Chat Transcript September 23, 2007, 5:49PM EST

Make Your B-School Application Stand Out

Admissions consultant Linda Abraham recently offered tips to prospective MBAs on ways to improve their applications. Here's a transcript

null

Linda Abraham

Getting into a top B-school is more competitive than ever. That's why a growing number of applicants are turning to admissions consultants (BusinessWeek, 10/3/06). The jury is still out on whether applicants should be permitted a helping hand (BusinessWeek, 6/27/06) in the lengthy and difficult process designed to weed out the best candidates. But many applicants think consultants give them an edge over their equally talented and smart peers.

Recently, admissions consultant Linda Abraham (ConsultantLinda) fielded questions about this and more from BusinessWeek.com reporter Francesca Di Meglio (FrancescaBW) and an audience of applicants. Abraham, the founder and president of the consultancy Accepted, also offered lots of advice on how to navigate the application process. Here is an edited transcript of the event:

FrancescaBW: Linda, I thought we'd start out with having you tell us the type of service you offer clients.

ConsultantLinda: We offer our clients admissions advising. By that I mean advice on school choice and application strategy and tactics. We also provide essay and résumé editing, interview coaching, and wait-list letter editing.

justinpwood: What would you say are the most important components of a good application essay?

ConsultantLinda: Authenticity. Specifics. Enthusiasm. Insight.

raup999: How can you overemphasize the fit factor in your application?

ConsultantLinda: I don't think you can overemphasize fit. The key is to do so thoroughly and well. Spitting back marketing jargon from the school's Web site is doing it poorly. Demonstrating that you share the school's values and that the school distinctly supports your goals and learning style effectively communicates fit.

justinpwood: Can you expound on authenticity?

ConsultantLinda: Authenticity means genuinely reflecting your interests, goals, and past experiences. Yes, you want to put your best foot forward, but it has to be YOUR foot. Don't say what you think the schools want to hear. They hear it constantly, and you won't distinguish yourself from the masses doing the same thing. Tell them your story as well as you can, emphasizing those parts of your story that reveal why you want to attend, your qualifications, and fit.

abhishekg: Do you think talking about a failure and your learning experience (similar to Wharton No. 2) is a good idea for Kellogg's 4B [essay question]?

ConsultantLinda: It could work. It depends on the rest of your application.

Anzhansen: Why would anyone apply to a school in any other round but R1?

ConsultantLinda: If his or her application will be qualitatively better in Round 2 or even Round 3, he or she should wait. Remember Linda's Rule: Apply in the first round possible PROVIDED you don't compromise the quality of your application.

abhishekg: I am sure adcom is sick of hearing about courses, faculty, and clubs as an answer to Why SchoolX? Are there other factors that you can point us to that would be good to differentiate and show good fit?

ConsultantLinda: I'm not sure I agree with your assumption. If you show how specific and unique aspects of the program support your specific goals, then you are showing fit. On the other hand, if you talk about first-year basic courses and the clubs that exist at all B-schools, you are probably right. Write about aspects of the program, including profs, classes, clubs, and programs not found at all schools.

Reader Discussion

 

BW Mall - Sponsored Links