Purdue Krannert 2009 MBA Admissions Deadlines, Questions, and Tips

For those applicants who fall a bit outside of the profile for the top 10 to 15 MBA programs – for example, possessing fewer or many more years of work experience than these schools’ averages, or with slightly lower GMAT scores – Purdue Krannert makes an excellent alternative MBA program. It boasts a 100% placement record for foreign nationals who do not have authorization to work permanently in the US and a 93% placement record for US citizens and permanent residents! If your goals are in the manufacturing or technology industries, Krannert has strong placement records in these industries and you should certainly be considering this program.

Krannert’s deadlines are also a bit later, allowing you some more time to complete their application with care:

Krannert Deadlines for Full Time Programs 2009 for United States Citizens and Permanent Residents

Krannert Deadlines for International (Non-U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident) Applicants

Krannert’s questions are straightforward. My comments are below each in red.

1. Discuss your long and short term career goals, how these goals developed, and what you hope to gain from graduate study at Krannert. Limit your responses to no more than 500 words.

This is a standard career goals essay. I suggest you excite the admissions committee about your goals right in the beginning of the essay, then explain briefly how you have prepared for this goal through your career. Be sure to mention in what ways you have surpassed normal progression and how these opportunities helped refine your goals. What do you plan to study and why? What career path will you follow after you graduate. Be sure to be realistic and show that you understand who recruits on campus and why this suits your future career path.

2. The Krannert community is comprised of a diverse student body. Describe an aspect of your personality, things you have learned, skills you have acquired, or life experiences you’ve had that could benefit potential classmates and will help you contribute to Krannert’s diversity. Limit your response to no more than 500 words.

This is a non-work essay. Krannert’s admissions committee wants to hear about your life outside of work so they can see how you will fit in on campus. Be sure to link those previous activities with Krannert campus events, clubs, and goings-on to show you know what the campus is really like and how you will contribute.

3. In 250 words or less, describe a character-building event or situation in which your involvement made a significant difference.

This one tends to stump applicants. How can you show that you’ve got character in just 250 words? We build character when we are placed in difficult situations and navigate win-win solutions or make tough decisions. When we do it well, we are able to make an impact on our organizations. What difficult situations have you found yourself in and how did you creatively or ingeniously resolve the inherent conflicts? What impact did you make as a result?

Optional
Please provide any additional information that was not captured within your application. If you feel you’ve already provided us with sufficient information about yourself, you need not add anything here. (250 words or less)

Krannert’s essays are short, so I feel almost everyone will have something to say for the optional essay. What side of your personality or experiences do you feel are a significant part of who you are? In what other fields have you demonstrated your ability to lead or build teams? Share an example here and show how these experiences position you to thrive at Krannert. 

Jennifer Bloom, CPRW and member of AIGAC, has been helping applicants to Krannert and other top MBA programs with Accepted.com for over ten years. She is available to help you with your application to Krannert and other top business schools.