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How to win a Scholarship
Merit scholarships are typically awarded on the basis of academic, athletic or artistic merit, in addition to special interests. Some merit scholarships also consider financial need, but rewarding talent is the primary objective.
In most cases the scholarship sponsor has a set of criteria they use to select the winners from among the qualified applicants. (This is in contrast to scholarship lotteries which select winners randomly.) So a key to winning a scholarship is to identify the sponsor's criteria and tailor your application to those criteria.
Sponsors can have a variety of goals in offering a scholarship.
Some companies offer scholarships as a form of community development, to invest in the future of the communities where they are based. Others offer scholarships to help retain current employees and recruit future employees. Colleges may offer scholarships to recruit a talented and diverse student body. Colleges may also offer scholarships in specific majors to encourage students to enroll in underrepresented majors (e.g., scholarships for women and minorities in science and engineering). Membership organizations tend to offer scholarships to promote their field or the mission of the organization. Other scholarships may be established to honor the memory of someone who has passed away, to provide a legacy that perpetuates his or her values.
The first step is to make sure you qualify for the scholarship.
If the application requirements specify that you must have a 3.7 or higher GPA and you have a 3.6 GPA, don't bother applying. Most scholarship sponsors receive so many qualified applications that they do not have the time to consider applications that fail to satisfy the requirements. You may be a wonderful and talented person, but if your application is not qualified, the selection committee is not going to look at it.
On the other hand, if you barely miss the application requirements, you should try to improve until you qualify. For example, if you have a 3.6 GPA and the award requires a 3.7 GPA to apply, you could try working hard in school to improve your grades until you achieve a 3.7 GPA. This is why it is worthwhile to search for scholarships as soon as possible. Many awards also have prerequisites, such as requiring a portfolio of your work or a project report, that can take time to prepare.
The FastWeb scholarship database will only show you awards that match your profile. FastWeb has the tightest match of any scholarship database, so you're less likely to waste time on awards for which you aren't qualified.
As noted previously, all scholarship sponsors receive more qualified applications than they have awards available. The most competitive scholarships have a selection ratio of 1 in 400. The least competitive awards have a selection ratio of 1 in 10. According to the 1999-2000 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, 6.9% of undergraduate students receive private sector scholarships, and the average amount received is $2,051. That means that your raw odds of winning a scholarship are 1 in 14.5.
But scholarship sponsors aren't going to give you money simply for breathing. They want to give money to the most talented qualified applicant. So to maximize your chances of winning the award, you need to identify the criteria they will use to select the winner. Sometimes the sponsor has published the criteria they use. Sometimes you have to critique your application from the sponsor's perspective.
It is important to remember that scholarship sponsors are evaluating applications, not applicants. You need to ensure that your application and the supporting materials contain all the relevant information the committee needs to evaluate your candidacy. The committee only knows what your application and your letters of recommendations tell it. Write an application that highlights the aspects of your background that match the sponsor's goals.
MBA Scholarships
The MBA is a massive financial investment. Just think about the cost of the course, which could be anything from about £10,000 up to near to £30,000 a year. Then there is the cost of living, which in reality is the same as the cost of going to work – what with your food and your travel and your mortgage or rent if you do not own a home in the city where you are studying. Then you have the cost of books, which can add up to near to £1,000 in the year or two that you are studying. You also have the cost of a laptop, which will make your life easier as you won’t be reliant on the computer systems at your business school, and there is software to get as well.
If you are taking a full-time course then you should also remember that you are foregoing your salary, which could be any amount after tax and is an opportunity cost of doing your degree. Even if you are taking a part-time course you still need to be able to pay for the course. You need to be able to fund all of this – and unless you have a lot of savings, can take out a good value loan, or have generous parents, then it will be difficult. This is why it’s very important to apply for scholarships.
Scholarships are basically awarded to those who are believed to be worthy of them. This is important to realize. Organizations who offer scholarships try their best to do so on merit. What they regard as merit can differ between organizations so it’s important for you to find out what the organization that you are applying to require in a “scholar”.
Searching for Scholarships
Start searching for scholarships at an earlier age. Most students don't start searching for scholarships until their senior year in high school. But there are many awards available for students in earlier grades, even junior high school.
You can't win if you don't apply. Even if you are extremely talented, your chances of winning any particular scholarship are low, since you are competing with many other equally talented applicants. To improve your odds of winning a scholarship, apply to more scholarship competitions.
Do not, however, apply for awards for which you do not qualify. It is a waste of your time. Scholarship sponsors receive far more qualified applications than they have awards available, so they are not going to look at any candidate that doesn't satisfy their criteria.
The main difference between colleges is not in the quality of the faculty or the quality of the facilities, but in the students. After all, Harvard and MIT graduate more PhDs than they can hire as faculty, so many less-well-known institutions have top notch faculty. Since you will be spending more time learning from your peers than inside a classroom, you should visit the school while classes are in session to get a feel for how well you will fit in. But if you like the atmosphere at the school and the school has a good program in your major, there's no reason why you shouldn't accept a full-tuition scholarship at your third choice school. This is especially true if you intend to go on to grad school, since nobody cares where you got your bachelor's degree when you have a PhD or MD.
Taking Your Internship
If you made the most of your internship, then you are ready to turn your experience into a catalyst for your future career. Many firms and organizations turn to their intern pools to recruit for entry-level positions. You can capitalize on this trend, not only by doing an outstanding job throughout your internship, but by following through with the following steps after your internship is complete.Assess your Experience:
While your internship experience is fresh in your mind, reflect on what you learned about yourself and the industry in which you worked. Evaluate the work environment and corporate culture. What do your conclusions tell you about your interest in the industry in which you worked or in the role in which you played?Update your Paperwork:
For your resume, craft a suitable paragraph that highlights your responsibilities and accomplishments as an intern. You can use some of your reflections as generated in the point above to steer you toward the duties that you most want to emphasize to future employers. If you need help integrating your new experience into your existing resume use printed and online resources to unify your draft.
Also, write your mentor or supervisor and request a letter of recommendation. In your request, you should include your updated resume as well as a cover sheet that illuminates the kinds of assessments you have made about your experience. Give your recommender as much material and insight as you can as to what you hope he or she will write about. The more reflection and effort you put into your request for a letter of recommendation, the better your letter will be.Pursue New Opportunities:
Use your internship as a springboard for your next career move. If the company you worked with is not hiring at the moment or you want to pursue a related but not identical internship opportunity, don't be afraid to ask your former colleagues for helpful advice. You might be surprised at how willing they might be to provide you with contacts either at competing firms or with clients doing the kind of work you are interested in. Always follow through with people who offer you their time, and remember that if you prove lazy or inconsistent with follow-through that your actions will reflect poorly upon the person who is helping you out. Always act professionally and value the network of which you are a part.
Internship strategy
Now that you have survived a competitive recruiting process and landed an internship in the field of your choice, your tendency might be to lean back and enjoy the ride. Nothing could be more certain to result in a disappointing experience for both you and your employer. While your role as an intern can be strictly or loosely defined, you should arrive at the doorstep of your internship with the attitude that you alone are responsible for making your internship an enjoyable and rewarding experience.Making the Most of Your Internship
Below are tips on how you can capitalize on your experience and make the most of your internship.Set Goals:
Before you accepted your internship you hopefully investigated the kind of work you would be doing and clarified your employer's expectations. With this information, you should set goals about what you hope to leave your internship having learned or done. Share your ambitions with the person or persons monitoring your work and monitor your progress toward this goal throughout your internship.Immerse Yourself:
Learn as much as you can about the industry or organization with which you are working. Read trade journals, interact with people in different departments, and throw yourself into your assignments. Go above and beyond the call of duty.Always Do Your Best Work:
Even when doing clerical work or rote tasks, do not complain or slack off. Keep in mind that your supervisors need to know you are capable of small things before they trust you with substantive tasks. Give all your work your best effort.Take Initiative:
Seek out opportunities to learn. Do the work you are assigned, but don't wait to be asked to participate in activities you find interesting. Ask questions and try to sit in on meetings where decisions are made. By learning about the context in which your work takes place, you have the opportunity to appreciate the role you play as well as become involved in special projects.Locate a Mentor:
In the early stages of your internship, find a mentor who is open to meeting with you on a regular basis. Try to have a standing lunch date every other Friday, for example. Ideally, this person is the one who is monitoring your work, but you might choose someone who happens to be engaged in interesting work or expresses special interest in enriching your experience. Ask this person questions about his or her career and what makes them excited to be working for the firm or organization.Be Professional:
Dress appropriately for work and arrive on time. Observe how colleagues interact with each other, but be respectful of your place as an intern. Be sensitive to the fact that administrative staff or other entry-level employees might resent that you appear to have "leapfrogged" over them. Do not gossip about coworkers, play office politics, or conduct personal business on company time or with company resources, even if you see others engaged in that behavior. Even in moments of stress, maintain a positive attitude.Reflect on your Experience:
Throughout your internship reflect on what you are observing and doing. Are you meeting your goals? Analyze what you like or dislike about the work you are doing. Are you excited about the industry or function you are performing? Does this work suit your talent and temperament? Assess how your internship has impacted your career goals. Where do you want to go from here?
Internship application
Just as there are an infinite variety of internships, there are an infinite variety of application processes. Each firm or organization will have a unique deadline, specific requirements, and expectations for follow-through. For example, while most internships will require a resume and cover letter, others will request writing samples, transcripts, or recommendations. Painstakingly follow instructions. You can make your application stand out by following the advice below.Cover Letter:
Your efforts should be concise and well-organized. Keep in mind that cover letters for internships should be limited to one page and follow the standard four paragraph format of 1) stating your purpose for writing in plain language 2) explaining how your education, work history or unique background will allow you to make a substantive contribution to the position 3) describing your plan for action : interest in an interview or what you will do to follow through 4) a concise sincere sentence that thanks the recruiter or firm for considering your letter. If you are unsure of the tone or style of a cover letter, consult resources dedicated to the writing of cover letters for specific guidance. No matter what, do not write a single, generic cover letter and use it for all of your applications. Tailor your entire letter, especially the section where you discuss your background and experience, so that your letter is original and convincing.
Be Certain Your Information is Accurate and Up-to-Date: Nothing can hurt an otherwise strong cover letter more than misspelling the recruiter's name or addressing it to someone who left the company five years ago. If the information you have is from a "bible" published several years ago, look up the firm online, or call the recruiting office, if appropriate. Details Matter.
More about the covering letterResume:
Choose a resume format and content that complement your choice of internship. For example, if you are applying for an internship with a think-tank, your academic work should have more visual emphasis and textural detail than your experience volunteering with the homeless. On the other hand, if you are applying for an internship with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, your volunteer experience should have more prominence. Again, tailor your resume so that the person reading it leaves your resume convinced that your experiences have clearly led you for the particular internship being offered. In addition, edit your resume carefully. Sloppy resumes and those with grammatical errors are rarely taken seriously. How to write a resumeStay Organized:
Too many applicants send out an armload of internship applications but don't keep track of what they mailed or what they promised recruiters at each organization they would do (follow through with a phone call, request an interview, etc., ). Set aside time each week, say Tuesday afternoon, where you flip through the materials you mailed, make phone calls, or otherwise refresh your memory of what you expected to have happened at that particular point in the process. While formal, competitive programs often have a "don't call us-we'll call you" approach, internships at local business or those in the public sector often appreciate an appropriately-timed and thoughtful follow-up letter or phone call. If you have focused your internship search in a particular area, you might use a follow-up contact to inform the recruiter that you will be in the area on specific dates and you were hoping to schedule an interview or visit the firm. While you should always be prudent when making unsolicited contact with potential firms, don't be afraid to make one discreet call or send a follow-up letter as long as that action does not directly contradict the firm's instructions to you.Interview:
If you are asked to give an interview, whether it is in-person or over the phone, prepare for the kinds of questions you can be sure you will be asked. For example, I guarantee you will be asked, "Why are you interested in completing an internship with us?" Have answers prepared for basic questions. Do some homework on the company or organization, not only to impress the interviewer with your knowledge, but to guide the conversation toward your particular interests. If you can leave your conversation with a sense of whether the organization is going to offer you the kind of work you are interested in, then you will have acquired valuable insight into whether you should accept the internship if it is offered. Interview preparation tipsFollow Through:
If you interview, particularly if your interview in person, send out a thank-you note right away. You don't need to be grandiloquent, but thank the interviewer for his or her time, mention something you learned in the interview, and confirm your interest in the internship. Candidates who express sincere interest and demonstrate the ability to follow through are the ones who succeed. Read more about follow-up
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Advice seeking a job
Locating your MBA Internship
Because internships can take on so many guises-from the formal to the informal, the paid to the unpaid-finding the one that is right for you might seem like a Herculean task. The possibilities seem, and nearly are, endless. Many potential interns begin the process feeling overwhelmed as they try to prioritize their search in terms of interest, function, location, prestige, amenities, hours, and pay. The article below will guide you through the thought process and steps characteristic of a successful internship search.Your First Step : Reflection
My first recommendation is to forgo centering your search on the eye-catching but superficial qualities of prestige, amenities, hours, and pay. Instead, concentrate on the opportunity to perform substantive work in a field of choice. Undergraduates in particular, often don't give enough consideration to what field really interests them. They prefer instead to apply to a range of internships, usually those listed in popular internship "bibles," because they believe that practically any internship with a large company in a metropolitan area will provide them with "direction" and a valuable, marketable experience.
While internship bibles and guides can play an important role in locating an internship that fits your unique ambitions and character, you can make the most of your internship search by first thinking carefully about your ambitions and goals. This kind of reflection will often narrow your search considerably. For example, instead of applying for every paid internship with every company you can find, you might apply only to advertising firms. Likewise, if you are interested in the public sector, instead of applying to every prominent foundation and organization, you might apply only to those focusing on election reform. Thinking about your goals BEFORE you begin your internship search will give you the confidence not to waste time and energy seeking internships in which you have no genuine interest.Starting the Search : Survey the Scene
Once you have narrowed your search to a particular field (health care policy) or function (accounting), survey the scene. Visit a local bookstore or library and dedicate an afternoon to looking through internship directories, or "bibles." Publications like The Internship Bible, America's Top Internships, The National Directory of Internships, and Peterson's Internships, are valuable because they offer you an opportunity to scan internships by field and-or location. You might also pull books off the shelves that refer to careers in your area of interest. Sometimes, internship information is included in these books. Even if it isn't, you might, for example, walk away with a list of companies doing advertising work for record labels. Take notes on possibilities that pique your interest, but use this exercise to give your search a foundation, not a conclusion.
You might also survey the scene online by visiting prominent internship sites like WetFeet.com and MonsterTrak.com (formerly JobTrak). These sites will offer you up-to-date information about internship opportunities and will be more comprehensive than printed guides, which often focus on prominent and established programs rather than on start-ups, non-profits, and small businesses.Going the Distance : Networking
Once you have an idea of what opportunities are available, your work begins in earnest. Unless you are interested in a very narrow field, you probably have a variety of programs and opportunities to choose from. Networking can help you uncover hidden gems and narrow the programs to which you will apply.
Networking, while the word sounds formal, can be nothing more than asking professors and peers about their experiences and recommendations. Asking for advice from a career counselor at your school or attending a job fair is an obvious place to start, but few internship seekers branch out to network with the people who are most familiar to them: parents, older siblings, fellow alumni, roommates, and friends of friends. If you are currently enrolled at an academic institution, consult professors, section leaders, and researchers affiliated with programs close to your field. You might be surprised how eager people are to talk with you and offer you advice.
You should also mention your internship search when striking up conversations. Informal dialogues have the distinction of being the most overlooked (and the most fertile) avenue for internship seekers. For example, you might find out that a friend's parent works at a prominent think-tank and is looking for a summer research assistant. Your friend will not only be able to put you in direct contact with his parent, but provide the "personal touch" that often makes all the difference. Likewise, the gentleman in the suit seated next to you on your flight home for Spring Break with the WSJ logo on his carry-on might be able to hook you up with the internship of your dreams! Share the fact you are searching with everyone you meet.
Networking offers you the opportunity not only to get the inside scoop on prominent internships, but to discover internships that you didn't even know existed.Improvisation : Internships Out-of-the-Box
While "bibles"tell you what internships are the most popular and networking will alert you to unpublicized internship opportunities, these avenues still overlook a source of incredibly rewarding internships: those that are intern-initiated. For those willing to think outside of the box, the rewards can be staggering.
By "intern-initiated," I mean that you should not limit your search simply to programs that exist. Although intern-initiated internships are often unpaid, they often reap greater dividends in terms of experience and "fit" because you, yourself, shaped the parameters of your experience.
If, in the course of your research, you come across organizations or companies that capture your interest, approach them and offer your skills and time in exchange for your ability to learn more about their work. You might offer the firm evidence that you have particular experiences or values that the firm can use. Consider proposing a specific project or area of interest that you would like to pursue. Be transparent about what you hope to gain from your internship and talk about what you hope to learn from your time with the firm. The fact that you are there to learn, as well as to work, distinguishes you (particularly in the public sector) from someone who is merely volunteering their time.
If you aren't sure how you would arrive at ideas for intern-initiated internships, you might just start reading trade journals in your area of interest and keep your eyes open as you go through your daily routine. Reading about your industry, for example, will not only give you a sense of where your ambitions might be headed, but it will offer you the names of companies that are doing cutting-edge work, or that are active in your area. If the company has exciting entry-level positions, you might approach them with an internship proposal that might train you for those positions. Similarly, if you live and work in Los Angeles and happen to read an article in the Los Angeles Times about how the mayor is starting a civil rights commission, you might approach the mayor's office and ask for the staff member in charge of the commission. You might explain how you have a special interest in civil rights, are bilingual, and are writing your senior thesis on police brutality. Could you observe the commission at work and do outreach into the Hispanic community? They answer might just be, "Yes."
Once you open your mind to the possibilities of an intern-initiated experience, chances are you will be pursuing at least one or two opportunities that you have come up with entirely on your own.Narrowing the Field : Before You Apply
If you have done your homework well, you will have a number of opportunities before you. Most likely you will have several "piles" of information: the formal internship programs that are widely published and have firm deadlines and requirements; internships you located online some of which you have detailed information and others for which you need to place calls; information on companies or organizations with whom you are interested in working but have to formal internship program; and a stack of business cards, cocktail napkins, and email that are a result of your "networking."
Narrow your search by combing through this material and making decisions about which opportunities to pursue. Recenter your thought process on the opportunity to perform substantive work in a field of choice. Even if your interests have shifted since you began the process, try to stay focused on what internships offer you the best opportunity to do the kind of work you are most interested in doing.
This is also the time to begin factoring in components like location and pay, if you haven't done so already. Be honest about where you want to be and whether you can afford to work for free. Remember to explore options like living at home, taking out a loan, or obtaining funding from an outside source. If the work you are interested in doesn't pay or isn't in New York City, but you are committed to that work, then sacrifices might be in order. Maybe living at home in the suburbs but commuting into downtown is an acceptable compromise.
If you refuse to work in the Midwest, however, don't apply for an internship in Milwaukee no matter how great the internship sounds. This comment might seem obvious, but so many internship seekers apply to internships they would never accept unless it was a "last resort." Many applicants also harbor the mistaken impression that internships that they are less interested in (those that are in less desirable locations or that don't pay), are somehow "easier" to get. The result is that seekers spread themselves too thin and don't end up following through. Keep in mind that most internships are equally competitive. Just because you don't really want to work in Des Moines doesn't mean that there aren't lots of people who do (and who will show up for an in-person interview!)
Sort through your piles and create a single, manageable pile of internships that you would actually accept if they were offered to you. Begin to gather all the information you will need to apply to those internships. For companies that you are interested in, but which you are not sure offer internships, find a phone number or an email address for a recruiter and make contact. If you don't get through or don't get a response, keep trying. Make sure you have a list of deadlines, qualifications, and required materials. Complete your research early. Your foresight will ensure that when you sit down to actually apply that you have all the information you need.
Good Luck!
Introduction to MBA internship
Only a few short years ago, the "new" economy was booming. College graduates and those holding professional degrees enjoyed a host of employers seeking their talents. From investment banking and blue chips to non-profits and start-ups, opportunity was everywhere.
No longer. Today, top jobs across all industries and functional capacities have dwindled to a trickle. The recruiting process has become increasingly competitive and candidates need more initiative and tenacity than ever to land the job of their choice. How can you get your foot in the door?An internship.
But what is an internship? Do you get paid? Do you volunteer? Do you perform substantive work? Or do you fetch coffee?
It depends. With so many internships out there, an internship can be practically any experience that combines learning with hands-on activity. Interns for members of Congress might do clerical work for free (or for college credit) ten hours a week, while college juniors who intern for P&G are full-time, paid members of a professional team. Interns earning their graduate degrees in law or business might "train" for an employment opportunity after graduation. In other words, internships can be paid or unpaid, full- or part-time, and short- or long-term. Internships can be formal programs with lengthy application procedures or informal opportunities that you seek out. No matter what, an internship offers you the opportunity to acquire practical skills in a structured environment.
As an intern, your environment should be characterized by the chance to: bond with a mentor; attend organizational meetings; shadow staff working in various functions; perform research or analysis; take ownership of a specific project; and receive training specific to your field of interest.
The extent to which your internship will offer you a defined role depends on the organization with which you work. Some companies have rigidly structured, long-standing programs for interns, while others, particularly small firms or organizations in the public sector, might offer you an incredible amount of self-determination.
Regardless of how structured your role might be, internships offer you a chance to explore a potential career without having to make a long-term, life decision. By actually participating in a field that interests you, you not only have the opportunity to "get your foot in the door," you also acquire practical skills and make valuable contacts. Even if you learn via your internship that you would never enter that particular career or corporation, you have learned something of immense value. Far too many bright and ambitious individuals earn graduate degrees or commit themselves to a career before even taking their interest for a test-drive.
By completing an internship, you have the chance to gauge how reality measures up to your expectations. Not every internship will provide you with a solution to your career search, but even if your internship doesn't "work out" in the traditional sense, the skills you acquired and the contacts you made will offer you resources with which to pursue your next step. No matter what, introducing yourself to the internship can significantly advance your search for a rewarding career.
MBA Internships
The internship, which full-time MBA students typically do after their first year in business school, can be very important in shaping your career path. Strategizing now about what kind of internship you will want is just one more way of preparing yourself for success in your MBA program and your post-MBA career.
The Graduate Management Admission Council® recently surveyed 690 companies worldwide who hire MBAs. Of the companies that hire MBA interns (62% of those surveyed), roughly three-quarters (74%) said that when they seek to hire new employees, they first interview people who have done MBA internships with them, and then open the field to other candidates. The typical company reported that half its new MBA hires in 2003 would come from its 2002 internship pool.MBA Internships Help Grads Get ahead in the Job Market
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MBA job search
| Aftercollege.com Comprehensive career center that includes resume postings and job listings. Career.com Search for job, post resume, see listings by new posting, hot job, etc. Careermag.com Job database that provides access to jobs by industry and links to other job board and resources such as career fairs. CareerPath.com Comprehensive job database that provides access to help wanted ads from newspapers around the country. CareerSite Comprehensive job database that provides access to help wanted ads from newspapers around the country. Careers.wsj.com Find career and job information, plus thousands of searchable listings of technical, professional and management positions. Diversityevents.com Provides job postings, professional organizations, career and business information for women and minorities. Employer's Direct List of employers who have advertised job opportunities on their web servers. Fincareer International and US opportunities for both current MBA students and alumni. Headhunter.net Search for job postings across US and post resume. Hot Jobs Provides direct access to postings of job openings from some of the world's top companies. | Internet Career Options Jobs, post resumes, international search and links Internet Job Locator One stop career center with job listings by region and industry. Resume posting databanks, job fairs and job-search site. Job Options Job search, post resumes, salary calculator, and other career resources. Jobs.com Job search, post resumes, and job e-mail service. Job Star A California job search resource focusing on four major metropolitan areas within California Job Web One stop career center with job listings by region and industry. Resume posting databanks, job fairs and job-search site. Monster Board Search job postings of some of the largest companies worldwide. Rebecca Smith's eResumes and Resources Electronic Job Search Guide provides links to resume databanks, job databases and career-related book reviews. Topmba.com Publishers of the MBA Career Guide, topmba.com has a database of several hundred MBA recruiters, job listings, and e-commerce seminars in 20 different countries. Yahoo Classifieds Search jobs by location, function, company, job title or keywords. Euphony Human Resources - A Pioneer in Recruitment Solutions Euphony Human Resources provides Recruitment Solutions to IT, ITES & Healthcare Companies in US, Canada & India, with its unique assessment methodologies. |
Managing your career
Your career should not just be allowed to happen . You need to manage it - just as you would manage anything else which is important.
As an MBA program participant/recent MBA graduate - you are inevitably at an important career decision stage. A positive and clear view about your future career must be the background against which you make any immediate job decisions.
This is a complex and very personal subject - but here are some general points. Get further information /help/advice - if you think you need it.
There are some basic things to consider - Self Assessment, Career Tactics, Personal Development and Scanning.Know yourself
Career Tactics
In general people who feel that they are in the right career- aim to develop their career in a ‘linear’ manner - step by step onwards and upwards. However if you feel that you are in the wrong career - don’t hang around for your world to get better - get yourself into a better situation - you will need to take the risk to get the right opportunities - they will not come to you.Self Development
Your development is your responsibility - not someone elses. As a manager your professional development is what you do for yourself - not what someone does to you. You need to make it happen. But remember development is not just about taking courses like your MBA - it is about benefiting from experience. The most important and influential thing you can do for yourself is to equip yourself to recognise formative/developmental experiences and to be equipped to benefit from them. Try to manage your career such that you are regularly faced with new experiences. - consistent of course with being able to cope and being seen to succeed. Scanning
Keep looking around yourself. Benchmark yourself against people you know - eg your contemporaries - and for this (and many other reasons) keep in touch with them and meet regularly. Look for opportunities - and let it be known that you welcome them. Don’t set your sights any lower than the people who you consider to be your equals.
Be prepared to take risks - especially in the early part of your career.Tips-
Negotiating the deal
If you are ‘in line’ for or have been offered a top job - or a very distinctive one - you may find your self in a negotiating position on matters such as salary.Here are some guidelines and tips-
Letters of recommendation
At some stage you will need to give the names of some people who will provide references on you. In general you need not give the names until you are asked for them - but you do need to give some thought to the matter before you get to that stage.
References tend to be required
1) prior to the final interview and are used as evidence in the selection decision- or
2) after the interview, and are used as final clearance of a person to whom it has already been decided to offer a job. A referee will be expected to provide different types of information – depending on at what stage the information is requested.Guidelines and Tips-
The covering letter
Always send a covering letter with your Resume/CV.Guidelines –
Always prepare an original letter – never use a standard one.
Make it specific to the job for which you are applying, refer to the job title and quote any reference numbers and advertisement details (source and date).
Make sure your letter serves a purpose – ie it is not just a cover sheet for your Resume/CV.
It should say briefly –
why you are applying for the job.
why you think you are well suited for it and
what sort of person you are.Tips writing your cover letter-
Executive search & Recuitment Search
This is only likely to be relevant to you if you are in line for the higher management positions, have rare skills, might be regarded as a rapidly rising star or are a scarce commodity in an area with major management shortages - (eg a well educated and experienced manager in a developing economy).
If you are in such a situation you might consider putting yourself in the hands of a search organization.
If you are not - they are not likely to be interested in you - and will probably tell you that they only recruit against specific vacancies!
Top level jobs are not easy to find by yourself. Whilst they might be advertised, there will often be a search organization behind the vacancy. Unless you know them and they you - you will be an outsider. Its a good idea in these situations to get onto the books of a search/recruitment company. Do so as soon as you can, even if you are currently doing your MBA - as these processes often take a long time -and the right job will wait for the right appointee.
So, if you are a rare person, get known by a Recruitment/Search consultant. If you aim to select one -and have the time to meet a few - here’s what to look out for:
Once you are with such an organization - make sure that you are benefiting. If you are not impressed by the first opportunity they set up -let them know .If you are unimpressed by the second - then go somewhere else -as they have probably not got the measure of you - and/or don’t work at your level or in your field.
Getting known by Search companies is not like applying for an advertised job. Look to see who is advertising jobs in your area/at your level. Pick two or three at most and contact them . Send them something very brief and in the covering letter tell them that you are going to phone them in two or three days. Make the written material very achievement oriented - what you have done and what you aim to do. Don’t place too much emphasis on the fact that you are doing an MBA - they are unlikely to value it as much as you do. Your document needs to grab the attention - so put all the major points in an opening paragraph. This should show what benefit you will bring to an organization. Don’t load the document with your qualifications - but load it with names - people you have worked with and for.
A couple of days later - phone them and ask what they think. Don’t let them bluff you. Tell them neither you nor they have time to waste and so you want to know what category they are going to put to you in-
You should reject 4, and 2 also unless this is the response you have had from several such organizations.
If it is category 1 - get more details.
If category 3 fix a deadline for when they will get back to you.
Test & Assessments
Some organizations use some form of test as part of their selection process. This is more likely to be the case when many people are applying for a number of similar jobs - eg as Consultants, but it can be the practice in some organizations for choosing a candidate for a single job. Such tests might be concerned with assessing Skills/Abilities and Aptitudes, or Personality.
The former will most often be used to assess suitability for as particular job - they may be used to narrow down a long list of applicants.
The latter can also be used to choose from between many candidates - but also to assess the match of an individual to a particular job situation - and could be used towards the end of a selection process.
Personality test rarely assess only personality but more usually managerial or leadership style, behavioural traits etc.
There are only a few situations in which preparation for a test is worthwhile. Personality test, test of managerial/leadership style, behavioural traits etc - will show you as you are. There is no point in trying to appear different. There are no right and no wrong answers. You cannot really prepare for them.
On the other hand tests which have an intelligence component, as well as tests of numerical and verbal reasoning and some aptitude tests do have right and wrong answers -so these you can get ready for. It helps therefore to know what you might be expected to take. If you cannot find out - do some preparation in any case.Tips-
Assessment Centres
Assessments are also used by many organizations as part of a selection process. Generally this will consist of one or more exercises or simulations. The intention will be to simulate the situation of the job or the business unless this requires industry/business specific knowledge - in which a quite different exercise may be used > Such assessments might be individual or undertaken in groups. If the latter there will usually be observers who amongst other things will be looking at your interpersonal/group related behaviour.Tips-
The Interview
This is the ‘make or break’ stage. Its also the most demanding and potentially the most difficult.
There are three stages – Preparation, Performance and Follow up.
Preparation
Guidelines-
You must research the organization, the job and if possible the person who will interview you.You should also research the industry/sector in which then organization operates.
You should practice before the interview.
Tips for an interview-
- Do your research on the organization as you did when you were considering where to apply - but do much more and do some of it again – things will have changed. Update you file/dossier.
- Get both objective and subjective information.
- Get up-to-date information – eg from the press. Read the main sources of info right up to the time you have the interview ( up to date ‘snippets’ will impress at the interview).
- Get a friend to simulate the interview with you before you go – ie to ask you some questions ( see below).
- Set yourself some goals for the interview – eg some key points you want to get across.
- Re read your Covering letter and Resume before, and take them with you.
- What are you reading at present?
(Say you have read XX books on your Program. Say what papers/journals you read regularly. Say that for leisure – when you have time – you read ‘whatever’). Where do you want to be in X years? - What are your strengths?
(Don’t be vague. Link your strengths to your achievements. If necessary refer to generic things such as energy, commitment, ambition, resilience, determination, adaptability – but don’t produce a long list). - What are your weaknesses?
(Have some minor ones to refer to – but do not bare your soul. Don’t go into detail unless you a have to. Don’t elaborate. Make sure the weaknesses will not be seen as disadvantages in the job. Be prepared for the questions - how important are they and what are you going to do about them? Say its important that people recognise their weaknesses – then they can do something about them. Say you will expect to continue to develop and learn from your experiences. Don’t give the impression that you will want to go on lots of courses). - Why do you want this job?
(Refer to what you think you can achieve - and what it can do for you). - Why should we hire you?
(Say that the only reason you want them to hire you is that they believe you are the best person for the job). - Give me three recent major achievements
(Have this answer ready – but give the impression of having to think back – then give the examples. Be specific – say what you achieved and in what circumstances and with what obstacles. Say why you were pleased with what you did). - What is your management style?
(It probably does not matter what your style is – providing you have one. The question is probably to see what you know about yourself. Don’t use jargon. Don’t quote text books. If you feel that the organization has a particular style/culture – describe yourself in a way that will fit. Use general terms - eg your openness, energy etc. Avoid phrases like ‘lead from the front’. Don’t describe yourself in an inappropriate way. For example if you are in for a middle management job – don’t refer to your strategic thinking.). - What do you know about this organization?
(Tell them you have done your research – point to your file/dossier). - What do you look for when you hire people?
(If you have experience of this refer to specific situations . Make the point that different types of people do well in different types of role. Don’t give the impression that you only value people like yourself. Refer to generic things – ambition, energy, commitment, flexibility ). - How would someone you know describe you?
(Again mention some of the characteristics you have used to describe yourself before but add two or three personal things – eg – sense of humour, supportiveness etc). - How do you spend your spare time?
(If you are currently doing an MBA – say you have no spare time. If you would normally do any of the following- mention them – sport or other things to keep you fit, Culture, community work ). - What makes a job enjoyable for you?
(Refer to evident achievement, personal development, the people you work/interact with and being associated with a respected an successful organiszation). - Why are you doing/did you do an MBA?
(Speak briefly about the need for challenge, the benefits of working with different people, the importance of a rigorous approach, personal development etc. Don’t give the impression that the MBA gives you answers – but rather that it develops your confidence etc).
(Be ambitious but realistic. Refer to continual development. Don’t give the impressions that you will be difficult to satisfy/handle/manage).
Performance
Guidelines-
You should be yourself in the interview – don’t pretend, don’t try to be someone different.You should try to be relaxed – but not casual.
Tips-
- Dress smart and formal.
- Be spontaneous – don’t try to have scripted answers.
- Try not to appear nervous or shy – remember – if you have got this far the organization is interested in you.
- Be the first to say ‘hello’ when you go in.
- Take you file/dossier – don’t spread it out on the desk but let it be seen.
- Don’t be presumptious – Don’t refer to ‘we’ as if you were a part of the organization already.
- If given the opportunity to ask questions – ask one at most. Make it simple and have it ready. Don’t pull out a long list.
- Watch for non verbal cues, make eye contact, lean forward, look interested, be enthusiastic.
- Ask for clarification of any question you do not understand.
- Don’t be critical of a previous employer or person.
Salary Questions-
Don’t get into a lengthy discussion about money. Attempt to postpone a discussion on salary till a later stage – ‘when you would have a better understanding of the requirements of the job’ etc. If necessary -ask what the normal/expected salary range is for the job.However – be clear about your previous salary and have a salary range in mind for this job – eg ‘ I believe that the normal salary range for the type of job I understand to be available would be -----‘
Follow up
Always follow up the interview irrespective of how it ended. Write to/Email the person who interviewed you within 24 hours (letter) or 48 hours (E mail). Try to choose the method of communication to suit the company- (use E mail if they have E mailed you or if they have given you an E mail address). Be sure to have the right name and job title.Tips-
- Be brief and polite.
- Don’t appear ‘pushy’ or impatient.
- Thank them for the interview.
- Don’t send multiple , identical notes – if you were interviewed by more than one person – send one to the person who was in charge.
- If you were not rejected on the day – say that you will be happy to provide any further information that might be required.
Your Resume / CV
Your Resume or Curriculum Vitae will be the most important document you will prepare in your search for a job – it’s worth spending some time to get it right.
Here are some general guidelines – then some specific tipsGuidelines-
Write, or at least tailor it, for a specific job if possible.
Do a draft then develop it. Show it to people and ask them what it says about you and how clearly it says it.
Start early – well before the time to make applications. (Your CV will not change very much during your program – excepting that you may wish to list any electives you decide to take in your program, and you will have lots of things that must be done later).
Make it a good looking document – check all spelling, grammar, syntax, layout etc. and do not use fancy designs, clipart or humour.
Tell it ‘like it is’ – don’t exaggerate, lie or conceal anything, and don’t be vague.
The more senior the position that you are applying for – the more details you will be expected to provide.
Follow any specific instructions – don’t send standard CVs.
Write it yourself- don’t get someone else to do it for you.
Always send your Resume/CV with a covering letter – and be clear about the purpose of each ( see section on Covering Letters).
Give basic details of your last salary – only if recent and relevant.Tips writing your resume-
Electronic Resumes/CVs.
Some organizations will allow you to send Resumes/CVs electronically. Always check before you do so.Guidelines-
Send your Covering letter electronically also.
Put both the Covering letter and the Resume as a single document.
Don’t send either as attachments – they may never be opened.
Send a hard copy of both as follow up.Tips-
Faxes
Never send your Resume/CV or letter by fax - unless you are specifically asked to do so.
Choosing a job
When, Where and What?
There are two general things to think about at this stage your career path and the next job. Before you decide which job or jobs to apply for, you should have given some thought to your career path. There is a special section on this in these advice pages. We suggest that you look there now or soon.
For what follows here we assume that you now have decided what type of job in what type of organisation will fit your career intentions. The issues for you now are to do with specifics in particular when? where? and what?When to apply?
Put your details on this site as soon as you can - and get some control over your job seeking process and schedule.
However if you are near the start of an MBA program don’t start applying for specific jobs straight away.
Few organizations will offer you a job to take up at a much later date so apply when you are well into your MBA program.
If your School organizes recruitment ‘fairs’ then find out when recruiters from organizations will be visiting your School and make sure you apply for any specific jobs that you are interested in before these begin.
As a general rule the end of your program should be ‘in sight’ before you start applying - as organizations will want to know how your have been getting on with your program- eg your average grades etc and they may want to get references on you from the School so you need to have been there long enough for people to have got to know you. Generally - 6 months form the end of your program is about the right time to start applying.
TIPS -Where to apply?
You need to research the organizations that are potentially of interest to you. Not only is this necessary at this stage but it is essential also in preparation for any applications and subsequent interviews.
Start this process early - there will be lots of other things that you need to do later.
Look at the organizations on this site. Use this as your starting point - because these are the organizations that are interested in people like you. Also look at local/national papers and business magazines to find organizations that might be of interest to you - not only the ones that are advertising for staff - but also those with general advertisements.
Now do your research.
Your potential sources of information include the following-
Some of the things you may be aiming to find out during this search - of value in making your choice as well as in preparation for any interview may include -
Location(s).
Ownership.
Size.
Growth and profitability record- eg in comparison to their business sector.
Background of senior staff - eg do they have an MBA and where from?.
Human Resource policy/practices - eg any management development programs.
TIPS -What to apply for?
Often you will have to decide what job, or what type of job, to apply for in the organization you have chosen. However, if you have little or no work experience this may not be the case - an organization will probably consider taking you on to give you some initial training etc before they or you decide in what part of the organization to work. So you can skip this stage.
If you have a choice to make - we are back to considerations of your career path. In thinking about your career you will have assessed your strengths and weaknesses.
You will want to be able to use your strengths in the job - but will know that you are unlikely to develop your career unless you also have the opportunity to learn new skills -and perhaps rectify some weaknesses. So your choice of what to apply for will be influenced by your desire to strike a balance between familiarity and challenge. You will also be wanting to ensure some ‘linear’ direction to your career - so unless you have been totally unhappy with any earlier job, or unless you have chosen to take an MBA in order to change the direction of your career - your new job choice will be intended to move you forward.
Tips –
Advice seeking a job
The majority of the users of this site are those who are currently on an MBA program - so, throughout, the material is directed to them - in order to help them get the right job to take up on completion of their program.
However the information and advice here will also be of value to those who have recently graduated who are now seek a job - or a different job. In additon to reading the information on these pages - you should get advice and help from your Careers Advice Office. If you are on an MBA program - they are there to help you.
The information provided is both fact and opinion. It is offered without obligation and commitment. We can accept no responsibility for any consequences arising from its use.
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GMAT TEST ! What is GMAT ?
WHAT IS THE GMAT TEST?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test which has been widely used as part of the assessment process for admission to MBA programs in Business Schools for many years.
The test measures skills and abilities that develop over time. Although it is basically verbal and mathematical, the complete test offers a method of measuring overall ability. It doesn't test specific knowledge in specific subject areas.
The test has three main sections - quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning , and analytical writing. Each complete test has the same format and areas of content, but specific questions vary from one to another. The questions are continuously replaced, but must fit the overall content and statistical requirements for the test.
The GMAT is only available as a Computer Adaptive Test ( CAT )
HOW IS THE TEST SCORED?
The test scores are intended as one measure of your ability to do graduate work. The test aims to predict your chances of academic success in the first year of an MBA program. It yields four scores - verbal, quantitative, total, and analytical writing.
Quantitative, Verbal and Total Scores
Both verbal and quantitative scores range from 0 to 60, (scores below 10 and above 46 are unusual). These are on a fixed scale and can be compared across any individuals. They measure different things and are not comparable to each other. The total scores for the test ranges from 200 to 800.
Analytical Writing Score
The analytical writing score is an average of the ratings given to two writing tasks. Each response is given two independent ratings. Once both essays by a candidate have been scored, they are averaged to provide an overall score. This average score can range from 0 to 6 in half point intervals.
How Schools Use and Interpret Scores
Test scores have two important characteristics:
1. They are reliable measures of certain developed skills that have been found to be important in the study of management/business at the graduate level. They have been found to be good, but imperfect, in predicting academic success in the first year of study at Graduate Schools of Management.
2. Unlike academic grades, which vary in meaning across School, test scores are based on the same standard for all test takers.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has published guidelines for the use of test scores. Because the test only measures some of the characteristics related to success in graduate School, Schools usually use test scores as only one source of information. Undergraduate record and information obtained from applications, interviews, and letters of recommendation are other good predictors of success. Each School evaluates the scores in its own way. Some set and state a minimum total score for entry.
PLANNING WHEN TO TAKE THE TEST
The test is available, year-round, at test centers throughout the world. In the United States, U.S. territories, Canada, and Puerto Rico, it may be possible to schedule your test within a few days of taking it, but popular dates (especially weekends) book up quickly. In some countries the test may be offered only once per year, so planning is essential. Refer to the admissions deadlines of the Schools to which you are applying and make your appointment early enough to increase your chances of receiving your chosen test date and the test center most convenient to you. You cannot take the test more than one time in any calendar month, even if you have taken the test and cancelled your scores. If you test more than once in a calendar month, your new scores will not be reported and your test fee will be forfeited.
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ADVICE ON TEST PREPARATION
Overconfidence
Don't think that you can drop into the test testing center and cruise through the test with no effort. Think again. The test- if required by your chosen School - is important. Be forewarned: You should take it very seriously.
Focussing on some areas only
Some candidates will focus on strengths at the expense of their weaknesses, while others will concentrate only on their weak areas and neglect their strong areas. Both approaches are dangerous. Your test score will be based on how many questions you answer correctly and their difficulty level, but also on the range of question types and specific abilities covered by those questions. Prepare carefully for all sections of the test. Also note that Schools often have their own formula for weighing your individual scores. Try to perform your best on every section and every question type within each section.
Undue emphasis on practice-test scores
Even though your preferred School may have a declared minimum total score for entry, setting a goal for your test score is understandable. Try not to concern yourself as much with your scores but with what you can usefully do between now and your test day to improve your performance.
Over-preparation
Preparing for the test is like training for an sporting competition. Familiarize yourself with it and get comfortable with it. Build up your endurance. Aim to have your motivation, interest, and performance peak on the day. Preparation (training) e.g. getting comfortable with the test, correcting poor test-taking habits, developing an instinct for spotting wrong-answer choices and to finding your optimal pace. But after a time additional practice will give little additional benefit. So - don't over prepare by starting many months in advance or by postponing test dates to give yourself more time than you actually can usefully use need for preparation.
High expectations
In theory you are capable of attaining perfect scores, but you do not need to do so. Everyone is limited to some extent by their abilities. Accept your limitations. Prepare yourself so that you can do as well as you can reasonably expect.
The essays
Schools often clearly state their admissions requirements on Quantitative, Verbal, and Total scores, but they are often a lot vaguer about their requirements for essay scores. This does not mean that you can take the test essay sections less seriously! The top School for you will look at all the evidence - nothing in unimportant.
Negative views
Don't make the mistake of thinking - I'll give the GMAT one go, and if I do poorly, I'll not try for an MBA program. With time and effort you could do very well. See it as preparation for your study. Register for and take the real test once as a full practice—just to get comfortable with the testing environment. You'll be far more relaxed the second time around. More than 90% improve their score in the second test.
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MBA ADMISSION CRITERIA
GMAT SCORE
It's sad, but it's true: your GMAT score is probably the most important factor in determining whether you will be admitted to a top business school. I want to clarify that statement, though, so you won't misunderstand me.Most applicants believe there is a significant difference between a 680 and a 720 on the GMAT. There isn't. The extra 40 points won't help your chances of being admitted. That's why I'm frustrated when I hear from people who score 680 and insist on retaking the exam. They would be better served by burning their GMAT-prep books and turning their attention to the application essays (the next step in the process).
If you hope to have a reasonable chance of being admitted to a top program, though, your GMAT score will need to be "in the ballpark."
If it isn't you'll have a hard time winning a spot at A-list schools no matter how good your work experience and undergraduate GPA might be. That's why I believe GMAT score is the most important factor in being admitted to a top program. If your score isn't in the ballpark, you won't be in the game.
So What's Considered "In the Ballpark?"
At virtually all of the top programs, the ballpark starts in the mid 600s. That doesn't mean there is a strict cut-off -- there isn't. But if you look closely at a school's numbers you'll see that below about 620, your chances of being admitted fall pretty dramatically.Take a look at the graph below. It shows the "middle 80 percent range" of GMAT scores for students admitted to a typical top MBA program.
You can see that the median score is about 680; but the median can be deceiving. You don't need to beat it to be accepted. It should be obvious that half of all accepted applicants score below the median, but for some reason many of my GMAT students feel they need to beat a school's median to have a reasonable shot at getting in. I've had to talk quite a few of them into applying to MBA programs they are now attending (or have already finished) because they were initially discouraged when their GMAT scores fell slightly below their target schools' medians.
What Score Will I Need If I Hope to Attend a Top Program?
If your GMAT score is within a school's median 80 percent range, even if it's 60 points below the school's median, you have a reasonable chance of being admitted. If it's below that 80 percent range you still have a shot, but it's a long shot. (I'll discuss how applicants with GMAT scores below the median 80 percent range get admitted to top programs in the next section on application essays.)
Most MBA programs now print their median 80 percent ranges in their brochures. For those that don't, you can make a rough estimate by assuming the range starts about 60 points below the median and ends about 60 points above it. As long as you are within that range, you have a reasonable chance of being admitted.
Are the Separate Scores for Math and Verbal Important?
Yes, especially the math score. The admissions people put a lot of emphasis on math skills when making their decisions. (See the discussion on GPA for more on this.) So it's important that you do well on the math portion of the GMAT.
The math and verbal scores range from 0 to about 52. (I know that ETS claims the scale can go as high as 60, but it has never actually gone over 52). My strongest students are those in the "40-40 Club." That means they score in the 40's in both math and verbal.
It's great to have that kind of balance, but if you are going to be stronger on one portion of the test than on the other, it's clearly better to be stronger in math.
What if I Hope to Apply to Top Schools But My GMAT Score is Below 600?
You need to take the test again. I'm not saying that you can't get into a top program -- you can. But your chances are slim. So if you have time to take the test again, you'd be foolish not to.
And that brings up a good point about multiple test scores. I'm not aware of a single top school (or even an average school for that matter) that still averages GMAT scores. I'm sure that someone out there will find a program that does so, but until I hear from that person, let's stick to the general rule: Schools consider only your highest GMAT score.
Can I Take the Test 15 Times and Just Report My Highest Score?
Sort of. Before the GMAT exam begins, the computer will ask you which schools you would like your scores forwarded to. You get five schools included in the cost of the test, and any others will cost you $25 each.
You can elect not to have your scores forwarded to any schools. After you have seen your scores (you get them immediately after finishing the test), you can then pay $25 each to have them sent to the schools you choose.
Your "GMAT transcript" will report only your three most recent scores. So if you took the test four times and scored 450 each time, but didn't have your scores forwarded, you could still pull off that miraculous 700 the fifth time and then send your scores. The admissions office would see only two 450's and a 700.
It doesn't really matter, though, whether you send your transcript after each test or wait until you score the number you want. In the end, the school's application will ask you to specify the score you want the admissions committee to consider. (And, no, you can't mix and match your best verbal score and your best math score from different tests).
What About the Essay Score on the GMAT?
You will have to write two essays on the GMAT (the "Analytical Writing Section"). They will be scored on a scale of 1 to 6, and those points will not be added to your other GMAT score.
The essays are extremely simple. I teach my students a basic template to follow and they seem to do very well with it. They regularly score perfect 6's (the 99th percentile) just by following the template.
It's been my experience, though, that your essay score is pretty much worthless, so I spend very little time on it in class. A few years ago I asked the admissions director of a Top-5 school what she was doing with the essay scores. She laughed at me and said she wasn't really using them (though that isn't what her brochures say).
I have to agree with her. The GMAT essays are ridiculous. Given how well some students have done by just following a formula, the scores seem pretty meaningless. And now the essays are being graded by computer, making them even more worthless. So don't spend a lot of time studying for the AWA essays, and don't put too much emphasis on your essay score. I can assure you the admissions committee won't.
Having the list tempts some people to try to write their essays ahead of time. The pool of essay topics is so large, though, that it would be impossible to write an essay for each (and remember them all) before test day. Your time would be better spent studying the other sections of the GMAT.
What About Taking the Exam Under "Non-Standard Accommodations?"
Most people don't know that they can take the GMAT under what ETS, the test administrator, calls "non-standard accommodations." That means you can get twice as much time as everyone else, if that's what you need to compensate for a medical condition. ETS doesn't promote this accommodation very aggressively, but I've had many of my students take the test "non-standard" and all of them who have gotten a truly significant accommodation (such as double time) have gone up at least 100 points from what they were scoring with me on practice tests given under standard conditions.
I had one student who consistently scored in the mid 500s with me. He took the test under non-standard conditions (he got double time), went up more than 100 points, and was accepted at Harvard. I don't think Harvard would have taken him in the mid-500s, so the special accommodations worked out particularly well for him.
Should I Take a GMAT-Prep Course?
If you hope to go to a top school, you'd be crazy not to prepare for the GMAT. Being admitted to Kellogg or Columbia or a similar school is well worth the time and money invested in a good prep course.
I don't want to steer you toward one company over another, but I would suggest that you take the longest, most comprehensive course available in your area. And look for a good instructor. A good teacher can reveal subtleties about the test that aren't written into any book, and just having the structure of a class will force you to work harder than you would if you chose to study on your own.
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