a road to us business schools: inside stories

This is not a grooming session

This is not your ticket to the US

This is neither a preparation package, not the first step to US

An entrepreneur

An academic

An executive

A public servant

Professional degrees

All information are generic

Admission process varies across schools

US is not the only available option

Presentation

Panel discussion

QA session

Program Options: MBA vs Masters

School Selection – Elite, Best, Good Schools

Application Requirements

Application Documents

GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS

Application Cost

Program Cost and Funding Opportunities

MBA

Masters

PhD and DBA

Other Professional Degrees (CPA, IMA, CFA, CFP, CAIA, FRM,

ERP, CERA, FSPA and many more)

Concentration

Ranking

Alumni

Professors

Cost and financing options

Research Outcome

Look for the ranking for your program

Popular MBA ranking:

Business Week

US news

Forbes

Financial times

Economist

School 01 School 02 School 03

Name of the program

Ranking

Deadline to apply

Application fee

Types of Assistantship

GMAT req.

TOEFL req.

Min GPA

Years of experience required

Notes/Remarks

There is no formula to optimize number of applications

MONEY and TIME determine the number

It’s better to divide schools as:

Dream School

Probably School

Safety School

Application Form

Standardized Test Score

English Proficiency Test Score

Application Essays

Resume

Letters of recommendation

Academic Transcripts

Application Fee

Proof of Work Experience (if required)

Masters programs usually have single deadline; MBAs have several

Rounds of application (for Fall ‘13)

HBS: Round 1 – Sept 13, ‘13

Round 2 – Jan 06, ’14

Round 3 – April 07, ’14

Stanford: Round 1 – Oct 13, ‘13

Round 2 – Jan 08, ’14

Round 3 – April 02, ’14

Wharton: Round 1 – Oct 01, ‘13

Round 2 – Jan 07, ’14

Round 3 – March 27, ’14

It is always advised to apply by Round 2.

GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test.

NOTHING IS GOOD, EVERYTHING IS FAIR

700+ is always a competitive score

650+ is reasonable

Even 550+ is safe to manage admission

Min Max Median

Wharton 630 790 725

HBS 550 780 730

Stanford 550 790 720

Most schools accepts both TOEFL/IELTS, with few exceptions.

It’s better to have something above 100.

HBS asks for at least 109 and Stanford requires 100.

A 80+ score is OK for average schools.

Open-ended Essay

1,000 to 1,500 words

Usually for Masters and PhD programs

Pre-defined Essays

2-3 Essays

No more than 600 words for each

You’re applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your

resume, school transcripts, extra-curricular activities, awards,

post-MBA career goals, test scores and what your

recommenders have to say about you. What else would you

like us to know as we consider your candidacy?

HBS required three questions for Fall ‘12 and two questions for Fall ‘13.

Two to three letters are required.

Online Recommendations

Offline Recommendations

Be aware of recommendation questions

There is nothing called standard CGPA.

3.00+ is always enough to apply. (no h/f rule)

3.5 and above is good.

3.75 and above always gives an edge.

CGPA, sometimes, is considered against your country of origin.

Single page resume is preferable

Highlight your research capability, demonstrated leadership

capacity, and commitment and contribution to the society

Also, emphasize on extra-curricula activities

Application fee: $25 - $265

(Some schools waive application fee)

TOEFL Score: $18 (After initial four schools)

GMAT Score: $28 (After initial five schools)

Transcript: Tk. 500 + Tk. 400 per transcript

Courier: Varies, usually $20 for a school

Tuition fee: Widely varies (an average range is here)

For MBA $60,000 - $150,000

For Masters $25,000 - $60,000

Living: $800 - $2,000

- depends on states

- depends on your lifestyle

- depends on where you’re living (on campus or off campus)

Reading Materials: $500 – $1,500 per semester

Medical Insurance: $1,000 – $2,000 annual

Other Expenses

Teaching assistantships (TA)

Research assistantships (RA)

Fellowships/Grants

Tuition waivers and

Loans (mostly available to native applicants)

University Diversity Fellowship

LDC or Emerging Country Fellowship

Fulbright Fellowship

Rotary Fellowship

Ford Foundation International Fellowship

Aga Khan Foundation

International Research and Exchanges Board

World Bank and IMF Fellowship

Loan Forgiveness Program and many more

Primarily select your preferred schools

Take GMAT/GRE, at least two – three prior to deadline

Take proficiency test

Decide on the program and schools you’re applying to

Open an application account, at least a month earlier

Draft, write and revise essay(s)

Manage and inform you recommenders

Send test scores

Fill out your application form and submit

Upload and/or send required materials

Prepare for an interview, if necessary or called up

Pray for a favorable final decision

don’t forget to treat us…