Businessweek published in its most recent issue an article, "B-Schools with a Niche," on MBA programs developing more highly focused, specialty degrees.  Businessweek points out that it tends to be the second-tier schools that are pursuing this route in response to the application decline of the last three years.

If you can gain acceptance to a top-tier school that supports your specific goals, then your are probably better off aiming for that top- tier school. However, if you cannot get in, then a specialty program may be exactly what you need. See if the specialty program will get you where you want to go professionally. It could be an excellent option.

Business 2.0 this month has a b-school ROI survey. It is not nearly as extensive as Forbes', but still worth a look.

Yesterday I reviewed an essay where the applicant was trying, and failing, to show that she had leadership experience. She failed because she wrote about her quant skills. She did not talk about motivating others to follow her lead. She did not reveal new qualities or talents. Unfortunately, she just reinforced the quant jock nerd image that many readers will harbor about financial analyst with a high quant score and GPA in econ and stats classes.

 If you want to write about leadership, make sure you demonstrate leadership. Some schools, like Tuck, provide a definition of leadership to guide you. If you're not sure what it means, then look the word up. But make sure your essays are demonstrating the quality under discussion.

 While ensuring that your essay reveals the intended attributes, double check they are not telling me what I already know. If you have an engineering degree and a decent undergrad GPA, your reader will know that you have strong quant skills. You don't need to emphasize them in every essay. You may want to reveal how you used your innate talents to achieve something unusual or have a greater than expected impact on a given organization, but don't tell me what I already know. Introduce a different side of you -- the side that is a  dedicated team player, an inspiring leader, or creative artist.   They are all a part of you, and you is whom your reader wants to meet.

We've moved. At least we've moved this blog to its rightful home on Accepted.com's home page. We enjoyed our comfortable digs at Typepad, but wanted to:

1. Integrate the blog more closely with Accepted.com.
2. Provide multiple subscribe options and RSS feeds.
   

I will post all future posts through the new blog, hosted by Squarespace, but we will maintain the Typepad blog for some time so that earlier posts will be available to our loyal readers. I am happy to say that in less than 1.5 years almost 87,000 people have visited the Accepted Admissions Almanac.  Keep on coming.

Is the glass more than half-full or more than half-empty?

AAMC STAT cites a 2004 study that shows "Nearly 90 percent of graduating medical students are satisfied with the quality and content of their medical education."

These results contrast sharply with the results of an AMSA study quoted in last week's post on medical student satisfaction.

There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Dr. Jeffrey Garten has a thoughtful piece in  Businessweek titled "B-Schools: Only a C+ in Ethics."  Dr. Garten presents several ideas for strengthening the ethical aspects of MBA programs including a suggestion that b-schools ask probing questions about ethical "turning points" and business issues in both application essays and interviews.

Over the years a number of programs have asked students about ethical dilemmas and challenges. I have been struck by how few applicants  see value clashes when they stare them in the face. For example, everyone has to balance conflicting commitments to work and family. That on a very basic level is an ethical dilemma. Most of us value social commitments, respect for elders, and the closer ties we have with family. At the same time, we (usually) take seriously our responsibility to our company, shareholders, and customers. Frequently those values clash.  Applicants, however, rarely see this situation as a value conflict or ethical dilemma.

Business is filled with such conflicts: The short-term interests of current stockholders vs. those of those holding stock for the long run. The claims of employees vs. the claims of customers. The needs of employees, shareholders, and customers coexist but in a tension born of conflict.

If you are asked about ethical challenges you have faced, think of times when your beliefs, relationships, or constituents  were in conflict.  How did you handle the situation? What did you learn?