February | 2011 | Ask the Expert

Will visiting the campus improve my candidacy?

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Graduate Management Admission Council

Written by Marisa Cox, Director, MBA Admissions, Eller College of Management, University of Arizona

In most cases, yes. Here are three positive things you can accomplish through a campus visit:

Demonstrate real interest. Admissions staff love to host applicants and prospective students on their campuses. It gives them an opportunity to showcase their facilities and the quality of their faculty, while also allowing the prospect or applicant to engage directly with current students and in some cases local alumni. By taking the time and investing the resources in flying or driving out for a visit, you are demonstrating a heightened level of interest in the program.

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Filed under: Admissions Process, Applications, Choosing the Right School, School Selection | Leave a Comment »

I was denied admission at my first choice school. What do I do now?

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Graduate Management Admission Council

Written by Laurie Wilson, Director, Graduate Business Degree Programs, Baylor University

The path to an MBA degree is often different from what you first expect. There are so many opportunities in the MBA arena that an admissions denial will often cause applicants to expand their search and to find a better fit.

If you are denied admission to your first choice school but truly believe that school is the best choice for your career, ask for feedback from that school. Find out about the percentage of applicants who reapply and get accepted for a different term. Is that percentage acceptable to you, or do you want to move forward and find a different program now?

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Filed under: Admissions Process, Applications, Career, Choosing the Right School, School Selection | Leave a Comment »

How long should I prepare/study for the GMAT?

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Graduate Management Admission Council

Written by Andrew Verner, Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs, Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon

When it comes to GMAT-related questions, this is probably the second-most common one, right after “How high a score do I need to be admitted?” The question appears to assume a positive correlation between the time invested in preparing for the GMAT and the outcome—e.g., the GMAT score. Oh, that things were so easy.

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Filed under: GMAT | Leave a Comment »