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Personal MBA Coach Updates

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PersonalMBACoach
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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University of Virginia Darden of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - F [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   06 Jun 2019, 08:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: University of Virginia Darden of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 - Spring 2020

Darden has joined the growing list of MBA programs that has released its 2019-2020 MBA application questions and deadlines. Find out what changed this year and get tips from Personal MBA Coach on how to approach the Darden application!
This year’s deadlines are as follows:

Darden has retained its short answer questions this year, swapping out one of the five questions while adding a bit of detail to two other questions:
For the 2019-20 application cycle, Darden will again offer multiple short answer questions. We want to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality.
Essay 1: Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact. (200 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: While Darden asked this question last year, the statement about responsible leadership is a new addition and should help candidates to focus their answers. One should naturally choose a situation where she made a considerable and hopefully lasting impact. It is important that the selected story also paints a solid picture of your leadership style. Responsible and Purpose are crucial words to consider and extracurricular and volunteer work would fit nicely here. That said, do not force this question. There are many examples of informal leadership that could work well if you do not have a strong extracurricular story. As candidates brainstorm topics for this essay, they should consider both personal and professional examples. Make sure to consider the impact that you have made. What was the result of following this purpose?
2. Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Read University of Virginia’s Diversity & Inclusion Vision Statement. Share a time in which you engaged with a perspective, identity, community or experience that was different from your own and how it impacted your worldview. (200 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: This question is new for Darden, though it covers a topic that is becoming increasingly important to many leading MBA programs. Once again, a personal or professional example would work here. Ensure that you limit the amount of time spent on set-up and instead focus on your thoughts and actions. While remaining authentic is important here, think about the qualities Darden is looking for from applicants and make sure the story selected clearly SHOWS how you demonstrated them.
3. The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel, and why? (50 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: Once again, Darden has altered the introduction to last year’s question. The “why” is more important than the “what” here. When selecting a country (and considering what you hope to learn from this experience), assess your overall story, goals and passions. Naturally, it may be good to have a tie. Further, the learnings or experience should prepare you to achieve long-term success. Feel free to also use this to tell a different side of you that is not reflected elsewhere. That said, as much as you might love to sit on the beach in Fiji, this would not be a great choice for most candidates.
4. Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you – personally,
professionally, or both? (100 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: When determining the balance between personal or professional for this essay, consider your entire application and ensure your responses provide insight into both aspects of your candidacy. If you chose professional examples for the earlier questions, go with personal details here and vice versa. Instead of a laundry list, focus on one or two things. These examples should enhance (not repeat or conflict with) your “Personal Story” and allow admissions committee members to learn more about you. Remember, you want to show how you are someone others would want to live, work and socialize with. This is not the time to list off impressive accomplishments. Instead, help the reader to understand who you are and what makes you unique.
5. What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and why? (150 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: This final question is again a repeat from last year and is a straightforward career goals questions. (Need help articulating your goals?) With this short essay, be specific and include both your ideal position and organization type. Articulate what you hope to accomplish in this desired role and why this objective is interesting and important to you.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Kellogg Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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PersonalMBACoach
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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University of Virginia Darden Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analys [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   07 Jun 2019, 12:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: University of Virginia Darden Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 - Spring 2020

Darden has joined the growing list of MBA programs that has released its 2019-2020 MBA application questions and deadlines. Find out what changed this year and get tips from Personal MBA Coach on how to approach the Darden application!
This year’s deadlines are as follows:

Darden has retained its short answer questions this year, swapping out one of the five questions while adding a bit of detail to two other questions:
For the 2019-20 application cycle, Darden will again offer multiple short answer questions. We want to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality.
Essay 1: Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact. (200 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: While Darden asked this question last year, the statement about responsible leadership is a new addition and should help candidates to focus their answers. One should naturally choose a situation where she made a considerable and hopefully lasting impact. It is important that the selected story also paints a solid picture of your leadership style. Responsible and Purpose are crucial words to consider and extracurricular and volunteer work would fit nicely here. That said, do not force this question. There are many examples of informal leadership that could work well if you do not have a strong extracurricular story. As candidates brainstorm topics for this essay, they should consider both personal and professional examples. Make sure to consider the impact that you have made. What was the result of following this purpose?
2. Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Read University of Virginia’s Diversity & Inclusion Vision Statement. Share a time in which you engaged with a perspective, identity, community or experience that was different from your own and how it impacted your worldview. (200 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: This question is new for Darden, though it covers a topic that is becoming increasingly important to many leading MBA programs. Once again, a personal or professional example would work here. Ensure that you limit the amount of time spent on set-up and instead focus on your thoughts and actions. While remaining authentic is important here, think about the qualities Darden is looking for from applicants and make sure the story selected clearly SHOWS how you demonstrated them.
3. The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel, and why? (50 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: Once again, Darden has altered the introduction to last year’s question. The “why” is more important than the “what” here. When selecting a country (and considering what you hope to learn from this experience), assess your overall story, goals and passions. Naturally, it may be good to have a tie. Further, the learnings or experience should prepare you to achieve long-term success. Feel free to also use this to tell a different side of you that is not reflected elsewhere. That said, as much as you might love to sit on the beach in Fiji, this would not be a great choice for most candidates.
4. Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you – personally,
professionally, or both? (100 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: When determining the balance between personal or professional for this essay, consider your entire application and ensure your responses provide insight into both aspects of your candidacy. If you chose professional examples for the earlier questions, go with personal details here and vice versa. Instead of a laundry list, focus on one or two things. These examples should enhance (not repeat or conflict with) your “Personal Story” and allow admissions committee members to learn more about you. Remember, you want to show how you are someone others would want to live, work and socialize with. This is not the time to list off impressive accomplishments. Instead, help the reader to understand who you are and what makes you unique.
5. What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and why? (150 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: This final question is again a repeat from last year and is a straightforward career goals questions. (Need help articulating your goals?) With this short essay, be specific and include both your ideal position and organization type. Articulate what you hope to accomplish in this desired role and why this objective is interesting and important to you.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Kellogg Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
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PersonalMBACoach
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Dartmouth Tuck Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   07 Jun 2019, 13:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Dartmouth Tuck Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 - Spring 2020

This week Tuck also joined the growing list of MBA programs that have released application details for 2019-2020 applicants.
Most applicants will be pleased with this year’s changes, which include a later round 1 deadline, the elimination of short-answer questions and a simplified LOR process. In fact, one of the main messages of Scott’s talk with admissions directors a few weeks ago was the need for more schools to adopt similar recommendation questions. It is great to see Tuck adopt the common LOR! The school has also pledged shorter wait times for admission decisions.
This year’s deadlines are as follows:

Below, Personal MBA Coach has shared Tuck’s questions and our tips for candidates.
Question 1:Tuck students can articulate how the distinctive Tuck MBA will advance their aspirations. Why are you pursuing an MBA and why Tuck? (300 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: There is a lot to fit into this short 300-word essay. First, candidates need to clearly articulate their goals, including both short-term and long-term aspirations. If you need help thinking through your goals, we have published
a blog with our general tips. Next, candidates should reflect upon the skills they will need to succeed in this desired career and how SPECIFICALLY Tuck will help them. Be sure to do your research into everything Tuck has to offer and discuss what you will take advantage of on campus and how. Tuck has a unique program and it is more than just being close-knit. As always, avoid vague statements here.
Question 2:Tuck students recognize how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are. (300 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: This second question is a modified version of the one asked last year. With the shortened word count, Tuck is no longer specifically asking candidates how they will contribute on campus. However, a strong answer will not completely ignore this discussion. For this question, candidates should reflect upon what makes them unique. Hobbies, passions, skills and aspirations are all fair game here. This essay should also paint a picture of what studying and living with you would be like and at least briefly discuss the role you will play within the class of 2022 and how you will improve life at Tuck.
Question 3:Tuck students invest generously in one another’s success even when it is not convenient or easy. Share an example of how you helped someone else succeed. (300 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Thoughts: This third question was also asked last year, but with a longer word limit. With only 300 words, succinct writing will be particularly important. While naturally, the story selected should show how you live Tuck’s values, it should also be one that is easy to set up. You do not want to use many words explaining the situation, but instead, you want to SHOW your actions. This question is yet another opportunity for candidates to allow the reader to assess what studying and living with them would be like. Tuck looks for candidates who portray four attributes: smart, nice, accomplished and aware. This essay should show how you depict these qualities, particularly nice and aware. While stories discussing volunteer and extracurricular work could be logical choices for this question, examples of how candidates went above in beyond in their personal or professional lives would work equally well.
Tuck also has an optional question that should only be answered by those candidates with unique circumstances. Read our advice on how to address optional questions here.
Finally, candidates (and recommenders) will be pleased to learn that Tuck will be leveraging the GMAC common letter of recommendation questions this year, further simplifying the process for Tuck hopefuls.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Kellogg Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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PersonalMBACoach
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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How To Ensure Your Letters of Recommendation Shine [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   12 Jun 2019, 10:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: How To Ensure Your Letters of Recommendation Shine

Letters of recommendation are an integral part of your MBA application that require more work than you might think. As you begin to narrow down your school lists, study for the GMAT/GRE and draft your essays, LORs should also be top of mind. Not only must you select the ideal recommenders, but you must also prepare them adequately!
Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you through this process!
Selecting Your Recommenders
As you make this crucial decision, it can be tempting to select the person with the most prestigious resume or the person with whom it is easiest to discuss your business school plans. I encourage you to carefully weigh your options, keeping these tips in mind.
Do not just look for impressive titles: This is not to say that impressive titles are a bad thing, but title should not be the primary criteria for selecting your recommenders. Admissions committee members will see right through a strategy to have the CEO of your company, with whom you sat in on one meeting, write a letter for you. Not only will he not be able to explain the most important aspects of your candidacy, but the letter will also not be as credible if it is clear that you do not have a strong relationship with the recommender.
Look for someone who will take the time to write a great letter: This tip addresses two very important criteria. It is best to select someone who is not only a good writer, but who will take the necessary time to write a great letter. Not everyone is great at writing and similarly, not everyone realistically has time to draft a carefully thought out letter. The quality of the writing is important in demonstrating your candidacy. That said, do not worry about English proficiency. Letters are not evaluated based on grammar alone.
Select someone who knows you well: This is one of the most important pieces of advice I can provide. It is crucial that your recommender be familiar with your work, your character, your strengths, your weaknesses and your career aspirations. The best letters show intimate familiarity with the candidate. The recommender should also be familiar with your peers and be able to talk about how you compare. The use of specific examples will be important (more on that in my next blog) and the better the recommender knows you, the easier and more genuine these will be.
Consider non-professional references based on your personal circumstances: While the general advice is to select professional supervisors to write your letters of recommendation, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you have taken a considerable role in an activity outside of work, such as a leadership role in a sizeable charitable organization, you might consider asking a colleague/supervisor in this organization to write on your behalf. If you devote a considerable amount of time to this activity, particularly if it requires strong leadership, this person should know you well and be positioned to write a strong letter. Further, they will be able to provide a different perspective on your candidacy.
Similarly, if you do not have a suitable professional reference option, perhaps because you absolutely cannot tell your supervisor you are applying to business school or because your company is structured such that you do not work closely with one particular person, you may be best suited selecting a non-professional reference.
Preparing Your Recommenders
Share your career aspirations: The more your recommenders know about your short-term and long-term goals, the more they can highlight examples and skill sets that would best demonstrate your ability to succeed in these endeavors.
Tell your recommenders what you plan to discuss in your essays: If you have taken our advice and started early, you may be preparing your recommenders before you have finalized your essays. However, share highlights from what you plan to discuss. Beyond your goals, let them know the traits you are highlighting and the success stories you are telling. The idea is for the letter to complement the rest of your application. This means you do not want them to repeat exactly what you are already saying, yet at the same time, you want to make sure there is no conflicting information. If they have a sense of your stories, they will be better equipped to share examples of accomplishments that demonstrate a complementary skill set or touch on an area you were not able to cover in your essays.
Remind your recommenders of your key accomplishments: Do not be shy about reminding them of your successes. This will not only make their lives easier but it will ensure they share the best stories. Your recommenders are busy and it is easy for them to forget details. Take the time to think of the top stories you would like them to recount and remind them of your role in certain projects or assignments.
Model the behavior now that you want them to write about later: If you have a skill set your future recommender has not seen yet (especially one that fits with your story), now is the time to let it shine! Take on an extra project, sign up to volunteer within the organization or mentor a junior colleague. Whatever you can do to show your strengths will help ensure they have enough examples to write a glowing letter of recommendation. Keep this in mind when you are at the office or client site at 8PM and debating whether to leave or burn the midnight oil.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Kellogg Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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PersonalMBACoach
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Wharton Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 - Sprin [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   19 Jun 2019, 07:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Wharton Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 - Spring 2020

The Wharton School has confirmed that its application questions will remain unchanged for class of 2022 hopefuls. Once again, applicants will be asked two questions, each with a 500-word limit. Wharton has an additional required essay for reapplicants along with an optional essay.
Below, please find this year’s deadlines along with Personal MBA Coach’s advice for how to approach the two essay questions.
This year's deadlines are as follows:

The Questions:
Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2: Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment that is not reflected elsewhere in your application. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Wharton community? (500 words)
Additional Question (required for all Reapplicants):
Explain how you have reflected on the previous decision about your application, and discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)*
*First-time applicants may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)
Personal MBA Coach’s Tips:
As a Wharton graduate, I am intimately familiar with the MBA program and culture at Wharton and advise candidates to think about each question differently to ensure answers complement each other while showing readers multiple aspects of their candidacy.
Essay 1:What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
With this first question, you should discuss your specific short-term goals, but also think more broadly. Essay 1 allows you to reflect at a higher level on your aspirations. Where do you see yourself in 10, 20 or even 30 years? How will you get there? It is also expected that you touch upon your past successes, explaining how they are relevant to your future objectives. This question does not require you to walk through your entire resume, and candidates are advised not to do so. Instead, focus only on your past to establish what your key skills are as well as how and why you will succeed in the future.
As you think about your future, also think about your skill gaps and how a Wharton MBA, specifically, will help you to close these gaps. It is important that you allow adequate time to research all that Wharton has to offer. I suggest being very specific in detailing the opportunities you plan to take advantage of on campus. Think about classes you are particularly interested in or perhaps professors you are looking to study with, etc. Do not include a laundry list. Instead, carefully think through how each offering will allow you to fill in your skill and/or experience gaps. Be sure to show an understanding of Wharton’s culture here. Avoid vague statements and copy and pasting from other essays.
Essay 2:Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment that is not reflected elsewhere in your application. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Wharton community? (500 words)
For essay 2, most candidates will be best suited to thinking about extra-curricular or personal experiences and accomplishments. While it is not required, sharing non-professional stories will allow you to shed some light on another area of your candidacy.
This essay is essentially 3 questions crammed into one 500-word essay. Be sure to consider each part carefully. By sharing this story and your learnings, you want to illustrate how you are uniquely suited to contribute to the Wharton community.
First, select an experience or accomplishment that reveals additional information about you and further illuminates your unique strengths. What have you done beyond what is in your resume? What makes you special? This the time to show this!
Second, think carefully about what you learned from this experience. By sharing your learnings, you will be able to show your character as well as how you are able to adapt to and grow from situations. These are crucial skills to demonstrate.
Finally, this essay gives you a chance to tell admissions committee members specifically how you will add value on campus. Be sure to do your research on all that Wharton has to offer and to be specific on the contributions you will make. As with essay one, avoid listing items. Instead, select a few unique areas where you will contribute and discuss the mark you hope to leave.
Reapplicants should use this required additional essay to demonstrate growth. I advise candidates to review our tips for reapplicants before tackling this essay. Finally, the optional essay should only be answered by those with extenuating circumstances. Read more on our approach to optional essays here.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Kellogg Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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PersonalMBACoach
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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5 Common MBA Application Misconceptions [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   26 Jun 2019, 12:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: 5 Common MBA Application Misconceptions

1. Business schools only want candidates with a certain career background
While it is true that there are certain career paths where an MBA is common (e.g. Consulting and Investing Banking), there is no one ideal pre-MBA career. In fact, a unique career background can actually work in your favor. Business schools desire well rounded classmates and appreciate the unique perspective that candidates with non-traditional backgrounds can bring to class conversations. The key is to show how your past experience and perspective can be leveraged during your future career path.
2. Schools want you to tell them how wonderful they are
Far too often I read about how an applicant will leverage Wharton’s “unmatched” alumni network or grow through Booth’s “renowned” curriculum. While all business schools want to know that you are truly interested in their programs, using over-the-top praise is not an effective way to articulate this message. Instead, do your research and share thoughtful elements of their programs that you are looking to take advantage of. Ensure that these elements are specific to you and make sense relative to your background and goals.
3. You need to fit in everything you have accomplished
Many candidates are tempted to throw everything but the kitchen sink into their essays. There is a concern that they will hurt their chances of success if they do not tell admissions committee members about everything they have done. However, this is not the case. A few well-told stories that clearly demonstrate what makes you unique will be far more compelling. Show your passions and leadership by sharing how you did a few things exceptionally well.
4. There is a “right” career goal.
You may be tempted to mention a career goal you think admissions committee members want to hear. Just because it is common for applicants to pursue consulting or investment banking does not mean this is the career path you should aspire to. Admissions committee members want passionate students and well-rounded classes. So write about what you really want to do, provided it is logical and attainable, and articulate it well. (Check out our blog on articulating your career goals here.)
5. You should only apply to a few schools
Years ago, applicants may have only targeted a few business schools. However, today my average applicant applies to 5 schools. The number of strong MBA programs is increasing. As more and more universities are investing in their business schools, candidates have numerous good options to consider. Simultaneously (and unsurprisingly), the applicant pool is becoming even more competitive, meaning that countless extremely qualified candidates are rejected each year. While it is true that MBA applications are time-consuming and each application is unique, successful applicants make the investment by applying to additional schools. This strategy ensures they are ultimately successful getting into the best possible school.

Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Wharton Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
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PersonalMBACoach
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
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MBA Application Pitfalls [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   05 Jul 2019, 08:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: MBA Application Pitfalls

Courting your target business schools is a crucial part of the MBA application process. Admissions officers want to know that you are truly interested in attending their schools. One common way that candidates do this is by attending MBA Fairs. These (typically free) events present candidates with the opportunity to meet with admissions directors from top business schools and also to listen to presentations from leading MBA admissions experts. This summer, Personal MBA Coach Founder Scott Edinburgh will be traveling to The MBA Tour events across the US including in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Boston, Atlanta and Washington DC to present “Top 10 MBA Application Pitfalls.”
Whether you are able to make one of these presentations or not, check out a sneak preview of 5 of the most common application pitfalls below and our advice on how to avoid them.
#1: Stating a vague reason for wanting an MBA
Although an MBA may be viewed as a “check the box” degree in some professions, this is NOT a message that should come across in your MBA applications. You should have a clear reason for wanting an MBA. While facilitating a career shift or career progression can be part of this reason, your essays should include the specific skills and experiences you will gain during the MBA process. Stating that you need to gain “business acumen” or “management education” is vague. Instead, do some careful thinking both about what your skill gaps are and WHY those skills are needed. This means going beyond saying, “I need to gain finance knowledge.” You should tell the reader why you want these skills and how they will help in your future roles.
#2: Not including school specifics
If you have many applications to complete (my average candidate applies to 5 schools) and a busy full-time job, it can be tempting to copy and paste across essays. This is generally not recommended. Not only does each school have a unique culture that values specific skills and experiences, but they all have different program offerings. So, take the time to do your research on the courses, professors and programs that are the best match for your future aspirations and include these details in your essays.
#3: Using too many industry buzzwords
Many candidates will use too many technical terms in resumes, essays, or even during interviews, potentially confusing or even putting off the audience. In some cases, the terms are so common in your industry that you may not even realize you are doing this. In other cases, candidates mistakenly believe that including these technical details will make them sound impressive or convey their knowledge. However, if the readers cannot follow what you are saying, you are not going to be able to show how you excelled in your role and how you were a visionary leader. Even though many admissions directors understand these terms, they are not evaluating you for your specific industry skills. Keep the language simple so that your accomplishments do not get lost in technical terms.
#4: Not answering the question
This may seem obvious, but I have read countless essays that do not answer the question. Business schools look for different qualities and characteristics. They ask specific questions to understand how well you will fit in on their campus. So instead of telling them what you think is most impressive, answer the question. If the question says: “Do not repeat your resume,” then do not write 300 words on your accomplishments. While including some details may be needed for context, keep this limited. In addition, take the time to think about the reasons behind the questions. The best answer will consider not just the WHAT but the WHY.
#5: Too much repetition
Business school candidates are well rounded and have excelled in multiple areas. Be sure that your application portrays this. While you may have a very impressive role or accomplishments, this does not mean you need to mention them in every essay and in your LORs. Instead, think about your entire story and everything you have to offer. Include different aspects of your profile. Of course, they should all work together to paint a clear story.
Be sure to check out the complete presentation including all 10 application pitfalls at this summer’s MBA Tour. Sign up here!
Seattle: Tuesday, July 9San Francisco: Thursday, July 11Los Angeles: Saturday, July 13Chicago: Wednesday, July 17New York City: Saturday, July 20Boston: Monday, July 22Atlanta: Tuesday, July 23Washington DC: Thursday, July 25
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Wharton Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
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Personal MBA Coach Interview with Columbia Business School Associate D [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   10 Jul 2019, 12:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach Interview with Columbia Business School Associate Director of Admissions, Nicole Shay

This week, I am excited to share the details of my interview with Nicole Shay, Associate Director of Admissions at Columbia Business School. Get a special insider’s look at what is new at Columbia, what makes Columbia unique, how candidates can best stand out, what MBA candidates should do differently during the MBA application process and more. Do not miss this rare and valuable advice!
How did you first get involved in admissions?
I started my higher education career working in program administration for a university in Philadelphia. I found myself working closely with the admissions team there, and was recruited for a role helping to oversee admissions for ten biomedical science graduate programs. About four years ago, after deciding to move to New York City, an opportunity at Columbia became available which allowed me to remain in admissions, but pivot to business candidates. I gladly accepted!
What excites you most about your work?
I really enjoy the opportunity to travel around the globe and help prospective students better understand how a Columbia Business School MBA can help them reach their professional, and oftentimes personal, potential. Being situated within Columbia University, and in Manhattan, a Columbia Business School student is offered a multitude of resources regardless of what industry or function she chooses to pursue. Helping a prospective student find a path to best fit her MBA education needs is extremely fulfilling. For candidates looking to make a larger career transition, we have the traditional 20 month August entry. For candidates working in Family Business, entrepreneurship, sponsored, or looking to make a smaller career transition post MBA, our 16 month January entry program might be right the right fit. For candidates who are a little further along in their careers, we also have a suite of Executive MBA programs, including EMBA- Global, a partnership with University of Hong Kong and London Business School.
Focusing on CBS, what are you most excited about coming up on campus?
Last year the Columbia Business School admissions team launched the first application cycle of our new Deferred Enrollment Program. This program allows seniors in an undergraduate program, or full time graduate students who entered a master’s program directly after earning a bachelor’s degree, to apply for admission to matriculate into a class after gaining two to five years of work experience. It has been a fantastic experience to be able to travel to college campuses and discuss how an MBA can benefit professionals across all industries, with varying academic backgrounds. This program allows undergraduates to have more control of their professional and educational options a few years into their career, and allows our team to demonstrate the value of an MBA for those who otherwise may not have considered it.
What is a common misconception about Columbia Business School?
I have encountered many prospective students who believe that because they don’t have a bachelor’s degree in business or economics, or aren’t working in finance or consulting, there isn’t a place for them in an MBA program, or specifically at Columbia Business School. What makes Columbia Business School such an inspiring learning environment is the diversity of the student body. We have many students with social science, journalism, and music degrees, and whose work experience is in social impact, luxury goods, and theater, just to provide a few examples. Further, we have a vibrant campus culture and tight-knit community with nearly 100 different student organizations across a wide range of professional and personal areas of interest. So that student with the music interest could help lead a trip to the New York Philharmonic with other members of the Arts Society organization, for example.
How do you best see students taking advantage of being in NYC while studying for their MBA?
Some of Columbia Business School’s most popular electives are our Immersion Seminars which allow students to engage with industry practitioners through downtown site visits to multiple organizations each term. Many students also choose to participate in part-time, in-semester internships because of the school’s proximity to the offices of organizations across all industries. These part-time in-semester internships may be counted for course credit, if students are able to secure a faculty sponsor. Additionally, Columbia Business School has over 16,000 alumni in New York City alone, and this network is available to students to leverage for coffee chats, mentorship, and to carve their own paths for internship opportunities.
I was recently on campus for a Forte Foundation event and saw the dynamic community in action, even from just a corner of the campus. What is something you think students underutilize / are not aware of?
When I have the opportunity to present with current students, the resource they often mention wishing they had better utilized is our Executives in Residence program. The Executives in Residence Program is comprised of twenty-five retired, or semi-retired, senior executives and senior partners who span almost every industry. Those that do take advantage of this opportunity talk about how impressed they were by the amount of thoughtful insight that was given during their interactions, and many of these executives go on to be active members of the student’s network.
I know we both travel together to many MBA events. I see a lot, but from your perspective, what is one piece of advice you would give to applicants before they arrive to best utilize these fairs?
Event attendees who spend time asking questions that demonstrate a genuine interest in Columbia Business School and wanting to understand how we can meet their needs will get the most out of a conversation with a member of the admissions team. It will be a more beneficial interaction for the candidate if she comes to the event with a basic understanding of our program, rather than needing to use the time to ask for information readily available on our website (such as our average number of years work experience).
What other changes are you looking forward to at Columbia?
Columbia Business School has always done a fantastic job of making sure coursework and student opportunities are contemporary, so I am always excited to hear about the new coursework being introduced each semester. Courses like “Introduction to Programming Using Python” and “Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and Digital Tokens Demystified” are some of our recent additions, and have quickly become favorites among our students. A focus on technology certainly will be underscored with the announcement of our new Dean, Costis Maglaras. Dean Maglaras has a demonstrated commitment to data-focused scholarship, and I am sure there will be more to come once he really hits his stride this year. And, of course we are excited for the opening of our brand new campus in Manhattanville in 2022.
What advice do you have for applicants interested in the new deferred admissions option?
My advice for anyone interested in the Deferred Enrollment Program is to start preparing early for the GMAT or GRE. This component tends to be the most time consuming aspect of the application. Apart from the standardized test, I would encourage candidates to get to know Columbia Business School, whether through one of our visits to the student’s respective campus, an information session in their city, one of our informational webinars, or a visit to our campus in Manhattan.
How do you think the admissions process will evolve over time?
We continue to strive to find new ways to connect with diverse student populations. Our team does a fantastic job planning on-campus events in the fall for diverse groups, and producing webinars for those who cannot make it to campus, but these are still self-selecting. We are continuing to explore ways to show those who might consider themselves “non-traditional”* how a business education can benefit them professionally. I think the Deferred Enrollment Program has been a great launch pad for this, as we are seeing peers bringing their friends to group meetings, encouraging them to learn more, and these are often stellar candidates who may have not otherwise seen how the MBA can benefit their professional plans.
*We’ve had Grammy nominated opera singers, journalists, Broadway actors, social scientists, and almost every other professional background join the class, and we think a “non-traditional” perspective is one of the features that makes Columbia so great!
What do you wish applicants would do differently when applying?
Be yourself when applying! There are no molds to fit or quotas to fill at Columbia Business School. We are looking for talented candidates from every walk of life, with diverse experiences to bring to the table, and who will succeed academically and professionally, while also contributing positively to the Columbia Business School community.
Do you have any advice for applicants excited about CBS that isn’t easily found on your website?
I would encourage anyone interested in applying to Columbia Business School, or even just curious about the benefits of an MBA, to get to know us. Our admissions team does a great job planning events on-campus, online, and in most major cities around the globe. While the information shared at these events can be found on the website, the insight an applicant will gain from hearing from our team members, current students, alumni, and faculty that participate cannot. An applicant can sign up to receive invitations to relevant webinars and events in their area by using our Stay in Touch form.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
5 MBA Application Misconceptions
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Personal MBA Coach's 7-Week Plan [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   18 Jul 2019, 09:03
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach's 7-Week Plan

It may be hard to believe but we are seven weeks from the first MBA application deadline. Read Personal MBA Coach's advice on how to best use the next ~ two months!
If you followed our earlier 4-month plan, let me remind you where you should be for July and August:
July:
Edit, edit, edit: This is the time to ensure your essays are perfected! Most essays will require multiple drafts so plan accordingly.
Attend The MBA Tour: The MBA Tour is a great way to meet with multiple admissions representatives simultaneously. While this year’s tour is underway, there are still a few more opportunities to attend Personal MBA Coach’s Top 10 MBA Application Pitfalls in the following cities:

New York City: Saturday, July 20
Boston: Monday, July 22
Atlanta: Tuesday, July 23
Washington DC: Thursday, July 25
Network with alumni and current students: Look for alumni and current students in your networks and schedule time for quick chats. The more you know about a school, the easier it will be to target your applications. Of course, there can be too much of a good thing so do not go overboard here.
August:
Fill out your applications: Allow time for these short answer questions. The applications themselves can be quite detailed so do not save these extra questions for the last minute.
Proof: We do not recommend doing any major work in the last few weeks before submission. Substantial last-minute changes can often be rushed and lead to mistakes. Instead, take the time to carefully proof all of your application materials. Be sure to enlist a second or third reader as it is difficult to spot errors in something you have read many times.
Ensure your LORs are all set: Check-in with your recommenders and make sure they have all of the information they need. Gently remind them of the upcoming dates to avoid any last-minute crunches.

However, if you are just getting started, read below for our advice on how to get back on track:
Your first step should be to finalize your school list and your testing plans. If you have not yet taken the GMAT/GRE or have yet to achieve your target score, you should schedule your test ASAP. Similarly, now that essentially all schools have released their deadlines and essays for class of 2022 hopefuls, you want to be in a position to start drafting as soon as you can. If you have not finalized your school lists, that should be priority number 1.
Do online research, speak to current students or alumni within your networks and attend any school events or tours near you. There may not be adequate time to plan a campus visit before you apply, but do not let this deter you from applying this year if the time is right for you.
Next, you should be selecting your recommenders, immediately. I have written extensively on selecting and preparing your recommenders in case you need help deciding whom to ask or what information to provide them. Remember, well thought out letters take time and your recommenders are busy; do not wait any longer to ask them.
Finally, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. First, get your thoughts on paper. Think through your career goals, why you want an MBA, what you hope to learn from the program and what makes you unique. Also, all applicants will need an MBA resume (more on this here) which can often be a great place to start this process. It will force you to take stock of everything you have accomplished and get you to start thinking of possible things to include throughout your applications.
Remember, most accomplishments from your resume will not fit into your essays and this is to be expected. Then begin drafting one question at a time. I advise you to begin with the easiest schools or questions as your writing will improve throughout the process. However, if your timing is very tight, start with the application that is due the soonest!
Do not forget to leave plenty of time to answer the short answer questions in the application and to proofread. Whenever possible, avoid writing during the last week or two and get someone unfamiliar with your work to proof your application.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Wharton Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
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Should I apply Round 1 or Round 2? [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   26 Jul 2019, 06:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Should I apply Round 1 or Round 2?

Which round to apply in is one of the most common conversations I am having with applicants today. There is no easy answer to this question, and it will vary considerably based on personal circumstances and target school lists.
However, in general, the best time to apply is when your application is the strongest. A rushed application is rarely the strongest application.
Consider these 5 questions as you determine whether Round 1, Round 2 (or both) are best for you!
1) Does your school have a strong preference for R1 vs. R2?
For most schools the answer to this question is no. Unless you are considering one of the few schools that leaves a smaller number of slots for round 2 applicants, you should continue to follow the advice above. Apply when your applications is the strongest!
2) When is my target school’s round 1 deadline?
This season a number of programs have pushed their round 1 deadlines into October. While starting the MBA application process today and meeting an early September deadline for multiple schools will be a challenge for most, MIT Sloan, UCLA Anderson, UVA Darden, Dartmouth Tuck, Cornell Johnson, Duke Fuqua and NYU Stern all have October application deadlines this year.
3) How many schools am I applying to?
My average candidate applies to 5 schools. While it may be tough to get started today and complete 5 round 1 applications, splitting applications across rounds is a viable strategy. We help candidates prioritize schools by round based on application complexity, round preference, likelihood of acceptance and deadlines. It is not as simple as applying to your top choice schools in R1. In fact last year many schools made admission decisions quite late in the year.
4) How much time can I dedicate to my applications?
Most applicants have busy full-time jobs and MBA applications take considerable time and energy. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can devote to your applications and develop your strategy from there. If you are targeting round 1 for any of your schools, be sure you can commit a good chunk of your night and weekend hours to your applications. This will of course vary based on the applicant.
5) Where am I in the testing process?
If you have not achieved your target GMAT/GRE score yet, this is another area that will take a large chunk of time, decreasingly the likelihood of being ready to submit your strongest application in round 1. Getting even just 20 points higher on the GMAT by round 2 eliminates any round 1 advantage that may be present at most schools.
Think honestly about your answers to these questions. In most cases, your chances of success during round 2 will be just as strong as round 1, provided you dedicate adequate time and effort to perfecting your MBA applications. In fact, last year we had our best round 3 ever! Round 3 is usually a time we advise people not to apply but many successful applicants submitted in this last round to M7 and top 10 schools.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. As the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants, our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
Interview With CBS Admissions
Your 7 Week MBA Plan
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MIT Sloan Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 - Spr [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   31 Jul 2019, 14:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: MIT Sloan Class of 2022 - Essay Questions & Analysis - Fall 2019 - Spring 2020

MIT Sloan has made only minimal changes to the 2019-2020 MBA applications. Again, the school requests that applicants develop a cover letter and submit a video statement. Details, along with Personal MBA Coach’s advice on how to tackle each element, are below.
MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.
Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Assistant Deans of Admissions, Rod Garcia and Dawna Levenson (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).
I advise candidates to approach this cover letter as they would any professional cover letter. You want to not only ask for a place within the MIT Sloan class, but also demonstrate why you are a good candidate. This should include documenting your key accomplishments and how you will add value on campus. This is not the time to repeat your resume, but as with any cover letter, provide some more depth to your character and accomplishments. Including some detail about how you will add value at Sloan is also advised here.
In addition to the cover letter, Sloan asks candidates to complete a video statement: Please take a minute to introduce yourself to your future classmates via video. Include a bit on your past experience and why MIT Sloan is the best place for you to pursue your MBA. Videos should be a single take (no editing) lasting no more than one minute and consisting of you speaking directly to the camera.
For this statement it is most important to be yourself. This is a chance for admissions committee members to learn more about you both personally and professionally. New this year is the direct request to address why MIT Sloan is a good fit. For this, candidates should be specific, thinking about specific aspects of the program that appeal to them. With a lot to cover in one minute, be sure you strike a careful balance between talking about yourself and explaining your desire to attend Sloan.
While you do not want to memorize the statement and sound overly rehearsed, I do advise candidates to write out a rough script in advance of filming and to practice multiple times! Consider factors such as audio quality, demeanor, and fluency in addition to the content itself. Personal MBA Coach includes analysis of sample videos in its comprehensive packages.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
2019-2020 Kellogg Essay Analysis
2019-2020 Columbia Essay Analysis
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Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
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Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach’s 2019-2020 M7 Essay Analysis E-Book [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   07 Aug 2019, 10:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach’s 2019-2020 M7 Essay Analysis E-Book

Personal MBA Coach is pleased to announce the release of our updated M7 Essay Analysis E-Book. Available for free to all Personal MBA Coach customers and newsletter subscribers, this e-book features Personal MBA Coach’s proprietary guidance on how to tackle the 2019-2020 application essays for ALL M7 schools including: Harvard Business School, Wharton, Columbia Business School, Chicago Booth, Kellogg, Stanford GSB and MIT Sloan.
Get insider tips on what admission committee members are looking for in each essay from our founder, a Wharton MBA and MIT graduate on the AIGAC Board of Directors with 11 years of admissions consulting experience. Our e-book also includes insight on handling the MBA application extras, such as optional questions, video interviews and reapplicant essays.
To download, click here and sign up for our newsletter to receive both the M7 Essay Analysis e-book and weekly MBA application tips.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate,
Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
Should I apply round 1 or round 2?
5 Application Misconceptions
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Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Are You Ready For Round 1 Deadlines? [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   14 Aug 2019, 08:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Are You Ready For Round 1 Deadlines?

With the first round 1 deadline in 3 weeks, it is time to check on your progress and make sure your applications are on track and solid. For some, waiting until round 2 may be the way to go if you are not quite ready.
Unsure if your applications are ready? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself.
Do you have a well-articulated personal story?
Is your story clear? Does the reader walk away knowing who you are and what matters to you? Are the stories consistent throughout all of the application components? Your resume, essays, short answer questions and letters of recommendation should all include the same general message. Any inconsistencies are an instant red flag!
Is it clear WHY you want an MBA?
Have you thought out and articulated why you want an MBA? To get promoted or to gain “business skills” are NOT good reasons.While not all schools ask this question directly, all candidates should be able to explain (either in the essay or in the interview – if given the chance) the skills and experiences they hope to gain from an MBA and how they will help them attain their career goals.
Does your application include specific information about the target school?
Make sure that your essays include school specifics where appropriate, such as unique classes, programs, professors, etc. that you are interested in.Admissions committee members read thousands of essays every year and it is easy for them to determine who is genuinely interested in a school and who crafted a generic essay. Try to connect your background and interests to the things you would like to do on campus so there is a bit of personality.
Are your letters of recommendation strong enough?
One of the most overlooked areas of the application is the LOR section. Even if your recommenders are not comfortable sharing their letters, there are steps you should take to ensure quality.It is important to go over your complete story with your recommenders so that they can write letters that help to corroborate that story.If your goals or story have changed as you went through the application phase, make sure to update your recommenders.
Are your essays strong enough?
Do you find yourself re-reading paragraphs because you do not see how they fit into the essay?It is a good idea to have someone else read your essays. Ask someone who is not extremely familiar with what you do on a daily basis. This will help to ensure you are talking about your experiences with the right level of detail for someone outside of your industry.Is each essay telling the reader something about you? While a story can often add to or even make a great essay, the goal of every essay is to convince the admissions committee that you will add value on campus (and beyond). Make sure every essay sends a message about what you have to add and think about how they all connect with each other.
Remember, if you have any doubts about your applications while reading these tips, Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your guide.
Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.

Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
Should I apply round 1 or round 2?
5 Application Misconceptions
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Short Answer Questions, Optional Essays and Videos [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   21 Aug 2019, 10:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Short Answer Questions, Optional Essays and Videos

While the essay questions may get the bulk of your attention, there are other crucial application components that require significant effort including short answer questions, optional essays and videos. Below is Personal MBA Coach’s advice on how to tackle each.
Short Answer Questions
Do not underestimate the importance of the short answer questions. Set aside adequate time to perfect these answers. Many schools, including HBS, have lengthy short answer sections that will require significant time. These questions serve a few important purposes. First, they allow you to share additional aspects of your candidacy. Naturally, there are many accomplishments and traits that you will not cover in your application essays; this is your chance to share these important successes. The format of the short answer section also allows admissions committee members to easily compare you to your peers. Ensure to take the time to stand out by carefully selecting the accomplishments discussed. Wherever possible, these answers should be complementary and not repetitive. Finally, short answer questions are a test of consistency and cohesion. The voice used here should match that shared throughout your essays and should paint a credible and concrete image of who you are as a candidate.
Optional Essays
Most schools offer candidates the chance to complete an optional essay. However, DO NOT feel compelled to answer these questions. In most instances, I only advise candidates with extenuating circumstance to provide additional information here. (There are a few schools where I do advise all candidates to answer the optional question, but this is the exception and not the rule). Such extenuating circumstances include low GPAs, gaps in employment and an unusual choice of recommenders (i.e. not asking a direct supervisor). Keep in mind with these essays: be brief and to the point. Do not offer long-winded excuses or any more information than is needed.
Videos
Videos essays are increasingly used by top programs to assess applicants. After all, you will have limited career success if you are unable to nail an interview, so this is adcom’s way of evaluating your physical presence / delivery. For some schools, such as MIT Sloan, the video question is provided in advance and applicants submit a pre-recorded video with their applications. For other schools, including Kellogg, Yale SOM, London Business School and INSEAD, applicants are asked to record videos on the spot within two days to one week after submitting their applications.
For these statements, be yourself. These videos offer admissions committee members the chance to learn more about you on a personal level. Potential topics include goals, passions, values and hobbies, among other more challenging questions. While you do not want to sound overly rehearsed, it is important to practice for these videos. If you have the question, write out a rough script in advance of filming. If you do not, practice sample questions. As you practice, consider factors such as audio quality, demeanor, and fluency in addition to the content itself. Personal MBA Coach has proprietary software available and a list of prior questions asked to help candidates prepare for these videos and includes analysis of sample videos in its comprehensive packages.
Remember, if you have any doubts about your applications while reading these tips, Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your guide. Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
M7 Essay Analysis
Are You Ready For Round 1 Deadlines
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The Clock Is Ticking [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   28 Aug 2019, 10:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: The Clock Is Ticking
As round one deadlines rapidly approach, Personal MBA Coach is here to help keep you on track. For some schools, you have just one to two weeks left. For others, there is still a bit of time to perfect your essays. However, that window is quickly closing.

Most candidates will fall into one of three categories. If one of these describes you, check out these tips on your best action plan.
“My applications are nearly ready to go!”
If you read our recent post: “Are You Ready For Round 1 Deadlines?” and answered yes to all of the questions, then congratulations! If you are lucky enough to be in this category, now is the time to dot your I’s and cross your T’s. Read through the requirements for each school you are applying to once again. Pay attention to smaller items such as short career goal statements, added videos and specific resume formatting requirements. Then, be sure to check off each element for EACH school. It is easy for something to fall through the cracks. Reach out to your recommenders to see if they have submitted their letters. If they have not, ask if you can provide them any additional information. Naturally, start with the school with the earliest deadline and review the application as a whole. Personal MBA Coach’s proofreader looks at all components of a completed application together.
“My applications are done but I have concerns.”
If instead you have doubts after reading our last blog, your ideal action plan is less straightforward and will differ by school. You may consider applying across two different rounds.
For some schools, particularly those with early September deadlines, you likely do not have time to make any major changes. Plus, rushed last minute changes often lead to mistakes. For most schools, there is little disadvantage to waiting until round 2. In fact, if this gives you more time to settle into a new job, finish off a major project, re-take the GMAT/GRE or secure a promotion, waiting could work in your favor. Some schools even had higher admit rates in round 2 last year!
However, there are some schools where your odds of success are considerably higher during round 1 or the early decision round. For those schools, particularly if the deadlines are in October, you should consider whether you can make the necessary improvements in time. By narrowing down your round 1 list and focusing on fewer schools, your odds of success will improve. Then you can take extra time to perfect your other applications in round 2.
Personal MBA Coach Offers gut check packages and comprehensive packages to help.
"I am really behind on my applications"
Finally, if despite your best intentions, you have not started writing your essays, you may have missed the round 1 window. With few exceptions, if you have yet not made a considerable dent in your applications, you should consider waiting until round 2. When asked when to apply, I nearly always say when your application will be the strongest. An application thrown together in two weeks is not likely to fit the bill. In fact, I tell my clients that we should be doing little to no editing in the last 2 weeks. This is the time to proof and ensure your story flows together.
The packages may be your friend for round 2.
Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your guide. Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
M7 Essay Analysis
Short Answers, Optional Essays & Videos
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Kicking Off Round 2 [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   05 Sep 2019, 07:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Kicking Off Round 2

Whether you are not quite ready for round 1 deadlines or have always been a round 2 applicant, now that summer is behind us it is time to focus on your MBA applications. While January deadlines may seem far off, Personal MBA Coach advises that all round 2 applicants get started today. Here are 5 steps you should begin taking now (even before you begin drafting your application essays).
1) Narrow down your school list and schedule campus visits
Research the programs that best fit with your long-term goals and ideal learning environments. Pay careful attention to each school’s culture and the industries where its graduates are most often placed. Make sure that you have some “reach” schools, some “more likely” schools and some “safer” schools, especially if you want to ensure you get in this time around. My average candidate applies to 5 schools and it is important that you have a well-rounded list.
Next, schedule campus visits! If it is realistic based on your location and work schedule, you should try to visit the campus before applying. There is no better way to get to know a school, and for many schools, admissions committee members want to see that you are truly interested in their programs. Whether you visit or not, look for current students or alumni in your immediate or extended networks and take the time to talk to them now! Learn about their experiences, what sets their programs apart, etc.
2) Fine-tune and articulate your career goals
Most business school applications will ask you to think about your career goals. This is a very important question. Admissions directors want to know how you will make the business world better when you leave their campuses and they want to know what your unique mark will be. The best career essay will do two things:
· Connect your past career to your future goals. Whether you plan to take your career in a completely different direction, make a small career pivot or return to the same company post-MBA, it is important to connect your past to your future.
· Include career goals that are focused and attainable. Your career essay should generally include both a short-term and long-term goal (though of course pay attention to each specific question’s wording) and these goals should be specific. No one is going to hold you to what you put in your essay, but it is important to think through and convey your plan. Your goals should also be attainable. Do not expect to become the CMO one year after business school. Look at sample job postings in your target companies and the required experience to determine what might be feasible for you.
3) Think about your personal story
We devote the first part of each engagement with candidates to crafting a winning personal story. This is the most important part of the application and it can also be the hardest. I advise my candidates to start this process months, if not years, in advance! The good news? Everyone has a personal story.
So, what should you include in your personal story? This will differ for every candidate but across the board I can tell you, not everything! No one wants to read 1,000+ words with a chronological flow of your life. Instead, you must be focused, logical and unique.
This is also not the time to tell the admissions committee what you think they want to hear. In fact, authenticity was a key theme discussed by admissions representatives at this year’s GMAC conference. Instead, think about what is most important to you, what drove your career and personal decisions and what connects these all together.
No candidate is perfect; instead, we chart the best course we can with the hand we were dealt, and the best essays show this.
4) Select and prepare your recommenders
Selecting the right recommenders is a very important part of the application process. It can be tempting to select the person with the most prestigious resume or the person easiest to discuss your business school plans with. I encourage you instead to carefully weigh your options and choose recommenders who know you best, can write great letters and can compare you to other applicants.
Once you have selected the right person, you also have to prepare them carefully. We often hear of candidates who ask someone to write the letter, ensure it gets submitted and call it a day. This can be a big mistake! Your role in the LOR process should be much more involved than this. Read our tips on preparing your recommenders.
5) Customize your resume
A business school resume differs from a professional one. These resumes accomplish two different goals. For a professional resume, you want to show potential employers that you have the specific skills and experiences they are looking for. You are selling your ability to do the job. For an MBA resume, on the other hand, you want to show how you have been successful and demonstrated leadership. You are selling your future potential. Find out how to craft a compelling MBA resume.
Need help? Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your guide. Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.

Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
Exclusive Interview With CBS Admissions
M7 Essay Analysis
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Our Top 6 Tips For Selecting Your Recommenders [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   11 Sep 2019, 09:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Our Top 6 Tips For Selecting Your Recommenders

For those of you kicking off round 2 MBA applications, it is time to select your recommenders (if you have not already done so)! Who you select to write your letters of recommendation is a key decision in the application process. It can be tempting to select the person with the most prestigious resume or the person easiest to discuss your business school plans with. I encourage you not to take this approach and to instead carefully weigh your options.
Here are the guiding principles I advise when selecting recommenders:
1) Do not just look for impressive titles.
This is not to say that impressive titles are a bad thing, but title should not be a primary selection criterion. Admissions committee members will see right through a strategy to have the CEO of your company, with whom you sat in on one meeting, write a letter for you. Not only will they not be able to explain the most important aspects of your candidacy, but it may not be a very credible letter if it is clear you don’t have a strong relationship with the recommender.
2) Look for someone who will take the time to write a great letter.
This addresses two very important criteria. It is best to select someone who is not only a good writer, but who will take the necessary time to write a great letter. Not everyone is great at writing and similarly, not everyone realistically has time to draft a carefully thought out letter. The quality of the writing is important in demonstrating your candidacy. That said, do not worry about English proficiency. Letters are not evaluated based on grammar.
3) Select someone who knows you well.
This is one of the most important pieces of advice I can provide. It is crucial that your recommender be familiar with your work, your character, your strengths, your weaknesses and your career aspirations. The best letters show intimate familiarity with the candidate. The use of specific examples will be important (more on that in my next blog) and the better the recommender knows you, the easier and more genuine these will be.
4) Select someone who can compare you to other candidates (if possible).
A good letter will compare you to other candidates, putting your accomplishments in perspective. For that reason, an ideal recommender will have the experience and exposure to compare your strengths and weaknesses to those of your peers. While this may not always be possible (and that alone is not a reason to eliminate a recommender), if you are comparing two similar candidates, this is an important factor to keep in mind.
5) Ask non-professional references if you have strong extracurriculars and/or weak recommendation options at work.
While the general advice is to select professional supervisors to write your letters of recommendation, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you have taken a major role in an activity outside of work, such as a leadership role in a sizeable charitable organization, you might consider asking a colleague/supervisor in this organization to write on your behalf. If you devote a considerable amount of time to this activity, particularly if it requires strong leadership, this person should know you well and be positioned to write a strong letter. Further, they will be able to provide a different perspective on your candidacy.
Similarly, if you do not have a suitable professional reference option, perhaps because you absolutely cannot tell your supervisor you are applying to business school or because your company is structured such that you do not work closely with one particular person, you may be best suited selecting a non-professional reference.
6) Use additional influential / alumni letters in some cases.
While I said title should not be a factor in selecting your recommenders, some candidates might be lucky enough to have a close relationship (even a personal one) with someone who has strong ties to the school of their dreams. In this case (and you never know what connections you might actually have until you inquire), it is worth taking the time to consider them as an additional recommender. Again, this is a case by case basis and I am happy to advise clients on this specific situation.
Remember, regardless of who you select to write your letters of recommendation, early notice is key. Do not wait too long to make these requests.
Need help? Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your guide. Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.

Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
Exclusive Interview With CBS Admissions
M7 Essay Analysis
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Acing The MBA Interview [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   19 Sep 2019, 09:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Acing The MBA Interview

With interview invitations already beginning to roll out, it is time to ensure you are ready for this important final stage in the application process. First, if you have already been invited to interview at your target school(s), congrats! While all of your hard work on the applications, essays and GMAT/GRE may have gotten you this far, do not stop yet.
The interview is one of the most important parts of the process and it is crucial that you are adequately prepared. Read some key tips on ensuring you are ready to win them over and then be sure to practice! Our former interviewers from M7 schools conduct mock interviews if you would like some additional support.
1. Learn more about each school’s interview process. Many MBA programs treat the interview differently. While fit will always be key, some schools are known to dig much deeper into specific areas of your application and background than others. Doing your research will help you prepare accordingly while putting you at ease during the interview.
2. Know why you want to join the school, carefully considering the program’s culture. This goes without saying but school-specific interests and knowledge are key. Make sure you are prepared to discuss the aspects that attracted you to each program. In addition, you should demonstrate your understanding of the school’s culture and how you will thrive and specifically add value on campus.
3. Be sure you can clearly articulate your goals. It is important that you are prepared to succinctly explain what you want to accomplish in your career (this should tie in with your essays), why this path is exciting to you and how you will succeed. Arrive armed with specific ideas to show the interviewer how you plan to make your unique mark.
4. Prepare stories; we find that bulleting works best. Research the most common questions asked for each school and prepare stories in advance. When crafting your behavioral question response, do not spend too much time setting up the situation. Instead, detail the key steps you took and how you excelled in each example. Always keep in mind the skills you want to highlight and tailor the stories accordingly. Generally, 4-5 stories can be easily modified to cover most top questions. Assign each story to potential questions in advance. Remember: Situations, Action, Result.
5. Show enthusiasm, bring questions & be yourself. This does not need much clarification. Ask only positive questions, be excited, smile and relax. Your background got you this far so be yourself and enjoy the process.
Just as with any interview, practice and planning are key! Personal MBA Coach has former M7 interviewers lined up to do mock interviews with you. Our clients have told us this is one of the most valuable steps they have taken to prepare. or click here to set up a mock interview today. For HBS, our mock interview includes help with the post-interview reflection and we also offer a limited number of group mock interview sessions for Wharton / Ross.
Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
Exclusive Interview With CBS Admissions
M7 Essay Analysis
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Your GMAT, GRE & Executive Assessment FAQs [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   25 Sep 2019, 12:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Your GMAT, GRE & Executive Assessment FAQs

Testing, testing, testing! For better or for worse, GMAT, GRE and Executive Assessment (EA) are key topics of conversation throughout the application process.
Below are the questions I am asked most often about the MBA admissions testing.
Q. How important is the GMAT/GRE?
A. While these tests are not the be all and end all and are just one part of the application, they are very important. Further, they will play a more important role for some candidates than for others. If you are applying with a weaker academic record or from a field of study that is less analytically intensive, your score (particularly your quantitative scores) will be key to showing that you can handle the academic rigor of an MBA program. In addition, if you are applying from an overrepresented applicant pool, differentiating yourself with a strong GRE/GMAT will be even more important.
Q. What score do I need to get?
A. While naturally this varies from school to school, it is becoming less and less common to see students earn admission to top 10-20 schools with a GMAT score below 700. For the Wharton class of 2021, the average GMAT was 732 (the average GRE was 162 V/162 Q). For Columbia Business School, the class of 2021 average was 728. HBS reported a median GMAT score of 730 and median GRE of 163V/163Q for the class of 2021.
When determining your target score, researching average scores is a great way to start. While those with a very strong profile, a unique background or from an underrepresented applicant pool could enjoy success with a below average score, it is becoming less and less common to see large numbers of applicants with scores more than 20-30 points below average succeed.
In addition, in some cases, such as the ones discussed in the previous questions, you may need to score 20-30 points above the average to even be on the same playing field as other applicants.
Q. What should I take, the GMAT or the GRE?
A. This question is much easier to answer: candidates should take whichever test they can score better on. Schools do not have a preference between the two tests, and the GRE is becoming more common and average data is becoming easier to find. My advice is to take a practice test for each and see which one comes more naturally to you. Generally, if quant is a strength the GMAT may be your friend while those stronger in verbal tend to prefer the GRE.
Further, if you have taken one test many times and have not been successful, consider changing gears and trying the other test. Of course, you will need additional preparation for this new test, but that may be worth the effort!
Q. How many times should I take the test?
A. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years AND you can take the exam up to 5 times during a 12-month period. There is also a lifetime max of 8 tests and you can only take the test once every 16 calendar days.
Further, you can cancel your score and the report does not go to the school if you are not happy with the result. This change has led to candidates taking the exam multiple times. Our average candidate now sits for the exam 2 - 4 times (with some giving the test as many as 6 or 7 shots.) While this policy may seem great, it has caused average GMAT scores to rise, as more and more candidates cancel low attempts.
Q. How should I prepare for the GMAT/GRE?
A. Think about how you learn best and use this to inform your study plan. Personal MBA Coach feels that most applicants do best with one-on-one tutoring, allowing the applicant to target areas where he is struggling the most. For this reason, we offer a variety of one-on-one tutoring packages with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile. Check out our offerings here.
Q. What is the Executive Assessment (EA) exam?
A. The EA exam was designed for experienced professionals interested in pursuing advanced education and is most often used by those applying for EMBA programs (some Part-Time programs are now also accepting the EA). The 90-minute exam was created to assess the skills and knowledge of experienced professionals and evaluate business school readiness. Currently, Berkeley Haas, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Duke Fuqua, INSEAD, London Business School, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, UVA Darden, Wharton and Yale SOM are included in the list of programs accepting the EA for Executive MBA candidates. Personal MBA Coach provides dedicated one-on-one EA tutoring.
Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
Exclusive Interview With CBS Admissions
M7 Essay Analysis
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Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Posts: 3645
Own Kudos [?]: 362 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Find Out Why You Were Rejected from Your Dream School [#permalink] Personal MBA Coach Updates   03 Oct 2019, 13:02
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Find Out Why You Were Rejected from Your Dream School

Harvard Business School released round 1 interview invites and rejections earlier this week. If you were one of the many applicants who received bad news, you may be wondering what went wrong. While there are countless reasons for a rejection (this is why we created our ding report service) we will cover five of the most common reasons candidates are rejected to help you plan your round 2 strategy.
1) Problem: A lack of a compelling story.
Your MBA applications must stand out. The reader should come away understanding who you are, what you are passionate about and why. It should be clear how you are unique from your peers. If your application essays could have been written by any other candidate in a similar role, it will be difficult for you to stand out and be memorable. Successful candidates are memorable! But remember, this does not mean you need to save a third world country. It all comes down to story and execution.
2) Problem: Application inconsistencies.
All aspects of your application should tie together. This includes your essays, resumes, extracurriculars and LORs. The strengths you share should match those cited in your recommendations. If your recommenders paint a picture of a detail-oriented candidate while your essays focus on your free-spirited nature, the reader will be confused. Similarly, your activities should align with your passions and expertise and your weaknesses should be consistent. If any two pieces of your application do not fit together, this will raise a red flag about your intentions and sincerity.
3) Problem: Low GPA and/or GMAT/GRE score.
This one may be more obvious but no matter how amazing your applications are, if you do not have a competitive academic record and test score, you may not get into your dream school. While there are always outliers on either end, you must set reasonable expectations. As you begin to craft your second chance plan, think about whether there are classes you can take to demonstrate strong quantitative skills if you have a low GPA, or how you can better prepare for the GMAT/GRE this time around. In addition, you may need to cast a wider net. My average client applies to 5+ schools including reach schools and some safer options.
4) Problem: An abundance of applicants with a similar profile.
For better or for worse, sometimes it will come down to numbers. This is particularly true at the most competitive schools. While we use compelling personal stories to help our clients from overrepresented backgrounds stand out, diversity is important in the MBA classroom. You cannot fill an entire class with former MBB consultants. This “numbers game” is the second reason why I advise candidates to broaden their school lists.
5) Problem: Insufficient leadership experience.
It should come as no surprise that business schools look for leaders. While this is especially crucial for Executive MBA hopefuls, leadership is important for all MBA candidates. Luckily, there are many ways one can demonstrate leadership. Leading a team at work is an obvious one but taking on informal leadership roles within a team, stepping up outside of the office, or mentoring junior team members are also great ways to demonstrate leadership. As you plan now for round 2 or next year, think about how you can step up your leadership experience AND better articulate it in your essays.
Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year and is the #4 ranked admissions consultant on Poets & Quants. Personal MBA Coach's comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
You may also like these other blog articles:
M7 Essay Analysis
Acing The MBA Interview
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