In the business and commerce world, Asia is a huge focus, but that attention is not reflected in undergraduate study abroad numbers.

Karen Fischer, author of the Chronicle article "Americans Shy Away From Study in Asia," gives the following two explanation for the lack of undergraduate interest in Asia:

• It is far more common for undergrads to learn and then become proficient in a European language (or to just stick with English). Students are drawn to countries where they'll be able to communicate. Therefore, for most American undergraduates, "Asia can seem exotic and a little bit scary."
• More American university professors have built relationships with professors in Europe than in Asia; therefore, they'll be more likely to steer students in the direction of their friends and colleagues.

As schools build stronger bonds with Asian countries, Fischer explains, we'll likely see an upswing in Asian study abroad attendance. For example, Yale has strong roots in China; a quarter of Yale study or intern abroad students head to Asia. University of Buffalo's China program is also extremely popular.

Also, studying abroad in Asian countries is increasingly popular among students of Asian descent. At UC San Diego. Almost every one of the Asian study abroad students have Asian backgrounds; in NYU these students make up about half of the China program.

Students who plan to enter business-related fields, particularly fields like global finance or international business, are more likely to be attracted to studying Asian languages and studying or interning abroad in Asia. Top US business schools seem to be making a more concerted effort to expand their classrooms over to Asia, and elsewhere.

P.S. While the Asia study abroad numbers are low, they are still now more than 200% more than they were five years ago, and continue to grow.

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Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

2. Do tell the story in logical sequences.  People like to see processes. Think about how you can show a behind-the-scenes "how-to" of something cool that you do or have done.

3. Do make a story board.  Once you've decided on the content, plan the story out shot by shot. It's like making an outline for an essay. This will help you present a logical sequence, and reduce shooting time.

4. Do start filming at least 2 weeks before the deadline. And test all your technical equipment beforehand, end-to-end!  Something will inevitably go wrong, and you'll need the time to troubleshoot.

5. Do use a tripod if possible. This will help you have a steady, watchable video.  After watching hundreds of shaky shots (which the ad comm will have to do) your story will be a pleasant change.
           
The Don'ts

1.  Don't try something new for the first time.  Keep it simple. Concentrate on telling a really compelling story, rather than stretching your technical abilities.

2.  Don't use slick production techniques to cover up the fact that you don't have a compelling story.

3.  Don't use music that is distracting.  You can use snippets to punch up certain parts of the video, but if it doesn't have a reason to be there, take it out.  Again, a driving techno beat may sound like a good way to make your video exciting, but it can be really annoying if you have to watch 100 of these clips a week.

4. Don't introduce the school campus as a character in the video.  The ad comm sees enough of their office everyday and will get sick of people using it as a backdrop.  They want a window into YOUR life.

5.  Don't ask someone to interview you on camera like you're on Meet the Press. It looks pretentious and sounds odd. You should put yourself at the scene of the action, and speak directly to the camera like you're talking to a friend.
            
Bonus Don'ts: Please retire these cliches.  Just drop kick them out of town.

#1 person waking up in the morning and turning into a superhero

#2 school mascots as characters

#3 enthusiastic candidate jumping off campus landmarks

Stay tuned for Part II in the series: Content is King (or Queen)!

By Michelle Stockman, who worked in the Columbia Business School admissions office, has a Masters in Journalism from Columbia, and has assisted Accepted.com clients applying to top business schools since 2007. When not advising Accepted's clients, she a multimedia producer with works published by Agence France Presse, Economist.com, WSJ.com, the Times of India, and Hindustan Times. She is happy to help you with your application.

• Understandably so, "[t]he public is increasingly displeased with colleges often being run like businesses," reports a recent Daily Pennsylvanian article entitled "Cost of higher ed upsets public." In fact, according to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, 60% of Americans think that all colleges care about is their bottom line. 69% of Americans recognize that with the price hikes, highly qualified people can simply not afford to attend college these days. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni is urging universities to make cuts and "demanding that trustees step up to the plate" because the public is "fed up." According to Penn Dean of Admissions Eric Furda, Penn is working extra hard to reach lower income students. And, in response to the accusations of running universities like businesses, Furda explains that Penn truly does prioritize education over business. While there is undeniably a business side to college administration, says Furda, we need to always keep education in focus.  
• In an interesting BusinessWeek article, "From B-School to the Big House," Alison Damast describes an innovative new program that brings together the skills of MBA students with the ambitions of inmates in local prisons. The goal of the program is to help inmates acquire business skills that will then help them find a job upon release. "We're hoping we can give [the inmates] some real-life business skills that will help reacclimate these individuals to the business world, get jobs, and prepare them to succeed once they get there," explains one Emory Goizueta student. These prisoners are often quick learners—"crime is, after all, entrepreneurial," Damast reminds us in her article. There are currently 61 MBA students from 16 MBA programs across the country involved in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Represented schools include Duke Fugua and UC Berkeley Haas.
• Wharton's free online research newsletter has just gone Arabic, in an initiative to show off the top MBA's program's authority on business in the Middle East, reports the Financial Times. The Arabic version of Knowledge@Wharton (which will also be published in English) will focus on the role the Middle East plays in the global economy. Wharton also publishes a Chinese version (in Chinese and English), an Indian version (in English), and a Latin American version (in Spanish, Portuguese, and English). According to a Daily Pennsylvanian article on the same subject, an Australian version of Knowledge@Wharton will be launched next month.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

If you are fortunate, you also have an accessible and knowledgeable guidance counselor available in your high school.  But as a recent survey from the non-profit research group Public Agenda indicated, 48% of recent high school graduates surveyed felt their counselor viewed them as simply another “face in the crowd.” If you have knowledgeable and available resources at school, it’s a great place to start.  If not, other resources, such as books and websites are plentiful.

Start by evaluating your academic profile, because colleges will.  Overall, you should plan to apply to a range of schools, covering a spectrum from “reach” to “likely.”  Colleges will evaluate your application in the context of your high school.  In general, the more competitive you are within your high school class, the more competitive a college you can apply to.  Have you taken the AP, IB or honors classes that are offered? Have you taken 4 or 5 solid academic courses each year?  Are your test scores within, or above the ranges cited by the colleges?  It might be easier to obtain “A’s” in less rigorous classes, but the most selective colleges will look for demonstrated rigor in your curriculum.  

You might have a well-formed idea of your intended major, or you might join the largest freshman major on most campuses: “undecided.”  How much of a role should your anticipated area of study play in your college planning?  Honestly, it varies.  If you have some interest in a specific field, like engineering, it’s important that you include in your search universities that offer such an option.  The same holds true for nursing, business, architecture, and a few other select areas.  Yes, you might change your major later on – which is why selecting a college based upon an external ranking of a single division, like engineering, can be problematic.  But if you have a serious interest, consider the availability an important factor.  It is quite difficult to receive an engineering degree from a college that does not have an engineering program.

So many factors can influence the choice of colleges to which you apply.  This is the first of several blog posts that will address factors to consider formulating a college list.

By Whitney Bruce, who has worked in college admissions since 1996. She has served as an Senior Assistant Director of Admissions (Washington U), Application Reader (University of Michigan), Assistant Director of College Counseling (private prep school in St. Louis), and an independent college counselor. She is happy to advise you as you apply to college.

This is excerpted from 101 Tips on Getting Into Medical School by Jennifer C. Welch, who has served as the Director of Admissions at SUNY Upstate Medical School since 2001.

Additional Resources:

• 10 Secrets of Good Writing
• Ten Do's and Don'ts for Your Medical School Personal Statement

In a press release issued this week, GMAC discusses its expanded fee waiver program. A limited number of students will qualify for free access to the GMAT exam, saving them $250.

According to Julia Tyler, executive VP of member services and school marketing at GMAC, "The world needs talented managers. The fee waiver program reflects GMAC's commitment to helping people with talent enter management education whatever their financial circumstances."

Visit the GMAC website for more information on the Fee Waiver Program. 



Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Source: Expanded GMAT Fee Waiver Program Launched by Graduate Management Admission Council (http://gmac.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=106)
Related: GMAT Fee Waiver Program FAQs (http://www.gmac.com/gmac/TheGMAT/GMATFeeWaiverProgram/GMATFeeWaiverProgramFAQs.htm)

Post #1, Introducing the Series

Post #6, Researching Schools

 HOW MANY SCHOOLS SHOULD YOU APPLY TO?

 Deciding how many schools to apply to is another often shortchanged step in the pre-application process.  It’s something that people seem to think just happens.  And it will just happen, but not necessarily in the most advantageous way, unless you make it.   Your specific situation and needs should drive your decision of number of schools to apply to – in each category: on-par, reach, and safety.  Having a clear idea before you start your applications of how many schools you’ll be targeting will help you plan and allocate your resources.   Please note: by “number” I mean roughly; a short range such as “five or six” is fine.

 A “typical” applicant would apply to about six programs: two to three reasonable reaches, two to three on pars, and one to two safeties.  This scenario assumes the applicant has selected programs in each category for which she can make an effective case.  The rationale for this scenario is that it yields a decent possibility of acceptance at a reach, likelihood of acceptance at an on-par program, and certainty through the safety. 

 This typical case doesn’t apply to a lot of people though.  Here are some common exceptions:

•  You’re on the older side, so getting in this year is essential – next year you will be solidly in EMBA territory.  Consider applying to more programs – as many as you can manage.
• You’re fairly young, have a spectacular career and stats, and aren’t certain it makes sense to take off two years now if it’s not HBS or Stanford.  You should apply to those two only, because you can reapply next year if need be without worrying about age.
• The brands you require are all reaches, some reasonable and some almost out of reach.  It wouldn’t be worth it to you to attend other programs. Apply to as many as you can that fit your criteria and offer some realistic hope of acceptance to increase the possibility of a hit.
• You are applying with a handicap – a DUI or honor code infraction, were fired for cause, etc. – if you write a frank and compelling essay about growing from the situation (and if it didn’t happen yesterday), you should have a shot. But because it’s such an unpredictable factor and adcoms often react defensively, you should consider applying to more schools than you otherwise would need to.
• You’re unsettled about geographic region and want to keep options open.  Apply to more programs to cover yourself.
• You’re pressed for time – maybe you can’t devote more than 2 hours a week, or maybe you have to have all your apps done by a given deadline.  Select a number that will allow you to deliver quality, even if it’s fewer than you would normally do under other circumstances.

 Last but not least, this number isn’t written in stone.  The application process is dynamic, and you are not closing off opportunities by deciding on a number to target now. 

 By Cindy Tokumitsu, co-author of The Finance Professional’s Guide to MBA Success, The Consultants’ Guide to MBA Admission, The EMBA Edge, and author of several articles and the free, email mini-course, "Ace the EMBA."  

The emergence of this new MBA field makes sense, says Kermit Schoenholtz, adjunct professor at NYU Stern. "Understanding government and policy will help you be a better businessperson," he explains.

Lester Lave, professor of economics at CMU's Tepper who teaches the increasingly popular Business, Government, and Strategy course, agrees: "It's hard to think of running any business in the U.S. without understanding what the federal government is doing."

According to the BW article, teaching about public policy is not a new concept in business education—UC Berkeley's Haas and NYU Stern have been engaging students with the subject since the 1960s and 1970s, respectfully. The content of the public policy courses, however, has changed greatly in the last few years.

New policy courses at top b-schools include:

NYU Stern – The Great Depression

UC Berkeley Haas – Business and Public Policy for MBAs

Wharton – Urban Fiscal Policy

Cornell Johnson – Environmental Economics for Managers

MIT Sloan – Urban Labor Markets and Public Policy

Each of these courses presents public policy history as it relates to the business sector. The goal of the Haas course, for example, is to provide future business leaders with historically- and politically-based guidelines that effectively take into account past, present, and future public policy and the needs of all constituents. The other classes listed describe similar goals.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Source: Public Policy Gains a Foothold at B-School (http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/mar2010/bs2010031_292440.htm?campaign_id=bschools_related)
Related: B-School Zones (http://www.accepted.com/Zones/bschools.aspx)

Post #1, Introducing the Series

Post #5, Reaches, On-Pars, and Safeties

You may be researching schools already.  Going through the steps previously outlined in this series will help you do so efficiently.  It will also help you remain objective.    

To focus your options, eliminate from consideration programs that lack elements you consider essential. Some applicants will immediately run into a dilemma here: What if you need a globally recognized brand, considering your goals, yet you don’t qualify for schools that carry the desired panache?  You might apply to such schools’ part-time or EMBA programs. You may consider programs recognized globally in your niche, but not for overall brand.  Or you may decide it’s not worth it to pursue an MBA.  Luckily, most people can find programs that offer their must-haves.

When you find feasible schools that meet your needs and important wants, determine whether they are a reasonable reach, on par, or safety.  First examine the GMAT and GPA ranges, and analyze student profiles.  How do you compare within these contexts?  The numbers are easier to compare; it might take some digging and some serious and thoughtful self-critique to determine how you stack up in terms of quality of work experience and leadership.  

Then look at other qualitative factors that would make you a great fit or a challenging fit for the school.  One main point is status in an under- or over-represented group.  Then there are the individual qualitative factors. For example, you’re a finance professional; one program you’re considering has a great finance curriculum but is not reputed for it.  Your finance status would be a plus for such school, whereas you might not stand out from the army of finance applicants at a known finance school. 

Finally, combine all these factors – your comparative scores, your comparative work experience, and any qualitative issues pro or con  – to refine your determination of reach, on-par, or safety for each school of interest.

It’s true, that you should be objective.  Still, don’t ignore the subjective factor in your research.  If you find yourself falling for a school that doesn’t seem like a great fit – you wanted intimate campus and yet when you visited NYU while on a business trip to the Big Apple, you found its downtown vibe utterly scintillating – well, great!  It’s possible you’re momentarily infatuated, and it’s also possible that there’s a side of you that this environment has opened up and brought to light.  Give it further thought and consider it for your list. 

By Cindy Tokumitsu, co-author of The Finance Professional’s Guide to MBA Success, The Consultants’ Guide o MBA Admission, The EMBA Edge, and author of several articles and the free, email mini-course, "Ace the EMBA."  

Students are becoming dissatisfied with their undergraduate business degrees and the institutions from which they graduated. In January, only 38% of students who responded to a BW survey had a job offer, compared to last year's 46% and the previous year's 56%. Overall student satisfaction is down 14% from last year. Such negative outcomes have affected this year's Bloomberg BusinessWeek annual ranking of undergraduate business programs.

Undergraduate business programs are working extremely hard to give a leg-up to their graduates in the job market, often turning to social media and other technology boosts. Virginia's McIntire School uses Twitter and Facebook to distribute job opportunities and internships and to disseminate career tips. Notre Dame students are being encouraged to connect with alumni through different tech tools. Miami University in Oxford, Ohio now offers a course that provides practical hands-on training to students and exposure to potential employers. University of Richmond's Robins School of Business has enhanced its interview prep resources.

UC Berkeley Haas has initiated an interesting program that has received extremely positive feedback—the Turn the Tables Fair. At this unusual job fair, students set up booths that market themselves as prospective employees to the company reps who walk around the fair to do their research.

Such initiatives have placed the mentioned schools in the higher ranking positions. Below you'll see the top 20 ranked undergraduate business programs. Beside each program is the median starting salary.

Click here for more information on the 2010 Undergraduate Business Program rankings.

Related Accepted.com Resources:

• The Rankings: An Accepted.com Special Report
• FT Global Rankings: Expansionist Dreamers
• Financial Times Global 2010 MBA Rankings

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Source: The Best B-Schools vs. the Recession (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_11/b4170061364922.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report)
Source: Top Undergraduate Business Programs 2010 (http://bwnt.businessweek.com/bschools/undergraduate/10rankings/?chan=magazine+channel_special+report)
Related: B-School Zones (http://www.accepted.com/zones/bschools.aspx)
Related: The Rankings: An Accepted.com Special Report (http://www.accepted.com/mba/rankingreport.pdf?utm_campaign=BlogContent&utm_medium=Blog&utm_source=BlogVisitors&utm_content=RankingReport)
Related: Financial Times Global 2010 MBA Rankings (http://blog.accepted.com/acceptedcom_blog/2010/2/17/ft-global-rankings-expansionist-dreamers.html?utm_campaign=BlogContent&utm_medium=Blog&utm_source=BlogVisitors&utm_content=BlogPost)
Related: FT Global Rankings: Expansionist Dreamers (http://blog.accepted.com/acceptedcom_blog/2010/2/17/ft-global-rankings-expansionist-dreamers.html?utm_campaign=BlogContent&utm_medium=Blog&utm_source=BlogVisitors&utm_content=BlogPost)