Ask Jennifer@Accepted.com: Application-writing advice for the best global B-schools

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by apoddar

I have lead teams of 20 and 70 people in two different events during graduation. I think they will speak of my leadership skills. Will that help and should I highlight it ?
Also, precisely this is one of the reasons I want to do an MBA - to move to a higher platform.
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Can you give me an insight into other strengths of these programs. How would you rate these on Technology and Leadership? What about their global image?

Also the other programs I am considering are Anderson and Tepper. I would like to know your view about these. [/size][/font]

Apoddar,
Your leadership of large groups in university is helpful, but it may not be enough to put you to the top of the pile of applicants. You should definitely highlight it, though.

Anderson and Tepper are also excellent programs. To find out which schools make the best fit for you and how they integrate technology management into their curricula, you should contact current students and alumni. These people make great resources!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
USC (Marshall) – with Senior Associate Director MBA Admissions Kellee Scott: Monday, November 5, at 6:00 PM GMT
Michigan (Ross) – with Director of Admissions Soojin Kwon Koh: Wednesday, November 7, at 6:00 PM GMT
Wharton – on the interview process with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Thomas Caleel: Thursday November 15 at 6:00 PM GMT

mealiennothuman

Hi Jennifer,

Within India, Indian School of Business has a very good reputation. Can you tell me how reputed is ISB internationally. If given a choice between National University of Singapore and Indian School of Business, which would be a better choice.

I weighted all the pros and cons that I could think of and I still am not able to think of any reason which would answer, "What does ISB have which NUS doesn't?" other than the reputation. But then again as I mentioned before I do not know if it is as reputed among non-Indians as well?

Can you help me out? Which one would be a better choice?

Thanks,
Abhishek.

nitinbr

Hello Jennifer,

I have a couple of questions:

1) Is it a good idea to use the Additional Information essay to highlight areas that I can't cover in the essays? I've heard that they are usually used to explain extenuating circumstances.

2) Does a resume (as part of a b-school app) need to be just a list of achievements/responsibilities, or I can target it towards a specific career objective?

Thanks in advance,
~Nitin

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by mealiennothuman

Hi Jennifer,

Within India, Indian School of Business has a very good reputation. Can you tell me how reputed is ISB internationally. If given a choice between National University of Singapore and Indian School of Business, which would be a better choice.

I weighted all the pros and cons that I could think of and I still am not able to think of any reason which would answer, "What does ISB have which NUS doesn't?" other than the reputation. But then again as I mentioned before I do not know if it is as reputed among non-Indians as well?

Can you help me out? Which one would be a better choice?

Thanks,
Abhishek.

Hi, Abishek. This will definitely be a difficult decision for you. I suggest you consider the following factors as you try to decide:
1) Cost
2) student body - if your future is international, which program attracts a greater number of international students (to gain a broader knowledge base and network)?
3) recruiting/placement statistics

Both schools are well known, but statistics like this may help you in making the decision.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Wharton – on the interview process with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Thomas Caleel: Thursday November 15 at 6:00 PM GMT
Haas – with Director of Admissions Peter Johnson: Tuesday November 20 at 6:00 PM GMT
Fuqua – with Assistant Dean of the MBA Daytime Program Liz Riley Hargrove at 6:00 PM GMT

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitinbr

Hello Jennifer,

I have a couple of questions:

1) Is it a good idea to use the Additional Information essay to highlight areas that I can't cover in the essays? I've heard that they are usually used to explain extenuating circumstances.

2) Does a resume (as part of a b-school app) need to be just a list of achievements/responsibilities, or I can target it towards a specific career objective?

Thanks in advance,
~Nitin

Hi, Nitin. I usually recommend that applicants use the additional information section to highlight material from their background and activities that didn't fit in elsewhere. Most programs are open to this. However, this year, for example, Chicago GSB was quite adamant that they wanted only extenuating circumstances to be discussed in their optional essay. With 2000 words in essays plus four PowerPoint slides and a lengthy resume from each applicant, I can understand why they didn't want to see another word from you unless it was really important :-D

I like the resume to be very tailored to the MBA program and your career goal; that way it helps the admissions committee see how you might fit into that industry. So for example, if an applicant has an IT background, but his future is in strategy consulting, then he should definitely NOT describe the technical skills and projects he has been engaged in. Instead, he should focus on the transferable skills - project management, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, analysis, etc. that are essential to strategy consulting and choose examples from his career for the resume.

Good luck on the application!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Wharton – on the interview process with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Thomas Caleel: Thursday November 15 at 6:00 PM GMT
Haas – with Director of Admissions Peter Johnson: Tuesday November 20 at 6:00 PM GMT
Fuqua – with Assistant Dean of the MBA Daytime Program Liz Riley Hargrove at 6:00 PM GMT

debayanm · 05:09 PM

wrong post...not needed now..

hari_84

Hi Jennifer,
I am another techie planning to apply for an MBA in some of these schools

Cornell University
University of Texas--Austin (McCombs),
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor (Ross)
Indiana University--Bloomington (Kelley)
University of Rochester (Simon)
University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)

I have 2 years of work experience and a GMAT score of 600. I lead a team to develop and support client systems. My additional responsibility is to implement and monitor my company's quality policies in my account(500+ ppl), for which I also lead another team of 10 people. Both the responsibilities make me interact with the top management of my clients and my company. In addition to this, I have also mentored new joinees to the account. What chances will I have for my profile? Will my profile stand out against the competition? What can I do to improve my standing?

Thanks,
Prashanth

NYMonsoon

Hi Jennifer,

I have just one question for you - Should I apply to Harvard for R2 2008-10 round. I have started my application but I would appreciate it if you could evaluate my profile and offer some honest feedback. Harvard is the only school I am considering in the US this year.

I finished my high school in Mumbai, India before pursuing my bachelors from a highly ranked engineering college in NY. I graduated in May 2007 and have 6 months work ex in consulting as a business analyst.

ACADEMICS

10th - 94% - Rank 2 in school
12th - 93% - Rank 1 in school; Valedictorian
Undergrad : 3.53/4.00 (New York)
GMAT : 760 (Q50V42); 5.5 AWA

WORK EX

6 months in consulting with a Fortune 500 firm, based out of NYC

LEADERSHIP

Co-Founder of Engineers for a Sustainable World (my school's chapter)
Vice president - Projects

I was a co-founder of this organization and as Vice President responsible for managing all the projects undertaken. I represented my college in UT-Austin, for the annual ESW conference. When I departed the organization we were engaged with a village in Nigeria, to provide easy access to clean, filtered drinking water.

Co-Chairman - School of Engineering Dean's Advisory Council

I was the co-chair presiding over a group of 20 individuals representing each of the departments in the school of engineering. I managed a budget of $10,000 and organized several events like the Engineering Discovery Fair to help freshmen choose their majors and the Annual SoE BBQ for over 1000 people.

Resident Assistant - Residence Life Staff

Responsible for the safety and well-being of over 100 residents and for creating and maintaining an environment conducive for learning and collaboration.

Community Service

I have taught Math and Science to groups of at-risk students from middle and high schools
I also tutored college students with difficult courses and conducted preparatory workshops for groups of over 150 students.

I am fluent in three languages and I have had a plethora of internships giving me exposure in strategy, banking and technology.

My reason for only applying to Harvard is the emphasis that the school places on individual aspirations and passions over work-ex and such (given the move to encourage college juniors and seniors to apply). I am very passionate about working with developing economies particularly in the areas of education and health-care. I am hoping that by articulating my passions and emphasizing my career goal of assisting developing economies create robust educational systems and improve their health-care system, I will be able to compensate for my lack of work experience. The problem with my current job is that neither will working for an extra year or two give me relevant experiences or skills that I need, nor am I very passionate about the industry I currently am in. I might be a long shot, but the more I think about it, the more I convince myself that this is the right time for me. And I want to make this shift as early as possible.

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by debayanm

hi all !!
i hv got the GLIM form and hav to submit letter of rec.as i hav 4 months exp till now,i hav to get one from college.my prof there has said to ans the ques myself on his behalf,he will go through them and sign them,provided they are ok..( my short details: 10th :87,12th 74,btech: 84%, cat 2006: 97.1%ile.)

please check my answers and also the grades..

What do you consider to be the applicant’s most salient strengths? Comment on the factor that distinguishes the applicant from other individuals at his / her level.

1) I have known Debayan Mukherji for around 5 years and know him very well. His salient strength is his optimism. He always completed the assigned responsibility with complete dedication and brought out the best results. He is a sharp minded person and has good grasping power.
He always supported any cause and believed that any work could be done, provided the approach was correct. Whether be it acads or extra curricular, he has always been there.
He sets apart from everybody by being a very active and patient listener.

What do you consider to be the applicant’s major weakness?

2) I don’t feel that he has any major weakness or shortcoming. He has always excelled every opportunity and remained composed in critical situations.

Please discuss the observations you have made as regards to the applicant’s leadership skills.

3) He has all the skills of a successful leader. He has always led from front and headed the volunteer team many times such as organizing placements activities and philanthropic activities like blood donation camps in and around the college premises. He was the Organizing Head of the Cultural committee during University festivals. He remained conscious of the skills and positives of his group members and made optimum benefit of the same. He welcomed suggestions and at the same time, took necessary steps to see that his group members very satisfied equally with the overall work and the end result.

Great Lakes Institute of Management is committed to developing outstanding leaders who can inspire trust and confidence in others. Please comment on the applicant’s behaviour (e.g. respect for others, honesty, integrity, accountability for personal behaviour) within your organisation and in the community.

4) Debayan has always been in the eyes of his professors not only for his willingness to learn but also due to his well behaved nature towards his teachers and seniors. He is an honest person and maintains professionalism in his work. He maintains high level of integrity and his personal behavior has always been commendable in and around the institution premise.

Please use the space provided below or attach an additional page to this form to make any additional comments you think are important concerning the applicant.

5) He has been academically brilliant throughout his career .He is an obedient student and remained cool headed always. He is a very trustworthy person and takes his task very seriously.

I strongly recommend Debayan Mukherji for admission in your institution so that he can learn, increase his knowledge, excel in every field and scale up new heights in success.

Please give us your appraisal of the applicant in terms of the qualities listed below. Rate him on the scale of 1 to 10. Describe the reference group you are using,

Number of peers against whom the candidate is evaluated:
6) The reference group I have accounted for consists of the best student in the various engineering colleges in the country as he strongly stands one among them.

Number of peers against whom the candidate is evaluated: 50

Qualities

Rating on Scale (1-10)

LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL

9

PROFESSIONALISM

10

PERSONAL / PROFESSIONAL MATURITY

9

PERSONAL INTEGRITY

10

INTELLECTUAL ABILITY

10

LISTENING SKILLS

10

TEAM SKILLS

10

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

9

SELF DISCIPLINE

9

ABILITY TO INITIATE

10

please give review,it will be of gr8 help!!!

Hi, Debayan. The letter needs to give examples of you demonstrating each of these qualities so that the admissions committee can see for themselves what a great leader, listener, and communicator etc. you are. I found your answers too short and uninformative. Also, you really need a weakness (see http://blog.accepted.com/acceptedcom_blog/2006/6/27/flaws-make-you-real.html to understand exactly why this is so). I suggest you sit down with your recommender and ask him about the situations and examples of your exceptionality that he remembers most. It may surprise you and details like this can only add to the letter.

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Wharton – on the interview process with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Thomas Caleel: Thursday November 15 at 6:00 PM GMT
Haas – with Director of Admissions Peter Johnson: Tuesday November 20 at 6:00 PM GMT
Fuqua – with Assistant Dean of the MBA Daytime Program Liz Riley Hargrove at 6:00 PM GMT

Accepted

Quote:

Originally Posted by hari_84

Hi Jennifer,
I am another techie planning to apply for an MBA in some of these schools

Cornell University
University of Texas--Austin (McCombs),
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor (Ross)
Indiana University--Bloomington (Kelley)
University of Rochester (Simon)
University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)

I have 2 years of work experience and a GMAT score of 600. I lead a team to develop and support client systems. My additional responsibility is to implement and monitor my company's quality policies in my account(500+ ppl), for which I also lead another team of 10 people. Both the responsibilities make me interact with the top management of my clients and my company. In addition to this, I have also mentored new joinees to the account. What chances will I have for my profile? Will my profile stand out against the competition? What can I do to improve my standing?

Thanks,
Prashanth

Hi, Prashanth. I am worried about the GMAT score. Many US MBA programs look to their Indian applicants to boost their averages; your 600 just won't help them do that.

I am afraid I didn't get a strong sense of what you do professionally - do you have any actual impact on the company as you monitor quality policies? Have you earned promotions and great responsibilities in advance of your peers? These are the things you will need to prove to earn admission to the top MBA programs you listed in your post.

To improve your standing, I suggest you boost your GMAT to closer to 700 (if not over 700) and pursue roles where you can have a great deal of influence on your organization and its clients (again, I'm not saying you don't have that influence now; I just couldn't see it from the short summary you provided).

Best of luck in your applications!

Regards,
Jennifer Bloom, CPRW
Accepted - helping you write your best!

From pre-application consulting and strategizing to essay and letter of recommendation editing, resumes, mock interviews, and wait-list tactics - we guide you through the application maze.
Don’t miss these upcoming chats at Accepted:
Wharton – on the interview process with Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Thomas Caleel: Thursday November 15 at 6:00 PM GMT
Haas – with Director of Admissions Peter Johnson: Tuesday November 20 at 6:00 PM GMT
Fuqua – with Assistant Dean of the MBA Daytime Program Liz Riley Hargrove at 6:00 PM GMT