How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs by Montauk, Richard -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Acknowledgments Preface How to Benefit Most From This Book Part I The Context

1 Why Get an MBA?

Some Common Reasons for Getting an MBA What Does an MBA Program Do? The Value of Going to a Top School Financial Considerations Who Hires MBAs? Is an MBA Right for You?

2 Types of MBA Programs

The Traditional, Full-Time American MBA The European MBA North American One-Year programs Part-Time MBAs Executive MBAs Online MBAs Specialized MBAs Alternatives to an MBA Appendix I: What to Expect at Business School

3 How to Choose the Right School for You

Know Yourself—and What You Want from an MBA Research the Schools Determine How Many Schools to Apply To Avoid the Likely Pitfalls in Choosing a School Final Decision Criteria Appendix II: Criteria for Assessing MBA Programs Appendix III: Choosing a Part-Time or an Executive MBA Program Appendix IV: Asian and Latin American Programs Appendix V: Visiting Business Schools

4 How to Use the Rankings

Using the Rankings The Rankings The Top in Everything? Limitations of the Rankings’ Methodologies

5 The Admissions Process

“Rolling” versus “Rounds” Admissions The Standard (American) Model The Student-Involvement Variation The European Variation

6 Application Timetable

When Should You Apply—Early or Late in an Application Cycle? How Long Will It Take to Do Your Applications? The Application Timetable Where Are Things Most Likely to Go Astray?

Part II Marketing Yourself Successfully

7 Making the Most of Your Credentials

Qualities Schools Look For The Evidence Schools Examine Undergraduate Record The GMAT Work Experience: Regular Applicants Work Experience: Younger and Older Applicants Extracurricular Activities During College Community and Other Activities Your Presentation Making the Ultimate Decisions For International Applicants

8 Marketing Yourself: General Principles

Determining the Substance of Your Message Capitalizing on Your Strengths, Minimizing Your Weaknesses Fit In–Stand Out Fashioning Your Message: Positioning General Positioning Versus Specific Positioning The Mechanics of Positioning: Using Themes A Simple Positioning Effort The Marketing Vehicles Conclusion Appendix VI: Personal Organizer

9 Understanding the Key Essay Topics

Taking Full Advantage of the Essays MBA Program Topics Business and Career Topics Mixed Business and Personal Topics Personal Topics Other Topics Team Essays Brief Notes on Additional Essays General Rules for Approaching Any Essay Question

10 How to Write Persuasive Essays

The Writing Process: Getting Started Planning Writing Tips for Good Writing Reusing Your Essays

11 Recommendations

Why Are Recommendations Required? What Do Admissions Committees Learn from Your Recommendations? Who Should Write Your Recommendations? How Many Recommenders? Approaching a Potential Recommender What Do You Want Said About You? And How Can You Increase Its Value? The Follow-Up Recommendation Example Appendix VII: Recommendation Briefing Outline

12 Interviews

Interviewing Policies Before the Interview Practice Physical Preparations During the Interview General Rules for Interviews Special Types of Interviews How to Deal with the Incompetent Interviewer After the Interview Special Concerns for International Applicants Appendix VIII: Interview Questions Appendix IX: Résumés

Part III On The Road To Business School

13 Responding to Wait-Listing, Rejections, and Other Disappointments

Responding to Administrative Holds Responding to Wait-Listing Responding to Rejection Should You Ever Appeal a Rejection? Should You Reapply in the Future or Settle for a Lesser School? Other Options

14 What to Do Once You Are Accepted

Accepting Your Offer Leaving Your Job Preparing for Business School Preparing for a New Career

15 How to Get the Most Out of Business School

Hit the Ground Running Time Management Matters Choose Your Study Group Wisely Cut to the Chase Develop Skills and Knowledge That Are Vital to Your Career (and Difficult to Develop Outside of Business School) Think About Your Career Development Keep Stress Under Control Don’t Forget the Social Experience

16 Financing Your MBA Calculating the Cost of Business School

Financing Sources Evaluating Financial Packages—and Trying for More Strategies for Financing Your Business School Education Summary: The Basic Strategies Additional Information Sources

Part IV Application Essay Examples

Essays

Index