August 10, 2009

Booth School of Business provides advice to Reapplicants

Rose Martinelli, Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions, gave advice to re-applicants in her blog post recently. She said that the decision whether to reapply is a personal choice. "For those of you considering, I would encourage you to go back and review your original application. If you were on the waitlist, include the information that you submitted through that process.Consider asking a friend or colleague to give you feedback too.The objective is to understand how well you presented yourself in your original application and identify if there are any areas that you can improve upon this year", she said.

Rose further advised, "Take stock of what you learned through the process of applying last year. Have your goals changed or crystallized? Are there things you can do this year to strengthen any of the main components (academic preparedness, career progression, community involvement, personal/professional focus and/ or self-awareness)? In summary, are there things that you would do differently now just because you know the process AND yourself better? "

She said after you are done with the review it’s time to approach the application. She said, "Be strategic about the messages you wish to convey in the application from data forms to essays and your presentation. While we will include your prior application in your file as background material, make sure that your new application presents your candidacy fully. My recommendation is that you take a fresh approach to crafting your application this year and avoid adapting old essays or presentations."

In her latest blog post Rose provided more advice to re-applicants with respect to various components of application.

"It’s important to approach this as if you are writing your personal business plan for the future.Know what messages you want to convey and map them into the different components of the application before you begin writing."

Every part of the application should be considered as “precious real estate”, with each question having a specific purpose, so take the time to be clear and concise in your answers." she said

With respect to Data Forms, Rose advised, "Take the time and effort to carefully complete the data forms – do not rely on last year’s application to provide us with that information since the forms change a little bit each year. Be thoughtful about your responses and make sure that you balance your desire to give us everything, with our desire to limit the amount you provide. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself – why is this information important for the admissions committee to know about me?If you can answer this, be sure to make your responses concise and relevant."

"Your resume should be one that you would use for any job search, highlighting your role and accomplishments.Again, if you are wondering if you should include particular information, use the relevance factor in making your decision", she added.

On Recommendations, Rose acknowledged and advised, "While we know you may choose to use the same recommenders as in your prior application, ask your recommenders to update the information with your progression. It might also be helpful for you to take the time to meet with them to review your progress during this period and to highlight areas they might use as examples within the recommendation."

On Essays Rose repeated again, "avoid regurgitating information you used last year – whether essays or elements of your presentation.Be bold and start from scratch. Our newest Admissions Insider spends time explaining the purpose of each of the essays, so check out that resource. Essay question 1, part B is the only essay specifically for re-applicants which asks what has changed since you last applied. This could be anything from work experience, new goals or a greater self awareness.Here’s your chance to help us understand your growth from last year".

Lastly Rose threw light on the Evaluation Process. She said, "Each application will be evaluated in this year’s applicant pool. One caveat for you to consider: Don’t expect to be invited to interview this year just because you were last year. Your success in the admissions process this year will be solely dependent upon how you approach your application this year. So take the time and make the effort to put your best foot forward in the process."

All the best to all Re-applicants!

Link: Reapplying Process

UVA/ Darden to use New Application System

According to Sara Neher, Director of MBA Admissions at Darden School of Business, Darden will be using a new application system this year. School is in the process of putting final touches to it...the application is due to get released anytime in August. The School will be looking forward to feedback from aspirants on the new application system...She also mentioned that an upcoming video blog will be completely devoted to re-applicants, in next couple of weeks.

Simon Graduate School of Business Announces New Loan Program for International Students

According to Rebekah Lewin, Director of Admissions at Simon Graduate School of Business, "the Simon Graduate School of Business has finalized a new loan program for International students that will provide partial funding toward full-time M.B.A. or M.S. studies, effective September 2009. Credit-worthy International students are eligible to apply and there is not a requirement to secure a U.S. citizen or resident as a co-signer." She further added that this will be an exciting opportunity for incoming students who may hail from a region of the world where there may be limited credit options available to finance their graduate study in business. She said, "As one of the most internationally diverse M.B.A. programs within the U.S., we feel that this program further supports our continuing commitment to provide access to the most highly qualified overseas candidates, regardless of financial need."

According to the post, "The annual loan limit will be based on the cost of Tuition and mandatory fees, minus any other aid received as certified by the School. The minimum loan is $10,000. The maximum loan amount depends on the program of study to which the student is enrolling. Students with a significant negative credit history, such as outstanding defaulted credit, bankruptcies, tax or other liens or foreclosures will be declined. Those borrowers with good credit or no credit reported on U.S. credit bureaus will be approved."

Details on the International Student Loan Program (ISLP) are available through the Simon School Web site. The school welcomes inquries directly to the Simon School M.B.A./M.S. Admissions Office at admissions@simon.rochester.edu or 585-275-3533.

Link: New loan program for International Students


Duke / Fuqua Application Essay Topics 2009-2010

The Fuqua School of Business Essays Topics for Fall 2010 Entry are as follows:

Three essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the following questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Your response to each question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size not smaller than 10-point.


Candidates who applied to The Duke MBA between September 2008 and April 2009 are considered re-applicants. All re-applicants are required to complete the Re-applicant Essay in addition to the Applicant Essays.

All applicants have the opportunity to submit an optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.

Applicant Essays : Answer all 3 essay questions

Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns. Leaders need adaptability, imagination, emotional intelligence, as well as business acumen. Thus, Duke is in the midst of an ambitious global venture that will embed and connect us around the world, and we are seeking future leaders of consequence, those who value diversity and collaborative leadership, and who aspire to impact the companies and communities of which they are a part in a lasting and positive way.

In an effort to identify, engage, and foster the development of future leaders of consequence, the Admissions Committee would like to get to know our applicants in a more holistic manner. We would like to know who you are, what has shaped you into the person you are today, and how you hope to impact both Duke and the communities of which you will be a part in the future. The essays are your opportunity to convey that to us. Please be open, genuine, and passionate. Share with us what makes you a dynamic, multi-dimensional person.

1. Describe your vision for your career, your inspiration for pursuing this career path, and the role of The Duke MBA in achieving your goals. If you are interested in a specific concentration or joint degree program, please discuss in this essay.

2. Discuss a person, event, or experience that has significantly shaped your life and explain why.

3. Individuals choose a business school for many different reasons. Through your research, what attributes or characteristics of The Duke MBA program have most resonated with you and why? How do you plan to contribute to the strengthening and enhancement of those attributes and characteristics during your time at Duke and beyond?

Optional Essay (not required)

If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weakness in your application).

Re-applicant Essay

All re-applicants are required to complete the Re-applicant Essay. Please limit your response to two pages. Write an essay describing how you are now a stronger candidate for admission compared to the application you submitted the previous year.

Links:
Application Deadlines
Online application

August 1, 2009

UCLA Anderson Application Deadlines for 2009-2010

The UCLA Anderson deadlines for the 2009-2010 are as below:

Round 1
Application Deadline: 14 October 09
GMAT/TOEFL taken by: 30 September 09
Decision released by: 13 January 10

Round 2
Application Deadline: 6 January 10
GMAT/TOEFL taken by: 31 December 09
Decision released by: 31 March 10

Round 3
Application Deadline: 17 March 10
GMAT/TOEFL taken by: 28 February 10
Decision released by: 19 May 10

In order to apply for a given round, you must submit your application by 9pm Pacific Time on the day of the deadline. All supporting materials that are not submitted online must arrive in our office by 5pm PT of the deadline. Any applications that are incomplete on the deadline (i.e., missing information) will be moved to the following round.

According to the school Rounds 1 and 2 are comparable in terms of your chances of admission. Round 3 is slightly more competitive, although there will be sufficient room for strong candidates. Apply at the time that is best for you.

Links:
Deadlines
Essay Topics

UT Austin / McCombs Application Deadlines 2009-2010

The McCombs School of Business Application Deadlines for the 2009-2010 are as below:

Early deadline for all applications: November 2, 2009

Final deadline for all international applications; Second deadline for all domestic applications: January 15, 2010

Final deadline for all domestic applications: April 1, 2010

The Fall 2010 Application is expected to launch in mid-late September 2009

Note: McCombs employs a rolling admissions process - meaning all applications are generally reviewed in chronological order according to the date they were completed, and are not grouped into periods or "rounds."

Link: Fall application deadlines

Carnegie Mellon/ Tepper Application Essay Topics 2009-2010

Tepper School of Business MBA Essay Topics for 2009-2010 are as below:

A. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals. (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about the Tepper School.)

B. The Tepper School’s culture relies on all members to be active contributors to our community. With your values, experiences, and interests, how will you make a unique contribution to the Tepper community? Your examples may include: classroom interaction, student activities, career development, community service, etc.

C. Please answer two of the following three questions or statements. Please clearly specify which questions you are answering. Your two answers should equal a total of two pages or less.
1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?
2. Describe a time in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?
3. One thing people would be surprised to know about me is . . .

D. (Optional Essay) Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? Note: if you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application

Link:
MBA Essays
Application Deadlines