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KEY POSTS

Be sure to read my key posts on the admissions process.
Topics include: Essays, resumes, recommendations, rankings, and more!

HBS Class of 2017 MBA Application Essay, Resume, and App Form

Sep, 11, 2014


In this post I will be analyzing the optional essay question and key components of the HBS Application for the Class of 2017 as indicated by the optional MBA essay topic:   You’re applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, academic transcripts, extracurricular activities, awards, post-MBA career goals, test scores, and what […]


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INSEAD MBA Essay Questions for September 2015

Aug, 10, 2014


Here I discuss INSEAD’s essays for September 2015 (Class of July 2016). Since 2001, when I began doing MBA admissions counseling, I have had an opportunity to work with a large number of clients admitted to INSEAD. Since establishing my own consulting practice in 2007, I’ve worked with 33 clients admitted to INSEAD. Annual breakdowns and testimonials […]


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Stanford GSB MBA Essays and Application for the Class of 2017

Jun, 04, 2014


In this post, I analyze the Stanford GSB MBA essays and additional information/resume/employment history/activities for Class of 2017 Admission. My analysis of Stanford GSB interviews can be found here. In addition to the Class of 2017 posts, I also recommend reading and/or listening to my presentation, “So you want to get into Stanford GSB?” which was made to a Japanese […]


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Wharton’s really short essay set for 2015 admission!

Jun, 03, 2014


I will post a full analysis later, but Wharton has gone completely generic.  Assuming you are applying to HBS, Stanford, and/or Columbia as well, Wharton essays for 2017 MBA admission represent no real work: “Questions, Class of 2017: 1. (Required) What do you hope to gain both personally and professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 […]


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2014 AIGAC MBA Applicant Survey Now Available

May, 30, 2014


The 2014 AIGAC MBA Applicant Survey is now available. The full version of the survey analysis is here.   I want to thank my clients and readers who made application in 2014 for contributing to the survey results.  Those making application for 2015 admission will find the survey worth reviewing in order to understand the […]


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Adam in P&Q’s “What MBA Admission Consultants Charge”

May, 28, 2014


My perspective on why hourly rates instead of per school packages are fair was given extensive coverage in Poets & Quants.


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Interview with TOEFL and IELTS Expert Taichi Kono

May, 17, 2014


The highly experienced TOEFL, GMAT and IELTS instructor, Taichi Kono , author of  five English language textbooks including two on TOEFL , was kind enough to answer my questions on TOEFL and IELTS.  I previously posted Taichi’s Japanese language blog posts  on GMAT Sentence Correction (The whole series can be found on Taichi’s blog).  The […]


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Beating the Competition, Gaining MBA Admission: Averages & the 80% Range

May, 17, 2014


 This is the second post in a series. In the first post, I looked at competition from the macro-level of Acceptance Rates, Number of Applicants, Number of Enrolled, and Yield.   Given the global nature of my client base and my experience over the past twelve and half years, I am able to assess the competition […]


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TOEFL To Be Accepted for UK Student Visas Under Certain Conditions

May, 16, 2014


Update: TOEFL will be accepted in the UK under certain conditions. See Using TOEFL® Scores to Apply to U.K. Universities.  Except for this paragraph and the title, the rest of this post has not been updated.    If you have been preparing to take the TOEFL and plan to apply to graduate programs in the UK and […]


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The Possible Impact of the HBS Round 1 Deadline on Columbia Early Decision

May, 16, 2014


Harvard Business School’s Round One Deadline of September 9th is perfectly designed to make the decision to apply to Columbia Business School Early Decision easier than ever before because applicants who time their ED applications right can know whether they have been invited to an HBS interview long before paying Columbia’s deposit and even possibly […]


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