Get Your M.B.A. Part-Time Part 5

As the top schools began strongly recommending or requiring interviews, other schools followed suit. The rush to emulate programs that first established interview requirements was motivated by more than a desire to imitate the leaders. There was a heightened recognition that success in business is not always correlated with academic success. This was accompanied by an increased interest in attracting students who were not only qualified to perform well in a rigorous academic program, but who also possessed the personal qualities that would contribute to a successful post M.B.A. job search and greater likelihood of rapid career advancement. The current emphasis on leadership, teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills within M.B.A. programs is an outgrowth of the insights and goals that originally led to the admissions interview.

Most schools will say that the interview gives the admission committee a chance to evaluate aspects of the candidate that are not apparent or that cannot be judged on the basis of the written application alone. These attributes include poise, self-confidence, social skills, ability to think on one's feet, reaction to stress, maturity, and communication skills. A clear understanding of what the school expects to accomplish in an admissions interview and what you wish to gain from it will help you to prepare appropriately and gain maximum benefit from the interview experience.

INTERVIEW FORMAT.

The interview format you encounter will depend on whether you requested the interview or it was recommended/required by the school. If you requested the interview, you need to go into it with a firm idea of what you want to discuss. Schools that do not routinely grant interviews will expect you to provide them with information that was not included in your application. The school may wonder why you feel the information is so important that it couldn't be written up and included as an additional essay. You'd better be prepared to do more than just chat with the interviewer.

Multiple QuestionsSome schools conduct panel interviews, so be prepared to meet more than one person at the same time. Remember to be yourself and don't get defensive.

When the interview is recommended/required by the admissions office, on the other hand, the school is much better prepared to handle it. You had better be prepared also. Most interviews follow the same basic format: introduction, some welcoming comments and relaxed conversation, a little information about the school and how the interview will be conducted, detailed questions about your educational and work experience, future plans and goals, and so forth, followed by your chance to ask questions, and finally the wrap-up. They usually last 30 to 60 minutes. You need to make sure that you use the time wisely, that you make the points you want to convey and ask the questions you want to get answered, without seeming to take control of the interview. The only way to ensure success is to prepare.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW.

The very first thing you should do is review your application. What did you say and how did you present yourself? You need to remind yourself of these items before you go into to your interview so that you can give the interviewer some value-added information. Always a.s.sume that the interviewer has read your application thoroughly and reviewed it before the interview began. You can (and should) refer to details that you covered in your application, but you need to be able to discuss them in more depth if asked. If you refer back to your essay drafts, you should find that there is much more information to impart that you edited out in the name of length or simplicity. This is good information to have on hand for the interview portion of the application process.

You should also review everything that you know about the school with which you are about to interview. Nothing irritates an interviewer more than an unprepared interviewee who obviously hasn't read the catalog or done enough research to confirm that he or she has chosen the right school. It will also help you if you have read some other material about the school that will show that you were interested enough to do further research. Knowing which departments are strong or well known will allow you to discuss why you have chosen to apply to this school and why you will be a good choice as a student.

It is certainly helpful if you know something about the background and education of students who are already attending the school. You may find that you fit the mold of the accepted student quite well, or that you need to convince the interviewer that you can add something to the school.

In order to get an impression of what an interviewer might be looking for, take a look at the following interview form from Carnegie Mellon University. This form should help you identify the skills and demeanor required to impress the interviewer. Review the categories and make sure that you can express yourself in a manner that will convince your interviewer to rate you on the "5" end of the scale for each quality.

The Experts Advise . . .Some suggestions courtesy of Karen Davis, an admissions adviser at Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management:DO:Come prepared. Make sure that you prepare for your interview and bring a current resume. Know that you will be asked questions such as: Why have you selected the school? Why have you opted for the part-time program? Be ready to discuss your academic and professional objectives and be able to trace your career history from undergraduate school through your current position, validating the choices you made along the way. Make sure that you prepare for your interview and bring a current resume. Know that you will be asked questions such as: Why have you selected the school? Why have you opted for the part-time program? Be ready to discuss your academic and professional objectives and be able to trace your career history from undergraduate school through your current position, validating the choices you made along the way. Give thorough and complete answers. Give thorough and complete answers.The interviewer is not privy to your complete application-he or she must provide an independent opinion, with no bias from your quant.i.tative results.DON'T:Speak negatively of other schools.Be positive about your decisions and your experiences with other academic inst.i.tutions.

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Work on your body language-don't fidget or present barriers between yourself and the interviewer (such as leaning back and crossing your legs). Maintain eye contact. Good, nondistracting body language will help you come across as confident, poised, and mature.

If you are concerned about your presentation, you may want to practice your interviewing skills before the actual event. You should select someone to practice with who will give you good feedback and understands what is involved in this type of interview. The best choice would be an M.B.A. grad who has gone through this process himself, or someone who is also applying to B-school and understands the importance of this exercise. You may also want to give a copy of the form to your interview partner. Ask him or her to give you both positive and negative feedback so that you can work on the weak portions of your presentation.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER?.

How you present yourself is very important, but how you are perceived will depend on the interviewer. You may find yourself being interviewed by a permanent member of the admissions staff, a faculty member, another administrator, an alum, a part-time admissions person, or even a student.

Ask QuestionsThe interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the school as for the school to learn about you. Good questions demonstrate your knowledge of a particular program and your thoughtfulness about the entire process.

Many B-schools, especially those who conduct numerous interviews, have extensive training sessions for their interviewers and may even require that questions be asked in a certain order. Other schools are more flexible, allowing their interviewers to conduct the interview in whatever way is comfortable for them. It's important to keep in mind that different types of interviewers may have different approaches to the interview and different sets of primary interests. For example, a student may a.s.sess you as a potential fellow member of a group for a cla.s.s project and feel free to ask pointed questions that admission staff, who are also recruiters, would not. Similarly, current students and alumni may provide you with insights about the program that you won't get from the admissions office.

Although students and alumni may be able to spend more time with you than admissions staff charged with conducting hundreds of interviews each, be just as respectful of their time as you are of everyone else's. Business schools want these volunteers to feel good about the time and effort they spend interviewing applicants and will take any complaint about demeanor or behavior very seriously.

WHAT QUESTIONS WILL YOU BE ASKED?.

Some general areas are often covered by interviewers. Here is a range of questions that they might ask you: * College Career College CareerHow did you plan your course of study in college?How did you decided which college to attend?If you had it to do again, would you make the same choice and why?What extracurricular activities did you partic.i.p.ate in?* Motivation MotivationTell me about an instance/incident in which you were particularly motivated.What are your career goals?What do you plan to do to achieve these goals?* Management Potential Management Potential Have you developed a managerial style? If so, what is it? Have you developed a managerial style? If so, what is it?How would the people who report to you describe you?What are your weaknesses as a manager?* Intellectual Capacity Intellectual CapacityWhat courses did you do best in?Do your grades reflect your capacity to succeed in this program?* Work Experience Work ExperienceWhat are your current job responsibilities?Describe your changes in responsibilities since you started the job.How have you handled the changes in responsibilities?What have your major successes been?The "Right" Answers Don't struggle to think of "right" answers to the questions you're asked in the interview. The only right answers are those that are right for you. By responding openly and honestly, you'll find the interview less stressful, and you'll come across as a more genuine, attractive candidate.

* Interpersonal Relations Interpersonal RelationsWhat kind of people do you find it most difficult to work with?What is it about them that you would like to change?What do you normally do about such people?How would your co-workers describe you?* Perseverance PerseveranceIn your first job, what were the drawbacks in pursuing it as a career?What were some of the problems you ran into in doing your job?Which one frustrates you the most?What do you usually do about it?* Communication Skills Communication Skills Tell me about an instance when you had to persuade someone to do something he did not want to do. How did you do it? What were the results? Were you successful?

Remember that this is just a general description of some of the types of questions that you may be asked. You can't prepare for every possibility, but as long as you feel confident about your background and application, you should do fine. You do not need to "script" or over-rehea.r.s.e your responses, but you should go into the interview confident that you can field any question.

It's Not Just Luck"Some of what happens in the interview is luck, but you can prepare for it to a certain extent. I would suggest that you call each school that suggests an interview early for an appointment. Usually you are asked why now and why this particular school, what you can contribute to the school, and how you plan to use the degree, so you should know how to respond to those questions before you go in."- E.M.B.A., Stern School of Business, New York University Some interviewers won't ask you any of these questions. Instead, some experienced interviewers feel that they can carry on a general conversation with you, drawing you out to talk about yourself and your interests, and get enough information to make an admissions decision. Professionally trained interviewers are more likely to ask you about specific situations than they are to ask broad open-ended questions. They can learn more by asking what you've done in situations than by asking what you think you would do. Be prepared to discuss specifics-what you did and why you did it that way.

Special to the International StudentAs an international student, you are faced with additional challenges and pressures when interviewing in a language that is not your native tongue. Practice with a friend or colleague beforehand, arrive at your interview early, speak slowly, and stay calm.

If you experience this type of interview, you may walk away wondering what just happened! Don't worry. Even if the interview seems somewhat unconventional, it doesn't mean that it was unfair or incomplete. Just be glad that you were given the opportunity to express yourself.

What the Top M.B.A. Programs Say: Interviews Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville "Applicants should understand how the interview will be used in admissions process. Applicants should be prepared to put their best foot forward; don't show up like you just arrived from the beach. This is just like a job interview; make an impression. An interview allows applicants to amplify more about their application. They should be ready to give examples about their work or school experiences that are related to their intended degree interest. Applicants should be prepared to sell themselves by stating how they can contribute to the overall cla.s.sroom climate and environment."

Tulane University, Freeman School "The Freeman School requires interviews of all applicants living in the United States or Canada, and encourages interviews for international applicants as well. All interviews are conducted by a member of the admissions staff. The interview may be completed on campus, by phone, or off campus, if admissions representatives will be in the applicant's area. The candidate's application is not reviewed prior to the interview; therefore, the interview can be conducted at any time during the admission process.

"The advantages and disadvantages of each interview option greatly depend on the preferences of the candidates. I feel most candidates believe they can make a stronger impression in person and prefer the on-campus or off-campus interview. However, the admissions committee has no preference as to how the interview requirement is satisfied."

Indiana University "We encourage interviews prior to admission-either on- or off-campus-at forums and receptions. On-campus interviews are preferable, because the applicant can get a feel for who we are, learn our culture, and sit in on cla.s.ses. The interview process is a two-way street. We're each looking for a good fit."

University of California/Berkeley, Haas School of Business "Interviews are strongly recommended. Both on-campus and off-campus alumni interviews are available. On the east coast, alumni interviews are available in Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. As regards a.s.sessment value, no particular advantage or disadvantage applies to either type of interview. However, because a campus visit is highly recommended, applicants who are able to visit the school, meet with students, and attend cla.s.ses are at a distinct advantage in making an informed decision about the school that best meets their requirements and expectations."

The Complete Picture"The best advantage of an on-campus interview is that it allows the candidate to see the school, meet with students, sit in on cla.s.ses, and explore the city. This complete picture of the school is not possible with other interview options."- Admissions officer, Tulane University Emory University, Roberto C. Goizueta Business

School "Interviews are strongly encouraged. The majority of interviews are conducted on campus, but admissions officers conduct interviews (by appointment) in selected U.S. cities in the spring. Phone interviews are available upon request. Trained alumni also conduct off-campus interviews. Face-to-face interviews (be they with admissions officers on campus or with officers or alumni off campus) are preferred because they provide the most interactive, and therefore, typically, the most fruitful discussions."

Columbia University "While not required, we encourage face-to-face interviews. While the majority of interviews take place on campus, should an applicant not be able to visit the campus, we will arrange, through Project Interview, an interview with an alum located in close proximity to the applicant. Phone interviews may be conducted if there are no other alternatives."

Northwestern University, J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management "All applicants are required to interview as a part of the admissions process. Applicants may interview on campus with a staff member or student or in their area with a member of the 1,200-member alumni admissions organization. All interviews are given equal consideration."

FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT ADMISSIONS INTERVIEWS.

The most important thing to remember is to be yourself. Present yourself in as positive and professional a manner as you are able, but don't try to make yourself into someone that you are not. The interviewer will pick up on that and try to pin you down or catch you in an untruth. Be as relaxed as possible.

Don't ramble through your answers. Be as concise as you can be without shortchanging yourself in providing the information. Try to listen to the questions you are asked so that you answer appropriately.

Finally, dress as you would for any job interview. Be courteous to the support staff. Be on time for the interview. Follow up with thank-you letters.

Remember that this is one of the areas of your application over which you have control, so do everything in your power to make the interview a positive experience for both you and the interviewer.

Don't ForgetA well-worded thank you letter speaks highly of the candidate, and is usually retained in your file and considered when the admissions decisions are made. Don't email! If you decide to handwrite your note, make sure your writing is legible.

CHAPTER 11.

Writing Your Essay One of the most crucial components of your admissions application is your essays. Admissions officers use these essays to get to know more about you than can be seen through your work experience, your undergraduate grades, and your GMAT scores.

Many B-school applicants look upon the essay requirement as a part of the admissions application to be gotten through as quickly as possible. They throw together something that may or may not answer the questions asked and send it in, a.s.suming that the rest of their credentials will be more important than the essays. They couldn't be more wrong. You can make or break an admissions application by writing outstanding or awful essays. Taking the time to compose an impressive essay can only help your chances of getting into the B-school of your choice.

Before you begin crafting your essays for any application, take a look at the big picture.

* What are your compet.i.tive strengths?* Are there any weaknesses you'll have to overcome?* How do your grades, scores, and experience stack up against the overall cla.s.s profile?Be Consistent"When writing your essay, be sure to make your story consistent with what your recommenders are saying about you."- M.B.A., Stanford Graduate School of Business School of Business WHAT MAKES AN ESSAY EFFECTIVE?.

Writing effective essays requires serious self-examination and sound strategic planning. You will need to pay close attention to the content, style and mechanics, and distinctive qualities of your essay.

Content Most B-school applications require that you write one to three essays. The essay questions asked probe for information the school thinks is important to know in evaluating future students. They often relate to characteristics of the program as a whole. You are, for example, more likely to find a question about your work in teams in the application of a program that emphasizes teamwork than in the application of one that does not. Reading the essay questions carefully is vital in constructing an effective essay. "Making do" by using an essay written in response to one question to answer a somewhat similar question posed by another school only indicates to the second school that you are not a serious applicant.

Parts of a PackageMost business schools require multiple essays. In order to put your candidacy in the strongest light, think of each response as part of a package rather than an individual statement on which your entire application hinges. Be bold; stick to the subject; use strong imagery; and let admissions officers get to know you.- Adapted from "The Write Stuff," Newsweek/Kaplan's Careers Newsweek/Kaplan's Careers Think about what will set you apart, make you memorable and attractive as a student. If you are asked what your greatest strengths are, you don't want to say they are hard work and punctuality. Since no one will say he is lazy or late for work, hard work and punctuality do not distinguish you from the rest of the applicants. Instead of being just another financial a.n.a.lyst in a sea of financial a.n.a.lyst applicants, perhaps you are the financial a.n.a.lyst who raises dogs and volunteers at the local animal shelter, or the one who had to a.s.sume operational responsibilities during a strike, or the one who has applied her political science background to looking at emerging Eastern European markets. Whatever you say, be sure you have examples to back it up.

Much of this self-a.n.a.lysis should have occurred during your search for an M.B.A. program with an appropriate fit. If it didn't, you need to do it now. By cross-referencing your employment record, your personal characteristics, and desired M.B.A. program attributes, you should be able to find good examples and strong material for your essays.

Don't hesitate to go beyond your current job experience for essay topics. Although ignoring your job completely will raise a red flag, feel free to discuss other events that help define who you are. For example, if a question asks you to discuss three significant accomplishments, you might consider choosing one professional, one community, and one personal experience. Although this approach may not be exactly right for you, strategically, it does enable you to provide a range of personal insights as you answer a single question.

Style and Mechanics Start by outlining your answers to each essay question. Consider what you want to say and take the time to outline the major points that you wish to make. Then write your first draft. Beginning with a strong lead will get the reader interested in what you are trying to say. Once you have written the first draft, put it away for a while before you begin to edit in successive rounds. Editing your essays is a very important step; you need to have gotten away from the essay and allowed it to settle before you sit down and take it apart.

Schools are pretty specific about how long they want your essays to be. Adhere to their guidelines. Short and clear is good; long and wordy is bad. One of the first mistakes that some applicants make is in thinking that "thorough" and "comprehensive" are sufficient qualities for their essays. They try to include as much information as possible, without regard for length limitations or strategic intent. Application officers dread reading these bloated essays. You're aiming for a crisp, precise style with which you can convey your message in the limited s.p.a.ce allowed. You want to tighten your language to a point at which you have not used any extraneous words. At the same time, you want the essay to flow and be interesting to read. Extra-small margins and tiny type are not the solution, either. Keep your essays reader-friendly. Remember that your essays are just two or three of thousands the reviewer may read.

One Draft Is Not Enough"Feedback and revision are useful to any writer. Spell-check is only a starting point."- Pamela Curry, a.s.sistant Director of Graduate Programs, Dolan School of Business, Fairfield University Candidates who write well have an advantage in the application process because they can state their case in a concise, compelling manner. Write in an active voice; less effective writers commonly write pa.s.sively. Strong writing will not compensate for a lack of substance, but poor writing can bring down an otherwise impressive candidate.

To deliver your message effectively, you must also strive for clarity of content. You should be clear in what you are trying to convey without using slang or jargon. Endeavor to make your sentences shorter, eliminate any repet.i.tion, and make sure you have articulated your thoughts well. Give the reader more information than can be found in the other parts of your application. You don't need to restate information that you have already provided.

Finding the right tone is an important component of writing effective essays. On the one hand, you want to tout your achievements and present yourself as a poised, self-confident applicant. On the other hand, arrogance and self-importance will not go over well with admissions officers. You're trying to convey a personal message, but don't refer to yourself in the first person too much. Tell the reader what you have learned or contributed without sounding pompous. Before you submit your application, be sure that you're comfortable with its tone as well as its content.

Do Quality Work"Take the time to construct a well-written essay. Do not attempt to write a one-draft essay because you received an 'A' in English 101; focus on what the school of business is requesting. Many students go off on some tangent and never answer the question. Quality is the operative word in these cases, not quant.i.ty."- Greg Gomez, Admissions Director, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville If you choose to submit a humorous or creative application, you are employing a high-risk, high-reward strategy. You may not be the best judge of your creative talents, but if you're confident you can pull it off, go for it. Be aware, though, that what may work for one admissions officer may fall flat, or worse, with another. Admissions officers may consider your approach gimmicky or simply find it distracting. Remember, your challenge is to stand out in the applicant pool in a positive way. Don't let your creativity obscure the substance of your application.

Be sure to read your essays in the context of your entire application. Does the total package make sense? Does it represent you favorably? Is everything consistent? Have you demonstrated your intellectual ability, management skills, and personal characteristics? Most important, do you feel good about the application? After all, you don't want to be rejected with an application that you don't believe represents the real you.

Finally, get someone you trust to read over the essays. Make sure that you have conveyed what you were trying to convey. This is the one area of your application that you have complete control over and (with hope) ample time to do your best. Although a good essay cannot always overcome a poor academic record or GMAT, it is your chance to impress the admissions committee with your thoughtful, well-written response to the essay topic.

Making Your Essay Distinctive The discussion above describes the qualities of a good essay, one that won't be dismissed by even the most critical reader. But what if you want or need a great essay? Depending on the amount of time you have and the amount of effort you're willing to put in, you can write an essay that will stand out from the crowd.

Like other parts of your application, your essay is a marketing tool. The difference is that the essay gives you more freedom than any other component to present yourself in the best possible light. This is not the time to be blase. Unless they ask for it, don't dwell on your weak points. You want to highlight your most marketable qualities. Draw attention to your achievements and explain their significance so that the reader's potential questions are answered.

Remember Compliments"One of my employers called me a 'diamond in the rough' in one of my first annual reviews. I used this as the topic of one of my essays, which asked me to describe my strengths and weaknesses. I gave the essay to my employer to read and asked her for a recommendation. She was able to back up my story and was touched that I remembered her comment."- M.B.A., Fordham University One of the best ways to be distinctive is to sell your image briefly and accurately, including real-life examples to back up your points. A strong essay, for example, about how much you learned in your current position and how the experience and knowledge you've gained inspired you to apply to business school will give readers what they want-a quick image of who you are, how you got that way, and why you want to go to their school.

"Distinctive" means that your essay should answer the questions that admissions officers think about while reading essays: What's different about this applicant? Why should we pick this applicant over others? Authentic enthusiasm can be a plus, and writing about parts of your life or career that are interesting and relevant will help grab a reader's attention.

Use the Right Terms"I thought I was merely selling art [at my previous job in catalog production at Sotheby's]. But in B-school terms, I was 'developing important communication skills, refining my ability to prioritize and demonstrating my potential to be a self-starter.'"- M.B.A., Kellogg Graduate School of Management; quoted in Newsweek Newsweek/Kaplan's How to Choose a Career and Graduate School How to Choose a Career and Graduate School COMMON ESSAY QUESTIONS.

Every application is unique, but most will include essay questions that fall into one of several basic types. The good news is that once you've crafted responses to these questions, you won't have to start each application from scratch. You will, however, need to make sure that every application (especially the ones with fewer questions) provides the level of insight that you wish to present. Here are the kinds of questions you can expect to see: 1. Describe (one, two, or three) significant accomplishments, and discuss why you view them as such.

Here, the admissions committee is looking to get a sense of what you consider important. Throughout the application review process, the committee will be gauging not only your management apt.i.tude but also the kind of person you are. The events you choose to write about say a lot about you, as do the reasons you consider them significant. Here, the admissions committee is looking to get a sense of what you consider important. Throughout the application review process, the committee will be gauging not only your management apt.i.tude but also the kind of person you are. The events you choose to write about say a lot about you, as do the reasons you consider them significant.

2. Why are you pursuing an M.B.A.? Where do you hope to be five years from now? Ten years?

Admissions officers want to see that you've thought through the reasons for going to business school, that you're committed to it, and that you have a clear understanding of what the experience is all about. Although they don't expect you to necessarily map out your entire career path, they will look for you to demonstrate forward thinking.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Answer truthfully. Don't settle for "pat" responses. When discussing your strengths, you may want to include a brief example of an experience that highlights your strengths, if length permits. Answer truthfully. Don't settle for "pat" responses. When discussing your strengths, you may want to include a brief example of an experience that highlights your strengths, if length permits.Writing about weaknesses can be tricky. The committee is looking for evidence of self-awareness and maturity, but be careful about raising red flags. For example, if you apply to a case method school that requires cla.s.sroom partic.i.p.ation and you write that you are uncomfortable speaking in front of a group, the committee will question whether you can thrive in that environment. Of course, you should be asking yourself the same question, anyway. Describing a weakness that's really a strength ("I'm so honest that . . ." or "I'm so committed to my employees that . . ." ) is a common, safe approach, but doesn't provide much insight-and it may turn off some admissions officers.Don't Be DefensiveWhen dealing with weak aspects of your application, do so in a straightforward, nondefensive manner. Discussing the weak grades, unpleasant professional experiences, or difficult personal circ.u.mstances you've faced in the right way can help you turn a potential pitfall into a strength.

4. Describe an ethical dilemma you've faced, and discuss how you handled it.

With this question, admissions officers will evaluate not just your ethical "compa.s.s," but also your thoughtfulness, maturity, and integrity. They want to see how you think through situations in which there are no easy solutions. Remember, not all dilemmas involve ethics, and not all ethical situations are dilemmas.Admissions officers know that applicants won't all have faced the same situations. What's most important is that you demonstrate your ability to exercise responsible judgment and learn from difficult personal circ.u.mstances.

5. Is there anything else you would like the admissions committee to know about you?

If you believe that you've presented everything you need to make a strong case for admission, don't feel compelled to add anything here. With thousands of essays to read, admissions officers will not hold it against you. However, this question is also your opportunity to discuss anything you haven't yet had the chance to present. For example, if your undergraduate performance is the weak link of your application, you can use this s.p.a.ce to explain it. Alternatively, if there's a gap in your employment record that is likely to attract attention, now is the time to discuss it.Don't ignore something in your application that the admissions officers will question, thinking that they will not notice it. They read thousands of applications and are trained to notice the unexplained inconsistency. Write about it here-you may not get an interview to explain yourself.

6. Describe a setback or failure and discuss what you learned from it.

This question acknowledges that people learn as much from their failures as they do from their successes. You may be asked to select a professional situation. Regardless of the event you choose to discuss, here is an opportunity to demonstrate your thoughtfulness and maturity, as well as your capacity for growth and change.

7. If you could effect one change at your current job, what would it be?

Admissions officers recognize that some (especially younger) applicants have not yet reached levels at which they could make fundamental changes at work. This question lets you flex your brain power in talking about changes you'd like to see. It reveals how knowledgeable you are about business in general and your business in particular. It also provides clues about how you think. For example, do you think about big picture issues, or do you focus on the details?

8. Describe a situation in which you demonstrated . . . (teamwork/leadership/ responsibility).

A question like this will give you insight into the personal qualities that a school considers especially important in its students. Be sure to discuss the specifics of the situation. Answer such questions as: How did you demonstrate it? Did you have group meetings? Individual meetings? How did you motivate people? What was the end result? By discussing the details, you'll provide the admissions committee with valuable insight into your management style and apt.i.tude.

No HurryDon't rush to get your application out. Take time to carefully review your essay. Set it down, don't think about it for a week, and then reread it as though you were reading about someone you don't know. Be critical!

9. What do you do in your spare time?

This type of question provides admissions officers with information about your social skills and activities. Good managers should be good communicators, able to make friends and socialize easily. Show that you are committed to your leisure pursuits. Describe how you first became interested in your hobby or activity and identify any ways in which you have combined interests in unusual ways. Try to differentiate yourself. (Take, for example, the candidate who enjoys skydiving and poetry who published his work in a literary magazine and recited the poem at an "open mike" night in a local bar.) COMMON MISTAKES.

We've asked two admissions officials from different schools and with different backgrounds to list what they consider to be the most common mistakes that business school applicants make in their essays. The results of our mini-survey are reported below. Make sure you don't make these mistakes in your B-school applications!

Admissions Official #1: 1. Not Getting to the Point Right Away Don't force your readers to plow through a lot of irrelevant material before they reach the meat of your essay-they will lose patience with you.

2. Not Getting to the Point at All This is even more fatal than Mistake #1. Make sure that your essays are clear and concise.

3. Using Buzzwords and Business Cliches Using the most ubiquitous phraseology possible won't set you apart from the other candidates.

4. Not Providing an Appropriate Level of Detail Applicants often provide either too much or too little detail in their essays.

5. Failing to Proofread Spelling and grammatical errors are unacceptable.

Admissions Official #2: 1. Writing What You Think Someone Wants to Read This short-sighted strategy might gain you admission into an M.B.A. program, but beware. If you provide an inaccurate reflection of who you are, but are admitted and choose to enroll in a program, you may be very uncomfortable. This can impact your ability to do well and to develop academically and personally, and can also inhibit the establishment of valuable connections for the future.

2. Failing to Explain Crises in an Appropriate Level of Detail There is a fine line between too much and insufficient in such cases. Explanations of crises and misfortune, for example, are essential if they impacted the student's personal and academic development and perspective. A superficial mention without providing the reader with insight is useless and often detrimental, but too much "gore" and destruction also impacts the reader negatively. I once read an essay that described how the death of a roommate affected the student's ability to concentrate. The circ.u.mstances were horrific, and they were described in "b.l.o.o.d.y" detail. There are better ways to accomplish the same purpose.

3. Failing to Relate Goals and Plans to a Realistic Timetable You don't have to know it all, and it is naive to believe that you do. Naivete, especially at the graduate level, is not a valued commodity.

4. Failing to Check Spelling and Grammar Carefully This should go without saying, but many people omit this vital proofreading step.