Ask Jon Frank- P69-Q&A:WHY MBA? 7 OVERLOOKED REASONS TO GET AN MBA

JonFrank

Hey there!  Well it sounds like since you’ve canceled the TOEFL already, you don’t have much of a choice there.  You will have to live with your score. So from here, you will need to employ just a bit of gamesmanship.  You should NOT tell them that youre not gonna retake the test.  Just take the interview and do your best.  Hopefully, they will admit you.  Your score is on the borderline of course—but it may be good enough.  Maybe.  So sit tight—ideally you would have taken the test as you promise, but it is too late for that now.  No need to bring it up—wait for them to do it, and when they do, just say that you have been accepted at other programs and had to focus on other issues (Visa etc.)  The interviews for Stern tend to be a bit more formal than is typical—lots of questions are asked.  And yes, one is typically “what is your backup plan,” not just for your career but also for you summer internship. Check out THIS website—these folks do a great job amassing info online.
http://www.clearadmit.com/wiki/index.php?title=
SternInterview

Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/4/19 2:36:28)

Hi Jon, thanks a million for your advice and the information provided. I would like to hear more from you regarding my TOEFL problem. The Email from the adcom is as follows:

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to keep us updated.  It is entirely up to you whether to retake the TOEFL.  If you decide to retake the TOEFL, the Admissions Committee may delay full review of your application for your updated TOEFL score.  Because it typically takes 2 - 3 weeks for NYU Stern to receive official score reports, we suggest you submit an unofficial score report after you retake the exam.  
Once you take the exam, you may fax your unofficial score report to 212-995-4231 or email this address to unofficially report your scores.  With an unofficial score report, your application can move forward for review by the Admissions Committee. Please ensure that you arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to NYU Stern from ETS.
Please consider your options and let us know if and when you plan to retake the exam.

According to the Email,  I'm afraid if I don't tell them of my cancellation of my TOEFL test, they will wait for my score report and delay the view of my application. Do you think so, Jon? Should I tell them now, or as you advised, just keep silent untill they ask. I need your advice. Thank you so much for your continuous support.

-- by 会员 lakerfan123 (2011/4/19 23:08:14)

Well you have two choices my friend.  The easiest option, as I said before, is to not tell them anything.  That would be the easiest—and given their email especially, since you have nothing to update them with (no new scores etc.) you are fine to keep quiet.  Here is the OTHER way to handle it.  Call up the adcom and ask them the question directly.  Now, you cant tell them your name of course.  But you can tell them what the scenario is—and ask their opinion.  Just don’t tell em who you are—that would be a disaster.


Jon Frank

JonFrank

Hey gang. Quiet time, eh? Thank god we dont have to worry about apps for a few months, right? Not much to do, huh.

: )

WRONG!

Let's talk about things that you can and SHOULD do to boost your app for next year. And these are all things that you can do...immediately.

1. Extra-currics. Of course it will be hard to make it seem as though youve been doing extra-curricular work over the past year, if you havent. Starting something up fresh now, in May, would be more than a little transparent. But here's an idea folks: what about a charity or organization that you USED to work with? In years past? Reach out to them again, and RESPARK your relationship with them. Now, you can argue that youve been "volunteering with them on and off for the past five years." Catch my drift? Be smart about this guys, and get some more extra-currics under your belt.

2. Test prep (including TOEFL.) Dont forget the TOEFL guys--since so much of our client base is from China, we know the ins and outs of the TOEFL extremely well. You NEED to break the score of 100. And if you wanna be up in the Magic 7 (though I hate that term) your score will need to be in at around 110 or better. You have TIME to prep for this test. Depending on where you live, scheduling the exam may be tricky--so use this time to PREPARE guys. We would be happy to refer anyone interested to some great firms, whom you may not know about.

3. Target Early Decision schools. It is SUCH a shame that so many applicants dont know about Early Decision. We have clients every year who will get into HBS and Stanford...but be rejected by Columbia, simply because they submitted their apps too late. Dont make this mistake folks. Look into which schools offer ED applications; if you are interested in em, APPLY EARLY. And those first deadlines will hit in late August, or early September. AKA right around the corner.

Hope this helps guys, and good luck!

Jon Frank

lakerfan123

Hey there!  Well it sounds like since you’ve canceled the TOEFL already, you don’t have much of a choice there.  You will have to live with your score. So from here, you will need to employ just a bit of gamesmanship.  You should NOT tell them that youre not gonna retake the test.  Just take the interview and do your best.  Hopefully, they will admit you.  Your score is on the borderline of course—but it may be good enough.  Maybe.  So sit tight—ideally you would have taken the test as you promise, but it is too late for that now.  No need to bring it up—wait for them to do it, and when they do, just say that you have been accepted at other programs and had to focus on other issues (Visa etc.)  The interviews for Stern tend to be a bit more formal than is typical—lots of questions are asked.  And yes, one is typically “what is your backup plan,” not just for your career but also for you summer internship. Check out THIS website—these folks do a great job amassing info online.
http://www.clearadmit.com/wiki/index.php?title=
SternInterview

Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/4/19 2:36:28)

Hi Jon, thanks a million for your advice and the information provided. I would like to hear more from you regarding my TOEFL problem. The Email from the adcom is as follows:

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to keep us updated.  It is entirely up to you whether to retake the TOEFL.  If you decide to retake the TOEFL, the Admissions Committee may delay full review of your application for your updated TOEFL score.  Because it typically takes 2 - 3 weeks for NYU Stern to receive official score reports, we suggest you submit an unofficial score report after you retake the exam.  
Once you take the exam, you may fax your unofficial score report to 212-995-4231 or email this address to unofficially report your scores.  With an unofficial score report, your application can move forward for review by the Admissions Committee. Please ensure that you arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to NYU Stern from ETS.
Please consider your options and let us know if and when you plan to retake the exam.

According to the Email,  I'm afraid if I don't tell them of my cancellation of my TOEFL test, they will wait for my score report and delay the view of my application. Do you think so, Jon? Should I tell them now, or as you advised, just keep silent untill they ask. I need your advice. Thank you so much for your continuous support.

-- by 会员 lakerfan123 (2011/4/19 23:08:14)

Well you have two choices my friend.  The easiest option, as I said before, is to not tell them anything.  That would be the easiest—and given their email especially, since you have nothing to update them with (no new scores etc.) you are fine to keep quiet.  Here is the OTHER way to handle it.  Call up the adcom and ask them the question directly.  Now, you cant tell them your name of course.  But you can tell them what the scenario is—and ask their opinion.  Just don’t tell em who you are—that would be a disaster.


Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/4/22 23:57:08)

Thanks for your advice Jon, sorry for the late response. Do you mean that, even my re-take of TOEFL is listed as pending on the status checking website, the adcom will also make review my package and make their decision? But in the Email, adcom replied that they would wait for the score report and delay the review process. I'm quite uncertain now.

Do you think I can state my situation in the Q&A section and ask the interviewer for advice?

I'm sorry for bringing the stupid TOEFL problem to you time and time again. Thanks for your patience.

Best,

Lakerfan

JonFrank

Hey there!  Well it sounds like since you’ve canceled the TOEFL already, you don’t have much of a choice there.  You will have to live with your score. So from here, you will need to employ just a bit of gamesmanship.  You should NOT tell them that youre not gonna retake the test.  Just take the interview and do your best.  Hopefully, they will admit you.  Your score is on the borderline of course—but it may be good enough.  Maybe.  So sit tight—ideally you would have taken the test as you promise, but it is too late for that now.  No need to bring it up—wait for them to do it, and when they do, just say that you have been accepted at other programs and had to focus on other issues (Visa etc.)  The interviews for Stern tend to be a bit more formal than is typical—lots of questions are asked.  And yes, one is typically “what is your backup plan,” not just for your career but also for you summer internship. Check out THIS website—these folks do a great job amassing info online.
http://www.clearadmit.com/wiki/index.php?title=
SternInterview

Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/4/19 2:36:28)

Hi Jon, thanks a million for your advice and the information provided. I would like to hear more from you regarding my TOEFL problem. The Email from the adcom is as follows:

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to keep us updated.  It is entirely up to you whether to retake the TOEFL.  If you decide to retake the TOEFL, the Admissions Committee may delay full review of your application for your updated TOEFL score.  Because it typically takes 2 - 3 weeks for NYU Stern to receive official score reports, we suggest you submit an unofficial score report after you retake the exam.  
Once you take the exam, you may fax your unofficial score report to 212-995-4231 or email this address to unofficially report your scores.  With an unofficial score report, your application can move forward for review by the Admissions Committee. Please ensure that you arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to NYU Stern from ETS.
Please consider your options and let us know if and when you plan to retake the exam.

According to the Email,  I'm afraid if I don't tell them of my cancellation of my TOEFL test, they will wait for my score report and delay the view of my application. Do you think so, Jon? Should I tell them now, or as you advised, just keep silent untill they ask. I need your advice. Thank you so much for your continuous support.

-- by 会员 lakerfan123 (2011/4/19 23:08:14)

Well you have two choices my friend.  The easiest option, as I said before, is to not tell them anything.  That would be the easiest—and given their email especially, since you have nothing to update them with (no new scores etc.) you are fine to keep quiet.  Here is the OTHER way to handle it.  Call up the adcom and ask them the question directly.  Now, you cant tell them your name of course.  But you can tell them what the scenario is—and ask their opinion.  Just don’t tell em who you are—that would be a disaster.


Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2011/4/22 23:57:08)

Thanks for your advice Jon, sorry for the late response. Do you mean that, even my re-take of TOEFL is listed as pending on the status checking website, the adcom will also make review my package and make their decision? But in the Email, adcom replied that they would wait for the score report and delay the review process. I'm quite uncertain now.

Do you think I can state my situation in the Q&A section and ask the interviewer for advice?

I'm sorry for bringing the stupid TOEFL problem to you time and time again. Thanks for your patience.

Best,

Lakerfan

-- by 会员 lakerfan123 (2011/5/2 22:53:55)

Lakerfan, how are you my friend.  Upon reading the email, it is clear—you dont have the choice here.  If you are not going to retake the TOEFL (and it sounds like you have made that decision) you need to tell them that this is your plan.  Sounds like you dont have much of a choice there.  Let them know that you wont be able to retake it, and that you hope it doesnt affect your decision.  Since their email asks for that specifically, you have no decision at all.  Tell them your decision, and live by it!


Jon Frank

jueasign

Hi Jon, I got offer from Cornell this year, but due to some personal reasons and also I wanna try other top schools next year, I asked the school to postpone my offer. They agreed but let me sign a letter and mail it back to them before 1 June. In the letter, besides the three deposits that I have to make, there is still one condition saying that: Your signature on this document not only indicates your acceptance of this deferral offer, but also your agreement that you will neither seek nor accept an offer of admission from another business school.

I wonder if I sign up this letter, but later on I try other shools and get admitted. What will happen to me?

Thanks much in advance Jon!

askwind

Hi Jon, any suggestion for the decision? http://forum.chasedream.com/North_American_MBA/thread-541485-1-1.html

JonFrank

Hi Jon, I got offer from Cornell this year, but due to some personal reasons and also I wanna try other top schools next year, I asked the school to postpone my offer. They agreed but let me sign a letter and mail it back to them before 1 June. In the letter, besides the three deposits that I have to make, there is still one condition saying that: Your signature on this document not only indicates your acceptance of this deferral offer, but also your agreement that you will neither seek nor accept an offer of admission from another business school.

I wonder if I sign up this letter, but later on I try other shools and get admitted. What will happen to me?

Thanks much in advance Jon!

-- by 会员 jueasign (2011/5/4 15:40:19)

Hey there.  Well this is of course a difficult decision for you to make.  It is only a moral decision though; that is, if you do attempt to go to a different school, there is nothing that they can do to you.  They wont call other schools, sue you, etc.  They will just be angry that you were dishonest.  J  If you can live with that, then you have nothing to lose.  There are no “real” consequences, beyond the fact that you are simply going back on your word.  Hope this helps!


Jon Frank

JonFrank

Hi Jon, any suggestion for the decision? http://forum.chasedream.com/North_American_MBA/thread-541485-1-1.html

-- by 会员 askwind (2011/5/4 22:26:16)

Hey there!  Congrats on your offers!  Very exciting stuff.  If you are passionate about entrepreneurship, and I fyou KNOW that you wanna start your own business in the future, then go to Babson!  Otherwise, Carlson is known to have a better rounded, more well-known program.  Babson for entrepreneurship, otherwise go with Carlson.  And again, congratulations!


Jon Frank

askwind

thank you very much, Jon
One more question: what about location, Boston VS Minniapolis?

qingzhang1

Thanks John.

But apart from CBS, which other top 16 school has ED?