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Vantage Point Admissions Consultant
Joined: 17 Mar 2016
Status:Admissions Consultant
Affiliations: Vantage Point MBA Admissions Consulting
Posts: 427
Given Kudos: 0
Location: United States
How To Stand Out In The Wharton TBD
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16 Feb 2020, 23:02
16 Feb 2020, 23:02
Expert Reply
| FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How To Stand Out In The Wharton TBD |
|
First of all, if you were invited to interview with Wharton, congrats! You’re one step closer to getting accepted. You might wonder what your odds are from here. Well, Wharton interviews roughly half of all applicants, but only accepts one in five. So, they’re looking to cut the interview pool by slightly more than half. You have probably read about the unique interview format – the Team Based Discussion. For 35 minutes, you and 4-5 other applicants will be observed discussing a case study that has been provided to you in advance. Each interviewee gives a one-minute ‘pitch’, the group discusses the best path forward, and then presents its solution to the observers (typically two second-year students). After the Team Based Discussion, you will have a fairly straightforward one-on-one interview, roughly 10 minutes in length, with one of the two observers. You’ll be asked fairly standard questions such as “why Wharton?” and “why MBA?”. Aside from drafting and practicing your one-minute pitch, preparing for this interview is tough, as you won’t know the group dynamics in advance and will have to adapt as the dialogue progresses. Our clients have shared a range of experiences, from ones that are very collaborative to others that are more competitive and combative. Begin by thinking about what the admissions committee is looking to assess: (1) are your ideas logical, (2) can you communicate them articulately, and (3) do you ‘play well with others’ and move the discussion to a better place than it would have been if you were not part of the group. With that in mind, consider the following:
[*]Think ahead.[/list] Think back to meetings or team settings that have been particularly successful, why were they this way and how can you replicate the dynamic? If there is a leader in your workplace that always seems to drive the group to a solution, how does he/she do this? On the contrary, what counter-productive behaviors have you witnessed in these settings? Don’t exhibit them! In addition, take note of how you would like to act and react in various scenarios during the group discussion. What should you do if the group gets too far off topic? Would you like to be the one to bring everyone back to the task at hand? Or how will you react if one participant is taking over the discussion? Remember, the goal is for the group to arrive at a solid (note that I did not say perfect) solution and look good doing it. [*]Be open and adaptable.[/list] Unfortunately, you don’t have control over how the discussion plays out. You can demonstrate teamwork and collaboration in a number of ways: draw ideas out of someone who has been quiet, ask thought-provoking questions about a proposed solution, synthesize multiple viewpoints to help the group reach a conclusion. These are tools in your toolbox and the key to success is using them at the right time (and doing so tactfully). This is far more important than having the group choose your idea / pitch. Lastly, as you’re going through the discussion, jot down an observation or two about how the group worked together. Candidates are often asked how they thought it went in the one-on-one portion. You want to share something more insightful than ‘I thought it went well’ and this can be tough to do on the spot. Prepare, be yourself, and relax! As always, we are here if you need more targeted coaching or advice! Simply request an initial consultation and we’ll reach out to schedule a call. The post How To Stand Out In The Wharton TBD appeared first on Vantage Point MBA. |
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Vantage Point Admissions Consultant
Joined: 17 Mar 2016
Status:Admissions Consultant
Affiliations: Vantage Point MBA Admissions Consulting
Posts: 427
Given Kudos: 0
Location: United States
Networking For Your MBA Applications
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25 Feb 2020, 20:02
25 Feb 2020, 20:02
Expert Reply
| FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Networking For Your MBA Applications |
|
Last week, Vantage Point MBA Senior Consultant, Katie M., hosted a webinar on GMAT Club’s YouTube channel on a very timely topic: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjwPfa5Hd6k]networking for your MBA applications[/url]. In the already subjective application process, “networking” can seem particularly abstract or can be simply another “thing” on your long [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2020/02/10/five-things-you-can-be-doing-right-now/]MBA application to-do list[/url]. What is it exactly? Do you really need to do it? How will it help you get into your dream school? How do you get started? These are all questions that Katie answered in her session, which I’ve summarized below. Networking is a critical part of the MBA application process and now’s the perfect time to get started – before the essay questions are released and you’re managing a busy work schedule, summer vacations, and your apps. [b]WHAT IS NETWORKING?[/b] Let’s start there. It’s easy to be confused about what “networking” even means. (I was certainly unsure about what it was when I first started with my MBA applications.) Some folks think it’s very transactional or artificial (i.e. schmoozing), where you reach out to someone to “get something” like a favor, information, or introduction to another person. While that may be true for some people, that’s not the approach or attitude that we recommend. Instead, simply put, networking is building relationships. In the case of your MBA applications, it’s building relationships with a variety of folks who are connected to the application process in some way. It’s a two-way street, where you get to know people and they get to know you. Usually, the relationship is initiated because you have something in common – a friend, an interest, a hobby, an employer, etc. – but the relationship is nurtured because you invest in it and because both parties enjoy it and benefit from it. Oh so “networking” is just a fancy way of saying “meeting new people”, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, because that’s often true but no, because it’s mostly about what happens after the initial meeting and more importantly, you want to be strategic in your approach. By that I mean that you want to invest your efforts in building relationships with folks who can help guide, mentor, and inform your MBA application process and avoid those who will be detractors. For example, your disgruntled colleague who doesn’t feel like the company “rewards” her for having an MBA may not be the best person to ask about the long-term value of the degree. However, reaching out to a former classmate from undergrad in February who’s a first year student at HBS and scheduling a phone chat with her, later meeting her for coffee when you visit campus in April, and then re-connecting with her a few weeks before you submit your application is a perfect example of networking. You’re sure to gain some valuable insights and advice about the school, its culture, essay tips, etc. through those interactions. And who knows, maybe she’s recruiting at your company for a post-MBA role and you can share your experience with her in return. It’s ultimately up to you to find your own personal style of networking that makes you feel comfortable and authentic but rest assured that doing this right will only contribute to stronger applications. [b]WHY IS NETWORKING IMPORTANT?[/b] Now you understand that networking is an important part of the application process but why exactly? You can look at this in a couple of different ways. If your competition (i.e. other applicants) is networking and leveraging all of the resources at their disposal to help inform and strengthen their applications and you’re not, you risk losing out. For an even better reason that doesn’t involve “because everyone else is doing it”, networking can help you put together a more cohesive and compelling application, which in turn increases your chances of admission to your dream MBA program. Let’s dig into how that can be. First and foremost, networking is an opportunity to discover new things about a school, a career path, a company, etc. that can help you solidify your fit and “reasons why” for any of them. And most of the time, that kind of information can’t be found on a website. For example, providing a thoughtful and well-researched answer to “why school X is the right fit for you and your goals” can be the difference that gets you admitted. Networking is also a tremendous opportunity to get valuable advice from folks who have been in your shoes. Learn about the unexpected benefits of an MBA from a recent graduate, learn from past MBA students’ mistakes, and get admissions “tips” from folks who have insight into the process. The advice you get along the way can help make the process more efficient, straight-forward, or at least slightly less stressful for you. Lastly, the MBA application process can seem like a long, lonely journey and it’s nice to feel supported along the way. My clients are usually blown away (I know I definitely was) by how supportive and helpful current students, alums, colleagues with MBAs, etc. are once they find out you’re pursuing an MBA. MBA’s love to pay-it-forward so let them! Just be sure to be appreciative and stay in touch with them once you have news about decisions so they can remain invested in your journey. [b]WHAT NOT TO DO[/b] It should go without saying that all social etiquette rules apply in MBA application networking but just as a quick refresher, here are a few key “DON’Ts”. DON’T wait until the last minute: networking is not an on-off switch and should be approached like a marathon, not a sprint. Building relationships, scheduling coffee chats, etc. takes time. So start early – like now! Give yourself space to follow-up with your new contacts and keep in touch with them throughout the process. Waiting until two days before the deadline to reach out to a current student with a list of questions whose answers you will plug into your “why school X” essay will not do you any favors. DON’T ask basic or shallow questions: when you’ve finally nailed down that coffee with an alum from your dream school, don’t waste their time asking questions whose answers you could easily find on your own. Instead, do your homework before the meeting and come with thoughtful questions whose answers will truly further your understanding of how the school fits with your goals and objectives. (Here’s a more comprehensive [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2019/04/16/which-mba-program-is-right-for-you-use-our-mba-fit-tool-to-find-out/]school selection tool[/url] if you’re just getting started.) You want the other person to be impressed with your level of research because who knows, they may end up being an advocate for your candidacy if they also feel like you’re the right fit for their school! DON’T be disrespectful or ungrateful for the other person’s time: MBA students, alums, representatives from admissions, etc. are all very busy and while they’re happy to help, it takes effort on their part. So be sure to express your gratitude for their time and input. If they tell you they can only spare 20 minutes, remain vigilant of the time and say your thank-you’s and goodbye’s when it’s up. Those manners will go a long way in leaving a good impression. [b]HOW TO GET STARTED[/b] With all that said, there’s really no wrong way to start building your network. In thinking about what the ideal network looks like, it’s comprised of current students and/or alums from your target schools, colleagues/former classmates/mentors, etc. with MBAs, and people in your target post-MBA industry/function. (Note that these three categories are not mutually exclusive – most likely one person will fall into more than one bucket.) An easy place to start is with your existing network – people from work, your undergrad, personal circles, etc. who have MBA’s or are somehow connected to an MBA program. Make a list of these individuals and start reaching out to them for a coffee chat, after-work cocktail, or phone date. Be present during these conversations and take mental note of what you discussed. If you chatted about a particular current event or recent trend in your industry, for example, send that person an article on the relevant topic a couple of weeks later to show that you give as well as receive. After each meeting, be sure to ask that person to connect you with someone else from his/her network who could be helpful in your application process. Then repeat. Here’s a great [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/webinar-download/]worksheet[/url] we’ve created to help you get organized. Even if the some of the folks above are current students or graduates from your target schools, you should also make a plan to engage with the schools directly. A great way to do this is through a campus visit, ideally coordinated through the school so you have a chance to sit in on a class and meet current students in addition to sitting through a presentation from admissions. If a school visit isn’t possible, plan to attend an in-person information session (the schools host multiple info sessions in major cities around the world so look out for the dates when they’ll be visiting your city) and at the very least, a live webinar hosted by admissions. These are great opportunities to hear what the schools believe are their selling points while giving you a chance to ask questions. In the case of live info sessions, local alumni as well as representatives from admissions typically attend these events so it’s a great time to initiate a dialogue with a few of those folks. Those conversations could even turn into a follow-up meeting or call, depending on how well you connect with them. Not only will engaging with the schools in as many ways as possible help you determine which programs are the right fit for you and why, but it indicates to the adcom that you’re serious about their program and have made the effort to get to know them. Some schools make this a critical part of their admissions decisions so it’s worth putting in the time (i.e. more is more!). Lastly, you can take advantage of third party platforms and events to further build out your network. LinkedIn, MBA forums (reddit, GMAT Club, Beat the GMAT, etc.), and formal networking events (Poets & Quants is hosting a couple this year, for example) are all great places to engage if you feel like your network is still a bit sparse. If this seems like a lot of work, it is! But it should be fun. After all, one of the most valuable benefits of an MBA is the network so getting started during your applications will only give you a head start once you arrive on campus in the fall. Best of luck! ******************* Did you know that we include a networking component in all of our Comprehensive Packages? That’s how important it is! Your consultant will help you create a networking plan for your applications and will even facilitate introductions to a post-MBA professional (in your desired career path) and/or a current student or alum of your dream school to supplement your independent efforts. Request an [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/free-consultation/]initial consultation[/url] to learn more about how we can help you in your application process! The post [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2020/02/25/networking-for-your-mba-applications/]Networking For Your MBA Applications[/url] appeared first on [url=https://vantagepointmba.com]Vantage Point MBA[/url]. |
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Vantage Point Admissions Consultant
Joined: 17 Mar 2016
Status:Admissions Consultant
Affiliations: Vantage Point MBA Admissions Consulting
Posts: 427
Given Kudos: 0
Location: United States
How to Position Your Career for the Current Uncertainty: You Need Opt
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25 Mar 2020, 20:02
25 Mar 2020, 20:02
Expert Reply
| FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: How to Position Your Career for the Current Uncertainty: You Need Options |
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Melody and I have held off on sending out advice over the last week as the right “advice” has seemed like a moving target. However, it looks like uncertainty will be the new “situation normal” for a while; and as two banker girls who lived through the 2008-2009 financial crisis, we have some advice for how to handle the bumpy ride that likely lies ahead and come out on the other side successfully. On top of washing your hands, cleaning and disinfecting, and for goodness sake, STAYING HOME, it’s a good time to take a look at the market if you haven’t already and connect the dots on what this situation means for your job, your career, and your options over the next few years. Yes, I said that: “years”. We don’t know what the global economy will be like tomorrow, much less in a year or three years. If you’re at a vital intersection in your career, which many who receive our emails are, we have a few recommendations on how to game plan for uncertainty and emerge from this as an even better team player and leader. [b]Assess Your Internal Options: [/b]The first thing you need to do is get a handle on what your options are at your current company. Start talking to people and figuring out what parts of the business will be growing and declining. Melody and I were both bankers at a bank that eventually failed during the financial crisis. Whole divisions were shed, while others stayed intact. [b]Consider Your Skillset: [/b]Maybe you’ve been working mostly in marketing for the last two years, but as part of your job you also do a lot of PR or strategy. Are there other ways you can market yourself? Are there other roles you can work in? Now is a good time to start thinking about which of your skills are “portable,” and leverage online classes to brush up on any new ones. [b]Network, Network, Network – Internally and Externally:[/b] Now is not the time to put your head down and just keep doing your job. Get out there and act like you’re recruiting. Talk to people within your company and at other companies. Make yourself known. Make sure people know who you are, what you can do, what you’ve achieved, etc. so that they have you in mind if decisions are being made. I’m not saying you need to shamelessly self-promote, but you can bet others will be, so in your own tactful way make sure that you’re out there too. [b]Step-Up to The Plate:[/b] Some people say that in times of uncertainty it’s important to make yourself indispensable. This isn’t very easy to do as a junior person at a company, but you can show your value. Senior leadership will be distracted with lots of unexpected and challenging, strategic planning. What can you take over from them? What can you do to help that process? Now would be a good time to speak up and provide your ideas, proactively undertake work that you know needs to be done, and generally be a good leader. [b]Be a Positive Leader:[/b] The day I sat at a Bloomberg station watching the stock price of the bank I worked at sink into the ground, one of the senior people on my team said “how you act now will really show who you are.” And he was right. Some people panicked. Some people shut down. Some people were downright reckless. And some people, like him, kept moving forward and trying to bring positivity to the team when possible. You can’t organize a happy hour, but you can organize a contest for who has the funniest work from home space. You can host a “virtual” happy hour with trivia on Zoom. You can check-in and call people who you know are worried. Stay connected, visible and positive. This is a very important time and we need people who can really stand up and bring people together. [b]Don’t Slack:[/b] Resist the urge to binge Netflix between meetings. Just because you’re working in your pjs doesn’t mean that your work is any less necessary. Your team and your boss need you to keep working and getting things done so they can focus on urgent projects the current environment is creating. Check your work an extra time before sending it up the chain, research even more broadly, and generally go the extra mile. People are counting on you. [b]Educate Yourself: [/b]If you’re saving 1-2 hours per day on a commute now, and hopefully your social life has come to a halt, then you have extra time each day. Maybe it’s a good time to study for the CFA or the GMAT. Maybe it’s a good time to take an online class. Don’t spend all of your time watching the news and hoarding toilet paper. Build in a mental break that you know will also help you in the future. Imagine how impressive it’ll be to a future employer that during this time you took it upon yourself to learn how to code (just because)? [b]Apply to Grad School:[/b] As an MBA admissions consulting firm, I’m clearly biased when I say that you should consider applying to business school. But I can also say from personal experience that going to business school during a recession is a fabulous use of time. I scrambled to apply as the financial sector was crumbling in 2008 and I was grateful to get a spot during a very competitive year. Being in school during a recession was fascinating – our syllabi sometimes changed mid-course as new regulations or global events changed things. And I basically got to wait out two of the worst years of the recession by developing myself and learning. I highly recommend that approach. That said, it’s never been so important to apply in round 1. There will be a race to apply as soon as we see what the full impact on the job market is. Our guess is that after first quarter and definitely after second quarter earnings reports are released, there will be massive upticks in people making the decision to apply. Start now – give yourself the option. If you wait until July, it’ll be more of a scramble, and this is not the year to try and get by on a sub-par application. If you decide applying to business school is the right step for you, we’d love to help! Take advantage of our [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/free-consultation/]initial consultation[/url] to learn more about how we can improve your chances of admission to a top program! The post [url=https://vantagepointmba.com/2020/03/25/how-to-position-your-career-for-the-current-uncertainty-you-need-options/]How to Position Your Career for the Current Uncertainty: You Need Options[/url] appeared first on [url=https://vantagepointmba.com]Vantage Point MBA[/url]. |
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