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Vantage Point MBA News

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How to Choose an MBA Program [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   11 Jan 2024, 12:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How to Choose an MBA Program



If you are fortunate enough to have finished round 1 with acceptances from multiple MBA programs in hand, congratulations! While you may have entered the application process with a mental ranking of your target programs, it’s often not that simple when it comes to making the final decision. Maybe you were waitlisted at your top choice program or have a compelling scholarship offer to consider.  There can be a lot of variables at play. So, how do you choose an MBA program when it comes time to pay your deposit?

Deciding where to enroll, which often means uprooting your life and moving to a new city, is of course an extremely personal decision. That said, in our experience, there are several best practices to ensure you make the most informed decision possible.

Attend Admitted Students’ Weekends (With an Open Mind)

Unless you have totally struck a school from your list, make your best effort to attend each admitted students’ weekend. There truly is no better way to immerse yourself in the school’s location and culture to see if you can envision yourself being there in the fall. Oftentimes you can even tour housing options and really think through the logistics of going to school in a particular place.

Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with a broad swath of current students while you’re there, lessening the chance that your view of a school will be swayed by a small sample set of opinions. And, on this point, feel free to ask these students the tough questions – you’ve already been accepted, and they’ve been in your shoes so they get that choosing an MBA program is a big deal.

Beyond the actual conversations you have with students, professors, and other prospectives, be a keen observer of the intangibles. Is the class discussion lively and engaging? Are students happily socializing in the halls or common areas?

Above all else, while on campus, do your best to keep an open mind and approach the weekend as if you truly may enroll, even if you are leaning in another direction. Especially if you haven’t attended the admitted students’ weekend for your ‘top contender’ yet, you never know, and it may turn out to not be as compelling as you expect. In other words, make sure you walk away feeling like you’ve truly vetted each school. 

One quick pro tip on this topic – if a deposit deadline for one school occurs before another school’s admitted students’ weekend, it never hurts to ask for an extension. Worst case they say no, best case you can fairly assess your options.  

With that Said, Play the Long Game

While much of the above advice centers on the experience you will have while at school, and that of course matters, remind yourself that you are going to business school to maximize your career prospects. When weighing the pros and cons of each program, give priority to criteria that will impact your life 5-10+ years from now over those that will define your experience for the next two years.

Notably, really dig into each school’s employment statistics and ask probing questions about the recruiting prospects for your target industry in your target location. Instead of relying on published statistics, reach out to students pursuing your same field (you can often find names and emails on club websites), particularly second years who have been through internship recruiting and have a sense for internship to full time conversion ratios. While this may change, the current job market is tough and where you land upon graduation is important for your overall career trajectory. 

Another component of playing the long game relates to scholarship offers.  And we’ll heavily caveat our advice by acknowledging that everyone’s financial situation is different so the following may or may not apply to you. But keep in mind that while scholarships certainly help defray the cost to attend business school and potentially the debt burden you will have after graduation, an extra $40,000 might not be all that material in the grand scheme of your working life. Especially if you are targeting a lucrative career path and a school that hasn’t offered you a scholarship will increase your chances of success in recruiting for that path. In other words, while you should certainly consider (and try to negotiate) scholarship offers, they might not be the end all be all when you ultimately choose an MBA program.  

Ultimately, it’s Ok to Use Intuition and Not Look Back

If you’re like many business school applicants, it can feel like you should choose an MBA program based on a data-driven, weighted analysis of pros and cons. In case you need to hear this, it is absolutely ok to choose an MBA program based on intuition! This is a highly personal, multifaceted decision and you can’t rely on logic alone to make it.

Further, research actually supports this approach:

‘Intuition is often seen as the opposite of reason. And when we cast things in this binary way, we often define intuition as a yardstick that has no place in the age of science and data. But recent research from Laura Huang, an associate professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, reveals that gut feelings can in fact be useful, especially in highly uncertain circumstances where further data gathering won’t sway the decision maker one way or the other.’

There is a reason most MBA alums look back positively on their experience in business school – while there are differences between programs, the top ones are generally great, and you will find your people at any of them. So, make your decision and don’t look back – look forward to the awesome experiences that await you. Congratulations again.

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Understanding the MBA Application Process: Five Things You Can Be Doin [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   18 Jan 2024, 15:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Understanding the MBA Application Process: Five Things You Can Be Doing Right Now




Yes, it’s only January and it may seem like you have plenty of time before the first round of MBA application deadlines. However, there are several crucial things you can be doing right now to give yourself a leg up on the MBA application process (and reduce your stress level in the fall).

Our overarching recommendation is that you look at the list below and lay out a month-by-month timeline for the year, assuming everything will take longer than you think. Best case, they don’t and you’re ahead of the game; worst case, they do and you’re still on track.

1) Schedule Your Class Visits for this Spring

People are often surprised – not in a good way – that there really isn’t much time to visit schools in the fall before round 1 application deadlines. And you really want to go while classes are in session (i.e., not over the summer).

If you plan to apply round 1, which you should if you’re already thinking about the MBA application process, schedule your visits in the spring. Not only does this help ensure you’ll get them in, it also allows you to interact with students while they’re not in the throes of recruiting and highly stressed (plus both first and second years will be able to share insights into their recent recruiting experiences).

School visits help you assess which schools may be the best fit for you and provide valuable essay and interview ammunition such as the specifics of clubs, classes and the school’s culture that are challenging to conceptualize from merely reading the website. Those who visit almost always write better essays than those who don’t, in our experience.

2) Take the GMAT or GRE ASAP (Seriously – Just Schedule the Exam and Don’t Look Back)

Knowing your GMAT or GRE score early in the MBA application process is helpful in a number of ways. While a test score is far from the only data point schools consider, it should be a factor as you hone your list of target schools and begin researching them.

Further, if your score isn’t what you hoped it would be, knowing this early on will provide time to take extra classes in advance of applying, providing an important counterpoint for schools to consider. Or, you might attempt a retake or even switch tests if you’ve hit a roadblock on the one you initially attempted.

Last but not least, by taking that burden off your plate, you can focus on the higher-level, strategic aspects of the MBA application process such as defining your story and goals.

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3) Get Those Coffee Chats on the Calendar

An MBA is more than an academic degree. It’s a holistic experience with many aspects that are hard to understand without having been there yourself. Seek out people in your network who can talk to you about their MBA experiences.

Not only will having these conversations early help you collect information to accelerate your process, it could also lead to stronger advocacy for you by these individuals if they write your recommendations later on. Everyone likes to see someone being proactive!

4) Be Honest About Your Weaknesses…So You Have Time to Do Something About Them

It’s not hard to find information on what the schools are looking for. Think through where your areas of weakness are and create an action plan to address those issues over the coming months.

Typical areas of weakness include low undergrad GPA, low GMAT / GRE score, limited extracurricular involvement, limited leadership experience, etc. Though you can’t change the past, you can always mitigate the potential negative impact of anything that’s less than perfect on your profile.

5) Start Thinking About Your Goals ASAP

Being able to articulate why the MBA is the right degree for you and what you plan to do with it is extremely important. There are limited spaces in each top MBA program, so they want people who they know will leverage the MBA to do great things. For 75% of people we work with, defining their goals is one of the hardest parts of the process. It takes time, conversations, research and sometimes more than a little soul searching.

We encourage you to start this process early. As a tip, we have most of our clients begin by looking at the job placement reports for their target schools and looking at the LinkedIn profiles of people whose careers may interest them (co-workers, family friends, etc.). Then we get much more methodical, but this preliminary research helps you to get a sense for the lay of the land.

If you want help creating a personalized timeline in advance of your MBA application process, reach out to request an initial consultation.

The post Understanding the MBA Application Process: Five Things You Can Be Doing Right Now appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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The Top 3 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Business School Interview [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   25 Jan 2024, 14:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: The Top 3 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Business School Interview




With Round 2 MBA deadlines in the rearview mirror, many of our clients are (smartly!) turning their focus to preparing for business school interviews. We love mock interviewing with them in the lead up to the real thing. Additionally, many on our team previously served as admissions interviewers. Through these experiences, we’ve noticed some common pitfalls to which even the most impressive candidates can fall victim.  

Here are our top 3 business school interview pitfalls and how to avoid them:

MBA Interview Pitfall #1: Jumbling the chronology of your resume walk through.

The opening question in many business school interviews is ‘walk me through your resume’ or ‘tell me about yourself’. First, recognize that these are essentially the same question. The interviewer wants you to share your background, primarily focused on college and thereafter. They want to hear about your career progression and accomplishments, but they also want to understand the ‘why’ behind each of your choices (college major, job changes, etc.).

In our experience, when asked to walk through their resume, many candidates begin with their current role (i.e., the top of their resume) and work their way backwards (i.e., down the page). This can get very confusing and come out awkwardly. We find that it’s way more coherent to begin with college and talk through your experiences chronologically, through to present day. Further, this ordering more naturally leads into the likely follow-on discussion of why you are choosing to pursue an MBA.

For each ‘section’ of your resume – college is one ‘section’, as is each job you’ve held – talk about three things: the ‘what’, the ‘why’ and the ‘how’. The ‘what’ refers to a high-level description of your company, function, and role. For college, briefly cover where you went and your major/minor(s). The ‘why’ refers to the rationale behind your decision to pursue that opportunity. As it relates to college, this may entail why you chose your school and/or major. The ‘how’ refers to adding in a top or key accomplishment that highlights your impact or “brings to life” what your group does.

An example could sound like this: “I joined ABC Consulting in their healthcare practice where I focused specifically on operations improvement projects. A defining moment for me was when I partnered with an RN to develop a new process for X hospital to materially reduce the risk of sepsis, a possibly deadly infection. This project gave me a taste of the deep impact I could have through a career in healthcare, but it also made me curious about other questions such as XYZ. So that’s why I took my next role at ABC company, to explore the issue of access…”

After working your way through your current role, it can be a nice touch to wrap up with a brief mention of your involvements or interests outside of work. This demonstrates that you are engaged in your community. It can also serve as a potential connection point between you and your interviewer, if you happen to share a hobby or interest.

looking for personalized MBA application guidance? Request an initial consultation

MBA Interview Pitfall #2: Diving into ‘why MBA’ without sharing your career goals.

In addition to sharing your background, the other key thing your interviewer is looking for you to communicate is why you want to pursue an MBA and why their school is at the top of your list. When asked, ‘Why do you want to attend X school?’, we find that clients often get a bit flustered and dive right into the characteristics (classes, clubs, etc.) of that program that are appealing.

This isn’t inherently bad, it’s just hard for the interviewer to interpret why certain things are appealing to you if you haven’t shared the context of your post-MBA career plans first. In our experience, a better approach is to begin by sharing what you plan to do after graduation (immediately and a little further down the road) and then talk about how the program in question will set you up for success in your target career.

It may feel a bit like you are dodging their question at first and that’s ok, so long as the bulk of your answer is spent impressing them with your knowledge of the program and specific insights as to how it is a perfect fit for your needs.

MBA Interview Pitfall #3: Telling stories that are too complex.

A final pitfall we commonly see in business school interviews is responding to behavioral questions (‘tell me about a time when…’) with stories that require too much upfront context. In our experience, candidates are more apt to flub a complicated story or tell it in a way that is confusing to the interviewer. This makes it difficult for the interviewer to accurately recall what you told them when it comes time to submit their evaluation. Additionally, to be honest, people tend to zone out when they don’t follow what someone is talking about.

More importantly, however, spending too much time sharing the upfront context of a story limits the amount of time you can spend on your actions, which are ultimately what you want to emphasize.  Practice your stories out loud and focus on those where you can cover the ‘setup’ in ~30-45 seconds (max). You want to keep your answer to a behavioral question around two minutes, so this leaves plenty of time to cover your actions and the ‘result’ of the story.

Did you know that we provide mock business school interview sessions accompanied by written feedback? We’d love to help you prepare. Reach out to learn more.  

Before your MBA interview, you may also be interested in reading: 

Exit Polls: Interview Reports for Stanford, Haas, Sloan, Columbia, Booth and Fuqua

Prepare for These Three Questions Before Your MBA Interview

The post The Top 3 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Business School Interview appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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The M7 Business Schools: A Comprehensive Guide [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   31 Jan 2024, 13:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: The M7 Business Schools: A Comprehensive Guide



If applying to business school is on your radar (or perhaps you’re already in the process of doing so), you’ve likely come across the somewhat mysterious term ‘M7’. What is this exactly, you may wonder. Generally speaking, the M7 business schools are the US programs that are considered the most well-regarded and to which gaining acceptance is the most competitive.  The M7 business schools consist of: Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Wharton, Columbia Business School, Chicago Booth, Kellogg School of Management, and MIT Sloan.

Attending any of these schools, you can expect a top-notch business education and robust career opportunities. However, that doesn’t mean the experience you would have at each of them is the same – in fact, that’s far from the case.  They vary greatly in many regards, including class size, teaching style, culture, and curricular emphasis.

So, how do you distinguish between the M7 business schools and determine which ones should be on your list of target programs? You need to do your own research – visit if you can, talk to current students/alums, etc. – but, to get you started, we’re sharing our thoughts on what makes each program unique.

Harvard Business School

Famous for its case method teaching format, HBS has one of the largest class sizes of the M7 business schools. However, you may not realize that as a student because for most of your first year, you’ll spend every day with your section of 90 soon-to-be closest friends. Be ready to be cold called in class, where you will be expected to articulately argue your point (or counter point). The case method is most effective when you bring your expertise to the table to teach your fellow classmates and they do the same for you.

  • Class size: 938

  • Average GMAT: 740

  • Average GPA: 3.73

  • Acceptance Rate: 14%

Stanford Graduate School of Business

The GSB has a strong reputation for entrepreneurship, technology, and social impact. In a recent report by Poets & Quants, nearly 25% of the top 100 MBA start-ups came out of Stanford! With a notoriously low acceptance rate, relatively small MBA class, and a strong focus on its motto of “Change lives. Change organizations. Change the world.”, Stanford is arguably the toughest school to get into (even compared to its M7 business school peers).

  • Class size: 431

  • Average GMAT: 738

  • Average GPA: 3.8

  • Acceptance Rate: 9%

Wharton

Wharton is the oldest business school in the country and is consistently ranked one of the top three US MBA programs. Although it is historically known for its deep expertise in finance (private equity, banking, you name it), it also offers a consistently top-ranked real estate program, as well as a top-notch healthcare program and a strong focus on leadership development. Located in Philadelphia, it has one of the largest class sizes of the M7 business schools and achieved gender parity in 2022, when 52% of its incoming class were women.

  • Class size: 874

  • Average GMAT: 728

  • Average GPA: 3.6

  • Acceptance Rate: 23%

Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School sits on a newly built campus in New York City. The curriculum combines classroom learning with real-world experiences that New York has to offer, including in-semester internships and Master Classes working with local companies (who happen to be some of the largest in the world!). CBS students tend to be a blend of people who previously lived in NYC and are keeping their same apartments and friends and fresh New Yorkers who are living in the city for the first time. Be sure to visit before applying if you can!

  • Class size: 900

  • Average GMAT: 730

  • Average GPA: 3.5

  • Acceptance Rate: 20%

Chicago Booth

Booth is famously the most flexible of the M7 business schools. Without a rigid, mandatory core curriculum, students can design their own experience while living in the heart of Chicago. Booth students are intellectually curious and thrive in ambiguity. Booth historically values a high level of quantitative excellence but it’s not just a “quant school” – Boothies go into a wide variety of industries around the world.

  • Class size: 637

  • Average GMAT: 730

  • Average GPA: 3.6

  • Acceptance Rate: 30%

Northwestern Kellogg

Kellogg, nestled in Evanston (about 30 mins north of downtown Chicago), is best known for being a highly collaborative, collegial culture. Most students live within a mile radius of the building, called the Global Hub. Historically, Kellogg students have flocked to the top consulting firms but the big tech firms (think Amazon, Google etc.) heavily recruit there as well as the school has started to incorporate more data science into the curriculum.

  • Class size: 529

  • Average GMAT: 731

  • Average GPA: 3.7

  • Acceptance Rate: 30%

MIT Sloan

Sloan’s curriculum is based on Action Learning, which is “learning by doing”. Students get a blend of classroom instruction and real-world experience outside of the textbooks and cases. With its location in Boston, one of the largest tech hubs in the US (outside of Silicon Valley), you can expect that many of your classmates will be there with entrepreneurship and/or tech goals!

  • Class size: 409

  • Average GMAT: 729

  • Average GPA: 3.61

  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

For additional information on the M7 business schools (and others), check out our Comparison of Top MBA Programs. If you’re ready to apply and want help crafting your applications to the M7 business schools, click here to request an initial consultation.

The post The M7 Business Schools: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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How to Prepare for MBA Interviews Expecting the Unexpected [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   08 Feb 2024, 10:01
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How to Prepare for MBA Interviews – Expecting the Unexpected




Preparing for MBA interviews can seem fairly straightforward at first. All you need to do is bullet out and practice your answers to the standard MBA interview questions and you should be good to go, right? Hopefully so, but not always.

Why Preparing for MBA Interviews Is Not as Straightforward as it Seems

While interviews with members of the adcom may entail a certain level of consistency between candidates, this is by no means the rule (especially for places like HBS where interviews are highly personalized). It is less likely to be true if you are interviewing with an alum or current student, as they are generally given latitude to ask what they like so long as they can assess you according to the school’s designated criteria afterwards.  

So, how do you prepare for MBA interviews, including oddball MBA interview questions you never thought you’d be asked? At the end of the day, you can’t prepare for everything and that’s exactly why the interview is informative to assess your candidacy. Great leaders shine in the real world because they can think on their feet and respond well to an unexpected challenge. Reacting well to an unanticipated interview question is one small way you can demonstrate your potential to be a great leader.

That’s not to say that your MBA interviewer is trying to stump you, as nine times out of ten they aren’t. It might just be that they phrase a question in an unexpected way or ask for an example of a time that you have a perfect story for…if you hadn’t used it for your last answer (argh!).

As we said earlier, you can’t prepare for everything but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do what you can. Absolutely spend the bulk of your time on the most common MBA interview questions like your resume walk through, post-MBA goals, etc., but it’s also helpful to scan a list of the less common questions you might be asked and think about how you would answer them. In our experience, even 30 seconds of thought can result in a stronger answer than having to come up with something on the spot.

Unexpected MBA Interview Questions to Practice

With that in mind, here is a list of somewhat surprising MBA interview questions compiled from past clients and publicly available sources like ClearAdmit to help as you prepare for your MBA interviews:

  • What are some challenges you would face in your MBA?

  • Who are your firm’s biggest competitors and what is its competitive advantage?

  • What do you not like about your current company?

  • What’s your plan B if you can’t get the role you want after graduation?

  • What if, in five years, your target industry doesn’t end up as you expect it will. What will you do, and will that change your plans?

  • What are the three attributes a good team needs?

  • Tell me about a time you showed resilience.

  • What does equality and diversity in the workplace mean to you? (Note: we’re finding that nearly every program now includes a diversity-related question in its interview. Be prepared!)

  • Share your proudest accomplishment, either personal or professional.

  • What are the top three factors that led to your success?

  • What would you like your legacy to be at [X school]?

  • What is trust and how important is trust in our society?

  • Please tell me about three failures you have had.

  • If you could change one thing about your current company, what would it be?

  • Do you read for fun? What was the last book you read?

  • What was the most interesting conversation you’ve had recently?

  • What other schools did you apply to and why?

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Another Type of MBA Interview Question to Consider

Clearly this list is far from comprehensive, but it is a start. Another place to focus as you prepare for MBA interviews is on any school-specific principles, concepts, etc. For instance, Fuqua is known to ask about ‘DQ’ or ‘decency quotient’, Haas may question how you’ve demonstrated its four ‘leadership principles’, and Tuck may ask whether you exhibit the ‘four characteristics’ that form the basis of its admissions criteria. These programs will expect you to be familiar with these concepts if you have done an appropriate amount of research.

Final Thoughts and What to Do if You Get Stumped

At the end of the day, please don’t stress if you get stumped. You’re human and your interviewer knows this – and has likely been in your same shoes! It is totally fine to take a pause to gather your thoughts, even if it means an uncomfortably long silence. Worst case, if you end up blurting out a jumbled answer, you can always address the situation in your thank you note and offer more cohesive thoughts (briefly, of course). 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like some help to prepare for MBA interviews or with anything else related to your MBA admissions journey.

The post How to Prepare for MBA Interviews – Expecting the Unexpected appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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How to Ace Your MBA Interview [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   15 Feb 2024, 15:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How to Ace Your MBA Interview




We’re in the thick of interview season for Round 2 applicants!  If you’re among this group, first of all, congrats on making it to this stage. You’re well on your way to making it across the finish line for one or more of your target MBA programs. We know you’re probably focused on how to ace your MBA interview, but please keep in mind that the admissions team is still looking at your holistic application. While important, your interview performance is not make or break – we swear!   

That said, you want to give it your all and we’re here to help. As a starting point, consider what schools are trying to learn about you from this portion of the application.  In a nutshell, they want to understand the unique perspective you will bring to their class and gain a better understanding of whether there is an authentic ‘fit’ between you, your goals, and their program. Importantly, they want to see that you can convey these points in a clear, concise, and logical way when you don’t have the benefit of being able to carefully choose and then refine your language like you do in written essays. 

While there are certainly outliers (such as Wharton’s Team Based Discussion and HBS’ unique interview style), many of the top programs utilize a fairly straightforward, conversational format. You can expect to be asked for an overview of your background / resume, to outline your goals and how ‘program X’ will enable them, and likely some ‘behavioral questions’ that seek to understand how you’ve demonstrated critical skills like leadership and teamwork in the past.

Three Tips to Ace Your MBA Interview

As you consider your material and start to bullet out your answers to commonly asked questions, keep in mind the following three tips:

Control the Narrative (Without Being Obvious About It)

Think like a politician (albeit a very humble, not ‘politician-like’ politician).  Politics 101 teaches us to ‘control the narrative’ or, said another way, tell the story your way, before someone else has the chance to draw their own conclusions. Controlling the narrative also relies heavily on storytelling – successful politicians (on both sides of the aisle) paint a compelling picture of society’s needs and powerfully advocate for how their policies will address them.

So how does this apply to you and how to ace your MBA interview? If you’ve done a good job crafting your personal brand, you know the key tenets of what you bring to the table (both personally and professionally) and where you plan to go in the future. Think of the key stories that crystallize these points and jot them down. Now, bump these stories up against the list of questions you will likely be asked – think about how you can make all of your key points within the constraints of where the interview is likely to go.

It can be tempting to approach your preparation in the reverse order (looking at the questions and then thinking of the story from your arsenal that fits best), but that makes it easy for the interview to fly by before you share one of the key things that make you stand out from the pack. By keeping a mental list of the key points you want to make, you can be proactive rather than reactive.

Show Your Personality!

It can also be easy for the interview to fly by before you make a single mention of anything about yourself besides your work experience. How boring is that? To truly ace your MBA interview, you want the interviewer to see that you are curious, interesting, and would make a fun addition to the class. It’s hard for them to draw that conclusion if the only stories you’ve told are from work.

As you prepare, proactively look for places you can tell stories about yourself that don’t have to do with work. Brainstorm examples from your extracurriculars, hobbies, and personal history that make for impactful answers to the questions you will likely be asked and, as noted above, support the personal brand you portray in your application.

One simple tip is to practice ending your resume ‘walk through’ with a quick mention of your hobbies or interests. Something along the lines of ‘…in addition to my work at X firm, I love to spend time doing Y and Z’.  This has the potential to make for an interesting follow-on discussion with the interviewer or, at the very least, shows that you are a dynamic, multi-faceted individual.

Reflect, Reflect, Reflect

As you undoubtedly discovered as you crafted your applications, business schools care a lot about the factors that have shaped you as a person as well as the things that motivate and drive you today. This is why Stanford asks its age-old question ‘what matters most to you and why’.  

The interview is no different. The interviewer doesn’t just want to hear that you went to school X and took your first job at company Y – they want to know why you made each of these decisions. They don’t just want to hear that you plan to go into consulting after you graduate, they want to know what excites you about the work and why. A logical thought process rooted in self-awareness is truly what you want to portray.

On the most basic level, the message we hope you’ve gotten is that preparing to ace your MBA interview is more than just writing out answers to every question you might possibly be asked. There is strategy involved! You’ve worked hard to craft a cohesive, compelling thesis throughout your application thus far – make sure that the interview reinforces it and you will set yourself up for success.  

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Do You Need a Finalized Test Score Before You Hire an MBA Admissions C [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   21 Feb 2024, 10:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Do You Need a Finalized Test Score Before You Hire an MBA Admissions Consultant?



We love this time of year because we get to speak with a ton of prospective MBAs. A common question we hear is something to the effect of, “I’m planning to retake the GMAT or GRE, should I wait until I finalize my score before I hire an MBA admissions consultant?”

We get it, tackling one thing at a time seems like a natural strategy. However, in our experience, that sequential approach is often not in the applicant’s best interest. There are three key reasons why partnering with an MBA admissions consultant early, even before you have finalized your test scores, is often ideal.

True Soul Searching and Thought Partnership Take Time

Applicants frequently underestimate the soul searching required to develop a cohesive, compelling, and differentiated story they are passionate about. It can easily take several months (or more) of concerted work with an MBA admissions consultant to uncover your unique value proposition, address weaknesses in your profile, and hone your career goals.

Further, applying to at least three to six top MBA programs, which most applicants do, is a lot of work! It can be easy to underestimate the total time it will take to iterate your resume, recommender materials, essays, and application forms. To put your absolute best foot forward, leave time for multiple rounds of feedback (10-15+ versions of essays is common) from the MBA admissions consultant who has become an expert in your candidacy.

Make the Most of Your Time and Money

Let’s be honest – hiring an MBA admissions consultant is a significant investment. If you work with your consultant comprehensively, the price stays the same whether you get started six months before your deadlines or three. So why not dig in as early as possible and spend the greatest number of hours collaborating?

You may not be able to nail down your list of target schools now, but unless you think there is a significant chance you aren’t going to apply at all if your score is weak, you should make the most of this time. Refine your story and goals, strategize about supplementing your existing leadership roles and accomplishments, and start perfecting your resume and recommender materials. Most of these elements don’t change a whole lot depending on your targeted programs.

Further, by getting started early, you leave yourself a cushion in case life gets unexpectedly busy. Applicants often realize they don’t have as much time as they thought given spring graduations, weddings, summer vacation plans and unforeseen work demands. Pace yourself while there are fewer demands on the time of all parties involved.

GMAT Focus Edition, a notable percentage of our clients end up taking the exam(s) three to four times.

Ultimately, the test score is an important but relatively small piece of the overall application. So, it’s not sensible to spend, for example, 75% of your time on improving test scores and only 25% on all the other elements of your application combined. The “other” elements of your process are often far more within your control. So, consider reversing that approach and allotting 25% of your time to test score optimization and 75% to the remaining elements.

A strong MBA admissions consultant is accustomed to helping applicants adjust course as elements of their candidacy change. So, if your GMAT or GRE score ends up diverging from what you originally planned, don’t fret! You will already have a strong relationship with a knowledgeable thought partner to help you review and update your list of target schools.

Each applicant’s circumstances are unique, so we welcome the chance to discuss your individual profile and timeline during an initial 30-minute consultation.

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Vantage Point MBA News [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   29 Feb 2024, 16:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How Do I Find the Best MBA Admissions Consultant…for Me?




If you’re planning to apply to business school and looking for a partner in the process, your head might be spinning from all the firms you see on MBA forums, Poets & Quants, etc. It’s hard to cut through the noise and be confident that you’ve identified the best MBA admissions consultant for your needs.

Why Do People Hire MBA Admissions Consultants (and How Many Do)?

Before we dive into how to find the best MBA admissions consultant for you (that last piece being key), let’s talk about why you might want to hire one in the first place. Depending on what number you believe, roughly 20% of applicants choose to work with an MBA admissions consultant (GMAC) or over 50% (MBA Admissions Consultant trade association). Let’s average the two and assume that 1 in 3 applicants to the top MBA programs are getting professional help with their applications.

They do so for a variety of reasons, but here are the reasons we hear most commonly from our clients:

  • I want to get insights from people who know what the adcom is looking for and have deep knowledge of the specifics of the programs themselves.
  • I want help discovering what makes me unique as an applicant, fleshing out my goals, and deciding what stories to tell in essays.
  • I want someone to keep me on task, provide structure to the process and be a second (critical) set of eyes on my application materials.

How to Hire the Best MBA Admissions Consultant

Our first word of advice is to invest sufficient time and energy into this important decision. Do your research, ask the tough questions, and determine whether a prospective consultant is someone whose guidance you trust. Think through whether you can see yourself working with this consultant and their team, not on a couple of drafts, but on v15, when you’re tired, frustrated and just want ‘everything to be done already’.

Key Questions to Ask MBA Admissions Consultants

With that, here are some key questions to ask as you’re talking to potential consultants:

How many years of professional experience do you have working with applicants?

Like every other profession, experience matters. There’s no magical number that qualifies as “enough” experience, but you should have reasonable evidence that your consultant has a track record of success. At Vantage Point MBA, we’re fully transparent about our team’s experience and every new consultant on our team undergoes multiple rounds of shadowing before she/he is available to work with clients one-on-one. 

Have you ever worked with an applicant like me?

MBA admissions is a nuanced process, and each school is unique. A consultant who advises applicants to Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton all day long may never have worked with someone on an LBS application. If LBS is your top choice, this is an important thing to consider. Similarly, advising an MBB consultant, for whom differentiation from their peer set is key, is different from working with a non-traditional applicant or someone coming out of the military. The same logic applies to post-MBA goals, nationality, profile ‘weaknesses’ like low a GPA/GMAT. Find someone who has specific experience – and evidence of success – with applicants similar to you. That’s what will make them the best MBA admissions consultant for you.

What is your work style?

Consultants are people just like you and they can have vastly different personalities. Think about coworkers, managers, and mentors you’ve worked particularly well with in the past. What were their personalities like and what made the partnership so successful? Perhaps their direct communication style matched your own or they knew exactly how to reassure you during moments of doubt? Asking a potential consultant about their style will tell you a lot, as will reading client reviews of how they work.

How many clients do you take per round? 

This is a critical question when you look to hire the best MBA admissions consultant and is so often overlooked, in our experience. If you’re going to be one of too many, then it will be impossible to receive that ‘high touch’ service that everyone markets. Make sure your consultant has time for you, especially as you get down to the wire. We are proud to maintain the lowest consultant-to-client ratio in the industry.  

A Few Caveats About Finding the Best MBA Admissions Consultant

MBA admissions consulting is a crowded space (and expanding each year, it seems). There are hundreds of firms ranging from one-man (or woman) shops to multi-million-dollar conglomerates that can also sell you GMAT prep classes, help you with your law school personal statements if the MBA doesn’t work out, and provide business school loans.

They’re ALL ‘the Best’

If you’ve looked at more than a handful of these companies, you’ll see something in common – somehow, they’re all ‘the best’ MBA admissions consultant. One place to start assessing whether they are ‘the best’ for you is by looking at reviews on third-party blogs and forums. However, a lot of companies, particularly the smaller ones, aren’t listed on many of the more popular sites. Does that mean they don’t have a track record of success? Absolutely not. To be eligible for reviews on certain (very popular) sites, you guessed it, consulting companies have to pay. Paying doesn’t mean these companies aren’t as good as they seem (full disclosure, we participate with many of them), but it does mean that some other firms are excluded, and you shouldn’t hold that against them.

Beware of the Metrics

A common metric that is thrown around is the number of clients that a firm/consultant has helped through the process. Is volume a good thing because it reflects experience? Or is it a bad thing because it shows that the company/consultant is churning through applicants and likely won’t have the time to develop a personalized approach to your application? Be sure to ask about individual consultant capacity. Realistically it’s hard to provide “high touch” service to 50 clients per round, so you’ll want to get a straight answer on how many clients each consultant works with at a time.

And of course, there’s the even more common one: the success metric. The problem with this metric is the fine print – the data is often self-reported and limited to certain clients. Additionally, there are two types of firms out there: a) the ones who focus on success and thereby have adverse incentives to guide clients towards “easier” schools; and b) the ones who focus less on success metrics and are incented to get you into the best school that they can. So, if you see a metric, ask for the background on it like you would with anything else.

Bottom Line

MBA admissions consultants can be a huge advantage in helping you navigate the complex and stressful MBA application process. They can help strengthen your application by building a relationship with you and leveraging their own experiences to help you position yourself optimally. And there are great consultants and a lot of firms out there to help.

But of course, the short answer to your question remains that there is no silver bullet to find the best MBA admissions consultant for you. Take your time, do your research, talk to multiple people, and ask the questions we referenced above.

If you’d like to speak with our team and ask us some of these same questions, we’d love to hear from you. Simply request an initial consultation by filling out our brief questionnaire and we’ll be in touch. 

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Who Gets into Stanford GSB? [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   06 Mar 2024, 14:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Who Gets into Stanford GSB?




You may have seen this article on Poets & Quants, which shared some eye-opening data from our peer firm, Fortuna Admissions, about who gets into Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School. In a nutshell, the article proved that, while these two uber competitive programs tout their diverse class compositions, in reality they show a clear preference for certain backgrounds. Well, that’s disheartening, huh?

Yes, it certainly can feel a bit unfair.  At this stage in the game, you can’t change where you went to college, and you may or may not have time (or the desire) to switch jobs. So, does that mean you should give up on your dream of attending one of these top programs? We’re not in the business of sugarcoating things – the chances of getting into HBS or the GSB are small for even the most qualified applicant.

We are in the business, however, of helping applicants increase their chances. And we think this research can be used to help you do exactly that. Here are our four actionable takeaways from the research about who gets into Stanford GSB and HBS:

#1 – Successful applicants have a proven track record of outperformance. If you can’t do this through the selectivity of your undergrad or employer, find another means to demonstrate you are the ‘best of the best’.

Perhaps the most notable takeaway from this analysis is that a disproportionate number of HBS’ and Stanford’s classes attended a small subset of highly selective US undergraduate institutions. For instance, 53% of Stanford’s class studied at just 19 institutions (Ivies and similarly competitive public and private institutions). Further, the employer names on your resume matter, a lot. Half of HBS’ class worked for one of 20 companies (MBB, bulge bracket banks, big tech) or the military. 

So, what if you didn’t go to an Ivy League school or work at McKinsey? Fair or not, admissions officers are using such credentials to determine which candidates consistently excel relative to an intensely talented peer set.

The key is to think about times (note we said times, plural) where you stood out from the pack and make sure these are highlighted in your application. Maybe you were a standout competitor in a college sport while maintaining a stellar GPA, for instance. Or you work at a slightly less impressive firm but rose through the ranks more quickly than anyone at your level has before. These types of accomplishments should be reiterated across your resume, essays, and recommendations (as appropriate).  

#2 – International applicants who have never studied or worked in the US bear an additional burden of proof to show they’ll fit in and be competitive at HBS or the GSB.

Another takeaway that, frankly, surprised even us was that many (33%-50%) of the ‘international’ students in HBS’ and Stanford’s classes had studied in the US for undergrad. Amongst the remainder, only select international universities (Cambridge, McGill, the IITs, etc.) had more than one admit per class.

If you are an international applicant without US-based college or work experience on your resume, the bar is just higher, plain and simple. Take great care to highlight any and all cross-cultural work or extracurricular projects you’ve been involved with, notably those that required communicating in English. Beyond just participating in such projects, demonstrate that you had a material impact on the outcome, influenced other stakeholders, etc.   

#3 – For overrepresented groups, differentiation versus peers becomes the name of the game. That will usually come from stories outside of work.

This is not all to say that, if you went to Princeton and work at Goldman Sachs, you are automatically one of the lucky few who gets into Stanford GSB or HBS. A big, yet unavoidable shortcoming to this analysis is that the authors have no way to know what the pool of applicants looked like. It’s possible that those with MBB experience are overrepresented in the class because they were overrepresented in the applicant pool.

We’ve worked with a lot of management consultants and private equity associates – trust us when we say that the hardest part of the application journey for these individuals is differentiating themselves from equally qualified peers who have worked on similar cases or deals. Telling a story about how you flawlessly led a workstream on your latest case is unlikely to set you apart.

In our experience, the difference makers for those from overrepresented groups are twofold – the stories you tell in your essay(s), which should overwhelmingly come from outside of work, and the quality of your recommendations. Successful essays (the writing of which deserves an entirely different article) present a clear and coherent picture of who you are, NOT what you’ve done. They also strike a tone of humility, collaboration, and impact. 

When it comes to who gets into Stanford GSB and HBS, particularly amongst candidates with similar resumes, we cannot stress the letters of recommendation component of your applications enough. Make sure your recommenders highlight what differentiates you from other people at your level (9 times out of 10, perhaps more, this is NOT the quality of your analytical output, for example). These differentiators should feel authentic to you and be supported by strong, specific examples. It is hard and takes real investment to write a stellar recommendation – above all else, make sure you choose recommenders that will take this to heart.

#4 – Carefully think about when to apply, considering whether another year of experience would put you in the sweet spot for HBS / GSB given your background.

Lastly, and particularly for those from a crowded space like management consulting, give real thought to when you apply. Fortuna’s research showed that schools like HBS may not be as reticent to admit older applicants as common industry knowledge suggests.

In our experience, candidates who have fewer than average years of work experience (4.7 years is HBS’ average at matriculation, for reference) can have more difficulty coming up with defining leadership stories and articulating a nuanced vision of the change they plan to drive in the future.

We’ve found that year two on the job after college is when people begin to get a sense for where their passion lies and/or what their ‘superpower’ is. Consciously trying to gain experience in a focus area or leveraging a unique ability during their third year in the workforce can make all the difference when it comes time to writing your HBS and GSB essays (and can also strengthen the quality of your recommendations). Again, this isn’t an exact science, just something to consider as it relates to your own profile.

If you’d like an honest assessment of whether your profile aligns with who gets into Stanford GSB or HBS, as well as advice on optimizing your chances, reach out to request a consultation.

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Vantage Point MBA News [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   07 Mar 2024, 13:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Am I Too Young for a Top MBA Program? Or Too Old?
Age is just a number, right? We’d certainly like to think so. However, if you’re considering applying to business school, you’ve likely come across the class profile for your target programs. These reports can be helpful in determining how the admissions committee will view your ‘stats’ (GPA, test score, etc.). You’ll find that one of the items most schools report is the latest class’s average years of work experience. This may leave you wondering if you’re ‘too old’ or ‘too young’ for a top MBA program. It’s certainly not cut and dry, which is why we’re excited to tackle the topic in this article.

A Caveat – It Depends on the Program Format

The first thing we’d like to clarify is that the work experience profile of top MBA programs depends on the program format you’re considering. On average, executive MBA programs target students who are further into their careers (8+ years of work experience). Part-time MBA programs generally enroll those with 3-10 years of work experience. Both of these formats tend to have a wider range of ages and the exact amount of experience an applicant has plays less of a role in admissions decisions.

With that in mind, our main focus today is on full-time MBA programs, specifically the ‘M7’ which is the set of schools our clients most commonly target. If you scan the class profiles for these programs, you’ll find that nearly all report the same average years of work experience for their most recent class – 5 years. Some of the top 20 US and European MBA programs average slightly higher, even up to 6 years, but the band is fairly narrow. Note that 5 years refers to the amount of work experience a student has on the first day of classes, not the day they submit their application.

But An Average Is Just That, Right?

Exactly! If 5 years of work experience is the average, a good portion of each class has more than that and a good portion has less. In fact, Wharton reports that its latest class includes someone with only 1 year of experience as well as someone with 21 years.

Our intent here is not to discourage anyone who is younger or older than average for their target programs. It’s simply to help MBA hopefuls understand where they fall so they can use that knowledge to inform their application strategy. By understanding the concerns the adcom may have about your tenure in the workforce, you can emphasize parts of your profile that will put their minds at ease.

Request an initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Vantage Point MBA News [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   21 Mar 2024, 19:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Successfully Navigating a Job Change While Applying to Business School
Key Takeaways
  • A recent job change doesn’t mean you have to abandon or postpone your plans for applying to business school.
  • Instead, successful applicants implement several key strategies to get accepted in the wake of a job change.
  • Proactive efforts such as organizing events or leading initiatives at work or in your community can highlight growth and leadership skills in the absence of a promotion within your company.
  • Since MBA programs prefer letters of recommendation from your current supervisor, planning ahead by cultivating relationships with potential recommenders is crucial.
  • Communicating career transitions positively is essential, focusing on personal and professional growth rather than dwelling on setbacks.
Are starting a new job and applying to business school mutually exclusive? Whether your recent career transition was driven by a disappointing bonus, continued layoffs in the finance or tech sectors, or an unexpected job offer, it’s completely normal to wonder how the move will impact your MBA applications. This question can be especially unsettling and stressful if you were planning on applying in the next 6 months. You may worry that the adcom will discount your candidacy, either because you haven’t been settled in a new role for over a year, or because you have a recent gap of several months on your resume.

Well, we have good news for you! We have observed that taking several key steps early can help you get into a top MBA program while navigating a recent job change.

Proactively Address Career Progression

You may believe the myth that the only way to demonstrate career progression while applying to business school is through multiple promotions with the same firm. But we haven’t found that to be true. A new role at a new company can be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate progression via new skills learned, growth in leadership, or responsibility for larger and more global teams. Your resume is ground zero for highlighting your growth.

And if those opportunities for advancement aren’t immediately obvious, look out for ways that you can carve out those experiences for yourself. For example, if you have recently joined a new company, perhaps there is an opportunity to share your expertise with others. You could simultaneously learn new skills by volunteering to organize and lead a “lunch & learn” series. You can then highlight this new leadership role on your resume. Further, you can point to your collaborative spirit and demonstrate how this undertaking helped you climb the learning curve quickly.

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Position Yourself for Strong Recommendations

Recommender selection may also be giving you pause if you’ve recently switched jobs. After all, the top programs express preference that one of your letters of recommendation comes from a current supervisor. The good news is that if you plan ahead, you can ensure that six months from now there is at least one obvious person to speak to your strengths and accomplishments in your new capacity.

So, take inventory of your work relationships. Is there a manager, client, department head, or business partner that you can identify and build a closer partnership with in advance of applying to business school? The goal would be to work with them closely for at least 3 to 4 months by the time you ask them for a recommendation. But don’t limit yourself to in-office interactions. For example, you can consider treating a potential mentor and recommender to lunch or an outing (golfing, sporting events, etc.) to help build the relationship. Finding uninterrupted time with a colleague away from the office can often expedite and solidify a mentorship in short order.

Even if you are a new entrepreneur, you can strategically position yourself favorably with a customer, vendor, or co-founder who can be supportive of your MBA pursuits. It just takes some advance planning and brainstorming. It can be helpful to have a sounding board for decisions like this, whether that is an admissions consultant, mentor, or trusted friend.

And a final point on recommenders. For programs that require two letters of recommendation, you can absolutely rely on a second recommender from your prior position. As long as you worked with this individual in the recent past, they know you well, and they will speak glowingly about your strengths, they will be a solid choice.

Practice Communicating Your Job Change in a Favorable Light

Lastly, learn to talk about your recent job change in an upbeat and positive manner!  Now we know that is no easy task, particularly when the shift is driven by factors outside of your control. But you control the narrative.

Keep in mind that admissions officers are fully aware that career trajectories often have redirections and bumps in the road. However, when you speak about making a leap, filling a gap, or correcting course, it’s critical to do so with a positive attitude. Our most successful clients aren’t perfect but instead conveyed their transitions openly and honestly, with an eye toward how they have made them a better person, colleague, and leader.

Remember that there is no reason to bring up failures while applying to business school unless you are explicitly asked about one.

If you’re ready to invest in a world class MBA admissions consultant who can help you navigate the challenges associated with conveying career changes in your essays, resume, short answer questions, and interviews, we invite you to request an initial consultation with our team.

We believe firmly that there is no one correct “blueprint” for the professional trajectory of any given applicant. But if you feel that your current track is taking a unique or untraditional path, stay positive, think strategically (easier said than done!), and get help when you need it. Once again, we welcome the chance to have an initial consultation with you to discuss how we can help you reduce your stress and plan ahead thoughtfully and proactively!

Request An Initial Consultation

FAQs

How can I effectively demonstrate career progression on my resume after a recent job change?

If your new role comes with a higher title than your previous job, you’ll want to make sure your resume is formatted to bring that to the forefront. But title aside, managing a larger budget, leading larger deals / transactions, and growing your impact are all great ways to show career progression. Alternatively, if your career move got you closer to your dream role or industry, you’ll want to make sure you highlight that in your essays and application short-answers.

What steps can I take to ensure I have strong recommendations for my MBA applications, especially if I’ve recently switched jobs?

You can identify one or two individuals, ideally your new manager, who would be in a position to write you a strong letter of recommendation. Then, proactively build a relationship with them. That will likely mean going the extra mile to take something off their plate, to anticipate what they need, or to fix a process that was unnecessarily manual. In addition to impressing them on the job, be sure to build a personal connection. Ask them about their kids or how their recent vacation was. Or learn about one of their hobbies and show a genuine interest in it.

Are there specific strategies for entrepreneurs to secure strong recommendations for their MBA applications?

Yes, there are! Absent a boss or supervisor, we’ve had entrepreneur clients get great letters of recommendation from a co-founder, an investor, a vendor, or a customer. The key to a strong letter of recommendation is how well the person knows you (the applicant) and how closely you have worked together. As long as your recommender can speak knowledgably about your professional strengths and accomplishments, then you’re in good hands. And once you’ve identified the best person, you’ll want to nurture and build the relationship. Just be sure to minimize any impact on your business.

How can I communicate recent career transitions positively during MBA interviews or application essays?

The first step is to think about the recent career transition positively. Focus on what opportunities you can now pursue more freely or what you’ve learned from navigating uncertainty. Once you feel more positive about it, it will be easier to authentically talk about it more positively. It’s OK to admit that it was a challenging time, if that’s the case, but then quickly pivot to addressing the outcome that was for the better and how you’ve grown from it. Resilience is an important leadership quality and business schools are looking for future leaders who can navigate the uncertain world we live in.

Should I address any gaps or setbacks in my career trajectory in my MBA applications, and if so, how should I approach it?

Yes, but only if it’s evident from your resume timeline and work history. You never want to leave anything to question in your profile and hope that the adcom will assume the best. Instead, you want to assume they will notice everything and proactively address any gaps or setbacks (like taking a pay cut from one job to the next) to alleviate their concerns. This also shows self-awareness. That said, some setbacks are more subtle and if you were able to overcome them without any impact on your external record then there’s no need to bring attention to it.   Successfully Navigating a Job Change While Applying to Business School appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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Vantage Point MBA News [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   28 Mar 2024, 20:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Decoding Your Undergraduate Transcript for MBA Admissions





Key Takeaways

  • The adcom looks at more than just your cumulative GPA when reviewing your undergraduate transcript. They scan it line-by-line.

  • They will be looking for evidence that you can handle the rigor of their MBA curriculum through your overall grades and performance in relevant quantitative courses, such as Calculus or Statistics.

  • They will also be scanning for particular areas of concern such as outlier grades, declining grade trends, and inconsistencies from one semester to the next.

  • The adcom understands context. There are inevitably “grey” areas in interpreting any applicant’s major, grades, and GPA across several years, so don’t panic if one aspect of your record is less than perfect

If you’re anything like most MBA applicants, you probably haven’t dusted off your undergrad transcript and taken a close look in several years. Most applicants are understandably focused on their overall GPA (because MBA programs publish a mean or range for each admitted class) and the brand associated with their undergraduate institution (because they have an inherent sense of whether the adcom finds it impressive). No doubt, those are important factors in your application. But there is quite a bit more that the adcom will be focused on when they review your undergraduate transcript in the context of your MBA application.

For example, they may notice that there were particular semesters where you excelled or struggled. They will also see how many classes you took Pass/Fail. And they will take note of your grades in quantitatively rigorous classes like Calculus, Economics, and Statistics.

By understanding how the adcom assesses and reviews your undergraduate transcript, you can then figure out which concrete steps you should take, if necessary, to address this important element of the application process.

Identifying Evidence That You Can Handle Challenging MBA Coursework

Your undergraduate transcript is the first place that the adcom looks for proof that you will be successful academically in their MBA program. Further, they believe that past academic performance is their best indicator of your future success. So equally important as your GMAT / GRE test score and work experience are your grades in quantitatively challenging courses.

While they look specifically to your grades in classes like Calculus, Economics, and Statistics for evidence you can handle MBA coursework, they realize not all applicants have taken these courses. So, in the absence of strong grades (ideally B+ or better) in those classes, they look at your major(s) to identify courses that are challenging and/or support problem solving and critical thinking. Thus, strong grades in Computer Science or Chemistry courses are going to provide the adcom greater assurance than the equivalent grades in History or Psychology courses.

Note that the adcom is particularly savvy about individual programs and their respective grade inflation. So, in addition to considering the brand strength of your undergraduate institution, they are also going to know when they need to take even mediocre grades with a grain of salt.

PRO TIP: If there isn’t strong evidence in your transcript of your ability to handle challenging coursework and analytics, you will want to strongly consider mitigating this weakness. There are many ways to go about supplementing your transcript with more recent coursework or certificates. Our team invites you to strategize with us on this topic before making an investment in pricey and time-intensive online courses to ensure they are worth both your effort and money.

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Uncovering Red Flags

Former MBA admissions officers on the Vantage Point MBA team admit that they typically only spent about five minutes (out of approximately 30 minutes total for an entire application) reviewing an applicant’s undergraduate transcript. But in those five minutes, they read nearly every line of the document and scanned for red flags.

Specifically, did you take more than just one or two Pass/Fail classes, and is it likely you were trying to mask bad grades by doing so? Did you score below a B- in any of your classes? If so, did you retake those classes to improve your grade at any point? Are there any obvious outlier semesters with poor performance (GPA below 3.0), and if so, was it before you settled into your major (less concerning) or after (more concerning)?

If the adcom does identify any red flags, the first thing they will do is look for evidence in your transcript that you have overcome the weakness. Ideally, you would have demonstrated commitment to personal improvement by retaking classes with very low grades or recommitting to achieve impressive academic performance after a notably weak semester.

Absent mitigating factors in the transcript itself, the adcom will look to your application form and optional essay for further evidence and explanation.

PRO TIP: The adcom values consistency. It is important to ensure that any major GPA you are reporting on your resume mirrors your transcript. Similarly, any points you are explaining in your optional essay must be consistent with what the adcom is seeing on your transcript document.

Putting Your Undergraduate Transcript in Context

Keep in mind that no candidate’s strengths or weaknesses on their undergraduate transcript are viewed in a vacuum. They are always viewed in conjunction with your test scores (particularly your quant score) and work experience as painted by both you and your recommender(s). And the greater the number of years you have been in the work force and away from academics, the more important your work experience becomes relative to your academic background.

PRO TIP: Your transcript may not tell the whole story. Are there elements of your academic track record that you should consider highlighting elsewhere in your application? For example, if you double majored while also playing a varsity sport, you likely want to highlight that on your resume. If your major GPA was particularly impressive in a challenging discipline, that is also worth calling out on your resume.

The moral of the story is: your undergraduate transcript is not simply an element of the application process that is outside your control because it took place several years back. Once you have reviewed it through an adcom lens, consider reaching out to our team of experienced admissions consultants to cross-check your assessment and develop your action plan. We want you to feel confident when you hit “upload” for your transcript at each of your MBA programs.

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FAQs

Do MBA programs care about your undergraduate GPA?

Yes, MBA programs do consider an applicant’s undergraduate GPA as part of the admissions process, but its importance can vary depending on the school, program type, and other factors. While a strong GPA is generally seen as a positive indicator of academic capability and discipline, the adcom takes a holistic approach, considering various aspects of an applicant’s profile, such as work experience, GMAT/GRE scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.

Do MBA programs care about your graduate GPA from another master’s level degree?

Generally, MBA admissions committees primarily focus on undergraduate GPA, as it provides a benchmark for academic performance during a candidate’s formative years. However, a strong graduate GPA can still be a positive indicator of academic ability and discipline, especially if it demonstrates improvement or excellence in a relevant field of study.

In most cases, MBA programs will consider graduate GPA as a secondary factor in their admissions process, particularly if the applicant’s undergraduate GPA is not as strong or if the graduate degree is in a field closely related to business.

How do you explain a low GPA in your MBA applications?

If you have a below average undergraduate GPA, you may be able to mitigate its impact by demonstrating excellence in other areas, such as having a stellar GMAT/GRE score, strong career progression, leadership roles, or other notable achievements since college. All MBA programs offer the opportunity via an optional essay or application field to explain any extenuating circumstances that may have affected your academic performance.

What is considered a good undergraduate GPA for MBA applications?

GPA expectations vary between MBA programs. As a general rule, we define a good MBA GPA as 3.5 or higher for the top 10 MBA programs and 3.3 or higher for the top 15 programs, and 3.2 or higher for all other MBA programs. If your GPA falls below those levels, we recommend further addressing it in your applications.

How do MBA programs verify transcripts?

MBA programs typically verify transcripts by requiring applicants to submit official transcripts directly from the institutions they attended. These transcripts are sent either electronically or via mail in sealed envelopes directly from the issuing institution to the admissions office of the MBA program.

Upon receiving the transcripts, admissions officers may cross-check the information provided on the application with the official transcripts to ensure accuracy and authenticity. They may verify details such as the courses taken, grades received, GPA calculation methods, degree conferral, and any other relevant information.

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The Best MBA Programs for Technology [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   04 Apr 2024, 21:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: The Best MBA Programs for Technology




2023 was a tough year for graduating MBAs looking to enter the technology industry. As a result of hiring too many people during the pandemic and the threat of a recession, major tech companies that reliably recruited MBAs instead implemented hiring freezes while laying off over 250,000 workers.

The good news is that the technology industry is expected to recover in 2024 as the economy improves and over-hiring adjusts. Disruptive technologies such as AI and machine learning are also creating more tech roles and the need for leaders who have the skills and knowledge to responsibly apply technology in business.

Whether you have been working in tech for years or looking to launch your career in tech as a product manager or entrepreneur, this ranking of the best MBA programs for technology can help you select the programs that will maximize your chances of landing in the area of tech that is the best fit for you.

The Best MBA Programs for Careers in Technology

Note that while we have assigned a ranking of sorts, each of the programs below offers strong technology curriculum, resources, and recruiting track records. For our ranking methodology, we took into account the overall ranking of the institution, the prominence of each school’s technology offerings, internal client feedback, and post-MBA placement statistics.

1. University of California Berkeley – Haas (30% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

You can’t underestimate the power of location when it comes to getting a leg up in recruiting for tech. Haas’ location in the San Francisco Bay Area gives its small 300-person MBA class incredible access to networking and experiential learning opportunities in the tech sector.

In addition to a robust curriculum in data analysis, design thinking, and product management, Haas’ impressive list of experiential learning opportunities offers opportunities to collaborate on innovative projects with Berkeley faculty, students in engineering and science, and local tech companies like PayPal, Cisco, and Autodesk. Startup accelerators like SkyDeck and LAUNCH also allow aspiring entrepreneurs to build and gain momentum for their ideas.

You can learn more about Haas’ tech offerings here and why it’s the best MBA program for technology.

2. Stanford GSB (24% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

Stanford’s location next to Silicon Valley means that it is in the backyard of technology’s biggest innovators and disruptors. This proximity provides students unbeatable access to industry leaders, networking opportunities, and cutting-edge research.

GSB’s elective curriculum includes management-focused coursework in AI and data science as well as one-of-a-kind human-centered courses like Designing AI to Cultivate Human Well-Being, Building Trustworthy Products in a Divided World, and Business and AI: Lessons from Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Investors.

Read more about Stanford’s thought leadership in tech here.

3. Kellogg School of Management (30% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

Formerly known as the business school for aspiring brand managers and consultants, Kellogg has invested in and transformed its curriculum and resources in the tech sector so effectively in the last decade that tech is now the second most popular career path after management consulting.

Kellogg has done this by offering a Technology Management Pathway in its 2-year program in addition to two other highly tech-oriented MBA degrees: MMM and MBAi. The MMM is a dual degree program that integrates business and design thinking. Students earn a Master’s in Design Innovation from the McCormick School of Engineering and an MBA from Kellogg. The MBAi program, recently established in 2020, is an AI-focused MBA program that builds competency in disruptive technologies like machine learning, applied AI for business, and data science. Nearly 50% of graduates of the MMM and MBAi programs in the last two years accepted tech roles, either as product managers at large tech firms or design and innovation roles in retail and consulting.

Even for those choosing the 2-year MBA program, students in the MMM and MBAi programs contribute to a more vibrant tech culture and robust tech network at Kellogg.

Learn more about Kellogg’s tech-focused MBA programs here.

4. MIT Sloan (24% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

The MIT Sloan MBA prides itself on its focus on technology and entrepreneurship. Sloan offers a multitude of opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation such as the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and the MIT Regional Acceleration Program.

In addition, Sloan also offers an entrepreneurship and innovation MBA track focused on learning how to launch and develop innovative technology companies. Though more entrepreneurship focused than specifically tech, the curriculum emphasizes teamwork in real-world entrepreneurship projects while balancing theory and hands-on learning.

Learn more about Sloan’s entrepreneurship and innovation track here.

5. UCLA – Anderson (26% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

UCLA Anderson’s Technology Management concentration offers coursework in product management, AI and machine learning, innovation in media and entertainment technology, and healthcare technology. Industry guest speakers sharing current real-world scenarios are also an integral part of the coursework.

Anderson students have been hired across the technology industry in functions such as product management, marketing, business analytics, finance, operations, business development and strategy.

Learn more about Anderson’s technology program here.

Ready to take the next step towards your dream school? Schedule your initial consultation with our team today and discover how we can help you maximize your chances of acceptance.

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6. Carnegie Mellon – Tepper (29% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

If you value the role of data and analytics in decision-making, Tepper’s MBA program may just be a good fit for you. Intentionally designed to develop business leaders who can leverage technology, data, and analytics, Tepper’s “STEM MBA” uses a combination of lecture and case-based teaching to develop students’ analytical orientation in leadership and decision-making.

International students may find Tepper particularly attractive as its STEM designation provides the opportunity to extend OPT (optional practical training) to work in the U.S. for longer.

Learn more about Tepper’s STEM MBA here.

7. University of Washington – Foster (39% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

When it comes to placement in tech, Foster just might have cracked the code. Out of the top 25 business schools in the world, Foster sends the highest percentage of students into the tech industry (in 2018, that number was 60%!) Its location in Seattle close to top MBA-hiring tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft may have something to do with it.

The Technology Management MBA program, an 18-month accelerated and blended in-person/online curriculum, may also be attractive to working professionals focused on advancing their careers in tech.

Top technology companies that recruit at Foster include Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Adobe, among many others.

Learn more about Foster’s Technology Management MBA here.

8. University of Texas – McCombs (15% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech, 30% in 2022)

Over the last five years, the number of tech companies in Austin, TX, grew 52%. McCombs has responded to this growth in both the makeup of its student body (many of whom target careers in product management) as well as its resources for technology and entrepreneurship.

Texas Venture Labs, the Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship, and a very active student-run Entrepreneurship club offer students interested in technology, entrepreneurship, and startups experiential learning and community. In addition, events such as Austin Startup Week and SXSW provide incredible networking opportunities.

Top technology companies that recruit McCombs students include Dell, Microsoft, Amazon, and Tesla. However, typically hovering around 30%, the percent of McCombs grads landing in tech dropped by half in 2023.

9. London Business School (21% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

If you’re interested in international opportunities in tech, LBS is a great place to be to take advantage of the growing number of tech startups, unicorns, and AI companies in London.

LBS offers a technology and analytics MBA concentration, electives like AI in marketing, data mining, and digital investing. Students also have the opportunity to work virtually with small and mid-sized enterprises in emerging economies to innovate their businesses.

Top technology employers who hired LBS grads include Amazon, Wipro, Mastercard, American Express, and TikTok.

Learn more about tech at LBS here.

10. Wharton (17% of the most recent class accepted jobs in tech)

One of the few business schools to invest in a brick-and-mortar campus in the San Francisco Bay Area, Wharton students have the opportunity to spend a semester in San Francisco studying a customized, tech-focused curriculum while networking with more than 13,000 Wharton alumni on the West Coast.

A thought leader in AI, Wharton offers a myriad of AI and data analytics courses including Predictive Analytics for Business, Applied Machine Learning in Business, and AI, Business & Society which explore applications of AI in various industries.

Wharton’s flexible core curriculum allow students interested in tech to take more tech electives in their first year to prepare for an internship.

Learn more about Wharton San Francisco here and Wharton’s thought leadership in tech here.

We hope you found these resources helpful to decipher the best MBA programs for technology as you navigate your journey towards a technology-focused career. If you need further assistance in selecting the ideal MBA program for your goals, click here to request an initial consultation.

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Why Applicants Can Ignore the 2024 U.S. News MBA Ranking [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   11 Apr 2024, 22:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Why Applicants Can Ignore the 2024 U.S. News MBA Ranking




On April 9, 2024, U.S. News released its annual ranking of the best MBA programs in the U.S. We pay attention because the U.S. News MBA Ranking is typically considered to be the most credible and reliable of the various rankings publications (including Financial Times, The Economist, etc. LinkedIn even got in the game this year). And it’s always interesting to see who the winners and losers are.

However, we believe that serious applicants can ignore this ranking altogether. And here’s why.

Why Applicants Look at the Rankings

First of all, let’s ground ourselves in the value of the rankings. When prospective MBA students peruse the U.S. News MBA Ranking, what they’re truly seeking is insight into the desirability and competitiveness of those schools relative to others. That’s it. They want to gauge which schools will provide them with the best education, network, and opportunities for career advancement.

It’s also driven by ego. They want to understand which programs are considered to be the “best”, which is usually correlated with low acceptance rates, so they feel validated when they get in. And hey, that’s totally OK. We live in a world where credentials matter.

However, the reality is that these rankings often fall short of providing meaningful insights in any given year.

Rankings are Fairly Worthless from Year-to-Year

One of the primary ways that the U.S. News MBA Ranking falls short is the significant changes from year-to-year. For example, this year, NYU Stern climbed 5 places from the prior year to be ranked #7 overall. And Columbia Business School fell 4 places to take NYU Stern’s prior year position at #12.

But the truth is no program is changing that much from year-to-year to warrant such large swings. The professors, the curriculum, the recruiting relationships, etc. are far more constant from one year to the next. Instead, fluctuations can usually be attributed to far more tactical factors like changes in methodology and shifts in data reporting.

And perhaps more controversial is our view that the publications are incentivized to make changes. Changes lead to more news headlines and more clicks, which is how the publications monetize the rankings. Just saying!

The Disconnect Between Perception and the Rankings

The other driver of our stance is that the rankings fail to capture applicants’ nuanced perceptions of the schools. While a particular school may rank highly according to U.S. News, it may not align with the commonly held view of that school. For example, HBS, typically considered to be the #1 or #2 MBA program in the world, is ranked #6 this year, behind its Boston peer MIT Sloan and the 2 Chicago schools, Kellogg and Booth. Now I don’t know about you, but I haven’t met a single applicant who wouldn’t choose HBS over those other schools, absent outside factors. So in that scenario, does the ranking have much value?

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The Utility of Rankings: Trends Over Time

So what are the rankings good for? Well, we still believe there is merit in examining the trends over time. The trends can provide crucial indications about the relative performance and trajectory of each business school, highlighting emerging leaders, declining performance in some area, and overall changes in competitiveness.

We also find it helpful to place MBA programs in groups. For instance, instead of looking at an individual program’s rankings, look to see if it has generally remained in the top 10 over the last 5 years. Yale SOM is an example of a program that has seen consistent improvement over time. After years in the top 15-20, it first broke into the top 10 in 2009 and hasn’t dipped below #13 since then. That is a strong indicator of the program’s relative strength and improvement.



Fit is More Important than Rankings

But we couldn’t wrap up an article about the rankings without a nod to the even more important factor of fit. While MBA rankings provide valuable insights into the overall reputation and quality of a business school, school fit transcends any rankings. School fit includes multiple factors, including program curriculum, teaching methodology, campus culture, geographic location, industry connections, and career services.

A perfect fit not only maximizes your chances of achieving your goals for the MBA but it also gives you a far better chance at getting accepted in the first place. We’ll be the first to say that a top-ranked institution isn’t always the best fit for every applicant. By prioritizing school fit over rankings, applicants can ensure they have a more fulfilling and enriching educational experience that caters to their unique goals and aspirations.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the true value of an MBA transcends the confines of a numerical ranking. It lies in the transformative experiences, lifelong connections, and invaluable opportunities that await those who put in the work and are fortunate to be accepted.

So, with the latest rankings, remember to look beyond the numbers and prioritize what truly matters: finding the perfect fit for your MBA goals and dreams.

If you’d like help with that, or with any aspect of the MBA application process, you’ve come to the right place. Simply request an initial consultation with our team to get started.

Request An Initial Consultation

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3 Lessons We Learned from Rejected MBA Applicants This Year [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   18 Apr 2024, 03:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: 3 Lessons We Learned from Rejected MBA Applicants This Year


[img]https://vantagepointmba.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Blog-Images-6-1024x536.png[/img]

As another MBA admissions season comes to a close, our team has heard from a number of Round 2 applicants who didn’t get the news they were hoping for on decision day. These rejected MBA applicants came to us looking for answers on where they went wrong and what they can do differently if they decide to [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2016/04/29/struck-out-you-wanted-to-be-class-of-2019-anyway-mba-reapplicant-strategy-and-stories-to-inspire/]reapply[/url] again next year.

Our [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/the-re-pack]feedback[/url] varies just as much as the applicants do – each person has their own challenges. But over time, a few patterns have emerged. So, let’s take a closer look at three key lessons we’ve learned from rejected MBA applicants this year, and how you can avoid the same pitfalls.

Lesson 1: Credible Experience for Your Post-MBA Goals

Here’s the reality. Ambitious [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2022/11/17/post-mba-goals/]post-MBA goals[/url] are great, but without some credible experience to back them up, the adcom may have doubts on how realistic they are or how much thought you really put into them. The adcom doesn’t have a particularly high risk tolerance. That means they look for candidates who demonstrate a clear understanding of their desired career paths and have some requisite experience to succeed in those roles.

So, what can you do about it if you lack that experience? Simple! Get out there and get it. Whether it’s through an externship or secondment, volunteer work, or a new opportunity within your full-time job, building a solid foundation of experience that aligns with your career goals is key. You want to show the adcom that you’re not just all talk—you’ve got the skills, knowledge, and experience to back it up.

Let’s say your goal is to [url=https://poetsandquants.com/2024/02/04/most-disruptive-mba-startups-of-2023/]launch your start-up[/url] after business school but you have no entrepreneurship experience. If you’re not ready to start your business just yet, you could consider volunteering or consulting for a friend’s new business. And you should absolutely get involved in your city’s start-up community. Consider attending startup pitch competitions, hackathons, and networking events to figure out how you can contribute.

Lesson 2: Clear and Specific Reasons for “Why School X”

Another critical lesson we learned from rejected MBA applicants is the importance of articulating clear and specific reasons why you want to attend a particular MBA program. If your answer sounds like a generic copy-and-paste job, chances are, the adcom – and your interviewer, if you got to that stage – were not very impressed. They want to know that you’ve done your homework, that you’ve taken the time to really understand what makes their program unique, and that you have genuine, thoughtful reasons for wanting to be a part of it.

So what can you do to avoid this pitfall next time? [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2023/09/07/mba-networking-2/]Dive deep[/url] into each school’s offerings, culture, and values. What sets them apart from the rest [b]to you[/b]? What makes them the perfect fit [b]for you[/b]? Whether it’s a specific faculty member whose work you admire, a unique program feature that speaks to your interests, or a tight-knit alumni network that feels like home, find those genuine connections and shout them from the rooftops.

And here’s how you can take that one step further. Don’t just list the classes and/or programs that sound interesting to you and write about how “excited you are to take XYZ class”. Anyone can write that sentence in their essay and it could be true. Instead, connect a particular aspect of the class syllabus with something specific you need to learn in order to achieve your career goals.

[url=https://vantagepointmba.com/request-consultation/]Request An Initial Consultation[/url]

Here’s an example to bring this to life:

[b]Generic statement[/b]: At Booth, I plan to leverage “The Chicago Approach” to build well-rounded, multidisciplinary knowledge that is imperative to help solve pressing business issues in this complex world.

[b]Winning statement[/b]: Understanding the subtleties of operational tasks, like managing ready-to-eat inventory, optimizing food prep times, and effectively running drive-thru lanes, is critical to my goals. With Booth’s Operations Management concentration, I will learn best practices for the design, delivery, and analysis of services across sectors, including restaurants, as understanding these details will build trust with my operationally focused clients.

Lesson 3: Prepare for the Unexpected in Your Interview

Our final lesson addresses the most variable component of the MBA application process: [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2024/02/08/prepare-for-mba-interviews/]the interview[/url]. Our clients spend hours prepping for common interview questions and rehearsing their answers. And you probably did too. But here’s the thing: your interviewer is human and sometimes they do things, intentionally or not, that throw you off your game. Your job is to stay the course and not let it derail you.

Let me share a few examples from our clients’ actual experiences.

This year, a client’s interviewer insisted on remaining camera off during the entire interview while she kept her camera on. This meant she could never see his face, read his expression, or in any way connect with him.

Last year, a client had an interviewer make a very insensitive remark about something personal he shared during his interview.

In a previous admissions cycle, a client’s interviewer kept him waiting for 20 minutes past their scheduled time and then ended the interview after 10 minutes.

Now I’m not excusing any of the above behaviors. Nor am I implying that any applicant’s application success or failure would hinge on how they handled one of these interview situations. (Fortunately, the admissions process includes enough check and balances.) But I am saying that applicants should be prepared to bring their A game no matter what.  

If you’re ready to sidestep these pitfalls in your application and take a big step toward increasing your chances of acceptance to your dream schools, we’d love to help. To get started, [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/request-consultation/]request an initial consultation[/url] with our team. It’s free!

[url=https://vantagepointmba.com/request-consultation/]Request An Initial Consultation[/url]

The post [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2024/04/18/lessons-from-rejected-mba-applicants/]3 Lessons We Learned from Rejected MBA Applicants This Year[/url] appeared first on [url=https://vantagepointmba.com]Vantage Point MBA[/url].
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How Sports Can Make Your MBA Application Stand Out [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   25 Apr 2024, 20:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How Sports Can Make Your MBA Application Stand Out




  • Yes, sports stories can make for highly compelling and relevant MBA application content!

  • The level at which you competed or performed is far less important than what you learned about teamwork and leadership and how you have leveraged those learnings.

  • Significant personal reflection can uncover the parallels between the defining sports experiences in your life and how the skills you gained have manifested in your academic and professional lives.

  • Consider how you will apply the insights you have acquired from sports to your post-MBA goals and your leadership on campus.

Did you know that many of the highly valued qualities that make an athlete successful also make a business leader impactful? MBA admissions committees highly value applicants who demonstrate a collaborative spirit, competitive drive, and commitment to pursuing perfection in their MBA applications.

Yet, we find that many MBA applicants are hesitant to lean heavily into the sports experiences that defined their early years, developed their teamwork and leadership skills, and built their most significant relationships. In this article, we’ll explore why that would be a mistake.

“Sports” Can Be Broadly Defined

For purposes of MBA applications, we define sports quite broadly. Activities ranging from traditional team sports to more individual undertakings like swimming, marathon running, and yoga participation or instruction offer valuable learnings. Further, while many applicants have moved away from competitive sports by the time they are applying for an MBA, they are often still involved with recreational leagues, coaching, or mentoring.

We have observed repeatedly that essays rooted in a wide range of athletic topics make for very compelling reading. This is because admissions officers often find these types of essays easy to relate to. Further, for admissions officers reading hundreds of essays (or more!), these topics are often more invigorating than others about a consulting project or a financial investment.

Our team of seasoned MBA admissions consultants is excited to strategize with you about which of your sports stories will resonate best with the admissions committee!

make it applicable. We have seen applicants convey an extensive list of transferable skills that contributed to their academic and professional successes. Just a few include:

  • Optimal time management

  • Clear communication

  • Giving and receiving feedback

  • Ability to focus through noise

  • Regulating emotions

  • Having patience and determination to overcome “bench” time

  • Learning how to be more selfless during a game

If you are intrigued by sports psychology, then you have likely spent a fair amount of time considering how to motivate others, improve their concentration, keep their emotions in check, and optimize their performance in the face of penalties and injuries. Business managers grapple with many of these same topics daily, so think about which ones you have mastered and how you have applied the learnings in your teams.

Connect Your Transferrable Skills To Your Future

Another perfect place to connect your transferrable skills from sports in your MBA applications is with your post-MBA goals. If you are planning on transitioning to a career in Consulting, for example, think about which experiences have helped you to develop your strategic thinking during a game or match. Even individual events such as tennis and golf are highly strategic in nature.

Alternatively, if you are planning on targeting Product Management, think through what you have learned about competitive analysis from your sports experiences and how you can apply those skills in your industry of choice. How have you analyzed past performance of your competitors, devised a game plan, and corrected course midway through a game or match?

PRO TIP: If sports are a major part of your story, consider expressing how you plan to put your sports experience directly into action on campus and beyond. Do you plan to lead a sports-related club on campus and mentor your peers? Do you plan to mentor youth sports in the broader community while pursuing your MBA?  

Find The Analogies

If you’ve read up to this point, you know there are endless parallels between sports and business! You just need to find the ones that work for your candidacy. One example we have seen leveraged successfully many times is the importance of knowing when to be on offense and when to be on defense. Deciding when to be a superstar on your own versus empower others to get involved is another parallel.

PRO TIP: Spend some time thinking about why you sought out the sport(s) you dedicated so much time to in the first place. For example, some folks like faster paces, others slower. Some like high scoring games, some lower. Some are attracted to individual sports where you work hard to better your own times (think running, skiing and swimming) versus others who are attracted primarily to team sports where you must rely heavily on others for success. How can you characterize your personal traits based on the athletics you have remained passionate about? And share it with the admissions committee!

Sports Can Be Key To A Successful MBA Application

Ultimately, if you consider yourself an active, competitive, and athletic person at heart, then finding compelling ways to incorporate your sports experience into your MBA applications is likely a winning strategy. Even though most of our clients were never professional athletes (or anywhere close to it), we have helped them paint a picture for the admissions committee of how their athletics shaped their skills, values, and approach to teamwork and leadership.

So, give serious consideration to which sports you were involved with, why you enjoyed them so much, and what learnings you have carried with you as a result that you are employing in your academic and professional pursuits. These important insights will make your applications more well-rounded, more personal, and more compelling!

Interested in discovering how your sports background can enhance your MBA applications? Let’s chat! Our initial consultation offers a relaxed space to explore how your sports experiences have shaped your skills and values and how to effectively incorporate them into your application.

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HBS and Stanford GSB Dual Admit Success Story [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   02 May 2024, 20:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: HBS and Stanford GSB Dual Admit Success Story
Key Takeaways

  • Earning the title of dual admit from HBS and Stanford GSB doesn’t take a perfect candidate profile.

  • Julie’s success illustrates the importance of a personalized approach in MBA applications. Working with a Vantage Point MBA admissions consultant helped her tailor her narrative, refine her essays, and choose recommenders wisely – all of which contributed to her outcome.

  • Developing a compelling application involved deep introspection to define Julie’s brand and future ambitions.

  • Julie’s iterative process of essay writing and rigorous mock interviews tailored to each school were critical to getting accepted.

  • Applying to top MBA programs is intense and complex but expert guidance and preparation can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of admission.

In 2023, Harvard Business School (HBS) and Stanford GSB received a combined 14,339 applications. Amongst those, 120-150* applicants were fortunate enough to claim the coveted “dual admit” title. In other words, they were accepted to both HBS and the GSB.

If you’re applying to those two MBA programs, which more than half of Vantage Point’s clients are, you likely want to know what those 120-150 applicants did right.

How did they successfully overcome the impossibly low acceptance rates at not one but two top MBA programs?

And how can I replicate their success?

Every applicant’s story and journey are different but, in this article, I’m going to lift the veil on one successful dual admit’s process. My goal is to invite you behind the scenes so you too can be inspired to shoot for your dream MBA programs – and see how a Vantage Point MBA admissions consultant can be a vital part of your success.

Client’s Profile Overview: Meet Julie**

I first met Julie in May 2023 when she was still studying for the GMAT but knew she needed to get the ball rolling on her applications for the Round 1 deadlines. She dreamed of attending either Stanford GSB or HBS but wasn’t sure if those schools were within reach for her.

Here are the topics we discussed during our initial call:

  • Undergrad: A top public university, Applied Mathematics major

  • Undergrad GPA: 3.4

  • Work Experience: 4 years upon submitting her application; 5 years upon matriculation. 3 years of boutique consulting (specific industry focus), followed by 1+ year at a leading media & entertainment company. Her career was marked by formal promotions at each company.

  • GMAT: TBD at the time but she took it in the summer and scored a 760.

  • Extra-Curriculars: Very strong with multiple examples of leadership and impact. Her extra-curriculars also lined up closely with her post-MBA goals.

  • Why MBA? Julie was passionate about the industry she worked in but wanted an MBA to shore up her business acumen (since she did not have a business education in undergrad) and accelerate her leadership trajectory. She also cared deeply about inclusivity and her non-profit work, So, she wanted to learn best practices for applying those values in a corporate setting to help others.

I assured her that her profile was competitive – not because I wanted to make her feel good but because I truly believed it. She took a few days to think it over and I was honored when she sent me an email sharing her decision to place her trust in me.

Why She Chose to Work With Me

I always like to ask my clients what sealed the deal on their decision to work with me. And here’s what she said:

“I was not super familiar with the application/interview process and had heard from people that consultants were helpful. Within minutes of my introduction call with Melody, I knew that I had to work with her. It was very clear that she was knowledgeable, organized, and a great person…

I was also a bit nervous going into the MBA process because I did not come from an Ivy League undergrad or a traditional business major. After college, I did not pursue investment banking, finance, etc, which made me feel I was at a strong disadvantage when I decided I wanted to get an MBA. Melody completely calmed my nerves, told me why I was a great candidate, and gave me the confidence I needed for this journey.” 

Developing Julie’s Story & Post-MBA Goals

While Julie was still studying for the GMAT, I recommended that we get started on developing her narrative and defining her post-MBA goals since that process takes time and self-reflection. It can’t be rushed and it’s the foundation of any MBA application.

Vantage Point has a proprietary exercise to guide our clients’ introspection but the “aha” moments typically happen during our coaching calls. In Julie’s case, over 4-5 conversations, we landed in a great place that defined her “brand” as a fearless leader determined to profitably increase diverse and inclusive narratives in content (TV, movies, etc.)

Another aspect of her story I wanted her to tackle head-on was “why MBA”. This was particularly since she already had a track record of success in her desired industry. And here’s the rationale she landed on:

“In addition to teaching me the standard management skills to grow a company, an MBA also will allow me to look at all perspectives to make the best decisions. Many of the leaders I Iook up to have an MBA and there is weight given to those that have the degree. Furthermore, the education trained these leaders to dream big, stay innovative, and think outside of the box. Melody asked me all of the right questions to ensure the schools I was looking at were those that fit my specific goals and dreams.”

Teeing up Julie’s Resume, Letters of Recommendation, and School Research Plan

Once Julie had enough clarity on her story, we got to work on her resume. I typically recommend tackling the resume first and then revisiting it 2-3 weeks before the deadlines to add any recent developments. Julie’s resume was pretty strong to start with but we spent some time changing the formatting, editing her bullet points to showcase leadership and impact, and prioritizing her extra-curriculars since she had more content than would fit on one page. In addition, since her GPA was below average for her target schools, we wanted to emphasize evidence of analytical skills.

Letters of recommendation were another area of concern for Julie since they felt more out of her control. She also wasn’t sure who the best individuals would be to write her recommendations. Together, we aligned on the two best recommenders (one of which was very non-traditional) and worked out a timeline that gave her comfort and gave them plenty of advance notice.

When it came to school selection and research, Julie wanted to make sure she could learn everything she possibly could about each program. After we agreed that she would add Wharton to her list of target programs, she registered for events on the schools’ websites. But when she found that school information sessions, while a helpful starting point, only scratched the surface, I shared a better game plan. Here’s how she describes it:

“Melody was amazing and created a list of student-run clubs and current students with similar experience that I could reach out to. This way, I could get a personal taste of the schools and learn/decide how the schools could allow me to achieve my goals.”

Tackling The Essays

Once we had built a solid foundation for her applications, we tackled the essays, starting with HBS. My process for essay development is very structured. I started by asking her to read our proprietary HBS essay analysis & framework and jot down her thought-starters. Then, we met over several calls to workshop her ideas and align on her key stories. From there, she developed an outline that she sent me for review. We iterated on the outline 2-3 times before I gave her the green light to write a first draft. With each draft, she sent me a clean version, I would review and mark it up, and send it back to her to make the changes. And the process repeated itself until we were both satisfied with the final version. We began Stanford’s essays a few weeks later.

Required Essay

For Julie, one thing that was initially difficult to get comfortable with was writing about a deeply personal experience from college that shaped her. The experience was actually the theme of her HBS essay but it took courage and vulnerability to talk about, let alone write about. It would have been far easier for her to write about all of her impressive professional achievements. But I firmly believe she would have had a different outcome if she’d taken that approach.

Getting there was iterative, though. We worked through 14 versions of her essays, and the final draft was unrecognizable from the first. That’s how much she fine-tuned her writing to make sure every word counted. And I was there guiding her every step of the way.

Optional Essay

Lastly, we decided that Julie should write a brief optional essay to address her undergrad GPA. While she pursued a rigorous major, we didn’t want to leave anything to question. In her optional essay, we focused on the facts / circumstances surrounding her GPA and then provided specific mitigating evidence from her more recent past.

Going Through the Final Vetting

Before our clients click “submit” on their applications, they receive additional expert input on their packages. This input comes in the form of a School Specialist Review (completed by a school expert, typically also an alum) and an Adom Trial Run (completed by a former admissions director).

Julie made sure to leave plenty of time before the deadlines (3+ weeks, in her case) to receive that feedback. She then worked with me to incorporate it. In the case of both her HBS and Stanford GSB applications, we went through 3-4 more iterations of her essays to fine tune her stories and ensure they reflected each school’s unique values.

Preparing for Interviews

The timing of interview prep is a little tricky. While HBS announces all interview invitations on one day, the GSB sends them out on a rolling basis. But Julie was proactive. Besides taking a week “breather” after she submitted her GSB application, she wanted to keep her foot on the gas.

Julie’s preparation involved several calls with me where we discussed the interview process at each school. I then gave Julie a list of sample questions she could expect for each school. She wrote down notes for each answer and I provided feedback on those answers.

A few weeks later, when her interview invitations came (GSB was first), we very quickly scheduled mock interviews together as well as with other members of my team to simulate the “blind” interview experience.

Here’s what Julie had to say about interview prep:

“Melody made sure I felt confident and prepared going into the interviews. Since the interview structures are very different school to school, it was incredibly helpful to mock interview with her and members of her team. She ultimately made me feel comfortable going into a room where they could ask me anything, which I thought was so helpful… What I realized after the interviews was that they truly just wanted to get to know me and how I thought, which felt comforting.”

Receiving Good News: She Was an HBS and Stanford GSB dual admit!

I was very confident in Julie’s chances at both MBA programs – although I’ve been in this business long enough to know there are always surprises. But when she called me out of the blue on each school’s decision day to share the great news – she was accepted! – I was giddy. She had truly given this process her all. Nothing gives me more joy than to see all that hard work pay off. She was over the moon excited to be an HBS and Stanford GSB dual admit!

But once reality set in, she had a tough, but certainly enviable, choice to make:

“I found the schools to both be incredible. Harvard was corporate-focused and great for management training. The students were very diverse across all the major industries and big companies. Stanford meanwhile was more focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and personalizing your experience through learning (e.g., you can take classes at the different schools).”

And of course, I was there every step of the way to guide her in making the best possible decision for her:

“Even though Melody had no obligation to help me, she still was offering to discuss if I needed to talk through my decision-making process with anyone. She truly is invested in you as a human.”

So, where is Julie going in the fall? HBS!

Feedback and Advice for Future Applicants

As you can see from the journey above, Julie and I were true partners in the application process. Although she owned her application, I was right there beside her to guide her, challenge her, and encourage her. And provide lots and lots of feedback.

But what does Julie have to say about the biggest value-add of working with a consultant?

“I could not recommend Melody enough – she is amazing! In addition to being an incredible consultant and extremely professional, she is so kind, reliable, and genuinely wants your success and happiness. She is a great person to talk to and a phenomenal human being. It was a pleasure to spend the time I got to with her, and I can’t thank her enough for her help and keeping me calm during this time.”

To Julie, I say it was an honor and a pleasure to help you become an HBS and Stanford GSB dual admit. I don’t take the trust our clients place in us lightly and I’m thrilled to share in your success.

I caught up with Julie recently and asked her a final question: What advice do you have for others who are about to begin the MBA application process? 

“To not get in your head and to work on taking care of yourself through the process. Ultimately, they will evaluate you as a whole, not based on what you might perceive as your “weaknesses”. I found myself to be my own worst enemy and saw that I thought the most clearly in the moments I believed in myself and stopped trying to compare to others. Melody was so encouraging and helped remind me of my worth.” 

As you can see, it doesn’t take a perfect profile to become an HBS and Stanford GSB dual admit. But it does take discipline, resilience, and the right strategy.

If you’d like to discuss how we can help you get accepted to your dream schools (including HBS and Stanford GSB), you can schedule a call with a member of my superstar team by completing the request form linked here. We’re excited to meet you!

Request An Initial Consultation

* Based on estimates previously published by P&Q and the fact that this year’s “Dual Admit” https://gmatclub.com/chat group has 98 members as of the publication of this article.

** Name changed for privacy purposes.

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Non-Soul Crushing Careers for MBA Graduates [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   09 May 2024, 16:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Non-Soul Crushing Careers for MBA Graduates
Key Takeaways

  • Diverse and less traditional careers for MBA graduates may offer more personal fulfillment and alignment with your values vs. the typical focus on management consulting and private equity.

  • Post-MBA careers in brand management and entrepreneurship are satisfying alternatives. They combine creative problem-solving with strategic thinking to meet consumer needs and drive business growth.

  • Search funds and impact investing are emerging niches for MBAs. They cater to those looking for entrepreneurship with lower risks or those wishing to blend financial returns with social impact.

  • Having courage and a healthy appetite for risk are key to pursuing unconventional careers post-MBA. Don’t be afraid to bet on yourself!

A post caught my eye on the r/MBA Reddit thread this week. It posed a question: “Are there non-soul crushing careers out of MBA?” The author, an M7 grad, was questioning their career choices. Despite landing coveted roles in management consulting and then private equity, they felt that neither had delivered on their promises.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is because I view OP’s situation as a cautionary tale. It’s a very real example of what can happen without in-depth research, self-reflection, and consideration of all post-MBA career options. Yes, even the ones that carry less prestige. Now I know first-hand how difficult it is to swim against the current of traditional MBA on-campus recruiting (which is typically comprised of management consulting firms, banks, and other large companies with highly structured recruiting programs). However, with a little bit of courage and a healthy risk appetite, MBA graduates can find seemingly endless career possibilities.

So for those looking to avoid the soul-crushing grind often associated with traditional post-MBA roles, I’d like to share 5 career options that offer a blend of satisfaction, challenge, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. (And yes, these are actual career paths that my classmates and clients have pursued.)

1. Brand Management

Brand management is an appealing career for MBA graduates who are creative, strategic, and interested in building and nurturing consumer products. CPG companies that recruit for brand management roles out of the top business schools include:

  • L’Oreal

  • Unilever

  • PepsiCo

  • Kraft Heinz

  • Colgate-Palmolive

  • General Mills

  • And many others

Brand managers are essentially the stewards of a brand. They are responsible for understanding consumer needs and developing marketing strategies that drive growth and loyalty. The role requires a blend of analytical thinking and creative problem-solving, making it a dynamic and engaging post-MBA career path. MBA graduates are well-prepared to succeed in this field after completing coursework in market research, consumer behavior, and strategic management.

The joy in brand management comes from the ability to influence and watch a product or service flourish in the market based on your decisions and strategies. And while brand management is a function most traditionally applied to consumer products companies, it can actually be found in a range of industries, from technology to fashion & luxury.

2. Entrepreneurship

For many of our clients, the dream of starting their own business is the ultimate goal post-MBA. Entrepreneurship is the epitome of freedom in the business world. It offers folks the chance to be their own boss and bring innovative ideas to life. This path is perfect for you if you are self-motivated, resilient, and willing to embrace risk for the potential of substantial rewards.

While an MBA is by no means a must-have for entrepreneurship, it can certainly make it easier and reduce risk. MBA programs not only teach the requisite skills for business planning and financial management but also provide access to a network of investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs. While high stakes and stressful (I can’t sugar coat that part!), entrepreneurship offers a high degree of satisfaction. After all, you’re directly responsible for creating value and generating new employment opportunities! Despite its challenges, entrepreneurship is rarely described as soul-crushing. Instead, I think of it as exhilarating and profoundly rewarding.

3. Search Funds

A search fund is a somewhat niche but increasingly popular entrepreneurial avenue wherein an individual raises funds from investors to acquire and manage a company. This path is an excellent option for you if you are interested in running a business but prefer to skip the startup stage. A search fund model allows for direct entry into executive management, providing the thrill of entrepreneurship with potentially lower risk.

Running a search fund requires a mix of investment acumen, operational expertise, and leadership skills. These are all areas that MBA programs excel in teaching. The personal reward comes from successfully managing and growing a business. Then, the financial payoff comes when the company is later sold or continues to generate profits under your leadership.

4. Corporate Finance / M&A at a Pre-IPO Company

For all of the IB and/or PE alums out there, working in corporate finance or M&A at a pre-IPO company can offer a unique blend of excitement and challenge. (Bonus points for typically offering a better work-life balance.) These roles involve strategic analysis and execution to help prepare a company for its public offering, a critical and transformative time in a company’s lifecycle. The main downside is that compensation is typically much lower than what a bank or PE shop will offer. But the upside is in the equity.

For MBA graduates, this career path provides a fascinating insider’s look at the processes that drive business growth. Our clients in these seats enjoy the dynamism and high stakes of the pre-IPO phase, including developing strategies for sustainable growth and maximizing valuation. The satisfaction comes from seeing a tangible result of your efforts as the company grows and transitions into a publicly traded entity. That payoff is what you’re working towards.

5. Impact Investing

Impact investing is an increasingly popular field that combines the rigor of traditional investing with a commitment to generating social or environmental good. Unlike conventional roles in finance, impact investing provides an opportunity to contribute to societal challenges such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, or health, aligning your work with personal values.

MBA graduates in impact investing are equipped to assess both financial returns and social impact. This makes it an ideal career for those who want to make a difference while applying their financial expertise. This alternative to traditional buyside roles is particularly fulfilling for those who seek purpose in their professional lives, providing a profound sense of accomplishment and contribution to a greater cause.

Caveat: out of the five career paths shared above, this one is the most elusive. There are few pure impact investing funds out there (although that number is growing every year) and the roles are in extremely high demand. If this is on your radar, networking (frequently and early) and flexibility around timing will be key.

There you have it. These five careers represent just a sample of what’s possible with an MBA—opportunities where personal fulfillment and professional ambition meet. No matter which path you choose, the key is to align your career with your personal values and interests. Doing so not only promises professional satisfaction but also will contribute to your sense of personal fulfillment. And won’t crush your soul.

If you’d like to pressure-test your post-MBA goals with an MBA admissions expert who will give you honest feedback and point you in the right direction, book a call (it’s free) with us through the button below.

Request An Initial Consultation

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HBS and Stanford GSB Dual Admit Success Story [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   15 May 2024, 04:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: HBS and Stanford GSB Dual Admit Success Story
Key Takeaways

  • Earning the title of dual admit from HBS and Stanford GSB doesn’t take a perfect candidate profile.

  • Julie’s success illustrates the importance of a personalized approach in MBA applications. Working with a Vantage Point MBA admissions consultant helped her tailor her narrative, refine her essays, and choose recommenders wisely – all of which contributed to her outcome.

  • Developing a compelling application involved deep introspection to define Julie’s brand and future ambitions.

  • Julie’s iterative process of essay writing and rigorous mock interviews tailored to each school were critical to getting accepted.

  • Applying to top MBA programs is intense and complex but expert guidance and preparation can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of admission.

In 2023, Harvard Business School (HBS) and Stanford GSB received a combined 14,339 applications. Amongst those, 120-150* applicants were fortunate enough to claim the coveted “dual admit” title. In other words, they were accepted to both HBS and the GSB.

If you’re applying to those two MBA programs, which more than half of Vantage Point’s clients are, you likely want to know what those 120-150 applicants did right.

How did they successfully overcome the impossibly low acceptance rates at not one but two top MBA programs?

And how can I replicate their success?

Every applicant’s story and journey are different but, in this article, I’m going to lift the veil on one successful dual admit’s process. My goal is to invite you behind the scenes so you too can be inspired to shoot for your dream MBA programs – and see how a Vantage Point MBA admissions consultant can be a vital part of your success.

Client’s Profile Overview: Meet Julie**

I first met Julie in May 2023 when she was still studying for the GMAT but knew she needed to get the ball rolling on her applications for the Round 1 deadlines. She dreamed of attending either Stanford GSB or HBS but wasn’t sure if those schools were within reach for her.

Here are the topics we discussed during our initial call:

  • Undergrad: A top public university, Applied Mathematics major

  • Undergrad GPA: 3.4

  • Work Experience: 4 years upon submitting her application; 5 years upon matriculation. 3 years of boutique consulting (specific industry focus), followed by 1+ year at a leading media & entertainment company. Her career was marked by formal promotions at each company.

  • GMAT: TBD at the time but she took it in the summer and scored a 760.

  • Extra-Curriculars: Very strong with multiple examples of leadership and impact. Her extra-curriculars also lined up closely with her post-MBA goals.

  • Why MBA? Julie was passionate about the industry she worked in but wanted an MBA to shore up her business acumen (since she did not have a business education in undergrad) and accelerate her leadership trajectory. She also cared deeply about inclusivity and her non-profit work. So, she wanted to learn best practices for applying those values in a corporate setting to help others.

I assured her that her profile was competitive – not because I wanted to make her feel good but because I truly believed it. She took a few days to think it over and I was honored when she sent me an email sharing her decision to place her trust in me.

Why She Chose to Work With Me

I always like to ask my clients what sealed the deal on their decision to work with me. And here’s what she said:

“I was not super familiar with the application/interview process and had heard from people that consultants were helpful. Within minutes of my introduction call with Melody, I knew that I had to work with her. It was very clear that she was knowledgeable, organized, and a great person…

I was also a bit nervous going into the MBA process because I did not come from an Ivy League undergrad or a traditional business major. After college, I did not pursue investment banking, finance, etc, which made me feel I was at a strong disadvantage when I decided I wanted to get an MBA. Melody completely calmed my nerves, told me why I was a great candidate, and gave me the confidence I needed for this journey.” 

Developing Julie’s Story & Post-MBA Goals

While Julie was still studying for the GMAT, I recommended that we get started on developing her narrative and defining her post-MBA goals since that process takes time and self-reflection. It can’t be rushed and it’s the foundation of any MBA application.

Vantage Point has a proprietary exercise to guide our clients’ introspection but the “aha” moments typically happen during our coaching calls. In Julie’s case, over 4-5 conversations, we landed in a great place that defined her “brand” as a fearless leader determined to profitably increase diverse and inclusive narratives in content (TV, movies, etc.)

Another aspect of her story I wanted her to tackle head-on was “why MBA”. This was particularly important since she already had a track record of success in her desired industry. And here’s the rationale she landed on:

“In addition to teaching me the standard management skills to grow a company, an MBA also will allow me to look at all perspectives to make the best decisions. Many of the leaders I Iook up to have an MBA and there is weight given to those that have the degree. Furthermore, the education trained these leaders to dream big, stay innovative, and think outside of the box. Melody asked me all of the right questions to ensure the schools I was looking at were those that fit my specific goals and dreams.”

Teeing up Julie’s Resume, Letters of Recommendation, and School Research Plan

Once Julie had enough clarity on her story, we got to work on her resume. I typically recommend tackling the resume first and then revisiting it 2-3 weeks before the deadlines to add any recent developments. Julie’s resume was pretty strong to start with but we spent some time changing the formatting, editing her bullet points to showcase leadership and impact, and prioritizing her extra-curriculars since she had more content than would fit on one page. In addition, since her GPA was below average for her target schools, we wanted to emphasize evidence of analytical skills.

Letters of recommendation were another area of concern for Julie since they felt more out of her control. She also wasn’t sure who the best individuals would be to write her recommendations. Together, we aligned on the two best recommenders (one of which was very non-traditional) and worked out a timeline that gave her comfort and gave them plenty of advance notice.

When it came to school selection and research, Julie wanted to make sure she could learn everything she possibly could about each program. After we agreed that she would add Wharton to her list of target programs, she registered for events on the schools’ websites. But when she found that school information sessions, while a helpful starting point, only scratched the surface, I shared a better game plan. Here’s how she describes it:

“Melody was amazing and created a list of student-run clubs and current students with similar experience that I could reach out to. This way, I could get a personal taste of the schools and learn/decide how the schools could allow me to achieve my goals.”

Tackling The Essays

Once we had built a solid foundation for her applications, we tackled the essays, starting with HBS. My process for essay development is very structured. I started by asking her to read our proprietary HBS essay analysis & framework and jot down her thought-starters. Then, we met over several calls to workshop her ideas and align on her key stories. From there, she developed an outline that she sent me for review. We iterated on the outline 2-3 times before I gave her the green light to write a first draft. With each draft, she sent me a clean version, I would review and mark it up, and send it back to her to make the changes. And the process repeated itself until we were both satisfied with the final version. We began Stanford’s essays a few weeks later.

Required Essay

For Julie, one thing that was initially difficult to get comfortable with was writing about a deeply personal experience from college that shaped her. The experience was actually the theme of her HBS essay but it took courage and vulnerability to talk about, let alone write about. It would have been far easier for her to write about all of her impressive professional achievements. But I firmly believe she would have had a different outcome if she’d taken that approach.

Getting there was iterative, though. We worked through 14 versions of her essays, and the final draft was unrecognizable from the first. That’s how much she fine-tuned her writing to make sure every word counted. And I was there providing feedback and recommendations on every version.

Optional Essay

Lastly, we decided that Julie should write a brief optional essay to address her undergrad GPA. While she pursued a rigorous major, we didn’t want to leave anything to question. In her optional essay, we focused on the facts / circumstances surrounding her GPA and then provided specific mitigating evidence from her more recent past.

Going Through the Final Vetting

Before our clients click “submit” on their applications, they receive additional expert input on their packages. This input comes in the form of a School Specialist Review (completed by a school expert, typically also an alum) and an Adom Trial Run (completed by a former admissions director).

Julie made sure to leave plenty of time before the deadlines (3+ weeks, in her case) to receive that feedback. She then worked with me to incorporate it. In the case of both her HBS and Stanford GSB applications, we went through 3-4 more iterations of her essays to fine tune her stories and ensure they reflected each school’s unique values.

Preparing for Interviews

The timing of interview prep is a little tricky. While HBS announces all interview invitations on one day, the GSB sends them out on a rolling basis. But Julie was proactive. Besides taking a week “breather” after she submitted her GSB application, she wanted to keep her foot on the gas.

Julie’s preparation involved several calls with me where we discussed the interview process at each school. I then gave Julie a list of sample questions she could expect for each school. She wrote down notes for each answer and I provided feedback on those answers.

A few weeks later, when her interview invitations came (GSB was first), we very quickly scheduled mock interviews together as well as with other members of my team to simulate the “blind” interview experience.

Here’s what Julie had to say about interview prep:

“Melody made sure I felt confident and prepared going into the interviews. Since the interview structures are very different school to school, it was incredibly helpful to mock interview with her and members of her team. She ultimately made me feel comfortable going into a room where they could ask me anything, which I thought was so helpful… What I realized after the interviews was that they truly just wanted to get to know me and how I thought, which felt comforting.”

Receiving Good News: She’s an HBS and Stanford GSB Dual Admit!

I was very confident in Julie’s chances at both MBA programs – although I’ve been in this business long enough to know there are always surprises. But when she called me out of the blue on each school’s decision day to share the great news – she was accepted! – I was giddy. She had truly given this process her all. Nothing gives me more joy than to see all that hard work pay off. She was over the moon excited to be an HBS and Stanford GSB dual admit!

But once reality set in, she had a tough, but certainly enviable, choice to make:

“I found the schools to both be incredible. Harvard was corporate-focused and great for management training. The students were very diverse across all the major industries and big companies. Stanford meanwhile was more focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and personalizing your experience through learning (e.g., you can take classes at the different schools).”

And of course, I was there every step of the way to guide her in making the best possible decision for her:

“Even though Melody had no obligation to help me, she still was offering to discuss if I needed to talk through my decision-making process with anyone. She truly is invested in you as a human.”

So, where is Julie going in the fall? HBS!

Feedback and Advice for Future Applicants

As you can see from the journey above, Julie and I were true partners in the application process. Although she owned her application, I was right there beside her to guide her, challenge her, and encourage her. And provide lots and lots of feedback.

But what does Julie have to say about the biggest value-add of working with a consultant?

“I could not recommend Melody enough – she is amazing! In addition to being an incredible consultant and extremely professional, she is so kind, reliable, and genuinely wants your success and happiness. She is a great person to talk to and a phenomenal human being. It was a pleasure to spend the time I got to with her, and I can’t thank her enough for her help and keeping me calm during this time.”

To Julie, I say it was an honor and a pleasure to help you become an HBS and Stanford GSB dual admit. I don’t take the trust our clients place in us lightly and I’m thrilled to share in your success.

I caught up with Julie recently and asked her a final question: What advice do you have for others who are about to begin the MBA application process? 

“To not get in your head and to work on taking care of yourself through the process. Ultimately, they will evaluate you as a whole, not based on what you might perceive as your “weaknesses”. I found myself to be my own worst enemy and saw that I thought the most clearly in the moments I believed in myself and stopped trying to compare to others. Melody was so encouraging and helped remind me of my worth.” 

As you can see, it doesn’t take a perfect profile to become an HBS and Stanford GSB dual admit. But it does take discipline, resilience, and the right strategy.

If you’d like to discuss how we can help you get accepted to your dream schools (including HBS and Stanford GSB), you can schedule a call with a member of my superstar team by completing the request form linked here. We’re excited to meet you!

Request An Initial Consultation

* Based on estimates previously published by P&Q and the fact that this year’s “Dual Admit” https://gmatclub.com/chat group has 98 members as of the publication of this article.

** Name changed for privacy purposes.

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Non-Soul Crushing Careers for MBA Graduates [#permalink] Vantage Point MBA News   15 May 2024, 04:00
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FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Non-Soul Crushing Careers for MBA Graduates
Key Takeaways

  • Diverse and less traditional careers for MBA graduates may offer more personal fulfillment and alignment with your values vs. the typical focus on management consulting and private equity.

  • Post-MBA careers in brand management and entrepreneurship are satisfying alternatives. They combine creative problem-solving with strategic thinking to meet consumer needs and drive business growth.

  • Search funds and impact investing are emerging niches for MBAs. They cater to those looking for entrepreneurship with lower risks or those wishing to blend financial returns with social impact.

  • Having courage and a healthy appetite for risk are key to pursuing unconventional careers post-MBA. Don’t be afraid to bet on yourself!

A post caught my eye on the r/MBA Reddit thread this week. It posed a question: “Are there non-soul crushing careers out of MBA?” The author, an M7 grad, was questioning their career choices. Despite landing coveted roles in management consulting and then private equity, they felt that neither had delivered on their promises.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is because I view OP’s situation as a cautionary tale. It’s a very real example of what can happen without in-depth research, self-reflection, and consideration of all post-MBA career options. Yes, even the ones that carry less prestige. Now I know first-hand how difficult it is to swim against the current of traditional MBA on-campus recruiting (which is typically comprised of management consulting firms, banks, and other large companies with highly structured recruiting programs). However, with a little bit of courage and a healthy risk appetite, MBA graduates can find seemingly endless career possibilities.

So for those looking to avoid the soul-crushing grind often associated with traditional post-MBA roles, I’d like to share 5 career options that offer a blend of satisfaction, challenge, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. (And yes, these are actual career paths that my classmates and clients have pursued.)

1. Brand Management

Brand management is an appealing career for MBA graduates who are creative, strategic, and interested in building and nurturing consumer products. CPG companies that recruit for brand management roles out of the top business schools include:

  • L’Oreal

  • Unilever

  • PepsiCo

  • Kraft Heinz

  • Colgate-Palmolive

  • General Mills

  • And many others

Brand managers are essentially the stewards of a brand. They are responsible for understanding consumer needs and developing marketing strategies that drive growth and loyalty. The role requires a blend of analytical thinking and creative problem-solving, making it a dynamic and engaging post-MBA career path. MBA graduates are well-prepared to succeed in this field after completing coursework in market research, consumer behavior, and strategic management.

The joy in brand management comes from the ability to influence and watch a product or service flourish in the market based on your decisions and strategies. And while brand management is a function most traditionally applied to consumer products companies, it can actually be found in a range of industries, from technology to fashion & luxury.

2. Entrepreneurship

For many of our clients, the dream of starting their own business is the ultimate goal post-MBA. Entrepreneurship is the epitome of freedom in the business world. It offers folks the chance to be their own boss and bring innovative ideas to life. This path is perfect for you if you are self-motivated, resilient, and willing to embrace risk for the potential of substantial rewards.

While an MBA is by no means a must-have for entrepreneurship, it can certainly make it easier and reduce risk. MBA programs not only teach the requisite skills for business planning and financial management but also provide access to a network of investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs. While high stakes and stressful (I can’t sugar coat that part!), entrepreneurship offers a high degree of satisfaction. After all, you’re directly responsible for creating value and generating new employment opportunities! Despite its challenges, entrepreneurship is rarely described as soul-crushing. Instead, I think of it as exhilarating and profoundly rewarding.

3. Search Funds

A search fund is a somewhat niche but increasingly popular entrepreneurial avenue wherein an individual raises funds from investors to acquire and manage a company. This path is an excellent option for you if you are interested in running a business but prefer to skip the startup stage. A search fund model allows for direct entry into executive management, providing the thrill of entrepreneurship with potentially lower risk.

Running a search fund requires a mix of investment acumen, operational expertise, and leadership skills. These are all areas that MBA programs excel in teaching. The personal reward comes from successfully managing and growing a business. Then, the financial payoff comes when the company is later sold or continues to generate profits under your leadership.

4. Corporate Finance / M&A at a Pre-IPO Company

For all of the IB and/or PE alums out there, working in corporate finance or M&A at a pre-IPO company can offer a unique blend of excitement and challenge. (Bonus points for typically offering a better work-life balance.) These roles involve strategic analysis and execution to help prepare a company for its public offering, a critical and transformative time in a company’s lifecycle. The main downside is that compensation is typically much lower than what a bank or PE shop will offer. But the upside is in the equity.

For MBA graduates, this career path provides a fascinating insider’s look at the processes that drive business growth. Our clients in these seats enjoy the dynamism and high stakes of the pre-IPO phase, including developing strategies for sustainable growth and maximizing valuation. The satisfaction comes from seeing a tangible result of your efforts as the company grows and transitions into a publicly traded entity. That payoff is what you’re working towards.

5. Impact Investing

Impact investing is an increasingly popular field that combines the rigor of traditional investing with a commitment to generating social or environmental good. Unlike conventional roles in finance, impact investing provides an opportunity to contribute to societal challenges such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, or health, aligning your work with personal values.

MBA graduates in impact investing are equipped to assess both financial returns and social impact. This makes it an ideal career for those who want to make a difference while applying their financial expertise. This alternative to traditional buyside roles is particularly fulfilling for those who seek purpose in their professional lives, providing a profound sense of accomplishment and contribution to a greater cause.

Caveat: out of the five career paths shared above, this one is the most elusive. There are few pure impact investing funds out there (although that number is growing every year) and the roles are in extremely high demand. If this is on your radar, networking (frequently and early) and flexibility around timing will be key.

There you have it. These five careers represent just a sample of what’s possible with an MBA—opportunities where personal fulfillment and professional ambition meet. No matter which path you choose, the key is to align your career with your personal values and interests. Doing so not only promises professional satisfaction but also will contribute to your sense of personal fulfillment. And won’t crush your soul.

If you’d like to pressure-test your post-MBA goals with an MBA admissions expert who will give you honest feedback and point you in the right direction, book a call (it’s free) with us through the button below.

Request An Initial Consultation

The post Non-Soul Crushing Careers for MBA Graduates appeared first on Vantage Point MBA.
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