Wharton is one of the few schools that require you to declare a major and select electives before entering their MBA program. But how do you determine what those MBA classes are ahead of your arrival? Well, you will have to do some business school research. Here is a step-to-step guide to help you decipher the process.
HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR FINAL MBA PROGRAM(S) SELECTION
An MBA list should usually be pushing the envelope a bit - aiming for all b-schools that you really want to go to and that feel pretty hard to get into. To get to this main idea, we will work through: General philosophy on selecting MBA programs, the contextual nature of ROI, and finishing off a list of programs.
Things You Must Know Before Writing Your Essays
The Biggest MBA Essay Writing Tip
Tactical Aspects To Wharton’s Curriculum
Wharton's New Dean: A New Direction for Wharton?
Deciphering Wharton’s “Knowledge for Action” and “Collaborative Innovation”
LinkedIn Search Techniques To Determine Your MBA Goals
Once you have are clearer in determining your realistic goals, here are some search techniques on LinkedIn to help you further your MBA research. Firstly, start on your targeted MBA program’s page (on LinkedIn). Then search for your desired title (e.g., “Product manager”)
Example Search: UCLA Anderson, Product Manager
The Real Value of LinkedIn with Respect To B-School?
What's the real value of LinkedIn with respect to business school? Determining how realistic your business school goals are - especially your short-term goal - as well as what business schools are the most appropriate for your goals. Overwhelmingly, b-schools will look at your short-term goals from a recruiter's POV.
Your Resume vs. Your LinkedIn Profile
UPDATES: The Most Important Thing To Do After You Hit Submit
After submitting your MBA application, the most important thing you can do is to keep engaging your target business schools. After you’ve completed all your submissions, you should still keep reaching out to your target MBA schools with substantial updates. This will make you stand out and look more competitive.
When To Hit "Submit" on Your MBA App?
You don’t have to submit your MBA application weeks before the actual due date. If it’s rolling admissions or early decision, at Columbia or even at Tuck, then yes hit submit ASAP. If it’s rolling admissions, the earlier you submit, the sooner you will get your decision. There is a word of caution though, keep reading.
WORK ON YOUR MBA APPLICATION RESUME LAST
Work on your MBA application resume last — within the last two or three weeks before the school deadline. Why? There are going to be things that you work on that come up at work, all recent updates you will need to capture and include in your resume. The resume is a living document that is constantly updated.
Letters Of Recommendation: When You Can't Ask Your Current Boss. Now what?
What happens if your current workplace does not support you going off to business school? If your current boss is unwilling to write you a letter of recommendation? Or you just can't ask them because it might jeopardize your current work situation? Well, this actually happens a lot. Luckily, we have five reasons and resolutions for this.
WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER WRITE YOUR OWN LOR’S
For one, it’s unethical. But even if you don’t care about that, you run the risk, of looking like a newb, as somebody who does not write a lot of recommendations. Secondly, you run the risk making your LOR's sound similar to each other. Thirdly, you run the risk of the LOR’s sounding very similar to your essays.
THE IDEAL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION SCENARIO
What MBA applicants should be doing right now (earlier on in the application process) and without letting the cat out of the bag, approach your boss. Only do this if you think your boss is going to be receptive to you applying to business school. Gage to see how supportive they are and if they would provide you an LOR.
HOW TO START WRITING YOUR SECOND MBA APPLICATION ESSAY
Once you’ve got your first MBA application essay to 95%-99% completion, start tackling your second MBA application essay. The second target school should go through the whole process again starting at around week four or five. A good rule of thumb is to estimate one-third less time for the second school than the first.
HOW TO START WRITING YOUR FIRST MBA APPLICATION ESSAY
The first school could take around eight to ten draft iterations, again this is at a bare minimum. You the MBA applicant are going to touch it around 5 times and the consultant is going to touch it another five times. Each week you work on a set of MBA application essays for days one to three, and then you flip it over.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HIRING AN MBA ADMISSIONS CONSULTANT
If you are aspiring to enroll at one of the top business schools like Harvard, Wharton or Stanford (which only admits 5 percent of applicants) you will likely need professional help to gain admission. Competition for spots at these schools is incredibly intense and an MBA admissions consultant could improve your chances drastically. But not all MBA Admissions Consultants are equal.
Why You Shouldn't Shop Your MBA Application Essays Around Too Early
Shopping your MBA application essays around to your friends, family, and colleagues may seem like a good idea - but be careful. For several reasons. You have every right to show your MBA application essay around. Most admissions consultants should want you to do that. But here’s the thing - do it at the end.