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Your GMAT, GRE & Executive Assessment FAQs (cont.)take a practice test for each and see which one comes more naturally to you. Generally,if quant is a strength the GMAT may be your friend while those stronger in verbal tend toprefer the GRE. Further, if you have taken one test many times and have not been successful,consider changing gears and trying the other test. Of course, you will need additionalpreparation for this new test, but that may be worth the effort!Q. How many times should I take the test?A. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years AND you can take the exam up to 5 times during a12-month period. There is also a lifetime max of 8 tests and you can take the test only onceevery 16 calendar days.Further, you can cancel your score and the report does not go to the school if you are nothappy with the result. This change has led to candidates taking the exam multiple times. Ouraverage candidate now sits for the exam 2-4 times (with some giving the test as many as 6or 7 shots.) While this policy may seem great, it has caused average GMAT scores to rise, asmore candidates cancel low attempts.Q. How should I prepare for the GMAT/GRE?A. Think about how you learn best and use this to inform your study plan. Personal MBACoach feels that most applicants do best with one-on-one tutoring, allowing the applicant totarget areas where he or she is struggling the most. For this reason, we offer a variety of oneon-one tutoring packages with tutors who scored in the 99th percentile.Q. What is the Executive Assessment (EA) exam?A. The EA exam was designed for experienced professionals interested in pursuing advancededucation and is most often used by those applying for EMBA programs (some Part-Timeprograms are now also accepting the EA). The 90-minute exam was created to assess theskills and knowledge of experienced professionals and evaluate business school readiness.Currently, Berkeley Haas, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Duke Fuqua, INSEAD,London Business School, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, UVA Darden,Wharton and Yale SOM are included in the list of programs accepting the EA for Executive MBAcandidates. Personal MBA Coach provides dedicated one-on-one EA tutoring.personalmbacoach.com7

Less Is More When It Comes to Writing Compelling MBAApplication EssaysPersonal MBA Coach spends the greatest amount of time with our clients on the actualediting process, helping clients maximize each available word. Even with MBA essays thathave no word limits, it is crucial to be succinct.Here are our top four tips for writing more with fewer words.1) Resist the urge to include unrelated detailsBusiness applicants are accomplished. Naturally, it can be tempting to try to include as manyof these accomplishments as possible in your application essays. However, it is crucial thatyou avoid this urge.For each application essay, think about what the question asks and why the admissionscommittee is asking this question. Do not include any detail that does not cover this whator why. For example, a question asking how an MBA will help does not require hundreds ofwords on your past professional success, however impressive it may be. Similarly, a questionon career goals does not require you to explain the industry dynamics in detail or the reasonsbehind your perspective on the industry. With each sentence you add to your essays, considerthe question you are actually answering. If it is not related to the question asked, cut it!2) Avoid repetitionWith limited words available to sell yourself, there is rarely a need to say anything twice.Regardless of how successful you might have been in your role, admissions committeemembers do not need to read about it multiple times. Whether you founded a non-profit, werethe first in your class to be promoted, or were a Division I athlete, tell each story one time.While naturally you can (and should) touch on a broad theme or aspect of your personal storyfrom multiple angles, this is not the same as repeating the same story.3) Leverage all aspects of the applicationUse all aspects of your application to your advantage. Even for schools requiring very shortessays, there are countless other aspects of the application to pay attention to. Ensure everypiece counts! Take the time to carefully craft answers to your short-answer questions. Prepareyour recommenders to ensure their stories complement (but do not reiterate) yours. Use everypersonalmbacoach.com8

Less Is More When it Comes to Writing Compelling MBAApplication Essays (cont.)line in your resume as efficiently as possible to show your leadership and success. Inaddition, video essays and pre/post interview essays provide other ways to sell yourself.Leave plenty of time for these application extras.In fact, Personal MBA Coach advises our round 1 clients to finish their essays by the end ofJuly (and round 2 clients to finish by late November) whenever possible to allocate adequatetime to other crucial MBA application components.4) Look for every opportunity to trim wordsAs we have said countless times, edit, edit, edit. Ensure every word counts. If there is a way tosay it more succinctly, do! Cutting excess words will lead to stronger writing while giving youextra space to cover details that really set you apart. You’d be surprised how an attentive eyecan cut 50-100 words from a 400-word essay without deleting a single piece of true content.personalmbacoach.com9

Short Answer Questions, Optional Essays and VideosWhile the essay questions may get the bulk of your attention, there are other crucialapplication components that require significant effort including short answer questions,optional essays and videos. Below is Personal MBA Coach’s advice on how to tackle each.Short Answer QuestionsDo not underestimate the importance of the short answer questions. Set aside adequatetime to perfect these answers. Many schools, including HBS, have lengthy short answersections that will require significant time. These questions serve a few important purposes.First, they allow you to share additional aspects of your candidacy. Naturally, there are manyaccomplishments and traits that you will not cover in your application essays; this is yourchance to share these important successes.Second, the format of the short answer section also allows admissions committee membersto easily compare you to your peers. Ensure you take the time to stand out by carefullyselecting the accomplishments discussed. Wherever possible, these answers should becomplementary and not repetitive.Finally, short answer questions are a test of consistency and cohesion. The voice used hereshould match that shared throughout your essays and should paint a credible and concreteimage of who you are as a candidate.Optional EssaysMost schools offer candidates the chance to complete an optional essay. However, DO NOTfeel compelled to answer these questions. In most instances, Personal MBA Coach advisesonly candidates with extenuating circumstances to provide additional information here. (Thereare a few schools where we advise all candidates to answer the optional question, but this isthe exception and not the rule.) Such extenuating circumstances include low GPAs, gaps inemployment and an unusual choice of recommenders (i.e., not asking a direct supervisor).Keep in mind with these essays: be brief and to the point. Do not offer long-winded excuses orany more information than is needed.personalmbacoach.com10

Short Answer Questions, Optional Essays and Videos (cont.)VideosVideos essays are increasingly used by top programs to assess applicants. After all, you willhave limited career success if you are unable to nail an interview, so this is the admissionscommittees’ way of evaluating your physical presence / delivery. For some schools, such asMIT Sloan, the video question is provided in advance and applicants submit a pre-recordedvideo with their applications. For other schools, including Kellogg, Yale SOM, LondonBusiness School and INSEAD, applicants are asked to record videos on the spot within twodays to one week after submitting their applications.For these statements, be yourself. These videos offer admissions committee members thechance to learn more about you on a personal level. Potential topics include goals, passions,values and hobbies, among other more challenging questions. While you do not want tosound overly rehearsed, it is important to practice for these videos. If you have the question,write out a rough script in advance of filming. If you do not, practice sample questions. Asyou practice, consider factors such as audio quality, demeanor, and fluency in addition tothe content itself. Personal MBA Coach has proprietary software available and a list of priorquestions asked to help candidates prepare for these videos and includes analysis of samplevideos in its comprehensive packages.personalmbacoach.com11

4 “Seemingly Obvious” Application MistakesOver the years, Personal MBA Coach has seen some mistakes time and time again. Whilethey may seem obvious, they are also extremely common. Find out if you are one of the manyapplicants making these errors in their MBA essays.1) Using over-the-top languageThere is no need to add multiple flowery adjectives to your essay. This is particularly true ifyou are using them to describe your accomplishments or praise the school. You do not needto tell the schools that you developed a fabulously unique program or that the school hasincredibly famous and talented staff.Instead, describe the program that you created and show what makes it unique and fabulous.Similarly, discuss particular staff or organizations on campus you are most interested in andhow you will take advantage of them. Your word count is limited in nearly all essays so choosethem wisely.2) Being “cocky”There is a fine line between being proud of your accomplishments and being conceited.Business schools are looking for accomplished professionals, but they are also lookingfor compassionate students who will make thoughtful peers and colleagues. They wantcandidates that one would want to live, study and work with.There is a well-known “airport test” in the consulting industry when an interviewer considerswhether he or she would want to be stuck in an airport for hours with a prospective candidate.If the answer is no, that candidate has a slim chance of receiving an offer. Think about this asyou read through your essays and be sure to remain proud yet humble.3) Pointing out a mistake that wasn’t asked forNot being cocky does not necessarily mean you need to volunteer your flaws, however.Some questions specifically ask for an example of a failure or a weakness. Unless thisis the case, there is no need to point out your mistakes or volunteer negative informationabout yourself. Your essays provide a very limited opportunity to sell yourself so focus onyour strengths and your specific accomplishments.personalmbacoach.com12

4 “Seemingly Obvious” Application Mistakes (cont.)4) Not answering the questionThis is the most obvious and frequent flaw that we see. While you often need to readbetween the lines and dig a bit below the surface of the question, you still need toanswer the question. If a question asked for implications and learnings, include them. Ifa question asks for personal and professional goals, include both! Adding a bit about thesituation for context is ok, but in an essay that should be focused on goals, do not recountyour entire resume. Answer the question asked!personalmbacoach.com13

Personal MBA Coach’s MBA Application ChecklistWhile most checklists merely cover the basics, Personal MBA Coach challenges you to askthese 9 questions to assess whether your applications are REALLY ready!1) Is your story clear? Does the reader walk away knowing who you are and what matters toyou?2) Have you thought out and articulated why you want an MBA? To get promoted or to gain“business skills” are NOT good enough reasons.3) Are you consistent throughout all of the application components? Your resume, essays,short answer questions and letters of recommendation should all include the same generalmessage. Any inconsistencies are an instant red flag.4) Does your application include specific information about the target school? Admissionscommittee members read thousands of essays every year, and it is very easy for them todetermine who is genuinely interested in the school and knows a lot about the program.5) Are your letters of recommendation strong enough? Did you advise your recommenders touse specific examples and compare you to other candidates?6) Are your essays easy to read? Or do you find yourself re-reading paragraphs because youdo not see how they fit into the essay?7) Did you have someone else read your essays? This will give you an outsider’s objectiveopinion of your accomplishments and help to ensure you are talking about your experienceswith the right level of detail for someone outside of your industry.8) Do you have an MBA-specific resume? For an MBA resume, you want to show how you havebeen successful and demonstrated leadership. You are selling your future potential. Make surenot to get too detailed here, though.9) Have you actually answered every question? It can be tempting to go off-book or includeadditional information but schools ask each question for a specific reason. Ensure you areanswering the question asked and not offering what you think they want to hear.personalmbacoach.com14

How to Maximize Your Chance for an MBA ScholarshipPersonal MBA Coach is here to help you maximize your chances of MBA Scholarshipsuccess!First, let’s discuss the basics of MBA scholarships. Scholarships/fellowships fall into twomajor categories:1) Merit-based money offered as a result of the MBA applicationThe vast majority of scholarships are offered based on your original MBA application. They donot require you to submit anything additional. Schools offer this money to candidates they aretrying to attract (often away from other schools).This money can come directly from the school itself, having nothing to do with the applicant’sspecific demographic or professional background. Or the scholarship may be in collaborationwith another organization. While this other organization may suggest guidelines forconsideration, it is up to the schools to decide which candidates actually receive the award.For example, one of our partners, the Forté Foundation, gives the following guidelines toadmissions directors selecting Forté Fellowship recipients:- Candidates should exhibit exemplary leadership in one or more ways: academic leadership,team leadership, community leadership, and creative leadership.- Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to women and girls via personal mentorshipor community involvement. Such commitment is in alignment with the mission of FortéFoundation.- Schools are encouraged to nominate fellows from their schools who represent diverseeducational and work backgrounds, career goals, ethnicities and citizenship.2) Scholarships that students apply for directlyThese scholarships generally target specific candidates based on industry, ethnicity, gender,etc. A separate application is required for each of these scholarships, and specific criteriaapply. Examples include:personalmbacoach.com15

How to Maximize Your Chance for an MBA Scholarship (cont.)The Consortium (note: you can also apply to participating schools through the scholarshipapplication): Since 1966, we have offered more than 465 million in fellowships to the bestand brightest MBA students in the country. We have programs that cover full tuition andmandatory fees for two years of full-time study (Emory also offers a one-year program).The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans: The Paul and Daisy SorosFellowships for New Americans is a 90,000 merit-based fellowship exclusively forimmigrants and children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate school in the UnitedStates. The program draws nearly 1,800 applications annually for just 30 fellowships.Military MBA: Military MBA is an education network for military officers and NCOs who areinterested in obtaining and applying their MBA graduate degrees for career advancement. Werepresent MBA schools and prospective MBA students who have a background in the military.Now that we know the basics about MBA Scholarships, what can you do to maximize yourchances of earning one of these coveted scholarships? Here are 4 key tips from Personal MBACoach.1) Ensure your application stands out!The good news for candidates hoping to receive a scholarship is that the same advicePersonal MBA Coach provides on developing stand-out applications applies to earningscholarships, too (which is why our clients do so well!).Business schools look for well-rounded classes. For candidates hoping to secure extra , it iseven more crucial that your application tells a solid story about how you will add unique valueon campus.At the end of the day, the school wants to pay you to be one of the best students on campus.This can be because of your outstanding academic qualifications or because you willcontribute on campus in a unique way.2) Court your target schools.MBA admissions directors do not want to hand out precious money only to lose the candidatepersonalmbacoach.com16

How to Maximize Your Chance for an MBA Scholarship (cont.)to another top MBA program. Therefore, while it is not required, getting to know a schoolnever hurts your chances of getting scholarship funds.There are many options for reaching out to and connecting with your target MBA programs.In the best-case scenario, you will build a rapport with an admissions representative anddirectly improve your chances of earning a scholarship.Even if this does not happen, attending online events and interacting with the school you hopeto attend will give you valuable material to make your essays stand out. Remember, studentsare often the most valuable resources since admissions directors may not be as available tochat with you.3) Submit your applications as early as possible.With a limited amount of money to go around, the earlier you can get your applications in, thebetter. Schools also want to be sure that their classes are filled with well-rounded studentsand are more likely to use scholarships to ensure this earlier in the process.By round 3, there is likely to be less money left. That said, scholarships sometimes do open upeven late in the year!4) Excel in as many areas as possible.While this may seem obvious, we often see candidates who have a decent GMAT/GRE scorebut have not put in the extra effort to maximize it. If you took the test once and did littlepreparation, consider getting a tutor to reach your full potential!Similarly, we see candidates who do not want to dedicate time outside of the office to beef uptheir extracurricular profiles.While we always advise that candidates put their best foot forward, this is even more crucialfor those looking for a scholarship. Scholarship recipients most often excel in multiple areas.personalmbacoach.com17

TESTIMONIALSIf you’re going to hire a consultant, hire Scott. Hands down, he was the most straightforward and helpful ofthe 10 consultants I spoke with on the phone for initial intro calls. He also always kept his word and was veryresponsive, kind, and fair.From day 1, Scott was a value add and clearly very smart, and really helped me craftthe best possible version of my story. He will not do the work for you but will guide you towards your best workproduct and help your authentic voice shine through, which is really the best you can ask for in an admissionsconsultant! He also was super helpful in continuing to offer his support even after I was admitted to my dreamschool and looking for pre-MBA internships. The cherry on top is that he’s super positive and easy to work with!CO LU M B I A B U S I N E S S S C H O O LPersonal MBA Coach was an incredibly smart and rewarding investment. Scott couldn’t have been morehelpful and supportive throughout the entire application process. He took the time to understand mywhole story and helped solidify my ideas into a very compelling narrative. . He truly made this wholeapplication process much less daunting and I can’t thank him enough for that. I would enthusiasticallyrecommend Personal MBA Coach and can’t speak highly enough of Scott. Thanks for everything!C H I C A G O B O OT HComing from Europe with little knowledge about the US admissions process and what it takes to get in,I googled and ultimately contacted six admissions consultants. Scott and his team were by far the best– the personal touch in the very first conversation makes you quickly feel at ease. Even within our firstconversation, he could already tell where I should put my focus on and suggested

Table of Contents 03 About Personal MBA Coach 04 Comprehensive Packages Overview 05 Enhancing Your Extracurricular Profile 08 Less Is More When It Comes to Writing Compelling MBA Application Essays 12 4 “Seemingly Obvious” Application Mistakes 14 Personal MBA Coach’s MBA Application Checklist 15