Hello to all this year Oxbridge applicants! Even though Oxford has not finalised the decisions for R4, the stages for 2010 admissions are already up. They seem to eliminate R4 and also moved the deadlines almost a month earlier – interesting. Cambridge have not changed their major admission schedule - they will have five rounds this year as well - but there is mentioning of introducing an online application system (similar to the Oxford one, I guess). Also, note that Cambridge did not give the deadlines for interview decisions - only the dates of the interview events. Good luck! Last year Oxbridge applicants thread Separating Oxford from Cambridge Oxford – Said Business School sbs.jpg Requirements : GMAT - average given for reference is 680 TOEFL 109 or IELTS 7.5 (note – this is compulsory, not reference!) Experience: usually 3+ years GPA: usually equivalent of no less than good UK 2.1 degree or 3.5 GPA 2009 Rankings : Financial Times – 20, Business Week non-US MBA - 10 Application cost : 125 GBP Official site: https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/mba/ Admissions on Facebook Admissions on Twitter Our Oxford Said information thread R1 Application deadline 9 October 2009 Interview decision by 30 October 2009 Final decision by 11 December 2009 R2 Application deadline 15 January 2010 Interview decision by 5 February 2010 Final decision by 12 March 2010 R3 Application deadline 2 April 2010 Interview decision by 30 April 2010 Final decision by 28 May 2010 Cambridge – Judge Business School JBS.jpg Requirements: GMAT – average given for reference is 690 (balanced score is required) TOEFL 100 with min 25 in writing or IELTS 7.0 (don’t know if they will change this) Experience: usually 3+ years GPA: usually equivalent of no less than UK 2.1 degree or 3.3 GPA 2009 Rankings : Financial Times – 17 Application cost : 100 GBP Official site: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/mba/index.html Unofficial, but not uninteresting pages by their MBA Coordinator: Twitter , Blog . Note that the blog is mainly not about admissions, but about life in Cambridge. R1 Application deadline 12 Oct 2009 Interview day 23 or 30 Nov 2009 Decision 27 Nov or 4 Dec R2 Application deadline 23 Nov 2009 Interview day 18 or 25 Jan 2010 Decision 22 or 29 Jan 2010 R3 Application deadline 11 Jan 2010 Interview day 26 Feb or 1 or 8 Mar 2010 Decision 5 Mar or 12 Mar 2010 R4 Application deadline 8 Mar 2010 Interview day 23 or 26 Apr 2010 Decision 30 Apr 2010 R5 Application deadline 26 Apr 2010 Interview day 24 May 2010 Decision 28 May 2010

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Oxbridge 2010 Applicants

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levfin2003

Joined: 22 Oct 2008

Last visit: 14 Aug 2015

Posts: 204

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Given Kudos: 4

Schools:Chicago Booth (Re-app), LBS, UCLA Anderson, Oxford Said, INSEAD (withdrawn)

GPA: 3.6 - Top public

WE 1: Investment Management

Posts: 204

Kudos: 14

18 Mar 2010, 07:07

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annae

alnasl

Due to the TOEFL requirement change this year, the pool shouldn't have increased a lot. 109/120 is insanely high as a minimum for international students. For your information, 100/120 is general requirement in most programs. (HBS 108 / Chicago 104)

True, the initial screening does remove a lot of candidates who do not match the criteria on work experience, mid 80% GMAT range, and the TOEFL. 109 is insanely high. My score is 116 and those 4 missed points were one here, another there, divided between sections. If I'd made a couple of more unfortunate mistakes, I would have landed below 109.

It's insane to prune people out based on TOEFL alone, given that TOEFL is simply a test of whether a student can communicate in an English-speaking environment.

jon82

Joined: 08 Feb 2010

Last visit: 21 May 2013

Posts: 47

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Given Kudos: 11

Schools:Oxford '11

Posts: 47

Kudos: 13

18 Mar 2010, 12:58

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I received my intranet ID & Password this afternoon but, after going through the steps outlined in the email, am still unable to access the school's intranet. I'm wondering if it takes a while to process. Is anyone else able to access the SBS intranet?

classof2012somewhere

Joined: 08 Feb 2010

Last visit: 16 Aug 2010

Posts: 24

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Given Kudos: 14

Location: NYC

Schools:R2: Yale(w/int), Columbia, Harvard, LBS(w/int), Duke(w/int), Darden, Oxford, Simon($$$), Rotman

Posts: 24

Kudos: 3

18 Mar 2010, 13:56

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the site was working fine for me. you will get an automatically generated password once you register, then click on the link shown in the bottom half of the email and enter in your username and password. it didnt work the first time i copied and pasted it, but it worked the 2nd time.

annae

Current Student

Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Last visit: 28 Apr 2011

Posts: 197

Own Kudos:

Location: Finland

Concentration: International business, pharmaceutical, bio-tech

Schools:Cambridge/Judge '11

Posts: 197

Kudos: 18

18 Mar 2010, 14:32

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That's odd... I don't see any link under my password information, just a button for "close browser".

classof2012somewhere

Joined: 08 Feb 2010

Last visit: 16 Aug 2010

Posts: 24

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 14

Location: NYC

Schools:R2: Yale(w/int), Columbia, Harvard, LBS(w/int), Duke(w/int), Darden, Oxford, Simon($$$), Rotman

Posts: 24

Kudos: 3

18 Mar 2010, 14:44

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yes in that window where it gives you the option to close the browser, copy your automatically generated password. then, in the section in the email titled "Logging on to the Prospective MBA Student Web site", click on the link, and follow the directions.

ab1234

Joined: 09 Feb 2010

Last visit: 01 Apr 2010

Posts: 10

Kudos: 0

18 Mar 2010, 14:45

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annae

That's odd... I don't see any link under my password information, just a button for "close browser".

You will see the link at the bottom of the email that had the logon details. Incidentally I had the same experience as classof2012somewhere : I wasn't able to access the intranet on my first try, but the second try worked.

annae

Current Student

Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Last visit: 28 Apr 2011

Posts: 197

Own Kudos:

Location: Finland

Concentration: International business, pharmaceutical, bio-tech

Schools:Cambridge/Judge '11

Posts: 197

Kudos: 18

19 Mar 2010, 01:38

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Okies, got it. Thanks.

The intranet looks good. Finally I can see the clubs and societies - I was a little embarrassed during the interview when I was asked about networking in Oxford and I had to confess I could not by any means find any clubs and societies anywhere! Apparently they'd been taken down from the extranet. :lol:

annae

Current Student

Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Last visit: 28 Apr 2011

Posts: 197

Own Kudos:

Location: Finland

Concentration: International business, pharmaceutical, bio-tech

Schools:Cambridge/Judge '11

Posts: 197

Kudos: 18

21 Mar 2010, 05:38

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How about a temporary wrap-up? Who's already booked a seat and decided to attend either Saïd or Judge next year? Any thoughts on colleges, activities, and biz prep material?

a11c99

Joined: 09 Feb 2010

Last visit: 04 Oct 2011

Posts: 90

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 14

Location: Eastern Europe

Schools:Oxford'11

Posts: 90

Kudos: 10

21 Mar 2010, 10:29

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annae

How about a temporary wrap-up? Who's already booked a seat and decided to attend either Saïd or Judge next year? Any thoughts on colleges, activities, and biz prep material?

Not yet. Still wait for the official package and the results form the last 2 schools I applied to. Anyhow, I started the actions to get the pre-approval of my tuition loan :-(

gmattokyo

Joined: 18 Aug 2009

Last visit: 15 Nov 2012

Posts: 212

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1,733

Given Kudos: 9

Posts: 212

Kudos: 1,733

21 Mar 2010, 20:08

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annae

How about a temporary wrap-up? Who's already booked a seat and decided to attend either Saïd or Judge next year? Any thoughts on colleges, activities, and biz prep material?

One for Saïd. Yet to receive the package and make deposit though.
Looking through colleges too. Green Templeton seems to be management-studies friendly

but also would be great to be able to stay in one of the old-old accommodations with its long history, culture and ghosts. So if professors ask about the delayed submission, you can always say "I was being haunted".

Would be great to hear about prep work others would be doing before joining the course (not sure of available time though.. I've started extra long hrs towards some savings for the fat-charges).

The ultra-secure SBS network doesn't allow to change password until we join the course? Anyone tried? Cumbersome to have to refer back and forth for that long and complicated string...

annae

Current Student

Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Last visit: 28 Apr 2011

Posts: 197

Own Kudos:

Location: Finland

Concentration: International business, pharmaceutical, bio-tech

Schools:Cambridge/Judge '11

Posts: 197

Kudos: 18

22 Mar 2010, 10:39

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Haha, to be haunted is actually the best excuse to stay up at night to work! I would love to stay at an old college, as well, and definitely on the main college grounds. My college would also need links to medicine/life sciences, and a boathouse because I'm going to join a rowing team to get as cool a jacket as buffdaddy has. :lol:

annae

Current Student

Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Last visit: 28 Apr 2011

Posts: 197

Own Kudos:

Location: Finland

Concentration: International business, pharmaceutical, bio-tech

Schools:Cambridge/Judge '11

Posts: 197

Kudos: 18

23 Mar 2010, 01:46

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Well, I've decided to attend JBS. Hopefully my bank agrees with me and I'm able to reserve my place & show funding, since all Cambridge university scholarships are still unresolved.

I'm going half on sensibility and half on intuition: even if Oxford could probably offer me a similar medical and life science network, Cambridge is more known for science and has lots of science parks and start-up incubators. Also, JBS has a health concentration in their curriculum. AND I preferred Cambridge as a city. It was smaller, somewhat more coherent and more relaxed.

Now thumbs up for the bank appointment tomorrow.

jon82

Joined: 08 Feb 2010

Last visit: 21 May 2013

Posts: 47

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 11

Schools:Oxford '11

Posts: 47

Kudos: 13

23 Mar 2010, 08:42

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annae

Good luck at Judge! If both halves of your decision-making process point to JBS than I'm sure you're choosing wisely.
I wonder what percentage choose JBS of those who were accepted to both Oxbridge schools. I think I've seen more choose Judge, although their average salary/ranking seem to be a bit lower. Would be an interesting poll.

julien29

Joined: 21 Mar 2010

Last visit: 18 May 2010

Posts: 2

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[1]

Posts: 2

Kudos: 1

[1]

23 Mar 2010, 09:58

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Hi guys, I have been accepted to the executive EMBA of Cambridge and LBS. I'm not too sure what to do considering I prefer the Cambridge atmosphere and brand name but the reputation of LBS is more established (in management) and their executive EMBA less recent than Cambridge's.

what's your opinion about LBS vs Cambridge ?

annae

Current Student

Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Last visit: 28 Apr 2011

Posts: 197

Own Kudos:

Location: Finland

Concentration: International business, pharmaceutical, bio-tech

Schools:Cambridge/Judge '11

Posts: 197

Kudos: 18

23 Mar 2010, 13:59

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julien29

First of all, congratulations! Well done! I'm not an expert on LBS and its curriculum, but in my understanding it ranks higher than Cambridge. Some Americans seem to think the only b-schools in Europe on par with US schools are INSEAD and LBS. I wouldn't really know about the EMBA program, either, but I guess I'm a little biased since I just chose JBS myself.

I guess what you need to look at is what career plans and needs you have, and how the schools fit. If they fit equally well, go for what feels right.

jon82

I wonder what percentage choose JBS of those who were accepted to both Oxbridge schools. I think I've seen more choose Judge, although their average salary/ranking seem to be a bit lower. Would be an interesting poll.

I have a feeling that Judge is very careful about the fit of the student and the program. This would naturally increase their yield, if they only choose students whose most logical decision would be to attend Judge. I'm not sure how much prestige matters, except for perhaps American students who seem to favor Oxford and its brand over Cambridge.

planettelex

Joined: 05 Jan 2010

Last visit: 17 Feb 2012

Posts: 19

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Location: England

Concentration: Healthcare

Schools:LBS

Posts: 19

Kudos: 5

24 Mar 2010, 11:01

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Bit the bullet today and declined my offer at Cambridge in favour of Oxford. What swung it was a) some of discussions I had with current students and my interviewer - showed a slightly stronger interest in my post MBA goals, and b) financial assistance offered by Said. Well aware that the first point could easily have gone the other way had I talked to more people on the days I visited! Even at this stage, I don't think there is any material difference between the two schools. Still awaiting an LBS decision, but unless there's a scholarship on the table, I'm 80% sold on going ahead with a one year course.

julien29

Presumably you've got a pretty good work history behind you already. I would guess that for the typical EMBA student, quality of work experience to date will be far more important than the gap in reputation between LBS and Cambridge, should you wish to swap jobs. Both are great brands in the UK. If you intend to stay at your current firm for a while post-study, then any reputation gap is rendered even less important. I would head to whatever city is most appealing

annae

Current Student

Joined: 01 Nov 2009

Last visit: 28 Apr 2011

Posts: 197

Own Kudos:

[1]

Location: Finland

Concentration: International business, pharmaceutical, bio-tech

Schools:Cambridge/Judge '11

Posts: 197

Kudos: 18

[1]

24 Mar 2010, 14:17

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I've been thinking about a couple of "make or break" points in my application process to JBS, and what may have made the difference. The first one was when I was waitlisted in R2. I followed instantly with a mail letting the adcom know I was most definitely interested, along with a quick greeting on how I was attaining the goals I'd set before leaving. A few days before R3 deadline I wrote them another mail with yet another update on projects, showing how I was working to meet my goals. I also included a note on plans to brush up on business theory before attending classes in the fall. Apparently they needed someone with my profile, because I was picked out of the waitlist pool.

The second one that I know of must have been the interview, to where I was invited together with R3 candidates. I was warned by the interviewer that it would be a tough one. Two main points stand out: first, my weakness, lack of management experience. I have a feeling this was the reason for why I was waitlisted. I answered as well as I could and I added a few things per email later on that day. The second thing was the question of what to do with the power the Cambridge MBA would give me. I was explicitly told that the interviewer did not care how good a job I would get and how rich I would become, the only thing he cared about was what I was going to do with the power I was given and how I would change the world. I guess this question weeds out pure capitalists and points out those with false pretense of doing good things in life when all they care about is money and me.

Perhaps these thoughts can be of help to applicants facing the same issues, either if waitlisted or if trapped by tricky interview questions.

ab1234

Joined: 09 Feb 2010

Last visit: 01 Apr 2010

Posts: 10

Kudos: 0

24 Mar 2010, 16:34

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Annae, best of luck at JBS! Thanks for sharing your inputs!

I was wondering if anyone had any insight on what they are looking for in the essay that needs to be submitted for the Vodafone Scholarship at Said: educational background, hard core technical experience dealing with technological innovation and understanding of the technical field that I'm working in, or more emphasis on my management experience in dealing with issues that crop up while working in the technical field or more emphasis on how Oxford will enable me to have more impact when I return to the technical industry in a leadership role?

I would really appreciate your inputs as the essay's word limit is 500 words: it's hard to focus on all aspects.

rishiphadke

Joined: 08 Feb 2010

Last visit: 26 Nov 2010

Posts: 61

Own Kudos:

Concentration: Finance

Schools:INSEAD: Waitlisted Jan 2010, Interview invite Jan 2011.

WE 1: Banking

Posts: 61

Kudos: 1

24 Mar 2010, 23:11

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I got an email from SBS with dispatch details of the application packet, though I am yet to receive the same. Has any R2 admit received theirs yet?

Also, I haven't seen any forums addressing career prospects after SBS. I read a few blogs and they were somewhat vague - not sure how much help the career services office provides and how much is personal networking. Has anyone heard anything about the 2009 placement stats?

I have 5 years workex in retail banking and want to change my sector after MBA - to IB or MC. How does SBS fare for such goals?

poet

Joined: 18 Mar 2010

Last visit: 29 Apr 2010

Posts: 4

Kudos: 0

25 Mar 2010, 09:06

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I second ab1234's questions regarding the SBS Vodafone scholarship. Is anyone aware of an online listing of current/past recipients?

[EDIT]
Actually, I did find this one listing:
www [dot] sbs [dot] ox [dot] ac [dot] uk/degrees/mba/profiles/Pages/Alexandra.aspx

"Alexandra Mnohoghitnei hit the ground running when she began working in Bucharest. She graduated with a BSc in Computer Science and Engineering from Romania’s prestigious Polytechnic University in her native city of Bucharest, and was able to quickly apply her studies to the country’s fast emerging market.

“I benefited from the exceptional opportunities presented by the emerging Romanian market, having the chance to work in demanding IT projects prior to starting my MBA,” says Alexandra. She began work in her second year of college as a PR & Marketing Assistant in a privately owned Romanian IT company, moving on to a role as Business Analyst and later CRM Project Manager. “This role proved very challenging as it involved developing the strategy to introduce the Romanian market to Microsoft CRM, which was little-known at that time.”

The power of technology always fascinated Alexandra. “An emerging market is less sophisticated and focused towards basic needs. My more recent work on complex projects, with Procter & Gamble’s Global Business Solutions, needed a more interdisciplinary background. I got the chance to work in a highly professional environment, with people across the globe,” says Alexandra."

That doesn't look amazing - a fairly typical trajectory in IT consulting. The only thing that stands out is that it deals with an emerging market - I hope that doesn't bode ill for US applicants...

- Poet