multi-source reasoning, graphic interpretation, and table analysis.

  • Focus on your strengths. You will not have much time for each question (only 2.5 minutes). Focus on the ones that you know you can do well and spend more time on those. Practice is key here. You have to know which question types you are good at and which you might want to pass up.
  • Practice getting information quickly. The key to successfully answering IR GMAT questions is being able to quickly and accurately analyze data. Practice analyzing tables and graphs until you are able to quickly spot facts and interpret them.
  • Save your stamina. The verbal and quantitative scores still make up the bulk of your score, so make sure that you save your energies.
GMAT Verbal Tips

The GMAT verbal section focuses on reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction questions. Make sure you do plenty of practice questions for each of these question types.

  • Make the most of your first reading. Learn to mark up passages and sentences as you read them. Highlight main ideas or turning points, and circle important facts you might need to refer to.
  • Make sure you have mastered essential economics vocabulary. This is especially important if you are a nontraditional MBA.
  • Incorporate advanced reading into your daily routine. Read complicated articles focusing on business topics, and practice analyzing the main points and spotting holes in the argument.
GMAT Quantitative Tips

You will see 37 questions in 75 minutes, broken down into problem solving and data sufficiency questions.

  • Practice mental math. You will have to rely exclusively on mental math, so try to incorporate these calculations into your daily life. Set aside your calculator and force yourself to practice.
  • Know when to move on. Remember that you have limited time. If a question is taking you a long time, know when you need to your losses and move on to the next question.
  • Memorize the answers to the data sufficiency questions. Your answer choices will be the same for each one:
    • Statement 1 alone is sufficient but statement 2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
    • Statement 2 alone is sufficient but statement 1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
    • Both statements 1 and 2 together are sufficient to answer the question, but neither statement is sufficient alone.
    • Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question
    • Statements 1 and 2 are not sufficient to answer the question asked and additional data is needed to answer the statements.
Conclusion

Now, you know the top GMAT tips for each section of the test. With these 16 GMAT tips, you should be able to build an effective GMAT preparation strategy for each section of the test and incorporate them into your daily routine. Remember that consistency is extremely important to your success, and make a schedule to ensure that test preparation fits in with your work and personal commitments. Keep track of your learning, recognize your strengths, build up your weaknesses and you will do great.

Have more questions about GMAT preparation? Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more GMAT tips.
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Why Top MBA Programs Are Fighting Over Self-Aware Applicants [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: Why Top MBA Programs Are Fighting Over Self-Aware Applicants
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Who are the applicants that MBA programs fight over? The ones who have their pick of many great b-schools? The ones who MBA programs are competing for, instead of the other way around?

They are a diverse (and fortunate) group, but I tell you one thing they all have in common. And no, it’s not a perfect GMAT score, or even top awards from the likes of McKinsey or Bain.

It’s self-awareness.

The most successful MBA applicants are the ones who know where they have been, where they are going, and why they are going in that direction. They know what their skills are, and how they can add value. Equally important, they know what their weaknesses are, how they need to improve, and how their teammates can balance those weaknesses. Today, I want to explain three key reasons MBA programs love self-aware MBA applicants.

Bottom line: These highly successful MBA applicants have taken the time to get to know themselves more thoroughly than most. And, they’ve turned that knowledge into a compelling personal brand grounded in extraordinary self-awareness.

I realize that words like “self-awareness” and “personal brand” can begin to sound like empty buzzwords- the sort of corporate jargon that gets thrown around in team meetings and self-help books, but doesn’t really mean much. I can promise you, though, that applicants who embody these words mean a lot to top MBA programs. Why? Quite simply, they’re sure bets for adding value to the program, both when they are students and after they graduate. And that’s why top MBA programs are fighting over these applicants.

Let’s take a closer look at how bringing in self-aware MBA candidates helps top MBA programs achieve their goals.

Self-Aware MBA Candidates Are Successful Classmates

Students who are more aware of their strengths and weaknesses tend to be better teammates and make full use of academic resources. We’ve all been around that guy who has no idea that he is not a team player, or that girl who becomes defensive when given feedback. MBA students who are more self-aware are more capable of recognizing how they fit into group dynamics, where they can improve, and how they can help their team to thrive.

Secondly, self-aware MBA candidates have a full grasp on their academic goals and are more likely to quickly take advantage of the plethora of academic resources offered by top MBA programs. These students typically feel more confident in seeking out professors, and are better able to target the faculty members, classes and coursework that will help them achieve their goals.

For MBA programs, admitting more self-aware students could ultimately translate to better grades and an improved culture and academic environment, as well as more meaningful relationships between faculty and students.

Self-Aware MBA Candidates Are Better Campus Leaders

Self-aware students are typically confident without being prideful, and they’re well suited to the leadership positions available at top MBA programs. They’re able to quickly identify clubs that suit their interests, focus their energies on two-three excellent projects, and help others to find their niche outside of the classroom.

Again, this is a win-win situation for business schools. The students themselves thrive, and the MBA programs improve the culture and outcomes of their clubs, events and other extracurricular opportunities.

Self-Aware MBA Candidates Are Strong Job Applicants

If top MBA programs are currently fighting over self-aware MBA applicants, it’s a good bet that top employers will be fighting over those same candidates two years down the road. Top MBA employers want job applicants who can clearly articulate their goals and demonstrate their fit with a company. They want to be confident that these applicants will be productive and enjoyable team members with an awareness of how they can add value and grow.

Additionally, self-aware MBA candidates are more likely to quickly focus their job search, as they have a strong sense of where they are going with their career. Recruitment begins quickly after students arrive on campus, and the more self-aware students are when the semester starts, the more quickly they will gain traction in the recruiting process.

All of this creates a tremendous advantage for top MBA programs. Top MBA programs want to be seen as a resource for top employers, and want to provide the very best candidates. If they admit more self-aware applicants, they are automatically setting themselves up for a successful recruiting. And, don’t forget that job offer rates play a big role in b-school rankings. MBA programs want to see their students succeed, and they want to earn a reputation as a great talent pool.

Because of all of these factors, MBA programs view self-aware applicants as more than a buzzword. They see them as a tremendous asset and an investment that will pay dividends in the short and long-term.

So, how do you become one of those sought-after MBA applicants?

Here are a few key steps to achieving the level of self-awareness that most top MBA programs look for.

  • Spend some time alone with your thoughts. Alone time is a precious commodity in this busy world of ours. We are almost constantly bombarded with external stimulation, whether it is the demands of your family and social life, a colleague popping by to chat, an endless calendar of meetings, the buzzing of your smartphone, or the temptation of going down an Internet rabbit hole. You must be intentional about regularly setting aside some time for yourself. Silence your phone. Turn off your computer. Find a quiet spot. And then, reflect. Are you happy with how your life is unfolding? Where do you want to improve or change directions? What do you value most in your life? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Identify your passions. What makes your face light up with excitement and energy? What are you truly excited to accomplish when you get out of bed in the morning. It is so important to define your passions in life and think about how you can tailor your career and personal life to pursue those passions. If you can clearly articulate a passion, and prove how you have lived it out, you will have a huge advantage in MBA applications, job applications, and much more.
  • Articulate your personal brand. Your personal brand is the sum of your values, passions and character. It is the essence of who you are and where you want to go. Begin developing this brand by thinking about the key themes that you want to convey. What are the words that you want to define your life by? How do you want others to remember you after they meet you?
  • Explain why you want an MBA. You must be able to clearly define why you are seeking an MBA and what you will do with it upon graduation. Your reasons should be concrete, specific and personalized. Avoid speaking in broad generalizations- just focus on your own career goals and interests. You should also be able to present a general outline of your career plans, both short and long-term. These plans can, of course, be fluid. MBA programs do not expect you to account for every minute step in your career, but they do expect you to have a clear idea of how you want to use your talents in the workplace.
  • Solicit trusted feedback. Once you have reflected on your personal brand, passions, and career goals, assemble a trusted board of advisors to give you some feedback. You do not many people- two or perhaps three at most. They could be a supervisor, a family member, a friend or mentor. Just make sure it is someone who knows you well, and whose opinion you can trust completely. Ask them to review your personal brand and provide feedback on its accuracy. Do they feel it truly represents you? Did you leave anything out?
Conclusion

This blog post should’ve demonstrated the importance of self-awareness in the MBA application process and identified three key reasons that MBA programs are attracted to self-aware applicants. By following the steps we’ve outlined, you can set yourself up to gain an invaluable awareness of your own personality, value and goals. As we have seen, that awareness will serve you well in the MBA application. However, I can also promise that extraordinary self-awareness will be an asset in all areas of your professional and personal life, wherever you choose to live, work and study. Quite simply, being more aware of your own passions& capabilities will help you to make choices that fit well with those things and that will ultimately make you happier.

Have more questions about self-awareness, personal branding and the MBA application? Head on over to our Facebook page and make a comment.
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Why Early Career Applicants Can Apply to B-School in Round 3 [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: Why Early Career Applicants Can Apply to B-School in Round 3
Are you an early career b-school applicant? Are you considering applying to b-school in Round 3? Are you wondering whether it’s a good idea to apply so late in the MBA admissions cycle?

If you’re a college senior, this is a busy time for you. You’re wrapping up your thesis, you’re deep into you job search and you’re still balancing a heavy course load.

However, despite these competing interests this could be a great time for you to apply to business school if you’re ready and feel strongly that the MBA is important to your career development.

Why?

In this blog post, I’ll provide you with five reasons why early career applicants should consider applying to b-school in Round 3.

Early Career Advantages

Well, for starters, MBA programs, particularly those in the US, are looking for early career candidates and are eager to secure an admission commitment from such star candidates.

Remember that many MBA programs are on the hunt for talented, high-performing, and diverse candidates.

And the goal of many admissions boards is to get early career candidates to commit to their programs instead of going to competing programs such as masters programs in the sciences and engineering field not to mention lucrative startup ventures.

Schools such as Stanford encourage university seniors to apply to the GSB with expectations that they will take a two year deferment before enrolling.

HBS’ popular 2+2 program offers similar options for graduating seniors and those who are in graduate programs (without having worked full time) to apply.

The director of admissions, Dee Leopold, in her blog assures 2+2 applicants that they can still apply in the Round 3.

Several programs such as Yale offer similar opportunities.

So while you may find that you have a full plate on your hands as a college senior, applying right now, during Round 3, is a viable option for you if you have a very strong academic track record (GPA, GRE, GMAT) as well leadership achievements.

Five Reasons to Consider Applying in Round 3

  • Future Enrollment
You’re not penalized by the fact that fewer seats are available in the 3rd round now since if you’re admitted your admission is deferred and you wouldn’t have to enroll for a couple of years.

[*]Better Late, Than Never[/list]
The adcom is forgiving of your late application because they understand that you may have many different options that you’re considering and that you may have come to this decision late.

The key is to make a strong case for why the MBA fits into your future plans.

[*]Buy More Time for GMAT/GRE Exams[/list]
Sometimes you need a few more months to crack the GMAT/GRE exam. You might have tried it a few times and your score is not where you’d like it to be.

By applying in Round 3, you can buy yourself more time to take the GMAT/GRE exam and give yourself a chance to secure a more competitive score before applying in the later rounds.

[*]Track Down Your Recommenders[/list]
Applying in the late round also allows you to have enough time to track down your recommenders who have supervised you for internships and to put together a strong application.

[*]Good Job Hunting[/list]
It’s ideal to have some general sense of what you’ll be doing after graduation and applying in the later round buys you time to secure a job ahead of your graduation.

Conclusion

So, you now know five reasons why early career applicants should consider applying to b-school in Round 3.

One final thought.

Remember that b-schools want people who are running towards something not running away from something.

So if you’re more in the camp of “I don’t know what to do with my life so I’ll just try my luck with an application” don’t bother applying.

MBA programs want people who’ve excelled in college, have demonstrated strong evidence of leadership and a clear sense of direction for their career.

Use your b-school application to show them that you’re exactly that person and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your MBA admission goals.

If you’re trying to decide between applying Round 1 and Round 3, read this article MBA Application Deadlines: How to Decide Between Round 1 vs Round 3
Have more questions about applying Round 3? Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more tips.

 

 
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Early Career Applicants Can Apply to B-School in Round 3 [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: Early Career Applicants Can Apply to B-School in Round 3
Are you an early career b-school applicant? Are you considering applying to b-school in Round 3? Are you wondering whether it’s a good idea to apply so late in the MBA admissions cycle?
If you’re a college senior, this is a busy time for you. You’re wrapping up your thesis, you’re deep into you job search and you’re still balancing a heavy course load.

However, despite these competing interests this could be a great time for you to apply to business school if you’re ready and you feel strongly that the MBA is important to your career development.

Why?

In this blog post, I’ll provide you with five reasons why early career applicants should consider applying to b-school in Round 3.

If you’re thinking of applying to b-school in a year or more, you’ll want to read this post on How to Lay the Groundwork For Your Early Career MBA.

Otherwise, let’s get started.

Early Career Advantages
Well, for starters, MBA programs, particularly those in the US, are looking for early career candidates and are eager to secure an admission commitment from such star candidates.

Remember that many MBA programs are on the hunt for talented, high-performing, and diverse candidates.

And the goal of many admissions boards is to get early career candidates to commit to their programs instead of going to competing programs such as masters programs in the sciences and engineering field not to mention lucrative startup ventures.

Schools such as Stanford encourage university seniors to apply to the GSB with expectations that they will take a two year deferment before enrolling.

HBS’ popular 2+2 program offers similar options for graduating seniors and those who are in graduate programs (without having worked full time) to apply.

The director of admissions, Dee Leopold, in her blog assures 2+2 applicants that they can still apply in the Round 3.

Several programs such as Yale, Stanford, Wharton and Booth offer similar opportunities.

So while you may find that you have a full plate on your hands as a college senior, applying right now, during Round 3, is a viable option for you if you have a very strong academic track record (GPA, GRE, GMAT) as well leadership achievements.

Five Reasons to Consider Applying in Round 3
  • Future Enrollment
You’re not penalized by the fact that fewer seats are available in the 3rd round now since if you’re admitted your admission is deferred and you wouldn’t have to enroll for a couple of years.

[*]
Better Late, Than Never
[/list]
The adcom is forgiving of your late application because they understand that you may have many different options that you’re considering and that you may have come to this decision late.

The key is to make a strong case for why the MBA fits into your future plans.

[*]
Buy More Time for GMAT/GRE Exams
[/list]
Sometimes you need a few more months to crack the GMAT/GRE exam. You might have tried it a few times and your score is not where you’d like it to be.

By applying in Round 3, you can buy yourself more time to take the GMAT/GRE exam and give yourself a chance to secure a more competitive score before applying in the later rounds.

[*]
Track Down Your Recommenders
[/list]
Applying in the late round also allows you to have enough time to track down your recommenders who have supervised you for internships and to put together a strong application.

[*]
Good Job Hunting
[/list]
It’s ideal to have some general sense of what you’ll be doing after graduation and applying in the later round buys you time to secure a job ahead of your graduation.

Conclusion
So, you now know five reasons why early career applicants should consider applying to b-school in Round 3.

One final thought.

Remember that b-schools want people who are running towards something not running away from something.

So if you’re more in the camp of “I don’t know what to do with my life so I’ll just try my luck with an application” don’t bother applying.

MBA programs want people who’ve excelled in college, have demonstrated strong evidence of leadership and a clear sense of direction for their career.

Use your b-school application to show them that you’re exactly that person and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your MBA admission goals.

If you’re trying to decide between applying Round 1 and Round 3, read this article MBA Application Deadlines: How to Decide Between Round 1 vs Round 3

Have more questions about applying Round 3? Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more tips.

 

 
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Early Career MBA: Five Reasons to Apply in Round 3 [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: Early Career MBA: Five Reasons to Apply in Round 3
Are you an early career b-school applicant? Are you considering applying to b-school in Round 3? Are you wondering whether it’s a good idea to apply so late in the MBA admissions cycle?
If you’re a college senior, this is a busy time for you. You’re wrapping up your thesis, you’re deep into you job search and you’re still balancing a heavy course load.

However, despite these competing interests this could be a great time for you to apply to business school if you’re ready and you feel strongly that the MBA is important to your career development.

Why?

In this blog post, I’ll provide you with five reasons why early career applicants should consider applying to b-school in Round 3.

If you’re thinking of applying to b-school in a year or more, you’ll want to read this post on How to Lay the Groundwork For Your Early Career MBA.

Otherwise, let’s get started.

Early Career Advantages
Well, for starters, MBA programs, particularly those in the US, are looking for early career candidates and are eager to secure an admission commitment from such star candidates.

Remember that many MBA programs are on the hunt for talented, high-performing, and diverse candidates.

And the goal of many admissions boards is to get early career candidates to commit to their programs instead of going to competing programs such as masters programs in the sciences and engineering field not to mention lucrative startup ventures.

Schools such as Stanford encourage university seniors to apply to the GSB with expectations that they will take a two year deferment before enrolling.

HBS’ popular 2+2 program offers similar options for graduating seniors and those who are in graduate programs (without having worked full time) to apply.

The director of admissions, Dee Leopold, in her blog assures 2+2 applicants that they can still apply in the Round 3.

Several programs such as Yale, Stanford, Wharton and Booth offer similar opportunities.

So while you may find that you have a full plate on your hands as a college senior, applying right now, during Round 3, is a viable option for you if you have a very strong academic track record (GPA, GRE, GMAT) as well leadership achievements.

Five Reasons to Consider Applying in Round 3
  • Future Enrollment
You’re not penalized by the fact that fewer seats are available in the 3rd round now since if you’re admitted your admission is deferred and you wouldn’t have to enroll for a couple of years.

[*]
Better Late, Than Never
[/list]
The adcom is forgiving of your late application because they understand that you may have many different options that you’re considering and that you may have come to this decision late.

The key is to make a strong case for why the MBA fits into your future plans.

[*]
Buy More Time for GMAT/GRE Exams
[/list]
Sometimes you need a few more months to crack the GMAT/GRE exam. You might have tried it a few times and your score is not where you’d like it to be.

By applying in Round 3, you can buy yourself more time to take the GMAT/GRE exam and give yourself a chance to secure a more competitive score before applying in the later rounds.

[*]
Track Down Your Recommenders
[/list]
Applying in the late round also allows you to have enough time to track down your recommenders who have supervised you for internships and to put together a strong application.

[*]
Good Job Hunting
[/list]
It’s ideal to have some general sense of what you’ll be doing after graduation and applying in the later round buys you time to secure a job ahead of your graduation.

Conclusion
So, you now know five reasons why early career applicants should consider applying to b-school in Round 3.

One final thought.

Remember that b-schools want people who are running towards something not running away from something.

So if you’re more in the camp of “I don’t know what to do with my life so I’ll just try my luck with an application” don’t bother applying.

MBA programs want people who’ve excelled in college, have demonstrated strong evidence of leadership and a clear sense of direction for their career.

Use your b-school application to show them that you’re exactly that person and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your MBA admission goals.

If you’re trying to decide between applying Round 1 and Round 3, read this article MBA Application Deadlines: How to Decide Between Round 1 vs Round 3

Have more questions about applying Round 3? Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more tips.

 

 
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MBA Re-Applicant: How To Successfully Re-apply To B-School [#permalink]
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Reapplying to business school is a daunting process, but it can certainly be done, and be done well. Chioma talks about what to do when you don’t get into the top MBA program of your dreams, and how you can turn your MBA application process around.
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MBA Waitlist: How to Get Off the Waitlist And Into B-School [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: MBA Waitlist: How to Get Off the Waitlist And Into B-School
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How do you get off the MBA waitlist and into the b-school of your dreams?
We’ve arrived at a tough time of year for many MBA applicants.
Some are revaluating their options after their top-choice MBA programs didn’t work out.
Others are happy with their results.

And still others are in limbo – on the MBA waitlist – but unsure of their final outcome.

If you’re in this position, this blog post will help you map out your next steps in the MBA application process.

To learn more about how to get admitted after being on the waitlist check out these videos How To Handle the MBA Waitlist and How to Manage Your Application on the Waitlist.

First, congratulate yourself on the position you are in. While it might not be your ideal, earning a spot on the waitlist at a top MBA program is a significant accomplishment that sets you apart from many of your peers.

And, it’s a very common predicament to find yourself in. Many waitlisted applicants are admitted to b-school each year and go on to tremendous success.

So, take a breath, keep a positive outlook, and focus on the elements of your application that you can control.

Step 1: Find Out What The Adcom Wants
Each school has slightly different waitlist requirements, so make sure you understand what you have to do to remain on the waitlist and how you can help your status.

  • Opt in
Some schools ask applicants to opt into the waitlist, while others place you on it automatically. Double check the email or letter informing you of your waitlist status. If it requires an opt-in, make sure that you do so quickly.

 Even if you’re not entirely sure that you want to attend the school, you should opt in to the waitlist to give yourself time to make a decision. If you’re unsure about opt-in procedures, contact the admissions committee.

  • Know your go-to contact
Some schools provide applicants with a waitlist manager as a point of contact throughout the waitlist process.

If you’re not assigned a waitlist manager, you should rely on a member of the admissions committee that you’ve worked with before, or, if you haven’t worked closely with a particular person, with the admissions director.

  • Provide supplemental materials
 Most b-schools will either encourage you to provide supplemental materials or expressly forbid it. Pay attention to the guidelines in your letter to identify any additional information that you need to gather.

Step 2: Identify Your Application Gaps
Waitlisting typically indicates that your application was strong overall with one or two significant gaps. The admissions committee saw plenty to like about your application – but they were worried about a few things.

Your job now is to figure out what those things are and address them quickly.

To do that, you need to ask for feedback from:

  • Admissions board members
Most admissions board members will provide feedback to waitlisted applicants.

Unless your waitlist letter expressly forbids it, you should contact the admissions board to ask for a review of your application.

This’ll help you understand how the admissions committee perceived your strengths and weaknesses.

  • A trusted colleague
You should also have a trusted colleague or mentor review your application for gaps.

This could be one of your recommenders, your supervisor at work, or another trusted mentor. Ask them to help you identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Armed with this information, review your application one more time and determine the gaps that you need to address.

The most common gaps include:

  • Low GMAT score
  • Lower GPA or weaker transcript
  • Lack of demonstrable leadership experience
  • Mediocre recommendation letter
  • Fewer extracurricular experiences or activities
Step 3: Address Your Application Gaps
Most schools will accept update letters from waitlisted applicants if they have new information to share about their candidacy.

To maximize your chances of getting off the MBA waitlist, you need to provide new information that will address the weaknesses you have identified.

  • For a low GMAT score
Retake the GMAT so that you can provide an updated score to the school. If you have time, investhttps://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/it ... -10x10.png
 in some GMAT tutoring before retaking the test (Check out our Resources page for GMAT test prep options).

  • For a lower GPA or weaker transcript
Immediately enroll in financial accounting or other quantitative classes in your area. Acing these classes will help you prove to the MBA admissions board that you can handle the quantitative demands of MBA-level classes.

  • Lack of demonstrable leadership experience
Seek out new assignments at work, talk to your boss about how you might be able to lead a team, or take on a new leadership role in a community organization that you are involved with.

  • Mediocre recommendation letter
Provide a supplementary letter from a trusted advisor with significant business experience (More about this in a minute).

  • Fewer extracurricular experiences or activities
Look for ways to become more involved in community-focused efforts in your workplace or your local community.

You’ll need to be intentional and persistent in seeking out these experiences, as you don’t have a lot of time before waitlists begin to expire.

You should also remain genuine and true to your personal brand. It’s tempting to start seeking out anything and everything that might build up your resume, but this will come across as unfocused and insincere.

Instead, look for ways to add substance and nuance to the personal brand themes that got you this far.

Step 4: Send Your MBA Waitlist Letters
Once you’ve addressed weaknesses in your application, you should send a letter to the admissions board with any supplemental materials.

Your letter should be concise and to the point and will include the following information:

  • Any significant updates in your profile (resume, work experience, etc) since you submitted your b-school application
  • Specific information about new GMAT scores or class grades (if applicable)
  • Reiteration of your interest in the school and
  • A few specific reasons why you feel it’s the best fit for you.
In addition to this supplemental letter, you can also solicit a letter of support from a professional reference.

This should be someone other than your original recommenders, and should preferably be an alumnus of the school.

Ask your supporter to write a letter on your behalf explaining their perceptions of your work and why you would be a good fit for the school.

Step 5: Follow Up With The Adcom
After you’ve sent your letters to the MBA admissions board, consider following-up with a phone call a week or two later, or, if possible, a visit to campus.

In-person visits can be an important advantage for waitlisted MBA candidates. It will give you a chance to determine if you could truly see yourself thriving at the school, and to make a more personalized connection with the admissions board.

Many admissions boards will invite waitlisted candidates to visit.

If your school does not specifically invite waitlisted candidates, you can stop by the admissions office briefly while you are in town to introduce yourself.

Next Steps
In this blog post, you learned about the five steps that will help you get off the MBA waitlist.

If you follow each of these steps, you’ll maximize your chances for MBA admissions.

And, no matter how the decision turns out, you can rest assured that you did your very best.

If you have additional questions or want more waitlist tips, make sure to stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Facebook.
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MBA Re-Applicant: How To Successfully Re-apply To B-School [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: MBA Re-Applicant: How To Successfully Re-apply To B-School
EXPARTUS MBA Admissions Consulting Blog

Reapplying to business school is a daunting process, but it can certainly be done, and be done well. Chioma talks about what to do when you don’t get into the top MBA program of your dreams, and how you can turn your MBA application process around.

This article was first published on the official blog of EXPARTUS (www.expartus.com), the first MBA admissions consulting firm to use personal branding as a key part of the b-school application process.
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MBA Waitlist: How to Get Off the Waitlist And Into B-School [#permalink]
FROM EXPARTUS Blog: MBA Waitlist: How to Get Off the Waitlist And Into B-School
EXPARTUS MBA Admissions Consulting Blog

How do you get off the MBA waitlist and into the b-school of your dreams? We’ve arrived at a tough time of year for many MBA applicants. Some are revaluating their options after their top-choice MBA programs didn’t work out. Others are happy with their results. And still others are in limbo – on the [...]

This article was first published on the official blog of EXPARTUS (www.expartus.com), the first MBA admissions consulting firm to use personal branding as a key part of the b-school application process.
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Are you looking for some advice and tips on how to create a compelling MBA resume? A winning MBA resume quickly conveys the following all in one concise page: • your primary accomplishments and qualifications, • your personal brand and • reasons why MBA admissions boards at top MBA programs want to admit you So, [...]

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