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

darkdoug

Many many thanks, Jon!!! Your responses are very clear and helpful and, more importantly, encourage me greatly to apply. You are so kind really.

Just one more question to clarify: about choosing the target schools. I do have variety of possible schools to look at, but how to narrow down the list? I know research work is necessary and I do attend as many info sessions as I can. But it is still hard to feel the "culture" of different schools. For example, I know I am a team player and I should choose a team-work school, but you will find actually near 70% (or more) B-Schools marked themselves as "team-work"......So do you have any suggestion how to distinguish them each?  And as for my case, I noticed you recommended schools like Hass and Tepper, whose university have strong engineering background. Do you mean those kind of school will prefer engineering guys like me more than traditional finance schools do?

JonFrank

Many many thanks, Jon!!! Your responses are very clear and helpful and, more importantly, encourage me greatly to apply. You are so kind really.

Just one more question to clarify: about choosing the target schools. I do have variety of possible schools to look at, but how to narrow down the list? I know research work is necessary and I do attend as many info sessions as I can. But it is still hard to feel the "culture" of different schools. For example, I know I am a team player and I should choose a team-work school, but you will find actually near 70% (or more) B-Schools marked themselves as "team-work"......So do you have any suggestion how to distinguish them each?  And as for my case, I noticed you recommended schools like Hass and Tepper, whose university have strong engineering background. Do you mean those kind of school will prefer engineering guys like me more than traditional finance schools do?

-- by 会员 darkdoug (2012/8/29 17:23:22)

You are welcome, dude! Well, of course you gotta start it off with research. Looking how the school’s program is arranged, what opportunities it gives you in special programs etc. Getting a “feel” for the school is much harder, I agree. Especially since it’s totally subjective. Some people will say “HBS is the most team-oriented school in the universe” and others will say that HBS is “full of killer-sharks” J Depends on your prospective. And the BEST way to get your idea straight here is to VISIT. Of course that isn’t always possible. But talking to alumni and students and emailing them usually is. So you can start by doing that to start to get an idea.

As for my suggestions, of course I did suggest Haas, Tepper and Anderson because of their strengths in Tech. What this means is a few things: 1. They are usually connected with strong tech programs, so you can find partners, and even take some classes if you want 2. They will have a lot of resources (most importantly connections) for you. 3. They are located in the right place (California) 4. They tend to be more willing to take a larger majority of their student body with Tech backgrounds. Sooo, since all of these things will work in your favor, it makes sense to me!

Of course, ultimately, there is no substitute for you doing your own research, but hopefully these first few thoughts will start you off well.

Jon Frank

yokoleilei

Hi，Frank

I've been thinking about whether I should ask for help or not, cause it seems that all those fellows here are all qualified to top 20s and everyone seems to be genus with excellent background, haha. well ,My case is quite different, maybe.

I got my bachelor degree though self-learning program, a full-time campus study program and equivalent to the common full-time diploma. How about those top 50s ? Do they have some special criteria? I mean do they accept my bachelor degree?

Working experience :6 years in education(seems not so hot, CEO now,)

I am confused now. expecting your advice!

anyway,thanks a lot

darkdoug

Very good suggestions Jon! You always tell people not only how & what to do, but also why to do so, which I think is more important. To be honest, I can hardly believe that I have got so many great suggestions just by free, which I think deserve a big meal at least. So I owe you one. Please keep my words and feel free to take it anytime if you like. Thanks again man!!!

You are welcome, dude! Well, of course you gotta start it off with research. Looking how the school’s program is arranged, what opportunities it gives you in special programs etc. Getting a “feel” for the school is much harder, I agree. Especially since it’s totally subjective. Some people will say “HBS is the most team-oriented school in the universe” and others will say that HBS is “full of killer-sharks” J Depends on your prospective. And the BEST way to get your idea straight here is to VISIT. Of course that isn’t always possible. But talking to alumni and students and emailing them usually is. So you can start by doing that to start to get an idea.

As for my suggestions, of course I did suggest Haas, Tepper and Anderson because of their strengths in Tech. What this means is a few things: 1. They are usually connected with strong tech programs, so you can find partners, and even take some classes if you want 2. They will have a lot of resources (most importantly connections) for you. 3. They are located in the right place (California) 4. They tend to be more willing to take a larger majority of their student body with Tech backgrounds. Sooo, since all of these things will work in your favor, it makes sense to me!

Of course, ultimately, there is no substitute for you doing your own research, but hopefully these first few thoughts will start you off well.

Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2012/8/29 18:18:35)

beup

Hi Jon,

Please help. Would it be too bold for me to apply for top 5 or top 10 US business schools with below background?

Education: BA Economics
we: 3.5 years in one of the top 3 insurance broking firms. 3-month overseas training experience.
G/T: G730, T109
GPA: 3.3/4.0

If you need more information, please let me know. Many thanks in advance!

-- by 会员 fido12 (2010/9/22 0:00:28)

Hello there!  While a top five school will be very challenging for you (given both your GMAT and your TOEFL, a top ten program is quite possible. 10-15 for sure.  Haas, Ross, places like that should be right in your comfort zone.  Good luck—and go get em!  J


Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2010/9/23 12:06:01)

Hi Jon, need the help as well...
any chance to get into M7, or others like Yale SOM (ivy, you know...)
My background: BA of econ. from top 3 unergrad in PRC;
GPA:3.6, colorful undergrad life including overseas work experience, and other activities (but, long long ago 0_0)
4 w/e if admitted in 2013. 2 yrs in big4 financial advisory dpmt; then started a job as equity analyst in a local brokerage based in HK.
G720, T104...I know it is mediocre...esp. for M7...yes I think I can do better if I take tests again...but I am really tired and do not have a lot of spare time...Or do you think a higher G,T could really make a difference..if so. I will try again..

many thanks!

JonFrank

Hi，Frank

I've been thinking about whether I should ask for help or not, cause it seems that all those fellows here are all qualified to top 20s and everyone seems to be genus with excellent background, haha. well ,My case is quite different, maybe.

I got my bachelor degree though self-learning program, a full-time campus study program and equivalent to the common full-time diploma. How about those top 50s ? Do they have some special criteria? I mean do they accept my bachelor degree?

Working experience :6 years in education(seems not so hot, CEO now,)

I am confused now. expecting your advice!

anyway,thanks a lot

-- by 会员 yokoleilei (2012/8/30 0:10:13)

Of course you should ask for help good sir! That’s why you are here. And if you have a question it is for sure valid. So, first of all about your degree. If you have your degree, it’s great. Yeah sure, at the end, maybe it’s less valuable than some big name university.And that’s fair. But you still can get into great programs when you have other strengths.
Now I’d love to give you some advice about where to apply and what your chances are,but I need more info from you! Are you a CEO? OR an educational company? A school?What do you do? How big is the company? And what have you DONE in those six years?How much have you progressed? How big had the company grown? Do you do any volunteer initiatives? Any sports/hobbies/extra activities? Maybe you can highlight that a bit? Finally, have you taken your GMAT? What was your score? If you give us a bit more idea of who you are and where you are coming from, we can advise you a LOT more precisely!



Jon Frank
HBS 2005

JonFrank

Hi Jon,

Please help. Would it be too bold for me to apply for top 5 or top 10 US business schools with below background?

Education: BA Economics
we: 3.5 years in one of the top 3 insurance broking firms. 3-month overseas training experience.
G/T: G730, T109
GPA: 3.3/4.0

If you need more information, please let me know. Many thanks in advance!

-- by 会员 fido12 (2010/9/22 0:00:28)

Hello there!  While a top five school will be very challenging for you (given both your GMAT and your TOEFL, a top ten program is quite possible. 10-15 for sure.  Haas, Ross, places like that should be right in your comfort zone.  Good luck—and go get em!  J


Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2010/9/23 12:06:01)

Hi Jon, need the help as well...
any chance to get into M7, or others like Yale SOM (ivy, you know...)
My background: BA of econ. from top 3 unergrad in PRC;
GPA:3.6, colorful undergrad life including overseas work experience, and other activities (but, long long ago 0_0)
4 w/e if admitted in 2013. 2 yrs in big4 financial advisory dpmt; then started a job as equity analyst in a local brokerage based in HK.
G720, T104...I know it is mediocre...esp. for M7...yes I think I can do better if I take tests again...but I am really tired and do not have a lot of spare time...Or do you think a higher G,T could really make a difference..if so. I will try again..

many thanks!

-- by 会员 beup (2012/8/31 1:54:13)

With a 720 and a 3.6 you for sure have a chance to make it into a Top school, Ivy league or M7! Happy news: No need for you to take the GMAT!!!


What you need to do know is work on your application! Make your stories and achievements stand out from all those other great and strong students out there. I’d say, it’s time for you start strategizing about your schools!


And best of luck to you!



Jon Frank

haiwen

Should I get a personal friend as a recommender?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Jon, HBS seems to change the requirement for recommendation this year. Below's quoted from their application webpage:

"Our general advice is that two out of three recommendations should be from your professional life - ideally one of those should come from a current or recent supervisor. We completely understand that this is not always possible. Use your best judgment. Look at the questions we are asking recommenders to complete. Find people who know you well enough to answer them! This should take priority over level of seniority or HBS alumni status."

So they're suggesting two out of three recommendations should be from the professional life. Does it mean that we need to approach someone from 'non-professional' life, I.E. a family or personal friend etc, for the 3rd recommendation? Definitely a personal or family friend will drop a good line for us, but is that what HBS's looking for, and are their words convincing for HBS?

Last but the least, what's the reason for HBS to require 2 out of the 3 recommendatons come from professional life - are they intending to use the 3rd one to get a different perspective for the applicants outside the professional world?

Hope you can help me with this question.

Thanks!

JonFrank

Should I get a personal friend as a recommender?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Jon, HBS seems to change the requirement for recommendation this year. Below's quoted from their application webpage:

"Our general advice is that two out of three recommendations should be from your professional life - ideally one of those should come from a current or recent supervisor. We completely understand that this is not always possible. Use your best judgment. Look at the questions we are asking recommenders to complete. Find people who know you well enough to answer them! This should take priority over level of seniority or HBS alumni status."

So they're suggesting two out of three recommendations should be from the professional life. Does it mean that we need to approach someone from 'non-professional' life, I.E. a family or personal friend etc, for the 3rd recommendation? Definitely a personal or family friend will drop a good line for us, but is that what HBS's looking for, and are their words convincing for HBS?

Last but the least, what's the reason for HBS to require 2 out of the 3 recommendatons come from professional life - are they intending to use the 3rd one to get a different perspective for the applicants outside the professional world?

Hope you can help me with this question.

Thanks!

-- by 会员 haiwen (2012/9/4 11:08:11)

Hey there, and great question!

Well, first of all, keep in mind that this is only a “Recommendation” and not a hard-fast rule. So I would say first of all it depends on the potential strength of your recommenders, and where they are coming from. So if you have three super strong recommenders from three different professional areas, that would still be a great option.

When you do consider who to use for a more “personal” recommendation, I’m not sure that what they mean is “friend” or “Family member”. Instead think of colleagues, religious leaders, professor, community service leaders you have worked with, etc…. I mean what can a friend write? “He’s a great guy. He’s my best friend” J So, you would probably get more out of one of the other options above.

Hope this answers your questions!

Jon Frank

JonFrank

Question:

How can you determine what’s a good safety school? Is a gap of four or five schools (in rankings) a big enough gap?

Answer:

We get this question AAAAAALL the time here at Admissionado, and for good reason. Applicants want to know how to figure out which schools they have a great chance, a good chance, and a slim chance of getting into, and a big part of our business is helping folks figure that out.

That said, this isn’t an exact science. There’s no super-secret formula or magical calculation that tells you what makes a reach school vs. a match school vs. a safety school. But how can that be? Well, rankings aren’t exactly an exact science, either. The people who rank MBA programs are compiling and evaluating all sorts of data, some of which (like graduate employment rates, average post-grad salaries, etc, etc) don’t have anything to do (at least not DIRECTLY) with your chances of getting into that program. So, just because one school is ranked four or five slots higher than another doesn’t mean that you automatically have a better chance at the lower-ranked school.

So, how DO you figure out your MBA app strategy when it comes to safety schools? The most obvious and least precise recommendation here would revolve around the standardized testing (GMAT, GPA, TOEFL, etc). If your current GPA and GMAT scores are WAY higher than the particular MBA program’s published average, then you could start to look at that school as a POTENTIAL safety school. However, there are SOOOOOOOO many other factors to take into consideration—your specific work experience, your extracurricular activities, your projected concentration and business plans—that this sort of metric assessment is imprecise at best and misleading at worst.

At the end of the day, you can prep a reach/match/safety application list that ends up being totally wrong after you apply. We’ve seen folks get into two or three of their reach schools and only one or two of their safety schools… how much sense does THAT make? So, when it comes time to figure out where you want to apply and how great your chances are there, reach out to an admissions consultant and get a full profile evaluation to figure out the best strategy for you.

– Jon Frank