Our consultants receive a lot of questions from clients about applying to MBA programs through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. I’ve heard myths that suggest that applying to one (or more) of the 22 Consortium schools through The Consortium’s application is disadvantageous. But as the former director at two Consortium schools, I can assure…
A Rise in College Applications
Over the years, the number of colleges our clients apply to each season has more than doubled. When I started consulting in 2008, students submitted five to ten college applications. Today, I see students applying to 15-20 colleges, and even more, in some cases. The caliber of applicants might be similar to what colleges and…
Four A’s to Help You Get Accepted in Round Two!
Were you rejected in round one? Do you know what to do before round two? Oh no! You haven’t received interview invitations for round one, or your dream school has already denied you admission. What do you do now? One thing is sure; if you apply with the same application, you will have the same…
8 Things MBA Applicants Should Do After Submitting Their Applications
Within twelve hours I heard the same question from three clients, so I suppose this question may be on the minds of more than three. The question that may be plaguing you too, is this: “Now that I’ve submitted my applications, what should I do?” Well, you’re not done yet… The following are a list…
How Does Your GMAT Score Fit into the Holistic MBA Application Puzzle?
There’s a lot of talk about the holistic approach admission directors take to evaluate applications. How much weight is really put on different aspects of the application during evaluation? If the approach is so holistic, then why do so many applicants with low GMAT scores get rejected compared to applicants with high GMAT scores? Here’s…
What Does “At The Very Center of Business” Mean for Columbia Business School Applicants?
Columbia Business School Essay prides itself on being “at the very center of business.” The application then asks you to write the answer in 250 words or fewer. The video and the essay question have enabled Columbia to secure its brand and market share. Over the years, Columbia strayed from and returned to its core strength:…
MBA Letters of Recommendation: Who, What, Where, When & How
Selecting your recommenders requires a strategy. I like to begin with the basics: Who, What, Where, When, and How. I also like to suggest that you waive your right to access it. The waiver makes the recommendation more credible to the admissions committee. Who? Who are the best people to address the questions the schools…
Top MBA Programs That Defer
Most U.S. MBA programs will allow students to defer acceptance (push off starting the program for a year) for U.S. military deployment, illness, or illness of a loved one for whom the candidate is the sole or a major caregiver (you will need proof of the above). Check with the individual programs, but here are…
Multiple MBA Acceptances: Negotiating Scholarship Offers
On a day like today, I’m doing my happy dance. My MBA clients have been contacting me with good news from the schools to which they applied. Several of them have multiple offers with scholarships attached, which immediately present the question: Can they negotiate their scholarship offers? Since most of you have yet to take…
6 Tips for Talking About Your Weaknesses
How do you react when you read/hear the weakness question? With this question, schools are assessing how well you self evaluate. Like a business problem, they want to hear your plan of action, your implementation, and your success rate. Here are some tips to help you a) think about and evaluate your weaknesses, and b)…
Getting Ready to Apply to Top Tier Colleges and Universities: Senior Year
This is the final post in our series Getting Ready to Apply to Top Tier Colleges and Universities, a 4-part series for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Accepted can help bring out your best in your applications and my colleagues and I are here to help. Tips for High School Seniors 1. Create a spreadsheet that…
Getting Ready to Apply to Top Tier Colleges and Universities: Junior Year
This post is the third in our series Getting Ready to Apply to Top Tier Colleges and Universities, a 4-part series for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. As it becomes increasingly difficult to gain admission into the country’s elite schools, knowing how to navigate the system should become important for you. Tips for High School Juniors 1….