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28 Mar 2020, 09:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: What to Do When You Do Not Have Much Time to Prepare for the GMAT |
|
With regard to the GMAT, raw intellectual horsepower helps, but it is not everything. Manhattan Prep’s Stacey Koprince teaches you how to perform at your best on test day by using some common sense. Some time ago, I flew over to London to give an all-day workshop at London Business School. The audience comprised about 35 students who had already been admitted to a weekend master’s program, but that admission was contingent upon taking the GMAT and getting a “good enough” score (as defined by the school). The students had only about a month or two to fulfill this requirement. What can you do in a six-hour crash course? Not much more than an introduction and orientation—but even that is incredibly valuable in helping people get started and know what to expect. So what should someone do who is in the position of taking the test in four to eight weeks and has not studied a ton yet? First, take a practice test under 100% official conditions. I always recommend this first step for anyone, but this is especially crucial for someone with limited time. You are going to have to prioritize heavily, and you have no effective way to do that without good practice test data. Next, identify the practice materials you want to use. You are going to need at least one source for official practice questions (perhaps the Official Guide 2019 Edition). You are also going to need some materials that help you get better in your areas of greatest weakness—for example, if you are struggling with word problems and sentence correction, then you are going to need some test prep materials that teach those specific areas. When determining which question types and content areas to prioritize, remember two important things: (1) All areas are not created equal. Struggling with Combinatorics? Great. Those are infrequently tested, so you can get away with just dropping that topic entirely. Struggling with exponents and roots? Those are much more common, so you are going to need to dig in there. Frequently versus infrequently tested areas can change over time, so ask an expert on an online forum at whatever point you need to figure this out. (2) Timing is an enormous factor on this exam. Everyone has timing problems, ranging from mild to severe. I cannot tell you how many students I have spoken with who study for months but do not get much better on their practice tests because they have not been practicing timing. Everyone needs to deal with timing right from the start—and this is especially true for someone who has only four to eight weeks to take the test. Last step: Start working! Tons of resources are available on the Manhattan Prep blog to help you in your studies, but I will point you toward two particular article compilations that should be the most helpful. Both articles were written as comprehensive articles for people who have months to study, so you will once again have to prioritize and cut out things for which you just do not have time—but these will provide you with the best starting point from which to make those decisions. |
29 Mar 2020, 08:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: How Will COVID-19 Impact Your MBA Applications? |
|
[url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/applying-in-the-time-of-1.png][img]https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/applying-in-the-time-of-1-300x300.png[/img][/url] Over the last several weeks, the effects of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 global pandemic have reached far and wide—and business schools are no exception. Many admissions officers at U.S. MBA programs are suddenly encouraging more prospective students in the United States to consider applying in Round 3 of the 2019–2020 application season, given that large numbers of international applicants may need to defer their admission. In addition, several U.S. and international programs have opted to [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2020/03/23/covid-19-prompts-more-changes-to-mba-application-deadlines-and-test-taking-requirements/]extend application deadlines and modify test-taking requirements[/url] for the remaining application rounds. Many applicants have also been clamoring for [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/covid19/]helpful information on the GMAT[/url] and [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gre/blog/covid19/]GRE “at home”[/url] testing options being offered in light of recent test center closures around the globe. Despite the promise of flexibility by business schools and test centers, many applicants are left wondering: what’s next? Given the uncertainty in the world today, should you continue with your applications? If you have already been accepted to business school, should you attend? What is in store for MBAs in the era of COVID-19 and its aftermath? In our new webinar, [b]Applying in the Time of COVID-19[/b], mbaMission will explore the changing admissions dynamics for 2020 and 2021 and advise applicants on how to use this unexpected free time to become their most competitive. Are you aware of the many opportunities available to volunteer online? Have you considered ways to build morale and camaraderie while working remotely? Did you know that you can study for and even take the GRE (and soon the GMAT!) online and bolster your quantitative profile through distance learning courses? These are just some of the topics we will cover during the complimentary webinar. [b]Now is still a great time to strengthen your MBA candidacy.[/b] Join mbaMission’s founder and president, Jeremy Shinewald, as he presents the Applying in the Time of COVID-19 webinar on the following dates: [list] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25888/]Monday, March 30, 2020, at 7:00 a.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25889/]Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25890/]Monday, April 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25891/]Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [/list] Register for free today! We at mbaMission wish you and your family well during this unprecedented and challenging time. |
30 Mar 2020, 12:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: What to Do When You Have Little Time to Prepare for the GMAT |
|
With regard to the GMAT, raw intellectual horsepower helps, but it is not everything. Manhattan Prep’s Stacey Koprince teaches you how to perform at your best on test day by using some common sense. Some time ago, I flew over to London to give an all-day workshop at London Business School. The audience comprised about 35 students who had already been admitted to a weekend master’s program, but that admission was contingent upon taking the GMAT and getting a “good enough” score (as defined by the school). The students had only about a month or two to fulfill this requirement. What can you do in a six-hour crash course? Not much more than an introduction and orientation—but even that is incredibly valuable in helping people get started and know what to expect. So what should someone do who is in the position of taking the test in four to eight weeks and has not studied a ton yet? First, take a practice test under 100% official conditions. I always recommend this first step for anyone, but this is especially crucial for someone with limited time. You are going to have to prioritize heavily, and you have no effective way to do that without good practice test data. Next, identify the practice materials you want to use. You are going to need at least one source for official practice questions (perhaps the Official Guide 2019 Edition). You are also going to need some materials that help you get better in your areas of greatest weakness—for example, if you are struggling with word problems and sentence correction, then you are going to need some test prep materials that teach those specific areas. When determining which question types and content areas to prioritize, remember two important things: (1) All areas are not created equal. Struggling with Combinatorics? Great. Those are infrequently tested, so you can get away with just dropping that topic entirely. Struggling with exponents and roots? Those are much more common, so you are going to need to dig in there. Frequently versus infrequently tested areas can change over time, so ask an expert on an online forum at whatever point you need to figure this out. (2) Timing is an enormous factor on this exam. Everyone has timing problems, ranging from mild to severe. I cannot tell you how many students I have spoken with who study for months but do not get much better on their practice tests because they have not been practicing timing. Everyone needs to deal with timing right from the start—and this is especially true for someone who has only four to eight weeks to take the test. Last step: Start working! Tons of resources are available on the Manhattan Prep blog to help you in your studies, but I will point you toward two particular article compilations that should be the most helpful. Both articles were written as comprehensive articles for people who have months to study, so you will once again have to prioritize and cut out things for which you just do not have time—but these will provide you with the best starting point from which to make those decisions. |
30 Mar 2020, 12:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: How Will COVID-19 Affect Your MBA Applications? |
|
[url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/applying-in-the-time-of-1.png][img]https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/applying-in-the-time-of-1-300x300.png[/img][/url] Over the past several weeks, the effects of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 global pandemic have been felt far and wide—and business schools are no exception. Many admissions officers at U.S. MBA programs are suddenly encouraging more prospective students in the United States to consider applying in Round 3 of the 2019–2020 application season, given that large numbers of international applicants may need to defer their admission. In addition, several U.S. and international programs have opted to [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2020/03/23/covid-19-prompts-more-changes-to-mba-application-deadlines-and-test-taking-requirements/]extend application deadlines and modify test-taking requirements[/url] for the remaining application rounds. Many applicants have also been clamoring for [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/covid19/]helpful information on the GMAT[/url] and [url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gre/blog/covid19/]GRE “at home”[/url] testing options being offered in light of recent test center closures around the globe. Despite the promise of flexibility by business schools and test centers, many applicants are left wondering: what is next? Given the uncertainty in the world today, should you continue moving forward with your application plans? If you have already been accepted to business school, should you attend? What is in store for MBAs in the era of COVID-19 and its aftermath? In our new webinar, [b]Applying in the Time of COVID-19[/b], mbaMission explores the changing admissions dynamics for 2020 and 2021 and advises applicants on how to use this unexpected free time to become their most competitive. Are you aware of the many opportunities available to volunteer online? Have you considered ways to build morale and camaraderie while working remotely? Did you know that you can study for and even take the GRE (and soon the GMAT!) online and bolster your quantitative profile through distance learning courses? These are just some of the topics covered in this complimentary webinar. [b]Now is still a great time to strengthen your MBA candidacy.[/b] Join mbaMission’s founder and president, Jeremy Shinewald, as he presents the mbaMission Applying in the Time of COVID-19 webinar on the following dates: [list] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25888/]Monday, March 30, 2020, at 7:00 a.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25889/]Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25890/]Monday, April 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [*][b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25891/]Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern[/url][/b][/*] [/list] Register for free today! We at mbaMission wish you and your family well during this unprecedented and challenging time. |
30 Mar 2020, 14:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Six Ways to Keep Your Career on Track in Uncertain Times |
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This post was written by our resident Career Coach, [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/elissa-harris/]Elissa Harris[/url]. To sign up for a free 30-minute career consultation with Elissa, please [url=https://www.mbamission.com/consult/career-coaching/]click here[/url]. We at mbaMission know these are unprecedented times with much uncertainty—which is not a comfortable space for most of us—so we encourage you to focus on small actions that can give you a sense of control. These recommendations can help you continue moving toward your career goals by positioning you for future opportunities: [list] [*][b]Update your resume and optimize your LinkedIn profile.[/b] Incorporate recent achievements and highlight the impact of your actions. Tailor your content to demonstrate the skills and experiences required by your target audience. For more advice, review these mbaMission blog posts: [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2019/03/26/are-you-maximizing-the-benefits-of-linkedin/]Are You Maximizing the Benefits of LinkedIn?[/url] and [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2015/12/08/mba-career-advice-three-tests-for-your-resume-weak-to-wow/]Three Tests for Your Resume: Weak to Wow![/url][/*] [*][b]Talk with your network.[/b] Now, more than ever, it is important to connect with our community. Reach out to your current and former colleagues (or even alumni from your educational institutions) and ask how they are doing and how their firm (and their role) is being impacted by this changing business environment. Be thoughtful in your approach; tone and timing are critical, as each person is experiencing the implications from the COVID-19 pandemic differently. [/*] [*][b]Polish your interview skills.[/b] Identify, select, and track your stories, focusing on the core skills required for your work. Break down each example by the situation, your actions, and the impact you made. Check out two of our interview advice blog posts, [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2016/11/30/mba-career-news-tell-me-about-yourself/]Tell Me About Yourself[/url] and [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2017/08/09/avoiding-interviewing-pitfalls/]Avoiding Interviewing Pitfalls[/url], as well as our [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2020/03/26/fixing-common-interviewing-mistakes-part-3-positioning-yourself-for-success-in-video-interviews/]post about excelling in video interviews[/url]. [/*] [*][b]Learn a new skill[/b][b].[/b] Have you always thought about learning SQL, improving your Excel skills, getting certified in Google Analytics, or diving into a new subject? Now may be exactly the right time to do so. Check out online platforms such as [url=https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/]LinkedIn Learning[/url], [url=https://www.coursera.org]Coursera[/url], [url=https://www.wallstreetprep.com/]Wall Street Prep[/url], [url=https://online.hbs.edu/courses/core/]Harvard Business School Online[/url], and [url=https://www.uclaextension.edu/]UCLA Extension[/url], and listen to [url=https://www.ted.com/talks]TED Talks[/url]. [/*] [*][b]Stay visible at work.[/b] Schedule calls through Zoom, BlueJeans, Skype, or other video platforms so your colleagues can actually see you. Speak up on team calls and post to any online communication channels, such as Slack, that are being used by your company. Coordinate available hours with teammates. [/*] [*][b]Innovate.[/b] Everyone—businesses as well as individuals worldwide—is being forced to adapt and improvise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brainstorm and share ideas on how your company can continue to serve its internal and external stakeholders under these new circumstances. Consider how consumers’ needs are changing in terms of both what products they want and how they access them. Can you come up with a new business idea to help better serve your company’s customers? [/*] [/list] For more guidance, reach out to mbaMission for a [b][url=https://www.mbamission.com/consult/career-coaching/]complimentary 30-minute phone-based career coaching appointment[/url][/b] to discuss the above strategies or other career-related topics. |
01 Apr 2020, 08:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: How to Take Ownership of Your Post-MBA Goals and Show They Are Attainable |
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When admissions officers read your MBA application, they want to feel inspired by your personal statement; they want to know that you have a strong sense of purpose and will work energetically to attain your objectives. Thus, you must ensure that you are not presenting generic or shallow goals. Although this problem is not industry specific, it occurs most often with candidates who propose careers in investment banking or consulting but do not have a true understanding of what these positions entail. For example, a candidate cannot merely state the following goal: “In the short term, after graduating from Wharton, I want to become an investment banking associate. After three years, I will be promoted to vice president, and then in the long term, I will become a managing director.” This hypothetical candidate does not express any passion for their proposed course, does not show any understanding of the demands of the positions, and does not explain the value they could bring to the firm. To avoid these kinds of shortcomings, conduct this simple test when writing your personal statement: if you can easily substitute another job title into your career goals and the sentence still makes perfect sense (for example, “In the short term, when I graduate from Wharton, I want to become a consultant. After three years, I will be promoted to vice president, and then in the long term, I will become a managing director.”), you have a serious problem on your hands and need to put more work into your essay. To effectively convey your goals, you need to truly own them. This means personalizing them, determining and presenting why you expect to be a success in the proposed position, and explaining why an opportunity exists for you to contribute. For example, a former forestry engineer could make a strong argument for joining an environmental impact consulting firm. (Note: This candidate would still need to explain why they would want to join one.) Similarly, a financial analyst in the corporate finance department at Yahoo! could connect their goals to tech investment banking. Although the connection need not be so direct, especially for candidates seeking to change careers, relating your past experiences and/or your skills to your future path is still extremely important. This approach will add depth to your essay and ensure that the admissions committee takes you seriously. While some candidates struggle to effectively convey their immediate post-MBA goals, many also have difficulty defining their long-term goals. Although short-term goals should be relatively specific, long-term goals can be broad and ambitious. Regardless of what your short- and long-term aspirations actually are, what is most important is presenting a clear “cause and effect” relationship between them. The admissions committee will have difficulty buying into a long-term goal that lacks grounding. However, do not interpret this to mean you must declare your interest in an industry and then assert that you will stay in it for your entire career. You can present any career path that excites you—again, as long as you also demonstrate a logical path to achieving your goals. For example, many candidates discuss having ambitions in the field of management consulting. Could an individual with such aspirations justify any of the following long-term goals?
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02 Apr 2020, 10:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Hands-On Finance Opportunities at Michigan Ross and UCLA Anderson |
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You may not realize that students at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan do not have to travel all that far to get hands-on Wall Street experience. Through the John R. and Georgene M. Tozzi Electronic Business and Finance Center (known as simply the Tozzi Center), students can find themselves “on” Wall Street without ever having to leave Ann Arbor. Housed in a 5,800-square-foot facility on campus, the Tozzi Center boasts a state-of-the-art mock trading floor as well as an electronic modular classroom and an e-lab seminar room. The latest financial tools—including live news wires, trading systems, and data and research services—can be found at the center. The space has been designed to look and feel like the real thing, so do not be surprised if you hear “Sell, Sell, Sell!” when you walk by students in action. Many acknowledge UCLA Anderson’s unique connections to the media and entertainment industry. However, far fewer MBA aspirants are aware of the tremendous opportunities Anderson provides to students interested in investment management. Established in 1987, the Anderson Student Asset Management (ASAM) program (formerly the Student Investment Fund) is a fellowship that provides up to 20 students with a hands-on opportunity to apply what they have learned thus far about investment theory. Students must apply for the opportunity to manage the portfolio, currently worth approximately $1M, for five academic quarters. ASAM Fellows engage in investment strategy, asset allocation, and security analysis, and they explore both value and growth approaches to investment as well as fixed income investments. Fellows get together weekly during the academic year and visit investment professionals throughout the fellowship to learn about different investment philosophies. Those interested in a career in investment management should give UCLA Anderson a closer look. For more information on Michigan Ross, UCLA Anderson, or 15 other leading MBA programs, check out our free mbaMission Insider’s Guides. |
03 Apr 2020, 08:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Professor Profiles: Gavan Fitzsimons, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business |
 Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school. However, the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Today, we focus on Gavan Fitzsimons from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Students and administration members alike sing the praises of Fuqua’s “fun” and “engaging” marketing professor, Gavan Fitzsimons, who spearheaded the creation of the Duke-Synovate Center for Shopper Insights in 2011 and serves as its faculty principal today. Fitzsimons is the Edward and Rose Donnell Professor of Marketing and Psychology at Fuqua and has received an Excellence in Core Teaching Award at the school three times, in addition to two honorable mentions. His work, which focuses on the ways in which consumers are subconsciously influenced, has been published and popularized in prestigious academic journals and media outlets from the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Marketing Research to NPR, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal. Fitzsimons has also served as an associate editor of the Journal of Consumer Research and an editorial board member for such publications as the Journal of Consumer Psychology, Marketing Letters, and the Journal of Macromarketing. For more information about Duke Fuqua and 16 other top-ranked business schools, check out our free mbaMission Insider’s Guides. |
04 Apr 2020, 08:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Why GMAT Prep Is Like Training for a Marathon |
 Our friends at Manhattan Prep often tell students to think of the GMAT as a long-distance race. Successful runners conquer race day through specific goals, consistent training, and mental toughness. The same holds true for successful GMAT test takers. Setting a Goal Pace The best runners do not just aim for completion; they set a goal pace. How do they arrive at a specific, measurable goal? Marathon runners test their abilities on shorter races (5K, 10K, half marathon) to determine an achievable goal for race day. Also, many runners are looking to beat various thresholds, such as completing a marathon in under four hours. Similarly, if you are taking the GMAT, you should have a goal score in mind. You arrive at that goal score by taking a practice test to gauge your current proficiency and then setting a challenging but reasonable goal score. Usually that goal score also coincides with the benchmarks posted by the business schools you’re looking to attend. Having a specific goal in mind helps you develop an appropriate study plan and informs your test day strategies. Training Consistently The majority of a race’s outcome depends on the work you put in before you are on the race course; all the training that your legs have endured will push you across the finish line. For runners, following a consistent training plan produces the physiological changes necessary for improving their pace; it gets their bodies ready for challenges they will face on race day. Just as runners aim to train four or five days a week with a couple rest days sprinkled in between, GMAT test takers should aim to do ~30 minutes of practice on most days and schedule longer (but not too long!) studying sessions for the weekends. Why? Well, first off, spending long stretches of time away from test material will wipe away some of the “gains” you made in previous weeks. If two weeks have passed since you looked at a Critical Reasoning question, you will need to refresh your memory on the various types of Critical Reasoning questions and the approaches for each. Regularly exposing yourself to the material will keep you moving forward instead of having to repeat a chapter that you previously covered. Second, consistent studying is more manageable than attempting to cram in many hours of studying on the weekend. If you are aiming to run 50 miles in a given week, trying to complete 40 of those miles over the weekend results in overtraining and perhaps even injury. Long, exhausting study sessions leave you tired and demoralized, and more importantly, mastering all the content covered during those sessions is very difficult because your brain is on overdrive. In fact, studies have shown that knowledge retention improves when students space out their study time. Shorter but more frequent study sessions also let you “sleep” on certain concepts and problems, and you will find that you are able to tackle challenging problems with greater ease if you step away from them for a day or two. Lastly, consistent training leads to incremental improvements. Runs that felt tough two weeks ago start to feel easier because you have been training almost every day and your body is making the appropriate physiological adjustments. Jumping from a 500 to a 600 on the GMAT is impossible without making many small improvements along the way. Significant score improvements are achieved through a combination of incremental changes, such as mastering Quant topics, using alternative problem-solving strategies, and improving time management. So open up a calendar and set a consistent study schedule. Feel free to vary things by studying in different locations, mixing topics, etc. You will feel yourself training your brain muscles, and the incremental improvements in performance will sufficiently prepare you for test day. Preparing for the Big Day Before race day, runners spend approximately one week “tapering.” Tapering involves reducing training volume to give your body rest, giving you that “fresh legs” feeling on race day. Staying up late the night before your test is a bad idea. Instead of frantically taking practice tests and completing problem sets during the week leading up to test day, try to taper the amount of studying so that you are well rested and “mentally fresh.” On the big day, all runners are nervous. The runners who hit their goals manage their nerves and exhibit mental toughness. They are optimistic because they know that they have set appropriate goals and trained consistently toward those goals, and they do not let the challenges of race day get in their heads, focusing instead on producing the best outcome possible. Also, they are ready for the long haul. Instead of gassing themselves out by running too fast for the first half of the race, they conserve their energy to maintain the pace required to hit their desired finish time. How does that translate into strategies for test day? On test day, you will be nervous and that is expected. Stay optimistic, gather confidence from all the hard work you have put into studying, trust yourself, and stay mentally resilient in the face of challenging problems. Oh, and if you manage to also have fun on test day, I am confident that you will deliver your best performance. Manhattan Prep is one of the world’s leading test prep providers. Every one of its instructors has a 99th percentile score on the GMAT and substantial teaching experience. The result? Two decades and thousands of satisfied students. By providing an outstanding curriculum and the highest-quality instructors in the industry, it empowers students to accomplish their goals. Manhattan Prep allows you to sit in on any of its live GMAT classes—in person or online—for free! Check out a trial class today. |
05 Apr 2020, 07:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: MBA Admissions Myths Destroyed: I Need to Tell It All! (Part 2) |
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Recently, we discussed observing limits with your resume. This time, we take a similar approach with your essays—in particular, your goals essay. Some business schools ask applicants to discuss their career progress first in a classic goals essay: Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing an MBA. Whereas other schools do not request any professional context: What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will our school help you achieve these goals? Applicants tend to seize on these broad, open-ended questions as opportunities to discuss their entire career history in depth, offering far more than mere context for their goals. In response to a question like the first one here, some candidates will mistakenly use 75% or more of the word space provided just discussing their career progression to date. Although this may seem “brief” to you, the truth is that focusing so extensively on your past minimizes your opportunity to discuss other crucial aspects of your candidacy. If you devote too much of your essay to detailing your past career progress, you will be unable to thoroughly address your reasons for wanting an MBA and your interest in the school. Providing context for your goals by giving an overview of your professional life to date is unquestionably important, but you must be sure to balance the different sections of your essay. Clearly conveying your goals and your reasons for choosing a particular school is crucial so that you connect with your target, rather than miss it entirely. |
06 Apr 2020, 13:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: April 13 Admissions Panel: Directors Discuss the New Round 3 |
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[url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Admissions-officers-FINAL.png][img]https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Admissions-officers-FINAL-300x300.png[/img][/url] New and extended Round 3 deadlines? GMAT and GRE waivers? Taking the GRE—and soon the GMAT—at home? What does it all mean? The novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is [b][url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2020/03/23/covid-19-prompts-more-changes-to-mba-application-deadlines-and-test-taking-requirements/]changing the MBA admissions cycle[/url][/b], and as a result, admissions officers are offering flexibility as they seek to attract more late-round applicants. [b]It is not too late to submit a compelling Round 3 business school application! [/b] On April 13, 2020, join mbaMission President Jeremy Shinewald as he moderates a live discussion among admissions directors from [b]Columbia Business School, the Yale School of Management, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and the MIT Sloan School of Management[/b]. The directors will be discussing the new Round 3 and what it means for applicants—as well as answering your questions! The panel includes the following admissions directors: [list] [*][b]Bruce DelMonico[/b], Assistant Dean for Admissions at the Yale School of Management[/*] [*][b]Amanda Carlson[/b], Assistant Dean of Admissions at Columbia Business School[/*] [*][b]Dawna Levenson[/b], Assistant Dean of Admissions at the MIT Sloan School of Management [/*] [*][b]Kate Smith[/b], Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management [/*] [/list] The webinar begins at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). For those who cannot attend live, a recording will be sent to all registrants via email. Learn how to put your best foot forward in your Round 3 application. [b][url=https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/classes/details/25892/]Register for free today![/url] [/b] |
07 Apr 2020, 12:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Limit the Use of “I” When Beginning Sentences in MBA Application Essays, and Never Use “Etc.” |
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Although putting yourself at the center of the stories in your MBA application essays is certainly important, a common mistake applicants tend to make is beginning too many sentences with the word “I.” As a general rule, you should never begin two sentences in a row this way. Consider the following example: “I worked for three years at ABC Plastics, a small injection molding company. I was responsible for overseeing the overall management of ABC Plastics, from day-to-day operations to strategic planning. I managed 100 people. I worked very long hours, but I learned more than I could have ever imagined.” Now, consider the same statement reworked to avoid using “I” at the beginning of subsequent sentences: “For three years, I worked at ABC Plastics, a small injection molding company. My responsibilities at ABC included overseeing the overall management of the company, from day-to-day operations to strategic planning. Because I supervised more than 100 staff members, my days were long, but the experience taught me more than I could have ever imagined.” As you can see, the second example reads much better than the first—and none of the sentences in the second example begin with “I.” Our next tip applies to the entire essay, instead of just the beginning of a sentence. As a general rule, “etc.” should never appear in the text of your MBA application essays. Consider the following sentences:
We are at a loss to think of one instance in which “etc.” could be used appropriately in a business school essay. Very simply, ensure your essays do not include this term. |
08 Apr 2020, 13:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Global Perspective MBAs at Georgetown University and George Washington University |
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Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business [url=https://msb.georgetown.edu/][b]Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business[/b][/url] unveiled an updated MBA curriculum in 2012—and with it, a revamped global emphasis. The school’s dean at the time, David A. Thomas, announced the changes as a response to the evolving global business landscape, meant to equip students “with the skills to be innovative leaders—whether they are joining established organizations or becoming entrepreneurs.” During “Opening Term,” first-year students are required to take “Structure of Global Industries.” This immersive three-week core course provides a foundation in international business that runs through the required “modules” in the spring semester and culminates with the school’s newly expanded, signature “Global Business Experience” during the students’ second year. In this program, students take on consulting roles working for actual international organizations. In the spring, student teams travel to their respective client’s country—in 2019, these included Ghana, South Korea, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and India—to gain firsthand experience working in a global consulting and management setting. After the participating students return to campus, they present the stories of and takeaways from their experiences to their classmates at the school’s Global Business Conference. [url=https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/George-Washington-University-School-of-Business-.jpg][img]https://www.mbamission.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/George-Washington-University-School-of-Business--300x130.jpg[/img][/url] George Washington University School of Business Just four miles away from Georgetown, the [url=https://business.gwu.edu/][b]George Washington University School of Business[/b][/url] offers a similarly international MBA experience—in fact, the program is titled “[url=https://business.gwu.edu/academics/programs/mba/global-mba][b]Global MBA[/b][/url].” At the end of the first year of the program, students take part in Consulting Abroad Projects, which consist of seven weeks of preparation on campus in Washington, DC, and two weeks abroad in the partner company’s country. Required core courses in the Global MBA program range from “Global Perspectives” and “Micro for Global Economy” to “Marketing” and “Finance.” Finally, MBA students have the option of enrolling in one of the school’s graduate certificate programs—such certificates as “Global Management” and “Tourism Management” may be of interest to those hoping to focus on international experiences. |
09 Apr 2020, 13:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Professor Profiles: John Morgan, University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business |
 Many MBA applicants feel that they are purchasing a brand when they choose a business school. However, the educational experience you will have is what is crucial to your future, and no one will affect your education more than your professors. Today, we focus on John Morgan from the University of California (UC), Berkeley, Haas School of Business. John Morgan has been teaching at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business since 2002. He won the Earl F. Cheit Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2006 and was the first recipient of the Oliver E. Williamson Award in 2014. In an admissions podcast (“Game Theory and Strategy”), Morgan discussed how he has grown his “Game Theory” course, which studies how nations and industries interact strategically with each other. Morgan, who has served as the Oliver E. and Dolores W. Williamson Chair of the Economics of Organizations since 2006, recommends that all Haas MBA students take the course, which is designed to cover all functions and industries, in their last semester at the school so that they apply the “mind-set to think strategically” to what they have learned in the program. Morgan expects the teams in his class to be ready to defend their strategies, but plenty of laughter is part of the course as well—as it reportedly is in all Morgan’s courses. An alumna previously commented via Twitter: “Loving John Morgan’s Disruptive Technologies seminar. Great comedic timing.” For more information about UC Berkeley Haas and 16 other top-ranked business schools, check out our free mbaMission Insider’s Guides. |
10 Apr 2020, 08:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: mbaMission’s 2021 MBA Class Profile Infographic |
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Choosing the right MBA program for your needs can be a challenge. How do you identify the best business school for your specific personal, educational, and professional goals? An important element of your business school experience will be your fellow students—the other aspiring MBAs with whom you will be living and studying every day. While contemplating their target school selection, applicants often ask us how their chosen programs compare in terms of the following:
Scroll through the infographic for more information on the Class of 2021 at the top 16 U.S. business schools, including Harvard Business School, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia Business School! Need some assistance determining the target programs at which you might be competitive? Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our admissions consultants today!  *Data collected on April 1, 2020. Any subsequent variance in figures may be due to finalization or adjustment of data by the schools after our publication date. |
11 Apr 2020, 09:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: “Complete the Passage” Critical Reasoning Arguments on the GMAT |
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With regard to the GMAT, raw intellectual horsepower helps, but it is not everything. Manhattan Prep’s Stacey Koprince teaches you how to perform at your best on test day by using some common sense. Have you run across any “fill in the blank” Critical Reasoning (CR) questions yet? These arguments end with a long, straight line, and we are supposed to pick an answer choice that fills in that blank. Try this example from the free question set that comes with GMATPrep: Which of the following best completes the passage below? People buy prestige when they buy a premium product. They want to be associated with something special. Mass-marketing techniques and price reduction strategies should not be used because ________________. (A) affluent purchasers currently represent a shrinking portion of the population of all purchasers (B) continued sales depend directly on the maintenance of an aura of exclusivity (C) purchasers of premium products are concerned with the quality as well as with the price of the products (D) expansion of the market niche to include a broader spectrum of consumers will increase profits (E) manufacturing a premium brand is not necessarily more costly than manufacturing a standard brand of the same product Officially, these are called “Complete the Passage” arguments. The interesting tidbit: they are NOT a separate question type! These questions fall into one of the same categories you have been studying all along; the format is just presented in this “fill in the blank” format. Most of the time, these are actually Strengthen questions. Every now and then, you will encounter a Find the Assumption question in this format. The real trick here is to determine the question type. If the word right before the underline is because or since (or something equivalent), then the question you are dealing with is a Strengthen question. If the argument is set up to ask you to insert a piece of information that would support the conclusion of the argument, that is a Strengthen question. The only real variation I have seen is when the sentence leading up to the blank asks what must be true or what must be shown. In those cases, you probably have a Find the Assumption question. Want to know how to do the GMATPrep question presented earlier in this post? I am so glad you asked! Take a look at this full article that explains how to do the question and takes you through the standard four-step process for all CR questions. The article on the Manhattan Prep blog is the first in a three-part series on CR; click the link at the end to read the second part, and so on. |
12 Apr 2020, 09:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: MBA Admissions Myths Destroyed: I Have No Real Options |
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In the late 2000s, Harvard Business School (HBS) made a change to its application essay questions that surprised many. Its previously mandatory “long- and short-term goals” essay prompt changed its focus more broadly to “career vision” and became one of four topic choices from which applicants could select two. Immediately, MBA candidates tried to read between the lines and decipher HBS’s hidden agenda behind the change. As a result, many perplexed applicants called us, asking, “Every other school asks about goals, so HBS must want to know about them, too. I need to answer the essay question option about career vision, right?” This question, in turn, compelled us to ask rhetorically: Why would HBS make a question an option if the admissions committee expected you to answer it? If it did, why would the school not simply designate the question as mandatory, as it had been previously? We believe that in this case, HBS made the question an option because the admissions committee did not feel that applicants must have a definite career vision to be admitted. Essentially, HBS was saying, “If you have a well-defined career vision that would help us better understand who you are as a candidate, tell us about it. If not, we would love to hear something else that is interesting about you.” Note that HBS no longer poses this particular essay question, but we offer it here as a way of illustrating how candidates can sometimes overthink or misinterpret the “optional” elements of a school’s application. Essay options are just that: options. None of HBS’s essay choices—or those of any other MBA program—are necessarily “right” or “wrong.” The admissions committees are not trying to trick you, nor does a secret answer exist that will guarantee your acceptance. The programs offer multiple essay question options because they know that each applicant is different, and they want to provide an opportunity for each candidate to tell their unique story. So, as you approach your essays, focus on what you want to say—not what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. |
13 Apr 2020, 09:00
| FROM mbaMission Blog: The Value of Current—and Enthusiastic—Community Service |
 MBA admissions committees try to identify applicants who are constantly active, challenging themselves in all spheres of their lives. As a result, extracurricular and community activities are not only powerful in showing an MBA candidate’s benevolence, but they also help create the impression that the applicant is steadily pursuing goals and is therefore predisposed to success. We regularly encounter business school applicants who say, “I have been so busy professionally that I haven’t had time to volunteer, but I was really active during college.” In almost all cases, however, as candidates get further from their college years, their undergraduate experience becomes less and less relevant. Although having a record of consistent achievement throughout college and into one’s professional life is best, MBA applicants are often evaluated on a “What have you done for me lately?” basis—meaning that contemporary community service is generally more important. MBA admissions officers know that finding time to commit to external activities can sometimes be challenging, but they still see many applicants from the most competitive fields who indeed find time to give back to others. So, if you had a rich and rewarding college experience filled with leadership, in short, keep that trend going. You have a powerful complement to your contemporary involvements, but not a substitute. Showing enthusiasm for your volunteer work is as important as committing to the work itself. If you are slogging through your time as a volunteer, you are certainly not helping yourself or your candidacy. “Time served” is not the most important factor of your community work in the eyes of the MBA admissions committees—what is meaningful and revealing is the impact you have on others. Indeed, the spirit with which you have served your community is what will impress the committees. As you consider your options for community involvement (and we hope you began doing so long before now), be sure to choose a cause or group about which you are passionate and to which you can commit yourself entirely. By dedicating yourself to an organization about which you are sincerely enthusiastic (just as you would do in choosing a job), you will naturally find yourself in situations that will lend themselves to quality essays and powerful recommendations. |
14 Apr 2020, 08:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Introverts at Work: Finding Your Path to Success |
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This post was written by our resident Career Coach, [url=https://www.mbamission.com/who-we-are/team/elissa-harris/]Elissa Harris[/url]. To sign up for a free 30-minute career consultation with Elissa, please [url=https://www.mbamission.com/consult/career-coaching/]click here[/url]. Is there a place for introverts at work? Yes! Many successful CEOs and leaders, such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Warren Buffett, are self-proclaimed introverts. In fact, the CEO Genome Project examined more than 900 CEOs and found that greater than 50% of those with superior results were actually introverts. This makes perfect sense, as introverts bring introspection along with a calm and thoughtful approach to problem solving. They build meaningful connections and show real passion for the job. We at mbaMission have created a few tips to help introverts succeed at work: [list] [*][b]Accentuate your strengths.[/b] Be an observer and absorb as much information as possible. Then use your knowledge to make contributions, such as by asking questions and proposing well-thought-out solutions during group discussions. [/*] [*][b]Assert confidence. [/b]Use direct eye contact and confident body language; you do not need to overly self-promote for others to perceive your self-assurance and your confidence.[/*] [*][b]Take time to recharge.[/b] Understand what overstimulates (i.e., exhausts) you. Find ways to minimize those things—perhaps by carving out alone time every day at work. Do not plan a group lunch every day, for example. [/*] [*][b]Give yourself time to prepare.[/b] Ask for meeting topics in advance so you can develop and familiarize yourself with your talking points beforehand. [/*] [*][b]Embrace individual interactions.[/b] Build your network by getting to know colleagues one on one first rather than trying to get noticed in group settings.[/*] [*][b]Reframe networking.[/b] Change your approach at events. Set a goal of having a meaningful conversation with one or two people. Building strong connections with a few people can help your career just as much as having many casual acquaintances can.[/*] [/list] And most importantly, recognize that there are many types of introverts. Believe in the value of your introversion tendencies, and leverage them to be an effective contributor, leader, entrepreneur, and decision maker. For more information on how introverts add value in the workplace, check out Susan Cain’s TED Talk, [b][url=https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts]The Power of Introverts[/url][/b], or her [b][url=https://www.quietrev.com/]website[/url][/b]. |
15 Apr 2020, 08:01
| FROM mbaMission Blog: Full-Time MBA Programs at Rotman School of Management and Simon Business School |
 Rotman School of Management The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management was ranked first among Canadian MBA programs by the Financial Times in 2019. In addition to its finance-related strengths, Rotman offers a rather unique approach to core business pedagogy. Relying on what it terms “integrative thinking,” Rotman’s teaching model challenges the compartmentalization of traditional functional areas. Students complete a series of core courses in their first year that emphasize generalized business skills and the ability to think across functional disciplines. The Rotman Self-Developmental Lab, which offers feedback on the students’ communication style and behavioral performance via group workshops and personalized sessions with psychologists and management consultants, is also part of the first year of studies. The mission of the program, according to the school’s site, is “developing and nurturing in all students the communicative, interactive and interpersonal skills essential to the high-value added collaborative problem solver and decision maker in contemporary organizations.” In their second year, Rotman MBA students are given the option to choose from 16 different major areas, including Global Management, Sustainability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Funds Management, while supplementing their focus with a broader array of more than 90 elective courses.  Simon Graduate School of Business Meanwhile, only 170 miles away but across the border, the full-time MBA program at the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester offers a broadly finance-oriented general management curriculum featuring particular strengths in analytics and accounting. Simon’s program is built on a foundation of 12 core courses, including “Managerial Economics,” “Capital Budgeting and Corporate Objectives,” and “Marketing Management.” Students complete their core with an assigned study team before exploring more specialized professional interests. Simon launched a renewed curriculum in fall 2019, with such changes as the possibility to take more electives in the first year and two new required “breadth electives.” The school’s elective courses represent a variety of industries and functions, such as entrepreneurship, consulting, and real estate. Students may choose from ten career specializations, which are divided into three tracks: Finance, which includes such topics as Banking, Corporate Finance, and Asset Management; Consulting, which includes Pricing, Strategy, Technology, and Operations; and Marketing, which includes Product Management and Brand Management. In fall 2019, all Simon specializations received STEM designation, which allows international students to apply for an extended OPT visa. Students also have ten available minors, including Analytics, Global Business, and Leadership. In addition, the Simon MBA EDGE Program provides students with opportunities for personal development in such areas as problem solving, communication, and leadership through involvement in activities including clubs, advisory boards, and other groups on campus, as well as case competitions and projects with area companies. The program, which the school’s website says was developed “to focus on key competencies [that] today’s employers demand in graduate business students,” aims to complement knowledge learned in the classroom and increase students’ value to potential employers. Simon’s Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Center for Pricing offer curricular and research support to supplement the specific career concentrations. Simon is also home to more than 20 professional and social student-run organizations aimed at coordinating networking events and professional development resources to assist students in advancing their careers. |
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