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MBA Admissions: Does Extracurricular Equal Extra Credit?

YES! Don’t underestimate the value of non-academic, non-work activities! These activities that you participate in – hobbies, sports, volunteering, etc. – do tons to liven up your otherwise one-dimensional application.

Here are some reasons why you should bulk up your extracurricular quotient:

• Extracurricular activities add life and texture to your application. As mentioned a moment ago, MBA applications can appear flat and single-dimensioned. Add a little stamp collecting, your involvement in your church’s softball league, a splash of trumpet lessons, and the fact that you started a neighborhood bi-seasonal clothing drive, and VOILA – you’ve got yourself one heck of a vibrant profile!

• Extracurricular activities show you know how to commit. You’ve been volunteer tutoring at the school for the blind in your city for the last 11 years? You must be a reliable, dependable, and committed person. Adcoms like this. Period.

• Extracurricular activities demonstrate passion and creativity. Your extracurricular activities don’t need to be run-of-the-mill Big Brother or soup kitchen experiences. They can include the summers you spent doing AIDS research in a hospital in Swaziland or taking your autistic nephew to the park once a week for a game of tag. Neither of these examples are related to business, yet leadership, initiative, passion, and creativity can all still be read into each experience. Share your passions and inspire your readers!

• Extracurricular activities give you an opportunity to show leadership and organizational skill. It can be hard in a hierarchical organization when you are in your early or mid-twenties to show lots of leadership. But in a community service or volunteer context, there are leadership opportunities galore. Grab them and demonstrate the attribute admissions committees can’t get enough of.

I’d like to end by sharing an important side point. Many applicants ask what they should do if they don’t have long-term extracurricular or volunteer commitments. Is it worth it to start an activity or resume a hobby just a few months before applying to b-school, or will that look shallow?

My answer: A little volunteering is better than no volunteering at all, and the impact that you can make and the effect the experience can have on you can be great, even in a short period of time. Also, maybe you’ll be waitlisted, and then this last-minute volunteering will turn into a long-term commitment that will look great in a waitlist letter update, not to mention how it will add if you need to reapply.

By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted.com and co-author of the definitive book on MBA admissions, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.

Accepted.com has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top MBA programs since 1994 – we know what works and what doesn’t, so contact us to get started or visit Accepted.com for all your admissions & application needs today!

This article was originally published on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog

Filed Under: Accepted, Application Advice, Blog

Sixty-Two Percent of Prospective MBA Students Say That Business Schools Have Significant Responsibility in Regards to the Economic Crisis

Worldwide MBA event organizer Access MBA conducts international survey with 2,000 participants on the role of business schools in times of financial instability

New York, New York – May 13, 2013 – International business education organization Access MBA presented a survey on the responsibility of business schools in times of economic crisis today at the Warwick New York Hotel, demonstrating popular opinion on the role of MBA programs in today’s business climate. A roundtable discussion followed the presentation, with the participation of Shawn O’Connor, Founder and President of Status Prep, Roy Cohen, Career Counselor at Career Coach NY, Lance Widner, Director & Portfolio Strategist and Oppenheimer & Co, and Jessica Smith, Associate Director for MBA Admissions at IESE Business School.

Two thousand prospective, current and former MBA students from 57 countries participated in the survey sent on April 26, 2013. The majority of MBA graduates that responded to the questionnaire obtained their MBA degree in the last 4 years. Results show that there is an overwhelming need for business schools to address market sustainability and develop ethical management practices, with 62% of survey participants declaring that schools have a “significant responsibility” in regards to the economic crisis.

In order to strengthen MBA programs’ connection with the sustainable business and management practices, sixty-four percent of participants declared that schools should actively encourage field immersion, or the opportunity for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to working with companies outside of the classroom. In addition, 53% percent of respondents think that MBA programs are responsible for researching and developing sustainable business practices, and 35% say that schools should concentrate their curriculum on business ethics.

“Business ethics do not need to be a separate course, but should be incorporated into the curriculum,” says IESE’s Jessica Smith. The survey shows that prospective MBA students may see the need for more ethics instruction in the classroom, but current MBA students and MBA graduates place less emphasis on the subject – a sign that completed coursework does not always transition into profitable business. “Schools can adapt curriculum to weave career management pre-planning and services to a much greater degree”, says career consultant Roy Cohen, “so that the MBA generates an income stream” rather than simply helping to secure a job.

In reaction to the economic recession, Stratus Prep’s Shawn O’Connor stated that business schools’ “greatest trend is towards practical teaching methods or field-based learning”. Regarding the need for field immersion, Cohen added, “with executives-in-residence and hands-on consulting, schools are establishing consulting organizations so that students get real-life experience and can transition more effectively”.

Clearly MBA programs have a responsibility in training the world’s future business leaders and teaching sustainable management practices. By changing curriculum, international business schools can affect the workplace and alter global markets. Eighty percent of current MBA students and recent MBA graduates say that their business school adequately addresses the causes and repercussions of the economic recession. In response to this data, O’Connor aptly stated that we can learn from the recession but “the most valuable lesson is anticipating what’s coming next” and taking measures to ensure stable business and financial success.

As for MBA degree-holders, they are satisfied with the professional tools provided by their business school experience. An overwhelming 95% said that thanks to their MBA program, they are now ready to better respond to future economic recessions and improve business management practices.

About the Access MBA Tour

Organized by the Paris-based Advent Group, the Access MBA Tour is the worldwide leader in One-to-One MBA events. Held in 65 international destinations every year, Access MBA brings together elite international business schools and provides MBA applicants the exclusive opportunity to meet with Admissions Directors face-to-face.

The next Access MBA event in New York will be held on May 22, 2013 at the Warwick New York Hotel and will showcase both American and international business schools. MBA candidates can register on www.accessmba.comto be matched with the participating business schools that meet their criteria and expectations. The 20-minute meetings with Admissions Directors are scheduled both before and at the event.

Filed Under: Blog

What Does that GMAT Score MEAN?

Learn how to decipher your GMAT score when you attend Accepted.com’s FREE, live webinar, That GMAT Score: Implications for Your MBA Application. During the webinar, Accepted.com CEO Linda Abraham will answer a number of GMAT questions, including:

Should you take a GMAT prep course?
How competitive is your GMAT score?
Should you retake the GMAT?
How do the adcom view your score?

…and more!

Register for That GMAT Score: Implications for Your MBA Application now, and don’t forget to mark your calendars – Wed., May 22^nd at 5pm PT/8pm ET.

Filed Under: Blog

Getting a European MBA: A Unique Experience

When choosing between business schools in Europe and the United States, the main thing to keep in mind is that the decision is very personal. Take a good look at the available options and do not let yourself be influenced by rankings. If your background fits in better with a school that may be a little outside the top 10, 20 or 30, don’t let that worry you. Here are some of the advantages European business schools have over their overseas counterparts.

Less Expensive. The two-year program is still considered to be the American standard for the full-time MBA. In Europe, the duration of an MBA program is one year or eighteen months, which becomes less expensive than a two-year program and entails lower overall living costs. Nevertheless the quality of the programs can be very high, which explains the growing number of triple-accredited business schools in Europe.

More Specialized MBA Programs. Europe boasts schools that are known for certain specific core competencies. Ranked the best European business school by the Financial Times in 2012, IE Business School is, for example, the perfect place to develop your career with its focus on innovation, diversity and entrepreneurship.

Expand your international network

A More International Network. Reports by GMAC state that 38% of participants in US business school are from foreign countries. The percentage of international students in European MBA programs is 83%. Due to this, the teaching language at most business schools in Europe is English. University alliances and exchange programs contribute to highly diverse and international student bodies, and ultimately expand personal networks and ability to work on a global level. IESE Business School, which offers the fifth best worldwide MBA program according to The Economist in 2012, has between 26 and 28 exchange partners including 16 top US schools, such as Columbia and NYU-Stern. In 2010, IESE became the first European school to open its New York City campus.

High MBA Salaries. During times of economic growth or in times of crisis, it is important to have a diploma that employers favor. 87% of the European business school graduates of the class of 2012 was employed after graduation, according to a GMAC survey. Getting a European MBA is also a great opportunity to change careers or find a better job, as 43% of graduates found new employers after graduation. The median starting salary for all management program graduates in the Old Continent is higher by more than US$22,000. Last year, MBA employees in Europe were even better paid than in America – US$108,355 compared to US$100,000.

Better Return on Investment. The Financial Times value-for-money rankings show that European schools are doing better than their American counterparts. With all due critical attitudes towards such calculations and lists, the top 10 European and American schools would be as follows: The first 10 are made up of European institutions and the second 10 are American. The question of business school quality is open to debate, and can never be fully resolved. Although, in terms of ROI, the European MBA seems to be gaining the upper hand.

More Experienced Classmates. The age of MBA students in Europe is generally higher than that of American schools. This may give experienced professionals who want to go back to school an argument in favour of the Old Continent. On the other hand, US institutions accept more a larger number of students in their programs.

Smaller Classes, More Individual Attention. The size and culture of a school are often overlooked when considering business schools. In general, US business schools are larger, with an average intake of 287 full-time MBA students, compared with 124 in Europe. Professors in the US may therefore have a limited amount of time for individual work with each student compared with professors in Europe.

Better Career Mobility. Thanks to the Bologna higher education accord, European degrees are recognized in most countries within the Eurasian continent, giving unprecedented access to career opportunities worldwide. This also means that MBA graduates are not confined to working in the country they graduated, but can benefit from the pan-European job market.

language learning opportunities

Cultural Diversity. Cultural differences between European countries shouldn’t be underestimated when considering the added value of an MBA program. Historically-built attitudes and social order vary greatly and create a secondary learning environment outside the classes.

Language Learning Options. It is a well known fact that a new language is most efficiently learned when in the foreign country. Even though English is the teaching language of MBA programs, students have the option to perfect their language skills with native speakers outside of the classroom.

Filed Under: Blog, International Applicants

MBA 2014 – READY, SET, GO!

Why am I nagging you to get moving on your MBA application prep?

Not just because those Round 1 deadlines creep up with wicked stealth and speed (last year, HBS broke the September barrier). But also because there is so much you can still do between now and then to improve your candidacy (sometimes a lot, sometimes on the margins, but margins matter). Also, preparing now will enable you to apply to more programs earlier, and therefore to adjust strategy in Round 2 if necessary.

So, what should you be doing NOW?

First, two obvious things.

GMAT: I’ve seen too many people leave the GMAT till late summer or early fall, get a lower score than they expect, and have to recalculate their plans. If you don’t have a GMAT score yet, NOW is the time to prepare and take the GMAT, ideally by end of spring. Then, if your score isn’t realistic for your schools of choice, you have time to retake the test, reconsider your target schools, or both. And you will have it behind you when you focus on the applications.

SCHOOL RESEARCH: It’s best to visit schools when classes are in session. So NOW is the ideal time to research schools for a preliminary list. I developed an easy-to-use resource, Best MBA Programs, A Guide to Selecting the Right One, to walk you through this process. This effort will also get you thinking about your profile strategically.

Then there are the less obvious things.

ACADEMIC RECORD: Is your academic record a potential weakness? There is time (not much), NOW, to take a relevant course or two, complete it, and have an A or two to report to the adcom as evidence of your ability to excel academically.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Not sure whom to ask for recommendations? Sort it out NOW, while there’s time to weigh the pros and cons of various options, to possibly broach the issue (directly or indirectly) with people, and adapt as needed. You do know whom you’ll ask? NOW is time to enhance your positive visibility to them, so they can’t help but write a scintillating letter.

LEADERSHIP: You can improve – deepen, broaden, refine – your leadership NOW and every day before your application. Whether or not you have a formal leadership role, you can always find ways to exercise informal leadership. And you can’t have too much leadership in an MBA application. If there isn’t space to write about it in essays, portray it in your resume.

GOALS: Naturally, since you’re planning to apply for an MBA, you know what your goals are. But what are you going to say about them of interest? About your planned industry, company, function? Read. Books, journals, company reports, not just the WSJ. And do informational interviews (use your undergrad alumni network). An interview needn’t be longer than 10 minutes with two good questions to be illuminating! Interesting, informed perspective on your goals will make your essay jump out from the sea of merely competent essays. But do this research NOW, to digest and integrate it well.

RESUME: NOW is also the perfect time to prepare or adapt your resume for business school. You can get it at least 95% done, and adjust as needed for any new developments later. This way, if you have a chance to visit or school or meet with an adcom member earlier than you planned, you’re ready.

Six months and counting to round 1 deadlines…

By Cindy Tokumitsu, senior editor at Accepted.com, co-author of The Finance Professional’s Guide to MBA Admissions Success, and author of numerous MBA ebooks, articles, and special reports.

This article was originally published on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog.

Filed Under: Accepted, Application Advice, Blog, GMAT

10 Tips for Getting Into a Top MBA Program

By Betsy Massar, founder, Master Admissions

The business school application scares most people. Sure, it looks simple enough – fill out a few forms, take a standardized test, send transcripts, answer some essay questions, get recommendations, and voilà, you’re in.

If only.

As the founder of Master Admissions, a veteran of the investment banking and investment management worlds, a graduate of Harvard Business School and resume coach at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, I’ve seen a lot of people reach their goals successfully, so for MBA Podcaster, I’ve put together a list of 10 Tips for an outstanding MBA application.

Start Early!

1. Start Early.

To really research MBA schools beyond the rankings, give yourself time to explore on school websites, blogs, and in person. Also, give yourself twice as long to study for the GMAT, if you haven’t taken it already.

2. Take Inventory.

Look at your resume and think about your career progression – how did you get from A to B? Look at your gaps at work or outside – do you need to take extra class to prove your quantitative ability? Figure out what you’ve got and what you need.

3. Connect with Your Inner Rock Star.

Connect with Your Inner Rock Star

It’s your rock-star qualities that make you a real leader. Leadership is about inspiring others, enabling them to do great things. Or influencing a group to make something happen. It’s not about title, but about effectiveness.

4. Articulate Your Career Vision.

Even if the essays don’t specifically ask, it’s helpful for you to envision your post-MBA future. If you can articulate the possible steps to get there, you boost your credibility as an applicant.

5. Perform Service.

You can do this by being an active part of your community, whether it’s at your workplace, in your town, or in the wider world. Use this service to find out more about yourself.

6. Stay Sane.

The business school application is like a marathon or a political campaign. You’ll be project-managing your recommenders, getting transcripts, keeping your day job, and figuring out how to write the MBA essays. Get exercise, eat right, and keep your head on straight.

7. Daydream.

Business schools want people who can reach for the stars. The open-ended application questions will require a lot of self-reflection so you can be in a better position to realize your dreams. Don’t forget to take notes on your musings.

8. Talk Around.

Find sounding boards – family, friends, colleagues. You might as well start networking now, to learn from others who have been through the process, or to make connections and have fun.

9. Work Only on the Part You Can Control.

There is some luck involved in the application system. Do your homework, keep your eyes on the deadlines, and stay upbeat and optimistic.

The final one is the most obvious, but the most important:

Relax & Be Yourself

10. Be Yourself.

Sounds corny, but it’s true. MBA admissions committee members world-over proclaim that they want to learn about you, not an idealized version of an MBA student. I guarantee this one fact: YOU are more interesting than that mythical person.

If you’ve got the right attitude, the application process can be fun and a learning experience. And the potential outcome? Priceless.

Filed Under: Application Advice, Blog, Master Admissions

MBA Exclusive: the Access MBA One-to-One Tour in New York

When: May 22^nd from 4pm to 9:30pm

Where: Warwick New York Hotel

How to Attend: Register online

Meet the world’s top business schools and find the MBA program that is right for you! The Access MBA Tour will soon bring together the best MBA programs and interested candidates in New York. This is a unique opportunity to invest in your career and choose the business school that best meets your expectations.

Highlights of the Tour: One-to-One meetings and workshops with Admissions Directors of the world’s best MBA programs, interactive panel discussions featuring school representatives, individual MBA consulting sessions and GMAT advising, as well as a complimentary Access MBA Guide. Participating schools include IESE Business School, IE Business School, Copenhagen Business School, Durham Business School, HULT International Business School, International University of Monaco, Manchester Business School and many more!

Places are limited for One-to-One meetings and early registration is recommended on

http://www.accessmba.com/mba-events/access-mba-events/2013/mba-event-new-york-may-22-2013/index.html?ui=G06FQP1366734181

Filed Under: Blog, MBA Fairs

Clear Admit Releases Updated School Snapshots for 2013-2014, Offering Free Summaries of 27 Leading MBA Programs

Clear Admit School Snapshots

Clear Admit announced the release of their 2013-2014 School Snapshots, free overviews of 27 of the world’s top MBA programs packed with essential information to help early bird applicants learn about their target schools. Last year, MBA hopefuls downloaded tens of thousands of inaugural-edition Snapshots as a critical “first step” in their MBA application journeys.

The Snapshots provide objective, concise information on each program’s faculty, curriculum, campus life, job placement statistics, admissions procedures and more. “By updating the Clear Admit School Snapshots we are continuing to deliver early-stage applicants need-to-know information that’s well organized and free of marketing spin,” says Clear Admit Co-founder Graham Richmond.

School Snapshots updated for 2013-2014 are now available for free download in the Clear Admit Shop.

Here is a complete list of titles in the Clear Admit School Snapshot series:

Chicago Booth School of Business
Columbia Business School
Darden School of Business
Fuqua School of Business
Haas School of Business
Harvard Business School
IESE Business School
INSEAD
Indian School of Business
Judge Business School
Kellogg School of Management
Kenan-Flagler Business School
London Business School
MIT Sloan School of Management
McCombs School of Business
McDonough School of Business
NYU Stern School of Business
Ross School of Business
S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management
Saïd Business School
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Tepper School of Business
The Wharton School
Tuck School of Business
UCLA Anderson School of Management
USC Marshall School of Business
Yale School of Management

Filed Under: Blog, ClearAdmit

Student Voices: Taking the Next Step with MBA@UNC

I have been extremely fortunate in my career. I have worked in Canada, Africa and Southeast Asia; I have experience in multiple sectors; and I have had many wonderful mentors. I was freelancing part-time and seeking a full-time job when I realized that I needed an MBA to be more competitive in the workforce. I looked for a highly selective program that would allow me to continue to work as I earned my degree. That is how I discovered MBA@UNC.

During my undergraduate education at Vanderbilt, resources were abundant. It was a short walk to the financial aid, student affairs and career services offices, and it was easy to schedule a quick coffee or lunch with someone if I needed assistance. Prior to finding MBA@UNC, I had assumed that an online program would not offer me that ease of access to resources and, more importantly for my situation, I was afraid I would not be able to bank on any sort of quality career services support. Fortunately, I was wrong.

I could list several examples of excellent service I received from the staff at MBA@UNC, including the fantastic admissions team that answered my endless questions and erased my concerns, as well as the student support, registrar and financial aid teams. For this post, however, I would like to specifically highlight the support I received during my job search.

The career management department at MBA@UNC was not only helpful in my job search, but was also proactive and thoughtful. Shawnice Meador, the director of career management for MBA@UNC, took the time to really get to know me, understand my goals, passions and skill sets, and provided me with concrete action steps and advice. The result: I secured an amazing job. Shawnice and I spoke using the MBA@UNC platform, and the ease of establishing a personal connection was no different than if we were sitting in a room together. The company I now work for is based in Chapel Hill, and during my first week, Shawnice invited me to breakfast to congratulate me and to provide a few more words of advice.

I was attracted to the flexibility of MBA@UNC, but I was concerned that I would miss out when it came to networking and the support systems. I am now nearly eight months into the program and do not have one complaint. This program is well-rounded, high quality and has a sense of community. MBA@UNC was everything I need and want in an MBA program, and I am so glad I made the decision to further my education here.

Guest blog post by Megan Schneider from the MBA@UNC Blog

About Megan Schneider: Megan has six years of experience in a variety of organizational development, marketing and fundraising-positions in the US and abroad with community-oriented firms, such as SW Global, an African technology company in Ghana, and not-for-profit organizations such as the ALS Association and Canadian Cancer Society. She is now a marketing consultant for the Futures Company, working with clients to understand the consumer landscape and unlock new sources of growth within their business. Megan also continues to freelance with international organizations to help them grow their marketing and communications efforts.

Filed Under: Blog, UNC

The MBA@UNC Advantage: An Interactive Experience

When I tell people I’m earning my MBA online, they always ask, “How do you meet people? Isn’t networking part of the reason you go to business school in the first place? Why would you give up that experience?”

“Why yes, meeting classmates is an important part of business school,” I say, and explain that the idea that an online program lacks networking is one of the misconceptions about online education, at least based on my MBA@UNC experience. I describe how the diversity of my network grows in ways I couldn’t have imagined and that I don’t think would have been possible in a traditional program because the platform keeps us connected regardless of geographic location.

I also tell skeptics how the learning platform itself and global immersions help my MBA@UNC classmates and I overcome any concerns about networking. The weekly live sessions and extensive group work in every course are key aspects of the program. These requirements promote a collaborative experience and mimic the on-campus classroom environment, which ultimately differentiates UNC’s program from other online programs. This could not be accomplished without our courses being designed for online learning and the appropriate technology.

Our classes meet in a video chat room similar to a Skype group chat. While it’s not the same as sitting in the same room with classmates, it works better than you would think, and the small class sizes ensure no one gets lost in the shuffle. The professors can break the class up into smaller groups or write on the whiteboard, just like they would in a traditional classroom.

The platform is not just where classes are held, but also where we meet for group meetings and study sessions (and even virtual happy hours on occasion). Earning an MBA is not a solitary venture for me; we spend a significant amount of time with our classmates in this program. Even though I can’t meet most of my classmates at the local pub or coffee shop to catch up and not talk about homework, the platform allows us to get together socially whenever we want.

In addition to meeting up on the platform, MBA@UNC students can meet in person at the global immersions. These quarterly immersions feel as much like a reunion as a networking opportunity, which is why my total hours of sleep during the last immersion barely made it into the double digits. The weekends are filled with lectures and learning exercises centered on a particular topic such as “Leading and Managing in a High-Growth Environment,” which was the focus of the recent immersion in Brazil.

The topical nature of the immersions and their actionable takeaways give us the educational benefits of an industry conference, but transcend any one industry. The immersions also help us solidify the relationships we have formed throughout our courses, adding to the social quality and the networking benefits of the program.

With the MBA@UNC platform, global immersions and the interactivity of live, online classes, I can honestly say that MBA@UNC has provided me with maximum learning opportunities, maximum networking and maximum flexibility. The idea that an online program sacrifices socializing or networking, remains a myth when it comes to MBA@UNC.

Guest blog post by Kristen Fanarakis from the MBA@UNC Blog

About Kristen Fanarakis: Kristen spent the last 13 years working in financial services after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in economics and political science. She started her career in investment management in Boston where she earned her masters in international economics part-time. She spent the last seven years in foreign exchange sales covering institutional managers for various Wall Street banks.

Filed Under: Blog, UNC