Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 1909:00 AM PST
-10:00 AM PST
What’s in it for you- Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with Jenifer Turtschnow, CEO ARINGO. Come with your details prepared and ARINGO will share insights! Pre-MBA Role/Industry, YOE, Exam Score, C/GPA, ECs Post-MBA Role/ Industry & School List.
Nov 1910:00 AM EST
-01:00 PM EST
Get expert MBA strategy, instant essay feedback, and personalized advice on your entire application. Join My Admit Coach, the AI-powered MBA admissions platform built on 10K+ successful application docs for HBS, Stanford GSB, MIT and other top programs.
Nov 1911:00 AM PST
-12:00 PM PST
Round 2 is here — and it’s your chance to make your MBA dream happen! Join GMAT Club’s LIVE discussion with two top experts from The Red Pen, Gunjan Jhunjhunwala and Natasha Mankikar, as we break down everything you need to know- Nov 20
07:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth - Nov 12
01:00 PM EST
-11:59 PM EST
Get expert MBA strategy, instant essay feedback, and personalized advice on your entire application. Join My Admit Coach, the AI-powered MBA admissions platform built on 10K+ successful application docs for HBS, Stanford GSB, MIT and other top programs. 
Nov 2010:00 AM EST
-10:30 AM EST
If you’re applying to Columbia, NYU Stern, or Yale SOM, you need more than strong stats. Each school defines “leadership” differently, and your essays must reflect that. Join Sia Admissions founder, Susan Berishaj on November 20th
Nov 2009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Join our free expert-led Essay Workshops to discover how to choose impactful stories, highlight your core values, and align your background with each school’s distinct culture, making every word truly count.
Nov 2108:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Nov 2109:30 PM IST
-10:30 PM IST
Learn how to craft powerful, authentic essays by mastering the 3 “WHYs” every top MBA program looks for: Why MBA, Why Now, and Why This School.
Nov 2408:00 PM PST
-09:00 PM PST
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
22 Nov 2024, 04:00
Kudos
Bookmarks
| FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Avoid These Three Mistakes in Your MBA Application Essays |
|
Originally published on December 14, 2023. Updated on November 21, 2024. If you’re applying to business school in Round 2, you’re likely hard at work refining your MBA application essays. Now is the perfect time to ensure your essays avoid common pitfalls that can weaken your application. Below, we highlight three common mistakes in MBA application essays that can weaken your overall message and impact. The good news? These mistakes are entirely fixable, even if you’ve already written most of your content. We’ll be the first to say that most “mistakes” aren’t dealbreakers on their own, but the three below can hurt your chances. Use this list to review your essays and make sure these errors don’t hold back your application. For additional strategies and examples of how to craft standout essays, check out our guide on Writing Compelling MBA Essays. Mistake #1 – Being Negative (Even When You Feel It’s Warranted) Unless you’re a star on Bravo, most people can’t get away with complaining all the time and come across as likable or interesting. Maybe your boss is a total nut who drives you insane. Or maybe you work at a company that is imploding, with morale declining and everyone jumping ship. Whatever the situation, be mindful of how much airtime you give to venting about it. That takes precious space within your MBA application essays that you could be using to write about how amazing YOU are! You may think it’s important to explain the full context so the reader “gets” you and your experience. Background is important, and so is getting personal (see Mistake #3 below). However, what we often see is this: someone will write three paragraphs describing how horrible their company is, then quickly gloss over how that relates to them and their actions. How to Highlight Your Resilience Flip that approach—explain the situation honestly and truthfully but also concisely. Avoid putting down your boss or your job. People generally react negatively when someone speaks ill of another person. Fair or not, especially when you’re young, people often assume that, in fact, you were the problem or that you’re making excuses. After you briefly present the facts, focus on explaining how you felt, reacted, rose above, or otherwise operated incredibly well despite the situation around you. The reader will get it (and likely be impressed). Want personalized advice on presenting your resilience effectively? Request an initial consultation with our admissions experts today! How to Write a Great MBA Essay offers insights into articulating your goals clearly and effectively. Mistake #3 – Coming Across as a Robot Getting personal and sharing more than you would in typical business writing is among the hardest things for many of our clients. It’s tempting, and natural, to default to simply reiterating your resume and then telling a boilerplate story about what you want to do and why you want to go to business school. At work, your colleagues don’t typically ask you to explain what made you who you are, what influenced your choices in life, and what that says about you as a leader. So of course, writing in this style for your MBA application essays is not natural for many people. But it’s necessary, especially for top MBA programs like Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB. How to Add Depth to Your Essays Instead of focusing solely on your resume or writing in a business-like tone, try incorporating personal stories that highlight your values and motivations: [*]How/why did I get that opportunity or experience?[/*] [*]Is the way that I handled that situation reflective of one of my central traits?[/*] [*]If so, how did I get that trait, and how else does it show up in my life?[/*] [*]How did I feel about that experience (surprised, afraid, cautious, elated, anxious, etc.) and why?[/*] [/list] Questions like this should help you tease out your core values and motivations. Describe these in your MBA application essays to give the admissions committee a better picture of who you are as a person beyond your resume. If you want to discuss how we leverage strategies like these and others to help applicants and reapplicants get into the top MBA programs at a 3x higher rate than average, click to request an initial consultation with our team of top MBA admissions consultants. Request an Initial Consultation The post Avoid These Three Mistakes in Your MBA Application Essays appeared first on Vantage Point MBA. |
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it.
-BB
27 Nov 2024, 15:00
Kudos
Bookmarks
| FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Thanking Your Business School Recommenders |
|
Originally published on January 17, 2022. Updated on November 27, 2024. During the season of Thanksgiving, it’s the perfect time to take a pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for. If you’re applying to business school in Round 2, you may still be in the thick of applications. While we know it can feel like mental overload to add another task to your plate, there is one final thing it’s important not to let slide – thanking your business school recommenders. Thanking recommenders is a key final step in the application process. As we’re sure you can imagine, it takes a lot of time and effort to prepare and submit this critical application component. While your business school recommenders were likely happy to do this for you, it is still work—on top of everything else on their plate. You totally get it, having balanced work and applications over the last several months, right? Start with a Thoughtful Note Expressing gratitude for their efforts is more than appropriate. So, what’s the best way to do this? Your business school recommenders may be slightly older than you or may not share your interests or lifestyle, and that can feel intimidating—we get it! However, the goal is simple: acknowledge the effort they took out of their busy schedules to help you. It’s not about extravagant gifts or large dollar amounts. The first place to start is always with a handwritten, sincerely worded thank-you note. Whatever you choose to pair with your note is just icing on the cake. A Few Gift Ideas That said, here are some ideas to get you started. [*]A nice bottle of wine, such as a red in the $30-40 range, is a generally a crowd pleaser. A site like wine.com can help you navigate the options.[/*] [*]Some low maintenance greenery, like a succulent from Lula’s Garden, is a nice way to brighten your business school recommender’s office in the middle of another pandemic winter.[/*] [*]The MOST delicious pears from Harry and David are always a treat. Seriously, they are amazing and worth every penny.[/*] [*]If your recommender is a cocktail connoisseur, a cocktail kit from Cocktail Courier can give them something special to look forward to after work.[/*] [*]A box of luxurious chocolates from Bridgewater Chocolates, offering a variety of handcrafted treats, makes for a thoughtful and indulgent gift.[/*] [*]Particularly if you know there is a certain cause near and dear to your recommender’s heart, a contribution to a related charity is a great way to go.[/*] [/list] Personalization is Key At the end of the day, hopefully you know your business school recommenders fairly well – well enough to be familiar with their interests. Thoughtfulness and personalization are key to a thank you gift that sufficiently expresses your appreciation. If you’re a Round 1 applicant, you’re likely anxiously awaiting decisions, which will start rolling out next week. For Round 2 applicants, now is the time to focus on finishing your essays and ensuring your recommenders are actively working on their submissions. No matter where you are in the process, taking a moment to thank your recommenders, is an important step you don’t want to miss. For those navigating the Round 2 application process, here are some some articles to peruse: How Long Do MBA Applications Take and Am I behind for Round 2? Whose Advice Really Matters on Your MBA Applications? The post Thanking Your Business School Recommenders appeared first on Vantage Point MBA. |
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it.
-BB
04 Dec 2024, 18:00
Kudos
Bookmarks
| FROM Vantage Point MBA Admissions Blog: Is the Consortium Right for You? |
|
Perhaps you are still debating whether to apply in Round 2 via the Consortium (deadline is Jan. 5th, 2025). Or perhaps you have already decided that you are eager to apply via the Consortium, but are feeling confused about how to approach even more essays that cover notably different topics. Either way, we have you covered! We have been supporting an increasing number of MBA applicants choosing to apply via the Consortium in recent admissions cycles. So, we wish to share some of our insights with you to simplify the process and give you the confidence to either take the plunge or rule out this option. There are many compelling reasons to apply through the Consortium. The benefits range from access to further fellowship money and one centralized portal with a common deadline to additional networking opportunities with impact-minded peers across ~25 member programs and tiered (in most cases lower) application fees. However, the amount of incremental work required is not to be taken lightly, and the importance of proving your goals are aligned with the Consortium’s mission becomes paramount. The bottom line is that the Consortium is a fabulous option IF you are a strong “fit” for the organization AND are keenly focused on applying to several of its member MBA programs. We welcome the opportunity to speak to you about your past experiences, career ambitions, and impact goals to assist you in navigating this alternative channel for applying for an MBA. Our seasoned consultants are excited to partner with you on the Consortium journey! Request an Initial Consultation Differentiation Under a Microscope When applying through the Consortium, be mindful of differentiating yourself not only from other applicants from similar industries or companies but also within your race, ethnicity, and/or socioeconomic status. For example, if you are Latinx, you are likely to be applying alongside many other applicants who are as well. So even though you remain a minority in the overall MBA applicant pool, you are less likely to be perceived by the Consortium or member schools as a unique applicant based solely on this minority classification. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to drill down to the details of your background, including the countries (perhaps half your family is from Guatemala and the other half is Dominican) or cultures with which you identify most to help the readers of your application best grasp your identity. For those applying through the Consortium who don’t identify with the organization’s mission through one’s heritage or upbringing (for example if you are white or Asian), you face the burden of proof in terms of convincing readers that you are truly committed to the mission and are willing to dedicate large amounts of time and effort throughout your career to improving opportunity for underrepresented populations in the business realm. Since past actions are the best indicator of future behavior, lean heavily on the efforts you have already made to impact your communities (neighborhoods, campuses, local governments, non-profits, etc.). PRO TIP: If you know other MBA applicants who have applied via the Consortium and been accepted in the past, ask them to review your essays and provide feedback. They are best positioned to have insider knowledge of how the organization works, what it values, and how you compare to their peers. Dissecting the Essay Questions Your fit for the Consortium and its member schools will be evaluated through your essays as well as your other required application components such as a mission letter of recommendation and your academic transcripts. As a reminder, here are the 2024-2025 Consortium essay questions: [*]Core Essay #1: Please describe your short- and long-term goals post-MBA. How has your professional experience shaped these goals and influenced your decision to pursue an MBA degree? (2,000 characters) [/*] [*]Core Essay #2 (Optional): Is there any other information you would like to share with us that is not presented elsewhere in your application? (1,000 characters) [/*] [*]Mission Essay #1: How have you positively impacted our target demographics (i.e. African Americans, Hispanic Americans or Native Americans) in your business, personal or academic life pre-MBA? Please provide specific examples. (2,000 characters)[/*] [*]Mission Essay #2: How will you demonstrate your commitment to The Consortium’s mission while enrolled in your MBA program? (2,000 characters) [/*] [*]Mission Essay #3: How will you demonstrate your continued commitment to The Consortium’s mission with respect to community service and leadership involvement post-MBA? (1,000 characters) [/*] [/list] Consortium Core Essay Tips The first two core essays can be viewed as largely redundant with the career goals and optional essays required by many MBA programs. While there’s nothing new or surprising about these, they will be shared with each program you apply to, so ensure they are consistent with any other program-specific materials you are submitting. The best answers to the Core Essay #1, which comes out to 300-350 words, will tell a story about the “why” behind your goals vs. sharing facts about their origins. This will likely require you to open with the background story, followed by the specifics of your goals, and lastly, conclude with how you decided to pursue an MBA. Here’s an abridged example to bring this advice to life: [*]FACTS (i.e. “tell”): My short-term goal is to transition into impact investing, supporting businesses improving access to quality education in underserved communities. Long-term, I aspire to raise my own fund dedicated to scaling ventures that tackle educational inequities and empower future generations. My career in finance has provided me with the skills to evaluate investment opportunities critically and shown me how strategic capital allocation can drive meaningful change, inspiring me to focus on education as a powerful lever for social impact.[/*] [*]STORY (i.e. “show”): As an investment banking Analyst, I worked on a transaction involving a $50 million investment in a charter school network. Witnessing how this strategic capital infusion allowed the schools to scale and improve outcomes for students in low-income areas opened my eyes to the transformative power of capital. Over time, I became deeply passionate about addressing education inequities, particularly as I analyzed businesses with innovative solutions but limited resources to scale. These experiences solidified my short-term goal to transition into impact investing and my long-term vision of raising my own fund dedicated to empowering underserved communities through equitable access to quality education. [/*] [*]Core Essay #2 is truly optional, and we only recommend answering it if you have something of importance to share. A resume gap, below average test score, or unconventional recommender choice are sensible topics, for example. No matter what you decide to address, be sure to focus on offsetting any perceived weakness with concrete evidence to the contrary. [/*] [/list] Consortium Mission Essay Tips The three mission essays, while not particularly long, do require several specific examples and a thread that weaves together your past, present, and future commitment to serving underrepresented minority groups. Therefore, before you officially decide to apply via the Consortium, make sure you are going to have sufficient specifics to answer these mission questions. These essays will not be shared with individual schools’ admissions committees. They are solely for the purpose of the Consortium committee assessing membership and fellowships. For Mission Essay #1, it’s crucial to focus on specific anecdotes with tangible actions and results. In our experience, within the character limit (which comes out to 300-350 words), applicants have room for 2-3 different examples. We recommend applying the STAR format to organize your storytelling. While Mission Essay #1 is retrospective, Mission Essay #2 is forward-looking, asking you to reflect on your investments during business school in African American, Hispanic American, or Native American communities. Once again, we recommend providing concrete examples, including the “who”, “what” and “when”, that showcase your deep understanding of the MBA experience. For bonus points: the better you can connect your contributions to relevant past experiences (without repeating stories from Mission Essay #1), the more credible your assertions will be. Lastly, with half the word count (~150 words), Mission Essay #3 asks you to continue your commitment to the Consortium’s mission post-graduation. They want to understand your plans for continued positive impact once you return to professional life. You could mention volunteering, mentorship, speaking engagements, or other ways you plan to leverage your MBA to create opportunities for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, or Native Americans. To ensure your application to the Consortium stands out, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with our team of experienced MBA admissions consultants. Whether you’re still considering applying via the Consortium or need guidance on crafting compelling essays that align with its mission, we are here to help you navigate the process with confidence. Let’s work together to make your application as strong as possible. Request an Initial Consultation The post Is the Consortium Right for You? appeared first on Vantage Point MBA. |
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it.
-BB
