MBA之精选tips II[推荐]

vagrant

7. Application Strategies (20%)
Tip 24 Submit packages early (but not too early)
Some applicants asked me in late October if they can take GMAT in December and apply before deadline in April next year. I strongly discouraged them from doing so. Remember, you are betting on your future, not preparing instant noodles! Please, leave yourself enough time for the preparation.
Also, all the b-schools have sort of budget for their financial assistance which generally runs out by the 3rd round of application process. Therefore, the ideal round to apply is the 2nd as you will have a group of outstanding competitors from last-year application in the 1st round and you might endanger your chance of financial assistance after the 2nd round.
Tip 25: Write good resumes
See a template of a standard resume. Good resumes are those show SPECIFIC achievements with SPECIFIC figures, omit distracting and trivial information, and bind the common standards.
Personally, I do not write good resume like that. My current version depicts my professional jobs in big firms without showing detailed figures as a sign of achievements. I kept many test scores like those of the TSE and TWE in my resume, and I listed several boring interests like reading, jogging (reading and jogging themselves are not vulgar interests, but "reading The Bear and the Dragon (a book illustrates the relationship between Russia and China)" and "jogging in the woods with my wife" will surely stand out and become impressive interests.
Please, again, do not use adjectives and exaggeration in your resume. Try to be as objective as you can be. Remember, your future career is a professional, not a comedian.
Tip 26: Online application
I tried Embark last year but did not finish my application process there as I still have to mail other supporting materials to the schools. Not that convenient!
However, I know some schools charge lower application fees for online application. Besides, online application is faster, safer, and sometimes rewarding. Before I came to the States, I received a large T-shirt from Embark rewarding me for my uncompleted applications on their web site.
Tip 27: Put your name card in the application package
Start acting like a businessman or businesswoman even before you get into the B-school!
Tip 28: Cover letter and indices
In the cover letter, tell the schools your interests in them, list the enclosures in the package, and address special matters.
Index your application materials with post-it and list those indices in the cover letter.
Now, what an organized person your are!
Tip 29: Keep track of your materials
Again, use Excel to keep track of your materials. Keep in touch with school officials about your status. Be positive when writing to school officials.
Tip 30: Make your homepage
Tip 31 Prepare Interviews Early
About 40% of the interview questions are related to your resume and essays. Be sure to get familiar with your own resume and essays.
The rest 60% of the questions could be:
1. Team/leadership experiences (e.g., tell a situation when your leadership is being challenged. How did you handle it?)
2. Achievements / failure experiences, lessons you've learned.
3. Your questions (Prepare your questions tailored for the schools! Don't ask cliché questions like: your placement, financial assistance, your ranking, etc.)
4. Any questions (such as: What's the weather today? You are feeling good these days?).
From the above, you can see that it is not a good idea to "guess" those interview questions. Rather, I would recommend that you know more about yourself, think more about your experiences, learn more about the schools, and treat the interview more like an informal personal chat (Always remember Tip 23!)

ireneyuz

thanks for sharing!

vagrant

10. Contact professors (Taoci) (1%/ -10%)
Tip 32: Forget about this process!
Some people would argue that your chance of getting admission depends on your ability to find some renowned professors and get their trust. Well, it may be true for other programs where you have to work for your "boss," the professors. But I can guarantee you that this is absolutely not the case with MBA programs. Here, the budget is controlled by the board rather than a single professor.
11. Visa application (N/A)

Visa application is a different process from the MBA application process. Here are my experiences.

Tip 33: Apply as early as possible
Though the US consulates claims that they have not quota for F-1 approvals, I strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible. My classmates and I applied in mid-May and both of us got our visa in less than one minute! The visa officers, after days of quarreling in poor Chinese with grannies and grandpas, were so moved by our speaking English with them that they gave us approvals with only 3 short questions:
Which school will you go?
What will you major?
Where did you work?

Students applied later were not that lucky. I have heard so many tragedies in June and July. So, folks, schedule the interview early.
Tip 34: Sample visa interview questions
See this list of questions and sample answers. Please be aware to give specific and persuasive answers.
Tip 35: Be confident
The visa officer will not challenge your answers and ask you a lot of questions if you behave very confidently. Americans regard this as a sign of maturity and appreciate it greatly.
Also, I think this is an ideal place to reemphasize on the importance of "being confident."