Forum Home > GMAT > Quantitative > Problem Solving (PS)
Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 2208:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Nov 2606:00 PM PST
-07:00 PM PST
Looking to secure a coveted spot at a top business school? Our team of seasoned MBA admissions consultants, including top B schools alumni and industry leaders, is here to help turn your dreams into reality. Let’s kick-start your journey to success!
Nov 2712:00 PM EST
-01:00 PM EST
There are numerous compelling options beyond the M7 schools. Download Personal MBA Coach's free Beyond the M7 Essay Analysis e-book and get insider advice on how to tackle this year's essay questions.
Dec 0207:00 PM SGT
-08:00 PM SGT
Gain exclusive insights about our Specialised Masters programmes at these upcoming online sessions, where our students from each specialised masters programmes will share genuine moments and happenings from application and more.
Updated on: 16 Aug 2019, 12:33
Originally posted by IvyGroupeCEO on 12 Sep 2017, 21:50.
Last edited by IvyGroupeCEO on 16 Aug 2019, 12:33, edited 15 times in total.
Last edited by IvyGroupeCEO on 16 Aug 2019, 12:33, edited 15 times in total.
Kudos
Bookmarks
Shaifali Aggarwal, the Founder/CEO of Ivy Groupe, is a graduate of Harvard Business School (HBS) and Princeton University. At HBS, Shaifali served as VP Admissions of the Women’s Student Association; in this role, she collaborated directly with the HBS Admissions Office as a liaison between current and prospective/admitted students. Prior to founding Ivy Groupe, Shaifali was EVP, Business Development & Strategy as well as a Senior MBA Admissions Consultant at a leading admissions company.
Because of her deep knowledge of the MBA application process, Shaifali has been quoted as an expert in U.S. News and Business Insider; additionally, she has been a contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, and The Muse. She has also been a featured speaker on the QS World MBA Tour and has led webinars on GMAT Club and Beat The GMAT focusing on the MBA application process. Over the past 6+ years, Shaifali has successfully helped hundreds of applicants from around the world gain admission to top-tier MBA programs. She is a member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC).
Ivy Groupe offers the following services:
- Comprehensive Packages
- Hourly Services
- Course: Crafting Compelling Business School Applications
- Pre-MBA Package
Why Partner With Us?
- From Day 1, you know that Shaifali, a highly experienced MBA Admissions Consultant, will be your primary Consultant. This differs from other MBA admissions consulting firms that pair you with a Consultant who they think will be the best fit; these Consultants are primarily working part time or may be less experienced
- You will benefit from input from our Advisory Board, comprised of professionals who have attended top-tier MBA programs and who understand the MBA admissions process
- We use a highly customized approach when working with you. Our process is very collaborative; we engage in an interactive dialogue with you to craft the most authentic and compelling applications
- Sign up for our emails at ivygroupe.com for tips/updates, to stay ahead of the competition, AND to receive our FREE GUIDE on the "Top 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Business School"
- Free Consultation: Please click here or email us at info@ivygroupe.com to request a free consultation if you are applying in the near future. We look forward to hearing from you!
Attachment:
Ivy Groupe_150x150.jpg [ 36.95 KiB | Viewed 68923 times ]
21 Sep 2017, 08:30
Kudos
Bookmarks
The Key to a Successful Business School Application
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” –Oscar Wilde
“How do I get into the top business schools? What can I do to stand out from the competition? Is there a ‘formula’ that will help me get accepted into the MBA programs of my choice? My friend/colleague got into [fill in the blank] by focusing on [fill in the blank] on his/her apps – should I do the same thing?”
I often get asked these questions from clients and prospective clients seeking an edge in the business school application process, and of course, I understand what is prompting these questions. The MBA admission landscape has never been more competitive; for example, Harvard Business School’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2018 was 11% and Stanford’s was 7%. Given such tough odds, how does a candidate shine in a pool of very qualified applicants?
Here’s the answer: by being authentic.
So what does it mean to be authentic? Simply, as Oscar Wilde so aptly stated, by being yourself. Here are three ways in which to come across as authentic in a business school application.
Draw upon your unique experiences and perspective
What you have experienced throughout your life – in school, personally, at the workplace – is what makes you YOU. There is no other single person in this world who has walked in your shoes, had your exact experiences, and seen the world from your eyes. As a result, what may have helped a friend/colleague gain admission to a business school will most likely not work for you. Think about the experiences that have shaped you into the person you are today and jot them down. Talk to those closest to you to get their thoughts and make sure you are capturing the full picture. Are there common themes that emerge from those stories? Remember, Admissions Committees want to understand the living person beyond the two-dimensional application.
Talk about the why
Business school applications are really more about the why than the what. Anyone can talk about his/her experiences and accomplishments, but what really sets an application apart is providing color on why something has been instrumental in shaping you or why something means so much to you. This interpretation – for example, the impact that you have had, the obstacles that you have overcome, the lessons that you have learned – is what makes you authentic. Your diverse insights will help you be a meaningful contributor to your class; therefore, it is imperative that the why comes through in your applications.
Convey your voice
While business school essays are formal pieces of work, they should be written in your voice. If you have a certain style of writing, don’t be afraid to let that shine through! Although you may get feedback from family members, friends, (and yes, MBA admissions consultants!), it is extremely important that you make the ultimate call when it comes to your essays since they represent you, your accomplishments, your perspective, and your values.
All the pieces to create a compelling application are within you; by drawing upon your unique experiences and perspective, talking about the why, and conveying your voice, you will be well on your way to crafting an authentic application.
Contact us at https://www.ivygroupe.com/contact or info@ivygroupe.com to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our Founder, an HBS grad and MBA admissions expert!
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” –Oscar Wilde
“How do I get into the top business schools? What can I do to stand out from the competition? Is there a ‘formula’ that will help me get accepted into the MBA programs of my choice? My friend/colleague got into [fill in the blank] by focusing on [fill in the blank] on his/her apps – should I do the same thing?”
I often get asked these questions from clients and prospective clients seeking an edge in the business school application process, and of course, I understand what is prompting these questions. The MBA admission landscape has never been more competitive; for example, Harvard Business School’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2018 was 11% and Stanford’s was 7%. Given such tough odds, how does a candidate shine in a pool of very qualified applicants?
Here’s the answer: by being authentic.
So what does it mean to be authentic? Simply, as Oscar Wilde so aptly stated, by being yourself. Here are three ways in which to come across as authentic in a business school application.
Draw upon your unique experiences and perspective
What you have experienced throughout your life – in school, personally, at the workplace – is what makes you YOU. There is no other single person in this world who has walked in your shoes, had your exact experiences, and seen the world from your eyes. As a result, what may have helped a friend/colleague gain admission to a business school will most likely not work for you. Think about the experiences that have shaped you into the person you are today and jot them down. Talk to those closest to you to get their thoughts and make sure you are capturing the full picture. Are there common themes that emerge from those stories? Remember, Admissions Committees want to understand the living person beyond the two-dimensional application.
Talk about the why
Business school applications are really more about the why than the what. Anyone can talk about his/her experiences and accomplishments, but what really sets an application apart is providing color on why something has been instrumental in shaping you or why something means so much to you. This interpretation – for example, the impact that you have had, the obstacles that you have overcome, the lessons that you have learned – is what makes you authentic. Your diverse insights will help you be a meaningful contributor to your class; therefore, it is imperative that the why comes through in your applications.
Convey your voice
While business school essays are formal pieces of work, they should be written in your voice. If you have a certain style of writing, don’t be afraid to let that shine through! Although you may get feedback from family members, friends, (and yes, MBA admissions consultants!), it is extremely important that you make the ultimate call when it comes to your essays since they represent you, your accomplishments, your perspective, and your values.
All the pieces to create a compelling application are within you; by drawing upon your unique experiences and perspective, talking about the why, and conveying your voice, you will be well on your way to crafting an authentic application.
Contact us at https://www.ivygroupe.com/contact or info@ivygroupe.com to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our Founder, an HBS grad and MBA admissions expert!
19 Oct 2017, 12:39
Kudos
Bookmarks
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Business School
After having spent 5+ years formally coaching clients through the business school application process and time before that informally coaching friends and colleagues, there are common mistakes that many applicants make that I have come across.
Here are five mistakes to avoid when you are applying to business school so that your applications stand out from the competition:
Not crafting authentic applications
Many candidates are tempted to craft business school applications according to what they believe Admissions Committees want to see and/or according to what may have worked for a friend/colleague in the past. However, members of Admissions Committees have read thousands of applications over the years and can easily detect whether a candidate is being genuine or is just trying to curry favor with them. Do not try to be someone you’re not in the application. I cannot stress this enough – authenticity is really the key to a successful application (please read my blog post above on this topic)! The most successful applications are those where candidates are true to themselves by drawing upon their unique experiences and perspectives.
Having generic Post-MBA goals
A key aspect of the business school application and interview is expressing what you would like to pursue professionally post-MBA. Therefore, it is important to formulate post-MBA goals that are specific, ambitious, and credible. However, often times I see applicants stating goals that are very generic; for example, they say that they would like to start a company (without specifying what kind of a company) or that they want to make a transition from their current industry to another one (without specifying the role that they want to take on in the new industry). Take the time to really think about your post-MBA goals; career goals that are not well thought out or credible are often red flags for Admissions Committees that a candidate has not reflected deeply enough about the future and why an MBA is important for him/her.
Underestimating the importance of extracurricular activities
Business schools assess whether or not you will contribute to campus life through your extracurricular activities and the impact that you have had. And this latter point is extremely important: the impact you have had. The reality is that practically every candidate who applies to business school has volunteered in some capacity, but it’s important to get involved in extracurricular activities that will provide you with opportunities to positively change organizations and/or positively influence people. Don’t make the mistake of getting involved in multiple extracurricular activities at a superficial level. It is much better to participate in fewer extracurricular activities at a deeper level through which you can demonstrate impact.
Copying and pasting the same essay(s) in multiple applications
Many applicants think that they can recycle the same essay(s) across different applications. This is a huge mistake! Each business school has different essays, and therefore, it is extremely important that you take the time to thoughtfully answer each question. While you may be able to leverage some material from one application to another, it is extremely important that you tailor that material according to the question being asked. This is true not only for essays, but also for the short questions that are asked in the data forms.
Choosing recommenders based on title
There is a belief that the more senior a recommender is, as indicated by title, the better it will be for you as an applicant; however, this could not be further from the truth! Admissions Committees want to understand how you interact with others and perform in a professional environment. Therefore, asking a supervisor who knows your work well (even if the title is more junior, such as Associate or Vice President) will take you much further along in the process than approaching a recommender with a senior title who has not worked closely with you and cannot directly comment on your accomplishments.
While there are a lot of moving pieces in the business school application process, you have much more control than may be evident at first glance. By avoiding these mistakes, you will be in a position to put your best foot forward.
Contact us at https://www.ivygroupe.com/contact or info@ivygroupe.com to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our Founder, an HBS grad and MBA admissions expert!
After having spent 5+ years formally coaching clients through the business school application process and time before that informally coaching friends and colleagues, there are common mistakes that many applicants make that I have come across.
Here are five mistakes to avoid when you are applying to business school so that your applications stand out from the competition:
Not crafting authentic applications
Many candidates are tempted to craft business school applications according to what they believe Admissions Committees want to see and/or according to what may have worked for a friend/colleague in the past. However, members of Admissions Committees have read thousands of applications over the years and can easily detect whether a candidate is being genuine or is just trying to curry favor with them. Do not try to be someone you’re not in the application. I cannot stress this enough – authenticity is really the key to a successful application (please read my blog post above on this topic)! The most successful applications are those where candidates are true to themselves by drawing upon their unique experiences and perspectives.
Having generic Post-MBA goals
A key aspect of the business school application and interview is expressing what you would like to pursue professionally post-MBA. Therefore, it is important to formulate post-MBA goals that are specific, ambitious, and credible. However, often times I see applicants stating goals that are very generic; for example, they say that they would like to start a company (without specifying what kind of a company) or that they want to make a transition from their current industry to another one (without specifying the role that they want to take on in the new industry). Take the time to really think about your post-MBA goals; career goals that are not well thought out or credible are often red flags for Admissions Committees that a candidate has not reflected deeply enough about the future and why an MBA is important for him/her.
Underestimating the importance of extracurricular activities
Business schools assess whether or not you will contribute to campus life through your extracurricular activities and the impact that you have had. And this latter point is extremely important: the impact you have had. The reality is that practically every candidate who applies to business school has volunteered in some capacity, but it’s important to get involved in extracurricular activities that will provide you with opportunities to positively change organizations and/or positively influence people. Don’t make the mistake of getting involved in multiple extracurricular activities at a superficial level. It is much better to participate in fewer extracurricular activities at a deeper level through which you can demonstrate impact.
Copying and pasting the same essay(s) in multiple applications
Many applicants think that they can recycle the same essay(s) across different applications. This is a huge mistake! Each business school has different essays, and therefore, it is extremely important that you take the time to thoughtfully answer each question. While you may be able to leverage some material from one application to another, it is extremely important that you tailor that material according to the question being asked. This is true not only for essays, but also for the short questions that are asked in the data forms.
Choosing recommenders based on title
There is a belief that the more senior a recommender is, as indicated by title, the better it will be for you as an applicant; however, this could not be further from the truth! Admissions Committees want to understand how you interact with others and perform in a professional environment. Therefore, asking a supervisor who knows your work well (even if the title is more junior, such as Associate or Vice President) will take you much further along in the process than approaching a recommender with a senior title who has not worked closely with you and cannot directly comment on your accomplishments.
While there are a lot of moving pieces in the business school application process, you have much more control than may be evident at first glance. By avoiding these mistakes, you will be in a position to put your best foot forward.
Contact us at https://www.ivygroupe.com/contact or info@ivygroupe.com to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our Founder, an HBS grad and MBA admissions expert!
