It's Been a Whirlwind!!

Wow, has it really been three months?? It has seemed like a whirlwind and here we are in the midst of the holidays and preparing for a new year (although it does not feel like it at all). I keep giving myself internal goals for writing more often but those seem to be trumped by the daily schedules that we all try to maintain.

So where have I been? I believe my last post was from Chicago’s O’Hare airport, which is fitting considering I’m currently on my way there now. From that point, I headed overseas for a few weeks to visit family in Frankfurt, enjoy Oktoberfest in Munich, and tour through India with stops in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Bangalore. I have to say, after three trips I’m finally starting to feel like I know what is going on and how things work in India. It’s an amazing place!

I returned home for four days in early October before hitting the road again with stops in Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis. It was good to catch up with some friends along the way and quite the experience to witness the World Series in action. I then had a quick trip to Cincinnati before returning home for a couple of weeks and hosting our Kelley In Focus Diversity Weekend in early November. I was then off to Texas for a couple of stops in Houston and Austin. Unfortunately my trip had to be cut short and I missed out on Dallas and San Antonio but am thankful for our alumni and my co-workers for covering the events! It was nice to spend a week at home with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday and being able to get a bit caught up in the office before heading out on this my final trip of the calendar year. Last week included stops in New Orleans, Miami, and San Juan. I was glad to spend a couple extra days over the weekend in Puerto Rico but unfortunately it rained a bit more than one would hope. And so now I’m into the final week of the travel year and off to host Kelley MBA Receptions in Chicago and DC before heading home. If you’re in either area, be sure to RSVP and make plans to attend!

Well, now that I’ve updated you on my travels, I look forward to posting several times in the coming weeks as our January 5th application deadline approaches. If there are any specific topics or questions you would like addressed, let me know! In the meantime, GO HOOSIERS and congratulations on knocking off the #1 team in the country! In case you missed it, be sure to watch the live replay, a fan's view from inside Assembly Hall, and the view from on the court! IU basketball is back!!

GMAT Prep

Whew, it's been a while!! The last month has been a bit hectic, as we've had a number of events around the world. I was in Boston last week for a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management event and had the same event in Chicago last evening. Right now I'm taking advantage of the laptop kiosks at Chicago's O'Hare airport to post a quick entry before heading overseas. I'll be visiting family and enjoying Oktoberfest in Germany for a few days before heading off to India for The MBA Tour. It will be my third trip to each country and I'm looking forward to it!!

This is the time of year that many people are thinking about the GMAT. While you should take the time to thoroughly prepare for the test in order to perform well, realize that this score is only one part of the admissions criteria. You can find several GMAT resources online but I would recommend taking a look at mba.com as well as an article from Bloomberg Businessweek. While practice tests are helpful, you should know that practice test scores are, on average, 50 points higher than actual GMAT scores. Good luck as you prepare and happy studying!!

Message from the Admissions Committee: Our online application is now available! We utilize four admissions deadlines: November 1, January 5, March 1, and April 15. All materials must be received by the deadline; delays may cause your application to be moved to the next round. Students should apply when they believe their application is at its strongest. It is better to meet a later deadline with a strong application than to rush an application to meet an early deadline. While we will have seats available through all of the deadlines, those interested in merit-based financial aid are encouraged to apply by no later than January 5 for best financial aid consideration. International applicants are also encouraged to apply by January 5 due to the additional time it takes to secure a student visa. You can visit our admissions timeline for more information.

Step One: Researching MBA Programs

The admissions travel circuit is in full swing! I'm spending a few days in Chicago for an event this evening as well as enjoying some time to "return home." Being from this area, it's always great to come back and explore the city as a visitor. I've been able to catch up with friends and family while getting a chance to go to a few baseball games and enjoy some of the best food imaginable. (I highly recommend Portillo's for a great Chicago dog or Italian beef! I also came across a new one today: M Burger; it was quite tasty! Oh, and breakfast at Yolk was unbelievable!)

Anyway, as you begin researching programs to determine which may be the best fit for you, I wanted to share a few "in-house" pieces to provide some general thoughts and well as specific insight to the Kelley MBA Program. You will likely become inundated with information as you research and explore, but here are a few quick starting points. Good luck as you begin to explore!!

• Be sure to visit the Kelley MBA Admissions page. In particular, you'll find some great pointers and insight direct from students by watching the podcasts in the Kelley Media section of the page.
• Learn more about the Kelley MBA Program by reading some of the latest featured Spotlights.
• Stay up-to-date on the most recent news and notes at Kelley 360.
• Mark your calendar with our upcoming events in your area!
  

Message from the Admissions Committee: The information on our website will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect the most recent data, incoming class profile, graduate employment rates, and our newest publications. The good news is that things appear to be going very well so be sure to check back often!

Off and running!!

Wow, it's hard to believe we're wrapping up another year of admissions and moving into a new recruiting cycle already. Our "travel season" started about six weeks earlier this year, as I was in New York for the Inside the MBA event last week. We have several events over the coming weeks, particularly the Road to Business School events across the U.S. I'll be covering much of the west coast while Jim Holmen, Director of Admissions, will be covering many of the other events. We look forward to meeting you!

As we move into a new recruiting year and admissions cycle, I'll try to post new information to help those that have just started following my blog. However, be sure to look back at old posts in case I miss anything. Some things may be repeated, but I'm going to try to work on posting a bit more frequently with some random thoughts and updates throughout the year. Don't worry, I'll also include several detailed posts about each part of the application process as we work through the year.

I hope everyone is enjoying summer (at least where it is summer)! It's been unusually HOT here in Bloomington. The incoming class will be on campus in just a few short weeks for orientation so hopefully relief is in sight! Until then, I'm off to a few more stops to start the year!

Message from the Admissions Committee: Our online application will be available in mid-August. Until then, plan to meet us on the road!

MBA Application Review and Notification Process

As I mentioned in my last post, we're in the "peak season" for interviews and application review. While it may be a relief to have your application completed and submitted, we know the anxiety of waiting to hear back on your application status can be difficult so I would like to provide some insight into our process.

First and foremost, unfortunately it is not possible to check the status of your application. If any further information is needed, we will contact you via email.

Secondly, many candidates are anxious to interview. Remember from my last post that admissions interviews are not required. While not all applicants will interview, an invitation to interview may occur at any point in the process. Invitations to interview are sent on an ongoing basis throughout the review process.

Lastly, we publish our admissions timeline so that you can know when to expect a decision. This timeline is accurate and you should not expect a decision earlier. We do not offer rolling admission. Our admissions decisions are released via email as published.

I hope this helps to understand a bit more of the review and notification process. The admissions committee is working diligently to review applications in a timely fashion but also wants to be sure each individual application is given the appropriate amount of time to get to know each candidate. In fact, each application may be reviewed individually at least 3-4 times before a final decision is made. We appreciate your patience!!

Interview Tips

I've spent the last couple of weeks at various brunches, dinners, and MBA fairs across the US. We are in the peak of "interview season" so I thought this would be an appropriate topic for discussion. While admission interviews are not required, we encourage you to schedule an interview as a part of the admissions process. We offer interviews on the Bloomington campus and at events held in a variety of locations in the United States. You should plan to complete an interview before you submit your application for the deadline you’ve chosen. Once you submit your application, interviews will be available by invitation only. Those invited to interview may be offered the opportunity to interview via Skype or phone. Skype and phone interviews will not be available to candidates who have not yet applied. We do not offer alumni interviews; all interviews are conducted by members of the admissions committee. Because we attempt to space out the number of interviews, an invitation to interview may occur at any point in the application review process.

Here are a few tips for your admissions interview:

• Treat it as a professional interview. Dress appropriately, arrive early, and come prepared with copies of your resume.
• Remain calm and collected. Accept a glass of water, if offered, to allow you to compose yourself during the interview as needed.
• Review your goals and be prepared to share "your story." You should be able to clearly articulate the link between your past experience, where you are currently, and your future goals.
• Be sure to provide specific examples but also be concise. It is a delicate balance and you will want to use the 20-30 minute interview time wisely. Tell your story but let the interviewer guide the discussion.
• Realize that interviews are not static. There is not a standard list of questions that you will be asked to answer.
• Most importantly, be yourself!! There are no right or wrong answers. An interview is simply a chance to get to know you better!
• Lastly, be sure to follow-up. While it may not be expected, a short thank you is always appreciated and can leave a lasting impression.

Message from the Admissions Committee: Be sure to join us for upcoming brunches and dinners across the US! If you're not able to join us at these events, register to attend our upcoming online chat. (An online chat specifically for admitted students is available on the admitted students website.)

Kelley Partners' Club and Options for Families

About 1/3 of Kelley MBA students are coming to Bloomington with their partners, spouses, and/or families. This results in a strong and active community for not only the students, but also for the partners and families. Whether it is the Kelley Partners' Club or Kelley Kids' activities, there is no shortage of opportunities for those that may be joining their students in Bloomington. In fact, you may also be happy to know that IU's Campus View day care was just recognized with high marks. We realize that this decision may likely involve others in your life. These organizations are here to offer support and a community for students, partners, spouses, and families. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to gain additional information!