聊天实录：进入商学院全攻略

hsWang

The guest of Business Week Online was Sally Lannin (SallyLann), president of MBA Strategies, a consulting firm in Edina, Minn., that counsels applicants on the best strategies for getting into business school. She was accompanied onstage by John A. Byrne (JohnByrnBW), a Business Week senior writer & creator of BW's Best B-School rankings. The moderator was Bob Arnold (BobABW), editor of Business Week Online.

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OnlineHost: Good evening, and welcome to Business Week Online. Our guest tonight is Sally Lannin (SallyLann), president of MBA Strategies, a consulting firm in Edina, Minn., that counsels applicants on the best strategies for getting into business school. She's accompanied by John A. Byrne (JohnByrnBW), a Business Week senior writer & creator of BW's Best B-School rankings. The moderator is Bob Arnold (BobABW).

BobABW: Hi Sally, and welcome John and to all you in the audience.

SallyLann: Good evening

BobABW: John, would you like to start things off?

JohnByrnBW: Sure

JohnByrnBW: Sally, this year is shaping up as a very competitive one for applicants to b-schools. Why are apps going up so much at the best schools?

SallyLann: I would say that applicants realize that all MBA degrees are not equal, and getting into the best possible school is what really matters. There is somewhat of a flight to quality.

JohnByrnBW: How has your business been?

SallyLann: Booming. Both in terms of individuals who are seeking advice regarding their application strategies as well as companies, consulting firms, and investment banks which have a vested interest in having their employees attend top programs.

BobABW: Huntgreen has the first audience question, Sally:

Question: Does experience, say at an investment bank, help you get into the school you want?

SallyLann: Experience, definitely helps whether it’s an investment bank or otherwise what is important is the quality of the experience

JohnByrnBW: In fact, isn't experience absolutely necessary to get into an elite program? Not just experience, but quality experience, right?

SallyLann: Yes, Schools are seeking applicants who have proven they can manage lead, work effectively with diverse groups, and are committed to a cause outside of their worklife.

BobABW: Our guest is Sally Lannin of MBA Strategies, the subject is getting into B-school. Jerm is next:

Question: I am currently enrolled in the USC MBA program and getting straight A's. My husband will probably be transferred to Houston this August, and I applied to Rice University. If accepted, would it be wise to switch schools? I've only taken 5 classes at Rice.

SallyLann: It would depend on what your professional goals are after graduation. If you are interested in the employers who recruit at Rice, you may as well stay there.

BobABW: Jflann1 is next:

Question: Who do you help applicants and how do you charge them for your services?

SallyLann: We help applicants determine which schools best meet their educational objectives, and highlight attributes that they should stress in their applications, recommendations, personal interview, etc. We do not edit essays. We charge $150 per hour.

BobABW: Angeljun wants to know this, Sally:

Question: How do our Business Schools compare with Europe or Asia?

SallyLann: The top b-schools in this country provide the greatest amount of global flexibility. Programs in Europe and Asia are more targeted toward those markets.

JohnByrnBW: What are some of the most common mistakes applicants make?

SallyLann: I think many applicant believe brains alone will get them into b-school. For example, over half of Kellogg's applicants this year (3500 of 6200) applied with GMAT scores in the top 10% (640 - 800). One must also have quality experience in the workplace.

[此贴子已经被作者于2004-9-16 21:59:27编辑过]

hsWang

JohnByrnBW: What else Sally?

SallyLann: In addition, one must have a clear sense of their professional goals. Too often, applicants expect the school to help them shop for a career.Schools will always opt for the applicant who has the clearest sense of their professional goals.

BobABW: JFlann1 is back, with this:

Question: Sally, how would you rank Indiana in the Corporate Finance field, as well as their placement office?

SallyLann: Indiana is a great b-school, they train some of the best professors. They are renowned for their research. Investment banks are most attracted to them for their research. And recruiters tend to be more regional than those at top 5 programs.

BobABW: Enrg has a question re perseverance:

Question: My question is...I have been admitted to Texas, but still dream of getting into a Top Ten program, given this is my second year applying, does it make sense to defer Texas and give it one more shot?

SallyLann: You need to know why you have been rejected and fix what is broken. Simply applying one more time with the same profile won't necessarily assure acceptance.

JohnByrnBW: How do you find that out?

SallyLann: John: You can request a "why deny" session. With the B-school in June or July when things have died down and get some feedback.

BobABW: SLTMRC has a question next:

Question: I am a 16 yr. old high school junior in Calif. I am considering a college major in business management. Do you have any advice?

SallyLann: SLT: Ironically top programs aren't thrilled about undergraduate business majors with the possible exception of Wharton.

BobABW: Try this next, from GCarvalh

Question: Sally, I just got accepted by University of South Carolina. What do you think of their MIBS Program?

SallyLann: S.C. is a top 40 b-school program. If you are interested in their recruiters it may be right for you.

BobABW: Here's a question from FemFriend: Question: Do you know anything about Kellogg's Austin scholarship? Worth turning down (already accepted) free ride at UVA?

SallyLann: Yes, I do know about the Austin scholarship. It is a non-need-based scholarship. I think if you prefer Kellogg's program, I would go to Kellogg. I encourage applicants to minimize cost differentials if deciding between top 10 programs.

BobABW: Try this next, from Jerm0000:

Question: When writing an essay on "your greatest personal achievement" would it be better to write about a unique business experience, like a challenging project, or overcoming something personal, like a difficult pregnancy?

SallyLann: I would view your answer in light of the other questions asked by the school. If you only have the opportunity to discuss one achievement, I would relate it somehow to your ability to solve problems, manage or lead.

BobABW: Enrg is back with this:

Question: John or Bob, in addition to my readmit question, I'd like to know whether Sally feels schools are looking for certain "types" for their program. What does one do with a non-traditional business background?SallyLann: Those with a non-traditional background have a good chance of being accepted as long as their career path going forward makes sense, and they are not using B-school as a turn around service.

BobABW: KRgans wants to know the odds:

Question: I work for an Investment company for 2 years now and I got a 500 on the GMATS will I have a chance at NYU?

JohnByrnBW: Sally, what about all the applicants out there waiting to hear about financial aid packages? Should they hold off on accepting an offer of admission until they get a financial aid offer, too? What can an applicant do to convince a school to throw some money on the table?

BobABW: Sally, how about answering KRgans, then John.

SallyLann: It depends on your academic record in college, you'll need an extremely high GPA from a top school to be accepted.

SallyLann: John: This is a difficult question. Schools are not necessarily motivated to come up with money when they probably have more people accepting than they did last year.

BobABW: Schnappas wants you to make a hard call:

Question: Which is the better part time program Univ. Chicago or Northwestern?

SallyLann: They are both great part-time programs and because part-time students represent the real world the best professors at both Chicago and Kellogg want to teach these evening classes.

JohnByrnBW: Sally, can an applicant play off one school over another to get a better financial aid deal? If so, how?

SallyLann: Yes, basically let the school know your options. And see if they come up with a more attractive package. I would say this is difficult however.

BobABW: JCW4U is next:

Question: What kind of job should someone just out of a liberal Arts college look for in order to become more appealing to b-school? and why?

SallyLann: I would look for a job that is related to your career goals although they are probably not formulated at this time. Additionally, work for the brightest people you can find.

BobABW: DevangK, an old friend from BW's Tuesday & Thursday B-School Chats, is up next:

Question: Sally, I would like your suggestions on how to combat a low GPA. I have a 660 GMAT score and my GPA has been trendy with my senior year being the best. Have you worked with clients that have had GPA's <3.0 and overall what were the results (guess )?

SallyLann: Yes, I have. It depends on what your undergraduate major was. If you have limited quantitative coursework I would take statistics and calc and get an A in each. Not a B.

BobABW: Try this next, from Arborgirl:

Question: Sally, I have a good GMAT score (720) but am concerned that my 6 years of retail management experience may not be technical enough to get into the University of Michigan, my top choice. What do you think?

SallyLann: I think you stand a great chance of being accepted as long as you have presented the most relevant aspects of your experience. That is, ways in which you've managed different sorts of people and solved complex problems.

BobABW: JCW4U has a Wharton Question.

Question: Sally, you mentioned that Wharton was not fond of business majors. What are they looking for?

JohnByrnBW: Actually, she said just the opposite.

SallyLann: No, Wharton tends to be more fond of business majors than other schools. This is because they have such a strong undergrad business program. Most top 10 universities in this country do not have undergrad business programs.

BobABW: GCarvalho wants to ask a follow-up to an earlier question.

Question: Sally, I meant about their Int'l Business Program (South Carolina). US News rank says they are second regarding Int'l business Programs. Is that true? Are they really good?

SallyLann: Yes, South Carolina's international program is the strongest part of their program. I would evaluate their recruiters and ask an employer you'd like to have hire you what they think about the graduates they have hired from.South Carolina. Have they performed?

JohnByrnBW: This brings up an interesting issue, Sally. Should an applicant interested in global management go to a Thunderbird of USC over a Wharton or Columbia if they can get into the latter two schools?

SallyLann: Again, it depends on where you would like to work. I personally believe the recruiters and the positions they're "selling" are stronger at Wharton and Columbia.

BobABW: JFlann has a GPA question, next:

hsWang

Question: Sally, which of the top ten schools weigh your GPA the least and how can you overcome it if you have a good Gmat and great work experience?

SallyLann: Stanford looks beyond a weak GPA as long as you can explain your performance. You do need a very high GMAT to overcome a low GPA. I believe a low GPA can be overcome by taking a couple of difficult quantitative courses and getting A's. To prove that you have the capability.

BobABW: TomKeller is up next:

Question: What other factors besides GPA and GMAT scores does a business school look at? And to what extent are they important?

SallyLann: Schools look at your ability to solve complex problems, your ability to manage up, down and laterally, your ability to lead, work in teams, and succeed in the workplace. Additionally, you must have clear educational objectives and career goals.

BobABW: DevangK is asking for an elaboration on one of your earlier answers,

Question: Sally was helpful but I would like some more information on how to combat the low GPA in essays, interviews, etc.

SallyLann: Explain why your performance in college was low. Be honest again. You must be able to prove you will do well academically.

BobABW: Try this next from CBHB1:

Question: Is the Anderson School at UCLA considered a top tier program? And what kind of advantages might it have over an East Coast school?

SallyLann: The Anderson School at UCLA is a very good program. It has many terrific classes in entrepreneurship. Its recruiters tend to represent the West Coast. If you want to work on the East Coast, that may pose a problem.BobABW: Enrg is back, with a specific question.

Question: What sort of GMAT score does Sally mean when she says it has to be high enough to counter a low GPA?

JohnByrnBW: That would depend on the school, I'm sure.

SallyLann: For Stanford, your GMAT has to be in the very high 600's or low 700's to begin to combat a low GPA.

BobABW: Sean97852 has a Wharton question next:

Question: I just graduated from Wharton undergrad with an accounting degree but I'd like to go into investment banking. Would I need to obtain an MBA to do this? What do you suggest would be my best option?

SallyLann: It depends on what job in investment banking. If you want corporate finance, you need to go back to B-school.

BobABW: Here's a good, basic question from JFlann1:

Question: What is considered a high GMAT?

SallyLann: It depends on the school... Most schools will tell you what the average GMAT of those they accept is. A high GMAT alone will not get you in. For example, this year, Kellogg rejected half of its applicants with perfect scores of 800.

BobABW: ScottV465 wants advice on self-marketing:

Question: What is the best way to present your management, leadership and problem solving skills?

SallyLann: Through tangible examples of you in the workplace, the community and leadership from your college days. Additionally, your recommenders should load up with examples of all this.

BobABW: KMeyer99 is hanging tough. Any advice, Sally?

Question: Hi: I got a 670 GMAT and 3.7 GPA undergrad, but I did not get into UChicago, NWestern, UMichigan, or Stanford. Now I am getting a slew of mailings from UMiami, UMaryland, Tulane, UCincinnati, etc. Should I try other top schools or go for the 2nd tier?

SallyLann: It depends on the quality of your work experience. Find out why you were rejected.

BobABW: Try this:

Question: Sally, I'm an international applicant (from Brazil) and my GMAT score is 530. However, I got a "good" score (>82%) in the Math section, having the Verbal section weaker. Do they (B-schools) consider it? I mean, English is not my native language...

BobABW: It's from GCarvalho

SallyLann: It depends on where you want to apply, your TOEFL will speak to your language skills.

BobABW: Here's the next one:

Question: Sally, what is your view of the Simon School at the University of Rochester? I see it scores highly in some areas esp. finance (9), and its rank among recruiters jumped from 45 to 27...?

SallyLann: This is a regional program that is coming on strong. Babson is another example like the Simon School.

JohnByrnBW: Sally, how are schools using the new section of the GMAT on writing skills this year?

SallyLann: They believe this new section represents one's ability to communicate, which is vital to one's success in the workplace.

BobABW: Try this next, from SWeekend:

Question: Can you ask schools why you were denied admissions to improve your chance for the next year?

SallyLann: Yes, although their responsiveness will vary. We recommend that you wait until June when their offices are less busy.

BobABW: To retake the GMAT or not, from DevangK:

Question: Would Sally suggest retaking the GMAT for somebody who has a score of 660 and a GPA <3.0 That person (guess who?) thinks they can probably get a 700 the next time.

SallyLann: We recommend retaking the GMAT if you believe that you can score 40 or 50+ points higher.

BobABW: Try this, from Gawain:

Question: Better to quit good job and go part-time or pursue full time?

BobABW: I think Gawain means keep a good job and go part time.

SallyLann: If you value the "community" the b-school experience provides, it is difficult to get this in a part time program.

BobABW: And finally, from DKin USA:

Question: hi, I'm in Minneapolis right now for a couple days. I was wondering if I can meet with you?

SallyLann: You can reach our offices at 612-922-5991.

BobABW: Thanks, Sally Lannin & John Byrne for a lively and informative evening. And thanks to you in the audience for your many questions. I think we captured them all, so we may e-mail you with answers to some we didn't get to.

JohnByrnBW: Sally, thanks much for being with us again. I might remind our audience that our previous conference with you is in transcript form and can be downloaded.

BobABW: We'll post the transcript of this conference shortly.

SallyLann: Good night and thank you.

JohnByrnBW: Good night all and good luck on those applications.

BobABW: And please look at our conference calendar under the Talk & Conferences screen for news of future conferences.

BobABW: Thanks again, and good night.

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crossmoon

谢了

vagrant

以下是引用dawei在2004-11-22 19:59:00的发言： who would translate it into Chinese?

if i had time.