At Fortuna we are sure we have the best MBA coaches in the world. Now we have the rankings to back up that claim. 

Fortuna director Emma Bond was named the top MBA consultant in Poets&Quants’ 2023 ranking. “She has racked up more perfect 10.0 satisfaction ratings over 25 clients during the course of our review than any other consultant in the world,” wrote P&Q’s John A. Byrne and Heather Soderquist in the April 19 announcement. 

Also ranking in the top are Fortuna’s Karla Cohen, Sharon Joyce, Jenifer Raver, and Heidi Hillis. With five consultants scoring in the top 34, Fortuna comes out as the second most represented firm.

The Poets&Quants consultant ranking is based entirely on client reviews logged between Sept. 1, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2022. Reviews are independently verified with both the client and consultant. Only reviews following consulting engagements for MBA admissions are counted. A  net promoter score is included to ensure that the ratings judge quality of services, not just quantity. 

This year P&Q included consultants who had received 10 positive reviews, reduced from 15 in the past, to give applicants assessments of a wider pool. That expanded the previous Top 20 list to a set of 39 ranked coaches.

Bond said she was speechless at the news — “and pretty happy,” she added. “This would just 100% not be possible without the help and insights from so many amazing colleagues across the Fortuna team.”

Bond has successfully coached candidates admitted to virtually all the top MBA programs in the UK and the US as well as master’s programs in management and finance.

A former Senior Manager of MBA Admissions at London Business School, she has reviewed thousands of applications while selecting the full-time class there. She also has recruited talent for Boston Consulting Group’s global enterprises. These experiences make her an expert interview coach and an excellent judge of the fit between a candidate and an institution or firm. 

At Fortuna, we’re thrilled with this recognition, but not surprised. At Fortuna, she has expertly coached applicants who won admission to virtually all the top European and American business schools. She has scored perfect 10 satisfaction ratings in P&Q’s annual rankings for three consecutive years.

“Emma has been nothing less than phenomenal to work with on my MBA application journey. I consider myself to be a bit of an odd bird in the applicant pool since I have a varied professional background. Emma’s creative storytelling ability, but also the pragmatism with which she pointed out the most salient parts of my experience allowed me to pull everything together and create an intriguing, coherent storyline.”
Class of 2025 LBS Admit

Her Secret Sauce

Bond invests the time to really get to know her clients and build a foundation of mutual trust. That’s the not-so-secret ingredient to her success, she told P&Q. “It’s my ability to connect and empathize with my clients,” she said. Once that trust is established, clients open up and share more of their story. “When you have that relationship established, you have the basis for putting together a really strong application.”

Bond remains engaged and involved with LBS and regularly serves as a Kira reviewer for Imperial College Business School programs, so her knowledge of what b-schools are looking for remains fresh.

Clients also benefit from Bond’s long experience as a coach. “Emma has been with us right from the start” when Fortuna was launched a decade ago, says Founder and Director Caroline Diarte Edwards. That longevity is common at Fortuna and provides a continuity of expertise over the years that sets our consulting services apart.

“What she really excels at is understanding which parts of an applicant’s character, work experience, and extra-curricular appeal to the folks sitting in the admissions office at the absolute top-notch international b-schools. With the dexterity of a well-seasoned surgeon, she cut into my character to understand which parts of the story can be tailored to craft the perfect reapplication and stand out.”
Class of 2024 Admit to three schools

Our five top-scoring coaches are terrific, but they are not alone in providing caring, responsive, and effective coaching and winning glowing accolades from satisfied clients. Almost three-quarters of Fortuna’s coaches earned a net promoter score of 9 or 10. “This is a testimony to Fortuna’s collaborative approach and proven methodology that allows so many of our coaches to excel and our clients to succeed,” said Expert Coach Heidi Hillis. 

Founder Diarte Edwards agrees: “Our collaborative approach at Fortuna definitely sets us apart from many of our competitors.Our coaches do not work in isolation but instead have access to the tremendous breadth and depth of expertise of the whole team. I often talk about how useful I find it to crowdsource additional opinions from fellow experts across the team and what an incredible hive brain we have.”

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Many MBA hopefuls who have already narrowed their target school lists are anxiously awaiting the release of the 2023-2024 MBA application essay questions and deadlines. In previous years, we have seen MBA essay questions released as early as the beginning of May. Using our insider knowledge of what each school is looking for, as well as successful business school essay examples from past admissions cycles, Personal MBA Coach has already begun working with our round 1 clients on a number of essays.

For this year’s prediction, we have divided top MBA programs into three categories and have included details on which MBA essay or essays to begin working on today!

• MBA programs where at least one MBA application essay is unlikely to change
• MBA programs where smaller changes are most likely
• MBA programs with a higher likelihood of changing the MBA application essay questions

MBA Programs Where at Least One MBA Essay Is Unlikely to Change:

For the programs below, Personal MBA Coach believes that at least one of the 2022-2023 MBA essay questions will return for the 2023-2024 MBA application cycle. If any of the MBA programs below are on your list, we urge you to get started on the relevant MBA application essay questions today!

• Harvard Business School
• Stanford GSB
• Columbia Business School
• Wharton
• Chicago Booth
• Kellogg
• MIT Sloan
• Yale SOM

Harvard Business School

HBS has asked the same MBA application essay question over the past few years, and we expect this year’s question is likely to remain the same.

HBS’s 2022-2023 MBA Essay Question was: 

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Like HBS, Stanford GSB has not changed its MBA essay questions in recent years. While Stanford GSB has made some changes to the required essay length, we would be surprised to see a major essay question change from Stanford.

Stanford’s 2022-2023 MBA essay questions were:

Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School’s first MBA essay has taken a similar form over the past years. While the exact wording could vary, we do not expect any significant change in CBS’s first MBA essay question.

Columbia’s 2022-2023 first MBA essay question was: 

Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

We also anticipate Columbia Business School’s essay about program fit to remain on the 2022-2023 CBS application.

This MBA essay question was:

Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 words)

Watch Personal MBA Coach’s quick tips video for Columbia Business School application advice:

Wharton

As with CBS, Wharton has kept its first MBA essay question largely the same for the past few years, and we expect some version of the same essay question this year.

Wharton’s 2022-2023 first MBA essay question was: 

How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Kellogg

As with Wharton and CBS, Kellogg also is unlikely to change its essay questions.

Kellogg’s 2022-2023 first MBA essay question was: 

Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)

Similarly, Kellogg’s second MBA essay question has stayed the same for the past few years, and we do not anticipate that it will change.

Kellogg’s 2022-2023 second MBA essay question was:

Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)

Chicago Booth

Chicago Booth joins the list of schools for which Personal MBA Coach clients are working on essay #1.

Chicago Booth’s 2022-2023 first MBA essay question was: 

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum)

MIT Sloan

MIT Sloan’s cover letter essay has not changed in a while, and we expect it to stay the same in the 2023-2024 cycle.

MIT Sloan’s 2022-2023 MBA essay question was:

MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas.

Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).

Yale SOM

We do not expect the Yale SOM essay question to change from the previous cycle.

Yale SOM’s 2022-2023 MBA essay question:

Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words)

MBA Programs Where Smaller Changes Are Most Likely:

• London Business School
• Duke Fuqua

Aside from minor tweaks or word limit adjustments, we would be more surprised to see major MBA application essay question changes from these programs.

If one or more of these schools is on your list, we suggest that you begin brainstorming, outlining and hopefully writing your essays as soon as possible. This will free up time (both personally and professionally) as summer nears.

MBA Programs with a Higher Likelihood to Change the MBA Essay Questions:

Below is a list of MBA programs for which Personal MBA Coach recommends that our clients hold off drafting their MBA essays. For some schools in this list, we suggest that you begin brainstorming now as the risk of a change is smaller. For other schools, hold off entirely until the MBA applications open later this spring. There are plenty of other MBA application components that candidates targeting these MBA programs can get started on today!

• NYU Stern
• Michigan Ross (brainstorm only)
• UVA Darden
• UCLA Anderson
• Berkeley Haas (brainstorm only)
• Dartmouth Tuck

Keep in mind, the details shared above are predictions only! As soon as this year’s MBA application essay questions are released, Personal MBA Coach will let you know what has changed and will share advice on how to tackle each MBA essay question.

Join our weekly MBA Tips newsletter to be sure you do not miss anything!

Want access to an industry expert’s insight, detailed in-line editing, business school essay examples and more? Personal MBA Coach is willing to be your admission essay consultant! Visit our comprehensive packages to learn more.

About Personal MBA Coach

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Time is the wisest counselor of all. – Pericles

Once you decide to go to business school, timing becomes a crucial consideration. How do you know whether now is the best time for your MBA? For some candidates, particularly those on the younger or older side of the applicant pool, addressing the timing question in their materials is especially critical. As we stressed in B-Schooled podcast #70, you’ll need to convince the AdCom that applying during this upcoming application season makes the most sense for your career goals.

This thought experiment will get you thinking about why you want or need to get an MBA right now. First, consider what would happen if you didn’t get an MBA. What would your career path look like? How would you achieve your long-term goals? The result: Your career would likely look like X, and it would take Y number of years to reach your goals without the degree. 

Next, imagine getting your MBA. What exactly would it do for your career? Would it accelerate your trajectory at your current firm or industry? Or might it allow you to pivot into an entirely different industry or role? Business school could also help you gain the skills and network you need to feel confident starting your own company. Another common reason is that you’ve plateaued in your current field.

While that isn’t an exhaustive list of reasons, it can help you project what these two distinct career tracks—the non-MBA path vs. B-school—might look like. Doing this exercise should help you more clearly articulate why you need an MBA overall and why it makes sense to get one at this point in your life and career. 

 Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. 

Avoid Giving This Reason (Even if it’s the Truth)

In industries such as banking and consulting, people are often expected to go for their MBA at a specific time. Your current firm may not offer significant growth opportunities even if you want to stay. Yet even if that’s true, you can’t tell the AdCom that now is the best time for your MBA because everyone you know in banking got an MBA after two years. Or because it’s the norm in your industry. 

Don’t follow someone else’s pre-determined career timeline. If you feel some external pressure to apply now, take the time and space to ensure it makes sense for your hopes and dreams.  

So, Is This the Best Time for Your MBA?

There’s no one best time for going back to B-School. In the past, elite programs required five to seven years of work experience before applying. Several top schools have deferred admissions programs explicitly geared to attract college seniors. Once admitted, these candidates work for two years and then start their MBA studies. 

The question at hand for everyone else is whether waiting for another year or two before applying will significantly boost your admissions odds. Would that extra time give you more leadership opportunities, career advancement, or an international assignment? 

For applicants who skew much younger or older than the target program’s average age, it will be crucial to show what you bring to the classroom that no one else can. A considerable part of the MBA experience is sharing your unique anecdotes during classroom discussions.  Think of it from the AdCom’s point of view. They want to admit applicants who will come to the table with many life stories their peers will benefit from.

If you’re on the older side, what else can you bring to the table? More experience timewise doesn’t necessarily mean more value for your MBA classmates. So, think about what’s unique about your long career and its relevance to classroom discussions. 

For younger applicants, if you’ve never gotten promoted or had an appreciable increase in responsibilities, that’s a red flag telling you it doesn’t make sense to apply just yet. 

Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our All-In Partnership to test prep to hourly help with targeted tasks. Contact us today for a free 15-minute advising session to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.

Explaining Your Reasoning

Once you decide that now is the best time for your MBA, you’ll need to use diplomacy in your reasoning to the AdCom. If you’re returning to school because you’ve hit a wall, that’s a valid and common situation. Explain that you’ve realized your learning has slowed, and you know that you need X, Y, and Z from their MBA program to progress. Then, transition to discussing how specific courses, clubs, conferences, professors, etc., from that program would support your career goals. 

No matter what, make sure to sound grateful and upbeat about everything you’ve learned so far on the job. You never want to come across as negative about your past employers or career to date. That will give the admissions committee an easy justification to ding you. 

Because from their perspective, you won’t be excited to share stories and lessons from your past role with your classmates if you aren’t happy about any of it! Think carefully about what you’ve learned that you can still apply to your future career.

If you’ve been on autopilot until now, you owe it to yourself to do some serious introspection. Too many people have regrets later in life for merely going through the motions in their careers. Maybe they did what others thought they should or followed a career timeline deemed successful by somebody else. Ensure the reasons for pursuing the MBA support your goals and dreams—no one else’s. 

***

Request a free MBA advising session with Stacy Blackman Consulting to learn how we can help with your complete MBA applications. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

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Full disclosure: A chatbot wrote a first draft of this article.

For demonstration purposes, we asked ChatGPT+ to write about the use of artificial intelligence and generative text tools like Chat GPT when applying to MBA programs. In about three minutes, it churned out nearly 750 words as requested, all perfectly grammatical and logical, if somewhat stiff and, well, mechanical.

It correctly identified some potential benefits and general issues with the use of AI bots—lack of transparency, bias, inaccuracy, ant the risk of dehumanizing the admissions process.

At the same time, ChatGPT+ missed the point. Even when we asked it to write about using these tools while applying to an MBA program, the resulting article was the pros and cons of how admissions offices would use the tool (or how admissions staff might be replaced and lose their jobs!)

We suspect that the chatbot wrote about these issues from a university’s perspective rather than the applicant’s because that’s where the chatter is online. Faculty and university administrators are anxiously discussing what these new tools will mean for all aspects of education. That is the content the tool had to draw from. And that’s precisely why there are serious limits to the use of these tools in preparing your MBA application essays and materials.

Chat GPT can only work with what it’s given. Until an AI tool can scan our iris, tap into our soul, understand our aspirations, and synthesize our memories and life experiences, it’s going to need really good input to craft the authentic, personal essay MBA admissions directors are looking for.

“You have to have figured out the key elements of your story” and feed them to chatbot in your prompt, says Fortuna Founder and Director Caroline Diarte Edwards. She experimented with ChatGPT recently and discussed the results on an episode of Poets&Quants’ Business Casual podcast. “I only got a sensible response once I started giving it more and more detail.”

While the output can be astonishingly good and draw connections from facts it has been given, Diarte Edwards says the tool is better at editing than writing from a few slim prompts. “I found it most useful when I fed it a rough draft and asked it to use a smoother style and reduce the word count. It did that very quickly,” she says. “I also found it sounds very bland and lacks individual personality; it’s not something I’d want to submit.”

An Editor, Not a Coach

The point of the essay is to let the admissions team get to know the real you. It takes some time and reflection to pinpoint your strengths, goals, values, and the unique facets you will bring to the admitted class that shine through a strong essay. And that means you’ll still need to produce a solid first draft, or tell the chatbot a great deal of relevant details, so it may not save much time.

AI “is not going to be able to tell you what you should be telling business schools, what is relevant about your past experiences, what are the key achievements HBS or INSEAD want to know about,” said Diarte Edwards. “That’s what experienced admissions coaches do: they delve into your background and help you showcase strengths and find ways to mitigate weaknesses.”

Rachel Erickson Hee, a Fortuna expert coach, agrees. After asking ChatGPT to improve some essays, she concludes, “I think there is still a really compelling argument to use a coach instead of AI, because what it can’t help with is the actual content – what someone should write about, what stories are going to resonate. Those have to come from the client, and then the coach can help guide the student in how to use those stories, how to tell them, and what message to convey with them. ‘

What’s Allowed?

The sudden widespread availability of easy-to-use AI tools set off alarm bells throughout higher education. And no wonder: a Wharton scholar reported in January that ChatGPT3 had successfully passed a Wharton final exam. Universities are scrambling to decide how to capture the efficiencies of AI without undermining student learning or accurate scholarship.

How and where to allow the use of these tools is an especially tricky issue for business schools.  Their graduates will need to understand and use these tools to lead and manage competitive enterprises, so it  will be taught to completely rule out their use. INSEAD asked its faculty to weigh in on how AI tools could help and hinder business education and  they responded with diverse and nuanced views.

However, in the flood of articles about ChatGPT in education, few have focused on the student application process. Fortuna asked several admissions directors at top US and European business schools how they are addressing the use of these tools, and found that the topic remains under consideration.

David Simpson, admissions director for the MBA and Masters in Finance programs at London Business School, says that changes to the School’s admissions policy related to AI / ChatGPT are currently under discussion, but will be closely linked to those already in place for existing students.

“In terms of admissions, we will be led by research and output from our senior faculty who are considering what AI such as ChatGPT means for our students, and how much we can, and indeed should, control,” Simpson says. “Our students are already required to reference if and when they have used AI, providing further details on usage, as they would with any resources.”

“We know that many applicants already seek advice and guidance on their essays, and that’s fine,” he continues. “They ask friends to review their work, and some use reputable consulting firms to help best position their personal and professional experiences for admission to top MBA programmes. But use of AI to generate answers to essays raises the question about when that line is crossed – about the difference between being the best you can be in your application essays, and plagiarizing.”

The Essay Isn’t Everything

MBA admissions directors assure applicants that they are more than their GMAT or GRE scores. Likewise, a perfect, riveting essay won’t necessarily win a spot in your dream school. Schools look at all components of an application and assess candidates holistically.

“One of the reasons applications have different elements is that they are pieces of puzzle all coming together to form a full picture,” says Diarte Edwards. “There needs to be some coherence. If essays are perfectly written but the GMAT verbal is very poor, or the interviewer mentions that the applicant is less fluent in expression, schools will be looking at how that cross-checks.” It’s unfortunate that the new version of the GMAT exam dropped the essay component, she adds.  A scored sample of how an applicant thinks and writes under time pressure “could have been a useful cross-check.”

Chatbots can do an impressive job of cleaning up grammar, punctuation, and style, but perfection is not the point. Admissions officers will overlook a few flaws in favor of authenticity. Will Torres, director of outreach for MBA admissions at Stanford Graduate School of Business, stressed this point in a chat with Fortuna founder and director Matt Symonds at Centre Court in early 2023. “We want to hear your voice and see your way of writing. We don’t expect there to be any specific type of formatting or syntax or style. That really gives you a lot of freedom.”

“It’s not an essay writing contest,” adds Diarte Edwards.” Admission goes to the person who has accomplished the most impressive things in the best way and shown great potential. Whether or not we can tell whether an essay written by the candidate, their cousin, or by ChatGPT, at the end of the day it’s going to be what it reveals about what the candidate has accomplished that matters most in making the admissions decision.”

The easy availability of powerful essay-writing tools may mean schools place more emphasis on interviews. In the podcast, Poets&Quants founder John Byrne reported hearing that some schools may put greater emphasis on video elements, which will be harder to fake.

Simpson is confident that even if students use ChatGPT to write their essays, the many stages of the LBS selection process ensure that a clear view of the applicant is considered. “Our selection process combines the written application with a one-to-one interview with alumni or senior staff, a video submission and on certain programmes, an impromptu presentation. So even with the challenges that AI presents, our holistic approach means I’m satisfied our admissions process is rigorous enough that we will continue to select and bring in the very best talent.”

AI is Still Artificial

Generative AI will only continue to get better, and it will be hard to resist using such a powerful aid while pulling together your MBA application. It may be a useful tool to plug in at some point in your drafting process.

But in the end, you will only get out of a chatbot what you put into it — the details you feed it and the time you invest revising the output to make it sound fresh and personal. And AI doesn’t know what admissions officers are thinking.

Fortuna’s expert coaches do. If you aren’t feeling confident about your essay, a coach can be your very personalized ChatGPT. They are experienced “prompt engineers” who ask you all the right questions to reveal your strengths, accomplishments, experiences, motivations, and goals. They help you refine all this raw material into your true, authentic story. In the same way ChatGPT applies the rules of grammar and syntax, coaches apply their insider intelligence on just what schools are looking for to focus your essay and make the real you shine through. And they do it for all components of the application that can’t be glossed up via AI, like the interview.

They just don’t do it in three minutes. Neither should you.

Getting an MBA is a major investment in your future. It matters.

AI has its flaws and inaccuracies, and will give you canned, bland content that sounds sanitized at best – and suspicious at worst. If the admissions officer detects the use of AI (and you don’t reveal it), you’re sending a message that you’re looking for shortcuts and not willing to put in the work to develop your self-knowledge and earn a place in the class.

As John Byrne concludes at the end of his podcast on the topic, “Don’t ask it to determine whether you’ll get into your dream school.”

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The post ChatGPT and What AI Means for Your MBA Essays first appeared on GMAT Club.

Check out B-Schooled episode #156 right here. Or, take a listen on any of the podcast platforms below.

B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including:

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher
TuneIn

Please be sure to subscribe to B-Schooled so that you don’t miss a thing. Also, if there’s something you’d like for us to cover in a future episode, please email podcast@stacyblackman.com. We’d love to hear from you!

***

Now, why not hop on over to our brand-new MBA community on Discord? That’s where you’ll find exclusive insights from the SBC team, explore our resources, and connect with fellow current and prospective MBA applicants. This is a space to share and learn about the MBA admissions process, whether you’re still debating if business school is for you, or you’re already well on your way with your application journey. Come join the party today!

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In March the Graduate Management Admissions Council announced that a new version of the GMAT exam called Focus Edition will be offered late in 2023.

What’s changing in this new version? Basically, everything: the format, the length and time, the scoring, the navigation through the test, and the adaptive features. Fortuna coaches had an opportunity to talk with Stuart Park of Simply Brilliant Test Prep, who generously offered an overview of the coming changes — and some thoughts about its pros and cons.

Park cautioned that much of the information about the test remains preliminary but provided this general overview.

Content

The Focus edition will include three sections: Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights, which will replace the current Integrated Reasoning section. With 45 minutes allowed for each section, the new format is nearly an hour shorter than the current test.

• The quantitative section includes 21 questions—10 fewer than the current exam. The section focuses on problem-solving and geometry is no longer covered, like the Executive Assessment (EA) exam.
• The data insights section includes 20 problems covering data sufficiency, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, and two-part analysis.
• The verbal section includes 23 problems focused on reading comprehension and critical reasoning. The sentence completion section has been eliminated and there is no written essay required.

Format and Structure

The GMAT offers flexibility in the order of the test; you can take the test sections in any order you choose. This is not an option with the GRE or the EA. All questions are now multiple choice.

In a notable navigational enhancement, the Focus edition will allow you to mark questions and go back to review and revise them if time allows. “To date, you haven’t been able to do that with the GMAT; you have to move forward and forward only,” Park notes.

One open issue with the Focus edition is how the adaptive function will work, Park says. Currently, the GMAT algorithm adjusts the difficulty of the test on a question-by-question basis as you answer. That is feasible when you can’t go back and review and revise answers. In contrast, the adaptive functions in the GRE and EA are based on the section; once you complete a section, the next section adapts.

“In my opinion, you cannot have both a question-by-question adaptive program along with a mark and review feature,” Park says. If you make a strategic time management decision to skip a difficult question and come back to it, “most likely the adaptable function will guess wrong and make the next part easier.” Your score will then reflect the easier content. “That’s a big reason I question how well this is going to fly.”

Scoring

“One of the biggest challenges is that this new test will only have one score,” Park says.  The current quant, verbal, IR, and AWA essay scores, all that that is going away, and one score will encompass everything,”

This will be a concern for admissions professionals who rely on the quantitative score to assess an applicant’s abilities in that area. It’s not clear how they will use a single combined score to assess skills. Likewise, the lack of a clear, transparent quant score could be a drawback for applicants whose grades in quantitative courses were not strong. It may be harder to counterbalance those grades with a fresh, strong GMAT score.

The Focus Edition does offer a new Official Score Report. GMAC says this will offer insights that help test takers assess their strengths and weaknesses. The information in this report may be similar to the current Enhanced Score Report, now available only to onsite test-takers who pay an additional $30 fee. If the new report covers all that information at no extra cost, it’s a bonus for test takers, but it’s not clear what schools will receive.

The Focus Edition will also allow greater flexibility in deciding where to send results after taking the test. Applicants can send only the score they want to report, rather than all scores.

Test Prep

With a shorter test and more focused range of content, GMAT says the new edition will require less study time. “I’m skeptical of that, because if the GMAT is going to maintain its position as a premier assessment, to be competitive, it’s going to have to be a rigorous assessment that will still require considerable preparation,” Park says.

However, release of the official prep materials, originally expected in March 2023, has been delayed and is now scheduled for the third quarter of 2023. Currently, with some open questions remaining about the content and adaptability algorithm, coaches and test prep experts can’t offer solid advice on what to expect, how to prepare, and how to use your test time strategically.

Test Now, or Wait?

Since the exact contours of the test and the prep materials are still forthcoming, it’s hard to assess the pros and cons of the new version and how exactly it will compare to the GRE and EA.

Future students who are planning to apply may already be wondering if they should take the current GMAT or wait for the Focus edition. “My short answer is: Don’t wait,” says Park. “If you plan to apply, keep studying for the current GMAT. Don’t count on the announced timetable, which can slip,” Park says, noting that the process has already hit delays.

“It will take some time for admissions professionals to figure out what this new test means,” Park concludes.

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Many MBA admissions officers believe it’s fair game to scope out applicants’ social media feeds. In fact, one Kaplan survey found that 66% of them see no issue with social media being part of the admissions equation. We’ve talked about the importance of cleaning up your online presence in the past. Today, we’re sharing a few specific tips you can use to enhance your LinkedIn profile to support your MBA candidacy further.

Having a LinkedIn profile that shows your unique personality and presents your professional/life experiences compellingly can help sway an on-the-fence AdCom member in your favor.

Enhance and manage your online brand with personal recommendations from a dedicated social media expert with SBC’s Social Strategy Review.

Tip 1. LinkedIn can help MBA applicants differentiate themselves.

Your profile should highlight your leadership and accomplishments, plus present a complete picture of your interests, passions, and career goals. All that will complement what’s already in your application and provide more insight to the reader. Also, an MBA interviewer may look over your profile to get a better sense of your personality before the meeting. So, this is the place to start winning over your audience.

Be specific about your professional role in the headline. Also, think about whether you can provide a broader picture of yourself in this prime piece of real estate. For example, you may work as a staff consultant at Bain & Company or as an analyst at Goldman Sachs.

But if you’ve also created a non-profit organization, listing that additional position in your headline will set you apart from the typical analyst in the applicant pool.

Tip 2. Quantify your achievements.

Admissions committees like to see results. So, try to quantify results within the body of your profile just as you would in your MBA resume. For example, it’s much more powerful to write that you “created a marketing plan that resulted in a 30% increase in leads” instead of noting that you “created a marketing plan.”

Managing a staff is interesting. But the fact that you supervised 30 employees and improved profitability by 25% is something anyone can understand. By giving the reader a number, you allow them to see just what kind of leader you were—and will be.

Tip 3. Your LinkedIn “Interests” should match and support your candidacy.

Suppose your application touches on your keen interest in renewable energy, micro-investing in India, or Silicon Valley startups. In that case, this section should show that you’re following influencers or organizations in those industries. This consistency reinforces the narrative within your application and lends credibility to your stated interests and passions.

Tip 4. Make sure career and education information is consistent with your MBA application.

It sounds obvious, but our memories can get fuzzy and minor discrepancies are pretty common. Cross-check your education, employer names, and dates to ensure all are in the proper order. Consistency between your LinkedIn profile and MBA application is vital.

If the person reviewing your application spots inconsistencies compared to the data form, you invite additional scrutiny. That could potentially raise a red flag that puts other aspects of your application under the microscope.

LinkedIn can help MBA applicants in numerous ways. You can bolster your candidacy while providing a multi-dimensional view of yourself to the admissions committee and future recruiters. Isn’t it time you revisited your profile to make sure it’s MBA-ready?

***

Whether you need to professionalize an existing profile or develop a presence on an entirely new platform, Stacy Blackman Consulting can provide informed direction on which steps to take. For a B-school applicant, proper management of social media channels can also help you expand the scope of your application without infringing on limited essay word counts.

Learn more about the SBC Social Media Strategy Review, and you can set yourself up for a lifetime of online social success.

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Burning Questions Applicants Have About the MBA Recommendation Letter

• Is it wise to show sample materials to your recommenders?
• What examples of feedback could I give my recommenders about their materials?
• Is it okay to write the recommendation letter for my supervisor or ask that someone else do it?
• Should I get a recommendation letter from a relative, such as through our family business?
• My boss was just let go this week. His letter is ready to go but hasn’t been submitted yet. What do I do?
• What does the Harvard HBS recommendation form look like?
• Can you share a sample letter of recommendation?

The recommendation letter supporting your candidacy is crucial to your MBA application package. As such, applicants should guide their recommenders on optimizing their letters of recommendation (LORs). These LORs should validate the professional strengths that the candidate presents and indicate their potential to become a future leader.

 Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

Recommendation Letter Q&A

Our clients often ask for sample letters if their recommenders are unfamiliar with the process. Let’s get some of your burning LOR questions answered.

Q: Is it wise to show your recommenders sample materials?

A: Not really. We have had clients ask for sample recs, but we usually try to steer them away from samples because it could confine the recommender to what someone else said about a different person.

Erika on our SBC team says, “We ask our clients to have faith that they picked the right recommenders who will really be their cheerleaders and who think highly of them. Just be sure to tell them to use anecdotes and example stories to prove their points — not solely a bunch of adjectives.”

Q: What examples of feedback could I give my recommenders about their materials?

A: At SBC, our consultants won’t tell the recommenders what to write. We can and do review recommender drafts for high-level or directional feedback. The recommender’s unique voice and authenticity must be maintained. Here are consistent themes that we often find in our review of recommender letters:

• Address a specific skillset
• Get to the point more quickly
• Highlight particular strengths that are crucial
• Reference an example

Q: Is it okay to write the recommendation letter for my supervisor or ask that someone else do it?

A: It would be unethical for anyone other than the stated author to write the recommendation letters. Dawn on our team recently shared with our group, “Admissions officers are very good at detecting different writing styles. If they think the letters are over-coached or has too many different edits (which bring in different styles) then that is a red flag. The admissions officers want the recommenders to write it.”

Q: Should I get a recommendation letter from a relative, such as through our family business?

A: Most schools specifically advise against using a family member. Therefore, applicants in family-run businesses need to get creative about finding a recommender. Ideally, it should be someone who represents the company but is not under the thumb of a relative/parent.

A client, supplier, or other professional connected with the family business who would have the context and close working relationship could be ideal. If not, we recommend that our clients look for recommenders to other past employers, if possible.

Q: My boss was just let go this week. His recommendation is ready to go but hasn’t been submitted yet. What do I do?

A: You have three options, and we favor the first one:

1. Have the recommender submit this week as the current supervisor. Then once the client has submitted his application, inform admissions that his recommender is no longer with the company and provide his email address and contact info.
2. Have the person wait until next week to submit their letter when they are no longer with the company. Have them give their personal contact info.
3. Don’t use this recommender. We would avoid this option if possible because time is limited to find someone else.

Q: What does the Harvard Business School recommendation form look like?

Q: Can you share a sample recommendation letter?

A: Sure!

What is your relationship with the candidate, and how long have you known them? How would you compare the candidate to others with similar responsibilities within the organization?

Chris has been with Video Laboratory for over three years. He first worked for me six years ago as an intern after his sophomore year in college. As a small organization dedicated to producing original video content for emerging distribution platforms, Chris’s interest in all aspects of video and technology immediately proved an asset. I was pleased when he returned for the following summer.

His work over those two seasons was so impressive that I recruited him to join us when he graduated. Since then, Chris has been with Video Laboratory, formally as Development Director and more informally as my right-hand man.

Chris’s energy, smarts, and organization have been indispensable as a critical member of a small but rapidly growing company. As far back as his second internship with us, before he was even a full-time employee, I already trusted Chris to run projects effectively. As soon as he came on board full-time, I put him in charge of one of our new initiatives for the year, a program to identify young minority filmmaking talent interested in creating Internet content.

I had set a goal to find two to four new talents interested in working with us that summer. Instead, Chris developed half a dozen new artists and devised a revenue system that made the program self-sustaining, allowing us to increase the artists’ budget and pay while already showing a profit for the initiative.

Since then, Chris’s role has been to identify new opportunities for Video Laboratory, both financial and artistic. He has complete autonomy to create teams and initiate new projects that serve this goal. While several other director-level employees joined me around the same time as Chris, he has outperformed both in fiscal and leadership aspects and is effectively second-in-charge in my organization.

Comment on the candidate’s career progression to date. How would you describe their potential for professional growth and development?

Since the day I met Chris as a young undergraduate, his career track has been on a steadily upward path. I have seen him grow from a young man who was occasionally nervous about making a phone call to a vendor into a level-headed leader, tough negotiator, and creative brainstormer.

He has gone from a summer intern to second-in-charge of a forty-person organization, and he has the respect and loyalty of everyone in the company. I imagine that with a business degree under his belt, Chris can become a leader within a much larger organization or found a successful business himself.

Comment on the candidate’s aptitude for strategic thinking, leadership, and/or management.

Even in a creative industry, Chris stands out for his ability to discover and create new opportunities. I have learned over the years to run my ideas I would have once thought impractical or half-baked past Chris first, as he will frequently help me evolve these ideas into something more practical. When that doesn’t suffice, Chris will often keep an idea in the back of his mind, sometimes for weeks or months at a time, and often will come back with a new idea fully ready to execute.

For example, we had talked on and off about how to get more young people on college campuses lacking film programs to get involved in creating their own films. Chris and I had a conversation one day, and I shelved the idea until months later. Chris had done the research, made phone calls, contacted student groups for a pilot program on four campuses in our state, and had a verbal agreement from a popular video website to sponsor an equipment budget for the students. Chris’s determination and initiative created the “Campus Stars” program, which has since expanded several times over.

Along those lines, I now hardly think about Chris’s leadership skills, as he has developed into a natural leader over the last few years. I never questioned putting our new full-time employee running the “Campus Stars” directly under his charge, and the results have been great. I have no doubt Chris will emerge as a well-liked and respected leader wherever he goes.

Describe how the candidate deals with challenges.

It’s rare to see Chris with anything but a smile, and he is a consistently supportive and positive employee and coworker. This quality is rare enough, but Chris carries this same attitude in the face of challenging circumstances and others’ doubts. I have seen Chris take time out of a packed day to ensure a coworker struggling with personal circumstances was ready to take on their work for the day and beyond.

I’ve also had Chris come to me appropriately when an employee was not living up to the necessary standard and implement my suggestions to help the employee’s performance in a neutral, supportive way that kept the focus on the best outcome for the company.

Finally, as an example of Chris’s overall approach, we were coming back from an important meeting just a few months ago. The meeting was with an overseas television network seeking content for a new venture. Over several long sessions, it became clear that Video Laboratory and the network would not agree on the approach or terms, and we went home discouraged.

The instinct for most of us was to spend the trip home brooding over what went wrong. But Chris turned the conversation around by getting everyone to analyze what we were looking for that was not offered. That way, we could look for other partnerships and opportunities to fit our needs better. Chris’s perspective brightened the mood considerably, and Video Laboratory returned the next day with a to-do list instead of a list of grievances.

Is there anything else that you would like us to know about the candidate?

I have nothing but positive things to say about Chris, and I feel he will absorb every bit of information in the Anderson MBA program and emerge as one of the class leaders. However, this leaves out some information about how he got here and what else he does.

When we first met Chris as an intern, he also worked nights and weekends, paying his way through college. Today he balances more-than-full-time work with a busy volunteer schedule on the weekends, and he still finds time to captain his Thursday night rec basketball league. He will bring incredible skills, a great attitude, and genuine leadership to any program.

Please request a free MBA advising session with Stacy Blackman Consulting to learn how we can help with your complete MBA applications. Meet more of the admissions experts on our SBC team.

Q: Can you share a sample side letter?

A: We are very cautious about having our clients submit side letters from a recommender because the applicant mustn’t appear entitled or eager to bend the stated rules. Be sure to carefully evaluate if a side letter is warranted and the tradeoffs of doing so.

What that caveat in place, here is a sample side letter from our archives:

I’m extremely pleased to give Terry Marshall my unqualified endorsement for the Wharton School’s MBA program. I’m writing this letter of reference because, as a Wharton alum, I’m committed to ensuring that the Wharton School is well represented by a diverse and talented student body.

I’ve known Terry for nearly 12 years since we went to boarding school together at Hudson School. At that time, I remember Terry primarily because of his incredible prowess in various sports. He captained the school Boxing, Track & Field, Soccer, and Hockey teams. Additionally, he was a member of the school’s varsity Squash team and participated in various mountaineering expeditions.

What differentiated Terry from other athletes was his phenomenal motivational skills. He had the uncanny ability to lead mediocre teams to outstanding results. Terry did this via his impressive work ethic and deep understanding of his teammates’ individual strengths.

Since graduating from Hudson, I’ve remained in touch with Terry and marveled at his personal and professional transformation. He recently participated in a half marathon and triathlon supporting the Make-A-Wish foundation, and these new pursuits indicate his maturity and dedication.

Terry has maintained strong ties with Hudson for the past ten years. After graduating, he came back and taught for a semester on campus. He helped coach the school soccer team to the district championship at that time.

Terry demonstrates the best qualities of a leader: organizational awareness, grace under fire, empathy, and the ability to get the job done – under the most challenging circumstances. I am confident that Terry Marshall would make a valuable contribution to the Wharton community. Without any hesitation, I offer his candidacy my highest recommendation.

And now…

Please hop on over to our brand-new MBA community on Discord! That’s where you’ll find exclusive insights from the SBC team, explore our resources, and connect with fellow current and prospective MBA applicants. This is a space to share and learn about the MBA admissions process, whether you’re still debating if business school is for you or you’re already on your way with your application journey. Join the party today!

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Read on for more insights about Kellogg that you won’t readily find on the website.

The Basics

Kellogg is located 30 minutes north of downtown Chicago in Evanston. The school opened a newly constructed building in Spring 2017 that was designed to be ‘excessively public’ and foster additional collaboration. The ‘Global Hub’ hosts nearly all full time MBA classes (as well as a gym and marketplace).

In addition to the traditional two-year MBA, Kellogg offers several specialized and joint degree programs:

• MMM – M.S. in Design Innovation + MBA
• MBAi – New five-quarter tech MBA for students with a STEM undergrad and technical work experience
• JD/MBA – JD + MBA in three years
• 1Y MBA – accelerated program that runs June-June targeted at those with a business undergrad

One notable difference in Kellogg’s approach to admissions is that the school interviews nearly every applicant. Interviews are conducted mainly by its vast alumni network around the world.

Academics

Kellogg’s curriculum is one of the more flexible of its peer set. The 2Y MBA includes nine core courses, but students with suitable undergrad coursework can waive select core classes and/or take an accelerated version of finance (‘Turbo Finance’). Most students begin taking electives during winter quarter of their first year. Popular electives include:

• Negotiations – lectures on negotiation tactics and strategy as well as multiple negotiation simulations
• Marketing Strategy – students work in teams on a course-long simulation accompanied by lectures with top professors
• Public Economics for Business Leaders – teaches the economic principles of public policy
• Launching and Leading Startups – survey of the entire process of launching a business, from discovery to scaling to the role of CEO
• New Venture Class Series – experiential series of three classes (Discovery, Development, Launch) that guides students though launching their own business

There are three ‘types’ of classes at Kellogg in terms of teaching method: case-based classes, lecture-based classes, and experiential classes. In reality, there is some of each type of learning in pretty much all classes. There is also a team component in virtually every class. Group members’ rating of each other often factors into the participation grade. The value of participation on a grade varies class to class from 0% – 50%. Many professors will cold call.

Kellogg does disclose grades upon employer request (i.e., banking and consulting) but does not rank students.  Approximately 90%-95% of students receive either an A or B in each class. Up to three classes (excluding core classes) can be taken ‘pass/no credit’.

Culture & Student Experience

Kellogg students are friendly, positive, and humble. You often aren’t aware of classmates’ accomplishments until you’ve known them for a bit. Kellogg students are remarkably supportive of each other – you always feel like they ‘have your back’. 

Kellogg’s culture is very student driven in terms of running clubs and conferences, influencing course offerings, etc. It is also very social, with lots of intramural sports and club-related events as well as small group dinners to get to know classmates in a more intimate setting.

Kellogg places students in 60–70 person, extremely diverse sections that serve as an additional network throughout the two years. There is no class on Wednesday, and this is when many club events and group meetings occur.

The vast majority of students live in Evanston, mostly in off-campus apartments. As such, a lot of socializing occurs in Evanston first year, especially during the week. People explore the city on Saturdays and generally more second year. Public transportation to the city is available 24/7 from campus.

Extracurriculars

Kellogg has the largest number of student clubs of any program, all 100% student-run. There are three types of clubs at Kellogg – Professional (ex. Consulting Club), Affinity (ex. Black Management Association), and Fun (ex. Wine Club). 

Kellogg has an open club policy, meaning that any student can attend any club’s events. Being “in” a club essentially means signing up in the campus system and receiving their club email updates. It is common to be involved in 1-2 clubs in a leadership capacity. The time commitment for a leadership role varies, but ranges between 1-4 hours per week.

Popular events include:

• KWEST – weeklong trips for first years before pre-term that about 80% – 90% of incoming students participate in and are led by second years
• Ski Trip – one of the largest MBA trips with 800-900 students attending; if you aren’t a skier there are daytime activities such as poker tournaments, curling, movies and brunches
• Career Treks – a great way to learn more about an industry and get to see a variety of companies; past treks include Marketing and Private Equity in New York, Clean Energy and Fin Tech in San Francisco, and Media/Entertainment in Los Angeles
• Bollywood Bash – event organized by the India Business Club that includes a live dance performance followed by a celebration and Indian food dinner; students from all backgrounds participate
• Special K – student run musical and comedy performance that makes fun of the quirks of business school and Kellogg
• Charity Auction Ball – formal event where students and faculty donate creative items for auction (dinner at professors’ houses, cooking lessons from students, themed parties hosted by students)

Kellogg alumni are very engaged with the student body and the culture of paying it forward extends well beyond the two years on campus. Students often share that an email to a Kellogg alum has a 100% response rate.

Closing Thoughts

We hope this article provided insight into aspects of the Kellogg experience you won’t easily find on the school’s website or in the forums. Having a nuanced understanding of what makes each program unique will not only help you decide where to apply (or attend), it will also help you put your best foot forward during the admissions process. Best of luck on your journey. If we can be of assistance, reach out to request an initial consultation.  

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Every year, even highly qualified applicants get rejected from the top-ranked MBA programs. If you were not successful in gaining admission this year, it’s important to first spend some time on self-reflection. Then seek feedback from multiple sources, and finally, work to improve your profile before beginning your MBA reapplication process in the fall.

Above all else, remember that admissions committees want to see substantial improvement from reapplicants. To be successful next season, it’s important to come up with a strategy before reapplying.

Request a free MBA advising session with Stacy Blackman Consulting to learn how we can help improve your MBA application strategy for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. 

Evaluate your Applications

Before seeking feedback from others, it’s important to do your own soul-searching. Ask yourself whether you could have improved any aspect of the process:

School Selection: How do you feel about the competitiveness of the schools you applied to? Would you consider expanding the list of schools and including a few less competitive programs?

Volunteering: Did your volunteer activities lack depth or breadth? Could you seek out a leadership role in your volunteer activities?

Academics: Is there room for improvement in your GMAT score? Would you have taken a business-related class before applying if you had more time?

Recommendations: Do you suspect that one of your recommenders gave a lukewarm letter of support? Do you think you could have chosen someone to represent a different side of your personality or profile?

Time Spent: Do you think your essays represented your best work? Did you have the time to go through multiple iterations of your essays? Did you rush through the process of filling out the online application?

Once you have identified a few areas of improvement for next year on your own, it’s important to seek feedback from a variety of sources.

Seeking Feedback

Due to the high application volume at top MBA programs, most schools cannot provide comprehensive feedback to rejected applicants. However, if you do have a chance to speak with a member of the admissions committee, take advantage by asking for details about each area of your application and listen with an open mind.

Make sure you walk away from any feedback session with action items for next year. If you don’t receive feedback directly from the schools, seek advice from friends and family who have experience with MBA programs.

Stacy Blackman Consulting also offers a Ding Analysis service to evaluate your materials and provide feedback you can use when you reapply.

Improving Your Profile is Vital to the MBA Reapplication Process

Once you have done some soul-searching, evaluated your previous attempt, and spoken to others about steps you can take now to improve your application in the fall, it’s time to get started.

Before essay questions come out in the summer, you have time to take a GMAT prep course, take a class at a local community college, ask for a leadership opportunity at work or in a volunteer setting, and cultivate a relationship with a potential recommender. Take advantage of the time available now, and approach the process strategically. Good luck!

Partner with Stacy Blackman’s best-in-class GMAT and GRE experts and increase your score significantly. Check out our test prep services here.  Request a free game plan chat with SBC’s lead test prep coach by emailing testprep@stacyblackman.com.

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