what do Schools look for?

lewis · 发表于 2003-7-30 16:44:00

一点资料，供大家参考一下.

Consider gaining admission to an MBA programme your first serious marketing project, even before you are admitted. You will be strategizing, influencing people, coordinating time tables and designing a high profile package to get your product to market. Which premier product is involved here? You and your business career.

The Wharton School and Harvard Business School receive approximately 7000 applications(approximately ten for every place available). INSEAD receives about 3000 applications. Even smaller MBA programmes receive around five enquiries per place (see our Statistical Review tables for details). Applying to top business schools has become an intensely competitive activity, requiring careful planning and preparation. Here we look at some guidelines for helping you consider how best to market yourself to these schools, to maximise the probability of gaining entry.

What do Schools look for?
Trent Andersen is Head of Kaplan GMAT Test Preparation Services. He summarises school requirements as; 1) intellectual prowess 2) career achievement 3) commitment 4) contribution to the class. Schools are looking for people who have been successful and are going to continue to be successful in their chosen career. It does not matter that you come from a non-business background, or that you have been working in the charity sector on a low salary if you can show real achievement. In fact schools actively seek diversity within their programme and, if you present yourself in the right way, such experiences may work to your advantage by demonstrating the contribution you can make to the class.

In the same way, working for an investment bank or consulting firm may show intellectual prowess, but without good references, and a strong application, this will not be a passport to a top school. Schools will use every piece of information you provide to try to judge you.

The following is a guideline:
1) Intellectual prowess

Academic record
GMAT score
Languages
Awards
Published papers etc
2) Career achievement

Work successes
References
Extracurricular activities
3) Commitment

Career plan and objectives
Non-career achievements and objectives
4) Contribution to the class

Internationalism
Personality and fit
Application procedure
Once you have decided to apply to business school and you have researched your preferred schools, the next step is to obtain application brochures from these schools (The MBA Career Guide will arrange for these brochures to be sent to you, free of charge, by completing the ‘Applicant Information Service’ card at the back).

You will then need to complete each application form, each of which will include two or three quite challenging essays. On average each application takes eight hours, but can often take much longer. You will need to prepare for and sit the GMAT exam and the TOEFL exam if you are not a native English speaker. It is advisable to prepare for the GMAT exam, either by using a professional preparation company like Kaplan, or practising by taking previous tests. Next you will need to seek out financial aid, scholarships or loans to finance your studies. You will also have to ask referees to submit letters to each of your target schools. If your initial application is strong enough you will be invited to interview and, if successful a place will be offered shortly thereafter. Each step needs careful attention if your application is to be successful.

Timing your application
Applying to business school is a lengthy and time consuming affair. At some schools the procedure is simpler. Some European schools pride themselves on being able to receive and evaluate an application and make an offer within one month. But in general it is difficult to conclude this whole procedure in less than three months.

Timing your application can be important. Donna Lau Smith of the Cox School, Southern Methodist University says “most of the class is selected in the first round of admissions.” Many US schools operate in this manner, by offering places in four or five rounds. With the first round of offers being made in December, it is wise to make your school selection in October and complete applications during November to be in this first round. If you wait till the April round, only about 1/5th of places will still be available.

Understanding School Admissions Criteria
You are unlikely to be accepted if your application is not professional, well presented, error free and convincing. Writing good essays requires that you understand the school’s selection criteria. School cultures differ widely and as a result they seek very different types of people. Marie Mookini, Admissions Director at Stanford University says “analytical ability, career and leadership potential come first.” Stacey Riley of Chicago considers “the ability to work together with others as an outstanding characteristic for successful applicants.” The table summarises selection criteria for a sample of US schools.

In your essays, each business school wants to see your personal vision statement and what your contribution will be to the class environment. Usually you will have to provide a compelling answer to the three whys. Why do you want an MBA? Why now ? Why at this specific school? Bearing in mind the selection criteria when completing your essays will greatly enhance your application success.

For professional advice and assistance in applying to top business schools, register at our web site http://www.topmba.com/ . Our team consists of prior Admissions Directors and advisors with over 10 years experience in this field.

Admission Criteria
                        Stanford Cox-SMU Jones-Rice  Chicago Georgetown
Ability to Work with others             4       4       1       1
Analytical Ability          1       1       1       2       3
Career Potential             2       8                               2
Creativity                            4                   6       5
Enthusiasm                   4                            9
Flexibility                   4                                        8
Leadership Potential          2       5       3       4       4
Maturity                               3       7       5
Motivation                   4       2       2       3       8
Organisation                                                             7
Personal Integrity                      7
Professionalism             4       10       10
Self-confidence                         6       5       10
Verbal Communication                   9       9       6       6
Written Communication                            8       7

Ranked (1 is most important, 10 is less important)

what do Schools look for?

what do Schools look for?

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