Sunday, February 28, 2010

For those who didn't make it this year...

Folks,

A number of you worked very, very hard towards your MBA application, applied to your dream schools and for whatever reason, didn't get in.  Here are some thoughts from one of our alums who was dinged everywhere with his first application but got in as a reapplicant...

"First of all, I know how much it hurts.  This is what you've wanted your whole life, or at least, the majority of your adult life, and now that it didn't quite work out, you have no idea what to do.   Easier said than done, but look ahead.  Here are the options you have:

1. Reapply in 2010
  • Apply in 2010 - Round 3 to a few schools that you like
  • Reapply - Many, many reapplicants are admitted - I was, much to my absolute surprise
  • Gives you time to strengthen your candidacy and plan a solid reapplicant strategy
  • Effort as a reapplicant is generally lesser than the first time you apply
  • Demonstrates that you really want to go to B-school
  • In the grand scheme of things, one year really isn't a long time
  • You know your fate by December 2010 or March 2011 (Round1 or Round2) - not that far away!
  • Suggestion for 2nd year Reapplicants:  If you really want to go to B-school and have applied to H/S/W two years in a row, think about applying to the other "big" schools - Booth, Kellogg, Fuqua, Ross - all fantastic programs.
2.  Rethink it later this year
  • Re-evaluate work and your personal life in June / July this year and decide where you stand
  • Is this something you really want?  Maybe not?  Maybe the 2 years and the $ are not worth it for your situation after all?
  • If it is something you want, where should you really apply?  Where do you have a good shot at getting in?  Give it some thought and plan a solid reapplicant strategy
3.  Forget about it
  • Look around you at the successful people around you - you'll realize that very few of them have MBA degrees
  • No one needs an MBA degree to succeed -- and this is not the end of the world
  • Consider the part time and executive programs - wouldn't it be nice to keep earning as you study?
  • A few years later, you might look back and think this was the best decision you ever made
When I was dinged, nothing anyone said was any consolation for me.  I reapplied and got in, but never really forgot how much it hurt when I didn't.  Hang in there, and figure out which of the three above you wanna do.. it's really not as bad as you think."

Wondering what to do next?  Consider our alum consulting service - write to us at essaycritique@gmail.com

MBA Consulting FAQ

1. What is the MBA Consulting Service?
Based on our experience, MBA applicants are all different in their needs.  Many have asked us if we will help them pick the right schools based on their application, review their resume or just general questions about how to represent a project at work.  Whether you have a quick question or need application definition and structuring help, you can now buy time with an MBA alum for this purpose.

2. How do you decide how much time my request will take?
When you send us your request (e.g. help me pick the schools I should apply to), we mutually agree on how much time that will require from the alum.  Our hourly rate is then applied to the number of minutes that the task requires.

3. What if I have a quick question that will take 10 minutes?  Will the alum answer it?
Sure, as long as it is a reasonable question that we think will take only a few minutes to respond to, we'll take these types of queries too.

4.  I would like complete application assistance - right from picking schools, writing essays, resume review, etc.  Can you help?
Yes, we can - send us an email at essaycritique@gmail.com and we'll be happy to discuss your requirements.

MBA Mock Interview FAQ

Why Do A Mock Interview?

The key to successful interviewing is to be self aware and practice, practice, practice. We've done real interviews for our B-Schools in the past and know what to look for. Our feedback is detailed and dispassionate and designed to help you project yourself as a candidate that the interviewer will root for.

1.  How quickly can an interview be scheduled?
An interview with one of the alums can be scheduled as early as within 24 hours.  If we are heavily booked,  we'll work with you to find an urgent slot. 

2. When are interviews conducted?
Most mock interviews are conducted either on weekdays, after 5 pm Eastern Time or on weekends at several times during the day.  If you would like to schedule a time besides this, we can work with you to find something.

3. How are mock interviews conducted?
Mock interviews are conducted over the phone, or over webcam using Gmail's video / voice functionality - the choice is your and based on your preference and accessibility.   Detailed instructions are sent out once the interview is scheduled.

4. Do you conduct mock interviews for applicants from outside the US?
Yes, we have conducted mock interviews for potential candidates from all over the world

5. How long does an interview last?  How and when is feedback provided?
Interviews last for 30 minutes, after which the interviewer provides feedback and answers questions for about 15 minutes.  If you want written feedback, you can opt to buy this for an additional $30.

6. Are interviews conducted for a specific school?
Most interviews are conducted for a specific school but we also conduct "generic interviews" if you are interviewing at multiple schools and don't want to do a separate interview for each one.

7. Can I request which alum conducts my mock interview?
Yes.  If you are interviewing at Wharton, for instance, we will get our Wharton alum to do the interview or another alum who was successful interviewing at Wharton.  

More questions?  Email us at essaycritique@gmail.com

Sunday, February 21, 2010

More Interview Tips from Recent Interview Experiences

Folks,

Based on what we are hearing from our clients who are interviewing at HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Ross, Duke, Booth, Kellogg, LBS, etc., some new interview tips for you.

Before you go, a few reminders to be prepared...

- To speak to each experience on your resume in detail, if asked to, and don't be caught by surprise when asked to deep dive on a extra curricular hidden away at the bottom of your resume
- To introspect and explain what your REAL weaknesses are when asked - 7 of 10 people say they "over commit" and are "perfectionists"
- For a probing / not so casual interview, especially if you are interviewing with Ad Com at any school
- To discuss why you chose the academic track that you did or the undergraduate university that you did
- To discuss why you switched careers or companies if you did
- To explain your short term and long term goals in the context of your experiences
- To explain a major accomplishment in any specific role
- To discuss behavioral situations that applied in various professional and community experiences - e.g., tell me about a time when you faced conflict in company xyz

Hope this helps!

Friday, February 19, 2010

HBS Interview Experience and Tips

Over the last few weeks, a number of you wrote to us asking if the HBS alum could post a blog on the HBS interview experience so here it is...

"The HBS interview is not the Wharton interview - don't go in expecting a casual conversation that you can drive.  Go in expecting an interview that will be driven mostly by the interviewer.  Expect them to be taking notes and assessing you during the interview.  Expect a few tough questions - also, expect that you will get almost no encouragement from the interviewer while you are speaking.  Of course, it could turn out that your experience is much more casual than this, but we would encourage you to go in expecting this. 

The interviewer will know you, your profile, your essays and your resume before you even step in to the room.  They will look to see if they hear the same person that they read about - so be sure to stay authentic and true to the voice that you reflected in your application. 

There could be one or maybe more deep dives into your resume - be prepared with at least a few snippets or phrases that you want to cover when a question like this comes up for any of the experiences you have on your resume.  Same with questions about your undergraduate education. Expect a few behavioral questions too. 

HBS interviewers are either AdCom or a few select alumni so they are experts are doing this (vs. interviewing with students at some other schools).   Walk in confident, but not arrogant, and describe your experiences with humility.  Show your personal side and give the interviewer something to remember you by when they are done at the end of the day.  

Don't forget to Practice, Practice, Practice - webcam, mirror, mock interview with family / friends (and us!).  Good luck!"

To do a mock interview with a HBS alum, send us your preferred time slots (EST) in an email at essaycritique@gmail.com