Jump 3 Common Hurdles for International MBA Applicant
热2已有 701 次阅读 2013-09-23 17:59Nearly
a third of students in some of the
Applying from abroad involves certain expected obstacles, such as the logistics of campus visits, securing visas and financial aid and demonstrating language proficiency, but students share other challenges as well.
Here are three specific client cases – and their challenges – I've encountered while working with international MBA applicants that may help you with your applications.
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the
1.
Explaining your international GPA:
Naveen was shocked when he translated his overall grade percentage as 73 – the equivalent of a C average in the U.S. He was convinced his academic record would stand out negatively when compared to applicants from American schools grading on a 4.0 GPA scale.
Looking at grade conversion calculators available online, we found that for some transcripts, a 75 percent would be the equivalent of an American A-plus, and at other, more difficult programs, a percentage as low as 60 would translate to an A grade.
We
felt that the Stanford admissions committee would likely be familiar with the
rigorous engineering program at
Naveen insisted on describing his degree as "First Class with Distinction," and we agreed, so long as he used his actual scores without any conversion. This straightforward strategy worked, and Naveen ultimately landed a seat at Stanford.
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2.
Distinguishing yourself from other applicants:
Unfortunately,
Abhi's
In
addition, Abhi's GPA and GMAT score were merely average, so we had a difficult
conversation about the reality of this highly competitive situation and
encouraged him to apply to a portfolio of schools in order to maximize his
chances. He did agree to apply to four programs:
We mentioned his long track record of service, but really highlighted his organizing a large group to train for a marathon and raise money for a six-year-old girl with leukemia. Abhi discussed his own training process, recruiting and engaging others, planning multiple fundraising events and the leadership ups and downs that he encountered throughout the process.
For
Wharton, Abhi put in an extra push. He
The final package showcased how truly passionate he was about the program and what a good fit he was in terms of culture and goals. Despite having a profile that on the surface mirrored countless others, by digging deeper to find and highlight the compelling aspects of Abhi's background, he was offered a seat at both Wharton and Tepper.
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out how
3.
Balancing out zero community involvement:
Aldo's main issue was that extracurriculars and volunteering were not a part of his undergraduate experience, nor was it a priority for his peers in banking in Italy or London. He had no real way to demonstrate the community engagement that American MBA programs like to see.
Although it didn't seem immediately relevant to Aldo, we helped him see the value of his passion for travel, which had spurred him to visit all seven continents and study abroad in Singapore.
Aldo referenced some of the lessons he learned while traveling and living in Singapore and London to demonstrate his cultural awareness and a sustained focus on international interactions. Ultimately Aldo was admitted to Wharton and NYU Stern.
Each of these applicants benefitted from taking a fresh approach to their particular situation. Often, the steps necessary to strengthening your business school application become apparent once you spend some time in self-reflection.
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