Petia Whitmore’s Post

🚀 Are you Wondering over your MBA applications? 🤔 Dive into our latest blog post, "To Apply or Not to Apply: Round 1 MBA Admissions Explained." 🎓 Uncover insights, strategies, and expert advice to make your decision-making process smoother. Whether you're aiming for Round 1 or still weighing your options, this guide has got you covered. 📝✨ 📚 Read now and take the next step towards your dream MBA! ➡️

I recently had the privilege to interview Sara Vanos, Executive Director, Marketing and Admissions at HEC Paris MBA. We covered a range of topics on the HEC MBA, including: 1. Recent updates to the program 2. Admissions process: Essays, Interviews, LoRs and Adcom's tips 3. Curriculum, Unique learning methodologies, Yale double-degree program  4. Latest (2023) Employment statistics, Recruitment process, Tips for career transitions 5. Scholarships and concluding remarks Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gCUFmt6N admitStreet #mba #businessschools #admissions #careers

Your career goals are most likely going to keep changing.... And that's okay! As an MBA Admissions Consultant, one thing I've noticed is that candidates often get confused when it comes to articulating their career goals to the Adcoms and overthink the entire process. Here's the fun fact: Most MBA candidates' career goals evolve and change during and even after the MBA program. When I went in to HEC Paris for my MBA 9 years ago, I did not envision me becoming an MBA Admissions Consultant. Infact, before I started pursuing the MBA Admissions Process, I did not even know what an MBA Admissions Consultant was or does! And I've seen countless examples from classmates and others whose career goals have evolved over time, as you discover the world more and find your niche. However, articulating a post-MBA goal in your MBA essays is a crucial step in the process to demonstrate to the AdComs that you have a plan in place. That's all those goals serve the purpose for.... to get you a foot in the door to an elite MBA program. So, if you are planning to do an MBA and are confused about your goals, don't sweat! Almost everyone is in the same boat as you. All you need to do is decide one of the most likely directions that looks promising to you at this point in time and articulate how your past experiences have shaped your perspective and what additional skills and experiences will an MBA from your target school add to that to help you achieve that goal. What you might end up doing 7,8,9,10 years post the MBA might surprise you too! I never planned on becoming an MBA Admissions Consultant. BUT, here I am! Gearing up for an awesome R1 for S'25 intake. See you in my next post! Top100MBA.Club #mba #mbaadmissions #bschools

Don't wait on the sidelines too long... ⏳ You heard about MBA Application Boost Camp (MBA ABC) and that the doors are open again for Round 1 candidates. 🚪: https://lnkd.in/ekcd2QVm If you’ve been hanging out in the MBA community for a while worrying that you will never be able to afford top MBA admissions coaching expertise… 🤔💰 MBA ABC is the FIRST and ONLY low-cost, high-touch MBA admissions program, created and personally delivered to you by a former Dean of MBA Admissions. 👩🎓✨ This is about playing a bigger game and working on your MBA application with the intensity and immersion only a top MBA admissions expert can provide. 🏆📚 Therefore, I ONLY recommend that you consider a spot inside MBA ABC if you can check off at least 3 of the following: You’re applying in the next 3-12 months. 📅 You realize that the most important part of MBA application success is differentiating yourself in the MBA admissions race. 🚀 You’ve already been investing time and energy in your MBA application journey but you feel overwhelmed or unsure you are taking all the right steps. 💪📋 You’re open to approaching the MBA application process with a sense of curiosity and possibility. 🧐🌟 You believe that learning from a former MBA AdCom adds huge value to the process, you just haven’t been comfortable making the major financial investment this has required (but not anymore!). 💼✅ You’re ready to go “all in” and do the work as long as you feel that every action you take is engineered for success. 🔥🚀 You’re excited to create an MBA candidacy that is authentic, powerful, and compelling. 🌟📝 If you found yourself nodding your head to at least 3 of those... ✅✅✅ I'd love to personally invite you to check out more details [here]. 📲 https://lnkd.in/eaXQcmjP I couldn’t be more excited to help you walk the journey to confidently submitting your MBA application! 🌟✈️ As one former student of this program, now a happy Booth MBA, put it, “Petia is creating a game-changing program in MBA admissions consulting!” 🎓🎉 Hope to see you on the other side. 🤝 P.S. When the first email went out on the MBA ABC Invite List, the enrollments started rolling in within 30 minutes. ⏱️ The modules go live on Wednesday, July 3rd. And then in another week, enrollment will close so I can start working with the cohort of MBA candidates who are committed to making this year the year they get admitted to a top MBA program. 📈🏅 So don’t wait too long... 🚀

🚨 One spot left—and 24 hours to decide (or less, if it’s taken before 11 AM tomorrow)! 🚨 MBA ABC is about getting things accomplished. 💪 But maybe you’re not quite ready to commit. Maybe you're not applying this year, or maybe you're hesitant to say, "I’m serious about this, and I’m ready to start now." That’s okay! 😊 But…if this is your year to get admitted to your dream schools, then how will you reach that finish line? 🏁 📢 MBA ABC is already live! 📢 By the end of this week, my MBA ABC-ers will: ✅ Know exactly what it takes to win in the MBA admissions race and the steps required. ✅ Identify their strengths to amplify and pinpoint weaknesses to mitigate. Next week, they’ll: 🔍 Build a tailored plan to leverage work experience, academics, and extracurriculars to boost admissions odds. 🎯 Begin crafting a standout MBA story that positions them for success. Where will you be this week? What will you accomplish? 🌟 If you’re committed to a top MBA program this year, let’s make it happen! This journey takes intent and commitment, just like any big goal. 🔥 That’s why MBA ABC has a deadline, too: First Live Session: 🗓️ Thursday, November 14, at 11 AM Eastern ⏰ Doors close then—no exceptions! Need a reminder on what’s included in MBA ABC? Here’s the quick rundown: 🎓 Tailored feedback on your resume and essays for two schools—personally done by me to give you a game-changing boost! 🎥 MBA Admissions Strategy – the same approach I teach my 1:1 clients, distilled into 3 concise video modules you can complete in 2 hours. 🗣️ 10 weeks of live workshops, Q&As, and discussion boards, tackling each key part of your application with real-time answers to your questions. 👉 Last spot—claim it and start your journey today! #mba #mbaadmissions #mbaaplication

For anyone wanting to learn more about how I and others have secured our spots into top business schools while in undergrad!!!! Sign up for Deferred MBA Week here: https://lnkd.in/gjDddsfP Did you know all top MBA programs offer a "deferred" option? This unique route allows you to apply in your senior year of undergrad (or final year of your master's program) and secure admission ahead of time. After acceptance, you gain 2-5 years of work experience before choosing when to start your MBA. Here are a few reasons why I decided to apply to a Deferred MBA: 1. Secure your place at a prestigious MBA program years in advance. 2. Gain the freedom to explore new career opportunities without the risk during your deferral period. 3. If you don’t get in, you can reapply without re-applicant status—this time with established connections. 4. Enjoy waived application fees. 5. Complete the GMAT/GRE while you’re still a student, avoiding the challenge of studying while working full-time. If you’re considering applying for a Deferred MBA, I highly recommend signing up for Leland’s Deferred MBA Week from November 12-14. This event features over nine sessions designed to guide you through the process and set you up for success. Reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more! Sign up for Deferred MBA Week here: https://lnkd.in/gjDddsfP Leland

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 "𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚" 𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞? 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭! You’ve heard me express my dismay before... Dismay at how much time is wasted on decoding the new HBS essay questions. Or Kellogg essays. Or anything "new" this MBA Admissions cycle. If there’s one time-sucker that sinks too many MBA candidates, it’s the endless speculation about what the changes mean, what makes a great MBA story, and what the AdComs want to read. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 You should be... writing. No one bangs out a phenomenal MBA essay in the first draft. Not even in the second. Which draft are you on? 𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲, 𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 I try to tune out the frenzy many admissions consulting firms whip themselves into. But a few days ago, I read a comment how the new HBS essays might help "vanilla candidates." I did a double take. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐝 – 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 – 𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 “𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞” 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧? Turns out, a vanilla candidate is someone who is: * Overrepresented * From a common industry * Aiming for a common industry * Has predictable work experience and extracurriculars * Any combination of the above That’s like more than half of people who actually get ADMITTED…. 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐢𝐧 “𝐛𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬” Corny as it may be, there’s only one you. As a Dean of MBA Admissions, I read and rendered decisions on thousands of MBA candidates. No two candidates were ever the same. No vanilla. Ever. And I’ve helped many punch above their weight as an MBA admissions consultant. 𝐇𝐨𝐰? 𝐁𝐲 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫. 𝐎𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚. #mba #mbaadmissions #mbaaplication

Dear MBA aspirant, The AdCom (Admissions Committee) is not your crush. Are you spending nights thinking what they may like and how to make them like you? Please Don't. As Petia Whitmore says, I always love the reminder that the AdCom exist to "admit" and not deny. Because the mindset shift allows you, the applicant, to focus on what you want to show. Somehow with the AI around, the myths and false information are getting ridiculous on what is ok and what is not in the admissions process. I am reminded of the tradition of painting the Rock in Ann Arbor. There are so many layers to it now that nobody can recognize it with its paint stripped off. (check out the history of the tradition in the comments). So want to know what can work? Head to Petia Whitmore's posts for some true insights into the MBA Admissions Process. Sometimes, you have to hear the message more than once to know what to do and how to use your time effectively. Wishing you a smooth application journey (with less than 10 weeks to Round 1!!), Your true well-wisher. #mbaprep #mbaadmissions #careers

EMBA programmes information session, webinar 22 Oct 2024 | 10:00 -11:30 GMT+1 Meet the Executive MBA Admissions Team online as they explain the structure, benefits, and outcomes of the programme, and provide information on the application process. This event is designed to provide prospective students with valuable insights into the programme and the admission requirements. During this online information session, you will hear about: - key modules and assessments that help you build your professional toolkit - the admission requirements and application process - how the programme’s structure helps you focus on both work and study - the dynamic and diverse cohort of professionals our Executive MBA programmes attract - outcomes of our alumni community, including entrepreneurial ventures and career advancement At this event, we ask 2 alumni to join us, share their experiences of Cambridge, their college and extra-curricular activities. You will also have the opportunity to ask them any questions you may have about the programme. Find out more and register > https://loom.ly/2o_IgBc #ExecutiveMBA #EMBAAdmissions #CareerAdvancement

If you intend to submit business school applications in Round 1, you have about 100 days until the first deadlines. Now, what else should you be doing in the month of June? Tip 2️⃣ 👉Nail down your answers to “Why an MBA?” and “Why now?” The admissions team is expecting you to know what you need from an MBA. Think of this as a gap analysis. Find a job description for your ideal post-MBA role. Look through the list of responsibilities, and then assess where you might have gaps—this can help develop your “Why an MBA?” answer. Also, consider the following questions: How have your experiences prepared you to add value in the classroom—in small groups with peers who have skills you will need in your post-MBA role? What specific skills or experiences do you need from an MBA to help you achieve your short- and long-term goals? If you are outside of the 80% range of years of work experience for full-time programs (typically three to eight years), you will want to explain why NOW is the right time for you to pursue an MBA—and implicitly why the typical time frame didn’t make sense for you. If you have more than eight years of experience, you may want to consider a part-time program, and those with more than 15 years of experience could consider an executive program—both of which typically cater to applicants with more work experience. 👀Stay tuned for more tips from Melisa Prevost as she guides you through the MBA admissions process. ⭐More about Melisa: Melisa has worked with hundreds of clients and influenced thousands of applications. Her clients have been accepted to all the top 20 schools, and have received close to $10M in scholarships. She spent 10 years as an alumni interviewer at Haas and has been helping Stratus clients for over 8 years. https://bit.ly/3x9Cpqi #MBA #MBARoundOne #MBARound1 #MBAR1 #bschoolR1 #bschool #businessschool #businessschoolRound1 #MBAadmissions #MBAapplication #BschoolGoals #GoalSetting #ShortTermMBAGoals #LongTermMBAGoals #CareerChange #CareerPivot