Wharton | Mr. PE To Startup
GMAT 760, GPA 3.75
Harvard | Ms. Craniofacial
GRE 313, GPA 3.7
McCombs School of Business | Ms. Customer Obsessed Entrepreneur
GRE 300, GPA 3.4
Harvard | Mr. Strategist
GMAT 750, GPA 73%, top of the class (gold medalist)
Chicago Booth | Mr. Healthcare Marketing
GMAT 740, GPA 3.05
IU Kelley | Ms. Data Scientist
GMAT 710 - will retake, GPA 3.6
Berkeley Haas | Mr. Hanging By A Thread
GMAT 710, GPA 3.8
Wharton | Mr. Law & Entrepreneur
GRE 325, GPA 3.86
Kellogg | Mr. Platoon Commander
GMAT 710, GPA 3.1
USC Marshall | Mr. Pivot To PM
GRE 302, GPA 3.42
Harvard | Mr. Half-letic
GMAT 720, GPA 3.45
Stanford GSB | Mr. Results-Driven
GMAT 770, GPA 3.5
Stanford GSB | Mr. Free-Spirited Traveler
GMAT 720, GPA 3.8
Wharton | Ms. Experiential Beauty
GRE 315, GPA 3.32
Columbia | Ms. Pivot
GRE 320, GPA 3.76
Harvard | Mr. Life Science Consultant
GMAT 700, GPA 3.73
Stanford GSB | Mr. Healthtech
GMAT 740, GPA 3.0
Harvard | Ms. Retail Forever
GRE 320, GPA 3.5
Ross | Mr. Aspiring PE
GRE 313, GPA 4.27/5.00
Cornell Johnson | Mr. Indian MBA Aspirant
GMAT 710, GPA 3.8
Harvard | Ms. IB To PE
GMAT 740, GPA 3.94
Ross | Mr. Fitness Biz
GRE 330, GPA 3.55
UCLA Anderson | Ms. Sales To Strategy
GMAT 750, GPA 2.9
INSEAD | Mr. Old Product Manager
GMAT 660 - retaking, GPA 3.0
Harvard | Mr. Half Poet, Half Quant
GRE 324, GPA 3.01
Cornell Johnson | Mr. Not Your Dad’s CPA
GMAT 730 (target score), GPA 3.56
Stanford GSB | Mr. Young Investor
GMAT 740, GPA 3.4
Stay informed.
Sign Up!
PQ Logo
Today's Featured Schools
Cornell Johnson Logo
University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Toggle navigation PQ Logo
Today's Featured Schools
Today's Featured Schools
Cornell Johnson Logo
University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
  • Search for:
  • Sign In
  • Register
  • News
    • MBA News
    • Archives By Category
  • Rankings
    • Rankings Home
    • Poets&Quants Top 100 MBA Ranking
    • Poets&Quants International Top 50 MBA Ranking
    • Poets&Quants Best Online MBA Ranking
    • Best MBA Programs For Entrepreneurship
    • Fantasy MBA Ranking Game
  • Schools
    • MBA Programs
    • Executive MBA Programs
    • Online MBA Programs
    • Specialized Masters Programs
    • Gies Business | Partner Publisher
    • Insider’s Guides to the Top Business Schools
    • School Videos & Deep Dives
  • Admissions
    • MBA Admissions News & Advice
    • MBA Admissions Consultant Directory
    • MBA Watch
    • Handicapping Your MBA Odds
    • Calculate My MBA Odds
    • Making Your MBA Happen With Fortuna Admissions
    • MBA Watch Video Assessments
    • More Videos & Admissions Advice
    • Podcasts By P&Q
  • GMAT / GRE
    • Test Prep Advice & News
    • Test Prep Resources From Manhattan Prep
  • Students
  • Jobs
  • EMBA
  • Online MBA
  • Masters
  • Events
    • Poets&Quants preMBA Networking Festival
    • CentreCourt MBA Admissions Festival
    • CentreCourt Specialized Masters Admissions Festival
    • Backstage With Poets&Quants: Top Online MBA Admissions Event
    • Backstage With Poets&Quants: UNDERGRAD Business Admissions Event
  • Videos
  • MBA Watch
Poets&Quants on Twitter Poets&Quants on RSS Feed Poets&Quants on Facebook Poets&Quants on YouTube Poets&Quants on LinkedIn Poets&Quants on Soundcloud
  • News
  • Rankings
    • Top 100 MBA Ranking
    • Top 50 International MBA Ranking
    • Top Programs For Entrepreneurship
    • Top Online MBA Ranking
    • All MBA Rankings
    • Fantasy MBA Ranking Game
  • Schools & Programs
    • MBA Programs
    • Executive MBA Programs
    • Online MBA Programs
    • Specialized Masters Programs
    • Gies Business | Partner Publisher
    • Insider’s Guides To Top Schools
  • Admissions
    • Admissions News & Advice
    • Admissions Consultant Directory
    • MBA Watch
    • Handicapping Your MBA Odds
    • Calculate My MBA Odds
    • Admissions Advice | Fortuna
    • MBA Watch Video Assessments
  • MBA Watch
  • GMAT / GRE
    • Test Prep Advice & News
    • Manhattan Prep Resources
  • Students
  • MBA Jobs
  • Executive MBA
  • Online MBA
  • Specialized Masters
  • Events
    • preMBA Networking Event
    • MBA Admissions Events
    • Online MBA Admissions Events
    • Masters Admissions Events
  • Videos & Podcasts
  1. Home
  2. Admissions News & Features
  3. Sponsored Blogs: Insights & Advice From MBA Admissions Consultants
  4. Why London Business School Should Be On Your MBA Shortlist

Why London Business School Should Be On Your MBA Shortlist

by: Emma Bond, Fortuna Admissions on May 21, 2020 | 0 Comments Comments 1,911 Views
May 21, 2020

Insights from LBS Admissions

It is hard to imagine that until the mid-1980s, middle management from the Commonwealth had a free ride for their business education at London Business School (LBS).

“It’s been a long time since it’s been a British school for British candidates – long before my time, many deans ago,” remarked LBS Admissions Director David Simpson in last month’s panel discussion at CentreCourt MBA Festival. “I would say LBS is completely tied to London in its sense of identity rather than to the UK, and that’s where the global element comes in.”

At LBS, global is more than just an adjective – it’s a mindset that’s deeply woven through the fabric of the entire institution. Not only are the culture and economy of London at the heart of the LBS experience, the student body reflects over 65 nationalities in the MBA classroom. The school is constantly reinventing the curriculum to best reflect this global focus and showcases applied aspects like the Global Business Experience immersion weeks into its customizable program. When asked about the qualities that make LBS special and most memorable for grads, this element is at the top of the list.

As former LBS Senior Manager of MBA Admissions, I’m admittedly enthusiastic about encouraging candidates to explore LBS and its unique benefits. As is my former LBS colleague, David Simpson, who has led LBS admissions for more than 20 years. On May 27 at 12pm ET (5pm GMT), I’m hosting a live conversation with David to discuss his perspective in this most unprecedented of times, along with his admissions insights and application tips for the MBA curious. (You can register now to join our free webinar and to submit your questions to David in advance.)

Ahead of my live chat with David on Wednesday, I’ve captured some of his insights from the CentreCourt panel to pique your curiosity, where David spoke about Covid-19 admissions adjustments, what makes LBS special, its global culture, and the key qualities he’s seeking in LBS applicants.

What accommodations has LBS made in response to Covid-19?

It’s been an eventful year unlike one I’ve ever known. I thought I worked hard before but, wow, it’s busy! We want to still bring in the same size class and the same calibre of candidates, but we might have to make some adjustments to end up there, namely around the timing.

We’ve extended the commitment fee deadlines for the largest group of admits, allowed candidates to apply without GMAT or GRE scores – although now that those are online people need to submit a test result before admission. We’ve extended the final application deadline to June 4 – we’ve actually seen a huge rise in applications coming in the final round. But we figure there are still a lot of people who aren’t sure what they’re doing or perhaps have to change their plans. We are listening to candidates.

What are a few key qualities you’re looking for in a candidate?

Above all for me is the idea of an inquiring mind – someone who’s fascinated by other views gathered from around the world, somebody who is open for personal growth. A good business school program will help you to develop yourself in order to make good decisions. Making good decisions means taking on data and analyzing it – and data being people’s views and lots of different perspectives. For me it’s being interested in those views, and also recognizing that you have to and want to share your experiences – those are two really important factors.

In addition: ambition, collaborative nature, curious / questioning, global outlook and desire, reflective and self-aware… with some humility. These are factors that everybody needs in business and in society.

What makes LBS special? What are some of the most memorable elements for graduates?

The Global Business Experience is a huge takeaway. Whether you’re spending time working with micro-entrepreneurs in townships in South Africa or going to frontier-market Myanmar, or looking at innovation in  Israel – although it’s just a week of the program, for some it changes their lives. In addition to the Global Business Experience, it’s our program’s flexibility and the openness of the students that makes us so special.

In terms of flexibility, LBS is a full two-year program, yet you allow MBA candidates to choose different lengths of time to study?

Yes, absolutely. We describe it as being 15 to 21 months – it is possible to finish by a January/February date, which is great if you’re sponsored or your business idea is ready to launch. The reality is people come in expecting that’s what they’ll do, and then halfway through the program they all decide to stay as long as they can. Well over a third, closer to a half, think they’ll fast track and finish early when they first apply, and that turns into about 10 people who do it in reality. But the point is having the choice at the start of the program.

What’s one thing most candidates don’t know about LBS (and should)?

We have masters programmes for every career stage, from pre-experience masters, The MBA and MiF, through to senior leadership programmes like the Sloan Masters and EMBAs.

Any common misconception you’d like to correct? 

That we’re just a finance school. I mean, we ARE a finance school, but we’re just as much a school for strategy, consulting, tech and entrepreneurship.

Interested in learning more or have questions about LBS? Join my live webinar with David on May 27 at 12pm ET/5pm GMT by registering today. You can also reach out to me and schedule a free consultation for a candid assessment of your chances.


Fortuna AdmissionsEmma Bond is a director at MBA admissions coaching firm Fortuna Admissions and was previously responsible for MBA admissions at London Business School. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up for a free consultation

Trending

Stanford Again Tops P&Q’s 2020-2021 Ranking Of The Best MBAs

Comments

Hidden MBA Gems: Under-The-Radar MBA Options To Put On Your Radar

Comments

The Top HBCU Feeders To U.S. MBA Programs

Comments

The Rise Of Asian Business Schools: Ranking The Best MBA Options

Comments

Tagged: Emma Bond, Fortuna Admissions, LBS Admissions Insights, London Business School, MBA admissions consultants

Post navigation

Previous Article: Torelli Explains Pandemic-Related Emerging Global Consumer Behaviors
Next Article: What MBA Grads Make In Their First Jobs
  • Stay Informed. Sign Up! Login
    Logout
    Search for:
    Poets&Quants on Twitter Poets&Quants on RSS Feed Poets&Quants on Facebook Poets&Quants on YouTube Poets&Quants on LinkedIn Poets&Quants on Soundcloud
  • Sponsored Blogs

    Secrets To Smart GMAT & GRE Prep

    by Matt Symonds, Fortuna Admissions (4 days ago)
    Scott Edinburgh

    Personal MBA Coach’s Guide To MBA Planning

    by Scott Edinburgh (2 weeks ago)

    Five Ways To Stay On Track With Your Virtual School Research

    by Donna Bauman, Stratus Admissions Counseling (1 month ago)

    The Early Bird Gets The Best MBA Offer

    by David White, Menlo Coaching (2 months ago)
    Alex Collazo, Admissionado

    How To Make A Delicious MBA Application Essay

    by Alex Collazo, Managing Director of Systems & Content at Admissionado (4 months ago)
  • Advice and Articles
    • How To Use Poets&Quants MBA Admissions Consultant Directory
    • How To Select An MBA Admissions Consultant
    • MBA Admission Consulting Claims: How Credible?
    • Suddenly Cozy: MBA Consultants and B-Schools
    • The Cost: $6,850 Result: B-School

Our Partner Sites: Poets&Quants for Execs | Poets&Quants for Undergrads | Tipping the Scales | We See Genius

The Top
MBA Rankings

  • Rankings Home
  • Poets&Quants Top 100 MBA Ranking
  • Poets&Quants International Top 50 MBA Ranking
  • Poets&Quants Best Online MBA Ranking
  • Best MBA Programs For Entrepreneurship
  • Fantasy MBA Ranking Game

Profiles of the World's
Top Business Schools

  • Alpha List of Top School Profiles
  • Babson College
  • Copenhagen Business School
  • INSEAD
  • Ohio State's Fisher College of Business
  • Rice University Jones School
  • UC-Irvine Merage School
  • University of Pittsburgh Katz School

B-School
Smackdowns

  • Chicago vs. Northwestern
  • Columbia vs. Dartmouth
  • Dartmouth vs. Stanford
  • Harvard vs. Dartmouth
  • Harvard vs. Stanford
  • London vs. Wharton
  • Michigan vs. Northwestern
  • MIT vs. Harvard
  • Wharton vs. Columbia
Sign In / Register
Stay Connected
Poets&Quants on Twitter Poets&Quants on RSS Feed Poets&Quants on Facebook Poets&Quants on YouTube Poets&Quants on LinkedIn Poets&Quants on Soundcloud

MBA Admissions Consultant Directory

Specialized Masters Program Directory

About Poets&Quants | P&Q News Archives | Privacy Policy | Advertising & Partnerships | Editorial | Contact Us

Copyright© 2021 Poets&Quants, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Website Design By: Yellowfarmstudios.com

Connect Me