MBA

“An MBA? Why aren’t you going for an EMBA?” You’ve probably heard this from friends and acquaintances when they learn that you are planning to pursue full-time graduate business studies, even though you are several years older than the average MBA applicant. This may also be the response of MBA admissions committees – unless you make a convincing case for pursuing a regular MBA at this point in your life and career. You may have very good reasons for seeking an MBA and not an EMBA. But the adcoms won’t know that unless you explain it persuasively in your application essays. Instead, they may make negative assumptions, such as “unfocused,” or even worse, “too set in your ways,” and “too difficult to place.” What exactly is an “older applicant”?Generally, an older applicant is someone who is about 5+ years older than the average age for a given school; another way to view it is 1+ years older than the upper age of the middle 80% age range. For example, Columbia’s 2018 average age is 28 and the middle 80% range is 25-31, so if you’re 32 or older, you fall in the “older applicant” category for Columbia. Within that generalization, however, there are nuances that beg attention – most notably, the reason for applying later. Back to our example, if you are applying to Columbia as a 32-year-old who wants to pursue a career in finance, the adcom may only view you as an older applicant in certain circumstances: Adcom more likely to view you as an older applicant: You started in advertising after college, then shifted focus and entered an investment bank as a marketing and sales professional. Now you want to transition to a finance-specific role.Adcom less likely to view you as an older applicant: You earned a Ph.D. in math after college, then joined a hedge fund in a quant product development role, and now want to help lead the business.What’s the difference? The first example shows some (thoroughly understandable) zigzagging during the process of goal development, whereas the second example shows a direct, straightforward path. The second applicant above would not necessarily raise the concerns that a typical “older applicant” does (though, that comfort level would diminish with each year beyond 32, and would not pertain to a 40-year-old!). Examine your circumstances. Most older applicants fall into the “more likely” category above, but not all. Addressing the “difficult to place” concern MBA admissions committees are hugely concerned with the post-MBA employability of applicants and thus consider this factor seriously in their assessment. In a tight employment market, this concern is all the more urgent. They know that it will be harder to place you than someone with similar qualifications who is younger, because the younger applicant more closely fits the expectations of the recruiters. There are two important steps you can take in your essays to counteract this possible negative factor. 1. Delineate concrete goals. Use practical terms to spell out your goals step by step, identifying position titles, companies or types of companies you might work for, and expected responsibilities and challenges.2. Develop and describe a plan for obtaining employment post-graduation that does not rely exclusively on the school’s recruiting process. As an older applicant, it is especially important to demonstrate your resourcefulness and awareness of the placement challenge. Older career-changers are in particularly hot water unless they show that their network and resources can get them a job in their new field. Your plan should include a description of your marketability and “positioning,” contacts you may have in the field, and action items. Not only will such a plan overcome the “place-ability” concern, but it also will strengthen your competitive advantage overall. Addressing the “lack of focus” concern Say, like many (probably most) people, you went through some trial and error after college to discover your best professional fit. That process, while landing you in the “older applicant” category, gives you some assets as well: – Insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and interests based on mature self-reflection– Relative breadth of experience– An interesting “story” to tell about the development of your goalsUse these assets to counteract the notion that your road to your goals evidences lack of focus. In doing so, you can simultaneously tackle a critical issue – why you need a full-time MBA now. Integrate the following two aims in your essays with the following tactics: 1. It is imperative to present a positive reason for pursuing a full-time MBA now.Thus, reasons such as “reaching a plateau” and “desiring a change” will not suffice – they will only enhance the “unfocused” image. Explain why this is the right moment to devote two years to an MBA – it should be linked to your next career step. Next, identify several skills or aspects of knowledge that you will need to succeed in those goals, that you do not presently possess, and that the MBA program in question will provide. Then connect those dots in the “why MBA/why this program” part of the essay. Taking this approach will enable you to follow up your concrete goals with a compelling rationale for earning an MBA now. 2. In more or less detail, for conventional goals essay questions, link your career experience to your goals.Your challenge is twofold:(a) discuss a career that is longer than average while leaving space in the essay for other important information; (b) make your current goals seem an inevitable, logical outcome of your experience. The key is to be selective in what you discuss. Do not just condense your experience. Review your goals, and then determine which aspects of your experience are most relevant to them. Take the “more likely” applicant above. In discussing their early marketing experience, this applicant would focus less on creating ad campaigns and more on analyzing market needs, noting that they discovered a previously unrecognized talent for and enjoyment in analytic work. After establishing this logical basis for their goals, they add that their marketing experience will give them a deeper qualitative understanding of real companies’ operations – turning a possible negative into a positive. Addressing the “set in your ways” concern While you must show focus and direction in your goals, some schools have voiced concern that older applicants are more set in their ways and thus less interested in or able to absorb the “transformational experience” that their program provides. Using your essays to demonstrate an innovative

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

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.

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

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.

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.