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

[ashishdhanuka]

Hi Jennifer

I have sent you the original essay as requested by you in my earlier post. Would really appreciate a reponse from you.

Originally Posted by Accepted

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

[sanelyinsane]

hi Jennifer,
Im a b.com (hons) with 68% aggregate and LLB from Law Faculty Delhi University.
I ve began litigating as a junior in supreme court but only since a few months.
Im preparing for Gmat and would apply if not this admission time but for october 2008 deadlines. By then id work as a lawyer for about a year plus. What kind of recos would i need for stern nyu.
Also what more can I do to target to have a strong application for Bschools providing good placements in finance, consultancies.
Kindly suggest.Im a lil lost.
Thanks

[puerile131313]

Hi Jennifer,
I completed my B.E. in Electronics and communications in 2005, did post graduation diploma in VLSI and embedded systems, and working as a software engineer. My work experience of 2 years will be completed on 19th dec '07. I gave GMAT on 3 Oct '07 and have scored 620.
I want help from you in choosing the universities to which I can apply.

I already reported my score at the time of the examination to the following universities:
GLAKES, Chennai;
IMD
INSEAD-France and Singapore
ISB,
St. John University - Peter J Tobin College of Business (Queens & Manhattan Campuses)

I am really not sure whether I will get call from any of these universities at my score. Please tell me will I get call from any of the universities, and if possible from GLAKES.

Also, I want help regarding recommendation letters, SOPs and application forms. How to prepare all of these in the best possible manner?

Thanks and regards,
kavita

[neo_me85]

Hi Jennifer, thanks for taking out time to help us out. Let me briefly introduce myself before I ask you my queries.

I was born in India (1985) but did my schooling entirely in Dubai (89-03).
I returned back to India to do my engineering (03-may07) and though i had opportunities to work in Dubai, i decided to stay over in India and get some experience here.

Academics:
10th : 86%
12th : 83%
Graduation CGPA : 7.39/10 in Engineering
GMAT : yet to be taken, 710 on Mock tests ---> I feel it can be improved.

Work ex:
Around 3 months. I have been working in the International Business Development dept. of one of India's largest and most respected engineering firms (Non-IT). Though we started out in a small way exporting to South-East Asia, Africa and Middle east, we are now moving towards US and European markets. My job involves Market Research, co-ordination with the design team to make customer specific designs, development of market strategies and involves a lot of interaction with clients and consultants from all over the world.

Community Service & extra, co- curriculars:
* Frequent donator at blood donation camps (with certificates)
* Very likely to participate in CSR activities of my company
* Volunteer at “Clean up the city” drives (no certificates)
* Was the class leader almost every year and finally elected School leader
* Debating club president, Arabic Drum player for school orchestra, adjudged sports champion for 2002 etc.

Though I am happy with the kind of work I am doing at the moment, I am not satisfied with the remuneration and future growth prospects. I would like to pursue an MBA to improve this aspect and am looking at a good ROI. Could u help me with the following:

1. When should I take my GMAT considering that some schools look down upon scores which are more than 3 years old.
3. Looking at my profile, what are the things I need to highlight in my essay and which are the colleges that u feel I should apply to.
4. Since I did not/do not actually work abroad and only have periodic foreign visits, will it affect my chances of admission or will it be considered as international exposure.

Thanks in advance,
Neo

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by 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.

Most of the top 10 programs do not accept just 15 years of education but expect the 16th year Master of Commerce or the like. Lower down the list, the schools are a bit more open to the 15 years. For instance, I am pretty sure that Rochester's Simon School accepts without the 16th year, and it has an excellent finance MBA program. You can simply email the admissions offices of the schools you are interested in to find out if they are willing to consider you.

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:
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Cornell – with Director of Admissions Randall Sawyer: Wednesday, October 24 at 6 PM GMT
INSEAD – with Marketing Manager Cassandra Pittman: Monday, October 29 at 5 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by 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?

Wow, Ashishdhanuka, 300 words is really short for each of these essays - it's almost cruel.

For the "Each of us" essay, I would suggest you identify one or two admirable qualities of yours and trace them back to a person or situation in which you demonstrated these qualities. Was it as a result of a person or a situation? Did you rise to the occasion that a challenging situation presented before you? This is the type of story you can tell here. Remember, don't fall for the trap of telling about the person who elicited the quality; rather, make sure you are helping the ad com understand you and what causes you to act in this essay.


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:
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Cornell – with Director of Admissions Randall Sawyer: Wednesday, October 24 at 6 PM GMT
INSEAD – with Marketing Manager Cassandra Pittman: Monday, October 29 at 5 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by 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

Hi again, Ashishdhanuka. You have to prove a couple of things to the admissions committee as an accountant: 1) you are a fun, outgoing, social, team player - not a boring accountant, and 2) you are able to take risks, lead new ventures and ideas.

I know nothing about your ability to prove those two things, so I cannot tell you whether the following schools are appropriate for you; however, here is a partial list of one-year MBA programs: INSEAD, Columbia, Kellogg, Cornell, USC's IBEAR, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Georgia. Some of these may require that you have a master's degree already to qualify for the one-year option, so be sure to check whether you are eligible before you apply.

I like GMAT scores to hover around 700 - certainly for applicants from India, the schools expect GMATs over 680.

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:
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Cornell – with Director of Admissions Randall Sawyer: Wednesday, October 24 at 6 PM GMT
INSEAD – with Marketing Manager Cassandra Pittman: Monday, October 29 at 5 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by 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

Ankur,
You do need to show that the R&D role has helped prepare you for your future, but that can be by building your teamwork, management, communication, or project management skills. I don't think your current role is a big disconnect, but you do need to explain your path and the business skills and knowledge you have gained from it.

I also suggest that you do some research into Kellogg, Wharton, Columbia, and Tuck's healthcare programs. From what I hear, they are also strong with faculty dedicated to the field.

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:
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Cornell – with Director of Admissions Randall Sawyer: Wednesday, October 24 at 6 PM GMT
INSEAD – with Marketing Manager Cassandra Pittman: Monday, October 29 at 5 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by stereobag

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

Hi again, Stereobag. Queens is an absolutely top-ranked program, considered one of the best in the world and I hear it has a large number of students from technology backgrounds. I don't know enough about Ivey to comment.

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:
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Cornell – with Director of Admissions Randall Sawyer: Wednesday, October 24 at 6 PM GMT
INSEAD – with Marketing Manager Cassandra Pittman: Monday, October 29 at 5 PM GMT

[Accepted]

Originally Posted by 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

Hi, Priya. Your essays should focus on the ways you have developed your leadership skills and how you have risen to leadership roles quickly so that you can demonstrate that you are ready for the MBA program now despite having only 3 years of experience.

If the essay asks about your professional anything, then, no, you cannot talk about anything but work.

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:
CMU – with Director of MBA Admissions Laurie Stewart: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:00 PM GMT
Cornell – with Director of Admissions Randall Sawyer: Wednesday, October 24 at 6 PM GMT
INSEAD – with Marketing Manager Cassandra Pittman: Monday, October 29 at 5 PM GMT