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Mission Admission is a series of MBA admission tips; a new one is posted each Tuesday.

For some reason, the American Thanksgiving weekend tends to signal the beginning of the rush toward second-round application deadlines. Many candidates who are just contemplating their applications tend to call us and ask, “How many schools can I apply to at this stage?” or “Am I too late to start my applications for Round 2 now?” The answer to these questions is not that simple.

First and foremost, the answer is “quality before speed.” As a candidate, you are far better off completing applications to three schools with 100% of your effort than to five schools with 60% effort. MBA Admissions Offices will notice sloppy mistakes, and they will weigh the fact that you did not show consideration in your application and thus may not really care all that much about their program.

One thing some candidates forget or do not realize is that they do not need to commit to a specific number of schools up front. Most often, we suggest that candidates master one application and then apply what they have learned to the next. Generally, attacking five schools simultaneously can be problematic, but if you make significant progress on your application for one school and then launch into the next, you can do so with the confidence that you will be completing each with a degree of excellence.

The number of target schools varies for each candidate, depending on his or her professional and personal schedules, written communication abilities, risk profiles, ambitions, etc. You should approach your applications methodically, recognize what is realistic and then work aggressively—but not haphazardly—toward your ends.

As a general rule, “etc.” should never appear in the text of your MBA application essays. Consider the following sentences:

1. I helped draft prospectuses, analyze key company data, value companies, etc.
2. I look forward to courses such as “Small Business Management,” “Leading Teams,” “Multiparty Negotiations,” etc.

In the first example, “etc.” replaces information that the reader values. The reader cannot make the leap and understand where the writer’s experiences lead. In the second example, “etc.” trivializes the school’s resources and may even suggest to the admission committee that the applicant is just too lazy (or disinterested!) to do his/her homework.

We are at a loss to think of one instance in which “etc.” could be used appropriately in a business school essay. In short, ensure that your essays do not include this term.

Mission Admission is a series of MBA admission tips; a new one is posted each Tuesday.

With interview decisions continuing to arrive, we thought now would be a good time to discuss challenging interview situations. Most business school interviews are straightforward opportunities for an interviewer to learn more about an MBA candidate’s personal/professional background, goals, reasons for selecting a specific school and leadership/team experiences, yet interviews can vary dramatically and sometimes include some peculiarities. So, what constitutes a “tough” interview?

Stoic interviewer: Some interviewers can be unemotional, refusing to give the candidate any indication as to whether he or she is making a positive impression or not. Of course, when a candidate is under intense pressure, this perceived lack of approval can be misunderstood as a sign of disapproval. The key in managing such an interview is to tune out the interviewer’s lack of emotion. Focus on thinking of answers and do your best to not be distracted by anything about the interviewer besides the questions he/she is posing. “Reading” the interviewer in real time can be challenging, and candidates should instead concentrate on showcasing their strengths.

Philosophical questions:  Most candidates are ready to discuss their experiences and accomplishments, but many are not prepared to discuss their values and philosophy on life. HBS in particular likes to understand candidates’ motivations and will ask questions like “What is your motivation to succeed?,”  “What drives you?” and “What gives you purpose in life?” The key to answering these sorts of questions is pretty simple: expect and prepare for them in advance (after all, you are being warned right now).  You can’t assume that all questions will be experiential.

Persistent questioning: Sometimes a tough interviewer will continuously delve deeper into a subject, such as by repeatedly asking, “Can you be more specific about [the topic under discussion]?” after posing an initial question. These kinds of unusual pressure tactics can be disconcerting, but the key is to simply stay on topic. No matter how persistent, the interviewer is always essentially asking you about a subject that you know quite well—you! So, again, by avoiding the distraction of the tactic and sticking to your agenda, you should be fine.

At mbaMission, we offer more interview advice in our Interview Guide and through targeted mock interview sessions.

In MBA application essays, many business school candidates unwittingly discuss their personal experience with a specific MBA program in the most vague and general way. Because they are writing from memory and discussing their authentic experience, they do not realize that they are not being specific enough. Consider the following example:

“During my experience at Cornell, I was struck by the easygoing classroom discussion, the warmth of the professors and the time spent by the first-year student who not only toured the facilities with me but also took me for coffee and asked several of his colleagues to join us.”

While these statements may in fact be true, the text contains no Cornell-specific language. If Yale, Michigan or the name of any other school were substituted for Cornell here, the statement would otherwise not change at all. This statement could be applicable to any other school—and this is not good.

In contrast, the following statement could refer only to Darden:

“While on Grounds, I was impressed by Professor Robert Carraway’s easygoing and humorous style, as he facilitated a fast-paced discussion of the ‘George’s T-Shirts’ case. Although I admittedly felt dizzied by the class’s pace, I was comforted when I encountered several students reviewing the finer points of the case later at First Coffee. I was impressed when my first-year guide stopped mid-tour to check in with her learning teammate and reinforce the case’s central point. It was then I recognized that this was the right environment for me.”

If you were to substitute the Darden name and even the professor’s name with those of another school and professor, the paragraph would no longer work. The Darden-specific information regarding the day’s case, First Coffee and learning teams ensures that these sentences have a sincere and personal feel—showing that the candidate truly understands what the school is about, and necessary for a compelling personal statement that will catch the attention of the admissions committee.

Mission Admission is a series of MBA admission tips; a new one is posted each Tuesday.

After visiting campus or interviewing, many candidates choose to write thank you letters to their respective hosts. So, what makes a good thank you note?

1) Personalization: When writing to your host/interviewer, show sincerity by personalizing your letter. By handwriting your letter and mentioning specifics about your conversation and experiences, you will continue to foster your connection with your interviewer and show that your interaction truly made an impression.

2) Brevity: Your letter should be no more than a few sentences long. If you write several paragraphs, you run the risk of creating the negative impression that you are trying too hard or that you simply do not respect limits (possibly even suggesting that you might carry on too long in class). By being brief and sincere, you will instead make a powerful impression that will yield results.

3) Speed: Send your letter within two or three days of your visit, at the most. After a week, your interest may logically fall into question, or your host may simply forget some of the details of your conversation that you are trying to reinforce. By writing your letter immediately, you will create the impression that you have been energized by the experience and are eager to maintain your connection.

Thank you notes are generally not a “make or break” aspect of your candidacy, but they can establish continuity and demonstrate your continued interest to your target school’s representatives. We encourage candidates to follow up with such notes because they are a low-cost way of reinforcing a positive impression/relationship.