GeekMBA360: Beat Recession. Grow Career. Build Wealth. - Latest Comments in Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

Re: Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

bpr81 — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:25:09 -0000

Actually i received a similar letter from INSEAD last year. After getting my ding letter, i improved upon my candidature, got some professional certifications, promotions in my company, more leadership roles and after 4 months, mailed them about these developments and asked them whether i can reapply. And all i got was.. "We don't encourage re-applicants". INSEAD was my first choice, but after that reply, i just did not reapply.

Re: Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

Future MBA — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:23:41 -0000

The letter seems pretty clear that the candidate needs to improve in the areas of education and experience before reapplying. It doesn't say not to reapply, but rather to strengthen the likely areas of weakness before so doing. Research into the backgrounds of accepted candidates should provide some insight into the best areas on which to focus.

Re: Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

Future MBA — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:22:02 -0000

Re: Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

todd — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:37:38 -0000

I would reapply and I would not interpret the letter as insulting.

Yes from experience and observation, the MBA application process is very grueling.

I stumbled upon your letter and read the letter more than once. I personally believe that the LBS ding the letter was excellent, friendly considering the situation, and typical of a standardized letter that has been sent through the proper legal channels to prevent law suits or claims of discrimination.

Personally, I think the real issue is that the applicant was a little bit sensitive, misinterpreted the letter, and was shocked by the rejection. I got the impression that the applicant may have only submitted an application to LBS and to no other school. If the applicant only applied to LBS, the applicant may have understandably over reacted.

First, there is no good way of rejecting someone.

Second, many MBA schools as well as other graduate programs in the US do have an appeals process and/or do provide individual feedback. LBS is stating that it does not engage in this process.

Third, every ding letter I have seen for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD for both business and non-business schools state the same thing “very competitive this year and we have to make some really tough decisions.”

Forth, the “Should I reapply?” response statement was “VERY INTERESTING.” My impression about looking at other LBS programs is that the applicant may have been too old for the traditional MBA program or the work experience may have been significantly above average.

Fifth, the “How do I reapply?” response statement was informative. I know that some programs in the US will hold applications for 1 or 2 years and re-application would just have to submit new information and a fee. LBS is indicating that its re-application process is different.

Sixth, “Since there is no invitation for me to reapply, does it mean I am not considered a competitive candidate?” I think there is a lack of information for me or anyone on this board to make that determination. Do you have any major holes in your application that can be fixed with in a 1 or 2 years? GMAT score, math ability, and etc.

Seventh, the last statement “…only invited candidates reapply…and…” I am not really sure what to make of this statement. My opinion is that a certain type a candidate may not have all of the check marks and needs to develop in some key area. My impression is that this statement may target people who are still in undergraduate school or just 1 year out of undergraduate school and have insufficient work experience or candidates who have clearly shown to have weak math skills, but everything else is stellar.

Re: Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

GeekMBA360 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:19:47 -0000

Thanks for the comment! I agree with you -- the applicant should go ahead to apply again if he feels that he would be more qualified and/or can execute better next year.

I also agree with that about the "self-aggrandizing" communication coming out of business schools. It's actually one of the main reasons that I decide to write this article -- the top business schools have become such marketing machines that they start to believe their own PR. It could become quite dangerous. Just like what's happened to our financial industry, I think there needs to be major overhaul/improvement on MBA education. After all, top business schools are major feeders to the investment banks! :-)

Re: Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

JFrank — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:56:06 -0000

I think the candidate should reappy if he winds up putting off b-school for a year. Although the LBS letter does "recommend" that only invited candidates reapply, it doesn't explicitly say that you can't reapply. Unless you hear from a credible source that LBS admissions won't even look at uninvited reapplies, why not put yourself in the running again? The worst that will happen is that you're out the hefty application fee and you get another ding letter, but you never know.... Hopefully the candidate has applied or will apply to other schools.

BTW, the tone of the letter seems pretty standard to me (I received a few ding letters when I applied to b-school). In general, external b-school admissions communications are self-aggrandizing. Don't take it personally.

Re: Is London Business School (LBS) Admission Office full of themselves?

JFrank — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:46:37 -0000

I think the candidate should just go ahead and reapply if he winds up putting off b-school for a year. The LBS ding letter doesn't explicitly say "do not reapply" -- only that LBS invites candidates to reapply. As you point out, a lot can change in a year. By not reapplying, the candidate takes himself out of the running completely. It's possible that in the past LBS has accepted candidates that were not invited to reapply. So unless you hear from a credible source that LBS won't even look at uninvited "reapplicants", why not try? Yes, you have to shell out the application fee again, and it may be a very long shot, but you never know. That said, hopefully he has applied to or is planning to apply to other schools.

BTW, the tone of the ding letter seems pretty standard (I received a few of them myself when I applied to b-school). B-school external communications in general seem to be self-aggrandizing. Don't take it personally.