profile evaluation and review of shortlist

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thank you once again for all your help!
My short term goal is to concentrate in corporate finance, work for a technological company and finally start a business of my own in the long term in the technological field. However, I am not sure how to link the two. Could you provide any suggestions on this? Or would you suggest stating my long term goal differently, say a high level manager in some firm?

Regards,
pkk

[mbamission]

Hello,

I am picking up where Monica left off. I would certainly focus on your long term goal; I think you should be genuine about what your goals are. I don’t think you should change them to say that you want to become a high level manager if that is not true. I would focus on the long term goal and write about how your short term goal will help you develop the skills you need to achieve the longer term goal. It should be presented as a stepping stone for your ultimate goal. Based on what you have presented, I think that your short and long term goals are consistent and they definitely make sense to me.

Sincerely,

Akiba Smith-Francis

MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thanks for your prompt reply. I now feel more confident that my short-term goals are consistent with my long term goals.

However, some schools do not offer an MBA in entrepreneurship but are considered extremely strong for Finance. Is it advicable to maintain that my long term goal is to become an entrepreneur in the essays for such schools? I am concerned that I may get dinged from such Schools.

Thanks and Regards,
pkk

[mbamission]

Hello,

Most business schools provide a general management education and some schools offer the opportunity to major in finance or entrepreneurship. In that case, you select your major once you get there. The issue of admission is not related to what major you might select, but rather whether you are qualified and would be a positive addition to the class. If you are really concerned that a particular school does not have a strong entrepreneurship program (which is really not the case for top tier schools), I advise applying to the schools that fit your needs, rather than changing your career goals to fit the strength of a particular school. It is important to research schools’ resources, rather than relying on the conventional wisdom about their strengths.

For example, some people believe that Kellogg is just a marketing school and that Chicago Booth is just a finance school, when in reality, both schools have much more to offer.

Sincerely,

Akiba Smith-Francis

MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thanks for the help.

Regards,
pkk

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thanks for all your help!

I am getting laid off this oct end. I was wondering whether I should mention this in my essays? Since I will be applying in the first round, I would still have my current job when I apply and hopefully will have another when I am called for the interviews. What do you think I should do?

Regards,
pkk

[mbamission]

If you are still employed when you are applying, you don’t have to write that you will be unemployed later this fall. However, it should not hurt you if you decide to include it in the optional essay. Business schools are well aware of the difficult economic environment. If you have been unemployed for a number of months by the time you are called for an interview, you may be asked what you are doing with your time and should be able to show the admissions committee that you are being productive in some way.

Sincerely,

Akiba Smith-Francis

MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thanks for the help.

Regards,
PKK

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
I wanted to know whether mentioning student names in my essays with whom I have interacted to get more information on a particular b-school is a good idea?

regards,
pkk

[mbamission]

Hello,

That is a fine idea. It demonstrates that you took the time to reach out to students. I would not do it to drop names, but rather, integrate them into your discussions of how you learned about various resources offered by the schools you are applying to.

Sincerely,

Akiba Smith-Francis

MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thank you for the support!

Regards,
pkk

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
I wanted to how whether B-schools are very stringent with their word limits? Is it OK to exceed the limit by 25-30 words?

Regards,
Pkk

[mbamission]

Hello,

You should follow the guidelines that schools provide in terms of word limit. If you are over the word limit by a few words, it is not likely to make an impact, however I would recommend following the guidelines provided by the schools.

Sincerely,

Akiba Smith-Francis

MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[punit_kedia]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.

Regards,
Pkk