Getting In: The Best of Jon Fuller (The Sequel)

CAMPUS VISITS

Should I Visit Campus Before Submitting an Application?

“While I certainly appreciate that it may be cost-prohibitive to attend all of [your visits], I suggest going to as many as you can. Generally, visiting campus is a means of providing a strong interest indicator to the program, and schools are becoming more and more sophisticated in factoring this sort of information in to their assessments when they are trying to ascertain how strongly an applicant wants to attend the school.

These diversity weekends are turbocharged versions of regular visits in that you will usually be on campus for multiple days and have a great opportunity to make a positive impression on admissions staff and students. You’ll also be able to get some good insight on whether or not Tuck/McCombs/Johnson is a good fit for you. If you have some concerns about your overall competitiveness, then I’d really, really encourage you to go if you can. Being able to develop a relationship with a school’s community can absolutely have an impact on your application’s assessment. It won’t make up for a 400 GMAT, a 2.0 GPA, and no work experience, but if you’re on the edge of the competitive bubble, the experience you can tip things in the right direction for you. Someone on the admissions committee is more likely to go to bat for you if they actually know you and have seen how you’re a great fit, right?

Some candidates take the stance that they’ll wait to see if they’re invited to interview then they’ll visit campus (or even wait until after they’re admitted). Not a bad approach, but it’s preferable to conduct any kind of school visit prior to writing your essays. School visits arm you with more information about the school to leverage in your essays, which will be especially useful to you when you consider essay prompts like Tuck’s and McCombs’.”

DON’T MISS: WHEN A CAMPUS VISIT TURNS AN MBA APPLICANT OFF

 

RE-APPLYING

How Do Different Schools Handle Re-applications?

Booth

“Please answer the following question if you submitted an application for the Chicago Booth Full-Time MBA program for the Fall 2013 and/or Fall 2014 start dates.

Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application?

Fuqua

It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year’s application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?

Stern

If you are a re-applicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application.

Wharton

All re-applicants (those who applied for Fall 2014 or 2013) are also required to complete the Optional Essay.

Please use this space to explain how you have reflected on the previous decision on your application and to discuss any updates on your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances.

Columbia

How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate how you plan to achieve your immediate and long term post-MBA professional goals.

Tuck

How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.

Kellogg

Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy?

Yale

Since your last application, please discuss any updates to your candidacy, including changes in your personal or professional life, additional coursework, or extracurricular/volunteer activities.”

DON’T MISS: HOW TO RE-APPLY TO BUSINESS SCHOOL