MBA Orientation and Pre-Term

We just welcomed our new Terry 11-Month MBA students to campus for two weeks of orientation and pre-term events. This is a such a great time for those of us who work in MBA Admissions because we get to see all the people we've worked with over the last recruiting year interacting together in one place. It's a lot of fun.

The first day is all the nuts and bolt orientation issues: what you need to do, when, and how. We cap that off with a casual dinner where families are also welcome. After that it's all about getting down to business.

The remainder of the two weeks is all about leadership, team development, and career management. Students complete self-assessments, begin their career counseling, network at alumni and recruiter panels, form their project teams, draw up team contracts, and more. It's a whirlwind introduction to what life as a Terry MBA student is all about. Everything finishes up with a ropes course that challenges students to go outside of their comfort zones and support one another at the same time. When classes begin, you're ready to hit the ground running.

Can you picture yourself at orientation next year? Watch for an announcement on our new deadlines for Summer and Fall 2010 soon.

How Much Interest is Too Much?

Lately, there's been a lot of talk about the increasing importance admissions offices are placing on the level of interest a candidate shows in a program to which he or she is applying. While it's true that we do like to know you are strongly interested in our MBA program, most admissions committees would also be delighted to receive a stellar application from someone they've never heard of before. So, when it comes to demonstrating your interest in a school, how much is enough and how much is just too much?



If you're considering applying to an MBA program it's a good idea to check out a school's website, add yourself to their email list, join a Facebook group, follow them on Twitter, read their blog (yay for you!), etc. These are all low effort activities that allow the admissions representatives at a program to become familiar with your name. If you're able to attend an information session hosted by the school or meet a school representative at an MBA fair, those are key opportunities to introduce yourself and make a positive first impression. Make sure to come prepared with a few thoughtful questions that show you've already done your preliminary research on the program. If you're invited to special events at the school, such as lectures or conferences, feel free to attend if the topics are of interest to you. Some schools do keep records of which candidates attend events, but not all. What you really want is enough contact to let the admissions staff know that you're seriously considering their school. If they recognize you when you come in for your interview, then you've achieved the desired result!



So, what behavior crosses the line into "too much?" Is there such a thing as too much interest? Yes, there definitely is. Have a question about the school's MBA program? Feel free to call or email to ask- but make sure the answer is not easily available on the program's website. Don't call or email every day or even three times a week. Yes, you would think I shouldn't have to say this, but I do. Don't copy ten people at the school on every email you send. Don't drop into the admissions office on a regular basis or ask for multiple appointments. Don't ask to take advantage of a schools services before you're a student there (e.g. career services). Don't ask for assistance figuring out which classes you should register for in your third semester before you've even been admitted.



Why is this all just too much? One main reason: it makes you seem high maintenance. Admissions offices are busy places. Many receive hundreds of emails and phone calls a day. While your first few emails are likely to receive prompt, warm responses, they're not going to be quite as excited about the twentieth one. The staff want to make sure they get back to everyone; in demanding their attention repeatedly you're making it harder for them to do that. It's also going to give the impression that this behavior will continue once you are enrolled. If your goal is to demonstrate your interest in a program, don't go overboard.



Once you've been admitted to a program all bets are off. Ask whatever you need to ask to make your enrollment decision. You'll find that the school's admissions staff will make time for you. Once you choose the program you'll attend, you can certainly ask questions to facilitate your transition to student life, but make sure to read any information you are sent as well. You're going to an MBA program to become a confident leader and a capable professional- now is the time to start acting the part.

What Do I Do Now???

It happened- you didn't get into business school. Your entire life plan has been derailed. You don't understand why. What are you supposed to do now???

OK, first things first- while it is beyond disappointing to have all the time and effort you put in to your application yield a negative result you're definitely not the first (or only!) person who did not gain entrance to business school on the first try. It's a fairly common occurrence. Take a deep breath, scream a little if you need to, and then go on with your life. The world is moving on, and you should move with it.

Next, don't give up! You have NOT been placed on an MBA Admissions blocklist. You can and should try applying again next year. Warning bells will not go off when you submit your online application, and you will not be automatically denied admission. In fact, your determination can be downright impressive and a sign of maturity if you play your cards right.

Merely submitting the exact same application again is unlikely to yield a different result in the future. You need to take some time to think about what you can change about your application, as well as what you can add to it, to enhance your chances of admission. Some b-schools are able to provide feedback to applicants who were not successful in the admission process; other schools (Terry included) are not permitted to do so as a matter of institutional policy. In either case, you should be able to figure out what the trouble spots were with your application if you're willing to do your homework and be honest with yourself.

Start by looking at publicly available averages and indicators for the schools to which you applied. For example, is the average GMAT score a 650 and you scored a 450? That's probably an issue. Do they require a minimum of two years of work experience and you have none? Again, that's likely an issue. Does the school specialize in four areas? Did your essays indicate you wanted to focus on an area of study other than one of those four? Yes, that's also an issue. Did you leave your interview feeling like you didn't prepare enough? You probably didn't. You get the gist.

So what can you do? Here are some suggestions for common stumbling points.

GMAT: Take a prep course and take it again. I know- that doesn't work for everyone, but you've got to take it at least twice (and prep well at least once) to make the argument that you "just don't test well" with any credibility.

GPA: First, own up for your prior transgressions. Did you goof off? Perform poorly in a highly technical and demanding major you didn't like? Be prepared to explain that in an additional essay and offer how you'll approach your studies differently this time around. If you've got time and you're willing to make the investment, think about taking one or two suitable MBA prep classes (e.g. statistics, economics) at a school that allows open enrollment. Good grades can help you distance yourself from that old academic record.

Work Experience: Keep working, or if you've been taking time off, go back to work. If you don't have enough work experience, the only way to fix that is by actually getting work experience. Perhaps your work experience may not be what a b-school is looking for (i.e. waiting tables)? Then look for leadership opportunities and volunteer to take on projects where you can demonstrate your additional skills.

Essays: Yes, we read them. Did you articulate focused goals? Did you highlight what you can bring to the class or just talk about why you want to go to that school? Were they well-written? Did you ask someone else to read them and tell you what the question was? Did you catch all the spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors?

Interview: Really think about how your interview went. Did any of the questions throw you for a loop? Did you prepare? Read my blog entry on interviewing here for common issues: http://terrymbaadmissionsinsiders.blogspot.com/2008/10/make-most-of-your-interview.html

Activities and Honors: Were you an active participant in extracurricular activities while in college? Have you done anything since? Volunteer work is easy to come by and looks great on an application. Have you received any awards or honors that would easily identify your achievements? Now is the time to start aiming for employee of the year.

Recommendation Letters: You're not going to get any feedback on these if you've waived your right to see them. Step back for a minute and think about who you chose. An employer you haven't worked with recently? A professor from five years ago? Make sure your recs come from people who know you well and can speak to your characteristics as a professional now- not three years ago. Also, if you haven't waived your right to view your recommendations- well, there's your problem. Non-confidential recommendations hold less weight than confidential ones.

Final thought: Get your act together and get your application in early next year. Show the Admissions Committee that you've returned undeterred with a new sense of motivation.

Still have questions? The people who work in MBA Admissions want to help- really. Give us a call if you have questions particular to your situation. Remember- every contact you have with a school is an opportunity to make an impression. Make sure you stay positive and professional at all times. Best wishes for success!

Bad economy? Invest in yourself.

We're all painfully aware of just what a slump our economy is in right now. Many people are out of work, and many others are clinging onto their jobs like velcro. So, is it crazy to think about getting an MBA in this economic climate? No- here's why.

• Return on investment. It's that simple- get the skills and you'll get a pay increase. Use our ROI calculator here to see: http://mba.terry.uga.edu/fulltime/docs/mba_roi_calculator.xls
• Position yourself for advancement. When the economy picks up and companies look to rapidly expand and develop new business opportunities, who do you think will be in the prime position for those great new jobs and promotions? Not the person enrolling in an MBA right then- those jobs will go to the people who already have the right credential.
• Opportunity cost is low. When considering going back to school full-time, people are often reluctant to forgo an income for two years. With so many companies cutting back on staff now, raises are few and far between and many people are absorbing salary cuts and increased benefits costs. Chances are, by going to school right now you'll lose the least amount of income.
• We can help with merit aid. For qualified candidates, merit aid can reduce the cost of attending the Full-Time Terry MBA program dramatically. Graduate Assistantships cover tuition and provide a substantial stipend to help offset living expenses. Scholarships and partial tuition waivers are also possible.

So, what are you waiting for? You can't reap the reward if you don't take the leap. Terry's final deadlines are fast approaching: April 15th for the 11-Month program and May 11th for the Two Year program. Need help? Call MBA Admissions at 706-542-5671, email us at terrymba@terry.uga.edu, or contact Tiffany Staples on AIM with this ID: TiffanyatTerry.