If you’re seeking an international education in an innovative new facility in the middle of a European city’s financial district, then you should consider applying to the International MBA program at Madrid’s IE Business School. Scheduled to open in September 2021, the new IE Tower skyscraper will host 64 classrooms – all with natural light and intelligent control and lighting and 4 of which boast a 360-degree structure. Beyond learning, the Tower’s 50,000 square meters will also house a heated swimming pool, gymnasium, sports courts, art exhibition areas, rehearsal spaces, and meditation areas. 

IE sees the mission of its new building as not only training tomorrow’s business leaders but also serving as a hub for the development of entrepreneurship in Madrid, in particular featuring a Venture Lab and FabLab to foster student startups and design projects, respectively. 

IE’s International MBA program is a one-year program that requires at least one 5-week immersive experience – Start-Up Lab for aspiring entrepreneurs, Business Impact Lab for students interested in hands-on experience in management or strategy with a corporation, Social Impact Lab for those interested in preparing for global not-for-profits and social enterprises, Techlab for those interested in the business potential of disruptive technologies, or a 7-11-week internship for students seeking experience in a specific sector, industry, or role. 

IE International MBA application question

The IE International MBA application requires only one full-length “essay,” which applicants may either submit as prose (250-650 words) or as a presentation/visual format, a distinctive option at IE. The prompt is:

What is the most important thing that you would like us to know that is not in your resume or application?

Since the application form is in fact also very brief, very little will be revealed in it about how you lead nor what has uniquely driven you to the areas in which you have made an impact. Applicants may wish to share an example from their past in which they have adhered to IE’s values of innovation to drive impact and lead change. You may also have space to include how this experience has refined your goals and reasons to pursue the IE International MBA. 

Since IE welcomes creativity, you may discover that a visual presentation rather than prose allows you to cover more ground. Don’t make the mistake of delivering 10 PowerPoint slides that are covered with words in an attempt to circumvent IE’s word limit. Instead, recognize that this submission is meant to capture the admissions committee’s interest in you, not summarize your entire life. 

Video interview requirement

After submitting your application, applicants will be directed to a 20-30 minute assessment and video interview session with Kira Talent. 

IE International MBA application timeline

IE offers two start dates for its International MBA program, one in September and another in January. With rolling admissions to each of these programs, any time of year is a great time to apply!

Source: IE MBA website

For expert guidance with your IE International MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too!

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***

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Related Resources:

• Why MBA, a free guide to show you how to determine your MBA goals and weave them into compelling essays
• Early Career Management and European MBA Programs with Jamie Wright, a podcast episode
• How to Practice for a Video Interview or Essay

The post IE International MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

This interview is the latest in an Accepted blog series featuring interviews with business students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top programs. And now, introducing Nick…

Accepted: We’d like to get to know you! Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad?

Nick: My name is Nicholas Laine. I was born in Seoul, South Korea (military brat), and I majored in Physics at the US Naval Academy.

Accepted: Where are you currently attending business school? What year are you?

Nick: I’m a member of the September 2017 International MBA intake at IE Business School.

Accepted: Why did you choose IE? Why an international program? How did you know that you were a good fit for their program?

Nick: A one-year program was an important factor for me. Besides this, the big draw with IE was its strong entrepreneurial program and the incredible cultural and professional diversity in the student body. I felt that I was a good fit because of my military background, which the school seemed to value highly.

The opportunity to improve my Spanish proficiency and the immersion into the Spanish culture, which I really love, was also an important factor in deciding on IE.

Accepted: You’re currently a Transitioning Nuclear Submarine Officer with the United States Navy. How has the switch been from Officer to MBA Candidate?

Nick: It has definitely been a culture shock, especially because I’ve shifted not only from military professional to student but also the move from the West Coast of the US to Madrid, Spain, and entering an environment where I’m interacting with a lot of people from all sorts of different backgrounds, most of whom have never really interacted with a military veteran before. At the same time, the switch has so far been a very rewarding experience. The beauty of the MBA program is that it’s a focused opportunity to learn about all the different industries out there that I was not too familiar with before as well as network with classmates from those industries.

It’s the perfect launchpad into a new career for a military servicemember.

Accepted: You have such a diverse background! You studied Physics at The U.S. Naval Academy, became a Nuclear Sub Officer, and were a Tactics Instructor. How will an MBA help you reach your career goals?

Nick: I felt that there was a gap in my experience and knowledge base that would make it harder for me to pursue a career in the corporate world. The MBA is helping me close the knowledge and experience gap at least enough to build up my confidence. I also wanted to learn about and experience the entrepreneurial world. IE Business School is giving me a way to explore that world with a little bit of a safety net, and so far, it’s been a tremendously fun and humbling experience.

Accepted: Looking back at the application process, did you experience any challenges along the way? How did you overcome them?

Nick: Fortunately, the application process went smoothly for me. I applied to two schools during the Round 1 period and got into both. My plan going in was to apply to only two schools in each round. I think this is a good strategy because it gives you the time to focus on putting together a high-quality application package and to really learn about the school.

Accepted: As a member of our military, what would you tell other officers and enlisted personnel who are looking to further their career goals with an MBA?

Nick: The biggest decision I had to make besides the decision to leave the military was whether I wanted to jump straight into a career post-military, or pursue an MBA. A career shift is something that many veterans, unfortunately, struggle with. Like I’ve said before, the MBA is the perfect corporate launchpad because of the networking opportunities and the rigorous academics. Having chosen a one-year program, I’ve chosen to forego the summer internship experience, but that particular benefit definitely cannot be understated. Several of my friends and veterans who pursued the two-year program valued the summer internship program because it offered on-the-job training in their industry of interest.

I chose an MBA because I felt that it would give me the credentials and skillsets that prospective employers might feel that my military experience does not adequately cover.

A couple of caveats with choosing the MBA:

1. Don’t pursue an MBA if you’re just looking to postpone your career search. This is particularly true with a one-year program. Though the MBA does offer you the time and space and even encouragement to do a little bit of soul-searching, your peers will be hard-charging, goal-oriented professionals with impressive resumes. They are starting their job search from day one.

2. Research your GI Bill benefits fully! Talk to the appropriate representative at your command, and also reach out to the financial aid office and the veterans club at your prospective school. They’ll be more than happy to answer questions about your financial plan. MBA tuitions are not cheap, so have a strategy to maximize your benefits. Don’t forget the other military scholarship opportunities that are available. Again, talk to your school’s financial aid office to get a clear understanding of what these opportunities are.

If you’re interested in studying abroad, there are a lot of foreign MBA programs that accept the Post-9/11 GI Bill and have a great veteran support network.

Accepted: Lastly, what are three tips that you would like to share to those who are considering an international MBA?

Nick:

1. Make sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s when you’re applying for your student visa. The process is lengthy and costs money, so start early and double and triple check your visa application package to make sure you’re meeting all requirements. I had a couple classmates that showed up a week or two late because they didn’t get their visa approved on time.

2. Make sure you have a plan to transfer funds from your bank back home to pay for your various costs, because exchange rates, transfer and local ATM debit fees add up! I opened an account with a local bank and transferred enough money to cover my monthly costs (rent, phone bill, health insurance, and groceries) to avoid paying fees.

3. You’re going to be busy with your MBA classes, but take the time to learn at least the basics of your host country’s language if your program’s language is in English. Knowing even a little bit of the language goes a long way in making life easier and more fun.

Thank you Nick for sharing your story and advice – we wish you much success! 

For one-on-one guidance on your b-school applications, check out our catalog of MBA admissions services.

Do you want to be featured in Accepted’s blog? If you want to share your b-school journey with the world (or at least with our readers), email us at bloggers@accepted.com.

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Related Resources:

• Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One 
• From the Military to Haas MBA, a podcast episode
• Which B-School is the Best for You?

The post From US Military to IE MBA Student appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

This interview is the latest in an Accepted blog series featuring interviews with business students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top programs. And now, introducing Mischaela Elkins…

Accepted: We’d like to get to know you! Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad?

Mischaela: I’m originally from Southern Indiana but have lived in Chicago for the last eight years. I studied Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Finance at Indiana University. My first two years were spent in a legal studies program, so my undergrad experience was split between Corporate Legal Studies and Jurisprudence and Business studies.

Accepted: Where are you currently attending b-school? What year are you?

Mischaela: I am in my second term in the 15-month IE Business School Global MBA program. As the program is an accelerated and intensive 15 months, I’m still a first year – but so much has been packed into this time.

For those not familiar with IE, it is a European b-school located in Madrid, Spain. Ranked eighth globally, it is known for the tremendous diversity of its student body with an incredible amount of nationalities, cultures, and languages represented.

Accepted: Why did you choose IE? How did you know you were you a good fit?

Mischaela: I chose IE for the international student body and strong emphasis on cultural diversity. I absolutely see myself as a citizen of the world, and I wanted to learn, network, and make friends with people who have the same self impression and vision. I like the challenge and richness that cross-cultural friendships give you. And my classmates haven’t disappointed – they provide me with so much perspective and clarity on international affairs, global business and economy, and collaboration and communication. They are making me a better person – daily.

I knew I was a good fit for this program because I’ve always valued international cooperation and inclusion and have been fascinated by international business. On a more personal level, I have always developed a very international and diverse group of friends. The citizen of the world who is looking to change the world through entrepreneurship/business and private sector/NGO cooperation is the perfect IE candidate. Thankfully, that is just who I am.

Accepted: What is your favorite thing about that program? Is there anything you’d change?

Mischaela: My favorite thing about the program is that we never deeply hold our beliefs or opinions – we keep challenging ourselves as individuals and as a collective. Our professors encourage this in us. There is a real attention to the thought that we can constantly collect data, re-assess, reformat, and change…innovate or die but with empathy and respect. This comes across in the learning and academics and in the social aspects of the program.

The only thing I’d change is that I would make the program longer, because I just don’t want to shift out of it! I am excited to graduate, but I love the coursework and meeting with my peers to discuss, debate, and create our deliverables. I will really miss it when I’ve completed the program.

Accepted: You’re a UN Global Goals Ambassador! How did you get involved with their work? How has this service shaped and changed your life and career?

Mischaela: I’ve been very involved with the more grassroots aspects of the United Nations through the work of the United Nations Association and The US National Committee for UN Women as well as UNICEF. I got involved with the UN Global Goals campaign through the United Nations Association and was selected to champion the Millennium Development Goal for Women’s Rights and Equality. This service, this platform and position, has colored everything I do professionally and I see it as a tremendous honor to be selected to be a voice and a figure in this issue in my community. It has made me more aware of my privilege as a woman with educational opportunities and economic freedom, and how my gender becomes less of a hindrance because of my societal status. Women who are less financially stable have much bigger problems. There is some degree of privilege in fighting to shatter the posh white collar glass ceiling and I don’t take even that struggle for granted.

Accepted: You’re the Founder and the current Managing Director of Minivest. What prompted you to start this organization? Can you tell us a little about what Minivest does?

Mischaela: I started Minivest as an expansion of my idea for the I Was Here campaign. I Was Here is a campaign and life commitment I’ve begun to touch the life of one person in every country on Earth in my lifetime. Originally, this idea was just going to be a blog I wrote to discuss each project I invested in – a very personal effort. I very quickly began to see the potential for this to be a viral social campaign, so I pivoted it to be a campaign within a larger organization. I am working on the specifics of another campaign called Trade Zero to leverage a day or even an hour of commissions with Financial Services providers to combat human trafficking with partners like the Polaris organization. I plan to launch many more in the future.

It is my aim to develop innovative ways to siphon off small funding from crowdsourced efforts and bundle them in creative, awe-inspiring campaigns. This is the aim of Minivest, to be a vehicle for these campaigns. The Minivest slogan is “Small capital, big change,” which speaks to the ability for small financing and microphilanthropy to enact real change when enough people get involved. I want to change the dialogue around philanthropy, international development, and planned giving and ensure it’s not just in the domain of billionaires and scions. It’s my life’s mission to leverage FinTech to change the world. What we have is not a scarcity issue – what we have is poorly allocated resources on a global scale.

Accepted: With all that philanthropic work under your belt, what do you plan on doing after graduation?

Mischaela: I plan to continue my career evolution in FinTech and keep leveling up in my understanding of the financial markets, allocation of supply and demand, global economics, and of course designing and building technology solutions that democratize free markets and open exchange for people. I also intend to learn more about impact investing and develop myself as an authority on microfunding, which is a broader term for both microfinance/microcredit and microphilanthropy.

My eventual life passion and long term goal is to work for the United Nations headquarters, the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, The Foreign Service, or on assignment abroad on strategies pertaining to leveraging technology to solve complex issues. In my MBA experience and throughout my career thus far, I’ve really developed a skillset for dissecting a problem and understanding the little cogs of inefficiency, lack of transparency, and lack of resourcing that bring about a core problem. Many of the challenges we see as a people are solvable through innovation and a succinct application of technology.

I want to be the one who charts the course and motivates a group of talented people to create solutions that rewrite global norms and truths about poverty, human rights, and more. In my lifetime I’ve already seen social media help people incite political change and fight for their own justice and emancipation and I’ve seen FinTech change how people fund their businesses and grow their livelihoods all over the world. This is just the beginning.

Accepted: Lastly, what are your top three tips for getting the most out of your b-school experience?

Mischaela:

1. Expect to learn more from your classmates and their experience than from your professor. It is pretty common among MBAs to be highly driven and competitive, but in your MBA it’s important to orient your way of thinking to the fact that you will learn more if you learn from your peers. Hearing their explanation for a concept or their application of a method or analysis through the unique filter of their occupation, education, and background will make your experience so much richer. Don’t see them as your competitors, see them as your teachers.

2. Be more open minded than usual. My MBA was a really eye opening experience for me in terms of showing me just how much I make judgments, perceptions, or form ideas and opinions with more than a little bias or built-in thinking. Being accepted into a program with a highly diverse student body (approx. 100 different nations represented in a class of 120) has really pushed me to listen three times as much as I talk (the usual saying is listen twice as much as you talk). Admittedly, early in my program I judged certain concepts in business, industries, and approaches with inherited thinking. What’s worse is I often judged some nations, cultures, or people in the same way. My MBA experience has taught me to question my reactions and question my deeply held beliefs and forever keep assessing. Don’t settle your mind on something and put blinders on, question everything and consider everything. Labyrinth thinking (as in just channeling yourself forward in a set path) will get you nowhere, you must think about life and business like teleportation. You can go anywhere, just choose. Don’t railroad track yourself in one direction.

3. Time management should be your “minor.” If business strategy and all it entails is your “major” in your MBA, then time management should be your minor. This time in your life is likely the moment you’ll feel the big shift to being highly accountable for every minute of your schedule. As an executive in training, when you graduate from MBA you’ll likely be on track for the kind of job where time management is absolutely key. Life is about to move at a faster speed and on a higher level, so study and read all you can on good time management strategies before, during, and after your MBA.

Interested in following Mischaela? You can check out her blog Mischaela.com or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. Thank you for Mischaela for sharing your story and advice – we wish you much success! 

For one-on-one guidance on your b-school applications, check out our catalog of MBA admissions services.

Do you want to be featured in Accepted’s blog? If you want to share your b-school journey with the world (or at least with our readers), email us at bloggers@accepted.com.

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Related Resources:

• Things to Consider when Choosing an MBA Admissions Consultant
• Get Into IE, an Innovative Leader in Business Education, podcast episode
• IE MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines

The post How FinTech Can Change The World appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

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The MBA application process is multi-faceted and there are a lot of things you can do NOW that will improve your chances of acceptance when you actually apply. I shared those steps, which I’ve seen work over the last 20 years, at our recent webinar 7 Steps to MBA Acceptance in 2018. Click here to view the recording!

One of the more interesting trends that has emerged in graduate management education in the last ten years is increasing choice and an ever-growing array of specialized masters to complement flagship full-time MBA programs along with different methods of teaching. A leader in this trend is IE, a business school located in Madrid, but with a global and entrepreneurial outlook.

Today’s guest is Jean Marie Winikates, Director of IE’s North American office. She earned her MBA from IE in 2003 and has been working for IE and growing its North American presence since her graduation. IE offers over 30 masters programs in business, allowing students to choose between general management programs like its full-time MBA or highly specialized programs like its Masters in Business Analytics and Big Data, or its Masters in Market Research and Consumer Behavior. We’ll learn more directly from our Jean Marie. Welcome!

What do all IE programs have in common? [2:50]

Core to all our programs – whether specialized masters or MBA – is a strong business foundation. No matter what your area of expertise, you need a strong business foundation.

Before we dive into a sampling of the programs at IE, what is driving the creation of this menu of options? What’s the back story? [4:00]

The school was founded by an entrepreneur, aiming to train the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The expanded programs reflect the changing marketplace and the need for employment and the global workforce. We’re looking at the future – where people will be employed and the skills they need.

How do you address concerns that Madrid is not a global business center? [5:30]

A lot of people are interested in studying in Western Europe. Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe, and Madrid is the largest city in Spain. A lot of people are attracted to Spain because of the history and language – Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

Can you give an overview of IE’s one-year International MBA? [7:03]

There are two intakes, in spring and fall (there’s no difference in the structure or the program). It’s a one year accelerated program – students are in class Monday through Friday, nine to three, like a full time job.

The program includes a six-month module of core skills, and an entrepreneurship/intrepreneurship lab period, then an elective module. Because a lot of people come to IE for entrepreneurship, they’re particularly interested in the lab period.

Who is it for? [9:37]

The average age is about 29, with about five years of work experience. Ninety percent of the class is international, with over 70 nationalities represented in each intake.

What does the program do for the students’ careers? Does it prepare people for career change? What type of careers do people go into upon graduation? [10:54]

The majority of our grads go to multinationals. About 25% of our alumni own their own companies, so a lot of our grads start companies. Some go back to their family businesses.

There’s definitely opportunity for people to make career shifts if they want to. We look for people from diverse industries and functional areas, so students can learn a lot about different opportunities.

Is your placement global? Is it better for people who are open to working anywhere in the world, or who want to return to the US, etc? [14:25]

There are various factors to take into account with international recruiting: work permits, visas, language.

On average, people have three languages coming through our program – though all our classes are taught in English.

If you can learn a new language and are open to opportunities you’ll be surprised at the number of places you can go.

Be open! It’s often the ones who are most adamant about coming back to the US who don’t come back.

What is IE looking for in International MBA students? [17:10]

Languages are not required, but we do require English skills. We look for a strong educational and professional background, and the aptitude to succeed in our program. We consider the GMAT or GRE. (A lot of our programs don’t require exams. We do also have our own exam that people can take, but if you’re applying to programs at other schools it makes most sense just to take the GMAT or GRE.)

What is the difference between the International MBA and the Global MBA? [19:10]

The Global MBA is appropriate for somebody who wants to pursue the MBA while staying employed at their job. In terms of the structure: it’s online with three one-week residential periods in Madrid. It’s a 15-month program.

In terms of careers – everybody has access to career services. Many students in the Global MBA are sponsored by their employers and plan to return to those positions.

In the blended program, almost 50% of students change their goals through the program, and end up changing their role in the company, searching for a new position, etc.

Is the content in the Global MBA similar to the International MBA? And it’s just the delivery that’s different? [23:00]

Correct. Also, the Global MBA is not as modular with regard to electives, because of the delivery system.

Is there a difference in student profile? [24:00]

It’s pretty similar overall. Sometimes the average level of experience goes up or down a year depending on the year. Often the Global MBA is more attractive to people who are a little more settled in their careers.

Why the emphasis on “International” and “Global”? [26:00]

When we talk about the number of nationalities we have on campus, we are truly diverse. You are meeting people from all over the globe.

And not just that, it’s the courses themselves: when we teach accounting, we cover Asian Accounting, Islamic Accounting, etc, and in class, you really get a dynamic global perspective.

Can you give an overview of the Masters in Business Analytics and Big Data? [28:10]

It’s a 10-month program – full time, in Madrid. It’s also offered in a blended format starting in January and going for 17 months.

The program covers topics including: big data and professional skills, digital analytics, financial services, database modeling, SQL. The real outcome is to be able to take data and turn it into information. It’s a really cool course.

Where do grads work? [32:00]

In business consulting, as data analysts, research analysts – across industries, because every industry uses data.

There’s a wealth of opportunity for people with a data science background.

What kind of background do students need to have? [33:45]

We look for people who are interested in business and want to be an expert in measuring results. People with a technology/analytics background. Some people in the program have a science background, but mainly business.

Can you tell us about the Masters in Market Research and Consumer Behavior (MRCB)? How similar is this to the Masters in Big Data? [35:05]

This program is about the science behind people’s decision making processes – how/why someone makes the choices they do, what is the science behind that. When you’re at the checkout at the store you see the way items are laid out: what is the science behind that?

The school is global and international. It’s such an amazing experience to be in a program with people from so many places. It’s rewarding not just professionally, but personally. [37:35]

Do you have advice for applicants? [38:50]

The most important thing is to tell your story. Sometimes people get so caught up in the questions that they forget to talk about who they are.

We read a lot of applications, and the ones that are the most meaningful are the ones where by the time you finish reading the application, you feel like you’ve gotten to know that person. Don’t try to be different, just be yourself. You’re unique.

Related Links:

• IE
• IE Masters in Business Analytics and Big Data
• IE Masters in Market Research and Consumer Behavior
• 7 Steps to MBA Acceptance in 2018
• IE MBA Application Essay Tips

Related shows:

• College Students, Recent Grads Interested in Business: London is Calling!
• Get Into INSEAD, the International Business School
• The CEMS MIM: A Truly International Masters in Management
• UVA MS in Global Commerce: 3 Continents, 2 Masters, 1 Amazing Year
• HEC Paris: Why to Go and How to Get In

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The post Get Into IE, an Innovative Leader in Business Education [Episode 197] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

While the recipe for instant rejection may vary slightly from school to school, the common ingredients are ethical lapses and poor behavior. These are broad categories that each admissions director elaborates on below, but one sentiment provides the dominant seasoning – dishonesty and rudeness are simply not tolerated. For example, Sara Neher, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions at UVA Darden, writes, “Treating others with respect is something of paramount importance to Darden. Sometimes rudeness is an indicator of bad character and sometimes it means that the applicant is not really that interested in Darden. In either case, I do not want to admit that person, no matter the quality of their work experience or GMAT.”

A clear lack of fit or improper motivation for choosing a particular program frequently peppers the responses. For example, Sherry Wallace, Director of Admissions at UNC Kenan-Flagler explains: “Regardless of whether we are the top choice or the third choice, we want to see some passion and enthusiasm in the candidate.”

For the full recipe, read the admissions directors’ responses in full to the question: “What behavior or information would cause you to reject an MBA applicant who otherwise is a strong candidate?”

—

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Liz Riley Hargrove, Associate Dean for Admissions

Behavior: Off the bat, candidates who falsify or plagiarize any component of their application would be denied. We also deny candidates whom we feel would not represent the school well or would not be positive contributors in the classroom and Fuqua/Duke communities.

Information: We collect a lot of information on our applicants and this information is used to determine the academic ability as well as overall fit with our culture and community. If we determined that a candidate did not have the necessary background to be successful academically, we would not admit them to our programs.

—

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Georgetown McDonough, Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions

• Rude or offensive behavior towards any staff member throughout the application process.

• Finding out that the applicant lied on their application (i.e., not being truthful about a position, title, transcript etc., or not disclosing a lay-off, being fired, etc.) or did not disclose a criminal conviction.

• Finding out that the applicant misrepresented him or herself in taking an exam (TOEFL, GMAT/GRE) or in an interview (i.e., sent someone else in their place to conduct the interview. We can usually guard against this since we ask for IDs from each interviewee, even those we conduct via Skype).

—

HEC Paris MBA, Philippe Oster, Communication, Development & Admissions Director

When discussing the characteristics and behaviours that turn us off a candidate, the same things always spring to mind: a lack of respect for both the admissions process and the interviewers, telling lies on the application, poor letters of recommendation….But there are few other habits that will put us off a seemingly strong candidate.

Whilst it is important to sell yourself on your application, it is important to remain true to yourself and your achievements. When a candidate goes overboard trying to sell themselves, it raises a few eyebrows. We double check our applications, and if we find out that a candidate has been less than honest about the scale of his or her achievements – even if it was all in the name of making themselves sound a more appealing candidate – we will not be best impressed. We are fully aware that the top MBA courses are competitive but we also know at the same time that the perfect candidate doesn’t exist; when a candidate seems almost too good to be true, they usually are!

Another key factor in a candidate’s application is coherence. We want to attract the best, most driven candidates, and so their motivation in applying for HEC Paris MBA has to be clear. It is completely normal for a candidate to apply for more than one business school, but when someone just blindly applies to the top 25 without thinking about whether that school offers the best experience for them and their professional aspirations, it doesn’t motivate us to accept them. Eclectic choices with little consideration are not an indicator of the strong-decision making and foresight that is so important when studying for an MBA.

Each business school is different, and so it is important for the candidate to carefully consider their choices and only apply for the ones that cater to both their professional goals and personality. We wouldn’t expect a candidate to find that more than four of the top MBAs complement them perfectly, and so their application should reflect this.

—

IE Business School, Jean Marie Winikates, Director of North America at IE Business School

1. Information that doesn’t add up on the application and is still unclear after the interview.

2. Behavior that exhibits poor judgment.

3. Someone who exhibits goals that do not align with the program outcomes.

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IMD, Lisa Piguet, Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing

As far as behaviour goes – as you know, our interview process is the most unique in the industry so we get to witness all kinds of behaviours. For me, I do not tolerate people who do not give space to others in a discussion. IMD is 95% international so English is the second language to most of our class (if not the third, fourth or fifth language). Therefore it is really important to me that people give each other the respect and courtesy to express themselves in the best way they know how. If someone in a group discussion does not allow this, I do not tolerate it.

The second part to the question – rejecting someone. We reject people when we see that they have written their own letters of recommendation or if they’ve lied on their application. We also do background checks at IMD (only after someone has been accepted) so if anyone has lied in the application we will find it out here as well and this is automatic grounds for dismissal (obviously we give them a chance to explain or clear things up before dismissing them).

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London Business School, Oliver Ashby, Senior Manager, Recruitment & Admissions, MBA Programme

Every communication and information point is a valuable addition to our assessment of a candidate. We have a set of values that define us as a learning community and we look for evidence that candidates are aligned with those when assessing their fit for our school. We do not seek out behaviour to exclude applicants but instead actively seek to champion evidence that a candidate has the right ‘cultural fit’ for LBS. That is to say they demonstrate they are communal, open and engaged. We also look for candidates who we feel are likely to play an enduring role in the schools future.

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Michigan Ross, Soojin Kwon, Director of Admissions

Here are some things that would cause us to reject a seemingly strong MBA applicant:

• Evidence of plagiarism

• Falsification of background

• Poor judgment – could be demonstrated through an essay, a recommendation letter, an interview, a formal or informal interactions

• Lack of cultural awareness and openness to diversity

• Inability to work well with others

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Notre Dame Mendoza, Debby Herczeg, Assistant Director, Graduate Business Programs Admissions

Our focus is in ethics and values, so something that may cause us to reject an otherwise strong candidate, would be behavior or information that has shown the candidate to be unethical. There are many situations where a person can fall into this category, so of course, we would review the entire case to see if there would be need for concern.

The additional consideration is values. Does the candidate have any example of not having similar values as the University? Ethics and values are an important part of our curriculum and we hope that all of our graduates represent the program and University based on what they learn here at Notre Dame.

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Toronto Rotman, Niki da Silva, Director, Recruitment & Admissions, Full Time MBA

The behaviour that would cause our admissions committee to reject an otherwise strong candidate would be arrogance. The culture at Rotman is a program of equals where individuality is a core value at the School, so a candidate who comes across as arrogant simply won’t be a good fit with others in the program, despite having otherwise impressive qualifications.

We are looking for people who value the contribution and unique skills/experiences others can bring and admitting candidates who believe they are superior to others is far too damaging to the culture to be considered. This arrogance can come across in an admissions interview, sometimes in an essay, and also in reference letters.

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The Lauder Institute, (Joint-Degree MA International Studies & Wharton MBA/Penn Law JD), Meghan Ellis, Associate Director of Lauder Admissions

As a program that focuses on international business and management issues, global and regional studies, and cross-cultural proficiency, the Lauder Institute has a strong emphasis on foreign language skills. A successful Lauder applicant must have at least an advanced level of proficiency in one of our non-native language programs (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish).

The only exceptions are that native-level Spanish, French, and Italian speakers can enter our Portuguese program without prior knowledge of the language, and for our new Global program we ask that applicants have strong proficiency in two languages other than English.

The above comments refer specifically to the Lauder Institute – not the Wharton MBA.

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UVA Darden, Sara E. Neher, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions

I’m continually amazed by how some applicants every year are rude, either directly to me, or to members of the Admissions team. Examples are things like signing up for events and not attending, short, terse emails, or canceling a class visit or interview at the last minute and expecting the admissions team to be able to accommodate you at your convenience (amazingly – expecting a class visit when there are not classes, like Fridays).

Treating others with respect is something of paramount importance to Darden. Sometimes rudeness is an indicator of bad character and sometimes it means that the applicant is not really that interested in Darden. In either case, I do not want to admit that person, no matter the quality of their work experience or GMAT.

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UNC Kenan-Flagler, Sherry Wallace, Director of Admissions

Some of the reasons we would avoid admitting applicants that might appear to be strong candidates, include:

• Candidate perceived to be a mismatch with our school. Maybe the candidate’s values (expressed or witnessed) don’t match Kenan-Flagler values. Maybe the candidate seeks a particular curriculum that we don’t offer or a career outcome that we don’t think we are best suited to help them achieve.

• Candidate has been excessive in contacting the admissions office and requesting individual attention. Too many inquiries, too many requests for one-on-one meetings or phone calls – beyond that which is appropriate. Note that we encourage candidates to engage with us. I’m referring here only to those people whose demands for individual attention are unreasonable.

• Candidate received negative feedback from staff or students. Perhaps the candidate came to campus and was rude or inappropriate with the staff or students they met.

• Candidate doesn’t display sincere interest in being a student at our school. We expect that most applicants will consider multiple schools. Regardless of whether we the top choice or the third choice, we want to see some passion and enthusiasm in the candidate.

• Candidate presented fraudulent information.

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Vanderbilt Owen, Christie St. John, Director of Admissions

What are reasons we would deny an otherwise strong candidate? I can think of three main reasons.

First, if we hear from our students that a candidate has acted inappropriately in a social situation with the students, i.e., having said or done something highly offensive, we would not admit the person. It doesn’t happen a lot, but when our students report such an incident, we know that the person would not be a good fit in our community.

Second, if we feel that the person has career goals that are simply not feasible, whether because of their lack of essential work experience, their interpersonal skills, or maybe because they want something that we don’t feel our program can help them with. We talk very frankly and honestly with applicants whose goals don’t seem to align with their experience. We explain that we want them to get a job and that we will do everything we can to help, but they may need to be flexible and be willing to work very hard to get into something they just don’t have the background for. We feel this is the only ethical way to do business – to set people up for success.

Finally, we occasionally “google” some of the people we are interviewing, just to get an idea of what their interests are. Many times we discover fun facts that help us find the right students to connect with the applicant. But once, a colleague actually discovered some very serious criminal allegations against an applicant which led to his incarceration. No mention of this was made in the application, and had we not done some searching, we would not have known about this. Many schools use background checks for all admitted students to verify credentials and check for criminal offenses. We haven’t done that for a while at Vanderbilt but we are considering it now.

There are probably other things but these are at the top of the list.

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UCLA Anderson, Jessica Chung, Associate Director, MBA Admissions

Blatant plagiarism in the application essay is something that can make an otherwise strong MBA candidate inadmissible. An applicant can have great academics, work experience and other qualities, but if he/she behaves unethically by copying passages from other sources and passing off as his/her own work, there’s a strong chance that this behavior can continue as a student in the program and that’s not someone we want as a part of our community.

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Do you need help reapplying to b-school? For personalized assistance, check out our MBA Rejection Review. An experienced admissions consultant will walk you through your dinged applications and advise on how to move forward successfully. 

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Related Resources:

• Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One, a free guide
• How to Reapply Successfully to Top MBA Programs [Video]
• Rejected by Business Schools? 5 Steps to Change the Outcome

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