BIG MBA

MBApursuit

• University of Exeter School of Business and EconomicsThe University of Exeter Business School is located on the University’s Streatham Campus, and provides higher education in business, economics, finance, accounting, management and leadership programmes for undergraduates, postgraduate masters students (including Master of Business Administration) and business professionals The Business School was created to form a three-fold mission: First, to advance research, scholarship and [...] Related posts:School of Business and Economics Swansea University European School of Economics London University of St. Andrews, School of Management
• ICFAI Business School, PuneAbout the College IBS offers high-quality programs in different areas of management to a cross-section of students, executives and professionals across India. IBS has a reputation for innovative program design and delivery, quality courseware, personalized instruction, strong industry interface, and research, consultancy and publications. Within a span of 13 years since it was established in [...] Related posts:ICFAI Business School, Bangalore ICFAI Business School Hyderabad MIT School of Management (MITSOM) Pune
• Paul Merage School of BusinessThe Paul Merage School of Business is an academic unit of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) that is charged with academic research in the field of business. The school confers Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees and recently began a Bachelor of Arts program in Business Administration. Established in [...] Related posts:Argyros School of Business and Economics B-Schools in California USA Anaheim University Akio Morita School of Business
• Marshall School of BusinessThe USC Marshall School of Business is a private research and academic institution committed to educating tomorrow’s global leaders. Ranked as one of the country’s top school’s for accounting, finance, entrepreneurship and international business studies, Marshall also shares the rich history and vibrant community of the USC academic system. The Marshall School began as the [...] Related posts:Marshall Goldsmith School of Management Crowell School of Business Paul Merage School of Business
• Leavey School of BusinessThe Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University was founded in 1923 and accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business thirty years later. Located in Silicon Valley – the global center of information technology – the school fuses its Jesuit  heritage with the vibrant energy and innovation present in the region. [...] Related posts:Mays Business School Hankamer School of Business Marshall School of Business
• Haas School of BusinessThe Walter A. Haas School of Business, also known as the Haas School of Business or simply Haas, is one of 14 schools and colleges at the University of California, Berkeley. The school runs a range of programs and is consistently ranked among the best in the country. Its programs include * Full-time MBA program [...] Related posts:Paul Merage School of Business Fisher Graduate School of International Business Cox School of Business

Pagalguy

• Ten Commandments of CAT 2010 With less than two months  to go for the CAT exams, two of the biggest authors in the CAT space,  Arun Sharma, author of How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT and Sidharth Balakrishna who has written Introduction to CAT: Tips from an IIM Alumnus, share their ten most valuable tips for CAT applicants.
• CATIIM.IN, safe to browseLooks like the catiim.in site is now safe for browsing.  Google has removed the malware advisory on the website. For all the people who don't use antivirus software, this might be a good time to think about getting something to protect their machines.
• Roswell that ends well
• CATIIM.IN hacked; Prometric says ‘Malware was discovered and removed overnight’ Early this morning, the CAT website 'CATIIM.IN' was hacked and infected with malware, making most web-browsers and anti-virus softwares block the site. Prometric claims that the infection has been cleared and that none of the candidates' personal data was compromised in the process.
• CAT – first day, first showMonday was a mixed bag of events for CAT aspirants. While many banks sported slow computers and long queues, others had to be content with just a handful of aspirants. Some banks in Chennai handed over extra forms to aspirants, asking for personal information,  some  handed over a rose to every person in the queue to lighten the atmosphere.
• Hands-on with CAT The most awaited CAT 2010 registration has finally begun. Not wanting to be a mere spectator to everybody's comments, I decided to try my hand at the process myself. More so this year, because I wanted to experience the preparedness of Prometric and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for this year's test.

Find MBA

• HHL Leipzig Announces European Career Track in MBA ProgramHandelshochschule Leipzig (HHL) in Germany has announced it is beginning a European Career Track (ECT) as part of its full-time MBA program. Through a partnership with Audencia Nantes School of Management and MIP Politecnico di Milano, HHL MBA students with the necessary language skills can take courses and do internships in Italy, Germany, or France, and will benefit from the career networks of the partner schools. Students from these schools will also have the opportunity to benefit from HHL's network and connection to local industries. For more information about the track, please visit the HHL website .
• Xavier Williams Offers New Health Industries MBA ConcentrationXavier University's Williams College of Business in Cincinnati, Ohio has announced a new Health Industries MBA concentration that will begin this fall. According to the university, the five-course concentration "will prepare students to work in industries involved with medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotech, diagnostic equipment and furniture, physician offices, insurance companies, nursing homes, long-term care centers, government agencies and more." For more information, please visit the Xavier Williams website .
• IE and Brown University's New EMBA Program Launches in Spring 2011Madrid's IE Business School and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island are preparing to launch a new Executive MBA (EMBA) program next spring. The 15-month program will combine online teaching with five face-to-face sessions in Madrid and Providence. Graduates will receive a degree from IE. The program is "designed for senior managers with more than 10 years of experience who want to develop their entrepreneurial mindset and gain a deeper and much richer understanding of the global business environment." A virtual information session about the program is scheduled for September 9. For more information, please visit the program website .
• Autumn MBA Info Events at European and UK Business SchoolsBelow is a short list of upcoming on-campus MBA information events in Europe and the United Kingdom in June, July, and August 2010. For more information, follow the links below the list: August 13 GISMA IMD August 14 TiasNimbas (Utrecht) August 17 Bradford August 19 Henley Aalto (formerly Helsinki School of Economics) August 20 Oxford Said August 24 TiasNimbas (Tilburg) Hanken August 26 ESCP Paris ENPC August 27 Skolkovo September 1 Durham September 3 IE September 4 Imperial College Nottingham September 6 WUT Warsaw September 8 Manchester Aston UWE Bristol September 9 Warwick Hanken September 13 London Business School MIP Politecnico Ashridge September 14 ENPC September 15 Cranfield Maastricht University September 16 St. Gallen ESCP Paris September 18 RSM Rotterdam September 21 WU Executive Academy September 24 INSEAD Cranfield September 25 Cambridge Judge October 7 Vlerick (Leuven) October 12 Grenoble October 14 ESADE October 15 HHL Leipzig October 23 Cranfield October 29 ESADE October 30 Cambridge Judge Mannheim
• Grenoble Business School to Launch New Global EMBA in JanuaryGrenoble Graduate School of Business (GGSB) in France will be launching a new, "multi-site" Global Executive MBA in January 2011. The program will take place in eight locations where the school has campuses and offices: Grenoble, Geneva, Moscow, London, New York, Singapore, New Delhi, and Beijing. The part-time program will run over two years in a series of intensive week-long sessions at each of the different locations. Students will be required to enter the program with a minimum work experience of ten years with at least five at the managerial level. Grenoble Business School is triple-accredited by the Association of MBAs, EQUIS, and AACSB. For more information about the program, please visit the program website .
• AMBA Hosts Autumn MBA Fair in London on October 16The UK-based Association of MBAs (AMBA) will be hosting its annual Autumn Accredited MBA Fair in Tower Hill, London on October 16, 2010. The afternoon info event is designed for prospective MBA students to get more information and meet representatives from participating business schools (listed below). Attendance is free, but registration is required. For more information or to register, please visit the event website .

Official GMAT Blog

• Next Generation GMAT: Take it now or take it later?It’s been about a month since we announced the changes coming to the GMAT exam, and we’re hard at work on the new Integrated Reasoning section that will launch in June 2012. Since the announcement, we’ve talked to a number of test takers who are trying to decide whether they should take the GMAT now or later. GMAT scores are good for five years, so it’s certainly reasonable to take the test now if you know you want to go to business school within that time. We know, too, that some considering business school are worried that a change to the test means lower scores. We looked back over the history of GMAT scores to see what previous changes have done to the mean GMAT score. In the graph below, you’ll see that GMAT scores have remained relatively stable over time, even during test changes (marked by the red diamonds). Over the past 20 years, GMAT scores have actually trended slightly upward. Remember, too, that Integrated Reasoning will be scored separately—your Total Score won’t change. Always remember, too, that your GMAT score is only one piece of your application package. An admissions committee will consider your work history, undergraduate GPA, essays, and interviews to determine whether you’re a good fit for their program. With or without Integrated Reasoning, your GMAT score is only one factor in their decision. Ultimately, the best time for you to take the GMAT depends on you. —Ashok Sarathy, Vice President, GMAT Program
• GMAT Test Accommodations: Myths and RealitiesFor some test takers with disabilities, tests administered under standard time conditions may not accurately reflect their abilities. GMAC provides reasonable accommodations to GMAT test takers who have documented disabilities within the meaning of the recently amended Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as other applicable laws. In doing so, we’ve found that some test takers have misconceptions about how these accommocations work. Here are five of the most common misconceptions about GMAT test accommodations…along with the facts to help set the record straight. Myth #1If I receive test accommodations, my GMAT® score will be flagged.Reality: Score reports never show whether a test was taken with or without accommodations. The schools you are applying to will not be able to identify you as a test taker with a disability. Myth #2As long as I have a diagnosed disability by a medical/psychological professional, I am eligible to receive accommodations on the GMAT.Reality: More than a diagnosis is necessary to qualify for accommodations on the GMAT®. You must adequately document—1. the existence of an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity2. the current impact of your impairment and how it affects your ability to take the computer adaptive GMAT exam under standard conditions, and 3. the rationale for why the requested accommodations are appropriate in light of your impairment(s). Myth # 3 Accommodated GMAT test takers have an unfair advantage over non-accommodated test takers.Reality: According to a recent study conducted by GMAC researchers, there is no meaningful or statistically significant differences in the distribution of GMAT scores (Total, Verbal, Quantitative, or AWA) for accommodated versus non-accommodated test takers. (This study took demographic and background characteristics into account.) Myth #4GMAT test scores achieved under accommodated conditions undermine the validity of the GMAT.Reality: Accommodations are provided on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Accommodations that would affect the measurement of the skills that the GMAT measures, or alter the predictive validity of the resulting test scores compared with scores achieved under standard conditions, are not provided. Myth #5GMAT test accommodations are designed to ensure that test takers with disabilities receive a better GMAT score.Reality: The purpose of an accommodation is not to facilitate your best possible score, maximize your learning potential, or accommodate a deliberate test-taking style. Rather, the purpose of an accommodation is to provide a level playing field to individuals with substantial limitations compared to their peers. For more information about GMAT test accommodations for candidates with disabilities, visit mba.com   —Kendra Johnson, Ed. D    Director, GMAT Test Accommodations
• GMAT: Next GenerationIf you’ve googled GMAT in the last couple of days, you’ve probably seen our recent press release announcing the Next Generation GMAT, which will launch in June 2012. What’s “Next” about it? We’re adding a section on Integrated Reasoning in place of one of the AWA essay prompts. We’ve done this before—this is actually the 10th time we’ve enhanced the GMAT to fit the needs of graduate business schools. In 1961, we rolled out Data Sufficiency; in 1976, we dropped Antonyms/Analogies. As business schools have adapted their curricula over time, so have we adapted the GMAT to make sure a GMAT score tells schools what they need to know about applicants. Our goal as the creators of the test is to retain its relevance, reliability, and validity for admission to graduate management programs, and we’ve worked very closely with faculty on this exciting new section. (Please visit the site to view this media) What will the Integrated Reasoning section measure? Later, I’ll talk more about the detailed skills faculty identified as important to measure on the GMAT, but here is a sneak preview of the type of question a candidate might be expected to answer on this new Integrated Reasoning section. (Please visit the site to view this media) So how will this affect you? As we prepare to launch this new version of the test, some test takers will see a research section containing these new question types at the end of their exams. Until June 2012, these questions will not count toward your Total, Verbal, or Quantitative scores, nor will schools see how you have performed on these questions. We’ll let you know well in advance if this section will appear at the end of your exam (we’ll tell you more about the pilot testing in another post), and all who will see them will be given sample questions to help them prepare. We’ll offer a monetary incentive, too, to encourage test takers to respond to these questions to the best of their ability. We’re very excited to add this new section to the GMAT—we’re confident in its value for graduate business programs, and we feel it provides b-school applicants with another meaningful way to differentiate themselves to an admissions committee. Keep watching this space for more information as we prepare to launch the Next Generation GMAT, and follow us on Twitter (@OfficialGMAT) to get updates as we progress.  — Ashok Sarathy, Vice President, GMAT Program
• How much time should you spend studying for the GMAT exam?Sorry, there’s no simple answer to that question. However, we can tell you how much time other people spend in their preparation. Using data collected from nearly 8,000 GMAT test takers, we can see that 44% of the test takers spend at least 51 hours preparing, 65% start preparing at least 4 weeks in advance, and those who do better on the GMAT tend to spend more time preparing. Don’t let the charts fool you. Causality isn’t implied—studying 106 hours does not guarantee that you will score in the 600 range. (Remember, too, that this is all self-reported data—each test taker is different and may be estimating his or her actual study time.) Without a true experiment, we can’t tell you the optimal number of hours and weeks you need to study. A true experiment would require many test takers to commit to a certain specific amounts of study time and then take the GMAT—by controlling the variables, we could get closer to finding the amount of study time that causes a higher GMAT score. Think about that experiment—would you participate if you were selected as part of the “no study” group? Would you risk your future and take the GMAT exam without preparation? My guess is you wouldn’t…which is reasonable. So let’s use this data in an advisory capacity. It’s up to you to determine how much you should prepare, but I would suggest that you do prepare for the exam so the results can reflect your ability and not your knowledge of the test. Here are my suggestions: Familiarize yourself with the exam. What types of questions will be asked and what are the formats of the questions? Read about the test structure here . The GMAT has questions that other exams do not. For Data Sufficiency questions, for example, you only need to determine if there is enough information to answer the question. If you’re not familiar with this question type, you might spend time unnecessarily trying to solve the problems. Take a practice exam. A free exam is available here. Or try GMAT Focus, which can provide feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. Focus extra practice time on your areas of weakness. Are you a whiz at mathematical reasoning? You may not need as much time preparing for the quantitative section as you would for the reading and writing sections. On the other hand, maybe you are or were an English major with a focus on creative writing. In this case, you may want to spend more time on the quantitative section in your preparation. After spending time practicing the exam, test yourself again. How well did you do? Do you need more time? Did you improve in your weaker areas and maintain your strengths? Repeat as necessary. Remember the GMAT measures your reasoning skills—it is not a test of reading or mathematical achievement. Once you are comfortable with the test and the types of questions that will be asked and you have invested some time preparing for the exam, you can relax, sit for the test, and let your abilities shine. —Gregg Schoenfeld, Associate Director, Research
• Challenging a GMAT Question or ScoreSometimes, GMAT test takers question their scores or have concerns about the validity of a GMAT question, and we take those questions and concerns seriously. First, please note that rescoring an entire exam is not an option. Rest assured, though—your GMAT results are scored three times before being made official. Exams are scored twice at the test center (as you’re completing your exam) and a third time when the results are returned to Pearson VUE (our testing partner) for processing. We use two independent scoring algorithms and compare the results. If any difference is found in the two scores, the results are investigated immediately. Both scores must be validated before your Official Score can be released. There are, however, options for challenging an essay score or a GMAT question: If you disagree with your AWA scores, you may ask to have your essays rescored within six months of the date your Official Score Report was issued. The first step is sending in a rescore request form and US$45 (nonrefunable regardless of results)—your essays will be submitted for rescoring by independent readers. Rescoring typically takes about three weeks. Rescoring may cause result in higher or lower scores. You’ll receive the decision via postal mail (no email). If a score is changed, any school that received a copy of your score report will be notified as well. If you have concerns about the validity of a question on the GMAT exam, you may contact GMAT customer service  (by phone, email, or mail) and ask to submit a Question Challenge. You’ll receive a decision about the question challenge as quickly as possible, but the time can vary depending on the complexity of the question. Like an essay rescore request, item challenges must be received within six months of the date your Official Score Report was issued. If the item challenge affects your score, an updated Official Score Report will be sent to schools that received a copy of your previous score report.    — Joanna Graham, Associate Director, GMAT Program
• International Women's Day Record numbers of women considering b-school International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March as a day of recognition for the achievements of women across the globe. Coinciding with this event GMAC offers new perspectives on the milestone numbers of women planning on a business education to accelerate or switch their careers. Business schools the world over are experiencing record breaking demand, seen in GMAT test-taker volumes where women now command 39.5% of the talent heading into business school.  In actual fact, more than 104,000 women took the GMAT exam to apply for MBAs and Master degrees in 2008-2009.  These are the highest numbers of women ever recorded to have sat for the GMAT exam in any one testing year, giving them more choice and control in their professional lives – an option worth considering in these turbulent times. Meet Sabrina, a business school graduate, who’s passionate about making an impact on education in America. Thinking about getting your MBA? Find out how to prepare for grad school and get info on the GMAT exam, at MBA.com.      — Lamia Walker, Regional Director, EMEA

MBA.com Blog

• B-Schools With the Most ApplicantsWhich business schools get the most attention from applicants? Yesterday’s report by the Graduate Management Admission Council on declining applications for full-time MBA programs in the U.S. certainly makes the question topical. As applicants begin drafting application essays, admission officials are preparing for the onslaught in the early fall. Not surprisingly, perhaps, Harvard will be getting ready for the largest single chunk. It gets more applications from would-be MBAs than any other school in the world and that’s been the case for a very long time. Part of that is a function of the large number of seats open in every class–910–and also because of the school’s quality and reputation. With 9,524 applicants for a seat in the entering Class of 2012, Harvard remains at the very top of our list of the 20 schools that get the most applications. Even though Stanford trails Harvard in applications by nearly 2,000, however, it remains the most selective business school in the world, saying yes to just 6.5% of those who apply. The dropoff occurs fast and furious in this list, with No. 20  Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business attracting 1,729 applicants. How many people actually apply in a typical MBA season? GMAC reported that as of June 30, the cutoff date of its study, 476 MBA programs had received a total of 196,032 completed applications, though many schools had not yet reached their application deadlines. The number of applications per program varied greatly, ranging from fewer than 10 to nearly 10,000. GMAC also said that first-tier programs, those in the top 50, receive a median of 1,554 applications. Schools in the second-tier, the next 50, got less than a third of that, 405 applications per program, while all the remaining schools had a median of just 147 applicants. In picking over the applicant pool for the incoming students of the Class of 2012, the schools that saw the largest increases in applications were Washington University’s Olin School, up 26%; Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, up 21%; MIT’s Sloan School, up 16%; Chicago’s Booth School, up 10%, and Harvard, up 5%. On the other side of the ledger, schools that saw their application volumes fall for the incoming class include Cornell’s Johnson School, down 12%; Berkeley’s Haas School, down 11%, and Wharton, down 9%. Many other schools have yet to officially announce these numbers. Many schools that experienced declines, however, were coming off near-record years so that competition is still severe. Consider the Haas School of Business. In the past five years, even including the 11% fall for the latest year, applications rose an average of 11% per year, from 2,170 in 2005 to 3,626 this year for just 240 seats. During the five-year period, Haas went from accepting 23.1% of applicants in 2005 to accepting just 11.6% this year. In 2009, when 4,064 applications flowed into Haas, was the second best year on record, beating the earlier peak seven years ago. So why did applications fall at all? Dean Rich Lyons suggests two reasons: a page-one story in The New York Times last November–a crucial time for application flow–that explored the severe and worsening fiscal woes of California’s public university system and the difficulty of international applicants to get loans to finance their MBAs during the financial crisis. Though furloughs have been imposed on faculty and staff at Haas, the crisis has had virtually no impact at all on MBAs because the school is essentially self-funded. The latter issue involving MBA loans led to a decline in incoming international students last year–just 32%–but it’s now resolved with 39% of this year’s incoming MBAs  from outside the U.S. Or consider Dartmouth’s Tuck School. Applications at Tuck were down 8% this year, to 2,573 from 2,804 in 2009. Yet, the average GMAT scores for the incoming class are the highest in the school’s history, 716, up from 712 a year earlier, while the school also hit new records in the percentage of women (35%) and minorities (20%), and increased the representation of  international students to 33%, from 30% the year earlier. Tuck’s yield–the percentage of accepted applicants who agree to come to the school–increased by six percentage points. After reaching a cyclical peak in 2008, GMAC said yesterday that full-time MBA programs continued on a downward cycle this year, the first signs of which were seen in the recession-plagued 2009. So far this year, more programs reported a downward (49%) compared to an upward (41%) trend in application volume, and the average number of applications per full-time two-year MBA program marginally declined by two percent. Business School Applications Seats Available 1. Harvard Business School 9,524* 910 2. Stanford 7,536 385 3. Columbia 6,885 740 4. Pennsylvania (Wharton) 6,819* 860 5, Northwestern (Kellogg) 5,545 635 6. MIT (Sloan) 4,782* 400 7. New York (Stern) 4,625 370 8. Chicago (Booth) 3,843 590 9. Berkeley (Haas) 3,626* 240 10. Duke (Fuqua) 3,506* 450 11. UCLA (Anderson) 3,041 360 12. Dartmouth (Tuck) 2,573* 260 13. Yale 2,790 225 14. Michigan (Ross) 2,697 500 15. Virginia (Darden) 2,689 310 16. Texas-Austin (McCombs) 2,284 260 17. USC (Marshall) 2,224 220 18. Cornell (Johnson) 2,002* 275 19. UNC (Kenan-Flagler) 1,873 300 20. Georgetown (McDonough) 1,729 250 An asterisk indicates that the number applies for the full-time Class of 2012 entering this fall. All other numbers are for the previous year.
• Executive and Part-Time MBA Programs See Application Volume Rise in 2010, GMAC ReportsDemand for executive MBA (EMBA) programs rose significantly in 2010 and remained steady for part-time programs, though application volume for full-time programs continued its fall from peak levels in 2008, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) announced earlier this week. GMAC released the findings of its 2010 Application Trends Survey, a global survey of 327 business schools in 39 countries, yesterday. According to survey results, programs aimed at people with significant work experience were particularly strong, with 59 percent of EMBA programs reporting that they received more applications this year than in 2009, up from 37 percent the year before. Part-time programs, which appeal to people hoping to juggle school along with family or work or other responsibilites, remained steady this year compared with 2009, with 43 percent of programs surveyed reporting increases. Demand for full-time programs, meanwhile, continued to slide from the peak volumes experienced in 2008. Forty-four percent of full-time programs saw application volume rise this year, but that’s down from 66 percent in 2009 and 77 percent in 2008, when tough economic conditions made it seem like a particularly opportune time to pursue an advanced graduate management degree. Master’s programs in finance, accounting and management reported healthy gains in application volume, in fact outpacing all MBA programs. More than 60 percent of the programs in each of these categories reported receiving more applications in 2010 than in 2009, according to the survey. Dave Wilson, GMAC president and chief executive officer, noted that the findings suggest that schools will do best to stay flexible and be creative in the ways that they deliver management education. “People can always derive great value from going to business school; our surveys attest to this fact,” he said in a statement. “But many changing factors affect the kinds of programs that best meet their needs. Applicants need to find the very best fit for their own game plan.” For the full survey results, click here.
• Admissions Tip: Applying to Business School as a Younger ApplicantAs many of our readers know, it has become increasingly common for younger individuals to apply to MBA programs.  Whereas the average age and years of work experience at the leading business schools has traditionally hovered at around 28 and five respectively, many programs are now carefully considering the more youthful end of the applicant pool.  Of course, the fact that admissions officers are taking a closer look at younger applicants does not mean that getting accepted to a top program is easy for this group.  In fact, it may be difficult for younger applicants to present themselves as fully prepared to contribute to an MBA program because they often lack leadership experience and extended business exposure.  This is especially true as they will be compared to their fellow applicants who have more years in the working world (often translating to more leadership experience and professional accomplishments).  With this in mind, we’d like to offer a few tips that will help younger MBA candidates leverage the strengths of their candidacies and become increasingly competitive applicants at their choice schools. Note: For the purposes of this article, we’ll define “younger applicants” as ranging from zero to two years of experience (e.g undergraduate seniors and folks who are one to two years removed from their college graduation). 1) Have an exceptional academic profile. Ideally all MBA candidates will be able to present stellar GPA and GMAT scores, but for younger candidates this is especially crucial.  If younger candidates are likely to fall short in the “work experience” category, then their academic profiles are all the more important to show that they are prepared for the rigors of an MBA classroom.  Therefore it’s better if your scores (GMAT and GPA) are above than the published averages for schools’ incoming classes.  In addition, it will be to your benefit if you have received undergraduate scholarships and awards or graduated at the top of your class, as this indicates that you excelled relative to your peers. 2) Demonstrate your leadership experience and potential. Younger applicants may have only limited full-time professional experience.  Without much time in the working world, there is often less opportunity to move up and gain the responsibilities that lead to management and leadership experiences.  Despite this fact, one way to demonstrate your responsibility and management experience is through your participation in and leadership of extracurricular and undergraduate activities.  In short, as a younger applicant, it is important for you to use whatever experiences you have had thus far (internships, collegiate activities, part-time work, community service, etc.) to demonstrate your leadership and responsibility, displaying your experience as well as your potential for personal growth and ability to benefit your target MBA programs. 3) Have clear goals. Presenting a clear vision for the future is always a good strategy, as the majority of MBA programs are hesitant to accept students who they feel will get lost in the program’s available choices once they arrive.  For younger applicants this is even more crucial, as your relative lack of professional work experience could cause some concern about your ability to pinpoint your short- and long-term goals.  It is therefore important that you provide details about your planned career path, as well as demonstrate confidence that you will stick to this plan.  Applicants who have more years in the working world can draw on their experiences as proof that they understand their interests and work habits; as a younger applicant, you must demonstrate that you are able to do the same despite your relative inexperience. 4) Be able to explain why you are seeking an MBA now as opposed to later. It’s necessary for younger applicants to describe how the timing of their applications relates to their academic or work experiences to date as well as their future goals.  Your challenge will be to convince your target MBA programs that you are able to make a valuable contribution to their schools without further work experience.  In order to do this, you will need to demonstrate that continuing at your current job is not conducive to your future goals at this juncture.  You might also suggest that there is some degree of urgency related to the pursuit of yours goals, due to applicable circumstances such as a closing market opportunity, taking advantage of an industry trend, or making a transition in your career.    Having clear goals and a detailed career plan will help you explain why you must pursue a formal business education now in order to achieve your objectives. 5) Demonstrate your maturity. It’s important that younger applicants don’t let the adcom mistake their youth for immaturity.  One of the ways you can demonstrate your maturity is by showcasing your ability to analyze your actions, accept blame, and grow and learn from mistakes and failures, as these are trademarks of a reflective and mature individual.  An easy opportunity to do this is in essays that ask you to detail a failure, mistake, or setback.  In these essays, it is crucial that you do not appear petty, arrogant, or unable to accept or grow from criticism, as this would only further emphasize your youth.  Another way you can demonstrate your maturity is by focusing on your more recent work experiences and accomplishments.  Some of these might be from college, as you may not have had time to prove yourself in the working world, however, it’s generally best to try and use the most recent experiences possible, as these will provide a clearer picture of who you are today.  You may be tempted to use high school or grade school experiences as examples of leadership, challenges, and accomplishments, but because pre-undergraduate activities will make you appear younger than you are, they should ideally not be discussed in depth.
• What should I know about student and other loans that can help me pay for my graduate degree?Written by Brian T. Lohr, Director of Admissions, MBA Program, Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame  At most universities, loan opportunities can be broken down into two primary buckets: Federal Loans and Private Loans. Federal Loans Graduate business students have essentially two options here: Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan Students must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine eligibility. The Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (formerly the Stafford Loan) is available in a subsidized (an interest subsidy is paid by the federal government while the student is in school) and unsubsidized (interest payment is made by the student while in school) form. Repayment begins six months after the student’s enrollment ends and generally lasts about 10 years. Annual borrowing limits are $20,500 with no more than $8,500 coming from the subsidized direct loan. Aggregate borrowing limits are $138,500 with no more the $65,500 from the subsidized direct loan. The Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan is also available and it is a non-need based loan program that is based on the student’s creditworthiness. Students are encouraged to apply for the full amount needed for the entire school year. Annual loan eligibility is limited by the cost of attendance and other financial aid the student may be receiving. Repayment begins 1 month after graduation or when the student drops to less than half time enrollment. Generally, the Direct Graduate Plus Loan has a 10 year repayment term. Annual borrowing limits are determined by the student’s demonstrated financial need and other financial aid rewards. Aggregate borrowing limits are determined by cost of attendance and other financial aid awards. Private Loans After exhausting loan opportunities from federal aid programs, many students turn to private loan programs. Taking on loan debt should be done with a great deal of deliberation and for only the amounts needed. There are three keys to selecting private student loans—research, research, and research! The terms and conditions vary with each individual lender. Your thorough investigation and understanding of these terms and conditions will help to ensure a complete awareness of each program. Consider items such as interest rates, fees (both at the time of borrowing and during repayment), and loan limits when evaluating programs. Oftentimes a credit worthy cosigner can help to lower interest rates. Many colleges and universities will have a list of lenders that past students have used to fund their educations. As part of the application process, you will be required to complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form, which is typically provided by the lender and also may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office of each school. You can compare lender discounts and other benefits with College Board Student Loan Comparison Calculator and Loan Discount Analyzer from FinAid.org comparison tools.
• Choosing a Business School for Me and my WifeI was born in the northern city of Monterrey, the third largest city in Mexico and a major industrial center in Latin America. After graduating in 2004 with a B.A. in architecture, I joined the “Consultant in Development” program at CEMEX, a building solutions multinational. Along with a team of young graduates, I traveled extensively throughout Europe for CEMEX for several years. I left the company in 2008 to pursue some consulting opportunities, and after a couple of freelance projects, I ended up with the General Electric Co. in Monterrey. So when I started thinking about going for the MBA last year, I had four simple requirements. First, it had to be a top school. I wanted a program that could help me develop a specific set of skills and abilities, as well as provide me with knowledge on functions that I had not been exposed to in my previous jobs. Second, it had to be one year long. It was both, me and my wife, that wanted to attend an MBA program, which implied a much higher cost when compared to the regular two year programs available in the US. This requirement narrowed down our school selection to just a few. And third, the school had to have an entrepreneurial edge. Only two schools met these three requirements, and both were located in Europe: INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, and Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School in Madrid, Spain. Me and my wife made a final decision when we were notified that the IE Foundation had awarded a substantial scholarship to each one of us to be part of the Class of 2011. The process of applying to business school can be quite daunting. It represented setting time aside every now and then to think about my career. I see business school as the link between what I have done up to this moment and what I want to do with my life in the years to come. It was a process that consisted of 80% of the time thinking and 20% of the time filling out the applications. This brainstorming process proved to be very valuable later on. At first I thought I was admitted to IE Business School due to my odd profile: an architect with business knowledge from a Latin American country. My professional experience in multinational companies was also very interesting. I had lived in 7 countries across 2 continents in my life. However, once I met some of the people in the group, I realized that while each of us was unique in their own way, most of my classmates had vast international experience. I feel I am part of a cultural melting pot where our international experience will be our main asset. It looks like a promising experience is laying ahead. Diversity is one of the characteristics that the school prides itself about, and so far they exceeded my expectations. Perhaps I am one of the few who does not care much about the degree itself. The image that comes to mind when I think of a top MBA graduate is a well dressed professional driving a power point presentation that will end up saving substantial amounts of money or yielding a way higher return on investment than conventional instruments. While I have done that at some point, my interests lie beyond the economical benefits. I am looking forward to a great experience that will provide me with the tools to grow personally and professionally. The industries that grab my attention today are real estate, luxury goods and consulting. At some point in my career I want start a new venture, but the situation in Mexico today is very complicated to achieve this in the short term. I will look for opportunities abroad right after graduation in specific companies that operate in the UK, Canada or Australia. Miguel Suarez also blogs for the business education section of The Financial Times.
• Ten Top Business Schools Report Application Volume DeclinesAccording to a recent article in Bloomberg BusinessWeek, the number of prospective candidates applying to MBA programs at 10 top U.S. business schools is down this year compared with 2009. Indeed, Bloomberg BW is declaring that the recent boom in MBA applications that went hand in hand with the economic crisis “appears to be over.” Bloomberg BW surveyed 30 of the top U.S. MBA programs about application volume. Of those, 10 reported decreases in volume averaging 6.1 percent. Eleven reported increases averaging 10.2 percent, and nine schools declined to provide information. Among the top schools where fewer candidates applied in 2010 than in 2009 were the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley and Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Business. Admissions officials at both Wharton and Haas attribute the decreased application volume to the economic recovery, according to Bloomberg BW. At Wharton, for example, application volumes have returned to a more normal level following a peak during the downturn, according to Ankur Kumar, deputy director of MBA admissions at the school. “We are really normalizing to the level of applications we experienced before the events of the past two years,” she told Bloomberg BW. At some of the schools where application volume is still on the rise, meanwhile, adcom officials expect things to change soon, according to the Bloomberg BW report. “I really think this is the high-water mark, and we won’t experience this windfall that we’re experiencing now,” Rod Garcia, director of admissions at the MIT Sloan School of Management, told Bloomberg BW. At Sloan, applications are up 16 percent year-over-year, to 4,782, and up more than 50 percent for the past three years. “I think this is probably going to be it in terms of increases in applications. … The only question is, is it going to be a moderate decline or a big decline?” But at other schools, admissions officials point to factors beyond the economy that have contributed to increased applications volumes – such as better rankings, greater visibility for their programs here and abroad and reduced applications fees – suggesting that booms there could continue longer, according to Bloomberg BW. Washington University’s Olin School of Business, for example, has sidled up the U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of top MBA programs to No. 19 from No. 36 five years ago. At the same time, the school has eliminated its application fee and simplified its application process. There, 2010 application volume was up 26 percent compared to 2009. For the full Bloomberg BW article, click here.

MBA.com News

• Making the Most of the Campus VisitVisiting an MBA program is a surefire way to find out if it's right for you. Here are five items that should top your to-do list
• M.B.A. Applications MutedApplications for full-time programs saw a 2% decline for the incoming class and part-time program applications fell 7%. But specialized and executive degree programs applications rose.
• Funding for graduate programs still available for international studentsWith talk of the global recession, mounting debts and bank collapses dominating the daily news, is there really a chance that you will find funding for a masters or PhD degree in the coming year?
• Decrease in full-time MBA applications, GMAC saysApplications for full-time MBA programs have dropped considerably for the second year in a row, according to a recent GMAC survey.
• MBA Application Numbers Reach "Turning Point"A study released today by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) confirms the MBA application "sputter" that was first reported by Bloomberg Businessweek on August 12. According to GMAC's annual Application Trends Survey's findings, only 44 percent of the 476 MBA programs that were surveyed reported gains in the number of applications they received for the entering full-time MBA class, compared with 66 percent last year and 70 percent in 2008. Of the respondents, 47 percent reported a decrease in applications, with a surprising 9 percent reporting drops of more than 20 percent over 2009. According to the release, "The cyclical nature of application volume trends is not new to graduate management program admissions professionals. After several years of strong growth, the number of applications typically reaches a high point and trends down afterwards. We are witnessing slight decreases in most programs. It appears that full-time MBA programs have reached this turning point." As was described in the earlier Businessweek story, the decline in MBA application numbers can be directly attributed to the economic woes the country has experienced over the past few years. "Last year, the financial crisis brought more people to seek further education. This year, as the economy picked up, the applications are more realistic," explained one survey participant in the GMAC report. Interestingly, part-time and executive MBA programs are not experiencing the same drops. Part-time application numbers remained flat compared with 2009, while EMBA application numbers experienced a significant jump, with 59 percent of schools reporting an increase in application numbers, compared with 37 percent in 2009. For B-schools, this is a good sign, as EMBA programs are traditionally big money makers. Also, it may be a good sign for the economy, in general, as the large rise in EMBA applications may indicate a willingness on the part of companies to begin sending employees to EMBA programs again, a practice that all but disappeared over the past few years due to the high program costs.
• Applications to Executive MBA Programs Rise Sharply

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Clear Admit

• Fridays From the FrontlineAnd welcome back to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit’s ongoing dive into the depths of the deliriously detailed lives of MBA aspirants and current students. Seven days never goes by quite as fast as in the b-school blogosphere. Each week, additional applications are worked upon, and orientation and class schedules are determined. This week was no exception, aspirants continue to deal with drafting essays and aiming high for GMAT exams while first year and returning students begin to adjust to school life. Steve took another GMAT practice test and found that he scored pretty consistently, even without as much strenuous study. Ellipser prepared to attend Tuck, NYU and Ross events in the coming . . . → Continue Reading
• Twitter Thursdays: News from MBA ProgramsWelcome to another installment of Twitter Thursdays, a weekly column in which we highlight the updates of the top MBA programs on Twitter!  If you’re not following Clear Admit already, be sure to check us out on Twitter for updates, special prizes, admissions tips and breaking news.   We’ve also created a list of MBA programs to ease your daily access to breaking news from the top MBA programs, as reported by admissions committee members themselves. In California, Rich Lyons, the Dean of the Haas School of Business, noted the rising stats for applications and matriculation at Haas.  The Assistant Dean of UCLA Anderson MBA Admissions & Financial Aid, Mae Jennifer Shores, shared a slew of . . . → Continue Reading
• Clear Admit Featured in MBA Podcaster Video “Getting into INSEAD”Are you looking at a career in international business or hoping to work outside your home country? INSEAD, with campuses in France and Singapore and exchange programs with Wharton and Kellogg in the United States, is one of the top international business schools in the world and features a concentrated 10-month MBA program. Clear Admit co-founder Graham Richmond shares valuable tips on INSEAD’s application process as part of a recent video by MBA Podcaster. The video, entitled “Getting into INSEAD: The Business School of the World,” aired on August 20th as part of MBA Pod TV, MBA Podcaster’s YouTube video channel. In this most recent episode, Richmond offers valuable insight into what the school is looking for in prospective applicants.  INSEAD’s . . . → Continue Reading
• Oxford / Saїd Reduces Word Limits for EssaysOxford / Saїd recently changed the word limit requirements on both of their essay topics.  Essay 1 can now be a maximum of 750 words, while Essay 2 can be a maximum of 1,000 words.  To view the full essay topics, click here.  To read an analysis of these prompts, as well as advice on how to approach them, visit our Oxford / Saїd Essay . . . → Continue Reading
• Carnegie Mellon / Tepper Essay Topics 2010-2011CMU / Tepper’s online application for the 2010-2011 admissions cycle has gone live!  For interested applicants, the essay topics are as follows: A) What are your short term and long term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you achieve these goals? (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about Tepper.) (Suggested length: 2 double-spaced pages) B) The Tepper School’s culture relies on all members to be active contributors to our community. With your values, experiences, and interests, how will you make a unique contribution to the Tepper community? Your examples may include: classroom interaction, student activities, career development, community service, etc. (Suggested length: 2 double-spaced pages) C)Please answer two of the following three questions or . . . → Continue Reading
• London Business School Deadlines 2010-2011The London Business School deadlines for the 2010-2011 application season are now online.  The deadlines for the four stages are as follows: Stage 1 Application deadline: October 6, 2010 Interview decision sent on: November 5, 2010 Admission decision sent on: December 15, 2010 Stage 2 Application deadline: January 5, 2011 Interview decision sent on: February 8, 2011 Admission decision sent on: March 24, 2011 Stage 3 Application deadline: March 2, 2011 Interview decision sent on: April 8, 2011 Admission decision sent on: May 20, 2011 Stage 4 Application deadline: April 20, 2011 Interview decision sent on: May 27, 2011 Admission decision sent on: July 1, 2011 All applications are due by 5:00 p.m. UK time on the day of . . . → Continue Reading

Yahoo News

• Executive MBA students help the hungryParticipants of the University of Sydney's innovative Global Executive MBA (EMBA) program have tackled the enormous issue of feeding millions of hungry Australians in a project for not-for-profit agency, Foodbank New South Wales.
• Skip the recession, get an MBA?It happens every time the economy hits the skids: Huge numbers of MBA wannabes line up to go back to the classroom. Are you considering going back to school, either to switch careers or ride out the recession? If you're an MBA student or graduate, what do you think was most helpful in getting you [...]
• Piedmont National Black MBA Association presents the 3rd Annual Career Fair & Networking Reception Helping to rebuild ...- GREENSBORO— The Piedmont Chapter of the National Black MBA Association will host the 3rd Annual Graduate & Professional Career Fair and Networking Reception on Thursday, September 9. It will feature strong Fortune 500 companies and local businesses, actively seeking business professionals to fill corporate roles.
• The 10 MBA Courses Entrepreneurs Must TakeYou might have heard--- on this site, no less ---that an MBA is no longer pertinent to an entrepreneur.
• MBA coach likes freshman's abilityMBA doesn't get too many freshmen on the field. But when a player like Jashon Robertson comes along, talent is more important than youth.
• Is an MBA worth the money?The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is becoming as common as the old BA, or Bachelor of Arts. But do we need MBAs? Do they actually serve any purpose? And do they actually help careers?

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