Weekly Columns
Keep up with the latest school facts and news from your fellow MBA applicants.
Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly summation of the soliloquies of the b-school blogosphere. This week, even as we are about to announce the winners of the Best of Blogging 2013 contest, we have two new bloggers to feature with interesting and thoughtful updates on the application and admissions process, while current students and recent graduates also share their perspectives. GrantMeAdmission starts off a busy week by outlining how he carefully selected the schools to apply to, along with a list of 8 questions every application should ask before applying. Once finished with that
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Trivia Tuesday: The Yale SOM Grading System
It’s time again for Trivia Tuesday, in which we examine the distinctive elements that separate the leading MBA programs from their peers. This week, we’re taking a peek into the Clear Admit School Guide to the Yale School of Management in order to share with you an excerpt about the program’s grading policies and grade non-disclosure.
“Rather than using numerical or letter grades as a measure of a student’s performance in a course, Yale SOM’s grading system is more closely akin to a pass/fail model. Professors can assign students one of the following four grades: Distinction, Proficient, Pass or Fail. The highest, Distinction, is reserved for unusually high-quality work and is awarded to no more than 10 percent of students taking the course. Meanwhile, Proficient denotes a normal level of achievement in coursework and comfort with the subject matter. Though a grade of Pass is a positive signal at most schools, Yale’s reflects performance that did not meet the level of proficiency, yet was not so lacking that it warranted a failing grade. Finally, the grade Fail reflects a level of
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Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit's weekly roundup of the ruminations of the b-school blogosphere. This week, several of our 2016 applicants weigh in with recommendations, from audio books to MBA programs, while current students take stock of the MBA experience, including the challenges and rewards of transitioning from the military to pursuing an MBA.
MBATheNonProfitWay has made a resolution to switch her audio-book listening habit away from fiction to various business related books. The first selection, "The McKinsey Mind" did not fare so well in review. JourneyOfaGMATer took some time to share insights on the definition of 'problem', while Sarah'sMBAJourney hasn't given up on the idea of pursuing the MBA, and is now looking at a Cranfield MBA, although she does have some concerns and is open to other options as well.
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Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Friday From the Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly perusal of the ponderings of the b-school blogosphere. This week, we welcome a new contributor to the FFF blogging family, and hear updates from current students about exciting campus events and activities.
Brian Scott is an American about to embark on the MBA journey at INSEAD Fontainebleau. He's launched a blog to document the experience by giving an interesting and informative account of tips he's learned for INSEADers looking to work in the States, post MBA. JourneyofalowGMATer has a post on additional books to read, in order to enhance the classroom experience.
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Published: April 24, 2014
Fridays From The Frontline
Hello and welcome to Friday From the Frontlines, Clear Admit's weekly account of the adventures of the b-school blogosphere. This week marks a lull in applicant updates as most notifications have gone out for R2, and now its a matter of waiting for final decisions, preparing for matriculation, or starting the application process again for next year. Current students however, have taken time to reflect on the quickly approaching end of the MBA journey, as well as discuss the experience of being a veteran at Wharton and give an interesting insight into Harvard Business School's newly launched HBXCORe.
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Published: April 21, 2014
Trivia Tuesday: McCombs’s Venture Fellows Program
Welcome back to Trivia Tuesday, where we profile special offerings that help distinguish the top business schools from each other. Today we're sharing an excerpt from the Clear Admit Guide to UT Austin / McCombs about the school's Venture Fellows program.
"Founded in 1999 by a first-year McCombs student seeking to make inroads into the extremely competitive venture capital industry, the Venture Fellows (VF) program extends the school’s venture capital curriculum by providing hands-on internship opportunities with top funds in the industry. The Venture Fellows exist as an organization independent of the McCombs MBA program, sourcing their own funds and working to foster communication between Texan venture capital professionals and interested students. Each year, competition among first-year applicants is intense for one of the program’s 15 to 20 seats, and students should begin the application process itself by September.
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Published: April 17, 2014
Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit's weekly canvassing of the confabulations of the b-school blogosphere. This week, our class of 2016 continues to ruminate on the experience of the past few months, while current students take some time during spring break to update readers on the whirlwind of activity that is the MBA.
MBAMyWay has a few new developments to report, as staggered school decisions continue to trickle in. An admit from Ross and waitlist notification from Fuqua gives MBAMyWay an opportunity to reflect on the Coulda-Woulda-Shoulda, but without much regret, since a matriculation at Johnson awaits. In fact, MBAMyWay has even more great news, with a bump off the waitlist and an admit offer to Yale SOM, as well as some great suggestions and ideas as to why the offer came through. While MBAMyWay is clearly decided on pursuing the MBA at Johnson next year, SarahsMBAJourney is using this time to reflect on what she really wants, and is asking herself three important questions about the MBA in order to help determine the answer to that.
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Published: April 10, 2014
Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit's weekly summation of the soliloquies of the b-school blogosphere. This week, our stalwart scribes continue to look ahead to matriculating in 2016, while current students focus on metamorphosis, whether it be into spring, or into the post-MBA world.
MBAGirlJourney has a very useful and exhaustive list of Top Twenty Tips for New MBA Students from a former UCLA Anderson student. Domontron has a great summation of his own, of top MBA schools he applied to and why, and reasons why he didn't apply to ALL the top MBA programs in the States or UK. Overall, Tuck was definitely the right choice for him!
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Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit's weekly ramble through the ruminations of the b-school blogosphere. This week, our stalwart applicants are continuing to filter their impressions of the application process, while contemplating what comes next. Current students are likewise contemplating how their lives have changed since starting business school, whether this year or last, and are looking forward to welcoming the class of 2016.
MBAReapplicant continued his streak of good news with admits from both Tepper and Darden. With a successful end to the reapplication process, MBAReapplicant can finally chose between several exciting options for next year. Timbob, another class of '16 successful applicant to Harvard Business School, took a brief moment away from preparing from his upcoming wedding to share a post-decision publication timeline of events. Much of it involved giddy celebration, and skillful procrastination. Another across-the-pond blogger, Sara'sMBAJourney, continued to share impressions of her trip to the States, including her enjoyable visit to Duke, as well as the terrible state of American roads and the terrible drivers on them. Domontron continued his series on elements of an MBA application by addressing ways to research target schools. He highlights students blogs as an excellent way to get a more direct and unfiltered sense of the school's community and opportunities. Your Fridays From the Frontline editor could not agree more!
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Published: March 27, 2014
Fridays from the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays from the Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly confabulation with correspondents in the b-school blogosphere. Our 2016 applicants continue to receive status updates from schools, while current students are taking the opportunity afforded by spring break to travel and update their blogs.
Domotron finally heard from Kellogg, with news of a ding that confirmed a Class of 2017 matriculation at Tuck. CoffeeBeansandTeaLeaves also received a ding from Kellogg, and updates readers with a final tally of dings from this year's application season. Although the season ends with an offer to join the Ross weekend MBA program, Ellie is taking advantage of this time to do some self-reflection and prepare for next year's challenges. We wish her all the best! Finally a bit of good news from MBA Reapplicant, who posted a detailed and glowing account of visiting Darden and the interview process.
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Published: March 20, 2014
Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly summation of the musings of the b-school applicant and student blogosphere. With most of our 2016 blogging applicants having gone through the R1 or R2 process, this week has been a time to dwell on the experience and give a fuller account of their impressions, whether positive or negative. Current MBA students have also taken some time to share their impressions of classes, travel experience, or life as an MBA mom.
MBAtheNonprofitWay has continued a streak of good news with an admit to Ross and a waitlist at Fuqua. However, Johnson still remains the best option, out of a successful application process. Nevertheless, MBAtheNonprofitWay takes some time to review the Coulda-Woulda-Shoulda of the experience. SarahsMBAJourney expands on her impressions of Boston, rating everything from burgers to the HBS Case Method, from her recent journey across the Pond to the USA.
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Published: March 13, 2014
Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit's weekly traversal of the tenacious b-school applicant and student blogosphere. This week, our 2016 applicants share decisions and status updates, while our roster of current students continue to be immersed in classroom and career experiences, with little time to share their experiences at the moment.
MBAtheNonProfitWay is now officially part of the Johnson Class of 2016! While an exciting bit of news to impart, the decision between Cornell and UCLA was not easy. Speaking of Anderson, MBAReApplicant had the fantastic news that, after two years of going through the application process, an admit came from Anderson, and yet another R2 interview invite, this time from Darden, for which our intrepid blogger is preparing by using the Clear Admit Darden Interview Guide.
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Fridays From the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly perusal of the peripatetic top business school blogs. This week, 2016 applicants continue to reflect on the application and interview process, while current MBA students are taking some time to update on the semester and exciting school-based projects. Tuck bound Domotron gives a great perspective on the elements of the application packet, and focuses particularly on how the GMAT score factors into the target school’s evaluation process. Sarah’sMBAJourney debriefs her Duke interview at a Starbucks in London, while sharing that the Clear Admit Interview and
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Published: February 27, 2014
Fridays from the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays from the Frontline, Clear Admit's weekly accounting of the adventures of the b-school blogosphere. News continues to trickle in for this year's round of applicants, while also able to take some time to reflect on the application experience thus far, as well as what lies ahead.
Over at BootsToSuits, hammO discusses the dichotomy of, on the one hand, having so much free time now that the application process and decision are over, and on the other, not having much to write about once that onerous process is complete. However, there is still plenty to do in preparation for matriculating at Johnson. FromGMATtoMBA has less sanguine reflections, as another ding from Booth came on an ill-timed Valentine's Day. MBAReapplicant reflects on a less-than-successful R1 process, but takes solace in the fact that moving on to Round 2 gave the opportunity to apply to equally great schools. R2 has brought some good news already, with interviews at Tepper and Anderson, for which MBAReapplicant gave a nice shoutout to the Clear Admit Interview Reports
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Published: February 20, 2014
Fridays from the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays from the Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly roundup of the b-school blogosphere. Today we welcome a new blogger, and feature a guest post from the Wharton School of Business. Most of our stalwart applicants are waiting for news of admissions or scholarships before making a final decision, while current students are so busily immersed in the current semester, they have had little time for blogging this week.
Sarah'sMBAJourney used this quiet period to review an online GMAT review course and expand on the application process with an interview for accepted.com. MBAMyWay is whiling away the waiting hours by taking solace in the knowledge that final decisions are not that far off, whether for Johnson, UCLA, Kellogg, Yale or Ross. MBAreapplicant took time for a belated round one update with dings from Tuck and Kellogg.
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Published: February 13, 2014
Fridays from the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays from the Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly traversal of the b-school blogosphere. While much of the United States is battling a never-ending winter, our applicants are continuing to get news of interviews and acceptances, while those in school are looking ahead to what comes next, while also trying to stay healthy.
Domontron is ecstatic to have received that all important phone call from Tuck, and will be matriculating there next year. Meanwhile, Sarah'sMBAJourney shares the great news that she's gotten an interview invitation from Duke, MBAMyWay recaps a positive and interesting interview experience with Ross and Timbob finally made it to Boston, and checked out MIT, while in town for an admitted students event at HBS.
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Published: February 6, 2014
Fridays from the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays from the Frontline, Clear Admit's ongoing coverage of the b-school applicant and student life. While much of the United States is under a deep freeze, this year's applicants are starting to get news from their schools of choice, while current students are well launched into the new semester.
MBAMyWay got the eagerly anticipated phone call from Cornell. While delighted, it's still a difficult wait for this non-profit maven to know what the financial aid package will be. FromGMATtoMBA took a winter's journey to Chicago and blogged about the Kellogg interview experience. Sarah'sMBAJourney didn't get a first wave HBS round 2 interview invite, and while not hopeful, is counting down to Friday to see whether there will be a Harvard and Duke invite forthcoming. Coffeebeansandtealeaves recounts a positive outreach dinner in the DC area hosted by Kelley School of Business
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Published: January 30, 2014
Fridays from the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From The Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly post that features the ups and downs of the b-school blogosphere.
As much of the United States continues to battle winter, admissions candidates took some time to reflect after the busy time of submitting applications, and current students are well launched into the new semester and already preparing for interviews.
MBAMyWay discusses a positive interview at Johnson despite the bitter cold in Ithaca. Round 1 Harvard admit Timbob blogs about getting his finances in order, and meeting his new Boston classmates in preparation for next year. Meanwhile, HBS announced the release of R2 interview invites on Jan 29th, with the second round on Feb 5th.
PPANDEY87 blogs about fascinating conversations about business during a recent trip to India. TwoYearsatHBS is looking forward to the start of second semester
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Published: January 23, 2014
Fridays from the Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From The Frontline, Clear Admit’s weekly post that features the ups and downs of the b-school blogosphere.
After the rush of January deadlines, R2 applicants can do little more than sit back and wait for the outcome of their applications, while current students are using the start of the new semester as an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on the b-school experience.
Blogger MBA My Way shares exciting news about a UCLA admittance package and a Ross interview invite. MBA the Non-Profit Way shared news of a Cornell interview invite.
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Published: January 16, 2014
Fridays From The Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From The Frontline, Clear Admit's weekly post that features the ups and downs of the b-school blogosphere.
FromGMATtoMBA reported that all his R2 applications were submitted and began to prepare for his Kellogg campus visit. MBATheNonprofitWay expressed pleasure in McDonald's recent announcement that the company will begin working towards sourcing more sustainable beef for their burgers. Sarah had so much to say about her HBS and Duke applications, she wrote more than one post about the experiences. HammO sent his deposit to Johnson and ruminated on when to officially leave work while also trying to be slightly thrifty.
Fuqua '15 Heather recounted a typical 'day in the life' of an MBA student at Duke. INSEAD '14D Trey shared some of his first impressions of the school, touching on topics that included entrepreneurship and fun.
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Published: January 9, 2014
Fridays From The Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From The Frontline, Clear Admit's perpetual peek into the persevering lives of b-school applicants and students. This week was certainly a busy one for those applying in the second round, and quite a cold one for those in much of the U.S.
Amit discussed how he raised his GMAT score from 680 to 770 in six weeks. Sarah successfully submitted her HBS and Fuqua applications. MBA The Nonprofit Way wrapped up her applications and conducted a status report on the various schools she was hoping to hear from in the coming weeks. MBAGirlJourney continued her series considering the various costs and scholarship options to those pursuing an MBA. ExpectingMBA finished her last day of work and ruminated on the strangeness of speaking English in an interview with someone who speaks the same native language (which is not English).
INSEAD '14D Maria had great and "EPIC" expectations for 2014.
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Published: January 8, 2014
Campus Chronicles: The Wharton Journal
Welcome back to Campus Chronicles, our weekly perusal of the news pages at top business school student newspapers. This week we explore what’s happening at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business by scanning their student-produced paper, The Wharton Journal.
Wharton’s Business Economics and Public Policy Initiative has recently awarded its Henry & Marcelle Morgenthau Fellowship to 7 MBA students. Awarded to students with a drive to "be a force for social good," the fellowship is given every year to students who have made substantial contributions to public policy and social causes and are looking to make more. This year's winners include Julia Kurnik ('14) for her work to bring sustainable healthy food to Philadelphia, Tiago Correia ('14) for his ambitions in public policy related to real estate development in urban environments, and Vidya Venkataraman ('14) who is looking to improve cooperation between the private sector and governments after graduating from Wharton and completing a dual law degree at Yale.
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Published: January 2, 2014
Fridays From The Frontline
Hello and welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit's ongoing perusal of the latest happenings in the b-school blogosphere. This week applicants and students rang in the new year, and those working on their R2 applications felt the pressure rise.
Domotron asserted that more went right than wrong in his 2013, and wished all his readers a happy new year. Ellie returned from a three week visit home to India and refocused her attentions on her upcoming Ross, Kelley and Kellogg applications while expressing much gratitude for the support of her husband. TimBob also had a wedding on his agenda - his own - and outlined a few different resolutions he'd like to realize in 2014. Sarah's GMAT score improved though she realized her quant percentile might still be troublesome. ExpectingMBA wished her readers a Merry Christmas and took solace in knowing that no matter how her Haas and Anderson interviews went, she'd be attending b-school in California.
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Published: December 26, 2013
Fridays From The Frontline
Hello and welcome to another edition of Fridays From The Frontline, Clear Admit’s ongoing dive into the depths of the b-school blogopshere. This was an especially lean week for b-school students checking in, perhaps due to the recent holiday or the winter break. Sarah shared her ideas and approach to making sure that she keeps her sanity while working on a big project. Domotron sadly reported receiving a zap from Booth, but still held out hope for his Tuck application. HammO decided where he would be attending b-school after having a mixed week of
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Published: December 23, 2013
Trivia Tuesday: The Berkeley MBA Leadership Development Series at Haas
Welcome to our weekly edition of Trivia Tuesday, in which we take an in-depth look at the specific offerings that differentiate the leading MBA programs from their peers. This week we’re taking a peak into the Clear Admit School Guide to the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business to share with you an excerpt about the Berkeley MBA Leadership Development Series.
"As part of its BILD program (Berkeley Innovative Leader Development), Haas has implemented a series of on-campus events that offer students the opportunity to fine-tune their leadership skills outside of the classroom. The Berkeley MBA Leadership Development Series is comprised of a number of non-credit workshops and seminars, all of which allow students to gain further insight into three key areas of awareness: Self, Team and Organization.
"Each of these areas of competency has its own focus and set of goals.
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