BIG MBA

MBApursuit

• What to Look For In an Online MBA ProgramOnline learning programs come with the flexibility and convenient pace for professionals who desire to earn an online degree, without affecting their existing job schedule. The increase in the number of applicants for online MBA programs shows its rising popularity. Many online MBA programs boast of comprehensive syllabus and reliable accreditation. The first step of [...] Related posts:Before Enrolling in an Online MBA Program How to Find the Best Online MBA Program Why an Accredited MBA Program is better?
• ESC PauThe École Supérieure de Commerce de Pau (or ESC Pau) is a French business school. ESC Pau’s quality is recognised at European level through its EQUIS accreditation (thanks to its partnership with the Stockholm School of Economics). Today, the business environment is experiencing fundamental and deep changes. The mission at ESC PAU is to anticipate [...] Related posts:ESC Rouen Business School Grenoble école de management ESCE Business School
• B-Schools in Georgia USASchool Parent University City AACSB Accreditation J. Whitney Bunting School of Business Georgia College & State University Milledgeville Yes Coles College of Business Kennesaw State University Kennesaw Yes College of Management Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta Yes Goizueta Business School Emory University Atlanta Yes James M. Hull College of Business Augusta State University Augusta Yes [...] Related posts:Georgia (GMAT Test Centers) Best Business School-Princeton Review 2008 B-Schools in Oregon USA
• Aberdeen Business SchoolAberdeen Business School is one of the leading providers of management and professional education in Scotland. The school was founded in 1965. Over 3,500 students are studying a comprehensive range of courses. In the School we have over 1,700 postgraduate students from over 80 countries and offer a truly international experience. The Aberdeen Business School [...] Related posts:Henley Business School University of Glasgow Business School Coventry Business School
• University of Exeter School of Business and EconomicsThe University of Exeter Business School is located on the University’s Streatham Campus, and provides higher education in business, economics, finance, accounting, management and leadership programmes for undergraduates, postgraduate masters students (including Master of Business Administration) and business professionals The Business School was created to form a three-fold mission: First, to advance research, scholarship and [...] Related posts:School of Business and Economics Swansea University European School of Economics London University of St. Andrews, School of Management
• ICFAI Business School, PuneAbout the College IBS offers high-quality programs in different areas of management to a cross-section of students, executives and professionals across India. IBS has a reputation for innovative program design and delivery, quality courseware, personalized instruction, strong industry interface, and research, consultancy and publications. Within a span of 13 years since it was established in [...] Related posts:ICFAI Business School, Bangalore ICFAI Business School Hyderabad MIT School of Management (MITSOM) Pune

Pagalguy

• Oops, we did it again
• MICA starts doctorate programme to breed facultyMICA’s new Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM), aims to create a bunch of professionals who will not only bridge the gap between traditional and new forms of media but also serve as faculty. The programme also hopes to bring in research in the communications industry, which is almost non-existent as of today.
• Ten Commandments of CAT 2010 With less than two months  to go for the CAT exams, two of the biggest authors in the CAT space,  Arun Sharma, author of How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT and Sidharth Balakrishna who has written Introduction to CAT: Tips from an IIM Alumnus, share their ten most valuable tips for CAT applicants.
• CATIIM.IN, safe to browseLooks like the catiim.in site is now safe for browsing.  Google has removed the malware advisory on the website. For all the people who don't use antivirus software, this might be a good time to think about getting something to protect their machines.
• Roswell that ends well
• CATIIM.IN hacked; Prometric says ‘Malware was discovered and removed overnight’ Early this morning, the CAT website 'CATIIM.IN' was hacked and infected with malware, making most web-browsers and anti-virus softwares block the site. Prometric claims that the infection has been cleared and that none of the candidates' personal data was compromised in the process.

Find MBA

• RSM Erasmus to Launch Specialized Water Management Executive MBARotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University in the Netherlands has announced it will begin a new specialized Executive MBA program in Water Management in January 2011. The new program will be offered together with Wetsus, Center of Excellence for Sustainabile Water Technology. The new program will be taught over three terms - two at RSM and one at Wetsus - and aims to "reflect and further expand on issues related to water quality, distribution and availability." For more information, please visit the program website .
• HHL Leipzig Announces European Career Track in MBA ProgramHandelshochschule Leipzig (HHL) in Germany has announced it is beginning a European Career Track (ECT) as part of its full-time MBA program. Through a partnership with Audencia Nantes School of Management and MIP Politecnico di Milano, HHL MBA students with the necessary language skills can take courses and do internships in Italy, Germany, or France, and will benefit from the career networks of the partner schools. Students from these schools will also have the opportunity to benefit from HHL's network and connection to local industries. For more information about the track, please visit the HHL website .
• Xavier Williams Offers New Health Industries MBA ConcentrationXavier University's Williams College of Business in Cincinnati, Ohio has announced a new Health Industries MBA concentration that will begin this fall. According to the university, the five-course concentration "will prepare students to work in industries involved with medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotech, diagnostic equipment and furniture, physician offices, insurance companies, nursing homes, long-term care centers, government agencies and more." For more information, please visit the Xavier Williams website .
• IE and Brown University's New EMBA Program Launches in Spring 2011Madrid's IE Business School and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island are preparing to launch a new Executive MBA (EMBA) program next spring. The 15-month program will combine online teaching with five face-to-face sessions in Madrid and Providence. Graduates will receive a degree from IE. The program is "designed for senior managers with more than 10 years of experience who want to develop their entrepreneurial mindset and gain a deeper and much richer understanding of the global business environment." A virtual information session about the program is scheduled for September 9. For more information, please visit the program website .
• Autumn MBA Info Events at European and UK Business SchoolsBelow is a short list of upcoming on-campus MBA information events in Europe and the United Kingdom in June, July, and August 2010. For more information, follow the links below the list: August 13 GISMA IMD August 14 TiasNimbas (Utrecht) August 17 Bradford August 19 Henley Aalto (formerly Helsinki School of Economics) August 20 Oxford Said August 24 TiasNimbas (Tilburg) Hanken August 26 ESCP Paris ENPC August 27 Skolkovo September 1 Durham September 3 IE September 4 Imperial College Nottingham September 6 WUT Warsaw September 8 Manchester Aston UWE Bristol September 9 Warwick Hanken September 13 London Business School MIP Politecnico Ashridge September 14 ENPC September 15 Cranfield Maastricht University September 16 St. Gallen ESCP Paris September 18 RSM Rotterdam September 21 WU Executive Academy September 24 INSEAD Cranfield September 25 Cambridge Judge October 7 Vlerick (Leuven) October 12 Grenoble October 14 ESADE October 15 HHL Leipzig October 23 Cranfield October 29 ESADE October 30 Cambridge Judge Mannheim
• Grenoble Business School to Launch New Global EMBA in JanuaryGrenoble Graduate School of Business (GGSB) in France will be launching a new, "multi-site" Global Executive MBA in January 2011. The program will take place in eight locations where the school has campuses and offices: Grenoble, Geneva, Moscow, London, New York, Singapore, New Delhi, and Beijing. The part-time program will run over two years in a series of intensive week-long sessions at each of the different locations. Students will be required to enter the program with a minimum work experience of ten years with at least five at the managerial level. Grenoble Business School is triple-accredited by the Association of MBAs, EQUIS, and AACSB. For more information about the program, please visit the program website .

Official GMAT Blog

• Next Generation GMAT: Take it now or take it later?It’s been about a month since we announced the changes coming to the GMAT exam, and we’re hard at work on the new Integrated Reasoning section that will launch in June 2012. Since the announcement, we’ve talked to a number of test takers who are trying to decide whether they should take the GMAT now or later. GMAT scores are good for five years, so it’s certainly reasonable to take the test now if you know you want to go to business school within that time. We know, too, that some considering business school are worried that a change to the test means lower scores. We looked back over the history of GMAT scores to see what previous changes have done to the mean GMAT score. In the graph below, you’ll see that GMAT scores have remained relatively stable over time, even during test changes (marked by the red diamonds). Over the past 20 years, GMAT scores have actually trended slightly upward. Remember, too, that Integrated Reasoning will be scored separately—your Total Score won’t change. Always remember, too, that your GMAT score is only one piece of your application package. An admissions committee will consider your work history, undergraduate GPA, essays, and interviews to determine whether you’re a good fit for their program. With or without Integrated Reasoning, your GMAT score is only one factor in their decision. Ultimately, the best time for you to take the GMAT depends on you. —Ashok Sarathy, Vice President, GMAT Program
• GMAT Test Accommodations: Myths and RealitiesFor some test takers with disabilities, tests administered under standard time conditions may not accurately reflect their abilities. GMAC provides reasonable accommodations to GMAT test takers who have documented disabilities within the meaning of the recently amended Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as other applicable laws. In doing so, we’ve found that some test takers have misconceptions about how these accommocations work. Here are five of the most common misconceptions about GMAT test accommodations…along with the facts to help set the record straight. Myth #1If I receive test accommodations, my GMAT® score will be flagged.Reality: Score reports never show whether a test was taken with or without accommodations. The schools you are applying to will not be able to identify you as a test taker with a disability. Myth #2As long as I have a diagnosed disability by a medical/psychological professional, I am eligible to receive accommodations on the GMAT.Reality: More than a diagnosis is necessary to qualify for accommodations on the GMAT®. You must adequately document—1. the existence of an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity2. the current impact of your impairment and how it affects your ability to take the computer adaptive GMAT exam under standard conditions, and 3. the rationale for why the requested accommodations are appropriate in light of your impairment(s). Myth # 3 Accommodated GMAT test takers have an unfair advantage over non-accommodated test takers.Reality: According to a recent study conducted by GMAC researchers, there is no meaningful or statistically significant differences in the distribution of GMAT scores (Total, Verbal, Quantitative, or AWA) for accommodated versus non-accommodated test takers. (This study took demographic and background characteristics into account.) Myth #4GMAT test scores achieved under accommodated conditions undermine the validity of the GMAT.Reality: Accommodations are provided on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Accommodations that would affect the measurement of the skills that the GMAT measures, or alter the predictive validity of the resulting test scores compared with scores achieved under standard conditions, are not provided. Myth #5GMAT test accommodations are designed to ensure that test takers with disabilities receive a better GMAT score.Reality: The purpose of an accommodation is not to facilitate your best possible score, maximize your learning potential, or accommodate a deliberate test-taking style. Rather, the purpose of an accommodation is to provide a level playing field to individuals with substantial limitations compared to their peers. For more information about GMAT test accommodations for candidates with disabilities, visit mba.com   —Kendra Johnson, Ed. D    Director, GMAT Test Accommodations
• GMAT: Next GenerationIf you’ve googled GMAT in the last couple of days, you’ve probably seen our recent press release announcing the Next Generation GMAT, which will launch in June 2012. What’s “Next” about it? We’re adding a section on Integrated Reasoning in place of one of the AWA essay prompts. We’ve done this before—this is actually the 10th time we’ve enhanced the GMAT to fit the needs of graduate business schools. In 1961, we rolled out Data Sufficiency; in 1976, we dropped Antonyms/Analogies. As business schools have adapted their curricula over time, so have we adapted the GMAT to make sure a GMAT score tells schools what they need to know about applicants. Our goal as the creators of the test is to retain its relevance, reliability, and validity for admission to graduate management programs, and we’ve worked very closely with faculty on this exciting new section. (Please visit the site to view this media) What will the Integrated Reasoning section measure? Later, I’ll talk more about the detailed skills faculty identified as important to measure on the GMAT, but here is a sneak preview of the type of question a candidate might be expected to answer on this new Integrated Reasoning section. (Please visit the site to view this media) So how will this affect you? As we prepare to launch this new version of the test, some test takers will see a research section containing these new question types at the end of their exams. Until June 2012, these questions will not count toward your Total, Verbal, or Quantitative scores, nor will schools see how you have performed on these questions. We’ll let you know well in advance if this section will appear at the end of your exam (we’ll tell you more about the pilot testing in another post), and all who will see them will be given sample questions to help them prepare. We’ll offer a monetary incentive, too, to encourage test takers to respond to these questions to the best of their ability. We’re very excited to add this new section to the GMAT—we’re confident in its value for graduate business programs, and we feel it provides b-school applicants with another meaningful way to differentiate themselves to an admissions committee. Keep watching this space for more information as we prepare to launch the Next Generation GMAT, and follow us on Twitter (@OfficialGMAT) to get updates as we progress.  — Ashok Sarathy, Vice President, GMAT Program
• How much time should you spend studying for the GMAT exam?Sorry, there’s no simple answer to that question. However, we can tell you how much time other people spend in their preparation. Using data collected from nearly 8,000 GMAT test takers, we can see that 44% of the test takers spend at least 51 hours preparing, 65% start preparing at least 4 weeks in advance, and those who do better on the GMAT tend to spend more time preparing. Don’t let the charts fool you. Causality isn’t implied—studying 106 hours does not guarantee that you will score in the 600 range. (Remember, too, that this is all self-reported data—each test taker is different and may be estimating his or her actual study time.) Without a true experiment, we can’t tell you the optimal number of hours and weeks you need to study. A true experiment would require many test takers to commit to a certain specific amounts of study time and then take the GMAT—by controlling the variables, we could get closer to finding the amount of study time that causes a higher GMAT score. Think about that experiment—would you participate if you were selected as part of the “no study” group? Would you risk your future and take the GMAT exam without preparation? My guess is you wouldn’t…which is reasonable. So let’s use this data in an advisory capacity. It’s up to you to determine how much you should prepare, but I would suggest that you do prepare for the exam so the results can reflect your ability and not your knowledge of the test. Here are my suggestions: Familiarize yourself with the exam. What types of questions will be asked and what are the formats of the questions? Read about the test structure here . The GMAT has questions that other exams do not. For Data Sufficiency questions, for example, you only need to determine if there is enough information to answer the question. If you’re not familiar with this question type, you might spend time unnecessarily trying to solve the problems. Take a practice exam. A free exam is available here. Or try GMAT Focus, which can provide feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. Focus extra practice time on your areas of weakness. Are you a whiz at mathematical reasoning? You may not need as much time preparing for the quantitative section as you would for the reading and writing sections. On the other hand, maybe you are or were an English major with a focus on creative writing. In this case, you may want to spend more time on the quantitative section in your preparation. After spending time practicing the exam, test yourself again. How well did you do? Do you need more time? Did you improve in your weaker areas and maintain your strengths? Repeat as necessary. Remember the GMAT measures your reasoning skills—it is not a test of reading or mathematical achievement. Once you are comfortable with the test and the types of questions that will be asked and you have invested some time preparing for the exam, you can relax, sit for the test, and let your abilities shine. —Gregg Schoenfeld, Associate Director, Research
• Challenging a GMAT Question or ScoreSometimes, GMAT test takers question their scores or have concerns about the validity of a GMAT question, and we take those questions and concerns seriously. First, please note that rescoring an entire exam is not an option. Rest assured, though—your GMAT results are scored three times before being made official. Exams are scored twice at the test center (as you’re completing your exam) and a third time when the results are returned to Pearson VUE (our testing partner) for processing. We use two independent scoring algorithms and compare the results. If any difference is found in the two scores, the results are investigated immediately. Both scores must be validated before your Official Score can be released. There are, however, options for challenging an essay score or a GMAT question: If you disagree with your AWA scores, you may ask to have your essays rescored within six months of the date your Official Score Report was issued. The first step is sending in a rescore request form and US$45 (nonrefunable regardless of results)—your essays will be submitted for rescoring by independent readers. Rescoring typically takes about three weeks. Rescoring may cause result in higher or lower scores. You’ll receive the decision via postal mail (no email). If a score is changed, any school that received a copy of your score report will be notified as well. If you have concerns about the validity of a question on the GMAT exam, you may contact GMAT customer service  (by phone, email, or mail) and ask to submit a Question Challenge. You’ll receive a decision about the question challenge as quickly as possible, but the time can vary depending on the complexity of the question. Like an essay rescore request, item challenges must be received within six months of the date your Official Score Report was issued. If the item challenge affects your score, an updated Official Score Report will be sent to schools that received a copy of your previous score report.    — Joanna Graham, Associate Director, GMAT Program
• International Women's Day Record numbers of women considering b-school International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March as a day of recognition for the achievements of women across the globe. Coinciding with this event GMAC offers new perspectives on the milestone numbers of women planning on a business education to accelerate or switch their careers. Business schools the world over are experiencing record breaking demand, seen in GMAT test-taker volumes where women now command 39.5% of the talent heading into business school.  In actual fact, more than 104,000 women took the GMAT exam to apply for MBAs and Master degrees in 2008-2009.  These are the highest numbers of women ever recorded to have sat for the GMAT exam in any one testing year, giving them more choice and control in their professional lives – an option worth considering in these turbulent times. Meet Sabrina, a business school graduate, who’s passionate about making an impact on education in America. Thinking about getting your MBA? Find out how to prepare for grad school and get info on the GMAT exam, at MBA.com.      — Lamia Walker, Regional Director, EMEA

MBA.com Blog

• My Story: From West Point to BerkeleyGrowing up in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Liz Callahan never imagined that she would one day fly a Black Hawk helicopter over the broad plains and reedy marshes of Iraq. Yet, after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2003, she soon found herself piloting the $14 million aircraft, as a captain in the medical service corps. It was a job that tested her like no other. “Day in and day out, we saved lives,” she says flatly. After her military service, she landed a job as program manager of a DaVita Inc. healthcare clinic in Atlanta and also helped to launch Rooster 14, a baking company that sells “scoop cookies” via the Internet and at local markets in Atlanta. Callahan took the GMAT in February of 2009 and applied in the third and fourth rounds to five top schools: Yale, Chicago, Columbia, Duke, and Berkeley. Lured by Berkeley’s strengths in entrepreneurship and health care, as well as its Northern California locale, she opted for the Haas School of Business and entered the full-time MBA program in late August of 2009. She expects to return to Rooster 14 after getting her degree. Her story: One of the big draws of Haas is that the school is very open about what it’s about. It’s not merely about a test score or a GPA. Haas really wants to make sure it’s the right school for you as an individual. We are a student-driven school, and the administration wants to know what students think and listens to what students have to say. The five adjectives that describe the Haas School? We’re transparent, forward thinking, trusting, engaging, and unique.  It’s a very welcoming environment and it pulls you in. We’re competitive on the outside, but collaborative on the inside. We’re here to work together as a team. The place really lives up to its four cultural principles: To question the status quo; to produce MBAs with confidence but no attitude; to pick people who are students always and don’t think they’ve learned everything, and to reach beyond ourselves, putting larger interests above our own. Those four pillars aren’t anything new to Berkeley. They are spot on. We want to use who we are to get to better places. To be at the business school at Berkeley is unique in itself. As the president of our MBA Association, I had the chance to meet with the student presidents of the top 50 schools in the world and my impression is that Berkeley is not a cookie cutter business school. If I could change one thing about the school, it would be to get more space. There’s a constant need for group study rooms. There’s just very limited space here. The best advice I ever received came from my father and at a very young age. The words, “Don’t force it, Elizabeth,” were said to me more than once during my childhood. He usually shared this with me when I was jamming a cassette tape in the wrong way or trying to ‘help’ my little sister brush her hair. While these words started as a basic way to help me learn that pushing a square peg into a round hole might break something, they evolved into much more. I often find myself thinking about this phrase when faced with a difficult situation, whether it was during my deployment to Iraq, working on a project for class, or making a decision for my cookie company. These words help me decide whether a little extra pushing might do more damage than good. In fact, the right course of action may be to slow down and take another look at the situation before executing.  His voice often echoes in my head at just the right moment when it comes to making decisions. The greatest challenge I ever faced occurred while I was serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It came eight months into my deployment as a medical evacuation helicopter pilot and team leader. One of our unit’s aircraft crashed, and we lost two remarkable young men. The crew came from another remote location, but our entire unit felt the loss. These men were extremely close to several members of my team, including me. My unit arranged a memorial service. But the location of the service was over an hour’s flight away. Obviously, my entire team wanted to attend – as did I, but we could not leave while charged with our medical evacuation mission.  Medical evacuation is an essential aspect of any war, but in Iraq where civilians are sometimes caught in the middle, our lifesaving role is not limited to U.S. soldiers. I took a good look at my 17-member team and knew that they needed me to lead them through this terrible ordeal. However, my job as team leader required me to not only hold myself together but hold together my crew as well.  We all needed to recover from the incident and mourn, and as the leader I saw our effectiveness limited if we were not able to appropriately grieve.  It became apparent that I had to find a way to get my team to the services, yet I also knew that it was my responsibility to ensure the medical evacuation mission remained covered. I approached the Marines who were also located at my site.  Although they did not have the same aircraft, they did have the expertise needed to perform medical evacuations. In explaining the situation, they understood the necessity of their assistance. We spent a great deal of time planning the hand over, training on all of the required skills, and the transfer went very smoothly while my team attended the services. It was the most challenging time I have had as a leader. I had to put my troops first at a time when I wanted someone else to shoulder the responsibility. Although it was an extremely difficult situation, it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  Being able to appropriately honor our lost crew was essential to my team’s morale and performance.  I saw firsthand the detrimental effects of the other teams that did not return for the memorial.  My team, however, came even closer together, and I showed my soldiers that they had a leader they could count on. An event that changed my life? While at West Point, I blew my knee out on an obstacle course.  What the doctor initially diagnosed as a sprained ligament, turned out to be the most defining event of my life thus far.  Further testing showed that my knee experienced much more than a sprain; I had a completely torn ACL and a great deal of other internal damage.  While the immediate impact seemed life changing, this was my first surgery, I was still a freshman with limited privileges (e.g. if outdoors, I could not ask a classmate to assist me while I was crutching around), and my softball season was prematurely over. I remained determined to complete my military training as though my knee operated at 100%. This meant I went to airborne school and parachuted out of planes. I earned a badge that, among many other requirements, necessitated a 12-mile road march with a 40-pound rucksack on my back, and I fought for a medical waiver to qualify for helicopter flight training.  I continually pushed myself and that continually pushed my repaired knee. While deployed to Iraq, my constant pushing caught up with me. On a routine pre-flight, I twisted my knee just so and heard the dreadful pop. This twist occurred in February and by August I could hardly walk.  My crew would drive me to the aircraft for missions, and every step on the gravel paths of Iraq sent pain through my body.  As soon as my leg began locking, I had to ‘ground’ myself from flying.  Luckily, this occurred at the end of the deployment, and I came back to the states for evaluation. The evaluations, physical therapy, and exploratory surgery follow-up lasted for over a year.  The doctors could not figure out how to get my knee back in flying shape. And finally, the Army determined that my knee was not able to withstand the expectations of my position. My knee decided that it was time to join Corporate America. I continued to work in healthcare administration, but I still had issues with my knee.  I struggled with standing for long periods of time, I was not able to run, and even walking created a challenge for me.  Finally, a West Point connection put me in touch with the surgeons for the Atlanta Falcons Football team.  I decided that if there was hope for any sort of recovery, they could offer it. My visit to their practice led to surgery in the spring of 2009, and my knee decided that being out of work on recovery was the perfect time to apply to business school.  I worked on my essays first thing in the morning and only took my pain pills when I completed my writing for the day.  The undertaking was rough, but I jump started my MBA process and attended school a year earlier than I initially planned. Although my knee is far from 100%, it is getting me through business school just fine. My health and my family are the two things I am most grateful for. Without those, I would not be where I am or the person I am today. However, I think it is more insightful to reach beyond those amazingly important aspects.  I am grateful for my opportunities to travel.  I have traveled to 19 countries and six of those were visits during my time at Haas (two for school).  Traveling keeps me humble, thankful, and inspired.  Each country, culture, and experience provides me a wealth of knowledge as well as curiosity that I have not found from any other source. I’m also thankful for my dog, Reese.  Throughout my five years in the Army, I lived in three different states, and I moved to a fourth when I left the service. My move out to California for business school signified the longest period of geographic stability (two whole years) since college. The only constant in my life during this time has been my dog. He greets me every morning and evening with excitement; he always seems ready for whatever adventure I throw his way. Reese reminds me that no matter what comes my way, there are constants in my life on which I can always count. Other “My Story” features: From an Army Ranger in Iraq to Harvard From Communist Romania to London Business School From a Hollywood Talent Agency to Chicago’s Booth School of Business From Deloitte Consulting to Harvard
• B-Schools With the Most ApplicantsWhich business schools get the most attention from applicants? Yesterday’s report by the Graduate Management Admission Council on declining applications for full-time MBA programs in the U.S. certainly makes the question topical. As applicants begin drafting application essays, admission officials are preparing for the onslaught in the early fall. Not surprisingly, perhaps, Harvard will be getting ready for the largest single chunk. It gets more applications from would-be MBAs than any other school in the world and that’s been the case for a very long time. Part of that is a function of the large number of seats open in every class–910–and also because of the school’s quality and reputation. With 9,524 applicants for a seat in the entering Class of 2012, Harvard remains at the very top of our list of the 20 schools that get the most applications. Even though Stanford trails Harvard in applications by nearly 2,000, however, it remains the most selective business school in the world, saying yes to just 6.5% of those who apply. The dropoff occurs fast and furious in this list, with No. 20  Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business attracting 1,729 applicants. How many people actually apply in a typical MBA season? GMAC reported that as of June 30, the cutoff date of its study, 476 MBA programs had received a total of 196,032 completed applications, though many schools had not yet reached their application deadlines. The number of applications per program varied greatly, ranging from fewer than 10 to nearly 10,000. GMAC also said that first-tier programs, those in the top 50, receive a median of 1,554 applications. Schools in the second-tier, the next 50, got less than a third of that, 405 applications per program, while all the remaining schools had a median of just 147 applicants. In picking over the applicant pool for the incoming students of the Class of 2012, the schools that saw the largest increases in applications were Washington University’s Olin School, up 26%; Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, up 21%; MIT’s Sloan School, up 16%; Chicago’s Booth School, up 10%, and Harvard, up 5%. On the other side of the ledger, schools that saw their application volumes fall for the incoming class include Cornell’s Johnson School, down 12%; Berkeley’s Haas School, down 11%, and Wharton, down 9%. Many other schools have yet to officially announce these numbers. Many schools that experienced declines, however, were coming off near-record years so that competition is still severe. Consider the Haas School of Business. In the past five years, even including the 11% fall for the latest year, applications rose an average of 11% per year, from 2,170 in 2005 to 3,626 this year for just 240 seats. During the five-year period, Haas went from accepting 23.1% of applicants in 2005 to accepting just 11.6% this year. In 2009, when 4,064 applications flowed into Haas, was the second best year on record, beating the earlier peak seven years ago. So why did applications fall at all? Dean Rich Lyons suggests two reasons: a page-one story in The New York Times last November–a crucial time for application flow–that explored the severe and worsening fiscal woes of California’s public university system and the difficulty of international applicants to get loans to finance their MBAs during the financial crisis. Though furloughs have been imposed on faculty and staff at Haas, the crisis has had virtually no impact at all on MBAs because the school is essentially self-funded. The latter issue involving MBA loans led to a decline in incoming international students last year–just 32%–but it’s now resolved with 39% of this year’s incoming MBAs  from outside the U.S. Or consider Dartmouth’s Tuck School. Applications at Tuck were down 8% this year, to 2,573 from 2,804 in 2009. Yet, the average GMAT scores for the incoming class are the highest in the school’s history, 716, up from 712 a year earlier, while the school also hit new records in the percentage of women (35%) and minorities (20%), and increased the representation of  international students to 33%, from 30% the year earlier. Tuck’s yield–the percentage of accepted applicants who agree to come to the school–increased by six percentage points. After reaching a cyclical peak in 2008, GMAC said yesterday that full-time MBA programs continued on a downward cycle this year, the first signs of which were seen in the recession-plagued 2009. So far this year, more programs reported a downward (49%) compared to an upward (41%) trend in application volume, and the average number of applications per full-time two-year MBA program marginally declined by two percent. Business School Applications Seats Available 1. Harvard Business School 9,524* 910 2. Stanford 7,536 385 3. Columbia 6,885 740 4. Pennsylvania (Wharton) 6,819* 860 5, Northwestern (Kellogg) 5,545 635 6. MIT (Sloan) 4,782* 400 7. New York (Stern) 4,625 370 8. Chicago (Booth) 3,843 590 9. Berkeley (Haas) 3,626* 240 10. Duke (Fuqua) 3,506* 450 11. UCLA (Anderson) 3,041 360 12. Dartmouth (Tuck) 2,573* 260 13. Yale 2,790 225 14. Michigan (Ross) 2,697 500 15. Virginia (Darden) 2,689 310 16. Texas-Austin (McCombs) 2,284 260 17. USC (Marshall) 2,224 220 18. Cornell (Johnson) 2,002* 275 19. UNC (Kenan-Flagler) 1,873 300 20. Georgetown (McDonough) 1,729 250 An asterisk indicates that the number applies for the full-time Class of 2012 entering this fall. All other numbers are for the previous year.
• Executive and Part-Time MBA Programs See Application Volume Rise in 2010, GMAC ReportsDemand for executive MBA (EMBA) programs rose significantly in 2010 and remained steady for part-time programs, though application volume for full-time programs continued its fall from peak levels in 2008, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) announced earlier this week. GMAC released the findings of its 2010 Application Trends Survey, a global survey of 327 business schools in 39 countries, yesterday. According to survey results, programs aimed at people with significant work experience were particularly strong, with 59 percent of EMBA programs reporting that they received more applications this year than in 2009, up from 37 percent the year before. Part-time programs, which appeal to people hoping to juggle school along with family or work or other responsibilites, remained steady this year compared with 2009, with 43 percent of programs surveyed reporting increases. Demand for full-time programs, meanwhile, continued to slide from the peak volumes experienced in 2008. Forty-four percent of full-time programs saw application volume rise this year, but that’s down from 66 percent in 2009 and 77 percent in 2008, when tough economic conditions made it seem like a particularly opportune time to pursue an advanced graduate management degree. Master’s programs in finance, accounting and management reported healthy gains in application volume, in fact outpacing all MBA programs. More than 60 percent of the programs in each of these categories reported receiving more applications in 2010 than in 2009, according to the survey. Dave Wilson, GMAC president and chief executive officer, noted that the findings suggest that schools will do best to stay flexible and be creative in the ways that they deliver management education. “People can always derive great value from going to business school; our surveys attest to this fact,” he said in a statement. “But many changing factors affect the kinds of programs that best meet their needs. Applicants need to find the very best fit for their own game plan.” For the full survey results, click here.
• Admissions Tip: Applying to Business School as a Younger ApplicantAs many of our readers know, it has become increasingly common for younger individuals to apply to MBA programs.  Whereas the average age and years of work experience at the leading business schools has traditionally hovered at around 28 and five respectively, many programs are now carefully considering the more youthful end of the applicant pool.  Of course, the fact that admissions officers are taking a closer look at younger applicants does not mean that getting accepted to a top program is easy for this group.  In fact, it may be difficult for younger applicants to present themselves as fully prepared to contribute to an MBA program because they often lack leadership experience and extended business exposure.  This is especially true as they will be compared to their fellow applicants who have more years in the working world (often translating to more leadership experience and professional accomplishments).  With this in mind, we’d like to offer a few tips that will help younger MBA candidates leverage the strengths of their candidacies and become increasingly competitive applicants at their choice schools. Note: For the purposes of this article, we’ll define “younger applicants” as ranging from zero to two years of experience (e.g undergraduate seniors and folks who are one to two years removed from their college graduation). 1) Have an exceptional academic profile. Ideally all MBA candidates will be able to present stellar GPA and GMAT scores, but for younger candidates this is especially crucial.  If younger candidates are likely to fall short in the “work experience” category, then their academic profiles are all the more important to show that they are prepared for the rigors of an MBA classroom.  Therefore it’s better if your scores (GMAT and GPA) are above than the published averages for schools’ incoming classes.  In addition, it will be to your benefit if you have received undergraduate scholarships and awards or graduated at the top of your class, as this indicates that you excelled relative to your peers. 2) Demonstrate your leadership experience and potential. Younger applicants may have only limited full-time professional experience.  Without much time in the working world, there is often less opportunity to move up and gain the responsibilities that lead to management and leadership experiences.  Despite this fact, one way to demonstrate your responsibility and management experience is through your participation in and leadership of extracurricular and undergraduate activities.  In short, as a younger applicant, it is important for you to use whatever experiences you have had thus far (internships, collegiate activities, part-time work, community service, etc.) to demonstrate your leadership and responsibility, displaying your experience as well as your potential for personal growth and ability to benefit your target MBA programs. 3) Have clear goals. Presenting a clear vision for the future is always a good strategy, as the majority of MBA programs are hesitant to accept students who they feel will get lost in the program’s available choices once they arrive.  For younger applicants this is even more crucial, as your relative lack of professional work experience could cause some concern about your ability to pinpoint your short- and long-term goals.  It is therefore important that you provide details about your planned career path, as well as demonstrate confidence that you will stick to this plan.  Applicants who have more years in the working world can draw on their experiences as proof that they understand their interests and work habits; as a younger applicant, you must demonstrate that you are able to do the same despite your relative inexperience. 4) Be able to explain why you are seeking an MBA now as opposed to later. It’s necessary for younger applicants to describe how the timing of their applications relates to their academic or work experiences to date as well as their future goals.  Your challenge will be to convince your target MBA programs that you are able to make a valuable contribution to their schools without further work experience.  In order to do this, you will need to demonstrate that continuing at your current job is not conducive to your future goals at this juncture.  You might also suggest that there is some degree of urgency related to the pursuit of yours goals, due to applicable circumstances such as a closing market opportunity, taking advantage of an industry trend, or making a transition in your career.    Having clear goals and a detailed career plan will help you explain why you must pursue a formal business education now in order to achieve your objectives. 5) Demonstrate your maturity. It’s important that younger applicants don’t let the adcom mistake their youth for immaturity.  One of the ways you can demonstrate your maturity is by showcasing your ability to analyze your actions, accept blame, and grow and learn from mistakes and failures, as these are trademarks of a reflective and mature individual.  An easy opportunity to do this is in essays that ask you to detail a failure, mistake, or setback.  In these essays, it is crucial that you do not appear petty, arrogant, or unable to accept or grow from criticism, as this would only further emphasize your youth.  Another way you can demonstrate your maturity is by focusing on your more recent work experiences and accomplishments.  Some of these might be from college, as you may not have had time to prove yourself in the working world, however, it’s generally best to try and use the most recent experiences possible, as these will provide a clearer picture of who you are today.  You may be tempted to use high school or grade school experiences as examples of leadership, challenges, and accomplishments, but because pre-undergraduate activities will make you appear younger than you are, they should ideally not be discussed in depth.
• What should I know about student and other loans that can help me pay for my graduate degree?Written by Brian T. Lohr, Director of Admissions, MBA Program, Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame  At most universities, loan opportunities can be broken down into two primary buckets: Federal Loans and Private Loans. Federal Loans Graduate business students have essentially two options here: Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan Students must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine eligibility. The Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (formerly the Stafford Loan) is available in a subsidized (an interest subsidy is paid by the federal government while the student is in school) and unsubsidized (interest payment is made by the student while in school) form. Repayment begins six months after the student’s enrollment ends and generally lasts about 10 years. Annual borrowing limits are $20,500 with no more than $8,500 coming from the subsidized direct loan. Aggregate borrowing limits are $138,500 with no more the $65,500 from the subsidized direct loan. The Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan is also available and it is a non-need based loan program that is based on the student’s creditworthiness. Students are encouraged to apply for the full amount needed for the entire school year. Annual loan eligibility is limited by the cost of attendance and other financial aid the student may be receiving. Repayment begins 1 month after graduation or when the student drops to less than half time enrollment. Generally, the Direct Graduate Plus Loan has a 10 year repayment term. Annual borrowing limits are determined by the student’s demonstrated financial need and other financial aid rewards. Aggregate borrowing limits are determined by cost of attendance and other financial aid awards. Private Loans After exhausting loan opportunities from federal aid programs, many students turn to private loan programs. Taking on loan debt should be done with a great deal of deliberation and for only the amounts needed. There are three keys to selecting private student loans—research, research, and research! The terms and conditions vary with each individual lender. Your thorough investigation and understanding of these terms and conditions will help to ensure a complete awareness of each program. Consider items such as interest rates, fees (both at the time of borrowing and during repayment), and loan limits when evaluating programs. Oftentimes a credit worthy cosigner can help to lower interest rates. Many colleges and universities will have a list of lenders that past students have used to fund their educations. As part of the application process, you will be required to complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form, which is typically provided by the lender and also may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office of each school. You can compare lender discounts and other benefits with College Board Student Loan Comparison Calculator and Loan Discount Analyzer from FinAid.org comparison tools.
• Choosing a Business School for Me and my WifeI was born in the northern city of Monterrey, the third largest city in Mexico and a major industrial center in Latin America. After graduating in 2004 with a B.A. in architecture, I joined the “Consultant in Development” program at CEMEX, a building solutions multinational. Along with a team of young graduates, I traveled extensively throughout Europe for CEMEX for several years. I left the company in 2008 to pursue some consulting opportunities, and after a couple of freelance projects, I ended up with the General Electric Co. in Monterrey. So when I started thinking about going for the MBA last year, I had four simple requirements. First, it had to be a top school. I wanted a program that could help me develop a specific set of skills and abilities, as well as provide me with knowledge on functions that I had not been exposed to in my previous jobs. Second, it had to be one year long. It was both, me and my wife, that wanted to attend an MBA program, which implied a much higher cost when compared to the regular two year programs available in the US. This requirement narrowed down our school selection to just a few. And third, the school had to have an entrepreneurial edge. Only two schools met these three requirements, and both were located in Europe: INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, and Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School in Madrid, Spain. Me and my wife made a final decision when we were notified that the IE Foundation had awarded a substantial scholarship to each one of us to be part of the Class of 2011. The process of applying to business school can be quite daunting. It represented setting time aside every now and then to think about my career. I see business school as the link between what I have done up to this moment and what I want to do with my life in the years to come. It was a process that consisted of 80% of the time thinking and 20% of the time filling out the applications. This brainstorming process proved to be very valuable later on. At first I thought I was admitted to IE Business School due to my odd profile: an architect with business knowledge from a Latin American country. My professional experience in multinational companies was also very interesting. I had lived in 7 countries across 2 continents in my life. However, once I met some of the people in the group, I realized that while each of us was unique in their own way, most of my classmates had vast international experience. I feel I am part of a cultural melting pot where our international experience will be our main asset. It looks like a promising experience is laying ahead. Diversity is one of the characteristics that the school prides itself about, and so far they exceeded my expectations. Perhaps I am one of the few who does not care much about the degree itself. The image that comes to mind when I think of a top MBA graduate is a well dressed professional driving a power point presentation that will end up saving substantial amounts of money or yielding a way higher return on investment than conventional instruments. While I have done that at some point, my interests lie beyond the economical benefits. I am looking forward to a great experience that will provide me with the tools to grow personally and professionally. The industries that grab my attention today are real estate, luxury goods and consulting. At some point in my career I want start a new venture, but the situation in Mexico today is very complicated to achieve this in the short term. I will look for opportunities abroad right after graduation in specific companies that operate in the UK, Canada or Australia. Miguel Suarez also blogs for the business education section of The Financial Times.

MBA.com News

• B-Schools Reward ReferralsAs more companies pull back on sponsoring employees in executive M.B.A. programs, schools are looking to beef up their referrals by offering more incentives to alumni.
• Making the Most of the Campus VisitVisiting an MBA program is a surefire way to find out if it's right for you. Here are five items that should top your to-do list
• M.B.A. Applications MutedApplications for full-time programs saw a 2% decline for the incoming class and part-time program applications fell 7%. But specialized and executive degree programs applications rose.
• Funding for graduate programs still available for international studentsWith talk of the global recession, mounting debts and bank collapses dominating the daily news, is there really a chance that you will find funding for a masters or PhD degree in the coming year?
• Decrease in full-time MBA applications, GMAC saysApplications for full-time MBA programs have dropped considerably for the second year in a row, according to a recent GMAC survey.
• MBA Application Numbers Reach "Turning Point"A study released today by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) confirms the MBA application "sputter" that was first reported by Bloomberg Businessweek on August 12. According to GMAC's annual Application Trends Survey's findings, only 44 percent of the 476 MBA programs that were surveyed reported gains in the number of applications they received for the entering full-time MBA class, compared with 66 percent last year and 70 percent in 2008. Of the respondents, 47 percent reported a decrease in applications, with a surprising 9 percent reporting drops of more than 20 percent over 2009. According to the release, "The cyclical nature of application volume trends is not new to graduate management program admissions professionals. After several years of strong growth, the number of applications typically reaches a high point and trends down afterwards. We are witnessing slight decreases in most programs. It appears that full-time MBA programs have reached this turning point." As was described in the earlier Businessweek story, the decline in MBA application numbers can be directly attributed to the economic woes the country has experienced over the past few years. "Last year, the financial crisis brought more people to seek further education. This year, as the economy picked up, the applications are more realistic," explained one survey participant in the GMAC report. Interestingly, part-time and executive MBA programs are not experiencing the same drops. Part-time application numbers remained flat compared with 2009, while EMBA application numbers experienced a significant jump, with 59 percent of schools reporting an increase in application numbers, compared with 37 percent in 2009. For B-schools, this is a good sign, as EMBA programs are traditionally big money makers. Also, it may be a good sign for the economy, in general, as the large rise in EMBA applications may indicate a willingness on the part of companies to begin sending employees to EMBA programs again, a practice that all but disappeared over the past few years due to the high program costs.

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• Chicago Booth Admissions Team Travels the Globe to Meet Prospective ApplicantsWith the full-time MBA recruiting season in full swing, representatives from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business are setting out around the globe to meet prospective applicants as part of dozens of informational events scheduled over the next month. In addition to more than 30 events in the United States and Canada, Chicago Booth will also hold receptions for prospective applicants in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. These Chicago Booth–sponsored fall events are hosted by admissions staff and alumni. They feature a traditional presentation about the Chicago Booth MBA program and admissions process followed by an alumni panel and a networking reception. In addition to these admissions events around the globe, Chicago Booth also hosts a . . . → Continue Reading
• Trivia Tuesday: The First-Year Experience at UVA/DardenWelcome to another edition of Trivia Tuesday, our weekly look at the policies and practices that differentiate the leading business schools. This week’s focus is the structure of Darden’s first-year class and the way it impacts the first-year experience at the school. Darden’s entering class is divided into five sections of 60-65 students each. As at other business schools that break their classes into smaller groups, Darden’s sections are designed to represent the professional and demographic diversity of the full first-year class. Each section takes all of its core curriculum courses together and therefore shares a common set of faculty. Given the relatively small size of the sections and the intensely participatory nature of Darden’s case-based learning style, the school has taken . . . → Continue Reading
• Register Now for a Forté Foundation ForumThis fall, the Forté Foundation is hosting MBA events for women in nine major cities. The 2010 Forté Forum, the title of which is “The MBA Value Proposition,” offers prospective female MBA applicants the chance to network, learn about careers in business, and discover how an MBA can open doors to new career opportunities. Each Forté Forum features an MBA alumnae panel, made up of women from various industries and stages of their career who will share their own experiences, and an admissions panel, which will enable attendees to meet and connect with admissions representatives from over 30 business schools. Additionally, a school fair will be open for the duration of the event.   Below . . . → Continue Reading
• Admissions Tip: The Optional EssayWe realize that the questions of whether to answer an optional essay and, if so, what to say are ones that loom large for many b-school applicants at this time of year. While we’ve been offering a great deal of school-specific essay advice over the past few months, we wanted to take some time to suggest a few considerations that applicants might want to take into account when making this call. Is it relevant? Perhaps this goes without saying, but the only information worth sharing in an optional essay is that which will make a material difference in your candidacy. Whether you wish to comment on an exciting leadership role you’ve just taken on or explain that you were overextended extracurricularly during that . . . → Continue Reading
• GMAT Tip: How to Make Educated Guesses on VerbalToday’s GMAT tip comes from test prep firm ManhattanGMAT. In this article, ManhattanGMAT instructor Stacey Koprince offers advice on making an educated guess on the verbal section of the GMAT: What is Educated Guessing? Generally speaking, there are two kinds of guessing: random and educated. A random guess is one in which you really don’t have any good idea how to choose among all five answer choices. An educated guess is simply one in which you have used good reasoning to eliminate a wrong answer or answers before you make a random guess from among the remaining choices. It is often the case that we can figure out some likely wrong answers even when we have no idea how to find . . . → Continue Reading
• Class Visits, Info Sessions Resume at Stanford Graduate School of BusinessOn Monday, September 6th, prospective applicants to the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) may begin to register for fall class visits and information sessions at the school. These events will resume on Monday, September 27th. In a post to the Stanford GSB Admissions Blog, Admissions Coordinator Joe Sicora underscored that while the GSB encourages prospective applicants to visit as means of getting a real feel for the school and its culture, campus visits are neither required nor expected. “Out of fairness to all applicants, we do not give preferential treatment in the admission process to those who have visited the GSB,” he wrote. For those who are able to schedule a visit to campus, information sessions take place on Mondays . . . → Continue Reading

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• Details On Sara Brillo's Mission To Rid The World Of 30% Of Its Male CFAsDiamond Oak Capital's Sara Brillo's prized possession is her CFA, not her MBA. Financial professionals frequently question which degree or qualification will end up being a more valuable asset or which they should get first, their CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) of their MBA.
• Rutgers offers MBA course in Mount LaurelThe Rutgers School of Business is offering business courses in Mount Laurel.Students may pursue a master of business administration (MBA) degree from the Camden-based university through courses held locally. The Rutgers MBA program offers concentrations in accounting, finance, marketing, management, international business, health-care management and e-commerce technology. Through a partnership ...
• UT-K welcomes first MBA Entrepreneur FellowsUT-Knoxville is kicking off its MBA Entrepreneur Fellow program this fall, where students are paid to start a business while earning their degrees.
• P.S.MbA clogged toilet in a holding cell flooded four courtrooms at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice downtown, forcing judges to relocate. The plumbing was ruled out of order.
• 'Come for an MBA; Leave with a Business'New MBA Entrepreneur Fellow program at the University of Tennessee
• Members elected for students associationArjun Bipin Raj, MBA student of Sri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara College has been elected president of Post-Graduate Degree All College Students Association here on Friday.

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