About a month ago UniQpath aptly named her post on the challenge of writing a compelling MBA goals essay: "Struggle." It ain't easy. Most schools ask why you want an MBA and why you want it from this school. It only makes sense before you invest the time and money in an MBA that you should be able to answer those questions. It's not "just" an admissions question.

UniQPath asks, ""How do I link my 'specific goals' to that university's MBA program offering?" That's your mission when writing a goals essay. I would add that you also have to show that your goals are anchored in your experience. Usually you make these connections in the goals essay, but sometimes, depending on the wording of the question and your particular history, you may do so in other essays as well or instead of in the goals essay.

In any case, UniQpath asks a series of excellent questions. My answers are indented.

1) Core program curriculum - BUT , most B-schools have more or less the same type of courses in the core areas (finance, accounting, marketing, etc)

2) Clubs, Activities - BuT, most B-schools have more or less the same type of clubs (ASIA club, Entrepreneurship club)

3) Programs - Chances of some difference arise here. Most top schools offer a global practicum, b-plan competitions, case competitions etc

4) World Class Faculty - Hmmm, every school has its own cream

5) Commitment to Community - So many b-schools have started emphasizing this lately.

6) Student Culture/Personality - ThIs one begs to differ. Each b-school has its own persona, that projects itself into the dynamic community that the school represents.

100%. That's why visits, attending school receptions, info sessions, and reading student blogs and newspapers are so important. Those activities will give you insight into the schools' cultures and personalities.

The Center for the Study of Health Care Change in "Losing Ground: Physician Income, 1995-2003" reports that average physician income has declined 7% since the mid 1990's with primary care physicians experiencing the steepest drop (10.2%). Surgeons experienced an average 8.2% decline, and specialists managed to hold their own.

Businessweek reports in "Stanford Smiles on GRE Scores" that Stanford GSB will allow students to submit GRE or GMAT results. The move, according to Director of MBA Admissions Derrick Bolton, is an attempt to lower the cost of applying to MBA programs and increase "socio-economic diversity" at top MBA programs.

Kerry MIller, the article's author, speculates that the move "may also allow Stanford to admit more women and ethnic minorities like blacks and Latinos—who on average do not perform as well on the GMAT exam—without affecting their overall GMAT score, and therefore, their overall ranking by information sources such as BusinessWeek and U.S. News & World Report."

There is no question that the GMAT is an expensive exam: $250 vs $130-175 for the GRE depending on where the test is administered.  The key question in my mind is referenced in this article by Rose Martinelli of Chicago GSB: Does the GRE predict success in business school? 

I am surprised that Stanford would accept the GRE without validating its predictive value at a graduate school of business. The GMAT is expensive, but it has been extensively validated. If the GRE isn't predictive, then it's a complete waste of time and money for the schools and applicants. Why not just do away with the GMAT entirely or make it optional?

Just a quick reminder that Write Your Way to A Residency Match, an instantly downloadable ebook by Cyd Foote and myself, has been our feature book this month and is 20% off today and tomorrow.

In "More Work, but Cocktails Too" The Wall St. Journal slightly reworks an article that it published earlier on summer internships for law students, but it added an important supplement: "Days in the Lives of Summer Associates." The quotes from associates' diaries give you a sense of the diversity of experience available to law school students. You can find internships that are valuable, demanding learning experiences, and you can also find internships that provide some professional training and experience along with  the more traditional "summer camp" accoutrements. Do your research and take your pick.