Crossing Fingers!

Another Aringo client was invited to an interview at Columbia (MBA).

Admissions Committees are Googling You!

A new Kaplan survey found that 27% of MBA admissions committee members say they have searched for applicants on Google in order to learn more about them, and 22% checked candidates’ profiles on Facebook or other social networks. Fourteen percent said their searches revealed information about candidates that affected their chances negatively!

The survey was conducted in the months of July-August among 265 U.S. MBA programs including the top programs. The survey also examined financial aid offered by the various programs and revealed that 36% gave more aid this year than last year, while 17% gave less and 47% reported no change.

The survey also found that 52% of participating programs accept the GRE exam as an alternative to the GMAT, while 34% only accept the GMAT but plan on accepting the GRE in the coming years.

Put Me in Business (applying in less than a year)
Put Me in Business (applying in more than a year)

Decrease in MBA Applications

An article in The Wall Street Journal reports that according to GMAC data, this year showed a 10% decrease in the number of applications to full-time MBA programs. This is the third consecutive year in which a decrease has been recorded. According to the report, a third of the 331 business schools surveyed reported a decrease over 10%.

One obvious explanation for the decrease is the global economic situation and uncertainty about the future. Fewer candidates apply to business school since they are unsure of the return on their investment. A decrease of 4% has even been shown at Harvard which received 9,134 applications this year, what contributed to an increased acceptance rate from 11% to 12%.

Despite the decrease in number of applications, business schools report an increase in the quality of applicants in terms of GMAT scores, GPAs, and career experience.

In terms of the future, since this year showed an increase in GMAT test-takers, an increase in applications is expected for next year…

Put Me in Business (applying in less than a year)
Put Me in Business (applying in more than a year)

Choose Your Recommender Wisely #4!

Additional (and final) tips in choosing recommenders:

- A recommendation from a family firm is usually not recommended if it is written by a family member. However, if it is written by someone senior in a big firm, who is not a family member, even though the firm is owned by the family, it may be ok. Some European schools (e.g. IESE) don't mind getting recommendations from family firms, even written by family members.

- A recommendation from a client is usually not recommended unless it is a very impressive client (big name firm). However, recommendations from clients can serve as a way out for people who have only worked in family firms and don’t have other potential recommenders to choose from.

- If possible, it is better to select recommendations that provide different angles on the candidate.
If two recommendations describe pretty much the same type of activity (e.g. rec. 1 – programmer in company A, rec. 2 – programmer in company B), one of these recommendations should probably be replaced.

- Recommenders who are alumni of the same school that the recommendation is submitted to are more effective than non-alumni recommenders (not critical, but helpful).

- Recommendations from very big shots (e.g. government ministers, famous people) are great if the context is of mutual activity (preferably direct/indirect supervisor) and the content reflects acquaintance and excitement. If not, they don't necessarily help and may even hurt.

- Pay special attention to the "recommendations instructions" section that each school provides (instructions to the candidate – which recommenders to choose etc., and instructions to the recommender). Their specific requirements must be met.

GOOD LUCK!

Put Me in Business (applying in less than a year)
Put Me in Business (applying in more than a year)
MBA Essay Examples