Using an English teacher for MBA Interview Practice

This is something I do NOT recommend, primarily because the feedback you are receiving is not coming from someone with ample experience preparing applicants to gain admittance to the school you are applying for. This kind of perspective is important, and is what you should be aiming for when it coms to live practice.

Having said that, I am aware that a lot of my clients do use a regular English teacher (in most cases RareJob.com) for general English communication practice. This is great! Some use their teacher for interview practice. This is less than great, especially if the English teacher does not have relevant experience or is aware of the MBA interview (and entire application) process.

Here is a way you CAN use your English teacher when rehearsing for an interview:

(1) Give your teacher a bunch of questions that your target school has asked in the past.

(2) Ask them to ask you these questions. Ask your teacher to listen carefully to your answers, but not to give you any feedback on any of them.

(3) After doing a few of them, go back and ask the teacher to recall for you the key details of your answers to a previous question (ideally core content like your career goals or why you need an MBA).

(4) Listen to what kind of information you get back and decide how effectively you are getting across your message. If what they say back to you is not what you are intending to get across, ask questions as to what might have been clear, and what detail may be lacking or where further explanation is warranted.

What you are doing here is practicing. Of course, before practice you need to devise contents. What stories are best? What details show the best fit with a program? What's the right balance of work and non-work content? Such strategic planning is something you should do with someone familiar with the process, and experienced at advising as to what strategies are effective for you when it comes to answering interview questions.

John Couke

john.couke@gmail.com

Interview with Eddie Asbie, Assistant Director of Admissions at the Cornell Johnson MBA Program

I am pleased to offer this interview with Eddie Asbie, the Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.

Your Introduction

1. How did you get involved in this line of work? What do you like about MBA admissions?

During my undergraduate years, I noticed how supportive the community was as they helped guide students personally and professional towards their career goals.  This is when I knew this line of work was what I wanted to do.  I truly enjoy working in admissions because you have the opportunity to meet interesting candidates from all around the world.  In the business world, our candidates are coming from very impressive backgrounds and it is encouraging to see what our future may look like.   

Admissions

2. Should an applicant bother applying if their TOEFL is only 98 or 99?

I would encourage candidates to still apply to Johnson if they have a 98 or 99 on their TOEFL.  Our application process has a holistic approach but it is important to show your English is strong.

3. Do you have sub-score requirements for the TOEFL R, L, S and W sections? How about the GMAT verbal and quantitative sections?

We would like to see a candidate with a 100 TOEFL score and 25 in each subsection.  As for the GMAT and GRE, we like to see candidates in the 70% or higher in both sections.

4. How important is the interview to the overall process? What are you looking for?

The interview is another important part in the application process.  The majority of your application is out of your control but the interview gives you the opportunity to highlight your strengthens.  Ultimately, we are looking for a candidate who is genuine and honest.  Someone who knows how to articulate their goals and understands our program.  I find it disappointing when a candidate sounds very rehearsed and knows nothing about our program.  Please come prepared!

5. How important is it for a student to visit campus?

Visiting campus is important.  If you are considering spending a year or two in another city/country and investing your money into the program you want to make sure it’s worth it.  Especially if you are bring a family with you.  We want you to be excited about being here and feel connected to our community.  We would highly recommend visiting, no matter what school you are apply to.

The MBA Experience

6. How do MBA students benefit from other schools within the greater Cornell institution? Can you give an example of an extra-curricular event or club that involves students from many different programs, including the MBA?

One of the beneficial things about getting an MBA from Johnson is that you have the opportunity to interact with other programs in the Cornell community.  We have students who are completing a dual degree, whether a JD, MD, etc.  If you are interested in the dual degree, please check out this website, http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Dual-Degree-Programs.aspx.  Also, we have many different clubs and organizations to choice from.  Here are a list clubs that we offer at Johnson, http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/About/Life-At-Johnson/Student-Clubs-Organizations.aspx.

Life outside the Program

7. Many applicants have to consider the small town vs big city question when choosing potential destination schools. What's your take on this question, specifically related to Ithaca?

I believe this is a very important factor to consider when applying to business school.  We talk about “fit” all the time and that’s important.  You have to think, “Am I going to be happy in a small town vs. a big city?”  Here in Ithaca you will get a very diverse and international experience.  Being a smaller town, you will foster close relationships and experience a close knit community.

Last Question

8. Is there anything you wish I'd asked?

No, I think these a great questions for candidates as they prepare for the applications process.  As mentioned before, it is very important to come prepared during this entire process.  We want applicants to feel connected to Johnson but truly understand why they need an MBA and how Johnson can help them in their future career goals. 

 Eddie - thanks very much for your time!

John Couke

john.couke@gmail.com

Interview with Rick Doyle, Global Marketing Manager at ESMT in Berlin, Germany

I am pleased to offer an interview with Rick Doyle, Global Marketing Manager at ESMT, the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin, Germany. ESMT is a well-established business school with graduates in over 40 countries.

Life in the MBA

Your program has only 53 students this year (2013). Why such a small class?

The ESMT MBA remains small by design. In order to maintain a very close working relationship with the students we will restrict our intake to the January 2014 class to no more than 60 students and maintain the near 90% international mix of the class. This intake will be slightly a bit larger than our current class, but we will still be able to maintain a student/ faculty ratio of less than 2:1. The ESMT MBA is a general MBA program with specializations in Innovation and Technology Management and Global Sustainable Business. The smaller classes size allows students to easily work on consulting projects directly with companies during the MBA. 

I saw that at ESMT students each have a dedicated career counselor. What percentage of students are career changers, and can you provide some more information about how ESMT supports students as they find their next position?

In the last graduating class over 80% of the students changed either their field, sector or working-language in their career and over 20% changed all three. Many ESMT graduates tend to move into technology-driven companies which o are growing internationally. These could an be global players such as those represented among in the schools 25 founders (e.g. Siemens, MAN, Daimler, etc.) or emerging high-tech companies that are flocking to the area around Berlin, among others. Next in terms of popularity is consultingConsulting is quite a popular option for graduates, which and is a sector which is also present among the school’s founders - with McKinsey, BCG, and KPMG, and McKinsey. Relatively few ESMT graduates go into banking, although we have had several hires in recent years in the risk management sector in Germany. ESMT students have individual sessions with a Career Coach during the program. Career services are part of the curriculum and regular seminars focusing on career preparation and progress, including soft skills (public speaking, negotiation, leadership, etc.), are built in. Companies visit campus for career days, but most students find their jobs as a result of networking directly in their field. Every year some are offered a few students also jobs as a result of their consulting projects during the program.

Life During the Program

What are some of the benefits of doing an MBA in Germany?

Germany has avoided the recession felt my many other European countries, thus the job prospects are still strong for ESMT graduates. About 60% of graduates each year end up working in Germany and overall about 75% find work in Europe. With this in mind, Germany has some of the most liberal work permit options for graduates. They are able to stay in Germany for 18 months following graduation as a job seeker, if necessary. Upon finding a job, the work permit is granted in all but very exceptional cases. During the MBA program at ESMT students have the opportunity to work directly with companies, many of them based in Germany. This first-hand knowledge with the companies helps them understand what working for a German company is like before they enter the work force. This is also a key step in building their network for their job search. Studying in Berlin also presents the opportunity for students to immerse themselves into the ever-growing start-up culture here in Berlin. Many graduates find themselves taking on challenges and starting up new ventures that they never thought possible.

What's it like for ESMT MBA students living in Berlin?  

Berlin is one of the most dynamic cities in Europe at the moment. Because of the rich start-up culture here there are always new ideas and companies popping up. There are literally thousands of cultural activities going on all around the city throughout the year. English is widely spoken in Berlin so communicating upon arrival is not a problem. Students will study German during the program so they will have the opportunity to practice during their time in Berlin. Residents of Berlin are also fortunate to have one of the lowest costs of living of any major European capital city. We advise students to budget about 1000-1500 Euros per month for living expenses, including food and housing.

Admissions

Is your TOEFL minimum (100) strict? Should someone with a 97 or 99 not bother applying?  

The language of instruction of all of the degree programs at ESMT (MIM, MBA and EMBA) is English. The MBA in particular is an intense program of only 12 months so speaking English well is essential. We do try as much as possible to consider applicants who may have a TOEFL a few points below the 100 score. The GMAT and the application interview are also additional ways that we are able to assess an applicant’s English ability.

How important is it that applicants have some global exposure prior to enrolling? 

99% of our students have international experience prior to starting the program so it is an aspect of an applicant’s profile which we look for. Applicants should, however, keep in mind that there are other ways to gain international experience and exposure than physically working outside of your home country. Working on international teams, or on projects in which you work with a global network of people is one way, for example. Be sure to elaborate on these aspects of your professional experience where appropriate in the application and interview.

Other Programs

I've heard there will be a new MA program at ESMT shortly. Could you tell us a bit about it?

A few weeks ago we did launch our new Master’s in Management (MIM) program. It is a two year program which will target applicants with less than 1 year of work experience following their bachelor’s degree. An ideal candidate will have a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics or a strong quantitative focus. The coursework includes a business management core followed by specializations in areas such as: market analysis, supply chain management and innovation consulting. There is also a required social impact project and a six month internship in a company as part of the program in addition to the master’s thesis internship. The current list of companies which have agreed to host MIM interns during the program includes: Allianz, Axel Springer, Bosch, Deutsche Post DHL, E.on, Gazprom, McKinsey & Company, Siemens and Thyssenkrupp. We expect the list to grow as we near the program start date of September 2014.

Thanks Rick for your time!

John Couke
john.couke@gmail.com

Yale SOM no longer requires the TOEFL, publishes essay prompts, promises video questions

The Yale SOM announced via a recent blog post that they will no longer require the TOEFL, or any test of English for that matter.

In a highly related follow-up post, they revealed their 2 essay prompts for this year, as well as the fact that applicants will also be required to answer video-based questions too.


Essays:

Essay 1: What motivates your decision to pursue an MBA? (300 words maximum)

Essay 2: The Yale School of Management provides leadership education for broad-minded, rigorous, and intellectually curious students with diverse backgrounds; a distinctive integrated curriculum; connections to one of the great research universities in the world; and the broad reach of an innovative and expanding global network of top business schools.

What motivates you to apply to the Yale School of Management for your MBA? What will you contribute to Yale and Yale SOM? (450 words maximum)

The essays can be verified here. In addition to these traditional essays, Yale SOM plans to roll out video-based questions later in the year. I have already posted the SOM application deadlines here.  More on these changes soon!

John Couke
john.couke@gmail.com

Interview with Cambridge Judge Business School's Conrad Chua

I am pleased that Conrad Chua, the Head of Admissions, Marketing and Recruitment at the Judge Business School at theUniversity of Cambridge could take time out of his busy schedule to answer my questions. Be sure to follow his twitter feed or take a look at his blog.

1. How did you get into this line of work? What do you like and dislike about it?

I stumbled into it! Through a previous role, I got to know a recent alum from Cambridge Judge Business School who gave me great insights into the values and ethos of the MBA programme. These resonated with me so that when this role became available, it was a natural choice for me.

I have been in this role for three years now, enough time for me to see talented people go through the entire Cambridge MBA lifecycle - from a prospective candidate to a current student and now as alums. I love hearing their stories about their lives and their accomplishments. And it helps that I have a good, committed team that reflects the values of the school and our community.

The only thing I would like to see change is the harmful way in which MBA rankings are perceived. I value feedback and rankings do measure some very important criteria but we should understand that an MBA experience cannot be reduced to a number.

Admissions

2. The Cambridge Judge admissions website lists 110 as the minimum required TOEFL score for entering the program.  Should applicants not apply if their score is only 100? How about 105?

Candidates may still apply if their score is 100 or higher in TOEFL.  However, any later offer would be conditional on them undertaking an assessment by the University of Cambridge’s Language Centre.  They may then request that the individual attend an English course prior to the MBA if necessary.

3. Why is the second referee to be a team member or peer? What kind of information are you hoping for?

The Cambridge MBA is a highly practical programme, with a focus on group work and collaboration. This includes real consulting projects for actual clients. As such we need to understand how a candidate works within a team setting, and what skills they utilise and contributions they make when working with others.  The value of a diverse class only comes when people are willing to share their experience and skills with others.

4. Why do you ask as the 3rd required essay a hypothetical question about what the applicant would change about their current organization?

The third question is designed to help us to understand the candidate’s ability to reason an argument and to critically analyse the industry and company in which they have been operating.  It is also an opportunity to demonstrate clarity in writing and original ideas.

Curriculum

5. Cambridge is gaining a reputation for being strong at entrepreneurship. Do you agree, and if so can you give example as to how?

Cambridge cannot help but be strong in entrepreneurship by virtue of the environment in which the business school sits.  Firstly, the wider University of Cambridge is a hub of ideas and innovation, and has been for 800 years.  Secondly, this has infiltrated into the local business environment and the city is renowned for being one of the start-up hubs of the UK – Silicon Fen.  An example of how we take advantage of this is through the Cambridge Venture Project. At an early stage of the programme the students are required to undertake an actual consulting project on a real brief for a local start-up or other entrepreneurial venture. 

6. Some MBA professors bring real-world experience to the classroom. Others focus on academic research. How would you characterize the faculty at Judge?

Our faculty are very international, with a range of backgrounds.  Many have worked in leading global companies and bring that experience into their research and teaching.  Others have followed a more traditional academic path, but will bring “real-world” experience to their work through their engagement with clients on Executive Education courses, or through consulting projects that they may be doing for companies.  One of the benefits of a relatively small programme such as the 150 cohort at Cambridge is that they are open and accessible, available to discuss ideas with the students whom they will get to know by name and not just as another face in a lecture theatre.

7. The Cambridge Venture Project occurs relatively early within the academic calendar. What are the benefits of getting such a hands-on experience so early within the MBA?

There are two main benefits to undertaking the CVP early in the MBA.  As I mentioned previously it is firstly an opportunity to sample the local entrepreneurial scene and to work on a project for a business that is in its early stages of development.

Secondly, it feeds in to the core course in Management Practice. The CVP is undertaken with your study group – up to five individuals with a broad range of backgrounds who will not know each other very well. The exercise therefore also provides insights into how teams form and organise themselves and how this can be managed.  This can then be related back directly to the Management Practice module.

Outside the Classroom

8. Cambridge uses a college system. What benefits does this offer to students in the MBA program?

The collegiate system allows MBA students to engage and network with brilliant minds from across the various disciplines being practiced within the University of Cambridge.  In the past this has even led to the formation of successful entrepreneurial ventures.  It is also a place to socialise and undertake extra-curricular activities.  The Colleges allow participation at all levels, so there is the opportunity to try out a new cultural or sporting activity.  Being Cambridge, rowing is particularly popular amongst the MBAs.

9. Do student clubs and organizations MBAs tend to get involved in originate within Judge, their college, the greater Cambridge community or all of the above?

I see the opportunities for MBAs at Cambridge to be multi-layered.  The Business School Club provides student Special Interest Groups that may be of specific interest to those studying for an MBA.  However students can also engage as part of their College community or at the university level in the amazing range of clubs and societies that only being part of a world leading university can offer.

Thank you Conrad for taking the time to answer my questions!

John Couke

john.couke@gmail.com

How to Find and Show Fit with an MBA Program

What is fit? Fit, defined simply, is the linkage between what an MBA program has to offer, and what strengths/abilities/experiences you need in order to achieve your goals. MBA programs are different from each other on many levels, many of which we will explore in this article. One of the most important things an applicant needs to do is figure out which programs really suit their needs, and once they have found such a program, demonstrate this fit in their application and interview. Here's why:

1) It will help you find the right program for you.

This should be self-evident.  If you are going to spend 1 or 2 years of your life at an MBA, and develop skills and a network that will last for many years beyond that, you want to be sure you are in the best possible program - for you.  As noted earlier, not all programs are created equally.

2) It will help you craft a strong application demonstrating why it is best for you.

This is important. In your application to an MBA, you need to demonstrate why their school is the best choice for you. This works on many levels.  First, if you can demonstrate in your application that there is good fit between what the school offers and what you are looking for, you give the appearance of being a safe choice.  In other words, if the school offers you a seat, you are likely to take it - because you have shown you value their school.  Schools are protective of their yield (the percentage of offers made that are accepted by applicants), as a high yield can lead to increased prestige and even higher rankings too. In addition, demonstrating fit in your application makes you a safe choice because it shows the chances are high that you will be a happy student once enrolled (because you'll be getting what you wanted), as well as a happy alum once you leave the program. Failing to demonstrate fit in your application makes you a bit of a wild card: if they admit you, will you choose to enroll, will you be happy there? What if it turns out this program is not what you were looking for or what you really need? This would not benefit you, or the school.  

Given the importance of having a strong fit with a program, it is no wonder that one of the most typical and most important questions you need to answer in essays (and definitely in interviews) is: Why do you want to attend this school?

The list that follows below includes some characteristics of MBA programs that demonstrate how programs differ from each other, and can be used for research, or even towards making clear examples of fit in your essays and interview. It is not exhaustive, but it does serve well as a good starting point.

The Courses

Obviously this is a good initial place to look when considering programs. What do you want to learn, and in particular, in which areas do you hope to be able to do deep dives?  Exploring lists of electives is a good way of seeing which programs offer the education you are looking for.  Moreover, how are the courses organized? If you want to go into HR management post-MBA, it might be wise to study organizational behavior before your internship. Is this possible? What for the banker aiming to go into consulting?  Obviously the MBA offers the typical basket of skills, but will one program make you choose between important electives, where another might allow you to take both? As you consider the ideal courses for you, and even their timing or availability, some programs will rise to the top, while others might eliminate themselves from contention.

Other Academic Opportunities

This section is necessarily broad, because there are so many possibilities to consider.  Here are just two: 

a) Capstone (experiential) programs: are they offered, and if so in the industry or even with a company that will add value to your experience?

b) Overseas trips or study experiences: can you build networks in the places you need to? How much choice do you have in choosing where you might study, and what you might do there?

Clubs and Extra-Curricular Opportunities

What personal goals have you established for your MBA experience? Do you want to be in a place where not only you but your entire family can benefit from the international experience? All programs have some variety of Partners Clubs or events for family members, but further research will help you to find the programs that are ideal for you. What else is important to you? If you desire to be in an Asian Marketing Club, a South American Business Club, or to even create a new club, you'll find quickly that not all programs are created equally.

The Professors

Who will be teaching the programs you wish to attend? Some professors offer benefits over others, such as industry or region-specific experience, a network in a certain field or a research interest in a particular and focused area.  As such, this area of your MBA experience should definitely not be overlooked.

The Characteristics of the Program

Do you value teamwork, or hands-on learning? Again, not all programs are created equal.  Are you interested in learning via case studies or lectures from professors? The difference in the experience here is substantial. Are grades given to project teams, or individual members? How is in-class participation graded?  Are courses graded on curves, with only (for instance) a fixed number of As offered to students? This will define, in many ways, the amount of competition or collaboration between yourself and your classmates. 

The School's Reputation

By this I don't just mean "is the program known for its strength in marketing or finance".  This is of course important, but in addition, does the school have a reputation for helping students change careers? Has its graduates been successful gaining employment in certain industries or functions, or in certain parts of the world? What companies come to recruit on campus? Is the brand or name-recognition of the program high in your own country? If so, it may help to open valuable doors for you. 

The School's Mission

What does the program exist to do? What kind of leaders are they aiming to create? Does this agree with what you want to do in the future, how you see the world, or how you aim to change yourself? 

Atmosphere / Culture and Other Students

This is why it is important to a) visit campus and b) talk with alumni of the program. Because without doing both, it is hard for you to truly envision whether this school is where you want to spend the next 1 or 2 years of your life.  How do students interact with each other in class, on campus, and in social events?  All schools attempt to forge bonds amongst members of their student body - but not all bonds are created equal.  In terms of the other students in the program, this is on one hand very obvious, and on the other difficult to figure out.  You may be able to access demographics of previous classes, but you won't know more about your own classmates until you actually choose a program.  

The Location of the Program

This is not about the weather.  Rather, what opportunities does the program have regular access to?  The proximity of a few top Californian MBAs to Silicon Valley is one obvious example, although it should be noted this entrepreneurial region is visited by MBAs from all over the US (let alone other countries too).  What kind of opportunities are you looking for in your MBA, and beyond? If your goal is to land a job in a top Canadian company, than Rotman, Ivey or Schulich might inch closer to the top of your list.  If learning Spanish or French as a third language is of value to you, programs in Spain or France might work better.  If, on the other hand, your goal is to become a specialist in Asian business, a program in China, Singapore, or even Japan might fit best.

Again, this is not an exhaustive list - there are certainly more places to look. The point here is that what you need most might not be the same as others - so find the program that fits you best, and then give specific evidence of this fit in your application essays and during the interview.

More reading (from admissions counselors):

Admissions Tip: Going Beyond School Websites (CleadAdmit.com)

7 Signposts to Differences Among MBA Programs (Accepted.com)

Roadmap to School Selection, Phase 1: Independent Research (Stacy Blackman)

Roadmap to School Selection, Phase 2: Reaching Out (Stacy Blackman)

Roadmap to School Selection, Phase 3: Experiencing it Live (Stacy Blackman)

Wharton is a good fit for you if..  (Veritas Prep)

More reading (from schools):

Finding the Right Program (Chicago Booth Admissions Insider)

Hanover? Yes, Please. (Tuck at Dartmouth blog)

MBA Diary: Why are you here and not somewhere else? (Economist)

What makes Berkeley-Haas the right MBA program for you? (The Full-Time Berkeley MBA Admissions Blog)

A Unique Approach (IMD MBA Blog)

From the Dean (Wharton)

Our Mission (Harvard Business School)

Our Mission (Stanford GSB)

Values define how everything is done (UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA blog)

What Makes UCLA Such a Special Place? (The MBA Insider's BLOG - UCLA Anderson School of Management)

John Couke

john.couke@gmail.com

Cambridge Judge Releases 2013-14 MBA Application Deadlines

The Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge has updated its admissions website with application deadlines for those aiming to enter their MBA program in the fall of 2014.

Round 1 - 
Deadline: 10/11/2013
Interview Day: 11/29/2013*; 12/2/2013
Outcome: 12/6/2013


Round 2 - 
Deadline: 1/10/2014
Interview Day: 2/21/2014*, 2/24/2014, 3/3/2014
Outcome: 3/7/2014


Round 3 - 
Deadline: 3/7/2014
Interview Day: 4/28/2014*, 4/29/2014
Outcome: 5/2/2014


Round 4 - 
Deadline: 4/25/2014
Interview Day: 6/6/2014*, 6/9/2014
Outcome: 6/13/2014

7/1/2014 is the final deadline for submitting all application documentation including test scores and references.

* These are telephone interview days only.

Their admissions site also notes that "applicants are welcome after round 4 on a rolling basis and will be considered on a case-by-case basis".

Please confirm this information directly at the Cambridge Judge admissions website.

John Couke
john.couke@gmail.com

Deliberate Practice

This is a re-posting of a blog submission I made last year. It turned out to be one of the most popular postings I made in 2012, and its message is important so I am reposting it for the benefit of those about to embark on the admissions process...

One very interesting book I have read recently is Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everyone Else, by Geoff Colvin. In this book, he attempts to define what makes some people amazing at what they do, and in doing so shows that answers like "they are really smart" or "they work hard" are not entirely correct.  Instead, he points to something he defines as deliberate practice as the key to success.  Deliberate practice is, by his definition, boring, repetitive, highly focused on weaknesses, and informed by instruction.  It is hard to do and is rarely enjoyable.  But the people that do it, do it regularly, and do it well, can and do succeed. 

When I read this book immediately I thought of Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule. He wrote about this in his book Outliers: Stories of Success, showing how often, those who have achieved great success have done so by acquiring focused experience (i.e. 10,000 hours worth) in a particular area.  I wondered what the similarities and differences were between Colvin and Gladwell's approach.  Read on in a recent posting to the Barking up the Wrong Tree blog (which comes highly recommended by the way) to see how these ideas come together.

The importance for MBA or LLM applicants?  Hard work - effort - is not enough, and simply worrying about your situation is not enough too.  Instead, you need to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, work closely with someone to build a plan to highlight the strengths and address the weaknesses, and then carry out that plan.   This applies to document preparation, and to interview practice as well.

John Couke
john.couke@gmail.com

Interview with Rodrigo Malta, Director of MBA Admissions at Texas McCombs

I am pleased to present an interview with Rodrigo Malta, the Director of MBA Admissions at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. 

The School and Curriculum

1.      Can you highlight one or two areas of strengths in terms of the curriculum of the McCombs MBA?

At McCombs we are proud to have a MBA program that is strong across multiple disciplines providing our students with unparalleled flexibility in their studies.  A couple key areas to highlight from a curriculum and concentration perspective would be our strengths in the Energy and Innovation/Technology space.  We not only capitalize on our faculty’s research expertise in these areas but also take full advantage of the fact that we are based in Texas (hub for all things Energy) and the city of Austin (hub for innovation/technology).

2.      Can you give an example of how the location of your program (Austin, Texas) adds value to the experience?

We are very fortunate to be located in the city of Austin as the state’s flagship institution.  The feeling of collaboration that is palpable in our MBA program is echoed in Austin thus enabling our students to have a slew of hands-on opportunities in the city’s vibrant business community.  Be it with internships in a large technology company like Apple or a micro-consulting project with a local start up, our students (and faculty) are very connected with the overall Austin community.  Another additional “value” of being in Austin, is its relative low cost of living when compared to cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago or New York.  Your Japanese Yen will definitely stretch a little further in Austin.

3.      Does McCombs teach leadership any differently than other schools? 

Our MBA students are known for their ability to roll up their sleeves and get things done - this is a direct reflection of how McCombs teaches leadership to our MBA students.  We value not only leaders that can successfully manage teams, but also highlight the importance of being a strong team players in individual contributor roles.   We emphasize this to our MBA students through our Texas MBA+ Leadership Program and our MBA Fellows Programs which enable our students to have hands-on experiences in both leading and also working in teams.

4.      Which of your concentrations are the most popular among current students?

The most popular concentrations (and career direction) post MBA at Texas-McCombs are consulting, finance and marketing.  Our Entrepreneurship concentration is also very popular with current students.

5.      Can you tell us a bit about the Texas MBA+ Leadership Program? Can students pick and choose the activities they wish to join?

The Texas MBA+ Leadership program is one of the highlights of our student’s experience at McCombs.  This is a purely optional program, but the majority of our students take part in one or more activities offered to them.  Three main aspects comprise the MBA+ Leadership Program.  The first being our MBA+ projects – micro consulting projects where a small group of MBAs work with companies/organizations on a limited scope engagement lasting 4-6 weeks.  This is done in parallel to our classes and takes place in any semester of the student’s MBA studies.  Recent company projects include Texas Rangers, Deloitte, Adobe, 3M, amongst many others.  The second aspect of the program revolves around industry-oriented and leadership seminars designed to expand upon the knowledge and understanding that is delivered through the classroom.  The third aspect is one on one communication coaching available to all MBA students.  Our communication coaches prepare students to make stronger, more lasting impressions—whether at corporate receptions, career fairs or alumni gatherings; when presenting a new product or service to a Fortune 1000 company; or when pitching an idea to future investors. Through one-on-one coaching, students learn to collaborate productively and communicate dynamically.

Admissions

6.      Is there a minimum TOEFL score you hope to see? How about on the listening and speaking subsections? According to the class profile section of your website the average TOEFL score is 107 - what's the range?

We do not have a minimum TOEFL to enter the program and as you mentioned above our average TOEFL score is about 107.  We do not publish the range of our TOEFL scores and value the interview as a key piece in determining the applicant’s English speaking abilities.

7.      You rely primarily on alumni to conduct interviews - at least that is the case in Japan. Can you tell us a bit about how you collect feedback from them after the interview has been completed? What kind of things are you looking for?

All alumni interviewers are properly trained to be admissions ambassadors and we value their feedback equally to those that interview on campus with students/admissions officers.  We collect feedback electronically through our admissions management system and are looking for leadership potential, evidence of strong team work and a lot of Texas love (i.e. program research) in the interview.

8.      In your first application essay you ask how an applicant's "professional and personal experiences have led you to pursue an MBA at this time".  Why do you ask about personal experiences? What are you looking for?

We ask about personal experience because we want to learn as much about the applicant as possible, both on the professional and personal side.  We look at the admissions process being the first interaction of a relationship between the applicant and McCombs that will hopefully last a lifetime. 

Life After the MBA

9.      How active are your alumni in Japan? (note: a majority of the readership of this blog is based in Japan)

Our Japanese alumni are very involved with the school post graduation.  They are great at helping us during recruiting events in Japan and hosting our admissions interviews throughout Japan.  Additionally, McCombs has an official alumni chapter in Tokyo which provides a forum for our undergraduate and graduate McCombs alumni to interact and network.  Our Texas MBA Japanese alumni are also very helpful in keeping our Japanese website updated.

Thanks Rodrigo for your time!

John Couke
john.couke@gmail.com