AdmitMBA360 Blog formerly Journey to my MBA

Journey to my MBA

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Applying and not sure where to start?

Some of you may or may not know that I didn't apply to Business School last year. I did apply to two schools 2 yrs ago. It was not a great attempt as I now realize that those essays of 2 years ago and my overall package were not stellar. I didn't apply last year because I was just too focused on building a couple of businesses. This year, I'm hitting the application trail like everyone else. The biggest question that perplexed me for the longest time this year was, "How to manage the overwhelming number of tasks and applications to 6 schools?"

Over the years, I've seen many people attack the application from different ways that have truly astounded me. I know one girl who put together a full application to UCLA with essays in 10 days and was not only accepted to Anderson, but also received a full ride scholarship. More often than not... people take a significant amount of time to craft their application packages. I use the term "Application Package" purposefully because this is really how you should look at the application. It's not about the essays or the letter of rec's, but all the pieces that make up your submission for admission. (Hah, "submission for admission"... I like that.)

The best suggestion I have is to do 4 strategic things before all else.

1) Decide on your schools and get the deadline dates of application submission.
2) Break down the application process into chunks of tasks and assign estimated times for each task. Here's an example of something I had put together that helped me A LOT. (Note: I have already collected the resources that I would need for each item. For example, I already have Resume templates that MBA students currently use.)Also...some of these tasks have been removed, elaborated upon into smaller tasks or been combined.

Essay Tasks Expected Time
Write 1 page summary of school unique school qualities 3 hrs/school
Write 1 page of classes/clubs and activities that I’m attracted to 3 hrs/school
Review all Questions once per day for each school. 10 min
Do the Writing Prompt Exercise 2 hrs
Create Essay Reviewer contact sheet and contact each Essay reviewer personally 2 hrs
Brainstorm session (list my stories and career tie-ins) 10 hrs
Data mine with Friends and Family 5 hrs
Evaluate stories/data mining for distinctive ones 2 hrs
Review selected GAEBS Book summary notes and Accepted.com/ClearAdmit.com comments for each Essay question type before creating outline of each question. 3hrs x3
Write Outline for each essay. 3 hrs/essay
Write 3-5 Strategy approaches for each essay. (1 paragraph) 2 hrs/essay
Write Draft 1 of each Essay 5 hrs/essay
Give 1 day space between Draft 1 and edit
Revise 1st Draft Critically 3 hrs

Recommendation letters
Review and document needed info for each school for recommenders 3 hr
Strategize criteria for Rec people & List them (Need 2 or 3) 2 hrs
Call and schedule time for Rec requests 3 hrs
Write Examples of successes (1 Page) for each work area related to each Reco person. 12 hrs
Follow-up 1st Draft with Rec People 2 hr
Follow-up Final Draft w/ Rec People 2 hr

Interviews
Review Interview experiences from ClearAdmit and Accepted.com for each School. 3hrs/school

Verbal practice of Interviews (2-3 sessions with Jane)3hrs/school
Verbal Practice of Interviews by myself before I do with Jane 3hrs/school

Online Application
Create Online Application Info Template (includes strategic summary) 8 hrs
Fill out online application info for each school 3-5 hrs/school
Fill out online Transcript form 3 hrs/school
Order Transcripts for each school 2 hrs
Send GMAT scores to all schools if not already sent. 1 hr

Resume
Refine and write Draft 1 of Resume 4 hrs
Critique Resume 2 hrs
Write Draft 2 of Resume 2 hrs

3) Get a Calendar and fill in the tasks starting with deadline dates and pre-defined dates that create milestones for groups of these tasks. Here are some milestones that I used. (Download my template here - Print it and use.)

-Complete 1st set of Draft Essays
-Decide on do or die date for application (1 week before actual due date) Shift to next Round of application app submission.
-Letter or Rec's done (2 weeks before school deadline)
-Letter of Rec info to referrences

Some hard dates that I also put in were:
-App Deadline dates
-Actual Interview dates
-Travel dates for Interviews
-Holidays

4) Then take the same Calendar and fill in the detailed items per school starting at the deadline dates and work bacwards towards earlier dates. Shorthand helped me to fill out the schedule such things as writing the Tuck essays. For Example, "Essay T:1" meant "Write the essay for Tuck's 1st question".

Why did all this scheduling help me?

1) I only have a certain amount of time in a day. I need to know what is humanly possible, (or Dave possible) in approaching these apps. Knowing the cost of time for each task allowed me to develop overlapping time blocks for each school related task as I planned out my weeks. In short, saying "yes" to doing these blocks of tasks helped me to know what I should be saying "no" to. Most importantly, this planning helped me to put some urgency into my day because I realized just how much time all this was going to take when I put it all together.

2) When I started to put in the blocks of time backwards from each schools application submission date, I began to see how I was going to need to spread things out a bit. I purposefully scheduled in some fun activities, Birthdays, Travel time and reasonable rest space so that I could move activities around or tasks around. During travel time for Interviews for example, I didn't plan anything related to apps except for Profile reviews. I'm still on a killer schedule... but it's a Marathon and not a sprint. I have to pace this thing or I won't end well. By the way, I learned from personal experience that it takes 3-5 hrs to write a 1st Draft of an essay. Any longer means that I didn't know have a clear strategy in what I was going to say. This is dangerous. Having a strategy and focus on answering the questions is essential. For example, one should create an outline of what each essay will contain before writing an essay.

One last note that I would suggest for everyone. I got this book written by Paul Bodine who is a senior editor at Accepted.com. Many of my bullet points are further explained by reading through it. I've taken what he wrote and adapted it into a schedule of chunks that really makes sense. I want to write a thorough review on this book, but right now... I'm a bit limited on time. I'd just like to say that this is THE best book you can get on doing your essays for Business School.

Paul is quite methodical and structured in his approach. He breaks things down into effective and very efficient tasks. You can see how doing so allowed me to assign time blocks to each task. He not only helps you to see a practical view of doing ones essays in a step by step fashion, but he does so by showing you how to create Excellent essays rather than mediocre ones.

If you don't get this book, I would have to say that you're at a severe disadvantage. Many of you may not be able to afford an admissions consultant. This book is like having Paul by your side. Moreover, this book may show you why you may want to invest in getting an Admissions Consultant. (Click on the pic below to order the book) Seriously.. don't hesitate... just get it.


7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

If your application is anywhere close to the quality of your blog - you're a clear admit !!!

Good luck !

9:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Dave,

As an applicant, I've so far found that essays are best when it reflects the true picture of self.

I started with pinning my calendar and simply writing down all the events that made me what I'm today. I then started connecting the "dots" (read: events) interspersed with the rationale behind my actions and wow! - I have a true profile of myself.

Suddenly, application process seems so easy. It motivated me understand the force behind my actions, thus, revealing my true identity.

Books help but nothing like your own profile.

5:15 AM  
Blogger Dave for MBA said...

Great comments. Just want to clarify that the book provides structure to do the essays and letter of recs well. But most importantly, provides insights into what Business school staff define as a good or bad quality essay. Some of it may be obvious/common sense, but some of it may not be.

I can assure you that not all of it is common sense. The take away piece I'd like readers of this article I wrote to realize is that it helps to know how to break up the essay process to enable one to turn an overwhelming process into a manageable one.

2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Truly..I agree with the last comment..Ur blog is gr8..Someone recommended me to have a look at it and it sure is worth the feedback..

What are the best sources as you say for essay writting?

1:42 AM  
Blogger Dave for MBA said...

The best essay resources are:

For an overview of what to expect:
1) Mountak's How to get into the Top MBA Programs.
2) Each school's web site where they present tips on the essay's.
3) Clearadmit.com, Accepted.com, Stacyblackman.com for general articles on the essay's.

For essay specific help.
1) Paul Podine's How to write great application essays.
2) Accepted.com's various books on essay's are excellent as well.
3) Accepted.com and Clearadmit.com provide specific tips and hints on each essay for the top MBA schools. Even if you're school isn't one of the covered essays, you'll find a lot of similiarity with most of what they've commented on and the school essay you're working on.


There are more resources, but these are the core essentials that I would recommend. There is such as a thing as too much info. I know this Blog has a lot of resources. So I hope this summary helps you to focus on what you should be going through.

10:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent Blog Dave and great advice for people like me who are starting with apps.

I wanted to know if you have any suggestions on where I might go to research certain schools that are ‘GMAT strong’

I have heard that there are some schools which give slightly more emphasis on GMAT viz a viz the undergrad acads. On the other hand there are others who eschew candidates with anything lesser than above avg academic performace.

I have a good GMAT 760+;however, my undergrad academics are pathetic with low grades in the major, something that would send out wrong signals.

I plan to write an optional essay to explain my academic performance(or the lack of it). However,it might be wise to apply to schools who are less fastidious about grades and where good standardized test scores can offset grades to some extent.

5:58 AM  
Blogger Catalina said...

Great post Dave! thanks a lot for all of your help! =)

8:55 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Journey to my MBA Locations of visitors to this page
Stay up to date with this Blog
Monitor changes to links on the sidebars of this Web Site
Dave's E-Mail

Subscribe with Bloglines Subscribe with My Yahoo! Subscribe with Google Subscribe in NewsGator Online Subscribe in Rojo Subscribe with Pluck RSS reader Subscribe with Bloglines Add to AOL
Get Updates of this Blog via Email:

Powered by Squeet.com
Some Noteworthy Blog Postings
Cornell-Johnson Visit Experience-Dave
MIT-Sloan Visit Experience-Dave
Wharton Visit Experience-Dave
Darden Visit Experience-'04-Dave
Darden Visit/Interview Experience-'06-Dave
Darden Pictures-'06
HBS Visit Experience-'04-Dave
HAAS Visit/Info Session-'04-Dave
Columbia Visit/Info Session-'04-Axechick
Tuck Visit/Info Session-'05-Laser
Tuck Visit/Interview '06-Dave
Tuck Pictures1-'06
Tuck Pictures2-'06
--------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan Info Sess. Experience-Dave
Columba Info Sess. Experience-Dave
Tuck Info Sess. Experience-Dave
World MBA Tour Experience-Dave
Travel Guides-Dave
Columbia Open House I-Droodoggie
Columbia Open House II-Droodoggie
--------------------------------------------------------------
Application Essay Advice-Dave
Application Essay Advice II-Dave
MBA App advice-Consulting/Management-Dave
Good Essay question Prep-Uniqpath
The MBA Journey Begins-Dave
The MBA App Process-MarketWiz
Picking Target Schools-Sghama
Pre-App Tips-Bloghorn8
How to interact w/ B-School Staff-Dave
Managing Your Recommenders-ClearAdmit
Schools I Picked & Why-Anand
Import App Elements-Redwolf056
A Successful Essay(Chicago GSB)-PowerYogi
Why Chicago GSB-Paul Jan
Stanford GSB Dean on Essays
------------------ Application Process ------------------
Advice on Admissions Consultants-Dave
Why get an MBA now?-Dave
Why do I need an MBA?-Dave
Story of Tenacity-Dave
MBA App Advice-Dave
Maximize your MBA Info Sess. Exp.-Dave
Low GPA Stories-Dave
Introspect on being resolute-Dave
Why Attitude Matters-Dave
Wharton's Interview Policy-RedWolf
Dealing with a Low GPA
Tuck's App Review Process
UCLA's App Review Process
Wharton's App Review Process
Every Essay Tells a Story
Your Story is so Interesting
What is a great essay?
Am I too young to apply?
When is the best time to apply?
Applying and not sure where to start?
Is school XXX any good?
The B-School Admit Hate List
Hey Applicant, Lay off the Buggin
Should I interview on or off campus?(See comment)
MBA Tour/Info Session Tip
The Interview
------------------ GMAT ----------------------------------
Low GMAT Success Stories
GMAT Score Needed in Europe
GMAT Score Needed
GMAT Score Needed by Age
GMAT Score Needed by Country
GMAT Score Needed by Race
GMAT Score Needed by Major
Budgeting time for the GMAT
Breaking the 700 Barrier
--------------------------------------------------------------
The B-School Route to Career Change
Pre-MBA Resources
MBA Math Build math and spreadsheet skills
Article
MBA Resources show all
--------- Video Interview's of B-School Deans -------
Video Interviews of B-School Deans
------------ B-School Visit Experiences ----------------
Admin Director Interviews
Visit Reviews
------------ MBA Forums ----------------------------------
Business Week Forum
Wharton Student Forum
PagalGuy.com(India)
Chicago GSB Forum
Yale Forum


----------- B-School Articles and News-----------------
How B-Schools get their name
BusinessWeek(B-School Headlines)
The Economist(News from Schools)
The Financial Times(Business Education)
Wall Street Journal(MBA Center)
----------- Gen MBA Info ---------------------------------
MBAMap.com
MBABuzz MBA Blogs, Forum, App Stat Plotter
MBA Info
GMAC
MBAZone.com
MBA Studylink
MBA Jungle
MBA Game Plan
MBA Official Guide
MBA Depot
Top 10 MBA
Ivy League Admissions.com
MBA Podcaster
MBA Jargon
MBA School Directory
Admission411
MBA 4 Success
Military MBA


------------ MBA Program Summary for Applicants---
Accepted.com
BusinessWeek.com
ClearAdmit School Guides
MBAMap.com
TopMBA.com
TheMBATour.com
WSJ School Snapshots
WSJ Who's Recruiting Where?
MBAPrepAdvantage School Profiles
------------ MBA Foreign Related -----------------------
Canadian MBA
Infozee "Foreign MBA"
------------ MBA Conf/Foundations --------------------
Top MBA
The MBA Tour
The MBA Diversity Alliance
Forte Foundation
Catalyst Women
Knowledge@Wharton Podcast
Association of MBAs
------------ Resume Help ---------------------------------
Wetfleet.com
Resumeedge.com
Resumedeli
Darden Resume's
MBA Game Plan Resume Help


------------ Essay Help ------------------------------------
American Dream Project.org - (Dave's Pick)
Essayedge.com (Samples) (Getting Started)
MBA Essay Strategy(download)
MBA Game Plan Essay Help
Some Classic Advice from Wharton Boards
Clear Edit Automated writing editor
MBA Studio


------------- Interview Insight --------------------------
B-School Interview Braindump-Accepted
B-School Interview Braindump-Clearadmit
------------- Ethnocentric Assoc. ----------------------
P.R.I.N.A.
yKAN
LEAD Program for minorities
------------- Post-MBA ------------------------------------
MBA Concepts
------------- MBA Articles---------------------------------
If you want your application to B-School to stand out;first do your homework properly, and then apply early
Admissions Tip:HBS Essay #2
Writing good essays from an ADCOM perspective
Top 5 MBA programs Article
The Full-Time Advantage
Overcoming Procrastination
Why B-School is good for our Economy

MBA Ranks show all
Ranks by Industry Sector Show
--------------------------------------------------------------
Forbes ranking measures the graduates' return on investment
Economist ranking reports how students and alumni rated their MBA experience
BusinessWeek surveys students and corporate recruiters and measures intellectual capital
Wall Street Journal is a corporate recruiter based poll (21 criteria)
U.S. News & World Report evals student selectivity and placement data and gathers the perceptions of deans and program directors to develop the ranking
Financial Times poll measures career progression of alumni, program diversity and a school's track record in producing new ideas in management
--------------------------------------------------------------
BusinessWeek '06 Rank
BusinessWeek '06 Slideshow
Financial Times '08 (PDF) (Interactive)
US News&World Report 2009
Economist 2008 Rankings
------Wall Street Journal Rankings--------------------
WSJ 2006(US)
WSJ 2006(International)
WSJ 2006(Academic Discipline)
WSJ 2006(Women)
WSJ 2006(Ethics)
WSJ 2006(Minorities)
WSJ 2006(Industry)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Forbes Rankings 05' Results - 07' Results
MBAINFO.com Rankings
Beyond Grey Pinstripes 2009
DTU Research per School
B-School Research Rankings
--------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Times E-MBA Rankings '06 PDF
BusinessWeek E-MBA Rankings '05
Money's top 100 MBA Employers '06
US News Category Ranks '06
Financial Times Category Ranks
--------------------------------------------------------------
Asia B-School Rank 2000
Australian 2005 Financial Review
German B-School Rank
Computerworld top techno MBA Survey
Consus Group B-School Rankings
Entrepreneur.com top 100 Entrepreneurial Colleges
Find MBA Rankings
International Education Commission's Top 10
Marr/Kirkwood Comparison Rankings
Official MBA Guide:MBA Program Ranking and Screening

GMAT Resources show all
GMAC-Register for GMAT
---------- GMAT Articles ----------------------------------
GMAT 700+ Stories(download)
Why Prepare?
About the GMAT
How someone got a 760 score
How someone got a 790 score
Mark Rice GMAT Advice
Low GMAT Success Stories

---------- GMAT Forums ----------------------------------
Beat the GMAT
GMAT Club Forum
Scoretop.com-Forum and Files!
TestMagic Forum


---------- GMAT Companies ------------------------------
Bell Curves
GMATTutor.com
GMAX Online(Online GMAT Course)
Kaplan
ManhattanReview
Manhattan GMAT
Perfect GMAT
Princeton Review
Syvum.com
Test Prep New York
Test Prep Review(Online Course)
Veritas GMAT Prep
790GMAT GMAT Guru(SF based)


---------- GMAT Self Study Guides ----------------------
Corrections to Official Guide 11th
Advanced GMAT Math Study Guide
Deltacourse
GMAT Study Strategy
Micro Edu GMAT Prep Material
Probability Review(download)
4GMAT - Math Books (India)


---------- GMAT Resource/Reference -----------------
GMAT Scratchpad
Dr Math
Dr Math-Pascal Triangle
GMAT Official Guide Question Info
HyperGrammar
Krysstal.com
Manhattan GMAT Study Guides (Dave's Pick)
Math.com (Math Skills Review)
MathGoodies.com
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Texas A&M-College Algebra
The Math Page (For Basic Math Skills)
101 Basic Radical & Exponent Review


---------- GMAT Tests ------------------------------------
PowerPrep GMAT CAT (Dave's Pick)
Ascent Education
Arco
Axxent
800 Score (Dave's Pick)
English Test
GMATBuster
GMAT Cram.com
GMATExams.com
GMAT Practice Tests
Gorilla Test Prep
Manhattan GMAT Tests (Dave's Pick)
R&B Consulting Prep Software
Realtestquestions.com
ScoreTop Online Verbal-Quant Tests
TestMasters
TestPrep New York
Upstart Raising GMAT Simulator


Financing your MBA show all
Campusprogram.com
FastWeb
Finaid.com
Financial Aid Podcast
Foreign MBA.com
FreschInfo.com
Fundsnet-Search Engine
Gradloans.com
Graduate Fellowship Database
MBA.com-Loan info
MBAInfo-Article
MBAJungle-Article
Sallie Mae-MBA Loans
Studentawards.com
Tuitionpay.com
US Government's E-Scholar
MBA Admission Consultants show all
Accepted.com Forum
AdmissionConsultant.com
Brody Admissions
B-SchoolAdmission.com
Cambridge Essay Service
Clear Admit
EssayEdge.com
Essay Solutions
Expartus
Global Now
ManhattanReview
Maxx Associates
MBAdmission.com
MBA Applicant.com
MBA Apply
The MBA Exchange
MBAGameplan Article
MBAPrepAdvantage
MBA Studio
Stacy Blackman
Veritas Consulting
-------- Brazilian Admin Consultants ------------------
MBA Empresarial
-------- Commentary on Admin Consultants ----------
Why use them?
Comments about some of them
Not all Consultants are good
MBA Life show all
Chicago GSB Online Newspaper
Chicago GSB Magazine
Columbia B-School Wkly Online NewsPaper
Columbia Spectator Daily NewsPaper
Cornell Univ. Daily Sun (Main Campus)
Cornell Daily News Service Highlights
Dartmouth Online Newspaper
Tuck Today Online Happenings
Duke News & Community
HAAS Weekly
Harvard B-School Online Newspaper
Harvard Gazette Online Newspaper
Harvard Online Magazine
Kellogg Online Newspaper
News at MIT
Michigan(Ross) Newspaper
Texas McCombs Weekly
Michigan Daily Online Newspaper
Stern Online Newspaper
Stanford Online Newspaper
Stanford B-School Reporter
UCLA Qrtrly Assets Mag
Univ. Virginia Daily Online News
Wharton Online Newspaper
Yale Daily Online Newspaper
Yale Herald Online Newspaper
Blog & Other Resources show all
IQ Test
Efax.com
Bloglines
Computer Interval Clock
T-Mobile Coverage Check
Picasa
Hello.com
YouSendIt.com Send large files
Sendthisfile.com Send large files
Understanding Blog Template Code
SSI Developer - CSS
Changenotes.com-Web Monitor
Fodey.comNewspaperclip generator
MBA Related Books
Search Now:

Site Meter