Amerasia MBA Blog : Ask Admissions Consultants

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PaulLanzillotti

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How to Build a Winning MBA Resume [#permalink]

20 May 2020, 11:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: How to Build a Winning MBA Resume

There are many things about the MBA application process that can feel out of your control. You can’t control who you’re competing against for a spot in an elite MBA program. You can’t control the current mood or unconscious bias of an MBA admission officer reading your application. And you can’t control what questions or prompts you’ll be asked to answer in your MBA applications.
However, there are many things we can control. At the top of that list is controlling how you present yourself as a qualified and ready MBA candidate through your resume. Beyond the obvious need to make the 1-page MBA resume concise, error-free, easy-to-read, and honest, there is one key additional step you can take to make yourself stand out from the pack: focus on accomplishments that reveal transferable skills like leadership, teamwork, and innovation.
To do this, there’s a simple formula you should follow:
Accomplished [X] by doing [Y], resulting in [Z]
In other words, start with an active verb (click HERE to review a great list of action verbs provided by MIT), detail what you did to achieve your goal, and numerically measure what you accomplished. Take a look at two bullets of the same work/accomplishment. Then ask yourself which would look better on your resume:
1. Trained internal team and clients on the use of a Workforce Management software to establish a new specialty team.
2. Created and led specialty team responsible for adding clients onto a new Workforce Management (WM) platform by documenting procedures and delivering training program, resulting in the training of approximately 15,000 clients on the WM platform within 4 months
The addition of the “15,000 clients” makes the statement much more powerful. And adding “within 4 months” shows the MBA admissions officer that this was accomplished in a short and impressive timeline. Finally, sharing how you accomplished this adds credibility and gives insight into your transferable skills.
Overall, your MBA resume is a sales document and by using the formula “accomplished [X] by doing [Y] resulting in [Z]” and MBA Admissions officers will take notice. It not only tells the admissions officer in a snapshot who you are, but it also tells them that you have this vital business/recruiting skill down cold.
If you’re interested in learning more or discussing your own resume, please CLICK HERE to schedule an initial consultation with one of our MBA admissions consultants.

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PaulLanzillotti

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OWNING YOUR MBA CAREER GOALS IN FIVE STEPS [#permalink]

25 May 2020, 16:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: OWNING YOUR MBA CAREER GOALS IN FIVE STEPS

Let's talk about Career Goals for a minute. I want to present a crystal clear five-step process for how to handle the Career Goals aspect of your MBA pursuit.
STEP 1 - HAVE CLEAR MBA GOALS. Remember, this is not a degree designed for 22-year old applicants, nor does it punt away the responsibility of asking the question (yes, Law School, we are talking to you). The MBA is a career-focused degree and in almost every instance, the schools ask you what your goals are. To embark on such a life-altering process (to say nothing of expensive and time-consuming) without possessing goals would be bizarre. Now, maybe your goals need some refining - particularly in presentation - but if you can't at least decide for yourself what you want to do with your life and why you want to spend $150,000 and two years to get there, you should not be applying to top 10 MBA programs.
STEP 2 - REFINE YOUR SHORT-TERM MBA GOAL TO MAKE SURE IT CAN BE ACHIEVED. We know that just as important as setting goals is the idea of setting realistic goals. If you want to get in shape and you set a goal of running a marathon, great, you are on your way. However, if you set the goal of winning Olympic gold in the marathon, you are probably setting yourself up for failure. Therefore, it's not a good goal. This is especially true when someone else shares in the responsibility for whether you achieve it. Schools share the responsibility for helping you achieve your short-term goal. Nobody bears any responsibility for the achievement of a long-term goal. Nobody is tracking, measuring, or even checking. Too much life is going to happen between now and 10-20 years from now. So when you hear about making goals realistic or having them “make sense,” it’s almost always about the short-term goal, because that is what shows up on an employment report, what impacts career services, and generally has enough immediacy that everyone feels responsible for outcomes. Some ways to check your short-term goal:
[*]Look at the employment reports of the school to see if they place people into the role and firm of your choice
[/*][*]Consider whether your previous experiences (and resulting transferable skills) put you in position - with an added MBA - to impress recruiters for this job
[/*][*]Contact someone in career services (usually at your alma mater) to quickly check your path
[/*][*]Ask me to give you a reality check on your goals (important point: don’t try to “brainstorm” your goals and certainly never ask anyone to “give you” goals - you should have goals in place that I can look at and either approve or poke holes in)
The main thing is you want to be sure that the following equation checks out:
YOU (and what you have done so far) + MBA (at this school) = ST GOAL.
[/*][/list]
If it does not, you will get dinged basically every time.
STEP 3 - SELL YOUR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE THE SHORT-TERM MBA GOAL. Normally I would talk next about long-term goals, but we are going to stick with short- term goals for a minute. Just because you figure out a short-term goal that can work does not mean your job is done. Here is a quick case study of a client who received an interview at a top-10 school despite aiming for a difficult transition. He was a task- oriented professional with little outside experience and little by way of management responsibilities (this describes a lot of people, so I am not worried about “outing” this person). This presents a limited platform from which to work, but that doesn’t mean his only short-term goal had to be something connected to his trade. Indeed, if he were to pick a short-term goal in that area, he might fail the “why do you even need an MBA?” part of this whole test. Remember, it’s not just whether the MBA is enough to get you to your goal, it’s also whether the goal is enough to warrant investing in an MBA (rather than just walking down the street for an interview). For this individual, his long-term goals were entrepreneurial, so in the short term, he needed more exposure to business practices and frameworks. He needed to take his upcoming MBA experience and expand on it, in order to continue broadening out and to see what works and what does not in new situations. To gain those 360-degree skills that would enable him to be a successful large-scale entrepreneur down the road, two paths made the most sense: management consulting and brand management. The former would expose him to lots and lots of scenarios in different industries, different geographies, and on different scales. The latter would give him experience with all aspects of bringing something to market. Either would allow him to broaden out the MBA experience of expanding frameworks, widening knowledge basis, and building up his network and pedigree. All good things, to quote the old Martha Stewart Saturday Night Live sketches. So, his work was done, right? Of course not! Just because he thought this was a good idea (or that we, collectively, thought it was a good idea), does not mean a recruiter or - by proxy - an admissions officer will see it the same way. He had to:
[*]First, explain the connection. He had to say everything I just wrote above, about continuing to acquire experiences and skills so that he will be in the best position to achieve his eventual goals.
[/*][*]Second, highlight the transferable skills that make him a desirable candidate. I wrote an entire blog post about this once and you have read all about it in the Goals Memo, but one of the most common mistakes I see among applicants is that they don’t fill in the missing link and explain the skill set that will allow them to 1) get the job, and 2) thrive once they get it. You can't assume the reader will know what someone in your exact job does and see the connection between projects within your trade and being a consultant or a brand manager or whatever the case may be. You have to identify the skills critical to the ST job and then show that you have them. It’s very simple, yet we would wager to guess that 75% of applicants don't do this. They never say “here is what I will need to be a good brand manager and here is how and when I developed those skills in my current job, through examples A, B, and C.” You MUST do this, whether you are young
[/*][/list]
or old, American or International, a banker or a beekeeper. You can’t assume that the reader will do this extracting and matching for you.
STEP 4 - PUT "YOU" INTO YOUR LONG-TERM MBA GOALS. Unlike with short-term goals, the challenge with long-term goals is not to map out a perfect plan that everyone can achieve collectively. Here, you want to dream big and put as much of you - your passions, your inspirations, and what you care about - into the answer as possible. Think about goals the way Stanford GSB asks you to think about them: “What do you REALLY want to do?” If you say that your ST goal is consulting, you are creating the foundation for just about any long-term goal. You might think it wise to say, “I want to then climb the ranks to become a managing partner” and feel like that is a smart, safe play. Well, it's boring. Worse, it is impersonal. Literally anyone on earth could write that. What do you want to do? Really? If the real answer is to rise through the ranks and become a managing partner, well, why is that? There must be some greater good you want to serve or some burning desire that drives that aim, right? If it is just financial security, is there something in your past that makes that paramount, above all else? There is always a way to make your LT goals about you and that is what you have to do. You do not have to make your long-term goals 100% achievable. You do not have to make your long-term goals about connecting back to previous areas of expertise. You just have to pick goals that are personal and that require this MBA path you are on, at least on some level. There is an incredible amount of freedom in shaping your long-term goals, so be yourself, be interesting, and pick a path that you can truly own.
STEP 5 - OWN THE MBA GOALS. This is the part where perhaps we have come to assume too much over the years and where our case study client seemed to run into trouble. Once he had a path that made sense, ensured that he had achievable short-term goals (complete with highlighted transferable skill sets), had a long-term goal that was interesting and personal, and all of that was wrapped up with a bow in his essays, the mission had been accomplished. When he received an interview invite at a top-10 school, we prepped him for the interview and showed him how to bring that goal narrative through to the interview setting. However, here is where it fell apart. How and why? As best as I can tell, he got unlucky with his alumni interviewer. Instead of hosting a friendly interview, this person demeaned the applicant and tried to poke holes in his resume and aspirations. This is a tough break, for sure, but something that future applicants can deal with. First, if this happens, call the school and ask for another interview. The schools know that there is some risk inherent with a heavy reliance on alumni interviewers, so they won't be surprised nor will they likely refuse your request. Second though, you have to ditch that experience and approach the new opportunity with the same level of confidence you had before. This is where our case study client failed. He got rattled by the first interview and lost confidence in his whole narrative. Now, this is partly because he had bad luck but in equal part because he never truly owned his goals. He was too reliant on me to formulate a plan and he was never strong in what he wanted from an MBA and his life. When you don't own your story (the first piece of advice I give for interview prep, by the way), you

can too easily be bowled over by the first raised eyebrow or harsh word. And if you start scrambling to explain yourself or start getting wishy-washy with your goals, it is game over. After all, if you can't sit there proud and strong and say “this is what I want” with conviction, what can you stand strong for? So this is Step 5: own your goals. It's your story, not the interviewer's. It's your life, not anyone else's. If you can't get comfortable with the goals in the essay, rethink your goals until you do.
If you follow the above five steps, you will never fall victim to the pitfalls that have taken down thousands before you. You won't be rejected for asking too much (or not enough) of the school in the short term, you won't lose the reader's interest with impersonal long- term goals, and you won't blow your interview by losing conviction in your own path. Remember that if everything makes sense and follows these steps, nobody can tell you what to think about your life and path.

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PaulLanzillotti

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Four Ways to Overcome the Increased MBA Admissions Competition of 2020 [#permalink]

04 Jun 2020, 13:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: Four Ways to Overcome the Increased MBA Admissions Competition of 2020-2021

In late April, after a month of shock due to the coronavirus lockdown, the number of initial inquiries and sign-ups for MBA admissions consulting services at Amerasia Consulting began to spike. Over the last month and a half that increased interest has been consistent, reflecting a largely held belief in MBA admissions circles that this season, both in Rd. 1 and Rd. 2, could be the most competitive MBA admissions cycle in history.
With the prospect of an economic downturn, top MBA programs are expecting a dramatic increase in applications over the last few years. Furthermore, with high deferral rates at top MBA programs due to COVID-19, the number of available admissions spots in this year’s MBA admissions classes will be reduced. So, more applicants and fewer spots available.
With an increase in the caliber of MBA candidates, how do you – as an MBA applicant – begin to set yourself apart?

1)    Understand the Schools and MBA Programs You’re Targeting
Due to varying cultures, curriculums, perspectives on leadership, etc., every school and MBA program you plan on targeting values different skills and qualities in their MBA candidates. So, if you make the effort to understand and embrace the unique qualities of each program and allow those qualities to help shape your essays and application, you can begin to elevate your candidacy from being “qualified” to being “ideal.” Contact one of our Admissions Consultants for more detail on how to approach the individual programs you’re interested in. Click Here.

2)    Reveal Your Emotional Intelligence by Picking the Right Goals
Admissions officers often want to know about who you are and what you value, not just what you’ve accomplished. Often the best way to do this is through the passion behind your career goals. When you think about a passion, it often stems from a person’s background and values. And a person’s background and values… that’s a pretty good window into understanding who they are as a person.
So, you want to pick career goals that reveal who you are, what makes you tick, and shows your values. Here are a few quick tips on picking your MBA career goals:
Avoid something too boring (I want to get promoted over the years and become an executive – this is a waste of precious essay real estate as it says nothing about you and rather describes a generic path to prosperity).
Avoid something “ripped from the headlines” or otherwise pie-in-the-sky (another way to think about this to borrow from a legal concept that you can only argue “facts found in evidence” – don’t talk about a LT goal in social media or clean tech or something else “buzz worthy” unless you have existing passions and experiences that support those claims).
Instead, land on something interesting that comes from your own life. Nothing is better for an admissions officer than to truly learn about you from your long-term goals. Make sure that whatever you pick connects to who you are as a person.
Make sure that your ST goal will give you skills and/or perspectives necessary to reach this LT goal (otherwise, the bridge starts to break down).
Overall, your LT goals should connect to both your ST goals and your existing life in big, swooping arcs – it doesn’t have to be a tight line from one to the other, but it should make a big circle that reveals who you are through your passion when all is said and done.

3)    Show How You Stepped Up as a Leader During this Crisis
Due to the pandemic, many of us have been stuck at home for weeks. While cities and states are beginning to ease up on some of the lockdowns, many businesses are continuing to operate remotely. As telecommuting becomes the new normal, teams are interacting less and many businesses and groups are losing the social dynamic that can unite and inspire people around a goal.
As time goes on, these new realities have the potential to impact your business. So, set up and look for opportunities to lead and bring people together, even if only online. Be the person that hosts an online “social event” where you and your team can make cocktails and socialize using an app like Houseparty. Or host an online board game night. There are countless ways for you to step up to be a community and team leader despite your current isolation.
Furthermore, look for the opportunity to serve your community. Many people, mainly those with service jobs, have lost their jobs and are struggling financially. Reach out to a local financial services non-profit to see if you can counsel people dealing with debt or looking for a new job.
As you can see, the key right now is to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to step up to serve and lead others. Because when these top programs ask you “what you did during this crisis?” You want an answer that’s better than, “I watched a lifetime’s worth of Netflix.”

4)    Connect and Begin Working with an Amerasia Admissions Consultant. Click Here to Get Started!

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A Key to Leadership: Empathy [#permalink]

18 Jun 2020, 11:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: A Key to Leadership: Empathy

Like most MBA candidates, you’re likely trying to reflect on and brainstorm key moments in your past that reveal leadership. As you do so, keep in mind that there are plenty of ways to think about leadership:
1)    You’re in charge, so you’re the leader. This is the authoritarian model. As you might guess, this style of leadership is not very inspiring and will not be enough as top MBA programs evaluate your candidacy.
2)    Lead by example. This is a style of leadership that many MBA candidacy lean on and, unfortunately, it too is not enough. Every top MBA candidate SHOULD be a hard worker that allows their actions to speak for themselves.
3)    Use ideas to lead. Another way to think about your impact as a leader can stem from your creativity and ideas. By questioning the status quo and showing confidence to pursue a new path or direction, you can inspire others.
4)    Lead by making the right decision. This is more of an informational-based leadership. You can earn followers and motivate others by consistently being right. To make the right decisions, you need to know how to use information to make an impact.
5)    Use empathy to connect with and lead others. From an MBA admissions perspective, this style of leadership is the pinnacle. By using your ability to understand someone else’s perspective, needs, concerns, motivations, etc. – even someone with completely different life experiences and backgrounds from your own – you can establish a level of trust and respect that allows you to influence and guide individuals and teams.

With everything going on in the world right now – from discussions on systematic racism and police brutality to the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic – I believe empathy will play an even larger role in the examination and evaluation of leadership in the applications of top MBA candidates.
Now, as we discuss empathy, it’s important to remember that it is not synonymous with sympathy. Take a look at this video from Dr. Brene Brown, presented by The RSA, a global non-profit which encourages the release of human potential to address the challenges that society faces:

So as you continue to reflect on your past and experience, remember to think about the Four Qualities of Empathy as defined by Theresa Weisman (a nursing scholar):
1)    Perspective Taking – to see the world as another sees it
2)    Non-Judgmental – to listen, hear, and consider that other perspective
3)    Recognizing another’s feelings – to understand how they feel
4)    Communicate that Understanding – to form a connection

For a deeper examination into Empathy, click on this link toTheresa Weisman’s Concept Analysis of Empathy published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing.
To discuss your MBA candidacy and your impact as an empathetic leader, please click here to set up an initial consultation with one of Amerasia’s talented MBA consultants and coaches.

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Re: Amerasia MBA Blog [#permalink]

05 Aug 2020, 02:25

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Michigan Ross Waives GMAT GRE TOEFL Test Requirement for MBA Applicant [#permalink]

29 Nov 2020, 23:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: Michigan Ross Waives GMAT GRE TOEFL Test Requirement for MBA Applicants Due to Covid-19

Yes. Not only does the Ross MBA program give GMAT waivers, but they also waive the GRE and TOEFL as well.Does Michigan Ross give GMAT test waivers? MICHIGAN ROSS WAIVES GMAT, GRE, TOEFL TEST REQUIREMENTS FOR MBA APPLICANTSAccording to a recent Poets & Quants article, the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, along with MIT Sloan and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, will allow any candidate to request a standardized test waiver - GMAT, GRE, TOEFL - this 2020-2021 MBA admissions cycle.
MICHIGAN ROSS ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR WEIGHS IN ON TEST WAIVERS AND ROUND 1 APPLICANTSDue to the COVID pandemic hardships candidates have been facing, Michigan Ross now offers GMAT, GRE, and English language proficiency tests waivers, including TOEFL, to candidates who request them. Soojin Kwon, managing director for Michigan Ross's full-time MBA program also stated that no round 1 applicants will be denied on December 4 (all round 1 applicants will be either admitted or waitlisted), and that any waitlisted applicant may request a test waiver after decisions are released.
SOOJIN KWON SAYS IT’S DIFFICULT TO PERFORM TO ONE’S BEST UNDER THESE CONDITIONSAccording to Soojin Kwon, applicants around the world expressed their concern that going to a test center and feeling safe at the same time is a big challenge in these times. And yes, students can take the online test at home, but this faces many other challenges, such as being disrupted by friends or family, or have slow or broken internet connections. Michigan Ross is taking into account that it is difficult to perform one’s best in these conditions. Per Soojin Kwon, one applicant took the online GMAT test at home under stressful conditions and scored a 620, a week later she took it at a test center and got a 730.
MICHIGAN ROSS IS NOT WEAKENING ADMISSION STANDARDS BY GRANTING WAIVERSSoojin Kwon reiterated that Michigan Ross is not weakening their MBA admission standards by granting waivers. Admissions will, however, continue to look for evidence elsewhere to make sure applicants can handle the rigor of the business school program. For MBA applicants who seek a waiver, Michigan Ross will put more weight on undergraduate or graduate coursework, full-time work experiences and professional certifications to gain confidence in a candidate's academic proficiency and quantitative ability. According to Soojin Kwon, it will take Ross admissions more time to review applications with no test score - GMAT, GRE, TOEFL.
ADMISSIONS DECISIONS FOR MBA APPLICANTS REQUESTING AND RECEIVING WAIVERS WILL NOT BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED AT ROSSSoojin Kwon also confirmed that the admissions outcome - i.e. accepted, waitlisted - for candidates submitting applications with test waivers will not be negatively impacted. Moreover, applicants with no GMAT, GRE or TOEFL will still be eligible for scholarships, although according to Soojin Kwon a test score would give additional relevant data.
MICHIGAN ROSS ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE DID NOT EXPECT THEIR DECISION-MAKING TO BE FILLED WITH SUCH UNCERTAINTY FOR THIS LONGDuring the first shut down where GMAT, GRE, and TOEFL test centers were closed down, many MBA programs, including Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and The University of Texas-Austin McCombs School of Business, offered test waivers to applicants directly impacted by COVID-19. Many other business schools then latched onto this trend.
Soojin Kwon, managing director of full-time MBA admissions and program at Michigan Ross, said they had no idea their decisions would still have this much uncertainty months later. Soojin Kwon remarked that COVID-19 cases are still increasing all around the world as we reach year end. Additionally, applicants' mental health has taken a toll across the world. Soojin Kwon stated that Michigan Ross would respond to waiver requests on a rolling basis, typically within 10-15 business days. Also worth noting, the latest MBA class at Michigan Ross saw their GMAT average fall from 719 to 710 this year, a 10-point drop from the Michigan Ross's all-time high of 720 in 2018.
In closing, Soojin Kwon stated, “As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, we promise to continue listening, learning, and responding, while staying true to our values.” We certainly hope Michigan Ross is successful in this regard.

Ross gives GMAT test waivers.

Covid’s silver lining? The Michigan Ross MBA program is granting GMAT, GRE, TOEFL waivers to all MBA applicants and they aren’t rejecting anyone per the admissions committee director. Get your Ross business school application ready!

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Why you should apply for your online MBA during the coronavirus pandem [#permalink]

04 Dec 2020, 13:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: Why you should apply for your online MBA during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown

THINKING OF APPLYING FOR AN ONLINE MBA PROGRAM DURING COVID? HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD STAY AHEADMore and more ambitious professionals are eager to use their lockdown time productively and are turning toward higher educational online business school degrees. A massive number or prospective business school students are applying to top-ranked MBA programs online during the coronavirus crisis.
THIS YEAR ONLINE MBA APPLICATIONS HAVE INCREASED DRASTICALLYApplications to the University of Indiana Kelly Direct Program (recently ranked first in the world by Poets&Quants) have increased 64% since 2019. The online MBA program at the Jack Welch Management Institute has also seen an 84% increase in prospective students.
Moreover, applications to the online MBA option at Carson College of Business from Washington State University, has had an even higher jump of 89% in candidates.
STUDYING FOR AN MBA ONLINE IS A LEGITIMATE WAY TO SPEND LOCKDOWN TIMEThe pandemic is increasing a desire to gain new skills during lockdown, whereas the economic downturn is increasing the uncertainty of the future. Online learning serves as a legitimate way to account for both concerns, and evidently this is reflected in growing numbers of applicants.
According to Brooke Elliot, the Associate Dean of Online Programs at the University of Illinois’s Gies College of Business, students can now start their online MBA in October, January, March, May and August and “applications are still going up!” The online MBA program has gone from zero to 4000 students in the past four years.
PAY INCREASES AND PROMOTIONS FOR ONLINE MBA GRADUATE STUDENTSAccording to a new analysis of career outcomes from Poets&Quants, in the United States, MBA graduates have shown immediate benefits from studying for their business school degree online.
70% of online MBA graduates at the University of Maryland directly thank their education for their promotions. 84% of online MBA graduates at The College of William and Mary reported increased pay that was a direct benefit from their online degree.
Online graduates from Kelly School of Business Indiana University reported a boost of around 33% in their pay (from $92,688 pre-MBA to $123,561 post-MBA).
To top it all, the biggest improvement came from the hybrid online MBA program of Carnegie Mellon University, where graduates reported a 63% rise in their annual pay (from $57,728 to $149,773) after graduating from their 3-year-long business school degree.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONLINE MBA INTERNATIONAL STUDENTSMany of the world’s best MBA programs currently pride themselves that their online programs are able to, not only let students study and learn from anywhere in the world, but also let students stay at their jobs and ultimately, let them practice their networking opportunities by immediately applying what they learn in the classroom to their workspace.
All this is possible due to the fact that technology and virtual programming have never been better. The days where only for-profit colleges offer online MBA programs are over.
If you’re interested in learning more or discussing your own online MBA options to maximize your lockdown time, please CLICK HERE to schedule an initial consultation with one of our MBA admissions consultants.

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How to nail your virtual MBA interview: Tips for your virtual intervie [#permalink]

11 Dec 2020, 13:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: How to nail your virtual MBA interview: Tips for your virtual interview preparation

HOW TO NAIL YOUR VIRTUAL MBA INTERVIEW?Let's discuss your virtual MBA interview preparation. As round 3 business school applications are heading to a close, the next step is preparing to nail your MBA interview.What is different between this year’s interview process than to last years? It’s all virtual. Your virtual MBA interview is one of the most crucial parts of the process. And you will need to make sure you have adequate time to prepare. All this is possible, if you take the time to plan accordingly and have plenty of time to practice.
As we head into the new year, you can give up your worries and replace it with confidence by learning how to tackle this new virtual MBA interview format.

7 basic MBA interview preparation tips holding true to the virtual format too:[*]Personal is the key word here. Don’t just position your story from a professional angle, which increases the odds of sounding like someone else. Rather include personal details from your life which nobody else can mimic.
[/*][*]Prepare 4-5 stories that you can adapt. Research the questions that programs ask most often and develop your stories in advance. Don’t waste time setting up the situations. Instead focus on the key steps that you took and how you excelled in each example. According to an article written by Poets&Quants keep in mind the skills you want to emphasize and then adapt them to your stories. You can adapt four to five stories to answer most questions. Assign each story to possible questions in advance. Most of all, remember the three components of crafting a story: the given situation, the action you took and the result it had on you and others.
[/*][*]Focus on how your uniqueness is a perfect fit for your target school. Schools like to understand that what they have to offerer and what you have to offer will dovetail together. Why specifically do you want to attend this school? Specifically think about the MBA programs culture. Be sure to discuss your personal interests and share your unique knowledge that is specific to your target school. Know what aspects of that school attracted you to that MBA program. In addition to this, be sure to illustrate your understanding of their campus culture – talk about how you would thrive and add value to their campus as a whole.
[/*][*]Research, research and more research! Different business schools have different MBA virtual interview processes. Some schools may delve deeper into certain aspects of your application and background than others do. Along with knowing these focal points, you want to know who is interviewing you. An alumnus? Admissions officer? Or even, a current student? This will help you prepare accordingly and lessen your nerves for your virtual MBA interview.
[/*][*]Articulate your MBA goals clearly. Prepare to clearly, concisely and calmly explain what you wish to accomplish in your career, why this is the path you have chosen, and how you will find success in it. Plan specific examples beforehand to explain how you will leave your unique mark for your virtual MBA interview.
[/*][*]Be courteous for your virtual MBA interview. According to Julie, Dartmouth Tuck, Former Admissions Interviewer, this encompasses everything from dressing appropriately, to being on time, to being courteous when answering questions and being respectful. Smile, only ask positive questions, show enthusiasm and relax.
[/*][*]The most important thing to remember when interviewing virtually for a slot in an MBA program is to be yourself. Schools are mostly looking to diversify their incoming class with a wide variety of individuals and there is nobody just like you.

[/*][/list]8 technical tips to keep in mind for your virtual MBA interview:[*]Practice your set up with a friend or a family member in advance of the virtual MBA interview. Make sure all your equipment is staged properly and working. This is crucial, you do not want to be worrying about technical issues right before your virtual MBA interview. Minimize distractions – shut your door and windows, put devices on “do not disturb” and make sure your internet connection is stable so that you can channel all your focus to the conversation with the interviewer. The goal is to create the best, relaxed and focused environment for yourself as possible for your virtual MBA interview.
[/*][*]Background: According to MJ, Former Wharton Admissions Director, be careful of virtual backgrounds, depending on the video capabilities of your system, virtual backgrounds can place a strain on the system and make your head fade in and out. Rather, have a clean solid background with little or no distractions, preferably a clean light wall – this gives you the ability to “pop” out for your virtual MBA interview.
[/*][*]Lighting: Have good even lighting. The best is to sit in front of a window as natural light is the most flattering. If this is not possible, sit next to the window so the natural light is hitting one side of your face and then place a light (ideally a ring light, or an LED panel light) on the opposite side of your face. This helps even out the natural light and lessens the distracting shadows on your face. Avoid any bright lights behind you, or any direct sunlight or shadows on your face and background, this can be very distracting for your virtual MBA interview.
[/*][*]Sound: Make sure your sound is clean with little to no background noise. Close your windows, lock your doors and check your microphone settings to ensure good audible sound. Sound can be one of the most distracting factors if it is not clean during your virtual MBA interview. To ensure better sound, this video will help.
[/*][*]Camera angle: If you are using your laptop on your lap or on a desk, chances are the camera is looking up at you, not directly at you. You don’t want your interviewer looking into your nostrils - this is not a flattering angle for anybody! What to do to fix this before your virtual MBA interview? Just prop up your computer so that the camera angle is at eye level or slightly above your eyes. If you don’t have a laptop stand, you can simply do this by stacking a few books or a box underneath your laptop.
[/*][*]According to Karys, Yale SOM, Former Admissions Interviewer, try to emote a little bit more in your virtual MBA interview, as the camera does not pick-up non-verbal cues as well as in person. Hand motions can be great but be careful of too much as this can be distracting. Even though a video call will feel very different from an in-person MBA interview, a lot does stay the same. Your body language is still important and keeping a good posture is vital.
[/*][*]The camera is your friend. This especially helps if you are camera shy. Imagine your best friend is sitting behind your camera and wants to hear everything you have to say. So, speak clearly and concisely. Modulate how quickly you are speaking, take pauses at the correct times, and remember to smile and express your excitement. Your virtual MBA interview is after all a very exciting process, so have fun!
[/*][*]Dress up, make up and feel good. If you want a fully rounded great virtual MBA interview experience, you want to make sure every factor that you can control goes well. This factor being one of the most important ones. We as human-beings exude a subliminal confidence when we look and feel great. So make the effort for your virtual MBA interview too. An additional advantage - the camera will pick it up.
[/*][/list]With any interview, practice and planning are vital, but virtual interviews will require a bit more preparation technically. If you would like personalized help with your virtual MBA interview preparation, Amerasia Consulting offers mock interview preparation for a wide variety of schools.To discuss your MBA candidacy and/or interview preparation, please click here to set up an initial consultation with one of Amerasia’s talented MBA consultants and coaches.

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How to ace the HBS "further consideration" letter [#permalink]

13 Dec 2020, 11:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: How to ace the HBS "further consideration" letter

Need help tackling to write up your HBS "further consideration" letter? As Harvard Business School is entering its final stages of Round 1 and preparing for Round 2 (the Round 2 deadline is January 5th), HBS is offering an option to submit additional information to be considered when your candidacy is reviewed with the Round 2 applicant pool. This article is all about how to approach your HBS "further consideration" letter.
What are the criteria for the HBS “further consideration” letter?[*]This is an optional step. This additional information is not required when your application is reviewed in Round 2.
[/*][*]The Update Form will enable you to present additional information you would like to highlight since your application was submitted in Round 2 (limit words to 400 words).
[/*][*]HBS will only consider content you provide – they will not consider additional support letters from external parties.
[/*][*]The deadline for this letter is Friday, December 18th 2020. After this date, the form will no longer be available.
[/*][/list]Also, you may be considering attaching an updated resume along with your HBS "further consideration" letter, but HBS' preference would be to highlight any significant changes by uploading a document to the form itself instead of submitting a new resume.
So, how do you approach writing the HBS "further consideration" letter?Here are a few questions you should consider when deciding what is most relevant to cover in your waitlist update letter:
[*]What new projects have you done since submitting your application?
[/*][*]For every new project… what portions did you “lead?"
[/*][*]How were you staffed on these new projects?
[/*][*]Do these projects represent the “first of its kind” for you or the firm?
[/*][*]Who is going to benefit from your work?
[/*][*]What about the other stuff you do at work (like recruiting)?
[/*][*]Have you interacted with any HBS alumni since applying?
[/*][*]Also, have you taken over any responsibilities from senior colleagues who may have left the firm or the group?
[/*][*]Based on what you can say, position yourself as a pioneering leader.
[/*][*]Conclude by telling HBS that they are your first choice.
[/*][/list]All in all, this is not just an update on what you have been up to that is “significant.” It is an update on what is relevant to HBS. In other words, you have to consider if what you are saying aligns with what HBS is looking for in their applicants.
They want leaders. They want people who have a history of overcoming challenges and obstacles. They want people who are willing to push the limits and take smart risks. They want people who will do well in their learning environment. Read here for more specific information of what exactly HBS is looking for.
Lastly, and most importantly, try to keep the format of your HBS "further consideration" letter to a page. Make it look like a formal letter with a salutation and a closing. Good luck!
TO DISCUSS YOUR MBA CANDIDACY AND/OR LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO WRITE YOUR OWN HBS "FURTHER CONSIDERATION" LETTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SET UP AN INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF AMERASIA’S TALENTED MBA CONSULTANTS AND COACHES.

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How to go about the new Booth essay question #2 [#permalink]

18 Dec 2020, 22:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: How to go about the new Booth essay question #2

Chicago Booth has replaced its second essay question with a pre-interview video prompt for the 2020-2021 application cycle. Read further for advice on how to go about the new Booth essay question #2.
Essay question #2: "An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are." (250-word minimum)This new Booth essay question #2 is a prompt for you to share something much more personal, outside of your professional achievements, test scores and transcripts. Different from the first essay, where Booth is looking at your professional journey, goals, resume and recommendation letters. So, how do you go about this?
Be introspectiveAccording to a recent Poets&Quants article, in the new Booth essay question #2, Booth is looking for a glimpse of who you are outside of the workplace and who you are beyond your excellent track record. Krista Mcnamara, former admissions committee for Booth says, this question seeks “to learn what makes you “you” and how that has led to the decisions you’ve made and the directions you’ve chosen.”
Share your passion and enthusiasmFormer Chicago Booth Associate Dean, Bill Kooser, says the new Booth essay question #2, "is a chance to talk about something that is of real importance to you. It should not only provide an insight into what motivates or interests you, but make the admissions committee say ‘wow’ or ‘interesting!”
Explore all facets of Booth, as well as connect past experiences with future goalsAccording to Kooser, "The first essay is designed to assess whether you have a well thought out career plan and have a solid sense of what Booth is and does, but it doesn’t provide a lot of opportunity for you to showcase how you are different from other candidates." Kooser further states that the new Booth essay question #2, "is your chance to make the admissions committee want to know you better.” A good starting point would be by reflecting on the milestones and moments in your life that define your personal journey. Get introspective about what might set you apart from others.
Understand that your relevant and interesting experiences can compliment Booth’s culture and facultyKooser further says, “You should also think about what gets you most excited, where you spend your time, or what you talk about when you aren’t talking about work. Travel, hobbies, sports? The latest episode of the Queen’s Gambit? Why are those things important to you? How did you get involved?”
Convey what you bring to Booth and its communityKooser also emphasizes that if there’s something that’s important to you, it will be a relevant topic for your essay. “It’s a chance for your personality to shine through and demonstrate that you would be a great addition to what is sure to be an accomplished, diverse, and occasionally quirky class.”
All in all, capture your story and keep the admissions committee engaged in your new Booth essay question #2. Booth is looking to see your authentic self, don’t try to please the admissions committee by saying what you think they want to hear for new Booth essay question #2. They are not looking for anything specific apart from wanting to see you.For more on how to get into Chicago Booth, click this where Paul Lanzillotti presents his analysis of the Chicago Booth business school application.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO WRITE YOUR OWN NEW BOOTH ESSAY QUESTION #2. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SET UP AN INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF AMERASIA’S TALENTED MBA CONSULTANTS AND COACHES.

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Thoughts on the incoming 2021 HBS application [#permalink]

20 Dec 2020, 14:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: Thoughts on the incoming 2021 HBS application

Thoughts on the incoming 2021 HBS applicationIt’s been clear for years that Harvard Business School has been introducing ambiguity into their application process. Especially the HBS essay question. Is it intentional? It could be believed that it is, but even if not, it’s still a fact. Consider these three clues to help you navigate through your HBS application before the Round 2 deadline on January 5th, 2021.
[*]THE POST-INTERVIEW RESPONSE ASSIGNMENT in the HBS application[/*][/list]This is a type A person’s worst nightmare, not a comfortable assignment for the typical person who has made it as far as an HBS interview. A 24-hour window to complete the HBS application – restricting you from getting the feedback that you are accustomed to, vague instructions, hints suggesting it should be a little scruffy rather than polished.
It’s almost as if it’s a dare. How comfortable can you be in your own skin? Can you handle writing it up in a cool, calm and collected manner, or are you going to have a melt down? This is most probably what the admissions committee is looking for when reviewing this essay: evidence of stress.
When the HBS admissions committee sees something free, cool and confident, they are impressed. When they see something that came out of a stress ball implosion, they will think “next”.
2. THE UNUSUAL WAITLIST SCENARIO regarding the HBS applicationHBS will waitlist you, defer you to a later round, and ask you to hang around for months to get a result. It’s not usual, all schools have some sort of waitlist to control enrollment numbers. But what is unique about HBS? They don’t let you respond in any way. They even say on the waitlist, “do nothing”. Only respond if you don’t want to stay on the waitlist, and then don’t do anything.
It’s almost as if it’s another dare. Who can stay cool and just ride it out? When you flinch, when you panic, when you just can't resist sending an email. Or when you are having your boss/uncle/friend/ [insert whoever you think has clout at HBS] pitch a call in ... you’ve basically sabotaged the equanimity of your application.

3. OPEN-ENDED ESSAY QUESTION in the HBS applicationAs we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?
This HBS essay questionhas remained in place for years, and basically is the latest and greatest example of this ambiguous trend. Yes, it’s another dare. Are you able to follow their instructions? Can you resist repeating your resume? Will you resist telling them your entire life story? In short, can you step up with confidence and state something that they don’t already know that is worth sharing? It’s not easy, but absolutely essential.
No matter what format, length or content, the essay cannot have any hint of desperation. More specifically an essay with no confidence, control or assertive elegance will most probably go into the “next” pile. In contrast to this, essays that have a strong and simple thesis. Essays that have a strong sense of self-possession that comes through on the page. These essays will most probably go into the “potential” pile. It is the HOW it is being said that is more important than the WHAT is being said - this will generate good results.
If you are looking for help with the HBS application - or any other - email us at mba@amerasiaconsulting.com or click here. Quite frankly, we do this better than anyone out there and it's increasingly not close. So come have an initial consult and find out why for yourself.

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What are the MBA application readers looking for? [#permalink]

27 Dec 2020, 13:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: What are the MBA application readers looking for?

What are the MBA application readers looking for?As MBA school deadlines are around the corner, one vital part to keep in mind is who is reading your application? Read further to get into the mind of how MBA application readers think.One mistake MBA applicants make over and over again is misunderstanding their audience. There is so much to keep in mind when drafting up your winning MBA application package. But have you given a lot of thought as to who will actually be reading and analyzing your essays, short answers, resume and recommendation letters?When you are writing your MBA application, you probably think that dictating the essay about going to a top MBA program, you should direct it to an MBA crowd. This is a big pitfall. Did you know that most MBA application readers do not have an MBA themselves or never attended an MBA program? Keeping this in mind can help you communicate your story to the admissions committee in a much more efficient and effective way. Here are some practical tips to help you keep this in mind…
[*]Avoid too much jargon in your essays and resume[/*][/list]Adding too many fancy words, clichés, pontificate platitudes to impress the MBA application readers can make your application go south quickly. Un-tangling this mess of words can be burdensome. But when you put yourself in the shoes of the admissions committee, it becomes much clearer which is the right path.
[*]Understand how the admissions committee is constructed[/*][/list]Tens of thousands of applicants apply to top MBA schools every round. There is no practical way for these schools to read every package in its entirety. Therefore, the schools hire seasonal MBA application readers to help them narrow the pool. Consequently, every MBA package must hurdle its way through the ranks to get to the final round. Finally, a ranking member of the admissions committee will then read these selected applications. Seasonal MBA application readers are not in the least “unqualified”. Quite the opposite actually. Top MBA schools carefully select excellent communicators for these reader roles, but they very rarely have an MBA degree.
[*]You are applying to attend business school. You are not expected to write like you already have completed your business school degree.[/*][/list]So, MBA essay readers are looking for sincerity, honesty and insight into who you truly are. They are not impressed by clichéd business scenarios or an over-inflated resume. It’s definitely not required to dumb your application down. But the communication style of your story should rather be relatable to a layman. A person without a specialized knowledge of a particular industry or area. Even though, your MBA application reader could well have an MBA, they still might not have much information about your speciality.
[*]Do NOT submit the same resume you would usually submit for a job opportunity[/*][/list]Hiring companies, who are obviously experts in their industry, are absolutely looking for evidence. Evidence of a deep understanding and detailed insight of your specialty. Whereas, the MBA application readers are the complete opposite. They will most likely not know the first thing about what you have done. Or for that matter, what would be important or impressive to your boss. And unfortunately, nor do they care. The MBA application readers hired by the admissions committee are looking for skills which are transferable to the classroom. They are looking to see if you demonstrate teamwork savviness. And most importantly, they want to see an indication of leadership potential. Here are some great pointers for resuming control of your resume.
Our team at Amerasia Consulting can help you work through the temptation to over-flourish your essays and resume. It might just be the thing to get your application through those initial MBA application readers hoops.To find out more about your options and how we can help you with your business school application, email us at mba@amerasiaconsulting.com or contact us viahttps://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/contact.

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How to communicate effectively at your next MBA networking opportunity [#permalink]

29 Dec 2020, 16:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: How to communicate effectively at your next MBA networking opportunity

How to communicate effectively at your next MBA networking opportunity[*]Take the pressure off at your next MBA networking opportunity[/*][/list]We put so much pressure on ourselves to “make a natural connection” in such an unnatural setting. Be it on an alumni phone conversation or at an MBA networking happy-hour event. The nerves creep in and we forget it is natural to communicate. We forget there is an actual human being on the other side of the conversation.
Feel proud that you have this opportunity to meet new MBA contacts and build up your MBA network. According to Robin Roberts, a broadcast journalist with 30+ years of experience, who teaches the new Masterclass.com course on effective and authentic communication, says that you have earned to be there. "Walk into a conversation with your head held high, your confidence will come through – even if you’re nervous.”
2. Choose quality over quantity at your next MBA networking eventA full-time second year student at Rice Business, Kelly DeMoya, says the obstacle is not having enough time. “Strike that balance of making sure you hit the right people, but you also really need to network everywhere in a finite amount of time.”
Particularly at an MBA networking opportunity, Roberts emphasizes that the easiest way to be an effective communicator is to have a genuine interest in that person. And have a sincere concern for the person you are conversing with. What can you share with that particular person? And what are they comfortable enough and able to share with you? Find common ground in an empathetic and authentic way. The more authentic your conversation is, the more memorable you will be to that particular person.
3. Be prepared for your next MBA networking opportunityWhen recruiting for a post-MBA job or an MBA school: do your homework. Come into that conversation having studied up on the company or the school, and the person you are preparing to meet before the MBA networking event.
Let them feel that they are important enough to be researched on. Come in with ideas. Roberts goes on to say, “Because you’ve done your homework, you should have some creative and informed thoughts on what the company” (or school) “could be doing differently or additionally" and how you can help.
4. Know your outcome for the next MBA networking eventCome in asking questions and advice instead of coming in with the mindset of, “I need something from you." Consequently, this will take the pressure off further during your next MBA networking opportunity. Roberts goes on to say that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. Leave that conversation being as informed as possible about that particular position, be that your potential MBA school or post-MBA job. “Asking questions is another way to show you’ve read up on the company and care about what it does.”
According to Katie Chung, a full-time student at Rice Business, says a great question for example is, “What keeps your team members motivated?” Or “What constitutes growth in this particular position?” These types of questions will lead to a deeper conversation. This will eventually lead you to build up your rapport with your dream MBA school or ultimate job position. Know why you are there in the first place and keep the big picture in mind. Where to now, from here (after the conversation)?
5. Be yourself fully during your MBA networking opportunityBe present and have fun at your MBA networking event! The people you are networking with are in your industry, your city or potentially on your MBA team. These are people who can help you right now, and as a result, you can potentially help them one day. On that note, Chung states, “When you remember to be a human and put meaning behind your conversations who knows: your 20-minute coffee chat could lead to a lifelong career supporter and teammate.” You just never know.
Want to read more tips on networking? Here is a baker’s dozen tips for building a network which will pay dividends as you apply to business school, as you attend business school and as you dive into your post MBA career.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HELP WITH FURTHER MBA NETWORKING ADVICE CLICK HERE. QUITE FRANKLY, WE DO THIS BETTER THAN ANYONE OUT THERE AND IT'S INCREASINGLY NOT CLOSE. SO COME HAVE AN INITIAL CONSULT AND FIND OUT WHY FOR YOURSELF.

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2021 MBA New Year's Resolution Ideas [#permalink]

01 Jan 2021, 16:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: 2021 MBA New Year's Resolution Ideas

Ideas for your 2021 MBA New Year's ResolutionsHere we are yet again, the beginning of a new year. You're probably reading this in hopes of getting inspiration for your MBA New Year’s resolutions list – aspirations for how you’d like to live and grow in the next 12 months. Are you hoping to accomplish applying to business school this year?
The following seven MBA New Year's resolutions can inspire new goals or build on existing goals you might already have. Ultimately, when 2021 comes to a close, you will be able to look back and see the growth you’ve made: becoming your best version of a prospective MBA candidate.
1.    Become more informedAdd making an effort to read more articles or listen to more podcasts to your MBA New Year's resolutions list. Find 10 to 15 minutes a day to catch up on industry trends or best practices that can provide real-life applications and examples. Applications and examples that you can include in your MBA admissions package to further impress the MBA admissions committee. An added advantage, you will propel yourself forwards to be in the best light possible when contributing to a conversation.
2.    Incorporate project management into your MBA New Year’s resolutions routineCreate a plan for your MBA New Year's resolutions. Follow through on your MBA New Year's resolutions plan. Consequently, your MBA New Year's resolution results will be attained on time. Hopefully, you will have achieved the results you can be proud of. Take 2021 to start getting organized with the responsibilities you have and make an effective plan towards your MBA goals.
3.    Make one new professional MBA connection each monthIncluding this to your MBA New Year's resolutions list, means that you will have 12 new MBA networking connections at the end of 2021. Each individual you make contact with has the opportunity to be an MBA mentor, or someone who could provide a recommendation letter for your MBA application. Or even, someone who becomes a future business connection.
4.    Identify a strength you have and improve itContrary to the more traditional resolutions that encourage you to choose something brand new that you have to start from scratch. For your MBA New Year's resolutions list, rather choose a skill you already have and are good at. Make it your New Year’s resolution to build and improve upon it. By the end of the year, instead of being at an intermediate level with a new skill, you could be an expert with an existing skill.
5.    Identify a weakness you have and enhance itChoose something that you are not yet 100% comfortable with for your MBA New Year's resolutions list. In short, make it your goal to improve on this weakness specifically. Be that public speaking, networking, improving your GMAT score. By the end of 2021, your current weakness could well turn into your forte.
6.    Seek out extra certificationsThis year is the perfect time to add extra certifications to your MBA New Year's resolutions list. There are numerous free or low-cost certifications out there that can give you extra knowledge. Furthermore, it could make you a more attractive MBA candidate. For example, getting certified for Google Analytics, web coding, SEO even Twitters Flight School. In other words, this can increase both your confidence in your MBA application and the MBA admissions committee’s confidence in you.
7. Invest in self-careThis may seem a bit out of place for your 2021 MBA New Year's resolutions list, but this resolution may impact you beyond your business career and MBA educational journey. It is a well known fact that self-care ensures an all-around better quality of life. Basically, when you are functioning physically and mentally at your best, the results you produce will match.
Working consistently on improving yourself throughout the year will take time and effort. Consequently, this will prove to be beneficial for you not just with your MBA educational goals this year, but also in your future career.
May 2021 be a great year for you!
To find out more about your options and how we can guide your business school application process in the new year, contact us via https://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/contact

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How to make your MBA application package competitive for 2021 [#permalink]

25 Jan 2021, 23:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: How to make your MBA application package competitive for 2021

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to apply to your dream business school? Due to the pandemic, 2021 is expected to be one of the most competitive seasons yet. MBA applications have surged, and thus, the admissions committees will be more careful in the selection processes. So, the big question is: what can you do to stand out and make your MBA application package competitive?In a recent Business Insider article, business school experts spoke about how MBA applicants can work towards shaping the ideal MBA application package.
ENGAGING IN VIRTUAL MBA EVENTS TO MAKE YOUR MBA APPLICATION PACKAGE COMPETITIVEB-school coffee chats and MBA admissions Q&A’s have all shifted to a virtual space in response to the pandemic. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to be engaging and present at these MBA events to make your MBA application package competitive.
According to Soojin Kwon, managing director of the full-time MBA admissions and program at Michigan’s Ross says, “The best thing to do is listen, learn, and identify the aspects of the program or business school that resonate with you so that you can authentically talk about them in your application or interview, should there be an opportunity to do so.”
Nervous? Here are a few tips on how to communicate effectively at your next MBA networking opportunity. DEMONSTRATING QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS SKILLS TO MAKE YOUR MBA APPLICATION PACKAGE COMPETITIVEQuantitative skills are now more important than ever to make your MBA application package competitive. As many business schools waived the GMAT/GRE/TOEFL requirements this year. For the applicants who opted out of the standardized testing, it’s even more crucial to ensure your quantitative abilities stand out.
SHOWING RESILIENCE AND GROWTH TO MAKE YOUR MBA APPLICATION PACKAGE COMPETITIVELast year was a challenging year for everyone - take advantage of this. Share how you overcame these obstacles to further make your MBA application package competitive. You can easily do this in the essay section which gives you control of sharing your unique story.
According to Eric Askins, executive director of full-time MBA admissions at UC Berkeley’s Hass School of Business says, “The essays that are the most memorable for us are ones where candidates are willing to show us their true self — and particularly with COVID this year, that might include showing a vulnerability, a weakness, or a moment of growth.”
GIVE US A CHANCE TO HELP BRING OUT THE BEST YOU HAVE TO OFFER FOR THIS COMPETITIVE SEASON. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR CONSULTING SERVICES, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

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How to make your MBA application package competitive in 2021 [#permalink]

26 Jan 2021, 18:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: How to make your MBA application package competitive in 2021

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to apply to your dream business school? Due to the pandemic, 2021 is expected to be one of the most competitive seasons yet. MBA applications have surged, and thus, the admissions committees will be more careful in the selection processes. So, the big question is: what can you do to stand out and make your MBA application package competitive?In a recent Business Insider article, business school experts spoke about how MBA applicants can work towards shaping the ideal MBA application package.
ENGAGING IN VIRTUAL MBA EVENTS TO MAKE YOUR MBA APPLICATION PACKAGE COMPETITIVEB-school coffee chats and MBA admissions Q&A’s have all shifted to a virtual space in response to the pandemic. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to be engaging and present at these MBA events to make your MBA application package competitive.
According to Soojin Kwon, managing director of the full-time MBA admissions and program at Michigan’s Ross says, “The best thing to do is listen, learn, and identify the aspects of the program or business school that resonate with you so that you can authentically talk about them in your application or interview, should there be an opportunity to do so.”
Nervous? Here are a few tips on how to communicate effectively at your next MBA networking opportunity. DEMONSTRATING QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS SKILLS TO MAKE YOUR MBA APPLICATION PACKAGE COMPETITIVEQuantitative skills are now more important than ever to make your MBA application package competitive. As many business schools waived the GMAT/GRE/TOEFL requirements this year. For the applicants who opted out of the standardized testing, it’s even more crucial to ensure your quantitative abilities stand out.
SHOWING RESILIENCE AND GROWTH TO MAKE YOUR MBA APPLICATION PACKAGE COMPETITIVELast year was a challenging year for everyone - take advantage of this. Share how you overcame these obstacles to further make your MBA application package competitive. You can easily do this in the essay section which gives you control of sharing your unique story.
According to Eric Askins, executive director of full-time MBA admissions at UC Berkeley’s Hass School of Business says, “The essays that are the most memorable for us are ones where candidates are willing to show us their true self — and particularly with COVID this year, that might include showing a vulnerability, a weakness, or a moment of growth.”
GIVE US A CHANCE TO HELP BRING OUT THE BEST YOU HAVE TO OFFER FOR THIS COMPETITIVE SEASON. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR CONSULTING SERVICES, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

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PaulLanzillotti

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6 WAYS TO PUT YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO USE WITH YOUR MBA APPLICA [#permalink]

26 Jan 2021, 19:01

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FROM Amerasia MBA Blog: 6 WAYS TO PUT YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO USE WITH YOUR MBA APPLICATION DEADLINES

Are you using your time management skills to manage your MBA application deadlines?This month has been packed with multiple Round 2 business school application deadlines. How much stress with regards to time did you undergo? Let's discuss how you could manage your future MBA application deadlines effectively.
You’ve most likely chosen a diverse range of schools from aspirational to safety schools. Most of these business schools have submission deadlines within days from each other.
1.  MAKE A CALENDAR OF THE MBA APPLICATION DEADLINES: INCLUDE DATES AND TIMES IN THE CORRECT TIME ZONEAs soon as you’ve chosen your MBA target schools, make a calendar. Include the MBA school submission due dates as well as the times relevant in your time zone. This will save you a lot of headache when you reach that last-minute crunch time moment. Then work yourself backwards from the submission due date. Decide when to set smaller realistic deadlines for recommendation letters, resumes and so on. Keep in mind, leave yourself plenty of time. It is generally considered to rather defer and application, than it is to submit something that is not ready.
2.  YOU DON’T HAVE TO ATTACK THE EARLIEST MBA APPLICATION DEADLINE FIRSTAttacking the business school with the earliest deadline might not be the right approach. Most applicants prefer to grind on their dream business school first, no matter what the deadline. Others prefer to start working on their safety MBA schools. Having the intention of knowing their story will become more refined after a couple of applications. Whatever the approach you take, keep in mind that it’s not just the MBA application deadline you should focus on. You should also focus on the effort that is required to produce the best quality MBA application.
3.  MANAGING YOUR RECOMMENDERS FOR YOUR MBA APPLICATION DEADLINES IS VERY IMPORTANTApart from the final submission deadline, managing your recommenders is another very important deadline to focus on. This is essentially the only part of your application that is out of your control. Start early to reach out to your recommenders, and chart out when to schedule follow up emails and revised recommendation letters.
4.  GIVE YOURSELF MINI-ARTIFICIAL DEADLINES TO TACKLE YOUR MAIN MBA APPLICATION DEADLINEGive yourself artificial deadlines to complete the work you have to finish on your own. If you are writing your own essays, fetching your own transcripts and visiting schools, set yourself a goal by which you want to finish these tasks. If you let yourself get behind on your schedule, you will become overwhelmed. This will result in crossing out schools from your list and in turn, decrease your opportunities to get into your potential MBA schools.
5.  BE FLEXIBLE WHEN WORKING WITH A CONSULTANT – THIS IS A TWO-WAY STREETIf you are working with a consultant, let them guide you how to manage your deadlines effectively. This can be very helpful keeping you on track and on schedule. You should also try be open-minded to adjusting a timeline with your consultant. This can only benefit you if the outcome means producing better quality work. Stay open-minded with the smaller self-imposed deadlines you set for yourself too. Remember this is a two-way street. Give your consultant enough time to produce the best possible work. At the end of the day, this will only benefit you and your chances of getting into your dream business school.
6.  DON’T WAIT FOR CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS TO HIT YOU TO START WORKING ON YOUR MBA APPLICATIONSLastly, try not to wait for the creative inspiration to hit you in order to work on your applications. Sometimes it is great to wait for those creative bursts but doing things only when you feel like it is very risky. After all, this is not how business school works, the sooner you get used to it, the better.
To find out more about your options and how we can guide your business school application process, contact us via https://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/contact

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6 WAYS TO PUT YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO USE WITH YOUR MBA APPLICA [#permalink]

26 Jan 2021, 19:01