Black MBA - Winter 2008/2009 - (Page 48)

EDUCATION Job Market Forecast Applying to an MBA Program? Avoid making these FIVE critical mistakes By Ivan Thomas TODAY’S TIGHT JOB market also makes for a tight MBA market. And when it comes to applying for an MBA program at a top college or university, candidates try their best to make their applications stand out from those of their competitors. But having the highest GPA or test score alone won’t get a person into business school. MBA committees are looking for a mixture of eye-popping achievements, solid test scores, originality and a compelling story. Those that miss the mark will end up shopping elsewhere. Here are some mistakes to avoid if you plan on getting accepted to the school of your choice. successful in the process. When people do it, I see it, and when they don’t, I see it.” Admissions boards can tell whether candidates are applying simply to overcome a roadblock en-route to the job they want, or if they really feel that the program is the right fit for them. Therefore, it is important for all applicants to make as unique and compelling an argument as possible. 3 1 TURNING YOUR APPLICATION IN LAST MINUTE OR LATE It may come as a surprise that of all things, the reason many candidates fail to gain entry into an MBA program is due to applications turned in late or at the last minute. In essence, they ruin their chances of acceptance before they are even considered for the program. “I can’t tell you how many people wait until the day before or the day of the deadline to call and ask if they can still send in their application,” says Alisa McMahon, information associate in the Graduate Programs Office at The Ohio State University – Fisher School of Business. “The answer is no, you had months to do it. They eliminate their chances right away.” McMahon recommends that candidates finish their applications with time to spare. A rushed application leaves too much room for error and is a quick ticket out of the selection pool. HAVING NO IDEA WHY YOU’RE APPLYING According to many in MBA admissions committees, a number of business school applicants are rejected for failure to express why they are applying for an MBA. All schools want to know how their particular program will help the candidate to achieve his or her professional and personal goals. Rosemaria Martinelli is the Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Admission at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. She says that many of the critical mistakes made by potential candidates are on the strategic side, where they neglect to properly assess themselves and detail to the school not only why they are qualified to attend, but why they want to attend. “When you apply, everything you submit is a representation of yourself,” Martinelli says. “One of the most important things that is often missed is that people fail to do an adequate self-assessment of where they have been, where they are going and why. This is something that you must detail to be 2 YOUR ESSAY IS INCORRECT, INCOMPLETE OR JUST PLAIN BORING Every year, thousands of MBA candidates across the country are denied from their dream schools simply because they failed to follow the directions on their essays and personal statements. Mae Jennifer Shores, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions and Financial AID at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, says that during her review of applications, she notices that many people either fail to answer the questions on the essay altogether or they misinterpret the questions, affecting the quality of their responses. “We get lots of essays where the questions are not answered correctly,” Shores notes. ”People will frequently work hard and come up with what they think is the right wordage for an essay, and then use it for another school’s essay that might ask subtly different questions.” Essays and the applications as a whole are reviewed by admissions several times by more than one person, so there is a great deal of work applied to selecting the most qualified, creative and skilled students. Applicants are expected to state more than the obvious, and convey through their writing a detailed description of who they are. “Most are just scratching the surface of the topic rather than drilling down and being introspective,” she says. “If one takes the time to conduct a thorough self-analysis, this will be reflected in their application, and it is cheaper than a career counselor.” 4 YOU TAKE BAD ADVICE It is not uncommon for people to peruse the Internet for tips or seek advice from peers when gathering insight on how to apply to graduate school. However, this approach often gives candidates a false sense of knowledge and security that could be costly when they actually engage in the application process. “Many people are guilty of allowing a lot of static to enter their decision-making process,” Shores says. “Many people listen to discussions, things on the Internet, friends and alumni 48 BlackMBA • Winter 2008/2009 • www.nbmbaa.org http://www.nbmbaa.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Black MBA - Winter 2008/2009

Black MBA - Winter 2008/2009 Contents Preserving Dr. King’s Legacy: Harry E. Johnson is Six Years and $100 million into his First Fundraising Effort Online: www.nbmbaa.org and www.blackmbaonline.com Up Front: Inauguration Takes Over D.C. From the President: Connecting With the Basics The First 100 Days – Already in Progress Back to Basics: Finances 101 Is the Middle Class Disappearing? – Your View From Medals to MBA Conference Highlights Market Forces: The Job of Trying to Find a Job in a Tight Market Applying to an MBA Program?: Avoid Making these Five Critical Mistakes How They Did It: Catching up with the Winning Teams from NBMBAA’s 2008 National Case Competition Change It Up: If a New Job is at the Top of your New Year’s Resolutions, it’s Time for Careful Planning and Preparation Bull Market: Now is the Time to Take Advantage of Web 2.0 On the Move: Member News, Promotions and More Backstage at BET: NBMBAA’s Leadership Institute Takes on BET’s Case for Growth Toronto Rising: NBMBAA’s Toronto Chapter is on a Progressive Track, Building Strong Partnerships and Exposure as Membership Climbs NBMBAA® Chapters: Find Your Local Chapter Here Do What You Love: Turning Your Passion into a Successful Business Requires Patience, Planning and Plenty of Hard Work Above and Beyond: Meet the Winners of the 2008 Wells Fargo/NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Excellence Award Decorating by Design: Michelle Rider Leaves Corporate Life for Entrepreneurship Culture Shock: Black Museums Nationwide Appeal for Greater Support from the People whose Heritage they Strive to Preserve Gear Up for 2009: Books to Herald Success in the New Year Advertiser Index: Who’s Who in the Issue

Black MBA - Winter 2008/2009

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