adam-markus:graduate-admissions-guru:4_1_10---5_1_10-37439 [Documents]

On April 28th at 9pm PST, I will be presenting a webinar version of the post below as part of the AIGAC Graduate Admissions Virtual Summit. I will be taking questions as part of that webinar. This post has been updated from last year. Was your admissions game plan for Fall 2010 a failure? For those, who have yet to apply, do you want to understand some of the common pitfalls you should avoid? Below are the typical reasons for rejection(stated as questions) and some of my suggestions for developing a new strategy for future applications (mostly stated as questions). I base the following on my experience helping reapplicants successfully obtain admission at such schools as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Chicago GSB, Kellogg, LBS, and MIT. 1. Were you realistic? If there was one overall reason for failure that I would point to, it would be lack of realism about the process. Specifically ignoring the rate of admission, average GMAT and/or iBT TOEFL / IELTS test scores, and GPA required of those admitted are all highly likely to result in applying to schools that an applicant has very little chance to enter. See below for more about this. Article was created by https://essayfreelancewriters.com! Age. I don't blame applicants for this one entirely because B-schools often have an all inclusive message about who they admit that is not quite the real case. This is especially true in regards to age where it is very clear that programs can't say they will not let in older applicants, but actually they usually don't. For example, applying to Stanford GSB or HBS after the age of 30 might be worth trying, but your chances for admission (compared to the average rate of admission) are not great. HBS is fairly direct about the age issue (see my earlier post on the subject), but Stanford does not choose to deal with this issue in an honest and forthright manner. For those over 30, look at average age and age range when considering where to apply. Try to ask admissions privately about this issue, you might get a straight answer or not. Applying to most top programs once you are in your mid-thirties may very well be a complete exercise in frustration and once you are past 35, the chances for admission at many top programs appears to be slim. Content has been generated by https://essayfreelancewriters.com! For those in and/or approaching their mid-thirties or older who want a full-time MBA experience, I think programs such as the Sloan programs at LBS, MIT, and Stanford as well as USC IBEAR are all very suitable. An EMBA is always an option. Last minute applications: Developing great applications takes time, doing them at the last minute is one of the easiest ways to increase your chances for rejection because it is highly likely that your essays were not well written, sufficiently strategic in the way they marketed you, and, possibly, not even proofread. I have worked with multiple reapplicants who had application errors and/or contradictions that created the appearance of dishonesty and/or caused confusion. Last minute work was often the cause for these problems. Lack of substantial research into/networking for the programs being applied to. If you did not make full use of each schools' web-based information, did not attend admissions events, did not visit campus, and/or did not communicate with alumni or current students, you probably did not know enough about the schools you applied to make an effective case for why you fit at them. Some applicants take such a passive attitude to learning about how a specific school fits them that the "Why MBA? Why Goals" essay is not really customized to establish fit with a specific school. Did not obtain sufficient and/or effective advice on your applications and application strategy from mentors and/or admissions experts (see below). One thing I have found about successful reapplicants is that are highly realistic. Reality is a harsh teacher, but one you cannot afford to avoid. 2. Did you really know about the programs you applied to? How was that reflected in your essays? Did you merely restate obvious information about the school or did you show exactly what aspects of it will meet your academic and professional goals? Did you demonstrate a clear connection to the program? Did you even think about fit? Stating unremarkable things based simply on reading the website or brochure is not enough, you need to show why a specific program really fits your personality and goals. If you had an interview, how effective were you at establishing fit? Data was generated by Essay Freelance Writersversion .