sample admission essay

For someone who has no background whatsoever in business and management jargon, it’s easy to get lost in the tangle of words people use in MBA admissions. It’s expected of applicants to do their own research before going through the MBA admissions processes, so you should do your own vocabulary update before facing the MBA admissions committee. Having some knowledge on even the most common terms used in MBA schools also shows that you’re an “insider” and that you know what you’re talking about. Below are some terms and acronyms often encountered in MBA admissions and business schools:

ACBSP or Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs

ACBSP is an association that establishes and promotes educational standards in business schools, including MBA admissions processes, school curriculum, etc. ACBSP operates mainly in the US and is currently considered as an accreditor for small graduate MBA degree programs.

Association of MBAs (AMBA)

The AMBA is a UK-based accreditation organization that focuses on, and approves, quality MBA programs in the UK and in other countries.

Company or corporate programs

Company programs are private MBA programs that are offered only to employees of a specific company. These kinds of “specialized” MBA programs also have different MBA admissions procedures because they cater to a specific group.

Distance Learning or Online Programs

As the name implies, these kinds of MBA programs employ teaching methods that are conducted online. These programs usually cater to professionals who can’t afford to leave their jobs or do not have the flexibility of time to go to campus-based classes. MBA admissions procedures and requirements for distance learning are generally less demanding; not all online programs require GMAT scores and letters of recommendation.

Dual MBA program

As the name implies, this is a type of MBA program which allows students to take two major fields of business study under one program.

Executive MBA (EMBA)

Executive MBA programs are differentiated from regular MBA programs in that the former are essentially designed for managers and executives with years of professional experience. EMBA degrees are usually part-time or modular. Similarly, MBA admissions requirements differ because those who take EMBA degrees are experienced professionals.

Focus or concentration of study

Most MBA programs employ integrated teaching methods – they cover a wide range of management topics. Having a focus or concentration of study allows students to take courses that are aimed toward specific aspects of management like Finance and Marketing. In the MBA admissions process, the focus of study is usually disclosed in the applicant’s statement of purpose or personal statement.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

The GMAT is an essential MBA admissions requirement that measures the applicant’s writing and quantitative skills. The minimum required score for the GMAT is usually 400-600, and is one of the ways through which MBA admissions committees filter their applicants.

Modular MBA

This kind of MBA program doesn’t have “normal” class schedules as compared to full-time MBA degrees. As the name implies, students’ attendance are dependent on the modules being taught, and these programs usually require fewer but longer class periods. MBA admissions requirements for modular degrees are also different from full-time MBAs.

Open program

Open MBA programs are differentiated from the others in terms of the MBA admissions requirements. Such programs do not have the usual academic MBA admissions requirements, and for this reason, are called ‘open’ programs. This program is usually targeted for those who don’t meet the academic requirements but have substantial professional experience.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
TOEFL is one of the common MBA admissions requirements for non-native English speakers.

Statement of purpose

Also called personal statement or admission essay, the statement of purpose is a common MBA admissions requirement. It outlines the applicant’s career goals, academic and professional achievements, etc.

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People who have decided to pursue law degrees must still undergo law school admissions procedures. Although law schools have varying admission processes, it is still best to be equipped with all the information about them. If you are pursuing a law degree, continue reading this article. The following information might help you have an idea about the most common law school admissions terms.

Law School Admissions Index

Schools use different law schools admissions index in evaluating their applicants. The index is composed of your undergraduate grade point average and LSAT score. Schools use different numerical  formula in determining the applicant’s index. The admissions committee sets the median index. This number would become the passing point for law school applicants. Although the law school admissions index is one of the bases for admission, committees still consider a lot of factors in the evaluation.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The LSAT is a standardized exam designed to assess law schools applicant. LSAT scores are one of the things that law school admissions committees consider. The test comprises five 35-minute multiple choice parts. The last part, which is the writing sample, is not graded. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) would send this writing sample to the law schools you have applied for. Law school admissions committees also use the writing sample in evaluating your application. To register for the LSAT, visit the LSAC’s website.

Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS)

Not all academic institutions directly receive law school admissions applications. In such cases, it might be necessary to get the services of the LSDAS to process your law school admissions applications. The LSDAS is the database service of the LSAC. The LSDAS prepares the necessary report that it would send to the law schools you would apply to. The LSDAS report generally contains the following:

an academic summary of your undergraduate degree
transcripts of all your educational trainings
official LSAT score
your writing sample
your letters of recommendations

You can check out the LSDAS website to check the list of educational institutions that do not directly accept law school admissions applications.

Letters of recommendation
These letters could be a part of the law school admissions requirements. But there are also law school admission committees that do not require applicants to submit such documents. The letters must be written by people who could vouch for your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. To maximize the use of this law school admissions requirement, make sure to establish a connection with your undergraduate professors and work superiors.

Personal statement

Law school admissions committees require applicants to submit a personal statement. This law school admissions requirement can make or break your law school application. A personal statement could be an avenue to convince screening committees to approve your law school admissions applications. Your personal statement must include your personal experiences. You also have to prioritize the information you would write in your personal statement. There are websites that could help you in this procedure. Some of them even have personal statement samples that you could read online.

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Getting high grades during college is a task that requires plenty of perseverance, determination, and good old study habits. However, other factors may make this a difficult task. As a result, the chances of getting into law school , medical school , an MBA program , or graduate school are lessened. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways for students to deal with failed grades so as to be able to apply for law, medical, or graduate schools. These methods include a formal grade appeal and a mediative approach to grade appeal.

Formal Grade Appeal

Students can always appeal to their professors regarding failing grades. However, it’s important to keep in mind that due process should be observed by both the student and the professor regarding these matters. The professor should be approached and the explanations on why a failing grade was given should be discussed clearly. The point of each side should be heard by the other party in order to create a fair decision. If the decision of a professor regarding a failing grade was mainly based on personal opinion, a formal grade appeal should be made.

The next step to consider if the dispute is not resolved is to approach the appropriate department chairman or dean regarding the grade appeal. A departmental committee or appeals panel comprised of students and faculty members will then study the facts and evidences that will help resolve the grade dispute.

Mediative Approach

Another appeal to deal with failing grades in college is through mediation. In this method, a student may approach a mediator from the school if the dispute is not resolved after approaching the professor. The mediator tries to clear issues and listens attentively to both sides. One goal of a mediator is to let each party see the other side of things. Although a mediator can never influence a professor to change a decision, it tries to solve the grade dispute by explaining carefully to each side the points of an argument.

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Plagiarism in admission essays is an issue that can be easily detected and prevented. To start off, plagiarism is defined as an act of using other’s written works or ideas and pass them as your own. Plagiarism can also refer to as the act of using someone else’s idea without giving due credit. Forms of plagiarism can include copying and pasting of online materials, copying and pasting and then changing the paragraph structure, changing the words in some of the phrases, and claiming ideas as your own.

How to Detect Plagiarism

To determine whether an admission essay or personal statement is genuinely written by an author and not just copied directly from an existing source, here are some helpful tips to consider:

Ask the Author about the paper’s Main Points

Asking the author regarding the main points of his paper is a strategy that can help detect plagiarism. If the author can’t explain right away or his explanations are quite far from those included in the actual paper, further investigate and see if the author is the real brains behind the paper.

Look for Suspicious Phrases or Words

Odd words or phrases that don’t seem to fit in with the rest of the article could be signs of plagiarism. Outdated phrases or awkward constructions sometimes indicate a plagiarized source. Always double-check the submitted material against search engines and online plagiarism sources and see if there are phrases that were not properly cited or sentences that were copied word by word.

Detecting content theft or plagiarism is a fairly easy process. You just need to have the patience to carefully read through an admission essay, application essay, statement of purpose or personal statement and look for items that are out of place. The content of an original essay should be reader-friendly and the ideas should be presented in a logical and flowing way.

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This blog focuses on the often-stressful process of applying to college, law school, medical school, MBA programs, or graduate programs. We will give you free tips and assistance on how to use the personal statement, statement of purposes, or admission essay to get an edge over your competition. We will feature free drafts of admission essays based on our visitors’ biographical information. These sample admission essay drafts are aimed at giving you a jump start when you are writing your own essay.

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