We just updated and moved our website/blog. You can find us at:
www.elite-essays.com
Thanks,
Bryan
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
New Website Coming
We're really excited to be re-launching. Should be some time next week. Please check back for all the latest information, including about the new Elite Essays scholarship, re-applicant assessment package, and essay analyses for January 2010 enrollment programs. In the meantime, I hope you like the new logo above.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
2009-10: The New Ethics in B-schools
The NY Times published a must-read article for MBA applicants and potential applicants, the implications of which point to some changes in this year’s new application questions. I’ll make some predictions here and we can see how well I do this summer when MBA programs start to release their 2009-10 questions.
Here is the link.
Also here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/business/15school.html
The lead in to the article is that some of the people most heavily criticized recently for their roles/performance/behavior during this global economic crisis of ours came from top MBA programs. In fact, the article names names in the very first paragraph. Interestingly, it doesn’t say where they studied, but that’s easy enough to Google.
John Thain – final chairman and CEO of Merill Lynch – HBS
Richard Fuld – final chairman and CEO of Lehman Bros. – NYU Stern
Stanley O'Neal - former President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Merill Lynch – HBS
Vikram Pandit – CEO of Citigroup – Columbia
The article also mentions John Paulson (President of Paulson and Co. – HBS), but he has actually profited enormously from the downturn.
A few years ago, after the accounting scandals at Enron, Worldcom and their cancerous ilk, the role of ethics in business schools came into sharp focus, with the number of schools asking ethics-related questions jumping sharply. Now, those questions are almost nowhere to be found among the applications of top schools, or at least they are not being asked directly. My feeling is that, for obvious reasons, schools realized there was limited value in asking, essentially, whether applicants had ever lied or cheated to get ahead in business.
The difference between those scandals, which were largely contained within the US, and the current global economic meltdown, is that this time the perpetrators weren’t just some greedy corporate officers and spineless accountants. Apparently, everyone was complicit – consumers, regulators, and of course business people.
My prediction is that we will see a return of ethics-related questions, but they won’t be as simple or direct as they once were. A typical ethics question used to go something like this:
Have you ever faced an ethical dilemma? If so, how did you handle it?
I believe the “new ethics” questions will be more subtle and more broad. They will inquire not only about taking a stand against the crowd, but also about how applicants have worked to benefit society. Among top schools this year, I think Chicago was the earliest in touching on these topics in what I predict will be a strong trend.
a) Have you ever made a decision that caused you to go against popular opinion? Please describe that situation and your rationale for your decision. b) Did you feel at any point that people misperceived your motives? Explain. c) In retrospect, how do you think an MBA from Chicago Booth would have affected your decision?
And with MIT’s announcement late last year of a new ethics training program for all incoming students, I would definitely expect an ethics question from them in some form or another. Other schools will almost certainly follow. Not only will such questions help schools address the perceived (fairly or not) lack of ethics among business people, but if asked correctly, such questions will also serve to distinguish truly exceptional candidates from within what will probably be an even more competitive applicant pool.
bryan@elite-essays.com
Here is the link.
Also here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/business/15school.html
The lead in to the article is that some of the people most heavily criticized recently for their roles/performance/behavior during this global economic crisis of ours came from top MBA programs. In fact, the article names names in the very first paragraph. Interestingly, it doesn’t say where they studied, but that’s easy enough to Google.
John Thain – final chairman and CEO of Merill Lynch – HBS
Richard Fuld – final chairman and CEO of Lehman Bros. – NYU Stern
Stanley O'Neal - former President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Merill Lynch – HBS
Vikram Pandit – CEO of Citigroup – Columbia
The article also mentions John Paulson (President of Paulson and Co. – HBS), but he has actually profited enormously from the downturn.
A few years ago, after the accounting scandals at Enron, Worldcom and their cancerous ilk, the role of ethics in business schools came into sharp focus, with the number of schools asking ethics-related questions jumping sharply. Now, those questions are almost nowhere to be found among the applications of top schools, or at least they are not being asked directly. My feeling is that, for obvious reasons, schools realized there was limited value in asking, essentially, whether applicants had ever lied or cheated to get ahead in business.
The difference between those scandals, which were largely contained within the US, and the current global economic meltdown, is that this time the perpetrators weren’t just some greedy corporate officers and spineless accountants. Apparently, everyone was complicit – consumers, regulators, and of course business people.
My prediction is that we will see a return of ethics-related questions, but they won’t be as simple or direct as they once were. A typical ethics question used to go something like this:
Have you ever faced an ethical dilemma? If so, how did you handle it?
I believe the “new ethics” questions will be more subtle and more broad. They will inquire not only about taking a stand against the crowd, but also about how applicants have worked to benefit society. Among top schools this year, I think Chicago was the earliest in touching on these topics in what I predict will be a strong trend.
a) Have you ever made a decision that caused you to go against popular opinion? Please describe that situation and your rationale for your decision. b) Did you feel at any point that people misperceived your motives? Explain. c) In retrospect, how do you think an MBA from Chicago Booth would have affected your decision?
And with MIT’s announcement late last year of a new ethics training program for all incoming students, I would definitely expect an ethics question from them in some form or another. Other schools will almost certainly follow. Not only will such questions help schools address the perceived (fairly or not) lack of ethics among business people, but if asked correctly, such questions will also serve to distinguish truly exceptional candidates from within what will probably be an even more competitive applicant pool.
bryan@elite-essays.com
Monday, March 9, 2009
Looking Back and Forward
While everyone is playing the waiting game, I thought I would offer a few thoughts about this past season and what it might mean for future applicants.
With the wrecked economy and so many people applying to business school as a result, everyone knew the application process this year would be tough. And it’s been true. Even my clients that would normally walk through the process have struggled. All things considered, perhaps the most important factor this year has been timing; my clients who applied in the first round seemed to enjoy a distinct advantage, with a 100% interview invitation rate for those applying to two-year U.S. programs, even for those with a GMAT score below 700.
The number of applicants and re-applicants (who will have the advantage of knowing themselves and the process much more deeply, and who will probably be targeting the first round) will likely remain high or even rise this year, with layoffs expected to increase throughout the U.S. economy and worldwide. For 2009-10 applicants, then, this means applying early has never been more important and that you should start your GMAT and/or TOEFL test preparation now, if you haven’t already begun.
You should also be thinking about your applications themselves. Recognizing this more difficult landscape, I’ve begun offering a Foundation Package that will begin in May of this year and last for two months. By the end of June, you should have both a highly developed resume and goals essay that will jumpstart your applications and leave you strategically placed for the rest of the application process. You’ll be able to present your resume during school visits, or hand it directly to admissions committee representatives and alumni at MBA fairs and information sessions. You’ll also be able to speak with confidence about your career aspirations, which are the foundation of your entire application and now more difficult to establish given the economic crisis.
To learn more about the Foundation Package, please click here. For more general information about my services or to arrange a free consultation, please contact me.
bryan@elite-essays.com
With the wrecked economy and so many people applying to business school as a result, everyone knew the application process this year would be tough. And it’s been true. Even my clients that would normally walk through the process have struggled. All things considered, perhaps the most important factor this year has been timing; my clients who applied in the first round seemed to enjoy a distinct advantage, with a 100% interview invitation rate for those applying to two-year U.S. programs, even for those with a GMAT score below 700.
The number of applicants and re-applicants (who will have the advantage of knowing themselves and the process much more deeply, and who will probably be targeting the first round) will likely remain high or even rise this year, with layoffs expected to increase throughout the U.S. economy and worldwide. For 2009-10 applicants, then, this means applying early has never been more important and that you should start your GMAT and/or TOEFL test preparation now, if you haven’t already begun.
You should also be thinking about your applications themselves. Recognizing this more difficult landscape, I’ve begun offering a Foundation Package that will begin in May of this year and last for two months. By the end of June, you should have both a highly developed resume and goals essay that will jumpstart your applications and leave you strategically placed for the rest of the application process. You’ll be able to present your resume during school visits, or hand it directly to admissions committee representatives and alumni at MBA fairs and information sessions. You’ll also be able to speak with confidence about your career aspirations, which are the foundation of your entire application and now more difficult to establish given the economic crisis.
To learn more about the Foundation Package, please click here. For more general information about my services or to arrange a free consultation, please contact me.
bryan@elite-essays.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Stuck in the Middle: Waitlists
When I wrote previously about push materials for waitlisted applicants, I mentioned that some schools encourage them but others don’t, and that you can’t adopt the same waitlist strategy for every school. To demonstrate my point I’m including parts of waitlist notifications received by some of my clients.
NYU encourages additional materials:
“Below are some of the ways you can strengthen your application...
Academic Potential
Retake your GMAT. We consider only your highest overall score, so there is no downside to retaking the test if you believe there is room for improvement. The GMAT is a good indicator of future academic performance. An improved score may alleviate concerns in this area. If you intend to retake the GMAT, please email your test date to XXX. Once you take your exam, please fax your unofficial score report to us at YYY. Even if the score does not improve, please send us the new result. It will signal that you put forth additional effort to improve your application (international students also can consider retaking the TOEFL if appropriate).
Inform us of new, relevant coursework or continuing education classes you are taking. Please provide a transcript when your coursework reaches conclusion.
Provide an explanation of your undergraduate performance (if not already provided).
Inform us of any new, relevant credentials you have pursued (e.g. CFA, CPA).
bryan@elite-essays.com
NYU encourages additional materials:
“Below are some of the ways you can strengthen your application...
Academic Potential
Retake your GMAT. We consider only your highest overall score, so there is no downside to retaking the test if you believe there is room for improvement. The GMAT is a good indicator of future academic performance. An improved score may alleviate concerns in this area. If you intend to retake the GMAT, please email your test date to XXX. Once you take your exam, please fax your unofficial score report to us at YYY. Even if the score does not improve, please send us the new result. It will signal that you put forth additional effort to improve your application (international students also can consider retaking the TOEFL if appropriate).
Inform us of new, relevant coursework or continuing education classes you are taking. Please provide a transcript when your coursework reaches conclusion.
Provide an explanation of your undergraduate performance (if not already provided).
Inform us of any new, relevant credentials you have pursued (e.g. CFA, CPA).
…
New information should only be submitted when it provides a different or updated perspective to the Committee.”
So does Haas:
“There are many things that you can do to enhance your candidacy:
1) We strongly encourage you to schedule an interview if you have not
already had one as a part of the admissions process. In addition to
interviewing on campus, you may also schedule an interview in other cities
around the US and the world. To request an interview, please use the
Interview Scheduler link available on the Status Report page of your online
application. (NOTE: You will not be able to schedule an interview until you
first accept a place on our waitlist by following the directions below.)
2) If your GMAT or TOEFL scores fall below our averages, you may retake the
test and forward an unofficial score (followed by your official score) to
the admissions office.
…
4) You may provide an additional letter of recommendation (or two) to your
file, if the letter will add information that was not provided in the
original letters submitted. New letters may be submitted in hard copy or
electronically. To request a new online recommendation, you must enter the
Recommendations section of your online application and provide the requested
information regarding your new recommender. (NOTE: You will not be able to
request a new online recommendation until you first accept a place on our
waitlist by following the directions below.)
5) You may submit a new statement (via mail, fax, or email) updating the
Admissions Committee on any relevant changes in your professional or
personal life since your application was submitted.
…”
Columbia, however, does not:
“Please do not send in additional materials. The waitlist manager will contact you if there is any further information that we need.”
A few things I want to point out:
You should know your own weaknesses and take steps to address them pro-actively. One of my clients last year had a low GMAT (under 600), particularly in math. I encouraged him to take a pre-calculus class through a university online extension program to demonstrate his recognition of and commitment to improving his weak area. He was outstanding in all other areas and garnered interview invitations from many top programs, during several of which the interviewer mentioned the math class as being a very positive sign. He ended up getting accepted at Chicago, Kellogg and Wharton.
Don’t just blindly send in materials. As I’ve indicated above, NYU and Haas only want information that is new and significant. It is a safe bet that other schools feel the same, if they want additional materials at all. Being waitlisted is incredibly frustrating and nerve-wracking, but fight the temptation to send in weekly “love letters.” This is business school, not high school.
So does Haas:
“There are many things that you can do to enhance your candidacy:
1) We strongly encourage you to schedule an interview if you have not
already had one as a part of the admissions process. In addition to
interviewing on campus, you may also schedule an interview in other cities
around the US and the world. To request an interview, please use the
Interview Scheduler link available on the Status Report page of your online
application. (NOTE: You will not be able to schedule an interview until you
first accept a place on our waitlist by following the directions below.)
2) If your GMAT or TOEFL scores fall below our averages, you may retake the
test and forward an unofficial score (followed by your official score) to
the admissions office.
…
4) You may provide an additional letter of recommendation (or two) to your
file, if the letter will add information that was not provided in the
original letters submitted. New letters may be submitted in hard copy or
electronically. To request a new online recommendation, you must enter the
Recommendations section of your online application and provide the requested
information regarding your new recommender. (NOTE: You will not be able to
request a new online recommendation until you first accept a place on our
waitlist by following the directions below.)
5) You may submit a new statement (via mail, fax, or email) updating the
Admissions Committee on any relevant changes in your professional or
personal life since your application was submitted.
…”
Columbia, however, does not:
“Please do not send in additional materials. The waitlist manager will contact you if there is any further information that we need.”
A few things I want to point out:
You should know your own weaknesses and take steps to address them pro-actively. One of my clients last year had a low GMAT (under 600), particularly in math. I encouraged him to take a pre-calculus class through a university online extension program to demonstrate his recognition of and commitment to improving his weak area. He was outstanding in all other areas and garnered interview invitations from many top programs, during several of which the interviewer mentioned the math class as being a very positive sign. He ended up getting accepted at Chicago, Kellogg and Wharton.
Don’t just blindly send in materials. As I’ve indicated above, NYU and Haas only want information that is new and significant. It is a safe bet that other schools feel the same, if they want additional materials at all. Being waitlisted is incredibly frustrating and nerve-wracking, but fight the temptation to send in weekly “love letters.” This is business school, not high school.
bryan@elite-essays.com
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Killer Interviews #5 - Asking Good Questions/The Myth of "Killer" Questions
Most interviewers will give you time at the end of an interview to ask questions. You should. After all, you are the consumer, an MBA is an expensive and life-changing experience, and you have many choices. Not asking questions might make a negative impression. As a guideline, I think 3-5 questions is sufficient.
I also like to think of questions as falling into 3 categories:
1) Questions about program content to see how well the MBA fits your needs
Example: “Regarding your international study trips, could you explain specifically how they help prepare students for doing business abroad?”
These kinds of questions are basic and necessary.
2) Questions designed to reveal your potential contributions
Example: “I understand you have a soccer club. I love soccer. Is it possible for me to arrange a tournament with another MBA program?”
I personally don’t like these kinds of questions. The answer will obviously be “yes” (MBA programs love this initiative), and the question itself is a transparent effort to reveal a potential contribution. If you feel you can make a contribution, just say so.
3) Questions designed to start a conversation
Example: “Why did you choose School X?” or “What was your best/worst experience at school X?” (if the interviewer is an alumnus)
Example: “Would you describe your program’s culture as more collaborative or more competitive?” or “Are you making any changes to the curriculum, especially in finance, in response to the current global recession? If so, what are they?” (if the interviewer is an adcom rep)
These are my favorite types of questions because they can break through the “question-answer-question-answer” mold that so many interviews take. They can also contribute to not just a good interview, but to a relationship between you and the interviewer that may be helpful later on; for example, if you are placed on a waiting list and need advice from an alum. One of my clients was able to get very helpful feedback from his interviewer after being denied admission because they established good rapport during the interview.
Additional interview tips:
1) Don’t ask questions you should know the answer to or that you can research by yourself. These are also known as “stupid questions.”
Example: “Do you offer consulting projects?”
2) Don’t over-explain your questions. Just ask them. The best questions are short and to-the-point.
3) Ask open-ended questions to get the most thoughtful responses. (An open-ended question cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no.”)
Example (closed-ended): “Are students allowed to assist in the admissions process?”
Example (open-ended): “In what ways can students assist in the admissions process?”
*************************
A few thoughts about “Killer” questions:
In a recent interview training, a client told me she had been advised to ask “killer" questions during her upcoming interview. She didn’t know what constituted a killer question and, to be honest, neither did I, though I've heard this mantra many times before. If I had to guess, I would say that a killer question is one designed to show how clever or provocative an applicant is, or even to put the interviewer on the defensive. The hope is to stand out in a crowded information session or interview.
With that definition, then, a “killer" question to an adcom rep might look like the following:
“Your ranking fell last year. What did you do wrong?”
or
“With your renowned financial curriculum and many alumni in the financial industry, do you feel responsible for the current global financial meltdown?”
These are certainly tough questions, and there are good points somewhere behind them. I would imagine that anyone asking them would stand out, but not necessarily in a positive way since the questions are calculated to provoke, not elicit helpful information. Ultimately, asking such a question might backfire.
Does this mean you have to lob baby questions in order to ingratiate yourself? Definitely not. An MBA is a life-changing experience that requires a huge investment of time and money, so you should be asking hard questions. My advice, however, is to begin by asking sincere questions about things you are truly interested in. Those are the real killer questions.
If you are interested in learning more or working with me on interview training, please see this page or e-mail me directly.
I also like to think of questions as falling into 3 categories:
1) Questions about program content to see how well the MBA fits your needs
Example: “Regarding your international study trips, could you explain specifically how they help prepare students for doing business abroad?”
These kinds of questions are basic and necessary.
2) Questions designed to reveal your potential contributions
Example: “I understand you have a soccer club. I love soccer. Is it possible for me to arrange a tournament with another MBA program?”
I personally don’t like these kinds of questions. The answer will obviously be “yes” (MBA programs love this initiative), and the question itself is a transparent effort to reveal a potential contribution. If you feel you can make a contribution, just say so.
3) Questions designed to start a conversation
Example: “Why did you choose School X?” or “What was your best/worst experience at school X?” (if the interviewer is an alumnus)
Example: “Would you describe your program’s culture as more collaborative or more competitive?” or “Are you making any changes to the curriculum, especially in finance, in response to the current global recession? If so, what are they?” (if the interviewer is an adcom rep)
These are my favorite types of questions because they can break through the “question-answer-question-answer” mold that so many interviews take. They can also contribute to not just a good interview, but to a relationship between you and the interviewer that may be helpful later on; for example, if you are placed on a waiting list and need advice from an alum. One of my clients was able to get very helpful feedback from his interviewer after being denied admission because they established good rapport during the interview.
Additional interview tips:
1) Don’t ask questions you should know the answer to or that you can research by yourself. These are also known as “stupid questions.”
Example: “Do you offer consulting projects?”
2) Don’t over-explain your questions. Just ask them. The best questions are short and to-the-point.
3) Ask open-ended questions to get the most thoughtful responses. (An open-ended question cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no.”)
Example (closed-ended): “Are students allowed to assist in the admissions process?”
Example (open-ended): “In what ways can students assist in the admissions process?”
*************************
A few thoughts about “Killer” questions:
In a recent interview training, a client told me she had been advised to ask “killer" questions during her upcoming interview. She didn’t know what constituted a killer question and, to be honest, neither did I, though I've heard this mantra many times before. If I had to guess, I would say that a killer question is one designed to show how clever or provocative an applicant is, or even to put the interviewer on the defensive. The hope is to stand out in a crowded information session or interview.
With that definition, then, a “killer" question to an adcom rep might look like the following:
“Your ranking fell last year. What did you do wrong?”
or
“With your renowned financial curriculum and many alumni in the financial industry, do you feel responsible for the current global financial meltdown?”
These are certainly tough questions, and there are good points somewhere behind them. I would imagine that anyone asking them would stand out, but not necessarily in a positive way since the questions are calculated to provoke, not elicit helpful information. Ultimately, asking such a question might backfire.
Does this mean you have to lob baby questions in order to ingratiate yourself? Definitely not. An MBA is a life-changing experience that requires a huge investment of time and money, so you should be asking hard questions. My advice, however, is to begin by asking sincere questions about things you are truly interested in. Those are the real killer questions.
If you are interested in learning more or working with me on interview training, please see this page or e-mail me directly.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Killer Interviews #4: Mastering Your Resume
If you’re preparing for an MBA interview, you might be anxious about burning up all your “main” answers and having nothing left by the end of the interview, or about being asked questions you haven’t written an essay for. A good way to reduce your anxiety on both fronts is by mastering the perfect MBA interview training tool – your resume.
It’s perfect because:
1) It provides an expanded list of topics that go beyond your essay content, i.e., it gives you more weapons for your interview.
2) Each topic is already expressed concisely.
3) Interviewers frequently receive your resume in advance and develop questions based on things that catch their eye. You might even have a “walk-me-through-your-resume” type interview, which requires strong familiarity with every bullet point.
4) It gives you a manageable amount of information to master, as opposed to trying to memorize answers to massive lists of questions found online, an approach that, for most applicants I’ve worked with, increases anxiety and decreases performance.
Regarding the last point, of course question lists can be helpful, but I recommend using them to test your ability to adapt and express the information you should already know well from your essays and resume.
Now we can start combining some of the techniques I’ve mentioned in prior posts.
1) Assuming you read my previous post about “One-Sentence Stories,” practice explaining each bullet point on your resume in the form of a one-sentence story. Rewrite them if you have to. It’s great practice at being both concise and comprehensive.
2) Even in a “walk-me-through-your-resume” interview, don’t forget your overall strategy. As you move from point to point, look for places to make connections and introduce important information. If you have an accomplishment on your resume that relates to your goals, for example, you have a perfect opportunity to explain your career vision.
Lastly, mastering your resume is a great way to build confidence, which is often the key difference between a good interview and a great interview.
If you are interested in learning more or working with me on interview training, including these techniques, please see this page or e-mail me directly.
bryan@elite-essays.com
It’s perfect because:
1) It provides an expanded list of topics that go beyond your essay content, i.e., it gives you more weapons for your interview.
2) Each topic is already expressed concisely.
3) Interviewers frequently receive your resume in advance and develop questions based on things that catch their eye. You might even have a “walk-me-through-your-resume” type interview, which requires strong familiarity with every bullet point.
4) It gives you a manageable amount of information to master, as opposed to trying to memorize answers to massive lists of questions found online, an approach that, for most applicants I’ve worked with, increases anxiety and decreases performance.
Regarding the last point, of course question lists can be helpful, but I recommend using them to test your ability to adapt and express the information you should already know well from your essays and resume.
Now we can start combining some of the techniques I’ve mentioned in prior posts.
1) Assuming you read my previous post about “One-Sentence Stories,” practice explaining each bullet point on your resume in the form of a one-sentence story. Rewrite them if you have to. It’s great practice at being both concise and comprehensive.
2) Even in a “walk-me-through-your-resume” interview, don’t forget your overall strategy. As you move from point to point, look for places to make connections and introduce important information. If you have an accomplishment on your resume that relates to your goals, for example, you have a perfect opportunity to explain your career vision.
Lastly, mastering your resume is a great way to build confidence, which is often the key difference between a good interview and a great interview.
If you are interested in learning more or working with me on interview training, including these techniques, please see this page or e-mail me directly.
bryan@elite-essays.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
