MBA News You Can Use: What’s Your MBA Worth?

You’re about to drop $200,000 on your MBA… in this economy. Is it worth it? How will you pay it off? Is there a light at the end of the b-school tunnel? A job offer? A business opportunity? Geez, can you even compete with all the other qualified applicants to get accepted? Those seem to be the thoughts on everyone’s minds this week. And we’ve got all the facts and more in this week’s MBA round-up. Gauging the Value of …
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The PE Guide to MBA Fairs

Ah. The MBA Fair. The biggest thing to happen to MBA admissions since…erm… the application. Haven’t been to one yet? You should really consider it. They’re not that hard to find, after all. Top MBA and The MBA Tour hold them all around the world, but if you’re too busy to put on business casual attire and attend, The Economist has even put their MBA Tour online! The concept is always the same: admissions officers from business schools all over …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Rebounding from a Round 1 Rejection

QUESTION: I applied to 3 schools in Round 1 and I didn’t get into any of them. Now I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know why I got rejected. Should I apply for more schools in Round 2, or is that just a waste of my time and money? Should I wait until next year? Is there a way to find out what went wrong? ANSWER: Okay, folks – if you didn’t get in for Round 1, …
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From Our Consultants: Preparing for the MBA Interview

Round one deadlines have come and gone and that means one thing: it’s interview time. Harvard, Wharton, Tuck…every day another MBA program issues interview invitations. Get one? Congratulations! Go ahead and do a little dance. Jump around the room. Pat yourself on the back. That’s a BIG accomplishment. …and then, start preparing. Yes, the MBA interview brings you one step closer to that coveted seat in your target program, but it’s not a guarantee. It’s part of the selection process, …
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MBA News You Can Use: Playing The Admissions Waiting Game

The world of graduate schools, employment, and opportunity is constantly changing, which is why it’s even more important for applicants and students alike to be on top of all the latest news. We know you’re busy, so we’ve compiled a list of all the biggest and most relevant stories in the MBA world this week to keep you informed and a few steps ahead of the competition. B-School Admissions Waiting Game If all the success stories and acceptance letters on …
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The MBA Dual Degree – So Hot Right Now

Earning an MBA is a nearly foolproof way to ensure future success, but with the global economy taking a major beating, the job market is more competitive than ever. Even with an MBA. So…what? You just forget about it and keep doin’ what you’re doin? Never. Instead, think outside the MBA box a bit and consider something more…specialized. Yes, my friends, I’m talking about a dual degree. These programs are popping up all over the world, and for good reason. …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Getting Over Writer’s Block

QUESTION: I finally decided on the list of schools I’ll be applying to in Round 2 this year and now it’s time to start my essays. I just… don’t really know where to start. Or how. Got any tips for getting over writer’s block and getting words on paper? ANSWER: Hey there, happy to answer this question.  We get it often–it’s “an oldie but goodie” around these parts.  Let’s get into it. If you are stuck in front of a …
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3 Things to Consider When Choosing a B-School

So, you got accepted into more than one b-school and now you don’t know what to do. It’s a good problem to have – probably the best one you can have – but a problem nonetheless. Which do you choose? And how do you make that decision? Well, you can flip a coin… or consult a psychic….or take these 3 criteria into account and make a smart, informed decision: Brand Name/Reputation. In the world of business, NOTHING is more important …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Should I Retake the GMAT?

QUESTION: I have a good GMAT score…but not a great one.  I have applied for Round 1, but I will probably apply for R2 also.  Should I retake the GMAT?  Or should I just focus on my essays at this stage? ANSWER: This is a great question, and one that we are asked frequently, especially at the end of the Round 1 cycle. And we all have hopes and dream of raising our scores; I know I’ve never met anyone …
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MBA News You Can Use: B-School Doesn’t Teach You Everything

The world of graduate schools, employment, and opportunity is constantly changing, which is why it’s even more important for applicants and students alike to be on top of all the latest news. We know you’re busy, so we’ve compiled a list of all the biggest and most relevant stories in the MBA world this week to keep you informed and a few steps ahead of the competition. The 5 Things in Business College Can’t Teach You A fancy (and pricey!) …
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Four Types of BS That Won’t Work in an MBA Application

Putting the finishing touches on those Round 1 applications? Finally sitting down to get started on your apps for Round 2? Great! Now…stop. Before you send those things off or get too deep into your work, take a moment and make sure you’re not committing one of the 4 cardinal sins of b-school applications. 1)  Writing all your own LORs…in a hurry. Yes, we know, in some cases you will have no choice but to write one of your LORs …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Round 1 or Round 2?

QUESTION: My Round 1 deadline is in two days but there is NO way I’d be putting my best foot forward by submitting. I know I can do better, but I also wanna hit this deadline. What do I do? ANSWER: Now, we all know that Round 1 is better than Round 2, no matter what adcoms tell ya. And along those lines, Early Decision is better than Round 1, no matter what admissions people say. BUT. This is NEVER …
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MBA News You Can Use: Will Your MBA Even Matter?

The world of graduate schools, employment, and opportunity is constantly changing, which is why it’s even more important for applicants and students alike to be on top of all the latest news. We know you’re busy, so we’ve compiled a list of all the biggest and most relevant stories in the MBA world this week to keep you informed and a few steps ahead of the competition. College Grads Gain on MBAs In an effort to better balance the job …
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A Cleaner, Healthier Future: The World of Green MBAs

For the past ten years or so, the world has become a whole lot greener (even if we have a long way to go….). The global “green” movement has completely transformed and revamped the environment, technology, economy, and most importantly, the job market. The amount of paid, full-time positions in the green energy industry has skyrocketed in the past decade and spans a wide range of careers from electricians, to accountants, to business professionals. Looks like the green movement isn’t …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Career Changes and the MBA Application Essay

QUESTION: I believe most b-school applicants intend to land a different job (either in another industry or in another position, or both) after they get their MBA. But I’ve heard you say that adcoms don’t like career-switchers. So how do I deliver an essay that speaks my mind and is honest, and, at the same time, convinces the adcom? ANSWER: It’s easy, dude. Don’t talk about career changes in your essays for the adcom. I know that doesn’t seem to …
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From Our Consultants: The Most Important Thing MBA Applicants Should Know

From application essays to LORs to the infamous MBA interview, there’s a LOT that goes into getting into b-school. And that means there are a lot of application Do’s and Don’ts. DO write a compelling essay. DO NOT use industry jargon. DO choose the recommender that knows you best. DO NOT write your own LOR. DO prepare questions for your interviewer. DO NOT spend 15 minutes summarizing your resume for your interviewer…. Yeah, it can get pretty overwhelming. So what is …
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Fewer Applicants: A Blessing or a Curse?

If you’ve been stressing out over your quickly-approaching application deadlines, today is your lucky day. You can finally take a moment to put down your red editing pen, close your GMAT prep book, and take a nice, deep breath (or a nap) because this year, you’ve got a lot less competition to get in to the b-school of your choice. According to a survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 2/3 of the full-time MBA programs saw a major …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Can I Tell Personal Stories in My Application Essays?

QUESTION: I am working on the third essay for MIT application: Please describe a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information you needed. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page). For this kind of topic, it is OK to write something not work-related, but purely personal? Like a life decision, etc? Will this kind of topic fit in with the application, or is should all essays be focused on work and business? ANSWER:  …
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Is the GRE the New GMAT?

There are two things MBA applicants have always dreaded: the GMAT exam and the mountain of debt they’ll be paying off for the next 20 years. Although both aspects were once thought to be inevitable in the MBA process, we’ve found a little loophole that may make things a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with the debt issue (but with that post-MBA salary, that shouldn’t be too bad….right?) But it does involve the GMAT. More specifically, avoiding …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Choosing Stories for Your LORs

QUESTION: When I am discussing my LOR with my recommender, is it a smart move to have him or her include one of the stories from my essays? Or should I just let him or her do their own thing and discuss completely different stories so the adcom knows more about my background and accomplishments? ANSWER: The short answer here: Yes, you should be sure that your Letter of Recommendation does talk about much of the stuff that is in your application. …
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Get Connected: The B-School Blog Directory

With b-school applications comes deadlines (lots and lots of deadlines), application tips, standardized tests, and stress. While it may seem like you’re getting more information than you need (or can handle), the truth is that you can never be too informed when it comes to getting admitted into the MBA program of your dreams. Staying up to date on the program’s offerings, the administrative staff, and the latest updates to the application process is absolutely essential to your success… and …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Extracurriculars and the MBA Application

Got a question about those MBA applications? Stuck on an essay? Need a little clarity? Chances are, you’re not the only one. Thankfully, Precision Essay founder and Harvard MBA Jon Frank has an answer… for everything admissions-related. And he’s going to share all of his answers with you, right here, every Tuesday. Today, we’re talking extracurriculars… QUESTION: I have a question about extracurricular activities – how important do you think they’re in application? Is the volunteer work or community work the only …
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What Did You Actually DO? – Getting Specific in the MBA Application Essay

Not unlike The Transformers, there’s more than meets the eye in explaining your responsibilities for work experiences. What you tell your friends or colleagues is not the same info the AdCom needs to read about. You’re not passing info from one side of the table to the other, you are promoting yourself. It’s a pitch. And that pitch needs to be carefully crafted. And exact. And very, very specific. Let’s look at an example that’s not so hot: Responsible for …
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The Tuesday Q&A: How Important is a Campus Visit?

Got a question about those MBA applications? Stuck on an essay? Need a little clarity? Chances are, you’re not the only one. Thankfully, Precision Essay founder and Harvard MBA Jon Frank has an answer… for everything admissions-related. And he’s going to share all of his answers with you, right here, every Tuesday. And on this lovely September Tuesday, let’s discuss campus visits. Should you? Shouldn’t you? Why or why not?  QUESTION: I heard it could be helpful to impress the adcom …
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From Our Consultants: Overcoming Application Obstacles

We’ve got quite a team of MBA admissions experts here at PE, full to the brim with helpful advice for applicants. Rather than keep it to themselves (that wouldn’t be very fair, would it?), they are going to share their tips and tricks right here, every month. This month they’re talking about pitfalls, obstacles and hurdles in MBA applications…and what you need to do to overcome them. So, what are those obstacles? And how can you get past them? DAMON: …
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Uniqueness and the MBA Application Essay

Look, there are a lot of people out there competing for the exact same spots in MBA programs as you. And, not to be a Debbie Downer here, but contrary to what you might think, many come from very similar backgrounds as you. So how do you set yourself apart from the crowd? How do you show the man or woman reading your application that you’re not just like everyone else they’re going to see in that overwhelming stack of …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Who Should Write My LOR?

Got a question about those MBA applications? Stuck on an essay? Need a little clarity? Chances are, you’re not the only one. Thankfully, Precision Essay founder and Harvard MBA Jon Frank has an answer… for everything admissions-related. And he’s going to share all of his answers with you, right here, every Tuesday. What are we chatting about today? Why, the infamous LOR, of course! Who should you ask to write that sucker for you? Find out… QUESTION: Who is the best …
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Why Our School? — The Inevitable MBA Essay Question

Oh, MBA admissions committees. Always wanting applicants to show the love. To prove that their school is the best and there is nowhere anyone would rather be. Makes sense. No one wants to be second best, not even the world’s top MBA programs. And if you’re spending the time and money to apply, you should want to be there, right? Right. Yet this question trips up tons of folks. How do you…do it? Well, it’s easy. Sorta. The key to a …
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The Tuesday Q&A: Can a High GMAT Score Save an Application?

Got a question about those MBA applications? Stuck on an essay? Need a little clarity? Chances are, you’re not the only one. Thankfully, Precision Essay founder and Harvard MBA Jon Frank has an answer… for everything admissions-related. And he’s going to share all of his answers with you, right here, every Tuesday. Today, let’s talk about the GMAT. Can that score overcome other shortcomings in your application? See what Jon has to say below…. QUESTION: I dream to study abroad for …
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