Parameters

So after after some Infosessions that I have attended, here's the crux of what B schools are looking for in the application package:

Demonstrated Leadership and excellence
Awareness of surroundings and ability to learn from it
Ethics n morals
Initiative
Perseverance
Creativity
Community empathy
Communication abilities
Emotional intelligence
Teamwork
Passion

Though not an exhaustive list, it covers most of the traits that matter. Apart from this, they really expect us to know the school well.

The best fit

Attended the GSB Chicago Infosession earlier this week. It was hosted at the same place as Wharton's last week. All adcoms are interested in knowing why that particular university is the right fit for us. The concern is valid. A right combination helps both the school and the student in the long run. What I am looking for in these sessions is how these schools differentiate themselves from each other. In this case, I must say the sessions did not serve my purpose.

Both schools sold themselves very well. They had an impressive set of past alumni and current students in their ranks. Both boasted of world class faculty. Both insisted that community involvement is high on their agenda. Both iterated that their school is not just about one particular major, but about holistic learning.

Most people attending such sessions are more interested in knowing about the application process than about the university itself. The Wharton session was more informative in that sense as they gave a good insight into how they go about their application handling and how their quest for the best does not stop at only one particular part of the application. But then again, I did not go to the infosessions just to know that they scrutinize my application really well.

My search is still on....

Making and Breaking

These essays are definitely the most intersting part of the application. I finished my first drafts for INSEAD about a week back. Think I did a pretty decent job with them. Have spent the past week in getting them edited from friends, listening to their views and incorporating relevant suggestions. Parallely, the outline for the next set of essays has been drawn.

Personally, I am enjoying writing those 'out of the box' essays much more. Kellogg's are one of the better set of essays when it comes to giving the applicant space over what to write and where. I am a bit confused over the word limit here though. Not sure how much is too much. Guess I am ok as long as I weave a meaningful story.

As the essay evolves, my opinions about my application keep changing. The beginning is always optimistic when you think you have so much to write and so less space. Then comes the rigour phase, where you try to fit in the right words at the right places - suspecting you might miss something vital. After a lot of ups and downs, the essay finally takes a shape, only for your friend to tell you this is actually not quite as polished as you think it is! Next, you start editing, and showing it to present students and alumni. Their suggestions are always the most valuable as they've been there, done that! The Clearadmit blogs seem to be good help to know if you are going in the right direction or not.

After all these makings and breakings, i just hope the application reflects my personality well!