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

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by nitin98325

Hi
I am Nitin. I have to write some thing about Versatility of my personal attributes and achievement in one of the application form of B school.
The problem is i have been very average in extra curriculum activities. Nothing spectecular which i can write down. It is like jack of some and master of none.
I think many students face such diffuclt situation. What we should do because if we write some thing impressive then we are exposing ourself to number of question to validate our claims and if we write average then we are simply out of crowd. Can you please advice us
thank you
Regards
Nitin

Hi, Nitin. I admit that I am not familiar with the question and since you did not give the name of the prorgram or the exact wording, I will just have to take a stab. Versatility of your personal attributes doesn’t have to be in the community. It sounds like you could identify any attribute, say leadership, and talk about how you have applied it in a variety of circumstances (when you were the obvious leader, when you were just one of a group of peers, etc.). It allows you to discuss the attribute as it applies to multiple situations and environments. Identify your top few attributes and brainstorm for the examples in which you demonstrated them best. Chances are that these situations were quite different from each other. This will enable you to write something impressive that is validatable – those are the best stories!
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:
Yale – with Admissions Director Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
London Business School – with Acting Associate Dean David Simpson: Monday, Oct. 15, 5:00 PM GMT
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by ashishdhanuka

Dear Jennifer

I am planning to apply to the National University of Singapore, MBA program. In this regard, they have an essay "Each of us have been influenced...." Could you share some insights on what is expected from such an essay. Some pointers may actually help


Ashish

Hi, Ashish. I would love to help you. Could you send the actual essay question to save me the time of tracking it down?

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:
Yale – with Admissions Director Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
London Business School – with Acting Associate Dean David Simpson: Monday, Oct. 15, 5:00 PM GMT
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM

[11111]

hello

my gmat score is 710
extra-curr-- good
acads-- good
work ex- 1.5 yrs ( own business. ).


i have 15 yrs of education since i have completed bsc .
which schools in usa can i apply to for mba.
want to do mba in finance

thank you.

[Accepted]

Just FYI: I will not be reading nor replying to private posts - except from Apurv! So if you have a question and would like it answered, please post it to the forum.

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:
Yale – with Admissions Director Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
London Business School – with Acting Associate Dean David Simpson: Monday, Oct. 15, 5:00 PM GMT
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM

[11111]

hello

my gmat score is 710
extra-curr-- good
acads-- good
work ex- 1.5 yrs ( own business. ).manufacturing.


i have 15 yrs of education since i have completed bsc .
which schools in usa can i apply to for mba.
im thinking of emory , unc, virginia darden, indiana
want to do mba in finance

thank you.

[ashishdhanuka]

Dear Jennifer


Following are the essays for NUS.

The limit is 300 words per essay, except for essay 4, which has a limit of 80 words.
1. Discuss your career progression to date. How do you think the NUS MBA can help you achieve your goals? How do you envision your career progressing after receiving the MBA?

2. Each of us has been influenced by the people, events and situations occurring in our lives. How have these influences shaped you into who you are today?

3. Globalization and technology are rapidly changing the world of business. How must MBA programs change to prepare students for these challenges? In your view, what features of the NUS MBA prepare students for business as it will be in future, not business as it is today[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']?[/font][/font]

4. Optional Bonus Question What would you cite as the one distinguishing factor you have vis-â-vis other candidates who are applying to the NUS MBA? What potential contribution(s) can you bring to the class?

[ashishdhanuka]

Hi Jennifer

as you know from my earlier posts, I am planning to apply to NUS. Taking my GMAT in November. I am more keen in pursuing a one year MBA course. Hence, NUS. I have 5-6 years of work experience. I am a Chartered Accountant (CPA equivalent).

What kind of scores should I target for GMAT? Which other institutes do you think I could apply?

Thanks

[sethankur]

Hi Jeniffer,

I am yet another techi from India but have some specific reasons for the b schools.
I wish to move to the healthcare sector post MBA thus targetting only Fuqua and Haas (only they seem to be the right fit), someday want to build a technologically advanced healthcare research center in india. Short term goal post MBA is to move to product manager/marketing role in healthcare technology companies.

But problem is that my professional exp is not synerging with my goals.
I am B.Tech from one of the IIT's , wrote gmat twice 620(sep 2006)-->710(jun 2007),GPA 2.88/4, and 4 yrs exp(till 2008.). Post graduation I worked in research labs across europe for 4 months.

Returned back to India and worked with a startup(in healthcare technology for 1.5 years) which grew and then was acquired by an SnP 500 company.
With one of the biggest technology RnD companies since 2006(got promoted once) not working in healthcare here but in RnD. I did a lot to improve my technical skills but for healthcare I could only join an external club and managed to publish an international paper on Medical Informatics.

Also lots of community service in and after college. Recently co founded an NGO. Placement Coordinator in college . Worked in Family Business during my studies.

1) Even though I have a focussed career goal, I will still be a part of the Indian IT Male pool. How should I compete with it ,considering my comparitive low GPA
2) When i see my profile i see
internship(healthcare)-->startup(healthcare)-->RnD(technology)-->MBA(healthcare). I hope it does'nt rings odd ? even though post mba i wanna move to
healthcare technology?
3) No exp of Business Development/strategic role till now. Any issues?

Thanks in anticipation,
Ankur

[stereobag]

Originally Posted by Accepted

Hi, Stereobag.

Your chances at UNC, Kelley, and Emory are better than at USC. In my experience, USC is a bit more competitive of a program. I definitely encourage you to apply; I just want you to know that earning acceptance will be more difficult to USC. However, you do have some positives that in my opinion you should highlight in the application:
1) your entrepreneurial operations management for the earth-moving equipment business – as long as you highlight the entrepreneurial aspect and not the IT side
2) IT strategy and not just software design
3) spearheading and leading in the community
4) And of course, your good GMAT score doesn’t hurt – but that doesn’t go in an essay!

While overcoming poverty and a rural background is commendable, it only works in an essay if you are able to show it as a strength not a sob story. Don’t bore us with how hard your life was; do tell us what opportunities you sought and how you made the best of a difficult situation to triumph. Those are stories that every ad com loves to read.

Best of 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:
Yale – with Admissions Director Bruce DelMonico: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 6:00 PM GMT
London Business School – with Acting Associate Dean David Simpson: Monday, Oct. 15, 5:00 PM GMT
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM

Hi Jeniffer,

Thanks for the feedback and the useful advice. Considering my above profile and interests which other schools would you suggest. Whats ur take on the Canadian schools Ivey and Queens??

Thanks,
Stereobag

[wannabe mba]

Hi Jennifer,

My profile:
Engineer with an aggregate of 81%
Work exp: 2 yrs of IT , will be nearing 3 yrs by the time i join.
Extra curriculars: Member of the company volunteer group.
Writer for an e-magazine in bangalore.
Have association with a theater group and do plays.
Gmat : 640 (1st attempt)

Plannin to apply to Texas A &M and U C Davis (GSM) in the first round.

I want a few suggestions on what exactly should my essays focus on ,

I have a question in TAMU which says "What are your peresonal charactersitics that have contributed to your professional success" , can i concentrate on my extracurricluars like volunteer activites on this essay or should i focus on my professional qualities like leadership and team work...

Please let me know...
Thanks and Regards,
Priya