MBA

Applications Advice for Younger Applicants

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Accepting the offer from the small niche-consulting firm after college over the offer from the big-name consulting company proved to be a smart decision. In spite of the lower starting salary, in less than two years you are managing projects and staff, bringing in new business, and contributing to company strategy. In addition, the experience, through a pivotal client engagement, has shaped your goal: joining a company in the rapidly growing bioinformatics industry and over time improving healthcare delivery and outcomes. You’re ready to move toward that goal, but you need a thorough business foundation and in-depth knowledge of finance and strategy, which neither your undergrad education nor your experience has provided. You need an MBA. Should you apply now?The answer is yes – if you target the right schools and vividly demonstrate the following five factors in your application essays (primarily) and your resume. Ideally, your recommendations also will reflect these factors. 5 factors that younger MBA applicants need to demonstrate1. Affirmative, practical reasons for applying at this specific time.2. Outstanding professional growth.3. Exceptional impact, leadership, achievement.4. Maturity.5. Ability to contribute socially and academically to the program.Factor 1: Affirmative, practical reasons for applying at this time.The economy is shaky; prospects for growth in your company or industry have diminished – so you might as well pursue an MBA now, instead of waiting to gain more experience. No! Especially if you are younger than average, your reasons for applying now must be affirmative, not reactive — based on positive plans and opportunities, not on lack of plans or scant opportunities. Equally important, those reasons must be practical, i.e., based on concrete goals. In essence, your goals should drive your rationale for applying now. It is essential to delineate in your goals essay how your goals make it necessary for you to obtain an MBA education now. It may be that the market or industry is just ripening and you want to get in early. It may be that your skill set is particularly valuable to a changing sector, industry, or niche. It may be that your company has placed you on a “fast track” and to effectively shoulder the management responsibilities of the next promotion, you need formal business training. Whatever the case, “work back” from your goals to identify on the reason you must earn your MBA now. Factor 2: Outstanding professional growth.Your relatively short professional experience should reflect outstanding growth if you are to be a viable MBA candidate. While the same burden applies to more experienced applicants, if you can show that you pack into one or two years the quality that most other applicants stretch out over four, it can make a very exciting impression – you want the adcom to conclude, “If she can do this in one year, imagine what she can do in four!” What constitutes quality experience? Hands-on participation in a broad range of functions. Managing staff. Promotions that skip levels. Leading high-profile projects. Assignments that are typically given to MBAs. When you discuss such growth in your essays, be sure to clarify its unusual nature (i.e., don’t just say you were quickly promoted to marketing manager; add that no one before you has ever been given that position without first serving as marketing coordinator). Reinforce this factor in your resume, and ask your recommenders to do so as well. If you are applying to MBA programs right out of college or as a recent graduate, look to your jobs, internships, and volunteer activities during college for outstanding professional-level growth or responsibility. For example, you were waiting tables and were asked to manage the restaurant in the owner’s absence. Or you were interning at an investment firm over the summer and were asked to coordinate communications for a transaction. Factor 3: Exceptional impact, leadership, achievement.The more impact, leadership, and achievement any MBA applicant shows, the better. “Exceptional” means beyond what would typically be shown by an actively involved college student or a good-to-strong performer on the job. If you are applying to top MBA programs especially, most applicants will be in the “good to strong performer” category and will have had more time in which to demonstrate this excellence. To be competitive, you must at least equal them in impact, leadership, and/or achievement, but in less time, whether on the job or elsewhere (community service, college activities). Impact involves the effect you have on the organization. Reorganizing functions to facilitate effective cross-functional operations is worthwhile and smart – but what effect did it have on the organization? Did it save money? Eliminate redundancy? Improve customer satisfaction? That’s impact. Initiating a drive to recruit volunteers for the local school district that has recently faced severe budget cuts is worthwhile and smart. Signing up enough volunteers for the school to keep its after-care program, sports, and arts activities – that’s impact. Leadership is more than being named “leader.” Say you lead the consulting team for an important client project. That is significant responsibility, but it is not necessarily leadership. Your team discovers the perfect solution to the company’s problem, but the company resists and your senior management wants you to water down your recommendations to appease the client. You discuss the matter with your team; all are passionately convinced that the solution is ideal. You decide to stand by the team. You gain “champions” in your and the client’s management, and work with them to persuade the rest. Eventually everyone comes around, and the client now praises your team’s persistence. That’s leadership. Or say you are elected president of the student government – that’s responsibility. Then you start an initiative to improve the school’s process for handling honor code violations, to the initial dismay but eventual appreciation of the administration – that’s leadership. Achievement relates to impact, but it stands alone in its importance. For example, your company has only had accounts up to $500K, but you bring in a new account worth over $1M. That alone is an achievement. You’re captain of the lightweight crew team and drive the team to division victory, the

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Using an MBA for a Career Change

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One of the top motivations for getting an MBA is to make a career change. In fact, employers understand MBAs will most likely be looking to make a career change. MBA programs have been a common source of talent for companies for many years, including fresh and sometimes, non-conventional talent.   First, let’s define what a ‘career change’ means. There are three primary dimensions of a career change: geography, industry, and function. In general, changing one dimension has a higher probability than changing three dimensions. Many MBAs can change one or two dimensions, and even three-dimension changes happen occasionally. So, is it better to pursue an MBA, or should I just apply to jobs in the new sector? It depends! Employers are looking for transferrable skills and new skills acquired during the MBA program when evaluating career switchers. An MBA is a good way to pick up new skill sets to make you an attractive candidate. One of the more common scenarios is engineers that are looking to make a career switch. By picking up new skills in marketing, operations, finance, strategy and HR, an engineer can pursue a broader set of roles after completing the program. This is just one example and the same applies to other categories of career switchers.    New Networks In addition to new skills, an MBA will allow you to develop and extend your network. Networking is the most effective way to find a new job, especially for career switchers. Many times, HR is not open to career switchers, but by networking within the organization, you will be able to open doors. If someone in the organization recommends a candidate, HR will most likely include them in the recruitment process based on the recommendation.   During your MBA, you will meet classmates, alumni and employers. Your classmates will be a valuable resource for the rest of your career for finding new jobs, finding business partners and finding funding for start-ups. Exposure One final benefit of an MBA for career switchers is exposure. Many times, students find their direction during the program. Through their classes, career services office or classmates, they discover a career path that they had not even considered previously.   The best way to present your career change plan to the admissions committee is preparation. The committee understands that you many change your mind as you discover new opportunities. As part of the review, the committee is evaluating that the candidate has thought about their skills, motivators and interests; that they understand themselves. Also, the committee is evaluating that the candidate has thought about the job market and the skills required. The key is to demonstrate understanding of yourself and the market and also, to demonstrate realistic expectations. The admissions committee will appreciate honest, thoughtful and coherent answers to all parts of the application including career expectations.     What an Employee with an MBA Brings to the Table So, why are MBA graduates so employable, and what do companies get out of hiring and investing in their MBA talent? MBA graduates see the big picture When we work for one organisation for some time, it’s not uncommon to lose sight of what else is happening in the business world. MBA students spend significant time analyzing businesses, developing a broad understanding of what others are doing, what has worked, and what has not worked. As a result, they graduate with an up-to-date understanding of the business world and the complex issues associated with it. Through the process of analyzing and solving these business issues, an MBA students’ ability to think strategically is challenged and refined.  MBA graduates think long-term Employers are seeking employees that will assist in the long-term growth and sustainability of their businesses. Thanks to the comprehensive and integrated nature of the course content, students develop an understanding of how each business function (or department) operates, and how company decisions can affect each function. An MBA’s holistic understanding of a company will mean that he or she can contribute to achieving a sustainable position in today’s changing business environment.  MBA graduates possess valuable leadership qualities The practice of leadership and the development of leadership qualities is something that MBA students engage with all throughout their degree – from start to finish. Studying with AIB, Leadership is the very first subject that students undertake, and this helps to lay the foundation for developing an understanding of how leadership integrates into all the future subjects they will study. Studying online, students are quickly able to apply these learnings to real-world business situations in their work, helping them to make an impact with the MBA as they continue to study.Upon graduation, MBAs will have developed a holistic view of the business world, and as a result, they’ll be better equipped to lead through the broad lens of business, rather than just their department or area of expertise. This promotes a more cohesive, considered and collaborative workplace culture.  Due to the challenging nature of the MBA, students will also develop greater self-discipline and problem-solving skills, their communication skills will greatly improve, and they’ll experience a boost in confidence. These are just some of the qualities and development outcomes MBA students gain, all of which help to make them better leaders. MBA graduates have diverse and highly qualified business networks We don’t completely agree with the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” but we believe it’s a blend of both. MBAs undertake the program with a cohort of other high-caliber students across a range of industries and roles. If they play their cards right and embrace networking opportunities, MBAs should graduate with a solid foundation of business contacts – both locally and overseas. This is of great value to any organization, as the employee can call on their contacts for opportunities, deals and valuable insights when needed. It could be for an opinion on how to approach a certain issue, or it might be to do particular business with that contact. Regardless of the use, it is important to have contacts outside of your organization in business for the benefit of the MBA graduate and their employer. MBAs Make the Largest Salary Leaps Relish, a career-finding platform specific for MBAs, aggregated more than 11,000 self-reported salary data points from MBA students and graduates before entering business school and after business school between 2009 and 2018. It found eye-popping salary differences. According to the data, MBAs overall saw a salary jump of $36,742 — a nearly 50% increase . “The biggest upshot of this data for us was that an MBA remains a fantastic career investment across

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INSEAD France vs Singapore Campus

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Admissions Consulting Services 1957 saw the origin of one of the most influential Business Schools in the world, Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (French for European Institute of Business Administration), or INSEAD. The flagship institute, in France, and its newer campus in Singapore, has since been a reigning champion in global business education. In the past years, INSEAD has been climbing to the top of Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, coveting the throne in 2016 & 2017. With a redoubtable reputation and an excellent MBA brand, INSEAD MBA has well over 50,000 alumni with 47 Alumni Associations. INSEAD graduates are placed all over the globe in well recognized corporations like McKinsey, BCG, Bain & Company, Amazon, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and all the big wigs. On an average, graduates make close to $103,700 annual salary with a 95% increase in wages from pre to post MBA. If you want more information on the goodliness of INSEAD, we will refer the following links to feed your curiosity. INSEAD France vs Singapore Campus: Differences and Similarities So decidedly, INSEAD is indeed an excellent business school. But is there a difference between the two renowned campuses of INSEAD – the older European campus, in France, and the younger Asian campus, in Singapore? We would be exploring the similarities and differences that each have to offer their brilliant student body – the facilities, resources, brand value, faculty, career services, and of course business networking. The discussion, for each feature, will be a qualitative compilation of opinions offered by INSEAD alumni on online forums. In the recent past INSEAD has opened up another branch in the Middle East. For the purposes of this article, we will stick to INSEAD’s France and Singapore lairs. The Similarities between INSEAD Fontainebleau and INSEAD Singapore Facilities, Resources and Education The way INSEAD functions is an amalgamation of resources offered on both campuses. The total body of the eminent faculty is 145, representing 40 nations. They are supported by research staff, and many have scholar awards, multiple journal articles, and best selling books that are highly regarded in business training. This body of faculty is shared between the two campuses. Students, as well, can avail of the training in either campus. In 2016, 70% students transferred between the campuses in one year. All the other resources like libraries and subscriptions are shared. Placements Career Services are common between the two campuses as well. It is ONE facility that looks to global employment opportunities for INSEAD students. A name that is that widely recognized, brings in recruiting companies from all over the world. While the Asian campus tends to pull in local Asian placements more than Europe and vice versa, a lot of global companies manage to reach out equally well in either. INSEAD has strong bonds with nearly 600 companies. The European location gets a bit more attention to career fairs and large scale events, but these are open to students from both (as well as the Abu Dhabi) campuses. Nearly 90% students, from both Fontainebleau (France) and Singapore, got placed within 3 months of graduation, according to INSEAD’s 2016 Employment Statistics. 53% of all graduates found their job using the Career Development Centre or Alumni Network. Moral of the story being that you can be placed in a Wall Street job whether you have been freezing in the French winter or feeling Singapore’s tropical heat. The Differences between INSEAD Singapore and France Networking Opportunities The alumni network is very strong enabling students to network far and wide. However, there is a subtle difference between the local networking opportunities in the two campuses. Singapore being a city, and the campus being located in the city/state/country with strong economic standing, exposes the local Singapore INSEAD students to mingle well with professionals outside their alumni network. Fontainebleau, on the other hand, with its idyllic surroundings and the somewhat uneasily accessible city scene, narrows professional networking to within the community or through online means. Its proximity to London, however, does open up avenues that are not so reachable if you are sitting in Singapore. This difference becomes more than subtle, according to an alumnus, if you intend to take on an enterprising role after your MBA. 6% of the 2016 graduates started their own companies and 11% got employed through their own contacts. The French location being so out of the way, and of course being limited by the local language, makes it a little bit hard for startup entrepreneurs to access useful resources and knowledge, outside the INSEAD circle. However, INSEAD graduates are able to skillfully employ their on campus resources, alumni network, and their business training to gain a foothold, and enhance their career, quite expertly. Socializing and Traveling The European campus is a great location to study and travel around in the Schengen countries, soaking in the beauty of Europe. The Singapore campus is equally good to travel around in the exotic locales of Asia. So life is envious in both. But Singapore being multicultural, multi-cuisine friendly, and being an all round cosmopolitan makes it more accessible. Also the Fontainebleau campus is about a hundred kilometers away from Charles de Gaulle airport, while the Asian campus is only 30kms from Singapore’s Changi airport. For a program that takes its students back and forth, between the campuses, apart from the student travels involved as part of their job placements or personal trips, clearly the Asian campus is more suitably located. INSEAD’s approach is remarkably different and refreshing. The coherent, yet dynamic, program structure allows its candidates to choose what’s best for them. Even with seemingly different locations, spanning multiple continents, the end result is essentially the same – excellent quality and a universally respected brand capable of creating a stir without border.

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Types of Jobs after MBA in Marketing, Finance, Operations and Technology

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In this article, we take a quick look at the career options after an MBA with specializations in Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Technology. What are the industries that offer rewarding careers to these MBAs? What are the job descriptions and salaries? What are the popular companies? Read on for interesting glimpses of some engaging job avenues and short lists of the world’s best schools. Types of jobs after MBA in MarketingBetter marketing is the panacea that companies have prescribed for themselves to ward off the ills of recession. Therefore, MBAs from the Marketing stream are even more sought after than they were in good times earlier. Industries and job titles:A buffet of various jobs in industries such as retail, banking, hospitality, media, information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITES), and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) is lavishly spread before them. Jobs are available with titles such as brand manager, sales manager, marketing manager, product manager, market research analyst, media planner, and Internet marketing manager. Job description:In a nutshell, a brand manager is responsible for the promotion and placement of the brands of a company and data collection of rival brands. A sales manager sets sales targets and monitors distribution and customer service.A marketing manager evolves marketing strategy but also focuses on retaining customers.A product manager manages the delivery of products to customers and is also in charge of the profitability and market growth of products.A market research analyst devises methods of data collection, analyses data, conveys the data to the business development team, and helps in evolving marketing strategies.A media planner selects the means of advertising products and helps the marketing team meet targets.An Internet/online marketing manager is responsible for a wide range of web marketing avenues such as social media marketing, pay per click marketing, search engine optimization, and website content. Salaries and companies:Career progress and salary of MBAs in Marketing depend on their capacity to innovate. For example, an inventive marketing manager may rise through the ranks to become product development manager and even vice president of marketing or CEO. In the US, the starting annual salary for an MBA in Marketing may be around $39,000 and may go up to $186,000 depending on the company and position. Popular companies in the US include Amazon, IBM, L’Oreal, and PepsiCo. The annual salary in India may range from Rs. 1.51 lakh to Rs. 20.43 lakh. Popular companies include HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Vodafone, and Amazon, according to Payscale. Top b-schools for MBA in Marketing:Among the top schools/universities in the world for MBA in Marketing, according to a listing in the QS Top MBA website, are Northwestern University (Kellogg), Harvard Business School (HBS), Wharton School, Stanford University“>Stanford University, Columbia Business School, Anderson School of Management (all in the US), INSEAD (France, Singapore), IE Business School (Spain), London Business School, Cambridge University (UK), and the IIMs in Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Types of jobs after MBA in FinanceAn MBA in Finance is a coveted degree as a range of career options are available before graduates. Probably, this is because the degree program provides an opportunity to the student to specialize in various fields such as international finance, investment management, taxation, tax planning, financial statement reporting and analysis, and insurance management.Industries and job titles: The magic words “finance” and “management” open up career opportunities in various sectors including banking and financial services, investment banking, management consulting, insurance, wealth management, asset finance, and hedge fund management. Job titles available to an MBA in Finance include financial manager/analyst, credit analyst, accounting manager, risk and insurance manager, treasurer, finance manager, cash manager, chief financial officer, VP (finance), and finance director. Job description:Corporate finance is about ensuring that funds are available for a company’s business activities. Finance professionals study and forecast economic trends, balance risk and profitability, analyze company reports and suggest improvements, take steps to maximize stock value, manage funds by choosing investment portfolios, and apply the principles of financial risk management. Salaries and companies:The annual salary range in the US is $48,000 to $170,000. Popular companies include J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., Ernst & Young, Hewlett Packard, Citibank and General Electric. In India, an MBA in Finance from the IIMs may command packages of Rs. 10-15 lakh a year. Financial analysts earn about Rs. 4 lakh a year at the start, credit analysts Rs. 5-6 lakh at the start to Rs. 20-30 lakh in senior-level posts, and management consultants Rs. 5-8 lakh and, in a few years, Rs. 10-15 lakh. Top b-schools for MBA in Finance:Among the top schools/universities in the world for MBA in Marketing, according to the QS Top MBA website, are Wharton School, HBS, Stern School of Business, Columbia Business School, Stanford University, Northwestern University (all in US), Chicago Booth School of Business (UK campus), London Business School (UK), INSEAD (France, Singapore), IE Business School (Spain), and the IIMs in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta. Types of jobs after MBA in OperationsOperations management is becoming more and more popular among b-school aspirants, and the number of MBAs in this specialization is going up. So is the competition for jobs. In this scenario, MBAs in Operations can stand out from among job aspirants by learning about Six Sigma and Lean methodologies, says a Purdue University official quoted in a website article. Industries and job titles:Operations management originated in the manufacturing industry with Henry Ford’s assembly line for automobile manufacturing. Today, it is a valued specialization across all industries, including telecom, IT, and e-commerce. Job titles include supply chain manager, logistics manager, inventory control manager, project managers, and operations manager. With experience and specialization, MBAs can also secure consultant contracts. Job description:As the name suggests, operations managers ensure the smooth processes and smooth implementation of projects. MBAs in Operations are usually hired for looking after responsibilities related to supply chain, logistics, vendor, and inventory management, sales operations, and production management. They are also given charge of delivery, fulfilment, and returns. Salaries and companies:The average annual salary of operations managers in the US ranges from $52,000 for operations managers to $176,000 for VP, operations. In India, operations managers are offered a salary of Rs. 3-15 lakh per annum. Popular companies in India include Amazon, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Airtel, TVS Motor Company, and Deloitte. Top schools for MBA in Operations: Among the top schools/universities in the world for MBA in Operations, according to the QS Top MBA website, are HBS, Sloan School of Management, Wharton School, Stanford University (all in the US), INSEAD (France, Singapore), IE Business School, IESE Business School (Spain), London Business School (UK), IMD (Switzerland), Chicago Booth School (UK campus), IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and ISB (India) Types of jobs after MBA in TechnologyAn MBA in Technology can pursue a gainful career in many industries. All technology-based companies use the services of technology managers, many of whom have MBAs. Industries and job titles:With experience, MBAs

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Top 10 One-Year MBA Programs in the US

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Here’s a scenario: You enjoy your job but you want to do more with your life. You really want to do an MBA but you simply cannot afford to take two years off from work. What do you do? It’s simple: you opt for an accelerated MBA program! We know there’s a belief that one year MBAs are less valuable than two-year ones. But here’s the thing: A one year MBA is exactly equal to any two year MBA. Which one you should do depends almost entirely on what your academic background and work experience are. A one year MBA is just an accelerated version of the usual two-year program. The accelerated program normally relies on your existing knowledge of business while the two-year MBA takes the time to teach you the basics before moving further. A one-year MBA is far more rigorous than the traditional two year MBA in terms of the pace and topics covered. This makes it ideal for anyone who knows their post-MBA goals clearly. Here is a list of the top 10 one-year MBA programs in the US: 1. Stern School of Business, New York University2. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University3. SC Johnson School of Technology, Cornell University4. Goizueta Business School, Emory University5. Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh6. Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California7. Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame8. F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College9. Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Cox School of Business10. Pepperdine University – Graziadio School of Business and Management Is The One-Year MBA On The Rise In The USA? With applicants looking to shorter MBA programs, schools say the US could follow Europe’s lead towards the one-year MBA format When INSEAD topped the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings for the first time in 2016, it put the one-year MBA on the map. This year, it retained its position. INSEAD – with campuses in Europe and Asia – is leading the rise of the one-year MBA internationally. Within the United States, the traditional, two-year full-time MBA program still reigns supreme. Five out of the Financial Times’ global top 10 are two-year MBA programs from the US – including Harvard Business School, where the MBA was first introduced over a century ago. However, according to GMAC, applications to two-year MBA programs fell in 53% of US business schools in 2016. At the same time, 55% of one-year MBA programs reported an increase in domestic applicants. While applications to the Johnson at Cornell’s two-year MBA remain stable, applications to the one-year MBA have increased steadily, with the program upping its intake from 40 to over 70 students in a matter of years. 53% of students enrolled on Johnson at Cornell’s one-year MBA are international, compared to 33% on the two-year program – the one-year MBA is still more accepted internationally than it is in the US. The one-year MBA program is marketed at the more experienced professionals; those looking to advance their careers in the same industry rather than switch career track. The current class has an average age of 29, and an average of five years’ work experience between them. Get Help from LeapQuest for your MBA Applications! Getting started early will greatly reduce anxiety, allowing you to maintain a balanced life while working thoroughly on each part of your MBA application.  LeapQuest MBA Admission service includes all elements of MBA applications that consist of: Shortlisting the list of target B-Schools Guidance in building MBA application essay write-ups (how to draft essays for mba application) MBA essay editing and guidance in organizing any other aspect of MBA application. Guidance in preparing CV/Resume MBA Interview preparation service in the event an MBA applicant gets an interview call from a shortlisted B-School Any other related part that is inside the scope of B-School application process Social Media Consulting  LinkedIn Assistance Drafting Scholarship letters Application Form Guidance  A Major chunk of the MBA aspirants face a lot of dilemma in deciding whether to pursue their MBA dreams or not. There are a lot of challenges candidates face regardless of the Industry or work experience they come with. If there is something that’s stopping you from proceeding with your plans, Revert with the list of challenges and we’re pretty sure a quick discussion with our team will help you put things into perspective and take a call.   Our team of expert MBA admissions consultants helps you push for more, find your voice, and tell your story in the most compelling way possible. We help current-year and future-year applicants to top MBA programs. Start your journey to MBA acceptance at LeapQuest 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.

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The Truth about MBA Scholarships

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Unsurprisingly in this stronger economy, some top schools are using scholarships to compete for prospective students. More so than in previous years, schools are also matching scholarship offers to attract top candidates, even when they did not initially offer those same candidates funding. Scholarships/fellowships fall into two major categories:  1. Merit based money offered as a result of the MBA application. The vast majority of scholarship $$ are offered based on your original MBA application. They do not require you to submit anything additional. Schools offer this money to candidates they are trying to attract (often away from other schools). This money can come directly from the school itself, having nothing to do with the applicant’s specific demographic or professional background or in collaboration with another organization. While this other organization may suggest guidelines for consideration, it is up to the schools to decide which candidates actually receive the award.1. Candidates should exhibit exemplary leadership in one or more ways: academic leadership, team leadership, community leadership, and creative leadership.2. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to women and girls via personal mentorship or community involvement. Such commitment is in alignment with the mission of Forté Foundation. Schools are encouraged to nominate fellows from their schools who represent diverse educational and work backgrounds, career goals, ethnicities and citizenship. 2. Scholarships that students apply for directly. These scholarships are generally targeted at specific candidates based on industry, ethnicity, gender, etc. A separate application is required for each of these scholarships and specific criteria apply. While the rise in scholarships is great news, many candidates may be wondering what they can do to maximize their chances of earning a coveted scholarship.Here are 5 key tips from LeapQuest 1. Impact:  A subjective reading of a person’s leadership potential based on their actual impact in the world, both at work and in extracurricular matters. The committee is looking for evidence of resilience, entrepreneurship, problem solving, and influencing others. 2. Professional presence: The committee assesses a person’s presence, poise and communication skills on the basis of an interview, all done by staff, as well as other interactions with a candidate at open houses, coffee hours, and MBA fairs. 3. Spikiness: Adapted from one of the world’s top consulting firms, a spiky candidate is one who has an unusual passion or combination of skills and interests that contributes to a person’s uniqueness and appeal. 4. Court your target schools. No school wants to hand out precious money only to lose the candidate to another school. Therefore, while not required, getting to know a school never hurts your chances of getting $$. 5. Apply Early. With limited money to go around, the earlier you can get your applications in, the better. Schools also want to be sure that their classes are filled with well-rounded students and are more likely to use scholarships to ensure this earlier in the process. By round 3, there is likely to be less money left. That said, scholarships do open up sometimes even late in the year. There are some other reasons why you want to get your app in early:  The ability to receive a scholarship award from the school’s Financial Aid Office prior to the date by which you must respond to your offer of admission. Ample time to complete recommended quantitative and/or language coursework prior to arrival on campus. Access to on-campus housing lottery systems at some schools. Sufficient time to complete the visa application process for international candidates. Attendance at a school’s Admit Weekends. Sometimes, round three candidates lose out on this opportunity. All that said, the best time to apply is when you believe you’ve done the best job possible with your application. Round One Deadline for Fall 2021 Intake is just 60 days away LeapQuest will show you how to proactively address each potential ding and increase your chances of earning an acceptance letter. Adding dimension to your profile isn’t easy. There are no quick fixes to the dings we’ve discussed in the article above. Self-awareness is your secret weapon in the battle for a spot in the most competitive business schools. The better you understand who you are, what you’re motivated by, and what makes you unique, the easier it’s going to be to communicate those things in your application. LeapQuest has developed a comprehensive program to help you to formulate an inspiring career vision, career goals, and career action plan. If you define your career goals in the way we recommend, you will be prepared to convince admissions officers that you have the capabilities, passion, and purpose to achieve something significant in the future. We’ve put that all together to create a statistical algorithm that accomplishes the above task to the point of categorization. Of course, it’s not an automated process. There is a greater deal of human involvement to judge the non-objective aspects of your profile too – your clarity of career goals, your ability to connect the dots and make an overall good impression on the Admissions Officer.

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6 Jobs Which Most Value an MBA

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Considering an MBA? Find out which jobs most value candidates with MBA degrees, the salaries they offer, and the best business schools for your chosen career path An MBA degree can open doors to a broader range of exciting roles than you might expect at first glance. Who knows, it might just be the ticket to your dream job. Network, leadership skills, and expert business knowledge; these are just some of the ways an MBA can give you the edge over other job applicants. And employers love MBAs! An overwhelming majority of employers globally say their business school hires were primed for success, and that an MBA helped foster the skills they value the most, from data analytics to teamwork.    Jobs Which Most Value An MBA 1. Management consultant Salary: $140,000- $185,000Top Employers: McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), DeloitteTop Consulting Schools: INSEAD, HEC Paris, London Business School, Harvard Business School Management consulting firms are always on the lookout for top talent, snapping up 20% of Harvard’s MBA cohort every year, and over a third of INSEAD’s MBAs.   In management consultancy, you’ll get the chance to implement business strategies and manage projects across a broad range of fields, giving you experience in a variety of sectors. This role is all about the bigger picture, and an MBA can help broaden your horizons far beyond your industry specialty. Seeing things on this macro level often gives you the edge in creating innovative management plans.  2. Financial analyst Salary: $125,000- $220,000Top Employers: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan StanleyTop Finance Schools: Wharton, NYU Stern, Harvard The right MBA can be a perfect grounding in creating financial strategy, analysing complex data and understanding the wide-ranging needs of investors. Finance remains a popular career destination for many MBAs, with over a third of Wharton’s last cohort gaining top MBA jobs in the sector. Financial Analyst roles focus on investing, but there is room to look at areas such as risk-management and analysing stock ratings. It’s a fast-paced, exciting sector, perfect for an ambitious MBA graduate. Did we mention the generous bonuses?  3. Chief technology officer Salary: $120,000 – $180,000Top Employers: Amazon, Google, MicrosoftTop Tech Schools: MIT Sloan, Stanford, Haas School of Business. As technology begins to compete with consulting and finance as a top MBA employer, the sector is clearly waking up to the value of softer skills that such courses can foster. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the top two most valuable skills to tech employers are ‘working with others’, and ‘creative problem solving’. The vast majority agreed an MBA developed such skills. In a role like chief technology officer, which involves directing and reviewing tech strategy, co-operation across teams and strategizing solutions is key. Where are the top MBA jobs in tech? Companies hiring MBAs range from the Silicon Valley giants like Google and Facebook to exciting tech startups in need of advanced management knowledge.  4. Non-profit leader Salary: $70,000+ (Stats from Oxford Saïd)Top Employers: United Way, Oxfam, or even yourself!Top Nonprofit Schools: Yale School of Management, Oxford Saïd, Geneva School of Economics Fundraising in the third sector can be difficult in times of economic uncertainty, and organizations are often under pressure to maximise their impact with limited funds. MBA students are known for their sharp business acumen and leaderships skills, with 80% of non-profit employers agreeing an MBA prepares you well for the sector. With largely international classrooms with students across various fields and global markets, MBA courses often result in highly creative problem solving across various social issues. Many MBA students have founded their own non-profits, championing impact-driven investments and global sustainability goals. Why not use your MBA to change the world?  5. Marketing manager Salary: $129,000+Top Employers: Bain, Ikon, AccentureTop Marketing Schools: Stanford, UCLA Anderson, ESADE Employers in the competitive field of marketing find MBA graduates particularly desirable, with 20% of Stanford’s last cohort heading into the sector. Marketing managers, in short, get a company’s product sold. Overseeing budgets and building pricing strategies is a key part of the role, as is bringing in new clients and developing plans for expanding the company. This role is a delicate balance between generating business and providing strong team leadership. With an MBA you can gain key industry contacts, insights to international markets, and learn to master data-driven promotional content. Is there any better preparation? 6. Healthcare manager Salary: $120,000- $140,000Top employers: GSK, UnitedHealth, CVS HealthTop Healthcare Schools: Harvard, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School COVID-19 has shown us the vital importance of efficiently managed healthcare systems. Healthcare managers take on a number of roles, from maximizing efficiency, to ensuring companies stick to ever-changing healthcare policy. According to GMAC, three quarters of healthcare employers feel confident that an MBA helped foster the problem solving skills vital to their industry. With all the challenges thrown your way in an MBA, you’ll learn to prepare and plan for all eventualities, providing strong leadership through tumultuous times.  Need help in shortlisting schools that are right for you? At LeapQuest, we’ve done a lot of research into this topic. Having spent several years in the industry, we’ve gathered loads of information and data.There is a greater deal of human involvement to judge the non-objective aspects of your profile too – your clarity of career goals, your ability to connect the dots and make an overall good impression on the Admissions Officer.  

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