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

JonFrank

How to apply to 3 schools in 5 weeks
FIVE WEEKS LEFT:

1. Contact your recommenders and get the ball rolling with your letters of recommendation, letting them know your deadlines.

2. Reach out to people from each of the three schools you’re applying to so you can get some info for your “Why School X” essays. Think alumni, current students, even faculty – folks who can give you a glimpse of the programs from the inside.

3. Start your application essays to School 1.

FOUR WEEKS LEFT:

1. Log into the websites for all three schools and start filling out the forms they’re all going to request… you know, the perfunctory paperwork.

2. Keep working on your application essays to School 1.

3. Start your application essays to School 2.

THREE WEEKS LEFT:

1. Make sure your recommenders have gotten their LORs in. If not, send them a kindly reminder of your deadline.

2. Finish your application essays to School 1.

3. Continue working on your application essays to School 2.

4. Start your application essays to School 3.

TWO WEEKS LEFT:

1. Be ABSOLUTELY sure that all your recommendations are in. To quote Elvis, “It’s now or never.”

2. Complete your online application forms to all three schools.

3. Finish your application essays to School 2.

4. Continue working on your application essays to School 3.

ONE WEEK LEFT:

1. Finish your application essays to School 3.

2. Check all three applications (forms and essays) for mistakes. Look VERY carefully over everything, as the time away from most of the material will help you to more quickly and easily spot errors that could otherwise trip you up.

3. Click submit and send them on their merry way.

4. Kick off your shoes, pour a glass of your favorite drink, put up your feet, and relax (optional, but highly recommended).

JonFrank

Do bschool rankings really matter?
Question:

Does program ranking REALLY make a difference? Why is it better to go to a higher ranked MBA school?

Answer:

Gooooooooooood question. There’s been a TON of trust and power invested in the ranking systems out there as a way of deciding which are “the best schools.”

It’s not that the rankings MAKE the school better, but that the rankings TRY to reflect the “success” of the school. Each of the famous ranking groups (US. News, Financial Times, Princeton Review) has its own criteria (for the most part transparent, which you can read about on the ranking site), in which they give a certain weight to things like GMAT score, exclusivity, outgoing salaries, percent employment, etc. etc. These weighted values add up to some nominal “value” of a school… think the star rating guides that movie reviewers use. The higher the value, the better the school.

Now, let’s set all that aside. I think you do have to take the rankings with a grain of salt. Remember that the rankings are first and foremost a BUSINESS unto themselves, and a very lucrative business at that. So every year we will see certain schools go up and down on the list. Does this mean that all schools “goodness” changes every year, and exactly on the year? Of course not. It just means that if the rankings didn’t change, the ranking sites would have nothing to write about, and lose their customers. Sure, some years, a university may open a successful new school or department or hire a great new dean or pick up a world-renowned professor, but for the most part, there’s not a TON of variation on these scores.

So, when considering schools, of course prestige is important, but the difference between rankings (Haas being 7 and Columbia being 8, for example) is not really THAT important. It is FAR more important to choose the best school that FITS you. You’re the one shelling out the big bucks for that MBA, so you’ve got to be sure that you’re going to succeed—not just succeed, but THRIVE—in that program. Yet again, it all comes back to our mantra: go to the best school you can get into.

–Jon Frank

JonFrank

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU APPLY
When you think Dartmouth, you think tradition. Ivy League. New England. C’mon, the school’s older than the country, that’s gotta say something.

It also happens to have one of the highest starting salaries for grads of its Tuck MBA program, so it’s not surprising that it’s a VERY popular program for bschool applicants. So, how do you stand out from the crowd? We asked our consultant and MBA guru Yaron Dahan to let us in on the inside track for Tuck applicants:

A Strong Community. Joining Fellow “Tuckies,” as students of Dartmouth’s school of business are often called, are known for being a friendly, sociable bunch. Get to know your fellow classmates by joining a Tuck Tail social mixer (and perhaps meet your soul-mate? There is a rumor that there are more Tuck marriages than marriages at any other B-school). Figure out how you fit into the Tuck community and show the adcom that you’re looking for more than just a degree… you’re looking to be a part of something special.
First Year Project. This is a VERY cool long-term, hands-on project, where you actually get to DO what you KNOW. You team up with four other MBA students and work on real-world business problems—under the guidance of a faculty advisor. It’s an awesome way to get impactful experience AND a killer means of networking.
Access to Professors. Tuck has one of the LOWEST student-to-faculty ratios of any business school out there, so building relationships with the faculty is both easier and more important. What does this mean for you as an applicant? Well, it means that it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to those prospective professors before you apply, learning more about their classrooms and areas of study. Name-dropping in your application essays is a BIG mistake… unless you actually KNOW the people you’re name-dropping, then it’s GOLD.
Sports. Besides being a very friendly place, it’s also a very sport-friendly place, with lots of outdoor sporting opportunities, even Dartmouths very own ski slope (talk about elite, huh?). Anyway, what this tells you as an applicant is that having a background in sports—or, more to the point, extracurricular activites—is something the Dartmouth folks are looking for. This speaks to one of our favorite sayings here at Admissionado: “Schools are looking for people, not just profiles.”
Business Plan Competition. Every spring, Tuckies can participate in the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network Business Plan Competition, which pulls in major consulting and venture firms to hear pitches on the “next big idea.” What’s the prize? $50,000, for starters, but it’s also a BIG leg-up when it comes time to graduate your program and look for a job.

JonFrank

Which MBA Is Right For Me?
Choosing the right MBA program is like trying to find that perfect piece of real estate. It’s got to meet your needs now as well as your potential needs in the future. You need to have a good foundation but also have room to grow. Plus, you’ve got to be willing to move and be able to afford it – it’s enough to make you want to curl up in a dark corner with a dark beer and some dark chocolate.

But on the bright side – there’s a lot you can do to make sure that you’re choosing the right MBA program. This month, we’re giving you the rundown on how to select your b-school. Start with some solid research (our School Guides can help you out), and then figure out what YOU want out of an MBA. Then once you know what you want and what’s available, what’s next? Forget everything you’ve read about “fit” and just remember one thing – “Go to the best school you can get into.”
Four Steps to Choosing the Right MBA Program

Know the programs. Research is key, not just for learning about the programs but also for figuring out what YOU want out of an MBA.Know your profile. Understand where you stand and be realistic... but also take a few risks. You never know what can happen.Take a balanced approach. We recommend applying to at least 7 schools - 2 reach, 3 mid-range, and 2 safe.Go to the best school you can get into. Don't get thrown off by all that talk about "fit." A top school can get you wherever you need to go.

JonFrank

3 MBA Application Mistakes  that can Wreck Your Chances
Before you submit your MBA application, check for these common (and avoidable) mistakes.

1. Careless Errors

First, run through the spelling, grammar, all the standard obvious mistakes. Then, check your SCHOOL NAMES. We see this aaaallll the time. Our guy submits his Wharton application, but all his essays talk about how Duke is the right fit for him. Nothing sparks a red flag faster than having the wrong school names in your essays. Spell check will not catch this, so you’ve got to go through your essays with a fine-toothed comb.

2. Letting Your Recommenders Run the Show

Have you checked in with your recommenders? Do you have an idea of what they’re writing about you? Simply asking them to help is not enough. When it comes to LORs, the adcom isn’t only looking to see what those people say – they know you’re smart enough to choose those recommenders wisely (right?) – they’re also looking to see how you manage a project and another person. This is your chance to prove to the adcom that you’re a good manager. If you can’t get them to submit their stuff on time, it reflects badly on you. So… get out there and manage them! Also, you’ll want to give them a little bit of guidance in terms of what they should focus on in your (RICH!) work experience. Make sure those recommendations support the claims you make elsewhere in your application. The content of your recommendation should confirm what you’ve featured elsewhere in your application, while also bringing some new stuff to the table.

3. Waiting For the Last Minute to Submit

This is the most devastating mistake of them all. Through pain, sweat, and tears, you’ve birthed this beautiful application and now you’re having trouble letting go. So you’re going to wait until the verrrrryyy last minute to submit. What could happen? Well, here are some things that have gone down*:
•The website servers are overloaded and can’t process your MBA application. You end up submitting late.
•You think the deadline is at 5PM but really it was at 12PM… five hours earlier.
•You go to submit your MBA application and your Internet cuts out. Comcast is not sympathetic; neither are adcoms.

*Yes, these are real. And very possible for anyone who has been juggling work and essays and LORs and school research for months on end…

Alright folks, Round 1 deadlines are just around the corner. Watch out for those last-minute details for your MBA application!

JonFrank

Applying EarlyDecision or EarlyAction? Here's what you need to know
About 450 colleges offer students the choice to apply early, but what does it mean? And more importantly, is it worth it? First, let’s break down these early admissions plans.

Early Decision (ED) – Married

Students applying ED usually submit their application in November and receive a decision by December. You can only apply to one school early decision, and if accepted, you MUST attend that college and withdraw all other applications. ED is a binding agreement.

Early Action (EA) – In an open relationship

EA is similar to ED, but it’s nonbinding. Students will receive a decision in January or February, and if accepted, you do not have to commit to that school. You can still continue to apply to other schools under regular admission, and give the school a decision same as regular admission.

Single Choice Early Action (SCEA) or Restricted Early Action – It’s complicated

SCEA is like EA in that it’s nonbinding; however, you cannot apply early to any other school until you’ve heard back from your SCEA school. Once you’ve gotten the school’s decision, you can apply to other schools.

Now it’s time for the big question – should I apply early?

The good news is ED acceptance rates are often significantly higher than regular decision acceptance rates. So if you’re sure about the school and you’re prepared to submit your application, ED is a great option.

However, since it’s a binding agreement, you won’t get to see financial aid packages from other schools. You could turn down the offer if the financial aid isn’t adequate, but by then, it may be too late for you to apply anywhere else. If you apply EA or SCEA, you probably won’t get the same admissions edge as you would applying ED, but you’ll have the chance to compare financial aid offers before you make a decision.

Consensus –

If you’re still choosing between schools and financial aid packages, EA and SCEA will give you some flexibility to make your decision. If you’ve done your research and are 100% committed to your dream school, then apply ED. You’ve got better chances of getting in, and you can rest easy in December while your friends panic until May.

JonFrank

How to apply to 3 schools in 5 weeks

So, you’ve got around five weeks left before a bunch of Round 2 deadlines hit, and you’ve still got some applications you haven’t even started yet. Are you starting to panic?

Well, forget that noise.

There’s plenty of time to do it…if you do it right. What you need is a plan, and by plan I mean timeline. A timeline set out so you can get everything done in enough time to feel good about submitting those apps, instead of worrying that you just sent out a less-than-excellent effort to some of your dream schools.

Our very own MBA guru Yaron Dahan has laid out a map for navigating the application process for three schools in five weeks, broken down on a week-by-week basis. Time to strategize…

FIVE WEEKS LEFT:

1. Contact your recommenders and get the ball rolling with your letters of recommendation, letting them know your deadlines.

2. Reach out to people from each of the three schools you’re applying to so you can get some info for your “Why School X” essays. Think alumni, current students, even faculty – folks who can give you a glimpse of the programs from the inside.

3. Start your application essays to School 1.

FOUR WEEKS LEFT:

1. Log into the websites for all three schools and start filling out the forms they’re all going to request… you know, the perfunctory paperwork.

2. Keep working on your application essays to School 1.

3. Start your application essays to School 2.

THREE WEEKS LEFT:

1. Make sure your recommenders have gotten their LORs in. If not, send them a kindly reminder of your deadline.

2. Finish your application essays to School 1.

3. Continue working on your application essays to School 2.

4. Start your application essays to School 3.

TWO WEEKS LEFT:

1. Be ABSOLUTELY sure that all your recommendations are in. To quote Elvis, “It’s now or never.”

2. Complete your online application forms to all three schools.

3. Finish your application essays to School 2.

4. Continue working on your application essays to School 3.

ONE WEEK LEFT:

1. Finish your application essays to School 3.

2. Check all three applications (forms and essays) for mistakes. Look VERY carefully over everything, as the time away from most of the material will help you to more quickly and easily spot errors that could otherwise trip you up.

3. Click submit and send them on their merry way.

4. Kick off your shoes, pour a glass of your favorite drink, put up your feet, and relax (optional, but highly recommended).

azowu

x..............................

JonFrank

Working on a deadline means having a plan and doign constant revision

It’s 3AM. You’ve been writing for HOURS… but you’re nowhere near done and your deadline is creeping up. You swore you’d finish early but this is your THIRD application and, frankly, you’re exhausted. Writing under pressure is never easy but it happens to the best of us – the key is to do it well.

While your best bet is to avoid these last-minute scenarios, you can still deliver a fantastic essay on deadline if you don’t panic and, instead, focus on the task at hand. The worst mistake last-minute applicants make is to panic and tire themselves out without getting anywhere NEAR the results they want.

So… take a deep breath, follow these five tips and get ready for a long night. If you work hard and focus, you can knock this application out of the park:

Make a plan. Resist the urge to start writing without a plan. Slow down, collect your thoughts, choose a topic and write an outline. Ten minutes of planning will save you an hour of editing down the line.
Stick to your plan. If you have three essays and three hours to write them, that’s an hour per essay – don’t deviate thinking you can make-up time later. Likewise, make sure you triple-check the essay question and STICK TO IT. It’s easy to get derailed when you’re writing on deadline and that means lost time correcting yourself afterward.
Review, review, review. Do it early and often. Writing in stressful situations means you’ll be making more mistakes than usual, which means triple-checking yourself during the process AND afterward. Likewise, if you realize your essay isn’t working midway through and you suddenly have a better idea, you’ll have to judge whether it’s worth taking another crack at it or pressing on with your current attempt.
Take deep breaths. If you’re cracking up under pressure, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and think of something else. Make a cup of tea, go for a walk around the block or just get away from your computer and close your eyes. Then, five minutes later, get back to the task at hand and start fresh.
If you can, sleep on it. When you’re done, if you have the opportunity to get a few hours sleep before handing in your application, do so and give it one last review in the morning – you may very well catch some tricky hidden mistakes after a few hours of rest.
So remember:

Make a plan.
Stick to your plan.
Review, review, review.
Take deep breaths.
If you can, sleep on it.

JonFrank

Are You Ready To Click Submit?
R1 deadlines are coming. Fast. You’ve spent months doing research, writing and re-writing your essays, and formatting your resume. Now your essays are compelling, your resume is perfect, you’ve secured your recommendations… you’re home free!

Hold on. Not quite yet. You’ve trained hard, you’ve run a steady race, and now the finish line is in sight. But before you do a victory dance, take the time to give your application one final review with your MBA application checklist. After all, you’ve been staring at the thing for weeks, so it’s totally natural that you’ve entered a zombie-like state, eyes glossing over a small mistake. And after all the hard work and late nights spent perfecting your application, it’d be pretty devastating if you get flagged by the adcom for minor mistakes.

Of course, if reading this is making you sweat (“wait, people are already at the polishing stage?!”), and you need some help…erm…starting the process, now’s the time to get it. We’re closing our doors for Deluxe packages on September 10th, so sign up and crush those R1 deadlines.