Tepper School of Business
Tepper Application Tips
Each month, a member of our admissions team will present a Tepper Application Tip to help you prepare an effective application. Be sure to visit every month as a new 'Tip' will be added.
March's Tip - Demonstrating Teamwork and Leadership in Your Application
by Krystal Brooks - Assistant Director of Masters Admissions
My colleagues and I often field this common question: What is the most important part of my application? All components of your application tell us something different and significant about your candidacy – they work together to create a complete account of who you are.
So, what are we looking for when we evaluate these components? Much of what we are looking for is unsurprising: the ability to academically succeed in the program, the potential for professional success, the elusive “Tepper fit” that was discussed in February’s tip. However, for the admissions committee to truly see the total package of your candidacy, we also need to understand your qualitative attributes or “intangibles.” At the Tepper School, we think that these are best exemplified by your teamwork and leadership experiences.
Why is a b-school interested in teamwork and leadership? First of all, to be academically successful in this program, you must be able to work well with others. The Tepper MBA program is very collaborative and necessitates working together in study groups, group projects, and case competition teams. As a student entering the program, you will bring a unique skill set with you. The ability to share your skills with your classmates and benefit from their unique experiences is what makes b-school such a special place. If my background is in marketing, but yours is in engineering, we can work together so we are both successful.
Secondly, we want you to be able to be wildly successful upon graduation and into the future. Business does not operate in a vacuum. To make an impact in whatever organization you join, you must be able to work well with those around you. Making that impact is where your leadership skills are highlighted. We believe that you can hone the confidence to make big decisions while you are here at business school, but we are also interested in what kind academic and professional initiatives you’ve already taken in your career.
How should you demonstrate your teamwork and leadership capabilities? Regardless of your academic and professional background, you’ve undoubtedly had multiple opportunities to take initiative or be a team player. Leading does not necessarily mean that your title was “president” or “team lead.” You have probably motivated a team, solved a problem, or moved an idea forward at some point in your career. These illustrations are all examples of leadership. Likewise, being a “team player” does not require participation in an all star sports team. There are many different ways to contribute to a team; we are interested in how you will contribute.
When thinking about your team and leadership experiences, we recommend:
- Reflecting on all of your experiences
- Thinking about instances where you performed as a team player or leader, even if they are non-traditional
- Noting recent examples that highlight your team or leadership abilities
By highlighting your previous experiences, you illustrate what kind of Tepper student you will be when you join our community. Ultimately, this is why we are so interested in these aspects of your application.
August’s Tip - Selecting your Recommenders
by James Frick, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
The best letters of recommendation tend to come from those who currently or have recently supervised you. Sometimes, applicants think that having someone with a lofty title, such as a CEO or a Vice President, write on their behalf will impress the admissions committee. Unfortunately, unless the applicant works closely with these senior officers, the recommendation will ultimately be vague and not helpful in the candidate's evaluation. A supervisor that the applicant has worked closely with is most often able to provide a strong assessment of a candidate by citing specific examples of her/his strengths, areas for improvement, and potential for future success.
There are certainly instances where an applicant may not feel comfortable revealing her plans for MBA study to her supervisor and asking for a recommendation. In this case, a colleague or client would be a good alternative. If this is the case for you, we would recommend that you address this briefly in your optional essay so that the committee has the necessary context. Former professors, colleagues or supervisors from an applicant's volunteer work or extra-curricular activities can also provide valuable information to an admissions committee, presenting an applicant in a fuller light. However, we would recommend that you use these as supporting letters of recommendation rather than the two primary letters you are required to have in your application. Finally, once you have selected your recommenders, it is a very good idea to take them out for coffee or lunch to discuss your goals, your plans for MBA study and beyond. Doing so will provide clarity and context to your recommenders, allowing them to write a more complete letter on your behalf.
September's Tip - The Quality of Professional Experience
by Gwen Stanczak, Associate Director of Admissions
The MBA is a professional degree program that builds upon one’s previous experience and teaches students a set of practical business skills. It is one’s previous exposure to the professional arena that gives a person the framework needed to relate the knowledge learned in an MBA program to the “real world." Additionally, the learning process in an MBA program is as much student-to-student as it is professor-to-student. Thus, MBA programs seek students with professional experience as it adds to the overall learning environment. For these reasons, the resume plays an important role in of the application process. We want to ensure that our students have some professional experience so that they get the most out of their business education as well as able to enhance others' business perspectives. However, when it comes to the optimal amount and type of professional experience, that can vary and it is much more about the quality of the experience.
In looking at applications, we seek students that come from a wide array of backgrounds – personally, academically as well as professionally. There is no one set industry or job function that we look for. Overall, we are looking for individuals that are able to show that they have leadership potential and are able to work in a collaborative environment. Does that mean you have to be at a managerial level and have a certain number of direct reports? No, it simply means that you’ve taken initiative and have made an impact on your organization. It might be something as simple as mentoring a new hire or implementing a new idea or perhaps even taking the lead on planning the company’s annual holiday party. Think broadly in scope!
So what is the optimal time to start an MBA program? That’s really going to vary by individual. Again, we look at students that have a wide range of years of professional experience. Although the average number of years of experience for our first year class is 4 years, we have students who have made an immediate impact in their professional lives in just one or two years and we have individuals who have needed to work a bit longer before feeling ready to take on the Tepper MBA program. The time to leave work and return to an MBA program is really dependent on where you are in your career and if it’s time to acquire the MBA skill set to take your career to the next level.
Don’t think because you’ve been working in a non-business function you shouldn’t apply or because you’ve only been employed for 2 years that you shouldn’t apply. Take a careful look at where you are now, assess where you want to go and decide if now is the right time for you to take the plunge and enter an MBA program.
October's Tip - Understanding Class Profile Ranges
by Laurie Stewart - Executive Director of Masters Admissions
My admissions colleagues and I are often surprised when we meet terrific prospective MBA students who tell us that they aren’t sure that they should even apply to Tepper. Why? Because they don’t think their chances of being admitted are very good. They say that they’ve looked at our class profile and since their GMAT score [or GPA or years of work experience, etc] are less than our average, they think applying would be a waste of time. Are they right? Quite often, the answer is no. Many of those candidates are a great a fit for Tepper and have an excellent chance of being admitted. We have many students at Tepper who were initially concerned about their chances, but who later were successful in the admissions process---with many receiving merit scholarships. So what should you think about when considering whether or not to apply?
First—the only sure thing in the admissions process is that you can’t get in if you don’t apply! I would encourage you to consider whether or not Tepper will provide the kind of educational experience that you are seeking, as well as the range of career opportunities in the future. If the answer is yes—we would encourage you think seriously about applying.
Second—you should focus more on the range, rather than the mean when reviewing class profile factors and considering whether or not you should apply. One simple way to look at this is that half of our students have GMAT scores below the median. Similarly, although most students have between 2 and 8 years of professional experience, there are several that joined Tepper directly after their undergraduate study –or- that have more than 8 years of experience. On the flip side, having a really great GMAT score or lots of years of experience is no guarantee of an admission offer either. That’s because a range of factors come into play when we consider your application. Things like: potential for academic success at Tepper, potential for professional success in the future, personal qualities like leadership, communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills as well as your goals and rationale for wanting an MBA from Tepper.
Finally—you don’t need to have an engineering or science background to achieve great things at Tepper. Although recent classes have a high proportion of students from engineering/science backgrounds, we are seeking candidates from all academic disciplines, and in a typical year, half of our students come from non-technical backgrounds. Our students and graduates will be lifelong learners, but the MBA will probably be the last degree that they’ll obtain in their academic life. So, the MBA represents a critical opportunity to 1) build on the strengths that you already have, as well as 2) add new skills and knowledge that you need to advance in your career. Students from all backgrounds find both of these things at Tepper. Everyone builds a strong analytical skill set when they’re here and quite often, students with a less technical background have the most to gain by attending a school like Tepper. We hope you’ll take a good look at Tepper and do feel free to contact us to learn more.
Good luck!
November’s Tip: Utilizing the Optional Essay
by Lauren Capone, Assistant Director of Admissions
The essay section introduces the admissions committee to you as an individual and shows how you are unique when you are being compared to other applicants with similar profiles and experiences. Use the essays to demonstrate how you are a good fit for the MBA program you are applying to and highlight your unique personal and professional experiences that define you as an individual.
After you have successfully answered the mandatory essay questions, you will find yourself faced with the optional essay. The optional essay is just that: optional. Do not feel compelled to write an essay for this section if you do not have anything that is additional – and relevant – to add to tell the Admissions Committee. When used correctly, the optional essay is an excellent tool for you to address any perceived weaknesses in your application, as well as a great way to highlight any strengths that may not be apparent elsewhere on your application. Be careful not to omit any information that might leave the Committee guessing about some aspect of your application.
The most critical step in writing an effective optional essay takes place even before the pen touches the paper: reflect before you write! Make sure you have something important to convey – don’t submit an essay full of excuses, but be proactive about any weak points or gaps in your application. For example: a low GPA, bad grades, academic discipline or probation, gaps in employment history, classes you plan to take to strengthen your application, certifications or awards you may hold, explanation as to why your current supervisor is not one of your recommenders are some common aspects that are addressed in the optional essay. The optional essay is the ideal opportunity to explain the reasoning and rationale behind these and other similar instances.
From the viewpoint of the Admissions Committee, you can almost never go wrong with providing us an optional essay if you believe that you have something important to tell us, but please be reflective and succinct.
Happy Writing!
December’s Tip - Making the Most of Your Interview
by Krystal Brooks - Assistant Director of Masters Admissions
There are many components of your application that are somewhat out of your hands. Your undergraduate GPA has already been tabulated and recorded. Your professional experience and work history is just that: history. Fortunately, there are aspects of your application which are very much under your control, namely the admissions interview. This is why making the most of your admissions interview is so important.
The key to a successful admissions interview is preparation. You will want to take time to collect your thoughts and stories regarding your academic and professional experience, teamwork and leadership opportunities, and your short term and long term goals. We want to know how the MBA, specifically the Tepper MBA, will help you achieve those goals. Preparation will allow you to speak to your strengths while keeping your answers clear and concise.
The primary purpose of an interview is for our team to get to know you a bit better. For this to happen, you must first know yourself! Before your interview, be sure to review your resume and reflect on your academic and professional progression. Think about how you can best demonstrate your strengths and contribution to the MBA class of 2010. When the admissions team evaluates candidates, we are primarily looking for a “fit” between the Tepper School and a candidate’s interests and profile. This fit is not only important for the interview, but also for your eventual success and satisfaction with your MBA program. Being able to communicate that fit is ultimately what makes an average interview outstanding.
January's Tip - The Role of the GMAT and Academics in the MBA Application
by Gwen Stanczak, Associate Director of Admissions
The GMAT and academics are two components of the application that cause many people anxiety, so I’m here to try to alleviate some of that angst. In reviewing applications, you often will hear that it is a holistic process and that is quite true. Even in looking at just the GMAT and academic performance, there are many nuances we delve into; nothing is taken at face value. So, I will attempt to give you some insight on how we Admissions Officers look at these two components of the application and hopefully give you some strategies that help to ease your mind and make the application process a little less stressful.
Let’s start with the GMAT. The purpose of the GMAT is to give us an idea of how you will you perform in the core course of the MBA program. The GMAT is made up of three sections: a quantitative section, a verbal section and the analytical writing assessment. While we look at the overall score, we also like to see a relative balance between your individual scores in each section. So, although it’s typical to have one section score higher than another section, we do not like to see a large discrepancy between the sections (say 17/50 on the verbal with a 50/51 on the quantitative section or vice versa). We accept the highest overall score, so if you do not do as well as you’d like the first, second or even third time around, it’s ok to retake it. Be sure to give yourself enough time to prepare, study regularly, take sample tests and most importantly, relax. If you look at our class profile, you’ll find that although there is an average score, there is also a large range of scores. Thus, even if you aren’t at the average, if you are within the range of scores, there may be other areas of your application that balance out your GMAT score, such as your academics. For more information, tips and preparation tools for the GMAT, check out www.mba.com.
Your academic profile gives us the opportunity to see how you have performed in a university setting in the past. This may solely include undergraduate records or may include additional graduate level study. We want to see transcripts from all college or university level work, even if it was just a course or two at a local community college. When reviewing academic credentials, it’s not about the bottom line or final GPA; we really take a close look at your records and thoroughly evaluate your academic background on a variety of dimensions including : looking at overall trend of grades, how well you performed in quantitative courses and what was your major area of study. Unfortunately, your academic background is one area of your application that you cannot go back and change, but there are some ways to mitigate a less than stellar academic profile.
The first thing to consider is the optional essay. We are human and understand that things happen in life, but rather then leave it to the imagination of the Admissions Committee, tell us the cause for the weaknesses in your academic profile. Perhaps you were working while in school or maybe it was just an issue of maturity; the optional essay is a great place to explain these things. Keep it brief, to the point and positive. Another thing to consider to enhance your academic profile is to take a course at a local college or university to show that you have the ability to perform academically. This is particularly useful if you did not do as well in your quantitative coursework or if you do not have any quantitative courses in your background. Courses to consider would be a technical calculus course (one that is for engineering or science students) and/or a statistics course. This will show the Admissions Committee your commitment and potential for academic success despite a previously poor academic record.
Overall, in thinking about the GMAT and academics, the three things to remember are:
1) Give yourself enough time. Whether it’s preparing for the GMAT or if you need to take courses in advance, don’t wait until the last minute.
2) Be transparent. Leave nothing to question. If you feel there is a weakness in your profile, we likely will see it too; so use the optional essay to give us the correct context.
3) This is a holistic process. There is no one component that will necessarily make or break your application, so be sure to present the best 'you' possible in all dimensions!
February's Tip - Finding and Articulating a Strong Fit in Your Application
by James Frick, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Throughout the recruiting year, my colleagues and I speak with candidates who provide us with a few pieces of information, such as number of years of experience and GMAT score, and ask us: “What are my chances for admission?” As you might imagine, that is an extremely difficult question to answer! There are quite a few components of the application not readily available in a short introduction or profile that are of equal importance in the application evaluation process. One such component, a very small word that means a whole lot to the Tepper Admissions team, is ‘fit.’ In this month’s tip, I hope to offer a few suggestions on finding and articulating a strong fit in your application.
In broad strokes, I believe ‘fit’ represents the extent to which a school’s curriculum, culture, and community aligns with a candidate’s goals, values, experiences and preferences. Arriving at such a fit will likely take quite a bit of time and involve a careful and thorough assessment of yourself and the schools you may be considering. The best place to start, then, in finding a fit is through self-reflection. This would include: Understanding what personal and professional experiences have helped shape you and bring you to this point in your career; gaining a sense of where you envision your post-mba career path taking you; and taking inventory on what attributes are most important to you within a B-School and would be most conducive to your success as a student (i.e. size of the student body, location of the campus, how collaborative the students are, opportunities outside the classroom, just to name a few).
This self-awareness is a fantastic start to articulating a strong fit; however, there is another very important step that remains. You will want to extend that same level of attention to come to a strong understanding about the schools you may be considering. Obviously, brochures and websites are great places to start to learn about academics and career opportunities, but to really come to know a school and its community, you’ll want to dig a little deeper. The Tepper Admissions team is always happy to introduce you our program and community. Additionally, connecting with current students and recent alumni provides great first-hand accounts about the school’s culture and community. A campus visit also allows great insight into how classes are conducted, how students work together, and what the campus environment is like. By taking the time to explore schools at this level, you should arrive at strong conclusions about which programs are the best fit for you. Now, it’s time to communicate that clearly and thoughtfully in your application.
‘Fit’ will resonate throughout the application, but it is most readily apparent in the essays, the interview, and letters of recommendation. If you have taken the steps outlined above, you should now feel comfortable explaining in your essays and in your interview the progression you have had in your career to this point, the directions you envision your career taking you, why the MBA degree as a whole is the ideal next step for you, and finally, the reasons you have selected our program. You’ll also have the context to present specific details and steps that led you to your decisions as well. And, since you have already read in our August tip about spending time with your recommenders before they complete their evaluations on your behalf, they, too, will have a clear understanding about your goals and choice in programs, and can reinforce that fit in the letters they craft.
The decision to pursue an MBA and, ultimately, which program to attend is both time and resource-intensive. Thus, you owe it to yourself to make the most informed decision that you can and to present your strongest application. In addition to helping you to present a clear and effective fit in the application, I think that the reflection and research outlined above will also allow you to choose a program that best meets your personal and professional goals and values, helping to ensure that you will have a rich and rewarding experience in your MBA studies.
