Harvard, Stanford, Wharton - MBA Application Tips

MBA application processes at the top business school, such as Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Wharton Business School are hard to navigate. I hope this video and my application tips help you to apply to the business school you really want to go to. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions on the admissions process.

00:00 Introduction
01:42 GPA / GMAT
04:34 TOEFL / IELTS
05:44 GMAT Why & How to prepare
09:16 CV
11:45 Letters of Recommendation
16:07 Essays
20:01 Application Forms
23:45 Interview
30:42 Thank you

GPA/GMAT:
Magoosh GMAT: https://gmat.magoosh.com/invite/486EGA
Magoos TOEFL: https://toefl.magoosh.com/invite/486EGA
Official Prep: https://gmatofficialprep.mba.com/Sara...
TOEFL Speaking (free): https://www.toeflresources.com/speaki...
TOEFL Writing (free): https://www.toeflresources.com/writin...
TOEFL Speaking (free): https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl/blo...
GMAT Forum (free): https://gmatclub.com/
For Military, under represented minorities & women: https://www.admitmeaccess.com/ (reduced price for applicant lab & free magoosh)


CV:
Dartmouth Tips: http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/cdo-new...
Harvard Tips: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/10/an-ex...
General CV Tips: https://careerprotocol.com/format-mba...
MIT CV Tips: https://cdn.cdo.mit.edu/wp-content/up...


Letter of Recommendation:
Stanford Tips on Letters: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs...
Kirsten Moss (Stanford GSB):    • Tips on Letters of Reference  
Tips for Letters: https://careerprotocol.com/awesome-re...

Essays:
http://applicantlab.refr.cc/lukashaffer1
Book Tip on Application: http://tianheedu.com/upfile/download/...
HBS essay collection: https://harbus.org/product/harbus-mba...
HBS essays 1 (free): https://poetsandquants.com/2017/08/30...
Essay Examples: https://poetsandquants.com/2017/10/12...
HBS essays 2 (free): https://blog.accepted.com/sample-essa...

Application Forms:
http://applicantlab.refr.cc/lukashaffer1

Interview:
http://applicantlab.refr.cc/lukashaffer1
Hard Questions: https://www.clearadmit.com/mba-admiss...
Common questions: https://www.accepted.com/mba/questions
Tough Questions: https://poetsandquants.com/2020/10/09...
Virtual setup: https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/13/how...
https://poetsandquants.com/tag/friday...
   • Fridays With Sandy: MBA Mock Intervie...  

SUMMARY: GPA & GMAT
Don't cry over a low GPA
Focus on the GMAT, to reach the score you want / need
Use an online tool (such as magoosh) to study efficiently

SUMMARY: CV
Leverage templates to make your CV comparable (see MIT, HBS, …)
Use simple language to explain what you did, why it was a problem & whythe results were so impressive.
Context helps the adcom understand your impact in your organization

SUMMARY: LETTERS
Choose people who like you and can tell great stories about you (titles matter less)
Ask them in person & explain why the letter matters (it takes time!)
Send them briefing material (notes, Kirsten's video & links to example)

SUMMARY: ESSAYS
Create a clear, distinct brand that an adcom member can pitch you as
Use the essay to fill that brand with life (e.g., backstory or specific future vision)
Get inspired by other essays (found online or in the Harbus essay guide)

SUMMARY: APP FORMS
Every business school is different, but your brand stays the same.
Highlight school specifics e.g., classes or strengths (also important for essays!)
Tell the truth – always!

SUMMARY: INTERVIEWS
Congratulations: your chances are 40-60% to get into b-school at this point
Preparation is key – take a list of possible questions and note down bullet points, then do mock interviews with friends
Be yourself: take the interview as a cool conversation – just don't brag

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