How to reach out to B schools for UG programme?

After successfully passing the entrance of GMAT, one wishes to get into the top B school.

Applications:

• Preparation of a strong application is crucial for getting selected into a good college.
• It is an elaborate and complex process and therefore, most students have limited and/or incomplete understanding of what it entails: choosing the right college, filling out forms, choosing the right program, work experience requirement, community service involvement, and of course, writing the college admission essay.

Essays:

• The essays are meant to reflect aspects of the applicant which is beyond general transcripts and certificates.
  
• An interesting but meaningful life experience might get that edge for his admission.
• The essays need to be well thought out and written.
  
• Remember an engrossing essay of yours gets the admission officers more keen on getting you on board and thus results in receiving an interview call.

Interviews:

• As all we know that interviewers tries to confuse candidates with strange questions to test their patience and confidence.
  
• Prepare yourself to answer those silly questions.

Every business school has different policies. Including could be:

Video conferencing- That's the General Discussion round as it is known in India.

• This type of interview is primarily aimed at selecting the best fit students from a larger group of applicants.
• Being proactive is good in this session but remember each and every sentence that you speak should be aimed at establishing your level of analytical skills and knowledge base.
• This is one session where everybody tries to be proactive but the one who speaks most sensibly (even if he speaks comparatively lesser) would be spotted out.
• Use of statistical backing on a topic is a very good aspect in this session but if you are unsure about the exact statistical data then it would be better to avoid stating it.

Personal interaction- This session aims at knowing the applicant better as an individual.

• Your personal likings and disliking are discussed in detail. Your opinion about certain social issues may be discussed and you constructive thoughts are evaluated.
• How you plan to contribute to society with your higher education is something that is examined carefully.
• Try not to discuss ideas which are out of this world.
• It's better to be realistic and talk about your personal advancements as well as how you plan to contribute to your community.
• These sessions are usually longer in duration and is quite informal.
• However, during this session they'll definitely take a look at your surroundings.
• A well organised and clean surrounding gives them a better impression about you as an individual.

To put together a flawless college application, one must follow a structured process. Prefect application may consist of:

• Your university application will count up to 30% towards your admission in a dream college.
• Make that extra effort to ensure that your application is organised and that the minutest details are taken care of.
• Help you shortlist from the possible colleges and university choices as per your profile and preferences.
• Clarify misconceptions.
• Helping you decide the various options for your specialisation, and make sure you choose subject that match your aptitude.

The Undergraduate segment:

• At the oust it is important to narrow down on the colleges that interests you and decide on prospective majors and degrees.
• Ideally, apply to between five to eight colleges. This will ensure a higher probability of admission/acceptance.
• The cost of application can vary from $30 to $100. While some colleges do not charge at all, the average application fee is $50.
• The best time to start the college application process about 15-18 months before the intended year of entry.
• A prospective student should start preparing for the host of standardized tests including the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, AP's and English Proficiency tests such as the IELTS or TOEFL. This test is an integral part of the college admission process but its importance is often overemphasised.
• While none of the schools have a minimum score requirement, neither does a high score guarantee admissions nor does an average score reduce admission chances.

This is exemplified by the experiences of Jash Mahipal from The International School, Bangalore (SAT- 1970) and Shantam Jain from St. James' School, Kolkata (SAT-2190) who, with very moderate academic records and average SAT scores, made it to the University of California, Berkeley and Los Angeles respectively. Their stories rupture the myth that very high standardised tests scores are required to secure a place in the top universities.

Application forms for each college: The Common Application form is also an application procedure that numerous colleges subscribe to:

• High School Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation from teachers and school counsellors
• SAT-I scores, which most colleges require as a common standard for measuring a student's ability to do college-level work. SAT-2, depends on the university's one is applying to

Essays and/or Statement of Purpose:

• This can be the deciding factor for acceptance/admission.
• These offer you an opportunity to express your uniqueness.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores: which most colleges require of an international applicant.

• Deciding to study abroad is definitely not an easy choice, but is an opportunity to avail the chance of growing both personally and professionally. Within the Indian framework there are only a handful of top Management institutes that provide a holistic education required at Business School.

Some B School Facts:
• Percentage of candidates rejected at top 20 B-schools with a 750 GMAT score: 18.3% (Globally); 39.4% (Indian)
• Percentage of candidates at top 20 B-schools with a 600-650 GMAT score: 29.6% (Globally); 7.4% (Indian)
• Percentage of candidates rejected after B-school interviews at top 20 B-schools: 27.3% (Globally); 42.5% (Indian)

An MBA from a prestigious business school opens up doors to exciting opportunities in the industry of your choice across the world. The different specialisations offered by the US B-schools are Marketing, International Business, Corporate Strategy, Operations Management, Finance, Accounting, Computer and Information Systems, Organisational Behavior and Human Resource Management. Most students would grab the chance to join any of the aforementioned specialisations.

It is all about introspecting and finding your unique characteristics. Amongst the 3600 odd universities in the United States, there is a best-fit school for everyone. It just about receiving the right guidance and making the right choice!

Author: Mr. Rohan Ganeriwala, Co- founder, Collegify, an educational firm for study abroad