密歇根商学院中国同学会客厅 - Michigan Chinese students taking questions

baobaobear

My pals at Michigan are struggling with their finals in the next two weeks.

But, no problem---

More questions are welcome.  It seems that there are more answerers than askers.

baobaobear

here is a useful link for applicants-----http://www.bus.umich.edu/Admissions/Mba/MbaFaqs/

For answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the University of Michigan Business School, please refer to it.  If you are a novice at applying UM, it will save you lots of time to ask questions here.

delphine18

Dear Feixue, Baobaobear and other Michigan guys,

Thanks for your sincere help here. I would like to know whether my background fits in Michigan's pool.

I got a Master degree in Sociology, working experience is 1 year in MNC FMCG Marketing and then in world's first-class market research firm, serving big MNC clients. My work is a bit like consulting by providing data analysis and strategic suggestions. By 2005 full-time w/e is 3.

I took GMAT 3 years ago, 720/5.0, and I don't want to retake it. Just hit 657/6.0 in TOEFL. GPA 3.7-3.8 through undergraduate & graduate studies.

I think my background is somewhat unique in that I turn from academic path to business career and my employers are both famous MNCs, although not big 4 or consulting firms. Therefore I set my career goal as swifting from market research to consulting after MBA. My strengths are strategic thinking, being smart in business, fast-learning, etc. However, some comments from my former manager are that I am not as good a team player as working independently. But I don't agree on that 100% and if necessary, I could also raise many evidences to show my good performance in teamwork and communication.

Another weakness of mine is that I am still not in a management role with 2 years w/e at present. Thus my experience of leadership is limited. But if I wait till next year, it is possible that I will be promoted to a higher position. Therefore I am really not sure whether I should apply for top schools this year.

I have heard a saying that many top schools such as Darden rarely give offer to Chinese applicants with less than 4 years w/e. I wonder if Michigan is the same. I would appreciate it if you can give me some advises. If there is really little chance for me to be enrolled in Michigan, then I will not bother to apply for it. Otherwise I will be sure to have a try since it is one of my dream schools.

Thanks again

飞雪

You definitely have chance to be admitted by Michigan if you have strong application package. Your GMAT, TOEFL and GPA have no problem at all. To address your concern about work experience, we have two admits this year with 3 years W/E, one without W/E but a PHD from US. So, essays, recommendations do matter a lot.

Leadership is not only presented in professional world, so don't worry about it as long as you can find examples when you were at school or in your personal life. But if your managers think you are a not good team player, your problem will be whether you can get a good recommendation from them.

My suggestion would be apply after your promotion, it is not because that you can't be admitted by Michigan, but because you can have better chance after graduation having managerial experience. Moreover, you can have more choices among schools if you have stronger backgroud.

I don't know what your are consulting now and which industry you are concentrating. What you want to do in the future? Michigan is strong in marketing, operations and general management.

My another suggestion is find more information about top schools, as which schools are consulting firms' favorites in strategic consulting section.

It's all depends on your own decision about the timing of application. If you do think you need the MBA as early as possible, apply then.

eutopia

在广州HAPPY HOUR的时候, 有校友说TRANSCRIPTS时用了TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM, 有校友说不要用. 想请问这个重要吗? 不用的话, 我们学校的分数是百分制, 但有和4分制的参照, 但没算GPA, 所以我不想用REQUEST FORM(上面有问GPA), 信封里只有盖章的中英文成绩单和学历证明, 这样会有影响吗? 谢谢

baobaobear

以下是引用eutopia在2004-10-22 10:54:00的发言：

在广州HAPPY HOUR的时候, 有校友说TRANSCRIPTS时用了TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM, 有校友说不要用. 想请问这个重要吗? 不用的话, 我们学校的分数是百分制, 但有和4分制的参照, 但没算GPA, 所以我不想用REQUEST FORM(上面有问GPA), 信封里只有盖章的中英文成绩单和学历证明, 这样会有影响吗? 谢谢

No problem... I only sent my transcript and academic certification last year. ADCOM understand that some Chinese Universities don;t sign their request forms.

baobaobear

以下是引用飞雪在2004-10-21 23:14:00的发言：

You definitely have chance to be admitted by Michigan if you have strong application package. Your GMAT, TOEFL and GPA have no problem at all. To address your concern about work experience, we have two admits this year with 3 years W/E, one without W/E but a PHD from US. So, essays, recommendations do matter a lot.

Leadership is not only presented in professional world, so don't worry about it as long as you can find examples when you were at school or in your personal life. But if your managers think you are a not good team player, your problem will be whether you can get a good recommendation from them.

My suggestion would be apply after your promotion, it is not because that you can't be admitted by Michigan, but because you can have better chance after graduation having managerial experience. Moreover, you can have more choices among schools if you have stronger backgroud.

I don't know what your are consulting now and which industry you are concentrating. What you want to do in the future? Michigan is strong in marketing, operations and general management.

My another suggestion is find more information about top schools, as which schools are consulting firms' favorites in strategic consulting section.

It's all depends on your own decision about the timing of application. If you do think you need the MBA as early as possible, apply then.

Wonderful comments, FeiXue...

delphine18, your background is not so-called "unique".  I know a girl who has almost the same background and career goal as yours and got an offer from a top school last year.  Traditionally, HR was a major at b-schools and now there are many courses relating with it. So, b-schools understand your background quite well.

In addition, for b-school, "unique" is not a drawback and "diversity" is a critical criterion.  We can even see many athletes and musicians go to b-schools.
Right?

delphine18

Thanks Feixue & Baobaobear!

Actually what I am doing is market research for FMCG products, providing strategic solutions to client's marketing teams.  My experience is not related with HR at all.  Anyway I do agree with you that my background can be described as "diversified" rather than "unique"...

willy_zhu

Hi,

I am a michigan fan and want to apply this year, could anyone give understanding of pretext for the No.2 and 3 essays.how to use that part of pretext into essay? is there any specific connection between them?

tks!

Jeremy

以下是引用willy_zhu在2004-10-22 19:10:00的发言：

Hi,

I am a michigan fan and want to apply this year, could anyone give understanding of pretext for the No.2 and 3 essays.how to use that part of pretext into essay? is there any specific connection between them?

tks!

The essay questions are:

Required Questions

1. We believe the key to effective leadership is the ability to transform theoretical concepts and ideas into action that can change the world. Given this perspective, please describe your most significant professional leadership accomplishment. In doing so, please describe how you transformed an idea into action, the challenges you faced, and the impact your leadership had on your team or the organization. (500-word maximum)

2. Our unique approach to utilizing action-based learning and interdisciplinary experiences allows our students to develop the confidence and skills to build and lead organizations. In this environment, Michigan MBAs are active participants in the learning process and assume responsibility for co-creating their educational experience. Given this context, please respond to the following two questions:
a. Describe the steps you proactively took to develop professionally and personally over the past two years. (500-word maximum)
b. Describe how you will approach co-creating your Michigan MBA: What career goals have you set and what objectives will you establish for your Michigan MBA experience? How will you utilize the opportunities at Michigan to achieve your objectives and create an MBA experience that is right for you? How will you and your approach benefit other members of our community? (500-word maximum)

3. Describe a time when your personal ethics or values were a consideration as you resolved a dilemma. (500-word maximum)

Optional Questions You may answer one, both or neither of these questions.

1. Describe an experience or experiences you have had that highlight the value of diversity in a business setting. (500-word maximum)

2. If there is any other information that you believe is important to our assessment of your candidacy, or important to our understanding of you as a person, feel free to elaborate here. (500-word maximum)