Wednesday, Nov 9th, MBA Admission Help Desk!!

Posting here some helpful tips/ words of wisdom shared by StratusMBACounselor in today's session. Do subscribe to our future sessions here.. live-q-a-with-b-school-adcoms-2016-season-228030.html


Common Mistakes in MBA Applications
Believe it or not, sometimes the wrong school! The horror! No hope for that... and no excuse either. The other more common mistake is not stating what you can bring to the table. For Kellogg- I see that people will spend too much time talking about the challenge... and not enough time reflecting on how they have grown. And for all essays... Answer the QUESTIONS asked... don’t go off on a tangent. Better essays show don’t tell. Don’t tell me you worked on a high impact project.. explain what you did and what was the result and let me decide if it was high impact... Also Spending time reflecting on how you felt when you were with students, on visits, how you feel at home at the school.... Something only you can say so you are remembered as unique.


MBA Resume
I have noticed that many international applicants have resumes that are too long! I just reviewed someone’s 4 page resume yesterday. I want to tell you that no one wants to read a 4 page resume! So go ahead and tighten your stories and condense! I want to encourage all reading this to think about their resumes and ask themselves- how did I do something better than someone else in the same role? How I have shown impact? Can I quantify what I have done? Don’t put your picture, marital status, professional synopsis- just stay focused on the roles you have had and your impact!


Importance of Interview in MBA Application and Preparation Tips
When I was on the adcom side, the interview was HUGE! Ultimately it is the way the school can see if you will do well in recruiting- which is the unspoken thing that is evaluated most. Adcoms look for confidence- and charisma- that you "look the part" and are comfortable. So my advice is that regardless of what you say- say it with a smile and with confidence. If asked something you don’t know- take a pause and then just ask for a moment to collect your thoughts... then answer the best you can. Never break character and seem broken by a question.


The Best and Worst things I have seen on the adcom side
Always be careful to not send too many emails to adcom! Be very humble, not pushy, and never try to get into too much detail in email when dealing with money or admissions decisions. Better to do touchy things in person or by skype or phone.
Best things- when students had ideas how to make something better at a school- they had done some research with current club members and students and they knew how they could start a new club or solve a problem that they heard about from doing school research. Doing this level of research can help you stand out!


School Visits
I think it is important to "look the part" so don’t be "informal" on school visits! Try to dress like you would for the job you want to get post MBA. Adcom people are basically trying to see if you will get a job in 2 yrs- so how you dress, speak, carry yourself and present all matters a great deal. The essays help you tell your story and are important too- but for interview it is often the impression that carries most weight.

My best tips- Do the school research- talk to current students- be specific in letting adcom see the whole you- personal and professional and also SMILE when you interact with adcom and students at every school. And buy a really good suit! Sometimes I have seen people just not look the part... and while no one will say it out loud... I think "looking the part" is really important too!


Trump Effect on US Bschool Admissions
I would not read too much into this- Business Schools in the US will continue to want international applicants and I don’t see that changing. I think it is like being on a flight when the pilot comes on and says "there will be some turbulence" in the next few months.... but I honestly don’t see that it will change much in terms of US business schools wanting international students. And I think Trump is a businessman and he will understand that once the election turmoil settles down. One thing I am telling myself, I still need to do my job every day- I still have clients that are seeking my help, the world still needs to make things, buy things, make things better- and no matter who is president all these things have to keep happening. I would focus on what YOU can control- which is to be the best you can at whatever it is that you do.