I will run out of superlatives if I attempt to describe the 2010 AIGAC Conference in Boston. Suffice it say that it was extraordinarily illuminating. MIT Sloan and Harvard Business School graciously and generously hosted the event, which was kicked off by MIT Sloan’s Dean David C. Schmittlein, who discussed the reasoning behind MIT Sloan’s portfolio of programs as well as the school’s three-fold focus on innovation, action learning, and knowledge creation. He was followed by multiple presentations about MIT Sloan, several panels with admissions directors from Columbia, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, INSEAD, Tuck, Yale SOM, Haas, Kelley, UCLA Anderson, UVA Darden, and Duke Fuqua. The conference ended at HBS with a dynamic presentation by Harvard’s Executive Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid, Deidre Leopold, and a tour of the magnificent HBS campus. (Ok I’ll can the superlatives.)
A few impressions and take-aways for applicants from the different events and sessions:
MIT Sloan Panels:
In addition to Dean Schmittlein, we heard from MIT Sloan’s MBA Program (Rod Garcia) , Fellows 
The Charles River Near MIT SloanProgram (Stephen Sacca), EMBA Program, Masters in Finance, and Leaders in Global Operations (LGO) (Jane Deutsch). From these panels it is clear that MIT is looking for demonstrated success academically and professionally. The latter translates into success or professional progression that is better than the norm for your peers. In terms of those fuzzy attributes and personal characteristics that all schools talk about, Sloan wants to see drive; an ability to build relationships and influence others; and the establishment, pursuit and achievement of goals. A few factoids about the individual programs:
- 100% of the MFin grads have jobs this year, this program’s inaugural graduating class.
- The EMBA is a program for those in mid-management with a demonstrated record of success who either want to advance in their career or make a slight career change without leaving their job. Neither sponsorship nor the GMAT is required. (the latter may be requested if MIT has questions about the applicant’s quant skills.)
- The LGO program focuses on managing the global production and distribution of goods and services. It is a joint, quant-hearvy 24-month program between MIT Sloan and MIT’s School of Engineering. At the end participants earn both an MBA and an MS in Engineering.
;)
MIT SloanWe also heard two presentations by MIT Sloan professors. If you have any doubts that MIT Sloan is serious about innovation and global reach, abandon them. The creativity and global impact evident in just these two hours would force you to reshape your views.
Application Reading Panel
Four admission directors, (Heather Daly, NYU Stern; Soojin Kwon Koh, Michigan Ross; Mary Milller, CBS; Cassandra Pittman, INSEAD) gave their reaction to three hypothetical applicant profiles. They looked at logic. They looked at trends and details like the rigor of particular courses. They frequently disagreed as to what is important or whom they would invite to interview at their school. Remember the schools are different. Pay attention to the nuances.
EQ in Admissions
Your informal and personally identifiable interactions with school admissions personnel are highly revealing. They COUNT! Arrogance at any point in time is a death knell for your application (and most relationships too.) Rudeness to a receptionist is a ding. How can you demonstrate EQ? Show that you have helped a colleague. When asked about a failure, discuss a real one and what you learned from it. In your essays and interviews, reveal dignity, generosity of spirit, self-awareness, authenticity, and sensitivity. (Dawna Clarke, Tuck; Bruce DelMonico, Yale; Pete Johnson, Haas; Pam Roberts, Indiana Kelley)
Financial Aid Session
(Pete Johnson, Haas; Pam Roberts, Indiana Kelley; Mae Jennifer Shores, UCLA Anderson)
A few takeaways:
- Merit aid tends to go to the top X% based on academic stats.
- Generally, when evaluating fellowship application essays, the readers do not refer to your application essays.
- If your credit score is low, it can prevent you from obtaining loans and attending the programs of your choice. Get your credit in order before you apply.
Career Development
Again, a few takeaways from this session with the career services directors. (Al Cotrone, Michigan Ross; Ivan Kerbel, Yale SOM; Jackie Wilbur, MIT Sloan).
- The MBA employment picture improved throughout 2009-10.
- Job applicants need to be more aware of their (usually older) audience; those are the people you need to convince to hire you.
- Read the employment reports for schools before you decide to apply and certainly before you decide to attend. You need to know school strengths as revealed in these reports.
- The career services staff educates students about effective career planning and job search techniques. It doesn’t create or find jobs for you.
- Networking, which is about building relationships not the size of your contact list, is more important than ever. In order to build relationships, you must move beyond email.
All-School Panel
Directors from Tuck, Yale, MIT Sloan, Duke Fuqua, Haas, Michigan Ross, Indiana Kelley, UCLA Anderson, UVA Darden, and Harvard.
It is hard to pull a few nuggets or summarize this session which was wide-ranging. There was one item of unanimous agreement: one-page resumes, PLEASE.
Session with Dee Leopold at Harvard Business School
Baker Library at HBSDeidre Leopold, Harvard Business School’s Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid with occasional input from Steve Nelson, the Executive Director of Harvard’s MBA Program, gave an interactive two-hour presentation without PowerPoint slides or notes that was stimulating and engaging. To the extent it reflected the dynamism of the Harvard educational experience, I was extremely impressed.
Dee explained Harvard’s reliance on the case study method: in order to be a leader, one needs judgment, which is obtained through experience, specifically experience making decisions. The case study method provides intensive experience in decision making.
Again, I am struggling to summarize our three hours at HBS, which also included a tour led by Jim Aisner, Harvard’s Director, Media Relations/Senior Editor, but it made me better understand that Harvard’s unparalleled brand is not just a matter of US News Rankings or smoke-and-mirrors branding. Both Dee and Steve emphasized that HBS is not for everyone, but like any top graduate program, it can be a fantastic experience for the right individuals.
Reflections and Thank you
Accepted Staff at Aldrich Hall (HBS). Standing: Robbie Walker, Tanis Kmetyk, Paul Bodine. Seated: Cindy Tokumitsu, Jennifer Bloom, Linda Abraham, Judy GruenIt is our job as admissions consultants to help you choose the best target programs and then show that you belong at your chosen schools. The candor and graciousness shown by the hosting schools as well as by the presenting admissions directors will help Accepted’s staff do exactly that. Profound thanks to the hosts and presenters as well as to AIGAC, led by Graham Richmond of Clear Admit, and specifically to Maxx Duffy of Maxx Associates and Anna Ivey of Ivey Consulting who co-chaired the event.
Learn More: Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Choosing the One for You.
By Linda Abraham, President and Founder of Accepted.com.
Read the full article: 2010 AIGAC Conference in Boston