How to Get Into B-School: Tips from People Who Have Been There, Done That

This may seem like an obvious thing to point out, but it’s worth emphasizing; applying to b-school can get overwhelming, and getting in is anything but easy.

Forget all the STUFF you have to do: the resume, the visits, the essays. The real challenge comes in the mind game. The over-analyzing. The constant wondering if you’re doing it “right.” If your GPA is high enough. How you compare to other applicants.

Seriously, trying to crack the MBA admissions code is like trying to understand the Google algorithm. In other words, good luck.

So stop trying to see if your scores line up or if your 35 months of work experience is enough. You’ve got far too many other things to be doing right now. [Hello, essays?] Instead, take a gander below for real advice from real people who have been there before… and were successful. They know what it takes to get in (because they did!), and they’re going to share that real wisdom with you:

Moah Son

I think what helped me get into school was that I did a TON of research on the programs – I visited schools, connected with current students, networked with alumni, attended student conferences, learned about all the things that made the school unique. Not only did my efforts give me a lot of material to convincingly answer the “Why School X” question in my essays and interviews, but also helped me figure out which school was the best fit for me. It was a win-win!

Jennifer Shih

I really made sure that my personality shone through in my app essays. Whether it’s why you’re passionate about the school or the future job, or even those fun questions like “tell me about your favorite book,” it’s the one thing that will turn an “applicant” into a human being. Remember, b-schools are looking for “people,” not just profiles.

Yaron Dahan

I checked for mistakes. Then I checked again for mistakes. Then, I checked a third time. Nothing turns off an adcom reader like a sloppy, unprofessional mistake in your essays or apps. It comes off as a lack of seriousness and attention to detail. Handing in a consistent and clean app helped make sure that I got in.

Omair Azam

I got another set of eyes to take a look at my essays to make sure the content came across clearly to a non-business person. Gotta remember, these adcoms aren’t business people. In my case, a rockstar friend gave me some great feedback, which helped me write an awesome application… and I got in!

Damon Chua

Keep your eye on the clock and the calendar… literally. I double-checked not just the submission deadline, but also the TIME, and accounted for the time zone difference. There’s nothing worse than realizing you missed the submission deadline by mere hours or minutes because you didn’t account for the time change. You guessed it… the most important thing to remember is to get the apps in before the deadline.

Ajeeth Sankaran

I networked and reached out to students and alumni as I was writing my essays. It really helped me get quality content… BUT the real benefit came when I got waitlisted. Those same folks helped push me over the fence and get into the program. The connections you make with those people can be the lifesaver in your application process.

Dominic Dragisich

I made sure to use examples to show evidence that I made the most of what I did. Be it at work, in the community, or as an undergrad, I made sure that I was able to clearly illustrate the impacts I made. Clever stories are easy to throw together, but adcoms want to see supporting examples and the corresponding results. RESULTS are key. A diverse set of experiences are only as good as the examples you have to support them, and in my case it made all the difference in my app.

Richard Vincent

Answer the questions they’re asking. Obvious, but absolutely critical. The worst thing you can do is to provide a great answer to a question that nobody asked you. In my Stanford essays, I tried to capture the true meaning of “entrepreneurship.” I focused on more than just startups and IPOs, and stressed how I wanted to lead a team in building something from scratch. Having this goal in mind while answering their questions, I dug deeper than the obvious and… well, you know the rest.

Michelle Faustin

BE AUTHENTIC. I was the youngest person admitted to Fuqua the year that I applied, so I didn’t have as many years of work experience or the same stories of having done something AMAZING like being an Israeli fighter pilot or creating 50 patents. But what DID get me into b-school (two, as a matter of fact, because I also got into Michigan) is that I used other aspects of my life as well as what I did and knew that I could do as the platform for my essays. For example, one of my essays was on ballet, another on being out on my own at an early age, etc. I didn’t try to compete on areas where I knew would not be set apart, but drew on my UNIQUENESS and positioned it in a way that made it a perfect fit for the adcoms, and ultimately led to my success.

Testimonials iGradGlobal

Dear Biruda,

Thank you for your support.
I am delighted to inform you that I got admit recommendation from
University of Maryland. Please help to work further.

Warm Regards,
Laxminag Mamillapalli  Hyderabad  Vanderbilt University - USD 20,000 scholarship

“It is been a journey for me , as i started my application process long back in July . Her counseling sessions , preparation for an interview and the care to complete the application is commendable. She guided me through and made sure that I will get an admit . You can reach out to her at any point during the process at any time . She stuck with my decisions and helped me achieve my goals. It was my pleasure working with her and I'm really thankful for the time you took out for the applications.All the best !!!!” April 28, 2011

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value

1^st Pradyumna N  hired Biruda as a Career Counselling in 2011

Hi Biruda,

Thank you very much for your support and guidance through out the process. The mock interviews and preparation sessions were really helpful. The follow up mails and skype sessions have been really helpful. You always made sure we are updated with all the details regarding the admission procedure. Thank you very much for that dedication.

Thanks and Regards,
Sourabha J

“I have been receiving career consultation from Biruda since September 2010 till today and it has been a worthy experience. Her in-depth knowledge about every university in the world amazes me. She is a very knowledgeable, approachable and vastly experienced. All through the process, right from giving GMAT till getting an admit, she has been very supportive and helpful. It has been my pleasure and honor to work with her and realize my dreams of attaining a deserving admission in a reputed university.” April 11, 2011

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value

1^st Prakash Kamath  hired Biruda as a Career Coach in 2010

  

“Biruda has been very helpful throughout the application process. She is very hardworking, well organized, disciplined and very well knows how to manage things and meet deadlines. The quality of her that amazes me most is that she remembers every small detail of all her clients and never misses any point. Her knowledge about the universities across the world is commendable. She is easily accessible and very patient in listening to the clients and giving them the right advice. I wish her all the success in her career.” May 1, 2011

Top qualities: Expert, Good Value, High Integrity

1^st Sanjeev Pandey  hired Biruda as a Career Coach in 2010

This is what I have to say:

I think the Application Counselling program has been really helpful throughout. I can actually feel the
difference it has made to the entire application process. And the fact that I actually ended up referring a friend of mine to join the program speakes volumes about it.

Regards,

Mihir G  - MBA  SCM - University of British Columbia Class 2014

“When I first met Biruda, I didn't even have a clear direction for my career aspirations. Her career counseling sessions helped me understand my strengths and weakness.Using her exceptional knowledge of courses abroad she guided me in the direction of a course which fits me best. Thanks to this guidance I was able to get admitted in 5 out of 6 universities which I applied abroad.
She is also a very enthusiastic person, being around her makes you feel positive! Its been a pleasure knowing her.” April 6, 2011

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert

1^st Saipriya Kamath  hired Biruda as a Career Coach in 2010

I received a lot of help with regards to enhancing and presenting my profile to attract the B-Schools.
May it be editing essays, filling application forms, sending communications to B-Schools, I always got everything reviewed through Biruda, even at very short notice. The reviewed material was highly succinct.
I never hesitated to call Biruda for even the slightest of doubts and received clear solutions in return. At times, I even called for motivation and received lots of it in return.
To sum it all, I would say I am highly grateful for all the help I received for my applications for MBA. 

Thanks and Regards
Rahul Kewale (Mumbai)  - MBA  ESADE ,Spain  Class 2013

 “She is a schedule-works-best person, and helped me to complete loads of application processes in time thanks to her impeccable commitment in sticking to the schedule. Thanks to her that I managed to go from donno-what-to-do to I-got-5-outof-5-admits. Extremely helpful in bringing out the best out of a person, and in providing expert guidance in matters of college admissions. She knows the pros and cons of vast majority of courses and colleges that its better to follow her advice than to rely on the questionable ratings. Thanks to her that I was able to choose between a couple of very different courses when I was in a big dilemma, and further on to get the best out of the selected course with admission from every university applied.” April 22, 2010

Top qualities: Great Results, Good Value, High Integrity

1^st Karthik Ananthasubramanian  hired Biruda as a Career Coach in 2009

Hi Biruda,

Thank you for your support and guidance. With your help, I have got into two MBA schools:

University of Maryland, Smith- Admitted with a GA (overall, 19k per year)
(After assuming GA for 2 years, fees: USD 57k)

University of Pittsburgh, Katz- Admitted with a scholarship (overall 7.5k per year)
(After deducting the scholarship for 2 years, fees: USD 41k)

Regards,

Anant Bhatia (Pune)

“After talking to her, all my concerns and inhibitions about the whole Visa procedure just faded away..! she is just so personable and explains the things in a very clear and convincing way. Frankly, I was li'l skeptical about consulting her since she is Bangalore and I was in NOIDA and wondered how all this is gonna be held. But inspite of the distance, she successfully conducted the sessions and guided me no less effective than a face-to-face interaction. I would strongly recommend her service for her expertise and experience..!” June 27, 2010

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert

1^st Hrishikesh Deshpande  hired Biruda as a Visa Consultant in 2010

 “Her awareness about opportunities abroad is amazing. Personally, she helped me nail down the areas in my profile that needed working on as I was applying to universities in the US for my PhD. In fact, with her inputs I was able to convert 5 out of my 9 applications into admits - many of them with scholarships too. Further, her way of handling the visa application process was admirable - right from conducting sessions by professionals, down to offering highly personalized tips and alternatives. She has a lot of patience, a lot of knowledge and wisdom that people stand to benefit from.” May 18, 2009

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert

1^st Biren Parmar  hired Biruda as a Career Coach in 2008

International Education - expanding horizons

                        Down memory lane… a decade long journey.

   Been there and done that enriches our experiences and helps us tread on this known path with informed certainty. A narration of the various trends in international education follows bellow.

I have been following these trends closely for about 12 years now, as a student in the 1990’s and later as a global admission consultant. I can vividly relate to  how international education has expanded and spread far and wide globally even to developing countries like South Africa , from being a mere concept synonymous with studying in the USA/UK as was the case with our grandparents, owing majorly due to lack of liberal foreign policies and the non- availability of English medium instruction.

Today globalization has evolved global education as well with a dearth of opportunities available to students and professionals with a wide array of subjects, locations, pricing to choose from.

Why International Education??

•         The rise in the income levels and global opportunities in terms of social status

•         New emerging fields  and Increased financing options

•         Availability of low cost destinations like NZ and Singapore and Europe

•         Preference of Global resources for jobs  

             You might be overwhelmed to know that the total number of students travelling to pursue global education each from India alone is around  100,00,000  !! and it is equally perplexing to choose from the 3000+ accredited universities that USA alone has to offer , leave aside the other colleges across the globe. So how does one rummage through this maze of information overload and be at the right place at the right time. Here my experience of been a student myself made me wonder what if there was able guidance provided to students to streamline their application process, answer their silliest of queries and guide and mentor them to gain admission to a reputed university.

            The year 2000 saw   a lot of players offering entrance test ( GRE/GMAT/SAT) preparation to necessary to secure admits to globally reputed universities but lacked the expertize of admission  consultants who could advice students/professionals in their choice of careers to make it large in the emerging global careers through Masters, Bachelors , MBA’s and PHD degrees. This advice was offered to students based on either:

·         the student merit and entrance test scores or

·         through tie-ups with Universities where the consultants were given hefty commission for routing students to these universities.

The number of students travelling abroad has grown by almost 10 – 30 % every year. The admission consulting market has seen a huge surge in terms of numbers and revenue esp since last decade , for example I have  counselled 250 students in year 2003 and 500 + students in years 2006 – 2009 each with a revenue growth of 5 times each year  starting with a  mere USD 200 per case to about USD 1000 per case.

            Having placed over 1000+ students globally since the past decade has given me the confidence of setting up iGradGlobal.in .Since this industry has been plagued with lack of processes and systems here we would like to customise/automize the application process for students as much as possible by providing regular alerts, their own planner(with timelines)and also make it location independent and run the process through the use of online media like skype, live chat, webinars and videos conferences etc. for effective and prompt communication. We would also like to provide assistance to students with value added services e like Forex , bank loans , health insurance, ticketing, mobile / internet connectivity , courier etc. and are open to partnering with the best in the industry.

 What sets you apart in this competitive space of Global Admission Consulting is empathy for the students since you are handling someone’s career, fair play to provide what a student truly deserves and offering to be more than a mentor who grooms the student’s overall development since he/she would be working closely with you for almost over a year.

Future road map: There is an upward movement in this industry for those who would like to make this a career choice or business opportunity 

·         The Entrance Examination Training market is around US$ 2 billion in the US and US $ 200 million in India.

·         The US embassy in India has said that the number of student visas issued has increased by 18%, from 39 ,958 in 2010 to 46 ,982 in 2011

·         This could expand in the future and prove to be a lucrative investment option.

Hence it is but worth taking this less treaded professional path which touches the lives of so many youngsters who would be connected with you lifelong through a never erasable faith, trust, confidence and mutual collaboration thus generating great good will and word of mouth for future business expansion.

New MBA jobs and salaries report shows growth in job opportunities

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A major annual report shows that global growth in employer demand for MBA graduates rose by 12% in 2012, with emerging markets contributing more than ever.

Released annually since 1990, the QS TopMBA.com Jobs and Salary Trends Report provides a unique insight into the MBA graduate job market worldwide.

Taking in survey responses from over 3,300 MBA recruiters worldwide, this year’s report shows that though growth in global demand for MBA graduates continues, it is doing so more slowly than in 2011. 

This year’s growth rate of 12% represents a drop from the 36% recorded in 2011. Demand in consulting and finance, traditionally two of the most popular industries for MBA hiring, both saw a 16% growth in demand in 2012, but the forecast for next year sees this drop to 9% and 3% growth respectively.

Nunzio Quacquarelli, editor of TopMBA.com says “The MBA job market continues to bounce back from its slump in 2009, though last year’s growth rate has stabilized. We can expect technology sectors to lead the way in MBA recruitment in 2013, with a forecast growth of 27% in MBA demand worldwide.”

Emerging MBA job markets

The report shows that the MBA qualification continues to play a central role in the battle for global economic supremacy, with companies in emerging markets fuelling worldwide growth in demand for MBAs.

The Middle East has been the most dynamic region, with growth of 21% in MBA demand in 2012 and a further 23% forecast for 2013. Asia and Latin America also record solid growth, though Western Europe trails at just 5%.

Growth in MBA demand in North America remained at a respectable 16% in 2012, but employers are cautious about 2013, with forecast growth of just 2% in 2013.

Quacquarelli says “The US remains one of the largest markets for MBA employment. A partial economic recovery; stabilization of the financial services; the recovery of some manufacturing industries and the appearance of new mid-sized MBA employers on campus have all contributed to the growth.”

“We can also expect technology sectors to lead the way in MBA recruitment in 2013, with a forecast growth of 27% growth in MBA demand  worldwide.”

He continues, “With the economic conditions uncertain in the euro zone, growth slowing in Asia and the upcoming US presidential elections, it’s not surprising to see that employers, especially multinational corporations, are reporting prudent MBA hiring plans in 2013 in order to avoid being potentially pulled back into 2008/9 conditions where they had to reverse some MBA hiring decisions and overall MBA demand declined 5%.”

Increase in MBA salaries

The report also found that salaries offered by international employers in North America have increased from US$87,200 in 2011 to US$89,100 in 2012. However, the average bonus payable fell slightly from $23,000 in 2011 to  $17,700 in 2012. Stanford (US$127,200), Harvard (US$121,700) and Wharton (US$118,000) were the top-reporting business schools in terms of base salary, excluding sign-on or starting bonuses.

Quacquarelli says, “This is the first time in my twenty years in the MBA industry where I have seen MBA employment demand grow in regions suffering from recession and negative GDP growth. We have witnessed this in both the USA and Northern Europe.”

“The increases in MBA salaries is an added surprise and the only downside to such high average salaries for MBA graduates is that smaller prospective MBA employers may be deterred from trying to compete for the best MBA talent.”

• Read the full report here >

5 Things to Weigh Before Applying to B-School

All aspiring MBAs must decide how many and which business schoolsto apply to; the key is to be aware of where you are in the application "window"—or where you are in life in general.

The vast majority of MBA students are in their mid-20s to early 30s. Only a small portion comes directly from college, and only a few attend full-time business school in their late-30s or 40s. But even within the prime eight-year window—from 24 to 32—applicants should consider five issues when deciding where to apply.

1. Age: Many applicants in their mid-20s decide to apply only to their first two choices, figuring that if they don't get in, they can reapply down the line when they have more experience. While this approach may work for some younger candidates, it's not recommended for applicants who are a bit older. Instead,older candidates should apply to a wider array of schools to ensure that they will at least have the option of attending business school next fall.

Of course, the best scenario involves an intelligent mix of "reach" and "safety" schools that will yield a choice of MBA programs for the applicant. Unfortunately, some candidates get on a misguided "Harvard or Stanford … or nothing!" kick that doesn't serve anyone's interests.

2. Career path: Some MBA aspirants hold positions where they can continue for many years, but others work in areas, such as consulting or investment banking, where policy or tradition encourages young employees to get further education.

In environments where one can continue to advance unfettered, a candidate might consider applying solely to his or her top choice programs. However, candidates coming from companies with two- to three-year analyst programs, which don't allow for much upward progression, should probably cast their nets wider and assemble a bigger portfolio of schools.

[Learn more about applying to business school.]

3. Career track satisfaction: Several MBA applicants, who feel locked in roles that are too technical or too narrowly defined, have told me they want to apply to just a couple of very highly ranked programs.

However, when people hope to transition to either an entirely new role or industry sooner rather than later, they should apply to a broad range of business schools. There are incredible programs throughout the top 20 in the b-school rankings (and even beyond) that can provide the classes, career programs, and alumni networks that aid this kind of transition.

4. First timer or reapplicant: A candidate who is going through his or her second round of business school applications should almost always apply to more schools. If the candidate is applying a couple of years down the line after dramatically improving her experience base, then she might add two or three new schools to the mix, but should still target her top programs from a few years before.

However, if the candidate is applying the very next year without significant changes in role, experience, or extracurriculars, he should pursue a different base of schools, with perhaps one or two holdovers from the previous year.

5. Family considerations: Taking two years to get an MBA is not just a business decision—it's also a life decision. Sometimes, the interests of boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives, or children are critical factors in making the decision of if, when, and where to apply. These considerations are much more complex and varied than the factors listed above, so it's difficult to work through them in depth here.

For instance, some students want to get through business school quickly so they can start a family afterward, while others may view business school (with day care, low travel requirements, etc.) as a great environment to begin to build up their brood.

Candidates should talk with family, friends, and mentors (and potentially an MBA application adviser) early in the process to determine where they are in this window for business school. It's an absolutely critical step in managing this multi-month application process thoughtfully.

Source: USNews

Convince MBA Admissions Officials You’ve Done Your Research

Question to applicants: "Why an MBA, and why this program?" Some do so explicitly on the application, while others pose the question during the interview stage. Either way, you need to know enough about the schools you are applying to so you can answer the question properly.

Don't leave it to the various rankings to decide your list of schools for you. A lot of applicants forget that they are the customer—and should be the ones making the decision.

Schools are constantly tweaking their programs, printing cutting-edge brochures, and traveling from city to city to convince you—the prospective MBA—to consider their programs. Your personal ranking and fit with schools can differ widely from what the leading magazines and websites may suggest, so it's important to have at least some sense of what you are looking for before you start your research.

[Watch a video with tips for choosing an MBA program.]

Each MBA application will cost you a couple of hundred dollars and dozens of hours, so make sure the programs you choose to apply to have most of the things—both large and small—that you want from a school.

Are you looking for a program that is strong in generalmanagement and leadership? Or are you more interested in brushing up on your financial and accounting knowledge to complement your existing skillset?

To find answers to those questions, be proactive. Go to the information sessions and ask real questions. Many candidates try to use these sessions as a forum for impressing the admissions officers, which I don't believe is a very fruitful strategy. Call the admissions department and ask for the names of recent alumni in your area. Get in touch with one or more of those folks and take them out for a coffee.

When it comes to your essays, I can't tell you how many first drafts I've read that cite the "unmatched student body, world-class faculty, and committed alumni network" as the reasons the applicant has chosen a certain MBA program. This person has said nothing.

You need to get specific in order to demonstrate to admissions officials that you've taken the time to thoroughly research the school, and that you have some legitimate reasons why you think their program fits well with your professional needs.

[Check out 6 tips for getting to the heart of your MBA application.]

That said, don't hold yourself to too high a standard here; you're not going to blow the committee away with some statement that shows you are the figurative "soul mate" of their MBA program. I doubt any director of admissions has ever exclaimed, "My gosh, when she mentioned our emphasis onentrepreneurship, I just knew she had to be a part of our community!"

While you'll have to dive deep in preparation for interviews, you can effectively research schools in just a few hours. Read firsthand accounts of the schools through blogs and guest posts on popular websites.

Also place particular emphasis on the following offerings or traits of the school to see the ways they mesh with your professional goals, learning agenda, personality, and preferences:

• Program format: Explore aspects such as case study method vs. lecture; traditional vs. accelerated; opportunities for study abroad; and opportunities for "hands on learning."

• Academic offerings: Research specific classes in your areas of interest. Don't make a laundry list; find a couple of courses and show how they might impact you.

• Faculty: Cite specific professors that you might want meet with, help with research, etc.

[Learn how to contact professors as a grad school applicant.]

• Initiatives: Often schools will emphasize certain disciplines or issues for several years, and will host events and develop new classes on those topics. These series may have names like, "The Entrepreneurship Program," "The Healthcare Initiative," or "The Technology Roundtable."

• Field studies: Check out faculty support for independent research, business plan development, etc.

• Cross-registration opportunities: What other resources does this university have to offer?

• Clubs: Explore academic and extracurricular groups available at the school.

Four to six sentences of solid material on "Why our program?" should set you up nicely. If you have the time and means to schedule a campus visit beforehand, you'll have an even better sense of the program, allowing you to be more convincing when you discuss the school's fit. Successfully articulating how a particular program suits your needs is a crucial first step in the b-school application process.

Source: USNews

1 yr vs 2 yr MBA

Advantage of 1 year programs over 2 year programs

1. An equivalent degree in half the time and cost.
2. The lost opportunity cost of not having a job for 2 year.
3. Despite the shortened academic experience, MBA employers tend to award one-year grads the same starting salaries they pay MBAs of two-year programs. In fact, several schools report that their one-year MBAs make slightly more than graduates of their traditional programs, largely the result of differences in work experience.

Advantage of 2 year programs over 1 year programs

1. Losing out on the summer internship which is almost a yardstick of recruitment.
2. Losing out on networking and socializing with future co-workers. 
3. 2 year programs almost always are less than 2 years in tenure by a couple of months at least.
3. Limited number of schools offering the one year MBA program.
4. One major distinction between most of the one-year U.S. programs and the European MBAs is that the U.S. versions generally require a business undergraduate degree and/or a bunch of core prerequisites.

The Best One-Year MBA Programms in the U.S.
School	Tution Fees	Intake
Northwestern(Kellogg)	$80,453	100
Cornell(Johnson)	$86,336	45
Emory(Goizueta)	$65,991	48
USC(Marshall)	$80,116	58
Notre Dame(Mendoza)	$61,600	65
Boston University	$71,006	27
Babson(Olin)	$69,686	78
Thunderbird	$70,007	NA
Florida(Hough)	$40,130	NA
Pittsburgh(Kaiz)	$53,825	NA
Pepperdine(Graziado)	$62,363	10
Willamette(Atkinson)	$30,306	NA

Source: Poets and Quants, Official Websites.