APPLICANT RESOURCES

Clear Admit Interview Guides
Be as prepared as possible for your MBA interviews this season with the Clear Admit Interview Guides! School-specific sample questions and in-depth strategy, campus visit details and places to stay.

Clear Admit School Guides
Seventeen titles available! Understand how the leading programs compare and learn more about the MBA experience in and beyond the classroom through Clear Admit School Guides. As featured in the Economist.

Essay Topic Analysis
Below are links to our comments on some of the top programs' essay topics for the 2007-2008 admissions season.
The Career Goals Essay
Berkeley / Haas
Chicago GSB
CMU / Tepper *
Columbia
Cornell / Johnson
Dartmouth / Tuck
Duke / Fuqua
Harvard
IESE *
INSEAD
London Business School
MIT / Sloan
Michigan / Ross
Northwestern / Kellogg
NYU / Stern
Oxford / Said *
Penn / Wharton
Stanford GSB
UCLA / Anderson
UNC / Kenan-Flagler
UT Austin / McCombs *
UVA / Darden
Yale SOM
* denotes last year's commentary

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• School: London Business School
• School: Michigan / Ross
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School Rankings
Rankings are a good way to start your research on various MBA Programs. Keep in mind each uses a different methodology.
Business Week
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ARCHIVE FOR SEPTEMBER 2007

Friday, September 28, 2007

Fridays From the Frontline

Welcome back to Fridays From the Frontline, our weekly tour of the MBA blogosphere. With Round 1 deadlines just around the corner, applicant bloggers were a little on edge this week, while first- and second-years found themselves right in the middle of the party! Let’s take a closer look…

Miles ahead of the masses of last minute scramblers in the admissions process, Wannabe is already contemplating the likelihood of an interview invite from Columbia, although after careful calculation, resolves it’s safe not to hit the “big red panic button” for another 15-25 days. B-School Bound, on the other hand, offers some hope (while adding a little pressure) for those still pouring their hearts out onto the page - the takeaway message: Essays are everything! This certainly seems to resonate with Mbabound08, who notes she unfortunately just finished her Wharton setback essay – unfortunately because she’s just suffered one of the most frustrating setbacks ever - an irritated Iliotibial Band that has seriously cut into her running-relaxation time, crucial given the stress induced by essays such as, oh, Wharton Essay #2… Obelix 2010 also went through a painful setback this past week, although this one may be the kind for which more “exercise” is the best cure.

After attending a Stanford women’s event, Geetu wonders how the women at this school have any energy left to save the world – after dressing and primping and straightening their hair… Meanwhile, Tamasin proves she’s not just another typical prospective student obsessed with the rankings – at least not the individual rankings.

If only these hard stressing applicants knew what was in store for them at b-school, though! For instance, whoever said that an HBS MBA is all work and no play must not know CS, who’s headed to Vegas with the HBS Hospitality Club. Or take Stuart, who’s been tapping into his artistic side in the University of St. Gallen Creative Challenge thanks to free paints and brushes, courtesy of the administration. Over in Philadelphia, Juggler finds herself perplexed – now that she’s surmounted the grueling application process and attends the school of her dreams, what’s there to blog about at Wharton? She vows to find something worthy. Fellow former-applicant blogger Forrest was at no loss for words, however, reporting on Chicago’s industry immersion presentations, a dynamic first day of econ class and the Thursday night festivities that followed. HairTwirler also had some highlights to share: she was elected Representative of her Cohort at Georgetown, not to mention learning all about what not to mix into a drink…

Speaking of which, on the second-year front, La Lauderia found the time to exercise her discerning palette at the Wharton Wine Club’s Tasting Event. Up in New York at Stern, Rubeo Boy emerged from a moment of clarity with a major decision about his short-term career goals: “Goodbye to the big dollars and the certainty” – although he leaves us uncertain as to what he’s certain about giving up on being certain for… . Angel Angie also seems to have identified a potential post-LBS calling: Working at a hedge fund – at least it’s held her attention for three weeks… Finally, Perpetualmotion keeps moving as usual, enjoying a good old fashioned bus ride from Wharton into the suburbs for a meeting, which gets his gears turning about other such Spartan pleasures of running one’s own startup.

That’s all for this week, folks! Come see use next time for the latest edition of FFF.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Admissions Tip: MBA Application Data Forms

With HBS and INSEAD deadlines next week, and many others close behind, we wanted to offer some words of advice about an often overlooked element of one’s file: the application data forms. All too often, we see candidates leave these online application forms for the last minute, even rushing to enter all the required information from work on ‘deadline day’. The truth is that a weak effort on these forms can do serious harm to one’s candidacy, as it might reflect poorly on the applicant’s professional polish or commitment to the application process. This being the case, here are a few tips for those who are in the midst of completing this component of the application:

1) Don’t be lazy. We know that many applicants feel ‘burned out’ from their essays, and that it’s tempting to zip through the application forms and provide a bare minimum of information. While it’s fine to use your resume as a starting point, make sure that you think beyond this ready-made content and consider other information that might be of interest. In many cases, the forms are a great opportunity for you to list outside activities in depth, offer a quick explanation of a bad semester, share the significance of some professional awards you’ve received, and so on. In fact, your application forms will often be the starting point for the admissions officer’s review of your file. Put your best foot forward!

2) Follow instructions. If a school asks you to list activities in order of importance to you, then do not list them chronologically (as you may have done for another school). If the school asks for a contact person, title or the number of hours/week, do not leave these fields blank. Attention to detail is very important, making spell checking another important step in this process. In fact, many admissions officers have stated that they use the application forms as a way to see whether or not candidates have the ability to follow instructions and show attention to detail.

3) Make everything clear. The last thing you want is for your reader to have to play detective in understanding your career progression, making sense of gaps in employment, or evaluating your undergraduate performance. If your listings are not clear, the reader may assume you are hiding something - a conclusion that could seriously damage your chances. By the same token, you should avoid using industry jargon and be sure that all of your statements will make sense to a reader who is not familiar with your industry or function. Given the level of competition in the applicant pool, the admissions office can afford to dismiss files that are confusing or difficult to follow.

4) Don’t go overboard. Admissions officers typically review several files in a sitting - devoting much less time than you might imagine to each file. With this in mind, avoid listing 18 activities, 22 awards and 17 publications - especially if some of those items date back to high school (or are more than 10 years old). Stay focused on the elements of your background that are most relevant, while following the instructions that have been outlined. Remember that the application process is an exercise in marketing, and that the schools appreciate an applicant who is discerning about what details to share and knows how to present him or herself most effectively.

As always, best of luck to those of you who are applying!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

BusinessWeek MBA Expo 2007

While we know very well that many b-school hopefuls have already narrowed down their school selection and are hard at work on their essays, we wanted to point out an upcoming event for applicants who are still looking for information about MBA programs and insight into the admissions process.  To be held next week, BusinessWeek Online’s MBA Expo 2007 will feature events such as a live “webinar” about finding a school that’s the right fit, a Q&A session with b-school insiders, a virtual exhibit hall where participants can chat with admissions representatives, and a document center offering school-specific information, brochures and applications.

The live event, to be held Wednesday, October 3rd at 11am, will feature Haas Director of International Admissions Pete Johnson, Ross Admissions Director Soojin Kwon Koh, Chicago GSB Admissions Director Rosemarie Martinelli and Clear Admit’s own Graham Richmond, on hand to offer their thoughts on fit and answer participants’ questions.  The other elements of the expo will be open through January 4th, so registrants can take their time gathering information about the schools of their choice.

Register here!

Berkeley/Haas 2007-2008 Essay Topic Analysis

Examining the Haas Essays this year, we see one entirely new question, and several small but significant changes to last years’ questions. In preparation for the November 5 deadline, let’s take a closer look at the essay questions Haas is asking its applicants this season

Short Answer (required):

1. If you could have dinner with one individual in the past, present, or future, who would it be and why? (250 word maximum)

This question, a new one for Haas this year, is in the same spirit as Chicago’s question about stepping into someone else’s shoes, the main difference being that Berkeley wants to know whom the applicant would choose to interact with, as opposed whom he or she might like to be. By that token, while the “in someone’s shoes” selection might be driven by potential activities or impact, one’s choice of dinner companion might rely more heavily on hearing someone’s insight on a subject or just coming to understand a prominent figure better. Further, because Chicago’s question is just one of two traditional essays this year, there’s a bit more pressure to select a figure whose work might lend to a discussion of the applicant’s work, goals or an important extracurricular activity, whereas Haas’s many-short-questions format might allow a candidate to highlight an interesting but less central element of his or her candidacy.

Dissimilarities aside, there are some common concerns to keep in mind. In both cases, it’s important to remember that the purpose of each essay is to tell the reader something about the applicant, and that essay writers should therefore avoid focusing too heavily on describing their dinner companion’s background and achievements. The specifics of the conversation that might occur are also less important than the reasons behind the choice, and how admiration of, and curiosity about, the person selected reflect on the applicant more broadly.

2. Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)

This is a very tall order for a 250 word essay, so brevity will be key here. You’ll clearly want to select an impressive achievement to discuss - ideally one in which you had a positive impact on a person, group or organization (as it would reflect well on you to say that you consider it significant that you improved something for others). It will be important to comment not only on the results, but also on the actions and thought process by which you brought them about. Note that the question does not limit you to the professional realm, so feel free to think of examples from your outside activities in selecting a topic for this short response.

3. At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. Describe an innovative solution you have created to address a specific challenge. (250 word maximum)

This essay question is similar to last year’s, but the Haas adcom is now more explicitly guiding applicants to answer this question by telling a specific story about one experience rather than inquiring generally about demonstrating these principles in one’s professional and personal life. Whether the story is about creating something new, improving an existing process or approaching a classic challenge in a new way, applicants will want to take the reader through their thought process as well as their actions, as the innovative intellectual capacity is what is really going to contribute to the Haas community and success in the future.

4. What steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA program, and what factors have influenced your decision to apply? (250 word maximum)

This is a rather transparent test to determine whether you’ve done your homework and are making an informed decision in applying to Haas; though most schools look to the applicant to demonstrate his or her knowledge of the school, few come right out and ask how a candidate has gone about familiarizing him or herself with the program. Because some applicants treat this school as a backup to Stanford and other programs, it will be to your advantage to convince the adcom that you are sincere in your interest by explaining the appealing elements that are unique to the Berkeley MBA. Obviously, the more specific knowledge you are able to demonstrate, the better; the adcom would love to hear that an applicant has been in touch with students, is familiar with the campus and understands the Haas culture and program.

Required Essays:

1. Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)

Though the adcom will already have learned a few interesting things about the applicant from the short essays above, this is the first real chance a candidate has to really develop a story in which he or she shines. It would be ideal to provide a solid professional example here, but an example from an extracurricular activity would suffice as well if you have made a more significant impact on an outside organization than you have in the workplace. To an extent, your topic choice may depend on how you’ve answered the earlier questions (since you’ll want to achieve balance across the essays). Another thing to note about this question is that it does not specify that you should have a formal leadership role - any time you exhibited the characteristics of a leader to effect positive change is fair game here. Essentially, you should aim to use this essay to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to direct the efforts of others toward a constructive end.

2. What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? Why do you want an MBA from Berkeley at this point in your career? (1000 word maximum)

This is a fairly standard career goals essay as asked by virtually all MBA programs, requiring applicants to provide an overview of their career to date, describe their short- and long-term objectives and explain their reasons for seeking an MBA from Haas in particular. As a general rule, specificity of career goals is of the utmost importance. Given the wording of Berkeley’s question, it will also be beneficial to draw explicit links between your previous experiences and future objectives in addition to touching upon the skills you’ve gained and lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career.

Interestingly, Haas chooses to end its essay section with the typical career goals essay, whereas most schools lead off with this topic. Rather than providing an overview of and introduction to your candidacy, as is the case with the career goals essay for most schools, this essay will instead be the culmination of your message to the adcom. Make sure to tie together the themes that you’ve introduced in your other responses, and end on a note of enthusiasm about the program and the timing of your application.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Trivia Tuesday: Immersion Programs at Cornell’s Johnson School

Welcome to another addition of Trivia Tuesday, our weekly examination of the programs and policies that impact the student experience at the leading business schools. Last week we took a look at the Applied Management Research Program at UCLA Anderson, a unique feature of that school’s second-year curriculum. This week, let’s turn our attention to the Johnson School of Cornell University and their unusual first-year Immersion Program.

In the spring semester of their first year, students complement their final two core courses with Johnson’s signature Immersion Learning program. The Immersion programs consist of a coordinated set of electives focused on a particular career or industry; these courses invite students to engage with real world business problems across functions and disciplines, as they will later in their careers. Many career switchers report that Immersions are an effective way to gain an in-depth understanding of their new target industry.

The Johnson School offers seven defined Immersion programs. In line with Johnson’s career orientation, these courses enable students to gain specialized industry exposure early in the MBA experience, making them well-prepared for their summer internships and full-time job searches. While the protocol for each Immersion differs, the cornerstone of the Immersion experience is a practicum in which students work on real projects with companies in the target industry. Despite Cornell’s relatively remote location, students report that executives from major cities and companies are routinely drawn to campus. Lectures and workshops with visiting experts, on-site visits and team presentations are regular components of each immersion.

Approximately 80% of the first-year class typically undertakes one of the seven defined Immersions. While students must bid for placement in their Immersion programs, they report that virtually everyone is enrolled in the Immersion program of their choice. For students whose career interests do not fit within the defined Immersions, Johnson offers a customized Immersion option. Through the customized Immersion, students can work with a faculty advisor to build their own specialized curriculum from the electives offered at Johnson or in the larger University.

For more on the Johnson School’s Immersion Programs or its other unique academic offerings, be sure to check out the school’s website or the Clear Admit School Guide to Johnson!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Strategy Consulting Bootcamp

For our readers who have already cleared the MBA admission hurdle, are enrolled in business school and are considering a career in consulting as the next step, we’d like to introduce a new program designed to expose students to the situations they might face and the approaches they might apply in this field. The Strategy Consulting Bootcamp is a two-day seminar that gives participants a rigorous introduction to the tools, frameworks and best practices associated with strategy consulting.

Taught by Columbia Business School Professor Hitendra Wadhwa and based on the popular Master Class Strategy Consulting Skills, the agenda features one day of structured problem-solving instruction and another day on communication skills, providing participants with the tools to both identify issues and persuasively articulate their recommendations. The Bootcamp is designed to benefit a range of students, from those who are determining their fit with consulting to those definitely planning to enter the field, as well as students who are aiming for a different path after graduation but are interested in gaining exposure to consulting considerations and strategies.

Here are the upcoming events and locations:

Michigan - Ross School of Business
October 6th - 7th

Harvard Business School
October 13th - 14th
* Professor Wadhwa will be on campus Thursday Sep 27th from 4–6pm to answer questions

Chicago Graduate School of Business
Dates TBD

Interested students can register on the Strategy Consulting Bootcamp site, and are encouraged to email info@strategyconsultingbootcamp.com with any questions.

Campus Chronicles: Wharton Journal, Harbus, Fuqua Times

Welcome to the new week! Round 1 deadlines are starting to approach, and many applicants are looking for last-minute ways to pump up their essays with school-specific information. Since student papers offer a great window into student culture, activities and academics, keeping up to date with these publications is a great way to discover detailed information that can improve an application. With this in mind, let’s check in on what’s been going on at Wharton, Harvard and Fuqua this week.

At Wharton, the new dean took center stage in an interview in this week’s Wharton Journal. The Journal’s editors in chief sat down with Dean Robertson to discuss his vision for the school, his plans for hiring and retaining star faculty members, and the steps he’s taking to improve relationships between students and administrators. In other news, current Wharton students should be happy to hear that school’s student government recently voted to refund almost $29,000 in activity fees, taking advantage of new revenue streams and increased efficiency to pare down the association’s annual budget. And in the humor section, one second-year student contributes a point/counterpoint on his summer internship - with his boss providing the opposing view.

At Harvard, two student entrepreneurs are generating national media buzz with their new venture, The Updown, which eventually hopes to become a community managed hedge fund. The Harbus also reports on another creative Harvard Business School student, who was one of six contestants to reach the final round of the ABC show American Inventor. In the classroom, the partners of incoming RC (first-year) students got a taste of Harvard academic life recently with a mock case study session - complete with cold calls! Elsewhere in the paper, a second-year student offers some humorous advice to the incoming class on how to approach the EC (second-year) course selection process. (Hint: A diagram of an upside-down T may figure into the process.) Finally, it appears that the reprint of the column on the partner’s view of HBS “stirred a modicum of controversy,” as predicted. In response, the Harbus has promised to regularly feature articles on partner issues, which should provide some great insight into another side of life at HBS.

Meanwhile, after a lot of academic conversations in the last issue, this week’s Fuqua Times is packed with information on the social side of life at Duke, including the school’s regular happy hours, called Fuqua Fridays. Much of the issue is focused on welcomes from the social representatives of the first-year sections, but there’s also time for the first real edition of Fuqua Connections, which explores the links between selected first-year students on campus. While the first-year class may still be getting settled into the school, they’re already being asked about their plans for spring break - which could include a 9-day trip to Utah sponsored by the Outdoors Club and the Leadership Development Initiative. For those looking for a great learning experience without heading outdoors, the interview with Fuqua Finance Professor John Graham provides an interesting look at M&A in the current economic climate.

That’s the campus news for this week. Be sure to keep an eye on this space for more inside information on the student life, academic climate and social scene at the leading business schools!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Fridays from the Frontline

It’s been another busy week in the MBA blogosphere! Let’s check in on what students and applicants have been up to…

Like so many of this year’s Chicago applicants, B-school Diva recounts her struggle with - and ultimate triumph over - the much talked-of and puzzled-over GSB PowerPoint essay. Also moving along with his essays, Bokaa is making a run for the round one deadlines, having polished off his Harvard essays and sent drafts of his Wharton responses off for a discerning parental review. Vandana has been doing some research on various schools’ GPA standards, researching ways to shore up his quant score, and color coding Excel sheets in the process of school selection. Meanwhile, tamasin has gone beyond the computer and onto campus, taking an East Coast tour to see Columbia and Yale and dreaming, after MBA Tour and Forte Foundation events, about the tables being turned on admissions officers. Also on the subject of info sessions, BlueTulip shares the differences she’s noted between Columbia and Wharton’s applicant outreach styles during her MBA research phase. Speaking of research, MBA or Bust went to some lengths this week to understand why GMAT percentile scores change and what information the schools have, information that might be useful down the line to applicants like Obelix who are just beginning their test prep and setting the exam date (or not).

Turning to the MBA student blogging community, Asiangal is already in the thick of the semester, with mid-terms approaching in Wharton’s half-semester courses and summer internship recruiting events already getting underway. A few hours south, Anand is experiencing many of the same draws on his time, but found some spare moments for a great post on the beauty (and beastliness) of Darden’s case method. Across the ocean, Necromonger is realizing that INSEAD is all about prioritizing, and in Chicago, MaybeMBA is wondering how to achieve her goals as both a mother and a future MBA. Not all students are as far into their business school careers yet: CS@HBS just finished the first week of classes at Harvard, noting “it’s been a wild ride,” Iday wrapped up 20 days of orientation at Chicago with “Coffeee With the Dean,” while GSBsutras only arrived in Chicago this week!

Meanwhile, JatWarrior provided interested parties with stats on Tuck’s Class of 2009, as gathered during orientation, and Hairtwirler offered a snapshot of Georgetown’s new facilities construction, as well as a cringe worthy reminder of the importance of turning off cells phones before class. Speaking of classes, the bids are in on first quarter courses at Chicago, and Forrest Gump is hoping that sanity returns to the first-year class when it’s time to bid on courses for next quarter!

Checking in with second year students this week, Rubeo Boy took stock of his first few busy days at Stern, and Fran sounded happy to be up and running with the Media Club at LBS again. Writing from Columbia, John urged all applicants to take time to socialize during their campus visits; he also answered some good questions for prospective Columbia applicants. Along similar lines, Patxi attended a successful LBS info session for applicants and was especially pleased by the alumni turnout. And in a category of its very own, Wharton’s annual Foam Party was last weekend, and La Laudiaria had nothing but good things to say about it!

That’s it for this week. Best of luck to everyone studying for the GMAT or preparing their essays - we’re keeping our fingers crossed while they keep their noses to the grindstone! Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Admissions Tip: Declare Your Love (and Explain It)

With round one deadlines for a number of programs coming up in just a few weeks, it’s the time of year when many applicants are working hard to finish application essays and learning more about their target programs in the process of rounding out their ‘why MBA/why school X’ discussions. Keeping this important component of the admissions process in mind, we wanted to take the time today to offer some advice on really polishing this element of one’s file and getting the most mileage out of this aspect of your remarks.

1. Make it personal. Schools look for applicants who seem genuinely excited about their program, and the best way to bring this across in your essays is to come right out and say it. Many applicants are well-researched, but present their findings in the form of objective facts. The adcom will already know whether their program features a flexible curriculum, is very strong in marketing, or offers an international focus. What they don’t know - and what you should be explaining in your essays - is what you find exciting and appealing, and why. Stating your interest in a school by connecting its offerings to your goals and interests is a great way to help the adcom understand (and ideally get them to agree with) your opinion that you would be a good fit with the program.

2. Cite your sources. In addition to hearing about your impressions of the program, the adcom will also wonder how you arrived at your conviction that their program is right for you. Did you attend an information session or an MBA tour? Visit the campus? Sit in on a class? Contact the heads of student clubs? Speak with alumni in your current or target field? Sharing the steps you’ve taken to familiarize yourself with the school will showcase the effort you have put into learning about the program, and will also add credibility to your comments about your commitment.

3. Keep it tailored. Just as it’s important to mention aspects of the curriculum or community that make a particular school unique in comparison to others, it’s also essential that you highlight how your own interests and goals guide your discussion of school-specific elements. This approach will not only have the benefit of showing off the research you’ve done on the program in question, but will also help you to stand out from other applicants by virtue of your unique goals and interests. Sure, it’s reasonable to mention the core curriculum, as this is an important aspect of the business education, but because this could be a draw for any applicant to a given program, you would be better served by focusing on those classes that are most relevant to your particular educational needs.

Of course, arriving at in-depth knowledge is the first step in this process, and those applicants who are looking to gather key facts for their essays may want to use the Clear Admit School Guides as a starting point. Good luck to everyone who is hard at work on this challenging element of the application process!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Forté Foundation 2007 Events

For women considering an MBA, the Forté Foundation is a great resource, helping female candidates understand the value of an MBA and providing advice on how to make an MBA admit a reality. This fall, the Forté Foundation is taking these resources on the road, organizing a series of 10 interactive events in cities from Los Angeles to London.

These evening events will feature two panel presentations - one with MBA alumnae and one with current MBA admissions officers. In the time between panels, attendees will have the opportunity to visit admissions representatives at school tables, and to network with corporate and school representatives. The events are free, but space is limited and registration is required, so be sure to visit the Forté Foundation events page to sign up soon.

The full schedule of upcoming Forté Foundation events is below; schools participating in the program include Columbia Business School, Dartmouth/Tuck, Duke/Fuqua, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, London Business School, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, the University of Chicago, Northwestern/Kellogg, and Yale School of Management, among many others.

September 24: Atlanta
September 25: Houston
September 26: San Francisco
September 27: Los Angeles
October 1: New York (registration full)
October 9: London

Feedback on the Foundation’s first events in Boston and DC has been very positive, so be sure to register for an event in a city near you!

Chicago MBA Admissions Chat Highlights

As many Chicago aspirants know, GSB Director of Admissions Rose Martinelli and a team of current students held a chat event yesterday, offering an opportunity for applicants to pose questions about the school and the application process.  While the complete transcript will be posted on the Chicago site in the very near future, we wanted to comment on a few particularly interesting bits of information that emerged from the discussion.

Not at all surprisingly, the new PowerPoint essay was a popular subject of inquiry.  Rose and the participating students reiterated that there is no ideal or incorrect approach, and encouraged applicants to simply be creative and express themselves.  They did, however, hint that candidates would do well to craft a presentation that complements the rest of their file rather than repeating information that is available elsewhere in the essays and data forms, and suggest that they think carefully about the relevance of the information they share to their business school candidacy.  While none of these comments are particularly instructive or specific, this is, in a way, part of Chicago’s point in asking this question; it seems clear that the school views this as a way to gain insight into each candidate’s sense of good judgment and strategy in addition to his or her character and creativity.

In spite of this generality, the chat did provide a straightforward answer to one question we’ve had: the slides will be printed in color.

Another popular topic of inquiry was the amount of work experience the school desires of its students.  For the first time we’ve seen, Rose explicitly stated that the school “absolutely” welcomes - and wants to attract - candidates with 0-3 years of work experience.  The main burden that these relatively young applicants will face in making their case for admission, she explains, is justifying the relatively early timing of their applications and convincing the adcom that this is the most logical time in their careers to pursue an MBA.  Meanwhile, applications from potential students who have more work experience than the typical GSBer (aged 27-28 years, on average) are also of interest to the committee.  For applicants in this position, the adcom might have slightly higher expectations of their career progression and leadership experience, given that they’ve had a bit more opportunity in these areas than those with less full-time work to their credit.

Finally, Rose had a few very concise and direct responses to some very open questions that we’d like to reflect on.  When asked what qualities all GSB students share, she responded “intellectual curiosity and a desire to engage.”  Meanwhile, in response to a question about the character of a Chicago GSB graduate, she replied: “Confident, humble, respectful, one who possess great critical thinking skills. Oh, and fun to be around.”  Applicants would do well to think carefully about this clear picture of the sort of student Chicago wants, and to make sure that these qualities come across in one’s essays, interview, and interactions with students and staff.

That’s all for now!  Remember to check in on the Chicago site to view the complete transcript, which includes some good questions and informative answers about the role of different elements of the applications and a number of the school’s academic and extracurricular resources.

UVA / Darden Essay Topic Analysis 2007-2008

Moving along with our essay topic analyses for this admissions season, we wanted to take some time today to comment on Darden’s new and interesting questions for this year’s MBA application.

We’ve often said that careful reflection on the sort of situations and information a school inquires about in its essay questions can lead to a pretty accurate sense of the kinds of experiences or qualities a school seeks in its students. Most programs deliberately craft questions that prompt the applicant to provide the information that they are most interested in - this also results in some self-selection, as candidates are more likely to apply to a program if they’re able to provide a strong answer to all of the essay questions.

This year, Darden has taken this strategy to a new level; the adcom obviously has a clear impression of the community they want to cultivate and the sort of student they need to admit to do so, and has structured its essays accordingly. The school’s third required essay, for instance, essentially says that applicants who aren’t able to offer solid evidence that they are globally involved, committed to diversity or socially responsible need not apply.

So, for those who are committed to applying to UVA and eager to demonstrate that their outlook and priorities are aligned with Darden’s, let’s take a closer look at each of these questions.

Essay 1: What matters to you most, both personally and professionally, and how does an MBA relate to these priorities? (500 word maximum)
This question is like an extraordinarily condensed version of Stanford’s Essays A and B; while the GSB gives applicants 5 pages to explain what matters most to them and describe their goals/reasons for seeking an MBA (one assumes the two subjects are related), Darden applicants must cover this ground in just 500 words.  There’s little room for general commentary or philosophical reflection, only straightforward commentary about the goals and convictions that have influenced one’s career decisions and outside involvements to date, as well as professional goals and personal objectives, and, of course, an explanation of how a Darden education fits in.

Essay 2: Please select one word that describes you from the set below and support your statement using concrete examples. Professionally I am: (a) an innovator. (b) a leader. (c) an entrepreneur. (300 word maximum)
Because most MBA applicants have demonstrated creativity or have some leadership to their credit (whether in a formal capacity or not), this should be an easy question for most candidates to tackle after a bit of thought about what example to use and how to frame it. Entrepreneurship needn’t be limited to a strict definition of working for oneself - this can also refer to creating something new within an established organization. Looking at the three options and thinking about what they have in common, one gets the sense that Darden is seeking students who are proactive and committed to making an impact, and who are able to formulate a plan and implement it.

Essay 3: Please choose one phrase that describes you from the set below and support your statement using concrete examples. Professionally I am: (a) involved globally. (b) committed to diversity. (c) socially responsible. (300 word maximum)
In spite of our above interpretation of the somewhat stern message the format of this essay sends, there is a reasonably broad range of experiences and involvements that could serve as examples for this essay (though the “professional” qualifier is a narrowing factor). At the bottom of it, the school is really just trying to ensure that the applicant is engaged with the world and concerned about others in the workplace. Though students with international work experience might have an easier time responding to this question than others, observations about a company’s impact on society or comments about the value of diversity of perspective and education on a team or in an organization are just a few other examples of valid responses to this prompt.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Trivia Tuesday: Applied Management Research at UCLA Anderson

It’s time again for another edition of Trivia Tuesday, our weekly examination of the programs and opportunities that differentiate the leading MBA programs. This week we turn our attention to UCLA Anderson and an unusual feature feature of their second-year academic program: the Applied Management Research Project.

As second-years, Anderson students test their business skills in a practical setting by partnering with organizations to address complex internal business problems or evaluate strategic opportunities. Some students opt to put their entrepreneurial abilities to the test, fulfilling the two-quarter Applied Management Research Project (AMR) requirement by establishing their own ventures. Many students cite the AMR as one of their most rewarding and confidence-building experiences at Anderson.

Students choose their own AMR teams, which are comprised of three to five people guided by a faculty advisor. Teams have significant latitude in defining their projects, beginning with a choice between completing a Management Field Study, creating a business or pursuing a special project. In choosing a Management Field Study, as the vast majority of students do, a team either completes a strategic project for a company as arranged by Anderson, or independently secures a partner company, which is subject to program approval. Approaching the partnership like a consulting engagement, Management Field Study teams collaborate with company executives to identify and offer solutions to organizational and competition-based problems. Recent student teams have worked for such companies as Yahoo, Wells Fargo, Kendall Jackson Wineries, Phoenix Realty Group and the L.A. Times. Teams seeking experience in smaller businesses have joined with the online start-up Savings.com, and worked with a local cooking show host to help her
launch her own line of cooking products.

In addition to freedom in choosing the industry and function of their partner companies, Management Field Study teams also select partner companies based on location. Those desiring international business exposure are matched with international partners, regularly communicating with these firms via teleconferencing, though some companies may choose to fly their student teams on-site for special meetings and debriefings. Teams who prefer consistent face-to-face meetings select business partners nearby, or opt for regional partners and split the travel obligations amongst team members.

Those students who choose to pursue the AMR over the Fall and Winter quarter may use their on-site experience to make contacts in their company or gain a foothold in the industry that will help them secure a full-time job following graduation. Those who undertake the project during the Winter and Spring quarters instead may already have accepted job offers, thus they select projects that will further prepare them for their future positions.

To learn more about UCLA Anderson’s AMR Projects or other curricular features, visit the school’s website or check out the Academics section of the Clear Admit School Guide to Anderson!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Wall Street Journal 2007 MBA Rankings Released

As many of our readers know, the Wall Street Journal released their business school rankings online late yesterday. The Wall Street Journal’s ranking of the national (US) MBA programs relies on feedback from corporate recruiters at key firms in order to rate the b-schools. More specifically, the results are based on the following criteria:

1. Recruiter feedback on each school (for 21 different attributes)
2. Recruiter plans to hire graduates from the schools in the future
3. Recent hiring patterns of corporate recruiters

While traditionally less popular than the Business Week or US News MBA rankings, the Journal has been gaining ground with increased fanfare surrounding their rankings each year. Their related hard-copy publication, WSJ Guide to the Top Business Schools, helps in this effort. In addition, a GMAC survey showed that the WSJ rankings were viewed as “most credible” by MBA applicants (although we’d like to suggest that the reputation of the newspaper itself may help this perception along).

While the recruiters-only focus of the WSJ rankings may always provoke criticism, the rankings appear to be here to stay. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top national programs for this year:

1. Dartmouth College (Tuck)
2. University of California, Berkeley (Haas)
3. Columbia University
4. MIT Sloan
5. Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
6. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
7. University of Michigan (Ross)
8. Yale University
9. University of Chicago
10. University of Virginia (Darden)

It’s interesting to note that Wharton and Kellogg have continued to slip in these rankings, moving out of the top five last year and out of the top ten this year. Ross likewise moved down within the rankings this year, from first to seventh, while Haas and MIT Sloan each moved up several notches to enter the top five. Harvard and Stanford continue to miss out on the top 10, holding steady at 14 and 19, respectively.

Beyond the US national ranking, the Journal also published an international ranking - using a slightly different methodology that measures non-US-based employment upon graduation. Here are this year’s top “international” business schools:

1. ESADE
2. IMD
3. London Business School
4. IPADE
5. MIT Sloan
6. Columbia Business School
7. Essec
8. Tecnológico de Monterrey (EGADE)
9. HEC Paris
10. Thunderbird

We encourage our readers to review the WSJ Career Journal site for further details about the rankings methodologies. As always, please remember that rankings are one of many resources for information regarding MBA programs.

Campus Chronicles: Fuqua, Columbia, Ross

Welcome to another week in the MBA world! Things are really starting to pick up on business school campuses - let’s take a look at what student newspapers are talking about this week.

At Duke, the year’s first edition of the Fuqua Times features several perspectives on student life, along with an interview with Fuqua’s new dean, Douglas Breeden. In the interview, Dean Breeden shares his thoughts on the value of an MBA education, what makes Duke different - and better - than its peers, and what he believes it’s important to look for in an applicant to the school. On the student side of things, a Duke first-year student shares his impressions of school so far, which mostly involve getting “crazy and/or busy,” but having a great time all the while. Meanwhile a second-year muses about the identity of a mysterious email writer and the relationship that will develop between the first- and second-year classes, and another writer sets out to find the not-so-obvious connections between members of the Fuqua class.

At Columbia, the Bottom Line has rolled out in style, with a full 20-page issue whose cover proudly proclaims that the Class of 2009 had “the best orientation week ever!” thanks to the revamping work of a team of dedicated peer advisers. Based on the stories on page 3, it appears the international orientation for the first-year class also went over well, helping the 160 new international students adjust to life in the Big Apple. More than just the orientation program is new this year at Columbia, though, and the story on page 13 reminds students that there are some fancy new study rooms available for use in Watson Library. For students who aren’t quite ready to buckle down, page 12 offers some in-depth advice on finding the best beaches in the New York area, while those first-years still nervous about the future should check out the ten tips to make your first year easier - and, of course, the horoscopes - found on the back page of the paper.

Finally, a new year is a time for reflection at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, as Dean Dolan sits down with the Monroe Street Journal to discuss his last six years at Ross and his plans for the school’s future. Meanwhile, though the school year may just be starting, first-year Sections are already forming strong bonds - and rivalries. The annual MBA Games were hard-fought, with Sections competing in football, soccer, softball and kickball, but Section One managed to pull out a victory for the third year in a row, putting them squarely at the head of the pack. A competition of a different kind will take place within the Sections this week, as first-year students vote for their section leaders, including officers for social events, global citizenship, leadership development, IM sports, and many other positions. Though students might just be settling in, the Ross Office of Career Development is already preparing for the start of the recruiting season, and writes to share several exciting new developments within the organization.

That’s the news from campus this week! Check back regularly for more of the news, views and events from the business school student presses.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Harvard Business School Launches HBS 2+2 Program

Harvard Business School has officially launched a new program called “2+2″, which aims at recruiting college juniors for future spots in the class at HBS.  The basic concept is that college juniors can apply to HBS and, if admitted, be offered deferred admission to the MBA program pending the completion of two years of approved post-collegiate work experience.

HBS will be targeting “high-achieving college juniors studying in the fields of science, engineering, healthcare, government and public service, among other disciplines.”  The school has also signed on several ’sponsoring employers’ who have agreed to offer positions to accepted students for the work experience component of the 2+2 program.  Employers include Google, McKinsey and Teach for America, among others.  Harvard ultimately expects that students from this program will comprise 5-10% of the class at HBS.

The introduction of the 2+2 program further underlines the ‘arms race’ that is presently being waged as leading business schools battle for top talent and seek to be first in line when attracting students.  On some levels it echoes the efforts of Tuck’s Business Bridge Program and