Join

Applying to business school does not have to be a huge, expensive headache.

But you wouldn’t know that by googling “how to apply to business school” (Just so you know, 70 million hits come up). Applying to business school involves juggling a lot of moving parts, and it can be extremely time-consuming trying to keep everything straight.

So it’s a great thing that there are plenty of websites, forums, companies, and consultants that are eager to help? Right? Not quite. The process of choosing who to work with, for what, and whether you’re paying too much is also pretty stressful.

It’s enough to make you want to throw your hands in the air and forget about it.

But it really doesn’t have to be that hard. It’s amazing how when you have limited time and resources, you buckle down and just get it done. That’s what I did anyway.

And this (very long) letter is where I hope to convince you that we can work together and get your B-school apps done in a jiffy.

In just 8 months, I went from not knowing a thing about business school to being admitted to Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School.

A few years later, I worked with an equally clueless-but-hopeful client to get him admitted to his dream business school–Kellogg Graduate School of Management (the super-cool top-ranked b-school at Northwestern University).

After the sweet taste of victory, I knew I wanted to do it all over again. And again. But a girl’s only got so much time–and you’ve only got so much money.

So here I am with this brand spankin’ new coaching program, B-School Despite the Odds. It can fit into your already busy and full life, and it won’t decimate your wallet.

B-School Despite the Odds is a one-stop-shop for non-traditional applicants who want straightforward guidance on how to apply to and get admitted to a top MBA program.

And what do I mean when I say “non-traditional applicants”? I mean folks whose applicant profiles don’t necessarily fit into the mold that most business schools usually admit. I’m talking about people who did whatever internships they wanted to do in college (not necessarily what they were “supposed” to do), have a job that they love (or used to at least), and are probably getting underpaid and overworked.

If you’re still wondering what I mean by “non-traditional applicants,” I’m referring to people with some of the following qualities:

are “too young” or “too old” to be applying
work in the non-profit sector
consider themselves to be educators, artists, social activists, or entrepreneurs
avoided Math classes in college
have GMAT scores below 680
didn’t know what “management consulting” or “equity research” was in college (and still may not know)

(Psst . . . all of these things apply to me, so if I could get into a top business school, you can too!)

B-School Despite the Odds is an online resource of the most essential, helpful, and practical strategies for applying to business school within a limited time frame with a limited budget.

I make the process of applying to business school clear, easy to understand, and as stress-free as possible, so you can get your applications done and move on with living fabulously.

Every month, I will conduct a 1.5-hour live web-based seminar, covering what you need to do to be on-track with your MBA applications. Each seminar will end with a Q & A session where you can ask any question no matter how specific it is.

Is B-School Despite the Odds for me?

This program is designed for people who:

Know they are ready to apply to business school this year. The activities and information are not theoretical or hypothetical. I’m going to be giving you real-time advice to address your real-life questions and concerns, so don’t waste your money if you think you might want to apply to business school sometime in the next few years. This is for people who are ready!
Are ready to begin doing the work of applying to business school. Applying to business school takes time. If you’re over-committed with volunteer activities or a 70-hour/week job, this probably isn’t the program for you. The exercises are not overly time-consuming, but they do assume that you will take the information and run with it–not file it away for later.
Are willing to ask questions and put yourself out there. I’m not talking about sharing your personal information or the content of your essays with the group. I’m talking about being willing to ask questions that may seem stupid or obvious, and being willing to share your needs and concerns with me, so that I can be sure to address them in a way that everyone in the program will benefit.

Are you excited yet? I am!

I know it may sound corny, but I think that this is going to be really fun. It delights me to help people get admitted to their dream schools. I’ve been coaching people into great schools since I was 17. Now, I get to do it as my real-life job and it’s been working!

B-School Despite the Odds includes:

Clear step-by-step instructions on how to most productively use your time and resources for applying to business school while also having a life

Jargon-free help: no pie-in-the-sky business terms, acronyms, or inside jokes. I’m going to explain everything in plain English–and repeat things if you miss something.

Activities that build upon one another but that can also be done alone. You won’t get stuck if you don’t do something perfectly one month. Just move on to the next activity and go back to it when you feel like it.

What You’ll Get Out of It:

You’ll learn how to fish.

No, I don’t mean actual fishing. I’m referring to the saying about giving a man a fish versus teaching him how to fish. B-School Despite the Odds will give you the tips and tools to apply to any business school you want to–as many as you want to and whenever you want to. You wouldn’t be dependent on me or anyone else to help you once you’ve mastered all the information.

You’ll get just the right amount of the right information.

You are a busy and fabulous person. You don’t have time to spend trolling hundreds of MBA forums, reading school newspapers, and trying to figure out if some random blogger’s experience at a school means anything about what yours will be like. In short, there is just too much information out there about applying to business school. I’m going to make it real simple for you and only tell you what you need and want to know.

You’ll have fun and make friends.

No, this is not summer camp–but it’s still pretty fun! B-School Despite the Odds’ private members-only website will be interactive and constantly updated with goodies to help make applying to business school a smoother process. You’re going to get to meet other interesting folks who are applying to business school and benefit from each other’s excellent peer support and advice. Stating your goals and actually pursuing them with purpose and confidence is one of the best feelings there is.

So . . . how much does this outrageously awesome program cost?

It’s just $97 per month. I know my clients’ perspective because I’m in a similar position. You aren’t popping bottles in the club or jet-setting for the heck of it. You’re working hard at establishing yourself in your post-college career, paying back student loans, and even building up some savings.

Try B-School Despite the Odds today. If you’re unhappy or dissatisfied for any reason, you can cancel immediately and get your money back with no questions asked, no tedious red tape, and no last-minute pleading to please stay.

Unlike your cell phone, your gym membership, and your apartment lease, there’s no long-term contract. You can just cancel when you’re done.

You can attend the session live every month, completing your tasks at the end of each session. Or you could elect to watch them all at the same time in one month and cancel after just a month of membership. Once the recordings of the videos are up, you’ll have full access to them when you first log in. The videos aren’t measured out or time-delayed. Once a session has been completed, it’s yours to view as long as you are in the program.

Here’s a breakdown of the topics I will cover in each monthly Master Class.

August Master Class: Choosing Schools, Starting the Essays, and Recommendations

How to get your MBA for FREE!
How to apply to multiple schools with one application
Choosing the best school for you–personally, professionally, and academically
Business Schools: how many to apply to and how selective to be
Whether to apply Round 1, Round 2, or even Round 3
GMAT: Self-Study or Take a Course?
GMAT: When to stop taking it and just move on
Supplemental coursework: who, what, when, where, and how much it will cost you
How to get started and stay motivated

The dos and don’ts of MBA essays
What to do if you feel too boring (or too “different”)
Tips and strategies for when you get stuck
How to keep your essays and drafts organized
How to ensure you get fantastic recommendations
Recommenders: who to ask, when to ask, and how to ask

September Master Class: Essay Editing A-Z & Mastering the Optional Essay

Tips and tricks for self-editing
How to jazz up a boring essay (without lying!)
Who the best people are to read your essays
How to get current MBA students to read your essays for FREE
How to get your essays to fit within the word limit
How to get your money’s worth with an essay coach

October Master Class: Interview like a Pro & Schools Visits Made Easy

What not to wear
How to buy a real business suit
How to show the interviewer who you really are
How to address commonly asked questions (and not-so-common ones too)
How to practice interviewing with a current MBA student
When to visit and what to do while you’re there
How to choose a class to sit in on (that won’t put you to sleep)
Important questions to ask yourself and other students during your visit

November Master Class: Managing the Waitlist & Accepting a School

What to do (and not to do) if you get put on the waitlist
Comparing and contrasting financial aid packages
How to weigh your options with input from current MBA students
What to do if you have to re-apply
How to choose and accept a school
How to best use the summer before you start school