Author name: LeapQuest

The question has been asked for what seems like forever. “What matters most to you, and why?” Most Challenging MBA Applications Of 2020-2021 Among the toughest were the MBA applications at Harvard Business School, INSEAD, MIT Sloan and UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business. School Challenging Essays Word Limit Stanford GSB 1 ‘What matters most to you, & why’ & ‘Why Stanford?’ 1,050 words Harvard Business School 2 ‘What more would you like us to know?’ No word limit INSEAD 3 Seven essays on applicant’s job, career & motivation 2,000 words MIT (Sloan) 4 ‘Submit a cover letter’ & one-minute video introducing yourself 300 words UC-Berkeley (Haas) 5 ‘What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, & why?’ & ‘What do you need to develop to become a successful leader?’ 600 words London Business School Could Require Writing Somewhere between 4,000 and 4,500 Words Sometimes, schools were singled out for having highly challenging applications. That was true of the London Business School. “Beyond LBS’s essays, the program poses an exhaustive array of in-application questions related to academic readiness (400 words), interests and activities (400 words), pre-MBA discussions with friends and family (300 words), LBS connections (300 words), international experience (100 words), and English-language readiness (300 words, where appropriate). LBS applicants are facing 1,000 words via the main essays should they choose to answer the optional essay, 1,500 to 1,800 words via the non-job-related short-answer questions depending on whether they need to answer the English language question, and then up to 580 words for each job entry. “An LBS applicant who has had three roles could therefore end up writing somewhere in the range of 4,000 and 4,500 words. Compare that to the other end of the application spectrum where from a ‘written’ perspective, Michigan Ross requires 400 words worth of essays and has a very lean application, and MIT Sloan requires a 300-word cover letter and also has a very lean application. Rather than becoming excited to channel their stories into a couple of focused essays, most LBS applicants we encounter become downtrodden when they find out how many de facto mini-essays are hiding within LBS’s online application.” The Least Challenging MBA Applications? Of course, applying to any highly selective MBA program is never really easy. Wharton requires two essay questions: “What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA?” and “How do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?” it is noted that those generic questions, similar to what is asked of applicants at Chicago Booth, are “the most easily repurposable and standard.” “It’s what can you GIVE to our school and what can you GET from our school.” Michigan Ross Praised for its “Lean Application” All told, Ross is looking for no more than 400 words. One consultant views this in a positive light. “If an applicant is deep into the broader process, they will almost certainly have a couple of already well-developed anecdotes to deliver in Ross’s short answers section and a well-developed “short-term goal / why” statement, which is all Ross really requests.” Not surprisingly, perhaps, some  see it differently. “Ross’ reduction from three essays down to two has also been a little stressful because there’s less room in which to really shine,” Also making the least challenging list are Columbia Business School, Chicago Booth, and UCLA’s Anderson School of Management (see below table). “Columbia, Booth, and Wharton all have similarities and rather generic ‘goals’ essays,” Least Challenging MBA Applications Of 2020-2021 Applicants are finding Wharton’s two essay questions the easiest to answer this year. Also on the easy list are the essay requirements at Michigan Ross, Columbia, Chicago Booth and UCLA Anderson School Least Challenging Essays Word Limit Pennsylvania (Wharton) 1 ‘What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA?’ & ‘How do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?’ 900 words Michigan (Ross) 2 Complete two of six sentences, ranging from ‘I want people to know that I…’ to ‘I was out of my comfort zone when…’ & ’What is your short-term career goal & why?’ 400 words Columbia Business School 3 ‘What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years & what would be your long-term dream job?’ & ‘Why do you feel CBS is a good fit for you?’ & ‘Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song & why it resonates with you? 1,000 words Chicago (Booth) 4 ‘How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals?’ & ‘Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are’ 500-word minimum UCLA (Anderson) 5 How have events of the past year influenced the impact you would like to make in your community, career, or both?’ 250 words How to interpret this data and plan your application strategy For what it’s worth, let’s see what this data tells us first. While there are several parameters that are already done (e.g. GPA/Employer’s brand etc), a whopping 56% is still within your immediate controls (GMAT, Essays, Interview and Recommenders). Of course, some of them are partly under your control – you cannot really change what you’ve done on essays for instance, but you can articulate and present them in the best possible way. Of these, less than half is GMAT which means there is huge merit in doing a lot of soul searching for the applications. The academic aspects viz. GMAT, GPA, Majors etc form a decent chunk of your profile at 25%. For the endless debate on the chasm between academia and industry, if you cannot do well on your academics, chances still are that you may not get good value out of your MBA experience. This is however only partly true as unlike several undergrad schools, MBA programs put a lot of focus on experiential learning, class discussions, case studies and the likes. Several candidates who work with us are nervous that they don’t have anything on the extracurricular side.

Imagine the scene: It’s Tuesday the 12th of October, about 3:45 in the afternoon. You are a persevering MBA Admissions reader who has just spent the last five hours poring over the profiles of investment managers, senior associates, private equity analysts (accepting a 25-minute break when sandwiches were brought in). There’s a point of saturation when all their professional exploits become indistinguishable. You’re grasping for something that brings you alive with delight. It’s the last line in someone’s resume that snaps you awake – ‘this guy is a famous author?’ – and flips the image you’d initially formed on its head. Or maybe it’s a startlingly fresh essay that leads with the candidate’s mushroom hunting hobby, artfully positioned as evidence of her relentless dedication and creativity. (Both of these real applicants were HBS admits.) “High achieving people are so conditioned to thinking that their achievements matter most. But once you get to a certain level, those things don’t matter as much anymore,”  When unwavering excellence is a given, then it’s about your story and the qualities that make you unique. The point is, being in finance is what you do, but it’s not who you are (even if most of us are conditioned to believing our career is our identity). And given that candidates hailing from finance are among the most over-represented profiles (along with consultants and engineers) you need to approach your application differently to really uncover those points of uniqueness if you want to catch the attention of the MBA Admissions Committee. Essential Tips for MBA Candidates in Finance 1. Identify and explore your unique qualities. As noted above, many candidates believe their identity and profession are synonymous, which makes for a one-dimensional narrative. Make sure that your application illuminates the other qualities of your personality, your background, your motivators, and things that are important to you as you tell the full story of who you are and why you want this degree. The more personal you can be in terms of why you do what you do, the more interesting and memorable you’ll be – because so few people are. It’s this feat of both vulnerability and confidence that can make a tremendous difference in your application. To this end, think about why you’ve done the things you’ve done, the events and encounters that have shaped you as a person, your values and attitude toward life. Consider the patterns of behavior that flow through your professional performance and how they extend to your engagement in the community, the roles you took on, how you show up. Get reflective about your curiosities, how these qualities are steering you toward your dreams. The earlier you start this process of introspection, the stronger your application will be. 2. Convey what you’ve learned, not just what you’ve done. Similarly, don’t make the mistake of creating the “resume to prose” type essay that will put your wearied admissions reader to sleep. Showcasing a highlights reel of professional accomplishments is a common mistake, and it robs your narrative of the potential for making an emotional connection. Go beyond what you did to convey what you learned from your experiences. And then, connect what you’ve learned to what you’re going to bring to the MBA classroom. For example, you might talk about a failure in the essay – a time you fell and picked yourself back up. Underscore what you learned from the experience and how it shaped you as a human being. It’s so much more compelling when you allow people to connect to your experience. 3. Know your story and present a clear rationale for your decisions. “Sure, there’s plenty of variation in the finance industry – being in sales and trading is very different than being in private equity, working on Wall Street or in any of the international markets.All of these realms are really quite distinct. But its less to do with where you’ve worked than why you worked there, your understanding of your role, and your rationale for making different moves at various stages of your career. What does it say about what makes you tick and the environment that you thrive in if you’re a day trader? What was it in your personality that led you towards one field or another, and why, for example, did you choose an investment management route? Your ability to articulate your thinking behind each of your decisions is critical, along with your motivations and ambitions beyond the MBA 4. Persuasively connect your career vision to the MBA. Beyond the power of its MBA brand, the admissions committee wants to know that you understand what’s being offered through its management curriculum – what it will do for you, and then how that connects to your specific professional goals. You’ll need to be logical and convincing, not only about why an MBA, but why right now, and how an MBA is going to serve as a catalyst for your own success post MBA. Reflect early on about what you want to do after your MBA, and what you’ll be doing to make it possible; and be able to articulate the impact you’ll have on your future peers and community. Keep in mind that the Admissions Committee is looking at your file thinking, how is this candidate going to look to a future recruiter? They want to bring people in who are going to be successful in achieving their post-grad goals. At LeapQuest, our MBA consultants have helped a large number of applicants convert their dream of attending top schools around the world. Send us an email if you’d like some help with business school selection and application reviews. Drop in a line to info@theleapquest.com for professional help

Have you slogged long hours at the office to keep the boss happy and meet client deadlines? Pulled all-nighters in college to accumulate credits and maintain your dean’s list standing? Aced your job interviews and secured a spot at an A-list consulting firm? Distinguished yourself as a career wunderkind who’s risen to the senior ranks in your 20s? Congratulations. You’re super smart with a great job, and your commitment and excellence are laudable. Alas, they may not be enough to secure admission in one of the world’s top MBA programs. Why not? Because you’re not the only one who’s been going the extra mile to be the best—especially in a hyper-competitive field like consulting. Alas, the management consultant is one of the most common profiles in the elite MBA applicant pool (along with finance and tech). So while your academic and professional excellence is requisite, these are not the data points that will set you apart. This is on six tips for consultants on how to position a compelling application when the best isn’t the barometer. Top Tips on How to Stand out as a Consultant 1. Don’t explain the nuts and bolts of what you do. There are a lot of people applying to business school with this credential, so you can assume the admissions reader is well versed in the type of work that you’re doing on a daily basis. They know your sector and the typical career development rates. This being a given, don’t waste valuable real estate in your application explaining your tasks. Instead, really focus on the impact that you’ve had – and get to that very quickly. Go beyond what you did to convey what you learned from your experiences. And then connecting what you’ve learned to what you’re going to bring to the MBA classroom. 2. Reveal a greater dimension to your candidacy. Don’t let your identity be defined only by your job. Most consultants feel it’s who they are, a common condition among high-achieving rock stars. Take this opportunity of applying to b-school to step back from a breakneck 80+ hours-a-week schedule to understand what really drives and motivates you, and where you wish to have the most impact. Reflect on what’s brought you to this moment in your career and your life – and this decision to pursue an MBA. Excavate unexpected and unique elements from your past or future aspirations that can you craft into a compelling story and offer as evidence of your leadership potential. Being able to tell stories that are important to you is about being reflective and self-aware. The more personal you can be in terms of why you do what you do, the more interesting and memorable you’ll be – because so few people are. 3. Shape your experience. If you know that an MBA is right for you, you’ll want to start immediately curating your professional experience to distinguish you from peers – and the earlier you begin the better. And if you’re currently with a consulting firm like McKinsey, Bain, or BCG (MBB for short), you may be applying within your initial two years, which gives you a short runway to tailor your experience. Proactively seek opportunities that are out of the ordinary and volunteer to lead projects outside of your scope. Seize any chance for international exposure (projects, conferences, trips, or work abroad). If you can connect these experiences to your future aspirations, all the better, but the key point here is that anything out of the ordinary on your roster of experiences will go a long way to making your application more memorable. What will give you a different edge over peers with the same title, and show you’re bringing something unique to the MBA classroom? 4. Explore meaningful extracurriculars. The extracurricular pursuits reinforced a pattern of leadership and commitment that was both distinctive and compelling – whether it was part of a nonprofit board, mentoring effort, sports team or Bollywood dance club. While many former consultants were highly engaged undergrads, it’s typical for outside activities fall by the wayside in the face of heavy workloads. Staying involved in at least one or two of your commitments outside of work demonstrates that you’re both dynamic and passionate – values highly prized by MBA admissions. Also, know that extracurricular activities that appear three months before your MBA deadline won’t be taken seriously. Schools would rather see just one or two long-term interests that offer a fuller picture of what makes you tick. 5. Coach your recommenders. Consider how your recommendations can capture an admissions committee’s attention, as it’s likely your resume is similar to rival applicants. You’ll need to find the best recommender possible and to work with them in advance to write an outstanding letter on your behalf. Build a relationship early on with a recommender who is both senior and who knows you very well. If you’re coming from a traditional feeder company like MBB, know they are very likely getting multiple requests from other MBA hopefuls. Make no assumptions about your recommender’s bandwidth – and prepare them accordingly by giving ample time and sufficient detail to do a great job. Proactively discuss your achievements, strengths, and career vision. And don’t hesitate to offer suggestions or remind them of concrete examples to share, as this kind of specificity will greatly help them with their job. The goal is to deliver a personalized description of your top qualities that conveys a genuine feeling for your candidacy and to avoid a formulaic, template letter recycled from previous years. 6. Communicate your self- and situational awareness. In a candidate pool whose sharp self-possession can veer quickly to overconfidence, your communications savvy will be under scrutiny. For example, certain qualities that may have helped you thrive as a strategy consultant can come across as impatient, arrogant or misaligned with the MBA Admissions Committee. The MBA interview is a relational experience, not a pitch meeting. Establishing that you are who you say you are on paper means staying alert and curious, maintaining eye

What do you do when the MBA admissions interviewer asks you whether 3,599 is a prime number? (Besides try not to break into a cold sweat.) Or, whether the government should apply tariffs based on a product’s environmental sustainability? Or why doctors would prescribe a drug if they didn’t believe the disease was real, or if police should wear body cameras to promote transparency? Now imagine that this is actually taking place over Zoom, where you cannot necessarily read the body language of your interviewer! The above are real questions posed by top 10 schools to recent LeapQuest Admissions clients. We have thrown a curveball question to shake an overly rehearsed candidate from their script or to deepen the conversation. As the purpose of the interview is to get a stronger sense of who you are and how you think, your authenticity and presence is key. So how can you prepare to handle the tough questions? First of all, your goal is to remain calm and focused, and pleasant to engage with. Some schools want to see if you can think on your feet, while others want to know how you react when you’re directly challenged. The LBS interview, for example, is notorious for having a “poker face” interviewer – and it can be unsettling when you can’t read someone’s reaction to validate whether your answers are resonating (or not). While you can’t know what your interviewer will ask, you won’t feel as flustered if you practice delivering concise, calm and thoughtful responses to all manner of unexpected questions. 10 Tough MBA Interview Questions and How To Handle Them 1. What other schools are you applying to? Every school wants to know they’re your first choice. But under this question is a subtle test of your deep understanding of this school’s culture, values and unique offerings. “Of course, they also know that you’re applying to other programs – they expect that and it’s a sensible thing to do.  But to win their acceptance, show them the love, “This means going the extra mile to prove you understand a school’s unique culture and values, and that you’ve given thought both to how you’ll contribute to their community what you hope to gain from it.” At the same time, you want to show reasoning for why you’re applying to other programs in the context of why this school is still number one. 2. What are your thoughts on your current industry trends? Point of view questions like this are an opportunity to show that you are informed about the business world and macroeconomics. Just take your time to answer and avoid something too ambitious or complex. In the time leading up to your interview, stay current on news sources like the Economist, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. This can be a great opportunity for you to link your news interests to industries related to your career goals. 3. Give an example of a time you’ve failed. This question invites you to consider the circumstances and pivot points that shaped you into an ever-wiser human being, and challenges you’ve faced and overcome along the way. “What’s most compelling to the admissions committee on the topic of failure is what you’ve learned from your experience, whether you’ve had to face your fears, and whether you’ve demonstrated the grit and persistence to bounce back and forge ahead with new awareness.” 4. What are your weaknesses? Like the question of a failure, frame a weakness example in a way that allows you to demonstrate growth. For example, describe what initiative you’ve taken to work on overcoming the weakness and what you have learned from this experience. One way to talk about a weakness is to provide a situational weakness (as opposed to a character weakness). For example, instead of saying “I am a perfectionist,” you may want to talk about how you are learning to build in time to allow for extra review with a deliverable, so that it’s up to your standards. However, be careful not to sidestep the question. Showing humility and self-awareness is critical. Schools are not expecting you to be perfect; they want to know that you are able to learn and to grow during your experience on their campus. 5. How many coins fit in this room? Coins in a room, cookies in a jar – when an interviewer lobs a problem to resolve, they’re interested in how you think through an issue. It’s not about having an exact answer but meeting the unexpected with confidence and curiosity. 6. Tell me about… the gap in your resume. Maybe you initiated a career switch, took time off to start an entrepreneurial venture, or got laid off during the Covid pandemic. Perhaps illness or other personal circumstances were to blame. Whatever the reason may be, you want to provide a straightforward explanation versus an excuse. Again, articulate not just the circumstances surrounding any employment gap, but what you learned from the experience. Similarly, if there is a red flag in your profile – for example, a record of disorderly conduct in a regrettable undergrad moment – expect to be asked about it and prepare to answer in a straightforward and reflective way. After all, an invitation to interview is a signal that the school believes in your potential, but there might be one issue that they want to clarify. Answer in a matter-of-fact tone, take your time and don’t get defensive. “How you choose to frame your challenges and upsets as opportunities and learning lessons can make all the difference.” 7. What do you dislike about your job? Consider your short and long term career goals, and make sure your answer doesn’t clash with them. For example, don’t say you don’t like office politics if your goal is to become a GM. Instead, you could focus on what you’re currently missing, and what you’re actively doing about it. 8. What was the price of gold this morning? Fact based