Must read for Business school applicants

Everyday I get some very common questions on MBA applications and admissions with not so easy answers. Obviously everyone wants the most returns with least amount of effort. However, when it comes to B-school applications it not easy to judge where your effort is best spent. There is lot of judgement exercised by the admission committee in making their decisions and hence there is no objective answer on whether you can make it to so and so school based on your profile. Nevertheless people still ask the questions and I still attempt to answer several every week. I felt it might help some applicants if I post some guidance based on my experience. So here goes -

Q1: Can I get into so and so Business school. Here is my profile GMAT:X, GPA:Y , Experience 5 years in Z, Extra curricular A and B?

If it were so easy to grant admissions based on just the above information, trust me the admission committee of every school would not be spending hours and hours reviewing and discussing every application. Adcoms are looking for everything from your academics, your analytical skills, communication skills, quality of your work experience, your achievements on and off work and thought and reflection on your decisions. Why you have done the things you have and why you want to do things you have set out to e.g. pursue MBA etc.

Having said that you can to some extent ballpark your chances based on how you compare to the average applicant on some dimensions. Look at incoming class profiles (you will find the on the school websites in information for prospective candidates) for every school to determine how you compare with mean/median GPA, GMAT and work experience. This is only an indicator and does not give any concrete answers. Only way you will know for sure is to apply and give it your best shot.

Q2 Which schools should I apply to?

Apply to schools that you are really really excited about. Maybe its the teaching method, faculty, culture or people. Make sure it meets your career objective and it provides an atmosphere you can do well in. Pay some attention to whether you can get into the school by looking at the incoming student profile (refer previous question) but don't let that dictate your answer. As I mentioned in previous question its not just about a few parameters. Refer to my previous post 2007 and 2008 for my thinking on school choices.

Q3 How do I find out more about the school? How do I know if I fit?

The best place to start is the school website. Look at the resources for prospective applicants. What does the school say about itself. What is the teaching method, curriculum, culture, profile etc. What is the school philosophy and how does the school position itself. Rankings help here but see whats behind the rankings. Go to other sites on the web explore what is being said about the school. Blogs are a good source of this information. Some books also provide an overview of the school. Next, look at the things that are important to you based on where you are now and where you want to be. Examine different dimensions, not just career. Your fit or lack of it will start to come out. This research will put you in good stead when it comes to writing the essays.

Q4 What should I write in my essays

Each school has its own set of questions and is trying to find different information. Write a interesting story but keep it crisp. Dig deep and find out what drives you. The essays are insightful when you write not just what you want to do but why you want to do it. Think of incidents that shaped you and make you the person you are. Before you get down to the essays you should have resolved in your mind why you are pursuing MBA, what set of skills you have and those you looking for, what environment best suits you, and where you are headed long term and why? One thing I found helps in this introspection is to ask yourself 'why?' repeatedly till you fight the root driver of your feelings or thoughts.

Here's Sara Neher, Darden's admission director's advice on applicant essays

Useful links

Where do I start

Thinking about career goals

More to follow....

I'll keep adding to this post. Leave a comment if you want generic questions answered

Upcoming Admitted students weekend - Darden Days 2008

I just signed up for couple of events for this year’s ‘Darden days’. I remember what a great time I had as an admitted student last year. Read all about it here

The event provided me useful information about curriculum, case method, ‘learning teams’, career opportunities and in general the overall life at Darden. You would also get an opportunity to interact both with first and second year students and learn from their experiences. This was particularly useful as I not only got most of my questions answered but also got great tips on what to prepare upfront and things to focus on while I am at Darden. For those who have not yet accepted their offers, it will be a great opportunity to see what the Darden life and community is all about. What I found was all students, faculty and administration openly shared their opinion about the school, what’s good, what needs to be changed and elaborated on the core values by the Darden community. This year we had a primer event called the “Day at Darden” where almost 80 admitted students got to sit in a Student discussion with the Dean on Darden’s strategy and long term goals. I think this vouches for the point I was making about frankness with which Darden presents itself to the outside world. Overall, I think Darden Days is an excellent source of information for admitted students.

If you have already decided to matriculate at Darden this a great chance to get to meet some of your future classmates to start building your network and relationships. You will find that Darden is very close knit, team based community and your experiences to a great extent are defined by the relationships you build while you are here.

Finally and most importantly, Darden Days is about meeting people, socializing and having fun. There are lots of activities planned including Dinner and Lunches with first and second years and you will get to meet some interesting people and have some interesting conversations. I am not sure what the grand finale is yet but if last year is anything to go by, it should be exciting stuff!