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The President Wrote My Letter of Recommendation!

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

President's Day“Wouldn’t that be great. I’m in!”

Or are you?

On this President’s Day, let’s think about it: Would a letter of recommendation from President Barack Obama, POTUS himself, ensure your acceptance?

I’m sure a letter from President Obama would get passed around the admissions office. That presidential seal and signature (even if from a machine) would be an eye catcher, but is it equivalent to “I’m in!”

How about from a past president? Maybe a senator? Or governor? The president of a Fortune 500 company? Maybe Mark Zuckerberg? Would he do it?

Actually, the title after the author’s name doesn’t matter nearly as much as the substance above the signature. Can the author, whatever his or her title, talk from personal experiences about your character when answering  the questions posed in a recommendation form or in writing the typical letter of recommendation?  If the recommender doesn’t have that personal perspective, can’t bring detail and example to the letter, the title may be a curiosity, but no more. That VIP letter could be less effective than a detail-filled letter from your twenty-something team lead who writes with specific examples and persuasive substance about your contribution to her organization.

Now if President Obama were to write about:

  • The difference you made to his campaign or your contribution to nabbing Osama bin Laden,
  • Your ability to organize his brilliant social media campaign,
  • An example of integrity, or
  • Your initiative during the budget ceiling crisis.

Then you would have an extraordinarily powerful letter of recommendation. However if he (or his third secretary twice removed) just wrote a general, flowery ode to how wonderful you are with no specifics, it would be no value. It would just be a shiny seal and sig.

Of course if your team lead wrote about:

  • Your contribution to the team and the difference you have made to the bottom line.
  • Your ability to organize a social media campaign or just about anything else of significance.
  • An example of integrity.
  • Your initiative and cool during a crisis.

You would also have a compelling letter of recommendation.

So on this President’s Day, keep in mind that a powerful letter of recommendation is much more about substance than station, personal insight than position, examples than eminence.

Linda AbrahamBy Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted.com and author of MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.

The Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog covers the college, MBA, medical school, law school, and graduate school admissions scene. You’ll find everything from testing tips, essay advice, and interview guidance to rankings. Subscribe now!

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Grad School Admissions News Roundup

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
  • PhD Students Are In A Good Place- The Chronicle of Education reports that the Modern Language Association (MLA) expects 2,400 jobs to be posted with the group this academic year. While this number might sound good, it is still “near the historic low.” Unfortunately, there is a backlog of unemployed PhD students looking for tenured or tenure-track jobs and 2,400 jobs is not nearly enough. For some the answer is to look at community colleges, and for other it is a matter of what their discipline and subdiscipline are, since “there’s no such thing as a single academic job market, and some scholars are more likely than others to get jobs.”
  • How to Stop Being Like Ostriches- The Chronicle of Education examines how the American Historical Association is going about changing the way they educate their students. It is not just about telling students to prepare for fields outside of history, but about “examin[ing] the training we offer. … If we tell new students that a history Ph.D. opens many doors, we need to broaden the curriculum to ensure that we’re telling the truth.” While History is already trying to change the way it educates, other fields are going to need to follow suite, because as one academic pointed out: “If we continue to behave like ostriches, we’re dead.”
  • Non-tenure Track Professors May Get A Break- The Chronicle of Education reports that the new president of the Modern Language Association, Michael Bérubé, plans on improving the current situation of non-tenured professors. He wants to reduce the amount of time students spend in graduate school as a means of decreasing student debt. Bérubé also plans on helping non-tenure-track faculty get access to campus resources and professional development as part of “build[ing] job security and professional dignity for non-tenure-track faculty who have been in their positions for a decade or more.” In addition, the new president hopes to improve classroom accommodations for students with disabilities and to transform scholarly communication so that it fits the digital age.

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Adcoms’ New Tool to Detect Plagiarism in Essays

February 8, 2012 By 1 Comment

Writing Your MBA EssaysRather than go through the hassle of writing your application essays yourself, especially since you’re not the most effective or practiced writer (or since you don’t have enough time), why not have someone who really knows how to do it well write them for you?   That someone could be a friend or colleague who’s offered to help or who has some essays that worked in previous years, or it may be a paid essay writing service you found on the web.

This line of thinking is not rare nor unfortunately is the next logical step: going ahead and actually getting someone to write your application essays or personal statement.

In fact, I had a client ask me to write an essay for him just last week. I declined this request, as I and my Accepted.com colleagues have declined all such requests, and convinced the client to draft his own essay. He discovered it wasn’t impossible after all.

And what about your friend’s offer? It may not provide much camouflage,.  And as for services and others you’d pay for an essay, consider the risks: if you’re willing to take the ethical misstep of passing off work as yours that isn’t yours, how and why can you trust someone else to provide original work? How can you be sure this essay is really being written just for you and wasn’t used previously and slightly doctored? Or not doctored at all? Can you trust that service not to take a shortcut and recycle previously used content rather than labor to create a unique essay for you from scratch?

No. You can’t.

The potential danger from compiling essays from previously developed content has just increased significantly: some b-school adcoms are using anti-plagiarism software, called Turnitin, which compares applicants’ essays to a database of previous essay content to identify reused material.  If they find enough matches to indicate plagiarism, they just reject the applicant.  Period.  UCLA Anderson has rejected 52 applicants based solely on plagiarism concerns detected by Turnitin. Anderson doesn’t waste time explaining its reasons to the cheaters, and the applicant may never know the real reason for the rejection.

If you are tempted to hire a service to write your essays and the ethics of the situation don’t deter you, think of the significant  risks inherent in hiring others to author the essays. Those risks may be the shield from temptation. It’s just safer – not to mention better – to do it yourself.

Cindy TokumitsuBy Cindy Tokumitsu, author of numerous ebooks, articles, and special reports. Cindy has advised hundreds of successful applicants in her last thirteen years with Accepted. She can help you assess your strengths and weaknesses and develop a winning admissions strategy.[hs_action id="3913"]

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Time Management on the GRE

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Tips for the GREThis blog post is courtesy of our friends at Magoosh. Be sure to check out Magoosh for help when preparing for the GRE.

All too often the advice on GRE time management is heaped with bromides: slow down, take a deep breath, and don’t lose focus. While not without their merits, such pearls of wisdom are so generic as to be applicable to anything from a high school math quiz to playing a game of billiards.

The following are time management skills specific to the Revised GRE. This list is by no means comprehensive, so feel to chime in with any time management skills you’ve used that have been of help.

Know the Revised GRE

Walking in and taking the test cold is, unsurprisingly, a bad idea. Not familiarizing yourself with the format of the Revised GRE – a few practice runs should do the trick – is also unwise.

The Revised GRE has some quirks that are best learnt by taking several tests Do not simply read about the changes – experience them. And as addendum – don’t experience these changes test day. Prepare yourself in advance.

Know How to Scroll

As part of learning about the test, you will notice that the GRE allow you to skip a question and, if you choose to, come back to it later. Get a feel for the scrolling interface so you are comfortable moving back and forth between questions.

Knowing how many questions to skip and how to budget your time (so you can take another stab at a question), will require you to get a hang of the format and play around with it a little.

Know the Timer

Of course you should learn to work with the timer, and not let the timer tyrannize you. This advice definitely falls into the “easier said than done” category. But again – by taking practice tests with a clock or stopwatch handy, the pesky timer will be less of a nuisance as you learn how to pace yourself.

Know the New GRE Scoring Format

Do not feel you have to rush through every question. Each question on the GRE is worth the same number of points. Spending extra time on a knotty problem will take time away from easier points. Anyhow, the new GRE lets you come back to a problem so you can always step away for a bit and return to a tough problem later.

Takeaway

Learning how to balance your time throughout the test requires becoming familiar with the test format. Taking a few GRE practice tests should help you develop the necessary time management skills.[hs_action id="3913"]

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London Business School Master in Management Chat Monday

January 29, 2012 By 2 Comments

Do you have questions about London Business School’s Masters in Management program? Do you want to hear more about the ideal MiM candidates—about their academic records, how much work experience they have, and what sorts of goals and careers they see in their futures? Are you interested in learning about how this internationally acclaimed top school’s curriculum will enrich your understanding of business fundamentals?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you’ll want to tune in to Accepted’s upcoming Q&A during which Lisa Mortini, Recruitment and Admissions Manager, together with two Student Ambassadors at London’s Masters in Management program, will be available to address all your MiM concerns. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your questions and hear more about London’s attractive pre-experience Masters in Management program! The live Q&A session will take place tomorrow, Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET/6:00 PM GMT.

Register now to reserve your spot for the London Business School MiM Admissions Q&A.

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Grad School Admissions News Roundup

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
  • University Life Bustling in Qatar- Inside Higher Ed announced that enrollment in master’s courses at University College London-Qatar will begin in August 2012. UCL’s program focuses on archaeology and museum studies in the region.   While six American universities – Northwestern, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Texas A&M and Virginia Commonwealth – and one French business school, HEC Paris, are already part of Hamad bin Khalifa University, this is the first program of its scope in Quatar.
  • Occupy Tenure-Track Positions- The Chronicle of Education reports that non-tenure-track professors plan on taking the upcoming MLA convention in Seattle as an opportunity to protest against income disparity, poor labor conditions, and lack of health insurance, amongst other complaints.  The movement started with a twitter feed called OccupyMLA. While OccupyMLA has 315 followers, it is still unclear whether the group will Occupy the convention or not. The twitter feed discusses ideas such as “wearing paper clips on their collars and drawing O’s on their conference badges so they can identify one other,” but there are all kinds of tweets and no specific action plans seems to have been made.
  • History Job Market Bounces Back- Inside Higher Ed announced that the job market for those with graduate degrees in history is looking better, according to a recent report done by the American Historical Association. The report showed that there were 10.2% more jobs listed with the association in 2010-2011 than in the previous year. However, there were still only 627 jobs posting, in comparison with the 1,064 posted before the recession. These numbers have continued to spark arguments over whether or not students should be discouraged from getting PhDs.

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Does Your Personal Statement Deliver?

January 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Personal StatementI attended a lecture over the weekend. As the speaker began, he mentioned a couple of ideas that sounded intriguing, and I settled back expecting him to explore them, perhaps tie them together. Then came a few more unrelated ideas. OK, I thought, the first ones must have been warm-ups. It could be interesting if he develops these later concepts.  But he didn’t.

He continued with teasing non-sequitur after teasing non-sequitur. It was a frustrating monologue of disconnected, but potentially engaging, ideas. I was not a happy listener. The person sitting next to me dozed.  #FAIL

Don’t frustrate your reader. Make sure your personal statement has a point — one point. If you introduce an idea in the introductory paragraph, develop it. Build on your premise, answer your question, tie plot strands together, and clarify as needed the significance of your examples.

Don’t waste your reader’s time or irritate. Deliver on the promise you make in your personal statement’s opening.

Linda AbrahamBy , President and Founder of Accepted.com, co-author of MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.[hs_action id="3918"]

Filed Under: Admissions, College Admissions, Grad School Admissions, Law School Admissions, MBA Admissions, Medical School Admissions

A Great Interview Story

January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Warning: This post is different from our usual posts.

This is an admissions consulting blog dedicated to providing advice, information, and insight of use to applicants, however, the story in this post is a good story — even if not directly related to admissions. Its practical value is limited, I admit. Mostly it’s just a good story.

Our younger son, R, went yesterday for his first-ever interview for a full-time, permanent position as a software developer.  He prepped for the event online, with my husband and with me, and with others. Naturally he was nervous, and for more than just the usual reasons.

He arrived a little early, introduced himself, and at the appointed time was meeting with the main interviewer, who handed him an agenda. The first item was a technical test, and as the interviewer gave R the exam, R said, “I would normally never keep my phone on in an interview. However, my wife is expecting any day, and I will take a call because she might need me to meet her at the hospital.”

The interviewer graciously said, “No problem.”

And R’s phone began to vibrate. “Uh, I’m sorry, I need to take this call.” It was R’s wife.

“R, I’m having regular contractions, and the doctor says I should go to the hospital. My mother will take me. Can you meet me there?”

R turned to the interviewer, “You won’t believe it, but my wife is in labor. I need to meet her at the hospital.”

The interviewer just said, “Why don’t I just introduce you briefly to John, and then you’ll go.”

R shook hands with John, and then both men insisted, “Get out of here!”

The interviewer walked R. out and said, “Well if it does work out that you work here, you will have the best interview story of anyone on staff.”

Take-aways (they’re pretty thin today.): Never say “never.” You should never take calls in an interview — except if your wife is expecting or you are facing equally serious situations. And if a company or school is upset at your taking a call under such circumstances, run the other way.

Similarly, some say you should never write about Topic X. However, sometimes — occasionally — those “never topics” actually work. If X was highly influential, relevant, and you have something insightful to say, it might work for you.  Don’t ignore the “never do’s,” but use your head and sometimes, yes, do! Also, (plug alert!) an admissions consultant might be able to give you guidance, or at least an informed, objective opinion.

Oh, do you want to know what R and his wife had?

Interview StoryA  beautiful baby girl!

 

 

 

 

By Linda Abraham, proud grandma, founder of Accepted.com, and author of MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.[hs_action id="5160"]

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Tebow: 3 Lessons Applicants Can Learn from the Football Phenomenon

January 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

Lessons from TebowI’m not a football fan. I haven’t a clue what’s the difference between a down and an up in the game. I am not a Christian. Yet, I somehow am aware of Tim Tebow — even though I can’t name a single other football player. Why has be become more than just a quarterback? I became mildly curious about the Tebow phenomenon, and a little research convinced me he teaches important lessons to applicants.

First of all, for those of you never heard of Tim Tebow, he is the Denver Broncos’ quarterback, who has sporadically played phenomenal (I’m told) football – even if many don’t consider him a great quarterback. He is also a devout evangelical Christian, who after scoring gets down on bended knee, bows his head, and thanks God. His public displays of piety have garnered as much attention as his playing.

Naturally not everyone agrees with his religious views or his compulsion to display them, but there does seem to be admiration, sometimes grudging and sometimes gushing, for his desire to walk the walk of his faith. He strives to be a giving, decent person, to take responsibility for himself, and to express appreciation for assistance be it divine or mortal.

Our celebrities and leaders frequently fail as heroes or role models.  Tim Tebow is – at least so far — a refreshing contrast.

Regardless of his longer term impact and consistency, and regardless of whether you find Tebow nauseating or inspiring, what can you as an applicant learn from the Tebow phenomenon? Should you kneel when meeting an admission officer? When you get accepted?

No. Genuflection is not necessary.  Devotional displays are not required. Faith isn’t a factor. It’s the stuff behind the bended knee that can help you in the admission process, specifically:

  1. Appreciation. No one has to admit you or even give your application the time of day. Appreciate the efforts of the admissions readers, interviewers, and evaluators. Send your interviewer a thank you note. If you get waitlisted, thank the school for its continued consideration. If someone –anyone — assists you, say “thank you.” It makes a difference.
  2. Show that you live your values. This is most important in an essay like Stanford GSB’s “What matters to you most and why?” but you should show that you “walk the walk” throughout your essays and interviews.
  3. Convey integrity and trustworthiness. The Wall St Journal’s video, is entitled “Tim Tebow: Denver’s New Favorite Mensch.” And Tebow comes across as a mensch, a mature, upright, responsible person of integrity. You need to create the same impression whether you are talking to a clerk, shaking hands with the Director of Admissions, or relating a story in your essays.

It goes without saying that these qualities are almost impossible to convey if you don’t have them. However, nurturing them is still easier than faking them. Final bonus: these attributes will help you well beyond your receipt of an admissions decision.

Linda AbrahamBy Linda Abraham, Founder of Accepted.com and author of MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.[hs_action id="3913"]

Article first published as Tim Tebow: Three Lessons College Applicants Can Learn from the Football Phenomenon on Technorati.

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Barron GRE Online Prep Program Review

January 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

BarronsThe Barron GRE Prep program is exactly as you would hope it to be. Let’s take a quick tour.

You begin by filling out your test date and the amount of time (hours per week) you plan on devoting to test prep. Then you take two diagnostic tests – one for verbal and one for quant. There are 20 questions for each test; for each you’re provided with the difficulty level, the percentage of students who got the question right, and the skills evaluated.

Once your scores are analyzed, the program will offer you a Skill Report in which you’ll get to see each of the testing skill areas (like Vocabulary-in-Context Questions and Literary Techniques for verbal or Fractions and Exponents for math) and your degree of proficiency. You’ll also have the option now of moving on to the personalized “Adaptive Prep” phase of the program. Here you’ll receive questions that are appropriate for your skill level based on your diagnostic results. You can answer each question as it’s presented to you, or view the solution (text) or watch explanatory videos. The videos are clear and upbeat – an excellent tool for audio-visual learners.

At any time, you can click on All Topics on the sidebar and choose those topics that best cater to your needs, including general test-taking advice. The All Topics section also provides advice on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE.

There are also four sample (or “model”) tests available.

The Barron GRE Prep program is extremely user-friendly. The graphics are clear and easy to follow and the prep materials guide you smoothly through the study process. You get to see your progress every step of the way so that at any given point you will have an idea of how well you’d do if you took the GRE today – which areas you’d excel in and which still need improvement.

Barron’s GRE Prep is worth serious consideration if you are looking for a thorough, user-friendly online GRE review program.

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