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Okay gang, let’s talk about one-year MBA programs. There’s always a lot of buzz about ‘em, whether you’re talking the J-term at Columbia, European programs, etc. They are all great programs, and having the opportunity to finish b-school in one year offers up some AMAZING opportunities for some students. After all, why spend two years getting an MBA if you can do it in one, right? Seems like a no-brainer: spend less time, less forgone salary, less money spent in …
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QUESTION: I just got invited to interview at Tuck and I’m wondering if you could tell me what, if anything, makes an MBA interview different than a job interview. I’m confident in my abilities to talk in an interview, but I’m just not sure about this interview. Are there any secrets? ANSWER: Congrats on the interview, man. Exciting news. And yeah, if you’ve held a job before, I’m sure you know a thing or two about interviews. You got the …
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There’s been a lot of talk recently about the value of an MBA. With the global economy in the crapper, people getting laid off from their jobs every day, and things not looking like they’re going to get any better any time soon, many people out there wonder if it makes sense to fork over $200,000 (and potentially give up 2 years of income) for an MBA.  And yeah, there are very legitimate reasons not to pursue b-school. Trust me, we …
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Not sure if you’re aware, but there are b-schools outside of the US, friends. And good ones, at that! Programs that are absolutely worth lookin’ into. In fact, for many of you, European MBA programs might even be better than the typical 2-year MBA programs we have here in the states (especially this late in the application game). Why? I’ll give you 5 great reasons: 1) Admissions Can Be Less Competitive (in Some Ways) Look at the stats, my friends. …
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At this point in the MBA application season, things have started to settle down a bit. The madness that was Round 1 and Round 2 deadlines has passed, and now everyone (from our team here at PE HQ to all of you) has a moment to sit back and breathe. And it feels goooood, right? So what now? For many of you, life becomes a game of waiting/constantly checking your email for any sort of update from your target schools. …
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Round 2 deadlines are coming to a close and that means two things: You can finally get a full 8 hours of sleep again. You can finally think about more than Stanford’s ‘What matters most and why.” Exciting, right? Now you have time to think about the value of that MBA you covet, how to make the most of your time at b-school, the secrets of some of the world’s most successful businessmen and women, how to handle Round 3, …
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Unless you’re living in a cave (or, more likely, the MBA application-writing black hole), you heard about Wharton’s big move away from using alum to conduct admissions interviews. And it was some big news. The kind of news that shook the MBA world to its core. The entire internet blew up: Why would they do that? What does the interview process look like now? What does this mean for applicants? Frankly, we at PE HQ aren’t that surprised. With the …
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Round two is nearly over and for many of you that means it’s time to kick back… and wait (impatiently) for interview invitations and acceptance letters. For others, however, the work has just begun. Yyyyep, there’s still one more legit round of admissions left for those US Business Schools. And it’s a doozy. Round three is notoriously difficult. After accepting students for months and months, there aren’t many spots left. And that means you have to work that much harder …
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Happy Holidays, folks! Yeah, hard to believe the holiday season is already here. And it’s hard to enjoy it slaving at the computer until the wee hours of the night while your friends and family sleep in, eat lots of cookies, and then sleep some more. But while it doesn’t seem like it right now, it will aaaaall be worth it in the end. Promise. So give yourself a break, kick back with some holiday treats and brush up on the …
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Between Round 1 invites and Round 2 deadlines, things are getting’ crazy. When you’re not willing the phone to ring to get good news on your Round 1 apps, you’re huddled over your computer trying to figure out what on earth to write about for Round 2. And with only 3 weeks left to go, that’s… a lot. [Anyone else out there living solely on candy bars and coffee?] There are so many things to think about: How do you …
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I spent 2 years and more money than I’d like to think about at HBS. And in that time, I learned a LOT about business. But I also learned a lot more, both inside and outside of the classroom. And it is that stuff, the non-business stuff, which has really done the most for me in my post-MBA life. In a time when the economy is in a downswing, companies aren’t hiring, and millions of people around the world are …
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The role of the subconscious in b-school admissions, studying abroad, dual-degrees, and changing the world — it’s all big news in the MBA world this week and we’ve got it all covered right here. “Blink” in MBA Essays, Resumes, Interviews, and Emails to Adcoms Even though you might think admissions officers are only judging you based on your application and your overly rehearsed interview answers, they’re also judging you on things you can’t control. Follow these tips to make sure you impress both their professional …
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Every year, in order to keep the quality of our work so high, Precision Essay closes its doors to new clients prior to the “end” of the season.  And that time has come. Starting December 16, Precision Essay will no longer accept new clients. We will NEVER be a factory-style shop, crunching out thousands of reduced-quality apps when deadlines hit.  We don’t have any interest in taking on more clients than we can handle…in our high-end, boutique style. So what does it …
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The new and improved GMAT is out, Americans are heading abroad for b-school, and one post-MBA proves b-school is worth the money and time. Yes, this week we learn that it’s a good time to get an MBA… Asia’s Best Business Schools Beckon You If this isn’t a sign of the times, folks, we don’t know what is. While international students dream of studying and working in America… it seems American students are following the global economy and applying to …
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QUESTION: What are you supposed to say when an interviewer asks you what other schools you’re applying to/interviewing at? Should you be honest? What if those schools aren’t ranked as high? Can you somehow dodge this question? ANSWER: This is one of the toughest questions to answer, for sure.  But there is a GREAT strategy to it.  Check it out: On the one hand, you won’t wanna tell the interviewer that you’re looking at a bunch of places that are …
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For generations, Harvard has been the first school everyone thinks when they hear the word “university.” Ranked #1 by practically every guide/magazine/website out there, it’s safe to say Harvard is one of the best schools in the world. And, of course, it’s the same for HBS. Harvard Business School is easily the most highly sought after MBA program in the world, regardless of the fierce competition and high application standards. And of course it is – it’s a world-renowned MBA …
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Worried about your GMAT score? Still not sure what schools to target this year? Wondering what those adcoms really look for? Concerned about graduating into this less-than-stellar economy? You’ve come to the right place, folks. We’ve got all that information and more in this week’s MBA news round up: GMAT Scores Slip at Many Top Schools MIT and Kellogg are reporting 10-point drops in medians. And other schools are saying the same. So where does your GMAT score stack up? …
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While an MBA is invaluable, it’s also expensive. Very expensive. And it’s expensive before you even get in. From the GMAT prep courses to the campus visits to the application fees, going for an MBA is often synonymous with going for broke. And yeah, you’ll make more money with an MBA and eventually be able to pay off your debt… but that doesn’t necessarily make b-school tuition (plus cost of living!) any less daunting. But what many MBA applicants don’t …
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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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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 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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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While the application requirements for every MBA program are different, the MBA interviews are not. No matter where you go or who you speak to, there’s not much variation in the questions they’ll ask and the responses they’re hoping for. And after spending countless hours writing and editing and re-writing all those essays, that’s a very, very good thing. Less work for you, right? So how does one ace an MBA interview, wow the interviewer and guarantee admission into their …
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With a name like BR Incubator (BRI) you’re not sure if it’s little baby hamsters that are being incubated or turtle eggs. But alas, what’s being cultivated at Johnson’s BR Incubator is cute furry business-ideas, usually small businesses with a plan – businesses that need better positioning and better pricing, to understand the best way to expand or to make an impact. We love this idea of incubation, of helping along those business ideas in perhaps the most delicate moments …
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We get this question a lot: “Am I too old?” And it’s a good one. Technically speaking, there is no such thing as too old, and there are of course exceptions to every case, but it is definitely something you should consider when applying to Business Schools. Make it a part of your strategy. Harvard is trending younger (mean age – 26), the ripe old age of thirty-three doesn’t mean you wont get in, but it DOES mean that you …
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Going stir crazy? Your fingers and toes keep tapping away, and you check your schools website ten times a day to see if they have released the questions yet? Or have any updates on your status? Want to get a start on your MBA application but don’t know what to do with yourself? As I’m sure you know by now both Harvard, Columbia, Duke, Wharton and scores of others have released their questions for the 2011 September intake. But if …
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Yep, that’s today’s advice. Straight from the mouth of many a New York Rabbi. For those of you who haven’t spent large significant parts of your lives in New York, and don’t yet know what a schmuck is, basically it’s a fancier, more fun way of saying “Don’t be a fool,” (seriously, it’s actually fun to say). Simple, clean, crisp advice. Put differently, Precision Essay-style, here are 5 ways to avoid being a Schmuck: 1) DON’T tell the school something …
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