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[kchen95]

Darden Teams Clean Up at 2008 Innovation Challenge

The sixth annual Innovation Challenge, billed as the world’s largest business innovation competition for MBA students, took place this past weekend in Charlottesville, and hometown teams from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business beat out international competitors to win each of the three prizes in the event’s final round.

Darden teams took three of the ten spots in the final competition, out of an initial field that included more than 260 entering teams representing 55 schools and 48 countries. Competing teams have nine days to write a concept plan to address one of five real-world challenges facing the competition’s corporate sponsors. Twenty-five teams advance to the semi-final round to pitch sponsors directly with their plans, and ten teams meet face to face for the final round.

Examples of the types of challenges MBA teams are invited to respond to as part of the competition include the following:
• How might Hilton foster a thriving service culture among employees?
• How might IBM market itself to businesses in China and India as the leader in creating value in business process innovation?
• How might Sprint create an innovative product or service, greatly increasing the subscriber’s quality of life, using Wide Area Wireless High Speed technologies?

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2008/11/dard ... challenge/

The Clear Admit Team
http://blog.clearadmit.com
http://www.clearadmit.com
info@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

Johnson School MBA-Managed Hedge Fund Outpaces the Market

At Cornell’s Johnson School of Business, MBA students put theory into practice in a very real way – managing $14 million of other people’s money. And according to a recent article in the Cornell Chronicle, the student-managed Cayuga Fund consistently beats the market, returning 5.95 percent to investors in 2007.

The hedge fund counts between 40 and 50 investors, primarily Cornell alumni, who have entrusted their money to students to manage as part of a year-long course called Applied Portfolio Management. Sanjeev Bhojraj, Johnson associate professor of accounting, teaches the course.

With 32 students, this year’s class is the largest yet. And for the first time, first-year students are working as analysts to assist the second-year portfolio managers.

The Cayuga Fund is a market-neutral equity hedge fund, which means it is shielded from market volatility and the dramatic swings of an index-tracking fund.

To read the full story, please click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2008/11/john ... he-market/


The Clear Admit Team
http://blog.clearadmit.com
http://www.clearadmit.com
info@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

Admissions Director Q&A: NYU Stern’s Isser Gallogly

With round two application deadlines fast approaching, we are beginning to wrap up our Admissions Director Q&A Series here at Clear Admit. Today we are pleased to add a recent conversation with Isser
Gallogly, executive director of MBA admissions at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

Gallogly understands the MBA and its potential for changing people’s lives first hand. “I am on my third career,” he said. He worked in banking after college and then returned to business school to obtain an MBA as part of a career shift toward marketing. After almost a decade working for Unilever and Loreál, he decided to shift again toward education and academia. “I know how much an MBA has changed my life both personally and professionally, and helping others on that journey seemed to me to be a very gratifying job opportunity,” he said.

Indeed, Gallogly and his staff do seem committed to helping prospective applicants. “We want to be people’s partner in the application process,” he said. To this end, NYU Stern has a range of resources for the prospective applicant in the Applying to Stern section of its website, including admissions directors’ tips and advice, podcasts, interviews with the media and more. You won’t want to miss those or the transcript of our conversation with Gallogly, which follows.

Clear Admit: What’s the single most exciting development, change, or event happening at NYU Stern this coming year?

Isser Gallogly: Well, I have a lot to choose from. I think one of the most interesting things that we’ve been doing lately is a series of Market Pulse events. There is so much going on in the world right now, and we’ve been having panels with our star professors and noted faculty talking about the impact of the financial crisis on the global economy and solutions for the future.

To read the entirety of Gallogly's interview, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2008/12/admi ... -gallogly/

Thanks!
The Clear Admit Team
http://blog.clearadmit.com
http://www.clearadmit.com
info@clearadmit.com

[gfar]

Dear Kevin:
I got WL by Wharton and Duke. I am really blank in head about what actions should I took and - anxious!!

I would very much appreciate your reply on the WL strategy to this school.

Background -
680/103

Please let me know if you need my further info to provide the advices, THANK YOU!

Steven

[kchen95]

Dear Steven,

Sorry to hear about the waitlisting; it's never easy to have to wait even longer, but a positive way to look at this is that you're still in the running, and you obviously have a competitive profile.

First, I would follow the schools' instructions and let them know that you're interested in staying on the waitlist. Then, if there have been improvements to your profile since you submitted the applications or interviewed (e.g., job promotion), you should let the schools know. If you have strong connections with the schools that you have not used - e.g., alumni or professors who know you well and are willing to support you - now is the time to tap into those ties; have these alumni or professors write additional letters of support on your behalf - or better yet, contact the adcoms if they are willing.

Lastly, do you have other options in case neither Duke nor Wharton works out? If not, you may want to think about submitting a few R2 applications to make sure that you get into a quality program for next year. If you're competitive at Duke and Wharton, you should be able to get into a few other top programs if you submit strong applications.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Feel free to contact me at info@clearadmit.com if you would like to discuss further.

Best,
Kevin

Kevin Chen
Clear Admit, LLC
info@clearadmit.conm
http://www.clearadmit.com

[tuscanyprovence]

Dear Kevin,

I'm choosing among Minnesota(Calson), UW-Madison, and Purdue.
Could you give me some suggestions in terms of school reputation, entrepreneurial resources, and student competitiveness?


Best regards,
Tusca

[kchen95]

Hi all,

Sorry I have been absent from this thread; the craziness of Round 2 deadlines occupied all our time at Clear Admit. We are now back in full force and will be happy to answer any questions as we head into Round 3. Thanks very much and sincere apologies for the delay.

With that in mind, here's the first posting:


Stanford and Kellogg Interviews

As the Round 2 rush has reached a crescendo, let’s take a closer look at the interview reports a few candidates for Stanford GSB and Northwestern / Kellogg posted in the midst of the deadline crunch.

Starting with Stanford, a Round 1 candidate noted receiving the following questions from an alumna:

1. [Tell me a] time when a leader fell short and you had to step up and lead.
2. [Describe a] time when you’ve been challenged as a leader and what you learned from it.
3. Talk about a time when your values were challenged and you had to consult your moral compass.
4. [Account for a] time when you wanted to give up and how you motivated yourself to keep going.
5. [What is] a book you’d recommend that you’ve read recently?

A Kellogg candidate also answered queries from an alumnus, including the following:

1. Share with me a team experience of yours.
2. Share with me another team experience of yours.
3. What will your contribution be to Kellogg?
4. What clubs will you participate in?

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/01/wiki ... n-kellogg/

Thanks!
The Clear Admit Team
http://blog.clearadmit.com
http://www.clearadmit.com
info@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

Columbia Business School Students Pitch Outrageous Business Plans

From LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman to a recent Kauffman Foundation study, experts and research alike have asserted that the way to jump-start the economic recovery process is through entrepreneurism. Today and tomorrow students at Columbia Business School (CBS) are doing their share as part of the school’s annual zany business plan competition.

That’s right. The A. Lorne Weil Outrageous Business Plan Competition invites just that – off-the-wall ideas for business ventures. In fact, only entries that judges deem “sufficiently ambitious in scope and scale to be considered outrageous” make it in.

Adding to the zaniness, as the first step in the competition contestants must pitch their business plans in an actual elevator, replicating the chance meeting an entrepreneur might have with a prospective venture capitalist or client. These elevator pitches will be taped tonight beginning at 7 p.m., and the best will receive the “most outrageous elevator pitch” award.

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/colu ... ess-plans/

Kevin Chen
Clear Admit,LLC
info@clearadmit.com
http://blog.clearadmit.com
http://www.clearadmit.com
info@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

Wharton Finalizes New Loan Program for International Students

In an email to staff and faculty yesterday, officials at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School shared details about a new custom loan program developed for international students without U.S. co-signers.

Citibank, the main source of these loans in recent years, has exited from the business as a result of the ongoing economic crisis, leaving Wharton and many other schools scrambling to identify alternatives for students. At Wharton, the solution will take the form of a custom loan program with Digital Federal Credit Union, which will cover tuition and living expenses for international students and will not require a U.S. co-signer.

The new loans will carry an interest rate of prime plus 3 percent, and borrowers can reduce the rate 25 basis points farther by arranging for automatic repayments. In order to provide these attractive rates, Wharton has agreed to share some of the potential default risk with the lender.

Click here to read more: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/whar ... -students/

Kevin Chen
http://blog.clearadmit.com
www.clearadmit.com
info@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

International Applications for Graduate Study in Business Are Up, but Rate of Increase Is Slowing

Graduate school applications from foreign students in the field of business grew 7 percent between 2008 and 2009, but the rate of increase slowed for the third consecutive year, Inside Higher Ed reports. Increases over the prior years were 16 percent, 15 percent and 10 percent.

The data, from a new survey conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools, reveal that international applications in the field of business showed the second largest increase after arts and humanities, which grew by 8 percent. Overall international applications for graduate study increased 4 percent between 2008 and 2009, with the increase “driven almost entirely” by growth at institutions with the largest numbers of international students enrolled already, according to the Inside Higher Ed report.

The Council of Graduate Schools survey also showed significant variation in application growth by country of origin. Applications from China were up 16 percent this year, but applications from India and South Korea fell 9 and 7 percent, respectively.

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/inte ... s-slowing/

Kevin Chen
Clear Admit LLC
http://blog.clearadmit.com
www.clearadmit.com
kevin@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

UVA’s Darden School Announces New Scholarship for Current and Former Marines

The Darden School at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville yesterday announced the creation of a new scholarship to provide financial support for current or former Marines.

Called the Col. James L. Fowler USMC Scholarship, the new award was endowed by Bob Hugin (Darden ‘85) to honor his friend and mentor Colonel Jim Fowler (Darden ‘60).

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/uva% ... r-marines/


Kevin Chen
Clear Admit LLC
http://blog.clearadmit.com
www.clearadmit.com
kevin@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

More Waitlist Offers, Other News from Harvard Business School

In a post to her blog yesterday, Harvard Business School (HBS) Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Dee Leopold shared a smattering of interesting updates.

For starters, HBS will be making more offers from the waitlist this year. “We hope to make the majority of these decisions as soon as we can – definitely before the end of May,” Leopold wrote. According to one of her earlier posts, HBS extended roughly 40 invitations to waitlisters from Round 1 last week.

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/more ... ss-school/

Kevin Chen
Clear Admit LLC
http://blog.clearadmit.com
www.clearadmit.com
kevin@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

Admissions Tip: Academic Strengths

While we devoted time last week to advice on addressing weaknesses in one’s academic record, today we wanted to explore the other side of the issue: the strengths that lie in your undergraduate record.

Beyond issues of aptitude or previous achievement, there are a number of other things that your academic profile might say about you. For instance, if you have a range of quant-focused classes in your record, this might create the impression that you are well prepared for the sort of coursework you would undertake in business school. Meanwhile, if you have pursued extensive coursework in an area beyond the more traditional disciplines of economics, business administration or engineering, this could indicate some unique interest or perspective that you would bring to the classroom.

For example, applicants who pursued significant language study or took a number of classes in disciplines such as sociology, psychology, art, etc., will stand out among candidates who focused primarily on math, engineering or business courses in college. Along these lines, applicants whose transcripts show they studied abroad as undergraduates may be seen as more globally aware or as better prepared to work with an international student body.

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/admi ... rengths-2/

Kevin Chen
http://blog.clearadmit.com
www.clearadmit.com
kevin@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

Introducing the Clear Admit Waitlist Guide!

Today we’re pleased to announce the release of a third title in our Application Strategy Series: the Clear Admit Waitlist Guide! While the waitlist is a necessary element of the MBA admissions process, it’s a less than ideal result from the applicant’s perspective. Disappointment and frustration are natural and common reactions, but maintaining a positive outlook and understanding one’s options are critical to maximizing one’s chances of admission.

The MBA admissions waitlist is an unpredictable thing, but there’s often more one can do than simply wait for a more definitive result. Having spent years working with clients to identify areas for improvement in their applications and build effective waitlist strategies, we’re pleased to make our expert guidance available to the MBA applicant pool at large. The Clear Admit Waitlist Guide will teach you to understand the ground rules of a program’s waitlist policy, formulate a plan to address weaknesses in your candidacy, craft effective communications to the admissions committee and expore every opportunity to boost your chances of acceptance.

To read more about our new and existing publications, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/intr ... ist-guide/

Kevin Chen
http://blog.clearadmit.com
www.clearadmit.com
kevin@clearadmit.com

[kchen95]

New International Loan Program Announced at Chicago Booth School of Business

“Finally, I have good news to report,” wrote Rose Martinelli, dean of admissions and financial aid at Chicago Booth School of Business in a blog post yesterday. “The first of several loan programs for our international students was announced earlier today by the university.”

Like many other top business schools, Chicago Booth has been working hard to find alternatives for international students who were left scrambling when previous loan programs were cancelled due to volatility in the credit market. Yesterday, the university signed an agreement with JPMorgan Chase for just such a loan.

The new loan program through JPMorgan Chase will provide financing for qualified international students who aren’t eligible for federal loans and who cannot qualify for standard private loans because they don’t have a U.S. co-signer.

To read more, click here: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2009/04/new- ... -business/

Kevin Chen
http://blog.clearadmit.com
www.clearadmit.com
kevin@clearadmit.com