Break The MBA Admissions Barrier: Making It To The World's Best Business Schools

Description

Cover Disclaimer Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Why an MBA Degree? What’s Your Reason? A Top MBA Programme: What to Expect? Brand Value Recognition Alumni Network Career Choices Finest Education Higher Pay Job Prospects After MBA Do You Really Need it? Chapter 2: The MBA Programmes Full-time MBA in the Us or Canada Full-time MBA in Europe Part-time MBA Executive MBA Specialized MBA Online MBA Chapter 3: Choosing the School Know Your Expectations Researching the Programmes Brand Recognition and Reputation Class Size Location Infrastructure Design of Programme University Advantage Joint Degrees International Scope Curriculum Learning Experience Faculty Students Alumni Staff The Importance of ‘Fit’ How Many Applications to Send? The Points to Remember While Making the Decision Recommended Readings for Further Information Recommended Web Sites Discussion Forums Student Blogs Chapter 4: Business School Rankings Rankings: What Do they Really Mean? U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2008) BusinessWeek Ranking (2006) Financial Times Ranking (2007) Wall Street Journal Ranking (2006) Forbes Ranking (2005) Understanding the System of Rankings Do Your Own Research Reputation Alumni Presence Faculty and Curriculum Teaching Method and Learning Environment Class Composition ‘Selectivity’ and ‘Yield’ Determine the Best School for Yourself Chapter 5: The Basics: Application and Admission Procedure The Application Cycles The Application: Requirements and Evaluation The Decision on Admissions by the Schools The Admission Decision-makers Process of Shortlisting Criteria for Making the Decision The Cost Analysis Chapter 6: ManagingTimelines Set the Ball Rolling (March–May) Where and When to Apply (June–August) Preparing the Application (September–March) After Finishing the Applications (November–March) Your Final Decision (January–May) Chapter 7: Present Yourself: Understand the Principles Expectations of the Admissions Committee Harvard Business School Academic Abilities Leadership Experience Personal Qualities and Characteristics Stanford Graduate School of Business Demonstrated Leadership Potential Strong Academic Aptitude Breadth of Perspectives Among Students The Wharton School Academic Profile Professional Development and Goals Presentation and Timing Personal Qualities and Leadership The Evidence Considered for Admissions The Graduate/Undergraduate Degree Records The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) The Scores and Their Analysis Why Do Schools Use the GMAT? How to Register for the GMAT Change in the GMAT Administration from 1 January 2006 GMAT Preparation Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Extracurricular Activities—The Other Side of You Work Experience Community Service and Other Community Activities An Effective Résumé—All of ‘You’ in One Glance Commonly Used Decision Criteria Résumé Sample 1—Unstructured Format Résumé Sample 2—Structured Format Chapter 8: Ten Commandments of a B-School Application One—Develop Substance in Your Application Two—Build on Your Strengths and Address Your Weaknesses Three—Address the ‘Fit’ Quotient to Build Support Four—Position Yourself Well Five—Understand the School Six—Maintain Your Perspective Seven—Develop a Coherent Picture Eight—Stand Out from the Crowd Nine—be Concise Ten—Always Use a Checklist Summary Chapter 9: Essays: Dos and Don’ts The Content of Your Essay Write Outstanding Essays A Few Must-haves Common Essay Questions: Dos and Don’ts Chapter 10: Recommendations: Reinforcing You and Your Application Whom to approach? How to Approach Your Recommenders? What Constitutes a Good Recommendation? An Example of a Recommendation Points to Remember Chapter 11: Ace Your Interview Purposes of Holding the Interview Benefits of the Interview Preparing for the Interview Mental Preparation Physical Preparation The Interview Things to Look Out for What Type is Yours? Panel Interviews Group Discussions Dealing with Interviewers Too Friendly Too Talkative Too Deviative Too Interruptive Too Occupied (Similar to a Person Going Off-track) Too Personal (Vindictive) To-dos When the Interview Gets Over General Interviews (Kellogg) Information from Kellogg’s Web Site Alumni Interviews On-Campus Interviews Summary of Kellogg’s Interview’s FAQ Analysis of the Kellogg Type of Interview Things to Keep in Mind General Interview Questions Run-through Interview (with Time Constraints) University Education Work Experience Career Goals Personal Qualities Leadership Situational Questions Other Typical Questions Specific Focus Interviews (Harvard) Chapter 12: Expect the Unexpected: Common Problems Waitlisted Rejected? Read On… Appealing a Rejection The Other Options Key Points Chapter 13: Accepting the Acceptance Quit Your Job, Take a Deep Breath and Relax The Necessary Evils Academic Preparation—Avoid the Shock Plan Your Travel Emigration Clearance Chapter 14: Financing Your Studies Various Sources of Funds International Avenues Domestic Resources Financial Preparation for the Visa Process Myths About the Visa Process Key Points Related to Financial Resources towards Your MBA Some Trusts that Provide Financial Aid Chapter 15: Get Going with the Visa General Information about Visas General Visa Requirements for Most Countries Visa Procedures in the Us Types of Student Visas F-1 (Student Visa) J-1 (Exchange Visitor) Applying for a Student or Exchange Visitor Visa-Sevis Requirements Sevis Plan Ahead The Top of the Mind Instructions Arriving and Studying in the US (Immigration Clearance) Plan Your Arrival Always Hand-carry Your Documents Complete Your Paperwork At the Port-of-Entry Additional Information on Secondary Inspection Requirements On Arrival at the College or University in the US The US Visa Application Process in India Visa Refusal Legalities to be Observed by the Student in the US on a Student Visa Visa to Study in Canada A Study Permit Application for a Study Permit Documents Needed to Apply for a Study Permit Proof of Acceptance Proof of Identity Proof of Financial Support Letter of Explanation After You Apply—The Status of Your Application Arriving in Canada Understanding Your Study Permit Exiting and Re-entering Canada Changing Conditions or Renewing Your Study Permit Applying for a New Temporary Resident Visa (if needed) Work Opportunities for Foreign Students Working on Campus Working Off-campus Co-op and Internship Programmes Post-graduation Work Permits Work Permits for Students at Private Institutions Work Permit for Your Spouse or Common-law Partner Summary of Documents to be Submitted for the Study Permit Visa Procedure in the UK Applying for the Visa Work Permit Pre-MBA Visits to the UK Other Important Aspects to Remember Student Visa Application Procedure for Indian Students The Schengen Visa (for European Union Member Countries) Visa Requirements for France Application for Long-Stay Visa (for a Period of More Than Three Months) The Required Documents—a General Summary The Common Mistakes Chapter 16: Women in B-Schools: A Perspective Shruthi Raghavan, Harvard Business School, MBA Class of 2007 Appendix Bibliography