My friend Teeba was always a force to be reckoned with, ever since our undergraduate days. We clicked. And she quickly became one of the closest people to me. I always knew she'd go places in her life, and I was right. She is now a semester away from attaining her MBA from Harvard Business School - better known to her and her peers as HBS(1).
During my 2-week vacation to visit Teeba, I was surrounded by HBSers(2) (or so they call themselves) and visited her campus several times. Just the aura of the school makes you feel inadequate, because you know that you are among some of the most brilliant, most unique, most intellectual minds in our world.
The students come from all walks of life which makes them all the more interesting. Right off the bat you can assume they are all smart as hell. They all seem to know something about everything or everything about something! Give them any topic, ask them any question and you can be sure that they'll answer you (even if they don't know what the answer is, they'll make you think that they do… key phrase: H- BS).
They are well educated dedicated individuals who know how to have a good time as well. But, they all have one major… "flaw", if you will: they go to HBS: the ultimate "cult" - and I use the term very loosely.
HBS is all they can talk about. I cannot count the times Teeba started a conversation with: "At HBS…" "My friends from HBS…" "My section(3) at HBS…" "Is she/he HBS?" "With HBS…" "HBSers…"
It was always "HBS this" and "HBS that." And it's not only her. It's all of them. At times, when with "HBSers" (there it is again), I found my self daydreaming as they talked about: How they loved Professor Vietor's controversial teaching style, how Professor Kaplan was the VP of Goldman Sachs (ring a bell? It's ok if it doesn't!), how the new "RCs(4)" are not as much fun as the "ECs(5)", how the dining hall at "Spangler" gets too busy at noon, how Dalia can be so pessimistic about everything, how Abdulla (an RC) is sitting in the same seat as Teeba when she was an RC, how Matt's partner(6) was a non-HBSer, how Danish attained his reputation for saying the most outrageous things in class (AKA the "Kimono" comment - sorry, HBS inside joke - one of many I had to sit through), or how section D was not as diverse as the other sections.
You have to know that these people are beyond well rounded. They've been to some of the best undergraduate schools across the world, worked with the biggest companies, accomplished some of the most amazing things, and most are trilingual. So, you think when amongst them that you'd be consumed by invigorating conversations and debates. But, HBS is all they talk about.
Alright… I think I've taken out all my 2-week frustration of being an undercover HBS observer. I'd like you to meet the real HBS:
Osman: the daily planner and go-to guy if you need anything to be done
Matt: possibly one of the kindest people I've met
Nico: the Greek "survivor"
Marwan: the walking tour book
Danish: who always had something to say (appropriate or not… mostly not)
Cristin: the postcard collector
Tevia: who cuts her own hair!
Pato: the health nut
Sara V: the cookie-baker
Christine: the laugh-a-holic
Shilpa: the bachelorette
Dalia: the firecracker
Ghassan: the unpredictable soul
Abdullah: the owner of the coolest eye glasses collection
Yousef: the guy who ran across Harvard square with me
Section A Boys: Teeba's section boys - the funniest, craziest group of boys - thanks to the "shoulder game" (another HBS inside joke and one of few I can actually participate in!)
So, as you can see… on the flip side, two weeks with these people gave me some of my most treasured memories, which I will never forget. Yes they are in HBS. Yes they are smart. Yes they are dedicated, diligent students. But, the genuineness they all carry and their ability to just be silly with all the pressures they endure, well… that's what makes the "HBSers" approachable, lovable, missable. I'd go back in a heart beat.
HBS Glossary
(1) HBS: Harvard Business School
(2) HBSers: Students who attend Harvard Business School
(3) Section: In their first year, they are
divided into sections between A-J
(4) RC: Required Curriculum students
(1st year)
(5) EC: Elective Curriculum students
(2nd year)
(6) Partner: The term used for the spouses of HBS students
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
BizWeek: MBA Writing Tips
"MBAs may be good at analyzing spreadsheets and reading financial statements, but many cringe when faced with a lengthy academic writing assignment. The task can be especially difficult for students who have been in the work force for four or five years and haven't written a serious academic paper or report since college.
Writing classes typically aren't on most business schools' list of core required courses, but business schools are starting to recognize that MBAs' rusty composition skills could benefit from a brush-up. In Minneapolis, the University of St. Thomas' Opus College of Business requires that all students take a writing and spoken communication course during their first year. The school's writing communication lab professors helps students improve their writing skills, coaching them on everything from how to write a case study analysis to lengthy academic papers.
Rosanne Bane, an Opus faculty member, has taught the school's Business Writing Communication Lab for the school's full-time MBA program for the past four years and currently teaches and coaches the school's Executive MBA students. She will be offering a workshop on business writing this month called "The Write Stuff: Writing for MBA Courses" at Opus. Bane agreed to share some tips on how MBA students can make their writing sharper and more effective:
DON'T BE LONG-WINDED
One of the things most valued in business writing is the ability to get to the point—quickly. "In business writing, conciseness is a prime virtue," Bane says. Students often lose sight of this in business school, and will sometimes "just add fluff" for the sake of getting to a required page count for a paper. Bane counsels students to look over their papers closely after they've written the first draft, taking out unnecessary words or flowery phrases. While some extra words and elaboration may be permissible on an academic paper, students need to show restraint when they are writing documents for business clients. For example, second-year students at Opus typically prepare a market research report for business clients and often feel the need to try to fit every data point into the paper. "It's going to be a long report anyway, so don't make it any longer by throwing in words or phrases you don't need," Bane says.
KNOW YOUR MEDIUM
Students often come into B-school tending to rely too muchon e-mail, a habit many developed at their former workplaces. This can be a mistake, especially if you are trying to communicate an important or sensitive message. E-mail communication is "context poor" and doesn't always express the senders' intended intonation or emotional state, Bane says. Business school, with its emphasis on teamwork and community, is an ideal place for students to experiment with other forms of communication. Making a phone call, writing something in a letter or memo format or talking to someone in person can often be a lot more effective.
UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
Before starting an assignment, students should step back and think about who will be reading their essay or report. Things to consider: What does your audience already know? What will the people need to know? What is the significance of the information you are trying to communicate? Students should also keep in mind the demographic they are writing for and the education level of their audience. This will make it easier to develop an outline and game plan for their writing assignment. "Identify the purpose of your communication, consider the context of the situation, and then select the message accordingly," Bane says.
SCHOOL AND BUSINESS ARE DIFFERENT
B-school students have to become comfortable doing a blend of academic writing and more practical business writing during their years in business school. It's helpful to have an understanding of the key differences between the two, Bane says. Academic writing tends to have a much more complex sentence structure with a "more elevated, polysyllabic vocabulary",; while business writing tends to have a brisker tone. "It should be faster and easier to read so people can absorb the information quickly," she notes.
PRACTICE WRITING OFTEN
Leaving an assignment to the last minute can be tempting, especially if you are juggling four or five projects for different classes. Fight this urge if possible, Bane says. Students should set aside time to write drafts, edit, and be thoughtful about their work. One easy way to do this is to set aside 5 or 10 minutes for "free writing" time a day, a practice of just writing without any defined purpose. That allows students to get over any inertia or writer's block. "I encourage them to do this so that they are able to practice and develop their skills," she says. "It lets you know where you need to focus your attention."
Damast is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com. "
Writing classes typically aren't on most business schools' list of core required courses, but business schools are starting to recognize that MBAs' rusty composition skills could benefit from a brush-up. In Minneapolis, the University of St. Thomas' Opus College of Business requires that all students take a writing and spoken communication course during their first year. The school's writing communication lab professors helps students improve their writing skills, coaching them on everything from how to write a case study analysis to lengthy academic papers.
Rosanne Bane, an Opus faculty member, has taught the school's Business Writing Communication Lab for the school's full-time MBA program for the past four years and currently teaches and coaches the school's Executive MBA students. She will be offering a workshop on business writing this month called "The Write Stuff: Writing for MBA Courses" at Opus. Bane agreed to share some tips on how MBA students can make their writing sharper and more effective:
DON'T BE LONG-WINDED
One of the things most valued in business writing is the ability to get to the point—quickly. "In business writing, conciseness is a prime virtue," Bane says. Students often lose sight of this in business school, and will sometimes "just add fluff" for the sake of getting to a required page count for a paper. Bane counsels students to look over their papers closely after they've written the first draft, taking out unnecessary words or flowery phrases. While some extra words and elaboration may be permissible on an academic paper, students need to show restraint when they are writing documents for business clients. For example, second-year students at Opus typically prepare a market research report for business clients and often feel the need to try to fit every data point into the paper. "It's going to be a long report anyway, so don't make it any longer by throwing in words or phrases you don't need," Bane says.
KNOW YOUR MEDIUM
Students often come into B-school tending to rely too muchon e-mail, a habit many developed at their former workplaces. This can be a mistake, especially if you are trying to communicate an important or sensitive message. E-mail communication is "context poor" and doesn't always express the senders' intended intonation or emotional state, Bane says. Business school, with its emphasis on teamwork and community, is an ideal place for students to experiment with other forms of communication. Making a phone call, writing something in a letter or memo format or talking to someone in person can often be a lot more effective.
UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
Before starting an assignment, students should step back and think about who will be reading their essay or report. Things to consider: What does your audience already know? What will the people need to know? What is the significance of the information you are trying to communicate? Students should also keep in mind the demographic they are writing for and the education level of their audience. This will make it easier to develop an outline and game plan for their writing assignment. "Identify the purpose of your communication, consider the context of the situation, and then select the message accordingly," Bane says.
SCHOOL AND BUSINESS ARE DIFFERENT
B-school students have to become comfortable doing a blend of academic writing and more practical business writing during their years in business school. It's helpful to have an understanding of the key differences between the two, Bane says. Academic writing tends to have a much more complex sentence structure with a "more elevated, polysyllabic vocabulary",; while business writing tends to have a brisker tone. "It should be faster and easier to read so people can absorb the information quickly," she notes.
PRACTICE WRITING OFTEN
Leaving an assignment to the last minute can be tempting, especially if you are juggling four or five projects for different classes. Fight this urge if possible, Bane says. Students should set aside time to write drafts, edit, and be thoughtful about their work. One easy way to do this is to set aside 5 or 10 minutes for "free writing" time a day, a practice of just writing without any defined purpose. That allows students to get over any inertia or writer's block. "I encourage them to do this so that they are able to practice and develop their skills," she says. "It lets you know where you need to focus your attention."
Damast is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com. "
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sample MBA Admissions Essays accepted by Anderson and UCLA
"Sample MBA Admissions Essays - Accepted by Anderson and UCLA (Courtesy of EssayEdge)
What do you consider to be your most important personal and professional accomplishments to date? (Please limit to three.)
With no money, no direction, and no goals, I graduated from high school in 1987 not knowing if I would ever be a man, if I would ever know what life means. Unable to afford college tuition, I worked odd jobs for a few months before deciding to join the United States Marine Corps. A scrappy kid who needed structure and support, I entered the Marines unprepared for the next thirteen weeks of extraordinary physical and mental challenges.
Arriving at the recruit-training depot in Parris Island South Carolina on February 3,1988 not knowing what to expect, I watched my hair fall off my head, had vaccinations for every disease ever discovered, and learned to live with sixty other young men in close quarters. The days were long. I would wake up at 4 a.m. and work nonstop for 18 hours until I could collapse on my bed. Exposed to individuals from many different cultural and economic backgrounds, I learned the value of teamwork and the work ethic essential to leadership. When we first arrived on the island, my platoon was a jumbled mess of disobedient, out of shape, undisciplined boys. After three months of exhausting training we were molded into a group of highly motivated, physically fit men. On the proudest day of my life, I marched in the graduation parade to become a United States Marine.
After being discharged from the United States Marine Corps, I became determined to attain an electrical engineering degree from Florida State University. I wisely invested in the GI Bill early on in my Marine Corps career in order to go to college. Although a substantial amount of money, the GI Bill only covered my tuition; to pay for food and rent, I took a full time job with the VA work-study program. In the beginning I had difficulty adjusting to working full time while maintaining a full coarse load, and I began to feel hindered by my years outside the classroom. However, determined to succeed, I learned to manage my time well, and I established good study habits, which have continued to the present. In the spring of 1997 I obtained a Bachelors degree in Electrical engineering, a full year ahead of schedule. I take pride in the fact that I am the first person in my family to obtain a college degree.
I moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college and accepted a position at an aerospace company as a design engineer. Although I had multiple offers, I chose to work at my particular company to further my education. Putting in long hours at work while devoting most of my personal time to obtaining a Masters degree in electrical engineering, I felt like I was in college again with my full time job and academic responsibilities. To keep some sense of sanity and maintain good spirits, I decided to learn how to snowboard. Although at first snowboarding seemed a most impossible mission given the long drive to the resort and my inexperience with cold weather, I persevered and by the end of my first day could navigate my way down the mountain. I have since become an accomplished snowboarder, but nothing matches the exhilaration I felt at the end of that first day when I completed my first run without falling.
Why have you decided to enter the Fully Employed MBA program? Why is it the appropriate time for you to begin?
With the drive, determination, and discipline to both work at my career and attend an MBA program, I am excited to pursue a high quality MBA at UCLA. Interested in acquiring the skill set and technical knowledge necessary to become a hi-tech consultant, the UCLA program will prove central to my future success.
As an engineering major in college, I developed excellent analytical skills and improved my problem-solving ability, but I never had the opportunity to take courses exploring business strategy, finance, or market forces. To realize my career goal, I clearly must enhance my abilities in these as well as other areas of business. I believe that the management core at Anderson will provide me with the necessary knowledge to enhance and develop my capabilities. Also, in order to become a successful consultant, it is imperative that I gain a more thorough education in foreign markets, business technology, and competition. As a hi-tech consultant in the twenty-first century, the ability to understand business on a global scale will be highly prized. The International Field Study at Anderson would suit my needs well by allowing students to learn about business by working with foreign companies.
Moreover, I look forward to interacting with the highly qualified, diverse students of the Anderson FEMBA program. With only 132 students forming numerous study groups, the program ensures the intimacy necessary to learn from each other's varying perspectives and backgrounds. I know I could both contribute and grow in this unique environment where all students are fully employed. From my time as an officer in US Marine Corps and as an employee at a high-tech aerospace company, I have both developed strong team abilities and have seen the value and synergies of combining people with different backgrounds, knowledge, and experience levels. The dynamics created by these teams help produce the most innovative and creative ideas, whether in the Marines or an Anderson classroom.
While I will never regret joining the Marine Corps, the five years I spent serving my country led me off the beaten path for achieving my career goals. Although I developed a strong work ethic and a goal-oriented nature, I have not followed the standard path. The FEMBA program will be the great equalizer, ensuring future employers that I have both the personal qualities and rigorous academic training necessary for success. By working full time and working on my masters degree in engineering from the University of Southern California, I have shown that I have what it takes to manage my work schedule while attending a prestigious institution. Now, I seek only the opportunity to prove this again by being admitted to the Fully Employed MBA program. AT UCLA, I will start my way down the path that will lead me to career success and fulfillment as a hi-tech consultant.
For access to 100 free sample successful admissions essays, visit EssayEdge .
Sample Application and Admissions Essays:
Sample Admissions Essay - Cornell
Sample Admissions Essay - Darthmouth
Sample Admissions Essay - Harvard
Sample Admissions Essay - Princeton
Sample Admissions Essay - Stanford
Sample Business School Essay - Wharton
Sample Business School Essay - Tuck
Sample Business School Essay - Columbia
Sample MBA Essay - Anderson
Sample MBA Essay - NYU
Sample MBA Essay - Stern
Sample MBA Essay - UCLA
Sample MBA Essay - Harvard
Sample Admissions Essay - Med School
Sample Admissions Essay - Med School
Sample Admissions Essay - Law School
Sample Admissions Essay - Law School
Admissions Essay Writing 101
Used by admissions officers to decide between two (or even two hundred) candidates with almost identical profiles, the application essay is often the only guide admissions officers have of your ambition, personality, and interests. As a result, your essay must be unique, captivating, and informative. Try the free online entrance essay course offered by Essay Edge and Cyber Edit. Named "the world's premier application essay editing service" by The New York Times, EssayEdge has helped more applicants write successful application essays than any other company in the world.
This course offers extensive advice on how to write outstanding admissions essays. "
What do you consider to be your most important personal and professional accomplishments to date? (Please limit to three.)
With no money, no direction, and no goals, I graduated from high school in 1987 not knowing if I would ever be a man, if I would ever know what life means. Unable to afford college tuition, I worked odd jobs for a few months before deciding to join the United States Marine Corps. A scrappy kid who needed structure and support, I entered the Marines unprepared for the next thirteen weeks of extraordinary physical and mental challenges.
Arriving at the recruit-training depot in Parris Island South Carolina on February 3,1988 not knowing what to expect, I watched my hair fall off my head, had vaccinations for every disease ever discovered, and learned to live with sixty other young men in close quarters. The days were long. I would wake up at 4 a.m. and work nonstop for 18 hours until I could collapse on my bed. Exposed to individuals from many different cultural and economic backgrounds, I learned the value of teamwork and the work ethic essential to leadership. When we first arrived on the island, my platoon was a jumbled mess of disobedient, out of shape, undisciplined boys. After three months of exhausting training we were molded into a group of highly motivated, physically fit men. On the proudest day of my life, I marched in the graduation parade to become a United States Marine.
After being discharged from the United States Marine Corps, I became determined to attain an electrical engineering degree from Florida State University. I wisely invested in the GI Bill early on in my Marine Corps career in order to go to college. Although a substantial amount of money, the GI Bill only covered my tuition; to pay for food and rent, I took a full time job with the VA work-study program. In the beginning I had difficulty adjusting to working full time while maintaining a full coarse load, and I began to feel hindered by my years outside the classroom. However, determined to succeed, I learned to manage my time well, and I established good study habits, which have continued to the present. In the spring of 1997 I obtained a Bachelors degree in Electrical engineering, a full year ahead of schedule. I take pride in the fact that I am the first person in my family to obtain a college degree.
I moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college and accepted a position at an aerospace company as a design engineer. Although I had multiple offers, I chose to work at my particular company to further my education. Putting in long hours at work while devoting most of my personal time to obtaining a Masters degree in electrical engineering, I felt like I was in college again with my full time job and academic responsibilities. To keep some sense of sanity and maintain good spirits, I decided to learn how to snowboard. Although at first snowboarding seemed a most impossible mission given the long drive to the resort and my inexperience with cold weather, I persevered and by the end of my first day could navigate my way down the mountain. I have since become an accomplished snowboarder, but nothing matches the exhilaration I felt at the end of that first day when I completed my first run without falling.
Why have you decided to enter the Fully Employed MBA program? Why is it the appropriate time for you to begin?
With the drive, determination, and discipline to both work at my career and attend an MBA program, I am excited to pursue a high quality MBA at UCLA. Interested in acquiring the skill set and technical knowledge necessary to become a hi-tech consultant, the UCLA program will prove central to my future success.
As an engineering major in college, I developed excellent analytical skills and improved my problem-solving ability, but I never had the opportunity to take courses exploring business strategy, finance, or market forces. To realize my career goal, I clearly must enhance my abilities in these as well as other areas of business. I believe that the management core at Anderson will provide me with the necessary knowledge to enhance and develop my capabilities. Also, in order to become a successful consultant, it is imperative that I gain a more thorough education in foreign markets, business technology, and competition. As a hi-tech consultant in the twenty-first century, the ability to understand business on a global scale will be highly prized. The International Field Study at Anderson would suit my needs well by allowing students to learn about business by working with foreign companies.
Moreover, I look forward to interacting with the highly qualified, diverse students of the Anderson FEMBA program. With only 132 students forming numerous study groups, the program ensures the intimacy necessary to learn from each other's varying perspectives and backgrounds. I know I could both contribute and grow in this unique environment where all students are fully employed. From my time as an officer in US Marine Corps and as an employee at a high-tech aerospace company, I have both developed strong team abilities and have seen the value and synergies of combining people with different backgrounds, knowledge, and experience levels. The dynamics created by these teams help produce the most innovative and creative ideas, whether in the Marines or an Anderson classroom.
While I will never regret joining the Marine Corps, the five years I spent serving my country led me off the beaten path for achieving my career goals. Although I developed a strong work ethic and a goal-oriented nature, I have not followed the standard path. The FEMBA program will be the great equalizer, ensuring future employers that I have both the personal qualities and rigorous academic training necessary for success. By working full time and working on my masters degree in engineering from the University of Southern California, I have shown that I have what it takes to manage my work schedule while attending a prestigious institution. Now, I seek only the opportunity to prove this again by being admitted to the Fully Employed MBA program. AT UCLA, I will start my way down the path that will lead me to career success and fulfillment as a hi-tech consultant.
For access to 100 free sample successful admissions essays, visit EssayEdge .
Sample Application and Admissions Essays:
Sample Admissions Essay - Cornell
Sample Admissions Essay - Darthmouth
Sample Admissions Essay - Harvard
Sample Admissions Essay - Princeton
Sample Admissions Essay - Stanford
Sample Business School Essay - Wharton
Sample Business School Essay - Tuck
Sample Business School Essay - Columbia
Sample MBA Essay - Anderson
Sample MBA Essay - NYU
Sample MBA Essay - Stern
Sample MBA Essay - UCLA
Sample MBA Essay - Harvard
Sample Admissions Essay - Med School
Sample Admissions Essay - Med School
Sample Admissions Essay - Law School
Sample Admissions Essay - Law School
Admissions Essay Writing 101
Used by admissions officers to decide between two (or even two hundred) candidates with almost identical profiles, the application essay is often the only guide admissions officers have of your ambition, personality, and interests. As a result, your essay must be unique, captivating, and informative. Try the free online entrance essay course offered by Essay Edge and Cyber Edit. Named "the world's premier application essay editing service" by The New York Times, EssayEdge has helped more applicants write successful application essays than any other company in the world.
This course offers extensive advice on how to write outstanding admissions essays. "
MBA Essay Samples - MBA Game Plan
Here are sample MBA essay evaluations that four applicants received from us on their initial essay submission and their free follow-up submission. These will give you a good idea of what you can expect from our business school essay evaluation services. Details have been changed to protect the applicants’ identities.
John's Wharton MBA Essay (First Submission)
John's Wharton MBA Essay (Second Submission)
Michael's Michigan MBA Essay (First Submission)
Michael's Michigan MBA Essay (Second Submission)
Manish's Chicago MBA Essay (First Submission)
Manish's Chicago MBA Essay (Second Submission)
Jennifer's Columbia MBA Essay (First Submission)
Jennifer's Columbia MBA Essay (Second Submission)
John's Wharton MBA Essay (First Submission)
John's Wharton MBA Essay (Second Submission)
Michael's Michigan MBA Essay (First Submission)
Michael's Michigan MBA Essay (Second Submission)
Manish's Chicago MBA Essay (First Submission)
Manish's Chicago MBA Essay (Second Submission)
Jennifer's Columbia MBA Essay (First Submission)
Jennifer's Columbia MBA Essay (Second Submission)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Perfect GMAT
For the many professionals affected by the current economic downturn, enrolling in a leading MBA program is emerging as an increasingly attractive option. Veritas Prep, a leading GMAT prep and MBA admissions consulting provider, today announced plans to hold Veritas Prep MBA Admissions Blueprint -- a two-day, boot-camp style MBA admissions tutorial to help students craft winning applications for the second and third-round application deadlines.
To be held December 6-7, 2008 at New York University's Kimmel Center, Veritas Prep MBA Admissions Blueprint will feature a crash-course introduction to the business school admissions process as well as individual access to some of the leading minds in business school admissions consulting. Designed primarily for bankers and other last-minute applicants affected by the economic slowdown, Veritas Prep MBA Admissions Blueprint will give applicants access to proven strategies for acing the business school application and securing coveted spots in leading programs.
"In light of one of the most competitive MBA admissions landscapes in recent history, former bankers and others affected by the economic downturn may find it especially difficult to set themselves apart from a crowded field of similar-looking applicants when they apply to business school," explains Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep and co-author of "Your MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies for Getting Into the Top Business Schools."
In addition to a series of general information sessions, registered attendees at Veritas Prep MBA Admissions Blueprint will receive a personalized application advice session with a highly experienced business school admissions consultant who comes from a top business school. Depending on the unique needs of each student, this one-on-one session can help to objectively evaluate their candidacy for particular programs and select the programs that best match their goals, perfect their overall application strategy, review their application essays, or prepare for the business school interview.
The cost of attendance is $250 and space is limited. Online registration is available now at http://www.veritasprep.com/blueprint/ or by phone at 1-800-925-7737.
About Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep is a leading GMAT prep provider that offers effective learning programs to help students improve their GMAT scores and gain admission to the world's best graduate schools. Founded in 2002 by graduates from the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep offers live GMAT prep instruction in more than 70 cities worldwide, as well as interactive online courses. In addition to the most comprehensive GMAT prep courses available, Veritas Prep offers industry-leading admissions consulting to applicants seeking admission to the world's most competitive MBA programs and law schools.
Contact:
Lisa Weiner
303.433.7020
lweiner@csg-pr.com
To be held December 6-7, 2008 at New York University's Kimmel Center, Veritas Prep MBA Admissions Blueprint will feature a crash-course introduction to the business school admissions process as well as individual access to some of the leading minds in business school admissions consulting. Designed primarily for bankers and other last-minute applicants affected by the economic slowdown, Veritas Prep MBA Admissions Blueprint will give applicants access to proven strategies for acing the business school application and securing coveted spots in leading programs.
"In light of one of the most competitive MBA admissions landscapes in recent history, former bankers and others affected by the economic downturn may find it especially difficult to set themselves apart from a crowded field of similar-looking applicants when they apply to business school," explains Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep and co-author of "Your MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies for Getting Into the Top Business Schools."
In addition to a series of general information sessions, registered attendees at Veritas Prep MBA Admissions Blueprint will receive a personalized application advice session with a highly experienced business school admissions consultant who comes from a top business school. Depending on the unique needs of each student, this one-on-one session can help to objectively evaluate their candidacy for particular programs and select the programs that best match their goals, perfect their overall application strategy, review their application essays, or prepare for the business school interview.
The cost of attendance is $250 and space is limited. Online registration is available now at http://www.veritasprep.com/blueprint/ or by phone at 1-800-925-7737.
About Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep is a leading GMAT prep provider that offers effective learning programs to help students improve their GMAT scores and gain admission to the world's best graduate schools. Founded in 2002 by graduates from the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep offers live GMAT prep instruction in more than 70 cities worldwide, as well as interactive online courses. In addition to the most comprehensive GMAT prep courses available, Veritas Prep offers industry-leading admissions consulting to applicants seeking admission to the world's most competitive MBA programs and law schools.
Contact:
Lisa Weiner
303.433.7020
lweiner@csg-pr.com
Sunday, November 9, 2008
UCLA B-School Sees a Surge in Applicants
With financial markets crumbling and capital for startups harder to find, what should would-be entrepreneurs do? For a growing number, this might be just the time to head back to the classroom. Judy Olian, head of the business school at the University of California at Los Angeles, says that applications typically increase during bad times. "When the market contracts in terms of employment, people come to school," says Olian, dean of the UCLA's Anderson School of Management. While it's too early to say just how much bigger the applicant pool will be this year, she says "we have preliminary indications it's up."
Chances are, a good number of those applications are coming from Asia. UCLA Anderson is popular among students from there, says Olian, who was in Hong Kong on Oct. 27 on an trip to promote partnerships with Asian schools. UCLA Anderson is partners with 17 schools in Asia, including four in Japan, four in China, three in India, and two in Hong Kong. Those connections help boost the popularity of the school in Los Angeles: Last year, 25% of UCLA Anderson's 3,700 applicants came from Asia. "It's a robust applicant pool," she says.
One reason for the school's popularity, Olian believes, is UCLA Anderson's highly ranked entrepreneurship program. Compared with other parts of the U.S., "Los Angeles is a much more entrepreneurial economy," she says. That emphasis on entrepreneurs "suits this part of the world," Olian believes, pointing to the importance of private business in the rise of the Chinese economy. "China's ascendancy has to do with entrepreneurs and taking risks, so in that sense there's a kindred spirit with the California risk-taking spirit."
Deepening Gloom
There are some things about launching a startup that not even the best B-school can teach, Olian concedes. "Nobody can inject you with risk tolerance or preference," she says. Still, Olian argues there's plenty that aspiring entrepreneurs can get from an MBA program. "There are a variety of ingredients in the entrepreneurial process that can be learned," she says. For instance, students can gain insights on how to test ideas, develop business plans, attract capital, market products, and structure deals.
Business schools can also teach would-be entrepreneurs about another, less appealing, topic: What happens when things go bad. "Entrepreneurship requires a high level of tenacity in the face of failure," says Olian. That's why a good entrepreneurship program will, among other things, "prepare people for the risk of failure, the likelihood of failure."
The deepening gloom about the global economy might make the odds of failure seem even higher for many young Asian entrepreneurs, but Olian says there's reason to be hopeful. Opportunities and rewards for creativity are going to be there in spades," she says. Despite the huge losses suffered by investors, "it's not as if there's isn't money," she says. "There's a lot of money waiting on the sidelines for the right ideas and the right time to get into the markets.".
Chances are, a good number of those applications are coming from Asia. UCLA Anderson is popular among students from there, says Olian, who was in Hong Kong on Oct. 27 on an trip to promote partnerships with Asian schools. UCLA Anderson is partners with 17 schools in Asia, including four in Japan, four in China, three in India, and two in Hong Kong. Those connections help boost the popularity of the school in Los Angeles: Last year, 25% of UCLA Anderson's 3,700 applicants came from Asia. "It's a robust applicant pool," she says.
One reason for the school's popularity, Olian believes, is UCLA Anderson's highly ranked entrepreneurship program. Compared with other parts of the U.S., "Los Angeles is a much more entrepreneurial economy," she says. That emphasis on entrepreneurs "suits this part of the world," Olian believes, pointing to the importance of private business in the rise of the Chinese economy. "China's ascendancy has to do with entrepreneurs and taking risks, so in that sense there's a kindred spirit with the California risk-taking spirit."
Deepening Gloom
There are some things about launching a startup that not even the best B-school can teach, Olian concedes. "Nobody can inject you with risk tolerance or preference," she says. Still, Olian argues there's plenty that aspiring entrepreneurs can get from an MBA program. "There are a variety of ingredients in the entrepreneurial process that can be learned," she says. For instance, students can gain insights on how to test ideas, develop business plans, attract capital, market products, and structure deals.
Business schools can also teach would-be entrepreneurs about another, less appealing, topic: What happens when things go bad. "Entrepreneurship requires a high level of tenacity in the face of failure," says Olian. That's why a good entrepreneurship program will, among other things, "prepare people for the risk of failure, the likelihood of failure."
The deepening gloom about the global economy might make the odds of failure seem even higher for many young Asian entrepreneurs, but Olian says there's reason to be hopeful. Opportunities and rewards for creativity are going to be there in spades," she says. Despite the huge losses suffered by investors, "it's not as if there's isn't money," she says. "There's a lot of money waiting on the sidelines for the right ideas and the right time to get into the markets.".
Four Truths About Today's MBA
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/nov2008/bs2008114_924879.htm?chan=bschools_bschool+index+page_top+stories
Until this year, you could say with near certainty that an MBA from a well-respected business school was a ticket to a good job and a respectable salary.
But with the financial crisis, a lot of those certainties are gone. Looking at the business school landscape, however, you can say at least four things with confidence.
1. You will face more competition for slots
Business schools aren't increasing their class sizes to accommodate the anticipated surge in applications. This can only mean that in a year when more people are applying to business school, admissions will be more competitive and a smaller percentage of applicants will get in.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reports a jump of more than 11% in the number of GMAT tests taken this September compared with a year earlier. And schools report an increase in interest—both at information sessions and in online discussion forums and blogs.
For those students who think they can bank on getting into a middle-tier school, think again. If getting in has become harder across the board, students will likely apply to more schools to increase their chances. With a fatter stack of applications to choose from, middle-tier schools could shock prospective students with rejection letters they didn't expect.
One silver lining: For top students, getting into the elite business schools may not be any harder. After all, says Peter Johnson, the executive director of admissions at Berkeley's Haas School of Business' full-time MBA program, "An increase in the number of applicants does not mean an increase in the quality."
2. International students are going to find loans tough
International students face a new obstacle after the rigorous process of getting into a B-school has long passed. With the credit crunch, student loan programs are tightening up or disappearing entirely. For instance, this fall, Citibank (C) cancelled its CitiAssist loan program. That means many international students are out of luck unless they have lived in the U.S. or have a co-signer here.
The cutbacks have some administrators stumped. Rosemaria Martinelli, admissions director of the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, says that fixes to the problem are only short term and the school is still searching for a solution. Still, Martinelli remains committed to a diverse student body.
Besides the near impossibility of getting loans, international students face difficulties after they get their degrees. In a weak market, where companies have the luxury of sifting through more applicants, international students may find it even harder to obtain scarce H1-B work visas.
The end result: the continuation of a trend in which more and more students are choosing to go to business school in their home countries.
3. Quitting a job is risky
People in steady, well-paying jobs have always had to weigh the benefits of quitting to attend business school. This is especially true in a down economy, when no one knows what the job market will look like in two years. Viable options now include either putting off the MBA or joining a part-time program while staying employed.
According to Judith Hodara, admissions director at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, prospective students most frequently ask about opportunities for summer internships and post-graduation employment and are both "nervous" and "concerned."
Traditionally, students who quit jobs at the start of a recession graduate with an MBA when the economy is in an upswing. But no one is able to predict with certainty how long this recession will last.
Erin Nickelsburg, admissions director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Business, said that predictors of the "opportunity cost" of going to business school in a downturn have been skewed by the apparent end of big salaries and juicy bonuses in investment banking.
Still, Nickelsburg warns that opportunities could be missed, as well. "Not making an investment in yourself can turn around and haunt you when the economy goes back up," she said.
4. The learning is still valuable
While the return on investment on an MBA is still up in the air, no one is disputing that what you learn in business school will be extremely valuable as the economy recovers. Case studies have new meaning, now that executives face tougher decisions and large-scale business problems.
According to Chicago's Martinelli, now is a "cool time to study this, learn from this position, and figure out how you can add value"—meaning it's a great time to be able to learn about not just hypothetical but real issues.
Still, students may need to adjust their career goals and possibly their salary expectations. "This is a good time to park yourself in an MBA program and build up your portfolio of intellectual capital," says David Wilson, GMAC's president. "Graduates will emerge in two years or so and be in a different market."
Until this year, you could say with near certainty that an MBA from a well-respected business school was a ticket to a good job and a respectable salary.
But with the financial crisis, a lot of those certainties are gone. Looking at the business school landscape, however, you can say at least four things with confidence.
1. You will face more competition for slots
Business schools aren't increasing their class sizes to accommodate the anticipated surge in applications. This can only mean that in a year when more people are applying to business school, admissions will be more competitive and a smaller percentage of applicants will get in.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reports a jump of more than 11% in the number of GMAT tests taken this September compared with a year earlier. And schools report an increase in interest—both at information sessions and in online discussion forums and blogs.
For those students who think they can bank on getting into a middle-tier school, think again. If getting in has become harder across the board, students will likely apply to more schools to increase their chances. With a fatter stack of applications to choose from, middle-tier schools could shock prospective students with rejection letters they didn't expect.
One silver lining: For top students, getting into the elite business schools may not be any harder. After all, says Peter Johnson, the executive director of admissions at Berkeley's Haas School of Business' full-time MBA program, "An increase in the number of applicants does not mean an increase in the quality."
2. International students are going to find loans tough
International students face a new obstacle after the rigorous process of getting into a B-school has long passed. With the credit crunch, student loan programs are tightening up or disappearing entirely. For instance, this fall, Citibank (C) cancelled its CitiAssist loan program. That means many international students are out of luck unless they have lived in the U.S. or have a co-signer here.
The cutbacks have some administrators stumped. Rosemaria Martinelli, admissions director of the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, says that fixes to the problem are only short term and the school is still searching for a solution. Still, Martinelli remains committed to a diverse student body.
Besides the near impossibility of getting loans, international students face difficulties after they get their degrees. In a weak market, where companies have the luxury of sifting through more applicants, international students may find it even harder to obtain scarce H1-B work visas.
The end result: the continuation of a trend in which more and more students are choosing to go to business school in their home countries.
3. Quitting a job is risky
People in steady, well-paying jobs have always had to weigh the benefits of quitting to attend business school. This is especially true in a down economy, when no one knows what the job market will look like in two years. Viable options now include either putting off the MBA or joining a part-time program while staying employed.
According to Judith Hodara, admissions director at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, prospective students most frequently ask about opportunities for summer internships and post-graduation employment and are both "nervous" and "concerned."
Traditionally, students who quit jobs at the start of a recession graduate with an MBA when the economy is in an upswing. But no one is able to predict with certainty how long this recession will last.
Erin Nickelsburg, admissions director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Business, said that predictors of the "opportunity cost" of going to business school in a downturn have been skewed by the apparent end of big salaries and juicy bonuses in investment banking.
Still, Nickelsburg warns that opportunities could be missed, as well. "Not making an investment in yourself can turn around and haunt you when the economy goes back up," she said.
4. The learning is still valuable
While the return on investment on an MBA is still up in the air, no one is disputing that what you learn in business school will be extremely valuable as the economy recovers. Case studies have new meaning, now that executives face tougher decisions and large-scale business problems.
According to Chicago's Martinelli, now is a "cool time to study this, learn from this position, and figure out how you can add value"—meaning it's a great time to be able to learn about not just hypothetical but real issues.
Still, students may need to adjust their career goals and possibly their salary expectations. "This is a good time to park yourself in an MBA program and build up your portfolio of intellectual capital," says David Wilson, GMAC's president. "Graduates will emerge in two years or so and be in a different market."
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