The relatively complex MSx online application and your resume (and ideally your recommendations as well) will establish you as a leader in your organization (and possibly even your domain), and that leadership role is essential if you want to be a qualified MSx applicant. But it’s just a qualification. Being qualified is just step one, because…
MIT Sloan Fellows Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021-2022]
In my decade-plus of assisting MIT Sloan Fellows applicants (successes every year!), I have seen that the adcom values applicants who, among other things, demonstrate consistent, outstanding impact; are on track to become leaders in their company and even in their industry; and bring to the table a point of view and bold yet nuanced,…
Oxford Saïd MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022]
Oxford lets your resume, recommendations, application form, and transcript(s) speak for themselves. The one required MBA essay question indicates that the adcom wants a glimpse of you beyond these core elements. It seems like a simple question – but there is a little twist in it that amplifies its importance in the application and its connection…
University of Texas McCombs MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022]
McCombs combines its rigor with a passionate community. To create its desired community, it seeks a student body that is diverse in every dimension and comprises individuals who can bring together their varied voices to form a cohesive group. The questions below reflect this value; they draw out applicants’ individuality, motivations, and ability to communicate,…
Understanding Stanford GSB’s Core Value of Intellectual Vitality
Do you have the smarts that Stanford GSB is looking for? What are the qualities that Stanford GSB is looking for as they build their class? How do successful applicants stand out from the crowd? At a school as competitive as Stanford, it’s a fact that many smart, accomplished applicants won’t get in—so how can…
Understanding Stanford GSB’s Take on Demonstrated Leadership Potential
What are the qualities that Stanford GSB is looking for as they build their class? How do successful applicants stand out from the crowd? At a school as competitive as Stanford, it’s a fact that many smart, accomplished applicants won’t get in—so how can you demonstrate that you have that “it” factor? Let us walk…
Understanding Stanford GSB’s Interest in Personal Qualities and Contributions
What are the qualities that Stanford GSB is looking for as they build their class? How do successful applicants stand out from the crowd? At a school as competitive as Stanford, it’s a fact that many smart, accomplished applicants won’t get in—so how can you demonstrate that you have that “it” factor? Let us walk…
What Harvard Business School Is Looking For: Engaged Community Citizenship
This is the third post in our series, What HBS is Looking For. This is not about “community service” — it’s not about doing halo-worthy things in your free time. (Though neither Harvard Business School nor I will discourage that, and “engaged community citizenship” and “community service” certainly can overlap.) Community service is an activity…
What Harvard Business School Is Looking For: Analytical Aptitude and Appetite
This is the second post in our series, What HBS is Looking For. So, HBS wants “analytical aptitude and appetite.” Hardly a surprise. You might be tempted to simply skim that section of the website message without giving it much thought. Maybe it’s not as obvious as it sounds. Let’s break it down. Understanding the…
What Harvard Business School Is Looking For: The Habit of Leadership
Thank you, Harvard Business School. That’s what applicants should think when they visit the program’s website and find “habit of leadership” on its “Who are we looking for?” admissions page. It’s common knowledge that HBS values leadership, but with this phrase, the adcom succinctly expresses how they view leadership – dynamic, deep, intrinsic, long-term. It’s…
Wharton Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021-2022]
The Wharton EMBA adcom, through its three required questions, expresses its values and its interest in students who share those values. Its questions ask you to show both vision and responsiveness to uncertainty. Essentially you will need to show both focus and flexibility. Essay question 1 focuses on your goals and Wharton’s important role in helping you achieve…
Columbia MBA and Booth EMBA Deadlines Extended for the 2021 Application Cycle
Wishing you’d gotten it together to start your desired program this year (after all, who knows what things will look like a year from now)? Feeling a surge of fresh energy to tackle the application process this spring, rather than wait till late summer/fall? Good news: 2 important graduate business programs, Columbia MBA and Booth EMBA have…
M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2021
What are the M7 business schools? Harvard Business School Stanford Graduate School of Business MIT Sloan School of Management Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Columbia Business School Talk about diversity! Seven distinct, vivid cultures – each with its own history,…
Which MBA Program is Right for Me? The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an MBA Program
In 20+ years of MBA admissions consulting, I have found that otherwise highly capable and focused people often flounder when creating their target list of business schools. I’ve heard things like: “I’m just applying to all the top ten.” Top ten according to what source? Or: “I realize now [after R2 deadlines have passed] I was overreaching….
Applying to Regular Full-Time MBA Programs as an Older Applicant
“An MBA? Why aren’t you going for an EMBA?” You’ve probably heard this from friends and acquaintances when they learn that you are planning to pursue full-time graduate business studies, even though you are several years older than the average MBA applicant. This may also be the response of MBA admissions committees – unless you…
So, You’re Applying to Business School with a Low GPA or GMAT Score?
You want to apply to business school, but you may be holding back because you’re worried about your low numbers–an unimpressive GPA or GMAT/GRE score. Don’t worry – this is NOT the end of the world! This post will define what “low” really means, help you put your scores into context, and show you how…
What is INSEAD Looking For?
Wondering if you have what it takes to get accepted to INSEAD? This blog post examines INSEAD MBA’s 4 admission criteria and how you can demonstrate them in your application. What is INSEAD looking for? Ability to contribute International motivation Academic capacity Leadership potential INSEAD MBA criterion #1: Ability to contribute The adcom gives, as…
UCLA Anderson Executive MBA Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 – 2021]
The Anderson EMBA‘s two questions together cover past, present, and future, in that order. Essay 1 addresses the past by asking for a particular story drawn from your experience, and essay 2 addresses the present and future by asking about why now is the right time for you to be pursuing this degree. The questions…
University of Michigan Ross Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 – 2021]
Taken together, the two mandatory Ross EMBA essays provide both a forest-level (essay 2, goals) and tree-level (professional achievement) view of your career. Each question gives a specific lens through which to focus your approach and shape your answer. Thus, while you address the two questions’ points and nuances, keep in mind the larger picture…
MBA Admissions: Application Advice for Younger Applicants
Accepting the offer from the small niche-consulting firm after college over the offer from the big-name consulting company proved to be a smart decision. In spite of the lower starting salary, in less than two years you are managing projects and staff, bringing in new business, and contributing to company strategy. In addition, the experience,…
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