As the co-chair of a couple clubs at Tuck, I often get e-mails from prospective students inquiring about the school or a club they're interested in. Most people ask really great questions and I'm really happy to help them in any way I can. However, every now and again, a propsective student does something that is either a) a big no no or b) slightly ridiculous. I've decided to post a few of these as lessons in what not to do.
What Not to Do:
#1 - Accidentally writing the wrong school name in your e-mail/essay or addressing a letter to the wrong person. This will get you ding'ed anywhere - whether applying to school or a job. Enough said.
#2 - Not conveying sincere interest for the school. A few months ago I received an e-mail that started off like this: "After careful consideration I recently decided to include Tuck in my MBA application process." So basically what you just told me is that you weren't originally considering Tuck and that it's probably not your top choice? #ding
#3 - Expecting a current student or admissions officer to tell you why you should attend the school. Sample bad e-mail: "I would like a first person's account of what is unique about the program, and how it can help me fulfill my aspirations." You wouldn't send a potential employer an e-mail that says "Dear Goldman Sachs, please tell me what is unique about your company and how you can help me fulfill my aspirations." so what makes candidates think this is an appropriate strategy for reaching out to a MBA program?
That said, current students and admissions officers are definitely willing to help answer any questions you may have about the program. However, it's all on you to know why you want to get an MBA and why you're interested in a school (even if you're not 100% certain that you're going to apply there yet).
#4 - Trying to show how smart you are by asking unnecessarily complex questions. People will generally assume you are intelligent. Acting 'smarter than thou' does not win you points.
#5 - Claiming to know a current student or admissions officer better than you really do in your interview. Odds are relatively high that the interviewer will reach out to the current students / admissions officers you claim to know in your interview for more information, so be honest. One time an applicant exaggerated how well he knew a current student we'll call "Guy X" during an interview. Ironically (and unknown to him) the applicant was interviewing with "Guy X's" girlfriend. #badtimetoexaggerate
#6 - Not following up. If a current student does an informational call with you or e-mails extensively with you, follow up with them and let you know when you interview/apply. If a current student tells you to 'keep them posted', this generally means that they really like you and might (unknown to you) put in a good word for you with admissions. If you don't follow up with the current student, you lose this opportunity.
#7 - Asking your interviewer to recommend you. If you have to ask, the answer is probably no.
What Not to Do:
#1 - Accidentally writing the wrong school name in your e-mail/essay or addressing a letter to the wrong person. This will get you ding'ed anywhere - whether applying to school or a job. Enough said.
#2 - Not conveying sincere interest for the school. A few months ago I received an e-mail that started off like this: "After careful consideration I recently decided to include Tuck in my MBA application process." So basically what you just told me is that you weren't originally considering Tuck and that it's probably not your top choice? #ding
#3 - Expecting a current student or admissions officer to tell you why you should attend the school. Sample bad e-mail: "I would like a first person's account of what is unique about the program, and how it can help me fulfill my aspirations." You wouldn't send a potential employer an e-mail that says "Dear Goldman Sachs, please tell me what is unique about your company and how you can help me fulfill my aspirations." so what makes candidates think this is an appropriate strategy for reaching out to a MBA program?
That said, current students and admissions officers are definitely willing to help answer any questions you may have about the program. However, it's all on you to know why you want to get an MBA and why you're interested in a school (even if you're not 100% certain that you're going to apply there yet).
#4 - Trying to show how smart you are by asking unnecessarily complex questions. People will generally assume you are intelligent. Acting 'smarter than thou' does not win you points.
#5 - Claiming to know a current student or admissions officer better than you really do in your interview. Odds are relatively high that the interviewer will reach out to the current students / admissions officers you claim to know in your interview for more information, so be honest. One time an applicant exaggerated how well he knew a current student we'll call "Guy X" during an interview. Ironically (and unknown to him) the applicant was interviewing with "Guy X's" girlfriend. #badtimetoexaggerate
#6 - Not following up. If a current student does an informational call with you or e-mails extensively with you, follow up with them and let you know when you interview/apply. If a current student tells you to 'keep them posted', this generally means that they really like you and might (unknown to you) put in a good word for you with admissions. If you don't follow up with the current student, you lose this opportunity.
#7 - Asking your interviewer to recommend you. If you have to ask, the answer is probably no.
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