Are you applying to the full-time MBA program at Tuck School of Business and in need of a little guidance so you can stop sweating the small details? (Who doesn’t, right?) Then check out some of these Q&As recently provided by Tuck admissions coordinator Cameron Steese.

An array of questions comes her way during the busy recruiting season, and below you’ll find a sampling of the most common queries about interviews, visiting campus, etc.

“How long is the Q&A?”
The Q&A session usually takes about 45 minutes but that depends on the number of questions asked during the session. However, you can leave the optional sessions at anytime (i.e. Q&A, Tour, and Lunch). The class visit is also optional but once you are in class you are required to stay for the duration.

“Who will be conducting my interview?”
A majority of our interviews are conducted by our Second Year Tuck Admissions Associates. These student interviewers go through a rigorous hiring and training process and afford us the opportunity to offer our prospective students the self-initiated interview option. All interviews are weighted equally.

“What does the interviewer have access to prior to the interview?”
Your interviewer will only have access to the resume you send in ahead of time. They will not have access to your application or test scores.

“When does the self-initiated interview have to be completed by?”
The self-initiated interview must be completed on or before the application due date. If you are applying during the Early Action Round (10/13/10) then your interview must be completed by that date.

“What events can my partner attend during the visit?”
When accompanying you to campus, your partner may attend everything except the class visit and the interview. I recommend that you contact the Tuck Partner’s Club about arranging a meeting for your partner.

“What should I wear for my interview and class visit?”
We recommend wearing a suit when interviewing on campus. If you find wearing a suit all day to be cumbersome you may certainly bring a business casual outfit alternative.

Want more guidance? Read this application advice from Patricia Harrison, associate director of admissions. And if you’re getting started on your application and are ready to tackle those essays, take a look at our Tuck MBA essay tips.

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The full-time MBA program at Emory’s Goizueta Business School has posted the essay questions and deadlines for the 2010-2011 application season.

The four required essays for new applicants are as follows:

1. Please answer each of the following four questions in a short paragraph of no more than 250 words each.

a. Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at this time?
b. What interested you in Goizueta Business School’s MBA program?
c. What are your short term post MBA goals?
d. What are your long term professional aspirations?

2. Share one of your most significant professional accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this activity and how it has helped to shape your management skills. Please limit your response to 1000 words.

3. Goizueta Business School takes pride in our Core Values: Courage, Integrity, Accountability, Rigor, Diversity, Team, and Community. These ideals drive principled, effective leaders in business, and are the values we seek to instill in all of our students, both during their education at Goizueta and beyond. Provide a specific example of how you have demonstrated one of these values in your professional experience. Please limit your response to 500 words.

4. Complete one of the following statements. Please limit your response to 500 words.

a. I am unique because…
b. My most memorable cross-cultural experience…
c. I am passionate about…
d. My personal brand is…
e. I took a risk when I…

Application Deadlines

November 1, 2010 – Early Deadline
December 1, 2010* – Recommended International Deadline
February 1, 2011** – Scholarship and One-Year Program Deadline
March 1, 2011 – Final Deadline

* International applicants are encouraged to apply by December 1, 2010. However, applications received by the final program deadline will still be given complete consideration.

** All One-Year Program applicants and all those who wish to be considered for scholarships must submit the application and all materials  by February 1, 2011 to be given complete consideration.

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The full-time MBA program at USC Marshall School of Business has released its essays and deadlines for the 2010-2011 admissions season. The deadlines and notification dates are as follows:

Round 1

Application deadline: November 1, 2010

Notification: February 1, 2011

Round 2

Application deadline: January 15, 2011

Notification: April 1, 2011

Round 3

Application deadline: March 15, 2011
Notification: May 15, 2011

Essay Questions

1) What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will USC Marshall help you
achieve these goals? (750 words) If interested in a dual-degree program, please address in this
essay.

2) How will other USC Marshall MBA students benefit from your background, experience,
leadership and teamwork skills? (500 words)

3) Select three from the following and describe: (250 words each)

a) A challenging international experience
b) A personal or professional setback
c) An entrepreneur you admire
d) Your family, including any ties to USC
e) Your most significant accomplishment
f) A situation where your professional ethics were challenged

4) Optional Essay: Please add any additional information that you would like the Admissions
Committee to consider in evaluating your application. (250 words)

All materials must be submitted to the admissions committee by 11:59pm PST for consideration during the round.  Please note: If you are an international student, or want to be considered for a fellowship, the recommended application deadline is January 15, 2011.

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Graduate programs in business saw mixed trends in applications in the last year, according to a global B-school survey released Wednesday by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

Only 44% of full-time MBA programs saw applications increase this year, compared to 66% reporting such an increase last year and 77% the year before that. A similar percentage of part-time programs reported an increase, relatively level compared to results a year ago.

Executive MBA programs may be a key growth area for business schools. Of those surveyed, 59% reported gains in applications this year, compared to only 37% a year ago.

“The findings from this survey underscore the importance of flexibility and creativity in delivering management education,” said Dave Wilson, president and chief executive officer  of GMAC.

“People can always derive great value from going to business school; our surveys attest to this fact. But many changing factors affect the kinds of programs that best meet their needs. Applicants need to find the very best fit for their own game plan.”

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Soojin Kwon Koh, admissions director at the Ross School of Business, has issued the first installment of her application tips in hopes of demystifying the process for prospective applicants.

The University of Michigan is still in the final testing stages before rolling out a new online application system campus-wide, and Soojin expects the full-time MBA application to go live by Sept. 1

And now, for Soojin’s first application tip:

The first essay question asks you to briefly introduce yourself, and the director acknowledges that the short word count may leave some applicants wondering, “What can/should I say about myself in 100 words?”

“While I can’t tell you what a ‘successful’ response might look like, since this is the first time we’re using this question,” says Soojin, “I can share a couple things we’re not looking for in Essay 1:

1. A summary of your resume or your stats (e.g., where you went to school, your GMAT score, etc.). We’ll already have reviewed those before we get to your essays, so no need to repeat.
2. A preview of your responses to the other essay questions (e.g., your goals, why Ross, your passions, etc.).

You may wonder how you can introduce yourself without referencing your career to date. It’s okay to weave it into your essay, but don’t let that be the sum total of what you write.”

As an exercise, Soojin asks applicants to imagine what they would say to the director if they met at an event and had only one minute to make a positive, lasting impression.

“Don’t feel like you have to approach it in a particular way or talk about a particular aspect of yourself,” she urges.

In addition to working on your essays, Soojin suggests applicants use this time to give your recommenders their questions so they can begin drafting their responses.

To learn more about Ross, check out dean Robert Dolan‘s recently published statement to prospective applicants explaining what sets Ross apart from other MBA programs.

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Here are the deadlines and essay topics for the the full-time MBA program at Oxford University’s Saїd Business School.

The two essay topics are as follows:

1) Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? Maximum 1,000 words.

2) Which recent development, world event or book has most influenced your thinking and why? Maximum 2,000 words.

Stage One Deadline

Application deadline: October 8, 2010

Interview decision: October 29, 2010

Final decision: December 10, 2010

Stage Two Deadline

Application deadline: January 14, 2011

Interview decision: February 4,m 2011

Final decision: March 11, 2011

Stage Three Deadline

Application deadline: April 1, 2011

Interview decision: April 29, 2011

Final decision: May 27, 2011

For more information on the admissions process at Saїd Business School, visit the school website.

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