Kaneisha Grayson's Blog, page 26
November 16, 2017
How to Work with The Art of Applying on your Applications
Despite how quiet it’s been on The Art of Applying blog and newsletter, it’s a super-busy time at The Art of Applying digital headquarters!
I know that many of you have short-term and long-term entrepreneurial aspirations, and I’m proud to share that The Art of Applying has grown 200% year over year in revenue since 2016. This explosive growth has been exciting, but it has meant that we’ve had our focus way more on our actual clients who have committed to working with us on their applications than on our readers and prospective clients—about whom we also care very much.
So as the Founder & CEO, I decided to use the quick 30 minutes I have between client calls to answer some frequently asked questions of people who are interested in learning more about working with us so that you know that YES – we are still in business and YES – there is still time to work with us and YES – we want to hear from you!
1. What are your packages? Do you still sell x or x?”
In order to focus our efforts on only offering to clients packages that will give them what they need to submit the best application possible, we got rid of our old piecemeal packages back in March, and now focus on offering one package at a time throughout the season. We’re not interested in getting as many clients as possible; we want to work with the right clients on getting their desired outcome: getting into your dream school with money to pay for it.
Piecemeal packages like “edit my essay once please” just don’t cut it. We’d rather work with fewer people on a deeper level than hundreds of people in a “fly by night” way.
We currently do not offer the option to purchase directly from the website as we want to make sure that we’re working with people that are a great fit for our services and that we are 100% sure we can help.
The program that we are currently enrolling people into is the Editing Accelerator™. This hybrid 1-on-1 and group coaching program is a seasonal offering when we have fewer than 8 weeks until most school deadlines, which is NOW.
You can read about our other programs at the end of this post.
2. How do I learn more?
If you’re interested in speaking with my team about your applications and seeing if we’d be a great fit to work together, you can request to have a free 90-minute Breakthrough Call with my team. During the call, you’ll speak with a Breakthrough Coach about your applications—what’s working, what’s not working, where you are, and where you want to go. If the Breakthrough Coach thinks we’re a great fit, they will invite you to work with us and discuss the investment.
3. Who would my consultant be?
Our consultants are all former admissions committee members or graduates of top graduate schools with experience helping people get into their dream schools. You can see our consultant team at this link.
Your Breakthrough Coach is NOT the person who would be helping you get into school. You can think of your Breakthrough Coach as the person who will do an in-depth assessment of your application process, help me and my team get clear on what’s working, what’s not working, where you are, and where you want to go. They are the gatekeepers to our program, and the consultants are the soldiers who help you win the application battle!
4. How do I prepare for my free Breakthrough Call?
Make sure the appointment is in your calendar and that you have a quiet place to speak to us for the full 90 minutes.
Download the free Zoom conferencing software to your computer. You’ll speak with your Breakthrough Coach with cameras off.
Watch our free presentation. It’s super-informative and only 37 minutes long.
Consider joining our free Facebook group called Applying to Ivy League Graduate Schools.
5. I’m applying in the 2018-2019 application season. What do I do?
Great job, early bird! In addition to the steps above, you can fill out the Breakthrough call application now and join our waiting list so that you’re one of the first people we speak with in December when we start enrolling people into our programs for the 2018-2019 season.
Our VIP program is Ivy League Alliance. It is a year-long mastermind level program for people who want the highest level of service and interaction with our team. Enrollment for the 2017-2018 season is closed (unless you’re already our client). Enrollment for the 2018-2019 season will open in December 2018. We are already adding people to the waiting list to speak to us about it, so feel free to submit a Breakthrough Call application here.
Our signature program is the Application Accelerator™. This is our most popular package and it is a hybrid 1-on-1 and group coaching program. It has been wildly successful in keeping our clients motivated, on track, and in an encouraged, resourceful, optimistic, and confident mindset. Our clients are not applying in isolation; they are working side by side with their own personal consultant as well as a team of high-achieving high-potential fellow applicants who understand what they’re going through. Enrollment for the Application Accelerator for December 2017 deadlines has already closed. Enrollment for the Application Accelerator for January 2018 deadlines closes on December 1, 2017. If you’re interested in speaking to my team about your application, you can submit a Breakthrough Call application here.
The post How to Work with The Art of Applying on your Applications appeared first on The Art of Applying.
July 27, 2017
School Spotlight: Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Application Deadlines
Note: These are the deadlines from the 2016-2017 application season. We will post the 2017-2018 deadlines once they are available.
Source: http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Programs/Full-Time-MBA/Admissions
Johnson Cornell MBA 2017-2018 Essay Questions:
Note: We will post the 2017-2018 essay topics once they become available
2016-2017 Cornell Johnson Essay Topics
Essay 1
At Cornell, we value students who create impact. Please indicate the opportunities for impact that you have identified through engagement with our community and describe how these interactions have influenced your decision to apply to Johnson.
Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Table of Contents Essay
You are the author of your Life Story. Please create the Table of Contents for the book in the space provided or upload it as an attachment. We value creativity and authenticity and encourage you to approach this essay with your unique style. Alternative submission formats may include a slide presentation, links to pre-existing media (personal website, digital portfolio, YouTube etc.), as well as visually enhanced written submissions.
Maximum file size is 5 MB. If you choose to submit a written Table of Contents, please limit your submission to 500 words or fewer. Please limit multimedia submissions to under 5 minutes.
Optional Essay
Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson.
If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application since the last time you applied.
Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Source: https://www.clearadmit.com/2016/08/cornell-johnson-essay-topics-2016-2017/
Acceptance Rate & Key Statistics:
Key Statistics
Applicants: 2,063 (17% Admitted)
Full-Time MBA: 637 Students
Average GMAT: 692
Median GMAT: 700
Average Age: 28
Average Work Experience: 58 Months
Rolling Admissions: No
% Students who are Women: 29%
% Students who are International: 31%
Rankings
Bloomberg Businessweek: 16
U.S. News & World Report: 14
Financial Times: 31
Source: http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school/s-c-johnson-graduate-school-of-management-cornell-university
Helpful Links:
Johnson Cornell Admissions Blog
Johnson Cornell MBA Student Blogs
Why Johnson
Our Consultant Elisa’s Experience at Johnson Cornell
When and where did you attend grad school?
I attended a dual degree at Cornell attending both the Johnson School of Business for an MBA and the School of Industrial Labor Relations for a Masters in Industrial Labor Relations from Fall 2008 – December 2010.
What inspired you to choose your degree and the particular school you attended?
I chose this dual degree program because Cornell is the premiere research institution for Human Resources studies. I was deciding between a traditional MBA, HR Masters programs, and dual degree programs. Cornell was a reach school for my GMAT score and experience and I was lucky to be accepted to both the MBA and MILR program with scholarships.
What were your 2-4 favorite classes in grad school and why?
I loved psychology based courses from both ILR and the Johnson School. My favorite class at ILR was our Organizational Behavior class. In this class, we learned frameworks and solved case studies focused on changing employee behavior to impact productivity, sales, and performance in different industries. I loved the practical application of theories in different contexts. At the Johnson School, my favorite class was our Consumer Behavior class. I loved this class because it introduced how development and design of products impacted sales and marketshare.
What were your most important extracurricular activities while in grad school? Why?
My most important extracurriculars were professional and fun clubs. I was part of the Latin American Students Organization and the Human Resources professional clubs. These and other professional clubs provide development events, like workshops, diversity weekends, and company trips, that allow you to explore your professional passion with like minded individuals. Fun clubs, like bowling league, performance arts, and beer club allow you to have fun doing something you love and widen your network in your school. I was an active member in planning and executing our winter and spring performance art events. I had fun doing something I loved outside of class and got to see how talented my fellow students were.
It often sounds like domestic and international travel is an important part of the grad school experience. Did you travel with your grad school classmates, and if so, where did you go and why?
Domestic and international travel is a big part of the graduate school experience. You will have the opportunity to exposure yourself to many experts in your field at their headquarter locations and out in the field. This immersive part of the education gives you an insider’s view on what it is like to live and work somewhere. At Cornell, I went on a week long trip with my fellow marketing classmates around the tri-state area to learn from marketers at different companies. I loved this experience because we got the behind the scenes look at different career paths as marketers.
If you could go back and tell yourself something at the beginning of your grad school experience, what would you tell yourself and why?
Take more international trips and finance focused classes. I wish I went on one of the international treks because I would have loved to how companies work in other cultures. I love to travel and have worked abroad and this would have been a fun way to experience these two things. I also regret not taking more finance focused classes, like advanced modeling and pricing. I am now teaching myself these topics and I realize how important they are to running a business. I wish I had learned them awhile I was in school.
It can be difficult to know what a degree or school is like before you’re actually there. What is one misconception people have about your degree(s) and/or schools that you’d like to dispel?
I thought that my program would have more integrative class requirements. I believed that our programs would have more cross listings for fulfilling requirements, however this was not the case. I wish I had researched this aspect more because it didn’t allow me many opportunities to take classes outside of requirements. Fortunately, this along with being a small group, I got to know my dual degree classmates very well.
Interested in working with us on your Johnson Cornell and other MBA applications? Sign up for a free Breakthrough session!
The post School Spotlight: Cornell SC Johnson College of Business appeared first on The Art of Applying.
July 20, 2017
School Spotlight: Harvard Kennedy School
Overview of Degree Programs
Master in Public Policy (MPP): The two-year MPP program provides future public leaders with the conceptual framework and practical skills necessary to succeed in public service. The MPP core requirements are built upon strong foundations in three methodological areas: analysis, management, and leadership.
Master in Public Administration/International Development (MPA/ID): The two-year MPA/ID program, Harvard Kennedy School’s newest program, is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in international development. It is an economics-centered, multi-disciplinary program, combining rigorous training in analytical and quantitative methods with an emphasis on policy and practice.
Two-Year Master in Public Administration (MPA2): The two-year MPA2 is a flexible program designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of established professionals and dual-degree students seeking further leadership responsibilities in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA): The one-year MC/MPA is an intensive eight credit program, preceded by a one-month summer program exclusively for mid-career professionals. The MC/MPA is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of well established, high-performing professionals, who seek to enhance their public service careers or to move from the private sector to a leadership position in either the public or nonprofit sectors. Prospective students for the MC/MPA program from developing, newly industrialized, and transitional economy countries must apply through the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration Edward S. Mason Program.
Joint and Concurrent: HKS students have the option to earn a second professional graduate degree—an MBA, MD, or JD, for example—in a shorter amount of time through reduced coursework and residency requirements. Typically, students complete their degrees in one year less than if they earned them consecutively. They can pursue combined degrees at 22 professional schools either at Harvard or at institutions that have been approved by HKS faculty members.
Doctoral Programs: Learn more about the PhD in Public Policy or the PhD in Political Economy and Government programs.
Executive Education: Harvard Kennedy School offers a wide range of Executive Education programs, focusing on those topics that help better prepare leaders in public affairs. Learn more about HKS Executive Education and the application process for these non-degree programs.
Source: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/degrees/admissions/overview
Click Here to See A Flow Chart of the HKS Admissions Process
Source: https://admissions.hks.harvard.edu/www/documents/Admissions_Flow_Chart_2016(1).pdf
Harvard Kennedy School 2017-2018 Essay Questions for All Programs:
Note: These are the questions from the 2016-2017 application season. We will post the new ones once they are available.
All Programs – Optional Statement
If you have any concerns about your prior academic, professional or personal background you would like to share with the Admissions Committee, please provide an explanation. (250 word limit)
MPP and Non-Degree Essay Prompts
Essay 1: The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your leadership and service. (600 word limit)
Essay 2: Describe a professional or academic episode that gave you a chance to use personal strengths, and/or revealed personal weaknesses. Then explain specifically how the MPP curriculum (or overall curriculum for Non-Degree applicants) at HKS would leverage your distinctive abilities and/or fill gaps in your skill set as you equip yourself for your career goals. (600 word limit)
MPA2 Essay Prompts
Essay 1: The Harvard Kennedy School motto, echoing the President for whom the School is named, is “Ask what you can do.” Please share with the Admissions Committee your plans to create positive change through your leadership and service. (600 word limit)
Essay 2: There are many pathways one can pursue in order to make a difference in the world. Why is the MPA Program at HKS an appropriate pathway to achieving your goals? (600 word limit)
MPA/ID Essay Prompts
Essay 1: Discuss your decision to choose international development as your professional career. Also, explain how developing your analytic skills relates to your career in development. (750 word limit)
Essay 2: Describe an event or experience in which you exercised a significant decision-making, management, or leadership role. (750 word limit)
Essay 3: Describe a public policy or public management problem related to international development and analyze a range of solutions. (750 word limit)
Essay 4: At least one college level course in microeconomics, macroeconomics and multivariable calculus must be completed before enrollment. Statistics and linear algebra are desirable, but not required. Explain how you have met these requirements, or how you propose to meet them before enrolling in September. Please include descriptions of mathematics courses you have taken that covered calculus and multivariable calculus, as well as descriptions of any courses whose titles do not clearly indicate the content (e.g. Mathematics II or Advanced Mathematics). Official descriptions copied from your college’s course catalog or on-line course catalog are preferred.
MC/MPA and MC/MPA Mason Essay Prompts
Essay 1: Submit a statement that discusses your career goals, as well as the factors that led you to select the Mid-Career MPA program as a means of furthering your personal and professional goals. Be as specific as possible in describing how your expected course of study will enable you to build on your prior professional experience and achieve these goals. (750 word limit)
Essay 2: Describe your most substantial professional and/or public service contribution in which you exercised a significant leadership role in furthering the public good. (750 word limit)
Joint Degree with HBS or HLS Essay Prompt (for MPP and MPA/ID applicants only)
How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 word limit)
Concurrent Degree Essay Prompt – for applicants applying to an approved partner institution which allows the pursuit of a concurrent degree. For a full list of partner institutions, click here. No matter how many partner programs an applicant will be applying to, there is only one opportunity to respond to this prompt.
How do you expect the concurrent pursuit of another professional Master’s degree to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (250 word limit)
Source: http://hksadmissionblog.tumblr.com/post/148711332918/2017-application-long-term-planning-series-post
Helpful Links:
HKS Admissions Blog
Why Harvard Kennedy School?
HKS Student Publications
Our Consultant Karina’s Experience at Harvard Kennedy School
When and where did you attend grad school?
I attended Harvard Kennedy School from 2006 to 2008. I received a Master in Public Policy with a focus on Political and Economic Development.
What inspired you to choose your degree and the particular school you attended?
After having worked in direct service non-profit organizations, I wanted to understand the systemic causes of poverty. I knew that direct service had limitations and I wanted to influence policy, addressing root causes of pressing social issues. After much struggle to choose between three different degree programs, I chose to pursue a degree in public policy. I felt like this degree would provide me with a broad set of tools to accomplish my objective of creating lasting social change. I chose the Harvard Kennedy School because of it’s innovative curriculum, renowned faculty and alumni network. I researched the academic and extracurricular offerings at the Kennedy School and was impressed by the diversity of students and incredibly rich outside of classroom activities such as expert speakers. I mainly wanted to be in an environment that was focused on practice rather than theory. I know I made the right choice!
Karina and classmates at HKS graduation.
What were your 2-4 favorite classes in grad school and why?
My favorite courses at Kennedy School include an economics course on the global informal economy, community organizing ( Organizing: People, Power, Change) and leadership. The course on the informal economy exposed me to the economics behind the informal economy in developing countries, especially the social consequences for people who lack social protection and benefits. When I lived in Mexico after graduation, I reflected on this course as I tried to propel change in a country with a high rate of participation in the informal economy, The “Organizing: People, Power, Change” course taught me how to use my story to mobilize others for social change. I had an opportunity to work on a project in a community center with Central American immigrants. I enjoyed leaving Kennedy School and engaging with the real world and was able to put the theory learned in class into practice. I took a course on adaptive leadership with Dean Williams. The way the course was taught exemplified the difficulty of facing adaptive challenges and challenged me to fully understand my environment and context to mobilize others around a shared vision. Now, nine years later after graduation, I am convinced that most of the challenges I face in the workforce are not technical challenges, rather adaptive challenges.
What were your most important extracurricular activities while in grad school? Why?
My most important extracurricular activity was serving as the co-chair of the International Bridgebuilders Conference which brought grassroots leaders from developing countries to Harvard to share their experiences and learn new skills. In the co-chair role, I had an opportunity to manage a team of students, develop relationships with diverse faculty and departments, and invite high level speakers such as the President of African Development Bank to serve as conference’s keynote speaker. Most importantly, I learned about the challenges facing grassroots leaders in developing countries which fueled my passion for international development.
It often sounds like domestic and international travel is an important part of the grad school experience. Did you travel with your grad school classmates, and if so, where did you go and why?
I traveled to New Orleans with a group of Harvard Business School students. We collaborated with a non-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs start businesses in New Orleans. We helped a few of their entrepreneurs develop sound business plans. I enjoyed the experience of traveling and working with peers from a different school at Harvard.
As part of my research for my Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE), I traveled to Mexico City to conduct interviews with stakeholders and meet with my client to further refine my PAE.
In the summer between my first and second year, I interned at an NGO in Mumbai, India that works with slum children. I had a very intense experience in India and it definitely marked my graduate school experience.
Karina and HKS classmates in Ladakh, India.
If you could go back and tell yourself something at the beginning of your grad school experience, what would you tell yourself and why?
I would tell myself to have been more confident. I would tell myself to have spent more time getting to know my classmates since those are the people I would turn to after graduation for support, collaboration, and in search for professional opportunities. I wish I had known that I would learn just as much from my classmates as I would from classes. The academic component is important but it is the network and the relationships that are the most valuable in the workforce.
It can be difficult to know what a degree or school is like before you’re actually there. What is one misconception people have about your degree(s) and/or schools that you’d like to dispel?
Many people think that the Harvard Kennedy School is only for people who are interested in working for the public sector. Everyone always asked me whether a degree in public policy was for work in the government. I was surprised to find classmates with very diverse professional backgrounds and interests, ranging from finance to journalism. A degree in public policy provided me with a framework and tools that can be applied in diverse sectors and fields, beyond just the public sector.
Anything else you want to add?
My graduate school experience was transformative on a personal and professional level. I feel so enriched not only by my courses but also by the relationships formed. Graduate school is such a unique time to learn, to take risks and to get outside of the comfort zone.
Interested in working with us on your Harvard Kennedy School and other Policy School applications? Sign up for a free Breakthrough session!
The post School Spotlight: Harvard Kennedy School appeared first on The Art of Applying.
July 13, 2017
School Spotlight: Yale School of Management
2017-2018 Application Deadlines:
Source: http://som.yale.edu/programs/mba/admissions
Yale SOM 2017-2018 Essay Questions:
Round 1
Application deadline: September 13, 2017
Decision release: December 6, 2017
Round 2
Application deadline: January 4, 2018
Decision release: March 27, 2018
Round 3
Application deadline: April 18, 2018
Decision release: May 17, 2018
Essay prompt: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words)
This will be our second year using this prompt, which we developed in collaboration with Amy Wrzesniewski, a professor of organizational behavior here at SOM and one of the lead faculty in the core leadership courses within our integrated curriculum. In asking this question, the Admissions Committee is interested not just in the commitment itself but also in how you approach the commitment and the behaviors that support it.
We’ve also decided to maintain our unique sliding-scale application fee structure, which ties your application fee to your annual compensation. The sliding-scale fee helps us attract diverse applicants from all over the world, including those from geographies and industries where compensation tends to be lower. We will continue to offer fee waivers for current and former Peace Corps volunteers, as well as current staff and alumni of Teach for All programs (such as Teach for America, Teach for China, and Teach for India). The application fee is automatically waived for active U.S. military or U.S. veterans, current Yale graduate students, and Yale undergraduate students applying to the Silver Scholars Program.
We’re in the process of scheduling Summer Socials and admissions events around the world. Look for those on our events page soon. In the meantime, we look forward to connecting with you and guiding you through the MBA application process.
Source: http://som.yale.edu/blog/from-the-assistant-dean-for-admissions-2017-18-essay-question-and-application-deadlines-announced?blog=3490
Acceptance Rate & Key Statistics:
Key Statistics
Applicants: 2,823 (19% Admitted)
Full-Time MBA: 475 Students
Average GMAT: 719
Average Age: 28
Average Work Experience: 68 Months
Rolling Admissions: No
% Students who are Women: 36%
% Students who are International: 32%
% Students who are US Ethnic Minorities: 37%
Rankings
Bloomberg Businessweek: 11
U.S. News & World Report: 8
Financial Times: 18
Source: http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school/yale-school-of-management
Helpful Links:
Booth Clear Admit Interview Reports
Yale SOM MBA Blog
The Student Experience
Our Consultant Mario’s Experience at Yale School of Management
When and where did you attend grad school?
I attended the Yale School of Management and graduated in May 2015.
What inspired you to choose your degree and the particular school you attended?
I have always been interested in finance. Having worked in investment banking and management consulting covering the financial sector, I knew that I wanted to stay in finance but switch to the buy side working specifically at a traditional asset manager. I chose Yale because of its expertise in behavioral finance, particularly how it influences investment decisions. It also helped being taught by Nobel Laureates
What were your 2-4 favorite classes in grad school and why?
My favorite classes were Innovator and Portfolio Management. Innovator was great because I spent most of my time ideating and developing new ways to think about complex problems and push conventional thought. I was intrigued by the frameworks that were taught and how they can be applied to real world problems. Portfolio Management was my other favorite class. For the semester, we did a mock portfolio challenge where we chose an investment approach, developed a thesis, and defended our investment portfolios on a weekly basis. From these experiences, I developed a deep understanding of small cap stocks and how they fit in a total asset allocation. I took this info and used it to inform my approaches to my professional and personal portfolios.
What were your most important extracurricular activities while in grad school? Why?
I’d say the Yale Leadership Institute and being a leader in the Consortium were by far my most important extracurricular activities. Through these organizations, I was able to meet and mentor high school and undergraduate students on career options, work with local entrepreneurs to provide consultancy to enhance their business, and organize and facilitate timely discussions on race and inclusion. These experiences left an indelible imprint on my grad school experience.
Hockey is one of the best social activities. Always a ton of laughs and drinks!
It often sounds like domestic and international travel is an important part of the grad school experience. Did you travel with your grad school classmates, and if so, where did you go and why?
I traveled domestically and internationally. Domestically, I traveled to conferences in Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, and Cape Cod. These were either career-related or for leisure. I traveled internationally throughout Europe and Asia, studying in Turkey and S. Korea. Moreover, I traveled to S. America with friends from Brazil and Colombia. Travel is important to the learning experience because it brings so much of what you learn in the classroom to life. It’s imperative that you devote enough time to travel while matriculating.
If you could go back and tell yourself something at the beginning of your grad school experience, what would you tell yourself and why?
That grad school is really broken out into three categories: academics, recruiting, and social. Throughout your time at school, the percentage of time allocation of each of these buckets will change. Initially, you should lock in on academics and social – establishing a solid foundation. Later, as you settle into school, recruiting starts to ramp up. Thus, you will likely have less time for social and may want to put off some of your school work. Stay focused! Actively stay abreast of how much time and energy you’re devoting to each. Doing so will ensure that you have a fun and successful experience.
It can be difficult to know what a degree or school is like before you’re actually there. What is one misconception people have about your degree(s) and/or schools that you’d like to dispel?
A common misconception about Yale is that many people are interested in pursuing a career in nonprofit space. However, this is not totally true. Sure, there is a considerable amount of people who are interested in nonprofits and management. However, the majority (over 65 percent) pursue and enter consulting or finance. In fact, there’s a huge focus in finance, with many professors leading research and publishing of many of the latest advances in financial science.
Anything else you want to add?
Your grad school experience is ultimately what you make it. Spend time investing in your network, learn as much as possible in and outside the classroom, and network your way into your dream post grad role. These are truly some of the most awesome years of your life.
Mario with his cohort at a social outing.
Interested in working with us on your Yale School of Management and other MBA applications?
Sign up for a free Breakthrough session!
The post School Spotlight: Yale School of Management appeared first on The Art of Applying.
June 14, 2017
The Art of Applying Team is growing!
Big things are happening at The Art of Applying headquarters!
We have been thrilled with all the interest we’ve received from all of you in regards to working with us on your grad school applications.
We currently have a waiting list of over 150 people who are interested in a Breakthrough call. What what!
That is some awesome proactive decisiveness on your part to get started on your applications NOW rather than waiting until you have just a few weeks or months before the deadline (which is when most people will start to work on their applications).
We’ve had such an influx of interest and new clients that we are expanding the consulting team (more HBS grads, more HKS grads, some dazzling grads to cover more degrees, and of course lots of diversity!).
As we work on expanding and training our team, we are going to put the blog on hiatus so we can focus on building the team, and on speaking to all of you who have signed up for Breakthrough calls.
The blog will be back online with new content Thursday, July 13.
When new blog posts are back, we’ll have lots more consultant spotlights, school spotlights, opportunity spotlights, and industry spotlights to help you get clear on who your ideal consultant on our team is for your grad school applications, which are the best schools for you to apply to, which opportunities you should be chasing, and which industries you should be learning more about before you get to campus.
If you are interested in having a free Breakthrough session with me and my team, I highly suggest you submit your Breakthrough application as soon as possible.
I’ll be attending two large conferences for grad school applicants this summer, and I anticipate the waiting list getting much longer than it is now. Get on the list so that you’ll be able to speak to us just in time for when you’re ready to start working on your applications!
Click here to sign up for a free Breakthrough call.
We look forward to speaking with you!
Kaneisha & The (growing!) Art of Applying Team
The post The Art of Applying Team is growing! appeared first on The Art of Applying.
June 8, 2017
School Spotlight: University of Chicago Booth School of Business
2017-2018 Application Deadlines:
Source: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/programs/full-time/admissions
Booth 2017-2018 Full-Time MBA Essay Questions:
NOTE: These are the questions from the 2016-2017 application season. We will post the new ones once they are available.
2016-2017 Chicago Booth Full-Time MBA Essay Question:
View this collection of shared Booth moments. Choose the moment that best resonates with you and tell us why.
Presentation/Essay Guidelines:
Choose the format that works for you. Want to illustrate your response visually? Submit a slide presentation. Like to express yourself with words? Write a traditional essay. Use the format that you feel best captures your response, the Admissions Committee has no preference.
Determine your own length. There is no prescribed minimum or maximum length. We trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be, but we recommend that you think strategically about how to best allocate the space.
Technical Guidelines:
File Size: Maximum file size is 16 MB.
Accepted Upload Formats: Acceptable formats are PDF, Word, and PowerPoint. We strongly recommend converting your piece to a PDF file prior to submitting.
Multimedia Restrictions: We will be viewing your submission electronically and in full color, but all submissions will be converted to PDF files, so animation, video, music, etc. will not translate over.
Optional Essay:
Is there any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? If so, please address in an optional essay. (300 words maximum)
Re-applicant Essay:
Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words maximum)
Source: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/programs/full-time/admissions/apply/essay-questions
Acceptance Rate & Key Statistics:
Key Statistics
Applicants: 4,169 (22% Admitted)
Full-Time MBA: 1,160 Students
Average GMAT: 719
Median GMAT: 720
Average Age: 28
Average Work Experience: 58 Months
Rolling Admissions: No
% Students who are Women: 35%
% Students who are International: 33%
Rankings
Bloomberg Businessweek: 2
U.S. News & World Report: 2
Financial Times: 8
Source: http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school/booth-school-of-business-university-of-chicago
Helpful Links:
Booth Insider blog
The Booth Experience (Booth student blog)
Booth Clear Admit Interview Reports
Our Consultant Jamal’s Experience at Booth
When and where did you attend grad school?
I attended The University of Chicago Booth School of Business from 2011-2013. As a native Chicagoan, attending Chicago Booth allowed me to experience my home town from a whole new perspective. Grad school allowed me to view Chicago through a business lens and appreciate the rich industrial, financial, and academic legacies of the city.
What inspired you to choose your degree and the particular school you attended?
I chose to pursue an MBA in order to change careers, fill in my knowledge gaps, and expand my network. I wanted to evolve past jobs on the operational side of investment firms, and launch a career as a stock analyst and portfolio manager. In addition, I choose an MBA to help me learn more about competitive strategy, entrepreneurship, and other areas where I lacked deep exposure.
I choose Chicago Booth because I wanted its quantitative rigor to sharpen my business math (never been my strongest suit). In addition, the economic and financial reputation of Chicago Booth seemed quite attractive to me as an aspiring investment manager.
What were your 2-4 favorite classes in grad school and why?
My favorite classes were New Venture Strategy, Entrepreneurial Selling, and Mergers & Acquisitions Accounting. Honestly, every single class I took was AWESOME!!! But, NVS gave me the confidence to seriously consider launching my own business. Entrepreneurial Selling taught me the drivers of revenue and was the first sales class that I’d ever taken. M&A Accounting was just good geeky fun.
What were your most important extracurricular activities while in grad school? Why?
Being a member of the Investment Club was a significant extracurricular during my first year. I suggest assuming a leadership position in student run organizations. For example, I organized a trek to visit hedge funds and money managers in London. Not only did this provide an opportunity to meet many students, I also met all of the recruiters and gatekeepers for internships.
Jamal at a Booth event with grad school classmates.
It often sounds like domestic and international travel is an important part of the grad school experience. Did you travel with your grad school classmates, and if so, where did you go and why?
Besides the London trek, I traveled to Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, and I did a quarter abroad in Japan. Soooo, yes, travel was an important part of the experience for me. All of those trips had an academic or career angle, and I never did a spring break or music festival trip just to lounge with classmates. BUT, I did attend the class ski trips.
If you could go back and tell yourself something at the beginning of your grad school experience, what would you tell yourself and why?
I would tell myself to trust the process and don’t worry about the outcome. There is no way to expound on this other than to say that the reward I receive will actually be awesome beyond my wildest dreams. The things I was so focused on getting (internships, accolades, job offers) pale in comparison to what I have actually ended up having 4 years after graduation. The funny thing is that myself at the beginning of grad school probably wouldn’t even believe the me that is typing this right now. What can I say…ask me a meta question, and I’ll give you a meta answer 
May 24, 2017
Consultant Spotlight: Elisa from Cornell Johnson School of Business and School of Industrial Labor Relations
Elisa has an MBA and Masters of Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell’s Johnson School of Business and Cornell’s School of Industrial Labor Relations. Elisa focused on Marketing during her MBA and Organizational Behavior during her time at ILR, combining her interests in consumer behavior and decision making in organizations. Both of Elisa’s internships during her studies were with IBM in HR in Sao Paolo, Brazil and Enterprise Sales in New York City. Shortly after graduation Elisa joined IBM in a rotational development program, gaining experience in HR, Marketing, and Finance. Elisa decided to leave IBM to join the startup world in 2014, where she worked as both a Director of Human Resources and Product Marketing Manager for two different artificial intelligence companies.
Prior to graduate school, Elisa worked for a human resources lobbying firm in Washington, DC. She went to undergraduate at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, where she majored in City Planning and Spanish. Elisa speaks 4 languages, loves travel and international cooking, horseback riding, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two dogs.
Our Interview with Elisa
What schools did you attend for undergrad and grad school?
I attending Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania for Undergraduate, where I studied City Planning and Spanish. For graduate school, I went to Cornell University for a dual degree. I received an MBA in Marketing from the Johnson School of Business and a Masters in Industrial Labor Relations from the school of Industrial Labor Relations.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Southbury, Connecticut, a small quiet town at the base of the Litchfield hills. It was a rural area so I grew up with my classmates. This is where I learned to love the outdoors and animals.
Today I live in Austin, Texas. By chance, I moved here for a job after graduate school. My husband and I loved it so much, we never left! We love the relaxed culture of the city and the summer heat.
What was your career like before grad school and what is it like now?
Before going to graduate school, I worked for a legal firm that lobbies for Corporate Human Resources legislation in Washington, DC. This job allowed me to experience policy creation from both business and legal perspectives. I worked on legislation for health care policy and disabilities acts.
Today I work for a marketing technology company in Customer Success. I work with other businesses to implement new trends in marketing using our technology. In both jobs I have to do a lot of research on my customer’s businesses and create strategies to make them successful.
What influenced you to go to grad school?
I traveled to South America during undergraduate school and noticed that economic success was directly related to investment in education and business. I decided then to pursue a career that would allow me to use business to impact education policy. I knew I had to learn more to pursue this goal. I applied exclusively to dual degree programs because I knew I needed a strong foundation in organizational psychology and business. Cornell ended up being the best fit for me because I could pursue graduate studies in both areas in two and a half years.
What was the most challenging part of the application process for you?
The most challenging part of the application process was the GMAT. I’m notoriously not a great standardized test taker so I knew had to work hard to overcome this challenge. I took the test 4 times and took a Princeton course to study. I also wrote all essays, including the optional to explain my score. I kept in close touch with the admissions team at more competitive schools to help improve my chances. This helped me get accepted to my #1 school.
Tell us one of your favorite memories from graduate school.
My favorite memory of graduate school was during my first year when I traveled with 40 classmates to visit different companies around New York and New Jersey. This was a great way to get to know classmates that were also specializing in marketing and learn about different types of companies, from consumer product to high tech. Meeting with marketing and product design firms influenced my interest in marketing and technology, which what I pursued professionally.
How long have you been with TAOA and what led you to join the team?
I joined TAOA in 2016 after speaking on a panel for women in MBA programs for Kaneisha. We were introduced through a mutual friend and I learned more about her mission. I’m excited to be helping others on their journey to graduate school!
Would you say you have any specialties when it comes to client work? If so, what are your specialties?
I specialize in those interested in MBAs and other business related grad schools. I love to list and I’m great at helping clients craft and tell their story. I am also a pro at editing resumes and essays.
What are three things you would want The Art of Applying’s clients and subscribers to know about you?
I’m a high energy, former Northeasterner. I am learning not to speak so quickly and am passionate about helping people.
I ask a lot of questions. I want you to tell your story in your own words, so I’ll encourage you to tell me details about your background.
I am highly committed. I follow through with what I promise and work hard.
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May 17, 2017
Consultant Spotlight: Marcus from Harvard Graduate School of Design
Marcus is a third year student at Harvard University’s Graduate School
of Design pursuing dual masters degrees in architecture (MArch I) and urban planning (MUP). Marcus was selected as one of twelve students from graduate schools across Greater Boston to receive the Rappaport Summer Public Policy Fellowship through Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. For his fellowship, Marcus worked with the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency supporting local economic development initiatives in the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities. Recently, Marcus was a finalist for the American Planning Association’s Daniel J. Curtin, Jr. Fellowship, and will be working with the APA’s Planning & Law Division during the academic year. At Harvard, Marcus is passionate about creating a more equitable built environment and has taken courses at Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard College.
Prior to entering Harvard, Marcus graduated from Swarthmore College with a bachelor’s of art degree. He majored in art history and minored in public policy. At Swarthmore, Marcus was a Philip Evans Scholar, selected as one of six students in his class to receive summer stipends and a merit-based academic award.
In his free time, he enjoys visiting art museums, going on long bike rides, and reading the news.
Our Interview with Marcus
What schools did you attend for undergrad and grad school?
I attending Swarthmore College and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Somerset, Massachusetts. I now live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
What was your career like before grad school and what is it like now?
I attended graduate school directly after college and am currently in my fourth year. I am studying architecture (M.Arch I) and urban planning (MUP).
What influenced you to go to grad school?
I knew I wanted to put my passion for physical making into a field that was also social and political. Through talking with friends and mentors, and finding externships and internships in college, I found architecture to be a good fit. I decided to apply for grad school the summer before my senior year as I liked being in school and knew that getting a master’s degree was a prerequisite to practice in the field. Once in grad school, I realized that I was also interested in larger scale questions so I added a master’s in urban planning. It was only one extra year of school to do it currently with my master’s in architecture.
What was the most challenging part of the application process for you?
The most challenging part for me was preparing my portfolio. Doing this required me to present my personal work in a way that told a story and showed my spatial thinking and reasoning skills. This was an iterative process and I went back and forth changing layouts and work to feature along the way. Getting feedback that wasn’t always positive was challenging, but it was important to reach out to people you knew would be honest and supportive.
Tell us one of your favorite memories from graduate school.
One of my favorite memories thus far was meeting Kanye West (and Kim) in a round circle discussion. I am currently Vice President of the GSD African American Student Union and during my first year, we reached out to Kanye to see if he would like to have a conversation with us about being black in the design world. He was in town one weekend for a concert and dropped by, met with us as a group, talked about his aspirations and challenges working as a black artist, and then bought most of the school tickets to his show at TD Garden. It was incredible to meet somebody so passionate about his work and to see him perform, both in the same day.
How long have you been with TAOA and what led you to join the team?
I have been with TAOA since March 2016. I have always been passionate about helping others climb the daunting ladder that is higher education. As a first-generation college student, I understand the obstacles that people like me face in gaining access to the world’s top universities. My background, along with the great team that comprises TAOA, led me to join as a consultant.
Would you say you have any specialties when it comes to client work? If so, what are your specialties?
My specialties are being able to listen to my clients and think about a question or issue from multiple angles. I think I am good at asking my clients critical questions about what motivates them, why they wrote something a certain way, and pointing them in the right direction. Having been in academia for nearly eight years now, I think I have a strong understanding of what makes a powerful application to grad school.
What are three things you would want The Art of Applying’s clients and subscribers to know about you?
I am a fraternal twin. Though I’m five inches shorter than my brother, I am older than him by 42 minutes so I have more authority.
I have discovered I have a great interest in traveling. Before college I had never left the country, but my education has taken me to three continents outside North America (South America, Europe, and Asia).
I did gymnastics (amongst other sports) while I was younger and can do a backflip with no hands.
Anything else you want to add?
Working with TAOA has been a great experience and I look forward to working with more clients in the near future!
TAOA Consultant, Courtesy of ChinaGSD
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May 10, 2017
Consultant Spotlight: Jamal from University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Jamal holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where his concentrations were finance and entrepreneurship. He is a 2011 Management Leadership for Tomorrow MBA Prep Fellow. At Chicago Booth, Jamal was a leading member of the Investment Management Club, the LGBT student group OUTreach, and Follies. He received a BBA from Howard University, where he majored in International Business, and minored in Finance and Japanese.
Jamal has worked at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he interned in portfolio management and worked full-time as a consultant to financial advisor clients. His roles included advising about asset allocation and strategic planning for business development.
Prior to business school, Jamal worked in Investment Management at William Blair & Company, where he managed trade orders for all domestic mutual funds and helped launch the firm’s separately managed accounts business. He has also worked at the Northern Trust Company where he performed a daily calculation of net asset value for defined contribution and defined benefit plans.
Jamal is a thirty-something Chicago native currently loving the weirdery of Austin, TX. After completing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, he moved to Austin as an investment professional. Jamal is now pursuing entrepreneurship fulltime – when not reading the Economist, interrogating philosophies, or loving chai lattes.
Our Interview with Jamal
What schools did you attend for undergrad and grad school?
I attended Howard University in Washington DC, where I majored in International Business and minored in Finance. For graduate school, I attended the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where I obtained an MBA. While a student at Howard, I also studied the Japanese language for three years—which came in handy when I did a graduate-level study abroad exchange in Tokyo, Japan.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago’s westside (North Ave. & Laramie were the cross streets). I lived in Chicago until I went away to undergrad, and then I returned to Chicago for my first job out of college. I stayed in Chicago all the way through graduate school. My grad school internship happened to be in Austin, TX. Luckily, I received a full time job offer and moved to Austin, TX after grad school. I always jokingly point out that I moved from Austin (neighborhood) to Austin (city).
What was your career like before grad school and what is it like now?
Prior to grad school I worked in Investment Management, and spent most of my time operationally implementing investment ideas or valuing portfolios for client reporting. I decided that I wanted to go to business school to focus on becoming an equity analyst and portfolio manager. While in business school, I interned in portfolio management and discovered a deep love for the profession. However, I also realized that I had strong interpersonal skills that might be underutilized in portfolio management. Therefore, I accepted a client facing role in Investment Management, which allowed me to speak with investment advisors about portfolio theory, asset allocation, and strategies for building their businesses.
What influenced you to go to grad school?
In my early 30’s, I was a relatively older applicant to business school. This is because I did not apply to grad school until I was very clear about why I wanted to go. One main influence was that all of the portfolio managers and analysts I knew had MBAs from really awesome schools. That observation was a strong signal for me. In addition, I realized that there were certain spreadsheet modeling skills, competitive strategy skills, forensic accounting skills, etc. that I simply did not have in my toolkit. It was this “North Star” indicator from those that I admired, coupled with an understanding of my own business deficiencies, that influenced me to go to grad school.
What was the most challenging part of the application process for you?
The most challenging part of the process seemed as if it was going to be my GMAT. However, I quickly found an awesome tutor and overcame my GMAT struggles. Finding my voice to tell my story about who I am and where I wanted to go turned out to be the most challenging part of the application process. I have a deep respect for the iterative process necessary for many people to truly be able to articulate who they are, what they have learned by doing, and where they’d like to go with the help of graduate school. Essay writing is HARD!
Tell us one of your favorite memories from graduate school.
B-School reminds me of a really great roller coaster. You board the ride, get strapped in, and then quickly accelerate—right out of the gate. My favorite moment was a trip that I took to Brazil with 10 other students. The trip is called a “Random Walk” and happens before classes even begin. It was the very first time I met these 10 other students. Sao Paulo, Paraty, and Rio De Janeiro are awesome places to sit back, grab a drink, and then go on some adventures with new friends.
How long have you been with TAOA and what led you to join the team?
I have been with TAOA since summer 2016. I was inspired to join by knowing the founder, Kaneisha Grayson, personally. Her passion for helping others achieve their dreams through the help of graduate school is infectious. I know how grad school changed my life, and I remember the struggles I encountered while applying. The Art of Applying affords me an opportunity to help others in the way that I was helped. I simply could not pass up that opportunity to “pay it forward.”
Would you say you have any specialties when it comes to client work? If so, what are your specialties?
My specialties are drawing out one’s personal story and helping one realize aspects of their story that they may undervalue. I think I do a good job at walking clients through a process of self-discovery via essay writing. It is always interesting for me to observe what is written in those very first essays and what is shared in my very first conversations with a client. There is often a disconnect between the client’s true accomplishments and personalities versus how they present themselves in those first essays. My specialty is closing that gap by helping clients integrate all aspects of their personalities into their essays and applications.
What are three things you would want The Art of Applying’s clients and subscribers to know about you?
I’ve Been There: GMAT struggles; 5th re-writes of essays; overwhelmed by school choices; debating whether to use a vacation day for a campus visit. I’ve been there. Wondering if I should go to a part time vs. full-time program; apply via the Consortium or apply directly to the schools; to go into banking or consulting, entrepreneurship or corporate life. I’ve been there.
The App Process Strengthens: If you can’t survive the application process, then you can’t survive business school. The process of applying strengthened me. It forced me to reach deep down inside and apply the same fortitude and rigor that I would find necessary to complete my coursework, to go out and party with my classmates, and then get up to take a midterm exam after a once-in-a-lifetime job interview.
Your App is my App: I want you in the school of your dreams. Therefore, I’ll be over here grinding for YOU!!! I’ll be working with you, personally. Therefore, I take your journey personally. Let’s work together to get you where you need to be!
Anything else you want to add?
The last thing I’ll add is a bit of tough love: Stop making excuses—believe in yourself!
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The post Consultant Spotlight: Jamal from University of Chicago Booth School of Business appeared first on The Art of Applying.
May 3, 2017
Consultant Spotlight: Karina from Harvard Kennedy School
Karina holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. At the Harvard Kennedy School, she was the recipient of the Center for International Development travel scholarship and the Women and Public Policy’s Roy Family Internship Program fellowship. She also co-chaired the International Bridge Builders Conference that convened grassroots leaders from developing countries to exchange experiences and gain skills.
Upon graduating from Tufts University in 2002, with a BA in International Relations, Magna Cum Laude and high thesis honors, Karina received the Samuel Huntington Public Service Award and spent one year developing the Esperanza Cultural Center in a shantytown in Santiago, Chile.
In 2008, when Karina completed her studies at the Harvard Kennedy School, she moved to Mexico and held leadership positions in diverse social change organizations dedicated to poverty alleviation. When she returned to the United States in 2012, she worked as a Program Associate at the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI), where she provided capacity-building services to the organization to strengthen its community impact programs. From 2013 to 2015, she was successively a fellow at We Are All Brooklyn and Council of Jewish Émigré Community Organizations (COJECO).
Currently, Karina is leading FXB USA, an international development organization, by developing a broad base of support for FXB programs, building a strong evidence base for FXB’s impact and expanding its presence in the U.S.
In her free time, Karina loves to spend her time with her two children.
Our Interview with Karina
What schools did you attend for undergrad and grad school?
I attended Tufts University from 1998 until 2002. I majored in International Relations with a focus on Latin America. I graduated with high thesis honors. Four years after completing my undergraduate studies, I enrolled at Harvard Kennedy School, where I received a Master in Public Policy with a concentration in Political and Economic Development.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born in Odessa, Ukraine in the former Soviet Union. I moved to the United States when I was eleven years old. My immigration experience deeply marked my personal and professional trajectories. Initially I struggled to adjust to a new life and culture in the United States. After having lived in the United States now for over a quarter of a century, I realize how privileged I am to have accessed opportunities to study at elite institutions, explore the world, and most importantly to be able to dedicate my life to doing what I love. I lived abroad for about five years. I spent one year in Santiago, Chile setting up a library in a shantytown. I lived in Mexico for four years where I worked in social development and explored the beautiful country and its cuisine. I now live in Brooklyn, NY and I feel very grounded in my community since I am raising children here. In 2014, I completed the We Are All Brooklyn Fellowship program in order to understand the challenges facing my community. I finally found a balance between being rooted in one place, focusing on my local community, while staying very connected to global development and affairs.
What was your career like before grad school and what is it like now?
Before graduate school, I was very set on always working for direct service non-profit organizations. I wanted to improve the lives of underserved communities and I believed that providing direct services was the most effective way to help people. I also had an opportunity to connect my Jewish identity to my passion for social justice at the Workmen’s Circle, a secular Jewish organization dedicated to progressive values. Since completing graduate school, I have a much deeper and nuanced understanding of the root causes of poverty and inequality and more effective tools such as advocacy and capacity building. I focused on acquiring diverse sectoral experience such as working for government, non-profit, and the private sector. I realized that my passion was strengthening the capacity of social change institutions to create transformative social change. I currently lead a US affiliate of an international development organization, defining its strategic direction, engaging in global development dialogue, and building a broad base of support in the United States for its poverty alleviation work in developing countries.
What influenced you to go to grad school?
I am passionate about eradicating poverty and inequality. After working directly with underserved communities, I felt that direct service work was not enough. I wanted to understand the systemic root causes of these issues so that I could make a greater and more lasting impact. Beyond seeking professional growth, I wanted to continue learning, to be surrounded by an intellectual and passionate community of peers, and access new learning opportunities.In graduate school, I gained a much more nuanced perspective on the issues of poverty and inequality, tools to effect change such as advocacy and capacity-building, and a deeper understanding of the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships. Beyond my academic and extracurricular experiences at Harvard Kennedy School, I actively sought additional learning experiences such as business plan project in New Orleans through the Harvard Business School and a negotiations course at Harvard Law School.
What was the most challenging part of the application process for you?
I have very diverse passions. I knew I loved helping people so I thought a degree in social work could be interesting. I also knew that I wanted to understand public policy in order to address systemic causes of poverty. I am also very passionate about global affairs, being an immigrant and having lived abroad. Therefore, I applied to three different master degree programs: Social Work, Public Policy, and International Affairs. I believe that I applied to over ten schools. The most challenging part of the application was tailoring my essays to the different degree programs, basically recounting the same personal trajectory but through a slightly different lens depending on the program. I was accepted to every graduate school that I applied to.
Tell us one of your favorite memories from graduate school.
Most people think about graduate school as a necessary step for professional growth, networking, higher salary, etc. In retrospect, my degree has given me so much more than just professional growth. The personal and professional network of peer and alumni from the Harvard Kennedy School is the most invaluable asset I take away from graduate school. I was constantly inspired by their commitment to public service, diverse professional backgrounds, and intellectual curiosity. My favorite memories include all of the times I spent with my classmates, whether working intensely on group projects, exchanging our perspectives on the high level Forum speakers, or planning our dance for the talent show. Almost nine years since graduation, I have very close friends I can turn to for support and a really wide network of professional peers in diverse sectors who are open and willing to collaborate on projects. (In 2015, I made a documentary about Soviet Jewish women during World War II with one of my classmates from Harvard Kennedy School.)
How long have you been with TAOA and what led you to join the team?
I have been with TAOA since September 2016. I remember feeling daunted during the application process for graduate school. I wanted to provide guidance and support that I believe would have been very helpful to me. I really enjoy editing essays and providing feedback so I knew I would have a lot of fun reading essays and guiding clients to craft essays that reflect both their professional ambitions and also their personal passions.
Would you say you have any specialties when it comes to client work? If so, what are your specialties?
My professional experience is mainly in non-profit organizations. I can guide clients on careers in non-profits. I have extensive experience in international development, having lived abroad. I can add value to clients who are seeking experience in international development. Since I lived in Ukraine and parts of Latin America, I can effectively guide European and Latin American clients.
What are three things you would want The Art of Applying’s clients and subscribers to know about you?
One is that the process of applying to over ten graduate schools gave me a much better sense of who I was and what I wanted to do in life. There is a silver lining during an otherwise stressful and uncertain time. Second is that my graduate school experience was transformative for both my personal and professional trajectories. Beyond gaining opportunities for professional advancement, graduate school will expose you to new perspectives and a really extensive network of professional peers. Third is that I definitely doubted myself on whether I really deserved to have an opportunity to study at Harvard. I later learned that many of us felt the same way. I would say to never doubt yourself and your passion for making the world a better place.
Anything else you want to add?
I love working with clients, understanding their stories and motivations, and helping them to craft and communicate a compelling narrative to the admissions committees.
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