GETTING IN Foreign Admits to U.S. Grad Schools Plunge For the first time since 2004, international admissions to U.S. graduate schools are down. The deteriorating job market and problems with visas and financing are to blame
MORE TOP STORIES
EDUCATION BUSINESS The Mini MBA's Big Appeal Short programs that provide an overview of management essentials are in demand as a dislocated workforce discovers the value of a little business know-how
CHAT TRANSCRIPT Admissions Advice for Foreign B-School Applicants Visa hurdles, financing woes, and a weak labor market have made it tough for foreign MBA applicants. Clear Admit's Graham Richmond sorts it all out
MBA INSIDER: ADMISSIONS Q&A Admissions Tips from UC Irvine Mary Clark explains why applications are up, job placement is holding steady, and career progress matters more than lots of work experience
MBA JOURNAL: INTERNSHIP INTERVIEWS Giving Government a Chance A public service internship can carry hidden advantages—in training, development of acquired skills, and résumé cachet
Dartmouth: A Virtual Tour The small student body and easily-accessible professors make Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business a tight-knit intellectual community.
B-SCHOOL FORUMS
Visit BW Online's interactive forums for wide-ranging discussions about management education. Search through over 1,359,000 posts for topics that interest you. Join in today! Here are a few samples of recent messages:
Getting into B-School - For The Accepted And Those In The Know
From: blackbriar To: All
When accepted to a business school, around which time is the deadline to pay full tuition (not the initial deposit) for the first academic year/fall semester? Trying to figure out loan applications for next year.
From: sandiego To: blackbriar
I'm pretty sure it's the first day of classes, which is also the first day you can access your student loan money if you take out loans, and also the first day the interest starts accruing (so you can apply for loans any time before classes and it doesn't matter). A lot happens on that first day and it's all mandated by the government like that.
From: bustit22 To: sandiego
You don't pay the whole tuition up front, you pay by term. When you request, say $30K in loans, is that the school goes back to the lender and has the loan broken up into 3 parts (if there are three terms), each on being $10K.
As for timing, the money is due shortly after the start of the term.
BI
From: acg2121 To: blackbriar
For Wharton this year it was the end of July.
From: appmentor To: blackbriar
Your best bet is to check with the admissions office and financial aid office at a couple of the schools you're shooting for...
For me at Wharton, as said above, the payment was due at the end of July. Once accepted, we received quite a bit of mail and instructions to ensure that we submitted our applications in time for the funds to be accessible in time for the first bill.
Best,
Corey
From: blackbriar To: All
Thanks!
Getting into B-School - Good General Management Programs
From: roadside_cafe To: All
Hi,
I am a newbie who is starting his b-school (re)search. I want to get an MBA focussed on general mangement and/or entrepreneurship. Please suggest some programs and also kindly suggest how i can properly search b-schools and prepare a list customized to my requirements ie i know what I want but don't know where to look for information. I apologise if the question has been asked before, but still request your help.
Any help will be hugely appreciated.
Thanks.
From: sauri55 To: roadside_cafe
Good "general management" business schools = good business schools, period. "General management" is a combination of strategy, finance, marketing, operations, and the schools at the top of the overall rankings produce the most CEO's who are the ultimate "general managers". Not coincidentally, these schools also place the best into the big 3 consulting firms which are breeding grounds for CEO's. So just pick up a US News ranking. If you aren't familiar, the hierarchy goes like this:
Be wary of anyone who tells you something like Darden is a better general management program than Wharotn because "Wharton is known for finance". That is complete and utter garbage. Always take the better ranked program unless you're going for a specialized field like non-profits therefore you might go to Yale over a higher ranked school. General management is not such a field.
From: bedjil29 To: sauri55
Michigan behind Chicago, MIT, Columbia, Tuck, Haas, UCLA, NYU, Cornell, Darden, Yale, Duke in General Management? its time you woke up.
General Management is one of the core strengths of the Ross School of Business. Just check out the 2009 USNWR GM Rankings.
1 Harvard University - Boston, MA
2 Stanford University - Stanford, CA
3 Northwestern University (Kellogg) - Evanston, IL
4 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ross) - Ann Arbor, MI
5 University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) - Philadelphia, PA
6 Dartmouth College (Tuck) - Hanover, NH
7 Duke University (Fuqua) - Durham, NC
8 University of Virginia (Darden) - Charlottesville, VA
9 University of California-Berkeley (Haas) - Berkeley, CA
10 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) - Cambridge, MA
My ranking didn't rank the schools within the tiers, only by tiers
Michigan is absolutely behind all the schools it is generally ranked behind - ie H, S, W, Chicago, MIT, Kellogg, Columbia, Tuck
Those schools all trump Michigan handily if you look at salaries in general management, placement into McK/Bain/BCG, or F1000 CEO's produced. Not surprising considering they are all better regarded overall schools.
The "specialty ranking" you just posted is exactly the kind of garbage that I was referring to. God help anyone who is fooled by that and does something like chooses Michigan over Wharton or Duke over Chicago or MIT.
Getting into B-School - Nontraditional Applicant-Profile Help?
From: blasst1336 To:All
Hello all,
I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out where I should apply and what my chances are because I have not followed the traditional business path. By way of basics:
GMAT: 670 (46Q, 37V) GPA: 3.74 from an Ivy, major in Political Communications, minor in music Work Experience: 2 years working in theater at a major talent agency, since May working on entertainment lobbying in DC; 39 months by time of Aug/Sep 2010
I know the GMAT is low, but I've struggled quite hard to get it that high in the first place (standardized tests and I don't mix).
I've been promoted several times, and I think I have good recommendations and interesting essays. I'm struggling to figure out where to apply, and I'm thinking:
Harvard, Wharton Stanford, UCLA, Darden, USC and UT-Austin.
Can anyone give me any advice on whether I am over reaching? I don't know of other people with unusal backgrounds applying so I have no ideas where I really stand....
From: appmentor To: blasst1336
Hey,
I think you'll have to acknowledge your low GMAT and put together a very strong application to have a chance at the top few schools you listed, but I think you certainly have a shot at reaching one of your schools.
Take a look at the 80% range at many of the schools - at Wharton, for example, you're just below the bottom end of that range.
Was there a specific section, Q or V, that gave/gives you trouble on the GMAT? If so, you might be able to demonstrate your competence in that area via other ways: perhaps from some of your work experience, or maybe you can take a part-time class at a local school to show you're capable of performing well (and, maybe more importantly, to show you're taking active steps to address your area of weakness).
You also might want to consider a test prep class, if you haven't already. I have a couple friends who performed poorly on the test after trying a few books, but the test prep class really helped to ease their anxiety and helped them notch over the 700 level.
Your GPA is very strong, and from an ivy - so that will help. It also is probably in your favor that you are non-traditional. The most important thing is to show you're capable of handling the academic workload at the program... try your best to get the score up a bit, and if you can't, acknowledge the weakness in your optional essay and show some signals that you're taking steps to improve.
Best of luck! Corey
From: blasst1336 To: appmentor
Hey Corey-
Thanks for the advice! Sadly, 670 is WITH a GMAT class...it did go up from 600/610, so I consider it a success, in a way. This is consistent with how I always score. Ironically enough, my math score is pretty good (I think) but the verbal always kills me. Hopefully the fact that I majored in Comm and graduated Magna Cum Laude should help that a little bit. I also have business classes from the Undergrad business school on my transcript.
I was heavily involved in Undergrad extracirrulars, from the University Choir to my Fraternity, held President level posts in both, and won distinction for my senior thesis, as well as several other academic awards. I'm not sure if that sort of thing makes a difference?
Thanks for your advice, your thoughts are very helpful.
From: appmentor To: blasst1336
Hey,
Your undergrad activities definitely do make a difference - they help build a better picture of the impact you have on your peers and your organizations. Do you have any similar types of activities or leadership positions in your career after undergrad? It will be good to show that you have maintained that level of leadership in your work life as well.
It sounds like you have the basis for a very strong application with the GMAT as the one sore point. Is it possible to get in with that type of score? Definitely. But it's not easy. You'll want to spend a lot of time making sure you have a clear, concise pitch - the whole "why b-school, why now" theme is extremely important. Spend the extra time on your essays. They will undoubtedly be what make or break your chances.
If it's verbal that is giving you issues, it sounds like your undergrad grades might make the admissions committee feel more comfortable. If you have some work experiences that highlight some verbal reasoning skills, don't be afraid to highlight those experiences as well.
I'd consider taking a brief break from the GMAT and then returning for one final crack. Your 50 point jump is quite impressive - if another go might add 20-30 points, it could make a very nice difference on your admissions chances. If that's out of the question, I think it's wise to show something that you're actively doing to address the apparent weakness in your verbal reasoning skills.
Best of luck, Corey
B-SCHOOL BLOGS
View over 4,500 blogs in our MBA Blogs community today! Share your journey, meet new friends, and expand your network. Connect with MBA students, applicants and alumni from Columbia, Kellogg, Notre Dame, and more! Become a blogger today! Here's an excerpt:
"You spend too much money? Nah. A lot of people go to Switzerland to get their watch fixed." Rodney Dangerfield as Thornton Melon in Back to School (1986)
Business school means giving up a social life. No more parties, no more vacations, and no more free samples or handouts. Giving up full-time contact with the rest of the human species is a prerequisite for success. Since the social life is put on hold while friends and family members ask when they can expect to see the rewards of your b-school labor, it's not exactly necessary to purchase expensive back to school paraphernalia.
The following items have been researched for their cost-effectiveness and reliable ability in getting the job done. They are practical choices for anyone who must go through the motions and formalities of school but would also rather save a few bucks. These are a must-have for anyone going back to school this fall - and going back cheap.
Pay-As-You-Go Pre-Paid Cell Phone
Going for the M.B.A. is not like the typical freshman year of college when everybody who mattered was calling with an invite to a "kegger" or emailing a newfound map to an all-night beer party that was accidentally discovered on the campus bus. In business school, late night telephone calls from a drunken - but sorry - ex are as rare as the drunken booty calls. The phone doesn't usually ring during the after-hours to initiate a chat with the all-star jock about the latest urine cleanser or the tried and true ways of hiding a hangover. Because of the lack of social life, there really is no need for the latest cell phone equipped with unlimited calling and all the email, text messaging, and web browsing gadgets.
B-school is hardly a glamorous affair with the bulk of any socializing being done for group projects. Coordinating a group timeline can be frustrating, especially when it requires a mountain of time-delineated projects and collaborations with other students - most of them who are uncooperative. Usually, one "facilitator" takes over the entire project, and with the help of a handful of faithful students, creates a somewhat embarrassing project that looks like it was done in kindergarten. Having a pre-paid cell phone is a blessing in disguise when having to deal with these projects because when the know-it-all student project manager calls, you can always hang up by saying, "My cell phone minutes are running out."
Net Books
The net books are fast becoming what I consider to be the epitome of "Throw it, don't sew it" in today's Brave New World. As laptops appear to be becoming obsolete, the latest - and relatively cheapest - means of getting online anywhere while on the go is through net books. All the top computer companies have put out their own version of the mini laptops, which have been selling like the proverbial hot cakes.
These bite-sized fully-functional personal computers are about half the bulk of full-size laptops and weigh only a few pounds. The screen is (fortunately) larger than an Internet-enabled cell phone and the keyboard makes it convenient to check email, surf the Internet, play video games and do digital errands without going cross-eyed. The net books are also cheap enough so that in the worse case scenario, time and frustration can be saved by not having to contact technical support: the net book can be tossed in the trash and replaced rather inexpensively. The drawback to the net book is that it lacks a decent sized internal disk drive and the ability to easily create back-up data disks. Just remember to always back up your work on an external drive or USB flash drive.
Chain Salon Hair Cuts
There was once a time when one would question whether the barbers in the chain salons actually had any experience on a live human head or if they were barely out of beauty school. But as many fancy salons have downsized or gone out of business in the past few years, experienced hair stylists are the pick of the litter at any local chain salon.
The chain salons have done themselves a favor by doing away with hairdressers named Bubbles and most of them now offer full-service hair care for men and women. The going price for a hair cut is about $15 with most stylists throwing in a free shampoo or a scalp massage in hopes for a tip. With a classic hair cut that matches your professional ambition, the other students will be jealous not just of the hair style but of your ability to maintain the haircut on a regular basis.
Jeans from the Thrift Store
Many of today's expensive and trendy jeans come washed, faded, worn and torn. Most people can't tell the difference between new and used jeans to the point that used jeans have been sold for significantly higher amounts in countries like Russia. Wearing used jeans with the right style of shoes and a fit that flatters your personality, people won't be able to tell if your jeans were purchased from the thrift store or a fashionable department store. As long as the used jeans don't have extremely noticeable extra material that was very obviously once occupied by flour sacks, they will just look like your favorite comfortable jeans that you have been wearing since high school.
Souvenir T-Shirts
The souvenir T-shirts peddled to tourists can be found strewn across most major cities. The T-shirts are available near tourist attractions, boardwalks and beaches, street vending carts, flea and super markets. These T-shirts usually display the city's name and have interesting graphics that reference the city's subway system, watering holes, famous residents, or embarrassing political moments. The T-shirts are designed to be given away as gifts for the folk back home but who would know that it was you who bought the shirt instead of your uncle?
The souvenir T-shirts are ridiculously cheap and comparable in quality to a pack of white 100% cotton T-Shirts bought in all big box retailers. The average price for five souvenir T-shirts is about $10. Having a subway map on your T-shirt might also come in handy in a new and unfamiliar college town. Instead of having to find someone who looks somewhat normal to ask for directions, one can look down on to their T-Shirt. Wearing a map AND having a T-shirt for about $2 is pretty difficult to beat these days.
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International business school applicants have had a profoundly difficult year: visa problems (travel and work), the untimely demise of no-cosigner loan programs, and the dimmest of prospects for post-MBA U.S.-based careers. Where does it end? As Alison Damast reports, international admits to U.S. grad schools are down for the first time since 2004, and for b-schools the drop amounts to 5%, despite a healthy increase in applications. For students attending many top b-schools this fall, that will likely mean classes that are far less diverse, and therefore far less valuable.
For those of you who aren't attending b-school this fall, but still need to bone up on business basics, check out "The Mini MBAs Big Appeal." No, these programs won't get you three letters after your name—not even really tiny letters—but for many people looking for a leg up on the competition in a difficult job market, they may be just the ticket.
Until next week.
Louis Lavelle Business Schools Editor BusinessWeek
UCLA Anderson: Admissions Q&A MBA Admissions Director Mae Jennifer Shores explains what UCLA's Anderson school has to offer and what it takes to get in
Smart Management Tips in an Economic Downturn Professor Jennifer Chatman, the Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Professor of Management at the Haas School of Business, provides four principles for managers to follow especially during difficult economic times.
" In the day of mailed-in resumes, I turned down countless job offers. As soon as Monster and CareerBuilder became the preferred route.I've never gotten a job through those services. "
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The Best Undergraduate B-Schools Undergrad business programs are getting MBA-like respect, and competition to get into them is hotter than ever. Here's how the top schools stack up
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Recessions can have a big impact on what employees value. Tailoring rewards to those values is is the key to keeping them engaged, says leadership expert Ed Lawler
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