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

JonFrank

heavyduty 发表于 2013-5-10 08:43
Jon, I was dinged by HBS and plan to reapply this year. While I got very solid recommendations from  ...

Good question!
Well it depends on how good the recommenders were. If all three gave great recommendations, then you don't necessarily have to choose new people, although they should all be updating their recommendation with anything new that happens. You can also consider switching one recommender if one of them was weaker than the others. And yes, as long as you are a reapplicant, the Adcom will have access to all of last years materials, which is why it is so important for you to update everything!

Hope this helps.

Jon Frank
HBS 2005

JonFrank

Does an MBA make you a happier person? Reading the results of a new survey by MBA50.com, it’s hard not to come to that conclusion.

MBA50.com, a website that covers 50 top business schools, surveyed 1,100 current students from 12 of the world’s leading business schools and asked them three questions: How happy were you 12 months before you started your MBA program, how happy are you now, and how happy do you think you’ll be after you graduate?

The results show a clear happiness progression. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being extremely unhappy and 10 being extremely happy, the MBA students reported that they weren’t exactly giddy with anticipation before starting their programs (5.98), but got significantly happier once they started (7.71) and will be downright blissful after graduation (8.53). MBAs in every world region save one reported increased levels of happiness in school and after graduation; those in Australia Pacific will get a little crankier after graduation for reasons not explained.

The happiest students of all were in the U.S. and Canada (8.3). The most miserable: those in Central and South Asia (7.68) followed closely by Western Europe (7.72) where double-digit unemployment in Spain and Greece must have many worried. Asked what aspect of their MBA programs made them the happiest, 42.2 percent said “self-development” followed by career progression (19 percent) and the pleasure of learning (11.6 percent). Financial reward (2.7 percent) came in a distant seventh.

There’s been an abundance of academic happiness research in recent years, much of it by economists, and plenty of debate over its validity. Even researchers who study this stuff will tell you it’s best to take any findings with a big grain of salt.

Naturally, gaining acceptance to a top MBA program, and ultimately graduating, would increase happiness—but wouldn’t achieving any big goal such as starting a family or getting a job? Sure, the experience of attending an MBA program can be happiness-inducing. For one thing, it’s a two-year break from work. You’re surrounded by like-minded individuals. And you’re doing something you find interesting. What’s not to like?


Jon Frank
HBS 2005

JonFrank

Essay 1: Introduce yourself to your classmates in 100 words or less.

What’s the difference between Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Clouseau? Or Jason Bourne and James Bond? Well, you may say that Sherlock Holmes is precise whereas Clouseau is a bumbling klutz. Or that Jason Bourne kills his adversaries equipped only with a hand towel, while Bond employs the use of state-of-the-art gadgetry to get himself out of peril. Yes, there may be differences on the surface, in their processes, in how they look, in their backstories, etc… but we’re about to argue—for the sake of this analysis, that in fact, there is ultimately NO difference between ANY of these guys. If… we boil it down to one (and only one) simple question—does the guy get the job done? Answer: yes. Let’s pretend that this is all that matters and apply it to Ross’s intro Essay.

Let’s throw the focus AWAY from who you are, what your backstory is, what makes you you, all that stuff that you may EXPECT to focus on here—don’t worry, it’s all potentially important, BUT, we wanna challenge you to think about it slightly differently. Let’s instead consider the desired RESULT. Regardless of what you say, and how cool YOU may think it is, the KEY to this question is to achieve … a particular reaction in the reader. What’s the reaction? One word: intrigue. The guy listening to your response should SMIRK and say quietly to himself, “Hm, this kid sounds kinda cool—the kind of person I’d love to get to know.” THAT, my friends, is the goal. If you can achieve that, it doesn’t matter one iota what you say to get there.

But, let’s at least take a crack at figuring out what types of things may help you… get there. First of all, a sense of humor. The ability to be self-deprecating. “Ah, this guy has the ability to laugh at himself.” Very appealing. Don’t be afraid to reveal something mildly embarrassing. This shows the best kind of vulnerability, and promises its opposite—that in fact, there must be way more to this guy. “I wonder what he’s holding back.”

What else. Something unmistakably unique. Tricky one, how do you know if “your thing” is unique? Well, probably it isn’t, in the grand scheme of things. But you’ll know because you’ve been in this situation before (i.e., introducing yourself to a group of people) and you may be “that guy” who always has the showstopper intro that has the room stunned. Use it here. But consider a twist—just to hedge against the idea that you may not be alone. Let’s say you’re a skydiver. Not many people can say that they’ve leapt from an airplane—but to be sure, it isn’t thaaaaat uncommon. So, rather than say “My name is Gray McManmin, and I have jumped out of an airplane—you guessed it, I have done skydiving!” … Refine your uniquess: “We all know someone who knows someone who’s done skydiving, but how many skydivers have proposed to their now-wives while plummeting toward the earth at hundreds of miles per hour?” See the difference? In this way, even if your “thing” STILL isn’t unique, at least it’s a touch more personalized.

What else. How bout admitting something outlandish from your past that no one knows about? Do you have the ability to surprise… your parents? Or your best friends? With an admission that even THEY don’t know?

Whatever the thing is, it can’t be random. It must connect to you in some way that captures the essence of who you are—in such a way that it makes us… intrigued after we read it. The thing itself doesn’t matter. If we’re intrigued, you have succeeded.


Jon Frank
HBS 2005

森苡

Thanks for sharing the thoughts on the essays.

JonFrank

Essay 2: THREE-PART QUESTION (150 words per question).

When schools force the applicant’s hand and split larger essay questions into pieces, it’s a signal—they want you to cut to the chase. Remember, folks: the b-school application is not a writing contest. Flair without substance gets you absolutely nowhere. It’s all about the “value” of the applicant. Our trick, is to communicate that value as clearly and effectively as possible. So, here we have 150 words apiece to get some stuff across. Probably it’s two lean paragraphs, maybe it’s one—but only if your writing skills are exceptional. A dense paragraph that isn’t clear can do more harm than good. Let’s get into it.

• What about your professional experience has led you to determine that business school is the right next step?

This is a rare instance where paying attention to the wording should steer your response. (Often times you’ll hear us say in lectures how you must compile your STRONGEST stories and make sure that you communicate them, regardless of how the prompts read—i.e., don’t let the prompts force you to pull from your eighth strongest story just because on the surface it seems like a more natural FIT to the question). But here, let’s sink our teeth into their intention.

There is an interesting assumption laced into this sucker. They’re suggesting (and you should play along here) that business school was never really a part of your “equation.” Your career has developed its own momentum, and it’s heading somewhere. As you pick up speed, your sense for where it’s heading is becoming clearer, as is your sense for what is needed to succeed… maximally—who wants to succeed only half-way? There is such a thing of course, but we’re not looking for settlers, we’re looking for… pioneers.

B-school isn’t NECESSARY for everyone to succeed wildly. Steve Jobs, anyone? But, it can be a huge catalyst. Assuming you didn’t have this in mind when you embarked on your career, when DID it occur to you? What was the precise moment? Think about it. When did it occur to you that an MBA was worth the hassle—the application, the research, the GMAT, collecting LORs, the financial outlay, all that… stress. What tipped the scale for you? Articulate THAT. And nothing else. So long as you embrace that assumption, you will end up explaining all that you need to explain (with respect to your short and long term goals, i.e., just the right amount of it) to bring your case to light.

What we’re looking for is the kind analytical mind—the BUSINESS-savvy mind—that assesses a situation, sees an opportunity, weighs pros and cons, and decides on a course going forward. In this decision alone—the decision to earn an MBA—we get to see whether your reasoning resembles that of “the guy who’s gonna do something down the road.” Show us the gears, folks—all you need to do is make a bulletproof argument. The number one mistake people will make is in trying to over-sell their IDEA, rather than a simple, CLEAR, and compelling case for why an MBA is a necessary next step. Show us that you understand what it is, and why it’s more valuable to your path than “not it.”

• As you have researched MBA programs, what actions have you taken to learn more about Ross, and what has led you to believe that Ross is the right MBA program for you?

This one’s like making bread—VERY simple ingredients, but it’s all about execution. Let’s first identify the ingredients: water, yeast, flour, and salt. Kidding.

Okay, for real, the ingredients are:

1. Here’s what I’m looking for in an MBA program (yep, articulate it THAT way).
2. This is the STUFF I’ve done to learn about Ross (you’ll see that I’m not messing around and just combing the website, like anyone can—from the evidence I’ve provided, it is plain that I am unusually interested in this particular program).
3. What I have learned FROM this research, is that Ross may be an incredible fit for me in the following ways: A, B, C. (What’s ABC? These are very specific ways that you will demonstrate how unique aspects of Ross will combine with your needs to catapult you to a GREAT version of future success.)

Let’s dig into that strange phrase in #3 above: “… GREAT version of future success.” Think about it. There are many ways you can succeed at your goals. Some may be exceptional, mind-blowing. Another version may be more modest—still a success, but simply less flashy. Yet another version may be something that OTHERS consider a success, but that doesn’t fulfill you. You get the idea, there are a million possible outcomes.

Well, you’re gonna make the argument here that there’s something about Ross that gives you the feeling that through THIS program (and not others), you’re gonna end up fulfilling an EXCELLENT (and possibly even the BEST) version of your future success. Make sense? Gotta be specific though; can’t just “state it.” Prove it. Where’s the evidence? Why are you making this claim? Sell us on it. Argue it with “facts” the way a lawyer builds a case in court.

• What career do you plan to pursue after business school, and why?

Don’t try to wow us with CONCEPT here—no one reeeealllly cares. Wow us—instead—with confidence. Clarity. Momentum. Inevitability. Don’t sell us a pipe dream. You’re on a train that has already LEFT the station, and if you’re successful here, we will chase after this train and try to leap onto it. It’s not “look at how interesting my idea is” or “check out the amazing opportunity I’m pitching here!” … it’s “look at how successful I’m going to be (no matter what I do).”

How to achieve this? Prove to us that you’re gonna succeed. Build the answer around THAT singular objective. Identify the opportunity. Identify the thing that’s wrong/broken. Explain what it is you wanna actually do/achieve. Justify it, sell us on it. Indicate WHY this gets your juices flowing, and why it brings out the best in you. Now prove that based on your history, you were born for this role, and that if anyone is gonna pull it off… it’s you—just look at all this evidence.

Sound simple? Nice! Unfortunately, it ain’t that simple. But this approach will help you stay on the correct (and most compelling) path.

Jon Frank
HBS 2005

angelaliuhui

Hi Jon, need the help as well...
any chance to get into Columbia, Whorton, Tuck or Chicago
My background: MA of finance. from top 3 business school in France;
GPA:3.5,
4.5 w/e , 3 years in a American vlaluation firm, 1.5 years in a big4 consulting
G740, with AWA 3.5, I think I'd better retake G but I am really tired, Twaived

many thanks

cloudy218

Hi Jon,

impressive sharing.

One question that would like your comments:
I have a colleague whom I worked with in several projects. (our work relationship is project based.) He was a director in my dream school, and agrees to provide some sort of recommendation/endorsement.
I am wondering that besides being one of the recommender and completing the whole online process, is there anyway else for him to provide the recommendation/endorsement, e.g. writing an email to the school? or, should I be better ask him to act as the recommender? (it may take him a lot of time..)
One of my professor graduated from that university as well (but not business school)..he called the university last year, hoping to endorse for me, though I was not admitted...Does such help? (if yes, he will be willing to do it again this year..)

Many thanks.

JonFrank

angelaliuhui 发表于 2013-6-14 22:02
Hi Jon, need the help as well...
any chance to get into Columbia, Whorton, Tuck or Chicago
My backg ...

Oooops!

cloudy218

cloudy218 发表于 2013-6-19 20:29
Hi Jon,

impressive sharing.

Hi Jon, just want to make sure that my question is noticed, so repost as below....greatly appreciate it if you may share your comments on my questions..
Many thanks.

---------
I have a colleague whom I worked with in several projects. (our work relationship is project based.) He was a director in my dream school, and agrees to provide some sort of recommendation/endorsement.
I am wondering that besides being one of the recommender and completing the whole online process, is there anyway else for him to provide the recommendation/endorsement, e.g. writing an email to the school? or, should I be better ask him to act as the recommender? (it may take him a lot of time..)
One of my professor graduated from that university as well (but not business school)..he called the university last year, hoping to endorse for me, though I was not admitted...Does such help? (if yes, he will be willing to do it again this year..)

JonFrank

cloudy218 发表于 2013-6-21 00:22
Hi Jon, just want to make sure that my question is noticed, so repost as below....greatly appreciat ...

YES! You've been noticed!! My apology, old man gets distracted vert easily! =) Here's my response to your question:
First of all, endorsements can help, but as you discovered don't always get you in. But there is no way they can hurt. I think though that written endorsements are better. So if your professor wants to send a short note about how fantastic you are, it can be great. As for your colleague who was a director at your dream school, it depends. You can use them as a full recommender if he also has lots to say about you at work (and if you can set him up as a supervisor of yours). If not, he can still be useful! You can write what I call the "extra recommendation", which is a pretty short recommendation (1 page) and ignores the school's question. Ideally, the person will write it in hard copy (not an email) and send it directly to a specific member of the Adcom. It's great that you have this possibility, as every little bit helps!

Jon Frank