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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Michigan Ross MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
The Michigan Ross MBA program is thriving. Its graduates are getting jobs throughout the United States and the world. Here are a few of the stats:
There’s opportunity in these numbers. The Michigan Ross MBA program is a fantastic option that is slightly easier to get into than other top programs. In this post: Michigan Ross MBA essays: 2022-23 application tips Ross kept the basic structure and essays that it had last year with one more significant change in its career goals essay, as you’ll see below. A career goals essay combined with short answer questions that provide a little bit of choice characterize the Ross application. The short answer questions give you the means to paint a unique, multi-dimensional picture of yourself and also to provide the Ross admissions committee with insight into “your values and what you would add to the Michigan Ross community.” Keep that goal in mind as you respond. Use your responses to provide context for events described elsewhere and perspective on your values and your ability to contribute while at Ross and beyond. Remember, the application is a way for the admissions committee to meet you. Michigan Ross MBA application short-answer questions: Part 1 Select one prompt from each group of the two groups below. Respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or less (<100 words each; 200 words total). While I wish Ross would have given you more room to answer these questions, make the most of what you’ve got. For the short answers, you’re going to have to ask yourself which prompt most speaks to you. Answer the question in each group that is easiest for you to answer and that allows you to present events and experiences that complement each other and the information provided in other parts of the application. You want to minimize repetition and overlap. Ross hasn’t labeled the groups thematically. It seems to me that Group 1 is an opportunity for you to talk about something you’re proud of — your identity or a contribution you made. Group 2 relates to handling a difficult experience or situation and your resilience. Again, choose the individual questions that allow you to present yourself best to show that you “stand out” as Ross instructs at the top of the page. Both groups ask for a behavioral response, where you discuss one experience or situation and reflect on it. You don’t have room for more. Think a lot about what you want Ross to know about you as you choose the questions to answer. The question tells you what they want to know. Now answer it in such a way that allows you to tell them what you want them to know. Group 1:
Group 2:
Given the 100-word limit on each response to these behavioral questions, describe the incident or situation and succinctly analyze it in terms of the prompt. For example, why do you “want them to know” about X (Group 1, #1) or why were you humbled or out of your comfort zone (Group 2, #1-2). Michigan Ross MBA application short-answer questions: Part 2 Pick one thing from your resume and tell us more. (100 words) Choose an item that you’re proud of. Perhaps an item where you led or empowered teammates to achieve, but the bullet point did not give you room to go into the interpersonal challenges and triumph. Perhaps there were unusual resource constraints that your bullet point couldn’t bring out and your leadership, organizational skills, and initiative were crucial to success. Obviously with 100 words, you don’t have space to be verbose or repetitive. Tell them something they don’t know in those 100 words. Part 3: Career goal What is your short-term goal? (25 words) What do you want to do post-MBA and in what industry do you want to do it? If you have something you want to achieve in the short-term, include it, but if you don’t have it, don’t force it. Why is this the right short-term career goal for you? (150 words) These reasons for your short-term goal could include:
Those are just a few ideas. You can come up with others. While this is the longest Ross essay, it is still only 150 words. Make every word count. Michigan Ross optional statement Is there something in your resume or application that could use some explanation? You might want to discuss the completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate. Use this statement if necessary to provide context for circumstances that affected your performance or that may lead admissions readers to the wrong conclusion about your abilities. Ross doesn’t provide a word limit, but keep it short. For expert guidance with your Michigan Ross MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too! Michigan Ross 2022-23 application deadlines Application DeadlineDecisions ReleasedRound 1September 19, 2022December 9, 2022Round 2January 8, 2023March 17, 2023Round 3April 3, 2023May 5, 2023 *All applications are due by 11:59pm ET on the date listed. International students can apply in any round, but are encouraged to apply in Round 1 or 2 to allow sufficient time for visa processing. ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Source: Michigan Ross website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] Michigan Ross MBA class of 2023 profile Here is a look at the Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2023, taken from the Michigan Ross website. Class Size: 398 Female: 46% International: 28% Race and Ethnicity (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents):
Mean GPA: 3.53 Average GMAT Score: 722
Average GRE Verbal Score: 160 Average GRE Quant Score: 160 Are you a competitive applicant at your dream school? Check out the B-School Selectivity Index! >> Average Years of Work Experience: 5 Industry Backgrounds:
Applying to business school? We have the resources to help you navigate the options and make the right choice for you:
Is Ross at the top of your wish list? Get the competitive edge with Ross-specific advice and inside information:
Do you need help gaining admission to Michigan Ross or any other top MBA program? That’s what we do! Explore our MBA Admissions Consulting Services and work one-on-one with an experienced admissions advisor who will help you GET ACCEPTED. By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Stanford GSB MBA Application Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023], Class Profile |
In terms of its application, Stanford is once again re-using its essay questions. And there’s good reason for the recycling: Stanford has excellent questions that succinctly get to the heart of what Stanford wants to know about you. They are not easy questions to answer, but they are thoughtful, probing ones. A few years ago, Stanford GSB also added optional short answer questions to its application. In a recent webinar with Kirsten Moss, she emphasized that the optional essays are truly optional. Stanford last year admitted students who wrote the optional essays and those who did not. You’ll see that sentiment echoed in GSB’s instructions. I definitely believe that Stanford intends them to be genuinely optional. You should write the optional essays if you have experiences not presented in the required essays, that address the optional questions and that will reinforce the portrayal of you as a change agent and consequential member of your community, however you define that community. And most of us are members of multiple communities. If you have nothing to add, write nothing. However, I suspect most applicants will benefit by responding to the optional questions. Give GSB more reasons to admit you. Stanford gives a lot of advice and guidance on its website as to what it’s looking for in the essays. You should access that advice in addition to reviewing my suggestions below. In this post: Stanford GSB 2022-23 MBA application essay questions Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done. Other parts of the application give insight to your academic and professional accomplishments; the essays reveal the person behind those achievements. We request that you write two personal essays. In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, aims, and dreams. There is no “right answer” to these questions—the best answer is the one that is truest for you. Stanford MBA Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives? This superficially straightforward question has been Stanford’s first for at least the last seventeen years, but it is actually one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, MBA essay questions to answer. Superficial responses will fail. The prompt demands introspection. Before you put finger to keyboard or pen to paper, really reflect on what you value, how you have acted upon those principles, and why you live by them. Stanford’s advice urges reflection. The question requires it. When I reflect on our many successful Stanford clients, initiative in the face of need is the common thread among them. They are always the ones who showed, especially in Essay A, that they do not turn away when they see a problem or need for action. They seize the initiative when faced with an opportunity to contribute. They are comfortable expressing emotion and their values, and their actions reflect both, but particularly the latter. Think purpose-driven, principled lives and leadership. More than anything else, initiative and self-awareness characterize the successful Stanford MBA applicant. Implication: You have to know your values and those times you have acted upon them. Yes I wrote that a few seconds ago, but it bears repeating. Climbing Mt. Everest or suffering from terrible social ills is not a requirement of admission, but you do have to know the person occupying your skin. Stanford MBA Essay B: Why Stanford? Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs. Two words. That’s it. Now that question is succinct, and really says what they want to know. Two pieces of information are required to answer this question well: A clear MBA goal and an in-depth understanding of Stanford GSB’s curriculum. (Folks: It’s not the ranking, brand, or location.) This question is a variation of a standard MBA goals question. For this forward-looking question, discuss why you want an MBA from Stanford. The best way to do so is in terms of your desired post-MBA professional direction. Then explain how specifically Stanford’s highly customizable program will help you travel down that path. Do your homework. You need to know what are the distinctive characteristics of the Stanford MBA program, or you simply can’t answer the question. Understand the flexibility inherent in Stanford’s curriculum, its integrated approach to management education, its entrepreneurial culture, and how all these elements (and others) will help you learn what you need to know to realize your aspirations. Recognize that the curriculum allows for personalization based on your goal and your past experience, specifically your previous business education. Please do NOT write that you want to attend Stanford because of “the flexibility inherent in Stanford’s curriculum, its integrated approach to management, its entrepreneurial culture….” That phrasing is too general for your specific reasons (and besides the Stanford adcom can google the phrase if they see it too often and see that you found it here). Go deeper and be more distinctive in your writing so that you really tie your goals to different facets of Stanford’s MBA program. Length Both essays combined may not exceed 1,050 words. We recommend up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B. We often find effective essays that are written in fewer words. Additional information If there is any information that is critical for us to know and is not captured elsewhere, include it in the “Additional Information” section of the application. Pertinent examples include:
This section is not meant to be used as an additional essay. Is there something significant, or “critical” in Stanford’s words that you would like Stanford to know about as they evaluate your application and that isn’t included elsewhere? It could be context for an academic dip or blemish. It could be a challenge you overcame. It could be an achievement not provided elsewhere, or an experience that you are proud of and believe will enhance your candidacy. If so, use this additional information section to succinctly tell that part of your story. Stanford MBA optional short-answer questions In this section, we provide an optional opportunity for you to discuss some of your contributions more fully. What do we mean by “optional”? We truly mean you have the opportunity to choose. If you feel that you’ve already described your contributions well in other areas of the application, congratulations, you’re done! If not, feel free to use this opportunity to tell us more. Optional short-answer question In the Essays section of the application, we ask you to tell us about who you are and how you think Stanford will help you achieve your aspirations. We are also interested in learning about the things you have done that are most meaningful to you. If you would like to go beyond your resume to discuss some of your contributions more fully, you are welcome to share up to three examples. (Up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example) Question: Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? I think this question gets to the heart of the initiative, impact, and leadership we’ve seen in successful Stanford applicants. It gives you more opportunity to show those times when you’ve made a difference. While the question is optional, Stanford wants people of impact. Show the Stanford GSB that you are that kind of person. All the essays should lead Stanford to that conclusion. Using a CAR approach with each example would be very effective for these short responses: Challenge: What was the situation or issue you were addressing? Action: What did you do? Result: What was the impact of your actions on you and others and why does it matter? Given the character limit, you clearly need to be concise. Personal Information, Activities and Awards: Optional question In this section, we provide an optional opportunity for you to discuss your background more fully and how it has shaped your perspective. We know that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories. Please feel free to elaborate on how your background or life experiences have helped shape your recent actions or choices- (up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words). This question is about your identity. It’s about getting to know you and what motivates you. How has that identity, that core of who you are, that core of most significant influences and experiences expressed itself in your recent actions? There are so many ways to approach this question, but you have so little room. You can start with a specific experience or an element of your background that was highly influential and that you want to discuss. Briefly tell that story, and then discuss how it shaped your behavior or decisions. Alternatively, you could start with the outcome of that experience and then discuss what molded you to behave or think in that way. If you choose to answer this short question, make sure it adds to the reader’s knowledge of you. Don’t merely repeat what’s in other parts of your application. Stanford GSB at a glance Stanford GSB average GMAT score: 738 Stanford GSB average GPA: 3.78 Stanford GSB acceptance rate: 6.2% U.S. News ranked Stanford GSB #3 in 2023 Check out the B-School Selectivity Index for more stats. For expert guidance with your Stanford GSB MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to Stanford’s MBA program and look forward to helping you too! Stanford GSB 2022-23 MBA application timeline RoundApplication DeadlineDecisions Released1September 13, 2022December 8, 20222January 5, 2023March 30, 20233April 11, 2023May 25, 2023 Your completed application, including your letters of reference and application fee payment, is due at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on the deadline date for the round in which you apply. Source: Stanford GSB website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Stanford MBA Class of 2023 Profile Here’s a look at the Stanford Class of 2023, taken from the Stanford Graduate School of Business website: Applicants: 7,367 New students: 426 Women: 44% US students of color: 48% International students: 47% International student community is comprised of:
Countries represented: 63 Languages spoken: 66 US students Federal GuidelinesMulti-Identity ReportingAmerican Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander0%2%Asian (including Indian subcontinent and Philippines)23%30%Black/African-American (including Africa and Caribbean)5%10%Hispanic/Latino12%12%Multi-Race7%White (including Middle Eastern)49%61%Declined to identify race and ethnic background2%2% Undergraduate field of study Engineering25%Economics22%Business & Commerce15%Social Sciences15%Math & Sciences14%Arts & Humanities8% Average GPA: 3.78 First generation in their family to graduate from a four-year college or university: 12% Hold advanced degrees: 19% US institutions: 75 Non-US institutions: 89 Average years work experience: 4.8 Industry Investment Management, PE & VC20%Consulting19%Technology16%Government, Education & Nonprofit8%Health Care8%Arts, Media & Entertainment6%Consumer Products & Services5%Military5%Manufacturing4%Clean Tech, Energy & Environmental3%Real Estate2%Financial Services1%Other3% Organizations represented: 315 Test scores
*Some students submitted both GMAT and GRE scores. More resources for GSB applicants Not sure that Stanford is the place for you? If you are in the research stage, these resources can help guide you:
To hear about life at Stanford GSB from the mouths of real students, listen to these podcast interviews:
Have you decided that Stanford GSB is your top choice? The road to acceptance isn’t easy, but check out this link for pro tips on crafting your stand-out GSB application:
For an overview of the Stanford Knight–Hennessy Scholars Program and tips from an expert on getting accepted, check out Applying to the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: Everything You Need to Know. Wherever you decide to apply, you will need a stand-out application, extraordinary essays, and incredible interview skills. Our expert admissions consultants will work with you one-on-one to make sure you present your best self. Check out our MBA Services Packages and get on the road to being ACCEPTED! By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! The post Stanford GSB MBA Application Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023], Class Profile appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog. |
FROM Accepted.com Blog: Chicago Booth MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
The two required questions have 250-word minimums. While specifying MBA essay length minimums is very unusual, it fits with Booth’s history of breaking the mold. At the same time, don’t infer that the absence of a maximum is a license for verbosity. As Booth says, “We trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be.” Do use your best judgement, otherwise you will be showing a different kind of judgement. And you really don’t want to do that. Chicago Booth MBA application question #1 How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.) In order to answer this question you need to know three things:
To answer the question, you can start with a seminal experience, preferably an achievement that shaped your goals and aspirations. Tell a story about this experience and describe what you learned from it and how it has influenced you and your short- and long-term goals. Then talk about Booth. Look at the curriculum, strengths, career placement, and extracurricular activities that support your ambitions. Alternatively, start with the achievement of your goal — you can try using a day-in-the-life approach — then flash back and tell the story of that seminal experience and how it and Booth prepared you for the future day that started your essay. A few years ago I attended the AIGAC conference, hosted for one morning by Chicago Booth. During the informative sessions at Booth, the admissions committee members made clear that they are looking for students who demonstrate self-awareness and direction. They want to read your application and see, based on what you’ve done, that you’re going to make a mark on the world. Write this essay so that it shows both self-awareness and your ability to make that mark. Chicago Booth MBA application 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. (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.) This question was added a couple of years ago and is a real getting to know you kind of question. What do you like to do in your spare time? Why does it appeal to you? Introduce yourself outside the office. And if you can show yourself in a growth mode, do so. You could approach this essay with a goal that you’re trying to achieve and the steps you’re taking to achieve it. The possibilities are endless: running a marathon, painting a certain painting, learning a musical instrument, acquiring fluency in a foreign language prior to international travel, contributing to a cause you believe in, etc. You could approach this essay by starting with your motivation for assuming this challenge or simply you doing what you enjoy doing. Tell a story about the experience and then explore why it’s significant to you. What does it say about you? Chicago Booth MBA additional information question Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (Maximum 300 words.) This is a restrictive optional question. Booth is really asking only for information that will clarify something that is unclear, like a drop in grades one semester or a period of unemployment, or why your current supervisor is not writing your letter of recommendation. This question, unlike the required questions, does have a word limit. Respect it. Chicago Booth MBA reapplicant question Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words.) The answer to this question is critical for MBA reapplicants, and it’s different from most reapplication essays in that it’s more about your perspective than what you’ve done. Chicago wants to see growth and development. Same old, same old got you a ding last time and probably will again this time. Let this brief essay show a maturation and evolution of your goals and reasons for wanting to attend Chicago Booth. Let it also reveal that you meet Chicago’s criteria better this year than last. You’ve just made a smart investment of time in reading this blog post. Now you’re one step closer to submitting the kind of application that can lead to acceptance at one of the most prestigious programs in the country. Why not make the next smart investment and consider one of our consulting packages? We have helped thousands of qualified applicants get to “YES” from the adcoms. Click here to learn about how we can be there for you, too. CREATE A SUCCESSFUL BOOTH APPLICATION >> Chicago Booth 2022-23 MBA application deadlines Submission DeadlineDecision Notification DateRound 1September 22, 2022 11:59 p.m. CSTDecember 1, 2022Round 2January 5, 2023 11:59 p.m. CSTMarch 23, 2023Round 3April 11, 2023 11:59 p.m. CSTMay 25, 2023Chicago Booth ScholarsApril 11, 2023 11:59 p.m. CSTJune 15, 2023 Source: Chicago Booth website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Chicago Booth MBA class of 2023 profile Here’s a look at the Chicago Booth Class of 2023, taken from the Chicago Booth website: Length of program: 21 months Accepted job offers within 3 months of graduation (2021 grads): 96.4% Student-led groups: 70+ Leadership effectiveness and development (LEAD): 1 required course Qualified work experience (summer internship or other): 1 required Concentrations: 13 Number of courses per quarter: 3–4 Class size: 620 Average GPA: 3.54
Are you a competitive applicant at your dream school? Check out the B-School Selectivity Index! >> International students: 38.9%
US minority students: 44.2% Average student age: 28 Female students: 42.3% Average work experience: 5 years GMAT scores
GRE scores
Breakdown of undergraduate majors MajorPercentBusiness27.4%Economics23.5%Engineering23.8%Liberal arts11.6%Physical sciences8.6%Other5% Breakdown of pre-MBA industry IndustryPercentConsulting23%Financial services20%Technology12%Nonprofit / Government11%Private Equity / Venture Capital7%Healthcare5%Consumer Products4%Energy3%Manufacturing2%Other13% Breakdown of geographic representation Geographic AreaPercentUnited States61.1%Asia15.9%Central/South America and Mexico13.1%Europe4.3%Canada2.6%Middle East1.5%Africa1.3%Other0.5% More resources for Booth applicants Are you considering applying to business school? We have the resources to help you navigate the options and make the right choice for you:
Is Chicago Booth at the top of your wish list? Get the competitive edge with actionable advice and inside information:
Do you need help gaining admission to Chicago Booth or any other top MBA program? That’s what we do! Explore our MBA Admissions Consulting Services and work one-on-one with an experienced admissions adviser who will help you GET ACCEPTED. By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! The post Chicago Booth MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog. |
FROM Accepted.com Blog: Cornell Johnson College of Business MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
If you are looking for a small MBA class in an idyllic location with warm and genuine classmates, then Cornell Johnson may be your program. While Johnson places the largest portion of its class in the financial industry after graduation (36% of the class of 2021), 27% entered the consulting industry, 17% joined the technology industry, and 6% went into consumer products, which is a diversity of industries that reflects the strong quant, analytical, and marketing curricula of the school. Cornell’s class of approximately 300 students is known to be close knit and collaborative. Most first-year students choose to spend their second semester in an Immersion Experience, a unique combination of course and field work that positions them to thrive in their summer internships. Below are Johnson’s essay questions and the admissions office’s guidance, followed by my tips. Cornell Johnson MBA goals statement Use this short-answer section to succinctly share your short- and long-term goals. If you’re invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to elaborate on your statement further, and you should be prepared to connect your prior experience with your future aspirations. Goals Statement Prompt: A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your steps during the MBA program and experience. To the best of your understanding today, please share your short and long term goals by completing the following sentences and answering the enclosed short answer question (350 words maximum): Immediately post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) [Role] at [Company] within [Industry]. Targeted Job Role: Target Job Company: Industry: In 5–10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) [Role] at [Company] within [Industry]. Targeted Job Role: Target Job Company: Industry: How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals? If your goal immediately after graduating from Johnson is not deemed possible by the Admissions office, then you might as well not bother finishing the application. No applicant will be accepted if their short-term goal is unachievable. Admitting a student with unrealistic, if not unachievable, goals at the very least will ruin Johnson’s placement rating, but at worst it could potentially leave a graduate in a great deal of debt and little or no means to repay it. Speak to current students and recent graduates to hear about the recruiting process, positions available, and the qualifications, if any, that students must have to enter your field of interest, Then, use this essay space to share one or two examples from your prior experience that demonstrate that you have those skills. Discuss how these skills and experiences will help you perform particularly well in your desired future role. Cornell Johnson impact essay This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. To help you explore your potential for impact, we encourage you to engage with our students, alumni, faculty, and professional staff before submitting your application. You may choose to connect with them via email or phone or in person during one of our on-campus or off-campus events. As you seek their input and insight, please be respectful of their time and prepare a few discussion points or questions in advance. Impact Essay Prompt: At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite MBA community? (350 words maximum) The best answers to this essay question don’t solely focus on the impact you hope to make at Cornell Johnson and beyond but rather share how your background and previous impacts have prepared you to make this future impact. To prove you will be an engaged community member in Ithaca and your future career, you will need to show in what other environments you have been such a member in the past. Use this essay to demonstrate your knowledge of the Cornell community and how you plan to immerse in it. Cornell Johnson MBA optional essay (required for reapplicants) You may use this essay to call attention to items needing clarification and to add additional details to any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson (350 words maximum). If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application and candidacy since the last time you applied for admission. Please also review our Application Guide for additional information about reapplying (350 words maximum). If you are a reapplicant, use this space to demonstrate that you have made considerable efforts to improve your candidacy: you have improved your GMAT score, taken on more leadership roles, reached out to more Cornell staff and students to understand the program and how you will fit into it, and/or researched your career goals in greater depth. If you are a first-time applicant, then you should use this space to address any issue that you feel the application left unaddressed. For example, if you feel your grades require some explanation, if you have an employment gap, or if you have chosen a non-traditional recommender for any reason, this is the space to explain. Park Leadership Fellows Program Essay (optional, Two-Year MBA only) The Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows Program is a two-year, full-tuition fellowship award for Two-Year MBA candidates in Ithaca who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and who are committed to making an impact within their communities. Each year, fellowships are awarded to up to 25 incoming students with the expectation that they will participate in additional leadership and personal development activities outside of our regular curriculum, serve in leadership roles within the school, and complete a public service project by the time they graduate. The Park Fellowship is only available to U.S. citizens applying for the Two-Year MBA program. The Park Leadership Fellowship aims to bring a strong contingent of socially responsible leaders to Johnson. With up to 25 Park Fellowships to provide each year, that means that nearly 9% of the class will earn this award (and since 65% of the class are U.S. citizens, that means that up to approximately one-fourth of them may earn this full sponsorship of their two-year MBA!). The best essays will not only share a story of leadership but one in which gaining that leadership role was somewhat difficult, for example leading volunteers or people outside of your organization. Of course, your story also needs to demonstrate a clear impact on your community as well, ideally a lasting one. Johnson at Cornell at a glance Cornell MBA average GMAT score: 704 Cornell MBA average GPA: 3.34 Cornell MBA acceptance rate: 29.5% U.S. News ranked Cornell Johnson #15 in the 2023 rankings. Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats. You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Cornell Johnson application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today! Johnson at Cornell MBA application deadlines 2022-2023 One-Year MBA: October RoundOctober 11, 2022January RoundJanuary 5, 2023RollingMarch 7, 2023 Two-Year MBA: September Round September 22, 2022Consortium Early Application October 15, 2022 Consortium Traditional Application January 5, 2023January Round January 10, 2023April RoundApril 11, 2023 Source: Cornell Johnson website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** By Jennifer Bloom, admissions consultant at Accepted for 20 years and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). She is an expert at guiding you to produce application materials that truly differentiate you from the rest of the driven applicant pool. If you would like help with your application, Jennifer can suggest a number of options that work with any budget. Want Jennifer to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Indiana Kelley MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
These questions are a straightforward mix of professional and personal. The adcom wants assurance that you have a clear professional focus and a solid plan for making productive use of the Kelley MBA resources. Beyond that, they’re looking for engaging applicants who are willing to share their life experiences and understand what they can contribute. Strive for balance and coherence among the essays overall: use them to present different facets of your character while avoiding contradictory qualities (i.e., you can be a bold risk-taker in one and a tender-hearted soul in another, but not a bold risk-taker in one and overly cautious in another). Indiana Kelley 2022-2023 MBA application essays Kelley MBA essay question #1 Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (500 words) This question encourages you to present your goals in the context of your experience and to integrate your MBA plans with both. With only 500 words, be selective and strategic about what points from your career to discuss. Also, the question specifies short-term goals. While it would be fine to add a sentence or so about longer-term goals or overall career vision, keep your goals discussion focused on the same time frame the question focuses on: immediately post-MBA. This question is asking for linkages among your experience, your short-term goals, and your anticipated MBA experience, so make an essay plan or outline that forms an integrated message out of these elements. In answering the last point, continue the linkage approach: the alternatives you identify should build on your experience in some way and be consistent with your expressed career interests. Show that you are adaptable and strategic, informed about the options, and resourceful in your thinking. Kelley MBA essay question #2 Please respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words max) a. My greatest memory is… b. I’m most afraid of… c. My greatest challenge has been… d. I’m most proud of… Consider which question will give you the best avenue to both (a) round out your profile and (b) showcase an interesting and relevant aspect of your life and/or experience. Once you decide on a topic and question, write this short essay in mini-story format. Sometimes the story itself will convey the message and/or insight, sometimes you may want to add a concluding sentence with this information. And be sensitive to the tone and presentation of the question – it really is asking for something engaging, meaningful, and lively. Kelley MBA essay question #3 Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words max) Your topic selection here should balance the topic in essay 2 and reflect another aspect of you. Also, if you choose an older story above, make this one more recent. (It’s fine to have them both be recent, but not great to have them both from far in the past.) Kelley MBA essay question #4 (Optional) Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your essays and credentials represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question. (300 words max) This question first and foremost invites you to explain anything that needs explaining (e.g., gap in employment, choice of recommender if not a direct supervisor, etc.). As far as unnecessary points, that last phrase is a polite warning that anything extra must be pretty darn important. For expert guidance with your Indiana Kelley MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too! Indiana Kelley at a glance Kelley MBA average GMAT score: 679 Kelley MBA average GPA: 3.33 Kelley MBA acceptance rate: 31.5% U.S. News ranked Indiana Kelley #22 in 2023 Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats. Indiana Kelley 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines FirstOctober 15SecondJanuary 5ThirdMarch 1FinalApril 15 Source: Indiana Kelley website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: MIT Sloan Fellows Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022-2023] |
In my two-decades plus of assisting MIT Sloan Fellows applicants (successes every year!), I have seen that the adcom values applicants who, among other things, demonstrate consistent, outstanding impact; are on track to become leaders in their company and even in their industry; and bring to the table a point of view and bold yet nuanced, perceptive verbal expression. While your application as a whole will convey these points about you, the cover letter and video statement present ideal opportunities to make the case affirmatively, directly, and vividly, with examples and details strategically chosen to amplify desired qualities, experiences, and messages. Optimizing your MIT Sloan Fellows cover letter and video statement Use the cover letter and video to convey fit with MIT Sloan’s enduring emphasis on admitting students who will be proactive, innovative leaders and agents of change. These items together should create a vibrant, multifaceted view of your candidacy: • The cover letter serves as a lens, sets the context for understanding your candidacy, and, through the requested examples, delves (albeit briefly) into your experience. • The video essay is your chance to show your fit with your prospective classmates, your understanding of what value you bring to them, and your social and emotional IQ. This last is important because the adcom wants people who, while being amazing in multiple ways, also can connect with people. Sloan Fellows students are expected to contribute substantially and distinctively among highly accomplished peers. MIT Sloan Fellows cover letter This global leadership development program is a 12-month, full-time executive MBA program designed to prepare an elite group of global mid-career managers with the management skills necessary to magnify their impact as leaders and innovators. Our guiding principles are to help you develop critical skills essential for future leaders; to instill a spirit of innovation through exceptional opportunities at Sloan and across MIT; to foster a deep spirit of community among fellows; to provide a breadth of electives and depth through one-on-one relationships with senior faculty; and to offer a flexible curriculum to allow you to tailor the program to meet your specific professional objectives. We accomplish this by maintaining a foundation in our three pillars of: leadership, innovation and global perspective. Taking the above into consideration please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan Fellows MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or less). Let’s break this question into two parts: 1. Your fit with the program. This part may include a brief summary of your professional goals (note that the question does NOT specifically ask about goals so don’t overdo this component) in order to contextualize “fit.” This fit should encapsulate aspects of the program’s unique character; be specific about why they are important for you in the future. In addressing this future, frame it more in terms of what you want to achieve, what impact you desire to have, not so much on things like job title. 2. Examples that show you meet the desired criteria. MIT is always interested in what you’ve done (action, not talk), so present 1 or 2 specific examples (at least one fairly recent) of your actions that reflect the stated criteria. Use these examples strategically: selecting ones that let you zoom in on notable, relevant aspects of your experience, expertise, and/or character. MIT Sloan Fellows video statement Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here’s your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can’t wait to meet you! Videos should adhere to the following guidelines: • No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length • Single take (no editing) • Speaking directly to the camera • Do not include background music or subtitles First, keep your dual audience in mind: the hypothetical future classmates AND the very real adcom. You need to personally engage the former while also enhancing your candidacy for the latter. Your future classmates will not know your resume, so feel free to sketch your professional portrait but in a way that adds value for the adcom, and keep it short. Do discuss a non-work point or two – something that helps “your personality shine through.” It could be a compelling formative experience, unique geographic or cultural background, important avocation or activity, etc. Think about (a) what will differentiate and distinguish you, and (b) what will represent a contribution in some way. If you aren’t accustomed to doing video presentations, practice and put some effort into visual elements like background and lighting. Keep the background simple, clean, and uncluttered. Have the light somewhere behind the camera and shining on you. MIT Sloan Fellows optional short answer question Applicants are invited to expand on their background by responding to the following optional 250 word short answer question: How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your identity. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background. This question is truly optional; applicants will not be evaluated more positively or negatively should they choose to respond. This is an opportunity for you to share more about yourself with the Admissions Committee, should you choose to do so. This optional essay question differs from most such questions, which direct applicants to use the optional essay to explain things like gaps in resume, lack of supervisor recommendation, or a low grade. This question, in both words and tone, truly invites you to share a relevant dimension of your life that adds meaningful context to your application. I suggest writing it. This essay can complement the cover letter nicely, adding a lens into your motivations and perspective. If you go ahead with it, keep it focused on 1-2 topics only and make it concrete (don’t abstractly explain values and culture, but give actual examples/anecdotes that animate your values and/or represent a cultural influence). This short essay, if done right, will also further demonstrate what you’ll bring to the MIT EMBA table. Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your MIT Sloan Fellows application? We hope so. It’s our mission to help smart, talented applicants like you gain acceptance to your dream school. With so much at stake, why not hire a consultant whose expertise and personalized guidance can help you make your dream come true? We have several flexible consulting options—click here to get started today! MIT Sloan Fellows 2022-2023 application timeline Application DeadlineDecision Notification Round 1October 3, 2022December 13, 2022 Round 2January 11, 2023February 16, 2023 Round 3February 15, 2023March 23, 2023 All applications should be received by 3:00 p.m. EST on the deadline date. ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Source: MIT Sloan Fellows website Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
The post MIT Sloan Fellows Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022-2023] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog. |
FROM Accepted.com Blog: Emory Goizueta Business School MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
Taken together, these essay questions cover a lot of ground: your professional path and plans, your alignment with the program’s core values, and your interpersonal and communication responsiveness. Moreover, this vast ground is covered in few words – the written essays are short, requiring tough decisions about what key points and anecdotes to include and what to leave out. Write simply and directly to pack as much meaning and impact as possible into each word. Not least, ensure your video “personality” aligns with your written “personality.” Emory Goizueta 2022-2023 MBA application essays Emory Goizueta essay question #1 Define your short-term post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300 word limit) This question challenges you to define your short-term goals in three dimensions: your past experience, your skills, and your unique character. Yet, with only 300 words, you can’t give a comprehensive, detailed delineation of those elements. I suggest discussing one point from each category that is relevant to your goals. The key to making this part of the essay work is specificity, detail, and anecdote – e.g. don’t just say you have a charismatic personality that brings people together; show through a brief anecdote how it lets you be the glue in a rough-and-tumble team. Then discuss directly the relevance of this quality to your short-term goal. The question’s emphasis on short-term goals suggests practicality and concreteness: what (type of) position and in what industry, to achieve what, and why (and, sometimes, where). Emory Goizueta essay question #2 The business school is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, creating unprecedented shareholder wealth, and demonstrating a commitment to values and positive impact on society. Roberto Goizueta’s core values guide us in educating principled leaders to have a positive influence on business and society. Provide a specific example of your leadership and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300 word limit) Respond to this question as a story (a very succinct story): describe a time you led in a situation of some significance that reflects a positive influence. It can (almost certainly WILL) be narrower in scope than “on business and society” given your early career status and relative youth 😉. Walk through it straightforwardly, focusing on your actions. In a final, brief paragraph reflect on what this leadership experience taught you about yourself; don’t list ten things, but rather focus on the one to two most meaningful points. To select the best topic or experience to portray, look for something that is fairly recent and that has a clear impact. While most people will want to grab this opportunity to showcase their impact at work, it may make sense to select a non-work story if, for example, it reflects a situation or experience that truly distinguishes you in a relevant way andillustrates substantial leadership as well. Think strategically in selecting the topic and choose one that enhances your overall application and adds to the information found elsewhere. Emory Goizueta essay question #3 What are you looking to gain from Goizueta’s MBA degree and how do you see yourself contributing to the Goizueta community? (200 word limit) This essay should align smartly with essay #1 for the first part, what you hope to gain from the program. Discuss how it will be a bridge to your short-term goals. You can also express broader growth aspirations through the program – but always be specific, e.g. if you say you want to develop leadership presence, cite exactly how the program will assist that aim. For contributions, also be specific: cite 2-3 ways you’ll contribute, strategically showcasing skills, qualities, experiences and/or other factors that are not presented elsewhere in the application, that distinguish you, and that will enhance the learning and/or social environments. Video essay Telling your story in the written essays is an important part of the application process, but we also want to hear you tell some of your story. The video essay lets every candidate talk to the MBA Admissions Committee and we enjoy getting to know you through the “small talk” questions. You can’t prepare content obviously, but you can prepare approach and presentation. A great way to do that is to practice – literally give yourself questions and video yourself answering. (Even better, see if someone can ask you random questions so you are really prepared for anything without knowing what it is first.) Don’t just stand in front of a mirror or talk into a room for 60 seconds. It feels a lot different to be talking while being videoed – if you’re like most people you’ll really benefit from doing it enough to make it second nature. Additional information If there is an important part of your story missing from your MBA application (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic probation issues), please use this section to provide a brief explanation. Please use bullets if you need to address more than one topic. (200 word limit) Use this essay to address any extenuating circumstances. Obviously, be succinct. Think of this essay as an opportunity for you to provide context, not excuses. Reapplicant essays Applicants who have applied to Goizueta Business School in the past are required to answer the following questions: 1. Define your short-term post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300 word limit) See tip for Essay 1 above. If your goal has changed since the previous application, explain why. 2. Explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School’s MBA Program since your last application. (250 word limit) This is THE key question for all MBA reapplicants. Goizueta just asks it explicitly. See MBA Reapplication 101 for more advice. Emory Goizueta at a glance Emory Goizueta average GMAT score: 692 Emory Goizueta average GPA: 3.36 Emory Goizueta acceptance rate: 53.1% U.S. News ranked Emory Goizueta #21 in 2023. Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats. You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Emory Goizueta application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today! Emory MBA deadlines 2022-2023 Application DeadlineDecision NotificationRound 1October 5, 2022December 7, 2022 Round 2January 9, 2023March 15, 2023 Round 3March 22, 2023May 10, 2023 Source: Emory Goizueta website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Accepted’s Price Rollback Helps Ease Inflation Pain |
Runaway inflation is causing a lot of economic pain right now. Understandably, most people are watching their spending as carefully as possible. Here at Accepted, we can’t cure the sticker shock at the gas station or the grocery store but we are doing our part to help our clients by rolling back our prices all the way back to the days of 2018 — a time when Black Panther introduced us to the magic of Wakanda, the Royal Wedding captivated Anglophiles, and the Tide Pod Challenge incited a worldwide facepalm. From July 15-22, you can grab this opportunity to save up to several hundred dollars on ALL services, from hourly plans to comprehensive packages. No promotion code is needed — just add the services you’re interested in, view the updated pricing in your shopping cart, and spend like it’s 2018 all over again! Our experienced consultants have the admissions expertise that only comes from years of proven experience on both sides of the admissions table. Investing in our consulting services will supercharge your application and make you even more competitive at your target schools. This is one investment where you can be certain of an outstanding ROI. This price rollback ends at midnight Pacific Time on July 22, so hurry and lock in your savings right now! << GET STARTED >> For 25 years, Accepted has helped applicants gain acceptance to top undergraduate and graduate programs. Our expert team of admissions consultants features former admissions directors, PhDs, and professional writers who have advised clients to acceptance at top programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD, MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern. Want an admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! The post Accepted’s Price Rollback Helps Ease Inflation Pain appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog. |
FROM Accepted.com Blog: UCLA Anderson MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022-2023] |
Accepted’s B-School Selectivity Index shows that UCLA Anderson is 23rd in selectivity and 17th in the U.S. News’ ranking. Its average GMAT is 713, up six points from last year. The acceptance rate at Anderson climbed from 20.7% for the class that entered in 2016 to a high of 34.4% for the class that entered in 202. However it has since declined and for the class that entered in 2021, it was 29.8%. Many other MBA programs also saw increasing acceptance rates during the period that Anderson experienced the increase. The essay advice that UCLA Anderson provides on its website is excellent, not just for Anderson’s essays, but for most MBA essays. Read it carefully. UCLA Anderson 2022-2023 MBA application We look forward to learning about your perspectives and plans via your essay responses. Essays complement the answers you provide throughout the application to show us your whole profile. The best applications are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and showing clear plans for the future. UCLA Anderson MBA essay question For the 2022-2023 application year, we have one essay question that is required for first-time applicants and optional for reapplicants: Tell us about a recent personal or professional achievement and how it connects to your MBA goals. (250 words maximum) Strong essays describe the impact of your achievement and clarify its connection to your future MBA plans in the short- and long-term. We look forward to learning about the specific ways your achievement helped set you up for future success. First create an inventory or list of your achievements – activities that you are proud of, where you shouldered responsibility, and made a difference. Obviously you will choose one that connects in some way to your goals, but also think about which of your achievements show that you share Anderson’s innovative, collaborative values. You only have 250 words to succinctly describe the challenge you faced, what you actually did to meet it, and the results or impact of your initiative, leadership, and actions. You can use a CAR (challenge – action – response) structure for this part of your response. Another and extremely brief approach is known as “ABT,” which stands for “And, But, Therefore.” Similar to CAR, you will tell your story using this structure:
Finally, tie the achievement story you just told to your “future MBA plans in the short- and long-term.” The connection could be the impact you had and would like to have more of. It could be dealing with a certain kind of challenge or problem that you feel you are particularly well-suited to do and which your goals will give you more of. There are many ways to make the connection, just ensure that your goals are clear in your response as well as the connection to your achievement. UCLA Anderson MBA optional question No preference is given in the evaluation process to those who choose to respond to this optional essay, so please use your best judgment: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum) If there are extenuating circumstances that would add perspective or context for a weakness, you can discuss them here. A few years ago, UCLA added the following: “Please do not submit redundant information in the Optional Essay.” Good advice for all optional questions. For more suggestions, please see Optional Essays: When and How to Write Them. Special instructions for reapplicants Reapplicants are those who applied to the MBA program within the last two application years, so those who applied three or more years ago are considered new applicants. Reapplicants may answer one or both of the essay questions above as options, and they must provide additional updates within text boxes given in the application for any new test scores, career developments, or other changes since their last application. You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your UCLA Anderson application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today! UCLA Anderson 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines Application DeadlineDecisions ReleasedRound 1October 5, 2022December 14, 2022Round 2January 4, 2023March 22, 2023Round 3April 12, 2023May 17, 2023 Source: UCLA Anderson website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: UVA Darden MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
If you are excited about the prospect of taking on the decision maker’s role by using the case method to navigate real-life business situations, then consider applying to University of Virginia’s Darden MBA program. Darden is one of the largest case publishers in North America, and because of Darden’s commitment to the case study method, a Darden student will examine many, many business cases throughout the course of their two-year Darden MBA studies. The Darden essay questions serve to draw out people who will thrive in this case-oriented, experiential academic environment and process. Participants in the case method must make their points succinctly yet incisively, hence the essay word limits are tight. The essay topics however have breadth, taken all together, enabling the adcom readers to identify applicants who will bring something to the table from all aspects of their life. Here are the essay questions and related tips for writing the essays as effectively as possible. Darden MBA short answer questions For the 2022–23 application cycle, we will again feature short essay questions, which provides a broader platform to showcase your background and personality. These questions are a great opportunity for you to help the Darden Admissions Committee understand who you are and who you will be at Darden. Darden MBA essay #1 Given that you will be forming lifelong connections with your classmates that extend beyond the classroom, what is important for your classmates to know about you that is not on your resumé? (200 words) Darden is one of the smaller MBA programs, with 351 students in the class of 2023. That class size means that every single student needs to be congenial and contribute a unique perspective. With the brevity of this essay, the hardest part may well be identifying the best topic(s). I suggest one or at most two topics; the key will be to dig in and provide enough anecdote and detail to really make it come alive for the reader. Potential topics include a relevant formative experience or relationship or a nonwork activity or passion. Ground the essay in example and detail. To select the best topic, look at the application overall including the other essays and think about what would really add to and further animate this holistic picture. Darden MBA essay #2 Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating an inclusive global community at Darden. (300 words) First, note that the requested example can come from work or outside work – while it’s great to show that you promote an inclusive work environment, if you have a dynamite, impactful example from outside of work, feel free to use that. Keep in mind that “inclusive” can include, beyond obvious things like ethnicity, geographic background, sexual orientation, etc., less obvious things like political perspective, socio-economic background, atypical academic path, etc. Devote most of the essay to narrating the story, showing how it promotes inclusivity. At the end add a reflection with some specific detail about how this will enable you to help create an inclusive global community at Darden. Darden MBA essay #3 At this time how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA goal in terms of industry, function, geography, company size and/or mission and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words) The question itself guides you through the requisite details to provide. Even with the tight word limit, I suggest contextualizing the requested information in a couple of ways. First, with just a phrase or sentence, indicate how the goals arose – what is the “origin story”? Also, express what you hope to accomplish, what impact you’d like to have, by pursuing and achieving the stated goals. These two elements together constitute your motivation, and that is what will allow the adcom to feel engaged by (and ideally invested in) these goals. UVA Darden at a glance UVA Darden MBA average GMAT score: 715 UVA Darden MBA average GPA: 3.52 UVA Darden MBA acceptance rate: 29.9% U.S. News ranked UVA Darden #14 in 2023 Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats. For expert guidance with your UVA Darden MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too! UVA Darden MBA 2022-2023 application deadlines RoundApplication DeadlineEarly ActionSeptember 8, 20221October 5, 20222January 5, 20233April 5, 2023 All applications for the full-time MBA are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline day. Source: UVA Darden website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Stanford MSx Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
The relatively complex MSx online application and your resume (and ideally your recommendations as well) will establish you as a leader in your organization (and possibly even your domain), and that leadership role is essential if you want to be a qualified MSx applicant. But it’s just a qualification. Being qualified is just step one, because Stanford MSx always receives applications from more qualified applicants than it admits. Your application needs to do more – and that’s where the essays come in. They must make the case for why the adcom should admit YOU from among other well-qualified applicants in your industry, function, geographic region, etc. In thinking about our successful Stanford MSx clients, one quality is immediately clear: they’re vibrant. They stand out. They have impact, not just because of solid career strategies and impressive results, though that’s part of it. They are propelled forward by character traits: passion, courage, energy, curiosity, commitment, rigor, vision, big thinking, heart. These essays are your opportunity to reveal your own special character and clarify how it will add to the Stanford MSx mix. You’re already a substantial leader organizationally with a track record to show it. To shape the future, you must have something to say, a point of view, a distinctive voice – so don’t hesitate to take a stand in these essays. Stanford MSx application essays The essays are a key aspect of your application and are designed to inspire thoughtful reflection. Your essays help us understand what character traits have propelled you in your career and tell us how the MSx Program is integral to maximizing your impact in the world. (Your answers to the two essays questions combined may not exceed 1,050 words. We recommend up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B.) Required Stanford MSx essay #1 What matters most to you, and why? For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you have identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives? To really hit a home run with this essay, you need to bare your soul, at least a bit; take a risk, be open and probing about some essential aspect of yourself. That doesn’t mean the topic must be about your personal life, though for many applicants it is. You could, for example, discuss a political belief, religious faith, or social issue that truly engages you and shapes your perspective. I do suggest using a topic that has some profound meaning to you and that will allow you to ground this essay in your experience. Ultimately, it’s your experience and how you process or synthesize it that will be a key part of this essay. However, don’t allow this essay to be “just talk” (no matter how sincere or well-meaning). To be credible, and to impress the adcom, include actions you’ve taken and impacts you’ve had related to what matters most. (You know the cliché: actions speak louder than words…) Sometimes my clients worry when facing this question that their most intuitive topic isn’t “unique” – to which I say, it will be, by the time you’re done with the essay, if you delve deep into your experience and deliver your message via detailed anecdotes and frank reflection. Don’t make this essay overly or overtly strategic; that ends up feeling superficial and manipulative given the topic. One straightforward approach is to structure the essay as a story, with reflection and insight at various pivotal points. Last, don’t forgot to explicitly address “why” your chosen topic is what matters most to you. The explanation need not be long, and the “why” may be obvious from the thrust of the essay. But do still address it. Stanford MSx essay #2 Why Stanford MSx, and why now? Please describe your aspirations and how your Stanford MSx experience will help you realize them. Why is this the right time for you to pursue your master’s degree at Stanford GSB? I suggest starting with your professional objectives – include specific details about position, company, anticipated responsibilities, etc. – and, equally if not most important, why you want to pursue this position/role. What motivates this projected career path, what impact do you aim to have? This information will invigorate the essay and turn a competent essay into a compelling one. It ideally will get the adcom excited about supporting your career journey. Note that the essay says “aspirations,” not “career aspirations,” so feel free to add a specific point or two about your personal objectives for attending this program if relevant to your case. Personal objectives need not be divorced from professional ones – often, development of a given trait or capability will benefit various aspects of one’s life. Be explicit about “why now” – it’s an especially relevant point for mid-career professionals pursuing a full-time program. It’s also the key factor that differentiates this question from the required short-answer career question below. “Why now” is often a convergence of factors: frequently your career trajectory combined with market and/or economic conditions, and/or organizational situation, and/or industry trends, etc. Address each of those threads and weave them together into a coherent statement. In discussing how the program will benefit you, be specific: describe what skills and knowledge you need and how the program meets those needs. Also refer to the structure, culture, and special features of the program, detailing how they will support you and your aspirations. Career aspirations short-answer question (Required) Please tell us about what you aspire to do in your career. How will the Stanford MSx Program, combined with your experience, education or background, help you achieve your career goals? Be specific. (Up to 1200 characters, approximately 200 word limit) Yes, this question does mirror about 85-90% the required essay question 2. This question also asks about how the program balances your education and/or background to prepare you, so focus on that different aspect. To avoid being redundant of essay 2 on goals, focus on different aspects of your goals—for example, in essay 2 you could focus on your career vision, things you want to achieve, and here focus on how your role will evolve accordingly (or vice versa). Certainly, there is plenty about MSx to discuss across these 2 essays – break it up based on your goals discussion. Optional short-answer questions … In this section, we provide an optional opportunity to go beyond your resume to discuss some of your contributions more fully. What do we mean by “optional?” We truly mean you have the opportunity to choose. In evaluating your application, we want to know who you are, what you have done, and how your background may have influenced your experiences. If you feel that you’ve already addressed these questions well in other areas of the application, congratulations, you are done! If not, feel free to use this opportunity to tell us more by answering one or both questions. I have never yet met a qualified, competitive MSx applicant whose career and life didn’t contain such an abundance of fascinating and relevant experiences that it made best sense to skip these questions. In every case, I’ve seen these essays as little gems that help the applicant shine all the brighter through their different facets. Optional short-answer question #1 Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? You are welcome to share up to three examples. (Up to 1200 characters, approximately 200 words, for each example) Ideally, present examples from the different areas. With 200 words each, just tell the story and make crystal clear the impact. Do try to have at least 1-2 fairly recent. Be strategic: use this section to round out your candidacy and/or spotlight significant achievements that may be just a bullet point on the resume. Optional short-answer question #2 Tell us about a time within the last three years when your background influenced your participation at work or community. (up to 1100 characters, approximately 180 words) This too calls for a story, albeit with a twist: “when your background influenced…” You can interpret “background” as you wish: ethnic, religious, geographic, economic, social, educational… Clarify this “frame” at the start, and then just tell that story! Ensure the actual influence is clearly described. Don’t overlook the specified time frame, the last 3 years. Also note that Stanford MSx is asking for “a time.” In other words one example. Additional information The application provides an additional opportunity for you to share any other pertinent information not otherwise captured in your application. You might use this opportunity to: • Describe the circumstances affecting academic or work performance • Explain why you are not using a current supervisor as a reference •Address an academic suspension or expulsion The wording of this question suggests that you should use this space to explain things that need explaining in some way. Indeed, the application form plus the essay questions provide ample opportunity to present your holistic candidacy, so use this space for the purpose indicated – to explain something that warrants explaining in order to clarify aspects of your candidacy. For expert guidance with your Stanford MSx MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to Stanford MSx’s MBA program and look forward to helping you too! Stanford MSx Application Deadlines for 2022-23 Round 1 (Joint)September 13, 2022Round 1 (MSx only)October 14, 2022Round 2 (Joint)January 5, 2023Round 2 (MSx only)January 5, 2023Round 3 (MSx only)February 14, 2023 Source: Stanford MSx website ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Last Day to Take Advantage of the Price Rollback! |
[img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Price-Rollback-Blog-nobutton.REV_copy.jpg[/img] [url=https://www.accepted.com/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=price_rollback&utm_source=blog][img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Price-Rollback-Blog-nobutton.REV_copy.jpg[/img][/url] From July 15-22, [url=https://www.accepted.com/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=price_rollback&utm_source=blog]we are rolling back our prices all the way back to the days of 2018[/url]! You can save up to several hundred dollars on ALL services, from hourly plans to comprehensive packages. No promotion code is needed — just add the services you’re interested in, view the updated pricing in your shopping cart, and spend like it’s 2018 all over again! Our experienced consultants have the admissions expertise that only comes from years of proven experience on both sides of the admissions table. Investing in our consulting services will supercharge your application and make you even more competitive at your target schools. This is one investment where you can be certain of an outstanding ROI. [b]This price rollback ends at midnight Pacific Time on July 22, so hurry and lock in your savings right now![/b] [url=https://www.accepted.com/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=price_rollback&utm_source=blog]<< GET STARTED >>[/url] [img]https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/accepted_admissions_consulting.jpg[/img] For 25 years, Accepted has helped applicants gain acceptance to top undergraduate and graduate programs. Our expert team of admissions consultants features former admissions directors, PhDs, and professional writers who have advised clients to acceptance at top programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD, MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern. [url=https://www.accepted.com/services?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_medium=blog_bio_gen&utm_source=blog][b]Want an admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch![/b][/url] The post [url=https://blog.accepted.com/were-rolling-back-prices-for-one-week-only/]Last Day to Take Advantage of the Price Rollback![/url] appeared first on [url=https://blog.accepted.com]Accepted Admissions Blog[/url]. |
FROM Accepted.com Blog: Columbia EMBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
The first two Columbia EMBA essay questions ask you to project into the future, both near and long term – they address what you hope, plan, want, expect – and dream. The third essay question is a “getting to know you” question, it reflects the adcom’s interest in your well-roundedness. In these essays, a potential pitfall, given the non-anecdotal questions, is to write generically, abstractly: ideas, thoughts, buzz words, admirable ideals/objectives, artistic critiques. However, even though not specified in the questions, grounding these essays in your experience – through anecdote and example – is the key to making them memorable and dynamic. This approach will result in a vivid, distinctive, meaningful picture of your candidacy. Considering the scant opportunity to discuss past professional achievements in the essays, your resume carries all the more weight in the Columbia EMBA application – attend to it accordingly. Columbia Executive MBA short-answer question What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum) Examples of possible responses: 1) “Work in business development for a media company.” 2) “Continue my career within investor relations.” 3) “Launch a data-management start-up.” As their examples show, a factual phrase or bullet will suffice; no need to use a whole sentence. Include key details with function and industry being the essential elements. Columbia Executive MBA essay questions Columbia EMBA essay #1 Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years, and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words) This question helps you avoid a common, reflexive pitfall: summarizing your career before discussing goals. Yes, goals need a context – and a sentence (or two) upfront about your current situation can work as a launchpad for presenting your goals. CBS is always interested in your plans for achieving your goals as well as the goals themselves – a practical focus. In this case it’s asking you to specify your short-term goals (3-5 years). So, detail the role(s) you anticipate during these years: position, type of company, scope of accountability, what you want to accomplish, and why you want to pursue this path – this “why” will allow the readers to get excited about your goals. Your longer-term “dream job” needs less detail and should of course reflect some reasonable trajectory from the earlier role. The phrase “dream job” instead of “long-term goal” plus “in your imagination” invites (even encourages) you to be open, to take a bit of a risk, show some heart. If it’s a dream job, it should be ambitious in a way that is meaningful and enticing to you. Make the reader feel your excitement. There is no request to explain “why Columbia” in the question, but it would be fine to add a sentence or two about what is truly compelling to you about the program, if you have something thoughtful and insightful to say in this regard. Columbia EMBA essay #2 Columbia Business School’s Executive MBA will challenge you by offering a rigorous academic experience, global exposure through the international seminar, and the opportunity to immediately apply what you learn to your career. How will you approach balancing the demands of the program with your professional and personal life while you are in school? (250 words) Keep this essay concrete and practical. Discuss the accommodations you will make at work, such as delegating more, adjusting travel schedules, etc. Focus on the most significant two or three adjustments. Also address how you will handle your personal responsibilities with this additional demand on your time and energy; include 1-2 specific changes (probably, sacrifices), e.g. acknowledging that you’ll have less time at the playground with your toddler or mentioning the support of your significant other. If you’ve already successfully balanced school and working full time, describe how you did it. Nothing is better than actual evidence that you can juggle these concurrent demands. Columbia EMBA essay #3 Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words) Columbia EMBA’s adcom wants to get to know you as a person, beyond all the professional success, career plans, and extracurricular initiatives. What better way than with this question? Its brevity teases, as it yields up a rich opportunity to present a formative experience. You might wonder,
Final tip: “resonate with you” means now, today. Whatever you discuss, end with its ongoing meaning and relevance to your life. Columbia EMBA essay #4 (Optional) An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (500 words) This question enables you to explain anything that needs explaining (e.g., gap in employment, choice of recommender if not using a direct supervisor, etc.). As far as non-necessary points, read “between the lines” about not needing to be formal and having permission to use bullet points. The instructions imply that this isn’t the place to make a whole additional marketing point about your candidacy. Whatever you present, there should be a clear value to the information you’re sharing. Columbia Executive MBA 2022-23 application deadlines for New York Saturday program (May 2023 entry) Early DecisionJanuary 11, 2023 Regular Decision February 15, 2023 Columbia Executive MBA 2022-23 application deadlines for New York Friday/Saturday program (August 2023 entry) Early Decision March 22, 2023 Regular Decision May 24, 2023 Source: Columbia Business School’s website ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** For expert guidance with your Columbia EMBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA and EMBA program and look forward to helping you too! Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
The post Columbia EMBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog. |
FROM Accepted.com Blog: Oxford Saïd MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
Oxford lets your resume, recommendations, application form, and transcript(s) speak for themselves. The one required MBA essay question indicates that the adcom wants a glimpse of you beyond these core elements. It seems like a simple question – but there is a little twist in it that amplifies its importance in the application and its connection between you and the admissions readers. Also realize that the adcom learns about you from this essay not just through the details of the topic you present but also through your decision to use that topic. That decision reflects your values, your understanding of fit with Oxford, and your overall perspective. Oxford Saïd 2022-23 MBA application essay Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words) While the “something” will be the topic of the essay, the real heart of this essay question lies in the phrase “which you would like the Admissions Committee to know.” It almost posits a dialogue between you and the adcom; it sets up a relationship, a dialogue. It’s personal; they’re talking to YOU. Reading the spirit as well as the literal meaning of these words, you can infer that the adcom is looking for a story or a message that gets to the essence of who you are in some way. Therefore, don’t try to find the most dramatic or exotic topic possible; this essay doesn’t have to shout. Rather, it should incisively reveal a fresh dimension of you – one that is relevant to the application and that will add to the Oxford Saïd community. That leaves a lot of room for topic choice. I suggest committing to one topic and discussing it in as much depth as is possible in 250 words. Make this single essay vivid and memorable by basing it on your actual experience, which gives the adcom not just information about you but also your unique perspective on an aspect of your life. As for topic, be strategic in selecting one that is relevant, will engage the Oxford adcom, and enhances your fit for Oxford Saïd. Oxford Saïd at a glance Saïd median GMAT score: 690 Saïd class size: 350 94% of the Saïd MBA class are international students. Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats about top b-schools. Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your Oxford [b]Saïd[/b] application? We hope so. It’s our mission to help smart, talented applicants like you gain acceptance to your dream schools. With so much at stake, why not hire a consultant whose expertise and personalized guidance can help you make your dream come true? We have several flexible consulting options—click here to get started today! We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too! Oxford Saïd 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines Stage 1Wednesday, 31 August 2022Stage 2Wednesday, 12 October 2022Stage 3Wednesday, 4 January 2023Stage 4Wednesday, 22 March 2023 Source: Oxford Saïd website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Wharton Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022-2023], Class Profile |
The Wharton EMBA targets engaged professionals who have an expansive but clear vision for their future career. Further, Wharton seeks students who incorporate social and ethical values in their vision and actions. Wharton is very transparent about one value that it currently esteems: diversity – and hence it asks applicants to address diversity directly. Wharton Executive MBA application essays Wharton Executive MBA essay #1 What are your career objectives and how will the Wharton MBA Program for Executives contribute to your attainment of this objective? (500 word limit) An effective (and natural) way to start is to briefly introduce your career objectives (your career vision) along with a specific substantiating element such as a statistic, an observation, an experience. Then get into the nitty-gritty of the path you envision. You might start with your current career situation and move forward detailing your future career plans – in doing so, clarify how each step leads to the next or builds on the previous one, creating an organic flow. Most important, clarify why you are pursuing that path; this “why” is the real objective and animates your goals, elevating them from explanation to human story and engaging vision. Put more detail into the roles you plan immediately post-MBA and the several years following; longer-term goals need less detail, but should reflect your vision at a higher, more macro level. In discussing how the program will benefit you, describe what skills and knowledge you need for future roles/positions and how the program meets those needs. Don’t just list courses and professors; refer to the structure and special features of the program, detailing how they will support you and your goals. Structurally, there are two basic approaches to this part: (a) weave in the “Why Wharton?” details after each goals phase, or (b) have a separate “Why Wharton?” paragraph containing this entire discussion holistically. You could also mix (a) and (b), adding brief “Why Wharton?” points into the goals discussion and an additional paragraph with more encompassing “Why Wharton?” points. Check out the rest of our school-specific EMBA application essay tips >> Wharton Executive MBA essay #2 Research has shown that there is a compelling business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. Please respond to one of the following essay options: (500 word limit) 2a. Provide an example of how you created or advocated for a work environment where differences are valued, encouraged, and supported. What did you do? What was the outcome? 2b. Describe an experience when you were part of an event/meeting/workplace that involved diverse perspectives. Include your contribution and what you learned. Please take a moment to learn how the University of Pennsylvania endeavors to make everyone feel welcome: Diversity at Wharton Do spend some time reviewing the various information and stories at the “Diversity at Wharton” or “Diversity & Inclusion at Wharton’s EMBA” links, as it will help guide your topic selection and approach. Note that both 2a and 2b ask for a concrete story or anecdote – actual experience. It’s relatively easy to talk “about” diversity in a buzz-wordy way; the adcom wants evidence of active engagement with the concept. To select the question and topic that works best for you – that best supports and enhances your application – look for stories that are not portrayed elsewhere in the application and that show a fresh dimension of you and/or your experience, that are relatively recent, that reflect meaningful impact, and that are consistent with Wharton’s diversity message. For either essay question, I suggest jumping right into the story, narrating the experience with more detail at pivotal points. For question 2b, conclude with a short reflection summarizing what you learned – be specific and avoid bland, generic sounding messages about diversity. For question 2a, you could also add a reflection at the end, if you have a point to express, with the same caveats noted for 2b. Wharton Executive MBA essay #3 (Optional) If necessary, you may use this optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware. (300 word limit) Only use this essay if you need to address extenuating circumstances. That includes issues such as a gap in the resume, a bad grade, not having a supervisor provide a recommendation. Wharton Executive MBA reapplicant essay What have you been doing since you previously applied for admission and what impact have your activities had on the clarification of your goals? Include any steps you have taken to enhance your preparation for admission to Wharton. (300 word limit) Reapplicants must show some growth from the previous application for an effective new application, and this essay allows you to laser focus on that growth and corresponding insight without its complicating the main essays. Ideally you’ll have some worthwhile professional experiences to include in “what you have been doing since you previously applied” – but feel free to include non-work activities as well, as long as they have further clarified your goals in some way. “Any steps… to enhance your preparation” can include things like improving test scores, taking relevant courses, researching goals in some way, enhancing your network, etc. For expert guidance with your Wharton EMBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top EMBA and MBA programs and look forward to helping you too! Wharton EMBA application deadlines for 2022-2023 Application deadline Round 1October 12, 2022Round 2January 18, 2023 Source: Wharton website ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Wharton Executive MBA Class Profile: Class of 2023 Here’s a look at Wharton’s EMBA Class of 2023 (profile info from Wharton website): Wharton EMBA class of 2023 facts and figures Total class size: 234 Women: 33% Underrepresented minority students: 16% Countries represented: 36 Average age: 37
Average years of work experience: 12 Median GMAT score: 710 Middle 80% GMAT range: 680-750 Students holding advanced degrees: 51% Median salary and bonus: $220,500 Sponsored by Employer (>50% financial support): 28% Industries represented
Are you considering an EMBA? We have the resources to help you navigate the options and make the right choice for you:
Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Ace the Executive Assessment |
Tune in to hear all you need to know about the Executive Assessment [Show Summary] Who is the Executive Assessment for? What is it? And how to prepare for it? Introduced by GMAC a few years ago, for the Executive MBA, the “EA” has gained credibility and acceptability for a variety of MBA programs. Brett Ethridge, test prep expert, weighs in and answers all these questions in this informative interview. Interview with Brett Ethridge, founder and president of Dominate Test Prep [Show Notes] Welcome to the 483rd episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for listening. You’ve seen the stats that most people have a great return on their MBA investment. But what about you? Are you going to see that return? How much could it be? We’ve created a tool that will help you assess whether the MBA is likely to be a good investment for you individually. Just go to accepted.com/mbaroicalc, complete the brief questionnaire, and you’ll not only get an assessment but also the opportunity to calculate different scenarios. And it’s all free. Try the MBA ROI Calculator! It gives me great pleasure to have back on Admissions Straight Talk, Brett Ethridge, founder and president of Dominate Test Prep. Brett earned his Bachelor’s in Public Policy Studies from Duke in 2000 and then joined the Peace Corps for two years where he worked in Madagascar. He then earned a Master’s in International Finance, Trade, and Economic Integration from the University of Denver. In 2010, he founded Dominate the GMAT, which became Dominate Test Prep. Today, Dominate Test Prep provides test preparation for the GMAT, the GRE, SAT, ACT, LSAT, and most importantly for today’s conversation, GMAC’s Executive Assessment. The Executive Assessment is accepted by many Executive MBA programs, an increasing number of part-time MBA programs, and even several highly ranked full-time MBA programs, including Columbia, Darden, Duke Fuqua, Georgetown, NYU Stern, UT McCombs, and Vanderbilt. Let’s learn all about the Executive Assessment. Let’s start with a basic question. What is the Executive Assessment? [2:42] It’s a standardized test used as part of the admissions process for a wide range of primarily Executive MBA programs in the United States, but also overseas. It’s also being used by an increasing number of online MBA programs, part-time MBA programs, and full-time MBA programs. It’s very similar in a lot of ways to the GMAT exam, which is the widely used entrance exam for business school, but different in distinct ways as well. In short, it’s a standardized test that a lot of students are taking right now to get into various MBA programs. Why did GMAC develop the Executive Assessment if it already had the GMAT? [3:32] Because they were asked to (if the story is correct). I actually first learned about the Executive Assessment myself at a forum that the GMAC hosted at their headquarters in Ruston, Virginia back in 2018. I think the Executive Assessment had been around for maybe a year or so at that point. It’s a fairly new exam at four or five years old. It was my first time really learning about the exam. At that point, only a couple dozen schools were even using it. The story they told us, so this is straight from the GMAC’s mouth, is that the admissions directors at a lot of the top executive MBA programs came to them and said, “Look, we love the GMAT. We’re currently asking applicants for our Executive MBA programs to take the GMAT. But it’s a really steep hurdle in the application process for a demographic of applicants who are in their forties, sometimes fifties. These people have been out of school for decades and now you’re asking them to do the advanced math that’s on the GMAT and spend months and months and months preparing. Can you come up with something that’s a slightly lower barrier to entry? Not in terms of being easier, necessarily. We want to make sure that the applicants have the quantitative chops and also verbal reasoning skills to succeed in our Executive MBA classrooms. But let’s be honest. They’re working full time. They have families in a lot of cases. And we need to make a shorter, somehow more accessible exam. Can you do that?” So the GMAC went back to the drawing board and essentially used what they already had in terms of questions on the GMAT, repackaged them, reformatted them, and made the exam a lot shorter. That’s how the Executive Assessment was born. How much shorter is the Executive Assessment compared to the GMAT? [5:24] It’s about half as long. It’s a 90-minute exam. It’s actually less than half the questions and about half the total duration because there are no breaks. It’s a three-section exam without any breaks between the sections. You just answer questions for 90 minutes. You’re in, and then you’re out. Can you take the Executive Assessment online? [5:51] Correct. Much like the other exams like GMAT and GRE, it was test center only until the pandemic, and then they took it online. Now students can take it online or in test centers. How is the Executive Assessment structured? [6:07] It has three sections. Each section is 30 minutes long. The first section is an Integrated Reasoning section, which is a section that is also on the GMAT but not the GRE. You’re going to answer 12 questions in those 30 minutes, then immediately go into the Verbal Reasoning section for 30 minutes. That is followed by the Quantitative Reasoning section, which is 30 minutes. I don’t know if we want to get into the weeds in terms of the question types, but they’re very similar to the questions that are tested on the GMAT. It’s just that you have fewer to answer. You’re going to have 12 Integrated Reasoning questions, followed by 14 Verbal Reasoning questions, followed by 14 Quantitative Reasoning questions. Could you give more details on each section? [6:52] Yeah, we can absolutely do that. I think Integrated Reasoning is a really neat section that the GMAT added a handful of years ago to really showcase students’ abilities to do the types of things that, frankly, are done more in business school than a lot of the content tested on the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. It’s things like reading graphs and charts and figuring out percent change of revenue for companies that you’re pulling from tables. They created these new question types and they call it Integrated Reasoning. That’s what comes first. There are four different question types there related to graphs, tables, multi-source reasoning, and two-part analysis. Those are the four question types. What I think is unique is that one of the big differences between the Executive Assessment and specifically the GMAT, which also has an Integrated Reasoning section, is that the Integrated Reasoning score on the Executive Assessment is part of your overall total EA score. So for the Executive Assessment, you just get one score, unlike the GMAT, where you get three different scores. It’s all lumped together with the Executive Assessment. From that standpoint, Integrated Reasoning is more important and plays a bigger role in the Executive Assessment. You start by taking the Integrated Reasoning section, and as the scoring algorithm works, how you do on the Integrated Reasoning section actually dictates whether you get a harder or easier next two sections, Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning. Then you go into Verbal Reasoning, which is really the exact same question types that are on the GMAT, namely sentence correction, where you’re basically trying to resolve any grammatical errors and usage errors in sentences. Critical reasoning is analyzing arguments, and for reading comprehension, you’re assigned a passage and answer questions about that passage. That’s the Verbal Reasoning section. Then you move into the Quantitative Reasoning section, which is composed of two different question types. The first is problem-solving, which is your typical, run-of-the-mill math questions, multiple choice, and data sufficiency, which is a unique question type now to the GMAT and the Executive Assessment. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but students tend to learn to love them more than problem-solving once they learn how to do them correctly. What are some significant differences between the GMAT and GRE versus the Executive Assessment? [9:44] That’s a good question and an important question. I think the place to start with answering that doesn’t have anything to do with the content or the logistics of the exam, but more so with the philosophical role that the exam plays. I talked about where it came from and why the GMAC designed it, and the demographic of students taking it. As such, it’s really more of a threshold exam. That’s the way I like to think about it. The GMAT and the GRE are a little bit more cutthroat and students are jockeying for every last possible point. They’re trying to score in the 90th percentile. They know they need a really, really high score to get into the top schools. When it comes to the Executive Assessment, it really is just trying to show the admissions officers that you have what it takes and are ready. The GMAC calls it a readiness exam. It is simply trying to show that you are ready to go back into a business classroom at age 45 or whatever you are when you’re going back. From that standpoint, most of the programs asking students to take the Executive Assessment are only asking for what would be considered an average score which is 150. Scores range from 100 to 200, and 150 is smack dab in the middle. It happens to be about an average score currently and most schools are just telling applicants, “Hey, we just want you to get the 150.” And that’s hard for a lot of students because so many people going to business school are overachievers and they’re used to trying to excel and they’re trying to get the highest score possible. I always try to encourage my students to let go of that. Once you let go of that driving desire to do the absolute best you can, it frees you up. Because now, the Executive Assessment doesn’t have to dominate your life the way the GMAT dominates students’ lives for months on end. You’re just trying to get an average score. Now, of course, higher is better. And when you’re looking at some of the top programs, especially some of the top traditional MBA programs that also accept the Executive Assessment for their traditional full-time MBA, you’re competing against everybody around the world who is cutthroat and trying to get top GMAT scores. In that case, they do expect higher EA scores. I think philosophically, that difference is important in terms of the mindset you bring into preparing for the Executive Assessment. Again, there should be a little bit of liberation there because it should take some of the pressure off of you. It’s not necessarily easy to get even just a 150 on the Executive Assessment but you certainly don’t need to be shooting for the 90th percentile in most cases. Content-wise, there’s no geometry on the Executive Assessment. That’s a big chunk of math that students don’t have to learn, whereas you would have to learn the relevant geometry on the GMAT and the GRE. There’s no essay. You don’t have to write an essay on the Executive Assessment. From a logistical standpoint, it’s not question-adaptive the way the GMAT is. It’s more like the GRE in that it’s section-adaptive. I explained that how you do on the first section, the Integrated Reasoning section, will set up the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. In fact, they’re subsection-adaptive. We don’t have to get into the logistics there but there are actually two subsections within each major section. Those subsections adapt depending on how you’re doing. Here’s what it really means for you. If you’re listening, this is a little test-taking hack: you don’t need to answer the questions in order. The mistake a lot of students make, and especially if you’re coming from the GMAT world, is answering every question in order. You don’t have to absolutely answer the question currently on the screen before you get to the next question, which so many students are used to. You can mark the question and skip it and come back to it like you can on the GRE. That’s absolutely what you should do. I call it picking the low-hanging fruit. You want to answer the questions that you have the best chance at getting right as you have the most time to get them right. Then in any time remaining, you can go back and answer any questions that you were struggling with. Hopefully then, you can figure them out in the time remaining. That’s a big test taking advantage, I would say, of the Executive Assessment over the GMAT. [youtube2]figure> [/youtube2] What is the typical amount of time it takes to prepare for the Executive Assessment? [24:35] I think about four weeks. The GMAC shared some statistics that you might find interesting at the most recent summit we attended, which is that 70% of Executive Assessment test takers started preparing less than two months before their application deadlines. These numbers are self-reported, but that’s in stark contrast to the GMAT and the GRE, where students are studying months and months in advance. 35% only start studying a month before their application deadlines. The GMAC says that you should only need 25 to 30 hours to prepare. I have found that not to be the case at all. I think you need more than 30 hours if you’re going to do above average. And especially if you’re shooting for one of the top schools that requests a higher score, like something 155 plus, but you still don’t probably need more than 50 hours. We’re not talking about the amount of time that you might devote to the GMAT or the GRE. If you devote six to ten hours a week, maybe an hour a day and then a couple longer study sessions on the weekend, doing that for four weeks should get you just about there. It’s a lower barrier of entry from that standpoint. What do you think is the hardest part of the Executive Assessment? [26:20] There’s the trap in coming at it thinking that it’s an easier GMAT. Just because it’s shorter and you have fewer questions doesn’t mean you still don’t have to prepare for a lot of potential questions. That’s a trap. The other thing I think that makes it difficult is just getting back into study mode for students who have been out of that mindset for so long. What’s the most common mistake that you see Executive Assessment takers make? [27:03] It’s trying to make their high school math teacher happy. It’s trying to do everything the traditional way. It’s trying to come at everything from a strict algebraic standpoint instead of realizing that it’s a reasoning exam. Even on the verbal section, you can get a lot of questions right by reasoning your way to the answers. The second thing is being a dog with a bone. What I mean by that is having a question pop up on your computer screen and literally fixating on it and feeling like you have to get it right even if it takes you three minutes, four minutes, five minutes. Now you’ve blown up the exam from a time management standpoint. If you do the math, it should be about two minutes per question. You can spend a little more time on some questions. Some questions you’ll solve a little bit faster. But on average, it should be two minutes per question. Maybe you can push three minutes on a question, maybe a little bit more. But you can’t be spending four or five minutes answering a question. That’s where learning to take the test the right way is important. Sometimes you’ll have to sacrifice questions for the greater good of your time management to be able to answer later questions because you have the time to devote to them. That’s part of the game you have to play. I think the other thing is students, for whatever reason, are reluctant to take full-length practice tests. I think they’re scared to see what their score is. There’s this feeling that they have to be 100% ready before they take a practice test. As with everything in life, avoiding it is not going to help. It’s better to know where you stand. Even if your first score is 142. That’s a really below average, not great score. But who cares? Avoiding that doesn’t change that. That’s your current ability. Let’s realize that. Let’s evaluate it. And then let’s figure out where to focus. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do we need to work on? That’s the name of the game. You just learn so much from taking the practice test, both from a time management standpoint and to figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t avoid the practice test. It’s a big part of studying, and it’s a big part of ultimately doing well on the real thing. How much does the EA cost? [30:12] It’s $350. It’s more expensive than the other two. Maybe they realize the demographic that’s taking it. The other thing to note is that you can only take the Executive Assessment twice, whereas you could take the other exams a lot more than that. My hypothesis about why that’s the case is maybe they don’t have quite as large a pool of questions so they don’t want students seeing redundant questions and so forth. Maybe as they build out the question pool to the size of the GMAT or the GRE, for example, students will be allowed to take it more. Maybe it’s something completely unrelated to that. Is there anything you would’ve liked me to ask you? [31:44] No, I think we hit on it. Remember the mindset of treating this thing like your first business school class. Don’t avoid hard things by thinking you’ll take the Executive Assessment instead. Do it because it’s the preferred exam for the program that you are going to be applying to. The Executive Assessment was designed for executive MBA programs, part-time programs, and online MBA programs. If that’s what you’re applying for and that’s the exam that they’re requesting as the priority, that’s the exam you should take. As far as resources go for learning and practicing the content, obviously, you could take a course. The GMAC, though, has a whole suite of official resources on their website. Right now, I send all of my students to the GMAC website for the official Executive Assessment practice tests. They also have official practice questions. Here’s a little bit of a hack that will save you some money. I talked about how there’s so much similarity in terms of the actual questions on the Executive Assessment and the GMAT so you can GMAT official resources to prepare for the Executive Assessment in terms of practice questions. Why might you want to do that? Because you can get way more questions for less money. The GMAT official guide is about a thousand questions or whatever for under $40. You’re going to pay twice as much money for like 300 questions on the official Executive Assessment website. Those questions in the GMAT official guide can totally prepare you well for the Executive Assessment. Skip all the geometry stuff, but on the verbal side, it’s all relevant. On the data sufficiency side, it’s all relevant. The Integrated Reasoning question are relevant. Where can listeners and potential applicants learn more about Dominate Test Prep and how you can help them with the Executive Assessment or other tests? [31:44] You can find us at dominatetestprep.com. We actually have a free six-question Executive Assessment quiz if you want to get a feel for each of the question types. We provide full-length, detailed video solutions for each of the quiz questions where we try to share some cool tips and test-taking strategies for those types of questions. You can find that at https://www.dominatetestprep.com/what’s-on-the-ea. Related links:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Applying to the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: Everything You Need to Know [2022 – 2023] |
Everything you need to know about the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program Overview:
Application elements:
What is the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program? The Stanford Knight–Hennessy Scholars Program is a unique opportunity to join a cohort of graduate students from interdisciplinary backgrounds who plan to tackle some of the world’s most complex and pressing issues, including the environment, healthcare, education, inequality, and/or social justice. Those accepted to this program receive full tuition reimbursement as well as a healthy stipend for the entirety of their graduate degrees at Stanford. In addition to their academic studies, Knight-Hennessy Scholars are also exposed to a specialized curriculum related to leadership, professional development, interdisciplinary dialogue, and entrepreneurship. The program aims to generate academic and technical expertise in individuals committed to using their knowledge to become public leaders who go on to make impacts far beyond the university. Becoming a Knight-Hennessy Scholar is a truly unique opportunity to shape your experience of graduate school, and it is also incredibly competitive. As the rest of this post explains, the application for Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a complex puzzle of small components that must add up to create an image of you as a highly driven and visionary individual. In order to put together a strong set of materials, take the time to strategize the big picture of the application before you start the writing process. Together, every aspect of the application can be used to draw a larger picture of you as the whole of many parts. If you take the time to build connections within the content of each of the application components, you will be able to pull the reader through a cohesive message about how your past experiences have shaped your future goals, and why those goals matter. Who is eligible to apply? If you earned, in January 2016 or later, a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing, you are eligible to apply. U.S. military (active or veteran) applicants who earned their undergraduate degree in 2014 or later are also eligible. This year, Stanford has opened eligibility requirements so that any student who has already been admitted by and deferred enrollment to Fall 2023 or any current Stanford PhD student who is entering their second year can submit an application to KHS. Furthermore, current Stanford graduate students who wish to add a second full-time Stanford graduate degree that starts in Fall 2023 are also eligible. Based on program limitations, a few graduate level applicants are not eligible for consideration when applying to KHS, these include:
Technically, there are no other eligibility requirements. However, KHS clearly outlines the kind of person that will be a competitive candidate in the “criteria” section of their website. Three important qualities that Knight-Hennessy Scholars demonstrate are:
Given the open-ended and brief format of the required essay prompts, it is important to make thoughtful decisions about how to address aspects of yourself and your life that demonstrate these qualities. Unique application deadlines and procedures Applying to participate in the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is a completely separate process from that of applying to a specific graduate program at Stanford University. However, most Stanford graduate programs require KHS applicants submit their graduate school application materials much earlier than those who choose not to apply for the award. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program application deadlines [b]KHS Application Deadline[/b]October 12, 2022Request for a supplementary video statement By invitation only in January 2023 * Graduate program application deadlines for KHS applicants vary based on Stanford’s division of schools, departments, and programs. The application dates and deadlines instructions clearly state that your degree application must be submitted by December 6, 2022 or your degree program’s deadline, whichever is earlier. Required application components In addition to background information, transcripts, and test scores, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Application requires the following materials: KHS Resume Since the KHS application instructions are very clear about the format and length (1 page) of the resume, it is extremely important for you to curate the content of this document so that it enhances the rest of your application materials. You do not have to include everything you have ever accomplished in the resume. Instead, consider only including the experiences and accomplishments that are most relevant to your short- and long-term vision of the future and KHS’ criteria. KHS Recommendation letters The KHS committee requests very specific content to be included in letters of recommendation. Given that these types of questions are rarely addressed in academic letters, you should select writers who are familiar with you as a person and make sure that you provide these individuals with KHS’s instructions:
Reminder note It is fine to ask the same person to provide recommendations for your graduate program and for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, but you must ensure that your recommender submits distinctive letters of reference for each audience. Institutional letter of endorsement (optional) Depending on where you went to school for undergraduate study, your campus may have an individual who has been designated as the KHS Campus Contact. This person can advise you on the process of applying and, though this is not mentioned explicitly on the KHS website, your campus contact may also contribute a supplemental Institutional Letter of Endorsement to your application. This would be viewed as a third letter of recommendation. Please review this list of campus-contacts and check with your university’s KHS contact about any internal deadlines regarding institutional endorsement letters. If your institution is not represented on the KHS campus contact list, then reach out to the person or office that advises students on processes related to selective national awards like the Fulbright Fellowship Program, and the Truman or Goldwater Scholarships. It’s possible that this person or office can submit an institutional endorsement letter for KHS as well. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program writing prompts [2022 – 2023] The written answers to the questions below serve as the only chance for you to contribute to the narrative trajectory of your life and goals in your own voice. Given the brevity of these statements, you want to make every word count. From my experience working with students and clients on these application components, making every word count means that you will have to resist the temptation to tell stories with flourish. Instead, figure out which details, facts, and specific moments best demonstrate your overarching message and then arrange your answers carefully so that, within the whole application, the details and facts you consider to be most important are all mentioned. Find out how an admissions expert can help you craft a winning KHS application >> Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program 3 short answer questions
Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program essay question The essay prompt invites you to reflect deeply on your life’s journey and the people, events, and circumstances that have impacted it. There is no right answer, topic, or format — only you can tell your own story — and yet we hope you will focus much less on what you have done and much more on who you are. The strongest essays balance introspection with recognition of external influences, and are so personal that no one else could have possibly written it. The essay topic: Connect the dots. How have the influences in your life shaped you? (600 word limit) Though this prompt encourages you to reflect on past influences, it is incredibly important for you to keep in mind that your answer should be future-driven. By this I mean that you should only include stories from the past that build up to how you currently envision your future goals. Focus on the circumstances, key influences, mentors, or moments that have taught, surprised, and motivated you to pursue the goals you plan to work towards as part of your graduate degree while at Stanford. This is the largest piece of text that you will be able to submit for the application, so you must address the personal “why” of your future plans. What moments from the past have shown you that your goals matter to people other than yourself? Why do you wish to have the impact that you wish to have? By connecting the dots in this essay, you should be drawing a clear line, from the past to the present, to your anticipated future and the dream goals that go along with it. Reminder Note: The essay helps the Knight Hennessy Scholars application review committee understand who you are – as opposed to what you have done – and provides you with a rare chance for structured introspection. Think about your past and how the people, events, and situations of your life have shaped who you are today. Then tell us a story that only you can tell. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program video statement (By invitation in January 2022) The video topic is: Teach something to your cohort of fellow Knight-Hennessy Scholars. (up to 2 minutes long) Recording yourself as you teach something to an audience is a fantastic way to show how you translate complex ideas into a format that can be understood by just about anybody. It is also a chance for you to have some fun as you reveal something special about your interests, hobbies, knowledge, and skills. Since the committee is explicitly not interested in the production quality of this video, your audience really truly wants to get a sense of what you’re like in person, what teaching means to you, and how you present yourself to an audience of strangers. Reminder note: After you submit your online application, you will only be able to access information about how and where to record the video statement if you are invited to submit one in January 2023. If you make it to the finalist level (top 150 applicants), then you will be invited to KHS’ Immersion Weekend. This type of invitation is an incredible honor in and of itself, but it does not guarantee success. To prepare for a weekend of assessed Individual and Group Interviews, Faculty Presentations, Group Activities, and Social Events you’ll want to make sure that you have clear talking points ready to use at any time. Our Mock Interview Packages are a great option for you to generate strategic talking points and practice using them with one of our consultants. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Program acceptance rate: A brief reality check Though Stanford Knight-Hennessy is only in its sixth year of existence, it is one of the most competitive awards for graduate school in the world. This is especially true because anyone in the world who wishes to participate in any graduate program at Stanford is eligible to apply. Considering that only 3,000 people are admitted to Stanford’s graduate school programs every year and that, of those admitted, only 80-100 individuals will be admitted to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program, the chances of winning this award are slim. However, taking the time to write such rich materials about yourself and your goals is a great opportunity to build a portfolio of materials that you can use for a number of extramural fellowship and scholarship applications throughout your time in graduate school. That alone makes it worth a shot. Accepted’s clients received over $2 million dollars in scholarship offers in the last application cycle. We can help you reach your scholarship goals as well. For professional guidance with your Knight-Hennessy application, check out Accepted’s scholarship application services. Student Affairs Advisor and scholarship expert, Rebecca has six years experience reviewing and editing large grant applications, research-based proposals, statements of purpose, personal statements and fellowship materials. Want Rebecca to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Toronto Rotman MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023] |
The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management is one of the leading business schools in Canada. Known for its design approach to MBA education and strong emphasis on problem solving, Rotman’s program continues to grow in renown. Through the uniquely engaging essay question and the opportunity to shape a rich and in-depth message over a generous word limit, this essay invites you to demonstrate the self-knowledge and personal insight that convey your fit with the values and culture of the program. Toronto Rotman 2022-2023 MBA application Rotman MBA essay question Our admitted students stand out by doing interesting things with their personal and professional lives — something we describe as the ‘spike factor’; what are the things that you have done in your life that demonstrate Passion/ Grit/ Resilience/ Innovation/ Drive/ Ambition and more? This can cross all or any aspects of life outside of work – hobbies, volunteerism, awards, entrepreneurial ventures, sports and the arts. We believe that exposure to a rich diversity of viewpoints makes for a superior learning experience, and pride ourselves on building a diverse class of exceptional individuals who will go on to make the School proud as professionals and alumni. Explain your spike factor (something unique about yourself) that you believe will contribute to the Rotman community and is aligned with Rotman values. (up to 1000 words)* Optional – Please upload 1-3 of your ‘spikiest’ pictures to the supplemental items section of your application here. Note: Your photos must be uploaded as a single PDF. “Spike factor.” Those words say a lot. You should make this essay, and the points it contains, not just interesting – it should also bring a grin to the reader’s face, or make them nod and think “Yes!” They should feel a tingle of enjoyment on reading it. [Listen: Toronto Rotman’s MBA admissions director, Imran Kanga discussed “Spike Factor”>>] “Explain.” This word on the other hand can mislead you into lengthy exposition. Make any explanation short and sweet. You do have to explicitly explain your “spike factor” because the question directs you to. But you don’t have to do it at the start of the essay, and you don’t have to do it at length. Consider starting the essay with an anecdote to engage the reader. Once you decide on the spike factor that you will present, find 1-3 illustrative anecdotes from outside of work and from work that illustrate it – if more than one, make sure they show different contexts or facets of the spike factor. Be strategic about which anecdotes you use; i.e., what are some meaningful “zoom-in” moments or experiences from your life (at least 1 relatively recent) that would enhance your application in relevant ways? Use this essay to fill in the mosaic of who you are. The emphasis on the word “diverse/diversity” in the question prelude indicates that the adcom appreciates reflections that are not only individual perspectives but that the applicant feels connect her to a broader group in some way. If you portray such a connection, great; just make sure it adds a distinctive nuance or message. As for that spike factor – dig into your own experience and personality to identify a point that shows what makes you tick. You will then make that point distinctive, vivid, and memorable through your examples and stories. Rotman MBA required video interview The video interview component is a required part of Rotman Admissions process designed to give all candidates guaranteed “face time” with the Admissions Committee and showcase your personality, characteristics, passions, and values. You will have an opportunity to test the technology, and then will be asked two taped questions, followed by a real-time written response (no video with this component.) Both questions are personality/values based and are designed to be answered without any advanced preparation and will only take a few minutes to complete. The written question is designed to simulate the typical email communications you will create as a Rotman MBA student. After your application has been submitted, you will receive an invitation via email to complete your video interview within 2 business days. Without knowing what the questions are, it’s best to approach the video interview with both your application and the Rotman program fresh in your mind. This will help you to avoid both (a) being redundant and (b) being contradictory or inconsistent. I suggest viewing and approaching it as a continuation of the dialogue started in your essay. It presents special challenges, particularly for non-native English speakers and writers who may typically take more time to polish their writing in English. While it’s natural for a follow-up piece like this essay to be less polished and less thought through than essays on which you reasonably spend more time, it should not sound like a different person or present such a gap in English writing fluency that it raises doubts about your authorship of the written portions of the application. If you are worried about these elements – practice. Give yourself sample topics and a 5-10 minute response window. Use tough questions, to make the actual one (hopefully) seem easier! You’ve worked so hard to get to this point in your journey. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Rotman application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today! Toronto Rotman MBA application deadlines 2022-2023 RoundApplication DeadlineDecision NotificationEarly RoundSeptember 2, 2022October 14, 2022Round 1October 3, 2022December 16, 2022Round 2January 13, 2023March 17, 2023Round 3March 6, 2023May 5, 2023Round 4April 28, 2023May 31, 2023 * To be considered for specific Combined Program awards we advise applicants to the JD/MBA, MGA/MGA, Skoll/MBA and Pharma/MBA Programs to apply by the Round Two deadline. ** All international applicants (excluding US Citizens) are highly encouraged to apply by Round Three in order to ensure ample time for visa processing after accepting the offer of admission. Source: Toronto Rotman website Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar! [Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.] ***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.*** Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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FROM Accepted.com Blog: Writing a Powerful Leadership/Achievement Essay [Sample Essay] |
Essays that ask you to write about significant achievements fall under the category of what are known as behavioral or experiential questions. The basic assumption behind these questions is that past behavior is a great predictor of future behavior. They are all varieties on the theme of “Tell us about a time when you…” These questions are meant to take the measure of your managerial potential. Let’s look at how one candidate effectively addressed this essay question from Stanford GSB (*this question is not from the current application): Tell us about a time when you made a lasting impact on your organization. This writer avoids writing about leadership in any generic way and zeroes in on the specific aspects of his contributions and their impact: Leadership essay example: The Change Agent When I was invited to become the Vice President and General Manager at Third Way Associates (TWA)* two years ago, the company was in financial and administrative disorder. Employee retention was poor, and TWA took too long to pay vendors because of poor communication and accounting processes. Cash flow was managed based on immediate needs rather than by the logic of budgets planned by project and city. Sloppy expense reports that were turned in with no receipts were reimbursed to employees. TWA founders Scott W ____ and Glenn L ____ had good intentions, but spent most of their time selling sponsorships and getting new clients rather than directing and managing the company. As we begin 20XX, TWA is much healthier in every way. Under my direction, vendors are paid in an average of 20 days from date of invoice, instead of 60 days or more. Our cash flow is better administered since I introduced very specific detailed area budgets with over 125 budget lines per city. Because I can give the company founders much better stability and macromanagement vision, the three of us are able to look more to the future rather than simply put out fires. Despite the difficult economy in 20XX, we not only retained our same clients but also signed several new client agreements for three years or more, including a two-year contract with Big Shoe Company worth $1.3 million. I’ve brought fresh accounts and industries into TWA, including ____ Airlines and Drink Y, among others. Combined, these accounts generated more than $500,000 in 20XX, and we estimate close to $1 million dollars in the following year. Since my arrival, we have a much wider and broader sales menu which has been crucial to generate more revenue. I’ve expanded our most popular sports events to 25 cities, giving our clients new investment opportunities. These events range from recreational soccer clinic tours to professional soccer games broadcast on TV. I also expanded our field staff, and at present we have 25 strong and reliable managers who report directly to me from each city. Despite the economy, 20XX was not a bad year for TWA, and this year promises to be even better if we continue our current strategy and continue to work as a team. *pseudonym Leadership essay analysis In every paragraph, this writer mentions concrete measures he took to introduce order to a chaotic company that was trying to grow. From instituting budgets with line items, an improved accounts payable system, and recruiting additional big-name accounts, the writer proves how his efforts strengthened the organization. How can you maximize on your thought leadership experiences? As you choose among your own experiences as essay material, think about these questions to help you frame answers of substance:
Don’t forget about your people leadership skills What we’ve spoken about until this point revolves mostly on skilled problem-solving, or “thought leadership.” But respected businesspeople need to be equally or even more talented at something we didn’t have a formal name for: people leadership. By effectively leading the thinking of client firms’ problems as well as motivating them to work long hours to develop solutions to these problems and collaborate with clients on implementing them, these businesspeople prove to have what it takes to be exemplary leaders. So don’t forget to include strong elements of people leadership in your essays. Here are several to keep in mind:
Use your words Another tip: Look for opportunities to incorporate strong verbs that illustrate your strengths in these areas. Good examples of leadership might incorporate several of the following:
The old adage, “Show, don’t tell,” remains a classic bit of wisdom in the writing process. Make that a guiding principle not only in your leadership/achievement essays, but throughout your application. For personalized advice tailored just for you, check out our MBA Admissions Consulting & Editing services and work one-on-one with a pro who will help you discover your competitive advantage and use it to get accepted. By Judy Gruen, former Accepted admissions consultant. Judy holds a Master’s in Journalism from Northwestern University. She is the co-author of Accepted’s first full-length book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: • School-Specific MBA Application Essay Tips • Tone Up Your Writing: Confidence vs Arrogance • “I’m Smart, Really I Am!” Proving Character Traits in Your Essays The post Writing a Powerful Leadership/Achievement Essay [Sample Essay] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog. |
FROM Accepted.com Blog: IMD MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022-2023] |
If you are looking for a one-year, full-time MBA program, then IMD may be the perfect fit for you. The typical age of IMD MBA students is 25-32 with 7 years of work experience, but IMD recently announced that it wants more younger applicants too. The program begins in January every year and runs through the following December, with the opportunity for students to take on summer internships in July and immerse in international consulting projects for 8 weeks from August to November. Students have executed 600+ projects in 400 global companies! To become one of these select students, applicants must prove their academic ability, career progression, leadership potential and international outlook. Academic ability is gauged by your previous grades (undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate studies) and GMAT/GRE score. Career progression (and in some ways your international outlook) are evidenced in your one-page resume, which must adhere to IMD’s template. And you can demonstrate your leadership potential through the two required recommendation letters and your essays. By Jennifer Bloom, admissions consultant at Accepted for 20 years and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). She is an expert at guiding you to produce application materials that truly differentiate you from the rest of the driven applicant pool. If you would like help with your application, Jennifer can suggest a number of options that work with any budget. Want Jennifer to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources:
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