Expert advice for Yale from Admissions Consultant blogs

We hosted a question-and-answer session with several leading admissions officers[/b] earlier this year that featured Yale School of Management (SOM) Assistant Dean for Admissions Bruce DelMonico. Ever the straight shooter, Bruce told us that the SOM would not be changing its application essay prompt for this season. We likely should have just taken him at his word, but just to be sure, we waited to see whether Yale would indeed officially recommit to its single essay, and… it did! The school has made no modifications to its prompt. So, you have one 500-word essay with which to make an impression on the admissions committee. Here it is. . .

Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)

In a Yale SOM blog post about the school’s essay prompt, Bruce noted that this “seemingly simple and straightforward question” was composed with assistance from one of the program’s organizational behavior professors. Yale’s admissions committee clearly takes the application essay seriously and is being thoughtful about the types of behaviors it wants to see in the school’s students. In our online event, Bruce declared himself “agnostic” about whether applicants should discuss a personal commitment or a professional one. He notes that he is simply trying to gauge the level to which candidates commit themselves, rather than the context of the engagement: “We don’t have a preference for professional or personal accomplishments. . . . We are not making value judgments about what that commitment is, but it is more about how you approach that commitment, how you have demonstrated that commitment, and what sorts of behaviors underlie that commitment.”

You may initially think that this prompt is rather narrow in scope, allowing you space to share the story of just a single professional or community project and nothing more. Although you can certainly discuss your dedication to a particular project or cause, you are definitely not restricted to this approach. Consider this: you can also be committed to an idea (e.g., personal liberty) or a value (e.g., creating opportunity for others), and approaching your essay from this angle instead could enable you to share much more of and about yourself with the SOM admissions committee. For example, you might relate a few anecdotes that on the surface seem unrelated—drawing from different parts of your life—but that all support and illustrate how you are guided by a particular value. Or, to return to the example of personal liberty as a theme, you could show how you take control of your academic and professional paths, adhering steadfastly to your values and vision. Whatever you choose to feature as the focus of your commitment, your actions and decisions, manifest via a variety of experiences, must allow you to own it as a genuine part of who you are as an individual. Identifying a theme that you think no one else will ever use is not your goal here; presenting authentic anecdotes that powerfully support your selected theme is what is important.

However, if you prefer to focus on a single anecdote, the commitment you claim must be truly inordinate. Being particularly proud of an accomplishment is not enough to make it an effective topic for this essay. You need to demonstrate your constancy and dedication in the face of challenges or resistance, revealing that your connection to the experience was hard won. Strive to show that you have been resolute in following a sometimes difficult path and have doggedly stayed on course, citing clear examples to illustrate your steadfastness. Nothing commonplace will work here—you must make your reader truly understand your journey and leave him or her more impressed by your effort than the outcome.

For a thorough exploration of the Yale SOM academic program/merits, defining characteristics, crucial statistics, social life, academic environment, and other key features, check out the mbaMission Insider’s Guide to the Yale School of Management.

The Next Step—Mastering Your Yale SOM Interview: Many MBA candidates find admissions interviews stressful and intimidating, but mastering this important element of the application process is definitely possible—the key is informed preparation. To help you on your way to this high level of preparation, we offer our free Interview Primers. Download your free copy of the Yale School of Management Interview Primer today.

If you’re in the midst of GMAT preparation or the MBA application process, you’ve almost certainly stumbled upon (or actively researched) stories about rising GMAT scores.

It wasn’t too long ago that an overall score of 700 represented a nice, round, respected target, even for top schools. In 2005, the cream of the MBA crop was littered with 700-level average GMAT scores – 707 at HBS, 704 at Tuck, 701 at Haas, 700 at Kellogg and Sloan, and 695 at Booth – all of which are bound to evoke jealousy or disbelief among applicants entering the process today.

Back in 1996, incoming classes at many of those MBA programs had average GMAT scores in the 650 to 660 range. At the start of the 21st century, a Quant sub-score of 45 put you in the 82nd percentile. A few years later, it was good for 78th (2006), then 75th (2007), then 71st (2009), and 66th (2013). Today, that Q45 lands you in the 57th percentile of GMAT test takers worldwide!

There is no denying the GMAT arms race – and applicants, schools, and rankings are all in on the action. More people are taking the test, test takers can freely cancel unwanted scores, applicants worried about the GMAT can now take the GRE, and MBA programs are as rankings-focused as ever before. The causes are myriad, and the impact on MBA classes continues to play out.

Discussions about cause and effect are nice, but we’ll save those for another day. My goal here is to take a closer look at the rise of GMAT scores by schools and "tiers" – with the hope of helping you better visualize what the GMAT field looks like among the top full-time MBA programs in the U.S.

Average GMAT Scores (Means)

As you’ve Googled around and gone down a few GMAT Club rabbit holes, you may have encountered claims that “720 is the new 700.” While I usually caution against sweeping generalizations, MBA adages, or blog paranoia, the 720-is-the-new-700 concept does hold water.

The underlying question is not whether it’s true – the questions are more “over what time period” and “what does this mean for specific schools”? The following chart shows the average (mean) scores for seven tiers of U.S. MBA programs (37 schools), followed by a few key observations:

excellent annual GMAT series. Each analysis includes five-year look-backs for the top 50 U.S. programs.

Median GMAT Scores
​
Most top-tier programs report mean GMAT scores on their class profile pages. But every so often, you will come across a school that only provides the median. Examples include HBS, Yale, and UNC Kenan-Flagler. Thankfully, if you do a little digging, you can find those means reported elsewhere.The reverse exercise is the far more cumbersome task. That is to say, if you really want to know the median GMAT scores across programs, only a handful of schools give it to you directly. So you have to sleuth around. Poets and Quants' "Meet XYZ's Class of 2019" tends to cite both where available.

When doing your school diligence, I encourage you to compare means to means and medians to medians. As you'll see in the data that follows, the median GMAT score at a given MBA program is usually higher than the mean. (You can typically round the mean up to the nearest 10 points.)

Over the past decade, estimated median GMAT scores at the top 19 U.S. MBA programs have trended upward by a solid 20 points. There's a 10-point median uptick for schools ranked in the 20s and 30s. (Note that certain 2017 medians and some historical data reflect mean-based estimates.)

Free Consultation. [And for a fantastic analysis of the MBA admissions chances for Indian applicants at the top 50 U.S. programs – including GMAT score data – please check out this GMAT Club post.]

The Yale School of Management has published the application essay for the 2018-2019 admissions season, and it is the same question as in last year’s application.

In his blog post, Assistant Dean of admissions Bruce DelMonico explains: “This application essay question evolved from a conversation with Professor of Organizational Behavior Amy Wrzesniewski about how to get a better sense for what our applicants care about in the world.

She notes, ‘Reading about future plans is helpful, but actions speak louder than words. What big commitments have applicants already made in their lives to date, how did they follow through on them, and what does this tell us about who they are? That is what is at the heart of this question’.”

While writing this essay keep in mind the Yale SOM’s mission, as explained by Dean Edward A. Snyder: “Yale SOM is persistent and disciplined in our efforts to connect to big issues, to integrate with Yale, to be distinctively global, and to work across all sectors. All of our efforts are guided by a strategy that accounts for how the world has changed over the last several decades and the implications for leadership. The success of our efforts depends entirely on extraordinary alignment and superior teamwork—internally and externally.”

Contact us to learn more about designing the best Yale application possible with Stacy Blackman Consulting.

Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)

As the Assistant Dean mentions, this question is about your past actions, not what you plan to do. Behavioral questions like this one (the tip off is “describe”) seek to understand how you actually operate in various situations. Think about what a commitment is to you. Was it a job or an organization that you were involved in?

Maybe your commitment was to a value or a person. Try to be as specific as possible about your commitment and why it qualifies as the biggest commitment you have ever made. What did you think or say when you were determining what to do? What did you actually do? How did you feel about the result?

You may decide to focus on a solo commitment, and that may be entirely appropriate since most MBA applicants are individual contributors. However, ideally you can demonstrate how you work with others as a leader and team member.

Yale is a program focused on making a difference in the world and the subject of this question will tell the admissions committee what you value, ideally something that impacts the greater community or world. Regardless of whether you choose an individual or team commitment, try to show how you have made a significant positive impact.

Because this is the only essay question in the application and should be used to highlight your personal qualities and leadership ability, make sure your resume and recommendations can answer any questions about your career and accomplishments.

The 500-word limit may be daunting. Instead of censoring yourself on the first draft and limiting what you write, start by describing each step in of your accomplishment in detail in terms of what you did, the reaction of others and your own reaction.

From there you can cut out anything that is too detailed or too superfluous to the story to maintain the 500-word maximum. Using an outside reader to help you determine what is most important to the story may help you streamline your essay.
***

If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

Bruce DelMonico, assistant dean of admissions at the Yale School of Management, has previewed the required essay for the 2018-2019 full-time MBA application. It remains unchanged from last year’s prompt.
Required Essay Question
Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)

In his post, DelMonico noted the following: “This application essay question evolved from a conversation with Professor of Organizational Behavior Amy Wrzesniewski about how to get a better sense for what our applicants care about in the world. She notes, ‘Reading about future plans is helpful, but actions speak louder than words. What big commitments have applicants already made in their lives to date, how did they follow through on them, and what does this tell us about who they are? That is what is at the heart of this question’.”

For more information, please visit the Yale SOM admissions website.
***

If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more. Visit the website for Stacy Blackman Reviews, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school-by-school guidance.

Are you thinking of applying to business school this year? Perhaps you are just starting to prepare for the GMAT or GRE exam, or maybe you have not yet begun to assess your overall fit at the top business school programs. How will you differentiate yourself from so many other applicants? Where will you start?

We know you have questions as you prepare to begin the application process.

The leaders in the MBA admissions space—mbaMission and Manhattan Prep—are coming together to make sure you will be ready for the 2019–2020 MBA admissions season. Join us for a free, five-part online event series, “Maximize Your Potential: Five Steps to Getting Your Dream MBA,” that will answer all your MBA admissions questions—from taking the GMAT (or GRE) to assessing your MBA profile and eventually applying (and being accepted) to the school of your dreams!

During the live online series, Senior Consultants from mbaMission will address and explain different significant admissions issues, while experts from Manhattan Prep will help you tackle some of the toughest challenges GMAT and GRE test takers face, offering valuable insight and advice.

These live online events will be held once a week from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EDT.

Please sign up for each session separately via the links below. Space is limited.

• Step 1—Wednesday, April 10, 2019:  Decisions, Decisions: How to Pick the Right B-School and the Test to Go With ItChoosing the Right B-School
  Attending business school is a huge investment—of time, emotion, energy, and money—and the experience will undoubtedly change your life, both professionally and personally. So you owe it to yourself to dedicate the necessary effort to determine which program(s) will best fulfill your specific needs. This presentation, led by mbaMission Senior Consultant Rachel Beck, is designed to help you fully evaluate the relevant elements of the different MBA programs to better ensure your final choice will provide the atmosphere, training, lifestyle, resources, and support that fit your particular personality, needs, and goals.

GMAT vs. GRE
With more and more top business schools accepting the GRE as well as the GMAT, a lot of applicants are wondering which test they should take. The tests are very different, so candidates have a lot to consider when comparing the GMAT and the GRE. Manhattan Prep instructor Whitney Garner will walk through the exams’ similarities and differences to help you decide which is better for you, and mbaMission Senior Consultant Rachel Beck will discuss how MBA admissions committees view the two exams and your scores.

• Step 2—Wednesday, April 17, 2019: How to Maximize Results from Your MBA Profile and GMAT ScoreAssessing Your MBA Profile
  Every year, admissions officers must choose from thousands of strong candidates to fill a relatively small number of spots in their classes. How do they manage this process and effectively differentiate between applicants? Admissions officers evaluate each candidate using an array of factors, including academic abilities, leadership experience and potential, interpersonal skills, and personal fit with the program. In this session, learn to assess the quantitative and qualitative factors you bring to the table to better anticipate how you might be viewed by the admissions committee at the school of your dreams… and what you can do to improve that assessment!
  
  Maximizing ROI on the GMAT
  You know you want to get into a great business school, and you have a high GMAT goal score in mind—but what exactly do you have to do to get that score? Join Manhattan Prep instructor Whitney Garner as she helps you understand the big picture with regard to approaching the GMAT, covering key factors such as having the right mind-set, understanding the scoring system, and perfecting your timing. We will help you maximize your learning so you can maximize your score. 
• Step 3—Wednesday, April 24, 2019:  Key Test-Taking Strategies for GMATAdvanced Quant
  Of the four GMAT subscores, your Quant percentile typically has the greatest weight with admissions committees. Are you ready to tackle the most difficult GMAT Quant problems? Join Manhattan Prep instructor Jamie Nelson for an overview of some of the most difficult Quant problems. We will review various strategies, as well as guessing techniques, to maximize your chances of succeeding with these tricky questions.
  
  Advanced Sentence Correction
  Do you have all the basics down but struggle with those really long underlines? Does seeing large chunks of the answer choices move around or change completely drive you crazy? Join us for a special session on how to handle the craziest of the crazy Sentence Correction problems. 
• Step 4—Wednesday, May 1, 2019: Writing Standout MBA Application Essays
  How can you write essays that grab the attention of MBA admissions committees? In this session, mbaMission will use this simple but often perplexing question as the starting point in a workshop for prospective business school applicants. Attendees will walk through a series of exercises that challenge them to uncover their personal and nuanced stories, craft compelling opening statements, develop meaningful goal statements, connect their goals to their target school’s resources, and other key steps. 
• Step 5—Wednesday May 8, 2019: Top MBA Admissions Directors Answer Your Questions!
  mbaMission’s Jeremy Shinewald will moderate and host this question-and-answer session featuring admissions officers from leading business schools. In addition to posing his own questions, Jeremy will take and share questions from attendees, facilitating a candid dialogue between interested MBA applicants and experienced admissions professionals. This is your chance to go directly to the source to get your admissions questions answered!
  Admissions officers on this panel include Bruce DelMonico, Yale School of Management
  Amanda Carlson, Columbia Business School
  *Additional admissions officers yet to be announced

Enroll today!

Yale School of Management has released deadlines and the
essay for the 2020-2021 application season, leaving the question unchanged for
the fifth year in a row.

This year’s deadlines are as follows:

Round 1: September 15, 2020

Round 2: January 7, 2021

Round 3: April 13, 2021

Yale asks students to:

Describe the biggest commitment you have ever
made (500 words)

Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean for Admissions gave this
advice to candidates in a blog post:

We have one essay question: “Describe the
biggest commitment you have ever made.” We developed this question in
collaboration with Amy Wrzesniewski, a professor of organizational behavior at
Yale SOM. Your time in business school, and the choices you make thereafter,
represent significant commitments. In asking this question, the Admissions
Committee is seeking to learn about how you have approached a commitment of
importance in your life.

When it comes to choosing a topic, be genuine.
We want to hear about something that is meaningful and distinctive to you, in
your own voice. Your commitment can be personal, specific or expansive. We
receive outstanding, insightful essays covering a wide range of topics.

The content of your essay is every bit as
important as the topic. Regardless of the commitment that you choose, the most
effective essays do a great job of describing your approach to commitment.
Point to the specific actions that you have taken, over time, to bolster your
commitment. This is especially important if you have chosen a broad topic, such
as an ideal or a belief. Don’t just explain why a commitment is important to
you; we want to understand how your behaviors have demonstrated and supported
your commitment.

Below is Personal MBA Coach’s guidance on how to address the Yale MBA essay
question:

As you craft your essay, keep in mind that
Yale strives to “educate leaders for business and society.” With a passionate and
committed student body, Yale takes pride in the small group learning teams and
close-knit community. This question gives candidates a chance to provide
admissions committee members with a glimpse of who they are and what matters to
them, confirming they can and will live up to the school’s lofty mission.

The commitment can be personal or
professional, though I prefer to see candidates share personal experiences in
their Yale MBA essays. Whatever you choose, be sure that you focus on ONE
thing; do not include multiple commitments here. Past examples have included
causes, personal development areas, athletic achievements and professional
pursuits. The commitment can be something completed in the past or on-going.
However, if you select something that is on-going, be sure that you have
already made significant steps to deliver against your commitment. A commitment
you just recently made and your forward-looking plans will not cut it here.

Yale SOM wants to see passion, dedication and
follow-through. They want to assess how you think and how you plan effectively.
Your commitment should be something that genuinely matters to you. Remember,
think leader for business AND society here. The most successful answers will
show how you have delivered against this mission in the past. However, the
commitment does not have to be focused on volunteer work. There are countless
ways to make an impact on society.

500 words is fairly short and this is your main
shot to show who you are and why you will fit in on campus. Be focused and be
genuine!

Need help?Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your guide. Founded by a
Wharton and MIT graduate, we regularly help applicants navigate their
applications each year. We also conduct mock interviews with former M7
interviewers on our team.

Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for 13 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email scott@personalmbacoach.com for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!

We interviewed people on admission boards at the top schools, do you don't have to! We found out everything you need to know and combined it into one article for each school.

Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale's MBA program is one of the leading programs in the US and in the world.

We spoke to both Assistant Dean for Admissions, Bruce DelMonico, and current Yale MBA students to bring you everything you need to know about the program and campus life.

If you're planning on applying to Yale's MBA program, this article is for you. Click here to read it.

Click here for our previous Insider Information.

If you still need some more help with your application, click here to contact us for a FREE consultation.

While the M7 business schools (Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth, and Wharton) get a lot of attention, there are numerous compelling MBA program options beyond the M7 schools.

In fact, the average Personal MBA Coach client applies to five to seven business schools, some of which fall beyond the M7. This is why we have put together our latest eBook, MBA Essay Analysis: Beyond the M7, to help you explore your options.

In this eBook, we have included Personal MBA Coach’s tips on how to tackle the 2020-2021 MBA application essays for seven top MBA programs outside of the M7.

Ranked in US News & World Report’s 2021 Best Business Schools, the following top business schools are featured in our MBA Essay Analysis: Beyond the M7:

• Berkeley Haas: #7 in Best Business Schools
• Duke Fuqua: #12 in Best Business Schools (tie)
• Michigan Ross: #12 in Best Business Schools (tie)
• NYU Stern: #10 in Best Business Schools
• UCLA Anderson: #16 in Best Business Schools
• UVA Darden: #11 in Best Business Schools
• Yale SOM: #9 in Best Business Schools

Whether Round 1 did not go as planned or you always planned to apply during Round 2, one or more of these programs may be great options for you to consider.

Along with Personal MBA Coach’s advice on how to approach the required MBA application essays for these programs, we also have included tips for handling short answer questions and other application extras.

Are you ready to learn more about these MBA programs? This eBook is offered to all Personal MBA Coach newsletter subscribers. Sign up here to download our eBook today!

Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, we regularly help applicants navigate their applications each year. We also conduct mock interviews with former M7 interviewers on our team.

Personal MBA Coach has been helping candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for 13 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email scott@personalmbacoach.com for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!

You also may like these other blog articles:

2020-2021 Executive MBA Programs: Details, Deadlines & Requirements

Berkeley Haas, UVA Darden, Michigan Ross, USC Marshall & Texas McCombs Admit with $70K Scholarshi

Short Answer Questions, Optional Essays and Videos

Personal MBA Coach just sat down virtually with Laurel Grodman to get an insider’s look at the Yale SOM admissions process. As the Managing Director of Admissions, and a Yale SOM graduate herself, Laurel is intimately familiar with the Yale SOM MBA Program.

Watch Personal MBA Coach and Laurel discuss the future of Yale SOM and get answers to some of your most pressing questions about the school’s admissions process.

If you are wondering whether you are the “perfect fit” for Yale SOM, do not worry! Watch as Laurel deconstructs this notion, stressing that the school is simply looking for people who are academically prepared to be in a rigorous program, have demonstrated impact in their professional lives, and will be great community members at Yale SOM.

Rather than pretending to be someone you are not, you should take your time with the process to represent yourself and what you are interested in as well as possible.

From new partnerships, to the behavioral assessment, to Covid-19’s impact on the admissions process, you do not want to miss this invaluable insider perspective.

Plus, find out more about new programs at Yale SOM including the MMS in Asset Management (launching in fall 2021) and the opportunities this offering creates for MBA candidates.

Are you interested in learning more about the Yale SOM experience? As mentioned in the interview, Yale SOM’s Student Ambassadors serve as contacts for numerous clubs, programs, and interest groups. While student ambassadors are not part of the admissions committee, and thus these exchanges are not evaluative, these contacts are a great way for prospective students to ask specific and candid questions.

Regardless of where you are in the MBA application process, Personal MBA Coach is here to help. Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, we regularly help applicants navigate their applications each year. We also conduct mock interviews with former M7 interviewers on our team.

Personal MBA Coach has been helping candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for 13 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email scott@personalmbacoach.com for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!

Get more MBA application advice and updates below:

Yale School of Management 2020-2021 Essay Analysis

From Berkeley Haas to Yale SOM: MBA Essay Analysis Beyond the M7

Harvard Business School, Wharton, Chicago Booth & Yale SOM Admit With $244K Scholarship

Yale School of Management has released deadlines and essays for the 2021-2022 application year, leaving their essay question unchanged for the sixth year in a row.

As one of the smaller top MBA programs, Yale SOM’s intimate class size is a defining characteristic of the program, with 350 students enrolled in the class of 2022. Of these students, 39% identify as women, 40% are international passport holders, 10% are first-generation college students, and 8% identify as LGBTQ+.

The class of 2022 came from a range of pre-MBA industries, the top three being financial services, consulting and non-profit. On average, students had an average of 4.5 years of work experience.

The upcoming Yale MBA deadlines are as follows:

Round 1: September 14, 2021

Round 2: January 6, 2022

Round 3: April 12, 2022

Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean for Admissions, has shared this advice to candidates in a previous blog post:

We have one essay question: “Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made.” We developed this question in collaboration with Amy Wrzesniewski, a professor of organizational behavior at Yale SOM. Your time in business school, and the choices you make thereafter, represent significant commitments. In asking this question, the Admissions Committee is seeking to learn about how you have approached a commitment of importance in your life.

When it comes to choosing a topic, be genuine. We want to hear about something that is meaningful and distinctive to you, in your own voice. Your commitment can be personal, specific or expansive. We receive outstanding, insightful essays covering a wide range of topics.

The content of your essay is every bit as important as the topic. Regardless of the commitment that you choose, the most effective essays do a great job of describing your approach to commitment. Point to the specific actions that you have taken, over time, to bolster your commitment.

This is especially important if you have chosen a broad topic, such as an ideal or a belief. Don’t just explain why a commitment is important to you; we want to understand how your behaviors have demonstrated and supported your commitment.

Personal MBA Coach’s Yale MBA Application Essay Tips:

Essay: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words)

As you craft your Yale SOM essay, keep in mind that Yale strives to “educate leaders for business and society.” With a passionate and committed student body, Yale takes pride in the small group learning teams and close-knit community. This question gives candidates a chance to provide admissions committee members with a glimpse of who they are and what matters to them, confirming they can and will live up to the school’s lofty mission.

The commitment can be personal or professional, though I prefer to see candidates share personal experiences in their Yale MBA essays. Whatever you choose, be sure that you focus on ONE thing; do not include multiple commitments here. Past examples have included causes, personal development areas, athletic achievements and professional pursuits.

The commitment can be something completed in the past or ongoing. However, if you select something that is ongoing, be sure that you have already made significant steps to deliver against your commitment. A commitment you just recently made and your forward-looking plans will not cut it here.

Yale SOM wants to see passion, dedication and follow-through. They want to assess how you think and how you plan effectively. Your commitment should be something that genuinely matters to you. Remember, think leader for business AND society here.

The most successful answers will show how you have delivered against this mission in the past. However, the commitment does not have to be focused on volunteer work. There are countless ways to make an impact on society.

500 words is fairly short and this is your main shot to show who you are and why you will fit in on campus. Be focused and be genuine!

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 14 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing and mock interviews. Our team includes former M7 admissions directors and former M7 admissions interviewers.

Last year, our clients earned more than $6.5M in scholarships!

[url=https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Shared-Series-Large-Image.png][img]https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Shared-Series-Large-Image-1024x307.png[/img][/url]

So, you have your sights set on applying to business school. What comes next?

Whether you are just starting to prepare for the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) or are working on crafting a compelling MBA application, the leaders in the MBA admissions space—[url=https://mbamission.com]mbaMission[/url] and [url=https://www.kaptest.com/gmat]Manhattan Prep, Powered by Kaplan[/url]—are coming together to make sure you will be ready for the 2022–2023 business school admissions season.

Join us for a free eight-part webinar series, running weekly from April 7 through May 26, to learn what you need to be doing now to create a compelling MBA application.

Admissions consultants from mbaMission will explain different MBA admissions processes, while experts from Manhattan Prep will help you tackle some of the toughest test-taking challenges by providing valuable insight and advice.

This free online series will offer you helpful guidance as you work toward your goals. From figuring out which test is best to take (the GMAT or GRE, or even the EA) to speaking with admissions officers, you will get a well-rounded, step-by-step overview of the MBA admissions process.

Click here to enroll (for free) in our “[url=https://www.kaptest.com/study/gmat/mba-mission-series/]Building Your Best MBA Application[/url]” webinar series, and continue reading to preview the series schedule!  

"Building Your Best MBA Application" Series Schedule:

[list][*][b]Part 1: Your 2022 MBA Action Plan[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, April 7, 2022
8:00–9:30 p.m. ET
Applying to business school in 2022–2023? It is not too early to start planning! Join mbaMission Founder/President [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/jeremy-shinewald/]Jeremy Shinewald[/url] as he discusses such topics as creating your ten-month (and beyond) timeline; getting “stats ready,” including accelerating personal goals; attaining your target GMAT/GRE/EA score; and taking additional coursework.

[list][*][b]Part 2: Which Business School Is Right for Me?[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, April 14, 2022
8:00–9:30 p.m. ET
Which MBA program is right for you? How can you find the best fit? During this free webinar, mbaMission Managing Director [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/rachel-beck/]Rachel Beck[/url] will help prospective MBAs understand the differences among top MBA programs.

[list][*][b]Part 3: Should I Take a Test? If So, Which One: GMAT, GRE, or EA?[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, April 21, 2022
8:00–9:30 p.m. ET
Join Manhattan Prep instructor [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/jamie-nelson/]Jamie Nelson[/url] and mbaMission Founder/President [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/jeremy-shinewald/]Jeremy Shinewald[/url] as they explain the key differences among the exams and how business schools view each test—and help you determine which one may be best for you.

[list][*][b]Part 4: Are My MBA Profile and Test Score Strong Enough?[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, April 28, 2022
8:00–9:30 p.m. ET
Every year, thousands of strong candidates apply to business school. To get noticed, you will need an impressive GMAT, GRE, or EA score and an unforgettable application. Join Manhattan Prep instructor [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/chris-gentry/]Chris Gentry[/url] as he discusses the GMAT’s scoring system and how you can approach the test with the right mindset to get your best return on investment. Then, mbaMission Managing Director [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/krista-nannery/]Krista Nannery[/url] will share what admissions officers look for and how to build a noteworthy application.

[list][*][b]Part 5: How Can I Make My MBA Application Essays Stand Out?[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, May 5, 2022
8:00–9:30 p.m. ET[b]
[/b]To grab the attention of a top business school, you will need to write an essay that is well crafted and memorable. Learn to do just that in this session led by mbaMission Managing Director [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/john-sisk/]John Sisk[/url], who will help you start to uncover your personal story, craft a strong opening statement, develop your goals, and connect those goals to your target school.

[list][*][b]Part 6: [/b][b]How Can I Nail My MBA Application Material[/b][b]s? (Everything But the Essay)[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, May 12, 2022
8:00–9:30 p.m. ET
So, you have mastered how to write a compelling MBA application essay, but what comes next? Join mbaMission Managing Director [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/jessica-shklar/]Jessica Shklar[/url] as she details how to tackle “everything but the essay”—an in-depth examination of short answers, recommendation letters, and other components of an MBA application that need to stand out to the admissions committee.  

[list][*][b]Part 7a: GRE for MBA: How Do I Handle the Toughest Topics?[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, May 19, 2022
7:00-8:15 p.m. ET

Taking the GRE for b-school? Have a top MBA program in mind? We have you covered with this free event. Manhattan Prep instructor [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/ryan-starr/]Ryan Starr[/url] will teach you how to approach the toughest topics—from Quant to Verbal. This is a great event for applicants at any stage in their prep. Even if you have already started your preparation, we will help position you to reach your highest potential.

[list][*][b]Part 7b: Advanced GMAT: How Can I Master 700+ Level Quant and Sentence Correction?[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, May 19, 2022
8:30–9:45 p.m. ET
The GMAT has four subscores, but your Quant score will likely be the most important. Get ready to tackle the most difficult Quant problems with this free event led by Manhattan Prep instructor [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/instructors/jamie-nelson/]Jamie Nelson[/url]. Jamie will also walk you through an equally tough section: Sentence Correction. Learn how to nail the most challenging problems, no matter how long or confusing each passage may seem.

[list][*][b]Part 8: Top Admissions Directors Answer Your Questions[/b][/*][/list]

Thursday, May 26, 2022
8:00–9:30 p.m. ET
In this event, we are bringing you direct access to some of the world’s best business schools so you can ask them all your questions, learn what makes each one unique, and get advice on how to put your best foot forward in your application. mbaMission Founder/President [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/jeremy-shinewald/]Jeremy Shinewald[/url] will host an interactive Q&A session with a panel of admissions officers from leading business schools, including the [b]MIT Sloan School of Management[/b], [b]Columbia Business School[/b], the [b]University of Chicago Booth School of Business[/b], the [b]University of Virginia Darden School of Business[/b], and the[b] Yale School of Management[/b].

Panelists include the following: 

[list][*][url=https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/cbs-directory/detail/abc101][b]Amanda Carlson[/b][/url], Assistant Dean of Admissions at Columbia Business School[/*][*][url=https://som.yale.edu/programs/mba/admissions/contact-us][b]Bruce DelMonico[/b][/url], Assistant Dean for Admissions at the Yale School of Management[/*][*][url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/about/leadership/administrative-leadership/dawna-clarke#:~:text=Senior%20Assistant%20Dean%20of%20Admissions,Dartmouth%20College%20for%2011%20years.][b]Dawna Clarke[/b][/url], Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business[/*][*][url=https://mitsloan.mit.edu/staff/directory/dawna-sherri-levenson][b]Dawna Levenson[/b][/url], Assistant Dean of Admissions at the MIT Sloan School of Management[/*][*][url=https://www.chicagobooth.edu/about/deans-and-administrators][b]Donna Swinford[/b][/url], Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business[/*][/list]

Are you ready to put your best foot forward for the upcoming MBA application season? [url=https://www.kaptest.com/study/gmat/mba-mission-series/]Click here to enroll (for free) in “Building Your Best MBA Application.”[/url]

If you cannot attend one of the sessions, no problem! Be sure to register; we will email you a recording link after each session.