The MBA Exchange

MBA Admissions Fairs: Where a world of b-schools comes to meet you

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:08:00 GMT

Spring is in full swing and, for the next several months, it’s the season of MBA admissions events. Maybe you’re wondering how valuable it is to attend these gatherings. Well, if you’re even thinking about pursuing an MBA, there isn’t a better way to find out about schools down the street and in far-flung corners of the globe.

Especially if you're unable to schedule campus visits to b-schools of your choice, these forums represent a one-time opportunity to actually meet the admissions officers who ultimately will decide your fate. Seizing the chance to introduce yourself, ask insightful questions, size up competing fellow applicants, and get yourself motivated for the admission campaign ahead are great reasons to register and attend.

Some schools put on their own "information sessions" – on campus and in major cities – whereas admissions fairs are large events at which multiple schools are on display in a "tradeshow exhibit hall" setting. Most offer presentations or panel discussions on related topics. But the major draw is the chance to chat with an admissions representation at the school’s table.

Registering early is important as most of these events have limited attendance and will turn away late-comers. Planning in advance which MBA programs you want to approach, what aspects of your background you want to share, and which questions you should ask is vital. We've actually developed a punch list of a dozen must-do's that our MBA Exchange admissions clients have found very effective.

One particularly attractive series of fairs is sponsored by Access MBA Tour. There’s one coming up on Monday, June 18, in New York City. Follow this link to register and for full event details More than just a tradtional "fair," Access MBA Tour events enable future MBAs to meet with admissions decision makers, career advisors and GMAT tutors on a one-to-one basis, bringing together applicants and international business schools in over 30 cities around the world. This year they’re including more schools with campuses in China and the UAE – locales where it’s becoming increasingly popular to pursue an MBA.

One especially important consideration: even if the roster of participating schools doesn’t include your immediate targets, there’s value to going to such an event. First of all, you’ll immerse yourself in the world of MBA education, which can only make you a more knowledgeable and confident applicant. Secondly, you’ll get a chance to practice your interpersonal communication skills in a no-risk setting. And, finally, you might discover a hidden gem -- some particular MBA program that’s perfect for your background and goals but that you had not considered previously.

Find out when and where you can participate in a fair. Shine your shoes, polish your "elevator pitch," and show up ready for some serious schmoozing with some very important people. Your enthusiastic participation now could make a big difference later when MBA admissions decisions are announced. Why miss a prime opportunity to increase your chances for b-school success?

Best way to learn about a bschool's culture before you apply?

Tue, 01 May 2012 05:35:00 GMT

Every business school has a dynamic website, holds friendly info sessions worldwide, and hosts campus visits for future applicants. Furthermore, most future MBAs have friends or colleagues who are current students or recent grads, eager to discuss their alma mater’s wonderfulness. These are great sources of information and insight, but they each have biases and limitations that can constrain or even distort your perception of the program.

So what’s the best way to observe the culture of a business school before you apply? Read the online student newspaper over the period of several months. Most are published weekly, so you’ll always have current sense of what’s important and timely. And most have “archives” that enable you to explore an entire academic year. The featured stories are planned, researched and written by students for students. So, these publications vividly convey the true priorities and passions that define the culture.

To illustrate this point, let’s take a look at the headlines and lead stories from five student newspapers for just one day: April 27, 2012:

Chicago Business (Chicago Booth):
“Giving Something Back raises $63,000 in 12th annual charity auction”
This article describes how proceeds of a major auction event are being allocated to three local organizations that support the education of inner-city children and those with physical disabilities. Given this emphasis on social awareness and conscience, we see the softer side of Chicago Booth, a program more commonly known for its analytical rigor and Nobel Prize-winning faculty.

Harbus (Harvard Business School):
“Spotlight on Ypsos, the FIELD 3 turnaround success story”
Here the CFO of a FIELD team vividly describes his team’s roller-coaster ride as their mock company’s stock drops and then -- after intensive team effort and soul-searching – rebounds to respectability. This is a far more vivid description of this exciting program that a prospective applicant could gain solely from reading the school’s website. More importantly, it goes beyond the facts and figures to show how students have embraced this learning opportunity.

Monroe Street Journal (Michigan Ross):
“BBSA 2012: A Vision Renewed”
This report summarizes the recent annual conference of the Black Business Students Association. Furthermore, the article praises a professor emeritus who, over the span of five decades, mentored minority students and prompted affiliation with the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. So, while every b-school expresses interest in attracting more minority applicants, we see that the Ross culture actually celebrates it.

The Stern Opportunity (NYU Stern):
“Five Keys to Your Spring Job Search”
This pragmatic look at what it takes for MBA students to “land your dream job” includes insights and actionable tips from a career counselor as well as two Stern alumni. So, while many bschools have PR campaigns that convey how their grads are receiving multiple job offers with soaring salaries, Sternies are confronting the realities of a staggering economy by mobilizing career services professionals and loyal alumni to help current students launch proactive employment campaigns.

Wharton Journal (Wharton):
“The New MBA Curriculum”
An in-depth Q&A interview with a Vice Dean -- accompanied by a large smiling photo -- offers a very informative, objective view of what the changes are, the motivation behind them and the anticipated impact on current and future students. The focus expands to describe how Wharton is also putting more emphasis on “clusters” rather than just the traditional learning teams and cohort.
So, we see an institution where administrators continue to be visible and vocal after matriculation. Clearly, Wharton realizes who the “customer” is by ensuring that students understand and embrace policy changes.

Extra, extra, read all about it!
These are just five articles from five schools on one day. Imaging how much more information awaits you! By reading a broader array of stories in more editions, you will start to connect the dots and grasp what each MBA program values most. Doing so over a period of weeks and months will help ensure that you have a more complete picture of the culture. If this process convinces you to drop a given school from your target list, that’s an important outcome that can help you avoid a big mistake down the road. Or if following the student newspapers confirms that this is truly The Place for you, then you’ll have an abundance of impressions and observations to share in your upcoming essays and interviews. Either way, you win.

How do I start?
If you’d like to start your ongoing review of student newspapers, we feature links to many of them (as well as official blogs and other school publications) on our website. This is just one of several proven tactics that we introduce to our admissions clients at The MBA Exchange. By reaching out to observe, learn about, and interact with the school community, you can develop a more robust candidacy and maximize your chances for admissions success.

Part 2 of 2: Immediate "Must Do's" for Serious MBA Applicants

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:49:00 GMT

If you’re planning to apply to a top business school in 2012 for enrollment in 2013, it’s very tempting to procrastinate. After all, the deadlines are more than six months away. The new applications won’t be available until summer, right? And there’s so much on your plate already with work, family, friends, vacations, etc.

Well, if you’re determined to be among the select few who gain admission to their dream schools, then the worst thing you can do is delay the start of your campaign.

If you missed our previous blog post, featuring the first six steps, click here.

Here’s the next set of six immediate (yes, immediate!) steps that you can and should initiate.

7. Examine and clean up your social media profile

More than ever, MBA admissions committees are researching and assessing the online presence of applicants. What will they see when they Google your name? What are others saying about you? Have you considered individuals whose names are similar to yours? The stakes are too high to take chances. If you’d like a thorough, professional audit of your online profile, let us know. In fact, we include this service at no extra charge in our Comprehensive Consultation.

8. Check school websites for upcoming info sessions and forums

Whether or not you can visit campus, there’s a good chance that administrators and alumni from your targeted schools will be coming to a city near you this summer to hold an info session or participate in an admissions forum. Seats fill quickly so be sure to register as early as possible. You’ll use this opportunity to learn more about the schools and, more importantly, to help them learn more about you. In fact, this could be your only chance to shake hands with the admissions officers who later will decide your fate. Planning ahead can help you make an impression that proves very beneficial later.

9. Pre-qualify and cultivate your future recommenders

The best recommenders are those who know you best -- personally and professionally. If you don’t already have at least three great choices in mind, and if you don’t know whether they’ll write wonderful things about you, then you have work to do starting now. Approach and cultivate individuals who could be strong recommenders. Invite them to coffee or lunch. Probe to see how much they know and how they feel about your past, present and future before you ask if they’ll provide a rec. Watch for early signs of jealousy, reluctance or ambivalence. If they don’t step up enthusiastically, then you still have ample time to source better options.

10. Check your college transcript for “surprises”

It’s probably been a few years since you took a look at your official undergrad transcript. Perhaps you’ve never seen it or can’t find it. Contact the registrar’s office today to order a transcript so you can review it line by line. If there’s a mistake or discrepancy in how a grade is reported, it can take you months to reconcile it. And if there’s a low grade, especially in a quant course, you’ll have time to sign up and complete an extension course with an “A” to mitigate it.

11. Initiate your financial plan

Two years at a top MBA program can cost you more than $175,000. Plus there’s the foregone income to consider. You can’t rely on getting aid, so now’s the time to determine if and how you’ll pay for the education you’re seeking. There are experienced financial planning experts available who can help you find the best resources at the lowest cost. But you have to beat the fall rush in order to get the attention and support you need.

12. Look into accent-reduction coaching and immigration planning

If you’re a non-native English speaker and/or a non-US resident targeting US business schools, two topics for you to consider now are accent reduction and immigration planning. It can take months to reduce an accent that might be problematic in an admissions interview. We arrange a free professional assessment for our clients. And the red-tape that can make immigration such a nightmare is addressable with the expertise of an immigration specialist like ours. The key to avoiding or resolving these issues? Start now.

And here’s one more “Must Do” that’s so important, we’re repeating it from our previous post:

If you haven’t already done so, get a free expert evaluation of your candidacy!

The best way to learn what you need to optimize your candidacy is to get expert, objective feedback on your professional, academic and personal profiles. We’ve helped thousands of MBA applicants to discover aspects of their candidacy – both strengths and weaknesses -- that they never realized could matter. All it takes is 5 minutes to complete our confidential, online input form. You have the option of uploading your resume if there are additional details you’d like us to share.

In closing, we want to emphasize that time is your greatest ally and asset if you make it work for you. Waiting to launch your MBA admissions campaign means that your competitors – even those with lesser candidacies – gain an immediate advantage. If you’re playing to win, then start today.

Part 1 of 2: Immediate "Must Do's" for Serious MBA Applicants

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:59:00 GMT

Well, if you’re determined to be among the select few who gain admission to their dream schools, then the worst thing you can do is delay the start of your campaign.

There are 12 immediate (yes, immediate!) steps that you can and should initiate. Here are the first 6.

1. Begin GMAT or GRE prep

If you haven’t taken the test, or if you’re unhappy with your current score, now’s the time to act. It can take months to achieve your highest potential. And don’t take the test unless and until you feel ready to succeed. Why? Because the b-schools will see your prior scores, so even if you improve later -- and even though they “officially” consider only your highest score -- a low score now can only hurt your chances. Use diagnostics and practice tests to make sure before you take an actual test. If you need a professional test tutor, make sure that you’re choosing the right one for your distinctive needs and preferences. We can help by introducing the best options for you. Or if you find that test anxiety is holding you back, an expert counselor could make a major difference in your performance on test day. If you find that your quantitative skills, verbal acumen or work experience is constraining your test score, then there are a variety of online courses that can easily and affordably help. But they take time to complete.

2. Research your potential target schools online

There’s an overwhelming amount of information available on the Web regarding each of the top b-schools. An easy place to get started is the individual school profiles that we feature on our website. You should also visit leading independent websites like Poets and Quants. And, of course, the schools’ official blogs feature valuable insights from the respective admissions offices.

3. Visit the campus while school is in session

The best time to visit a business school campus is in the Spring, before classes end for the year. Students, faculty and administrators are far more relaxed, available and approachable now than in the Fall. You can observe classes, make contacts, and get a feel for the culture that will add authenticity to your future essays and interviews. We help our client make the most of their visits by providing them with a “punch list” of key tactics.

4. Get a “ding analysis”

If you are going to be a reapplicant to the same b-schools, or if you are targeting new schools but want to learn from past rejections, it can be valuable to get critical, actionable feedback from an expert. Admissions committees don’t provide such insights, so if you want to avoid repeating past mistakes then now is the time to examine the evidence. We can help with a ding analysis.

5. Push for promotions and/or better work assignments

Do you have any concerns about your current professional resume? Titles like “analyst” or “associate” aren’t going to differentiate your candidacy. If there’s a shot at earning a loftier title before you apply to b-school, now is the time to pursue it. Even if you can’t get a formal promotion, at least you can seek assignments that will let you produce tangible, ideally quantified, results that you can feature in application essays.

6. Get a free expert evaluation of your candidacy

The best way to learn what you need to optimize your candidacy is to get expert, objective feedback on your professional, academic and personal profiles. We’ve helped thousands of MBA applicants to discover aspects of their candidacy -- both strengths and weaknesses -- that they never realized could matter. All it takes is 5 minutes to complete our confidential, online input form. You have the option of uploading your resume if there are additional details you’d like to share with us.

Time is your greatest ally and asset if you make it work for you. Waiting to launch your MBA admissions campaign means that your competitors -- even those with lesser candidacies -- gain an immediate advantage. If you’re playing to win, then start today.

In our next installment, we’ll share 6 more action items, so be sure to subscribe to our blog!

The R-word: “Rejection” is not the end of your b-school dream

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:50:00 GMT

6 key questions to answer so you can achieve admissions success next time.

There are only two possible outcomes for MBA applicants – admission or rejection. (If you’re waitlisted, that’s an interim phase to be addressed. But more on that later.) The good news is that the latter of those two outcomes need not be permanent. Within months of being rejected, you can be right back in the game with a reapplication to the same school and/or a fresh app to another program. However, it’s essential to do some analysis to make sure that you’re maximizing your chances for admission the next time.

An immediate obstacle and frustration is that rejected applicants rarely receive any feedback from the admissions committee. The “official” reason is that there is not enough time for the adcom to debrief every disappointed applicant, so they don’t do it for anyone. However, the unstated reason is that the schools are reluctant to provide specific insights that would reveal too much about their overall decision process or imply that if the rejected applicant does “X” then he or she will be admitted the next time. No one is ever told “don’t reapply.”

So, most rejected applicants are left to ponder the following 6 questions on their own:
1.    Was I realistic in targeting the schools to which I applied?
2.    Did I showcase my strengths and mitigate my weaknesses?
3.    Did I apply before my candidacy was truly competitive?
4.    Did I explain what the school and other students would gain by admitting me this year?
5.    Did I convince them I would accept their offer and enroll if offered admission?
6.    What more or different could I have done to improve my chances?

Since most applicants are not experienced in the admissions process, those questions can be very difficult to answer with certainty. Even speaking with current students and alumni is of little value since their understanding of what it takes to gain admission is very limited. The fact is that they really don’t know why they were admitted to some schools and not to others.

That’s why The MBA Exchange has developed a comprehensive “ding analysis” that thoroughly examines rejected applications and considers the results of our 3,000 past clients over 15 years. We know which profiles have been admitted and which have been rejected at each of the leading schools. We use this background to address all of the key questions that can help reapplicants improve their chances for success the second time around. Actionable, customized advice from our experts could make the difference for you.

So, if your first attempts at achieving MBA admission resulted in rejection, there’s no need to assume that you can’t or won’t achieve a better outcome. Understanding exactly what you did right, what you did wrong, and what you can do to improve your candidacy is the next move. We’re here to help.

(And, of course, if you want to minimize your chances of getting rejected the first time, starting your admissions campaign with our objective evaluation of your MBA admissions potential is the best way to begin.)

Final note: if you’re waitlisted, our waitlist consultation can make a difference in the outcome of your candidacy without having to re-apply.

What can MBA applicants learn from today’s political candidates?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:07:00 GMT

Online media, TV and newspapers are filled with stories about the fierce competition among various candidates for the office of U.S. President. This is a knock-down, drag-out battle for the ages.

A campaign for business school admission has much in common with a campaign for public office. Both contests are zero-sum games with clear winners and losers competing for a finite number of seats. The combination of information, competition and emotion can be overwhelming at times. And, ultimately, the decision as to who is admitted or elected is a highly subjective one, beyond the control of the candidate. Regardless of your political persuasion, we believe that there are some valuable lessons for MBA applicants to learn from the political contest for the hearts and minds of voters. So, what are some takeaways that we believe could be helpful to b-school candidates?

“Answer the question that is asked – and more”
When the admissions committee asks you a question, whether in a set of essays or during an interview, you have both an obligation and an opportunity. Don’t ignore what is being asked since doing so will be considered as evasive. And don’t constrain yourself by answering only what is asked; seize the opportunity to tell your story, and present your most compelling point of difference.

“Be assertive but not arrogant”
If you don’t believe in yourself, why should the adcom? Describe your past, present and future with confidence. Show how you’ve made a positive difference for yourself and others. Take pride in your tangible accomplishments. But always do so with a measure of humility and appreciation for the mentoring of superiors and the support of colleagues.

“Balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail”
Describing your candidacy in broad, vague terms conveys that you’re trying to hide a lack of real substance. Likewise, providing excessive details and minutiae sends the message that you’re a small thinker without leadership potential. B-schools want students who are both strategic and tactical. So provide solid examples that show both sides of your brain.

“Know and address your audience”
The admissions committee that will determine your fate tends to be ”moderate.” They don’t receive a bonus for accepting applicants who are outside the “middle 80%” of admitted applicants. They favor future MBAs who are neither boring nor boastful. So, your challenge is to convince them that you would both benefit from and uniquely contribute to the program if accepted. Help them see what they will gain by having you in the class, and what they will lose if you are rejected.

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”
Just like political candidates who lose individual state primary elections, being turned down by one b-school doesn’t mean that your MBA campaign is over. The priorities and preferences of each MBA program are different. So, be sure to target any school where you would be happy to attend if it’s the only one to admit you. This is the best way to produce a set of alternatives from which you can choose.

“You can run but you can’t hide”
Mistakes and failures are rarely showstoppers as long as you explain them early, show an appropriate degree of disappointment, and illustrate how you used the learning that resulted in order to grow, develop and achieve positive outcomes going forward. All of us – even MBA admissions committees – are mortals who have dropped the ball on occasion. You can score major points with a b-school by being candid about a time when you fell short of expectations but learned from it and prevailed in the longer term.

“Negative is always negative”
Complaining about an unfair boss, griping about a lost deal, whining about a bad grade, or rationalizing a sub-par GMAT won’t win you any points with business schools. Stuff happens. So, why not take the high road and emphasize how you transcended disappointments, made bad situations better, and created new opportunities out of adversity? That’s what leaders do.

B-school admissions can be as stressful and unpredictable as public elections. But if you plan, prepare for, and run the kind of race that has proved successful for others, then your chances for success will increase exponentially. One of the first steps in any campaign is to get early feedback on the viability of the candidacy from experts -- before the campaign begins. The MBA Exchange is here to help you test the waters with a free evaluation of your chances for admissions success.

Is it "too soon" to start your MBA admissions campaign?

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:07:00 GMT

If your answer is yes, then you’re missing a major opportunity.

Are you among the young professionals planning for an MBA who are currently thinking along these lines?
•    “The new applications aren’t published until summer, so I’ll begin around July."
•    “I’m not applying until 2014, so why get started this year?”
•    “I’m a really good writer. Three months will be plenty of time to complete my applications.”

Those are among the comments that we at The MBA Exchange hear from individuals who don’t yet understand or appreciate the realities of top-tier MBA admissions. In fact, the only good reason to postpone your business school admissions campaign is that you’re not convinced you’re ever going to apply. Otherwise, each week between now and the application deadlines offers valuable chances to make your eventual candidacy more competitive, compelling and successful.

So, how can the early bird gain an advantage over the procrastinators? Here are 5 ways that you can start to build your winning edge now:

1. Get to REALLY know the MBA programs
Most business schools do a good job these days of informing applicants about their offerings. The volume of official blogs, adcom Tweets, Facebook pages, email blasts, webinars, etc., can be overwhelming. If you’re considering several different MBA programs, following their online communications can be overwhelming. So pace yourself by spreading your research over time, tracking trends, and digging a little deeper than other applicants.

2. Make better decisions about jobs and activities
The period between college graduation and MBA application is critical to your candidacy. The company that you join, the role that you accept, the mentors you pursue, and the non-work organizations where you affiliate help define how you’ll look to business schools. If you take the time to understand what strengths and traits the top MBA programs value most in their students, then you’ll make choices that improve your chances for admission.

3. Initiate relationships with key influencers
Raising your profile with individuals who can endorse your MBA candidacy before you apply is a very worthwhile effort. However, getting the attention of anyone in a b-school community during the summer before you apply will be difficult. And then, during the fall before Round 1 and Round 2 application deadlines, first-year students are immersed in classes. Second-years are focused on recruiting. Administrators and faculty are fully engaged with current students.

In other words, if you wait until just a few months before you apply to make contact with key influencers, you will be too late. The period from February to April is ideal for campus visits. The campus is more relaxed and the weather is better for travel. As part of our Comprehensive Consultation, we guide our applicants on how and when to make and sustain contact with individuals who can directly impact your MBA chances. And don’t forget the significance of selecting and cultivating the best possible recommenders! What if the individuals you have in mind today decide that they can’t or won’t endorse your b-school candidacy? If you wait until a few weeks before the deadlines to approach them, you may not have any options. You need to develop a “Plan B” for cultivating other recommenders – and that takes time.

4. Reflect on your past and present before the future arrives
Scrambling to recall the details of your personal, academic and professional profile is very risky. In all likelihood, you’ll have to reach out to friends, family and former colleagues for specifics. Don’t wait. And don’t disregard the importance of goal setting. Every b-school wants to know your long-term and short-term career goals. By allowing time for online research, informational interviews and other exploration, you’re going to make a much more convincing case when describing your future plans.

5. Stuff happens: allow time to adapt and respond
There’s no way to predict when an unexpected change might accelerate or delay your MBA admissions plans. Health issues. Family problems. Company restructuring. New job offers. When such factors enter your life, you need to be ready. So, have your MBA admissions campaign thoroughly planned as early as possible. You can always modify your core plans, but having to start from scratch – while facing external pressures and distractions – is not a formula for admissions success.

Even if you get started today, you have less than 9 months until Round 1 deadlines for the best business schools. What’s the first step? We suggest a free, expert evaluation of your candidacy so you know exactly where to focus your time and efforts.

Tick, tick, tick!

Achieving MBA admission is more about "Why" than "What and How"

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Fact: Most applicants to top business schools are qualified for admission. Their GPA and GMAT scores fall within the “middle 80%” range. The resume, recommendations and essays say wonderful things about what the applicant has accomplished. They present a credible, attainable post-MBA goal.

Those seeking admission to b-school come from a variety of interesting backgrounds – personal, academic and professional. In framing their candidacy, most go into great detail in describing what they’ve done in school, on the job and in the community. And most share facts about how they’ve reached this point in their careers, overcoming various challenges and seizing particular opportunities to achieve results. The apps are completed and submitted. Some individuals are admitted, most are rejected, but none ever learn exactly why that was the result of their campaign.

So, what is the “X” factor that culls the herd? What aspect of the candidacy enables the admissions committee to say yes to one person and no to another whose credentials may be even stronger?

A wonderful 18-minute TED presentation by author Simon Sinek, as well as our 15 years of business school admissions success, prompts us to believe that the most significant difference among MBA applicants is not “what” they’ve achieved, or “how” they’ve accomplished it. Rather the biggest point of difference is “why” they have done what they’ve done. Revealing the inspiration, vision, raison d’etre behind their past actions and future plans is the best way to differentiate and elevate a business school candidacy.

Ironically, many individuals don’t even try to address this topic in making their case for admission. Perhaps they don’t know or have never thought about “why.” Maybe they don’t feel that the admissions committee really cares about or would understand their motivation. Or is it just too personal and private of an area to communicate to a faceless admissions committee?

Regardless of why you, as an applicant, might be reluctant to share the “why” behind your candidacy, if you’re serious about gaining admission, it’s a must. Arguably, the best way to start is by focusing on the “why” behind your post-MBA goals. Ask, and answer, the question: Why do I want to do something different from what I doing now? Not only will this exercise help make your essay about career objectives more compelling, it will also open the door to examining “why” you chose the path that has brought you to this point.

At The MBA Exchange, we’ve made this discovery a key component of our Comprehensive Consultation. Guiding, pushing, pulling and encouraging our clients to understand and articulate the “why” behind their past, present and future has helped them to more effectively present their unique candidacies and thus maximize their chances for admission. We invite you to start by telling us about your “what and how” through a free evaluation of your candidacy. Then, as your resource and partner, we can help you explore and identify the all-important “why.”

“The Ultimate, Super Top Secret, A-to-Z, Insider’s How-to Guide to Guaranteed, Slam-Dunk, MBA Admission”

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:29:00 GMT

Sound too good to be true? It is.

Amazon.com lists over 200 paperback books for sale on the topic of “MBA admissions.” Furthermore, the websites of various admissions consultants promote their own self-published guides, DVDs, etc. It seems like every week, there’s a new publication being touted on how to get into top b-schools.

The titles are quite alluring, with liberal use of terms like “insider” and “secret.” Some authors are veteran consultants, while others are relative newcomers. Although such publications can be very attractive to eager applicants and very profitable for the authors, there are five reasons why you’ll never find such a book coming from The MBA Exchange:

1. Your candidacy is different.

The differences among applicants in terms of the professional experiences, personal traits and values, and career goals are dramatic – and are too valuable to be diluted or homogenized by following directions in a book.

2. Every business school is different.

While each school seeks the strongest possible students, their process for evaluating candidates is highly subjective and varied by school. Selection criteria reflect each program’s unique culture, wants and needs. So, taking a one-size-fits-all approach to building and presenting your candidacy by following a book that instructs everyone to emphasize “A” is not going to endear you to an admissions committee that is looking for “Z”.

3. The myth of the admissions “insider.”

It may feel very comforting to read the advice of an author who actually worked in MBA admissions at a top business school. However, that knowledge is limited to one school and one point in time. The validity and accuracy of an author’s admissions-office recollections diminish with each day that passes since they worked at the school. So, what is the most meaningful credential for an admissions consultant? Independently verified proof of performance in actually helping applicants gain admission to their targeted schools over time. An “outsider” with a track record for results is a resource worthy of your trust, confidence and dear dollars.

4. Once it’s published, a “secret” is no long secret.

Even if a book somehow, some way – miraculously – captured The Secret to MBA Admissions, the fact is that you’re one of thousands of applicants who are now reading and using it. And, for best sellers, thousands of other applicants read it and used it in previous years. Admissions committees easily spot applicants who build their applications around the same book. In fact, admissions officers could very well have read it themselves at the beach last summer! Not much of a secret now, is it?

5. You deserve the 1-on-1, personalized advice that you paid for.

Applicants who engage a consultant to help develop and present their MBA candidacies -- and pay hard-earned dollars for this individualized guidance – deserve personalized advice and insights that are not shared with thousands of competing applicants who bought a $15 book or DVD from the same expert. When the identical strategies and tactics that you -- as a contracted client -- receive are already public, the efficacy and ethics of that counsel is diminished. The “competitive edge” that you rightfully expected to gain as a client is no longer your edge. Our clients know that there won’t be any other applicants who look and sound like them.

So, for those 5 reasons and more, you won’t see a book or DVD coming from The MBA Exchange. Our sole focus is helping a relatively small number of highly dedicated applicants to discover and leverage their uniqueness, align their candidacies with the priorities of each targeted school, and maximize their chances for admission 1 on 1. If this philosophy and approach appeal to you, then please introduce yourself to The MBA Exchange. Allow us to provide a free, personalized evaluation of your business school candidacy.

Sprint or Marathon: How will you run your race to the MBA application deadline?

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:38:00 GMT

There’s only a month left until Round 2 deadlines at most top-tier business schools. Even if you haven’t started preparing your applications, it’s very tempting to go for it. After all, your work experience isn’t going to change over the next 10 months. Your undergrad GPA can’t be improved. Your GMAT score is decent. Your personal activities are what they are. And you’re only getting older. So, you might as well make a dash for it, right? Ready, set….

Not so fast. The reality is that a hastily prepared application that presents a good but not great candidacy is not likely to impress the admissions committee. They don’t care that you’re rushing to apply because of how busy you’ve been with work and other activities. The ad comm will you judge based on what you present and compare you to other applicants who worked on their apps for months.

Why not just lob in an application in January and see what happens? You can always reapply in October, right? Well, by submitting an imperfect or incomplete app now that’s likely to fail, you’ll be “anchoring” your candidacy in the eyes of the business schools. The opportunity to actually improve your positioning and presentation in the future will be constrained by what you’ve told them about yourself in the original app. And yes, they will check back.

So, why not apply in Round 3 this coming spring? That’s certainly an option as b-schools like to add diversity to the incoming class by cherry-picking admits at the end of the application season who complement those applicants already accepted. However, the more selective and prestigious the school, the higher the yield, so only a few seats will remain available after Rounds 1 and 2. Furthermore, in terms of reapplication strategy, a Round 3 applicant is sending a message to the admissions committee that attending their program was not a passion or priority the first time around.

Your goal is not just applying, it’s getting accepted! With that in mind, as you consider running a “sprint” to the January 2012 deadline rather than a well-planned marathon to October deadline, ask yourself these 5 questions:

Over the next 10 months, could I:

Elevate or expand my professional profile by initiating a new project or solving a lingering problem?
Improve my academic profile by earning an “A” in an extension course or adding 20 points to my GMAT score?
Strengthen my personal profile through some international travel or a leadership role in an organization?
Deepen my relationships and raise my profile with current members of the b-school community?
Distinguish my post-MBA goals through more extensive research, conversation and reflection?

If your answer to at least 3 of those questions is yes, then make the smart choice. Approach your MBA admissions campaign as if it was a marathon, not a sprint. Planning, training, preparation, and perfection are possible only if you allow yourself the time to do so. And if having an expert coach could help you do your best, that’s why The MBA Exchange is here. Start your “race” to business school admission today with our free evaluation of your MBA candidacy.

Fact vs. Forum: Choose your admissions consultant via due diligence rather than anonymous chatter

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:36:00 GMT

Strange that some MBA applicants still rely on anonymous online comments when making one of the first and biggest decisions impacting their business school success -- the vetting and selection of an admissions consultant.

Sure, there’s an initial sense of comfort and camaraderie when chatting with apparent peers who, like you, seem to be struggling with the anxiety and ambiguity of applying to b-school. But who is really behind screen names like PoBoy27, Lucy Tunes and TechnoTom2 so eagerly volunteering their “wisdom” on popular forums?

Are they successful past applicants who actually worked with a specific consulting firm and graciously want to share their experience? Are they competing applicants trying to confuse rivals with misinformation? Are they consulting firms posing as applicants in an effort to undermine other firms? The only certainty is that you don’t know who they are or why they’re commenting. So, reaching conclusions and making choices based solely on random chatter is more than risky. It’s dangerous.

If you want to determine whether a given consulting firm is The One for you, then go directly to the source, ask all of your toughest question, make “apples-to-apples” comparisons between firms, and only then commit. Reach this decision like you would any financial investment -- after thorough, objective due diligence:

1.    Contact the head of the consulting firm for a 1-on-1 dialogue. Is he or she professional, credentialed and passionate?
2.    Consider their published service description. Does it fit your specific needs and priorities at a competitive price?
3.    Require the backgrounds of all potential lead consultants with whom you could be paired. Which possible match adds the most value and instills confidence?
4.    Get personalized, preliminary feedback on your background and potential. What do they think of your chances for admissions success at your targeted schools?
5.    Verify the firm’s promises and published claims about performance and satisfaction via credible independent sources like professional associations, CPA reports, and identified past clients. Trust only sources that you can confirm as legitimate.

This is your future we’re talking about. The stakes are much too high to rely on “whispers in the dark." So, turn on the lights, get the facts, and make a truly informed decision for yourself.

Is your MBA candidacy “too common” or “too unique” to succeed?

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:09:00 GMT

Are you a Wall Street analyst… or an elementary school teacher? Do you live in New York City… or Lilongwe, Malawi? Did you attend Princeton University… or University of Phoenix? Is your background too similar to other MBA applicants… or too different to gain admission to Harvard, Wharton and Stanford?

The reality is it doesn’t matter. Top-tier business schools are always looking for those individuals who have achieved excellence, demonstrated integrity and revealed potential. Over the past 15 years, The MBA Exchange has helped nearly 3,000 MBA candidates succeed, not despite their background but rather because of it. We’ve worked with individuals from more than 40 industries and sectors, nearly 80 countries worldwide, and 70 of the Fortune 100 companies. You name it, we’ve seen it. Just take a quick look at our client profiles. From farmers to venture capitalists. From Afghans to Venezuelans. From Wal-Mart execs to solo entrepreneurs.

Applicants with profiles that look similar to the “typical” MBA student need to dig below the surface and show the ad comms the real substance of their thoughts, feelings, vision and accomplishments. Likewise, those individuals with very distinctive profiles must help the b-schools see and understand the “MBA-relevance” of their actions and impact.

A thorough, thoughtful and strategic application process is the only way to go. That’s why we start every client engagement with a discovery process that drills down and then builds up. We help applicants find and mine those attributes that make them similar to successful MBA students as well as those that distinguish them from the pack.

So, as you contemplate whether admission to a top-tier MBA program is within your grasp, don’t let perceived sameness or differences distract or discourage you. Understanding and then leveraging those attributes is essential to achieving your dream of a b-school education. The start of that process is a free, objective, expert evaluation of your MBA candidacy – past, present and future.

Which MBA or EMBA is Best for You? Find out at The Economist Fairs!

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:59:00 GMT

Are you considering applying to top MBA or EMBA programs? As you pore through dozens of business school websites, do you find yourself wishing for more direct interaction?

There may never have been an easier or more effective way to determine the right program for you than The Economist Fair for MBA applicants on November 9 and 10, and for Executive MBA applicants on November 11.

Follow the links to sign up for these free events. Then, no matter where you are in the world, you can log in to chat with alumni and admissions officers, learn more about what the participating programs offer, and watch an array of videos and webinars. Even if your top choices are not present, you still have a great opportunity to learn about b-school in general and to gain confidence in presenting your candidacy. Tap into the enormous benefit to be gained from interacting with experienced MBA and EMBA program reps, learning more about admissions, and refining your profile.

And be sure to contact us at The MBA Exchange -- before, during or after the Fair -- for a free evaluation of your MBA or EMBA potential. No matter which program you target, we can help you maximize your chances for admission!

"What Did You Say?" Here's help for non-native English speakers targeting top US b-schools

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:39:00 GMT

The MBA Exchange has established strategic alliances with a number of service providers who complement our MBA admissions consulting work. We’re pleased to highlight the offerings and capabilities of these allies. Accent reduction coaching is a timely resource for consideration as you await the arrival of business school interview invitations.

As you prepare for admissions interviews, you’re likely to focus on the content and delivery of your responses. You’ll highlight your achievements, showcase your skills and experiences, and do everything possible to come across as dynamic, intelligent, and resourceful. However, if your first language isn’t American English, and you’re trying to get into an MBA program in the US, you may ruin your chances for admission without even knowing it.

“But I sound just fine … to myself”
Just because YOU know what you’re saying doesn’t mean that the interviewer will understand. Let’s look at a few real-life examples. Think about what the speaker meant when he or she said:

o   “We’re excited about the release of the new virgin.”
o   “We addressed that in the next face of the project.”
o   “There was a big demon for the new product.”
o   “I became the new precedent of our organization.”
o   “It was a eunuch solution.”

These are just a few of the common mistakes that educated non-native speakers of American English make. Avoiding such mistakes and speaking with an American accent can help establish your credibility and even ensure that others feel they can trust you. In a study on foreign accents in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (June 2010), researchers recorded speakers with a variety of accents -- Korean, Polish, Austrian, and Italian, among others -- as well as native speakers with American accents.

They asked native American English speakers to decide whether or not the study participants were “telling the truth.” Even after telling the native speakers not to unfairly judge people based on accent alone, native speakers were still perceived as telling the truth more frequently than non-native speakers. (See http://psychology.uchicago.edu/people/faculty/LevAriKeysar.pdf]

So, what does this mean in terms of preparing for an MBA interview?
If you want to be viewed as credible, it’s essential that you avoid speaking in a way that others may not understand you the first time. If they have to ask, “What did you say?” they may doubt that you are telling the truth -– or they may simply misunderstand and not even request clarification. Furthermore, even if the interviewer understands you, he or she may fear that potential MBA classmates who don’t have an “ear for accents” could have difficulty knowing what you mean when you make comments in a b-school classroom or study group. Increasingly, admissions committees are using the admissions interview to screen applicants for this purpose.

These are risks to your candidacy that no MBA applicant should take -– especially when there’s an effective way to boost your skill level. With professional guidance and focused effort, you can make sure that the MBA admissions interviewer understands your strengths and sees your value (instead of wondering what you actually said.)

Potential benefits go far beyond your admissions interviews
Reducing your foreign accent is important before and after the admissions interview. In establishing relationships with business school students, alumni and administrators prior to submitting your application, you’ll want to convey the most professional image possible in all conversations. The same is true for interviewers with companies selecting MBA students for highly selective summer internships. In these situations, you have only one chance to make a great first impression! So, why not show them -- in the very first conversation -- that you’re a confident, capable speaker of American English?

What’s the next step?
As an optional extension to our Comprehensive Consultation for applicants, we can arrange accent reduction coaching for our interested clients. To request your free, no-obligation 15-minute evaluation and consultation, or just to learn more about these services, please contact The MBA Exchange.

Cool Clubs Part 6: Taking the MBA Experience to New Heights!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:10:00 GMT

Because growth happens inside and outside of the classroom, and because your interest in a subject deepens when you actively engage in it, the MBA experience is elevated and enhanced when you pursue organized club activities. We've looked at some of the coolest clubs offered at top MBA programs and are highlighting them in a series of blogs.

Dartmouth Tuck

Tuck Case Competition Club
Cold calls giving you the chills? As case studies are a cornerstone of the MBA experience, the Tuck Case Competition Club focuses on making students aware of opportunities to refine their case-crackin’ skills. Members help each other hone their abilities to analyze, synthesize, hypothesize, and every other kind of “ize” you could imagine. Club activities include debriefs by successful teams, useful strategies for getting ready for a competition, and social mixers with the larger Tuck community.

Dartmouth Energy Collaborative
Here’s a jolt for your education! The mission of the DEC is to educate and connect the energy community at Dartmouth and throughout New England. With over 100 members – including students from Tuck, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College and Vermont Law School – this group organizes educational lectures and lunches and arranges for attendance at technical discussions led by Thayer's Dartmouth Energy Journal Club (DEJC). Throughout the year, DEC invites companies to Dartmouth, hosts events and conferences, and organizes power plants and manufacturing facility tours. DEC members also participate in business plan competitions and provide consulting services. Rubber-soled shoes are optional but suggested!

Tuck African Ancestry Business Association
TAABA asks: “What have you done today to leave a lasting legacy?” This group works to build a sense of community among students of African descent at Tuck. Activities include social events for members and their partners, academic assistance, and opportunities to “use one another as a sounding board for concerns and ideas, both personal and business related.” TAABA members also see it as their responsibility to work with the admissions office to increase the number of African Ancestry enrollees. TAABA sponsors social and networking events with the Dartmouth Black Business Association.

UVA Darden

Turnaround & Restructuring Club
Today’s teetering economy makes this club a natural for MBA students from all industries. Melding Darden’s leadership development, finance, consulting, and general management curriculum, this club has the mission of fostering financial and operational restructuring careers. Members have access to skills development programs as well as professional networking and employment opportunities. Highlights include the New York City Job Trek, opportunities to work with distressed businesses, and collaboration with other professional schools.

Outreach at Darden
At UVA, “giving back” and “paying forward” are more than just buzzwords featured in admissions essays. Darden's community service group organizes activities that leave a positive impact on the world outside of Darden. Members join this club in order to get to know Charlottesville and make an impact, to focus on something OTHER than their MBA for a while, and to grow as leaders. Make time to make a difference.

JD/MBA Society
No, this isn’t another “lawyer” joke. This organization seeks to facilitate, improve and strengthen the experience, profile, and alumni network of the JD/MBA program of the UVA School of Law and The Darden School. This is achieved by creating connections between students and faculty from both programs as well as local law firms and businesses. Okay, so a lawyer and an MBA walk into a bar…

Oxford Said

There are over 200 registered clubs and societies at Oxford University. The best-known of these are:

Oxford Union
Famous for its formal Thursday evening debates, which have been taking place since 1823, these competitions were founded on the concept of Freedom of Speech, in an era when religion and politics were off-limits within the University. Twelve British Prime Ministers have honed their skills in the Union’s Debating Chamber. Members are European and even world champions in competitive debating. So, step right up whether you want to compete at the international level or just brush up on your public speaking skills.

Oxford Entrepreneurs
The Oxford campus is located more than 5,300 miles from Silicon Valley. But for members of this club, the “start up” spirit is in abundance – UK style. OE has as its mission “to encourage and support student entrepreneurship by providing inspiration, education, networking and the chance to learn by doing.” OE hosts compelling events on campus including the Changemaker Speaker Series of lectures. Ideas2Market consists of a boot camp prior to “startup weekend,” then two “Matchup session” can help you find a mentor for your project. Practical workshops and networking events are standard practice in this, the largest student entrepreneur society in the UK, with some 1,200 members!

To learn more about each of these schools, and to request a free evaluation of your MBA candidacy, click here.

MBA Recommendations: It’s more about “What and How” than “Who”

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:39:00 GMT

Recommendations are a critical, often undervalued component of the overall MBA application process. Recs are central to your profile as an applicant because they bridge the facts of your resume and the feelings of your essays. Depending on how well they are developed, recommendations can either add credibility or raise doubts about your candidacy.

Like your transcript, recommendations are a key piece of the application that you really can’t control -- or can you? Careful planning and confident action can lead to recs that add substantial value and help you make a positive impression on the admissions committee. In fact, we feel it’s so important that we help our clients develop recs even before starting to work on their essays.

There are several popular theories abound about who makes the “best” recommender:

Top officers at your company? Having the CEO or Managing Director endorse you might make you feel good, but he or she probably doesn’t really know you well enough to provide specific examples of your key strengths.

Direct supervisor? Most b-schools ask for a rec from this person, but he or she may hold it against you if your MBA plans are perceived as a lack of commitment or loyalty to the job. Some bosses can even be jealous of a subordinate who shows greater career potential or ambition than they do.

A long-time friend? Great for personal insights about you, but probably can’t speak to your professional depth and breadth. Also, ad comms know that buddies don’t say bad things about buddies.

Alumnus of targeted b-school? This is more of a tie-breaker than a differentiator. Almost every applicant knows someone who is a graduate of the MBA program. So, don’t overemphasize alumni status when selecting the best possible recommender. That’s not enough.

So, who do you choose? The best recommender is someone – regardless of title or background -- who knows you personally and professionally and is “invested” in your MBA admissions success. Someone who has the objectivity to assess your candidacy and feels the obligation to help you succeed. To make sure that they choose the right recommenders, we provide our clients with proven selection criteria so they can rank order the potential choices.

Start as early as possible to cultivate a personal/professional relationship with your recommenders. We encourage clients to be candid and straightforward from day one; as soon as it seems appropriate, be direct and ask if they’d be comfortable providing you with a glowing rec. It’s better to hear “no” early in the process while you still have options.

The mechanics of producing recommendations pose another challenge. At one end of the spectrum, your recommender could say, “You write it, I’ll sign it.” At the other end is, “Don’t give me any input, I’ll handle it alone.” Neither of these two extremes is good, and both are risky. The ideal approach is collaboration, and here’s how to achieve it:

Topics and examples. Recommenders tend to be very busy people and probably don’t recall all of the details about the applicant. So, a dedicated recommender usually welcomes such written guidance when presented tactfully by the applicant. We help our clients develop “input outlines” that help to structure this development process.

Authenticity and sincerity. With the outline complete, let the recommender write the rec in his or her own voice. Recs that look and sound too much like your essays raise a “red flag” at the admissions office. And don’t worry about imperfections in grammar or style. Recommenders aren’t being judged by their writing abilities. In fact, a few rough edges here and there only make the recs more “real.”

Bottom line: You’ll never know for sure if your recommendations were the key to your admission. However, if you approach this component of the application strategically and thoughtfully, the outcome is far more likely to be positive. And, if all goes well, someday you’ll be the successful business leader and MBA graduate writing recs for your subordinates!

“Round 2 or not Round 2?" That is the Question

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:15:00 GMT

Late September. This is the time of year when eager applicants face a very painful decision: should I rush my applications to make the Round 1 deadline in October or take my time and hit Round 2 in January?

Conventional wisdom says the sooner the better. After all, in Round 1, no seats are filled and there’s no waitlist to consider. Admissions committees are fresh and open minded. And applying in the first batch conveys a sense of urgency, confidence and readiness. All true.

However, the reality is that not every candidacy is ready to be finalized and presented by October. Ask yourself if strengthening your candidacy for an additional three months could help improve your chances for admission:

•    Do I have a promotion or new assignment coming up that would elevate my professional profile?
•    Would prepping for and re-taking the GMAT, GRE or TOEFL help me achieve a score that exceeds the median at my targeted school?
•    Could I accomplish something noteworthy as a leader in one of my non-work organizations?
•    Would a campus visit or additional dialogue with students or alumni be possible?
•    Could my recommendations be even more convincing if I gave recommenders more time to think about my candidacy?
•    Would my essays be more compelling if I had time to go through a few more iterations before submitting them?
•    Am I even applying to right schools? Should I do some more research before finalizing my target list?

If your answer to even a few of these questions is “yes” then you should give strong consideration to Round 2 timing. Furthermore, if your candidacy is somewhat non-traditional (i.e., age 30+, distinctive occupation, unique undergraduate major, etc.) the admissions committees could consider you as an ideal candidate to help round out the incoming class of more traditional admits who they grab in Round 1.

Bottom line: don’t panic even as your friends and colleagues pull all-nighters to get their apps in next month. Remember, the goal is not applying, it’s admission! Use the next three months to your advantage by identifying and prioritizing ways to truly optimize your candidacy and perfect your apps.

We encourage you to start by requesting a free, expert evaluation from The MBA Exchange.

Social media presence more critical than ever for b-school applicants

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:30:00 GMT

Back in June 2010, when The MBA Exchange announced the first-ever social media audit for MBA applicants, there were some cynics who said, “B-schools don’t really check that stuff, do they?”

Well, in fact, they do!

Kaplan Test Prep's recently published 2011 survey of business school admissions officers discovered the following:

• 27% of MBA admissions officers have Googled an applicant to learn more about him or her; 22% said they have visited an applicant's Facebook or other social networking page for the same purpose.

• 14% of admissions officers who did online research on applicants found something that negatively impacted the application.

This survey, conducted in summer 2011, includes responses from 265 MBA programs, including 16 of the top 25 schools.

Online “vetting” of applicants is a trend that is certain to grow. For instance, a Kaplan survey of undergraduate admissions officers found that a staggering 80% consider social media presence when recruiting students. Surely, the MBA counterparts of those undergrad ad comms will make greater use of social media in choosing who gets the nod among equally qualified applicants.

A former Harvard interviewer says it well in her February 2011 blog post: “Today, your public image is more than who you are in person. It also includes who you are online. It's the new reality, and there's nothing revolutionary or scary about it - but it is important to learn to live with it and manage accordingly.”

So, how would MBA admissions officers, interviewers, alumni, and students perceive you based on your Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter presence? And, remember, it’s not just what you post, but also what has been posted about you — or about others with the same name — that could put your MBA admission in jeopardy. What are some examples of near-catastrophes we’ve discovered and helped resolve so far?

•    An applicant who unfortunately shares the same first and last name as a convicted murderer.

•    An applicant who featured photos on Flickr of himself proudly posing in front of a “shoppe” in Amsterdam’s infamous red-light district.

•    An applicant who boasted on Facebook of his six-figure winnings from online poker – adding with a “smiley-face” emoticon that he had not yet declared this on his income tax return.

•    An applicant who generated a series of Tweets advocating legalization of street drugs.

•    An applicant who had Tweeted inappropriate comments about Haitian earthquake victims.

•    An applicant whose blog featured a music playlist that included several obscene titles.

•    An applicant whose comments in a public forum for MBA applicants openly disparaged two of the b-schools to which he was planning to apply.

As someone eagerly seeking admission to a highly selective business school, could you benefit from a professional audit of your social media presence? The MBA Exchange is proud to be the first admissions consulting firm to offer a specialized, confidential service for MBA applicants. Experienced, online research specialists discover what’s written, where it appears, and how you can mitigate it. They can even suggest opportunities to improve your online presence and thus increase your chances for admission. It can take time — sometimes even months — to transform an online profile from harmful to beneficial. Why not start today? We believe so strongly in the value of our social media audit that we’ve made it a core component of our Comprehensive Admissions Consultation.

For details on this exclusive service for MBA applicants, visit our website.

Learn to think like an MBA before attending b-school

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:00:00 GMT

The MBA Exchange has established strategic alliances with a number of service providers who complement our MBA admissions consulting work. We’re pleased to highlight these firms and their capabilities.

Developed by Harvard Business School graduates, The MBA IQ is a comprehensive online course that enables individuals to “master the MBA lexicon.” This breakthrough learning program covers the following 12 modules:
•    General Management, Leadership, and Strategy
•    Operations Management
•    Marketing Management
•    Quality and Process Management
•    Human Resources Management
•    Accounting
•    Finance
•    Information Technology
•    Corporate Control, Law, Ethics, and Governance
•    International Business
•    Project Management
•    Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics

The MBA IQ platform integrates online content with a printed workbook. Because learning styles are individualized, so is The MBA IQ approach, which employs reading assignments, E-flashcards, quizzes and self-assessments. Completion takes approximately 8-12 hours/week, with total flexibility regarding when and where you study.

Whether you’re planning to apply to a top business school or were recently admitted for enrollment, this program is for you. Designed for individuals from a range of ages, functions and industries, the course is relevant for anyone looking to develop his or her business acumen, at various stages of personal and professional growth:

•    Are you college-age? Maybe you have a liberal arts, engineering or other-non business background and want to build your business knowledge to help secure a better job and pave the way for a future MBA. Use The MBA IQ to prepare yourself in all core areas of business.

•    Already a working professional? If you’re a manager or an employee who wants to build an actionable development plan for work or a future MBA, you can assess your knowledge with The MBA IQ – on either a one-time or an ongoing basis.

•    Do you have a non-traditional background (e.g., military or NGO) and are preparing for a move to the private sector and/or graduate business education? Use The MBA IQ to strengthen your business knowledge base and ensure that you hit the ground running.

Upon completion of The MBA IQ course, you’ll receive a “Knowledge Transcript” documenting your expanded business understanding. So, when you apply to b-school, just provide this transcript to the admissions committee as evidence of your academic readiness for the MBA classroom.

The MBA IQ is a one-of-a-kind resource. As CEO Devi Vallabhaneni explains, “There’s really no comprehensive tool other than The MBA IQ for business school readiness or preparation. No other offerings provide the same academic rigor, support or ease of use." Furthermore, programs like MBA boot camps or “Mini-MBA’s” typically are priced much higher than the current $195 fee for The MBA IQ. Why get less and pay more?

Investing in yourself before launching your MBA education just makes good business sense. The MBA IQ can improve your chances for admission and your preparation for classroom success.

The MBA Exchange encourages its clients to strengthen their academic and professional profile with The MBA IQ. Take the quick, free “MBA Management IQ Assessment” right now to gauge your current business knowledge. Visit www.mbaiq.com to take the assessment, preview The MBA IQ Course features and functionality, and contact The MBA IQ Team to schedule a free personal consultation.

Cool Clubs Part 5: Engaging & enlightening MBA opportunities

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 06:53:00 GMT

UCLA Anderson

Black & Scholes Surf Club: Do people say “Hang Ten!” anymore? Well, if they do then they’re saying it here. This is the club for Anderson students and alums who love to surf. Are you a beginner? Then you'll be into Fall and Spring quarters events that focus on mellow long-boarding waves -- a great opportunity to learn the sport. Winter outings are for the more experienced surfers, scheduled based on swell arrivals. This is your chance to surf Southern California’s most renowned waves at their best! Don't have your own board? The surf club has loaners. Kowabunga, dudes!

Automotive Business Association: Gear head? Then check out one of the newest industry-oriented clubs on campus. The ABA connects students with career opportunities in the field by creating networking opportunities with industry pros. The ABA community is made up of auto enthusiasts who enjoy annual events inclu company presentations, “days-on-the-job,” an alumni mixer and the famed LA Auto Show. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!

Yale SOM

Economic Development Club: Does the roller-coaster ride -- otherwise known as the global economy -- fascinate you? The EDC encourages interest in topics that contribute to economic security, justice and prosperity, both within the U.S. and around the world, including education and workforce development, community space development, environmental and economic balancing. The big annual event is the club-sponsored Economic Development Conference.

Conservative Club: This club seeks to enrich the business education of its members through the intellectual and practical benefits of political participation and strives to expose the SOM community to conservative ideas and concepts. Just imagine: righties and lefties meeting in the middle to engage and learn from each other. Are you listening, Washington, DC?

Sales & Trading Club: Here you'll find a forum to learn about the sales and trading field, network and access recruiting opportunities between members and companies via such events as trading floor visits on major investment banks in NY and Connecticut, on-campus presentations, mock interviews, resume review sessions, summer internship prep, and an alumni recruiting event.

Food For Thought: Got the MBA munchies? Here’s a not-for-profit volunteer-run café operating within the SOM. Proceeds generated through the food and coffee sales support the Internship Fund, which helps students who pursue summer internships in the public or nonprofit sector. Food For Thought gives back to the broader SOM community by providing a great space to meet for study groups and club meetings. Volunteers even get to work a shift, selling and serving customers. Think of it as “Starbucks with a soul.”

NYU Stern

Technology & New Media Group: TANG provides members with networking opportunities with fellow students, alumni and industry leaders; job search assistance, and educational opportunities about technology through events like these:

• New York Tech Trek: Visit the tech departments of Manhattan's most prestigious companies, as well as some of the hottest startups in Silicon Alley.

• Bay Area Tech Trek: TANGers meet with California CEOs and top managers of leading tech and media companies.

• Tang Talks: A series of panels, run by students for students, focused on tech-related topics of importance and interest. Think of it as “TED Lite.”

• Special Speakers: Hear from CEOs and top managers at the forefront of the technology business. Who knows, perhaps even the next Steve Jobs.

• Alumni Events: Mix and mingle with fellow students, alumni and recruiters who are passionate about technology and new media.

Stern in Africa (SIA): A club for all Sternies interested in Africa, SIA offers exposure to business and investment opportunities and enhances awareness of the continent’s growing economies. At professional, educational and social events, you will join thought leaders, industry practitioners, and fellow MBA students to explore investments in Africa and examine its growing importance in the global marketplace. Spring break safari, anyone?

To learn more about each of these schools, and to request a free evaluation of your MBA candidacy, click here.

Cool Clubs, Part 4: Taking the MBA experience to new heights!

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:33:00 GMT

Cornell Johnson

Human Capital Association: Club members -- including students, corporate execs and faculty -- explore HR issues in global business and experience academic and professional development. How? Through collaboration with the Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies, the Society of Human Resource Management, the Consulting Club and the Center for Leadership at Johnson. Events include regular speakers, workshops and symposiums, all following the group's stated values of "respect, inclusiveness, passion, integrity and egalitarianism." These are truly "people people"!

BR MicroCapital: Unique among business schools, this student-run organization connects the human capital and resources of Johnson with talented, community-based entrepreneurs, spurring microenterprise development by assisting self-employed individuals in reaching their business goals. BRM partners with a leading community development credit union and the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise to support microbusiness owners. By offering targeted business assistance -- including loans to entrepreneurs -- BRM achieves its goal of supporting local, inclusive wealth creation and economic development. Who could argue with that mission?

Cookin' the Books: This social club, to quote them, "has nothing to do with accounting but everything to do with food and cooking." If you love to cook, want to learn more about cooking, or just have a passion for food then this is the place for you. Here you will pursue your culinary interests while making connections with like-minded Johnson students, members of the greater Cornell community, and local culinary aficionados. B.Y.O. truffles.

Michigan Ross

iMpulse Dance Club: Dance away the everyday pressures of MBA life at Ross with twice-weekly group dance lessons in salsa, swing and hip-hop – starting from the first step: no previous experience required! As the club website declares, "if you can walk, you can salsa!" Boost your confidence in social occasions, meet other Ross MBA students, and get a great workout! Finance Foxtrot or Marketing Mambo, anyone?

Ross Mentorship Program: Take full advantage of networking opportunities at Ross while participating in the flow of good will -- and great contacts -- passing from one year to the next. New students are matched with continuing students through formal events and informal gatherings: the buddy system at its best! And you might just end up working for your mentee someday, so be careful out there.

Ross Photography Club: Ann Arbor is a scenic college town, so take advantage of it while pursuing your passion for photography as you pursue your Michigan MBA! Club activities raise the visibility of student work, educate club members, create social and professional networking opportunities, and encourage opportunities for broader community benefits. Say cheese, everyone!

Carnegie Mellon Tepper

Alpha Club: This club stands alone in its dedication to investment management -- ideal if you're planning to pursue a career in asset management or are just interested in becoming a better-informed investor. Alpha males (and females) welcomed. "Bridging the gap" between what you learn in Tepper's rigorous curriculum and real-world investment portfolio management, this club creates networking opportunities as you develop your investment decision-making skills and prepare to make a positive impact upon graduation. As a member, you'll help to manage the Tepper Opportunity Fund – a real money portfolio of US-listed equities, and enjoy guest speakers, trading contests, resume reviews, career guidance, Bloomberg training, and CFA program preparation. A great source of beer money if Wall Street ever settles down.

Endurance Club: No, this isn't about pulling all-nighters before mid-terms. Take your sport to another level as a member of this club by becoming better educated and informed in training and racing techniques. Join fellow club members -- including students, partners, professors and alumni -- as you train and compete in distance sports ranging from hiking and biking to running and swimming. It's not uncommon to see these folks running in Schenley Park, pedaling through urban Pittsburgh, and volunteering in local sporting events to give back to the community.

To learn more about each of these schools, and to request a free evaluation of your MBA candidacy, click here.

A Unique Resource for GMAT Prep

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:00:00 GMT

The MBA Exchange has established alliances with a number of service providers who complement our MBA admissions consulting expertise. We're pleased to highlight these firms and their capabilities in this blog series.

The GMAT is the first big hurdle that MBA applicants face. While we've helped clients with modest GMAT scores to gain admission to top-tier schools, achieving a score above the median definitely makes the application process less stressful and more successful.

There's a wide range of tutors in the marketplace, and one size doesn't fit all. So, we help our clients by analyzing their GMAT needs, goals and learning preferences based on confidential info they provide through our free Test Prep Evaluation.

One of the most distinctive GMAT test prep options we've discovered is GMAT Pill...

Zeke Lee, Founder & Chief Instructor of GMAT Pill says:

Feel like you're sitting next to an expert GMAT instructor

Students come to GMAT Pill when they're looking for a resource somewhere between "private tutor" and "large classroom." They want one-on-one intimacy and the opportunity to ask questions, but can't or don't want to pay the higher price of an in-person, private tutor.

The GMAT Pill video course makes you feel like you're sitting next to an expert GMAT instructor: you can see exactly where his attention is at any given moment. He'll show you exactly what he's looking for -- and what he's NOT looking for -- in your GMAT prep performance. All you need to do is follow along, step by step.

This course is specifically designed for busy professionals who have demanding day jobs and thus can do GMAT prep only on weekday nights and weekends. Such applicants often use the "1-month study plan" to grasp the unique strategies we teach.

Many GMAT Pill students are former clients of big-name tutoring services who still underperform on the GMAT even after paying fees as high as $1,500. Then, they come to GMAT Pill and are blown away by how much they improve on the next test after paying just a fraction of the original amount.

A High GMAT Score Can Help Pay for B-school

Most applicants think that all they need to achieve their goal is a "competitive" GMAT score. However, one thing that many don't consider is that a high GMAT score not only impacts their admissions chances but also qualifies them for merit-based financial aid. Some GMAT Pill students got a HUGE return on their investment in the form of five-figure scholarships! This paid for not just their prep but also the entire first year at b-school!

GMAT Pill satisfies a unique need for MBA applicants, offering a private GMAT tutoring experience -- but for much, much less than they would pay elsewhere. We also allow our students the flexibility to purchase individual sections of the GMAT prep course. Say, for instance, that you're strong in quant and need help only in verbal; we offer you the option to purchase just our verbal package. You can even purchase just the sentence correction "pill" if that's all you want. Of course, the best "bang for the buck" is in our full-package course.

Value Proposition: Less Time, More Points

Another benefit of our program is that 3-6 months of studying are condensed into 28 hours of "thought-process" videos that you can watch online -- anywhere and anytime. You may actually do better by studying less if you learn how to think efficiently the GMAT Pill way. If our student has a question, he or she simply posts it in the comments area below each video and we'll answer promptly. Or reach out directly to me and I will personally assist you myself! (Note: Zeke achieved 98th percentile in just 2 weeks of intense prep using methods of the GMAT Pill.)

We're different from other GMAT services because we show students exactly how we think through an actual exam question. That is, we indicate exactly where our eyeballs go -- how we scan answer choices. In many cases, we show you how to answer the question without even looking at all the answer choices. Acing the GMAT is about "beating the system," so that's what we teach.

Also, our approach is very personal. It's taught from the same instructor throughout all sections. With other courses, you might have one instructor for verbal and another in quant, each with different teaching styles. But with GMAT Pill you get one, fully integrated experience through all sections -- plus 24/7 support.

'Booby Traps' Threaten GMAT Performance

We also focus on thought process rather than just concepts. For the most part, all students have a rudimentary understanding of underlying concepts. But the actual GMAT doesn't test you just on concepts: they try to trick you; they put "booby traps" everywhere and hope you fall into them. If you can't spot and avoid these traps, you'll be one of the losers. So, we teach you a thought process for seeing those traps and steering away so you can focus on what really matters. This will help reduce the amount of time you have to spend on each question, which is a crucial part of the exam.

Is GMAT Pill the Right Rx for You?

What's the best way to find out if GMAT Pill could work for you? Read the testimonials of past users. And check out the free videos at www.GMATPill.com to see how they align with your learning style (i.e., visually inclined students tend to be the best match). If you like the videos on our site, chances are you'll really like what's inside.

GMAT Pill welcomes admissions consulting clients of The MBA Exchange to help them maximize their GMAT potential. Given our expertise, and that of The MBA Exchange, these applicants can then compete for admission to even the most selective business schools.

Cool Clubs, Part 3: Redefining "beyond the classroom" learning!

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:30:00 GMT

Chicago Booth

Mothers at Booth (MaB): Are you a student mother or future working mom-to-be? Greater visibility and information about motherhood during and after business school helps students make more informed and satisfying academic and career decisions. You can do it all! Vibrant family life can be achieved alongside academic and professional success. MaB is aligned with the Chicago Booth Office of Diversity Affairs and partners with other student groups to host select career and life planning sessions. Every day is Mother's Day at Booth!

Audio Booth: For music lovers and music makers alike. If you can sing, play an instrument, have an interest in singing or playing an instrument, or just enjoy listening to good tunes, this club is for you. Take in performances at happy hours and the big Follies show, access a rehearsal and recording space downtown Chicago, and check out Chicago's amazing local music scene from Bach to the blues.

Booth Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (BETA): Maybe you know that you want to run "a company" someday but don't have a clue what business should be. Or maybe you're eager to develop the skills and build the network you need to source, diligence, purchase, manage, and profitably exit an entrepreneurial venture. As a BETA member, you'll learn about entrepreneurship through acquisition and join a community of interested and active peers. Educational events include discussions with industry gurus and opportunities to source and evaluate live investment targets. Hey, you might even spot the next GroupOn!

Northwestern Kellogg

Brew'n Q: Like a good beer, this group is rugged, yet refined with a single goal: "To share with the Kellogg community our passion for all things beer and BBQ." These are the folks responsible for the annual Turkey Bowl, Chili Cook-off, Crawfish Boil and Spring Luau. Look no further than the Brew', Q Club for your chance to pursue your own passion for "the ancient art of the grill and joys of global beers." Calories and cholesterol? There'll be plenty of time for those concerns after b-school.

Digital Shorts: What a crazy cool idea. This club encourages you to make comical digital short films all year long, "celebrating" Kellogg. This is not for professionals, just for folks who want to help make entertaining videos. All you need is an idea and iPhone. Action!

Joint Ventures: Nearly 40% of all incoming students come to Kellogg accompanied by a partner, and if you're one of them then you're already a Joint Venture (JV)! From day one, this club can help your own "JV" achieve a smoother transition to Kellogg Life that lasts all the way through graduation. Social and cultural events, job development and meaningful volunteer opportunities will engage you and yours. This is a place where lifelong friendships are forged.

The Bottom Line: All-male a cappella group that performs pop, rock, classical, and jazz and welcomes all Kellogg men with an interest in singing to join. Not to be outdone, the Kelloggarhythms bring all-women's a cappella to Kellogg! Who needs to watch Glee when you have the real thing right here on campus.

UC Berkeley Haas

Redwoods@Haas: Taking full advantage of the great outdoors, this club organizes a range of get-togethers with their signature event being the Yosemite car camp-out in early Fall. Kayaking, skydiving, camping, expert speakers, and "anything else you have suggestions for we have to capacity to help coordinate. We welcome all suggestions as long as they involve outdoors, adventure, and fun." So grab your sunscreen and go for it.

Haas Leadership Club: For this club, "leadership" is defined as inspiring people to achieve their full potential and go to work together toward a common goal, "stepping up, taking initiative and making tough calls." Club members are united by a shared interest in growing their individual ability to improve and explore facets of leadership in ways that coursework along cannot provide. Interview practice, a leadership lab (in which alumni test club members in real-world scenarios), Toastmasters, Scotch night, and abstracts for business books. Plus unlimited pizza at every event, "all for $10." Who knew leadership could be this much fun?

C4C: The MBA Challenge for Charity draws on the talents, energy, and resources of students from nine West Coast business schools. you'll participate in volunteer events like landscaping and restoration during first-year orientation, bowling and basketball clinics with Special Olympics kids, and fundraising events including Haas-oween, No-Shave November and the annual C4C Charity Auction. Every April, the organization's work culminates at the C4C Sports Weekend. Sounds more like a dozen great clubs within a club. Have fun, do good, enough said.

To learn more about each of these schools, and to request a free evaluation of your MBA candidacy, click here.

Cool Clubs, Part 2: Extracurricular excitement & diversion for MBAs

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:15:00 GMT

INSEAD

INSEAD Private Equity Club: With over 1,000 alumni engaged in PE across the globe, this organization is mission critical if private equity is your future. IPEC, run solely by MBA students, serves as a forum for those interested in all aspects of the private equity industry. Flagship events are annual conferences in Fontainebleau (the largest PE event hosted by an academic institution in Europe) and Singapore. So, if you're a future private equity associate, turnaround wizard, portfolio-company exec or just an investor, this is the club for you.

OUTSEAD: Cleverly named, this club represents the lesbian, gay and bisexual community at INSEAD. Its mission is to raise education, increase visibility and generate an inclusive atmosphere that reflects a more holistic view of diversity rather than simply diversity along national and gender lines. There are frequent networking events with major consulting firms and investment banks and regular social happenings in Singapore, Fontainebleau and Paris.

Columbia

Green Business Club: Sustainability and business are no longer mutually exclusive! Enhance your preparation and education for careers in alternative energy, green marketing, carbon finance and sustainable investing. As a GBC member, you'll make connections to employers and resources in the private for-profit, public and non-profit sectors. Deepen your understanding of emerging "triple-bottom-line" business issues through events and discussion forums. Then, put theory into action by joining GBC members to advocate for and perform sustainable practice in the Columbia community through campus greening projects.

Eureka! (Greek Club): You have found it! The mission of this unique club is to (quoting from their website here): "promote the Hellenic ideals of humanism, thought leadership, grassroots democracy and community spirit in the context of modern business." Explore the crossroads where personal contentment and intellectual, moral, hedonic, physical and spiritual contentment meet professional advancement and satisfaction. And don't be surprised if they break out the baklava and ouzo every so often. Opa!

MIT Sloan

Happy Belly Club: Gourmets and gourmands of the world, unite! This club's mission is to coordinate events that allow the MIT community to get to know each other over delicious food beyond crowded C-Functions and noisy BHP. You'll be delighted by comfortable and casual events including speakers (like James Beard Award winners), restaurant outings and student-hosted dinners. The chance to explore Boston's most famous -- and infamous -- restaurants will help make your b-school experience unforgettable.

MIT SOS (Significant Others of Sloan): Spouses and partners deserve quality time and attention from their super-busy MBA student. From AdMIT weekend socializing to periodic food & drink outings to Sloan Olympics and outdoor activities, you and yours will find a place within SOS. Friendships formed here can span the globe and will last a lifetime.

Sloan Veterans Association: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard vets, this is your organization. From the development of WWII radar and computers to the creation of modern air-defense systems and the Internet, MIT profs and students have been at the forefront of new military technology. "Building on the strong foundation of leadership veterans develop in the military, we help to propel veterans to new heights in their business careers." Welcoming newly arrived vets as they transition into b-school (and, for that matter, into business), this group is the hub for those with armed-services backgrounds to leverage espirit de corps, customize their career development, and expand their networks.

To learn more about each of these schools, and to request an evaluation of your MBA candidacy, click here.

Cool Clubs, Part 1: Where MBAs create, learn and bond beyond the classroom

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:00:00 GMT

Harvard Business School

Ideas@Work: this non-partisan community of HBS students explores political and economic ideas "that promote human flourishing. Their principles are three-fold: individual liberty, limited government, and free markets." Just don't call them Young Libertarians.

B-School Blades: Where enthusiasm matters as much as talent! Hockey players of all skill levels compete, improve and enjoy weekly practices as well as games and tourneys (including the Dartmouth Tournament), playing "the sport we love." Monthly gatherings including NHL Bruins games. "Check" it out, eh?

Wharton

Yoga & Wellness Club: join this club to find balance within the modern MBA experience through yoga and wellness-related resources "within the Wharton yogasphere." The perfect way to earn your "Om-BA" degree.

Rebuilding Together: the largest community service organization on campus! Members -- undergrad and grad students, faculty and administration -- work together, first behind the scenes to identify local, low-income homeowners then in the field help rehab their homes very spring. That's what we call "giving back" on a grand scale.

Chocolate Club: is a description really needed? Well, you might not anticipate that this club does more than eat. They explore chocolate from many angles -- from harvesting in Africa, to production in Switzerland, to consumption and multiple tastings in club members' homes. The list of events includes: chocolate movie nights, recipes and lessons, "Best of Philly" rankings including a chocolate map, and member-only tastings at local venues. Hmmm... wonder if these Chocoholics ever have mixers with the Yoga & Wellness Club. Just askin'.

Wharton Wings: we love this club's mission statement, which includes, "the thrill of taking flight is uniquely relevant to MBA students, since the years they spend at Wharton will fundamentally expand their professional and aspirational horizons." From introductory flights for novices, to speakers series, to trips to local airports and events centered around the aerospace industry, this club is a great resource for students interested in careers related to aerospace and defense. And perhaps for those whose "bucket list" includes skydiving.

Stanford GSB

GSB Dogs: for GSB dogs, dog owners, and dog lovers! From finding dog-sitters to quarterly off-leash dog parties that allow members to meet the "dogs behind the students." B.Y.O. Alpo.

Epicureans @ the GSB: "Themed" dinners with six to eight students, faculty, or other interesting Silicon Valley residents. Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate the cultures of your classmates while indulging in the edible wonders of Cali cuisine. More sprouts and avocado, anyone?

I Have a Dream (IHAD): Over a decade ago, IHAD was formed as a mentoring and tutoring program for young students in East Palo Alto. The tradition has deepened and continued; one class of students is "adopted" and followed through high school graduation. "Paying it forward" is more than a cliché with these dedicated future MBAs.

To learn more about each of these schools, and to request an evaluation of your MBA candidacy, click here.