METHODS (TO MY MADNESS): HOW I HELP YOU GET IN
I use a great variety of methods for helping clients. In fact, one thing that sets me apart from many other consultants is my desire to continually renew my own approach. My blog shows some of the fruits of those efforts. That said, some of the core methods I use to help clients to succeed are below. See my blog for more!
ESSAYS
One important characteristic that has made me a highly effective admissions adviser is that I am a very strong reader. When I read essays, I think about the following (and usually in this order):
Do I believe? If I am not convinced by what I read, I know admissions will not be either. Through effective communication of your goals and experiences we will guarantee that they believe you.
Do I care? If I do not become interested in what I am reading I know there is a problem. The problem may be that the essay is simply generic or it might be the way a story is being told is boring or it maybe a lack of passion in the writing. Whatever the case, I will identify problems and help you come up with solutions.
Does it sell me? Great essays don’t just need to be believable and interesting, they have to be convincing. You are trying to get admissions to take a specific action after they read your file: admit you or invite you for an interview. Thus, essays must convince them to take action, they have to see why you should be admitted. I will help you understand how to do this and give very specific advice on how to do so.
Do I think what you intended me to think? In writing there is always room for misinterpretation. If you have not effectively interpreted yourself, there is always the possibility that your reader will draw opposite conclusions from what you intended. It is my job to make sure that you understand and correct for all such negative interpretations.
Once your essays have cleared all four stages and been proofread, I will consider them to be done. There is always potential room for further improvement in any writing, but at a certain point we will both have to agree when an essay is done.
INTERVIEWS
I have a simple and effective method for interview preparation: Over-preparation. The best way to do well in any interview is be prepared for an interview that will be harder than the actual interview. Since 2001, I have been told by grateful clients that my practice interviews were harder than the real thing and as a result they could confidently handle the real interview. As with essays, I discuss interviews extensively on my blog. Some specific techniques I use:
Interview Strategy Formulation. I will help develop the talking points to help you handle any question you are asked. I use specific procedures for doing this.
Answer Modeling. If you need it, I can model answers for you based on what I know about you. If we have already worked on essays, I will already have a tremendous amount of knowledge about you. While all clients may benefit from modeling, especially those with intermediate level English speaking ability will find this helpful.
Focus on Presentation. I will give you specific feedback not only on what you say, but your overall presentation skills.
School Specific Interview Practice. I don’t believe in the value of mock interviews that are not school specific. To whatever extent possible, I like to make the practices as realistic as possible.
RESUMES
I will help you put together a great resume. I will help you prepare the content to conform to a high professional standard. All professionals greatly benefit from getting advice on their resume content and it is indeed common for people in the US to use resume advising and writing services. I offer a similar kind of service. Some core considerations:
1. What parts of your past will an admission commitee care about?
2. How you can you best show your connection to your intended field of study?
3. What do you want to discuss in an interview? The resume acts as an agenda for many MBA interviews.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I
can help you select the appropriate recommenders. Additionally, I
can provide advice to you and/or your recommender regarding the
content. I treat recommendations the same as essays. I
don’t write them, but I am happy to give specific advice on what
to do in order to put together a great recommendation. I will also advise you on how to strategically select your recommenders.
APPLICATIONS, WAITLIST LETTERS & OTHER COMMUNICATION WITH ADMISSIONS
I am happy to advise and review everything you send to admissions. I use the same criteria for reading essays (above) when doing so.