Chicago PowerPoint Slides

Question

I've recently decided to add Chicago to my list of 5 schools and there is only one thing that scares me about the decision. Not the school, community, career opps or anything like that. Nope. I'm frieked out by one thing.... PowerPoint. Are there any '08 applicants that can give me some input on this part of the application. How tough was it to do the PowerPoint slides last year? What kind of ideas did you guys come up with? I've thought of something but I feel like its pretty lame. Does it need to be creative or can you basically just showcase your interests/passions/accomplishments?

Thanks.

P.S. I also posted this in the old Chicago thread to try to catch some Chicago admits that still post there.

Thanks.

P.S. I also posted this in the old Chicago thread to try to catch some Chicago admits that still post there.

riverripper · Answer

They will most likely change the question...dont worry about it yet.

IHateTheGMAT · Answer

Do you really think they'll change it, even with all the attention that it got them? I mean, I really hope they do but I'm wondering what makes you think that they'll get rid of the PowerPoints?

riverripper · Answer

They have used a different "essay" for the last several years. They seem to switch it up.

dabots · Answer

i recall rose saying they would do the ppt again this year. dont remember the context of that statement though.

kwam · Answer

I remember that from Ad Weekend 1 too. She said they loved so much and that it revealed more about candidates than they were expecting (from what I can recall). I think they will change the essay 2: "If you could step into someone's shoes for a day..."

I wouldn't though work the ppt now, I'd go for the general Why MBA why now, it's an essay you will have to write to every school but changing the length, and off course adapting things properly.

kidderek · Answer

Yea, I don't see it going away.

agold · Answer

Just to chime in on what's already been said -- they told me when I visited in May that the PowerPoint is here to stay.

jb32 · Answer

On the June 11th chat transcript Rose mentioned the PowerPoint would stay this year but would be "tweaked" slightly.

sonibubu · Answer

PPT is sticking around. She said so in an online chat and in some recent speech.

IHateTheGMAT · Answer

So we are confirmed that the slides are here to stay.

So....

Are there any '08 applicants that can give some input on this part of the application. How tough was it to do the PowerPoint slides last year? What kind of ideas did you guys come up with? Does it need to be creative or can you basically just showcase your interests/passions/accomplishments?

isa · Answer

darn! and here I was hoping they'd do away with the PPT. While I can handle PPTs and presentations for clients, internal meetings, etc - it just somehow seems more challenging when it's about yourself!

icon · Answer

Bump. Any more thoughts from '08 applicants on the PowerPoint slides?

sonibubu · Answer

The essays are much more challenging this year IMO, it makes me want to show my love for the school in the PPT since there's not much room in the essays for it (no "why Chicago GSB" Question).

sam77sam7 · Answer

Soni,

It seems each question has a Why ChiGSB element to it... at the end of each, asking how an MBA from Chi would have helped you evaluate the situation. I agree though, the questions are much tougher. I like the PPT aspect though.

~Sam

yellowjacket · Answer

I think it will be necessary to fit in "Why Chicago GSB" into 1 and 2.

I would think you can fit in something for Why GSB into why you are pursuing an MBA right now and for essay 2 they ask "how do you think an MBA from Chicago GSB would have affected your decision?"

I'm still not sure how/what you can fit into essay 2 right now, but it is definitely important to fit in something about Why GSB into that questions.

Regarding the ppt: "We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application and now invite you tell us about yourself. Using four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are."

You will need to talk about yourself, so I'm not sure if you can fit in Why C-GSB into this

Just my 2 cents.

sam77sam7 · Answer

I think this PPT is really interesting.

Can any '08ers approach how they tackled it? Pictures? Words? Blurbs?

~Sam

jb32 · Answer

I am thinking about doing something like a four pillars of my life, family, community, work, etc. Definitely add pictures as well as words as I'm sure the Adcoms would like to know as much about who you are as possible.

ko · Answer

Remember that you can add a document with some notes also, if needs be.

ujjib · Answer

Ask Rose and the adcom what exactly are they looking for in the ppt slides...find out what kind of slides the adcom found most impressive from last year. Do it in one-on-one interactions with adcom members during your school visit (if you can).

Last year, I remember Rose stating that they will look for 'Substance' and 'Structured Thinking' in the ppt slides. She specifically de-emphasized 'Creative Slide Design' etc. ...I guess it remains the same this year.

The 'four pillars' approach is inherently structured and my own ppt was along those lines. (though my bet is a majority would use a similar approach). See if you can connect the four pillars through some medium/theme, so that there is a good flow from one slide to another...also if you can build the four slides using the same 'framework', they look more structured and easier to read. Do not fear to include something you have already written about in the other essays, especially if you have a interesting picture etc. But do keep it to a minimum. The ppt essay is one place, where more than anywhere else, you wanna come across as an interesting person. So take some risks and show your colorful side...

I would personally advice all of you to get your ppt reviewed by somebody in the consulting business. (the strategy ones not the admissions ones).

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