Thanks for your inquiry. This is a niche and a lot of schools dont break down which divisions of banks are on campus, but will just note JPMorgan or Goldman Sachs. Anecdotally, I know that a JP Morgan Private Banking summer class was broken down into the following a few years ago: Darden (4) Wharton (2) Michigan (2) Columbia (2) Cornell (1) UNC (1) Texas (1) HBS (1) NYU (1) Chicago (1) Georgetown (1) This is but on year though and thus one data point (I know that as of late, Tuck has gained representation). Clearly, the strong finance schools will all be helpful to you HBS, Stanford, Wharton, NYU, Columbia and MIT. Further, there are also schools that have strong student run Fund Management programs on campus, UCLA, Cornell, Darden and Texas programs which should provide unique training for this career. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi, I am looking to do Wealth Management as a career. Currently looking at the top schools for finance. But i somehow cant find articles anywhere which would tell these are the best schools for this career. Would someone know which schools I should be looking at. Currently the ones that I have found out are the ones, but these are the best ones.
Chicago
Columbia
Kelloggs
Wharton
NYU - Stern
Would anyone want to add any other to the list. Cant exactly figure out what should the safety schools be for Finance programmes.
Thanks for your inquiry. You will need to offer me more background what types of schools are you looking for? What is your future career? What are your ambitions? Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hi Jeremy Shinewald I am Mr Dimple Tayal. I have got 640 score (Quant 50, Verbal 27, AWA 4.5) in GMAT and 263 in TOEFL. Presently i am working in Maruti from last 2 years after completing engineering (mechanical). My work area is operations. I had a lot of extra curricular activities like member of various committes during college time, participated in cultural programs as well as sports too. i want to apply in US . can you suggest me where all i should apply so that i have good chances of getting admission. waiting for your reply regards Dimple
Thanks for your inquiry. I generally help people with MBA application and am not as familiar with job matters. I apologize, but in this case, you are probably far better off inquiring within the broader community. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hello Jeremy,
I am studying final year in Bachelors of Commerce under the University of Madras. I would like to pursue my postgraduation in the USA. Here is a brief overview of my scores
I am looking for a postgraduate degree, specialising in marketing. I do not have any work experience. My biggest worry is finding a job in the US after completing the degree. Many say it is difficult to find a job for a person without work experience. Could you advise me on this issue?
Thanks for your inquiry. A 4.5 AWA is perfectly respectable and will not hinder your chances in the slightest. Congratulations on your GMAT. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Hey Jeremy, I just have a quick question. My GMAT is 750 (Q49,V42). But my AWA is 4.5. Will this be a problem for my chances in the top 15 univs?
Darden MBAMission's analysis of essay questions continues today with the Darden School at the University of Virginia. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Next: Tuck Previously Posted: HBS, Chicago, Columbia, Haas, MIT 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? (500 word limit) This is another personal statement in which there is no explicit request for information about your past or about the school itself. Still, you need to provide some context for your future goals - your goals cannot just exist in a vacuum. Therefore, you should offer some existing experience which shows that your short and long term goals make sense for you. Again, this is not a career history and does not need to be 250 words; a brief 50 word introduction of your context should be sufficient before leading into your goals. As always your goals should be specific enough that you are showing clear intent and ambition, but not so specific that you are limiting yourself or narrow minded. The bulk of your essay should focus on why your MBA and specifically, your Darden MBA will allow you to achieve your goals. Again, this is not an opportunity to sing the schools praises; you want to connect the schools resources with your professional goals and learning objectives. You want to explain how Darden has the resources to bridge your dreams/goals and reality. 2. Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, education, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Darden students. (500 word limit) This essay is broad and sweeping in nature so it allows you to showcase a mix of your greatest strengths - professional, community, academic and personal. You should attempt to select a diversity of these experiences and present them in such a way you will be able to relate them back to your ability to contribute in a variety of areas - for example, the classroom, your learning team and the community at large. A successful essay will be one which not only details unique personal strengths, but also clearly illustrates how these strengths will be in action at Darden, meaning that you will have an opportunity to show your intimate understanding of and connection to Darden. 3. Choose one of the following questions. (250 word limit)
These questions are flexible enough that you can make a choice about whether you want to add depth to your professional, community or personal profile, depending on the choices that you have made above. a. What would you do if you didn't have to work for a living?
This question is quite malleable. Your approach might be to discuss an unusually strong passion or a philosophical/academic interest that you would pursue. While you could discuss an alternative "career," you should be careful in this regard, particularly in terms of community service. You don't want to raise the question, "Well, if you value that path so much, why aren't you pursuing it?" You should try to find an idea that is slightly implausible, but still grounded in reality. b. Describe a significant maturing experience.
The key with this essay will be to show change and thus the most effective stories will likely be those with a clear climax - a before and after. While 250 words is very brief, your essay may have the following components: before, climax, after, reflection. Even in such a short space, there is still room for a full story and reflection/introspection. c. What have been the most satisfying aspects of your work life thus far and the most dissatisfying? The most satisfying aspects will probably be easy for most to identify; most are acutely aware of what they love about their jobs. However, simply stating what it is that you love will not work all that well. We need to experience your passion and energy, via convincing details that prove your point. With respect to your most dissatisfying aspects, it is obviously important not to complain, but to be constructive. You want this constructive criticism to be levied at your company and not become a window into your negativity.
Tuck MBAMission's analysis of essay questions continues today with Dartmouth Amos Tuck School of Business Administration. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Next: Wharton Previously Posted: HBS, Chicago, Columbia, Haas, MIT, Darden 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you? (If you are applying for a joint or dual degree, please explain how the additional degree will contribute to those goals.) I could "crib" most of my comments from Darden or Columbia and indeed I have done so below. Because these questions most often cover very similar ground, I have created a document on personal statements that should help regardless of application. Please feel free to contact - [email protected] - for a copy. As or Tuck itself, this is another case in which there is no explicit request for information about your past. As such, you need to provide some context for your future goals - your goals cannot just exist in a vacuum. Therefore, you should offer some existing experience which shows that your short and long term goals make sense for you. Again, this is not a career history and does not need to be 250 words. A brief 50 word introduction of your context should be sufficient before leading into your goals. As always your goals should be specific enough that you are showing clear intent and ambition, but not so specific that you are limiting yourself or are being narrow-minded. The bulk of your essay should focus on why the Tuck MBA in particular will allow you to achieve your goals. Again, this is not an opportunity to sing the school's praises; you want to connect the schools resources with your professional goals and learning objectives. You want to explain how Tuck has the resources to bridge your dreams/goals and reality. 2. Tuck defines leadership as "inspiring others to strive and enabling them to accomplish great things." Describe a time when you exercised such leadership. Discuss the challenges you faced and the results you achieved. What characteristics helped you to be effective, and what areas do you feel you need to develop in order to be a better leader? The Tuck applicant need not be thrown off by the statement "inspiring others to strive and enabling them to accomplish great things" In the past, some candidates have expressed concern that they are not vocal leaders and that they were unaware if they had inspired others, because they could not be sure of the responses to their actions. Your leadership need not be exemplified by vocally rousing others to action. Quiet leadership - leading by example, through dedication, creativity or innovation - is perfectly acceptable and might even be refreshing for committee accustomed to essays about vocal leadership. However, regardless of your example of leadership, you have the ability to differentiate along the lines of your honest personal thoughts and reflections/critiques of your leadership abilities. The more genuine, open and honest you are, the more powerful your essay will become. 3. Discuss the most difficult constructive criticism or feedback you have received. How did you address it? What have you learned from it? As you consider the criticism that you have received, you should be cautious and ensure that you are not inadvertently displaying behavior that is inconsistent with Tuck's values. An embellished example of what not to do follows: "My boss criticized my laziness." By displaying laziness, you are undermining your candidacy, because Tuck tries to recruit highly-motivated students. Another misguided approach would be to offer a false critique -- a negative that is actually a positive: "My boss told me that I work too hard and need to relax and take a vacation; it was hard to hear that" These answers are transparent and only annoy the Admissions Committees. When dealing with a critique of your abilities or character, it is important to approach the matter at hand in a straightforward way. The emphasis should be on acceptance and remedying the problem. Clearly, with the word "constructive" in the question, you are asked to identify a time when someone took care and sought to help you improve; you need to show that you responded with the effort and thought necessary to "correct" the problem. 4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck? Essay four is quite broad; within "personal history, values, and/or life experiences," there is a great deal of range. So, it is permissible for you to develop one or two significant themes drawing from your life experiences (a bias toward your non-professional side) and then relate them back to the Tuck experience. This is an opportunity for you not only to display your unique attributes but to thoughtfully and subtly imply just how well you know the school. By describing your unique experiences and showing true awareness of their connection with Tuck, you will complete the essay portion of your application on a very compelling note.
Wharton MBAMission's analysis of essay questions continues today with University of Pennsylvania'a Wharton School of Business. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Next: Stanford Previously Posted: HBS, Chicago, Columbia, Haas, MIT, Darden The Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself. Essay 1 (Required) Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect an MBA from Wharton to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? (1,000 words) Again, because this question covers very similar ground with other applications, I have created a document on personal statements that should help regardless of application. Please feel free to contact - [email protected] - for a copy. As for Wharton itself, experience has shown, and successful candidates who have gone on to work with Wharton admissions have confirmed, that Wharton pays special attention to "Why Wharton/Why now" and that your reasons must be thorough and compelling. This is not exactly news as every school wants to see this emphasis, but Wharton is more inclined to "ding" those who don't nail this section. Your "Why Wharton" rationale should not just offer praise for the school, but should illustrate your clear connection, academically, professionally and socially (meaning that you understand the environment that you would be entering). Essay 2 (Required): Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words) The best failure essays are often those that show reasoned optimism and tremendous momentum toward a goal - a goal that is ultimately derailed. In most cases, you will need to show that you were emotionally invested in your project/experience which will enable the reader to connect with your story and vicariously experience your disappointment. If you were not invested at all, it is hardly credible to discuss the experience as a failure or learning experience. With respect to setbacks, the door swings open to a range of personal experience as well. You could not discuss an injury that prevented you from competing for an elite college athletic competition, for example, as a failure, but it would certainly qualify as a setback. You can carefully consider setbacks, in which you bear no responsibility for creating the situation; in such a case, again, it is crucial that you show that you were emotionally invested, that events were going in a certain direction and that the situation quickly turned in an unfavorable direction. Of course, the second part of the story, the reflective element, is vitally important. It is very easy to offer trite and clichd statements about your response and what you learned about yourself (Note: everyone learns resiliency - consider another key learning). It will take time to truly create a unique statement about your road forward and lessons learned, but the payoff will come in an essay that is much more personal and self-aware than thousands of others. Essays 3 & 4 (Required) Clearly, by choosing two of four broadly based essays, you have a tremendous opportunity to showcase your greatest strengths below; the choices that you make here are, of course, contingent on your previous choices above. If you have offered a personal setback, for example, it will probably be time to discuss your professional accomplishments. You will need to exercise judgment in determining your approach. Please complete two of the following four questions (500 words each): * Describe a personal characteristic or quality that will help the Admissions Committee to know you better. Again, this question is broad and flexible. You will need to offer consistent examples from your experiences to prove a theme. These essays often go wrong when they are light on experience, only offering one story to back-up a personal characteristic. Although it is possible to answer this question with one example if you provide an unusually strong story, it is more likely that creating a unifying theme across personal, professional, academic and community dimensions (and you can use a professional story to prove a personal characteristic) will be the most compelling. * Describe an impact you've had on a team, group or organization. How has this experience been valuable to you or others, and what did you learn? In this essay, you will need to show a clear cause and effect relationship, between your actions and the resulting implication for others. A successful essay will show how you took specific steps to produce the desired results, focus on the results themselves and then, most importantly, add a reflective element, explaining the learning, via the experience. This is a leadership essay and while it does not demand that you exemplify rousing "Churchillian" leadership, the goal is to show how you exercise your influence and bring about a new and better reality. * What do you do best and why? This essay will require a great deal of thought and you might start by asking those around you - parents, colleagues, supervisors, etc. - this very question, "What do I do best and why?" It is not only important that you identify what you do best, but you should ensure that what you do best is something unique/special or desirable to Wharton. In other words, if you are best at completing projects on time, this is probably not worth showcasing as many others do this quite well and while this might be your best trait it is unlikely a trait that will differentiate you from others or cause anyone to scream, "admit". Again, in this essay, you will need to prove your case via experience; it is not enough to simply tell the committee that you are the best at X, you will need to show them your experiences which provide that proof. * When have your values, ethics, or morals been challenged? How has this shaped who you are today? Sometimes it is easier to explain what you should do in an essay by first explaining what you should not do. Inevitably, a candidate always asks if a story like the following would work: "My boss told me to trade on inside information and I said 'no.'" In such an instance, there is no challenge to your value system; no one should be trading on inside information; no one should be breaking the law. You need to start by offering an example in which there were two reasonable options which stand in stark opposition to each other -- both with positive and negative aspects -- and explore how you made your choice. In such circumstances, the outcome is less important than your reasoning. The committee is seeking to understand your thought process and trying to recognize the reasonable, logical and ethical applicant within. Furthermore, you will need to consider the lasting impact on you and identify the way that your thoughts or personality has changed; this is a heavy burden but if you can examine your changes, your story will likely be powerful and differentiated and will thus be the basis for a winning essay.
MBAMission's analysis of essay questions continues today with the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Next: LBS Previously Posted: HBS, Chicago, Columbia, Haas, MIT, Darden, Tuck, Wharton Stanford Many candidates will welcome the new Stanford questions or, more particularly, the new page limits, which reduce the page-count by about half. Some found it challenging to write truly exploratory and reflective personal statements as opposed to experiential statements, (What matters most to you vs. Discuss a leadership experience) and Stanford probably recognized that in past years quantity of pages did not correlate or maybe even had an inverse correlation to quality of thought. Whatever the reason, Stanford has changed the page count and added some additional options to explore specific experience - an applicant friendly decision that will likely result in more applications to the program. * Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? (Recommended length is 3-4 pages, double-spaced) This question is intensely personal so before you start writing you should definitely give your topic some serious thought. You should absolutely not attempt to string together a bunch of unrelated experiences highlighted in your HBS and Wharton essays; if you are truly committed to creating a distinct application, you will find it difficult to manufacture a theme about what is most important to you. Thus, it is essential that you determine what it is that is truly important to you, so that it comes out clearly and compellingly in your essays. We always brainstorm in depth with our candidates, pushing them to think about their psychological and philosophical motivations behind certain goals, before helping to determine Stanford themes. We can't emphasize this enough -- you should not make a snap decision. Even after we have identified themes, we encourage candidates to speak with those whom they are closest to in order to discuss the ideas we have generated; this step will help validate deeply personal and authentic themes and lead to a distinct essay. Once you have challenged yourself and identified your main theme you should not just write a bunch of anecdotes supporting your idea. The best Stanford essays are explorations, where there is analysis of decisions, motives and successes/failures. In other words, your anecdotes are a means to personal exploration and not an end in and of themselves. If you are just telling a bunch of stories and trying to tie in the conclusions, you are probably not analyzing your experiences, but are forcing a theme upon the reader - a decision that will be transparent. * Essay B: What are your career aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve these? 2-3 pages Stanford's career essay was more open-ended in the past; this essay is now more conventional and follows the pattern of most other schools. Still, you will notice that Stanford does not ask for short and long term goals, but for career aspirations, allowing you to be more philosophical. Short and long term goals can be somewhat confining; Stanford's "aspirations" essay is similar to HBS's "vision" essay - "aspirations" allows for flexibility and enables you to give a more broad and reasoned sketch of your goals. Once you have provided this sketch, you will need to explain precisely how Stanford will help you achieve your goals. Again, this is not an opportunity to sing the school's praises; you want to connect the school's resources with your professional goals and learning objectives. You must explain how Stanford has the resources to bridge your dreams/goals and reality. Because these questions most often cover very similar ground, I have created a document on personal statements that should help regardless of application. Please feel free to contact - [email protected] - for a copy. (Recommended length is 2-3 pages, double-spaced) * Essay C: Short Essays-Options 1-4 Please answer two of the questions below. In answering each question, please tell us not only what you did, but also how you did it. Describe what you felt, said, and thought during these experiences. Tell us the outcome, and describe how people responded. Your responses should describe experiences that have occurred within the last three years. Option 1: Tell us about a time when you did something that was not established, expected, or popular. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced) In this essay, you will have an opportunity to show that you are an independent thinker, capable of finding your own "true" path or adhering to morals and principals that you hold dear -- particularly when those who exercise influence are advising you otherwise. By setting up a clear picture of what was expected and then contrasting your choice, not only by showing your actions, but offering your reasoning and thoughts, you have the opportunity to create a compelling picture of yourself as a strong-minded "hero". (See: The type of fellow who would never end up on the cover of the Wall Street Journal bringing shame to Stanford). Option 2: Tell us about a time when you felt effective or successful. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced) The key is to this essay is to offer not just any example of success, but one of your most compelling and then transition into an in depth analysis of your emotions and feelings. Beware of clichs about pushing yourself to new limits or going beyond expectations. Again, the Stanford application is one where they truly want to get to know your thoughts, not just your achievements, so we recommend exploring your thoughts beyond the surface level and challenging yourself to differentiate through self-awareness. Option 3: Tell us about a time when you had a significant effect on a group or individual. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced) In this essay, you will need to show a clear cause and effect relationship, between your actions and the resulting implication for others. A successful essay will show how you took specific steps to produce the desired results, focus on the results themselves and then, most importantly, add a reflective element, explaining the personal significance or learning, via the experience. This is a leadership essay and while it does not demand that you exemplify rousing "Churchillian" leadership, the goal is to show how you exercise your influence and bring about a new and better reality. Option 4: Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced) In answering this question, you have the opportunity to show resilience and determination, but these are the most obvious traits that you can offer - a successful essay will offer more. It is vitally important that you not delve into clich here - the reader needs to understand that you took creative actions in a distinct manner. The simple act of overcoming is not enough - the reader needs to understand your thought process and how you used your personality to affect change. Note: It is possible to write a successful essay using an example in which you did not achieve your goals; the end result is not as important as the creative actions you took to succeed.
MBAMission's analysis of essay questions continues today with London Business School. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Next: Kellogg Previously Posted: HBS, Chicago, Columbia, Haas, MIT, Darden, Tuck, Wharton, Stanford Question 1 (500 words) In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the LondonBusinessSchool MBA Programme contribute to this goal? Again, because of significant overlap from school to school, we have produced a document on personal statements and are more than happy to offer it to anyone interested. Please email [email protected] for an electronic copy which will help you approach LBS's first two essays. The first part of LBS's personal statement is slightly different than others in that it is very specific, requiring you to identify your particular post-graduate role. There is no room here for aspirations (Stanford) or vision (HBS) - name your position and state exactly how LBS will help you get there. As for your "past experiences," you need not offer a work history; you are to relate them to your goals. This is not a discussion of your "path to your MBA," but a statement of how your MBA and professional experience will enable you to succeed in the future. This is a nuanced distinction but it is important. Question 2 (200 words) Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision? In essay two, you should again be particular in identifying your role in five years, but can be a bit more "grand" thereafter. Here, you get to identify less of a role and more of an ideal end. Again, you need to ensure that there is a logical connection between your plan, from post-graduation to five year progress to long term vision. Question 3 (500 words) Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your study group, and how do you intend to contribute to it? Ideally, you will offer a diversity of personal and professional experiences which show compelling examples of when you had an impact on a team, both as a leader and an equal team member or even as a junior. You can use this opportunity to give the AdCom insight into your interpersonal skills and personality; furthermore, with the reflective element of the question, you can contemplate how you have been successful in team environments and how you will harness these experiences to be a positive force on your learning team. Also, by proving that you possess a clear understanding of the demands of your learning team, you can show the AdCom that you have done your homework and are truly interested in LBS. Question 4 (400 words) Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community event do you envisage yourself leading? How would you set about becoming involved in a leadership position and how would you align and communicate the goals and vision for the club to the wider School community? In this essay, you will have the opportunity to give insight into your interests and passions, whether they are academic, professional or personal (we have a bias towards the academic and professional). Then, again, you can show that you have done your homework on the school, are aware of the program's offerings and understand the dynamic on campus. Finally, you can both explain how you would promote the club, showing both knowledge of the school's resources and dimensions of your personality - industrious, enterprising, creative, etc. This is a tremendous opportunity to differentiate your candidacy from others, by providing an interesting idea, connecting yourself with the school and revealing yourself to be a shrewd promoter of your ideas. Question 5 (150 words) Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these? In a very short space, you have the opportunity to discuss your international experiences and explain why they were important to you. This should not be a long list of travels with one sentence at the end; you should try to tell a story and incorporate some reflection within your sparse 150 words.
MBAMission's analysis of essay questions continues today with Kellogg. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Next: Duke Previously Posted: HBS, Chicago, Columbia, Haas, MIT, Darden, Tuck, Wharton, Stanford, LBS Kellogg 2007 Essay Questions 1. Master of Business Administration applicants only. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at the KelloggSchool. (one to two pages double-spaced) Again, because of significant overlap from school to school, we have produced a document on personal statements and are more than happy to offer it to anyone interested. Please email [email protected] for an electronic copy which will help you approach this essay. While Kellogg is not as rigid in its request for future career plans (instead of short and long term goals) it is important that offer a clear vision for yourself going forward and then discuss exactly how your Kellogg MBA will facilitate these goals. 2. Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students. (one to two pages double-spaced) This essay is broad and sweeping in nature so it allows you to showcase a mix of your greatest strengths - professional, community, academic and personal. You should attempt to select a diversity of these experiences and present them in such a way you will be able to relate them back to your ability to contribute in a variety of areas - for example, the classroom, your learning team and the community at large. A successful essay will be one which not only details unique personal strengths, but also clearly illustrates how these strengths will be in action at Kellogg, meaning that you will have an opportunity to show your intimate understanding of and connection to Kellogg. 3. You have been selected as a member of the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Please provide a brief evaluative assessment of your file. (one to two pages double-spaced) Sometimes it is easier to explain what you should do in an essay by first explaining what you should not do. This essay should not be a review of the basic facts contained within your application; Kellogg does not need a boring in depth review of your GPA and GMAT, your career history, etc. You have provided a transcript, GMAT score, resume, written other essays, etc. This essay needs to offer analysis of why you will succeed academically and socially at Kellogg and thereafter - essentially, you need put these facts about yourself into action and then add color and analysis to prove that you are the type of individual who is Kellogg material. 4. Complete three of the following six questions or statements. (two to three double- spaced paragraphs each) A. What have been your most significant leadership experiences to date? The key word in this question is "roles" - plural. Ideally, you will offer two distinct experiences that show different sides of your personality and different aspects of your leadership style. Then, in the concluding paragraph you will reflect upon these experiences and why they are significant to you/ how they have had an impact on you going forward. B. Describe an ethical dilemma that you faced and how it was resolved? Again, "Sometimes it is easier to explain what you should do in an essay by first explaining what you should not do". Inevitably, a candidate will always asks if a story like the following would work: "My boss told me to trade on inside information and I said 'no.'" In such an instance, there is no ethical dilemma; no one should be trading on inside information; no one should be breaking the law. You need to start by offering an example in which there were two reasonable options which stand in stark opposition to each other -- both with positive and negative aspects -- and explore how you made your choice. In such circumstances, the outcome is less important than your reasoning. The committee is seeking to understand your thought process and trying to recognize the reasonable, logical and ethical applicant within. C. Outside of work I E. I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me C and E are essentially free passes for you to discuss anything vital -- compelling stories or differentiators -- that you have not yet showcased. Basically, you could not ask for a better opportunity to show the AdCom how you are unique. Many candidates use these opportunities to discuss a hobby or interest; it is important that if you make this choice you somehow express an inordinate passion, otherwise you are offering a boring window into your life. Ask yourself, "How can I show that I take this passion further than others?" If you are going to answer both of these questions, it is not a good idea to answer them in a similar way - two passions for example. If you can offer dramatically different experiences, then proceed with both. This should not be a default option, but an opportunity to offer something new and different. D. Describe a professional situation where you were able to successfully persuade others to see things your way. In this essay, it is probably best for you to establish a situation in which there are two meritorious sides, analyze why you chose one and why others may not have been on board and then, of course, discuss how you persuaded them otherwise. In discussing your attempts to be persuasive, it is important that the reader understand the specific methods that you used and how/why you were successful. Ultimately, the reader should gain a window into your personality and understand how you can be diplomatic and compelling.
Well, I think that all of these posts bring me up to date. I want to thank everyone for your patience and am prepared to take on all inquiries once again. I appreciate the vigor of this community and do my best to serve it! Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBA Mission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission
Thanks for your positive feedback. Sincerely, Jeremy Shinewald MBAMission www.mbamission.com 646-485-8844 Skype: MBAMission Michigan (Ross) Mercifully, Michigan has streamlined its essays, dropping from four essays and an optional essay that most chose to answer, to three essays. 1. We believe one of the keys to effective leadership is the ability to transform ideas into action. Describe a time within the last three years in which you exercised such leadership. What did you learn about your leadership strengths and development needs? Michigan is not just looking for a standard leadership essay, but wants to ensure that you have imbued your actions with both vision and the drive to succeed. It should be noted that the idea that you discuss need not have originated from within, but it needs to be clear that you took a static idea yours or someone elses -- and turned it into something tangible, if not remarkable. In the same vein as Tuck, Michigan challenges you not only to discuss your strengths, but demands a critical appraisal of your talents as well. As always, be sure not to disingenuously offer strengths as weaknesses (I tried too hard) as they are transparent and have the negative effect of showing that you cannot objectively view your own actions. As for your strengths, try to push yourself; clichs about realizing I had the potential to lead are easy to write, but hardly differentiate you from others. If you spend some time truly reflecting on your experiences and successes, you should be able to create a distinct statement that reveals your philosophy, ideas and personality. 2. What are your career goals? How will a Ross MBA help you achieve your goals? How might the action-based learning aspects of the Ross curriculum make a difference? Again, because of significant overlap from school to school, we have produced a document on personal statements and are more than happy to offer it to anyone interested. Please email [email protected] for an electronic copy which will help you approach this essay. It is important to note that Ross wants to understand how you intend to use their specific resources. With such an emphasis on action based learning, you must ensure that you are well-informed about the Ross curriculum and that you chart a course for how you intend to seize these offerings. You should not merely laud Rosss curriculum, but do as the question says and explain the impact it will have on you professionally and how it will facilitate your career goals. 3. Describe the initiatives you have taken over the past two years to develop professionally and personally. What motivated you to take those initiatives? Most candidates are not so intent and focused that they develop a coherent two year professional/personal development plan and then methodically put it into action. So, if you are like 90% of applicants, this essay, at first, might seem a bit baffling. Well, you can relax and simply look back and data-mine your previous experiences; inevitably, you will have challenged yourself in many different ways, professionally and personally. While you may not have undertaken experiences specifically to develop, you pursued them and developed nonetheless. As you select a mix, possible one strong professional and one strong personal experience, consider that the context is key; you are not just telling stories of success; we need to understand that there were tangible changes and that you grew because of these experiences.
Kudos to you !!!... you are helping us on Issues in which no one else can (i.e analysing essays, profile fit etc) !!! gr888 job :grab:.
I was wondering if you could also analyse the Michigan Ross essays.
Dear Jeremey, Would you be providing guidance on writing essays for Queens MBAST. If so, kindly provide some pointers to start with.
ESSAY QUESTION 1 Please explain why you are applying to a team-based MBA, what you expect to bring to this program, and what you expect the challenges and rewards of this learning model might be. (500 words) ESSAY QUESTION 2 Please explain your greatest achievement, and why you view it as such. (500 words) ESSAY QUESTION 3 Please describe your short-term and long-term career objectives, and how you expect our program to contribute to them. (500 words)
Hi Jeremy, Thank you a lot for the help you are offering to the PG community. I have gone through all the posts made by you. 😃 Here I post my profile. Plz let me know the areas on which I have to work on to make my application stronger and whether my ambitions are realistic (in terms of the B schools that I am looking at). Thank you in advance for your time and effort in this regard. 😃 Thanks, Hitchcock
----------- Profile I am planning to apply for the fall of 2008. I will have 3 years of experience at the time of joining. I am working as a Business Analyst. I work in the analysis of Corporate Investment, Rates, Global Structured Finance and Interest Derivative products in Accenture (for Bank of America). Presently, I act as the point of contact for the offshore team for the Rates products. I got promotion after 1 year in Accenture. Expected GMAT Score: 730+ (giving GMAT in Dec 2006) Academics:
State School Leaving Certificate (10th ): 89.5% (placed 8th in the class of 56)
Pre Degree Course (12th): 80.5% (placed 9th in the class of 92) (Sacred Heart College, Kochi) - pretty famous in south India.
Bachelor of Technology - Applied Electronics & Instrumentation (Undergraduate):
75.6% (placed 7th in the class of 44) - from a relatively new college in Kochi - Designed a Variable Compression Ratio (ranging from 8:1 to 22:1) Engine based on the principle of Variable Geometry. - Developed Drop-on-Demand-Inkjet Technology (as part of the final year project) as per the Industrial requirement of Sevana Electrical Appliances Pvt. Ltd., Ernakulam with financial aid. Led the team of four during the project. Extra curricular activities:
Chief Editor, Accenture Global Newsletter, The Kitty Hawk Flyer (2005 - ) and Internal project newsletter, Blitz Krieg (2006 - ).
President, Undergraduate College Alumni Association (2006- )
Chairman, Undergraduate College Student Union (2003-2004)
Senior Student Editor, English Weekly, Cochin City Watch (2000-2001)
Freelance Reporter, Career Talk (English monthly ) and Marunadu (Malayalam weekly ).
Chief Magazine Editor, College Magazine 2003
Associate Editor, College Magazine 2002
Founder Member, Undergraduate Placement Cell.
Convener, National level Technical Symposium, 'Abhiyanthriki 2003'
Convener, National level Seminar, 'Chaos and Fractals: Applications' (2002)
Convener, State level Literary Workshop on Poetry & Short story, 'Aksharam' (2002, 2003)
Member, State School Team for Table-tennis (1999). Captained the District and School team.
Member, District School Team for Chess (1999). Captained the School team
WonTechnical Paper Presentation Competitions (Titles: Safety Instrumented Systems, Java Cards)
Second best Athlete for two years in Sacred Heart College, Kochi (1999,2000)
Won three marathons during 2001-2003
Won a number of long and middle distance athletics events in the college and school level.
Member, Organizing Committee for Cultural fests in Accenture (2005-2006)
Won a number of Literary and Sports events in the School and College Fests.
Community services:
Initiated and led the Training program, 'AshaKiran' for the Security guards and House keeping staff in Accenture.
Initiated Blood Donation Camps in Accenture.
Initiated and led (for 4 three and half years) the Blood Bank in the undergraduate institution and was instrumental to donate blood to over 400 patients.
Initiated the AnnualScholarship Program for 100 children in association with Community Aid and Scholarship Program (CASP) and the undergraduate institution (The program is still carried on annually based on an extensive survey done by the undergraduate students).
Initiated the Honesty Shop (where students dropped the cost of the picked objects kept for sale by Charity institutions without anyone monitoring the sales) in the undergraduate institution.
Member, Cancer and Aids Shelter Society (CASS). Represented CASS in the First Alzheimer's Congress in Kochi (1999). Prepared the Process Report for Governmental Aid for CASS (2004).
Led a number of Charity Fund Raisers during the undergraduate.
Volunteered for Social Service activities at Karuna Bhavan, Kripa and Home of Faith.
International Exposure: Nil Interested B-Schools: Stanford, Wharton, Chicago Interested Fields to work post MBA: Finance, Consultancy Additional Information: Can fluently speak, read and write 3 languages (English, Malayalam and Hindi). Passionate about Music (Country and Blues), Cinema and Community outreach activities. I had one year break in education in 2000-2001. My whole education was in Kochi.
----------- Profile I am planning to apply for the fall of 2008. I will have 3 years of experience at the time of joining. I am working as a Business Analyst. I work in the analysis of Corporate Investment, Rates, Global Structured Finance and Interest Derivative products in Accenture (for Bank of America). Presently, I act as the point of contact for the offshore team for the Rates products. I got promotion after 1 year in Accenture. Academics: Extra curricular activities:Community services:International Exposure: Nil Interested B-Schools: Stanford, Wharton, Chicago Interested Fields to work post MBA: Finance, Consultancy Additional Information: Can fluently speak, read and write 3 languages (English, Malayalam and Hindi). Passionate about Music (Country and Blues), Cinema and Community outreach activities. I had one year break in education in 2000-2001. My whole education was in Kochi.
Man you have one of the Most FUNDOO profile, which I have seen on PG!!!!
I am potential RI / RII applicant to Wharton, Columbia, Chicago & Stern. Could you please assess my profile & let me know whether I need to target some other schools? 29/Male/Indian/Financial Services. I took my GMAT this June & scored 740(50/3. I already have a MBA from India (2001 batch) & have cleared the CFA Level II exam. I have over 5 years of experience with BASF, GE, Amba Research & am now with Citigroup Global Markets as a sell side associate.
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a business turnaround story at BASF. At GE...I managed a $60mn budget & helped in reducing the variances. Did a six sigma project. Once I completed the CFA program...I decided to switch careers into equity research & hence joined Amba Research (third party KPO) where I was tracking the German Solar Utilities sector. I am now with Citigroup Global Markets in a leadership position & tracking the Tech & Telecom sector.
I am looking at another MBA to move into Investment Banking (short term) & eventually into Private Equity (Long Term).
I was the president of the students council at my B school & the founder member of the finance club. At BASF, I was the secretary of the receivables council. At GE, I was actively associated with the GE Elfun society & was the leader of a social project. At Citi, I am associated with the Habitat for Humanity.
Looking at Wharton, Chicago, Columbia & Stern.
I have a disastrous UG record. I did my B.Com from Mumbai University & scored a meagre 55%. Would this adversely impact my chances? Would a CFA level II & a good B school academic profile assist in mitigating the bad UG acads?
I dont have any international work ex. I spent 5 months in Atlanta, USA as a part of a training program. Would my lack of international work exp also adversely impact my chances at the mentioned schools?
I Need your Advice on whether i need to retake the GMAT. I took my GMAT yesterday and scored 700( Q-49(92 %) and V-35(72 %)). My average scores in GMATprep and Powerprep were around 750. I screwed badly on real test only due to lack of presence of mind.
I am applying to following schools for fall-2007 all in R2.
1) Tuck 2) Haas 3) Ross 4) Duke 5) Harvard 6) Either Stanford or Wharton.
Interested in strategic consulting in technology and entrepreneurship after MBA and very keen on applying for fall 2007.
My profile:
B.Tech (CGPA - 6.69/10 and MS in CS (CGPA 7.4/10)from IIIT,Hyd. Work exp of 3 in prod development in Motorola. Excellent performance all 3 years Applied for 3 patents in Mobile space with Motorola Technology grp.Patents under persual. Promoted idea-stage biz plans at TIE-ISB CONNECT. Extra-curricular - OK NTSE scholarship holder Onsite to chicago for 4 months.
The options i have now is to either retake the exam hoping 750+ or go ahead applying with the current score.
What do you advice on this ?
1) Would 750+ make significant difference on the admission compared to 700. When i spoke to the stanford adcom member at the Stanford meet in Hyd, he said more or less they are same, it is the quality of essays that is important.
2) Would my application to above schools with 700 score be competitive enough ? or Should i consider applying to less ranked schools ?
3) Would quality of essays be impacted if i retake since hardly 2 months left for R2 deadlines ? I dindn't start on any essays yet.
Kindly let me know ur valuable inputs. They wud definitely resolve many of things going currently in my mind.
. I already have a MBA from India (2001 batch) & have cleared the CFA Level II exam.