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

JonFrank

It’s that time of year again, folks.
The bschool applications, deadlines, application tips, standardized tests, and stress.  LOTS of stress.  But there are PLENTY of resources to bring the stress level down. Maybe it seems like you’re getting more information than you need (or can handle), but the truth is that you can never be too informed when it comes to getting admitted into the MBA program of your dreams. Keeping up with the program’s offerings, the administrative staff, and the latest updates to the application process is absolutely essential to your success… and just might give you an edge over the other applicants.
These days, staying connected with your bschool targets has become easier than ever thanks to the INTERNET. The adcoms are all sharing news, updates, and even advice on their blogs and social media handles, making those RICH resources for info.  If you don’t mine it, you miss it.  And to make it even easier for you to take advantage of these resources, we’ve aggregated the blogs and Twitter handles for some of the top 50 MBA programs in the U.S.
Simply add the following blogs to your RSS Feed or Google Reader, or follow your bschool on Twitter to stay on top of it all.  Here it goes…
Harvard
Admissions Blog: http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/blog.html
Twitter: @Harvard
Stanford
Admissions Blog: http://www.stanford.edu/group/mba/blog/
Twitter: @Stanford
MIT Sloan
Community Blog: http://mitsloanblog.typepad.com/
Twitter: @MITSloan
Northwestern Kellogg
Admissions Blog: http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/programs/fulltimemba/applying/admissions_blog.aspx
Twitter: @KelloggSchool
Chicago Booth
Admissions Blog: http://blogs.chicagobooth.edu/boothinsider/
Twitter: @Booth_Insider
Wharton
Admissions Blog: http://engage.wharton.upenn.edu/MBA/blogs/mbaadmissions_blog/default.aspx
Twitter: @Wharton
Dartmouth Tuck
Admissions Blog: http://tuckschool.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @TuckSchool
Berkeley Haas
Admissions Blog: http://berkeleyhaasmba.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @UCBerkeley_Haas
Columbia Business School
Blog: http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/publicoffering
Twitter: @Columbia_Biz
NYU Stern
Admissions Podcasts: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nyu-stern-mba-admissions/id341554864
Twitter: @NYUStern
Yale SOM
Community Blog: http://blogs.som.yale.edu/
Twitter: @YaleSOM
Michigan Ross
Admissions Blog: http://rossblogs.typepad.com/admissions/
Twitter: @MichiganRoss
Virginia Darden
Admissions Blog: http://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/
Twitter: @DardenMBA
Duke Fuqua
MBA Student Blog: http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/#.T-ON0ZgXm6E
Twitter: @DukeFuqua
UCLA Anderson
Admissions Blog: http://mbablogs.anderson.ucla.edu/
Twitter: @UCLAanderson
Carnegie Mellon Tepper
Twitter: @TepperCMU
UT Austin McCombs
Admissions Blog: http://blogs.mccombs.utexas.edu/mpa-admissions/
Twitter: @UTexasMcCombs
Cornell Johnson
Admissions Blog: http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Academic-Programs/Full-Time-MBA/Admissions/Admissions-Blog.aspx
Twitter: @JohnsonSchool
Washington University Olin
Admissions Blog: http://blogs.olin.edu/olinformer/
Twitter: @WUSTLbusiness
USC Marshall
Twitter: @USCMarshall
OSU Fisher
Admissions Blog: https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/emba/
Twitter: @FisherOSU_MBA
UNC Kenan-Flagler
Community Blog: http://blogs.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/mba/
Twitter: @KenanFlagler
Indiana Kelley
Admissions Blog: http://kelleymbaadmissions.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @IUKelleyMBA
Georgetown McDonough
Community Blogs: http://msb.georgetown.edu/mba/students/blogs/
Director’s Tips: http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/mbapremium/sep2008/bs2008092_581196.htm
Twitter: @msbgu
University of Minnesota Carlson
Admissions Blog: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/csomweb/carlsonmba/
Twitter: @CarlsonMBA
Georgia Institute of Technology
Admissions Blog: http://gatechadmissions.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @georgiatechbsch
Emory Goizueta
Goizueta Blog: https://newsroom.goizueta.emory.edu/gnr/
Twitter: @EmoryGoizueta
Rice Jones
Twitter: @ricemba
Notre Dame Mendoza
Twitter: @NDBusiness
UW Madison
Twitter: @UWBusiness
Vanderbilt Owen
Twitter: @VanderbiltOwen
Arizona State Carey
Twitter: @WPCareySchool
Texas A&M Mays
Twitter: @maysbusiness
Brigham Young Marriott
Twitter: @marriottschool
U Washington Foster
Twitter: @FosterMBA
UC Davis
Twitter: @ucdavis
Boston College Carroll
Twitter: @BCCarrollMBA
Boston University
Twitter: @BUManagement
U Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Twitter: @uiucbusiness
U Rochester Simon
Twitter: @SimonSchool
UT Dallas
Twitter: @UTDallasNews
Purdue Krannert
Twitter: @PurdueKrannert
Tulane Freeman
Twitter: @FreemanSchool
Michigan State Broad
Twitter: @MSU_MBA
Penn State Smeal
Twitter: @SmealCollege
U Maryland Smith
Twitter: @SmithSchool
UC Irvine Merage
Twitter: @UCIrvine_MBA
U Iowa Tippie
Twitter: @TippieIowa
U Arkansas Walton
Twitter: @uawaltoncollege

JonFrank

QUESTION:

Are extracurricular activities and non-school activities really that important to a Master’s application?

ANSWER:

Great question, and here’s the short answer: yes.  VERY important.  U.S. applicants have a leg up here because they’ve been told from Day 1 that extracurricular activities are an important part of the school experience and help you get ahead in life.  That’s why high schools and colleges across the U.S. offer after-school sports, clubs, events, and competitions for students to run and participate in.  Unfortunately, this isn’t the same for applicants from other countries, which that can create a problem for international applicants to U.S. graduate schools.

The biggest thing you’re looking for here is focusing on activities that will go hand in hand with the graduate level work you’re purusing.  We’re talking internships, lab work, etc.  These sorts of technical extracurriculars show your involvement and dedication to your chosen field, really filling out the picture of you as a real candidate instead of just a profile on the page.

After this kind of stuff, you can look at non-work related things (do you play the cello? Volunteer on the weekends? Knit like a fiend?), which are GREAT for many reasons.  If you can show that you’ve set out a goal and accomplished something, like leading a team to win a big race or organizing a food drive, you’ll show you’ve got great leadership and people skills.  If you manage to achieve all of these AND keep a killer GPA, even better.  This shows that you’ve got the kind of time-management skills that are CRUCIAL in the grad environment.  And if nothing else, you’re showing the adcom that you’re more than just a profile, you’re a real PERSON with real interests. That’s just as important to those applications, and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Now, what happens if it’s too late for you to get involved in something new? After all, isn’t it going to look…. suspicious if you’re just getting involved with something now? Sure, but there’s a way to make this work. The key is to get creative.  Get back into some activities you were in before, whether at your school or with an outside organization.  If you get back into it now, it will look like you’ve been doing it on-and-off for a while and establish your continued interest.  So long as you package it right, you should be just fine.

At the end of the day, no matter what you do, do something. You need to be more than just an academic. You need to show that you’re a real person with real passions. And extracurriculars will make that case.

They also happen to be fun, so if nothing else… well, get out there and enjoy yourself.

Good luck,

– Jon Frank

JonFrank

Question:

I have an employment gap in my resume, and it’s got me a little worried. How long of an employment gap is too long? Should I talk about it in an optional essay on the app?

Answer:

The honest answer here, my friend, is that any employment gap is too long. That said, not every gap needs to be explained in your MBA application. If the gap’s longer than 3 months or so—let’s call it 4+ months—it’s worth addressing in the app. Now, this does not mean that you necessarily NEED to put it in an optional essay. There are ways to serve up these explanations in other aspects of your app, maybe even in the career goals section. Whether it’s in a section of the resume or in another app essay, there are other avenues you can take to get your point across.

There are plenty of reasons for gaps in your employment: You went to school full-time. You were out of the country doing volunteer work. You were taking care of a sick family member. All of these are reasonable explanations that can actually HELP your app by showing your strengths in places other than at work, if you approach them the right way.

But, you gotta remember to see it from the adcom’s perspective here. The real fear is that you are unemployable. Schools want people who will get JOBS when they graduate, because a higher graduate placement rate makes the school look better, more impressive, more effective. If you get an MBA from them and then can’t get a job, what’s that say about the school?

So, if you DO address your career gap in the app, you’ve got to address this fear and put it to rest. Focus on the fact that, “Yes, I had no job, but it doesn’t mean I can’t get one later…” Show them that you’re a strong enough candidate, and you just might get them to forget about that gap.

Hope that helps.

– Jon Frank

JonFrank

Question:

I’m planning on going for a Masters in Accounting and I’ve kept a great GPA throughout college, but my GMAT score was only average. I retook the GMAT, but didn’t really improve my score that much. What are my chances, and should I retake the test again?

Answer:

There’s actually lots to talk about here, dude, and most of it comes from what you haven’t told us.

To start, the biggest question I’d have is about your GPA. Accounting programs are interested in your overall GPA, sure, and having a great overall GPA is ALWAYS a strength. But what about your major GPA? How did you do in your core accounting courses in college? Accounting programs are going to be MUCH more interested in knowing that you’re a solid performer in the given field. If you’ve got a high major GPA, even better.

Now, that said, a less-than-spectacular GMAT score could be an issue for you, but that depends on MANY other factors. Have you worked in any accounting or finance-related internships? How about extra-curricular activities? Did your school have a Finance Club? Were you the Treasurer for any clubs or teams? Did you take a leadership role in any of your activities? Did you FOUND an Accounting Club? All of these are things that Accounting programs look for because they show that you live and breathe this stuff. That you’re invested (pun intended) in your career goals.

Which brings us to the other big variable in the equation. What ARE your post-grad plans? Going for a CPA? Does it match up to what you’ve done so far? Can you demonstrate that you’ve got the background and the know-how to make it happen? If all of these things fall into place, an average GMAT won’t be AS much of an issue.

So, all this said, should you retake the GMAT? Well, if you do some effective test prep (study guides, prep classes, etc.), you should almost definitely improve your score. That prep stuff really focuses on improving you as a test taker, not just in covering the GMAT material. But, the thing to keep in mind is that it’s not JUST about your GPA or your GMAT numbers. It’s about being a really well-rounded, solid candidate. Somebody who’s involved, focused, driven, and has a plan.

– Jon Frank

tanht

Hi Frank, very glad to write to you and may I ask your thought about the possibilty that I can go to the top 20 schoool of US?
T&G:
T 103, G is on the way and my target is around 730
Education Background:
Bachelor Degree of Insurance and Actuarial Science, Wuhan University,top 10 in China.
Working Experience:
2 years in Chartis of AIG, underwirter of Property and Engineering.
1 year in local insurer as the reinsurance manager
3 years in an Italian General Insurance Company, underwirting and reinsurance manager
1 year to now, AVP, the number one insurance broking and risk consulting firm of US.In this company, we got NYU and Ross MBAs working as the senior officer of China office, should I ask them for the reference letter or from my direct boss without MBA degree?
International Exposure:
Business training and working for several months in London, Hongkong and Singapore.
Very frequent contact with colleagues in US, London, Singapore and Hongkong for business.
GPA: around 80/100
Target: Wharton, Tuck, Booth, Duke, Johnson,Yale.
I am looking forward to hear from you.
Thanks a lot and cheers!

sosad369

jon:
here's my background:
having worked in family business( an engineering consulting firm) for 2.5 years, quite well GMAT of 760 and TOEFL of 108( I will try to get another score higher than 110 next month), completed my bachelor's degree in another country; Additionally, I've managed some engineering consulting projects in developing countries such as Ecuador and Laos.  however, my GPA sucks( 3.02 with 1 fail grade in year 1; maybe 2.8 in other ways of GPA calculation)
Career goal: expand network in MBA and get back to the firm after graduation
1. Is it possible for me to get admitted to those most prestigious schools such as HBS, MIT or Yale?
I know that HBS and Sloan are quite stretch for me..
2. Should I write an additional essay to explain my poor grades in undergraduate study?( simply because I was too young and too foolish in my university life...)

JonFrank

APPLICANTS FROM SMALLER COUNTRIES

Question:

I’ve attended a couple of the webinars and I hear you guys talk a lot about the challenges for applicants from China and India. What about those of us coming from smaller countries? Countries like Uruguay, where I was born?

Answer:

Great question, buddy. You’re right, there are many countries out there. We talk about China and India a lot because they’re huge countries and have literally THOUSANDS of students applying to U.S. bschools every year. But that doesn’t mean that your chances are any lower than theirs. In fact, if you are not from India and China, you will be in GREAT shape this year.

Why, you may ask? Well…because most countries other than China and India are UNDER-represented in the applicant pool. Let’s say 1,000 people apply to HBS from other countries (total hypothetical here). Maybe 500 of those apps come from China and India, but maybe only 2 come from Trinidad. Makes those two really stand out from the crowd right off the bat. So, being from a smaller, lesser known country is AWESOME for you, and can be a big asset when treated cleverly in the apps.

Schools are looking for people who will make a unique contribution to the school’s rep. So coming from a less-often represented country gives you a one-up in this field. For example, what MBA program wouldn’t want someone who would return to Mauritius and take on a major role in government there? Or an applicant that’s looking to revolutionize the banking industry in Ghana?

Other countries are aplenty, but are relatively under-represented in MBA apps. If you’re already a strong candidate, hailing from an exotic or little-known nation could just put you over the top. Approach it smartly and make the most of this advantage!

Good luck out there,

– Jon Frank

JonFrank

jon:
here's my background:
having worked in family business( an engineering consulting firm) for 2.5 years, quite well GMAT of 760 and TOEFL of 108( I will try to get another score higher than 110 next month), completed my bachelor's degree in another country; Additionally, I've managed some engineering consulting projects in developing countries such as Ecuador and Laos.  however, my GPA sucks( 3.02 with 1 fail grade in year 1; maybe 2.8 in other ways of GPA calculation)
Career goal: expand network in MBA and get back to the firm after graduation
1. Is it possible for me to get admitted to those most prestigious schools such as HBS, MIT or Yale?
I know that HBS and Sloan are quite stretch for me..
2. Should I write an additional essay to explain my poor grades in undergraduate study?( simply because I was too young and too foolish in my university life...)

-- by 会员 sosad369 (2012/7/26 18:20:45)

Hey good sir,
I like how straightforward you are “however my GPA sucks”. It made me laugh. But don't worry about your GPA. Everybody has a weakness in their profile, and if your other stuff is good (and it is, and very) then it’s all right. Maybe your GPA is something you can address in your optional essay too.


Most importantly though for folks with family businesses such as yourself, is that you have a clear and precise idea of what you want to do in the future when you lead the family business. Meaning how EXACTLY will you expand. Obviously, the bigger and more important you can make your family business in your application, the more appealing your profile will be. I mean everybody wants the “heir apparent”  to a large company, so if you can show how big you are, how you are growing, and where you will steer the company, you should have chances at M7 schools. Hope this helps
Jon Frank

JonFrank

Hi Frank, very glad to write to you and may I ask your thought about the possibilty that I can go to the top 20 schoool of US?
T&G:
T 103, G is on the way and my target is around 730
Education Background:
Bachelor Degree of Insurance and Actuarial Science, Wuhan University,top 10 in China.
Working Experience:
2 years in Chartis of AIG, underwirter of Property and Engineering.
1 year in local insurer as the reinsurance manager
3 years in an Italian General Insurance Company, underwirting and reinsurance manager
1 year to now, AVP, the number one insurance broking and risk consulting firm of US.In this company, we got NYU and Ross MBAs working as the senior officer of China office, should I ask them for the reference letter or from my direct boss without MBA degree?
International Exposure:
Business training and working for several months in London, Hongkong and Singapore.
Very frequent contact with colleagues in US, London, Singapore and Hongkong for business.
GPA: around 80/100
Target: Wharton, Tuck, Booth, Duke, Johnson,Yale.
I am looking forward to hear from you.
Thanks a lot and cheers!

-- by 会员 tanht (2012/7/26 18:09:14)

It looks like with your long and deep work experience, in a very strong industry, you should be ale to get into a Top 20 program. Of course you still do have to hit that GMAT! J
What I especially like is your international involvement and experience. It’s something that not everyone has, and you can totally emphasize this in your application, I think it will help you out.For target schools, let’s wait and see what your ACTUAL GMAT is, cause it’s always a lot easier to some up with a strategy when we have the real numbers Finally, regarding your recommenders. It’s a very good question. Actually there area  lot of things to take into consideration when choosing your recommenders. Most important, I would say is that your recommender LIKE you. The difference between a recommender who super-loves you and who is willing to go to great lengths to help you out, and someone who is ho-hum about your application is enormous. Then there are other considerations like”  How well do they know your work? How much leadership have they seen? Etc. etc. That having been said, a recommendation from an alumni which goes to the school you are applying to, can be very nice indeed.
Jon Frank

tanht

Thanks lot Jon!
Will try may best to get the highest GMAT score I can. BTW, assume my GMAT is 730, may I ask your advice on my scholl chossing?