Finding The Courage To Apply To HBS

Erica Santoni and her partner on Boston Harbor. Courtesy photo

News from Harvard Business School

“I was so close to not even applying to HBS. Being admitted seemed so unlikely that I thought it was a waste of time to even try.

“Before I even applied to HBS, I felt a mix of deep respect and reverential fear toward the HBS Admission Officers. I didn’t think I was good enough to pass their judgement. But as I look back on the application process, I realize that my harshest critic was not sitting on the MBA Admissions Committee: it was me.

“The possibility of pursuing an MBA had been on my mind since college, and Harvard was without a doubt my dream school. Nevertheless, when the moment came to apply to B-school, I did not feel ready. I was finding excuses to postpone the application.”

McCombs Students Need To Pursue Creativity, Think Outside The Box

News from University of Texas-Austin McCombs School of Business

“The business world is lightning-fast. The moment one revolutionary company is born, 20 other companies die out.

“With such rapid technological changes and the constant evolution of industries, business students must build an adaptable skill set that goes beyond textbook knowledge. As much as college curricula emphasizes technical skills, there is a fundamental intangible skill that often determines the success of a business — creativity.

“In an IBM survey of over 1,500 CEOs around the world, creativity was ranked as the top skill for individual business success. It was higher than skills such as rigor, management discipline and vision. UT business students should supplement their technical core curriculum with creative elective classes that broaden their perspective, strengthen their complex problem solving abilities and build their competitive edge.”

Members of the panel included (left to right) Jamil Anderlini, Jing Tsu, Nuno Monteiro, Peter Salovey, Stephen Roach, and Aleh Tsyvinski. Photo by Michael Marsland

Yale Experts Consider Consequences Of China’s Rise As Global Power

News from Yale SOM

“President Xi Jinping of China has marked 2049 — the centennial of the founding of the People’s Republic of China — as the date by which his country will be a fully developed and prosperous global power. A panel of Yale faculty on Nov. 2 considered China’s chances of meeting the goal and the implications for the United States should it succeed.

“Jamil Anderlini, Asia editor for the Financial Times, moderated ‘China 2049 — New Era or New Threat,’ which was held at the Yale School of Management. It featured panelists Yale President Peter Salovey; Stephen Roach, senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs; Jing Tsu, professor of East Asian languages and literatures and comparative literature; Nuno Monteiro, associate professor of political science and director of international security studies; and Aleh Tsyvinski, the Arthur M. Okun Professor of Economics.”

INSEAD

The Four Most Prevalent Myths About Electric Cars

News from INSEAD

“Just one look at our cities — from Berlin to Baghdad, Bangkok to Buenos Aires, Boston to Baton Rouge — makes it blatantly obvious. During rush hours or holidays, potentially productive or relaxing time is wasted. Individuals are stuck in metal boxes that weigh over a tonne, moving slowly forward while they inhale air packed with carcinogenic particles. Surely, we can do better. Fortunately, disruptive players are working hard to accelerate the switch to electric cars.

“Meanwhile, those with interests to stave off mobility disruption tend to make four spurious attacks.”

UVA photo

Accolades: Governor Honors UVA With Environmental Excellence Award

News from University of Virginia Darden School of Business

“The University of Virginia was recognized as a gold medal recipient of the Virginia Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, the commonwealth’s highest honor in the field.

“The award, given in April at the 29th Environment Virginia Symposium in Lexington, recognizes significant demonstrated leadership across the commonwealth and across sectors in protecting Virginia’s natural environment. The awards are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

“UVA was awarded this honor for ‘its demonstrated commitment to the stewardship of Virginia’s natural resources’ through its comprehensive sustainability programs, according to the award citation.”