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Blog: Graduate School

Some brief pointers for editing MBA and other graduate school application essays

Apr, 22, 2016


 Chances are extremely high that when you initially write any application essay and even when you have a good working version of it going, it is likely to be over the word count.  If it is not over the word count, especially at the initial stage that itself is actually a problem.  In another blog post, […]


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Short, Medium, and Long-term Planning for Graduate Admission

Jun, 17, 2015


In this post I discuss graduate degree planning. Whether you are applying for admission to programs with a start this year, next year, in a few years, or maybe in five years or more, having a plan in place increases your chances of success.  While I work mostly with MBA applicants (Clear enough from reviewing […]


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Why you were not offered admission: It is not just about you!

Dec, 11, 2014


In this post, I discuss why a reject is not always best understand as a problem with the application or the applicant.  For understanding some of the reasons why your application and/or interview might have been flawed or why you might have been selecting the wrong school(s) to apply to I suggestion seeing “A guide […]


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Rule #1: Ask the admissions office!

Mar, 18, 2012


I frequently get questions from my clients that I can’t answer. These are usually not questions about essays, recommendation content, interview preparation, what should go in a resume, or  usually even how usually how to fill out an application form. The questions that I can’t answer usually involve the specific administrative policies of schools.  Sometimes […]


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GRADUATE ADMISSIONS IS A LONELY ZERO SUM GAME

Mar, 08, 2012


As part of a series of general posts on MBA admissions strategy, I present the following extreme position.  Those looking for a sweet and friendly view of the business school admissions process that emphasizes collaboration will surely be disappointed. Here, I will offer a view of the MBA admissions process that is cynical, aggressive, and, […]


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The Application You Is Only One Version of You

Mar, 05, 2012


Now that my attention is beginning to turn to clients at the beginning rather than the end of the admissions process, I have decided to begin a new series of posts covering some core foundational application strategies. I thought I would begin with a seemingly obvious, but often ignored strategic consideration: YOU ARE NOT SUBMITTING […]


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Resume Template for MBA, LL.M. and Other Grad School Applications

Jul, 11, 2011


You can find my suggested MBA, LL.M., or other graduate school admissions resume template on Google docs here and on Scribd here. Many of my clients have found this  template to be a very effective basis for making a successful graduate school application resume.  It is designed for providing a balanced (academic, professional, everything else) […]


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How to pick a graduate admissions consultant

Apr, 28, 2011


In the post, I provide some general suggestions for selecting a graduate admissions consultant.  I have previously discussed the whole issue of application advisers in Admissions Advice: Mentor, Consultant, Editor or Ghostwriter?, but I wanted to provide a practical guide for the purpose of admissions counselor, consultant, and/or adviser selection. This post does make use […]


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School Selection: academic fit, location and financing

Apr, 25, 2011


In this post, revised from three that I last updated in 2008, I will consider the role of academic fit, location, and financing in  graduate school selection.  I suggest reading my posts on fit and prestige as well. ACADEMIC FIT Whether you are in the process of deciding where to go or are deciding where […]


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Graduate School Selection: Start with Fit

Apr, 22, 2011


In this post, I will provide an overall perspective on fit and to its role in graduate school selection.  This post applies to MBA, Masters of Law, public policy, and all other types of graduate programs. FINDING FIT IN A WORLD OF CHOICES In a world of choices, it is all about fit, that is […]


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