Posted by - MKI - on 21 August 2012 - 12:16pm

• Posted by - Thomas Graf - on 21 August 2012 - 4:11pm

  Hi there,

  thank you for your questions.

  1. Assuming my GMAT is good ( My study time as been going quite well so no reason to have a poor result) how realistic am I if I apply for the top (ft ranking and others) programms? I ask this to get a better idea on student profile for top universities.
  A good (+600), very good (=+650), or excellent GMAT (+700) helps you clearly to get in - but it is no guarantee. The reason is straight forward: business schools, particularly the top ones, look on the full profile of people including the essays and the personal presentation in interviews. With a very good GMAT score you have done the first step but the rest depends on the individual school and also theri specific context.

  For instance, it could be that a specific school has not received good applications from humanity graduates this year and that the school is very interested in a diverse class including people from humanities. In that context you may have better chances than in others.

  Recommendation: I would focus primarily on this schools that have a diverse student portfolio including people from humanities (and not only from business an engineering). Ususally they publish it on their websites - otherwise just ask them.

  2. How do you consider the US in what relates to masters with no work experience required?
  Good question. The Master in Managemnt (MIM) is not as known and recognized in the US than an MBA. If you want to work in the US, therefore, it could be a bit risky. On the other hand, there are some excellent North American providers of MIM programs with a strong reputation.

  Recommendation: If you are really interested in North American Schools I would contact them directly and confront them with your concerns about the recognition of the MIM in NA. And then see what they say.

  3. Does the personal statement take that much weight when it comes to evaluating my application?
  Well, you will never know how much weight it takes and it may be different from school to school and from person to person. But try to understand the logic of admissions managers: They receive a bunch of applications, particularly the top schools, and need to find out which one to choose. Therefore, any information can be helpful for them (and for you to distinguish yourself form others).

  The way, a person introduces himself or herself and the way the essays are designed indeed can provide some information on the person - beyond pure grades or academic record.

  Recommendation: Take your personal introduction serious. Introduce yourself without exaggeration or even lieing but present yourself in the best way: as an interesting person that can contribute to the class (e.g. by providing a different perspective on business things due to your humanities education).

  4. I will only be ready to apply in January (taking the GMAT in December). Is it good time?
  I think that more MIM programs start in fall. So, you may find a smaller number of programs available for you. Well, that means you can reduce your school selection. ;)

  Recommendation: Screen the deadlines of the schools of your interest, kick those out that do not offer program entry in spring and see if the rest makes you happy.

  5. Any Master you might think I should consider/look into?
  I try to be neutral in this Forum and avoid making recommendations. But above you have some North American schools to look at. And in general, I think, you are on the right track with your strategy to select schools.

  6. Any other relevant searching tools and/or factors?
  Check the companies that recruit from the respective program. Are these firms that you want to work for later on?

  Best wishes
  Thomas

  Reply

  • Posted by - MKI - on 21 August 2012 - 5:05pm

    Thank you for your input.

    I do not have any kind of preference for the US, it is a possibility like the others. I will apply to several across Europe based mainly on what I consider is the curriculum quality and diversity.

    Focusing on the UK ones I checked that most of them asked for a UK 2:1, it is a system that is very different from the one I work with in my university. I do believe a 16.20 qualifies. Does it?

    Also I came to be very interested in 3 french programs and also in the HULT one. The french programs student profile seems to be what I am looking for. I imagine they have allot of demand for places as their programs seem great, do you have any opinion on them? how about their admission procedure?

    Just one more think, what about HULT? I'm having some trouble getting the information I need. Hows the student profile? What about the admission process?

    Thanks for your patience, I really appreciate all the info I can get my hands on.

    Reply

    • Posted by - Thomas Graf - on 21 August 2012 - 7:25pm

      Hi there again,

      I think the best way to find out whether 16.20 is sufficient is by contacting the school and just asking.

      As for the French programs, I don't know which one you are referring to. But also here, you can get the information about the admissions procedure on the website - just click on the program site and the section "admissions". You don't need me for that! :)

      If you want to know the relation between applications and accepted students, you can do two things:

      1. You can look for the class sizes (should be on the websites and brochures). If they have many students, e.g. 60, 70, or 80, the chances should be a bit better to get in. But this is no guarantee, just a very broad proxy.

      2. You could openly ask the school if they could let you know the acceptence rate, e.g. 4:1 or 10:2. Then you know what you are looking for. And together with the class size you know roughly how many applications they receive.

      Hult - Hows the student profile? What about the admission process?
      Also here, you don't need me for that. Just screen the website, download the brochure, and contact the school if you have any question on the admissions procedure or student profiles left. Also here we offer a Request Info Button to contact Hult directly.

      Maybe another recommendation: Ask the schools to bring you in touch with a current and an ex student of the respective program. You may be able to contact them on skype or per email and gain additional insights that help you clarify your doubts.

      Best wishes
      Thomas

      Reply

      • Posted by - MKI - on 21 August 2012 - 7:54pm

        Thanks for the assistance.

        I did search for that before, I was actually looking for a personal input, I guess I can get that from students.

        16.20 is just logic, UK 2:1 cannot be more then that, I think.

        Anyway thanks for the reply.

        Reply