Whenever I speak to potential applicants about the application process, there are some questions as to what occurs behind closed doors. Yes, the process can often have little transparency and that I assure you that is by design. Here are my answers to some of those questions you always thought about, but never asked. And if you have anything else you want to know, submit a comment on my blog!
Do "they" actually read the full application?
To those of you who labored over adding a "." vs a ";", know that your efforts were not in vain. Admissions committee pour through each and every application (or at least the good ones do) to determine what the candidate has in store.
Where and when do you read an application?
This might just be my favorite question! I wish I could tell you that we all gathered around an oak paneled room while the first snow was falling. The reality is that I was reading applications at my desk - during the day, during the night, on the weekends. Not very glamorous at all. Application reading is pretty much your major focus during the application cycle (November - April) and so you find yourself reading applications any second you get including weekends. (Note to file - if you visit a campus on the weekend during application time, beware that some of those people walking around might be tired admissions officers!)
Because of the confidential information within your application, most schools have rules as to where you can read your files. The admissions world has plenty of urban myths including the one about the officer who put a bunch of files in her car, and made a pit stop before reaching home. Well the car was robbed and so where the files! Suffice to say, most admissions offices don't want that kind of publicity.
How long does it take to read an application?
Now, this is the question with the highest shock and awe value. On average, I could get through 3-4 applications an hour, spending between 15-20 minutes on the entire application process including my evaluations. Now, for some this was longer, especially if the essays weren't clear or the applicant was missing something in their file. The majority of the time was spent reading your essays, which I'm sure most of you spent much more than 20 minutes on! Given this short amount of time, it is critical that your essays clearly answer the question and communicate your key messages. Generally, if an applicant has difficulty communicating their goals in an essay, the likelihood you'll get a chance to do it in person is low.
What are the MAJOR no-no's that applicants have committed?
Don't be this applicant!
- That darn find and replace feature. We've all been here, but mistaking one schools name for another just screams "I did this last minute and I'm not focused on your school".
TIP - Before you submit your essays, call in a favor and ask someone to be your "damage control" (and then take them for drinks). - You don't answer the question. If the school wants to know something about you, it's for a reason. You might not understand why, but they do. And as an admissions officer, when you are on application #38 of a pile of 75, the answer needs to be clear. You don't have time to hunt.
TIP - When you are asking people to review your essays, don't give them the essay question. When they are done reading, ask them what they thought the question was, or alternatively show them the question and ask them if you answered it. - My transcript/recommendation/essay is coming in after the deadline. We know you are busy and that sometimes things don't always go according to plan. However, there are plenty of other applicants who manage to get in it on time, and their application will be read before yours.
TIP - Applications for most schools go live in the summertime. Start planning for recommendations and transcripts then. As for essays, start your drafts in July. Come October, you'll be thanking me. - And my own personal favorite...You met someone from the admissions committee and you don't remember their name so you try to get as close as possible. You wouldn't like it if your acceptance letter called you by a different name?
TIP - Call the admissions office hotline and request the name of the person you met.
I hope these tips are helpful, or perhaps just entertaining. If you are applying to business school and want to learn more about the MBA Admissions counseling services, email theMBASOURCE@gmail.com.
