This post was originally excerpted from MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools, by Linda Abraham and Judy Gruen, and has since been updated by Kelly Wilson to reflect recent trends and information. Want to get accepted to a top business school? Check out these 13 helpful MBA resume…
What Should You Do If You Can’t Visit B-Schools in Person? [A COVID-19 Special]
A desirable part of the application process to b-schools is the on-campus visit. The visit usually has two purposes: (1) help prospects clarify their own impressions of the school and either build enthusiasm or, conversely, help rule certain programs out; and (2) demonstrate interest in the school by meeting with current students, administrators, etc. But what…
How to Clarify Your Goals for Your MBA – And Beyond
Some applicants may be very clear about either the industry in which they want to work or the function or job title they’d like to have, but not always both. For example, you may be certain that you want to grow into a marketing executive role but are much less clear about what product or…
3 Keys to Successful Interview Preparation
“3 Keys to Successful Interview Preparation” is excerpted from MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools, by Linda Abraham and Judy Gruen. Throughout this book I’ve emphasized the importance of knowing your goals, knowing the schools where you apply, and knowing yourself. Finding where these points converge is essential for…
Ingredients of a Great MBA Letter of Recommendation
“Ingredients of a Great MBA Letter of Recommendation” is excerpted from MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools, by Linda Abraham and Judy Gruen. You may view the job of gathering strong Letters of Recommendation (LORs) as an annoying chore, or even redundant. Haven’t you already proven in your essays…
Making Connections that Matter in Your MBA Essays
Outstanding MBA application essays have several things in common. One of the most important among them is successfully making connections between your past and your present, and between your present and your future. The decision makers will want to see you make persuasive connections between your interests and your activities, and between your passions and…
Are You a Good Fit for Your Target MBA Programs?
MBA Smarties need to strategize their MBA applications before actually filling out any applications or writing any essays. Because I’m such a firm believer in the “ready, aim, fire!” philosophy of school applications (and not the reverse), the first three chapters of this book have focused on what I consider the three essential steps in…