An Admissions Director's Perspective On Applying to B-School

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Is it phony to start volunteering three months before applying to business school? What can I do to prepare to hit the ground running when my target programs release their applications? What is the worst thing to ask a school rep when I come to visit?

Get the adcom perspective on these questions and more in our enlightening conversation with Esmeralda Cardenal, former admissions director and current Accepted admissions consultant.

00:00:37 – Featured Applicant Question: I have a low GMAT quant score and few extracurriculars, but want to attend Stanford/Harvard/Wharton. Am I aiming too high?

00:08:59 – How Esmeralda got involved in MBA admissions.

00:10:14 – Applicants who sell themselves short and why they do it.

00:13:21 – What b-school applicants would be so much better off knowing.

00:15:54 – An overview of how an application is reviewed.

00:17:31 – Differences between U.S. and U.K. schools and admissions.

00:19:35 – Advice for Latin American applicants to United States b-schools.

00:21:52 – Get to work before applications are live!

00:27:10 – What to look for when visiting schools.

00:29:24 – Questions to ask (and not to ask) when you visit and interview.

00:31:20 – The best way to prepare for a blind interview.

00:32:25 – Important advice for business school reapplicants.

00:35:50 – Final words of wisdom. Pay heed.