Author name: LeapQuest

Creating a university list, while exciting, can be tricky. In today’s university admissions landscape, competition is high, and acceptance rates are low. To maximize your chances of acceptance to a school you truly want to attend, it’s important to think strategically about which schools you want on your application list. The ideal university list should hold a balance of safety, target and reach – or sometimes even extreme reach schools! We are here to help you break down exactly what these terms mean, which universities fit into each category, and how many schools you should apply to.   Safety, Target, Reach & Extreme Reach: What is the difference?   What is a Safety School?   A safety school is a university where you have a greater than 75% chance of acceptance. These schools consistently admit students with lower test scores and GPAs than yours. While these universities may be chosen primarily because of your high chance of acceptance, safety schools should still fulfil all your criteria for your ideal school.   While a safety school may lie on the lower end of the scale in terms of academic rigor (in your own personal case), it should not lie below your range. These schools should still be able to satisfy your academic needs and challenge you intellectually. At a minimum, you should consider applying to 2 safety schools.   What is a Target School?   A target school is one in which your academic credentials and grades fall within the average range of students admitted, often between the 25th and 75th percentiles. While admission at these universities is not guaranteed, there is a good chance that you can expect to be admitted. In other words, these schools are not ‘easy wins’ or ‘out of your league’. They sit at the mid-range point of your university admissions goals. At a minimum, you should consider applying to 4 target schools.   Why is the Safety, Target, Reach and Extreme Reach Strategy Important?   So, why is it important to categorize your university list in this manner? The short answer is, that by doing so you maximize your chances of acceptance. While ideally you would probably like to fill your list with reach or extreme reach schools, you do not want to run the risk of getting rejected to every school you apply to. Including target and safety schools decreases this risk and balances your university list, so that you can ensure that you will gain admission to universities that are still a great fit for you.   What is a Reach School?   A reach school (sometimes called a “dream” school) accepts candidates with academic credentials a little higher than yours. These schools are usually the ones candidates ideally choose to go to if grades and cost are irrelevant factors.   Your chances of admission at a reach school are less than 25% on average. Some top US universities, including the Ivy League, are considered reach schools for all applicants, considering their incredibly low acceptance rates. These schools should not stretch wildly beyond your academic range but sit at the very top of this range. At a minimum, you should consider applying to 3 reach schools.   Reach Schools: Increasing Your Acceptance Odds   It’s critical to have a strategy when selecting which business schools to apply to. Typically, applicants will apply to a mix of safety, target, and reach schools to better their odds.   “Most candidates feel overwhelmed with applying to more than the average of four or five schools. Therefore, it’s crucial to think strategically about school selection and develop a competitive mix of MBA programs to target.”   But how do you go about deciding which schools are “safety” and which are “reach” on your list? Leap Quest what you need to know about reach schools, and what it takes to get into one.   What Qualifies As A Reach School?   Prospective students may lack certain accomplishments and experiences, such as impressive extracurricular activities and a track record of leadership, that are typically necessary for acceptance at these institutions.   A big misconception that applicants have about reach schools is that they don’t have what it takes to get in—when in reality, they do.   “It’s common for MBA applicants to misidentify programs as reach schools based on inaccurate assumptions about admissions criteria. Sometimes a personal feature that a candidate perceives as a disadvantage in the admissions process is not viewed as such by admissions officers, who may describe that trait as a plus.”   How To Increase Your Odds At A Reach School   If you’re applying to a reach school with below average test scores or a low GPA, your best bet is to be upfront about your weaknesses in your application.   “For instance, someone who had a personal crisis during college that made it hard to focus on school can provide context on this issue in an optional essay or application addendum. Similarly, someone who had an issue at a testing center while taking an entrance exam can explain this to admissions officers   Remember, that every school on your list, from safety to extreme reach, should be a school where you would thrive. Make sure you don’t discount schools just because they don’t sit at the top of ranking lists, and similarly, you don’t consider higher ranked schools because you may not be at the top of your class right now. Many of our students improve significantly during their time working with Leap Quest, so it’s important to be both realistic and ambitious when building your own perfect university application list!   What are your chances of getting in? This one is probably the trickiest part of doing business school research. All the earlier effort will go down the drain if the business schools you ultimately select, are all in the super-ambitious range. You risk ending up with zero admits. On the other extreme, with an over-conservative bschool selection approach, you may

Kellogg To Waive GMAT/GRE Exams for Round 2 Applicants Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, one of the top five B-schools in the United States, is offering to waive its test score requirement for those applying to the part- or full-time MBA programs who have been recently laid off from their jobs in the technology field. The waiver of either the Graduate Record Exam or the Graduate Management Admission Test is applicable to Kellogg’s Round 2 applications for full-time and part-time programs. Round 2 applications are due January 4 for Kellogg’s Evening & Weekend program, and January 10 for its full-time programs. Kellogg is urging the high-performing talent of the tech industry to consider studying on the shores of Lake Michigan, where the school has cultivated a rich reputation from its storied history of innovation, creativity, and empathy. Casualties of recent mass layoffs and others “can apply to Kellogg by providing their transcripts, resume and application which will also include a brief essay on their work experience and most recent role as well as what they hope their transformation will be and how it will advance them,” writes Greg Hanifee, Kellogg’s associate dean of degree programs and operations, in a blog post on November 14. In a year fraught with uncertainty and Covid-related MBA admissions changes, it feels reassuring that the MBA essays for Kellogg Northwestern remain unchanged.   The key to delivering a series of standout essays to Kellogg is to embrace your genuine story. Weaving an authentically crafted narrative that conveys your passions and clarity of purpose — in a way that elicits emotional impact — this is the secret sauce in creating a connection to an admission reader’s heart.   Do this successfully, and you’ll be embraced in return: Among Kellogg’s signature traditions during MBA orientation is the moment when the Dean of Admissions offers a rousing speech called “One of You,” which runs down a list of remarkable highlights about new students. What this means for MBA candidates is that there’s a place for you based on your true, authentic self.   First, you’ll want to understand why Kellogg is asking each question and what adcom is hoping to uncover. The clues, of course, are embedded within the questions themselves. Let’s start decoding, piece by piece.   ESSAY 1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)   “Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value.”   To unpack the opening statement: What the question is asserting here is that walking through Kellogg’s door means that you’re not only going to receive a world-class MBA, but you’re also expected to add value by engaging in the classroom, the greater community and, ultimately, the world as a Kellogg alum. How will you drive the type of MBA experience that leaves your classmates wishing they had more time with you? The MBA experience is only as unique as the collective contribution of the class, and this means that Kellogg is trying to uncover your capacity to lead and participate in this collective experience during school and beyond.   “Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value.”   This part is directed at your specific leadership experience. Kellogg is trying to get a sense of who you are as a leader, and how you’ve shaped the organizations and communities in which you’re involved. The words to pay attention to are “created lasting value.” (This notion is so important it’s mentioned twice in the same prompt.) This is your opportunity to tell a story. Think through — why must you tell this story? How is the world better off from you having told this story? What leadership experiences can you share that reveal you’ve succeeded in elevating people, places and/or circumstances because of your conscious participation? What story will illuminate the significance of this shift, showcasing the situation before you came in, while you were there and after you’ve left?   “What challenges did you face and what did you learn?”   This is both the substance and resolution of your story. Who are the characters of your story? What setting are you in? What are the stakes of you not succeeding in your leadership challenge? How did you grow through the challenge? Don’t just share what you learned and stop there; essays that nail this question will also demonstrate how what you learned will translate to your unique contribution towards the Kellogg class of 2021, during your MBA and beyond.   ESSAY 2: Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)   “Values are what guide you in your life and work.”   Your values aren’t a laundry list of adjectives, they’re emblematic of the beliefs that guide your decisions, actions and engagement in the things that matter most to you. Similar to Stanford GSB’s iconic ‘what matters most to you and why’ essay, Kellogg is looking to know what it is it that inspires, drives and motivates you. Candidates who do the thoughtful introspection required to write with authenticity and substance will deliver a valuable view into who they are as a person, not just the inner workings of a dazzling intellect. Your values inherently extend beyond yourself, into your relationships with people and the places where you imagine making a positive impact.   “What values are important to you and how have they influenced you?”   This is an opportunity to tell a story that’s personal, vulnerable and honest. You might lead with one specific value and the emblematic story that helps connect the dots between what has shaped you and who you’ve become. As you look back, what are the seminal moments, influences and interactions that have forged you into

Getting rejected by a B-school is the last thing that any MBA applicant wants.   But rejections are a normal aspect of the admissions process. It’s understanding why you got rejected and what to do next that are important.   Minimal Interests Outside Of Work and School   One of the potential reasons that MBA applicants get a rejection letter is because they fail to show interest in activities outside of work and the classroom.   “Oftentimes, it is the personal story aspect that shows resilience or a unique hobby that shows a level of depth that can set a candidate apart. “For example, if you have two candidates from top investment banking firms with the same level of experience, the one who also practices and won awards in let’s say archery (this was from a past client), will have a better chance of acceptance because it is not only unexpected, but makes them stand out.”   Inauthentic Personality   When an applicant is too on brand with a B-school and its values, admissions officers will typically pass on their application. Experts say that applicants who tell authentic stories tend to catch the eye of admissions officers.   “No matter how qualified you may be on paper, authenticity counts,”    “The biggest mistake we see candidates make is when they tell us what they think we want to hear, rather than showing us who they actually are. The essays and interview are a great opportunity for you to present your true self.”   High Competition   Oftentimes, a rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified. Rather, it may just mean that competition is at an all-time high.   “This is the top reason why qualified candidates are rejected – there are a limited number of spots open and hundreds of qualified candidates are vying for those spots,”    “Choosing a less popular school increases your chances of getting in, and many schools have excellent programs, not just the big name schools.”   No matter the reason for rejection, experts say, the best next step is to do some self-evaluation.   “Spend some time and evaluate your application strategy and submitted package,You want to determine whether you put together the best application package you’re capable of. If you feel there may have been some issues or there may be other opportunities to improve your profile, take action. “   How Not to Choose an MBA/MS Program “Invert, always invert.”   Put simply, inversion is a principle commonly applied in mathematics, where you rearrange or reverse the order of something. We like to think of it as turning something inside out.    We believe we can apply that same thinking to MBA/MS admissions. We would reframe the question of “How do I get into the right program?” Instead, We’d tell how to get into the wrong one.   When it comes to choosing a business school, here are ten “inversions” that’ll ultimately lead to a decision that you’ll regret:   Prioritize second-hand research over direct experience:  People are naturally biased, and one experience doesn’t tell you everything. Research schools’ facts and figures religiously. Look at outcomes, read the curriculum, and listen to testimonials. Make it rational, focused on numbers and aggregate data. A certain “feel” for a school may make you happy, but this is a professional decision. Do the great investors lead with their intuition?   Use the rankings as your guide:  Pay special attention to the nuances of a ranking to prioritize your schools. A bump from four to three in the U.S. News rankings changes things. While you know the school’s quality hasn’t changed, people’s perception has. What matters most is what the average recruiter or colleague thinks of your school choice. They’ll be the ones hiring you.   Emulate the success of others:  Study the people who have been accepted. Learn their style, their story, and their interests. Use their paths as a map to guide you through the twists and turns of the admissions process. If yours is too different, you’ll lose your audience. The school sees so many applicants that it rewards you to fit the molds they expect. They don’t have time to appreciate the difference.   Write about yourself generally, don’t emphasize specifics: Focus on sharing your complete backstory, and tie it all to what you want to do afterwards. A great essay is a smooth sequence of events inevitably leading to your school and program of choice. Focusing on one experience means that you’ll not show all of yourself.   Come to interviews with the answers: Prepare so you can address any question an admissions officer asks with a concise and confident response. Almost any answer is better than not knowing. If you don’t know what you’ll do in school or after, then you haven’t been thoughtful enough.   Stick to conventional career goals: Don’t be too ambitious or unusual with your goals. About half of most top MBA graduates go into management consulting or banking. If you’re like the average admitted student, then odds are you stand a better chance of being accepted. Being the odd duck out is too risky, and it’s going to invite a lot of skepticism.   Sell an image: Admissions is considering making an investment of a precious seat in their class for you. The key to closing any deal, whether in business or in life, is to create a winning image. Perception is everything. You and your career have to be something that admissions wants to have a part. It’s about learning what admissions wants you to say, and then squeezing yourself into a mold that tells them that.   ROI and Cost: Return on investment (ROI) goes beyond those coveted starting salaries and is inherently individual. Forbes rankings, for example, are based exclusively on ROI and drawn from pre- and post-MBA compensation, location and career choice. Forbes examines the five-year gain for MBAs across a host of key factors, while other media, like The Economist

Texas McCombs has released its full-time MBA essay questions and deadlines for the 2022–2023 application cycle. This year, the school has added a video assessment to its application, giving applicants the opportunity to share their story with the admissions committee in their own voice.   If you are interested in the McCombs MBA program, check out the latest class profile to assess if the program may be a strong fit for you.   The class of 2023 consists of 38% women, 37% US minority students, and 24% international citizens.   The 2022-2023 Texas McCombs Application Deadlines Are:   Round 1: October 11, 2022 Round 2: January 4, 2023 Round 3: March 28, 2023   2022–2023 Texas McCombs Essays:   Essay 1: Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words)   Essay 1: Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA student to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words) With this prompt, the McCombs admissions committee is asking you to imagine where you want to go after you have completed your MBA studies (in both your career and your life more generally) and explain how you used your time at the school to prepare yourself to get there. So, without using the actual words “why McCombs?” and “how do you expect to engage with our community?,” the school is nevertheless asking you for precisely this information.   The admissions committee essentially wants to know what has compelled you to choose McCombs in particular for your MBA and how you will take advantage of specific resources and experiences it offers. The assumption is that something you have learned about McCombs leads you to believe that its MBA program will provide the experience, knowledge, skills, exposure, and/or other elements you need to reach your goals. Likewise, something makes you feel you would fit well with the McCombs environment and be comfortable there. So what has given you that impression? All the top MBA programs want reassurance that the candidates they admit have not applied simply because of the school’s reputation or ranking but rather because they are truly excited to be a part of the community and to benefit from that specific learning experience. McCombs is not simply seeking warm bodies with which to fill its classrooms; it is striving to add to a long history of effective global business leaders and a network of alumni dedicated to the school and each other. Demonstrating your authentic interest in the program by offering concrete examples and drawing clear connections between who you want to be and what the school offers is key to crafting a compelling essay response.   If you have targeted McCombs because you feel it is the right program for you, you likely already have an idea of why that is true and how you would function as part of its community. If you do not yet have a handle on these points, you definitely need to start (now!) researching the school thoroughly, including interacting directly with students and/or alumni. Identify at least one (ideally more) resource, offering, or quality that McCombs has that is unique or that it excels in that directly relates to what you need to attain your post-MBA goals. And do not just offer a list—you must explain how the identified element(s) will fulfill particular needs for you.   Keep in mind that business school is not only about course work and recruiting, and McCombs specifically asks about achieving your personal goals as well as your career aspirations. While you are a student, you can (and should!) also have fun, make friends, and be a contributing member of the community outside the classroom. So you certainly can discuss more than just the academic and professional development elements of the McCombs program. Explore the school’s social events and offerings—including affinity, social, and sports clubs, for starters—to identify other aspects of the experience that you anticipate will also play an important role in your MBA journey. Although we would not encourage you to force this angle and mention something just to tick a box, so to speak, addressing these options can be an effective way of revealing more of your values and personality to the admissions committee and thereby presenting a more well-rounded impression of yourself.   Optional Statement: Please provide any additional information you believe is important or address any areas of concern that you believe will be beneficial to MBA Admissions in considering your application (e.g., gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). (250 words)   We tend to believe that the best use of the optional essay is to explain confusing or problematic issues in your candidacy, and this prompt offers an opportunity to do just that.   However, because McCombs does not stipulate that you can only discuss a problem area in this essay, you have some leeway to share anything you think might be pivotal or particularly compelling. We caution you against trying to fill this space simply because you fear that not doing so would somehow count against you. Remember, by submitting an additional essay, you are asking the admissions committee to do extra work on your behalf, so you need to make sure that time is warranted. If you are using the essay to emphasize something that if omitted would render your application incomplete, take this opportunity to write a very brief narrative that reveals this key new aspect of your candidacy.   MBA/MS Application Checklist | Essay Tips With application deadlines around the corner It is time to make your list and check it twice. While most checklists will merely cover the basics, Leap Quest challenges you to ask these 9 questions to assess whether your applications are REALLY ready!   1. Is your story clear? Does the reader walk away knowing who you are and what matters to

With the year’s end rapidly approaching and round 2 application deadlines clearly in sight, you may find yourself contemplating an MBA. You may be wondering: Is this a good time?   Below Leap Quest’s lists a number of reasons you may not want to wait. If you have taken the GMAT/GRE (or think you could do so in time), for example, or you are feeling stuck in your job, consider starting your application process today!   But right now there is an additional—and greatly compelling—reason to take this courageous step: a recession is likely looming. Elon Musk is chopping jobs at Twitter, Amazon announced a corporate hiring freeze, Lyft is cutting 13% of its workforce, and others will likely follow.   While recession forecasting is not exactly down pat, teams of economists have been predicting a serious recession for some time—more than a year, in some cases—and many say we are already well into one. Many factors are propelling the downturn, including the withdrawal of catalysts that have been propping up the economy, such as easy access to low-interest credit. More interest rate hikes are likely to accelerate matters, further propelled by dropping consumer confidence ratings and rising inflation.   Potential MBA applicants can take steps to capitalize on the possibly transformative, life-changing opportunities provided by a looming recession. While a recession can be dangerous, it can also be accompanied by great opportunity: opportunity to reinvigorate one’s life with a transformative educational experience to match the opening doors post-recession. When the job market starts to bubble again, compared to others who have been sitting home watching Netflix or self-doubting, you will have improved yourself through a new degree, you will have new skills and interests, and you may even be prepared to launch into a new, burgeoning field.   Plus, applications to many top business schools are still down but are likely to rise in the coming year(s). Now is a sweet spot when you can apply during a slightly less competitive cycle.   While it is clear that now is a great time to apply to business school, you may be wondering if this is the best time for YOU to pursue an MBA. If one or more of the following rings true for you, now may very well be the time to start developing your MBA Application Plan!   You are ready to switch careers: Switching careers while writing your business school applications can be tricky. While it works for some to change industries or functions pre-MBA, for most people post-MBA is a better time to switch careers. But if you know you want to move from banking to consulting or consulting to product management, why wait? In many ways the MBA is the great equalizer and post-MBA students often start at a similar level to each other. If this is you, think about applying today.   Your personal situation favors the MBA choice: Do you want a break from work? Is your partner going back to school and it will be easier to study together? Going back to school full time is a major lifestyle change, and your personal circumstance should be a key factor in your decision on when to apply. If your circumstances feel right, consider it fortuitous.   Career stagnation: Have you stretched yourself as much as possible in your current role? Do you need an MBA or advanced degree to reach the next level? If you are bored at work and feel that you have learned all you can in your current role, this is a good sign an MBA might be right for you. Even if you feel you are close to plateauing, now could be a good time to start researching an MBA program as it might still be another 18 months until you are likely to enroll.   Close specific skill gaps: Gaining specific knowledge is one of the top reasons to get an MBA. While naturally MBA programs are great opportunities to strengthen core skills including finance, accounting and marketing, top MBA programs offer courses across broad industries and functional areas, allowing students to learn the fundamentals from industry experts.   In recent years, top MBA programs have begun to offer more unique courses. From Harvard’s Risks, Opportunities, And Investments In The Era Of Climate Change to Kellogg’s Influencer Marketing , MBA hopefuls have access to an array of classes in emerging fields.   Develop soft skills: The “soft” skills that you will gain in business school are just as important as the technical skills you will develop (if not more important). MBA programs strongly emphasize skills including leadership, communication, and teamwork both in and out of the classroom. Naturally, these are all key skills for young professionals, preparing them to become future leaders.   On top of this, various volunteer programs and travel opportunities give students the chance to further develop personally and professionally.   Explore career paths in an open and trusting environment: While Leap Quest advises all clients to apply to business school with clear MBA goals and future plans, no one will actually hold themselves to these goals. Instead, MBA programs foster a safe environment to explore classes or programs in other fields and intern with companies in diverse industries. This exploration can lead students to find new passions or solidify their desired career path.   Receive a “holistic” business education: If you are wondering “Why should I get an MBA instead of a specialized master’s degree?” Leap Quest encourages you to think about your ideal career path. Although specialized masters’ programs can be a great way for folks to advance their careers, for those with broader aspirations, an MBA can open more doors.   For instance, a master’s in marketing might be ideal for someone who wants to focus on marketing expertise and rise via a narrower path. However, an MBA can teach the marketing skills needed to succeed in most companies as well as advanced leadership skills to help you assume higher

A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong Dipti wasn’t planning to apply to an MBA program this spring. But when the coronavirus pandemic caused most top business schools to extend deadlines and suspend testing requisites, Malone, a product manager in the San Francisco Bay Area, found herself in a “Why not now?” frame of mind.   “I was planning on applying in the fall, but ended up speeding up my timeline, given the extended deadlines happening this year,” she says. “I talked with one of my mentors, who had been telling me since the day I met her that I should go back and do an MBA. And she was saying, ‘Why are you waiting? What is there to gain by waiting until next year to start?’ And I said, ‘It’s the first week of Feb are you serious? I can’t do this right now, you’re crazy.’ She went, ‘Well, why not?’ And I went through my list of, ‘Well, there’s only a month. I haven’t even started my essays. I don’t know where I want to apply. I haven’t even taken the GMAT. I don’t know what I’m doing.’ And she went, ‘These are all terrible excuses. Can you give me better excuses? I’ll listen to you, but other than that, I’m going to keep bugging you to apply.’ And I stopped for a minute and I said, ‘You know what? You’re right. These are bad excuses.’”   Dipti applied to four elite B-schools in Feb and March — “It was a hell of a stressful month,” she says. But the work and stress were worth it. She was admitted to 2 of her target schools. She chose the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.   Women At The Top MBA Programs In The U.S. Way back in 2018, USC Marshall achieved the long-sought holy grail of gender parity, with 52% women in its incoming class. Last year Stanford and Wharton led the way, each with 47%; and in 2020 the crown goes to Dartmouth Tuck, which stands on the precipice of parity with 49% women in its MBA. After Dartmouth Tuck, the biggest two-year gains were at UCLA Anderson School of Management and NYU Stern School of Business, which both gained 6 points to 40% and 43%, respectively.   Rank & School 2020 % Women 2019 % Women 2018 % Women 2017 % Women 2016 % Women 2-Year Change 5-Year Change 1. Stanford GSB 47% 47% 41% 40% 41% Even 6 2. Chicago (Booth) 38% 40% 42% 40% 42% -2 -4 3. Harvard Business School 44% 43% 41% 42% 43% 1 1 4. Penn (Wharton) 41% 47% 43% 44% 44% -6 -3 5. Northwestern (Kellogg) 40% 43% 46% 42% 41% -3 -1 6. MIT (Sloan) 38% 41% 42% 42% 40% -3 -2 7. Columbia 40% 38% 39% 41% 38% 2 2 8. UC-Berkeley (Haas) 39% 37% 43% 40% 38% 2 1 9. Dartmouth (Tuck) 49% 42% 45% 44% 44% 7 5 10. Yale SOM 39% 42% 43% 43% 43% -3 -4 11. Virginia (Darden) 40% 40% 38% 39% 39% Even 1 12. Michigan (Ross) 43% 45% 43% 43% 40% -2 3 13. Cornell (Johnson) 31% 35% 33% 27% 31% -4 Even 14. Duke (Fuqua) 46% 43% 42% 34% 35% 3 11 15. UCLA (Anderson) 40% 34% 35% 38% 32% 6 8 16. NYU (Stern) 43% 37% 35% 38% 35% 6 8 17. CMU (Tepper) 25% 33% 28% 27% 28% -8 -3 18. Texas-Austin (McCombs) 40% 40% 38% 40% 37% Even 3 19. USC (Marshall) 40% 42% 52% 32% 32% -2 8 19. UNC (Kenan-Flagler) 31% 29% 28% 30% 30% 2 1 21. Washington (Foster) 37% 33% 42% 36% 43% 4 -6 22. Emory (Goizueta) 30% 31% 30% 30% 24% -1 6 23. Indiana (Kelley) 35% 33% 35% 29% 30% 2 5 24. Georgetown (McDonough) 32% 29% 29% 32% 34% 3 -2 25. Rice (Jones) 35% 38% 31% 34% 24% -3 11   The average gain among the 10 schools that grew their women’s MBA population between 2019 and 2020 was 3.5 percentage points. Last year when we wrote this story, the average gain among 12 schools was 2.6 points. The average loss this year for the 12 schools that declined was 3.3 percentage points; last year, the average loss between the two cycles at 11 schools was 3.5 points.   Women At The Top MBA Programs Outside The U.S.   School 2020 % Women 2019 % Women 2018 % Women 3-Year Change London Business School 36% 38% 40% -4 HEC Paris 34% 31% 32% 2 Rotman 44% 42% 35% 9 INSEAD 35% 35% 33% 2 IE 32% 30% 31% 1 IESE 31% 31% 32% -1 Cambridge 37% 35% 36% 1 Oxford 47% 44% 39% 8 CEIBS 40% 40% 43% -3   Over the last five years going back to fall 2016, eight U.S. schools have lost ground, one is even, and 16 have improved. The biggest five-year improvement was 11 percentage points at both Duke Fuqua and Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business, the latter of which improved to 35% women this year. Three other schools — UCLA Anderson (32% to 40%), NYU Stern (35% to 43%), and USC Marshall School of Business (32% to 40%) all improved by 8 points. The biggest decline over the last five years: the University of Washington Foster School of Business, which dropped 6 percentage points to 37%. Outside the U.S., only one major school out of nine we’ve watched — London Business School — lost ground from 2019, and only three have lost ground over three years: LBS, IESE of Spain, and CEIBS of Shanghai, China and Zurich, Switzerland. Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, Canada, are the top non-U.S. schools for women at 47% and 44%, respectively. See table above for details Get Help from Leap Quest

Governments around the world spend a huge amount of money on education every year. This includes setting up institutes of higher education or expanding the reach of the ones that already exist. Yet, given a chance, every single student wishing to pursue their MBA from the likes of Stanfords and Harvards of the world will jump at the opportunity. With the growing popularity of international MBA, students have more options to choose from, and not limit themselves to only the biggest names alone. What does an international MBA offer that a degree from a home-grown institute doesn’t? Does the word ‘international’ mean only attending B-schools in the U.S. or Europe? If it does, then why do European & US students reach out to business schools in other countries to do their MBA? Many in the field will explain this word (‘international’) by way of diversity among students in the class. Universities would be wary if their student pool had a majority of students from one particular culture, community or country. So, you’d notice almost all the B-schools will more or less be open to sharing the diversity of their students in terms of gender, nationality, culture, and the like. Even US and European students prefer to pursue their course from a place that gives them the opportunity to study in a more multicultural environment. Then you can basically work with just about anyone, anywhere in the world. And then of course, it looks good on your CV as well! Now, let’s come to the point. What are the benefits of an international MBA degree? Quite a few. Let’s go through these one by one. For all of you out there, one reason could be more important than others so this list is definitely not in any order of priority. 6 Benefits of an international MBA degree 1. Gets you closer to your dream job Most students who enroll for an international MBA are professionals. They have a few years of work experience post which they opt for higher study. So, they are already earning a decent amount. Yet a foreign degree shines bright on your CV giving you an edge over other competitors at the workplace. Higher the ranking of the B-school you graduated from, better chances of your dream company hiring you. And in a leadership role! You stand in good stead to take over a role in senior management, as that’s what an international MBA degree trains you in. Following a global curriculum in terms of business, marketing, management, sales and operations along with understanding the various facets of leadership from an international perspective makes you understand business in a different way. You get the confidence to work in any organization in any part of the world.The Financial Times says as of January 1, 2018, almost 31% of the world’s 500 largest listed companies by market capitalization are led by an MBA graduate. 2. Expands your professional footprint For many professionals, stagnation sets in quite early in the career. After a year or two of learning, it generally is more of the same in the years to follow. The biggest culprit is the lack of variety at work. For bosses, it’s more productive to get an experienced employee to continue doing what they have been doing for years. This is why the learning stops and the daily routine becomes a mechanical chore. One big advantage of an international MBA degree is it gives you the chance to expand your area of interest. From a business operations profile, you can learn about business development, or from manufacturing, you can go into consulting. The program is developed in such a manner that it ensures you get an overall perspective and necessary training to shift your career focus. 3. Gets you back into school Talk to the MBA aspirants, and you’d know that one of the reasons why they want to ditch their job or life they are living, is to take a break and do something constructive in the period. There’s nothing better than going back to being a student – sitting down in a room full of people who don’t know you, jotting down informative content, looking up at the professor with eyes full of awe at the knowledge that s/he is spewing. Well, you do end up spending a fortune on this experience, but actually taking time off work could give you a much needed break from all the corporate baggage you’ve been carrying all along. You don’t have to carry your office with you anywhere, no late night office calls, no travel for work. There will be time to think of that business idea you have been toying with in your head. You can chit-chat with new friends and do not feel the urge to network with them for work. It can be quite an experience being a student again. 4. Expands your network As a business professional, one of the key requirements of your job is to network with people from various industries. In fact, almost all companies encourage their employees to network with people other than their colleagues. You never know which connection gets you more work. And while pursuing an international MBA, you have the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals from various industries, from around the world. It is the best setting to make life-long friends and extend these partnerships beyond the classroom. Some of them may just go to head some top-notch organization later in life.And that’s not all. B-schools globally tend to nurture their alumni so as to have an extended network of their wards. You’d have access to such a huge alumni network too who can always counsel, mentor and even help you find a good job. The professors and guest lecturers from various disciplines and industries too shoot up the excitement factor of these degrees. You can learn so much from these accomplished people from various walks of life. These will be invaluable connections. 5. Feeds your entrepreneurial ideas