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PersonalMBACoach
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Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
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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
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 01 Feb 2022, 13:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach’s M7 Essay Analysis E-Book
Are you applying to any of the M7 programs in round 3? If you have not done so already, it is time to begin the essay-writing process. Personal MBA Coach gets clients every year in round 3. While the numbers are smaller, we can qualify you and figure out if you may be a strong round 3 candidate.

Given that round 3 is challenging, it is particularly crucial that you are taking the time to develop compelling essays. Determining how to approach your essay prompts can be one of the hardest parts of the process. Fortunately, Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you.

Available for free to all Personal MBA Coach customers and newsletter subscribers, our M7 Essay Analysis e-book features proprietary guidance on how to tackle the 2021-2022 application essays for ALL M7 business 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 15 years of admissions consulting experience.

Our M7 Essay Analysis e-book also includes insights 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.

Interested in exploring programs outside of the M7 schools? Download Personal MBA Coach’s Beyond the M7 Essay Analysis e-book to get insider advice on tackling the essay questions for seven top business schools outside of the M7s including Berkeley Haas, Duke Fuqua, Michigan Ross, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, UVA Darden, and Yale SOM.

For those who are still building their target school list, keep in mind that, while having a strong profile is key, getting accepted to business school often comes down to a numbers game.

For this reason, Personal MBA Coach clients apply to 5 to 8 schools on average. For some candidates, this means selecting target programs from a range of tiers. For others, this means choosing multiple M7 business schools.



Naturally, a candidate’s school list must align with their profile. Along with having a broad list, make sure that it is reasonable based on your undergraduate GPA, GMAT/GRE/EA score, and professional work experience.

Whether you are still deciding which schools to apply to or are ready to begin writing your essays, Personal MBA Coach is here to help! Via our Comprehensive MBA Packages, we will work through each step of the application process until you decide which business school admission offer to accept.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

The post Personal MBA Coach’s M7 Essay Analysis E-Book appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
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Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 10 Feb 2022, 12:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: How to Think About Your MBA Goals
“What do you want to do after you graduate from business school?”

This seemingly simple question actually can be one of the most difficult to answer eloquently. With a few exceptions, articulating your post-MBA goals is a crucial part of the application process. Most business schools want to know how you will make the world better when you leave their campuses and what your unique mark will be.

For those planning to apply to business school in September 2022, Personal MBA Coach clients are already getting started on round 1 applications. We advise our clients to begin the application process by thinking through their MBA goals and developing an MBA resume.

As you begin to reflect upon and articulate your goals, consider these six key pieces of advice.

1) Be decisive

While no one will hold you to what you write in your MBA application essays, you should generally be decisive when discussing your MBA career goals. Pick a set of goals and run with them. Candidates should not expect to “find themselves” in business school, though in reality this often happens.

If you do have multiple ideas in mind, some schools are comfortable with understanding your thought process and decision-making criteria (Personal MBA Coach discusses this with our clients on a case-by-case basis). Most schools, however, will want candidates to have clear plans laid out before they arrive on campus.

2) Be consistent

Your goals should be YOUR goals. This means they should not vary from one MBA application to the next. Candidates can lose credibility by changing their goals to please the audience, and it can be difficult to articulate true passion (see point 6 below) for goals that are not genuine.



3) Develop career goals that are ambitious, yet attainable

As valuable as an MBA is, you likely will not be running a department on the first day out of business school. Do your research and figure out what positions are realistic for you.

You can start by looking at career postings from companies in your target industry. Pay close attention to required industry experience, particularly if you are considering changing careers. This will give you a good idea of what role you might be qualified for immediately post-MBA and will allow you to specifically note which position you hope to secure after school.

4) Consider a logical career pathway

With your attainable role as a launching point, set out an ambitious path and long-term goal for yourself. This long-term goal is your opportunity to dream big and show how you will drive change in your future industry. It should flow logically (though not necessarily obviously) from your short-term goals.

While you do not need to rise through the standard career ranks at your target firm (though it is perfectly fine if this is your goal), your career path should make sense to the reader and allow you to leverage the skills you will develop during your MBA and throughout your early post-MBA career.

5) Share how you will be unique

Even if you have a very common career goal, such as becoming a management consultant or an investment banker, you want to share how you will make your unique mark. Perhaps you intend to develop a specific area of expertise within the consulting industry or focus on a certain sector. You must go beyond simply stating the position you are hoping to achieve. Think deeper and share your vision for improving your chosen field or company.



6) Articulate passion

A strong career goals essay will communicate passion for your future field. This does not mean that you need a long explanation for why you selected this career path. That said, as you provide the context and discuss your future, it should be clear to the reader that you are excited about this profession. Sharing what drove you to this field and identifying current innovations that particularly intrigue you are ways to show such passion.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

The post How to Think About Your MBA Goals appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
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Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 17 Feb 2022, 10:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach’s Take on the 2022 Financial Times MBA Rankings
The Financial Times recently released its 2022 MBA Rankings. Unlike last year’s Financial Times MBA rankings, which international business schools dominated, U.S. schools rose to the top this year. This shift is a reminder to pay attention to a school’s placement over the years, as rankings are always changing.

While Wharton was among the business schools that chose not to compete in last year’s Financial Times MBA rankings, the school returned to assume the top position in this year’s rankings. Following close behind, Columbia Business School took the second spot and Harvard Business School took the third. Like Wharton, these two schools did not participate in last year’s rankings.

Given the return of these top schools to the rankings, INSEAD dropped from first place to #4. In a minor change, Kellogg moved up slightly from #6 to #5. Stanford, which also did not compete last year, took #7. Chicago Booth and London Business School finished #8 and #9, respectively.

Yale SOM closed out the top 10 in the Financial Times MBA rankings. While there are numerous strong programs outside of the U.S., 8 of the top 10 programs this year are U.S.-based.

Part of this focus on U.S. business schools could be attributed to the high salary reports for U.S. MBA graduates. Additionally, international enrollment at U.S. schools is on the rise after these numbers took a large hit during the pandemic. Both trends may have contributed to the rise of U.S. programs in the latest Financial Times MBA rankings.

While these rankings can help MBA hopefuls build their target school lists, Personal MBA Coach likes to remind candidates that rankings are not the be-all and end-all. Below, we have shared some of our top tips to keep in mind as you review MBA rankings.

Need help determining which programs are right for you? Program selection is included in our Comprehensive Packages!



1) Look at MBA rankings to get an overview of the business school landscape.

If you are in the early stages of your MBA application journey, rankings can be useful to get a general lay of the land. Use these rankings to see what schools are out there, where they are located, and how they compare to one another.

2) Review statistics as an initial guide.

Statistics including acceptance rate, average undergraduate GPA, and average test scores of enrolled students will give you some strong benchmarking information. That said, these numbers should only be used as an initial guide since the whole applicant package is far more important.

Plenty of applicants with GPAs or GMAT/GRE/EA scores below average are accepted every year while others with higher statistics are not. This disparity is why we encourage candidates to apply to a range of programs (ideally 5 to 8 schools).

3) Consider average ranking over the years.

A school’s average ranking over time is important to consider when looking at MBA rankings. When you are applying to jobs down the road, recruiters likely will not know your school’s ranking when you applied, but they may look at its current standing.

Therefore, it is worth evaluating how the schools you are interested in have placed over time. Have they consistently stayed in the top tiers, or has their placement fluctuated greatly?

4) Analyze general trends.

While the latest Financial Times MBA rankings show Wharton, Columbia Business School, and Harvard Business School in the top three, other rankings scales are likely to show different results (see the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings and Bloomberg Businessweek rankings for reference).

Of course, certain schools will consistently place in the top ten, but the general list will vary from source to source. Keeping this in mind, as mentioned with ranking over time, the general trend across different ranking sources is the most significant.



5) Notice how rankings vary from one industry to the next.

While all MBA programs highlight strong general management education, each school has different areas of expertise. Thus it will be helpful to consider how schools perform in industry-specific rankings as well.​ Think about your MBA goals and check out rankings that pertain to these goals.

Are you looking for help with school selection? Along with MBA rankings, there are many factors to consider when building your target school list. Download Personal MBA Coach’s free Decision Making Guide to get more tips on business school selection.

School selection is part of our Comprehensive Packages. For those planning to apply to business school in September 2022, it is not too early to get started! Personal MBA Coach is already beginning to work with clients on round 1 MBA applications.

About Personal MBA Coach:
Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

The post Personal MBA Coach’s Take on the 2022 Financial Times MBA Rankings appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 18 Feb 2022, 15:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: What is an MBA Resume?
All MBA applications require you to submit a resume. You may be thinking, “No problem, I already have a resume.” However, it is not quite that simple.

An MBA resume differs considerably from a professional one as each accomplishes a different goal. A professional resume shows potential employers that you have the specific skills and experiences they are looking for. You are selling your ability to do the job and should include industry-specific terminology and jargon.

A resume for an MBA application, on the other hand, should provide evidence that you have been successful and demonstrated leadership. You are selling your future potential.

After years of detailing your specific technical and industry expertise, you may be wondering HOW to begin developing your MBA resume.

To guide you, Personal MBA Coach has outlined our four top MBA resume tips, based (frankly) on the mistakes that we frequently encounter.

For those planning to apply to business school in September 2022, our clients are already beginning to focus on round 1 applications. We advise candidates to begin the application process by articulating their MBA goals and developing an MBA resume.

By focusing on your resume now, you will have one less item on your to-do list when MBA programs release their essay questions this spring.



Here are some MBA application resume tips:

1. Do not outline your job description

Too often we read resume bullets that list a candidate’s tasks and responsibilities. While this might be great for proving you can do a specific job, it does nothing to differentiate you from other MBA applicants. Anyone in your role could copy and paste these bullets from the job description. Admissions committee members do not need to know each detail of your job.

Instead, focus on your key accomplishments. What initiatives did you lead? What projects did you succeed in? How did you go above and beyond in your role? How did you excel, particularly in relation to your peers?

Focus on the highlights in your MBA essay. It is okay to leave out certain tasks and projects you worked on, especially if they would not impress someone outside of your company or industry.

2. Include results

Learnings, takeaways, and results are the most important items to include in your business school resume. These items can and should include both personal growth over time and the impact you have had on your organization’s performance. The more specific and measurable your results, the better. Think of items such as “increased performance 30% over previous year” or “drove $1M in new business by doing x, y, and z.”

3. Focus on leadership and transferable skills

While it may be crucial in your current role that you are an SQL expert, this will be much less interesting to admissions committee members. Instead of detailing the technical skills you have amassed, focus on the transferable skills you have developed. Share how you have emerged as a leader. Leadership comes in multiple forms so even if you have not managed a team or a project, there are many ways to demonstrate your unique leadership. (If you do have management experience, include it!) Teamwork and communication are other important skills to include.

As you select professional strengths to share, prioritize those that are relevant to many industries, for example, analytical skills, strategic thinking abilities, or research experience. Sharing these transferable skills helps to convince readers that you can excel in business school and beyond.



4. Show multiple aspects of your profile

Successful business school students are active outside of work: in their communities, in athletics, within organizations, etc. They have hobbies or specific language skills. They win awards or earn certifications. They are involved on their campuses or at work outside the scope of their jobs. These details are important—they show readers another aspect of your candidacy beyond your work experience.

However, keep in mind quality over quantity! A laundry list of activities or an organization you volunteered with once will not help (and including such in your MBA resume might even hurt your credibility).

Contact Personal MBA Coach today to learn how we can assist you with your MBA resume through our Comprehensive MBA Packages!

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

The post What is an MBA Resume? appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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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
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 04 Mar 2022, 09:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Bouncing Back from an MBA Rejection
Were you rejected from business school this year? After getting over the initial disappointment, you likely turned your attention to finding out what went wrong. While there are countless reasons for an MBA rejection (this is why we created our ding report service), Personal MBA Coach has detailed seven of the most common problems below to help you improve your applications the next time around!

Before we dive in, however, Personal MBA Coach would like to remind candidates that you may have done everything right and were still rejected from business school this year. Do not get discouraged! Instead, try again in round 3 or next year (reach out today if you need help determining whether round 3 might be right for you). Schools reward candidates who continue to show interest in their programs through reapplications, and Personal MBA Coach helps numerous reapplicants each year.

Problem 1: A too-narrow school list

Personal MBA Coach clients, on average, apply to 5 to 7 schools (the 6-school package has become our most popular). While this may seem like a large investment of both time and money, there are a number of factors in the MBA application process to hedge against (more on these below). If you apply to just a few schools, there is a stronger risk of being rejected from business school. It is much easier to add a few more schools the first time around than to start over in a future year. With a growing number of top MBA programs, there are fewer strong reasons to restrict yourself to a narrow school list.

Problem 2: Lack of a Compelling Story

Your MBA applications must stand out. The reader should understand who you are, what you are passionate about, and why these passions are significant to you. It should be easy to identify how you are unique compared to 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 to the admissions committee. Successful candidates are memorable! This does not mean you need to save the universe, of course. It all comes down to story and execution.

Defining your personal story is an area that Personal MBA Coach’s clients often need the most help with. We work on this extensively with you via our comprehensive packages.



Problem 3: Application Inconsistencies

All aspects of your application should tie together. This includes your MBA essays, resume, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation. The strengths you highlight should match those cited in your recommendations. If your recommenders describe you as a detail-oriented candidate while your essays emphasize your free-spirited nature, the reader will undoubtedly be confused.

Similarly, your activities should align with your passions and expertise, and your weaknesses should be consistent. Any two pieces of your application that do not fit together will raise a red flag about your intentions and sincerity.

Problem 4: Low GPA and/or Test Score

This may be more obvious, but if you do not have a competitive academic record and test score, you may not get into your top choice, no matter how amazing your application. Even though some candidates with lower GPA and test scores may be admitted (and vice versa), you must set reasonable expectations.

As you begin to think about reapplying to business school, consider areas you can improve upon. Can you take classes to develop and demonstrate strong quantitative skills? How can you better prepare for the GMAT/GRE/EA this time around? Personal MBA Coach offers customized tutoring services to help you maximize your score. For those taking the GMAT, our tutors raise clients’ GMAT scores 90 points on average.

Problem 5: Failed Interview

If you were rejected from business school post-interview (particularly at a school with a high post-interview yield), your interview performance was likely a key driver of your MBA rejection. A strong MBA application gets you only so far. Perhaps you had a bad day, perhaps you lacked a connection with your interviewer or perhaps you simply did not prepare enough. Regardless of the cause, interviewing takes practice so be sure that you schedule at least one (if not multiple) mock interviews the next time around!



Problem 6: An Abundance of Applicants with a Similar Profile

For better or worse, sometimes acceptance comes down to numbers. While Personal MBA Coach helps clients from overrepresented backgrounds develop compelling personal stories that stand out, diversity is important to MBA programs. You cannot fill an entire class with former McKinsey, Bain or BCG consultants or investment bankers. This “numbers game” is one of the key reasons we advise candidates to broaden their school lists.

Problem 7: Insufficient Leadership Experience

It should come as no surprise that business schools want leaders. While this is particularly crucial for Executive MBA hopefuls, leadership is important for all MBA candidates. Luckily, there are many ways you can demonstrate leadership through work experience and extracurriculars.

Leading a team at work is a more obvious example, but taking on informal leadership within a team, stepping up outside the office, and mentoring junior team members are also great ways to demonstrate leadership. As you begin to plan for next year, think about how you can step up your leadership experience AND better articulate it in your essays.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

The post Bouncing Back from an MBA Rejection appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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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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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Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 11 Mar 2022, 09:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Is Getting an MBA Worth It?
Given the large investment in both time and out of pocket cost (though Personal MBA Coach’s clients earned $6.5M in scholarships last year!) questioning the value of an MBA is natural. While there are countless articles addressing MBA worth, you can easily do a calculation for yourself based on your current and future salary.

Here is a quick example for calculating your own ROI. The most recent Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) survey on corporate recruiting reported the median salary for MBA graduates was $50,000 than for those with a bachelor’s degree. This $50,000/year difference is sure to grow over time.

At the current rate, two years at Wharton will run you about $166,000 (not counting room and board since you do need to eat and sleep whether you are in business school or not). Some simple math shows that the investment not only pays off but does so soon after MBA graduation.

However, most Personal MBA Coach clients assess the value of an MBA much more broadly. This is why the answer to the question: Is getting an MBA worth it? is almost always yes, even for those who already have a strong pre-MBA salary.

Here are five reasons that getting an MBA is worth more than you might think.

1. Unmatched Networking Opportunities

MBA programs offer a variety of networking opportunities both on and off campus. Naturally, alumni serve as wonderful resources, particularly as students begin the job search.

Peers provide valuable learning and networking experiences as well. This is true even for Executive MBA programs, where a good deal of recruiting happens through fellow EMBA classmates and internal networking. Part-time MBA programs, which often have a reputation of offering fewer networking opportunities, still conduct recruiting on campus and offer plenty of options for students to extend their networks.

Long after graduation, MBAs continue to rely on these communities to advance their careers, by connecting with alumni to find mentors, investors, partners and future roles. All top business schools have expansive, global alumni networks, which means these lifelong connections are easy to find and build no matter where you are located. At Personal MBA Coach, our team continues to benefit from our networks at Wharton, MIT Sloan, Yale SOM and beyond!



2. Enhanced Credibility and Professional Marketability

Even if your current career is in a great place with plentiful opportunities, this might not always be the case. Perhaps life circumstances or personal choice will lead you to take a break in your career. Or maybe you will be in a position where you need to job search during a weaker economy due to reorganization or company layoff.

If you are job searching after taking some time away from work or in a tighter job market, your MBA will undoubtedly make you a stronger candidate. While this may be slightly less crucial for those looking for jobs in a stronger market, remember that you will have an MBA degree throughout your career!

The creditability of an MBA can also be crucial for those students with entrepreneurial pursuits hoping to woo future investors. Gaining the necessary trust to secure funding can be a challenging process and having an MBA, particularly one from a top school, can be a huge help.

3. Positions You for a Career Jump

If you feel stuck at your current level or believe that you have learned all that you can in your role, an MBA can be the perfect steppingstone to prepare you to achieve your future career goals. Whether you want to switch careers or advance to the next level in your current job, business school can help you escape this career stagnation.

Per GMAC’s recent enrolled student survey, the opportunity to enhance career opportunities was the primary driving factor for candidates pursuing graduate management education. Looking at collective responses from the class of 2021 and 2022, 86% of survey respondents felt that an MBA increases their employability. All top business schools have incredibly strong post-graduation employment rates, reenforcing this perception.

4. Access to Specialized Knowledge and Emerging Fields

While part of MBA worth is of course tied to strengthening core skills such as finance and management, top business schools have started to introduce more unique course offerings focused on emerging fields. As curricula continue to evolve to address the rapidly changing global community we live in, students have an increasing number of opportunities to fill specific knowledge gaps.

From MIT’s Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy to Columbia Business School’s Climate Change and the Energy Transition, MBA students have numerous opportunities to explore emerging fields that interest them.



5. Soft Skill Development

Along with the technical skills gained from an MBA, the soft skills you will gain in business school are incredibly beneficial. Some of the top soft skills amassed from an MBA include leadership, teamwork, and communication.

Through classroom settings, as well as networking, community-building, internship, volunteer, travel, and recruiting opportunities, MBA programs offer endless ways for students to grow personally and professionally. While your current job may be providing some of these opportunities, an immersive MBA experience will lead to remarkable development.

If you are asking the question Is getting an MBA worth it? and wondering if now is the right time in your career to pursue an MBA, Personal MBA Coach has shared our thoughts on timing here.

If you are ready to take the leap and apply to business school, find out how Personal MBA Coach can help you achieve your goals with our Comprehensive MBA Packages.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

 

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FROM Personal MBA Coach: MBA Candidate Success Spotlight: 2021/2022 Columbia Business School Admit
One of the questions Personal MBA Coach often gets from candidates is “What does it take to get accepted into X school?” While there is no one answer, from time-to-time we share success stories from our clients.

If you are beginning the application process, we advise applicants to get a head start on the process by outlining their goals and developing an MBA resume. By doing so now, you will have one less application component to focus on when schools share their latest essay questions this spring.

Below, find out more how this Personal MBA Coach client was accepted into Columbia Business School.

If you are considering applying to Columbia Business School or other MBA programs this upcoming fall, it is time to get started on round 1 applications! Keep in mind, Columbia Business School has rolling admissions so applying early is crucial!

Not sure where to begin? Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you through every step of the process via our comprehensive packages.

Columbia Business School Class of 2024 Candidate Profile Overview
MBA Program: Columbia Business School

Gender/Ethnicity: Female/White

Years of Experience: 3

GMAT: Low 700s

Pre-MBA Experience: Finance

Education: Top Public University

GPA: High 3’s

[img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/WordPress-–-MBA-Candidate-Success-Spotlight-5.png[/img]

MBA Candidate Q&A 
Personal MBA Coach: Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?

Candidate: I decided to pursue an MBA in order to make a career transition into investment management.

Personal MBA Coach: How did you decide on which schools to apply to?

Candidate: Going into the process, I had a pretty good sense of the schools that I wanted to apply to, given my goal to pursue a career in finance post-MBA as well as my desire to attend a school near my family. During my kick-off call with Scott, we discussed what factors were the most important to me as well as a good balance of reach and target schools. After that, I had my set list of schools I was going to apply to.

Personal MBA Coach: What was the hardest part of the application process?

Candidate: The hardest part of the application process for me was staying on top of writing all the essays before the due dates while also working a demanding full-time job. The Personal MBA Coach team constantly made sure I was able to stay ahead of my deadlines and complete all materials in time for round 1.

Personal MBA Coach: Why did you decide to turn to Personal MBA Coach for help?

Candidate: When looking for a consultant, I had initial calls with a lot of companies. Personal MBA Coach stood out to me because of its boutique nature – I knew once I spoke to Scott that I would really get that one-on-one focus that I didn’t feel I would have with others. During our initial call, Scott was very honest about the parts of my application that I would need to work on to maximize my chances at top 10 schools. On top of that, Personal MBA Coach had some of the best reviews on sites like Poets & Quants and GMAT Club. Altogether, these factors made me decide that Scott and the Personal MBA Coach team would be the best partner for me during this process.

[img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/WordPress-–-MBA-Candidate-Success-Spotlight-2-1.png[/img]

Personal MBA Coach: What was the biggest surprise for you throughout the application process?

Candidate: The biggest surprise throughout the process was how introspective you really have to get. Putting together your story and actually understanding what drives your short-term and long-term goals is something that doesn’t feel natural at first, but it makes you learn a lot about yourself in both a personal and professional sense.

Personal MBA Coach: How did Personal MBA Coach help you?

Candidate: Personal MBA Coach has helped me tremendously, and I truly don’t believe I could have gotten the outcome I have now had it not been for this team. Not only did the Personal MBA Coach team keep me on top of all my deadlines, but they also helped me pick essay topics and key points to focus on, reach out to recommenders, and prepare for interviews. I really felt I had someone to turn to from the beginning of the process straight through to the end – which is something that is unparalleled in this application process.

Personal MBA Coach: Do you have any final pieces of advice for prospective MBA candidates?

Candidate: My advice would be to really put in the time and effort. Crafting your story is a very important part of the application process, so it’s not something that will be created overnight. The process is long and, at points, can be tedious, but it is very worth it in the end.

Reach out today to get started on your MBA applications!

About Personal MBA Coach:
Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

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FROM Personal MBA Coach: MBA Candidate Success Spotlight: 2021/2022 Dartmouth MBA Admit
Wondering how to get into business school? While, naturally, there is no one answer, find out how this Personal MBA Coach client got accepted into Dartmouth Tuck, how they chose the ideal MBA program, the hardest parts of the MBA application process and more!

If you are planning on applying to Dartmouth Tuck or other business schools this fall, now is the time to begin working on your round 1 applications! If you think a Dartmouth MBA might be right for you, check out our tips for tackling the 2021-2022 Dartmouth MBA essays.

Unsure how to get started? Personal MBA Coach is here to help! We have comprehensive packages to guide you through every step of the application process.

Dartmouth Tuck Class of 2024 Candidate Profile Overview:
MBA Program: Dartmouth Tuck

Gender/Nationality: Male/Indian

Years of Experience: 7

GMAT: 740

Pre-MBA Experience: Sales Strategy

Education: Top Public Indian University

GPA: High 80s

[img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wordpress-–-MBA-Candidate-Success-Spotlight-Tuck-1.png[/img]

Candidate Q&A:
Personal MBA Coach: Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?

Candidate: An MBA would open my career options and would provide me with an opportunity to change my industry. Moreover, I aspired to be a part of a global community and build life-long personal and professional networks.

Personal MBA Coach: What was the hardest part of the application process?

Candidate: Definitely the essays! The essays are a great opportunity to reflect on the most important moments of your life and create a brand for yourself. The process can be overwhelming at times but with the help of Personal MBA Coach, I was able to tie the different aspects of my life into a comprehensive and well-thought-out story.

Personal MBA Coach: How did you decide on which schools to apply to?

Candidate: Research and some more research! Each school has its strengths and a unique experience to offer. Understanding how the school aligns with your ambitions and personality is key to deciding on which schools one should apply to. Personal MBA Coach did help me narrow my list with a great combination of stretch, competitive and safe schools.

Personal MBA Coach: What was the biggest surprise for you throughout the application process?

Candidate: I think the quantum of work and reiterations I needed to put in to complete my applications on time was the biggest surprise for me. Coupled with an intense job, the amount of work can get overwhelming. Personal MBA Coach’s structured approach to applications helped me complete each subpart of the process on time, track my progress, and eventually submit the right number of applications, not compromising on the quality of any.

Personal MBA Coach: Why did you decide to turn to Personal MBA Coach for help?

Candidate: Initially, the numerous success stories from Personal MBA Coach caught my eye. After my initial discussion with Scott, I was convinced that Personal MBA Coach would be ideal for me to achieve my MBA ambitions. Within the first 30 minutes, Scott understood my personal story and requirements, providing honest and candid feedback on the same.

[img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wordpress-–-MBA-Candidate-Success-Spotlight-Tuck-2.png[/img]

Personal MBA Coach: How did Personal MBA Coach help you?

Candidate: Scott is fantastic in understanding your personal requirements and tailoring his advice and feedback to get the most out of your applications. Right from the initial conversation with him to the mock interview with the Personal MBA Coach team, I received honest and invaluable tips to enhance my personal story, eventually enabling me to get admission in a top school. The application process can be intimidating but Scott demystified each step of the application, with ‘round-the-clock availability and pinpoint recommendations to improve each part of the application. 100% recommend!!

Personal MBA Coach: Do you have any final advice for prospective candidates?

Candidate: Start! It’s easier said than done, but I can assure you that a conversation with Scott is the right first step toward the application process.

If you are looking for more information on how to get into business school, check out Personal MBA Coach’s Top MBA Application Tips e-book.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

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Personal MBA Coach Updates 18 Mar 2022, 12:00
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Applying Round 3: MBA Round 3 Deadlines, Chances & More
For those of you thinking about applying round 3, MBA programs DO admit candidates during MBA round 3. While in many cases, the spots left for round 3 candidates are limited, they do exist. In some cases, there is even scholarship money left for those applying round 3.

MBA Round 3 Deadlines & Details

MBA programs vary considerably in terms of how they view round 3. Some top MBA programs, such as Harvard Business School, have dropped round 3 (other than for 2+2 applicants) altogether. Other programs technically admit round 3 applicants but do so in very small numbers. However, some programs reserve space to welcome competitive applicants who for various reasons were unable to apply in earlier rounds.

Round 3 MBA Deadlines are as follows:



Does applying in round 3 make sense for you?

Here are 4 reasons why applying in round 3 might be right for you!

  • You had limited tenure in your role during previous rounds
Many MBA applicants who are most successful applying during round 3 had a reason for not applying during an earlier round (of course, this is not true for everyone). If you were promoted and started a new job in the last year, it might be reasonable to wait until you had more experience in your current role to discuss. While we help applicants new to their roles apply successfully each year, MBA admissions committees easily understand the benefits of waiting for applicants new to their roles. Candidates who recently sold their companies or recently reached significant professional benchmarks would also fit into this category.

  • Extenuating circumstances prevented you from applying during earlier rounds
If unique personal or professional experiences prevented you from applying during round 1 or round 2, round 3 may be a viable option for you. Examples of this may include military commitments or significant personal or medical challenges. In come case, COVID-19 could have delayed your application timeline. If candidates were unable to submit during earlier rounds due to circumstances outside of their control, they will not be penalized for waiting until round 3. However, keep in mind that with limited seats left the competition will still be fierce.



  • You have a particularly unique or extraordinary profile
Round 3 is the most difficult round, by far! Successful round 3 applicants often have a profile that is well above average in multiple ways. If you do not have a strong explanation for waiting, it is even more crucial that you have an application that will be hard to turn down with above-average test scores, grades, professional experience and more! Schools have spaces for round 3 applicants, but the onus will be on you to convince them that you deserve a seat.

  • Starting business school in 2022 is particularly important to you
For some MBA hopefuls, waiting until 2023 to begin business school is not an attractive option. There are countless unique personal or professional reasons why you might not want to wait and apply next year during round 1. If it is this year or bust, applying round 3 might make sense for you, even if the above reasons do not apply. In this case, you SHOULD be flexible with your school list and consider a wider range of schools. The number of strong MBA programs continues to grow, and there are many strong options beyond the M7 or T10 programs.

Who should wait for round 1?

If you intended to apply during round 2 but did not finish in time or did not feel your applications were strong enough AND none of the above applies for you, I would recommend that you wait and plan to apply during round 1. By starting NOW on your round 1 MBA applications (like many Personal MBA Coach clients) you will be better positioned for success this fall.



What about candidates who were rejected during earlier rounds?

If you were rejected during earlier rounds, I would advise you either to broaden your list CONSIDERABLY or wait another year. Applying to similar level or even slightly less competitive schools during round 3, after a rejection during round 1 and/or round 2, is not your best bet. Think about how important it is for you to start school this fall as you make this decision.

Are you looking for guidance as you start your round 3 applications? Contact Personal MBA Coach today to find out how we can help set you up for success through our Comprehensive MBA Packages!

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

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Personal MBA Coach Updates 23 Mar 2022, 13:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Getting off the MBA Waitlist
Most candidates feel mixed emotions after hearing that they were placed on an MBA waitlist. While, naturally, getting a spot on the MBA waitlist is not as good as getting accepted to your target MBA program, being placed on the waitlist is generally good news. This means that the admissions committee liked your application and believes that you would be a great fit in their class. However, they are not quite ready to offer you a spot.

Before we discuss MBA waitlist tips and your MBA waitlist chances, let’s look at the most common reasons candidates are placed on a waitlist.

Too many applicants with a similar profile

For better or worse, sometimes it comes down to numbers. 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 we advise candidates to broaden their school lists.

Admissions Committee was not sure if you actually would attend

Sometimes applicants are waitlisted because the admissions committee was not convinced they would attend if accepted. While this is not likely to explain an HBS waitlist, there are certain schools that applicants might view as a safety school and, if the admissions committee suspects this, the applicant may be placed on the waitlist.



Low GMAT/GRE/EA score or another addressable weakness

If an applicant has a strong profile and application but a low test score (or another addressable weakness), they may be placed on the waitlist. In this case, this gives the applicant the chance to address this weakness and update the admissions committee.

Waiting to see applicants in a future round (less common during round 2)

Particularly in early rounds, admissions committees will use the waitlist when they receive a larger than expected number of qualified candidates in an early round. Note — this does NOT mean it is harder to get in during round 1; it can sometimes be easier in round 1. To save seats in the class for applicants in later rounds, admissions committees will place applicants on the waitlist until they review applications in future rounds.

MBA Waitlist Tips
Next, let’s talk about how you can increase your chances of getting off the MBA waitlist. While waitlists are unpredictable, and it is hard to pinpoint a specific MBA waitlist acceptance rate, there are steps to take to improve your chances of admission.

Assess why you were waitlisted

The first step in determining your next steps for getting off the MBA waitlist is to try and figure out why you were likely placed on the MBA waitlist. Keep in mind, not all schools will provide feedback.

If it is not offered, do not ask! Instead, look at the list above and see which item(s) are most likely to apply to you. Personal MBA Coach offers waitlist support and ding analysis services for those who need help.



Address any potential weaknesses

If you have a weakness you can address, work on it! This could mean stepping up at work so you can mention increased leadership experience in your update letter, beefing up your involvement outside of work or retaking the GMAT/GRE/EA.

Engage appropriately

As you consider your next actions, keep in mind that less is more! We know waiting can be challenging but resist the urge to do too much!

While sending a waitlist update is often acceptable (after an appropriate period of time), frequent contact can do more harm than good! Keep this MBA waitlist letter brief and focus on the specific steps you have taken to improve your candidacy. For some schools, a strong MBA waitlist letter will also reiterate your interest in the program and detail your engagement with the program.

If you find yourself on the waitlist for one or more of your target schools, Personal MBA Coach is here to help you develop your MBA waitlist strategy. From reviewing your entire application to editing an MBA waitlist letter, we are here to provide you with guidance and clarity.

About Personal MBA Coach:
Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

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Personal MBA Coach Updates 28 Mar 2022, 08:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: MBA Candidate Success Spotlight: 2021/2022 Four-School Admit
When applying to business school, applicants often want to know what it takes to get accepted into their target programs. Although there is not one specific answer, Personal MBA Coach shares MBA admissions blog posts from time to time to highlight successful clients.

If you are planning on applying to MBA programs this upcoming fall, it is time to get started!

Below, learn how this client worked with Personal MBA Coach to receive offers from Wharton, Columbia Business School, Chicago Booth, and Duke Fuqua.

Not sure how to begin the application process? Personal MBA Coach is here to set you up for success via our comprehensive packages.

Penn Wharton MBA Class of 2024 Candidate Profile Overview:
MBA Program: Wharton

Gender/Ethnicity: Male/White

Years of Experience: 4

GMAT: Mid/High 700s

Pre-MBA Experience: Consulting

Education: Top Liberal Arts College

GPA: Mid 3s

[img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wordpress-–-MBA-Candidate-Success-Spotlight-4-School-Admit.png[/img]

Candidate Q&A:
Personal MBA Coach: Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?

Candidate: I decided to pursue an MBA because I wanted to pivot from my current role in operations consulting to one that was more strategic in nature. After receiving sponsorship to attend business school through my company, it seemed like the perfect time to pursue this career pivot.

Personal MBA Coach: Why did you decide to turn to Personal MBA Coach for help?

Candidate: I chose to work with Personal MBA Coach because of a candid, straight-shooting info session that Scott and his team hosted through my employer. It was clear that the team would provide great insight into the MBA recruiting process while also giving me honest answers about what I was doing well, where I had opportunities for improvement, and how I could present my best business school case.

Personal MBA Coach: What was the hardest part of the application process?

Candidate: For me, the most difficult part of the application process was essay writing. I must have gone through at least 10 iterations of each essay, with adjustments ranging from minor grammatical and wording tweaks to total overhauls of my initial ideas. I felt that Scott and his team gave each of my drafts the same level of attention.

Personal MBA Coach: How did you decide on which schools to apply to?

Candidate: I knew I wanted to attend a school in a larger city with strong finance opportunities. I also was interested in attending a well-renowned and prestigious university. These factors, coupled with direction from Personal MBA Coach, helped me arrive at the list of schools to which I applied.

[img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wordpress-–-MBA-Candidate-Success-Spotlight-4-School-Admit-2.png[/img]

Personal MBA Coach: What was the biggest surprise for you throughout the application process?

Candidate: The biggest surprise for me about the application process is the level of precision that is required on pieces of the application. Resumes, short answers, essays, interviews – all require extreme attention to detail. While I experienced something similar during undergrad applications, business school applications were an entirely different beast.

Personal MBA Coach: How did Personal MBA Coach help you?

Candidate: Personal MBA Coach improved every single facet of my application. The biggest impact I saw was in my resume and in defining my “why business school” story. The team at Personal MBA Coach provided detailed feedback on my resume to ensure I used every word on the page effectively. The team also helped sculpt my “why business school” story, which started as a vague set of thoughts and was transformed into a coherent story that traced through numerous areas of my background.

Personal MBA Coach: Do you have any final pieces of advice for prospective candidates?

Candidate: As cliché as it sounds, starting early is my biggest piece of advice. You don’t realize how much work there is to do until you actually get into it, and the Personal MBA Coach team held me accountable and kept me on track throughout the process.

Interested in more Personal MBA Coach client success stories? Check out another recent MBA admissions blog here.

If you are ready to begin working on your applications, contact Personal MBA Coach to learn more about our personalized admissions consulting services.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

The post MBA Candidate Success Spotlight: 2021/2022 Four-School Admit appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 29 Mar 2022, 10:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach’s Take on the US News Best Business Schools 2023
The US News Top Business Schools report for 2023 has just been released, with some interesting changes in this year’s rankings.



Wharton has regained the #1 spot (which it held in the 2021 rankings but lost in 2022), sharing this top honor with Chicago Booth. This is a jump from 3rd place for Chicago Booth. Wharton reported an acceptance rate of 18.2%, with an average GMAT score of 733. Chicago Booth’s average GMAT score was 732 while its acceptance rate was  22.6%.

Stanford GSB fell in this year’s US News Best Business Schools rankings to #3 (it held the #1 spot for the previous two years), tying with Northwestern Kellogg. This was a jump for Kellogg, which had fallen from 3rd to 4th in the 2022 US News Rankings. Despite the drop to #3, Stanford GSB, with a much smaller student body, reported the highest average GMAT score of the top 10, at 738, while accepting only 6.2% of its applicants. Kellogg’s average GMAT score was 727 and the school reported a 26% acceptance rate.

Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management were once again tied for 5th place. HBS reported a 12.5% acceptance rate and an average GMAT score of 727. HBS also reported an average GRE score of 163 for both GRE quant and GRE verbal. MIT Sloan’s acceptance rate was just slightly lower, at 12.1%, while the average GMAT score was 728.

Yale School of Management jumped to #7 this year, up two spots from #9 in 2022. This is the best-ever finish for Yale SOM, which reported an acceptance rate of 23.6% and an average GMAT score of 726.

Columbia Business School and Berkeley Haas tied for #8, a one-place drop for both schools. University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business rounded out the top 10, a sizeable jump from #13 in 2022.



Dartmouth Tuck, which made it into the top 10 last year, fell slightly to 11th place. NYU Stern also dropped out of the top 10, now sharing the 12th place with Duke Fuqua. Fuqua’s positioning remains consistent, however, as this is the third year in a row that the school has ranked 12th.

UVA Darden has seen a slight decline in the U.S. News Top Business Schools rankings over the past couple of years, now taking 14th place. Cornell Johnson, on the other hand, has not seen much fluctuation, taking 15th place for the third consecutive year.

CMU Tepper, UCLA Anderson, Texas McCombs, UNC Kenan-Flagler, and USC Marshall rounded out the top 20, in that order, with a tie between UNC and USC.

How to Use MBA Rankings
Personal MBA Coach would like to remind you that changes over time are more significant than year-to-year and guide-to-guide fluctuations. The constant shuffling at the top and the rotation in and out of the top 10 demonstrates the growing competition among elite business schools. While the M7 business schools receive a lot of attention, Personal MBA Coach urges our clients to consider a broad range of schools. Our average client applies to five to seven programs to maximize their chances of acceptance.

For more information on how to use the US News Best Business Schools 2023 report or other MBA rankings, check out our tips in this blog.



Beyond MBA rankings, in choosing a business school one should consider factors including a school’s location, culture, academic programming, areas of specialization, and job placement rate. Similarly, culture and teaching style vary across schools. To learn more, we encourage you to review Personal MBA Coach’s new school guides.

Finally, available financing also should be a key consideration since you may be able to secure more funding from one school versus another. Last cycle, Personal MBA Coach’s clients earned $6.5M in scholarships. Depending on your personal circumstances, you might be inclined to select a school with a more favorable financial package regardless of ranking. Some M7 schools are very generous with scholarships while others award them much more sparingly.

About Personal MBA Coach:
Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets&Quants.

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

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

The post Personal MBA Coach’s Take on the US News Best Business Schools 2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 01 Apr 2022, 09:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Evaluating the 2023 US News Best Part Time MBA Programs
The US News Best Part Time MBA Programs report for 2023 has just been released. Unlike the full time rankings, there was no shuffling among the top 5 part time MBA programs.

Top part time MBA programs are ideal for working professionals who want the benefit of an MBA without taking off time from work. Part time MBA programs are also financially and logistically appealing, especially for those who are not looking to change careers immediately post-MBA.



This year, Chicago Booth has regained its #1 position as the best part time MBA program, followed by Berkeley Haas at #2. These 1st and 2nd place rankings have remained quite consistent over the past few years. In fact, this is the fourth year in a row that Booth and Haas have earned these placements. Booth reported an average GMAT score of 680 for its part time program while Haas’s part time program had an average GMAT score of 705.

Kellogg, NYU Stern, and UCLA Anderson’s US News rankings have also remained the same this year. Kellogg once again secured 3rd place, followed by NYU Stern in 4th and UCLA Anderson in 5th. GMAT scores for these three part time programs were 680, 676, 669, respectively.

While the top five part-time programs saw no movement, there has been a bit of shuffling farther down the list. CMU Tepper has risen steadily, now taking 6th place (an increase from 7th in 2021 and 8th in 2020). Michigan Ross, on the other hand, dropped from 6th to 7th. This is a notable change, given that the school had held 6th place for the past 4 years.



Texas McCombs also fell slightly from #7 to #8. USC Marshall and Washington Foster rounded out the top 10 part time programs. This was the second year that USC Marshall secured 9th place, whereas Washington Foster’s position as #10 is a significant jump from its previous ranking as #14.

This year’s top part time MBA program rankings includes a 5-way tie for 11th place. Emory Goizueta, Indiana Kelley, Ohio Fisher, Rice Jones, and Minnesota Carlson all share this position.

Georgia Tech Scheller, Georgetown McDonough, ASU WP Carrey, Santa Clara Leavey, and UT Dallas Jindal closed out the top 20, in that order, with a tie between the final two schools.

How to Use MBA Rankings
As you review these new part time MBA rankings, remember that changes over time are more noteworthy than the year-to-year and guide-to-guide fluctuations. Although the top 5 part time MBA programs have shown little fluctuation over recent years, this shuffling within the top 10 and farther down the list indicates the increasing competition among leading part-time MBA programs.



For more guidance on how to analyze and understand MBA rankings, review Personal MBA Coach’s tips in this blog.

Though MBA rankings are helpful when choosing schools to apply to (and ultimately attend), candidates should also consider location, campus culture, job placement rate, specific areas of specialization, and academic programming.

Finances should also be a key factor to consider since applicants might receive more funding from one program versus another. Depending on your personal situation, you may prioritize a strong financial package over a school’s ranking. Last cycle, Personal MBA Coach clients earned a total of $6.5M in scholarship funding!

About Personal MBA Coach:
Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

The post Evaluating the 2023 US News Best Part Time MBA Programs appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 08 Apr 2022, 07:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: How to Choose Between Multiple MBA Acceptances
This year, many of Personal MBA Coach’s clients are fortunate to have received an MBA acceptance from multiple top business schools. If you are in the position of choosing between multiple MBA programs, congratulations! We know it can be a tough decision, but it is also an exciting one. Much like selecting the schools you want to apply to, picking the right business school to attend takes a good deal of time and contemplation.

Below, Personal MBA Coach has shared some key factors for you to consider in order to help simplify the MBA decision-making process. These tips apply whether you are just starting out the school selection process or have already gotten an MBA acceptance from two or more of your dream schools.

1) Pay attention to culture

Culture is key to having a fulfilling and worthwhile MBA experience. Are you seeking a small tight-knit campus where students live and study nearby? Are collaborative learning teams important to you? Do you want a larger environment where the whole city is your campus? As you evaluate the schools you have gotten into, ask yourself these questions to help narrow down your decision.

Chances are you have already spoken to multiple current students and alumni at your target schools (if not, reach out now!). Consider these interactions carefully as well. Pick the school where interactions felt most natural and where you could picture yourself fitting in the best.

2) Consider location and which companies recruit on campus

Of course, you can live wherever you want to after graduation, and companies across the globe will recruit far and wide (particularly in the current environment where all events are virtual). However, it has previously been easier to recruit at schools that are closer geographically to your dream short-term location. As in-person events resume, we expect this to again become true.

Similarly, out of the schools you were accepted to, which ones do your target companies reach out to for recruitment? It will make your life easier if your dream school comes to campus. You also may want to look into which speakers talk at the different campuses.



3) Think about curriculum and offerings

Take a moment to think about your post-MBA goals. Of the MBA programs you are deciding between, whose offerings are the best fit? Think about which school will give you the ability to study what you need to achieve your goals.

This is another instance where Personal MBA Coach suggests reaching out to alumni and current students to learn about these offerings firsthand. Though you likely did a fair amount of research prior to applying, you may learn about new clubs, programs, and elements of the curriculum that will help you come to a decision.

4) Look at MBA rankings

Of course, reputation is important, but it is not everything. Still, if you have explored culture, location, and areas of expertise and are still undecided, you may benefit from looking at the rankings of the schools you have gotten into.

If you are wondering how much emphasis you should place on business school rankings, get Personal MBA Coach’s insight here.

5) Factor in scholarship offers

If funding your MBA is a concern, scholarships might play a large role in your final school selection. Did one program offer you significantly more money than the rest? If so, think about where funding falls on your list of priorities. If you are in a position to pay on your own, scholarship offers should not be the be all end all.

For those looking to maximize their chances of receiving a scholarship, check out Personal MBA Coach’s scholarship blog.



6) Trust yourself to make the right decision

While all of the above factors can help you evaluate your choices, Personal MBA Coach also encourages you to go with your gut when choosing which MBA acceptance to go with. Is there one school that you keep picturing yourself at even if you cannot fully articulate why? Although friends, family, and other external sources can be useful in the decision-making process, choosing which MBA program to attend is ultimately your decision. Trust your instinct here.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

The post How to Choose Between Multiple MBA Acceptances appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach’s 6 Tips For School Selection
This time of the year Personal MBA Coach is repeatedly asked, “Which schools should I apply to?” Picking the right business school is a complicated and personal process and a key component of our services. However, here are 6 tips to help you select business school programs.

Want more information on what sets the leading business schools apart? Check out Personal MBA Coach’s school-specific site pages to get insight on how to navigate the application process and learn more about top MBA programs.

1) Begin with the statistics

Statistics such as average GPA, GMAT/GRE/EA, years of experience, acceptance rate and starting salary will give you some good benchmarking data and a better idea of which schools could be potential options for you. Of course, these statistics are not the only factor and the whole package matters, but these provide a strong initial guide.

2) Go broad

Our average candidate applies to 5 to 8 schools. Make sure that you have some “reach” schools, some “more likely” schools and some “safer” schools, especially if you want to ensure an acceptance this year.

All business schools look to fill their classes with diverse candidates, and you cannot always predict which school might need someone who fits your profile. Adding a broad range of schools helps to balance this out.



3) Pay attention to culture

Culture is more than a buzzword and it will be key to having a fulfilling MBA experience and developing lasting long-term relationships. Do you want a small close-knit campus where everyone lives and studies nearby? Are learning teams important to you? Do you consider the entire city your campus? As you talk to alums and visit schools, these are just some of the many questions you should ask yourself while narrowing your list.

4) Look carefully at the curriculum and program offerings

Think about your post-MBA goals carefully and pay attention to whose offerings are the best fit. For example, is a flexible curriculum important to you? Do you thrive with more hands-on opportunities? Is the ability to study internationally important? All schools vary in the degree to which they meet these needs so do your research. Not only will this help you determine which programs will be the best fit, but this research will be critical as you target your application.

5) Explore areas of excellence

Similarly, explore emerging areas of research at each campus. This is particularly important if you have a specific focus. Finding a professor who is working on a project in your area of interest could be a key driver of both your experience on campus and your chances of success during the application process.



6) Consider location

Sure, you can live anywhere after graduation and companies from all over the world will travel to recruit. But for obvious reasons, it is much easier to recruit at schools that are closer geographically. This does not mean you should only consider city schools. Look at which schools your target companies visit for recruitment, what local opportunities are available to candidates and which speakers come to campus.

Looking for guidance as you select business school programs to apply to? Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you via our comprehensive services.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

The post Personal MBA Coach’s 6 Tips For School Selection appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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Personal MBA Coach Updates 14 Apr 2022, 09:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach’s 5 Month MBA Application Timeline
April is upon us! This means that the first Round 1 deadline is less than five months away.

While the 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines and questions have not yet been announced (stay tuned for more details on this), the first Round 1 application deadline from this past year was in early September. If you are applying to Columbia Business School, they will likely start accepting applications in about two months.

Regardless of whether you followed our MBA Planning Guide, it is time to kick your MBA application efforts into high gear.

To help you make the most of your time and avoid last-minute cramming (which is never ideal for anyone), Personal MBA Coach has put together our 5-month MBA application timeline.

Months 1 and 2: April and May

1) Look for campus events

This year, many top MBA programs have resumed on-campus visits. That said, virtual campus events are also still available for those who cannot make it to campus for personal or logistical reasons. These in-person and virtual campus events are a great way to get a sense of life on campus. Here are just a few upcoming over the next month:

2) Develop or solidify your GMAT, GRE or EA study plan

Many of you may be hard at work studying, or you have already taken one or two exams. If not, now is a great time to sign up with one of Personal MBA Coach’s tutors. Our tutoring slots often fill up later in the summer. Even if you have a strong score, be sure that you are maximizing your potential!

3) Customize your MBA resume

Your MBA resume should differ from your professional one. While you may need to tweak your resume later this summer, we advise our clients to get most of their resume development work out of the way before schools release their essay questions.



4) Fine-tune your career goals

Reflecting upon and articulating your career goals now will save time when you start to develop your essays. At Personal MBA Coach, we work closely with our comprehensive clients to help them develop compelling goals statements.

5) Narrow your target school lists

Your final list may change (particularly if your GMAT/GRE/EA score is not what you expected), but it is best to have an initial idea of your school list no later than May. We expect another challenging year so be sure to develop a well-rounded list that includes some “reach” schools and some safer schools, particularly if this coming cycle is a make-or-break year for you.

6) Brainstorm essay topics and begin drafting essays

For some schools, the MBA essay questions are not likely to change from year to year. For these programs, you can begin brainstorming, outlining and drafting. For other schools, you can look at past questions to get an idea of potential focus areas for each school on your list. By April, we are working on essay editing with many of our clients.

7) Prepare your personal story

Think through the choices you have made in your life, what drove those choices and what makes you unique. You want to keep this story in mind as you outline your essays.

8) Begin to identify potential recommenders

Think about who can write the most effective letters of recommendation (not just who is the most impressive on paper). Start putting out feelers now to see who is willing to take the time to write a great MBA letter of recommendation.



Month 3: June

1) Draft your essays

Essay development should get the bulk of your attention this month.

2) Finalize and prepare your recommenders

Nail down your recommenders and schedule time to adequately prepare them to ensure your letters of recommendation shine.

3) Take the GMAT/GRE/EA

If you have not already done so, aim to complete your testing by mid-summer. This will give you time to retake the test if needed and not be too rushed. Remember, online tests are viable options.

4) Network with students and alumni

Connect with current students and alumni in your network to learn more about their MBA programs. Doing so not only will help you confirm your interest but also will give you strong material for your applications. Some schools specifically ask whom you talked to, so do not forget this key step.

Month 4: July

1) Edit, edit, edit

Aim to finish your MBA essays in July. Personal MBA Coach advises our clients to complete their essays at least 3 to 4 weeks before deadlines. Last-minute changes are rarely for the better, and you will need the time in August to focus on other application elements.

2) Revisit school lists as needed

Based on your test scores, you may want to critically evaluate and expand your school list. Our average candidate applies to 5 to 7 schools.



Month 5: August

1) Ensure LORs are ready to go

Follow up with your recommenders and make sure they are on track and know your deadlines. Ask your recommenders if they need any additional information from you.

2) Work on short answer questions and video essays

Allocate enough time for short answer questions and other application extras. These sections require a lot of detail and often take longer than you might think. They are crucial components to your application.

3) Proofread, proofread, proofread

ALWAYS get someone unfamiliar with your applications to do a thorough review.

4) Research options for visiting campus, if it is safe to do so

While we do not know whether traveling will be more common by late summer, we certainly hope so! By getting a jump-start on your other application components, you will free yourself up to visit schools later, should this opportunity become available.

Keep in mind that while it is optimal to use the full five months (or more) to prepare, we regularly work with clients who start later in the year and craft custom timelines accordingly.

Similarly, many of our clients (especially those applying to an early decision program) are working well ahead of these timelines!

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

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Personal MBA Coach Updates 22 Apr 2022, 08:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: What to Expect from the 2022-2023 MBA Essay Questions
Many MBA hopefuls who have already narrowed their target school lists are anxiously awaiting the release of the 2022-2023 MBA application essay questions and deadlines.

In previous years, we have seen MBA essay questions released as early as the beginning of May. While we cannot perfectly predict the future, our 15 years of experience as an MBA admissions essay consultant and careful analysis of past trends can help us assess what MBA candidates should expect with this year’s MBA essay questions.

Using our insider knowledge of what each school is looking for, as well as successful business school essay examples from past admissions cycles, Personal MBA Coach has already begun working with our round 1 clients on a number of essays.

For this year’s prediction, we have divided top MBA programs into three categories and have included details on which MBA essay or essays to begin working on today!

  • MBA programs where at least one MBA application essay is unlikely to change
  • MBA programs where smaller changes are most likely
  • MBA programs with a higher likelihood of changing the MBA application essay questions
MBA programs where at least one MBA essay is unlikely to change:
For the programs below, Personal MBA Coach believes that at least one of the 2021-2022 MBA essay questions will return for the 2022-2023 MBA application cycle. If one of the MBA programs below are on your list, we urge you to get started on the relevant MBA application essay questions today!

  • Harvard Business School
  • Stanford GSB
  • Columbia Business School
  • Wharton
  • Chicago Booth
  • Kellogg


Harvard Business School

HBS has asked the same MBA application essay question over the past few years, and we expect this year’s question is likely to remain the same.

HBS’s 2021-2022 MBA Essay Question was:

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Like HBS, Stanford GSB has not changed its MBA essay questions in recent years. While Stanford GSB has made some changes to the required essay length, we would be surprised to see a major essay question change from Stanford.

Stanford’s 2021-2022 MBA essay questions were:

Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School’s first MBA essay has taken a similar form over the past years. While the exact wording could vary, we do not expect any significant change in CBS’s first MBA essay question

Columbia’s 2021-2022 first MBA essay question was:

Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

We also anticipate Columbia Business School’s essay about program fit to remain on the 2022-2023 CBS application.

This MBA essay question was:

Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 words)

Wharton

As with CBS, Wharton has kept its first MBA essay question largely the same for the past few years, and we expect the same this year.

Wharton’s 2021-2022 first MBA essay question was:

What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)

Kellogg

As with Wharton and CBS, Kellogg also is unlikely to change its first essay question.

Kellogg’s 2021-2022 first MBA essay question was:

Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)

Chicago Booth

Finally, Chicago Booth joins the list of schools for which Personal MBA Coach clients are working on essay #1.

Chicago Booth’s 2021-2022 first MBA essay question was:

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum)



MBA programs where smaller changes are most likely:
  • London Business School
  • MIT Sloan
  • Duke Fuqua
Aside from minor tweaks or word limit adjustments, we would be more surprised to see major MBA application essay question changes from these programs.

If one or more of these schools are on your list, we suggest that you begin brainstorming, outlining and hopefully writing your essays as soon as possible. This will free up time (both personally and professionally) when the warmer weather emerges.

MBA programs with a higher likelihood to change the MBA essay questions:
Below is a list of MBA programs for which Personal MBA Coach recommends that our clients hold off drafting their MBA essays. For some schools in this list, we suggest that you begin brainstorming now as the risk of a change is smaller. For other schools, hold off entirely until the MBA applications open later this spring. There are plenty of other MBA application components that candidates targeting these MBA programs can get started on today!

  • Yale SOM (brainstorm only)
  • NYU Stern
  • Michigan Ross (brainstorm only)
  • UVA Darden
  • UCLA Anderson
  • Berkeley Haas (brainstorm only)
  • Dartmouth Tuck
Keep in mind, the details shared above are predictions only! As soon as this year’s MBA application essay questions are released, Personal MBA Coach will let you know what has changed and will share advice on how to tackle each MBA essay question.

Join our weekly MBA Tips newsletter to be sure you do not miss anything!

Want access to an industry expert’s insight, detailed in-line editing, business school essay examples and more? Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your admission essay consultant! Visit our comprehensive packages to learn more.

About Personal MBA Coach:
Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

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Personal MBA Coach Updates 28 Apr 2022, 12:01
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: MBA Demand Remains High According to GMAC’s Prospective Student Survey
The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) has yet again emphasized the demand for a business school education. In its new 2022 Prospective Student Survey, GMAC shared that the interest in business school is consistent with pre-pandemic levels. As the “Great Resignation” disrupts hiring markets, more young professionals are turning to MBA programs to change their career paths.

The findings in this survey come from responses from over 6,500 MBA hopefuls from 156 different countries. Of these respondents, 51% majored in a non-business field during their undergraduate studies and 41% identified as female.

Below, Personal MBA Coach has outlined some of the most noteworthy information from the new GMAC report.

Candidates continue to see an MBA as a way to stand out at work.

More than 4 in 5 candidates across the globe agree that an MBA helps you stand out professionally. This belief is the highest among those from India and the United States.

These perceptions are consistent with those held pre-pandemic, demonstrating the continued MBA demand among working professionals.

The full-time MBA program remains the most desirable format.

While there are many different types of MBA programs to fit candidates’ goals and lifestyles, full-time programs continue to gain the most attention.

In GMAC’s latest Prospective Student Survey, over 75% of the respondents considering an MBA shared that they wanted to go back to school full-time in either a one-year or two-year MBA program.

This interest in full-time MBA programs likely stems from prospective students’ desires to wholly immerse themselves in the business school experience. From summer internships to recruiting and networking opportunities, these programs enable students to grow significantly both professionally and personally.



Reputation and cost are key decision-making factors.

A school’s overall reputation and cost to attend influences decision-making more than before the pandemic. Full-time business school candidates have shared that they research MBA rankings “a lot.” (Wondering how much emphasis you should put on these rankings? Get Personal MBA Coach’s insight here.)

Cost is also a serious deciding factor. In fact, financial aspects are the number one factor for nearly a quarter of respondents (21%). While questioning the value of an MBA is natural, getting an MBA is almost always worth the cost, even for those who have strong pre-MBA salaries. Here, we have shared the top reasons why getting an MBA is worth it.

Plus, on average, Personal MBA Coach clients make money working with us since they receive far more in scholarships than they would on their own. Last cycle, our clients collectively earned an industry-leading $6.5M in scholarships!

Hybrid MBA programs are gaining momentum.

Not surprisingly, GMAC survey respondents reported that they saw more value in an in-person learning environment rather than an online one.

That said, interest in hybrid programs has risen to 20% (6% higher than pre-pandemic findings). As many professionals continue to work in hybrid formats, it is not surprising that a similar educational model has piqued the interest of some.

Although most candidates still appear skeptical of fully online MBA programs, not everyone is dismissive of them. About 1 in 5 feel that the networking opportunities are comparable and 1 in 3 agree that the career opportunities are equivalent.

Consulting continues to be the number one industry aspiration.

As found in pre-pandemic GMAC prospective student surveys, consulting remains the top industry of interest for MBA hopefuls. This applies to men and women alike, though men’s interest is a bit higher than women’s here.

For career switchers, consulting is the top job function (77%) that these folks want to break into.

For those business school applicants already coming from consulting backgrounds, keep in mind that this is a competitive applicant pool. Personal MBA Coach has shared our tips on how to set yourself apart from the crowd here.



Interest in tech is on the rise.

Aside from consulting, there appears to be growing interest in tech. Globally, the percentage of MBA candidates interested in tech grew from 36% to 39% from 2019 to 2021. While this is a relatively small jump, it is certainly still significant.

This growing interest is particularly high among women and non-business undergraduates.

Career goals vary among men and women.

The most popular career goals for prospective students are to secure a senior level position, get a raise or salary increase, secure an executive level position, manage people, manage projects, and work somewhere that allows them to travel internationally.

While more women are interested in raises, managing projects, and international travel, more men expressed interest in managing people and obtaining an executive level position.

Men’s heighted desire for top leadership positions was particularly evident in their goal of becoming a CEO (31% of male respondents versus 24% of female respondents).

Ready to make the leap and apply to business school? If late 2023 is shaping up to be a good time for you to become a student, now is the time to get started on your applications.

Check out Personal MBA Coach’s 5-month MBA application timeline and reach out if you would like to learn more about our customized application support.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

The post MBA Demand Remains High According to GMAC’s Prospective Student Survey appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: US News Historical MBA Rankings: Have the Top MBA Programs Changed?
If you are in the process of selecting which top MBA program you want to apply to, you are facing a mountain of information to vet—rankings included. “Which school do they say is the best?” While rankings may not entirely capture what makes a school a good fit for you (Personal MBA Coach offers our clients complete school selection advice through our comprehensive packages) they are a commonly used tool during the school section process. To help guide you, here is a long-view take on the rankings for you to consider.

Keep in mind that, although much ado is made each year when the US News and World Report rankings come out, pitting one prominent business school in the ring over another, the differences are much more subtle than they are made out to be.

A look at the US News historical MBA rankings over the past decade demonstrates that the play between the top ten schools is more often one of musical chairs than real change. The data is clustered so closely that minor changes can cause shifts that look like upsets but are really more like small nudges. The same three schools have swapped turns on the business school rankings throne for years: Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, and Wharton. Similarly, the same 14 or 15 have occupied the top 15 spots for at least as long.



Why is this? The US News and World Report rankings are based, in weighted values, on quality assessments from academic peers and business recruiters; employment rates and starting salaries; and student selectivity, including acceptance rates and GMAT/GRE scores. The differences from year to year between the top 10 schools in those metrics often vary a tenth of a percentage point. In addition, some of the measurements may hinge on factors that have nothing to do with performance or quality of education and more on uncontrollable factors such as overall employment rates or the state of the universe.

General economic shifts affect salary scales; unemployment or recessions can cause more people to apply to business schools, thus lowering the acceptance rates and propelling schools upward in the rankings (though nothing may have changed in the criteria for acceptance). As a result, schools swap places easily but sometimes meaninglessly. Sometimes one school falls merely because another rises.

Wharton has been a #1 or #2 favorite for several of the past eight years, but it also has taken #3 after HBS and GSB for several years, and even fell behind Booth in the 2018 and 2016 rankings. The lowest it has placed in recent years is #5, a drop that was partly due to low graduate reporting numbers, which does not affect the quality of a Wharton MBA education.

Harvard took #1 (alone or in a tie) in nine out of nine years in a row, according to a look at US News historical rankings, but it has fallen in recent years—over the past three years in particular—to #5 and even #6. Does this mean that HBS is less of the business school it once was (considering one would have to look back nearly 20 years to find it down at fifth place)? Well, not really. Most of the changes in the metrics were inconsequential in terms of assessment of quality. For example, in the rankings published in 2020, average GMAT fell by three points; the number of graduates employed at graduation fell by two percentage points; and the peer assessment survey of deans and MBA program directors slid to 4.8 from 4.9 on a five-point scale with five the best possible score. In fact, the narrowness of the variations makes it hard to explain how to account for some of the ranking changes.



In the rankings published just last month, Booth was able to rise to a #1 tie with Wharton, thanks to better job placement stats (by 3-4 percentage points) over other schools. But differences of a few thousand dollars in salary at job placement time surely do not equate to measurable differences in quality of education. Stanford GSB, for example, has been penalized at times for having job placement numbers that are lower than its peers; the school points out that many of its MBA graduates are not looking for jobs because they are busy founding startups. Also, startups often pay with stock options, which are not reflected in starting salaries—for which Stanford has also been dinged. Yale SOM has also been dinged for lower salaries at placement, but the school points out that many graduates go into nonprofit or civic work that is paid less, a work choice guided by a philosophy that attracts many applicants to Yale SOM.

Musical chairs continue in the historical rankings all the way down the line of the top 15. Booth, MIT, and Kellogg have been locked in their own battle for, generally, the second three seats, a tradition broken by Booth’s rise to #1 (and sometimes to #2 and #3). How long will that last?

CBS has generally moved between #7 and #8; Berkeley Haas has consistently stayed at seventh place, with rare exceptions. Michigan Ross, Dartmouth Tuck, NYU Stern, UVA Darden, and Duke Fuqua have occupied the next tier companionably, jostling between spots of 8-14. But there have been fluke drops or rises: Stern fell to #20 in the US News rankings published in 2015 because the school did not report in one data category. In turn that helped other schools rise.

Overall, this is the worst and the best that the top 15 schools have ranked since 2010 (listed in this year’s ranking order):



So, what does it all mean? The relative stability in the data and the positioning of the schools means that, essentially, wherever you go in the top 15, you are going to get a great MBA education. Also worth considering are the schools that have been making steady inroads up the rankings: Johnson, Marshall, Anderson and others.

As we like to advise, other factors should be foundational in your decision-making process: specific academic programs or galvanizing institutes that focus on a particular interest of yours; geographic preference; or special connections to a business category or type of activity (for example, Stanford is well known for incubating startup founders, and Yale SOM has a long history of promoting work in nonprofits). A school “feel” may sway your decision.

In sum, do not let a single ranking determine your choices—and your life. We advise you to apply to as many schools as needed to give you a reasonable chance of admission, a reasonable chance of a good fit, and a great chance of getting a stellar education wherever you end up. That’s why Personal MBA Coach’s average client applies to six schools or more.

Need help? Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you through the MBA application process via our comprehensive packages.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

The post US News Historical MBA Rankings: Have the Top MBA Programs Changed? appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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FROM Personal MBA Coach: Interview with Al Drewes, Columbia Executives in Residence Program Director
One of the top reasons for an MBA is to explore career paths in an open environment. Through Columbia Business School’s Executives in Residence program, Columbia MBA students have the opportunity to do just this, building lasting relationships with business leaders.

The program is made up of 25 senior executives from the C-Suite of Fortune 100 companies, as well as senior partners, chairmen, and CEOs. The Executives in Residence program is the oldest and largest of its kind, providing access to powerful mentors and advisors.

Below, read Personal MBA Coach’s exclusive interview with Al Drewes, Columbia Executives in Residence Program Director (or watch here)!

Scott Edinburgh: Hello everyone, my name is Scott Edinburgh. I went to MIT for undergrad, Wharton, I’ve been a personal MBA coach for the last 15 years. We help folks around the world get into top programs, through tutoring, admissions consultancy, essay editing and interview prep.

Columbia is one of our favorite programs and I am super excited to have Al Drewes here with me today, to talk about the Columbia Executives in Residence program. So Al, I’ll let you introduce yourself and do a brief overview of the program and we’ll do some questions.

Al Drewes: Thank you, it is a pleasure to be here today. So, I graduated from Columbia in 1982, went to work for Pepsico at the time and stayed with Pepsico and a related company for 28 years, becoming the CFO of the Pepsi Bottling Group – which was a fortune 160 company – and then I went on to do private equity for a few years. Now I’m helping run this program which is very exciting, and I am happy to talk to you about it today.

Scott Edinburgh: So let’s talk a little bit about how the program works; How many executives are there, how people get matched up with executives, maybe we can start there.

Al Drewes: Yeah sure, so there are 25 of us, we volunteer our time, and the primary thing we do is we coach and mentor students. We had 1500 meetings with students last year, these are usually about career questions, but sometimes about work life balance and entrepreneurial ideas and so forth.

There are 25 of us, we’re almost all either C-Suite executives from major corporations, or people from similar positions from consulting firms or banks and so forth. We have 2 former senior partners from McKinsey and BCG, we have a fellow who is on the executive committee of Evercore, 5 former CEOs and chairmen of companies like Macy’s, Wyeth Labs, Quest Diagnostics, and we have a couple CFO’s like myself. These are very high caliber people who volunteer their time to coach and mentor students on whatever topics are relevant or of interest, needed by the students.

Scott Edinburgh: That’s great, super exciting, I had some of those but not quite at the same level of expertise. So, do you have any examples – I am sure you have many examples – but, maybe you can give an example of something that someone learned from these meetings.



Al Drewes: Sometimes it’s as simple as having a half an hour conversation with a student and helping them clarify their thinking. I would say more times than not that’s what happens; a good example is a woman came to see me in her first term a few years ago, and she’d been working in private health management for a major bank, and she wanted to become an investment banker. She was concerned that somebody from a private wealth management background didn’t have the credentials to get an investment banking job in one of the top tier firms.

I talked to her for about 10 minutes, and I almost thought it was kind of funny to tell you the truth that she was having this angst about this, because she was the most fantastic candidate for an investment banking job. I just looked her in the eye and said to her “stop worrying about it, you are as good, great a candidate as anybody in this class” and she kind of listened to me for a minute, and all of a sudden a weight was lifted off her shoulders.

If you fast forward, she is graduating right now, she has gotten a great investment banking job with a very, very top tier firm, that anybody would die for. In the course of that conversation, she had a little bit of crisis of confidence and that little nudge was basically enough. I also said to her go meet with Eduardo Mestre and Barbara Byrne who are two executives in our program, who are both very senior investment bankers and talk to them about it and so there are many stories like that. There are also stories where it’s a longer term kind of relationship as well.

Scott Edinburgh: That’s great, that is one of the reasons I got into this, I had a client who was working in media out in L.A. for 8.5 years and really wanted to work in investment banking, and we didn’t want to write in the essays because we thought it was a bit risky. But went into investment banking, and got there, and it took some nudging. As you think about this program vs. others, what are some things that might separate Columbia’s Executives in Residence from other similar programs?

Al Drewes: We actually had two second year students do a deep dive competitive bench marking of the program comparing it to other school. Nobody really has a similar program, nobody really has the seniority of the folks, the breadth, and the access that students have to us. Many of the other schools focus on entrepreneurship, we focus on anything you really want to talk to us about.

Another example I had a student come to me three years ago, who wanted to start a beverage company, and since I worked at Pepsico, he was interested in my advice in a product idea that he had, he graduated, he runs a business and I still talk to him once a month he tells me he’s struggling with this, how do I price that, and tell him to think about it this way.

There is a breath of activities, any student can sign up to see one of us, you can sign up multiple times, there are people who have seen 10 executives, and there are people who have seen me 4 or 5 times over the course of a year and a half, or they may just come one time, it is really up to the students. This is very different from what other schools have and again it could be career counseling, entrepreneurial idea, career advice, work life balance, it could be what courses should I take, I am doing a case study how should I think about the case study. Mostly it’s about careers but it could be any of those things.

Scott Edinburgh: We talked a little bit about this earlier on but how long do the relationships tend to last and any advice that you have for folks who are trying to make the most of this kind of program.

Al Drewes: I’d say to students is, in the first term, come see us right away. Some students don’t do that, the reason I say this is because the critical path item is going to be your summer internship. And you’re also going to be kind of inundated once you get into the classes, and job interviewing, it can be pretty overwhelming for folks in the first term.

So, to get some early on advice in a summer internship in my view is a really good thing, because the summer internship can set you up for great things for your full-time employment. So I try to encourage students to come see us as early as possible. I think there is no one way to do this, some students come, I’ll see them one time, and then I won’t see them again.

Other students will come, they’ll go from somebody else, to me, they’ll go through the program, and then maybe they’ll come back. Then, there are more than a few instances where people have multiyear relationships with people. And we’re also available to alums, too. Sometimes we get alumni who are looking to career pivot, they’ve hit a wall, they’re trying to figure out what to do. They’ll come and see us as well.



Scott Edinburgh: That’s great. That alumni availability is really, really important.  Is there anything else we would be surprised to know about the program?

Al Drewes: One thing is, we all volunteer, we do this because we enjoy doing it, we enjoy meeting with students – it’s actually really fun. Students should know that if they choose to come to Columbia and they want to come see us, we want to see them. We like it. We are not getting paid, we just do it because we like meeting with students.

In the situation like I described, with this women, who wound up with the investment banking job, it’s kind of nice to say “I helped that woman get what she wanted” and there are a lot of those stories, and that’s just a very nice thing. So we love it. I want students to come to Columbia, come to the new campus and come see us and we will be very happy about that.

Scott Edinburgh: Any other piece of advice or closing words that you have today? We can talk about the situation we have here, the economy, anything like that?

Al Drewes: Students will ask in sessions, in Columbia, “If I had to do my MBA over what would I do differently?” One thing I say is that the MBA experience is an academic experience, and it’s an experiential experience. Maybe not a proper use of the English language, but it’s an “experiential” experience.

Don’t sell the experiential part short during your time there. If you have access to a program like this, or if you’re in New York, and you have access to all the business and the commercial activity that’s going on in New York, make sure to take advantage of that, as that will be really profound in shaping your career and things that you will take with you for the rest of your life.

Scott Edinburgh: That reminds me, one regret I have is on one of those organized trips, I didn’t do them because I thought they were too expensive at the time and I was sitting thinking “I probably should have done them.”

Al Drewes: It’s exactly what I am talking about, or you’re too busy because some speaker is coming to campus and you don’t go, and then you regret it because you didn’t do it.

Scott Edinburgh: Super helpful! Thanks for all the great work that you do, I know many of our clients and many Columbia MBA students love it, so really appreciate that. If you want to learn more about the program jump on our website.

Applying to the Columbia University MBA program? Check out Personal MBA Coach’s CBS site page to find out what sets the full-time MBA program apart, the latest class profile information, essay advice and more.

The Columbia University MBA program is among the programs that Personal MBA Coach Round 1 clients are getting a head start on this spring. Find out more about what to expect from the 2022-2023 MBA essays here.

About Personal MBA Coach:

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 15 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2 by leading sources including Poets & Quants.

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

The post Interview with Al Drewes, Columbia Executives in Residence Program Director appeared first on Personal MBA Coach.
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