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

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by cs.sarmah

Hi Jennifer,
I am applying for Judge Business school in the first cycle.

I am stuck with the following essay.
How would you like to be remembered?

I guess this essay is to see whether your aspirations and expectations out of your life match with the short term and long term goals you have framed or not. Correct me if I am wrong. I don't know how to proceed with this essay.

Please help me on this. Should you require further information let me know.
Thanks in anticipation.
Chandra

Chandra,
This question of Judge's is really the only essay in the application that allows you to talk about you outside of work. What types of community activities do you take an active role in? Why are these meaningful to you? Alternatively, you could use this space to discuss how you interact with people; is there a way that you view yourself (accomodating, empathic, decisive, analytical, etc.) that guides your interactions with others? This could then serve as the way you want to be remembered. In other words, you really do have a lot of leeway in answering this question. Just make sure you use it to reveal some new information about yourself and share an example or two that simultaneously demonstrate how you would fit in at Judge.

Enjoy this opportunity to share a new side of yourself!
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:
Insead – with MBA Admissions Manager Cassandra Pittman at 6 PM GMT on December 3rd
LBS – with Acting Associate Dean David Simpson at 6 PM GMT on December 12th
Notre Dame – with Director of Admissions Brian Lohr at 6 PM GMT on January 9th

[pinkii]

Dear Jenifer,

I really appreciate your work and your guidence.
Please evaluate my profile and comment on the schools selected by me.
I am interested in 2 year Full time MBA program for fall 2008.
I am applying in R2.

Profile:

GMAT: 640 ( Q 49, VA 29) AWA- 4.5
TOEFL: yet to be taken
X : 87.29%
XII: 83%
B.Com.: 76%
Diploma in Corporate communication and advertising
Currently pursuing one year course of Finance to make my education 12+4
Academic achievements: exellent, Have been University Topper Twice

Work Ex: 2 years by June 2008( One year in a local Co. and One year in MNC)

Extra curriculars: average

Community services: asscociated with blind girl asscociation and other small activities

I have applied to the following schools at the time of my GMAT.

1) Case Western Reserve University - Weatherland School of Business - MBA 2 year ( As suggested by you)

2) Pepperdine University - The George L. Graziado School of Business and Management - MBA Full Time

3) University of Arizona - The Eller College of Management -MBA Full Time

4) Uni. of Georgia - Terry College of Business - MBA Ful Time

5) Uni. of Iowa - Henry B. Tippie College of Business - MBA Full Time

I intend to apply to the following schools:

1) Brigham Young University - Marriott School of Management

2) University of Minnesota/Twin Cities - Carlson School of Management

3) University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business

4) Georgia Tech College of Management

5) Uni. of California, Davis Graduate School of Management

Please let me know my chances in all the colleges mentioned above. I want to have atleast 2 to 3 secured universities where chances of admission are very high.

Please reply. I don't have time to retake GMAT. Is it ok if I apply to the above schools with the score of 640?

I know it's a long post but I really need your help

Thnx in adv

[cs.sarmah]

Originally Posted by Accepted

Chandra,
This question of Judge's is really the only essay in the application that allows you to talk about you outside of work. What types of community activities do you take an active role in? Why are these meaningful to you? Alternatively, you could use this space to discuss how you interact with people; is there a way that you view yourself (accomodating, empathic, decisive, analytical, etc.) that guides your interactions with others? This could then serve as the way you want to be remembered. In other words, you really do have a lot of leeway in answering this question. Just make sure you use it to reveal some new information about yourself and share an example or two that simultaneously demonstrate how you would fit in at Judge.

Enjoy this opportunity to share a new side of yourself!
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:
Insead – with MBA Admissions Manager Cassandra Pittman at 6 PM GMT on December 3rd
LBS – with Acting Associate Dean David Simpson at 6 PM GMT on December 12th
Notre Dame – with Director of Admissions Brian Lohr at 6 PM GMT on January 9th

Hi! Jennifer,
This is really helpful to me.
Thanks a lot!!
Regards
Chandra

[kunalpragati]

Hi jenifer,

Please evaluate my profile and comment some good Safe Schools/ Dream schools in Asia/Europe basis my gmat score.

I am interested in 1 year Full time MBA program for fall 2008.

Profile:
Indian
shipping industry
GMAT: 640 ( Q 50, VA 26) AWA- 4.5
TOEFL: yet to be taken
X : 73%
XII: 77%
B.SC.: 82%

Bsc in Nautical Sciences
awards in sports,hobbies,public speaing,drama,story writing

Currently sailing as Chief officer (2nd in command) in italian shipping MNC and possess highest qualification (Captain of a foreign going ship)

Work Ex: 11 years by June 2008( world wide- almost everywhere in the world- special period in shipyards in china/South korea)

Kindly advise on
Also, please guide me if Mba schools will treat me as OPERATIONS/COMMERCIAL/GENERAL MNGMT guy

Please help me on this. Should you require further information let me know.
Thanks in anticipation.
Kunal

[sandeephrnayak]

Hi Jennifer,
First I would like to thank you for your support.I am a Senior software engineer in a MNC. I need some information on how B-school select candidate who is looking for career shift. Here is my profile.

Years of experience : 50 month.
Current designation : Senior software engineer.
Xth score : 88%
XIIth score : 86%
Graduation : MIT Manipal (Manipal Deemed University) Engineering in
Electronics and communication 75%.

Overseas exposure : Worked in South Korea for one of the leading consumer Electronics giant of the world as a software consultant for about 9 month.

Currently I am working for another leading mobile manufacturer in their site within India and leading a team of 4.

I am planning to take GMAT in the month of Feb 2008. I would like to know my (an IT guy) chances of getting into one of the TOP 20 B-school in finance. Do they expect any prior exposure in the field of finance? Or else are there any chances of getting into finance field(job in I-Bank) after pursuing MBA in a well known General MBA-school. Do I need to look(short listing and preparing essays) for those colleges now itself? Thanking you in advance.

Regards,
Sandeep

[whit]

Hello Jennifer,

Thank you for your reply

[spran]

hi jennifer,


i am not yet decided on where i would like to do my post grad in management from. But what i would like to get from you would be a feeler on my prospects.

Indian male.

23 years.

Average acads all through school and college.
10th 89%
12th 83%
Engg 71%

Engg grad in mechanical engineering having passed out in 2007.

I co-founded a firm with six other students my in while in my fifth semester of graduation(engg) and now into its 25th month of existence we have launched another venture and have been successful in raising funding too(angel investment).

Besides, i ve held various leadership positions in school and college. General- secretary of the college and so on.

I can get some real good reco from industry guys from India.

Would really appreciate if you could give me some direction or atleast a feel on whether i wait for another two years or so before i do an MBA. Just an honest appraisal of my chances. Would love to do my post grad from amongst the top 5-7 colleges.

regards
spran

[thetoastedbread]

Hi Jennifer,

Any interview advise for Tuck and Darden?

Many thanks.

Kindest,
- TTB

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by aps#1

Hi Jennifer,
I hope you are doing good.
I have a couple of questions.
1) Please see my profile:
Academics:
Xth : 83% CBSE 1997
XIIth : 81% CBSE 1999
Got selected in IIT, Roorkie ( Roorkie was a different University in 1999) , PEC Chandigarh and Army Institute of Technology. Chose the last because I wanted to major in Computer Sc andthis was the only place I was getting the same.
Graduation : 53.33% 2005
I do have a reason for this drop in marks, though. In my first year, after the first term exams, where I got a distinction (68%), I met with a serious accident. Head injury, was in coma for 2 months. This adversely affected my writing capabilities, which became slow and undecipherable for a long time. This led to the drop in grades. But my analytical and learning capabilities were as earlier. So, though t took me 6 years to complete a 4 year course, I had never failed in the same. The two extra years were due to hospitalisation and some time for recuperation.
Later I did a coupe of Certifications, like Sun Certified programmer for Java 2, PLM Certification. I took the TOEFL and got a 113 in the iBT.
So I guess I am still the same intellectually.

2) My work exp at the end on 2007 would be 27 months and I am planning to give my GMAT in March or April 2008. I am aiming at the Fall of 2009 for admissions to any B School. I am presently working in SAP Labs India. I also actively participate in the CSR forum of our company. I never let the lack of good acads get into the way of my getting good jobs. I have been one of the top performers in my jobs.

3) I was the PR Secretary of the college for an year, post accident. I represented the college soccer team and quiz team and won a couple of awards.

But my question remains, would this lack of very good acads hamper my chances to get into a top (Ivey League) B School?

Thanks and regards
Amar

Amar,
A 55% is actually a problem, yes. To boost your GPA you could try taking some courses now that actually offer grades so that you can submit an additional transcript that demonstrates your academic ability. Even online courses (from reputable universities) can help you do this.

A good GPA and GMAT are not enough though, remember. The top MBA programs are seeking professionals who lead well, who are managing in their companies and not just programming or developing new technology. So while you are working on that GMAT and taking those courses, be sure to reach for new management responsibilities as well. Make an impact on SAP Labs or find a company where you can.

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.

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by cs.sarmah

Hi Jennifer,
I am applying for Judge Business school in the first cycle.

I am stuck with the following essay.
How would you like to be remembered?

I guess this essay is to see whether your aspirations and expectations out of your life match with the short term and long term goals you have framed or not. Correct me if I am wrong. I don't know how to proceed with this essay.

Please help me on this. Should you require further information let me know.
Thanks in anticipation.
Chandra

Chandra,
Actually, this essay can be anything you want it to be; just make sure it complements the other essays. I would imagine that you will have covered your professional background basically in essay 1 and in 2.1, so this might be a nice place to discuss a role outside of work. I imagine some applicants want to be remembered as great teammates - and would share a story from their background that really demonstrates that ability; others may want to be remembered as someone who was always there for his friends or a great mentor - and would tell a story of dedication to others' success. The key is really to share an example from your past that demonstrates that you are already actively in pursuit of those "memories" - and a truly likeable person.

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.