As you can see the changes are somewhere between slight and miniscule.  Larger jumps and changes occurred outside the top 10, but the statistical significance of these changes becomes questionable due to fewer responses farther down the list.

And how “reliable” are these rankings? Wait a bit. We’ll be writing more on that.

By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted.com and co-author of the new, definitive book on MBA admissions, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.

Poets and Quants

For the second year in a row Harvard Business School was named the top MBA program in the US, with Stanford Graduate School of Business coming in second, University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business coming in third, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School coming in fourth and Columbia Business School claiming the fifth spot.

John Byrne, editor-in-chief of Poets and Quants, explained that each of the rankings has a different level of impact on the P&Q rankings: “BusinessWeek, U.S. News and Forbes each have a weight of 25%. The FT is at 15% and The Economist is at 10%.” Basically, the P&Q ranking is a weighted average of all the rankings. Byrne believes that by combining these rankings in “a system that takes into account each of their strengths as well as their flaws,” P&Q can create the ideal ranking system void of the “anomalies” and “statistical distortions” of the other rankings.

Yet, developing a weighted average of a bunch of flawed stats does not compensate, much less eliminate, those flaws. In the end, P&Q rankings are guilty of the same mistakes as the rankings they criticize. Their one redeeming quality is that Poets and Quants publishes the index scores on which their composite rankings are based, giving readers the ability to decide how meaningful the differences in ranking are to them.

The data provided by P&Q (as well as the individual rankings that constitute P&Q’s) is far more valuable than the actual rankings. Averages frequently hide what’s important – like salaries in a particular region or field, or admissions stats for different test scores, qualifications and groups. But with the index scores applicants can prioritize what they are looking for in schools and then see how high specific schools scored in those categories.

Bottom line: You need to do your own ranking based on your own values, not a weighted average of others’ values.

Here are a few posts, articles, and resources that proved particularly popular:

Top Ten Most Visited Accepted Admissions Blog Posts of 2011

1. Harvard Business School 2012 Essay Questions, Deadlines, Tips
2. INSEAD 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips
3. London Business School 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips
4. 2011 Rankings: BW’s Best Undergraduate Business Schools
5. NYU Stern 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips
6. Kellogg 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips
7. Columbia 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips
8. 2012 Common Application Essay Tips
9. Stanford GSB 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips
10. Chicago Booth 2012 MBA Application Questions, Deadlines, Tips

5 Most Downloaded Special Reports of 2011

1. 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid
2. From Example to Exemplary
3. Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One
4. Leadership in Admissions
5. MBA Rankings: What You Need to Know

5 Most Popular Articles

1. Writing Your Grad School Personal Statement
2. Go for the Goals in Your Statement of Purpose
3. Tips for Writing Letters of Recommendation
4. MBA Admissions: Low GMAT or GPA
5. The Letters of Rec Too?!?

6 Most Viewed Webinars

1. AMCAS Essays for Acceptance
2. Law School Personal Statements with Pizzazz
3. Highlighting Your Strengths in the Common Application
4. MBA Reality Check: Evaluate Your Profile for Acceptance
5. 4 Essentials in an Executive MBA Application
6. The Art of a Gripping MBA Goals Essay

5 Most Visited Chats Pages:

1. Duke NUS Medical School Admissions Q&A
2. Consortium 2011 MBA Application Strategies (2012 version is here.)
3. 2011 London Business School MBA/MiF Admissions Chat (2012 version is here)
4. 2012 INSEAD MBA Admissions Q&A 
5. 2011 Columbia MBA Admissions Q&A

With the year drawing to a close, I have a request. We moved to a new blogging platform in September, and since then, you folks have really stopped asking us questions. On the old blog, we frequently received profile evaluation requests and “what are my chances?” questions on school tip posts. We welcome them! And miss them in our new abode.  Don’t be shy. If you have a question or would like your profile evaluated, just ask.

And what’s the mostest of the mostest at Accepted? The absolute best? YOU! Our readers, followers, circlers, fans, friends, participants, and most of all, our clients. Thanks for a wonderful 2011.

By Linda Abraham, founder and president of Accepted.com, co-author of MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.

Applicants, learn the 5 fatal flaws to avoid in your application essay, statement of purpose, personal statement, or secondary essay with our FREE special report, 5 Fatal Flaws.

Look no further – the MBA book of all books is here, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools, written by Accepted.com founder, Linda Abraham, and editor Judy Gruen. And now, for a very limited time only (Monday, Dec. 5 – Tuesday, Dec. 6) you can purchase this must-have book for $10 OFF the cover price by using coupon code SMARTIES at checkout. That’s almost 2/3 off the list price!

In MBA Admission for Smarties you will learn how to:

• Determine “fit” with a program.
• Establish your post-MBA goals and present them in a compelling goals essay.
• Write dazzling, memorable application essays.
• Secure winning letters of recommendation.
• Optimize your MBA application resume.

…and much, much more!

So what are you waiting for?

Be smart. Buy MBA Admission for Smarties now!

(Non-U.S. residents should buy MBA Admission for Smarties from Amazon.com where international shipping is available. Sorry – no coupon available to ship outside the U.S.)

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business took the number one spot, with Columbia University’s Business School ranked second, pushing Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management down two spots from last year to number three. In fact, Kellogg has held the number one spot since the rankings began twenty years ago, making the school’s two-spot drop a bit of a surprise.

In an article in Poets and Quants (“Booth Topples Kellogg in New EMBA Ranking”) BusinessWeek explains that the reason Kellogg fell a few spots is “the overall satisfaction of Kellogg EMBA graduates appears to have declined–the program ranked 11th in our grad poll this year, down from eighth.”  BusinessWeek believes the reason for this decline may be the “support staff and services. In 2009, Kellogg grads awarded the program an A+ in this category. This year they gave it a B.”

Meanwhile, IE Business School took the number four spot with UCLA Anderson rounding out the top five. Another surprise was that University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business fell six spots from last year’s rankings, going from third place to ninth place. While the EMBA directors ranked Wharton number one, BusinessWeek’s surveys of graduates put it in the twenty-eighth place. Ouch!

Just remember, the statistical difference between one spot and the next in the rankings may be minute (the statistical difference between Chicago Booth and Kellogg was 4.4%). So when you use the rankings to pick the right school for you keep an open mind, because rankings are just numbers.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

1. Chicago Booth 2012 MBA Essay Tips
2. UC Berkeley Haas 2012 MBA Essay Tips
3. 2012 Common Application Tips
4. Why Write a Blog Post Series on MBA Goals?
5. MBA Blogger Interview: Shekmba’s Journey

It turns out that Linda Abraham’s most read article ever appeared last week, but it appeared first on Technorati. You can find it, “Steve Jobs: 4 Lessons for MBA Applicants,” on Accepted’s blog too by clicking on the preceding link.

Also we’ve noticed that our readers have gotten much quieter since we moved to the new blog. I feel as if the new posts are like the cake that hasn’t yet been cut into at a buffet. No one wants to be the first to take, but once someone does take a piece, the cake disappears quickly.

We still welcome your questions about your chances at different school or other questions you have about our posts. Feel free to ask away.  Take that first piece! We’ll do our best to respond.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Next up in our series of featured MBA applicant bloggers is Sanket, author of the blog, “My GMAT and MBA Journey…Freeing my mind from Fears, Doubts & Disbeliefs…Believing I CAN!!” Please enjoy Sanket’s thoughtful answers and use them to help you make your way through the MBA admissions process.

Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from, where did you go to school and when did you graduate; and what prior degrees do you hold?

Sanket: A Production engineer by education, an industrial engineer by experience, a passionate writer (three published articles, currently writing my first book), an amateur photographer, a student of Vipassana meditation for the last nine years, a volunteer, a blogger and let’s not forget, a big procrastinator (that GMAT is still pending). It’s not my name but what I do that defines me; but people call me Sanket!

I am Sanket. In Marathi (my mother tongue) Sanket means a symbol, an indication. So what do I symbolize? At any given point of time, any of the things mentioned above define me.

I belong to Sangli, a small town in Maharashtra. I completed most of my schooling and Junior college education in Nasik, Maharashtra, India and received my Bachelor of Production Engineering from University of Pune (one of the top ranked universities in Maharashtra) with First Class in Distinction, in 2005.

I started my career as a consultant (productivity improvement and lean manufacturing) with a relatively small boutique consulting firm. I worked there for 2.5 years and then moved to the automobile industry with Mahindra Chakan to understand the difference between knowing the path and walking the path, i.e. understanding the difference between recommending some things to clients and actually doing the things with my own hands. I worked there for 2.5 years, and for past year I have been working with Volkswagen, India. So, after investing almost six years in the manufacturing industry, I am ready to go to b-school to take my career to the next level.

Accepted: How long have you planned on applying to business school?

Sanket: How long? Do you ever think of “Time” when you are with your girlfriend? Time almost stops when she is around you, doesn’t it? If you are a photographer then do you ever think how long you have been waiting for that perfect click? The answer is NO. You are committed to the perfect click irrespective time. When you are totally in love with something, you seldom think of time; it becomes relative.

The same logic applies to my experience with the b-school application process. I am in love with this entire process. People say it is daunting but I ask them – How can the process of telling something about you be daunting? How can sharing your most profound experiences with the admission committee be time consuming? Whatever others say, I love the process, irrespective of the outcome of this year’s application cycle, I have loved it, the introspection provided lot of insights during the process.

To answer your question, I have been interacting with b-school students for the last three years. To date I have interacted with more than 100 students from more than 12 b-schools which of course include some of the top 10 schools. So a systematic approach and huge investment of time are at stake in this year’s application process. Surely, it was worth doing this!!

Accepted: Why do you want to go to business school? What are some of the factors motivating you?

Sanket: Let me tell you a story.

On my last birthday, we had a great party. When I was paying the bill (some thousands of rupees), I just thought – The amount of this bill equals to the monthly salary of a waiter who was serving us. Why the cost of my enjoyment for a couple of hours equal to the monthly salary of a common man? Why is there so much economic disparity? I remember Bill Gates’ speech on this subject at the Harvard Business School. He asked, “Why aren’t the brightest, most intelligent minds used to solve toughest questions in the world?” I don’t know, really I don’t know, how I am going to do it but my long term vision is to do something, at least play my part in closing the gap of economic disparity, especially in a developing country like India. In India we have lot of issues in front of us – education, career guidance, healthcare, and corruption. I am still understanding my true calling to focus on one of these issues because I cannot focus on all of them.

To understand the complexity in any one these issues, my knowledge of production engineering is very limited. Knowledge of business fundamentals along with transferable skills I have developed during my professional experience really will help in understanding these issues in-depth.

Also, I believe these issues are best solved with a public-private partnership than solely relying on the government. Through business, we can really find some great solutions to these problems. For example, the concept of “Reverse Innovation” by Professor Vijay Govindrajan has created evolution in creating cheapest healthcare products in rural India. So, essentially I want to be in the business of serving people at the bottom of the pyramid.

I know this is not a perfect answer to the career goals essay question but I am still working on it!

Accepted: Where do you plan on applying to b-school? What sort of criteria did you use in choosing where you’d like to attend?

Sanket: I have mentioned somewhere in my blog, that choosing a b school is analogous to choosing your life partner or girlfriend.

There is something about your girlfriend which only you can figure out; you somehow connect with her deeply enough to able to spend your entire life with her. It may not be possible to define that in terms of words or language, but you know somewhere deep inside that SHE is the one, you just know it! I mean if you ask me what it is about Genelia that makes her my favorite heroine, I may not be able to tell you, but it’s just there, something only she has. So my school selection is based on “Just want to be there schools,” as I told you, after lot of interaction with students and alumni from these category schools, I just know that I want to be there come what may!! Perhaps that is the only criteria I used in my b-school selection process.

These schools by default satisfied other important factors such as brand, value, resources and joint degree programs to achieve career objectives, the availability of a loan without a co-signer, no TOEFL requirement, team oriented and collaborative culture.

No wonder, last year, I got Clear Admit’s BOB award for “Best School Selection Advice.”

Accepted: Do you have topics in mind for your MBA application essays?

Sanket: Going by the B-School and Girlfriend analogy, in my opinion essays can be treated analogous to the way you propose to your girlfriend. Apart from knowing that there is something in her that attracts you, you also know that she is important to you.

Essay writing essentially starts with a lot of introspection. On my blog, I have several entries on this topic. For example, I maintain something I call “a book of dreams.” I always carry it with me and It essentially contains all the ideas I come across when I am travelling, brushing my teeth, taking a bath, drinking my coffee, volunteering and so on; it’s just a random collection of thoughts to understand my thinking pattern. This pattern identification has proved to be essential in the essay writing process.

To answer your question, surely I have finalized the topics for almost all of essays for my target schools. I am currently fine-tuning them to fit them into the word limits and let me tell you writing essays has been a wonderful experience.

Accepted: How important is a “name brand” MBA program to you? Are you only applying to top 10 programs?

Sanket: I am applying to some colleges in the top 10, but so called “brand name” and ranking are not only factors in choosing the schools.

My experience with current students and alumni, their involvement in answering my questions, their response time, their willingness and depth in answering my critical questions, their passion to share their b-school experiences tell me a lot about the b-school and the culture there.

For example, a couple of Tuck students wrote blog posts to answer my questions and former Chicago Booth Admissions Director Rose Martenelli wrote a post on her blog answering one of my questions. A Kellogg student remembered my name and contact number and gave me call when he was here for Diwali vacation. Another Kellogg student discussed my idea (we discussed his consulting project over mails, fortunately my current experience in the manufacturing industry was helpful to him) in his learning team at Kellogg.

I ask myself – If these people are investing so much time in me (still a prospective applicant) then how much more supportive will they be when I am part their community as a student??

These things mean a lot to me and such experiences help in narrowing down the schools. So, definitely not only “brand name” but these touchy feely experiences are important factor in my school selection.

Accepted: Why did you choose to blog about the MBA application experience?

Sanket: By this time, you must have understood, I love writing. I love sharing my experiences with others, I love learning through others’ experiences, their thoughts, and perspectives. So this blog was basically an attempt to connect with the rest of the MBA applicant bloggers and learn from their experience, at the same time share my perspective and learning in the process.

But the real impetus came from my experience in guiding a couple of friends in the application process. Last year, I helped a friend write his MBA application for AIM and another friend write his ISB application. We all worked together professionally, so I helped them choose the topics for the essays and critically reviewing their essays and choose the right schools for them. I also wrote a recommendation and so on.

Reflecting upon this, I thought that my experience can be really useful to some of my fellow applicants, so just started writing. Also this blog serves as practice (in terms generating ideas, developing and structuring them, as well as seeing the responses) for my upcoming book. I get lot of ideas for my book when I post on this blog, so it been a very wonderful experience.

Do you want to be featured in Accepted.com’s blog, Accepted Admissions Almanac? If you want to share your MBA admissions journey with the world (or at least with our readers), email us at mbabloggers@accepted.com.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

I came across this excellent post about MBA Fairs by MBA Podcaster and asked permission to publish as a guest post on the Accepted Admissions Blog. MBA Podcaster said “yes” so here it is.

MBA Tour season is officially here. There are some fantastic events happening all around the world and online so there’s no excuse to not chat one-on-one with your top schools. Here’s a summary of the top tours happening now.

What: ACCESS MBA TOUR
Why We Like It: You pick the schools you want to meet with, your resume will be pre-screened by the school and Access MBA and if you’re a fit you will be selected to sit down one-on-one with admission’s reps from the schools you pick. Very well represented by international schools.
Where: All across Europe, Middle East, Asia and South America
Cost: Free
When: September through December
Etc: Access MBA events also offer prospective MBA students personalized services such as one-to-one meetings and workshops with the world’s best MBA programs, interactive panel discussions with school representative, individual MBA consulting sessions and GMAT advising.

What: The Economist’s Which MBA? MBA Fair
Why We Like It: This is the best virtual MBA Fair available. The Economist has put together an interactive web platform that’s easy and fun to use and where you can virtually chat one-on-one with admission’s reps.
Where: At your nearest computer
Cost: Free
When: 48 hours from September 7th – 8th 2011
Etc: Talk to admissions officers one-on-one and in chat sessions, broaden your perspective and learn more about diverse MBA programs, gain insight into the MBA experience from webinars, videos and downloads. You could win a FREE iPad 2 when you log in and visit 5+ school booths

What: FORTE FORUMS 
Why We Like It: Intended for women, this forum is a great way to network with high profilers from top schools and make an impression in a less crowded environment. Also, the events are well attended by alumnae who are now working at top companies across the country so it’s a chance to also make a connection for a summer internship.
Where: All across the United States plus London 
Cost: Free for pre-registrants
When: September 13 – October 4th, 2011
Etc: As a special offer to MBA Podcaster users, Forte Foundation is offering half-off Premium Membership to those who register for a Forum, a $25 value. Upon registering, you’ll be sent a link to sign up for discounted membership along with the promotion code.

What: THE MBA TOUR
Why We Like It: You’ll find the largest number of schools, and the most top ranked schools, in a traditional tour environment. Walk the floor, shake hands with the full time admission staff members present and discuss your questions or application. 
Where: All over the world, upcoming tours are in Latin America, Asia, India, Europe and Canada 
Cost: Free for pre-registrants
When: Now – ongoing
Etc: Schools include Columbia, Cornell, University of Chicago, INSEAD, HEC, IE, Kellogg, Michigan – Ross, University of Maryland, Schulich, McGill, UBC and many others.

What: KAPLAN’S ROAD TO BUSINESS SCHOOL
Why We Like It: Kaplan has done an impressive job of breaking into the MBA touring world. They’ve put together an impressive list of schools including Stanford, Chicago Booth, Haas, Kellogg, Tuck, Duke Fuqua, IMD, INSEAD and many others.
Where: Across the United States 
Cost: Free for pre-registrants
When: Ends August 23, 2011
Etc: Events include breakout sessions for GMAT training, admissions strategy and happy hours hosted by various schools.

By MBA Podcaster, which delivers relevant information and advice through excellent biweekly audio and video segments for those planning to apply for a Master in Business Administration.

Chicago 2012 EMBA Application Essay Questions

This 2012 Chicago Booth Executive MBA Admissions tip post is the first in a series of posts providing Executive MBA application and essay advice for applicants to top EMBA programs around the world for the new admissions cycle. My tips for answering Chicago’s EMBA essay questions are in blue below.

The Chicago Booth EMBA questions are challenging because they break up a concept that for many people is holistic: your need for the MBA and your interest in the program – the first question asks, among other things, “Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth” and the second question asks “what you hope to gain from the MBA.” While the first question is wide ranging and includes what you’ll contribute to the program, the second question focuses on your goals. I suggest doing the second question first, because the goals discussion will provide context for what you hope to gain specifically from Chicago Booth. Taken together, these two questions allow you to create a well-rounded picture, with sharp focus on career in essay 2, and an opportunity to present selected highlights of your career (and non-work activities as well) in essay 1. In both essays, beware of the tendency to present a career summary. That’s the job of your resume. Finally, this year Chicago Booth has added a third required essay, asking you to “zoom in” on a particular experience involving teamwork. It both underscores their emphasis on teamwork and associated skills and expresses a desire to see you in the context of your hands-on work.

Question 1

Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth and what do you hope to experience and contribute while in the program? (maximum 2 pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

Let’s break this question into three parts. Part 1: why you’re seeking the MBA from Chicago Booth. This section should address the specific education you hope to acquire, presumably dictated by your goals. It can also address other benefits you desire, such as the chance to interact with peers from diverse industries and sectors. In answering this part, be specific about Booth’s offerings and add some insight or reflection, don’t just reiterate points from the website. If you can cite conversations with students or alumni, that’s fantastic; give examples of insights you’ve gained from them.

Part 2: what you hope to experience. This part can be seen in two ways, what you want to experience externally, e.g., intellectual rigor or collaborative environment; and internally, e.g., a broadening of your perspective.

Part 3: what you hope to contribute. This is a chance to showcase aspects of your career and your personal experience that distinguish and differentiate you. You can discuss work points exclusively or work and non-work. Select a few things that complement each other and provide some depth and detail about each. Also, think strategically about what Chicago Booth values and what the rest of your application doesn’t reveal.

You may also be interested in The Art of a Gripping MBA Goals Essay, an on-demand webinar.

Question 2

Chicago Booth Career Services delivers innovative educational programming, offers one-on-one coaching, provides numerous networking opportunities, and provides access to job search tools in order to support your own career management. We would like to learn more about your career strategy and objectives. Please outline your career objectives, how you hope to achieve them, and what you hope to gain from the MBA to help you achieve them. (maximum 1 page, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

By starting off this question with a listing of its career resources, the Chicago adcom is showing that the program is invested in your career success. You should demonstrate your worthiness of this investment by delivering a thoughtful and detailed portrayal of your career objectives. Discuss not just general aspirations but specifics: industry, likely positions, which company or companies, possibly where, what you expect to do, possibly challenges you anticipate – and as the question says, how. To make the essay transcend competent and become compelling, also show how your goals are rooted in your experience, what motivates your goals, and your vision for your goals. Finally, discuss the learning needs these goals engender that necessitate an MBA.

Question 3

Please describe the most challenging experience you have had working as part of a team. What made working with that particular team so challenging? What was your role in resolving the challenge and what learning did you take away? (maximum 1 page, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

Since you are focusing intensively on one experience, ideally you can discuss a relatively recent experience to highlight your current level of responsibility and the level of people you interact with and issues you face. Try to make this essay do “double duty” by strategically highlighting qualities, experiences, skills, talents, or other factors that enhance your candidacy. For example, if you work in an unusual industry or one that has unusual demands such as high regulation, try to use a story that will allow you to portray that special environment. Or it may be a unique experience, such as integrating a group from an international merger. A simple, natural structure is to start right in by telling the story. In doing so you will naturally show your role and why it was challenging. Then wrap up with some reflection about the learning.

Optional essay

If there is anything else you would like the admissions committee to know about you, please share that information here. (maximum 1 page, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

This question invites you to present new material that you think will enhance your application, as well as to explain anything that needs explaining (e.g., gap in employment, choice of recommender if not using a direct supervisor, etc.). As far as non-necessary points, keep in mind that if you are making the adcom read more than is required, there should be a clear value to the information you’re sharing. Also, because essay 1 asks you what you will contribute, make sure that any additional “enhancement” topics here aren’t things that really belong there. Finally, keep it short.

Early Deadline December 1, 2011; First Deadline February 1, 2012; Final Deadline April 1, 2012 (Chicago and London) and April 15, 2012 (Singapore).

If you would like help with Chicago’s executive MBA essays, please consider Accepted.com’s Chicago Executive MBA Packages or our other MBA admissions consulting and MBA essay editing services.

By Cindy Tokumitsu, co-author of The EMBA Edge, and author of the free special report, “Ace the EMBA.”