John Roeder, long-time faculty member and current director of admissions at Vanderbilt University's Owen School of Business, shares his perspective on the ever-changing MBA.
Q: In terms of MBA culture, what attributes are seen as “must-haves” by today's prospective business students?
A: At just about any top MBA program you should be able to acquire the knowledge and skills to enter traditional MBA jobs. It is the additional “value adds” that become the distinguishing features of any MBA experience, separating one program from another. Students are looking for the ability to develop their soft skills and to gain access to the type of cutting-edge leadership development that is typically reserved for senior managers at Fortune 500 companies. Students are also looking for a strong and cohesive alumni network so that they will be able to derive value from their experience for not only the two years in the program, but also for the rest of their career.
Q: What is one common mistake that MBA candidates make during the admissions interview?
A: MBA candidates must do their research prior to the interview process. Interviewees typically have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the program and often don't realize that they are being evaluated on the quality of the questions asked. If you could easily find the answer to a question on the front page of a school's Web site, it is not a good question to be asking in an interview.
Q: What can future MBA applicants do now to build a strong work history?
A: It is not the quantity of years of work experience that most business schools look for, rather the quality. We look at how a candidate has impacted their organization and if they showed progression or increased responsibility within their roles and positions. Any opportunity to quantify results on a résumé is encouraged. Candidates should also be prepared to explain any gaps in their résumés.
Q: What would you say to someone who perceives the MBA as “boring”?
A: The MBA is the only graduate degree where you might learn as much from the person sitting to your right or left in the classroom as you will from the front of the room. It is a unique experience that cannot be found in other graduate programs such as law or med school. Where else would you find a former district attorney, a NASA engineer, a musician, a Major League shortstop, a U.S. Marine, a scientist, and an entrepreneur all in a classroom with former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist as the faculty member at the front of the room?
Q: What factors do you look for in a great admissions essay?
A: The best essays are the ones that truly answer the question that is asked. Many times, students will try to use one essay for multiple schools and it is evident to the admissions committee that this is the case. A candidate who can concisely and directly answer the question with good command of the English language in the response will provide a strong admissions essay.
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(Excerpt seen in Young Money magazine)
