The Kellogg and Chicago admissions representatives were extremely forthcoming with their advice last week during the Manhattan GMAT panel, so we wanted to share some more of their tips.

First, both representatives emphasized being yourself in your essays. Don’t try to write essays that show who you think Kellogg and Chicago want to see. Instead show them who you are – your personality, values, sense of humor, etc. Dig deep for experiences outside of work and feel free to discuss very personal moments from your life.

The Chicago representative also underscored how diverse their class is in terms of professional backgrounds. Business school is not only for investment bankers and consultants as their recent classes have boasted a former professional cheerleader and a cop.

The Kellogg representative highlighted the school’s culture of initiative. Each year the school changes a bit because of what new students bring to it. Thus as an applicant try to show your innovative ideas for their campus – what will you start and lead?

Finally, one obvious takeaway from the panel was the value of information sessions, something we have mentioned on this blog often. Whether on campus or off campus, try to go to info sessions for your schools of interest. Hearing from admissions representatives (in addition to students and alums) gives you a good sense of each school’s culture and values. These insights will help you not only find the right schools for you but also help you demonstrate your fit with those schools in the essays.

Recently we participated in a panel for Manhattan GMAT with admissions representatives from Chicago and Kellogg. The Chicago representative brought up the topic of applicant myspace pages. Because recruiters often look at candidate myspace pages during the interview process, schools have started doing the same as part of a more thorough background check during the admissions process. He urged applicants to clean up their myspace pages (and anything else on the web) and make sure there’s nothing on there that they wouldn’t want admissions committees or future employers to see. Leave no stone unturned – take a minute to make sure you’re representing yourself well!

Spurred by student feedback from surveys and focus groups, Columbia Business School has announced a refashioning of its core curriculum for fall 2008 that will allow increased flexibility while still providing a strong foundation in business fundamentals. The upcoming changes, in tune with the school’s mandate to reevaluate its curriculum every seven to eight years, feature a new core that will be divided into required and flexible segments.

According to a press release announcing the changes, students will need to complete each unit of the required core, which will be comprised of 6.5 functional courses in areas such as finance, accounting, economics, strategy and leadership and will be spread across the first two semesters.

The flexible component, which has been built into the second semester, will allow students to gain greater depth in each of three designated areas: organizations, performance and markets. Students will choose one course in each area from the following menu:

• Organizations: Organizational Change; Power and Influence; or Social Capital
• Performance: Operations Strategy or Performance Measurement
• Markets: Game Theory; Global Economic Environment II: Business Cycles and Financial Markets; or Strategy, Structure and Incentives.

The GMAT Club Journal notes that the changes will allow students one more elective course during their two years in the Columbia MBA program, and reveals that Columbia will soon launch its own blog with contributions from guest bloggers, including alumni, students, faculty and admissions representatives.

This week’s GMAT challenge question from PrepForTests takes you back to probability.

The probability that a certain coin turns up heads when it is flipped is 1/2. If this coin is flipped 3 times then what is the probability that heads turns up at least twice?

1. 1/8
2. 1/3
3. 1/2
4. 3/4
5. 7/8

Review your answer.

This is a final reminder that Stacy Blackman Consulting will be a part of Manhattan’s GMAT’s panel discussion with other admissions consultants and admissions representatives from Chicago Graduate School of Business and Kellogg School of Management.

No matter where you are in the process, this event is for you. We will be discussing strategies for 2nd round deadlines as well as next year’s admissions cycle. Following the panelists’ presentations, you’ll have a chance get your own questions answered.

Walk out with clear direction on how to move forward – and a $100 discount off of complete ManhattanGMAT test preparation programs, plus a free access pass to one of ManhattanGMAT’s computer adaptive practice exams.

Business School Panel Discussion at Chicago Center
222 West Ontario Street, 4th Floor, Chicago IL , 60610
Thursday, Dec 6, 2007
7:00 – 9:00PM

If you have questions about this, please call Student Services at 800-576-4628 or email StudentServices@manhattangmat.com

Many applicants wonder if they can or should submit additional recommendations to schools. Most schools discourage you from sending any additional material. HBS in particular asks that you refrain from sending additional materials. From the HBS Director’s Blog:
“I know it’s getting closer to the notification deadline so I need to remind you that we simply cannot accept any additional materials or updates — other than new contact information. This includes supplemental letters of recommendation.”

Kellogg also request that candidates refrain from sending additional materials, however their language is not as strong as the HBS language.

Stanford also “strongly discourages” applicants from sending more than the three requested letters of reference. However, if applicants do wish to submit another letter, Stanford asks that additional materials fit in one packet and that is received (not postmarked) by the admissions office by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on the appropriate deadline date.

If you do choose to send an additional letter of support, here are some suggestions:
1. Ask an alum or current student who knows you well – Someone who can speak to your fit with the culture of the school.

2. Keep it short and sweet – They do not need to answer all of the official recommendation questions. It’s better if they write it from the heart and give a few vivid examples.

3. Email is an option – A few schools even send out an email to current students or alums asking them to follow a format should they wish to submit an email support letter for an applicant.

4. Do not overload the admissions office – One additional letter of recommendation is plenty, so choose your spokesperson wisely.