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

Question:

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 :)

• You want a recommender who has witnessed you demonstrate those all-important attributes – teamwork, leadership, and problem solving, just to name a few. What content will they offer? Is it in line with how you want to brand yourself? The content is far more important than their status at the company.

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.

HBS Essay Tip #1

BRAND

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. 

I feel that in most cases, a 2-year MBA makes sense and I’ll elaborate on those reasons below. However, here are the people who could consider a one-year MBA.

Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth and what unique knowledge and experiences do you hope to contribute to the program? (2 page maximum, single-spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman)

A few pointers. Often applicants focus on status and prestige, being "business-like" in their applications which provides as an obfuscation to really getting to know the applicant.

Applicant: recommender has no word limits

Applicant: recommender can input 210 words if you fill in the text boxes; unlimited in a Word doc

Choosing an MBA program isn’t easy in the best of times, and there are so many options out there it can make your head spin. Here I’ve broken down some of the key points of comparison between part-time MBA and EMBA, in order to make your decision a little bit easier.

It’s that in-between time on the MBA admissions calendar – Rounds 1 and 2 are over, interviews are done, and decisions are made. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with these decisions, and if you’re one of them, my condolences. I know that wasn’t the outcome you were hoping for. You’re probably feeling pretty vulnerable right now.

Main message when talking about work: it's easy to slip into jargon and acronyms that create a barrier to adcom understanding your greatness. Use universal language, and then run your response by people in your life who don’t know much about your job.

The prompt:

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?

The internet is so vast, where do you start researching these things? One of the best tools out there is right at your fingertips – LinkedIn.

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

Question:

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 :)

• You want a recommender who has witnessed you demonstrate those all-important attributes – teamwork, leadership, and problem solving, just to name a few. What content will they offer? Is it in line with how you want to brand yourself? The content is far more important than their status at the company.

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.