Strong applications to LBS demonstrate applicants’ global interest (even if they don’t have global experience, per se), curiosity to learn alongside people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and a passion for impact.

Ready to get to work on your LBS application? Read on.

LBS application essay tips

Essay #1 

What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words) 

If you’re aiming for a globally oriented MBA experience at the crossroads of culture, commerce, and innovation, LBS stands out as a top destination. Successful LBS applicants highlight impressive credentials and convey a genuine curiosity about the world, a desire to learn from diverse perspectives, and a clear drive to make meaningful impact. If that sounds like you, let’s dive into how to approach one of the most critical components of your LBS application.

An important component of most MBA applications is articulating your post-MBA goals clearly, confidently, and credibly (I do love alliteration). In 500 words, LBS wants to know where you’re headed, how you’ve prepared for the journey, and why its MBA is the essential next step.

To write a compelling response, I suggest you begin your essay in one of the two following ways:

Opening 1: establishing your short-term and long-term goals. Be specific. Saying, “I want to be in consulting” is vague and forgettable. A stronger version would be “In the short term, I aim to join a top-tier consulting firm such as Bain or BCG in their sustainability or energy practice, where I can help multinational clients transition to greener supply chains.” Then go further; connect that short-term goal to a long-term vision. Are you on the partner track? Will you join a client’s firm and increase their shareholder value? Or will you start your own firm that solves a big problem. 

Opening 2: establishing the problem you hope to solve, using data to define the problem, and then delving into how the MBA will enable you to solve the problem. Consider this example: 

“According to Reuters, in 2024, Britain experienced a 12% increase in reported fraud incidents, reaching a record 3.31 million cases, with financial losses amounting to £1.17 billion ($1.6 billion USD). This rise is attributed to a shift from complex scams to high-volume, low-value attacks, such as remote purchase fraud involving compromised one-time passwords.

This escalating fraud landscape highlights the need for finance professionals like me who are equipped with robust risk management and cybersecurity skills. LBS’s MBA program, with its emphasis on global perspectives and analytical rigor, will prepare me to tackle such industry challenges effectively.” 

Regardless of how you begin your essay, make sure to address the type of leader you want to become. The adcom is looking for purpose-driven candidates, so anchor your goals in something meaningful and consistent.

Next, link your goals to your previous experience. How has your career so far prepared you for this transition? Even if you’re planning a pivot, you need to draw a line between what you’ve done and where you want to go. For example, if you’re coming from a technical background but want to move into strategy, you might highlight your cross-functional projects, experience solving business problems, or early leadership opportunities. Don’t rehash your resume – interpret it. Show how your past roles have built the foundation for your post-MBA success.

Then comes the most LBS-specific part of the essay: why this program, and why now? This is where your research and genuine interest in LBS need to shine. Mention courses, clubs, professors, global immersion opportunities, conferences, or elements of the school’s culture that will help you bridge the gap between your current skill set and your future aspirations. Show that you understand what LBS uniquely offers and how it will help you achieve your goals. For example, maybe it’s the school’s emphasis on collaboration and global diversity, or perhaps it’s the access to London’s thriving fintech and entrepreneurship opportunities.

It’s also worth noting that LBS tends to appreciate individuals who are ambitious yet grounded, confident yet self-aware. This isn’t the place to wildly overreach or undersell your ambitions. Aim for a tone that shows you’ve thought carefully about your path and are prepared to navigate it with the help of the LBS community.

Finally, be sure your essay flows logically. Start with either Opening 1 (roles) or Opening 2 (problem), connect with your background, and end with how LBS fits into the picture. Think of your essay as offering a circular story: future vision, past, present, and back to future.

The best responses to this question will demonstrate clarity of purpose, a strong foundation of experience, and an intentional fit with the LBS MBA program. This prompt offers the LBS adcom the opportunity to assess your readiness to pursue your goals and your ability to contribute to the LBS community along the way.

This question is a mainstay in the LBS application – a straightforward career goals question. You need to demonstrate in the first paragraph that you know what you want to be doing after the MBA, and it had better excite LBS. The school is looking for applicants who have a global outlook, are committed to challenging the status quo, and want to make an impact on business.

In general, I find that for this essay, you should apply one-third of the word limit to defining your goal, one-third to summarizing what you have gained from your career and how it has prepared you for your intended career path, and one-third to how the LBS education will complement that experience to propel you to attain your goals. Please note that devoting one-third to each section is a guideline, however, not a rigid rule.

Essay #2

What makes you unique? (200 words)

LBS’s second essay prompt asks a simple question with difficult constraints: What makes you unique in 200 words or less? How can you reveal your essence in only 200 words? 

1. Dig below the surface.

Start with introspection. Think beyond your resume or passport. This essay should not be a list of achievements or a synopsis of your resume. Rather, you should consider what belief, trait, or experience truly sets you apart and makes you the person you are today. Maybe it’s how growing up in three countries taught you to see patterns that other people miss, or how being a jazz musician has shaped your leadership style, or how running marathons has given you the strength to push through any obstacle. 

2. Connect uniqueness to impact.

LBS wants people who will enrich both the next incoming class and the school’s broader community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and corporate/social partners. You need to demonstrate how your uniqueness will add value in both areas. Will your entrepreneurial mindset stimulate creative thinking in group projects? Will your social activism inspire a new LBS club initiative? Will your negotiation skills help raise funds for the Global Securities Challenge?

3. Show, don’t just tell.

Avoid buzzwords. Tell a mini-story or offer specific examples to illustrate what makes you different. A statement like “I’m a creative thinker” is forgettable, whereas one like “When my startup’s supply chain failed, I bartered with local vendors and delivered orders by bicycle” is memorable.

In the end, authenticity wins. If your answer feels risky or personal, you’re probably on the right track.

Optional Essay 

Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (500 words)

The optional essay in the LBS application is exactly that – optional. But for some applicants, it’s a valuable opportunity to provide context, fill in gaps, or strengthen a narrative that might not fully emerge from the rest of their application.

So how do you decide whether to write this essay? And what should you say if you do?

1. Clarify any weaknesses or red flags.

If there’s a part of your application that might raise questions for the adcom, such as a gap in your resume, a low GPA or GMAT score, a job you left quickly, or a letter of recommendation from someone other than your current manager, this is the place to explain it. Keep the tone accountable and constructive. For example, if you struggled academically during your first year of university, don’t just say that you were unfocused; briefly explain the context and, most importantly, what changed. How did you grow? What did you learn?

This essay shouldn’t be a list of excuses but rather a reflection of your maturity and resilience.

2. Share significant personal context.

Sometimes, there are aspects of your identity, background, or life circumstances that add valuable perspective to your candidacy but don’t naturally fit into other parts of the application. This might include overcoming adversity, supporting your family, navigating immigration, or facing systemic barriers. If those experiences shaped your values or your goals, and if they help the adcom understand your drive, grit, or world view, this is the right space to reflect on those experiences.

3. Highlight a dimension of yourself that the application doesn’t fully capture.

Maybe you’re a professional classical musician who moonlights as a tech consultant, or a first-generation college graduate with an unconventional career path. If you have something distinctive about your candidacy that isn’t represented elsewhere in your application, and especially if it could deepen the adcom’s understanding of your potential contributions to LBS, the optional essay can be the place to share it.

4. Reaffirm your fit and motivation (sparingly).

If there’s a compelling reason why LBS is the right place for you – something deeply personal or specific to your situation – you could submit a short paragraph explaining that here. But avoid turning this into a second “Why LBS?” essay. You’ve already made your case in the main essays. This is only for something genuinely additional and personal.

Here are some tips for writing this essay well:

• Be concise and clear. Stick to the point, and resist the urge to overexplain.
• Use a calm, reflective tone. Don’t be defensive or overly dramatic.
• Focus on growth and insight. What did you learn? How have you changed?
• Make sure what you’re sharing is necessary for the adcom to hear. Don’t submit this essay just because it’s there. It should add real value. It is not a space for you to repeat information from your resume, restate your goals, or repurpose another school’s essay. It’s an opportunity to offer further context and dimension, not to repeat what’s already clear.

Ultimately, the optional essay is your chance to provide nuance, not noise. If you use it strategically, with honesty, clarity, and purpose, it can strengthen your application by helping the adcom see the full, authentic version of you. LBS has allotted a decent amount of space for this essay, which is a subtle hint that the adcom is open to hearing more from applicants here, and I always advocate writing the optional essay.

LBS application deadlines

Consult the LBS website for the most up-to-date information.

LBS class profile

Here’s a look at the LBS Class of 2026 (data taken from the LBS website):

Students: 431

Women: 45%

Nationalities represented: 65

Nationality by region:

• North America: 18%
• Central/South America: 17%
• Europe (excluding United Kingdom): 14%
• South East Asia/East Asia: 13%
• South Asia: 12%
• United Kingdom: 10%
• Middle East: 8%
• Oceania: 4%
• Africa: 4%

Industry backgrounds:

• Consulting: 34%
• Finance/Accounting: 21%
• Other: 12%
• Public Sector/Not for Profit/Education: 9%
• IT&T: 7%
• FMCG/Retail/Luxury Goods/E-commerce: 5%
• Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals/Biotech: 5%
• Manufacturing/Engineering/Construction: 3%
• Energy/Power Generation: 2%
• Automotive/Aerospace/Transport/Logistics: 2%

Related Resources

• Four Tips for Displaying Teamwork in Your Application Essays
• Showcasing Leadership in Admissions, a free guide
• The Importance of Researching Your MBA Goals and Being Authentic

The post London Business School MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2025-2026], Class Profile appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Applying to a European MBA program isn’t quite the same as applying to an American program. The programs themselves often have a different focus than U.S. schools, and adcoms therefore look out for different skills and qualifications. I’d like to direct you to the following resources on our website – blog posts that focus specifically on how to answer specific questions on specific European b-school applications. Please check them out and be in touch if you have any questions!

School-Specific Tips for European B-Schools:

• Cambridge Judge MBA Essay Tips
  
  
• ESADE MBA Essay Tips
  
  
• HEC Paris MBA Essay Tips
  
  
• IMD MBA Essay Tips
  
  
• INSEAD MBA Essay Tips
  
  
• London Business School MBA Essay Tips
  
  
• London Business School MiF Essay Questions and Tips
  
  
• London Business School MiM Essay Questions and Tips
  
  
• Oxford Said MBA Essay Tips

For more advice, I recommend you check out these podcasts that feature interviews with adcom members from top European b-schools – it’s always good to get advice from the source itself!

• How to Get Into HEC Paris MBA Program
  
  
• How an MBA Can Help Entrepreneurs, an interview with Inge Kerkloh-Devif, Senior Executive Director and Senior Vice President of the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
  
  
• How to Get Accepted to Oxford Said Business School
  
  
• Why Is This Successful Leader Investing In an Oxford Said Executive MBA?
  
  
• What Prospective MBAs Need to Know About Applying to INSEAD
  
  
• What to Expect From the MBA Experience at Cambridge Judge Business School
  
  
• This London Business School MBA’s Startup Is Protecting Your Online Privacy
  
  
• How the ESADE MBA Program Aspires to Make a Positive Impact
  
  
• Early Career Management and European MBA Programs with Jamie Wright
  
  
• All About the Grenoble DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration)

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The post Tips for Applying to European Business Schools appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Everything you need to know about the LBS MiM Program

• Overview of the LBS MiM program
• Application essay tips
• Admissions requirements
• Deadlines
• Class profile
• Who gets accepted
• Acceptance rate
• Life at LBS

Overview of the program

The Master’s in Management (MiM) is London Business School’s longest running Early Careers (EC) programme. The first to be introduced to the EC portfolio in 2009, it has been developed in partnership with LBS’ world-renowned faculty and the recruiters who budding business practitioners aim to work for. It focuses on an applied learning approach, combining theory and practice so that students “learn how different business activities function and areas work together to deliver value”. This is all underpinned by the ethos that learning in a diverse environment (diversity extending to nationality, academic background, professional experience, interests) creates that all-important global perspective.

The MiM offers a flexible programme with exit points at 12-16 months. While some students will choose to complete the degree in three terms, those wishing to go on an International Exchange or take additional electives can opt to continue with a fourth term (additional fee required). Regardless of exit point, all students are required to take 15 modules across terms 1 and 2 along with online pre-programme courses.

Alongside the core curriculum, students are required to select 3 electives from a selection of 80 elective options across the subject areas Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management Science & Operations, Marketing, Organisational Behaviour, and Strategy & Entrepreneurship. Electives are held across programmes and give students a unique opportunity to work alongside MBAs, EMBAs, and other degree programme students. The cross-generational learning element is carried across to other aspects of the programme, such as with the mentorship scheme whereby MiMs can be mentored by MBA and MiF students and alumni.

In addition to the core curriculum and electives that develop hard academic skills, MiMs also focus time on developing the “soft skills that will enable you to build relationships, influence outcomes, and negotiate terms with self-awareness and confidence”. Through the Skills Programme, students work on understanding and honing the skills that employers expect, including interpersonal skills as well as numerical and digital literacy.

Experiential learning is a key aspect of the MiM experience and the programme allows students “to explore the real world of international business through hands-on experience”. During terms 2 and 3, MiMs participate in LondonLAB, an 8-10 week business project that tasks students to work in teams to solve challenges for a range of businesses from start-ups to multinationals across a variety of sectors. Past clients have included the BBC, Unicef, Salesforce, and Depop.

And for one week across terms 1, 2 or 3, students have the chance to participate in one of the programme’s Global Experience courses. Along with other Early Career, MBA, and Leadership programme peers, students work with faculty, corporations, micro-entrepreneurs, and alumni to “interact meaningfully with members of the local business ecosystem and gain an in-depth view of a country’s business culture”. Course themes and destinations are subject to change depending on travel restrictions due to Covid-19 but past experiences have included: sustainability developments in Dubai; examining Austin’s role as a breakthrough technologies hub; and examining what is unique about the venture capital and business ecosystem of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. What is all of this academic theory and experiential learning leading to? For 96% of the MiM2021 class (within three months of graduation), their degree led to a job. Specifically, pre-experience and graduate scheme roles across consulting (45%), financial services (27%), technology (18%), and diversified industries (10%). LBS’ Career Centre and its sector specialists and career coaches provide students with opportunities to engage with employers and “develop the skills and confidence to effectively communicate [their] value to employers”. How do they do this? Through a combination of activities such as: the Career Skills Programme; Personal Development Programme; Business Treks; and company engagements, including the Early Careers Recruitment Evening. While there is focus on helping MiMs to plan and navigate their recruitment journey, care is given to helping students develop the skills needed to network with LBS alumni and future employers, understand how to approach problem-solving and technical challenges at interviews, and how to find roles that match their skills, interests and aspirations.

Application essay tips

LBS MiM essay #1

After several years with its mainstay ‘how will the programme support your academic and professional goals’ question, the MiM switched gears slightly last year and introduced a new essay 1 (and reduced word count):

What learning outcomes are you aiming to achieve as part of your Masters in Management programme? What challenge(s) might you encounter? (500 words)

While a different approach to the previous essay prompt, this question still tasks applicants to reflect on what they want to get out of the programme. In thinking of learning outcomes, this can be viewed as academic outcomes or professional outcomes, though this should all be underpinned by how the programme’s resources will support those outcomes.

In addressing academic learning outcomes, it would be wise to touch on the knowledge gaps you’re expecting the MiM to fill. Perhaps you come from a business/management background, but your undergraduate degree didn’t offer particular courses you need to achieve your career aims or took a more theoretical approach. Or you come from the sciences or the arts and need general management tuition to help launch your business. You may also need to understand certain concepts for your post-MFA career, or you might be interested in learning more about a subject area that you only touched on briefly during your undergrad. Here you want to discuss a few of the academic components that will support your learning and fill the outlined gaps. But steer clear of providing a list; this is where you want to show research and that you have a solid understanding of how the academic resources will fulfil your individual learning needs. So you need to discuss not just the ‘what’, but also the ‘why’. Also, avoid incorporating LBS resources here. This question is specifically about the MiM.

Learning outcomes can also extend to the professional. A large piece of the MiM curriculum revolves around skills development. Think about whether you need to hone any interpersonal skills to confidently present presentations to clients or to attend networking events with recruiters. Perhaps you need to scrub up on your modelling skills to achieve your consulting aims. This would be a good place to touch on how the Skills Programme and Career Centre will support those professional learning outcomes. A brief reminder of your career aims here is fine but keep it concise as these aims are already discussed in the application form.

The second half of the question – ‘what challenges might you encounter’ – was previously asked in the application form, so it’s not entirely new. But its presence as a standalone essay question indicates the adcom’s interest in understanding your level of self-awareness. This question really requires some introspection. While you may want to touch on the challenges that may arise with achieving the aforementioned learning aims, such as adapting to a new type of study environment or teaching method, it’s fine to also mention any personal challenges. After all, you’re a person. Perhaps you’ll need to employ time management and organisational tools to cope with the hectic schedule and pace, or you’ll need to switch gears in how you approach study in a grad school environment. A brief word on your ability to overcome these challenges to succeed in achieving your learning aims would make for a nice close to this essay.

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LBS MiM essay #2

If essay 1 is about what you have to gain, essay 2 is about what you have to give back and remains with a focus on the wider school community:

During your time as a Master’s in Management student, how will you contribute to the School community? (400 words)

The idea of being communal is an essential value at LBS (more on that below). This question gives you a chance to showcase your achievements and how your past successes will allow you to impact the LBS community.

In thinking about how you can add value and contribute, start by reflecting on your experience – academic (undergraduate studies), professional (internships), and personal (extracurricular engagements). Think about where you’ve achieved success and how you can apply learnings or skills from those experiences to contribute. Presenting 3-4 ideas is advisable, but you may find you want to dedicate more word space to 1 or 2 ideas. And make sure these ideas are concrete; writing your international experience will support the learning experience of your peers doesn’t say anything. This is your chance to set yourself apart and show that you’ve not only done your research and understand what the community has to offer, but that you’ve put thought into how you can enhance the community around you.

Admissions requirements

To be eligible for the MiM, applicants must have less than two years of postgraduate work experience (only postgraduate work experience is considered towards the two-year limit; internships taken during your studies don’t count). 

MiMs come from a variety of undergraduate study backgrounds and while there’s no degree requirement, applicants must have achieved or expect to achieve a bachelor’s degree result equivalent to a UK 2:1 minimum / GPA 3.3 or above. Along with a strong undergraduate degree, GMAT or GRE is required and must be taken prior to applying. While there is no minimum score, it is recommended applicants apply with a 600+. 

As with other degree programmes, the MiM now requires only one reference, which must be submitted via the school’s online reference system. It is recommended applicants select a previous or current employer, though an academic referee will suffice so long as they can speak to the applicant’s character and abilities.

Along with reference, GMAT/GRE score, and undergraduate degree, applicants are required to submit a one page CV/resume, proof of English, and pay an application fee. Along with all of this comes a number of short answer questions in the application form. As these questions sit in the application form there’s sometimes thought that they’re not as important as the long form essays. Not true! The short answers, which ask questions around your interests, programme/school research, international experience, and career aims are key as they give the adcom an insight into who you are outside of your stats, what motivates you, and what you want to achieve. So do spend time crafting answers to these questions. 

The programme runs a staged admissions process. Applicants can apply at any one of the four stages, though early application is advised as competition becomes more intense in the final months.

Deadlines for the August 2023 (MiM 2024) intake are:

Source: LBS MiM website

LBS MiM class of 2022 profile

Students: 282

Nationalities: 51

Women: 56%

International students: 95%

Alumni: 48,000+

MiM 2022 undergraduate study discipline

• Business Management: 29%
• Economics: 17%
• Finance/Accounting: 17%
• Engineering: 11%
• Social Science: 9%
• Maths/Science: 6%
• Humanities: 5%
• Law: 3%
• Other: 3%

MiM 2022 nationalities by region

Europe (excl. UK): 35%

South East/East Asia: 34%

South Asia: 17%

United Kingdom: 6%

North America: 5%

Africa/Middle East: 2%

Central/South America: 1%

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Who gets accepted to the LBS MiM program

The MiM is aimed at driven early career business practitioners who have graduated within the last two years, and with a maximum of two years of postgraduate work experience. While work experience isn’t required – some students will join immediately following their undergraduate degree – most students will have completed some type of professional work experience, whether an internship or full-time role. Work experience is as varied as undergraduate study discipline and students may have worked in MNCs, start-ups, or family businesses. Brand doesn’t necessarily mean everything; the adcom wants to understand why you’ve made the academic and professional choices that you have (connect the dots for them!), skills developed, and learning outcomes, all of which will support your learning experience, and that of your cohort, once on the programme.

While students will be educated on the types of industries and roles they may target post-programme, and where their skillset can be best utilised, all students are expected to be ready to build a foundation for a career in business. What does this mean? That they’ll have thought about their career aims and be able to demonstrate an understanding of their intended path through the application process. The adcom wants to see ambitious individuals who want to make an impact in the world around them. And they want to see individuals who have already achieved success and impacted those around them, be it at school or at work, and seek students who can demonstrate “a track record of excellence, achievement, and leadership potential”.

Acceptance rate

While data for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests may be found online, LBS, like many of its European counterparts, does not commonly supply information on acceptance or retention rates. But being LBS, it’s safe to assume that competition is fierce. MiMs are just as talented and driven as their more senior counterparts across other degree programmes and there are a lot of big fish looking to make a splash in a relatively small pond.

That said, the MiM admissions process should be considered a selection process. They’re keen to understand applicant journeys and that all important (and rather intangible) fit. This is done primarily through the interview process. While an interview does not guarantee an offer, it’s a sign that the adcom sees something interesting in you that it wants to further explore.

Life at LBS

Community is one of the most important aspects of life at LBS – for students, alumni, faculty, and staff alike. This can be seen early from the application stage, where most degree programmes have at least one question in the application about the community and about how an applicant will add value to it. 

To be sure, the school doesn’t require, or indeed even expect every student to take a leadership position in a club or lead a trek. But it wants individuals on-campus who are communal in nature; those who participate, who enjoy peer-to-peer learning and teaching, who thrive in collaborative environments. 

More than 80 student clubs run more than 1,000 events every year, including social, professional, and cultural clubs. Students play a key role in developing and running student-led events such as the Women in Business Conference, EUROUT and China Business Forum. Whether participating as an organiser or spectator, these events give students the chance to network with one another as well as industry or subject-area experts and engage in discussion and debate about the most important issues facing business.

And community members jump at the chance to socialise outside of the classroom and professional interest clubs or business treks. Whether the annual Tattoo, which celebrates the school’s diversity through food, dance and entertainment, or the fortnightly Sundowners, where students, alumni, faculty, and staff can meet and network, LBSers never miss a chance to celebrate being part of the community.

Get professional guidance with your LBS MiM application! Check out Accepted’s MiM Application Packages, which include advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the LBS MiM application.

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Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Application Essays, a free guide
• Early Career Management and European MBA Programs with Jamie Wright, a podcast episode
• Exploring London Business School’s Master’s in Analytics and Management, a podcast episode

The post London Business School Master’s in Management (MiM) Essay Questions, Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023], Class Profile appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

The Financial Times has released its global rankings of the best MBA programs and has considerably shuffled the deck. Several top-ranked programs fell several notches, while others rose considerably. For the first time since 2011, Wharton has returned to its status as #1 in FT’s list. 

Other programs that made giant strides in the rankings include Columbia Business School (ranked 8th in 2020), and Kellogg (Northwestern), now #5 (11th place in 2020). One reason for such huge fluctuations was that five of the top U.S. programs (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, and Columbia) were not listed at all last year at all, skewing that year’s results. 

Other highly rated programs that suffered serious tumbles in the rankings include London Business School, Tuck (Dartmouth), and UVA Darden. In fact, 69 of the 91 schools ranked fell in the rankings, many of them by double digits.  

Compared with last year, many of these schools’ rankings looked like riders on a roller coaster, with some plunging far below and others rising by as much as 20 points to unprecedented heights. 

As we have cautioned before, it’s vital to keep these rankings in perspective. They are based on many variables that have little or nothing to do with the quality of the curricula per se.

Do you see yourself in one of these top programs? Find out how working one-on-one with one of our Admissions Consultants can help get you ACCEPTED!

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Related Resources:

• Top 10 or Bust: Dispelling 2 MBA Myths
• Top MBA Programs Get STEM-Certified to Attract Int’l Students
• B-School Selectivity Index: Discover the Schools Where You are a Competitive Applicant

The post Financial Times Ranks Wharton as #1 in 2022 Rankings appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

The 2 application essay questions, although quite different, both ask you to discuss how you’ll connect with the LBS EMBA program, classmates, and community. And this emphasis in turn underscores LBS’s values of collaboration, contribution, and engagement. I suggest keeping these values on the radar screen as you conceive and draft these two essays. And these questions can overlap a bit, so read both and think through your answers to ensure you make the best use of this space to make your case.

London Business School Executive MBA application essays

LBS Executive MBA essay #1

Please provide a personal statement explaining how you will contribute to the experience of others on the programme, and how the Executive MBA programme will benefit you. (600 words maximum)

How interesting that the question starts not with you and your goals, but with what you will contribute to your classmates’ experience. Be guided by that priority. That doesn’t mean you have to start your essay with that point, but, rather, be substantive. When you are allocating space to different components of the discussion, do not shortchange this contribution point. Rather, provide thoughtful examples rooted in experience, and specify how it might be helpful or worthwhile to others in the program – it’s an opportunity to spotlight your understanding of the LBS EMBA cohort. 

The part of the essay discussing how the program will benefit you should contain your career goals (you may emphasize immediate, short-term, intermediate, or long-term, but I suggest keeping most focus and detail on immediate through intermediate goals) – what are the learning needs these goals engender, and how will the program meet those needs? You can also address anticipated personal growth benefits of attending the program.

<< READ: SAMPLE EMBA APPLICATION ESSAY >>

LBS Executive MBA essay #2

Describe what it would mean to you personally to be an alumnus of London Business School, what you believe membership of the community represents, and how you would give back to London Business School in the future. (600 words maximum)

This question is also about your connection to the program; its focus is fit, your fit with the program.  And it’s really 3 questions, so let’s look at each separately.

• What it would mean to you personally to be an alumnus of LBS: First, note that they don’t just ask about the EMBA program, but about LBS broadly. Respond in kind. Identify and discuss key elements of LBS that are meaningful to you, move you, impress you, and/or excite you. Explain how being connected to this institution and its community will enhance and enrich your life.
  
  
• What membership in this community represents: first, keep the idea of “community” central in this part of your discussion. In a community, no one is an audience or a viewer – everyone is a participant. Everyone has a role and responsibilities. Describe your prospective role in this community in specific terms – and reference specific elements, qualities, and aspects of the LBS community, to show you understand it and appreciate its unique character.
  
  
• How you will give back to LBS in the future: Again, LBS, not just the EMBA program. And note the emphasis here on “future.” This part of the essay question may overlap with the previous one, but specifying future means you should also have a practical plan or ideas to actually make that participation happen and ensure it’s productive, helpful, beneficial. Again, reference specific opportunities that already exist, whether alumni groups, clubs, projects, etc. – and feel free to present new ideas as well.

What’s next?

You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your executive MBA applications. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you.

For professional guidance with your LBS Executive MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Package, which includes advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the LBS EMBA application.

London Business School EMBA deadlines for January 2023 intake

Source: London Business School EMBA website

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Related Resources:

• Why MBA, a free guide
• EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
• 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

The post London Business School Executive MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

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Can business school support an entrepreneurial venture? [Show summary]

James Chance, a 2019 London Business School MBA graduate, reveals how his experience at LBS impacted his path as an entrepreneur, along with how he’s transforming online privacy protection through his startup, yourself.online.

Learn how entrepreneur James Chance launched his start-up while at London Business School. [Show notes]

James Chance graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then worked as a strategy consultant for Accenture UK, until he joined Google in 2016. He earned his MBA at London Business School in 2019, which is where he also launched yourself.online, his startup. We’re going to learn more about James’s MBA path and experience, as well as about the launching of yourself.online and how it can help you maintain your privacy.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background, where you grew up, and what you like to do for fun? [2:03]

I grew up in Central London, not too far from the City, the financial district, right in the center, quite close to St. Paul’s. That was a real eye-opener in terms of this very fast-paced world, and growing up, I was fortunate enough to, from that experience, see a lot of things, arts, culture, different businesses, all sorts of different stuff as a kid and as a teenager. When I reached the end of secondary school, then I decided I wanted to get out of London and go to the University of Bristol, as a change of scenery.

In terms of what I like to do for fun, I’ve always been really passionate about traveling. I was fortunate enough to have a few occasions where I’ve traveled for work and worked in different countries, the US, Australia. But then I’ve also done more adventurous travels as well. I was fortunate enough, with a friend of mine in 2011, after I graduated from college, to drive halfway around the world from London to Mongolia in a car we bought on eBay for just under a thousand dollars. It’s an adventure called the Mongol Rally, which was great fun. And I’ve always been trying to find those sorts of, not quite as adventurous, but trips that are a little bit off the beaten track. But unfortunately that’s all on hold this year, but big plans for next year, hopefully. Next year, post-pandemic, I’d really like to do more of South America, since it’s not really somewhere I’ve explored much. I’d really like to do some of the Argentina, Brazil, bits of Peru as well.

You worked as a strategy consultant for Accenture for almost four years, then for Google as an analytical consultant, and also in e-commerce for a family business in Norway. With all these different experiences, why did you decide you wanted or needed an MBA? [3:50]

I first started to think about doing an MBA when I was in consulting. This is something throughout, really: I had come into business coming from an engineering background, so coming from a technical background, where my quantitative skills and analytical skills were good, but I didn’t have that much grounding in terms of finance, management, stuff like that. And I was fine for probably, I would say, the first few years of my career. But I found when I was at Google, I was fortunate enough to be brought into some really high-profile meetings with some of our senior clients, the CMOs of some of the largest e-commerce companies in the world, and stuff like that. Fantastic experience, but I was sitting at some of these meetings and I thought, I don’t know how you work out marketing ROI. There were things that I just didn’t have the fundamental business knowledge around. I could do the maths and things like that, and solve problems, but there were broader things I’d like to expand my skill base at and expand my fundamental background knowledge.

LISTEN: Encore: Is an MBA Worth It, or Is the Sky Falling Down on the MBA Degree? >>

And then on top of that, I’d always had throughout my business days a kind of back-burner list of ideas. I’d maintained in an old notebook or in the back of my diary little business ideas I had for different things. And I thought, well, is there an opportunity to find a course that will allow me to explore some of these ideas at the same time? That was one of the things that led me to sealing the deal on applying for an MBA.

Are you glad you did it now that you’re on the other end of it? [5:43]

Oh, definitely. I think the time to have two years for really focused self-development, and also being in an environment where you’re around fantastic people, is like nothing else. It’s quite self-indulgent. I’m very glad I did it, and I think that the investment is worthwhile. I’m really glad I spent the time.

Let’s think back to when you applied. Was there anything particularly challenging about the application process for you? [6:09]

The application process did take me a while, and I spent quite a lot of time on research. The bit that I found that really helped, and the bit that I struggled with but then I had this kind of eureka moment about, was making sure that everything fit together into a coherent and cohesive story. That was the thing that I realized: That feeling that you’ve got to first understand the schools that you resonate with, but also those that align with the journey you’re trying to take. And then being able to package that into a coherent story that makes sense, that somebody can read on an application and say, “Ah, I get it.” They can see where you’re going and how the school will get you there. That was one of the things that I had this kind of eureka moment with. That wasn’t initially clear at first, but when I actually started to think more about it and get feedback on the applications, it was a real takeaway for me.

Some of the more pragmatic schools really look at it like that. They’re looking at it for, “Where’s this person going? Where’s this person come from? How does our experience get them there?” It’s not a case of putting tick box answers in things. It’s actually how it all hangs together.

What did you like best about London Business School in your experience there? [7:51]

It has to be, by far, the international mix. We had over 70 different nationalities, and as a Brit and a domestic student, I was almost in a minority. From memory, we had something like 30 Brits in our class of about 400, so we’re less than 10%. And to still be in the UK and also have this fantastic mix of people from such diverse backgrounds, and mixed in the way the classes were organized and the way the study groups were organized, you just have this super diverse experience. For example, in my study group I had a gentleman from Korea, a lady from Peru, a lady from the US, a guy from India, and a guy from Spain. It’s just a fantastic mix. That was probably it. Having that kind of international mix and melting pot, was really amazing.

What would you have liked to see improved while you were at London Business School? [8:50]

Good question. It’s funny. When you’re there at the time, you naturally grumble about things when you’re in a course. Then you come out and look at it afterwards, and actually, you think, yeah, they did a pretty good job in the circumstances. I think one thing that they could do better at is managing allocations of electives. When you go into the second year and you have the elective portfolio, that’s open to all the other programs. It’s open at an MBA level, including executive MBAs. And then you find with that, some of the courses get really oversubscribed, and they could do a better job at trying to manage that demand. But it just means that you have to be mindful in your second year about if you are really wanting to do a certain course. You either have to optimize for your courses or your time. You can’t do both.

You started working on yourself.online, your startup, in May 2018 while a first year student at London Business School. How did London Business School help you get yourself.online off the ground? [9:52]

That’s a good story, how it all came about. I had this idea, a bunch of different ideas, and the first term I was there, I started to meet a few people that were entrepreneurially-minded. We met at a few entrepreneurship clubs events. We then got together after class and would be kicking around ideas on a whiteboard, and thinking about how we could look at them and things like that. Then in the beginning of our second term in first year, they had a hackathon competition. About a week or two before the competition, one of my friends said, “Hey, you should really enter one of your ideas in here and just see how it goes.” And one of those things: Do you tell people about it, or do you go and do it? For me, the opportunity to road test something like that at some of the events they organized was fantastic.

I went to the hackathon event. You pitch an idea at the beginning. There were about 50 people there. I stood on stage and said my 30 second pitch of this crazy idea, this idea for the product. And then I was fortunate enough to get voted in to the competition. And then we worked. I found a couple of other students during the event, we worked together, and then we pitched it at the end. We were fortunate enough to win £3,000 from that and, moreover, the validation of the judges and all the students on some of the research we’d done that actually, this is something. This is a problem that we should spend a bit more time looking at and working on.

Then I took the idea to a program that LBS runs as an elective over the summer, between first year and second year, called Entrepreneurship Summer School. It’s a hybrid course of lectures and mentoring. It’s really a structured road test of a business idea. So everyone in the class – there were about 50 of us – got together in the first week, and we’d have a series of lectures, and then we’d be introduced to a mentor that would be assigned. Then we’d have a couple of weeks to go away and do some research, and then come back for some more lectures, and then at the end we’d do a final presentation. The aim of this presentation was really to say, is this a viable idea or not? And you’re encouraged to both prove and disprove the hypothesis. That gave me some more validation and some structure for six weeks to really work at researching the idea and validating it. I thought about how I could then spend some more time after first year to try and work on the idea some more.

You were given validation both from professors and from students, both through this course and outside of this course, correct? And, I assume, suggestions to refine your idea? [12:45]

There was a real focus in the course on external research and doing as many customer interviews as you could do. I think, over the course of that summer, I must have spoken to almost 50 people about the idea in some form, different people who sit in different customer groups, or things like that. It was a very valuable, experiential approach to testing out a business.

Did London Business School play any role in prepping you both to compete in and ultimately to win the South by Southwest March 2019 pitch competition? And if so, how? [13:24]

It did. It was very fortunate that through my time at London Business School, I also did an exchange at the University of Texas in Austin. That was where I took the idea, and that gave me an opportunity to connect with the US tech ecosystem and really develop the idea and make connections there. South by Southwest has a number of different pitch competitions, and this was one for students and graduate students, and I was fortunate enough to be invited back to present at that and represent LBS, which was fantastic. In terms of the help, apart from setting me up, I think some of the classes I’ve taken both at LBS and also UT, just in terms of things like business planning, business modeling, and new startup development, there’s definitely quite a lot of theory that definitely went into that pitch and helped set me up for it.

I remember the week before I went to South by Southwest last year, I was running around school, trying to practice my five-minute presentation with anyone who could see it. And I booked a meeting room, and it’s amazing the power of the network and the power of the class. Some of the people I managed to rope into help were phenomenal. I remember I was sitting there with a girl called Carmella, who’s now one of my good friends. We barely really knew each other, and she volunteered to help because she was part of the corporate communications team at Twitter and has helped coach some of their executives doing their big presentations. And then I had also somebody who came from an acting background and did some coaching as well. It’s amazing. It comes back to how diverse a school it was, how you can find these people from these different backgrounds. Also, when you make the request and say, “Hey, I need some help with this,” it’s amazing some of the people that will put their hands up, and say, “Hey, I can help you in this way,” which was really cool.

Did you know you wanted to start a business when you arrived at London Business School, or is that something that you thought about doing after you left? Or did you know you wanted to do it at all? [15:41]

I had these ideas, and at the stage of going to apply for the MBA, they were very much a list in the back of a notebook, or in the back of my diary. I had an idea of, yeah, I think it would be cool to check one of these out. I think at the time, I’d gone into the MBA primarily saying, how can I try and gain skills and connections to really accelerate my career further? And the new business was validation, the new business research bit on the side was saying, “Okay, plan for plan A. Look at plan B. And if I see something that’s actually got legs here, let’s do that. But I want to make sure that if I’m going to start a business after LBS or after doing my MBA, I want to really make sure that I’ve spent the time researching it, and I’m comfortable to make the investment in terms of my time and the opportunity cost on the back of doing an MBA.”

That is something that you’ve got to be upfront with people about. You have your friends that will go and start these new consulting jobs at BCG or Bain. They’ll be sitting there with their startup bonuses and all of their branded merch and their new Patagonia gear and all of that stuff and their nice salaries. And you’re like, “Oh well, I’ve just raised some investment. I can just about afford to pay myself something.” To be fair, my investors are realistic about how doing an MBA means that you do have certain costs that you need to pay back and financial loans and all that sort of stuff, so I can pay myself a reasonable amount, but there is a big trade off compared to the others’ potential salaries. It’s something that you just need to be sure of before you jump into it.

What is yourself.online? What does it do? [17:36]

We call it “Yourself Online,” and we normally drop the dot in the middle, but either one works. Our brand name and our website is just yourself.online. We’re a service to help individuals manage their own privacy and their online persona. We help people understand the information that’s about them on different social media websites, on different accounts, on different data brokers, things like that. What is their public and also their private online footprint, and what are some of the things they can do to manage that, and also to monitor it as well?

The idea behind it was something I saw when I was working in tech beforehand. I was starting to see that the lives people live online and the trail they leave behind are actually more and more being used to make deductions about who they are. What I was starting to see were these new services that were being used to vet people, trying to find all the information on a person, and then trying to make a decision about whether they could be a good applicant for a job, or insurance, or credit, or even more broadly things, trying to figure out somebody’s personality by what they leave behind on the web. I thought, this is just crazy, because people are being judged by things that maybe they’ve forgotten about or don’t know is out there. They’re not aware of the control they could have about it, or even in some cases, that they need more control.

READ: How Much Does Your Social Media Presence Factor Into the Application Process? >>

This was the motivator for setting up the business and what we’ve been working on. Our vision is really to say, how can we build a service that is a consumer service, that puts customers at the heart of what we do, that’s transparent and trustworthy, that helps people to manage the information they share on the web?

What does it cost? [19:24]

We launched in April of this year. Our current pricing is $39, and that includes six months usage, and that’s upfront access to it. And what do people get? It’s an online service on the web, and you basically get an online dashboard where you’re able to manage your different social media accounts, review for any potentially damaging content, find and manage old accounts, and then also check for involvement in any data breaches as well, where potentially an old account of yours has been compromised and your details are out there.

There are other companies out there on the web that promise to protect privacy or audit social media. What is different and better about yourself.online? [20:28]

It’s really twofold. We’re looking to build a product that is more holistic, that has all the features people need. And in some cases, when we look at some of our competitors, there’s one for Twitter, or there’s one that does Facebook, or there’s one that does dark web breaches. We’re bringing those together into one product.

At the same time, what we’re trying to do and the way we’re building the company is really by being this online guardian to our customers, where we’re clear, we’re transparent, we’re not intimidating. We’re not trying to build a service that will intimidate you into paying. We have a free preview function that people can use to see it, and we have a lot of information on our blog pages as well. We have a lot of advice that we’re trying to put out into the market, really trying to be that trusted guardian. We’re just clear and transparent and open, helping people to manage this problem, rather than necessarily being scary or intimidating like some of our competitors are. We’re giving people the tools that we think they need.

Is yourself.online available anywhere in the world? [21:46]

It is available anywhere. We mainly focus on the main social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. We operate across those markets. In terms of our social media review, we are mainly focused on English language, but we have a translation function as well. We can do all the languages, but we are primarily, in terms of the way the site is built, it’s primarily English language.

How do you see yourself.online growing? [22:15]

In terms of our journey after business school, I have been working full-time on the business after I graduated last year, and I was fortunate enough to close a small round of angel investment funding at the end of last year. We also closed a sales partnership this year. We’re just really trying to grow the business and also close additional funding to fund that growth.

Where I see what’s next for us is moving the service beyond just being a website and into being a mobile app and continuing to build out features that some of our customers have been asking for. We’re looking to try and go beyond the existing features we have right now, to be able to say, how can we protect people as they sign up to new services and as they sign up to new accounts? Protecting more of the information they share as they use the web? And how can we do that on an ongoing basis as well?

Is there anything you would have liked me to ask you, or anything you want to add to what we’ve discussed? [23:20]

One of the things I found from my time doing the MBA was that it’s such a fantastic time for experimentation in terms of new business ideas, trying new careers, and really taking a test-and-learn approach, saying, okay, how can I go and try this, perhaps think about how I can validate it, and then see if it’s a go? I think that’s my experience. Some of my friends that I’ve seen go on to do great, really good career changes, or people who have accelerated their careers, are taking this very iterative approach of saying, “Okay, I’m going to go try and do a short internship here, or I’m going to do these courses and try this thing.” They really take that experimentation approach.

Also, I think the thing that was helpful for me on the journey was really having a plan that I was checking myself off against as I was going through, to provide some structure. One of the things I would find is that I felt I needed to give myself a plan and a bit of a map going into the MBA and when I was in courses to provide some structure and help as I was building out the business on the side. That’s one reflection I’ve had from the journey that might be useful to your listeners, to be able to chart their own course in the way they’re experimenting, pulled together into a plan towards some goals.

Where can listeners find out more about yourself.online and protecting their privacy? [25:20]

You can find out more information about what we do on our website, yourself.online. You’re welcome to try the service. We have a free preview where you can sign up to try the product and check your Facebook for free. I welcome any feedback as well. Please get in touch. My details are on the website.

Related links:

• Yourself.online
• Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One
• London Business School MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 – 2021]
• Accepted MBA Admissions Services

Related  shows:

• Early Career Management and European MBA Programs with Jamie Wright
• What These Seasoned Startup Founders Have Done Since Earning Their Stanford MBAs
• Stanford MBA Grows His Amazing Tech Startup
• Entrepreneurship at HBS: How Stride will Help You Fund Your Future
• How to Leverage an HBS Education: The Story of LeverEdge
• A Bain Consultant-Turned Wharton MBA Starts Her Own Business

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The post This London Business School MBA’s Startup Is Protecting Your Online Privacy [Episode 393] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Harvard Business School has taken the top spot away from Stanford Graduate School of Business in the Financial Times 2020 global MBA ranking. 

Although the Financial Times ranking is designed to favor non-U.S. programs, 15 of the top 25 MBA programs are based in the U.S. This result comes despite the decline in applications to U.S. MBA programs – now in its sixth straight year.

The 2020 top 5 schools have not changed since last year, although their rankings have. Following Harvard are: #2 – University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School (up 2 spots); #3 – Stanford Graduate School of Business (down 2 spots); #4 – INSEAD (down 1 spot); and #5 CEIBs in Shanghai, China (unchanged). 

Volatile rankings

Financial Times global ranking methodology is based on 20 different metrics, including some that are inclined to favor non-U.S. schools. Some metrics that add to a school’s position include the percentage of students, faculty, and trustees who possess passports from a country where the school is not located, whether students and alumni worked in foreign countries, whether students had international class experience, and whether the school has a requirement to learn an additional language before graduation. 

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A new metric was added this year – Corporate Social Responsibility. This metric has a weight of 3%, and is based on the percentage of teaching hours from core courses devoted to CSR, ethics, social, and environmental issues.  

The FT’s most heavily weighted metric is salary data (40%). its use of “purchasing power parity”, or PPP  favor schools whose grads go to work in countries with lower cost of living. This hurts U.S. schools since most grads of U.S. MBA programs want to live and work in the U.S. 

The ranking does not take incoming student quality into account. GMAT and GRE scores, as well as undergraduate GPA’s, are ignored. 

<< Watch: Linda Abraham and Marco De Novellis of BusinessBecause discuss the value of MBA rankings >>

FT’s ranking is known to be volatile, which reduces its credibility because there are few year-to-year changes at schools that explain big changes in the rankings. This means that there were big winners and big losers again this year. 

Twenty-seven of the 91 returning b-schools had double-digit increases or decreases in their standings. Fully half of the MBA programs ranked by FT five years ago (39 of 78) have felt double-digit changes, and 23 of those changes have been adjustments in 20 or more spots.

Top 25 International MBA Programs

2020 Rank	School	2019 Rank	Y-O-Y Change
1	Harvard	2	+1
2	UPenn Wharton	4	+2
3	Stanford GSB	1	-2
4	INSEAD	3	-1
5	CEIBS	5	---
6	MIT Sloan	8	+2
7	London	6	-1
8	Columbia	9	+1
9	HEC Paris	19	+10
10	Chicago Booth	7	-3
11	Northwestern Kellogg	14	+3
12	UC-Berkeley Haas	10	-2
13	IESE	12	-1
14	Yale SOM	11	-3
15	Nat’l Univ. of Singapore	17	+2
16	Dartmouth Tuck	15	-1
17	Duke Fuqua	19	+3
18	Virginia Darden	23	+5
19	Cambridge Judge	16	-3
19	Hong Kong UST	18	-1
21	Oxford Said	13	-8
22	New York Stern	25	+3
23	Cornell Johnson	27	+4
24	ESADE	21	-3
25	IMD	22	-3
25	UCLA Anderson	26	+1

Do you see yourself in one of these top international programs? Find out how working one-on-one with one of our Admissions Consultants can help get you ACCEPTED!

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Related Resources:

• Navigate the MBA Application Maze: 9 Tips to Acceptance, a free guide
• Top MBA Programs Get STEM-Certified to Attract Int’l Students
• B-School Selectivity Index: Discover the Schools Where You are a Competitive Applicant

The post Financial Times Ranks Harvard as #1 in 2020 Global MBA Ranking appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Chicago’s Booth School of Business remaining at the top of The Economist’s ranking of the world’s top MBA programs for the second year in a row is only one of a few stable things in this year’s ranking, according to the Poets & Quants website. This is the seventh time Booth has taken the top spot in The Economist ranking in the past nine years.

This year’s ranking shakeup is widespread. Nineteen of the top 100 MBA programs faced leaps or falls of at least 10 spots since last year. Seven schools have dropped out of the ranking completely, leaving room for seven new schools.

The biggest winners and losers

HEC Paris made the biggest gain in the Top 10. It jumped 10 places to #3, behind just Chicago Booth (#1) and Harvard Business School (#2).

UVA Darden (#9 in 2018) and Columbia Business School (#10 in 2018) are no longer found in the Top 10 (they’ve dropped to 16th and 15th, respectively).

University of Maryland (#81 in 2019) and Northeastern University (#82 in 2019) are no longer ranked in the Top 100.

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Why are these rankings so volatile?

The Economist looks at 21 different metrics to determine their rankings. This is the most metrics of any ranking. They place heavy emphasis on compensation and career placement, including salaries, pre-MBA versus post-MBA pay increases, and the percent of grads who find jobs through the career management center. These comprise 45% of the methodology.

The Economist also relies quite a bit on student satisfaction, which is determined by an annual survey of current MBA students and recent alumni. These survey results comprise 20% of the ranking and are composed of:

• New career opportunities (35%)
• Personal development/educational experiences (35%)
• Increasing salary (20%)
• Potential to network (10%)

The Economist’s Top 25 MBA programs

2019 Rank	School	YOY Change	2018 Rank
1	Chicago Booth	-	1
2	Harvard Business School	+1	3
3	HEC Paris	+10	13
4	Northwestern Kellogg	-2	2
5	UPenn Wharton	-1	4
6	UCLA Anderson	+2	8
7	UC Berkeley Haas	+4	11
8	Stanford GSB	-3	5
9	Michigan Ross	-2	7
10	IESE	-4	6
11	Duke Fuqua	+4	15
12	Dartmouth Tuck	-	12
13	SDA Bocconi	+11	24
14	Cornell Johnson	+6	20
15	Columbia	-5	10
16	Virginia Darden	-7	9
17	New York University Stern	-	17
18	USC Marshall	+10	28
19	MIT Sloan	-3	16
20	Washington Foster	+2	22
21	Yale SOM	-7	14
22	INSEAD	-3	19
23	Georgia Tech Scheller	+8	31
24	Warwick	-6	18
25	London Business School	+2	27

Is a top MBA program in your future? Learn what these rankings mean for you and how you can secure your spot at your top choice b-school when you work one-on-one with an expert Accepted advisor. Explore our MBA Admissions Services for more information on how we can help you get ACCEPTED.

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Related Resources:

• Are You a Competitive Applicant at Your Dream School? [The MBA Selectivity Index]
• Do MBA Rankings Matter?
• Are You a Good Fit for Your Target MBA Programs?

The post Big Changes in Economist 2019 MBA Rankings appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

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Interview with Gareth Howells, Executive Director of the MBA, MiF & Early Career Programmes at London Business School [Show Summary]

Harvard Business Review declared in 2012 that being a data scientist is the “sexiest job of the 21st century.” Bloomberg Businessweek’s headline in May 2018 pronounced, “This Is America’s Hottest Job.” Let’s hear from the director of London Business School’s Early Career Programs about its response to surging demand for graduates in data analytics, its brand new master’s in analytics and management.

The Master’s in Analytics and Management Program at LBS: Everything You Need to Know [Show Notes]

Our guest today is Gareth Howells, Executive Director of the MBA, MiF & Early Career Programmes at London Business School. He graduated with a degree in Politics in 1995 from the University of Leeds. In 2004 he joined London Business School as Associate Director of the MBA Program, and has been at LBS in different and expanding roles culminating in his current position.

What is the master’s in analytics and management at London Business School? Can you provide an overview? [2:17]

It is our newest and most exciting program. We have four different early career programs which make up about 500 students, and we launched this new program last summer and are enrolling our first cohort for the Fall of 2019. There is a strong focus on analytics with a rigorous leading-edge curriculum and strong emphasis on experiential learning. The program is customizable as well.

Can you give us a bit of background on how it came into being and how it fits into the portfolio of early careers programs at LBS? [3:42]

We have 13 different degree programs at LBS, but early career programs are split into two groups. We have two general management and two specialized master’s – one in finance and this one in analytics and management. We came to this because data analytics is transforming the way the world does business. It is sector neutral. All businesses are switching on the power of data and responding to a data-driven world, and business school is nothing if it doesn’t create graduates and programs that speak to the needs of business.

We talked a lot to our recruiters who wanted this level of capability and we wanted to respond to that. There has been a real explosion of programs of this type. We wanted to leverage our own faculty, and London is the largest data center in Europe. There is a projected 250% increase in data jobs in the next five years so we wanted to meet those needs.

Business analytics master’s programs have been mushrooming around the world. What is distinctive about LBS’ program? [6:21]

We feel that the blend between analytics and management is unique. When we talked to recruiters, they said they see data scientists in an organization, mining the data and then handing it off to business managers to analyze. If you can develop those skills and capabilities in one candidate – mining data but then also translating the data, we would hire those students. We are trying to develop that skillset in one graduate as opposed to needing a data scientist AND a business manager. The curriculum is roughly 60% analytics, 40% management. It is a one-year program with an option to stay for a third term.

What kind of careers will graduates go into? [10:39]

We graduate 1200 students across all programs, and we have 200 recruiters on campus. With this new program, it is a specialist program with a wide variety of sectors and employers interested in hiring. We expect the consulting firms to be big recruiters, but the tech firms are roughly 20-25% of our pool as well. A lot of our graduate students from other programs are hired by many other sectors – accountancy firms, fintech, energy sectors, etc., and the universal feedback was that data analytics is transforming the world, but it’s sector neutral. We are excited about the wide variety of employers seeking and keen to hire from this program. We will graduate the first cohort in June/July 2020.

What are you looking for in the admissions process? [14:37]

There are a lot of similarities with all of our programs, and our application is quite detailed. First and foremost we are looking for dynamic and committed individuals wanting to make an impact – those who are intellectually curious, passionate, with a very high technical quant skill. We are typically looking for a quant-based undergrad background, but are open to different types of work experience. We are looking for a diverse class from around the world, and individuals with a global mindset. Since these are early career students, we are looking at potential as well. We have a series of essays where we try to understand more deeply the student’s motivation. We are looking at a minimum score of 600 for the GMAT. About 80-90% of our applicants take the GMAT, but the GRE is also becoming popular. We look at quant scores and once we’ve considered an application no one gets an offer without a face-to-face interview, which are conducted all around the world. We will try and interview you near your home town either by one of our alums or one of our staff/admissions managers. We sometimes do interviews by Skype. We ask for two references, transcripts, three essay questions, and an interview. Our target is to enroll 70-80 students in the first year.

What about relevant work experience? Is it optional? What is the maximum amount of work experience that you would consider? [19:38]

We typically get a blend. The max is two years, but our average tends to be one year. For the vast majority of students they have a series of different internships, though there are a few candidates with fulltime experience. When students go into electives there is a shared portfolio and they will be alongside MBAs, EMBA, and sometimes Sloan Fellows, since we want it to be a mirror of what the real world is like. Clubs are also for the entire set of students. The list of clubs keeps growing – currently we have 75 different student clubs that the school supports, including professional clubs, regional clubs, sports, and social clubs as well. We feel this is also a critical part of this program and the experience.

We put a huge emphasis on experiential learning as well. Two key parts of this program will be taking part in the London Lab program, where they will be with teams of 5-6 doing a live business consulting project based in London. We have a version of this for the current master’s in management program.

With global being so important to us, all students will also go on a Global Immersion Field Trip (GIFT), selecting among six different locations around the world, going away for a week with an immersive experience. Some recently planned trips for our other programs have been to Colombia, Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, and Cape Town to give students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a completely different context. These two requirements are inclusive within the tuition fee and we’ve been running them for a few years.

What are the master’s in data analytics essay questions?[26:51]

We do have some minimum requirements, like having a quant background and some programming skills, but we will be getting hundreds of applications, many who will already meet the minimum requirements, so we need to get to know more about these students. The three questions are:

1. How does undertaking the program fit with their aspirations and goals? What do they want to do when they graduate – are they employable and can we help them?
2. What do they think their contribution will be to LBS while in the program? With such a huge emphasis on extracurriculars that we have we want to know how are they going to take advantage of them. We want active and not passive learners and are a community of over 2500 students in the heart of London. We want to have students who make an impact on each other and on the world of business.
3. Take us through a data-driven project you have been involved in. We want people who have some competency but more importantly a passion for analytics, the power and value of data. We ask for about 400-500 words. A big tip to anyone tuning in to this podcast: with some schools slashing essays you may think that we don’t read them, but we do. We need something that tells us more about the person and these essays often inform who we do interview and who we don’t.

Any discussion at LBS about a joint MiM/MAM? [31:17]

The short answer is no. With our MiM we have already increased the amount of analytics content, and students can still take their electives in analytics. It is about proportion. With the MAM we have a bigger diet in analytics and a slightly smaller bit on management. With MiM you have more management with some analytics. This is one of the most frequent questions we are getting – MiM vs MAM.

At the time the show airs, the next deadline will be March 4 and the last deadline is April 11, 2019. For Chinese applicants, the last deadline is Jan 24. Any advice for those interested in the MAM and still aiming for an application this year? [33:42]

First and foremost try and apply as early as you can. We’d rather people apply with a completed application rather than rushing it, of course. We want to know what the GMAT score is rather than you still be studying for it. Spend time and be thoughtful about the essays, but recognize the cycle is rolling on. After April 11th we will still consider late applications, but at that point the application really has to be super strong since we will have made the vast majority of our offers. We don’t want to be going above 70-80 students in this first cohort. Bottom line, there is still time, but with a later application after May 1st the chances of being admitted are reduced.

What about those planning ahead to apply next year? How can they prepare? [36:03]

Make sure that you do your research on the schools and the programs. Understand the differences. You’d be surprised that when we ask, “Why LBS?” how many people give quite generic answers. We understand people are applying to a number of schools, but we are impressed by people that have clearly done their homework and mention specifics about the programs, so do the research. Some people might just go to a rankings organization and apply to the top 5, but this decision should really be about fit. If you don’t get it right it is a costly mistake. Look at the essays and think about those. Too many people spend all their time focusing on the GMAT or GRE, and not enough on the essays. The tests are important, but it isn’t just about a high score, we take a holistic approach. Continue to embrace your internships, and be successful and be curious. Also, be excited about the work experience you are getting. Make the most of it.

What question would you like to answer that I didn’t ask? [44:11]

Not a question, really, but wanting more to reiterate that we put a huge emphasis on experiential learning, that London is our classroom, and global is in our DNA. Every school talks about being global, and they should, but our faculty come from 40 different countries and our students from 100 different countries.

We are really excited about this program and encourage listeners to take the opportunity to learn more about us. We run monthly events on campus to tour and meet current students, we have blogs, webinars, etc., and we would invite anyone to take a good look.

Related Links:

• London Business School’s Master’s in Analytics and Management
• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Grad School Statement of Purpose, a free guide
• Today London, Tomorrow the World! One Year MFA at LBS
• London Business School Master’s in Management (MiM) Essay Questions, Tips & Deadlines
• London Business School 2018-19 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines
• Accepted’s Admissions Consulting Services

Related Shows:

• Early Career Management and European MBA Programs with Jamie Wright
• The Berkeley MFE: One Tough Program with Amazing Opportunities for Grads
• UCLA’s MS in Business Analytics: Prep for the Sexiest Job of the 21st Century
• Contemplating a Career in Data Science/Business Analytics? MIT Sloan’s MBAn

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The post Exploring London Business School’s Master’s in Analytics and Management [Episode 297] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Our guest today is Jamie Wright. She grew up in California, started her career in PR in Chicago, and then crossed the pond in 2009 to become the Client Services Manager at London Business School’s then brand-new Masters in Management (MIM) program. Jamie rose to become the admissions director for all early career programs at LBS by 2017.  In 2018, she joined Accepted and has become an admissions consultant on our staff. Let’s learn from her if there is a magic sauce to acceptance.[powerpress]

Before we get to the early career stuff, how does a California girl end up as Client Services Manager and then the first Admissions Director of London Business School’s Early Career Programs? [2:11]

By chance, actually. When I initially moved to London I wasn’t able to work due to visa restrictions so I had time to explore other career options. I had been working in PR before moving to London, and considered staying in that field, but I used that opportunity of time to explore other roles in publishing, sports business, and came across an ad for a client services role for the MIM at LBS. The program had just launched and was recruiting for its first class. I figured this was a great opportunity to be part of something from the beginning. It was quite entrepreneurial, almost like a start-up even though the program was part of a large school like LBS. It was the first pre-experience program and it was exciting to be a part of. I stayed there for the next nine years.

What are early career programs in management in general? [3:20]

They are general management programs for the most part, though there are some programs that offer specializations. These programs are designed for those just entering their career, with less than 1-2 years of experience looking to go into entry-level positions. In addition to traditional consulting and finance roles, more students are going into entrepreneurship, which is a specialization some programs offer.

How do the masters in management programs differ from the MBA in terms of structure, content, length, goals and placement? [4:30]

In terms of similarities they are both general management programs. An MBA is really for those looking to accelerate or develop their careers, whereas a Masters in Management is for those looking to gain the knowledge and skills to break into a business career. MBA students have on average 5-8 years of work experience and learn a lot from peer practical experience, whereas MIM students might have some internship experience but are really learning more from the classroom environment. MIMs are applying for entry level positions, and MBAs are looking for more senior positions.

From a content perspective, from the outside an MBA looks more practical than a MIM – there are more theory-based MIMs, though there is definitely no shortage of early-career programs offering practical and applied learning as well, with internships and study abroad opportunities. MIMs can be one or two years long, depending on the program.

Do you have any idea how many MiM graduates go back and ultimately get an MBA or for most is it a terminal degree? [6:44]

I’d say a MIM is definitely not a terminal degree, just as pursuing business at an undergrad level is not. If you are an early career candidate, it’s difficult to say if you’ll need an MBA further down the line. You might need it at your company to advance, or to switch careers. If you are an early career candidate in the job you want, and can see yourself growing in that role or company over the next several years, think about the value you get from an early career degree as opposed to waiting for an MBA. If you feel you are lacking the knowledge to break into business, early career programs are very beneficial.

Are most MIM students coming from non-business undergrad backgrounds? [8:22]

It depends on the program. There are some that require students come from non-traditional backgrounds, whereas others look for some business curriculum – like poets and quants, as it were. It totally depends on the program. Any applicant should take a very close look at the student profiles at the programs you are considering. Make sure you are a good fit and will be learning alongside people you will benefit most from.

MBA programs tend to look for individuals who have fairly well-defined career goals. Is that true in the MIM level also? [9:22]

From a career perspective you do want to go into the program with some type of focus. The programs go by quickly and you need to have some sense of what you want to do to take advantage of all the resources. In London, finance and consulting recruiting starts early on- applications open in August, so you might not even have started the program yet. You need to be focused but flexible- have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C.

Let’s change the focus a bit. How do European MBA programs as a group differ from U.S. MBA programs, and I realize we’re talking in generalities, but I’d like an overview? [10:59]

European MBA programs tend to be a little bit shorter (12-18 months), as opposed to the more traditional two year format in the US. Obviously that makes a difference in price tag and living costs, but one is not better or worse, or right or wrong – it’s just what is best for you. In terms of work experience you see slightly more experienced students in European MBA programs, so a wider range of experience in your peer group. As I mentioned, make sure you are in a classroom learning from the types of individuals you feel you need to learn from, as you will learn just as much from students as faculty. In terms of class composition, European business schools have a more international cohort, with students looking to work in more broad-based locations.

What if I’d really love to spend a year or two in Europe either at an early-career program, a traditional full-time MBA, or even an EMBA or LBS’s Sloan Fellows program. But, I know I want to work in my home country. Will it be hard for me to come home and find a job? [13:23]

It depends on the amount of work you are willing to put into you career search. It’s important to think about your network. Most students look to grow their networks, so if you want to strengthen your network in Europe, look at European programs. The network at the school can also ultimately help you return home. Looking at the distribution of the alumni network and post-grad employment destinations is helpful. In terms of conducting due diligence before you leave and study abroad, work on strengthening your network at home. Build and maintain relationships so that when it’s time to return home you haven’t been forgotten.

Similarly, is it worth it if I want to live and work in my home country to have an international experience for my MiM or MBA? [15:54]

Having international experience is not a prerequisite. What is most important is that you demonstrate you have the interest in international experience and why you have that interest. That should be highlighted in your application and essays – how this international experience fits into your professional and personal journey.

You’ve convinced me! I’m applying to an MBA or MiM program, but plane flights from my continent to Europe or whatever continent I want to study on make school visits very expensive – and time consuming. How can I learn about programs and engage with the school if thousands of miles or kilometers separate us?  Or do I just have to bite the bullet and fly? [18:25]

If you have the opportunity to visit campuses, I certainly encourage you to do so. You will be spending a lot of money on a program so you want to make sure it is a place you feel comfortable. That said, there are plenty of ways to get the experience of what it is like without having to buy a plane ticket. Attend MBA or Masters fairs that may come locally to you, where you can meet with admin reps, alums, or students on exchange in your home country. There are webinars, virtual campus tours, and I always recommend talking with student ambassadors or alumni, though be mindful of the communication. You don’t want to bombard people, and you need to personalize the communications.

When you were reviewing applications for London’s EC programs, what was the one (or two) things that you wished they really understood about the admissions process or the program that most just didn’t get? [20:31]

I was always disappointed with applicants who looked great with experience and goals but didn’t put any effort into the application. We understand people are applying to multiple schools, but we want to see genuine interest, and submitting generic short answers, or essays with the wrong school in them, or no school-specific content is really disappointing. On the flip side it is equally important to be mindful of the admissions team’s time, so writing pages and pages on an essay with no word limit demonstrates a lack of awareness. It’s all about finding balance – demonstrating your sincere interest in a program and presenting it in a concise way.

What advice do you have for applicants in the midst of applying to early career management programs or to European MBA programs? [22:21]

It’s not too late to do the due diligence we spoke about earlier – reach out to admissions teams, students, or alums. For anyone looking to apply for the August 2018 intake look at scholarship deadlines since you might see deadlines passing. For international students who might need a visa, look at the visa timeline as well, since you want to have idea of what to expect if accepted.

What about those planning ahead for a 2018-19, 2019-20, or later application? [23:35]

Definitely use time to your advantage. Take time to prepare for the GMAT or GRE – make a study plan. Do in-depth research on the programs – visit campus or check when the fairs come around. Have a look at the current application form and essays so you have some idea of what it will be like. Some schools change questions slightly year to year, but you will get a feel for the type of individual and values they want to see. Application deadlines also vary slightly year to year along with the calendar change, so build a timeline and work backwards.

Related Links:

• About Jamie Wright
• Contact Jamie Wright
• MiM Application Packages
• MBA Admissions Consulting Services 

Related Shows:

• Jamie’s Podcast from Last November
• MIT Sloan Master in Finance: How to Get In!
• UCLA’s MS in Business Analytics: Prep for the Sexiest Job of the 21st Century
• Contemplating a Career in Data Science/Business Analytics?

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The post Early Career Management and European MBA Programs with Jamie Wright [Episode 249] 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 Bruna Moreira…

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

Bruna: I am from Brazil and I lived and studied my whole life there. I studied International Relations as an undergrad at Pontificia Universidade Catolica (PUC-Rio) in Rio de Janeiro.

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

Bruna: I am a first year student at London Business School (LBS). My graduation year is 2018.

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

Bruna: I was looking for three things when I was researching business schools: diversity, international opportunities and collaborative environment. At first, I did not even look at European schools, and US was my first thought. However, when I came to London to visit my sister (she’s been living in London for five years now) I decided to attend a campus presentation and found out LBS was just everything I was looking for! It is a two year course, which gives you more time to explore opportunities. The class is really diverse – there are 70 nationalities in my class and only 10% are from the UK. London is an easy place to travel everywhere, I just came from South Korea (a trip organized by Koreans in the school) and it is just a 12 hour flight from London. From my home city, it would take me at least 25 hours flying to get there. The students organize trips, and we also have a compulsory international module. I am very interested in different cultures and LBS is providing me a lot of opportunities to explore this. The third important aspect for me is the collaborative environment. As I was looking for diversity, it wouldn’t be very useful if the class was very competitive and not willing to share knowledge and experience with me. More than anything, I wanted the experience to be enjoyable and enriching and not a stressful one. I really loved everybody from LBS I talked to before applying, students are really helpful, honest and approachable. I knew I would feel good at LBS.

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

Bruna: My favorite things are certainly the diversity and the location. Both of these aspects combined open so many opportunities to all of us and there are always a lot of activities happening simultaneously. Making choices can be very hard: you keep learning about new industries, new companies, new destinations to travel to… For me it was very important to not be isolated in a small town as I wanted to get work experience outside Brazil and make the most of this experience in terms of international opportunities.

One thing I would change is expanding the campus more quickly. There are already two buildings acquired by the school but not finished yet and space is a challenge. Sometimes we have exams outside the campus, which is not a big problem for me as location is usually close to the school but it would be better to do them always on campus.

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

Bruna: I’ve never done exams on computers, so the GMAT was my first challenge. Exams in Brazil are very different, as an example usually we get at least one hour to do something like AWA, which is double the time the GMAT allows. In my first simulation I think I wrote just one or two paragraphs. I studied for the GMAT only through online courses for about three months while also working full-time and doing some volunteer work. I would stay up with coffee and chewing gum until 4 am almost every day. I had to wake up at 6.30 am to go to work.

About the LBS application process, I always believed in being true to myself. So I just tried to reflect on myself and what I wanted for the future, understand the underlying causes and forces that shaped my career up to that point. Probably what really helped me was that on the research process I was already looking for a school to fit my needs and plan so I did not need to fit myself to the school. In the end I only applied to UK schools and LBS was clearly appropriate for achieving my goals, and I think the admission team could also see that.

Accepted: You’re extremely involved at LBS and even co-founded your own company, Green It Yourself Now! Can you share a little about your endeavors?

Bruna: I am doing a lot of things simultaneously and I am probably crazy! But I run the Green It Yourself Now! Blog with my sister and we are planning its expansion to an online business. I work part-time as a Marketing Intern for busuu, an e-learning company and I am also VP Marketing for the Sports Business Club at LBS.

I really love to connect with people online and share information and all my endeavors are in a way connected to this. I manage the Facebook account for GIY Now and Sports Business Club and also the twitter profiles: GIY Now and SBC.

I confess sometimes it is hard to manage all these activities but I get a lot of support from other people and keeping focused and organized is certainly the key to keep going even at challenging times.

Accepted: Lastly, what are your plans for after graduation?

Bruna: I am really happy that one of my main goals is already achieved: working for a start-up at Old Street Roundabout in London (the “Silicon Valley” here) and I am experiencing a much more flexible and vibrant working environment. I only worked in really big companies in Brazil so this is a very different experience for me. After graduation I plan to work in Tech or Telecom (I had experience in both industries prior to the MBA) but I want to stay in London. Right now I haven’t decided the size of the company or the niche I want to be working in but I am certainly enjoying the start-up environment for now.

Besides this I plan to turn Green It Yourself Now! Into a profitable small business. The aim of the blog is to help people improve their homes, quality of life and contribute to a better environment and we think a small company is suitable for this but we figured out just sharing knowledge is not enough. We have really good content, but it can be time consuming for a reader to apply all our tips. We want to offer a little bit more than tips and help our readers further on improving their homes and saving money on bills.

You can follow Bruna’s journey by checking out her Twitter (@BrunaMoreira87) or by connecting with her on LinkedIn of by checking out her company Green It Yourself Now!. Thank you Bruna for sharing your story with us – we wish you continued 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:

• College Students, Recent Grads Interested in Business: London is Calling!, a podcast episode
• 3 Ways to Determine Which B-Schools are a Good Fit for You
• Why Study Abroad for Your MBA at All?

The post Diversity and International Innovation at LBS 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 Sara Ganz…

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

Sara: Born in raised in Miami, Florida, I grew up immersed in a cultural hub – studying history, musical theater, art, and literature. After falling in love with strategic business operations during my pre-college internship, I pursued an undergraduate degree in Economics and Psychology at Harvard College.

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

Sara: I am currently completing a one-year Masters in Financial Analysis degree at London Business School, which is centrally located in London adjacent to Regents Park.

Accepted: How did you know the MFA program at London Business School was the right “fit” for you?

Sara: My older brother graduated from the University of Chicago in 2012 and earned a Masters in Management from London Business School in 2013. My decision to attend LBS was largely reflective of how stellar his experience had been and how much he developed personally and professionally within the scope of his one-year program.

When London Business School announced that they were launching a Masters in Financial Analysis Programme for recent college graduates, I was eager to complement my broad liberal arts undergraduate experience with a specialized finance program, through which I am gaining practical training across financial sectors. London Business School has a remarkably acclaimed faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, a wide array of technological training, and serves as a global hub for innovation, bringing in key thought leaders from around the world. Following my masters, I will be joining The Estée Lauder Companies, a global enterprise in 150 countries. To me, studying in a global environment is advantageous to understanding international business on a more personal level.

Accepted: Looking back at the application process, did you experience any challenges applying internationally?

Sara: As an American, I had a very straightforward visa application process. London Business School provided comprehensive instructions that rendered what I anticipated to be an arduous process quite simple.

Accepted: What are some of your most rewarding extracurricular activities (both before entering LBS and current activities)? How have those activities helped shape your career?

Sara: Since I was young, in addition to the arts, my most rewarding extracurricular activities have been philanthropically oriented. And I have always wanted to work for a company that engages profoundly with community outreach. In addition to believing in the brands they develop, I was drawn to ELC for their continued dedication to innovation, sustainability and prolific giving campaigns. During one of my internships with ELC, I was humbled to work on the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign which was founded in house by Evelyn Lauder in 1992. At both Harvard and London Business School, I launched BCA Campaigns to educate women (and men) about the benefits of early detection after discovering alarming statistics regarding the increasing numbers of women in their 20s and 30s who are at risk for developing breast cancer.

At London Business School, the clubs are inclusive to all academic programs – spanning Early Careers, MBA’s, Executive MBA’s, etc. Therefore, joining these organizations is an amazing way to interact with the broader LBS community. I am on the executive committee for the annual TEDxLondonBusinessSchool conference as well as the Retail & Luxury Goods Club eCommerce conference, both of which will be held this May. I am also a member of Women in Business, Finance Club, Investment Society, Salsa Club, Women’s Touch Rugby Club, and the Sundowners Committee – an organization that plans weekly events for the school community. Through these organizations, I have further developed my strategic planning and time management skills.

Accepted: What have been your favorite aspects of LBS thus far? Has studying in another country been everything you expected?

Sara: Throughout the calendar year, London Business School organizes various Global Immersion Field Trips (called GIFTs) around the world. Recently, I traveled to Hong Kong and Shanghai with fifty classmates. In partnership with Fudan University, we gained firsthand insights into Chinese business practices, negotiation strategies, and techniques to facilitate successful western corporate integration. This was by far the most interesting school trip I have ever been on and one of my favorite LBS experiences. We even had the chance to visit the newly launched Disney Shanghai, which incorporated distinctly Chinese influences into the traditional Disney franchise.

Accepted: Lastly, can you share any tips you may have for U.S. students who are considering applying abroad? Anything you wish you would have known?

Sara: While one-year masters programs are only just beginning to gain traction in the U.S., they have been, and continue to remain, very popular in the UK and EU. In addition to the MBA and EMBA, LBS offers three one-year programs, two for students recently out of college (Masters in Management, Masters in Financial Analysis) and one post-professional (Masters in Finance).

Considering the diversified portfolio of clubs at LBS, many of which organize treks to different parts of the globe, there are innumerable opportunities to travel with your peers and classmates. In addition, by proxy of living in London, traveling around Europe is easy and affordable. I am currently on a train to Paris to visit friends from college for the weekend, and have upcoming trips planned to Prague, Amsterdam, Belgium, Morocco, and Rome. Living in the USA makes traveling abroad quite difficult, and I highly recommend taking the opportunity to study abroad.

At London Business School, I have gained a network of incredible friends – truly inspiring individuals who have not only made this year dynamic, exciting and fun but have also provided a window into their unique cultural backgrounds. Studying in an international classroom is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This year has already been truly transformative, and I am so lucky to be returning to New York next year with such a global network and perspective.

Thank you Sara for sharing your experience with us – we wish you continued success!

For one-on-one guidance on your med 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:

• College Students, Recent Grads Interested in Business: London is Calling! [Episode 180]
• LBS Launches New Finance Master’s For New Grads
• Today London, Tomorrow the World!

The post Today London, Tomorrow the World! One Year MFA at LBS appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

As most of you slow down for the holiday season, and some of you speed up to make the upcoming admissions deadlines, we thought it would be a great opportunity to do an encore of Linda’s excellent interview with Jamie Wright, the Senior Recruitment and Admissions Manager at London Business School – Early Career Programs.

For the full show notes, click here.

Related Links:

• London Business School Masters in Management
• London Business School Global Masters in Management
• London Business School Masters in Financial Analysis
• London Business School 2016-17 MBA Essay Tips
• London Business School Zone Page

Related Shows:

• The Scoop on the London Business School Masters in Management Program
• The CEMS MIM: A Truly International Masters in Management
• UVA MS in Global Commerce: 3 Continents, 2 Masters, 1 Amazing Year
• The Schwarzman Scholars Program: Leaders of the Future Unite

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The post Why London Business School Might be the School for You! [Episode 186 – Encore] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Click here for an updated interview: Early Career Management and European MBA Programs with Jamie Wright [Episode 249]

Over the last ten years we have seen a lot more options in graduate management education. I’ve highlighted some on previous shows like the recent shows we have had on the CEMS Masters in International Management or UVA’s MS in Global Commerce or MIT’s MS in Business Analytics.

Today it’s my pleasure to have back on Admissions Straight Talk Jamie Wright, Senior Recruitment and Admissions Manager at London Business School – Early Career Programs. She has been working with London Business School’s early career programs since 2009 and became the Senior Recruitment and Admissions Manager in 2012. She’s joining us today to discuss the expanding and evolving menu of early career options at London Business School. Welcome!

Can you give us an overview of the three early career options? [2:10]

Our flagship program is the Masters in Management (MiM), which is a one-year general management degree focusing on the fundamentals of business (finance, economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, etc), all with an aim to help students pursue careers in business. Most grads go into finance or consulting, but we’re seeing more of an interest in industry roles (tech, entrepreneurship, healthcare, etc).

The Global Masters in Management is a two-year degree. Students spend the first year in London, then go to Shanghai and spend the second year at Fudan University. At the end of the program, they receive two degrees: a MiM from LBS and a masters in International Business from Fudan University. Students gain insight into how business is done in both Europe and Asia.

The newest program is the Masters in Finance Analytics (MFA). It’s a specialist degree within the early career program, intended for students from heavily quantitative backgrounds (math, tech, finance, engineering).

Is knowledge of Chinese required for the Global MiM? [4:39]

It’s not required. We’re seeing people with various ranges of skills in Mandarin (some have studied abroad). We do offer language courses through the program, so it’s a great way for students to develop their skills together.

What is the difference between the MiM and an MBA? [5:50]

On average at LBS, MBA students have five to six years of work experience, which they are expected to bring into the classroom. Most early career students have internship experience, but not that same exposure to the business world.

Both programs address business fundamentals (the MBA program in the first of two years).

If I’m a potential applicant, how do I know when I’m better off going for the MiM or the MBA? [7:40]

It’s a very personal decision. Some companies and industries prefer MBAs, and it can be difficult to gauge at the early career stage if you’ll need an MBA someday in order to advance in your career.

If you have a dream job right out of college and you see the potential for promotion, it might be worth pursuing that and then going for the MBA later. But if you don’t quite know the direction you want, and you want to explore the recruiting landscape, or if you need to develop your business acumen or your soft skills, the early career programs can be a great support.

What if I did a MiM and then realized later that I need an MBA – could I go straight into the second year of the MBA program? [10:40]

There’s not currently a way to do that at LBS. But we are starting to see MiM grads go on to MBA programs in the US and Asia – to gain new networks, different faculty insights, and a new perspective. They’ve already had a European perspective.

How is the MFA different from the Masters in Finance at LBS? [11:40]

They’re aimed at people at two different points in their career. The MFA is for individuals who have less than one year of experience. And the Masters in Finance is for experienced professionals – on average, six years of work experience. They’re expected to bring that experience into the classroom.

How is the curriculum different? [13:00]

The MFA is more introductory. The curriculum is based around five pillars: corporate finance, asset management, accounting, financial markets, and financial econometrics.

You mentioned that most MiM grads go into finance and consulting, while the recruiting is diversifying. What careers do Global MiM grads go into? [14:30]

Actually, the first class of GMiM students just went to Shanghai for the second year of their program, so it’s too early for employment information.

But we will be running webinars this year with students there to see what their life is like in Shanghai.

Can you share any success stories from MiM grads?
We see success in many different ways. [16:05]

I was in Poland last week to meet with alumni, and saw an alum who’d worked with Goldman Sachs in London, and moved to a private equity firm just opening a new office in Warsaw. So he’s drawing on his experience and starting a new venture at the same time.

We have a lot of interesting stories of entrepreneurs. About 30 companies have been developed by MiM grads in diverse areas: a high-end shoe company, online services, a mobile salon (which recently partnered with designers for London Fashion Week). It’s interesting to see the directions students are going.

Have grads had success getting jobs outside the EU, or in the UK if they’re not UK citizens? [19:05]

Visa issues can complicate the search, but we have a fantastic career center. You need to be flexible (regarding location and company).

Students who are most successful in the job search are those who understand that there’s a Plan A, and five routes to get there. And if it doesn’t work, there’s Plan B, and a lot of routes to get there. And that flexibility is relevant to location as well.

There are a lot of opportunities at LBS, and we encourage students to take advantage of them to explore their interests. We also have a great alumni community in 42 countries – there’s always someone to talk to. Lots of resources, lots of opportunities.

Are you concerned about the impact of Brexit on LBS’s ability to place students in the coming years? [23:10]

It’s definitely something we’re keeping an eye on. Our career center is talking to hiring managers and doing research. We don’t have a lot to go on at this point.

The two areas for us will be hiring practices and immigration. We will continue to keep an eye on this as it develops.

What are the early career programs looking for in applicants? [25:10]

Applicants for all three programs need to meet basic entry requirements: GPA, GMAT/GRE, English proficiency.

Beyond that, we’re looking for individuals who are motivated to excel in the community here, can demonstrate that they motivated themselves to succeed in their undergrad careers (both inside and outside of the classroom); people who are engaged; people who are ambitious, and have pushed themselves to excel both in and out of the classroom. That out-of-the-classroom engagement can be professional, community service, sports, music – we’re looking for people who are passionate and have pursued those passions.

Do you have any preference when it comes to the GRE or GMAT? [27:35]

For the MFA, the CFA level 1 can substitute for the GRE or GMAT.

There are some industries (such as consulting) that prefer the GMAT, so if that’s your goal, it is worth going for the GMAT.

For the MFA, because we want students from very strong quantitative backgrounds, we look closely at applicants’ undergraduate programs.

What do you wish applicants understood? [30:00]

The main thing we’re trying to do is connect the dots: how your undergrad experience led to the MiM/MFA and how that will lead to your career, your rationale for pursuing the experiences you’ve had, and how the masters will fit.

We want to get a sense of your story and your voice: who you are as an individual. Not the voice you think we want to hear at the business school – but your voice.

What can applicants expect at the interview? [32:10]

The interview is competency-based. The interviewer will have read your application in depth. You may be asked about your experiences – why you pursued XYZ internship, what your motivation is to pursue the degree and career you’re interested in.

Do you have any tips for students applying for 2017, or looking ahead to 2018? [33:50]

For current juniors: use the time to prepare for the GMAT/GRE. And take some time to do research on the programs. We have student ambassadors – speak to students and alumni about the programs.

For seniors applying this year: keep in touch with us. Send us your CV for review. Don’t get overwhelmed with the application – look at each piece one at a time. Prepare for the GMAT one section at a time. Take some time to reflect on the application questions, and think about whether this is the right program for you. The MiM and MFA have two essays, and the GMiM also has a video component.

And stay in touch with us – ask us questions. We’re happy to give advice.

If you have any concerns over whether the early career degree is the right path, we’re happy to talk with you! We ultimately want you to submit the best application you can. [38:00]

Related Links:

• London Business School Masters in Management
• London Business School Global Masters in Management
• London Business School Masters in Financial Analysis
• London Business School Essay Tips

Related Shows:

• The Scoop on the London Business School Masters in Management Program
• The CEMS MIM: A Truly International Masters in Management
• UVA MS in Global Commerce: 3 Continents, 2 Masters, 1 Amazing Year
• The Schwarzman Scholars Program: Leaders of the Future Unite

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The post College Students, Recent Grads Interested in Business: London is Calling! [Episode 180] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

* For a complete list of the top 35 ranking MBA programs, see this table.

The eFinancialCareers article explains that the table is based on the number MBAs who have gone to work in a “front office” investment banking role upon graduation. (This includes corporate finance, equity research, or sales and trading.)

Thinking about pursuing an MoF? The top 30 Masters of Finance programs for investment banking recruiting look totally different. You can find that list here. 

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Related Resources:

• Which Business School Will Get Me to Wall Street?
• The Facts About Financial Services [Podcast]
• 4 Tips For Applying To B-School With Finance Experience

The post B-Schools That Rank for Landing Jobs in Investment Banking appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

This interview is the latest in an Accepted.com blog series featuring 

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

Vibhav: Born in the city of White Tigers, I am Vibhav. As a young boy my early childhood imbibed the exuberance of Mumbai, and my teenage years were groomed in the culture of the city of Pune, also called the Oxford of the east.

Coming from a family of engineers, I pursued engineering as my undergrad, almost a default choice of most Indian guys. While pursuing Instrumentation & Controls engineering, I spent more time outside than inside the classroom, participating and leading multiple student bodies.

It was while seeking corporate funding for one such event that I was headhunted by a reputable family owned business. I joined this firm, Forbes Marshall, which specialized in energy conservation and process control solutions for manufacturing industries. My experience delivering a sales turnaround for their consultancy service, launching an award winning digital marketing campaign and groundbreaking application of social media in B2B were ones that expanded my understanding of business and marketing and prepared me to pursue my MBA.

Accepted: Can you share three fun facts about yourself?

Vibhav:

1. Thanks to my dad, when most kids were learning electricity from textbooks I was visiting power plants. On one such visit my child-like curiosity led me to push a couple of colorful buttons which accidentally shut down the power plant. That curiosity still survives though.

2. The MBA program had us visit the breweries of Yanjing Beer Company in Beijing. Here our Chinese guide was struggling to explain the brewing process in English. Having professionally analyzed the manufacturing of almost all products first hand, including beers from Carlsberg to Budweiser, I stepped up to help him, to the utter surprise of our guide and my classmates. For the next half hour I was the new guide at Yanjing Beer Company.

3. My friends comment that in the last one year I have posted more pictures on Facebook than my cumulative total posts in the last 8 years on the network. But I guess when you travel to 8 countries in one year of study, such things are bound to happen!

Accepted: Which business school did you attend? 

Vibhav: I pursued my MBA at the full time partnership program run by the University of Hong Kong and London Business School. The University of Hong Kong has a partnership with London Business School, Columbia Business School and Fudan University and students based on their choice and fit are at the onset of the program allocated to one of the partnership tracks. One thus graduates as an alum of both HKU and the partner school.

Accepted: Why did you choose that program? How were you a good fit?

Vibhav: Asia is where most of the global businesses are gravitating towards, and China has long been the factory of the world. Asia is an amalgamation of very different cultures of which I only had experience of the Indian culture. I had an opportunity to leverage my roots and build my career in this region of growth, for which I needed exposure to SE Asia and China. The University of Hong Kong offered the perfect gateway into this region. Having been consistently ranked #1 in Asia by the Economist for the past 5 consecutive years, its unique partnership structure with leading western business school gave it the perfect blend of the best of east and west.

The University of Hong Kong’s full time MBA program has a small class size of around 55. This means that if you are very picky in making friends, you are not left with many options.

Further, the program begins in Beijing, where the class spends a month learning basic Mandarin and getting exposed to the Chinese culture. You then move to Hong Kong and by the time you settle down its time to move to either London or New York. This requires the students to come with an extremely flexible mindset that is ready to be constantly on the move and absorb different cultures. Coming from a business development background, I was used to being on the move and was comfortable working with people of different mindsets. I guess this is why I fit very well within the culture of the program.

Accepted: Where are you currently working? What role did London Business School/Hong Kong have in helping you secure that position? 

Vibhav: I have joined the revenue management team of UPS at their APAC headquarters in Singapore. Revenue management is a part of the marketing function at UPS, and the bulk of my work would be to increase margin and profits in UPS’s freight forwarding business across the APAC region. With Singapore being almost the logistics capital of Asia, and with the recent dynamic developments in this industry, I am very excited with the learning that comes along with this role.

My first connection with UPS was made when I was President of the Industry Club. I had the opportunity to invite a guest speaker from UPS (Hong Kong) to share insights from the supply chain industry with the club. From there, things took their own course and I landed in Singapore. I thus owe it to HKU that it gave me a platform to interact with UPS, which together with the thought leaders in supply chain management that I came across at both HKU and LBS ensured I was abreast with the latest developments in this domain.

The best part of the MBA program I believe is that it teaches you how to pursue your dreams and equips you with the tools to do so.

Accepted: Looking back at the application process, what would you say was your greatest challenge? How would you advise other applicants who may be experiencing similar challenges? 

Vibhav: There is enough advice out there on how to approach the school selection, essays, interviews, etc. I believe the greatest challenge is to maintain your motivation levels and keep trying despite the dings from ‘dream’ schools. The MBA admissions process is as much an art as a science, and the sooner we accept this the better. It’s easy to get emotionally attached to the outcome of the application, but the key in my opinion is to be pragmatic and treat this as a process.

A positive aspect of this process is that the countless essays you write is only a preparation for what lies ahead. When you write those cover letters for your dream jobs after the MBA, the MBA application essays will seem like a cakewalk.

Accepted: Can you share a few more tips for international applicants?

Vibhav: International candidates – especially from ‘overrepresented’ pools – often embark on something akin to a carpet bombing strategy and apply to as many schools as they can because the odds are stacked against us. I know because I was guilty of this myself. The catch with this approach is that we often disregard soft aspects such as geography and the community which should be important decision criteria. I will elaborate on these points.

Where the school is located strongly impacts your career choices. For example Hong Kong is a definite financial center but it caters mostly to business from mainland China which makes knowledge of Mandarin essential. So if you hope to work in China you must be prepared to learn Mandarin. Further, as a general rule, it’s difficult to find opportunities in a geographical area you do not live in. So if you choose a school in Europe with final aspirations of working in the US post MBA, it will be very difficult.

Community is something that I wrote about passionately in my essays but I only realize its value after I completed the MBA. In simple words, the community is by far the bulk of what your MBA experience will be made of. If you don’t like the community you are part of, you will not contribute to it and neither will you be able to extract value out of it. We must remember an MBA is a significant investment of time and money and with it we should only get for ourselves a community we will forever be proud to be associated with. When I moved to Singapore from Hong Kong, the first people I contacted were alumni from University of Hong Kong and from London Business School. That should tell you how I value the community I now belong to.

Continue the conversation with Vibhav in the comments section below or by contacting him via LinkedIn. Thank you Vibhav for sharing your story with us – we wish you loads of luck!  

For one-on-one guidance on your b-school application, please see our MBA Application Packages.

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Related Resources:

• Leadership in Admissions [free guide]
• 2015 Bloomberg Business MBA Rankings
• 4 Tips For Indian MBA Applicants

The post An Indian in China: An International B-School Journey 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.

—

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.

—

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

—

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.

—

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.

—

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.

—

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.

—

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.

—

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.

—

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.

—

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

The post The MBA Admissions Directors’ Recipe for Rejection appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Indian School of Business

Teeming, packed, noisy streets connecting the serene, sprawling, park-like campuses of Infosys and the Indian School of Business. Slum hovels just yards/meters away from beautiful apartment buildings.

These are a few of the images from the busy three days I, and roughly 16 other MBA admissions consultants, spent in Hyderabad, India as guests of the Indian School of Business. We made the trip to learn more about this top-ranked business school with a distinctive structure and mission.

ISB Hallway

ISB Deputy Dean Deepak Chandra addressed us on Tuesday morning and provided a brief history of ISB and clarified its focus. In two words: Emerging markets.  Since ISB’s exceptionally strong partnership with Kellogg, Wharton, and London Business School brings a steady stream of professors to teach in ISB classrooms frequently using HBS cases, students certainly study about developed countries and economies. However, the faculty focuses its research on developing markets. The professors naturally bring that research into the classroom and also offer students the opportunity to assist them. Whether it’s the Centre for Entrepreneurship, the Centre for Leadership, Innovation and Change, the Centre for Real Estate or any of the others, according to Dean Chandra, the research will seek to answer these questions:

• How do emerging market economies differ from developed economies?
• How do different emerging market economies differ from each other, and what can they learn from each other?
• What can developed countries learn from emerging markets?

ISB Courtyard

This focus on developing economies was echoed by the international students we met. To paraphrase one Spanish student, Daniel, “I wanted to go where there is growth, and that’s not in Europe or the US, where growth has slowed or stopped.” Articulate and bright, he has been thrilled with ISB and its emerging market passion.  He already has a job at Novartis in Hyderabad and will start working there after graduation. He assumes he will return at some point to Europe and is convinced his Indian experience will only add to his resume and job prospects wherever he goes.

Mr. V. K. Menon, ISB’s Senior Director of Career Advancement Services, provided a solid basis for Daniel’s assumption. He explained that multi- nationals in Asia, like Novartis, the strategy consulting companies, or large financial concerns, love to hire people who have Asian experience and a European or US passport. These individuals have fewer visa issues when continuing their careers in the EU or the US. With their emerging market experience and graduate business education, they are better prepared to be global business leaders.

Throughout our sessions with students and alumni, we asked about the ISB student experience. They are pleased overall with the accessibility of the faculty, the quality of teaching, the professional diversity amongst their fellow students. A few marveled at the spectacular ISB campus, and the level of assistance and support provided to students – all reside on the 260-acre campus, which has its own ATM, grocery store, pool, fully equipped gym, and basic medical facilities.  (We felt like we were in a serene bubble, an oasis, when we returned to campus after an outing in bustling Hyderabad.) A couple of current students actually wished the program was a little longer. They felt it is so intense that they can’t experience it fully or take advantage of as many of opportunities as they would have liked.

When we sat in on a class, I was impressed with the students’ engagement in the class discussion. They asked good questions and had thoughtful responses to the professor’s questions. I didn’t see anyone checking email or Facebook; I can’t say the same for other MBA classes I have attended.

ISB Library

A few students and members of the administration expressed regret that the program is not more geographically diverse. Only about 5% of students (not counting those on exchange programs) are not of Indian origin. That statistic reveals opportunity for the non-Indian passport holder interested in emerging markets as the foundation for a global management career.  It also represents opportunity for the student who is well-qualified (ISB has an average GMAT of 710 and climbing), wants a career in management consulting or investment banking, and is interested in experiencing India, but who can’t quite make the cut at the elite US or EU schools where those professions primarily recruit.

Essentially the foreign applicant is an “under-represented minority” on the ISB campus, and ISB wants to increase that representation.  I had the distinct impression that if the foreign applicant shows he or she can do the work, even if the GMAT is a little low or the GPA has some issues, or the applicant is attempting to change both function and industry – the toughest kind of career change – ISB will stretch to consider and accept that applicant. I also inferred that generous scholarships are available for admitted international applicants.

Infosys CampusIn contrast to international students, ISB has been very successful in recruiting top performing Indians in India. For India, a post-graduate, research-based, independent (i.e. not government-funded) program requiring full-time work experience is something new. Its ties to internationally renowned business schools add enormously to its appeal, not to mention its impressive placement record at leading corporations like Infosys, Novartis, Deloitte, McKinsey, Citicorp, Goldman Sachs, and many others.

In addition, as one alumnus – who has been working at Microsoft since graduating from ISB – pointed out, ISB can ease the transition for Indians abroad who want to both change careers/move into management and return to India. Since it is a one-year program, ISB also costs far less than the traditional US two-year program both in out-of-pocket expenses and opportunity cost.

I can’t tell you how glad I am that I decided to accept ISB’s invitation to this conference. It was intense – probably mirroring the intensity of the program. Like all top MBA programs, ISB is a great fit for the right people — not for all people. I am convinced that more applicants should consider ISB than I believed when I left Los Angeles last Sunday at 6:00 AM.

If you would like to discuss whether ISB, the top Indian MBA program with a commitment to the study and service of emerging markets, is a fit for you, please feel free to contact me and write “ISB” in the comments box.

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.

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Although I am presenting our conversation in interview format, her responses are not verbatim quotes. They are based on my notes.

Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy (12 month program)

LA: Two of the things that are distinctive about the Sloan Fellows Program are that it’s a full-time residential program and that the applicants tend to be more experienced than regular MBA students. I noticed that London Sloan Fellows have 15-16 years of experience on average and that they need to be in decision –making roles when they apply. What are the minimum and maximum years of experience that you would recommend for a Sloan Fellow applicant?

BG: Although we look closely at the quality of an applicant’s work experience, the minimum amount of work experience is ten years. The maximum? There really isn’t one. Last year I believe our most experienced student had 25 years of work experience.

In terms of qualities we really want to our students to have progressed in their career and have worked their way up to a strategic decision-making role when they join our Sloan Fellows program. They will have been proactive in managing their careers, and many are at a turning point where they recognize that this is a crucial year to build skills and knowledge for the next phase.

What do you want to see in an applicant? What are the criteria for admitting Sloan Fellows?

We want our Sloan fellows to have had strategic decision-making experience. That quality is key. We want to see that they have moved up in their careers, that they have had successes and failures and more importantly they learned from these experiences.

Naturally we also want to see evidence to the intellect necessary to succeed in this program.

What are the typical educational and professional backgrounds of participants in the Sloan Fellows Program?

It varies widely. We tend not to focus so much on undergraduate grades, but we do want to see either in the GMAT or the transcript or the work, that an applicant can handle the coursework, specifically the quantitative aspects of the program.

Given the importance of experience in the Sloan Fellows program, how important is the GMAT?  Is it a major factor in the admissions decision?

It is one element in the decision-making process. Our GMAT average is about 650, and we don’t place as much emphasis on it as does the regular MBA. It is not the be-all and end-all of the decision-making process. Again, we want to see somewhere evidence that an applicant has the quant skills and can handle the work. The GMAT is one way to present that evidence especially for applicants who have been out of school for ten or more years.

Sometimes we see that evidence from work experience or the essays. Sometimes we see it in the references, which we review carefully. Occasionally we will see it from a candidate’s performance in a previous MBA.

The application process is already tough, with a lot of information and essays that should stretch you to demonstrate your candidacy. The GMAT supports this and also helps us position successful candidates in study groups.

Do you accept the GRE?

As a business School we are always reviewing selection tools however at present the GMAT is required.

Is London Business School’s Sloan Fellows program experiencing stable, increasing, or declining application volume?

Last year they trended down slightly. At this stage in a candidate’s career, the level of self selection is very high, and this is a niche program.   The application quality indicators have been good – even improving.

What percentage of Sloan Fellows is sponsored at this point in time? 

20-25% are sponsored at least partially. Sponsorship numbers can also vary by geographic region. For example, students from Japan and Korea are almost always sponsored.

Does sponsorship play a role in the admissions decision?

Somewhat. It is vote of confidence from a third party who is willing to invest in an applicant. Sponsored applicants also have a clear path and job waiting for them when they complete the program. It’s great to know someone can go back.

Do fellows have access to the career services even if sponsored?

Yes. They have access to all career services’ events and services. Our career services provide an opportunity to network even if someone is returning to a previous employer. They teach valuable resume and interview skills, which a fellow may use at a future time in his or her career or may use as an employer seeking to hire staff.

There is a suite of skills development that inter-connects with the Leadership development strand of the curriculum, this offers valuable self analysis and frameworks to help a Sloan develop their career strategy.

We expect the fellows to act professionally, but the understanding that fellows have with their employers is between them and their employers. We provide the career services for our students.

What does Sloan Fellows offer self-sponsored students or those interested in entrepreneurship.

We offer a range of electives in entrepreneurship and just had an entrepreneurship fair. The courses cover different areas and sub-topics in entrepreneurship as well as finance, managing growth or new venture development.   The Sloan program offers those fellows interested in starting an entrepreneurial venture a place to prepare to launch that venture as well as a safe environment in which to develop and test their ideas.

What is the purpose of the online Pre-program and orientation?

The purpose of the online pre-program is to strengthen the fellows’ quant skills and prepare them for the demands of our core courses.  It’s a foundation for the classes that follow.

It also includes a thorough leadership questionnaire which will serve as the basis for our 360-degree leadership assessment.

The pre-program is entirely online, but the orientation is in residence and it provides an opportunity for fellows to get to know each other and the school. In that sense, it is a traditional orientation program.

Fellows can socialize with the people who will be in their study groups. They can get comfortable before the hard work starts. And they can learn about the 70 active clubs at London Business School. There are clubs for professional interests, recreational interests, and geographic regions, and these clubs are really the heart of the school. In addition students from all the programs participate in the clubs. So students in the Private Equity Club can come from the Sloan Fellows, the MBA, the EMBA, or the MS in Management programs.

It seems like the Third Term and the Optional Elective Block are optional. The site says “you have the flexibility to balance your elective choices with your reintegration back into the workplace.” What determines whether one stays in the classroom or returns to work?

London Business School prides itself on its flexibility. In that vein, the Sloan Fellows program offers fellows the option of completing their coursework in a very intensive two terms as opposed to the more typical three. We don’t recommend it and not many do it, but some are here for a sabbatical of a defined term and can’t take the full year. Others may get a lucrative job offer or simply have to get back to work. This option is there for them.

They still have to fulfill all requirements including at least one component in Term 3 so as I said it is very intense and compressed.

I realize that London Business School attracts students and professors from around the globe, but does it provide study opportunities outside the UK?

Yes. Sloan fellows take a trip to Shanghai every year. This is a one-week study trip where they learn about the Chinese economy and meet with business leaders to get insight into the Chinese business environment and economy.

In addition, and this is true of all London Business School programs, the education is internationally focused. Students learn organically how business differs from country to country.

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