Daniel C

In this course, we will:

• Provide an overview of the business school application process and the critical steps and strategies to stand out from other applicants.

• Discuss the core pieces of the application (statement of purpose/personal statement/essays, resume/CV, recommendation letters, interview), their purpose, and how they fit together.

• Provide a framework to identify gaps and develop a strategy and plan to complete your application in an orderly way.

This course provides an overview of the business school application components and process. Many applicants start filling out applications without giving adequate thought to their overall message and thinking strategically about what information to include in each part of the application to support their narrative. This overview course will help you as you begin to develop a strategy and plan to complete your business school applications strategically and efficiently, avoiding common mistakes. It will also familiarize you with the other units so you know what to expect from the course.  

UNIT OUTCOMES

After completing this course, you will be able to identify any gaps in your understanding of the application process, know how to prioritize your time, and begin to develop a strategy and plan. There will be a short goal assessment exercise at the end of the course, which will allow the instructor to better customize the following courses to our package clients!

In this course we will discuss:

•How to complete a thorough self-analysis of your motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and goals.

•The components of a good personal story that are unique to you, and what types of examples support your narrative.

•How to begin constructing your broader narrative about why you are pursuing an MBA.

Besides your academic and professional background, the most important aspect of the application is your story. Many students have similar qualifications, so the most compelling applicants synthesize their accomplishments into a cohesive and compelling narrative that demonstrates why they are a great fit for the school. Rather than starting with a specific statement or essay question, it is well worth your time to develop your story before diving into a particular application. While this takes more time in the beginning, it will save tremendous time later and will help you respond effectively to any type of personal statement or essay question. Furthermore, it will inform your CV/resume, help you choose references, and ensure that you are including all the points you want to make in your application. Following this course, the student will do a self-reflective exercise to help them contemplate these questions. In subsequent units, we will discuss how to convey your story in the different parts of the application.

UNIT OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, you will have the tools to begin shaping a compelling story. You will be able to prioritize examples from your past, articulate more specific and relevant goals for the future, and have a better sense of what you want to convey when you apply to each school. The framework developed in this course will be used in subsequent units as we explore each specific part of the application.

In this course, we will discuss:

•The purpose of the statements and essays, and specifically what the admissions committee is looking for from the applicant.

•The key elements applicants should include in their submission, drawing from their story (background, interests, talents, goals).

•Acceptable styles, formats, and tone specific to business school and common mistakes to avoid.

•How to properly research the school and demonstrate how your story and values fit with the school’s program and culture.

Regardless of the format (essay, statement of purpose, motivation letter, etc.) the written submission to business school is your opportunity to tell your story and explain how the experience, qualifications, recommendations, and other parts of your application fit together. You may also highlight your strengths and explain any deficiencies. After developing the story framework in Unit 1, we will discuss how to package your narrative into a form that will make your argument flow logically and make a compelling case for admission. Special emphasis is given to researching the school and understanding how to talk about fit (because most applicants struggle with this part).

UNIT OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of the purpose and key components of the statement and narrative and be well-equipped to outline your written submission. Students will be able to effectively research their top schools, and begin to argue how their story fits the school’s program.

In this course, we will discuss:

•The purpose of the resume/CV, and specifically what the admissions committee is looking for from the applicant.

•The key elements applicants should include for each of the sections detailing education, professional experience, extracurricular, etc.

•Acceptable styles, formats, and common mistakes to avoid.

Many elements of the CV/resume seem standard and routine, so it may be tempting to use the same resume you have used in the past for internships and other purposes. However, the best resumes/CVs apply the same strategic thought and approach as other parts of your application. In this course, we will discuss customizing your CV/resume for business school. Even more importantly, we will explain how to use it to support your key assertions and lay out the evidence for the narrative you provide in your statement.  

UNIT OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this unit, you will have a good understanding of the critical components of the CV/resume and be able to construct the key elements and customize it for your business school application. You will also understand how it fits with the rest of your application and how to make it readable, concise, and stylistically perfect.

In this course, we will discuss:

• The purpose of the recommendations, and specifically what the admissions committee is looking for from the applicant’s recommendation letters.

• How to choose the best recommenders and balance between academic vs. professional references and those with lofty titles versus those who work with you every day.

• How to approach your recommenders, what information to provide them, and how to guide them through the process.

Recommendations are a crucial component to the application because others can say things about you that are awkward or less compelling when you say them about yourself. Choosing the right recommenders, however, can be a challenge, especially for students whose background does not seem to fit the business career path. In the workplace, students struggle when deciding whether to ask their direct supervisor versus the head of the firm, or in academic contexts, the department head versus a professor with whom they have the most personal contact. Upon resolving these questions, the student must then determine how they can shape the recommendation letter. The process and acceptable standards of conduct vary in different countries – so we will discuss different approaches. In any case, the student must ensure their recommender is providing information that supports the entirety of the application. In this course, we will discuss how to strategically approach the recommendation letter in a way that supports the total application.  

UNIT OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this unit, you will have a better understanding of the purpose of the recommendation, whom to choose as a recommender, and how to support them in the process.

In this course, we will discuss:

•The purpose of the business school interview and the various formats.

•A detailed breakdown of “question types.”

•How to prepare for the interview and tips and tricks on social cues, tone, and style as well as how to “take control” of the narrative and ensure you convey the main points.

•If the interview is not possible, we will discuss other networking the student should do to build connections with the school and program.

In this course, we will discuss the purpose of the interview and how to prepare. Many students misunderstand the interview as a test of credentials or knowledge (which has usually been established in the rest of the application). They often neglect the important social dimensions, which will bolster your application and make you stand out. We will discuss how to approach the interview, particularly the social dimensions, and make sure you are prepared for any interview type.

UNIT OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this unit, you will have a better understanding of the purpose of the interview, how to prepare for it, and be able to set goals going into the interview.