I suggest that applicants begin assembling materials for their applications as early as possible in advance of admissions deadlines. One of the first items you should start working on is your resume, a document that all professionals should always have updated and at the ready. 6 tips for creating a rockin’ resume Here are some…
The President Wrote My Letter of Recommendation!
“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)…
Does Your Personal Statement Deliver?
I 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…
Adcoms’ New Tool to Detect Plagiarism in Essays
Rather 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…
4 Application Strategy Tips: Stand Out AND Fit In
It can be confusing: Half of the advice you read urges you to stand out in your application, while the other half advices you to explain how you’ll fit in. So which is it? Should you stand out or fit in? The answer, unsurprisingly, is BOTH. You need to show your distinction and demonstrate fit…
Epidemic Among Applicants!
Your personal statements, application essays, and statements of purpose are suffering. It’s serious. And could be fatal to your application. This latest epidemic of vacuous, declarative sentences that either state the obvious or make non-credible claims has reached epic proportions in applicant essays, personal statements, and statements of purpose. The cure? Substance and specifics. Stories…
Fatal Flaw #5: Muddled Thinking
I am not sure why I made muddled thinking the last flaw. Good writing starts with good thinking and ends with lots of editing, but editing is a topic for another series. Let’s stick with thinking in this tip. One of the biggest causes of muddled thinking: Writing what you think the admissions committee wants…
Admissions Straight Talk: Interview with Dr. Drew Appleby
For this week’s episode of Accepted Admissions Straight Talk, Accepted’s biweekly podcast, we interviewed Drew Appleby, Professor Emeritus at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, who identified five types of applicant errors. These mistakes decrease candidates’ chances of acceptance to graduate school – even if the applicants have stellar stats. Check out the full recording to learn…
Curious about Management Consulting?
For my next Admissions Straight Talk podcast, I’m going to interview Victor Cheng. Victor has many claims to fame, including: Former McKinsey consultant, resume screener, and case interviewer. Passed 60 out of 61 case interviews and landed 7 consulting job offers. Author of Case Interview Secrets, an extremely clear and well-written book on excelling in…
Yahoo’s Scott Thompson and the Trap of Marginal Thinking
Are you considering padding your resume or record as you apply to college, graduate school, or a job? Think again. This past week I came across several articles at different times and on different topics that you should know about. Obviously there are the stories about Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson’s embellished college record. Just a…
Optional Essays: When and How to Write Them
In this short video, Linda Abraham explores the two kinds of optional essays, who should write them, and what should go into them. Don’t miss the crucial warning at the end. Related Resources: • 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Application Essays, a free guide • How to Edit Your Application Essays, a podcast…
How to Give the Adcoms a Good Nap
It’s National Sleep Week! You’re probably too busy to observe the annual NSW Snooze Fest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do your part to help others enjoy a deep siesta! The following tips will ensure that when the adcoms pick up your application essay, they’ll be transported to Lala-land in no time. Trust us…
Essay Tip: The Editing Funnel
Most of you now are — or soon will be — editing your critical application essays and personal statements. When Accepted.com editors review and edit your essays they go through a process I call the editing funnel. If you choose to be your own editor, you should follow a similar process. At the top of…
$100…Going Once, Going Twice…
You’re running out of time to receive $100 off your order of non-rush MBA, law school, grad school, or college services of $2000 or more! Through TOMORROW, November 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), you can use coupon code NOV100 at checkout and take $100 off your order. Think of it as putting away…
Rejected Application: Disappointment or Tragedy
A few weeks ago I went to a meeting for bereaved mothers, mothers who have lost a child. The passing of our youngest child several years ago made me eligible for this club that anyone would do anything to stay out of. One of the women in this group, let’s call her Nancy, told about…
Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Connect with Accepted.com
If you’re like most applicants, then not only do you have Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts, but you probably use them on a regular basis to network with friends and colleagues. Here are 4 reasons why you should connect with us: You’ll stay up-to-date on admissions news and events. We’ll keep you posted on application…
3 Treats that Will do the Trick in Your Personal Statement or Application Essay
In my meanderings on the web, I stumbled across a short video on screen writing. The presenters are two Emmy-winning screen writers, and they know a thing or two about telling a good story. They boil the story-telling stew down to three words — actually 2 do’s and 1 don’t: The do’s: Therefore But The…
