Jawle

GMATbong, As I mentioned in my earlier post, Darden gives me access to Job Post database and corporate contact search. I was thinking that it may not useful for me as EMBA student. I am wondering whether I am of the right perception. What does this database contain? How does this information used by students? Would they specifically ask for FT MBA students?? Can I simply apply for a job (of course related to my current field) that interests/suits me? Right now I am not looking to go out of my company after my MBA, but you never know how things turn out. Thanks Jawle.

check my earlier mail.

Two main reasons why it is difficult to switch careers. 1. EMBA program typically emphasizes on general management, though the program has some electives. So it is not a program that gives you an in-depth knowledge and experience in a specialized area, for. e.g. finance, entrepreneurship etc. In many schools, these electives are decided based on the interest in the class. Some EMBA programs are by default concentrated on a specific field, for e.g. IEMBA at Georgetown emphasizes international business with general mgmt. 2. No school provides campus recruiting for the EMBA students. Several of the schools do not even provide any career services to EMBA students. Some schools provide career services, however, those don't involves recruiting. So, if you are career switcher, it will be your responsibility to find a job of your interest. As per the admissions office from Darden, EMBA students will be given access to job search database and corporate contact search. On the other hand, they are saying that companies visiting the campus look for MBA students with 3 to 5 years experience, not for those with 10 years experience. So giving access to job database may not help much for EMBA students. Having said this, I have to say that I knew a few people who did EMBA and all of them got good opportunities after MBA. As per them (of course it's my opinion too), unless you want to switch your career to something different, why not build your career on something that you already have a lot of experience with. GMATBong, your comments are most welcome. -Jawle

I am an EMBA student starting this summer at Darden. I am married, no kids yet and I am 31 with about 9 years experience. My profile is a little old for the FT and for other personal reasons, I chose to go to EMBA, though I will be on the younger side of the EMBA class. When I investigated about the FT and EMBA, I got similar information what GMATBong mentioned in his reply regarding FT and EMBA. IMO, in order to choose, the main reason should be whether you want to switch your career. If you are already a (junior or mid-level) manager and if you want to be in your field, EMBA might be a good option for you to get to a next level position. A friend of mine, who used to work as a manager at a mid-size company, recently completed his EMBA at Duke and got a director position at another large organization. According to him, the job after EMBA really depends on your current position. Your EMBA just gives a push for you to achieve that next position quickly. I attended the Open House in Darden and participated in a case-method class where I was part of the about 40 prospective students, who were all managers/leaders in different companies. I felt that the level of knowledge one receives with this kind experienced student body is much higher than that of the FT class, where students are much younger with less experience. Then the negative side with EMBA is that you will not be contributing to the program all your time. Also remember the workload, for e.g. Darden expects an EMBA student to spend 20 hours per week outside the class room. So doing EMBA will be really hectic, since you already need to spend 40 hours in your regular work. Finally, from my experience so far, if you have family and if you are already in a mid-level position and you want to be in your field (not a career switcher), EMBA might not be a bad idea. IMO, the first job after your FT or EMBA is the one really differs. After that, it really doesn't matter whether you did FT or EMBA. It will be just MBA and then it all depends on how you perform in your job. -Jawle

Just to update.. I did the Georgetown interview today. It went very well and I am quite positive. Guys, I greatly appreciate your response to my questions in the post. Thanks Jawle.

Thanks GMATBong for your opinions to my questions earlier. I am looking for Executive MBA program and I live in DC area. I already got an admit for Darden ExecMBA (General Management emphasis) and I will be doing Georgetown ExecMBA interview (International Business emphasis) this week. I am hoping that I will get an admit from this one too. Now I am debating which one to consider by thinking in the following lines. I understand that Darden is a better school than Georgetown in terms of ranking, job placements etc at least for full-time students. Though Darden is in top 15 (top 10 in some ranking), I am wondering how well this school is recognized in the industry (I have to say several years ago, as an engineer, I only knew Virginia Tech as a good school, but did not know Darden (Univ of V). How is this school compared to Ross, Wharton, Georgetown etc by the industry, recruiters etc. These may not really matter to me in terms of recruiting immediately after my MBA, because I am not doing full-time MBA. Which program, General Mgmt or International Business, benefits a person (India origin) with Software/Networking background in terms of future job opportunities. I know a friend who did Georgetown ExecMBA with International emphasis, he is leading a division in India. It seems opportunities are good in that area too. What's your take on this? Please provide me your insights on this. Thanks Jawle.

Thanks GMATBONG for your response. Guys, one more question, I posted this in Sept2006InTake Yahoo Group and I got no response. Could somebody please provide me an opinion on this interview question.. Q: Tell me about yourself?? After reading some emails of some earlier interviewees' experience, it seems that the answer is supposed to be comprehensive (30 minutes) about myself, starting with my childhood and going through each of my academic, professional and personal experiences (probably in chronological order). However, the interview tips online (these are for job interviews) suggests that I should not be going thru the whole story, but go thru the gist and talk about the important achievements. This could be true for job interviews. But, what is the norm for MBA admission interviews for this question?? Thanks for your help.... Jawle.

ooh boy... I received more details about the interview and it will be a 2 hour one. One hour with a Professor and another hour with the director of student affairs. It is interesting that they are giving it so much importance, probably because it's their first year of ExecMBA program. And also looks like, the weightage for the interview is much more than the application itself. Any suggestions on my situation and anyone has any comments on dealing with a Prof, because the questions make not be the generic why MBA, why Darden . Thanks for your help. Jawle.

Folks, After weighing several things (personal), I chose the PT approach and applied for Smith (PT) and Darden (ExecMBA). My goal right now is not to switch my career to Finance etc, but to be in management (probably general, IT etc) positions. I have an interview from Darden (ExecMBA) in a week. Most of the info I see on the internet is for FT. I know that most of the questions could be in similar lines, but I am wondering what the differences can be. MCHAKRAIN, I know you have investigated about EMBA, do you have any suggestions for me. I don't have the exact info about who is going to interview yet, but from the email I received that it would be someone from faculty. Is it usual that a faculty member be conducting an interview? Any tips?? Thanks for your help. Jawle.

Hi, In one of my app, I am asked to write 2 out of 3 essay questions. Can I write all 3 of them or should I write only 2 of them? Is writing for all 3 questions viewed as negative?? Please provide me your opinion? Thanks Jawle.

This one is from Darden Executive MBA Application. The question is simply to provide any additional information that will be helpful for my admissions process. Another issue I am facing is, since one of my recommender gave me paper based reco, I am mailing the application instead of filling it online. For the school I mentioned above, the instructions say that I have to type the application, but the application they provided online is not editable. I don't think I can find a typing machine or someone to type it for me in US. Anybody dealt with this kind of scenario? Can I fill the application online and mail the other stuff transcripts, recos etc (anyways, I have to mail the official transcripts that I got from India)? One more question, I have seen in applications that I can arrange an interview before even submitting my application. Is it just for informative purposes? Or will it add any value for the admission process as it shows my interest in the school? The reason for asking this, in Darden application, there is small section where I will have to write the interview date if it is scheduled. Thanks for your suggestions. Jawle.

Interesting discussion. In fact I was also pondering about what exactly management consulting is. Guys (mchakrain, GMATBong & others) I am almost done with my essays, except the optional additional information question. For this question, I know it is a good idea to write something positive that impresses the admission office instead of not writing anything at all. But unfortunately, as a normal person, I could not find such a big thing in my life to write about for this question. I found a few things that I can write, but when I started writing about each of these, I found that it is weaker and unimpressive (than the other essays in the application). How are you guys handling this?? What are the typical topics we could write for this question?? Thanks Jawle.

Guys, In some essays and recos, I saw questions about weakness(es). I know that I or my recommender shouldn't write important characters (such as leadership, initiative etc) as weaknesses even if I really needs improvement, after all, we are going to B-School to improve some of those. What do people typically write about their weaknesses? Can you give me a few samples. Also, can somebody point me to a place where I can get some sample recos and essays. Thank you so much for your earlier replies to my posts. Jawle.

Guys, Three of years ago, I co-founded a software company with a friend of mine. This was done along with my regular full-time job and I worked for my company for a couple of years. Though I am not with that company any longer, my friend is running it right now and it is doing alright. How do I specify this overlapping experience in my resume. Can I show it under a special section with 'Other Experience' or just show it in the regular experience section of the resume. Also based on the earlier posts, if I show my above mentioned experience in my resume, my long term goal of 'Starting my own company' becomes questionable. Isn't it? Another question, can I apply for part-time for the same year for the same school, if the full-time/EMBA application is rejected?? Does any school allow that? What is the implication of sending a third recommendation letter? This application process is more overwhelming than I thought. Thanks guys for your opinions. Jawle.

Thanks guys for your responses. 1. You guys seem to have different opinions about EMBA. As per my research so far regarding EMBA, the advantage is that the class contains mostly experienced (managers etc) whose acquaintance is good in terms of network building and usually it will be the same class for the entire program. So one gets a chance to know everybody in the class well. But schools don't provide career services to EMBA students. However, it is reverse for part-time students. If it works out, either way doesn't matter. Anyways, which benefit is advantageous here network or career services? 2. I have seen that U of MD provides the same career services facilities to full-time and part-time students. If universities give such facilities, would there be any difference in terms of prospects between full-time and part-time. Do the employers give preference to full-time candidates?? 3. Recently, I found out that Darden is starting EMBA starting June 2006. They have a requirement of 10+ years of experience. I am wondering how picky they will be in selecting the candidates during their first year. Any opinions on joining the program during its first year and prospects after doing such a program?? 4. Regarding the 3rd round acceptance rate I mentioned in my earlier post, I was asking in the context that I write the GMAT again with an aim of 700+. With 700+ GMAT, what are the chances in 3rd round?? Thanks you so much for your opinions. Jawle.