MBA

India’s entrepreneurial culture and booming tech sector make it an attractive destination for management education, but it has traditionally failed to attract international MBA students in large numbers. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), which administers the GMAT exam, Indian business schools received 18,647 GMAT score reports in 2018. A GMAT score report is a sign of a candidate’s interest in a school—but just 1% of scores sent to Indian programs were from non-Indian citizens. These reports came mostly from Nepal (0.63%), the US (0.13%), Canada (0.10%), and South Korea (0.06%). India’s reputation as a study destination for internationals is still limited, but with the growth of the Indian economy, this could be set to change. Here’s five reasons why you should study an MBA in India: Top-ranked business schools The lack of international MBA students in India creates an opportunity for those applying outside of India to get into the top schools. There are a number of good schools to choose from, but four business schools consistently rank in the Financial Times top 100 Global MBA Rankings. Indian School of Business (ISB) comes in at number 24 in the 2019 ranking. The Indian Institute of Management’s schools in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta also rank in the top 50 globally. The relative lack of international students creates an opportunity for those applying outside of India to get into top schools. Return on investment The cost of MBA education at India’s business schools is a fraction of what management education costs in the US or UK. The Indian School of Business estimates the annual cost of education there, plus living expenses, to be around $55,000. That compares to an estimated $80,000 for an MBA from Wharton (excluding living expenses). There are also a number of scholarships set aside for international students, that cover up to 100% of tuition. Calculating your return on investment (ROI) can be an important factor in choosing an MBA program: do your homework about both the course costs, and the average salaries after the program. The Financial Times Global MBA ranking puts ISB’s average salary increase post MBA at 187%, in the top 3 MBA programs for salary increases globally. Graduates from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad earn an average salary of $186,170, placing the school in the top six MBA programs for average salaries globally. That’s a higher average salary than both University of Chicago, Booth, and INSEAD. Where do Indian business schools rank globally in terms of MBA salaries? School Average MBA Salary ($) Overall MBA ranking Ranking for MBA Salaries Indian Institue of Management, Ahmedabad 186,170 47 6 Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore 178,774 33 10 Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta 158,138 49 21 Indian School of Business 156,122 24 26 Jobs Like many of their counterpart MBA programs in the West, Indian programs also have a high focus on employability. Aditya Singh, director of Athena School of Management, says India’s growth is creating more job opportunities for internationals. Guru Kumara, director for external relations at ISB, agrees. “Indian economic growth is fueling a massive need for high-quality talent,” he says. ISB, Amazon, Bain, BCG, Google, McKinsey, and Uber were among the companies who reported their largest single-campus hiring from ISB in India last year. Startups India is currently one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic economies in the world, with corporate expansion, as well as family business and entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to the array of opportunities available to enterprising business students. This focus on entrepreneurship looks set to increase, as it is becoming a major trend in management education across India. Aditya credits the skyrocketing number of start-ups being founded in India, as the country becomes one of the largest startup hubs in the world, and says that international students can benefit from learning the Indian way of doing business—the ‘Frugal Innovation’ style Indian businesses have perfected. Entrepreneurship in India in 2018: Key Facts % startup growth 108 % increase in number of advanced tech startups 50 Total startup funding USD 4.2 billion Number of startups founded 1,200 Number of unicorns 8 A unique perspective All of the above contributes to the distinctive character of Indian business education. As Guru from ISB explains, “MBAs in India are not different from MBAs anywhere else in the world, and yet are very different. They are a good blend of quality academic rigor combined with an ability to get things done.” Guru elaborates that the key differentiator when it comes to graduate management education in India is that students get access to the India-centric content that they need in order to succeed in the country.  “India is a country with 29 states, each differing from the other in terms of language, culture, customs, etcetera,” he says. “The ability to manage this diversity comes naturally to someone who [has studied] here.” Which MBA Application Round should I apply in?  The answer to this question lies in understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each MBA application round. Many candidates often remain confused about applying early or waiting till the last round. However, chances of admission depend not only which MBA Application Round you apply in but also on the quality of the application that you come up with. The rule of thumb you should follow is “Plan well in advance and apply as early as possible to ensure your best foot forward.”   Factors to consider – Which MBA Application Round should I apply in? The decision of choosing the most suitable MBA Application round depends on these factors Application Readiness, If you have a polished resume, look at scholarship options for funding your MBA, work on your essays and have really good letters of recommendation, then Round 1 is your best shot. In case you feel you need additional 2-3 months to improve your application, then submit your application by Round 2. In case, you have an extraordinary profile and have a solid reason for waiting till Round 3 then, this round will

MiM, or Masters in Management, is a graduate degree in business and related specializations. It is a far more theoretical approach to business education than an MBA degree. It lays the foundation of the various concepts, takes young fresh undergraduates, or recent professionals, along a structured path towards business concepts. Though originally a European phenomenon, there has been a growing number of North American schools embracing the idea of this taste of management studies. What is MiM degree? To sum up the intention of the program, while what we mentioned before stands true, it is also a sort of formal introduction to the field of business management. Much like other MS or M.Sc degrees, it is not designed with practical education in the flavour MBA is familiar with. The courses are fundamental with the option of specializations in your interested area of business function – marketing, consulting, finance, and so on. This course, also otherwise known as Master of Science in Management in some parts of the world, is often a gateway into entry-level jobs in business management that require less experience. Nevertheless, it has high demand among recruiters, provides opportunities to study and work abroad, is a networking goldmine given the faculty and industry exposure as part of the curriculum, and is designed to train its students to build enough momentum to start a promising management career, running and far ahead. What is the Eligibility and Requirement for MiM? Unlike MBA, MiM doesn’t need its applicants to have work experience with substantial accomplishments to show for, professionally. Most MiM programs require students to have an undergraduate degree in any field. In practice, most MiM programs have students who have less than two years of work experience. Like MBA though, it does require GMAT/GRE or other standardized tests to evaluate applicants on a common baseline. TOEFL or other English proficiency tests are needed to ensure international student class participation. What is the duration of MiM Programs? Master in Management is a flexible program. While a considerable number of European business schools have the curriculum divided into two years – core, electives and specializations – there is the option to extend the time to include internships, as in HEC Paris. There is also typically an allotted time to get involved in research, working closely with professionals in the field. A few MiM programs are also designed in a condensed format to be completed within a year. The table below, showing the top school for MiM, summarizes the duration of some of the top b-schools.  What kind of courses and syllabus comprise MiM degrees? The years, or semesters, are dedicated to first laying a foundation for management sciences and other related concepts – intercultural management, management, statistical methods, analytical skills, and more. The second phase provides students with various specializations through electives – Accounting, Analytics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Strategy, etc. MiM degrees offer incredible opportunities to customize the training based on the student’s interests. Depending on the b-school, many of these electives become part of either exchange programs or dual degrees that provide the added advantage of further global exposure. Foreign Language is also a big part of the training that goes into the global experience. The essential takeaway is that while job is a key outcome in the dreams and hopes of MiM students, at large, a significant number of them choose to continue in academia. With the heavily research oriented curriculum, students are trained towards thinking as potential researchers, adept with the skills to analyze information and use various research methodologies for independent endeavors. Having said that, schools do incorporate real-world application training in the mix, for employment. Thus, internships can become a part of the MiM training, especially if the duration of the degree allows for sufficient time to accommodate one. Students are either mandated to take up internship opportunities in a set scheduled period, during the degree, or are given a flexible option to opt for a gap year/semester, for interning in one or many organizations, and specializations, if they so choose. What are the job prospects after MiM? Here is a snippet of the hiring projections, among MiM graduates, as per GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey from 2017. The survey, which was based on nearly 1,000 employers representing about 630 companies, including 22% Fortune Global 500s, across 51 countries, shows a very positive response to these Master’s graduates. Through their years of surveys, GMAC found that the MiM hiring projections were up from 49% in 2012 to 59% in 2017. Though slightly subdued in the US, at 48%, as compared to the other continents – Asia Pacific (86%), Europe (74%) and Latin America (76%) – the trend is in the right direction. Breaking down further, as expected, larger companies (with greater than 1,000 employees) are more likely to hire (73%) MiM graduates as compared to smaller (36%). Even Start-ups are showing an increased interest in these young and vibrant business wizards. The table below sums up the industry wise hiring scenario, as per the survey.   Industry Hiring Projection Consulting 64% Finance 43% Health Care 55% Technology 59% Manufacturing 70% Product & Services 55%   As far as internships are concerned, US companies are less likely to offer internship positions to Business Master’s students, including MiM. They stood at about 24% in the USA as compared to 32% in Asia Pacific and 52% in Europe, in 2017. This is not surprising as Europe is the pioneering continent in Masters in Management, with the rest of the world now slowly realizing its value and playing a bit of catch up. As with jobs, larger companies are more likely to offer internships and also more likely to hire interns full-time. As mentioned before, the cohort of students, their age and experience, accounts for the job level grads are usually hired into. For instance, MBAs, with experience, are usually hired into mid-level positions. In comparison, the average age of MiM classes is about 22 years and they usually have none

As an MBA student, you are guaranteed to work in student teams composed of individuals from different backgrounds (professions, nationalities, cultures, orientations, etc.). For this reason, business schools want to ensure that you are equipped to collaborate effectively with people who might hold perspectives different from your own. During the past few admissions cycles, several programs have evaluated applicants’ ability to work across backgrounds by posing an essay question that asks about the candidate’s experience with diversity and inclusion, how they have created or promoted an inclusive environment, and/or how they expect to be an inclusive leader at the MBA program and after graduation.   Here are our tips on how to approach responding to an MBA diversity essay question:   First, to identify your essay topic, think about times when you have worked with a diverse group of people, whether on the job or as part of an extracurricular activity or personal pursuit. When some people hear the word “diversity,” they automatically associate it with race, gender, and ethnicity. Although those dimensions certainly are major aspects of diversity, you need to think about the definition of diversity—and about your experiences—more broadly. For example, maybe you worked on a team with members from across functions and/or with varying levels of seniority. Or perhaps you worked on recruiting new employees from a more comprehensive list of universities than you firm has considered in previous years.   Next, consider your actions as they relate to diversity. In which of your experiences did you actively cultivate diversity, such as by encouraging more people to participate in an initiative and to share their viewpoints during discussions? Simply writing about a time when you worked within a diverse group is not enough; you have to show that in that situation, you purposefully harnessed the advantages of having different perspectives by inviting the members of that group to express themselves, genuinely listening to them, and taking their views and ideas into account. If you encountered any challenges along the way, acknowledge them. Showing how you worked effectively to reconcile different points of view will lead to a more meaningful narrative.   Then, reflect on the result. Based on your actions—including fostering participation and dialogue—how did you and your team successfully accomplish the mission at hand? For example, maybe you won a sales pitch because you were able to tailor your message more closely to your audience. Or perhaps your company’s once-homogenous internship program now represents a blend of students from a range of backgrounds. In addition to explaining the outcome, address what you learned from the experience. Business school admissions committees like to see that applicants are capable of growing as the result of being exposed to different perspectives.   Finally, look to the future. If the essay question asks how you will promote diversity and inclusion on campus and in your post-graduate career, describe in specific terms how you aspire to be a leader in this space. Identify a student organization at your target MBA program that you would want to join based on your interests, and explain how exactly you would encourage the cultivation of a diverse membership and the voicing of different perspectives as a way of enhancing the club’s activities and impact. As for your post-MBA ideas, think about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts you would want to be involved in at work or as a leader in a community organization that aims to foster diversity. Keep in mind that less is more—you will come across as more genuine if you focus on one or two ways that you will be an inclusive leader rather than providing a laundry list of activities you want to be involved in.   Releasing Essay Tips for 15 Schools | 2022-2023 Application Cycle Often the hardest part of this process is simply taking the first step. What makes for a good topic? Which details can be skipped, and which should be emphasized? What are adcoms looking for? With big questions like these looming over the process, it can be intimidating to set fingers to the keyboard and start that first sentence. And to some extent, it should be! We see plenty of folks with the opposite problem: overconfident in their approach, veering off in the wrong direction from the start based on bad information and hearsay. There are smart ways to develop essay strategies before you ever commit pen to paper.   Your business school essays are about bringing your story to life and providing context to your application by connecting the dots.   You’ll want to capture an admissions reviewer’s attention with your story and authenticity, persuading them to learn more by inviting you to interview. To get there, your essays should convey a strong sense of who you are as a person and what makes you tick, up and beyond what the admissions team will glean from your academic record and work history.   If the prospect of distilling your essence into essay form makes your stomach seize (especially the quant-leaning among us), get some perspective: This isn’t an essay writing competition and you’re not trying to win the Pulitzer Prize (although admission to a top 10 program can feel that competitive). Schools care more about the substance and messages than the style.   The worst thing you can do is play it safe and write something you think admissions wants to hear (yawn). This is a medium to be courageous, although memorable cuts both ways – how well you walk the line between original (good!) and weird (lamentable) reflects your judgment.   Below are the List of 15 Schools and Essay Tips for 2022 – 2023 Application Cycle   School World Ranking Releasing Essay Tips Columbia Business School #2 Essay Tips HEC Paris #3 Essay Tips INSEAD #3 Essay Tips Chicago Booth #7 Essay Tips Kellogg Business School #5 Essay Tips London Business School #8 Essay Tips Yale #9 Essay Tips NYU Stern #10 Essay Tips Berkeley Haas #11 Essay Tips Michigan

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