Biggest mistakes that St Andrews admission officers see in applications

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Is your St Andrews personal statement reflective enough?

The personal statement is an incredibly useful contextual clue for St Andrews, giving them insight into their applicants. That’s why they warn students not to treat it like a laundry list of qualifications or a resume. Many applicants get so caught up in why they’re qualified to be admitted into the college, that they forget to talk about what they want to study and why.

This lack of reflection is often a major factor in differentiating between applicants. A competitive university such as St Andrews has students with top grades applying. What differentiates these high academic achievers is how well they can articulate their goals and identity, and how St Andrews fits into that.

Do you think your personal statement is reflective enough to truly say something about you, your goals, how the university can help you reach them, and how you could contribute in turn?

If you’re not sure, contact us to get your personal statement reviewed. We can help you craft a statement that will stand out to the admissions committee and increase your chances of getting accepted.

GMAT’s Tougher Scoring System: Navigating the New Percentile Landscape

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GMAT test takers should brace themselves for tougher scoring when they sit for the exam next month, as the new scoring system will make it harder to score 700 or higher.

For example, a score of 750 on the current GMAT, which puts a test taker in the 98th percentile, will convert to just a 695 on the new GMAT Focus Edition. This is because the test scores in general were being inflated and everyone was receiving top scores. According to GMAC, the test becomes useless if the top percentile is overcrowded.

What does this mean for test takers?

If you are planning to take the GMAT in the near future, it is important to be aware of this change. Students, admission officers and recruiters alike will have to adjust their thinking.

The new GMAT scoring system makes percentile rankings even more important, especially in the early days. A 695 is now a 98th percentile score, equivalent to a 740 or 750 on the old scale. This means that a sub-700 score should not be dismissed, as it may still be very competitive. Admissions officers will need to use percentile rankings to assess students’ abilities relative to their peers.

The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology

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Are you interested in business and engineering?

The Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology (M&T) at the University of Pennsylvania is a dual degree program that combines the best of both worlds. Students in the M&T Program pursue bachelor’s degrees from both the Wharton School of Business and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

This unique program allows students to develop a deep understanding of both business and engineering principles. They learn how to apply these principles to solve real-world problems.

This is an excellent option for students who are interested in learning more about the intersection of business and engineering, and the role it plays in the world today.

The M&T Program is highly selective, admitting only about 50 students each year. If you’re interested in applying, we can help you strategically position and differentiate yourself from the competition.

US Colleges Want to Know How Covid-19 Impacted you

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How did the pandemic affect you?

The Common App application has included a question which allows students to explain how the pandemic impacted them and what they were doing during the lockdown.

Why is this important?

This essay will help admission officers better understand the context that shaped your application.

Common mistakes:

Many students talk about how their perspectives and experiences changed in general rather than how their lives were impacted by the pandemic.

How the essay should be used:

Each individual had a different experience during the Pandemic. For instance, some may have lost a loved one whereas others may have been in a country that wasn’t affected and lived their normal lives and went to school.

The student whose life barely changed may have high grades, impressive extracurriculars, etc, whereas the student who lost someone dear to them may not. This essay asks students to reflect on such experiences, allowing admission officers to contextualise these applications for a fairer comparison.

Another example of how one can use this essay is of a student who was selected as the captain of the Indian football team but was unable to go as the tournament got cancelled because of the pandemic.

It is a big accomplishment to be selected to not only represent your country but also lead the team. However, without having gone for the tournament, this experience cannot be detailed in a resume or activity list. That’s where this essay comes in!

Do you know how to best utilise this essay? Contact us to learn more!

MIT’s new Bachelor of Science in Climate System Science and Engineering program

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Are you passionate about using your technical skills to find climate solutions?

If you’re a student with a passion for climate science and engineering, you might be interested in MIT’s new Bachelor of Science in Climate System Science and Engineering program.

This interdisciplinary program is jointly offered by the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. It’s designed to train the next generation of leaders in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The course focuses on a systems approach, providing a foundational understanding of both the Earth system and engineering principles — as well as an understanding of human and institutional behaviour as it relates to the climate challenge. It essentially equips students with the skills needed to design and implement real-world solutions to climate change.
MIT also offers many opportunities for students to get involved in climate research and outreach. The MIT Energy Initiative aims to develop low- and no-carbon solutions to meet global energy needs.

Do you want to join this exciting cohort? Contact us to learn more about putting together a competitive application for it!

Master of Management: A Fast Track to a Successful Career

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As students increasingly look for ways to bridge the gap between their undergraduate studies and the workforce, Master of Management (MiM) programs are becoming a popular option. MiMs offer a rigorous academic curriculum that can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Chicago Booth’s MiM was ranked as the #1 business school by US News and #2 by Poets and Quants this year. Did you know that their MiM program is designed only for those who didn’t study business at an undergraduate level?

The program begins with a 10-week bootcamp that helps students develop their career goals, learn essential job search skills, and prepare for the coursework.

What makes Chicago Booth’s MiM program stand out?
The program’s curriculum is flexible, allowing students to customize their studies to meet their career goals and interests. Students can choose to specialize in one of five areas: finance, strategic management, analytics, marketing, or entrepreneurship.

Who are they looking for?
They are looking for students who display great leadership, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity. These can be reflected through your essays, letters of recommendation, extracurriculars, and transcript.

Chicago Booth’s MiM program is a great option for recent graduates who are eager to start their careers.

Are you interested in learning more about Chicago Booth’s MiM program? We have helped students get into top universities in the past- we can help you too!

The Equity Research Project

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Ask most alums- they’ll tell you that the practical learnings from their courses were what was most valuable for their career.

That is what makes the Cambridge Master of Finance program so attractive. Through their degree, students complete two mandatory projects and one optional one.
One such project is the Equity Research Project, a four-week course that gives students the chance to apply their financial, accounting, strategic, and communication skills to a real-world investment analysis.

How does it work?
Each team of students is assigned a listed company and tasked with carrying out a stock valuation. They work together to conduct detailed research on the company, identify its investment potential, and make a recommendation on whether to buy or sell shares.

The project is guided by an academic supervisor who provides advice and support, and at the end of the project, the teams present their findings to a panel of industry practitioners, including investment managers and equity analysts.

The teams are guided throughout the project by an academic supervisor who will provide advice and support. At the end of the project, the teams are required to make an active recommendation on whether to buy or sell shares in the company. The students then present their recommendations to a panel of experts including finance faculty and actual fund managers.

How does it add value for students?
This real-world simulation is a valuable opportunity for students to develop their presentation and pitching skills, as well as their ability to engage with industry experts and field questions on the spot. It is also a great way to network with potential employers and learn about the latest trends in the financial industry.

How is the MIT Sloan Application Process Different from Other M7 Schools?

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Unlike other M7 schools, MIT Sloan does not require a traditional written essay. Instead, they ask for a one-minute video introduction, a resume formatted to their specifications, a cover letter, and an organizational chart showing where you fit in your company.

However, what most don’t realise is that the cover letter fulfils a similar function as the essay- it is your opportunity to demonstrate how you’re a good fit for the program and university. MIT Sloan seeks intellectually curious, independent, and creative leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their environment.

If you are selected for an interview, you will need to answer two short pre-interview essay questions.
MIT Sloan’s goal is to get to know you as an individual and to understand why you are a good fit for their program. By requiring a video introduction and a cover letter, they are trying to prevent you from repurposing a response from another school’s application. They want to see your authentic self.
The challenge is to present your authentic self and to demonstrate that you are the “curious, passionate, analytical” candidate they seek through the 6o-second video, cover letter and resume.

Do you know how to optimally use this space? Contact us for advice!

Are Good Grades Enough to Get Into a Top 5 UK College?

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Are good grades enough to get into a top 5 UK college?

Many students believe that getting good grades in high school is all they need to get into a top 5 UK college. However, this is not the case. In addition to good grades, UK colleges also look for students who have demonstrated their interest in their intended subjects beyond the classroom through supercurricular activities.

Supercurricular activities are any activities that you do outside of school that are related to your academic interests. They can include things like volunteering, research, internships, competitions, and clubs.

If you are interested in biology and are aiming for a top UK university, here are some interesting supercurricular activities you could pursue:

  • At home:
    • Do a series of experiments and detail your observations. For example, you could observe the nature in your back garden and how it changes throughout the year.
    • Read books and articles about biology.
    • Watch documentaries and TED talks about biology.
  • At school:
    • Join the biology club or start your own club.
    • Volunteer at a local science museum or zoo.
    • Shadow a biologist or other healthcare professional.
  • At a national and international level:
    • Take part in national biology competitions.
    • Apply for research programs.
    • Attend international conferences.

It is important to choose supercurricular activities that you are passionate about and that will help you develop your skills and knowledge in your chosen subject.

Caltech Changed its Admission Policies in an Effort to Increase Diversity

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Caltech, a top university with a 3% admission rate, is making a major change to its admissions process in an effort to increase diversity. They recently announced that they will drop admission requirements for calculus, physics and chemistry courses for students who don’t have access to them. Instead, students who do not have access to these courses will be able to demonstrate their abilities through alternative paths.

One of Caltech’s alternative paths is taking Khan Academy’s free, online courses and scoring 90% or higher on a certification test.

It is important to note that students who have access to these courses in their high school are still required to take them. This is to ensure that all students have a level playing field when applying to Caltech. Students must read such policy changes carefully in the right context!

This is a great change that will allow more students to be able to apply!

Contact us if you need help building a strong application for Caltech!