MBA APPLICANTS – something I am realizing is a controversial issue and want to address it.
Include hobbies on your resume for MBA. Please trust and believe they are evaluating you, in part, to see if you are a social value-add to the class. You are both the consumer and the product. They want people who are well-rounded with a sense of humor.
Offering a couple examples so you will believe me I can TALK YOU OFF THE LEDGE of not doing this.
Question:
Hi, what are some proven strategies on getting off the waitlist? I have taken my GRE five times already so no more chances to retake it. Thank you!
Q: I was told that social work improves your profile and helps you stand out in front of the ad-com. Is that true?
A: 1000% yes.
Interview Part 1 (45 min):
1. Walk me through your early career. Inflection points, decisions to pursue field
2. How do you choose mentors? How are you mentored?
3. Describe market opportunity and how you addressed it in your current organization
4. Biggest challenge and adversity turnaround story
As Wharton offers are coming in, I've been asked to comment on the differences to help people decide. This is by no means comprehensive but what comes to mind.
The cool thing about Kellogg is that they interview everyone, so its wise to apply if your magnetic and personable camera presence sells you better than other elements of the application. Here are the interview questions from a recent client. Reminder than R1 is 4/19 - factor in time not just for essays but brainstorming recommendation anecdotes (DEI in particular) and interview talking points!
Essay 2: Community, belonging and inclusion are important values at Kellogg. Tell us about a community that’s important to you and how you contribute to or impact that community. (450 word maximum)
In the application, you shared your short-term and long-term goals. How will Kellogg and an Executive MBA equip you to reach those goals? What are you looking to gain or develop during your MBA experience? (450 word maximum)
Round 1 April deadline for Fall intake is approaching and I'll be tackling the various elements of the Kellogg EMBA application.
Essay 1 starts out with, “In the application, you shared your short-term and long-term goals” so before tackling essay tips – let’s start here first. These short answers are the basis for the your response in Essay 1 - I will write a separate article for that.
1. How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
They are trying to understand how well the recommender knows you, measured by both years and the level of engagement. When they say capacity – sure, articulate their role and yours, but really, they are trying to find out if you have worked closely with this person. Has this person observed you from a distance or have you been in the thick of it together, partnering on high-stress projects together? Ideal if you can show you have worked closely on complex and/or high priority initiatives.
Describe a situation in which you failed as a leader. What did you learn from it? (Word limit 300)
Because IMD is primarily a leadership development program, as Sean Meehan mentions, they want to know you are ready for what they deliver.
Regarding the failure part, they want to know you have enough self-awareness to observe where you might have failed, which makes you coachable and more receptive to change. Regarding the leader part, they want to know you have worked at a high enough level to benefit from a leadership program. If you haven’t worked in a leadership capacity in some form, you won’t have a frame of reference and there isn’t much for their curriculum and experiential exercises to “hang on.”
Wharton deadline is coming up quick on Jan 18. I would make sure to sort out recommendations first, as the holidays approach, and in parallel, set up conversations (goal and program-specific research) that will help you with the essays.
Definitely consult the class profile, https://executivemba.wharton.upenn.edu/class-profile/ taking into consideration you will likely need a higher score if you are overrepresented. You need 8 years of work experience unless you go the “fellow” option; for the new global program option you need 10 years.
Wharton admits are generally the same age as Booth and NYU, older than CBS EMBA admits, but younger than those attending programs including MIT-Sloan, Michigan-Ross, and Kellogg (incidentally all test-optional) where the average age is 40+.
The early deadline is 1/11 for CBS EMBA Saturday – followed by the final one on 2/23. If you are just starting now – and especially if you still need to sort out your test score – do prioritize application quality over tossing something together within a couple weeks.
The Saturday program kind of operates like a PT program at CBS. One of my clients got in at the age of 25 (he did have managerial experience in market research) There really isn’t any work experience or age minimum, which is UNIQUE. I can’t think of another EMBA program without a minimum. So, if you live in the NYC or Philly area, and you have steady progression at work with a solid test score, don’t let age or years of work experience stand in your way.
After the heaps of information I have already shoveled at them, what more are they looking for? While MBA adcom has peeked LinkedIn profiles on the sly for many years, mostly at the interview stage, now most schools are formally asking for your LinkedIn profile as part of the application.
Kellogg EMBA R1 for Jan intake 8/17/22 and R2 is 10/5 (all applicants interviewed; test score optional but need quant evidence); also deadlines for September start. Meetings in Miami monthly and Evanston biweekly, both residential.
https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/programs/executive-mba/admissions.aspx
Average WE 15 years; average age 39
Is there a possibility that I might get in a T15 with a Test waiver, however, if I apply with a test score, I might get rejected (because of a low-test score)?
Just trying to assess what’s the best course of action :)
It’s not great but schools kind of rely on Indians and Asians to take care of the foundation for the GMAT average (for schools that disclose, GRE as well) and when an applicant's stats are lower than the class average there would have be a very compelling and well-articulated upside (or celebrity) for them to get in despite this.
Round 1 applicants can implement many of these but Round 2 applicants can apply nearly all of them.
Figure out your “throughline” – “a connecting theme, plot, or characteristic." This is what is meant by the term "brand"
Focus on that; don’t try to do all the things.
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I got the call today and was accepted!! I’m so excited and at a loss for words. Thank you so much Farrell. Unbelievable and feel very humbled and lucky to have this opportunity. I really appreciate you pushing and encouraging me to pursue Kellogg. I wouldn’t be here without you.
"Just wanted to inform you that I received an admit from Kellogg, Tepper, and UCLA in round 2. I am joining Kellogg. Your interview tips helped a lot."
- A. Abhishek
"I thank Farrell whole heartedly for helping me get admitted to INSEAD, my dream B-school. When I found her on GMAT Club, I had already applied to London Business School, and was rejected without getting even an interview. In order to improve my essays and increase the chances to get admitted by my dream school, I decided to go with her, even knowing we on a very tight schedule..."
– Y. Jiang, Xian. China
"Farrell was a real life saver in the MBA application process. I first came to her to help me in developing a holistic application that was tailored to my target schools. Her process effectively identified key strengths and weaknesses in my candidacy and developed a strategy to give me the best chance of getting accepted..."
– L. R., Chicago, IL
"Farrell is the only one who believed in me. First, she spent hours learning about me, to make sure I chose schools that fit me, and also, where the adcom would appreciate my international background the most. Honestly, this is probably the most important part of the application process and most students neglect it..."
– K. Marie, Paris, France
"Farrell not only helped me connect the dots and tell my story, but also guided me through an important process of self-knowledge. The methods used during the process were simple and effective in finding answers about myself and my objectives. Knowing about myself was an essential step towards achieving my short and long-term goals..."
– G. Azevedo, São Paulo, Brazil
