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11 Jul 2022, 08:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Michigan Ross Application Deadlines and Essay Advice: 2022-2023 |
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The University of Michigan Ross School of Business has released its application deadlines and essays for this season. While the school offered four application rounds last year, they are returning to three rounds for the upcoming season. Want to learn more about applying to Michigan Ross? Take a look at Personal MBA Coach’s interview with Diana Economy, Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions at the University of Michigan Ross, to get insider advice on the Ross experience and application process. Watch here to learn how to position yourself for success! The upcoming Michigan Ross MBA application deadlines are: Round 1: September 19, 2022 Round 2: January 8, 2023 Round 3: April 3, 2023 This year, the school is minimizing changes and keeping all essay questions the same. Once again, brevity is particularly crucial due to the number of short answer prompts and length of the career goals essay.  2022-2023 Michigan Ross MBA Application Essays: Please see below for Personal MBA Coach’s advice on how to approach the Michigan Ross MBA application essays. Michigan Ross Essays: Part 1: Short-Answer Questions Select one prompt from each group of the two groups below. Respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or less (<100 words each; 200 words total). Group 1 I want people to know that I: I made a difference when I: I was aware that I was different when: Group 2 I am out of my comfort zone when: I was humbled when: I was challenged when: While not explicitly stated, with a more traditional career-focused essay to follow, consider your personal background as you answer these short questions. Pick the prompt that resonates best with you as there is no preferred option. For Group 1, think about your most unique attribute or accomplishment. What sets you apart from other applicants? A personal accomplishment or a fond personal success story would work well here. Volunteer or extracurricular stories could also be good to cover. If you have a unique skill or talent, Group 1 would be a good place to share it. If you did something amazing that is not on your resume or that you want to call more attention to, that also would work well for this prompt. Other options for this prompt include examples of passions or values. Remember, MBA admissions directors aspire to bring a well-rounded group of students to campus each year. This is your chance to share something about your upbringing or personality that will position you to add another perspective to class discussions. For the second group, show the reader a bit about your character. What would working and studying with you be like? This is not the time to sing your own praises but instead the time to show you are human. Show what you have gained from this experience and let the reader see that you are someone students would want to be around. Alternatively, these prompts give candidates the opportunity to show an area of relative weakness. Authenticity and growth are key hot points for many admissions committee members. Candidates are applying to business school to grow and are not expected to be perfect when they arrive. Discussing a challenge that you have overcome and/or will continue to overcome could be a nice choice here.  Michigan Ross Essays: Part 2: Short-Answer Question Pick one thing from your resume and tell us more. (100 words) For this short answer, you can select something professional or extracurricular. This is your chance to elaborate on the one thing on your resume that you are most proud of and/or the item on your resume that you believe most sets you apart from other candidates. The item you select should be meaningful to you in some way, and a solid answer will not just include a detail of what you did but will also explain to the reader why this item is important to you. Michigan Ross Essays: Part 3: Career Goal What is your short-term goal? (25 words) Why is this the right short-term career goal for you? (150 words) Be straightforward here when citing your short-term goal. If you need help thinking through your goals, we have published a blog with our general tips. Once you have clearly stated your short-term career goal, you will want to explain the why behind this goal. You will want to explain both why this goal is right for you AND why you are positioned to succeed. There are many questions you should consider as you answer this prompt. These include: What experience do you bring to the table? What attracts you to your chosen field? Why are you passionate about it? How will this short-term goal help prepare you for your long-term goal? Optional Statement: Is there something in your resume or application that could use some explanation? You might want to discuss the completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate. The optional Michigan Ross essay should only be answered by those with extenuating circumstances. Read more on our approach to optional 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Michigan Ross Application Deadlines and Essay Advice: 2022-2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
12 Jul 2022, 14:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Top 10 MBA Application Mistakes |
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Courting your target business schools is a crucial part of the MBA application process. Admissions committee members want to know that you are truly interested in attending their schools. One common way that candidates demonstrate this interest is by attending MBA fairs. These (typically free) events present candidates with the opportunity to meet admissions directors from top business schools and attend presentations by leading MBA admissions experts. This summer, Personal MBA Coach Founder Scott Edinburgh will be traveling to The MBA Tour events across the US including Chicago, New York City and Boston to present on the Top 10 MBA Application Pitfalls. If you are not able to attend one of these presentations, Personal MBA Coach has shared a preview of the 10 most common MBA application mistakes and how to avoid them. 1) Stating a vague reason for wanting an MBA Although an MBA may be viewed as a “check the box” degree in some professions, this is NOT a message that should come across in your MBA applications. You should have a clear reason for wanting an MBA, detailing the skills you hope to gain and how they will help in your future roles. 2) Not including school specifics While it can be tempting to copy and paste across essays, this is not recommended. Take the time to research the courses, professors and programs that are the best match for your future aspirations and include these details in your essays.  3) Using too many industry buzzwords Many candidates use too many technical terms in resumes, essays, or even during interviews, potentially confusing or even putting off the audience. Keep the language simple so that your accomplishments do not get lost in technical terms. 4) Not answering the question This may seem obvious, but we have read countless essays that do not answer the question. If the question says: “Do not repeat your resume,” then do not write 300 words on your accomplishments. While including some details may be needed for context, keep this limited. 5) Too much repetition While you may have a very impressive role or accomplishments, this does not mean you need to mention them in every essay and in your LORs. Instead, think about your entire story and everything you have to offer. 6) Asking your company’s CEO to write your LOR Unless you work very closely with your company’s CEO, they are not a good choice to write you a letter of recommendation. Instead, consider who knows you well and will be able to compare you to your peers. 7) Lack of consistency across the application All your application components should be consistent, including your letters of recommendation. An application that fails to do so will not be perceived as genuine.  8) Not properly engaging with the school By engaging with your target schools, you are communicating to the admissions committee that you truly want to attend their program. Engagement opportunities include talking to students, attending MBA fairs, and visiting campus, to name a few. 9) Using job description bullets on your resume Your MBA resume should sell your future potential. Rather than proving that you can do a particular job, use your MBA resume to highlight your strengths and leadership experience. 10) Having illogical career goals In general, be specific and decisive when stating your MBA goals. It can be challenging to communicate true passion for goals that are illogical or not genuine. Be sure to check out Personal MBA Coach’s complete presentation including in-depth information about these MBA application mistakes at The MBA Tour this summer. Sign up for a city near you below! The MBA Tour Chicago – July 14th The MBA Tour GMAC Master’s Tour NYC – July 15th The MBA Tour NYC – July 16th The MBA Tour Boston – July 20th 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Top 10 MBA Application Mistakes appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
20 Jul 2022, 13:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: UCLA Anderson Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 |
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UCLA Anderson has officially announced its essay questions and deadlines for the 2022–2023 application cycle. Once again, the school has one required essay question and one optional essay question. This year, however, UCLA Anderson has updated its required essay question, now focusing on a recent personal or professional achievement. Located in the creative capital of the world, UCLA Anderson offers access to a thriving business community. One of many noteworthy aspects of a UCLA Anderson education is the school’s Parker Career Management Center, which frequently receives praise for its resourcefulness in helping students expand their networks, build relationships, and ultimately achieve their MBA goals. If you are looking to join UCLA Anderson’s MBA Program, take a look at the class of 2024 profile to see if the school may be the right fit for you. Accepted students had an average GMAT score of 711 and an average of 6 years of work experience. The class of 2024 consists of 35% women and 47% international citizens. The Upcoming UCLA Anderson application deadlines are as follows: Round 1: October 5, 2022 Round 2: January 4, 2023 Round 3: April 12, 2023 2022–2023 UCLA Anderson Application Essays: We look forward to learning about your perspectives and plans via your essay responses. Essays complement the answers you provide throughout the application to show us your whole profile. The best applications are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and showing clear plans for the future. Essay 1: Tell us about a recent personal or professional achievement and how it connects to your MBA goals. (250 words maximum) Strong essays describe the impact of your achievement and clarify its connection to your future MBA plans in the short- and long-term. We look forward to learning about the specific ways your achievement helped set you up for future success. Optional Essay: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the admissions committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)  While this year’s application is not yet open, last year UCLA also asked applicants to answer the following short answer questions. Personal MBA Coach predicts that similar questions will be included in this year’s UCLA MBA Application. Short Answer 1: How can UCLA Anderson help you achieve your goals? (1000 characters maximum) Short Answer 2: Describe your short-term and long-term post-MBA career goals. (600 characters maximum) Personal MBA Coach’s Tips on Mastering the UCLA Anderson Application To write winning Anderson MBA essays, Personal MBA Coach recommends reading our tips on writing winning essays along with our school-specific advice below to make sure you are up to speed on the basics of MBA application essay writing. Now, let’s take a look at Anderson’s essay questions. Essay 1: Tell us about a recent personal or professional achievement and how it connects to your MBA goals. (250 words maximum) Strong essays describe the impact of your achievement and clarify its connection to your future MBA plans in the short- and long-term. We look forward to learning about the specific ways your achievement helped set you up for future success. This UCLA Anderson essay question is new for the 2022–2023 MBA application cycle. Personal MBA Coach welcomes this change, as many applicants look for additional opportunities to expand on their past success. With a relatively short word limit, try to select an example that is easy to explain. If you have a unique project that you have worked on, the UCLA Anderson essay can be a great way to share this. Similarly, this essay could be a good opportunity to discuss a unique or particularly strong extracurricular achievement. Be sure to include specific results and show how this accomplishment is tied to your MBA goals. For those who are not changing careers, this connection should be easy to make. Applicants who are planning to switch industries should think more broadly about the skills they have acquired through this achievement and how they will leverage these post-MBA. Keep in mind that, given the wording of the question, candidates should ideally focus on ONE achievement.  Optional Essay: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the admissions committee should be aware? (250 words maximum) The optional UCLA Anderson essay should be answered only by those with extenuating circumstances. That said, the program assures that no preference is given in the evaluation process to those who choose to respond to this optional essay, so please use your best judgment. Short Answers: UCLA Anderson is likely to include two short answer goal questions (remember that the character limits include spaces):
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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 UCLA Anderson Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
01 Aug 2022, 11:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: INSEAD MBA Essays and Application Deadlines: 2022-2023 |
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The INSEAD MBA essays have been confirmed for the 2022–2023 application cycle. The business school asks applicants to complete three essay questions this year, along with one optional essay. For candidates considering INSEAD, the program is best known for its international student body, hence the school’s tagline of “The Business School for the World.” A typical class profile includes more than 75 different nationalities and over 65 business or home countries. This global cohort renders the INSEAD MBA program a diverse and inclusive experience. If you are considering applying for 2023 intake, please see below for the upcoming INSEAD MBA deadlines as well as Personal MBA Coach’s guidance on how to answer the INSEAD MBA essay questions. The full-time MBA programs offers four application rounds for August 2023 intake, the second falling in November (earlier than most Round 2 deadlines). The INSEAD MBA Deadlines Are: Round 1: September 6, 2022 Round 2: November 15, 2022 Round 3: January 10, 2023 Round 4: March 7, 2023  Personal MBA Coach’s Tips for Tackling the INSEAD MBA Essay Questions: Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (500 words maximum) This is your chance to show INSEAD how you will add uniquely to school’s diverse and international student body. With such a broad question, it is tempting to tell your life story: we recommend not doing so. Instead, think about your personal story and which elements of your profile truly make you unique and focus only on those characteristics. As with all strong MBA application, show, do not tell. Instead of listing your characteristics, let the reader see how you have demonstrated them in action. A strong essay will then take this a step further, letting the reader know why these characteristics are important to you. While most applicants will focus on their strengths, do not forget to candidly discuss your weaknesses. MBA applicants have plenty to learn so this is your chance to show your humility. Avoid false weaknesses such as “I work too much” or “I am a perfectionist.” Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned. (400 words maximum) Describe the success or failure concisely and clearly, think through the reason you are proud (or regretful in the case of the failure), and immediately follow through with the effect this had on your relationships with others and what you learned. Particularly for the failure, the learning part is essential: show your ability to draw improvement from a situation. But the learning part can be equally important for the success if, for example, you helped your team win by sharing the spotlight with someone else. The most important part: pick a success and a failure that offer rich takeaways.  Essay 3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (300 words maximum) Here, like for INSEAD Essay 1, we suggest you whittle your list down to the activities that have been or are most important to you for some reason. Explain your involvement, then delve quickly into how the activity shaped you or enlightened you or made you learn something that contributes to who you are. If this determined or shaped your MBA goals, then say that. With 300 words, less is more. Optional Essay: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words maximum) The optional INSEAD essay should only be answered by those with extenuating circumstances. Read more on our approach to optional essays here. If you are applying to INSEAD, visit our INSEAD school page for more program-specific information. If you are looking to maximize your chances of success, Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you through 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 INSEAD MBA Essays and Application Deadlines: 2022-2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
03 Aug 2022, 13:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Are You Ready For MBA Round 1 Deadlines? |
With the first MBA round 1 deadline in five weeks, it is time to check on your progress and make sure your business school applications are on track and solid. If you are not sure if your applications are ready, here are 6 questions to ask yourself. Do you have a well-articulated personal story?
 Does your application include specific information about the target school?
 Have you perfected your short answer questions?
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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Are You Ready For MBA Round 1 Deadlines? appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
17 Aug 2022, 10:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Looking for an MBA Alternative? Learn About Top Business Master’s Programs |
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A group of master’s programs specializing in various management and finance fields are becoming more popular at business schools around the country. For those considering applying to a master’s program, Personal MBA Coach offers specialized master’s admissions consulting packages to help you maximize your chances of success. While the MBA continues to reign supreme, master’s programs in fields such as finance, data analytics, management, international management, and accounting are together luring about 25 percent of the business school population, according to the 2022 GMAC Prospective Student Survey. These programs are particularly attractive, on one hand, to people who may not have a pre-graduate business education or work experience, and on the other, to people who are mid-career and/or seek specific specialization. Among the most popular and widespread of the specialized business master’s programs are: Master’s in Management Studies Management Studies equip students from backgrounds in a variety of studies with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter any industry at the managerial level (or move there more quickly). Among the skills developed: leadership, communications, accounting, management, business strategy, finance, negotiations, and marketing research. Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, for example, offers a Master of Management Studies and a Master of Management Studies with a focus on Business Analytics. Fuqua highlights the popular 10-month MMS as perfect for recent college graduates who want a foundation in multiple business disciplines. At the Kellogg School of Management, the MMS lasts less than a year, is open to people with less than a year of work experience, and can be combined with a one-year MBA program. Here curricular offerings also span from accounting to management, business strategy, communications, and leadership. A variation on the MMS is the Master of International Management, geared to management roles at global companies: coursework is designed to add cultural agility, global workforce management knowledge, and the ability to bridge local and international operations.  Master’s in Finance (MFin) MFin programs (at some schools they are referred to as financial analysis programs) are tailored to equip students with skills and knowledge to enter a broad range of career opportunities in financial institutions, corporations, consulting firms, the public sector, and fintech. Students learn about corporate finance, public finance, mergers and acquisitions: Most schools tout a combination of financial theory and practical application of quantitative methods. At MIT Sloan, for example, the MFin program, top-ranked in the country, offers an 18-month STEM-designated curriculum, with the option for an accelerated 12-month program. The school describes the program as “emphasizing a foundation in how markets work and engineered around the most advanced financial theories, quantitative models, and industry practices.” Sloan’s program offers concentrations in fields such as financial engineering and capital markets. Texas McCombs’s MFin program, also top-ranked, is considered a “first degree in finance” program (so it is not for people who already have an undergraduate finance degree). It offers courses on managerial economics and investment theory, a practicum with a sponsoring company, and intense interaction with industry leaders. Master’s in Accounting Perfect for building a career in accounting, this program, also for recent college graduates, prepares students in hard skills such as financial reporting, auditing, and tax strategy, and soft skills such as communications and leadership. Kenan-Flagler at UNC touts its top-rated program as giving students “fluency with the principles and practice of accounting.” Master’s in Marketing (or Marketing Science) This degree is designed for people interested in making a career in branding or marketing, with related data analytics and communications skills. Students study topics including Consumer Insights and Analytics, Messages and Content, Media, and Customer Relationship Management. Among the top-ranked programs are those of Columbia Business School, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, and Texas A&M. The Master of Science in Marketing Science at Columbia, for example, prepares students for careers in the growing field of market research (or other professions in marketing analytics) across a broad array of industries including multi-channel retailing, consumer products and services, media and entertainment, and consulting. Students study market analytics, statistical modeling, and market intelligence. Master’s in Data Analytics or Business Analytics Usually lasting nine months, these programs are designed for recent college graduates with little or no work experience who are passionate about data, want to deepen their analytical skills and move into sought-after business analyst positions.  Above are the most common business education master’s programs, but there are many other choices and opportunities for specialized master’s programs: Master’s in Systemic Risk Offered by Yale SOM and NYU Stern, among others (Johns Hopkins offers a similar program online through its School of Advanced International Studies), the Master of Systemic Risk degree is geared to bank or regulatory agency professionals to gain exposure to leading ideas in macroprudential policy, financial crisis management, global financial regulation, monetary economics, crisis communications, and central banking. Other specialized master’s programs for mid- or advanced career professionals are those in Public Education Management, Advanced Management, Asset Management, and Global Business and Society. Master’s in Global Business & Society Also offered at Yale SOM, this master’s program gives students the tools to work in global organizations. The 9-month program follows a master’s in management program at any of the schools in the Global Network for Advanced Management, which includes 32 top business schools in 30 countries around the world. The curriculum spans business ethics, financial reporting, an entrepreneurship lab, and digital strategy. Master’s in Public Education Management The Master of Public Education Management—another specialized master’s program offered at Yale SOM—gives highly motivated, accomplished K-12 education professionals the skills and broad perspective to grow as education leaders. The tuition-free 14-month program is designed for “early- to mid-career school system leaders with extraordinary leadership potential who are working and who wish to increase their impact in key K-12 systems,” says Yale SOM.  Other master’s programs—for example, offered at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business and other schools as well—are an MS in Business Analytics, an MS in Product Management, a Master of Integrated Innovation for Products and Services, and an MS in Computational Science. Master’s in Product Management The MS in Product Management prepares people to serve in a product development role in tech-driven companies. At Tepper, for example, the program teaches customer-mindedness, leadership of cross-functional teams, and the ability to deliver value. A STEM-designated program, it is offered through CMU’s School of Computer Science and Tepper. Master’s in Integrated Innovation for Products and Services Tepper’s Master of Integrated Innovation for Products and Services (MIIPS) degree, in a 9-month and a 16-month version, trains “the next generation of innovators, design thinkers, disruptors, and world changers,” the school says. The program teaches students to tackle problems at the intersection of business, design, and engineering: Integrated Product Development is the prototyping capstone. Master’s in Healthcare Transformation (or Management) This program is designed for people interested in hospital administration, healthcare services management, or other careers at the intersection of business and healthcare. At McCombs, for example, the MHT is designed for healthcare professionals “who want to lead change in existing organizations, become transformational leaders, and create high-value services in the health sector.” Looking for guidance? No matter what stage of the application process you are in, Personal MBA Coach can help set you up for success. Contact us 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Looking for an MBA Alternative? Learn About Top Business Master’s Programs appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
19 Aug 2022, 09:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Columbia EMBA Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 |
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Columbia Business School has confirmed the 2022-2023 Executive MBA application essays. This year, CBS asks EMBA applicants to respond to three essay prompts. The business school also has a fourth optional essay. If you are looking to join Columbia Business School’s EMBA Program, take a look at the latest class profile to assess whether the school might be a good fit for you. Accepted students had an average of 10 years of work experience. The latest reported class consists of 36% women and 23% international citizens. Below, please find Personal MBA Coach’s analysis of the Columbia EMBA application essays. 2022-2023 Columbia EMBA Application Essays: Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words max) The full-time CBS MBA application asks candidates to ask respond to this same prompt. While goals for EMBA applicants will naturally be different, your approach to this essay should remain the same. Check out Personal MBA Coach’s essay 1 advice here.  Essay 2: Columbia Business School’s Executive MBA will challenge you by offering a rigorous academic experience, global exposure through the international seminar, and the opportunity to immediately apply what you learn to your career. How will you approach balancing the demands of the program with your professional and personal life while you are in school? (250 words max) With this question, the admissions committee is looking to see that you have considered the demands of the CBS EMBA program and that you are capable of meeting them. Responses should be very straightforward, sharing how friends, family and other important people in your life will support you throughout the duration of your studies. Go into detail discussing the support you will receive at work and/or at home. As you write, take a factual approach, and keep in mind that nothing is too personal for this essay. Essay 3: Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words max) Like essay 1, the third Columbia EMBA application essay is the same as essay 3 in the full-time MBA application. Get Personal MBA Coach’s guidance here.  Optional Essay: An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (500 words max) Columbia Business School’s optional EMBA essay should be answered only by applicants with extenuating circumstances. Learn more about how to tackle the optional essay 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Columbia EMBA Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
26 Aug 2022, 12:00
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Four Notable Takeaways from the Wharton MBA Class of 2024 Profile |
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The Wharton class profile for the class of 2024 was recently released. These facts and figures get a lot of attention each year, signaling four trends Personal MBA Coach expects to continue. 1. The ratio of male to female students is exactly 1:1. Last year, for the first time in Wharton’s history, women made up the majority of the incoming class, 52% to be exact! While that percentage has dropped marginally by 2%, Wharton’s latest class profile consists of 50% male and 50% female students. The percentage of female students is a major jump from the class of 2022, where women accounted for 41% of the fall cohort. 2. Diversity continues to be top of mind for MBA Admissions Directors, and international representation remains high. The new Wharton MBA class also reports that those enrolled in the class of 2024 represent 77 different countries. Collectively, international students account for 35% of the class. Wharton also shared percentages of LGBTQ+ students, and race/ethnicity information from U.S. passport holders, asserting that these diverse backgrounds lead to “innovative ideas and solutions for the world’s next problem in business.” Notably, 8% of the class identifies as LGBTQ+ and 71% are from minority backgrounds.  3. Total number of applications was down. While this comes as no surprise to Personal MBA Coach, Wharton announced that the school received roughly 1,000 fewer applications from those applying for 2022 intake compared to those applying to begin in 2021. While the school reported 7,338 applications last year, that number dropped to 6,319 this year. This is a trend Personal MBA Coach predicts will continue through round 1 but slowly reversing as companies continually announce layoffs. 4. Average GMAT/GRE scores are strong. Despite this decrease in applications, the average GMAT score this year for the incoming Wharton class is 733, matching last year’s score. Similarly, the average GRE score also remains the same (162 Quant and 162 Verbal). This is a testament to the competitive nature of the Wharton admissions process. This consistency in high average GMAT/GRE scores is not a surprise to Personal MBA Coach. We would not be surprised to see scores rise in the foreseeable future.  As Personal MBA Coach has noted in our blog on exam FAQs, the strength of average Wharton GMAT scores is due in part to test takers’ ability to sit for the exam up to 5 times within 12 months. The option to cancel scores also has contributed to the rise in average GMAT scores, as more candidates withdraw low attempts. As with the GMAT, GRE test takers can take the exam up to 5 times within any 12 months and cancel their score if they are not happy with the result. If you have yet to take the GMAT/GRE or are planning to retake either test, researching average scores is a good place to start when determining your target score. Though candidates with unique backgrounds, exceptionally strong profiles, and from underrepresented applicant pools occasionally get in with lower scores, it is uncommon for most folks with scores more than 20 to 30 points below average to gain admission. While the rest of the M7s and other top MBA programs have yet to release class profile information on the incoming class of 2024, we expect to see many of these trends continue across other top MBA programs. MBA hopefuls who are building their target school lists can use this newly reported information as benchmarking data. Remember, however, that these numbers should serve only as an initial guide, as the entire applicant package matters more. If you are seeking additional guidance in the school selection process, take a look at Personal MBA Coach’s Decision Making Guide! 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Four Notable Takeaways from the Wharton MBA Class of 2024 Profile appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
13 Sep 2022, 12:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: How to Approach the 2022-2023 Wharton EMBA Essays |
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The Wharton EMBA application is officially open. This year, the school has significantly altered its application deadlines. While round 1 typically fell in December and round 2 in February, the first Wharton EMBA deadline is now in October and the second in January. This change means Wharton EMBA hopefuls must begin working on their applications much earlier than initially anticipated. This year, the Wharton EMBA application includes two required essays and one optional essay, offering a choice of prompts in essay two. If you are considering an Executive MBA, Wharton’s program is among the top EMBA programs in the world. With campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco, the program offers working professionals the option to choose the location that best meets their needs. The Wharton EMBA program lasts 24 months. During this time, students have access to career coaching, workshops and resources through Wharton’s MBA Executive Career Advancement Team. Students also can take part in optional Global Modular Courses led by Wharton faculty across the globe. Want to know if the Wharton EMBA program is the right fit for you? Take a look at the class of 2024 profile. On average, students have 12 years of work experience, and their employers often sponsor them. Below, please find this year’s 2022-2023 application deadlines along with Personal MBA Coach’s advice on how to tackle the Wharton EMBA application essays along with details about our Executive MBA Packages. Upcoming Wharton EMBA Application Deadlines: Round 1: October 12, 2022 Round 2: January 18, 2023  Wharton EMBA Essays 2022-2023: Wharton EMBA Essay 1: What are your career objectives and how will the Wharton MBA Program for Executives contribute to your attainment of this objective? (750 words maximum) Personal MBA Coach’s Tips: For this first question, we recommend a straightforward response. State your goals clearly and provide some brief perspective on how you arrived at these aspirations. In most cases, candidates should include both a short-term and a long-term goal. This question does not require you to walk through your entire resume. Instead, focus on your past just enough to establish your key skills as well as how and why you will succeed in the future. Be specific about how Wharton will help you close your skill gaps and what opportunities you plan to take advantage of on campus. Avoid vague statements and do your research to determine what Wharton specifically will offer you. While you should not include a laundry list, think about classes you are particularly interested in or perhaps professors you are looking to study with. Be sure to show your understanding of Wharton’s culture here as well. Wharton EMBA Essay 2a: Provide an example of how you created or advocated for a work environment where differences are valued, encouraged, and supported. What did you do? What was the outcome? (500 words maximum) Personal MBA Coach’s Tips: Option A for the second Wharton EMBA essay question once again emphasizes the value that Wharton places on DEI. Since the question mentions a work environment, most candidates will choose a professional example for this essay. Personal MBA Coach encourages you to briefly discuss what prompted you to pursue these actions. This is your chance to let the reader see why DEI is important to you personally. Next, you want to get into the specifics. Discuss the steps you took, how others responded and the ultimate value you added! While it is not necessary to discuss Wharton in this essay, closing with one or two sentences about how you can apply this experience to Wharton and beyond certainly will not hurt you.  Wharton EMBA Essay 2b: Describe an experience when you were part of an event/meeting/workplace that involved diverse perspectives. Include your contribution and what you learned. Please take a moment to learn how the University of Pennsylvania endeavors to make everyone feel welcome: Diversity at Wharton (500 words maximum) Personal MBA Coach’s Tips: Personal MBA Coach suggests that those who have a strong response for option A should select that question. However, option B is a great choice for applicants who do not have a standout example for option A. Again, you should briefly set the scene before getting into the particular experience that you have selected. As actions always speak louder than words, you should clearly discuss the specific contributions you made to promote diversity and inclusion. Essay 3 (Optional): If necessary, you may use this optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware. (300 words maximum) The third optional essay question should be answered only by those with extenuating circumstances. Read more on our approach to optional essays here. Need help with your EMBA applications? Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you via our Executive MBA Admissions Consulting! 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Approach the 2022-2023 Wharton EMBA Essays appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
16 Sep 2022, 09:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: UCLA EMBA Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 |
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UCLA Anderson has shared their Executive MBA application essays for the 2022-2023 application cycle. This year, the school’s application includes two required essay questions and one optional essay. For those interested in the UCLA Anderson EMBA Program, take a look at the latest class profile to assess whether the school may be a good fit for you. Accepted students had an average of 15 years of professional experience and an average of 9 years of management experience. The most recently reported class represents 28 different countries and consists of 36% women. Below, please find the upcoming application deadlines and our analysis of the UCLA EMBA application essays. The 2022-2023 UCLA EMBA Application Deadlines Are: Round 1: December 1, 2022 Round 2: February 1, 2023 Round 3: May 1, 2023  2022-2023 UCLA EMBA Application Essays: UCLA EMBA Essay 1: Legendary UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden once said that one’s leadership is derived from one’s character. Please provide an example of a time when your own leadership was at its best. (500 words maximum) Personal MBA Coach’s Tips: In this essay, first you want to clearly define what you think leadership means: what traits it encompasses and how it manifests one’s personality. Then, the bulk of the essay should be about a situation/anecdote/time in which you demonstrated those traits, and your leadership was at its best. Pick a situation that is easy to set up so that you can quickly get into the details of what happened, the choices you made, and how you led the situation. Make sure your leadership comes through in the actions you took and in the results you produced. If appropriate, you can conclude with something you may have learned or how this experience may have sharpened your leadership. Finally, end by looking forward: “I hope to build on this at UCLA.”  UCLA EMBA Essay 2: Why are you interested in pursuing an MBA at this time? Please share any goal(s) you may have that the MBA will help you achieve. (500 words maximum) Personal MBA Coach’s Tips: This essay is what we refer to as a “goals” essay. This essay is your chance to share your specific short-term and long-term goals. Even if your goal is to remain in your current role (as is often the case for EMBA applicants) you want to be specific in terms of what you hope to accomplish in your career. A strong answer will also tell the reader where you are today and what skills/expertise you have already developed to prepare you for your future ambitions. Finally, you want to include the UCLA programs, classes, clubs, and activities that will help you acquire the skills you need to achieve your future objective(s). Be specific about what you want to learn, making it clear that you researched the school and that you are focused on how to create an optimal learning experience at UCLA. Optional Essay: Are there any additional circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (500 words maximum) The optional UCLA EMBA essay should be addressed only by applicants with extenuating circumstances. Read more about how to answer this optional essay question here. Looking for help with your UCLA EMBA applications? Personal MBA Coach’s MJ Shores is a former UCLA admissions officer and we offer customized Executive MBA admissions consulting packages to maximize your chances of success. 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 UCLA EMBA Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
21 Sep 2022, 09:00
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: How to Approach the 2022-2023 Consortium Essays |
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The post How to Approach the 2022-2023 Consortium Essays appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
23 Sep 2022, 08:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Answering Your GMAT, GRE & Executive Assessment Exam FAQs |
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The post Answering Your GMAT, GRE & Executive Assessment Exam FAQs appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
13 Oct 2022, 14:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Nailing the HBS Interview |
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Round 2 Harvard Business School interview invitations were recently released. If you were fortunate enough to be selected, now comes the challenging part: understanding how to prepare for the HBS interview. The MBA interview is an incredibly important component of the application process, and it is critical that you adequately prepare. Wondering where to begin? Personal MBA Coach is well versed in the intricacies of the MBA interview process. Should you want additional support, our team of former M7 interviewers conduct mock interviews every year for all of the top business schools. Clients who use our MBA interview preparation services see a 70-85% conversion rate! What Should You Expect From The HBS Interview? While many other top programs have “blind” interviews where the interviewer has only your resume, Harvard Business School interviewers read your entire application and come prepared with very specific questions to ask. HBS interviews can often be 2 on 1, which means you may have two interviewers asking you questions at the same time or more likely one interviewer and one observer. Do not be caught off guard by this and be sure to make eye contact with each interviewer equally. While always only 30 minutes long, HBS interviews are challenging. In fact, out of all of the top MBA interviews, the HBS interview is one of the hardest. How Should I Prepare For The HBS Interview? As with any interview, practice is key! You may wonder what they will ask. It depends on your application and unique situation. At Personal MBA Coach, our team of admissions directors and interviewers predicts the most likely questions to be asked. In fact, each interview is pretty unique for us, which is a departure from the normal process of asking common interview questions. This means you will want to know your resume from top to bottom and be ready to clearly explain your goals and why you want an MBA. You also should be prepared to talk about weaknesses in your application and/or any gaps or inconsistencies. For example, if you decided to switch industries mid-career, be sure that you have a logical and well-thought-out explanation. Everything is fair game! [img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WordPress-–-HBS-Interview-Blog-1.png[/img] In Addition To Knowing Your Resume Cold, Prepare Your Stories In Advance. We find that bulleting is most effective here. This way you can note the skills you want to highlight and will be prepared to pivot your stories as needed. You should be able to adapt four to five stories to cover most top questions. For instance, a story about stepping up in the office could be applicable to a question about a time you had an innovative idea OR a question about a time you helped a coworker. Try to assign your stories to possible questions in advance. Avoid spending too much time setting up the scene. Instead, stick to the main steps you took and how you excelled in each example. It can be helpful to break your stories into situations, actions, and results. You Also Should Ensure You Can Articulate Your MBA Goals. Be prepared to explain, clearly and concisely, what you hope to accomplish in your career, why you are interested in this path, and how you will be successful. Prepare specific examples that you can use to back up these plans. If you need help articulating your MBA goals, check out Personal MBA Coach’s blog here. What Is The HBS Post-Interview Reflection And How Should I Approach It? Unique to HBS, applicants are asked to submit a written reflection, due within 24 of completing your interview. This reflection offers candidates to chance to share how they felt the interview went, discuss what they enjoyed about the experience and provide any additional perspective they wish they had shared at the time. Be sure to use this opportunity to reflect on the interview itself! Do not consider this an additional essay or the time to discuss new aspects of your profile. Personal MBA Coach recognizes this is a challenging task and offers all HBS comprehensive clients and HBS interview preparation clients individual support on the HBS post-reflection. As with any interview, practice and planning are key! Personal MBA Coach has former M7 interviewers lined up to do mock interviews with you. Plus, HBS mock interview post-interview reflection support is included with all Personal MBA Coach Comprehensive Packages. Our clients have told us this is one of the most worthwhile steps they have taken to enhance their candidacy, helping them build the confidence they need to excel in the interview. When it came time to interview, Scott set me up with his interviewing experts, who thoroughly prepared me for each interview. I ended up getting into every single school that I applied to with many full rides, and am now in the position to choose between Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton. Scott’s expertise, dedication, transparency, and most importantly, patience, allowed for my lofty goals to become a reality. – Harvard Business School Admit Scott is a great coach. He helps students select the right schools and his interview prep services are fantastic. I felt so comfortable in my interviews thanks to these sessions. – Harvard Business School Admit I worked with Personal MBA Coach on the interview preparation portion of my application to HBS. I can say honestly that without this interview preparation, I would not have been ready for the depth of questions I was asked in my actual HBS interview. This package was a critical part of my preparation, and allowed me to go into the interview feeling confident and prepared. Scott was always just a quick email away if I needed anything, and his service was a key factor in my preparation that ultimately led to an HBS admission. I would recommend Scott and his team to any of my peers applying to business school. And can truly say it was 100% worth the money. Thank you Scott! – Harvard Business School Admit Find out more about our Harvard Business School interview preparation and post-reflection support here. [img]https://www.personalmbacoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WordPress-–-HBS-Interview-Blog-3.png[/img] As part of Personal MBA Coach’s HBS interview prep, we will review your entire application before your HBS interview. Then, your HBS interviewer will ask you very thorough questions, focusing on weak areas of your application or topics that are likely to be covered during your HBS interview. Are you also hoping to secure an interview invite from Wharton? Get a head start by taking a look at Personal MBA Coach’s advice on Wharton’s virtual TBD. 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Nailing the HBS Interview appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
18 Oct 2022, 12:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Yale EMBA Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 |
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Yale EMBA candidates can now begin working on their essays for the 2022-2023 application cycle. This year, the Yale EMBA application includes two required essays and one optional essay. To better assess whether the Yale EMBA program could be a good match for you, visit the school’s latest class profile for the class of 2023. On average, the Yale EMBA class of 2023 had 14 years of professional experience and 50% had an advanced degree. The class is made up of 47% women, 34% students born outside the US, and 28% US under-represented students of color. Below, Personal MBA Coach has noted the 2022-2023 Yale EMBA application deadlines along with our tips for writing this year’s Yale EMBA essays. The 2022-2023 Yale EMBA Application Deadlines Are: Round 1: November 1, 2022 Round 2: January 30, 2023 Round 3: March 28, 2023 2022-2023 Yale EMBA Essays: Yale EMBA Essay 1: What is your motivation for applying for an Executive MBA at this point in your career? Please discuss your interest in the Yale SOM MBA for Executives program, your area of focus, and your professional and personal goals. (500 words maximum) This is a somewhat traditional “goals/why MBA” essay: You want to link where you are today with where you want to go in your future AND show how a Yale EMBA will help you get there. Start by briefly telling the AdCom where you are in your career, what you do, and what skills and abilities you have mastered. Then share your goals, both short-term and long-term, as specifically as you can. To find out more about how to effectively articulate your post-MBA goals, check out this blog. Next, you want to summarize what skills you need to acquire to reach those goals. Indeed, a key component of this essay is showing what motivates your decision to apply for an EMBA at this point, so you want to state the skills you want to develop and the new knowledge you are hoping to master through the Yale EMBA program. Finally, spend the rest of the essay telling the Yale Admissions Committee how you will spend your time at Yale SOM. Be sure to share specifics about each class or program to show not only that you have researched the school in detail, but to show what you are interested in and how these experiences will prepare you for your future goals. Yale SOM knows what it offers, so you do not need to tell them: tell them why it matters to you. Your area of focus, classes, initiatives—singularly and together they should show that you have thoughtfully traced a path for yourself at Yale and that awarding you a spot in the EMBA program is justified by your intent, plan, and promise.  Yale EMBA Essay 2: Cite a statistic that you find shocking. As a leader for business and society, what actions could you take to address this challenge, and what would be your guiding principles and values? (500 words maximum) Two essential choices undergird a strong essay here: the statistic and the solidity of your analysis of it. We recommend choosing a statistic that you care about and that you truly find to be shocking. This will inspire in you a genuine call to action and make it easier for you to chart a series of actions you would do to change this “fact.” Set out by citing the statistic clearly. Make sure the meaning is unambiguous and state it: turn the statistic around and quantify it in the most vivid way. For example, “That means that 80 percent of the money spent on XXX is wasted.” Or “That means that more than half the potatoes shipped to American grocery stores get thrown away because they are blemished.” In determining your course of action, you want to state your values (though they should also be self-evident, implicitly, in your actions): “In a world facing droughts and climate change refugee crises, food waste is unjustifiable, and I seek to persuade the American consumer to look beyond blemishes to the true cost of waste.“ Or “I am incensed by injustice and, in determining a course of action to rectify this problem, I am guided by a desire to make education accessible to all children.” Then very practically and specifically detail what you would do. Pie-in-the-sky ideas will not do here. While good rhetorical fiber helps an essay, you want your solutions to be grounded and supported by data. If the statistic you have chosen allows, try to capture subtlety in it; draw inferences that are not obvious, for example, and come up with a creative solution!  Optional Information: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognitions, etc.), please provide a brief description here. (200 words maximum) Yale EMBA candidates should choose to respond to the optional essay question only if they have specific extenuating circumstances. Find out more about how and when to answer optional essay prompts here. For those seeking guidance throughout the EMBA application process, Personal MBA Coach is here to help maximize your chances of admission via our Executive MBA admissions consulting 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Yale EMBA Application Deadlines and Essay Tips: 2022-2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
26 Oct 2022, 07:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Guide to MBA Letters of Recommendation |
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Letters of recommendation are an essential component of the business school application. Admissions Committee members rely on recommenders to vouch for you: to corroborate—and, in fact, bolster—all that you will tell them is worthy and commendable about you, and to speak objectively about your candidacy. As you narrow your school lists, study for the GMAT/GRE and draft your essays, LORs should also be top of mind. Not only must you select the ideal recommenders, but you also must prepare them adequately! It can be tempting to select the person with the most prestigious resume or the person easiest to discuss your business school plans with. Personal MBA Coach encourages you not to take this approach and instead to carefully weigh your options. How do you select the ideal person to write your letter of recommendation? To answer this question, consider these six guiding principles. 1) Do not just look for impressive titles. This is not to say that impressive titles are a bad thing, but their title does not matter as much as their knowledge of and esteem for you. Admissions committee members will see right through a strategy to have the CEO of your company, with whom you sat in on one meeting, write a letter for you. Not only will they not be able to explain the most important aspects of your candidacy, but it may not be a very credible letter if it is clear you do not have a strong relationship with the recommender. 2) Choose recommenders who will take the time to write thoughtful, detailed letters. Select someone who will go the extra mile to delineate your worth and merits. Generalizations or unsubstantiated flattery will not help you. Choose recommenders who understand the application and selection processes and, within them, the importance of letters of recommendation. You want LORs that add a special, memorable detail about you and that make your candidacy sparkle. Not everyone is great at writing and, similarly, not everyone realistically has time to draft a carefully thought-out letter. The quality of the writing is important in demonstrating your candidacy. That said, do not worry about English proficiency. Letters are not evaluated based on grammar. 3) Identify recommenders who know you well. This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can provide. The best letters show intimate understanding of the candidate. Your recommender should be familiar with your character, your strengths, your weaknesses and your career aspirations. It is best if your recommender(s) immediately supervised you and took notice of your growth, increased responsibility, and sense of leadership. The use of specific examples will be important (more on that in my next blog) and the better the recommender knows you, the easier and more genuine these will be.  4) Select someone who can compare you to other candidates (if possible). A good letter will compare you to other candidates, putting your accomplishments in perspective (more on this below). For that reason, an ideal recommender will have the experience and exposure to compare your strengths and weaknesses to those of your peers. While this may not always be possible (and that alone is not a reason to eliminate a recommender), if you are comparing two similar candidates, this is an important factor to keep in mind. 5) Ask non-professional references if you have strong extracurriculars and/or weak recommendation options at work. While the general advice is to select professional supervisors to write your letters of recommendation, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some applications may be well served selecting at least one recommender from other walks of life: an extracurricular activity, for example, or a nonprofit you have volunteered for. If you have taken a major role in an activity outside of work, your supervisors there—and even colleagues—might be able to speak in a more informed manner about a trait that you really want highlighted in your application because it is central to you and the achievement of your goals. Further, they will be able to provide a different perspective on your candidacy. Similarly, if you do not have a suitable professional reference option, perhaps because you absolutely cannot tell your supervisor you are applying to business school or because your company is structured such that you do not work closely with one particular person, you may be best suited selecting a non-professional reference. 6) Use additional influential / alumni letters in some cases. While we said title should not be a factor in selecting your recommenders, some candidates might be lucky enough to have a close relationship (even a personal one) with someone who has strong ties to the school of their dreams. In this case (and you never know what connections you might have until you inquire), it is worth taking the time to consider them as an additional recommender. Again, this is on a case-by-case basis, and Personal MBA Coach happy to advise clients on this specific situation. Remember, regardless of whom you select to write your letters of recommendation, early notice is key. Do not wait too long to make these requests. How Should You Take an Active Role in Preparing Your Recommenders? Once you have chosen your recommenders, your involvement in the process has just begun! We often hear of candidates who ask someone to write the letter of recommendation, ensure it gets submitted, and call it a day. This can be a big mistake! Your role in the MBA letter of recommendation process should be much more involved. You should take an active role to ensure that your recommenders understand what the business school wants, its values and culture. You do not want a recommender to write pages of fluffy praise: you want substance and detail, both about your accomplishments and your promise, that show a good fit between you and your school of choice. We recommend you do the following:
 The idea is for the letter to complement the rest of your application. This means you do not want them to repeat exactly what you are already saying; at the same time, you want to make sure there is no conflicting information. If your recommenders have a sense of your stories, they will be better equipped to share examples of accomplishments that demonstrate a complementary skill set or touch on an area you were not able to cover in your essays. The more they know about what you are already writing about, the more successful this will be.
Remember, this is not time for false modesty. Do not be shy: You may never get this opportunity again. Need help? Contact Personal MBA Coach today to learn how we can help you through the MBA application process and make sure your MBA recommenders are the right ones for your application! 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Guide to MBA Letters of Recommendation appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
28 Oct 2022, 09:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Texas McCombs Essay Tips and Application Deadlines: 2022-2023 |
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Texas McCombs has released its full-time MBA essay questions and deadlines for the 2022–2023 application cycle. This year, the school has added a video assessment to its application, giving applicants the opportunity to share their story with the admissions committee in their own voice. If you are interested in the McCombs MBA program, check out the latest class profile to assess if the program may be a strong fit for you. Accepted students had an average GMAT score of 708 and an average of 5.5 years of work experience. The class of 2023 consists of 38% women, 37% US minority students, and 24% international citizens. The 2022-2023 Texas McCombs Application Deadlines Are: Round 1: October 11, 2022 Round 2: January 4, 2023 Round 3: March 28, 2023  2022–2023 Texas McCombs Essays: Essay 1: Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words) We like to think of this essay as the speech you would give at graduation from McCombs. Do not let the structure confuse you: Start with where you are today but expressed as “When I started at McCombs I was an engineer at Tesla.” Talk briefly about what you had accomplished and the skills you had mastered. Then briefly state why you wanted an MBA from there: what you wanted to get out of it. You should use a good chunk of this essay to discuss the classes you want to take and the activities you want to pursue – just like you would in many other essays – but in the past tense. Show what you want to learn (expressed as what you learned) and how it will supplement your experience and knowledge. This is the central part of the essay: what you will do (did) at McCombs and how you will draw (drew) value from the experience, for example, “The class with Professor Smith taught me to integrate complex data into my analysis of environmental problems.” End with a shortened version of your goals, for which you are now well positioned (remember, you are speaking at graduation from McCombs). So, at graduation you might already have landed the job you sought in your short-term goals and you will be working toward your long-term goals. In writing about your activities on campus, we recommend you consider McCombs’s culture and values and show that you have researched the fit between you and the school, demonstrating your involvement and sense of community.  Video Assessment: Texas McCombs is excited to introduce the Video Assessment as a new application component for the 2022-23 admissions cycle. Given all applicants will complete the Video Assessment, MBA candidates will have increased accessibility to the application process and the opportunity to share their story with us in their own voice. Through the Video Assessment, the Admissions Committee will have a chance to experience the “real” you, beyond a resume, test scores, and transcripts. All applicants will be required to complete the Video Assessment shortly after submitting their application and paying the fee. Applicants have 7 days to complete the assessment upon receiving access to the video submission platform. There will be 7 question prompts and applicants will have 3 minutes to answer each prompt. Optional Statement: If applicable, applicants can provide an optional statement in the essay section of the application. Applicants should only provide an optional statement if there is something they wish to address about their candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere. Only those with extenuating circumstances should respond to the optional Texas McCombs essay. Take a look at Personal MBA Coach’s blog on optional essays and additional application extras for guidance. If you are seeking additional help with your Texas McCombs application, visit our comprehensive services to learn how Personal MBA Coach can help set you up for success. 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Texas McCombs Essay Tips and Application Deadlines: 2022-2023 appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
02 Nov 2022, 10:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: What To Do After an MBA Rejection |
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If round 1 or last year’s applications to business school did not go as planned, do not give up hope! Remember, there are countless reasons for a rejection – so many that Personal MBA Coach developed a Ding Analysis service to help candidates understand where they went wrong! While many times candidates are rejected due to a mistake that they can fix, there are some surprising reasons for a rejection. In some cases, you might even have been dinged because you were overqualified! Regardless of the reason for your rejection, Personal MBA Coach would like to help you develop a strategy to realize your MBA goals this time around. To increase your chances of success, either in round 2 this year or next year, keep these guiding principles in mind: 1) Broaden Your School List Unfortunately, not everyone can earn an MBA from Harvard Business School. For better or worse, sometimes acceptance comes down to numbers: your profile is great, but there were simply too many qualified former consultants from your native country in this year’s pool, making it even harder to stand out. (If you are applying to business school as a consultant, find out how to differentiate yourself here.) 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. Due to this numbers game, our average candidate applies to 5 to 8 schools. For some, this means having schools from a range of tiers. For others, this means putting your eggs in multiple top-tier school baskets. Of course, for all candidates your target list must match your candidate profile. Be sure that you not only have a wide enough list but also one that is reasonable based on your GPA, GMAT/GRE/EA and professional experience. Personal MBA Coach prides itself in offering open, honest feedback on your chances of success at any given school. We want our candidates to reach high, but we also will not sugarcoat it for you. 2) Maintain Your Goals but Expand on Your Vision You want to demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are focused and consistent. Instead of developing new goals and changing your priorities to accommodate what you think your target school’s perceptions, evaluate how clearly you laid out your vision. Was it specific enough? Did you show how you will leave your mark? Did you demonstrate an understanding of the skills needed to achieve these goals? Even if you answered “yes” to all of these questions, take this opportunity to add a bit more detail to your vision, showing how your recent experience has fine-tuned your direction or the skills you will need to achieve these goals and how you are better able to prepare for them. In addition, if you have taken on a new role to better prepare for your goals, be sure to explain it carefully, showing your path and evolution so you do not seem simply indecisive. While in some cases it may be necessary to adjust your goals, tread cautiously here. If life or work circumstances necessitate a change, clearly explain how your goals have evolved and the steps you have taken to get closer to them.  3) Focus on School Interaction and Research One reason you may have been rejected the first time around: questionable interest in the target school. Increased interaction with schools not only will combat any doubts about your sincerity, but it also will show admissions committee representatives that you are committed to and passionate about their programs. Visit campuses (even if you already have), sit in on classes, meet with current students and attend MBA events. Naturally, there can be too much of a good thing, so be careful to strike a balance between showing passion and being overbearing. Keep in mind that schools face varying importance on school interaction. 4) Look Critically at Your Test Scores While your test score is not everything, it IS important. This is particularly true of your quantitative score. If you were rejected, compare your score to the school’s average. Remember, depending on your profile and background, you might need a score above the average to be competitive. This is particularly true if you had a lower GPA or are from an overrepresented applicant pool. If you think your GMAT/GRE/EA score may have been a red flag for your target MBA program, consider retaking the GMAT/GRE/EA or switching from one exam to the other. Some candidates perform much stronger on one test vs. another, and schools largely do not have a preference on which test you take. As you plan to retake the exam, consider your previous test preparation strategy and how you might improve it. Did you get help last time around? If not, consider hiring a personal tutor who can give you targeted advice on how to improve your score. 5) Strive for Balanced Essays With limited space to paint a picture of who you are and what makes you unique, it is important that you submit balanced essays. If you dwell too much on one aspect of your profile, you undoubtedly will shortchange another. Similarly, for many schools you also need to strike a balance between talking about you and talking about them. For instance, did you adequately discuss classes that you were interested in? Did you share the specific skills you hope to gain on campus? Developing balanced essays is one area that we work on extensively with all applicants, particularly reapplicants. Also, make sure your story is well developed in your essays. 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. However, unless your story did not make sense or had large holes, we do not recommend changing your overall story. Instead, look for weak areas within your story to beef up AND use your reapplicant essays (if applicable) to show how you have improved overall as a candidate in the most persuasive way possible. If you are unsure whether your balance was right, we offer a ding analysis to review your application.  6) Evaluate Your Overall Application as a Whole Reapplicants should focus on improving all aspects of the MBA application. As you develop a new plan, take an honest look at your applications and think about whether your story clearly and consistently comes across throughout the essays, short-answer questions, LORs, resume, etc. Some questions you should consider include: Have you shown the unique value you bring? Did you share what truly makes you shine? Were your career goals clear? Did you actually answer the questions? Did you show passion? Did you repeat yourself? Did any aspects of the application conflict? 7) Improve Your Interview Preparation Did you receive a lot of interview invitations but were rejected after the interview? Then it is time to hone your interview skills. Whether you work with the Personal MBA Coach team or someone else, you should ensure you have the proper training and practice to ace the interviews once you get the invites. 8) Evaluate Your Letters of Recommendation Are you confident you had the best letters? If you are not sure, have a conversation with your recommenders from last year and get a sense of their interest and excitement. If your LORs did not extol your traits and accomplishments sufficiently, or if your recommenders were not enthusiastic enough, find someone new to write your LOR this year. You may be required to get at least one new LOR anyway, depending on the school. 9) Look for Other Opportunities to Strengthen Your Profile One of the most important things you can do to strengthen your application when reapplying to business school is to bolster the totality of the candidate “picture” that you present. Of course, you cannot change your life. But you can take a look at a few key factors that may buoy you the next time around. A little polishing in different areas can amount to a great improvement in your candidacy.
 10) Start Far in Advance (if Possible) All of these steps take time! If you are applying for round 2, Personal MBA Coach will help you prioritize your efforts. If you are applying next year, start early! Do not put your applications on the back burner until the summer or fall. By starting early for next year, you can take the time to fine-tune your story, rethink your LOR strategy and recommenders, and ensure all aspects of your application work together cohesively. Develop a calendar for courting your dream schools. Hire a GMAT/GRE tutor (if you are retaking the test). Look at where your essays were weak and think about how you can improve this time around. A rushed application will never be the strongest possible application, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to do it right! Every year we successfully advise reapplicants on what to change (and what not to) to increase their chances of success. 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 To Do After an MBA Rejection appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
09 Nov 2022, 09:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Signs It Might Be Time For An MBA |
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With the year’s end rapidly approaching and round 2 application deadlines clearly in sight, you may find yourself contemplating an MBA. You may be wondering: Is this a good time? Below Personal MBA Coach’s lists a number of reasons you may not want to wait. If you have taken the GMAT/GRE (or think you could do so in time), for example, or you are feeling stuck in your job, consider starting your application process today! But right now there is an additional—and greatly compelling—reason to take this courageous step: a recession is likely looming. Elon Musk is chopping jobs at Twitter, Amazon announced a corporate hiring freeze, Lyft is cutting 13% of its workforce, and others will likely follow. While recession forecasting is not exactly down pat, teams of economists have been predicting a serious recession for some time—more than a year, in some cases—and many say we are already well into one. Many factors are propelling the downturn, including the withdrawal of catalysts that have been propping up the economy, such as easy access to low-interest credit. More interest rate hikes are likely to accelerate matters, further propelled by dropping consumer confidence ratings and rising inflation. Potential MBA applicants can take steps to capitalize on the possibly transformative, life-changing opportunities provided by a looming recession. While a recession can be dangerous, it can also be accompanied by great opportunity: opportunity to reinvigorate one’s life with a transformative educational experience to match the opening doors post-recession. When the job market starts to bubble again, compared to others who have been sitting home watching Netflix or self-doubting, you will have improved yourself through a new degree, you will have new skills and interests, and you may even be prepared to launch into a new, burgeoning field. Plus, applications to many top business schools are still down but are likely to rise in the coming year(s). Now is a sweet spot when you can apply during a slightly less competitive cycle.  While it is clear that now is a great time to apply to business school, you may be wondering if this is the best time for YOU to pursue an MBA. If one or more of the following rings true for you, now may very well be the time to start developing your MBA Application Plan! 1. You already have 4-5 years of pre-MBA experience: The average applicant for most schools has approximately 5 years of pre-MBA experience. Once you have 6+ years, your chances of acceptance begin to decrease slightly each year. Similarly, your odds of acceptance do not increase considerably between 4 and 5 years unless your role significantly changes. You should also consider the possibility that you may not be accepted the first time you apply. The longer you wait now, the more likely that you will run out of time to give your dream school one more shot by reapplying. At this stage in your career, there are few compelling reasons to wait. So, consider shooting for the stars now and applying to your first-choice schools for round 2. 2. You have reached a plateau at work: Have you stretched yourself as much as possible in your current role? Are you bored at work and feel that you have learned all you can in your current role? MBAs open entirely new horizons through coursework, interactions with peers, new experiences and networks. If you feel you are close to plateauing, now might be the time to apply. If you are at all at risk of losing your job during the recession, now is an even better time. 3. You are ready to switch careers: Switching careers while writing your business school applications can be tricky. While it works for some to change industries or functions pre-MBA, for most people post-MBA is a better time to switch careers. But if you know you want to move from banking to consulting or consulting to product management, why wait? In many ways the MBA is the great equalizer and post-MBA students often start at a similar level to each other. If this is you, think about applying today.  4. Your personal situation favors the MBA choice: Do you want a break from work? Is your partner going back to school and it will be easier to study together? Going back to school full time is a major lifestyle change, and your personal circumstance should be a key factor in your decision on when to apply. If your circumstances feel right, consider it fortuitous. While round 3 is an option, for many schools it can be quite a challenge. So, if some or all of the above situations apply to you, Personal MBA Coach urges you to consider applying this year. If you work fast and dedicate your holiday break to applications (this is what we do), there is still time. 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Signs It Might Be Time For An MBA appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
15 Nov 2022, 08:00
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Guiding Principles for MBA Essay Writing |
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Wondering what it takes to write the best MBA application essays? Personal MBA Coach publishes detailed tips on how to approach most of the top MBA application questions (download our e-book on how to approach the M7 essays here). While of course Personal MBA Coach clients received details and customized advice through our comprehensive packages, there are some key essay writing and editing basics that hold true regardless of the essay question or school. Whether you are targeting Round 2 and facing the task of writing your MBA application essays on tight deadlines or whether you are thinking ahead to round 3 or next year, Personal MBA Coach would like to share the most important essay writing tips. And these bear repeating. First of all, let’s talk about the basics of the essay writing process. We advise our candidates to follow a 5-step process as they develop their application essays, leaving adequate time for each stage: 1. Brainstorm, 2. Outline, 3. Draft, 4. Edit and edit again, 5. Proof.
 With those basics of Writing 101 in mind, let’s look now at five higher-level principles that should guide your MBA essay writing from beginning to end. 1) Answer the essay question This seems like a no-brainer, but many candidates write beautiful essays that do not answer the essay question. Instead of writing what you want to show off, answer the question (or make sure that what you want to show off answers the question!). While we do advise thinking a bit outside of the box and considering the why behind an essay prompt (what are they really trying to get at?) first and foremost you must answer the question. That is one reason recycling essay copy from one school to the other is often not a great idea: While it works sometimes for schools whose essay questions are nearly identical, most often it obscures the whole objective of answering the question. Good MBA essay editing should address this, refocusing the material. So, go through your copy and make sure the answer is in there. If you are using the essay you wrote for another school, make sure you tailor it to fit and answer the pertinent essay prompt. 2) Write authentically Do not write what you think admissions committee members want to read. There is no one perfect candidate profile. Instead, your uniqueness will be one of your greatest selling points. Your essays should paint a clear picture of who you are, what motivates you, and what you are passionate about—genuinely. Do not feel compelled to show how you fit the mold that seemingly makes up the “ideal” candidate. If you have no desire to run a non-profit, that is ok. If you are not motivated by improving the environment, do not pretend you are. Readers will see right through this, and you could end up doing more harm than good. 3) Look at the application comprehensively Essays are just one part of the overall MBA application. In addition to submitting a resume (unsure how to write an MBA resume? Check out these tips), you fill out a detailed application whose value you should use in every detail. Many schools require short essays and short answer questions and video essays as well. In addition, you have letters of recommendation. Those also should be used to your advantage to include material you may not have other opportunity or space to talk about. This means there are other places to list and highlight things such as extracurricular activities. There is no need—or space—to try to fit this all into your essays: Focus on a few chosen facets of your passions or accomplishments to answer the essay questions and use other material in other places.  4) Keep your language approachable You should assume that terms you regularly discuss at the office—what is commonly referred to as industry jargon—are foreign to others, including admissions committee members, and they do not want to have to wade through it, trying to understand, as if it were a foreign language. Harvard Business School has gone so far as to specifically ask candidates to not use jargon, both in the MBA application essay and the short answer questions. The best MBA essay editing will eliminate jargony language entirely and translate to readily understandable English, which helps convey what you are talking about and who you are. Particularly when it comes to showing off an accomplishment or how you added value in a business scenario, you want to make sure that technical language does not get in the way and impede your ability to clearly communicate what you did. 5) Limit flowery prose Similarly, we often read complex flowery prose. By flowery we mean prose that is overly ornate, rambling, and verbose. While showing off your writing style may be the point when applying to a writer’s program, in applying to business school you should write well but practically and in a straightforward manner. Most schools want direct, substantial, detailed answers to the questions—not rambling prose. Everyone, from your grandmother to a professor of microfinance, should be able to understand your essays. In sum, your essays should convey why you are someone others would want to study with, learn from, and eventually be inspired by. That type of person is human and down to earth. Your essays should show this. Finally, be concise. Write to the word count. If you are having difficulty making a choice between two options, you can vet that choice, but once you have chosen your topic, during the outline process eliminate material that is not needed. It is very hard to cut 200 words from a 500-word essay and not change the overall intended impact and meaning. Trimming 30 words is one thing—though it is very time-consuming, it can be done artfully without losing much—but you cannot cut an essay in half and not lose substance that should be included. Happy essay writing! 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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Guiding Principles for MBA Essay Writing appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
17 Nov 2022, 13:01
| FROM Personal MBA Coach: Do’s and Don’ts for Involving Your Family and Friends in Your MBA Applications |
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Those of us in the United States are busy planning for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and will be sharing time with our family and closest friends later this week. For those outside of the US, in spirit you may be doing the same! Naturally, your MBA applications are likely to become a topic of conversation. Far too often, I have seen clients derailed by well-meaning but ill-informed parents or colleagues. Whether or not you are celebrating this week, determining when and how to involve your friends and family in your MBA application is always a challenge. To help you wrestle with this, I have put together some do’s and don’ts for involving others in your MBA pursuits.  Family Involvement Do’s: Your friends, family and colleagues can have very beneficial roles, if they limit their involvement.
 Family Involvement Don’ts While there are countless ways your family can be helpful in the application process, they can also easily derail you. Generally, your family members are not experts in the MBA application process. Even if you are speaking to another business school graduate, things may have changed considerably since she applied to school. In addition, best practices vary broadly by school and circumstance. So, as you ask for help, be careful!
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. Personal MBA Coach is the #1 most favorably reviewed US Consultant of all time on 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 Do’s and Don’ts for Involving Your Family and Friends in Your MBA Applications appeared first on Personal MBA Coach. |
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