Online Resources for Graduate Students in Medieval Studies


Online Resources for Graduate Students in Medieval Studies

Aug 16, 2010 Melissa Elmes

Graduate school is a time for serious students to immerse themselves deeper into their chosen fields of study. Most students at the graduate level are well-versed in the many online resources available to them for research purposes, including online archives and special collections, library databases, scanned manuscripts, and journals and other academic websites. But one resource that is often overlooked by graduate students either because they don't know about it or because they don't feel they belong professionally is the academic listserv.

What is an Academic Listserv?

An academic listserv is an online discussion forum, usually based on a university server and moderated by one or more professional scholars. Listservs are usually dedicated to one specific subject or interest group. The listserv is a clearinghouse for current discussions on the subject to which it is dedicated, and also almost always stores an archive of past discussions as well. In most cases, listservs are free and open to new members; membership is achieved by sending a subscription notice to the moderator.

Why are Listservs Useful for Graduate Students?

There are four primary reasons for which belonging to a listserv makes sense for the graduate student in medieval studies. Firstly, reading through the current and archived discussions can help graduate students to get a feel for the questions and research interests that are most current in a given field of study. Secondly, posting one's own questions and issues can yield a rich variety of responses from scholars around the world.

Thirdly, many scholars post calls for papers for panels and roundtable discussions at conferences such as the International Medieval Congress at Western Michigan University and Leeds, for journal submissions, and for essays for edited collections on listservs. And fourthly, many notable scholars belong to a number of listservs, and therefore participation in listserv discussions can serve as an excellent opportunity to introduce oneself and to network with other scholars in a field of study.

What Listservs Are Available To Graduate Students in Medieval Studies?

There are listservs available on almost any academic subject. Some of the more popular listservs include:

Edwin Duncan has compiled a full list of medieval listservs, along with an explanation of what subject(s) are covered on each.

Graduate school is the opportunity to train to become a professional in a field of study. It is common for graduate students to belong to professional organizations such as the Medieval Academy of America, but often academic listservs are overlooked as the valuable professional resources they are intended to be. Joining the listservs in one's field(s) of interest allows a graduate student to enter into the scholarly discussions being held by the larger professional community and ultimately to feel more connected to the world of medieval studies.

Copyright Melissa Elmes. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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5 Ways to Calm Your Retirement Fears

I'm still quite a few years away from my retirement. But I struggle not to worry, at least a little, about that time in my life. Will I have good health and enough money? Will there be people in my life to help support me? There are so many unknowns. Instead of worrying about or avoiding the problem, let's do something about it. Here are five ways you can calm your pre-retirement fears.

[Bookmark the U.S. News Retirement site for more planning ideas and advice.]

Visit a fee-only financial adviser. Many people need a helping hand with their retirement finances at some point in their life. A great place to start is with someone who can give you an independent review of your current situation. Find a person who can give you honest, professional advice and won’t drive you toward a specific investment because of a commission they are getting. A fee-only certified financial planner is usually your best option for this. This session won't be cheap, but it will help to provide the financial assurance you are looking for. Visit the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards website to locate an independent, fee-only planner near you.

Increase your financial planning knowledge. It's common to fear the unknown. There is a lot of information that you just can't know before you retire, such as how high inflation will be and how long you will live. But there are things you can estimate, including how much income your investments are likely to provide and how much you are paying for investment expenses. Take some of the fear out of the equation by educating yourself on some of these aspects of your retirement. There are plenty of great financial planning resources available online or at your local library that will get you up to speed.

[See 5 Costs That Should Go Away in Retirement.]

Start changing your lifestyle now. If you're apprehensive about exiting the workforce, start slowly phasing into retirement to see how it will work. Consider visiting places you might like to live in retirement or gradually cutting back on the number of hours you work to ease into retirement. This way you can tweak or cut out the things that you don't enjoy or that aren't working for some reason.

Learn from others who are handling retirement successfully. Whenever I want to gain confidence in an area of my life, I look to someone who is having success. If you're within five years of retirement, you probably have some friends or relatives who have recently retired. Ask them if things are going smoothly. Find out their thoughts about retirement success. Ask them how they spend their days, what's working, and what they had to change once they retired. The bonus from this activity is that you'll retire with a network of retired friends who can mentor you throughout the initial stages.

[See 8 Ways to Make the Most of Your 401(k).]

Develop a few alternate retirement plans. Answer the tough, "What if?" questions that are causing you to have retirement anxiety. For example, what would you do if the stock market crashed just a year before you plan to retire? Would you be flexible enough to work a few more years or withdraw less from savings in the first few years of retirement? When you work through these situations and come up with alternate plans, the risks aren't that scary. You've already dealt with them on paper.

Phil Taylor is the author of the popular 52 Ways to Make Extra Money. Find out how to save more money and get the latest news on the best online savings accounts and the best online stock brokers at his blog, PT Money: Personal Finance.

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The Value of a Business Administration Degree


The Value of a Business Administration Degree

Bachelor Degree in Business Management, BBA, Popular Among Students

Nov 7, 2009 Shelley Aylesworth-Spink

Students considering applying to a university undergraduate program in business administration, most commonly called the BBA degree or bachelor of science business administration degree, usually want to better understand the inner workings of a business environment.

However, the BBA is quite a broad-based degree at most universities around the world, and students considering this bachelor’s degree should look carefully at the specific fields of study involved. These fields often include courses that teach:

  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Economics
  • International Business
  • Operations Management
  • Human Resources or Industrial Relations
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business Ethics

Seek a university bachelor of business administration program that offers students a well-rounded approach by requiring liberal arts courses as part of the degree requirements. These degree programs often broad a student’s exposure to the career possibilities upon graduation.

Business Administration Degrees Vary by University

In addition, many universities offer different types of business administration degrees. For example, at the Schulich School of Business at Canada’s York University, students choose from two business administration degrees: the BBA and the International Bachelor of Administration.

Graduates of a business administration degree program enter the workforce with a solid understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of business operations and often have a field of interest.

The continued popularity of the BBA degree can be linked to the array of job prospects and career paths taken by graduates. Jobs are found in banking, services, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, government and nonprofit organizations. In some cases, graduates use skills earned during school to start a business from scratch or buying a firm.

A graduate with a bachelor of business administration is prepared for a variety of careers including:

  • Accountant
  • Banker
  • Controller
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Retail Manager
  • Marketing Director
  • Higher Education Executive
  • Municipal Manager

Students shopping for a university with high quality undergraduate business administration degree programs are encouraged to turn to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB, for an accredited listing of degree programs.

The AACSB is an association of educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations devoted to the advancement of higher education in management education. It is also the premier accrediting agency of collegiate business schools and accounting programs worldwide.

BBA Degree Programs, Bachelor of Science Business Administration Can Lead to MBA

Business administration degree graduates often work for several years after graduation, then return to university to earn a Master of Business Administration, or MBA. The competitive entrance requirements of top MBA schools usually mean that BBA graduates will have a better chance of being offered admission with a few years of work experience.

A BBA is an undergraduate degree that will remain popular in both good economic times and in bad. The range of jobs, the upward career possibilities for graduates and a bright future as a graduate student in business administration remain the degree’s most appealing features.

Copyright Shelley Aylesworth-Spink. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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Online MPA Degree Programs


Online MPA Degree Programs

Masters of Public Administration & Public Affairs Degrees Online

Dec 26, 2009 David Harris-Gershon

Many professional and nontraditional students interested in pursuing an online MPA degree are unable to attend traditional, brick-and-mortar schools because of their scheduling demands and geographic limitations.

The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) is the academic body which accredits MPA programs in the United States. Fortunately, a number of quality distance learning programs – accredited by NASPAA – offer a Masters of Public Administration online degree as well as various public affairs degree options.

This article reviews some of the top online degree programs and explains how their distance learning platforms work.

Upper Iowa University Online MPA Degree

Upper Iowa University, ranked by Online Education Database (OEDb) as one of the top four online universities in the United States, offers a Masters of Public Administration online degree program.

Accredited by NASPAA, its distance learning program offers four areas of specialized emphasis:

  • Health and Human Services
  • Homeland Security
  • Justice Administration
  • Public Personnel Management

Students must have acquired public affairs knowledge or experience via undergraduate courses or work experience in order to be accepted into the program. Once in the program, students are required to successfully complete 42 credit hours in order to complete the degree.

The online learning platform, through which the MPA courses are delivered, is fully asynchronous, meaning students have the ability to take courses and study any time, day or night. This learning structure provides students with a high degree of flexibility and independence. In addition to syllabi, digital lectures, electronic reading materials, and access to library resources, the online learning platform also gives students a portal to academic services and personalized contact with instructors.

Tuition for graduate courses at Upper Iowa University is $399 per credit hour, and the university provides an open enrollment which allows students to enroll whenever they would like to begin their studies.

Walden University – Online MPA Degree

Walden University, ranked by OEDb as one of the top 15 distance learning institutions, offers a Masters of Public Administration online degree program.

Its distance learning program, accredited by NASPAA, has nine different areas of concentration:

  • Health Policy
  • Homeland Security Policy
  • Interdisciplinary Policy Studies
  • Law and Public Policy
  • Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities
  • Nonprofit Management and Leadership
  • Policy Analysis
  • Public Management and Leadership
  • Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace

To complete the degree, students must finish 51 credit hours, which includes a five-hour Capstone Seminar. Walden University estimates that the online degree program takes 18 months to complete.

The university's online system has a schedule of asynchronous courses, which allow students to learn whenever they choose. The system does provide access to a live chat application, through which students and professors can communicate in real-time about various educational issues.

Online courses come with assignment schedules, online readings, digital lectures, access to electronic research resources, and portals to strong student support services. In addition, each course has a dynamic discussion thread where students and instructors share insights and answer questions. This element provides a virtual learning community in which students are expected to fully participate.

Tuition for MPA courses is set at $430 per credit hour, and courses open on a rolling quarterly basis.

Strayer University – Online MPA Degree

Strayer University offers a Masters of Public Administration online degree program which is accredited by NASPAA.

Unlike most online institutions, Strayer University provides students with the option to take either asynchronous courses or live, synchronous classes. This gives students the choice to either maximize their scheduling flexibility, or balance flexibility with the opportunity to have live interactions with instructors and peers in an online classroom.

Online courses provide – along with syllabi, assignments, lectures, and research resources – access to professors' office hours and a dynamic online tutoring service.

Tuition is $2050 per course; active duty military personnel are eligible for military benefits and scholarships.

Benefits of an Online MPA Degree

NASPAA-accredited Masters of Public Administration online degree programs provide nontraditional students with the opportunity to earn a quality, accredited degree from home. With flexible schedules, student support services, and dynamic online platforms, distance learning MPA programs are a good option for students unable to attend a traditional, campus-based school.

For more information, including additional NASPAA-accredited online options, reference the NASPAA program database, from which the information for this article was gleaned.

For information on additional online graduate courses and programs, see also:

Finding an Accredited Online Graduate Course

Copyright David Harris-Gershon. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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The Ultimate Guide to the GMAT: 100 Tips, Tools, and Resources

Preparing to take the GMAT can be a nerve-racking experience, with hours spent memorizing vocabulary and practicing math problems. You can help give yourself an advantage for doing well on the GMAT by making use of the numerous resources that are out there. Many of them won’t cost you a dime and can make a big difference in how you study and perform during the test. Here’s a list we’ve compiled of some of these great resources as well as some helpful tips to get you started on the right track.

Study Tips

Give these tips a try while you’re still in the preparatory stages.

  1. Start early. Just starting to study a week before you have to take the exam isn’t going to do you any favors or really help you boost your score that much. Give yourself at least a few months to study slowly and thoroughly before the test day.
  2. Study the easy stuff first. While it is good to know how to do the tough stuff on the test, you should work on building your way up. The GMAT will give you problems based on your level and if you can’t solve the easy ones quickly and correctly you’re unlikely to see many truly hard ones.
  3. Focus on your weaknesses. If you know you really stink at geometry or can’t understand grammar for the life of you then spend a little extra time on those areas to ensure you’re as prepared as you can be for any questions on the test.
  4. Mix it up. Along those same lines, however, make sure you’re not focusing too much on one aspect of the test. Give equal time to practicing for each section so there won’t be any surprises when you’re sitting down to do the real thing.
  5. Find out what you do know. It’s hard to know where to focus your studies if you are unsure what you remember from school and still know really well. Spend some time going over practice problems to determine where your weaknesses and strengths are or just to help you learn how to organize and synthesize all the good information that’s already in your brain.
  6. Find a method that works. Not everyone studies the same way most effectively. For some, flashcards will be perfect. For others, studying with a partner or a group may work the best. Figure out what helps you remember and learn the material the easiest and stick to it.
  7. Make the most of practice tests. While taking practice tests can be time consuming and tiring, there is no surer way to determine how you might actually perform on the real exam. Take at least one or two practice tests before heading into the GMAT to ensure you know what to expect.
  8. Know the test format. It may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing how the test is set up and how it will be administered is essential. If you’ve only been practicing out of books and you’re taking the exam on the computer you may be thrown off, so spend some time learning about how the test will go, step-by-step.
  9. Create a strategy. You wouldn’t attempt to build a house without a blueprint so why attempt to build your knowledge without a plan of attack? Spend some time figuring out what you want to study and how you want to study it to make the most of your time.
  10. Don’t cram the night before the test. While it may not hurt to review a few flashcards or get a last-minute overview, don’t stay up late trying to study the night before the exam. Instead, get some rest. Studies have shown that you’ll actually remember more this way and do better on the test.
  11. Have a schedule and stick to it. Spend some time figuring out just how much time you want to dedicate to studying each day or week. Set up a schedule for yourself based on this desire and work as hard has you can to stick to it.

Test Taking Tips

If you’re anxious about taking the test, go over these tips for some suggestions for keeping your cool come test day.

  1. Pace Yourself. When taking the GMAT you won’t be doing yourself any favors if you rush through the questions without reading carefully or spend far too long on one or two questions so you don’t have time for the others. Work to find a pace that allows you a happy medium and know just how much time you can afford to spend on each problem.
  2. Relax. If you’re hyperventilating you’re going to be spending more time concentrating on breathing than on the test so settle your nerves and calm down. Remember that even if you do absolutely horribly on the test the world is not going to end and you can take it again.
  3. Don’t get hung up on mistakes. You may be a perfectionist in normal life, but acting that way on a test won’t help you out. You’re probably not going to get every single answer right and there will be problems that you simply don’t know the correct answer to. Do not let this sidetrack your focus for future problems. Wipe the memory of the previous problem from your mind every time you move onto a new problem instead.
  4. Avoid guessing randomly. Unless you’re racing to guess on answers in the last few minutes of your exam time, you really shouldn’t completely guess on an answer. Most of the time you can eliminate one or two that you know aren’t right and guess between a smaller number to give you a better chance of being right.
  5. Watch out for baited answers. The makers of these kinds of tests can be sneaky and provide a few answers that reflect commonly made errors or ideas that are somewhat similar. For this reason, ensure that you read questions carefully and get those simple calculations right.
  6. Take your time with the first few questions. The first few questions of each section on the GMAT are used to gauge the level you’re at and determine the difficulty of the rest of the exam, so make sure to go through these carefully so you get questions that reflect how much you know. You can catch up later on by answering those easier questions right, but it’s easier in the long run to get it right from the get-go.
  7. Use your scratch paper. The test provides you with scratch paper so make the most of it. Sketch out problems that you’re having trouble with or use it to help you make clear concepts you’re struggling with.
  8. Don’t waste time reading directions. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t know the directions, but this is something that you should have already done BEFORE the test not something that you’re doing as you’re sitting in the test. Make it a point to know the directions for each section backwards and forwards before you ever show up to take the real test.
  9. Stay active, not passive. It’s easy to just let your eyes glaze over and pick the answers that seem the most correct without much though but that’s not the kind of attitude that will get you a great score. Keep your mind up and running as you’re going through the test instead.
  10. Don’t watch the clock obsessively. While it’s a good idea to have some notion of how much time you have left, watching the clock like a hawk is just going to stress you out. Focus on the work you’re doing an only check the clock periodically.
  11. Remember it will be over before you know it. While the hours it takes to go through the test may seem like an eternity, in reality it will be over before you know it and you can relax.

General Information

Learn the basics about what the GMAT is and how to take it from these sites.

  1. How the GMAT CAT Works: If you’ve never taken an exam on a computer before, learn how the computer adaptive test works and what important things you’ll need to know about it that can help you to do better on the GMAT.
  2. MBA.com: Check out the official site for the GMAT to learn about the basics of signing up and how the test is put together.
  3. Graduate Management Admissions Council: This site is home to numerous resources about being an MBA student but can also provide a wealth of information about the GMAT as well.
  4. GMAT Test Structure: Learn just how the GMAT is going to be set up so you can study better for each part.
  5. GMAT Scoring Scale: Here you’ll find information on how the GMAT is scored so you can understand what your score means.
  6. How to Sign Up to Take the GMAT: To take the test you first need to sign up for it. This step-by-step guide will help you to understand just what you need to do to get signed up.
  7. ETS.org: Want to sign up to take the GMAT and find helpful resources like practice exams? Pay a visit to this official site.
  8. GMAT Information: Check out this site to learn all the basics about how the GMAT works.
  9. What is the GMAT?: Want to go to radiography school but not quite sure just what the GMAT is? This PDF will give you the complete lowdown.
  10. GMAT Orientation: Get a great overview of the GMAT including what it will include, how much time you’ll have and how it’s scored from this site.
  11. Wikipedia GMAT Entry: Find out all the basics of the GMAT on this encyclopedia entry.

GMAT Strategies

Don’t study or take the GMAT without a plan of attack. Use these sites to provide some guidance and advance planning instead.

  1. Top 5 Test Day Strategies: Learn some great ways to keep your focus and ensure you do as well as you’re capable of doing on the test with these helpful strategies.
  2. GMAT Prep Plans: This site provides study plans for those with as much as a month to study and as little as a few days to maximize the effectiveness of studying.
  3. GMAT Strategy: Here you’ll find some suggestions on how to prepare for the GMAT, what common mistakes are made and more from this site.
  4. Nova Test Prep GMAT Strategies: If you scroll down past the ads, you’ll find some helpful strategies for the GMAT that can help you breeze through questions with confidence.
  5. Honing Your GMAT Strategy: Business Week provides some helpful suggestions on prepping for the GMAT no matter how much time you have to study.
  6. GMAT Prep Pointers: Learn some of the common pitfalls that affect people when they are studying or taking the GMAT and how you can avoid them.
  7. GMAT Test Taking Tips: This blog is home to a multi-post guide to some ways that you can help yourself on the GMAT.
  8. 10 Ways to Crack the GMAT: Here you can find some helpful tips and links to resources that can give you some assistance studying for the test.
  9. Prep Strategies for the GMAT: Check out this site for some interesting GMAT stats and tips to help you stay calm and focused while taking the test.
  10. Top Tips for the Test: This site provides some basic dos and don’ts for taking the GMAT that can help make a big difference come test day.
  11. GMAT Test Taking Strategies: Here you’ll find four big strategies that you can consider using when taking the GMAT to help boost your score.

Helpful Tools and Resources

Whether you’re looking for others to share the experience with or just need some helpful tools and pointers, check out these sites.

  1. Beat the GMAT: This forum provides tons of information on each portion of the test, answers to common questions, ways to meet up and much more.
  2. GMAT Club: Aspiring MBA students from around the world can join this club and get help and resources to take the GMAT from this site.
  3. Are Your GMAT Scores Competitive?: Check out this site to find out if your score on the GMAT will help you to get into a top business school.
  4. GMAT Hacks: This blog provides some tips on getting discounts on GMAT study materials as well as some tips and resources to help you do well.
  5. GMATTutor: Need some resources to help you study? You’ll find just about anything you could want on this site.
  6. LearnHub GMAT Prep: Visit this hub to join thousands of other members who are taking advantage or articles and study tools available through the site.
  7. Last 14 Days of Study: So you’re down to the last two weeks before your exam. Check out this site to find out how you can make the most of that time.
  8. Attacking Each Section of the GMAT: Go through the GMAT section by section to learn what to expect and get some pointers on what to look out for in each.
  9. GMAT Meetup: Use this online tool to find GMAT study groups and classes in your area so you don’t have to go it alone.
  10. ScoreChase: Commune with others who are studying for the GMAT on this site by participating in the forum. You’ll find answers to some common questions and some tips for studying.
  11. GMAT and MBA Blog: This blog can keep you updated with the latest news for those getting their MBA and some study tips and tools for those planning to take the GMAT.

Study Guides and Tools

Check out these lists, quizzes and flashcards to help you get an awesome score and gain admission into the best online colleges.

  1. English Test.net: For those who need a little extra attention for the verbal portion of the test, check out this site. You’ll find loads of quizzes and vocab exercises.
  2. Business Week GMAT Preparation: Take the advice of Business Week and get your GMAT study off the ground with the tips and tools offered here.
  3. GMAT Flashcard Study System: These flashcards aren’t free, but if you want to sign up with this site you can get access to a collection of professionally produced flashcards to aid your study.
  4. GMAT Flashcards: Take advantage of these flashcards to study for certain portions, especially those related to math, of the GMAT.
  5. GMAT Practice Tests: This site offers not only practice tests but a wide range of helpful study guides so you’ll know what to expect on every section of the test.
  6. GMAT Vocabulary Builder: Improve your vocabulary skills for the GMAT and beyond with this site.
  7. GMAT Vocab Lists: If you need some guidance as to what vocab words might show up on the GMAT then check out this forum for some suggested words you should know.
  8. Quizlet GMAT Flashcards and Study Tools: Here you can find flashcards and an array of other study tools to help you get through your study sessions more productively.
  9. GMAT Flashcards: If you find flashcards to be a helpful study tool then look no further than this site which has a great collection of pre-made GMAT flashcards.
  10. MBA Podcaster: This site has a great collection of podcasts for those already earning their MBAs as well as prospective students. There’s even a special collection of GMAT podcasts that you can listen to for some additional test prep.
  11. Mark Rice’s GMAT Study Guide and Notes: Want to learn from the experience of someone who’s been there before you? Then give this site a look. You’ll find all kinds of helpful study and test-taking tips.

Preparatory Courses and Products

Get some great advice and information on what you need to do well on the GMAT through the offerings of these companies.

  1. The Princeton Review: This company offers classes to those planning on taking the GMAT. Check out their site to see where the classes are that are closest to your hometown.
  2. Kaplan: Get personalized attention and help from the classes offered by Kaplan. You can sign up online to find courses offered in your area.
  3. Manhattan GMAT: Residents of New York can take advantage of this prep service which can offer personalized tutoring and courses to boost your scores.
  4. Veritas GMAT Prep: With sites all over the US and the world, this company can be a big help to prepping for the GMAT no matter where you live. Check out on-site courses or an online alternative.
  5. WinGMAT: Get some help studying for the GMAT through this online program. You can sign up to use it for as little as $3.99 a day.
  6. GMAT CAT.com: Check out this site to get access to materials and guidance that can help you score better on the GMAT.
  7. UNC Charlotte Exam Prep: Those who live near the University of North Carolina-Charlotte can sign up for a prep course offered through the university. If you don’t live in the area, check with colleges in your area to see if they offer similar services.
  8. GMAT Secrets: This site offers a specially designed study guide that aims to help you do better on the GMAT.
  9. PowerScore: You can sign up for classes with this company and get advice and information from instructors that can help you do better on the test.
  10. GMAT Simulator: If you want to get the authentic experience of taking the exam more than just with the free exams that the official test site offers then consider purchasing this program.
  11. Test Circle: Use an interactive and on-demand video course to get additional information and strategies about taking the GMAT.
  12. Integrated Learning: If you think you might need some one-on-one tutoring to help you out with prepping for the GMAT, you’ll find it on this site.

Sample Tests and Questions

Make sure you’re prepared for the real deal by taking these practice tests ahead of time.

  1. Test Prep Review: Check out this site for helpful test practice, flashcards, and a study guide.
  2. 800 Score.com: Want to score an 800 on your GMAT? Learn how to get close or on the mark with some guidance from the practice exams on this site.
  3. Kaplan Practice GMAT: Kaplan offers courses to help you do better on the GMAT as well as these free online practice exams.
  4. GMAT Test Prep: Here you can test yourself on the verbal, quantitative and analytical portions of the GMAT.
  5. Syvum GMAT Test Preparation Exercises: This test prep company offers some free online resources in the form of these helpful test questions to get you in good shape for the real thing.
  6. Princeton Review Practice Test: Even if you’re not taking courses with Princeton Review you can use their online tests and questions to practice.
  7. GMAT Test Questions: Here you’ll find sample questions that will test you on every section of the exam to ensure you’re ready.
  8. 4Tests GMAT Practice: This site offers a few verbal and math questions for you to get some practice as well as links to other online exams.
  9. Peterson’s Free GMAT Practice Test: This timed practice test will help you get an idea of how you’ll perform on the GMAT when you actually take it.
  10. MicroEdu Free GMAT Test: Take a text based exam on this site and get complete explanations of the answers to help you know where you went wrong.
  11. MBA Schools GMAT Practice Tests: This site offers one free practice test that can help you get ready and find out where your weaknesses are in studying.

GMAT Study Books

If you want to study for the test on your own or need a supplement for a course, check out these helpful publications.

  1. The Official Guide for GMAT Review: The Graduate Management Admissions Council puts out this publication which offers loads of practice questions, explanations of why you’re right or wrong, free computer-based tests, and much more.
  2. EZ GMAT Math Strategies: Focus on the math portion of the exam with this book, with helpful advice on how to study and make the most of your time during the quantitative part of the test.
  3. Kaplan GMAT Premier Program: Study for the GMAT using this book. You’ll get practice questions and exams to test your skills as well as some test-taking strategies.
  4. Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review: With this book you’ll be able to focus your studies on the verbal section and have access to numerous practice questions, some of which might even show up on your actual exam.
  5. Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review: If you’re struggling with the math portion, consider checking out this book. You’ll be able to go through hundreds of practice problems and access your strengths and weaknesses.
  6. Cracking the GMAT: This book comes complete with a DVD that gives tutorials as well as hundreds of prep questions, practice exams and more from the Princeton Review.
  7. Kaplan GMAT 800: If you’ve already mastered the basics, check out this book to get access to some of the toughest questions you may be asked on the GMAT.
  8. The Ultimate Math Refresher for the GRE, GMAT and SAT: Review some basic and advanced math concepts through this book so you’ll be prepped on all fronts for the GMAT.
  9. Barron’s GMAT: Barron’s puts out this GMAT study guide that contains practice questions and study strategies.
  10. GMAT for Dummies: Part of the popular Dummies series, this book breaks down how to study for and do well on the GMAT in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.
  11. The Ultimate Verbal and Vocabulary Builder for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT and LSAT: Check out this book to get some extra help with the verbal part of the exam. You’ll get helpful advice on building up your vocabulary and learning the basics of correct grammar.

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The Ultimate Guide to the GMAT: 100 Tips, Tools, and Resources

Preparing to take the GMAT can be a nerve-racking experience, with hours spent memorizing vocabulary and practicing math problems. You can help give yourself an advantage for doing well on the GMAT by making use of the numerous resources that are out there. Many of them won’t cost you a dime and can make a big difference in how you study and perform during the test. Here’s a list we’ve compiled of some of these great resources as well as some helpful tips to get you started on the right track.

Study Tips

Give these tips a try while you’re still in the preparatory stages.

  1. Start early. Just starting to study a week before you have to take the exam isn’t going to do you any favors or really help you boost your score that much. Give yourself at least a few months to study slowly and thoroughly before the test day.
  2. Study the easy stuff first. While it is good to know how to do the tough stuff on the test, you should work on building your way up. The GMAT will give you problems based on your level and if you can’t solve the easy ones quickly and correctly you’re unlikely to see many truly hard ones.
  3. Focus on your weaknesses. If you know you really stink at geometry or can’t understand grammar for the life of you then spend a little extra time on those areas to ensure you’re as prepared as you can be for any questions on the test.
  4. Mix it up. Along those same lines, however, make sure you’re not focusing too much on one aspect of the test. Give equal time to practicing for each section so there won’t be any surprises when you’re sitting down to do the real thing.
  5. Find out what you do know. It’s hard to know where to focus your studies if you are unsure what you remember from school and still know really well. Spend some time going over practice problems to determine where your weaknesses and strengths are or just to help you learn how to organize and synthesize all the good information that’s already in your brain.
  6. Find a method that works. Not everyone studies the same way most effectively. For some, flashcards will be perfect. For others, studying with a partner or a group may work the best. Figure out what helps you remember and learn the material the easiest and stick to it.
  7. Make the most of practice tests. While taking practice tests can be time consuming and tiring, there is no surer way to determine how you might actually perform on the real exam. Take at least one or two practice tests before heading into the GMAT to ensure you know what to expect.
  8. Know the test format. It may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing how the test is set up and how it will be administered is essential. If you’ve only been practicing out of books and you’re taking the exam on the computer you may be thrown off, so spend some time learning about how the test will go, step-by-step.
  9. Create a strategy. You wouldn’t attempt to build a house without a blueprint so why attempt to build your knowledge without a plan of attack? Spend some time figuring out what you want to study and how you want to study it to make the most of your time.
  10. Don’t cram the night before the test. While it may not hurt to review a few flashcards or get a last-minute overview, don’t stay up late trying to study the night before the exam. Instead, get some rest. Studies have shown that you’ll actually remember more this way and do better on the test.
  11. Have a schedule and stick to it. Spend some time figuring out just how much time you want to dedicate to studying each day or week. Set up a schedule for yourself based on this desire and work as hard has you can to stick to it.

Test Taking Tips

If you’re anxious about taking the test, go over these tips for some suggestions for keeping your cool come test day.

  1. Pace Yourself. When taking the GMAT you won’t be doing yourself any favors if you rush through the questions without reading carefully or spend far too long on one or two questions so you don’t have time for the others. Work to find a pace that allows you a happy medium and know just how much time you can afford to spend on each problem.
  2. Relax. If you’re hyperventilating you’re going to be spending more time concentrating on breathing than on the test so settle your nerves and calm down. Remember that even if you do absolutely horribly on the test the world is not going to end and you can take it again.
  3. Don’t get hung up on mistakes. You may be a perfectionist in normal life, but acting that way on a test won’t help you out. You’re probably not going to get every single answer right and there will be problems that you simply don’t know the correct answer to. Do not let this sidetrack your focus for future problems. Wipe the memory of the previous problem from your mind every time you move onto a new problem instead.
  4. Avoid guessing randomly. Unless you’re racing to guess on answers in the last few minutes of your exam time, you really shouldn’t completely guess on an answer. Most of the time you can eliminate one or two that you know aren’t right and guess between a smaller number to give you a better chance of being right.
  5. Watch out for baited answers. The makers of these kinds of tests can be sneaky and provide a few answers that reflect commonly made errors or ideas that are somewhat similar. For this reason, ensure that you read questions carefully and get those simple calculations right.
  6. Take your time with the first few questions. The first few questions of each section on the GMAT are used to gauge the level you’re at and determine the difficulty of the rest of the exam, so make sure to go through these carefully so you get questions that reflect how much you know. You can catch up later on by answering those easier questions right, but it’s easier in the long run to get it right from the get-go.
  7. Use your scratch paper. The test provides you with scratch paper so make the most of it. Sketch out problems that you’re having trouble with or use it to help you make clear concepts you’re struggling with.
  8. Don’t waste time reading directions. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t know the directions, but this is something that you should have already done BEFORE the test not something that you’re doing as you’re sitting in the test. Make it a point to know the directions for each section backwards and forwards before you ever show up to take the real test.
  9. Stay active, not passive. It’s easy to just let your eyes glaze over and pick the answers that seem the most correct without much though but that’s not the kind of attitude that will get you a great score. Keep your mind up and running as you’re going through the test instead.
  10. Don’t watch the clock obsessively. While it’s a good idea to have some notion of how much time you have left, watching the clock like a hawk is just going to stress you out. Focus on the work you’re doing an only check the clock periodically.
  11. Remember it will be over before you know it. While the hours it takes to go through the test may seem like an eternity, in reality it will be over before you know it and you can relax.

General Information

Learn the basics about what the GMAT is and how to take it from these sites.

  1. How the GMAT CAT Works: If you’ve never taken an exam on a computer before, learn how the computer adaptive test works and what important things you’ll need to know about it that can help you to do better on the GMAT.
  2. MBA.com: Check out the official site for the GMAT to learn about the basics of signing up and how the test is put together.
  3. Graduate Management Admissions Council: This site is home to numerous resources about being an MBA student but can also provide a wealth of information about the GMAT as well.
  4. GMAT Test Structure: Learn just how the GMAT is going to be set up so you can study better for each part.
  5. GMAT Scoring Scale: Here you’ll find information on how the GMAT is scored so you can understand what your score means.
  6. How to Sign Up to Take the GMAT: To take the test you first need to sign up for it. This step-by-step guide will help you to understand just what you need to do to get signed up.
  7. ETS.org: Want to sign up to take the GMAT and find helpful resources like practice exams? Pay a visit to this official site.
  8. GMAT Information: Check out this site to learn all the basics about how the GMAT works.
  9. What is the GMAT?: Want to go to radiography school but not quite sure just what the GMAT is? This PDF will give you the complete lowdown.
  10. GMAT Orientation: Get a great overview of the GMAT including what it will include, how much time you’ll have and how it’s scored from this site.
  11. Wikipedia GMAT Entry: Find out all the basics of the GMAT on this encyclopedia entry.

GMAT Strategies

Don’t study or take the GMAT without a plan of attack. Use these sites to provide some guidance and advance planning instead.

  1. Top 5 Test Day Strategies: Learn some great ways to keep your focus and ensure you do as well as you’re capable of doing on the test with these helpful strategies.
  2. GMAT Prep Plans: This site provides study plans for those with as much as a month to study and as little as a few days to maximize the effectiveness of studying.
  3. GMAT Strategy: Here you’ll find some suggestions on how to prepare for the GMAT, what common mistakes are made and more from this site.
  4. Nova Test Prep GMAT Strategies: If you scroll down past the ads, you’ll find some helpful strategies for the GMAT that can help you breeze through questions with confidence.
  5. Honing Your GMAT Strategy: Business Week provides some helpful suggestions on prepping for the GMAT no matter how much time you have to study.
  6. GMAT Prep Pointers: Learn some of the common pitfalls that affect people when they are studying or taking the GMAT and how you can avoid them.
  7. GMAT Test Taking Tips: This blog is home to a multi-post guide to some ways that you can help yourself on the GMAT.
  8. 10 Ways to Crack the GMAT: Here you can find some helpful tips and links to resources that can give you some assistance studying for the test.
  9. Prep Strategies for the GMAT: Check out this site for some interesting GMAT stats and tips to help you stay calm and focused while taking the test.
  10. Top Tips for the Test: This site provides some basic dos and don’ts for taking the GMAT that can help make a big difference come test day.
  11. GMAT Test Taking Strategies: Here you’ll find four big strategies that you can consider using when taking the GMAT to help boost your score.

Helpful Tools and Resources

Whether you’re looking for others to share the experience with or just need some helpful tools and pointers, check out these sites.

  1. Beat the GMAT: This forum provides tons of information on each portion of the test, answers to common questions, ways to meet up and much more.
  2. GMAT Club: Aspiring MBA students from around the world can join this club and get help and resources to take the GMAT from this site.
  3. Are Your GMAT Scores Competitive?: Check out this site to find out if your score on the GMAT will help you to get into a top business school.
  4. GMAT Hacks: This blog provides some tips on getting discounts on GMAT study materials as well as some tips and resources to help you do well.
  5. GMATTutor: Need some resources to help you study? You’ll find just about anything you could want on this site.
  6. LearnHub GMAT Prep: Visit this hub to join thousands of other members who are taking advantage or articles and study tools available through the site.
  7. Last 14 Days of Study: So you’re down to the last two weeks before your exam. Check out this site to find out how you can make the most of that time.
  8. Attacking Each Section of the GMAT: Go through the GMAT section by section to learn what to expect and get some pointers on what to look out for in each.
  9. GMAT Meetup: Use this online tool to find GMAT study groups and classes in your area so you don’t have to go it alone.
  10. ScoreChase: Commune with others who are studying for the GMAT on this site by participating in the forum. You’ll find answers to some common questions and some tips for studying.
  11. GMAT and MBA Blog: This blog can keep you updated with the latest news for those getting their MBA and some study tips and tools for those planning to take the GMAT.

Study Guides and Tools

Check out these lists, quizzes and flashcards to help you get an awesome score and gain admission into the best online colleges.

  1. English Test.net: For those who need a little extra attention for the verbal portion of the test, check out this site. You’ll find loads of quizzes and vocab exercises.
  2. Business Week GMAT Preparation: Take the advice of Business Week and get your GMAT study off the ground with the tips and tools offered here.
  3. GMAT Flashcard Study System: These flashcards aren’t free, but if you want to sign up with this site you can get access to a collection of professionally produced flashcards to aid your study.
  4. GMAT Flashcards: Take advantage of these flashcards to study for certain portions, especially those related to math, of the GMAT.
  5. GMAT Practice Tests: This site offers not only practice tests but a wide range of helpful study guides so you’ll know what to expect on every section of the test.
  6. GMAT Vocabulary Builder: Improve your vocabulary skills for the GMAT and beyond with this site.
  7. GMAT Vocab Lists: If you need some guidance as to what vocab words might show up on the GMAT then check out this forum for some suggested words you should know.
  8. Quizlet GMAT Flashcards and Study Tools: Here you can find flashcards and an array of other study tools to help you get through your study sessions more productively.
  9. GMAT Flashcards: If you find flashcards to be a helpful study tool then look no further than this site which has a great collection of pre-made GMAT flashcards.
  10. MBA Podcaster: This site has a great collection of podcasts for those already earning their MBAs as well as prospective students. There’s even a special collection of GMAT podcasts that you can listen to for some additional test prep.
  11. Mark Rice’s GMAT Study Guide and Notes: Want to learn from the experience of someone who’s been there before you? Then give this site a look. You’ll find all kinds of helpful study and test-taking tips.

Preparatory Courses and Products

Get some great advice and information on what you need to do well on the GMAT through the offerings of these companies.

  1. The Princeton Review: This company offers classes to those planning on taking the GMAT. Check out their site to see where the classes are that are closest to your hometown.
  2. Kaplan: Get personalized attention and help from the classes offered by Kaplan. You can sign up online to find courses offered in your area.
  3. Manhattan GMAT: Residents of New York can take advantage of this prep service which can offer personalized tutoring and courses to boost your scores.
  4. Veritas GMAT Prep: With sites all over the US and the world, this company can be a big help to prepping for the GMAT no matter where you live. Check out on-site courses or an online alternative.
  5. WinGMAT: Get some help studying for the GMAT through this online program. You can sign up to use it for as little as $3.99 a day.
  6. GMAT CAT.com: Check out this site to get access to materials and guidance that can help you score better on the GMAT.
  7. UNC Charlotte Exam Prep: Those who live near the University of North Carolina-Charlotte can sign up for a prep course offered through the university. If you don’t live in the area, check with colleges in your area to see if they offer similar services.
  8. GMAT Secrets: This site offers a specially designed study guide that aims to help you do better on the GMAT.
  9. PowerScore: You can sign up for classes with this company and get advice and information from instructors that can help you do better on the test.
  10. GMAT Simulator: If you want to get the authentic experience of taking the exam more than just with the free exams that the official test site offers then consider purchasing this program.
  11. Test Circle: Use an interactive and on-demand video course to get additional information and strategies about taking the GMAT.
  12. Integrated Learning: If you think you might need some one-on-one tutoring to help you out with prepping for the GMAT, you’ll find it on this site.

Sample Tests and Questions

Make sure you’re prepared for the real deal by taking these practice tests ahead of time.

  1. Test Prep Review: Check out this site for helpful test practice, flashcards, and a study guide.
  2. 800 Score.com: Want to score an 800 on your GMAT? Learn how to get close or on the mark with some guidance from the practice exams on this site.
  3. Kaplan Practice GMAT: Kaplan offers courses to help you do better on the GMAT as well as these free online practice exams.
  4. GMAT Test Prep: Here you can test yourself on the verbal, quantitative and analytical portions of the GMAT.
  5. Syvum GMAT Test Preparation Exercises: This test prep company offers some free online resources in the form of these helpful test questions to get you in good shape for the real thing.
  6. Princeton Review Practice Test: Even if you’re not taking courses with Princeton Review you can use their online tests and questions to practice.
  7. GMAT Test Questions: Here you’ll find sample questions that will test you on every section of the exam to ensure you’re ready.
  8. 4Tests GMAT Practice: This site offers a few verbal and math questions for you to get some practice as well as links to other online exams.
  9. Peterson’s Free GMAT Practice Test: This timed practice test will help you get an idea of how you’ll perform on the GMAT when you actually take it.
  10. MicroEdu Free GMAT Test: Take a text based exam on this site and get complete explanations of the answers to help you know where you went wrong.
  11. MBA Schools GMAT Practice Tests: This site offers one free practice test that can help you get ready and find out where your weaknesses are in studying.

GMAT Study Books

If you want to study for the test on your own or need a supplement for a course, check out these helpful publications.

  1. The Official Guide for GMAT Review: The Graduate Management Admissions Council puts out this publication which offers loads of practice questions, explanations of why you’re right or wrong, free computer-based tests, and much more.
  2. EZ GMAT Math Strategies: Focus on the math portion of the exam with this book, with helpful advice on how to study and make the most of your time during the quantitative part of the test.
  3. Kaplan GMAT Premier Program: Study for the GMAT using this book. You’ll get practice questions and exams to test your skills as well as some test-taking strategies.
  4. Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review: With this book you’ll be able to focus your studies on the verbal section and have access to numerous practice questions, some of which might even show up on your actual exam.
  5. Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review: If you’re struggling with the math portion, consider checking out this book. You’ll be able to go through hundreds of practice problems and access your strengths and weaknesses.
  6. Cracking the GMAT: This book comes complete with a DVD that gives tutorials as well as hundreds of prep questions, practice exams and more from the Princeton Review.
  7. Kaplan GMAT 800: If you’ve already mastered the basics, check out this book to get access to some of the toughest questions you may be asked on the GMAT.
  8. The Ultimate Math Refresher for the GRE, GMAT and SAT: Review some basic and advanced math concepts through this book so you’ll be prepped on all fronts for the GMAT.
  9. Barron’s GMAT: Barron’s puts out this GMAT study guide that contains practice questions and study strategies.
  10. GMAT for Dummies: Part of the popular Dummies series, this book breaks down how to study for and do well on the GMAT in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.
  11. The Ultimate Verbal and Vocabulary Builder for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT and LSAT: Check out this book to get some extra help with the verbal part of the exam. You’ll get helpful advice on building up your vocabulary and learning the basics of correct grammar.

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100 Best MBA Admission Tips All in One List

If you’re in the midst of your MBA application, you’re probably swamped by rankings, school comparisons, essay writing, letters of recommendation, and even more headaches. We’re urging you to take one step back, breathe deeply, and browse this list before diving back in. Below are 100 tips and resources to keep you organized and on top of it all.

Rankings and Research

Take school rankings with a grain of salt, but they can be useful when picking back-up schools and evaluating your chances of getting in.

  1. Business School and MBA Surveys: Read reviews of business schools like University of Virginia, Purdue, Yale, UT Austin and others.
  2. Choosing a Business School: This resource has tips for researching full-time programs, part-time programs, accelerated and Executive MBA programs.
  3. Rankings and Admission Criteria: Review percent of applicants accepted, average GMAT score and average student age for schools like MIT, Duke, University of Chicago and more in this chart.
  4. Business Schools: BusinessWeek’s rankings are well-respected. Check to see how they rank your top school.
  5. Best Business Schools 2008: Get stats of top business schools from U.S. News and World Report here.
  6. The Best Part-Time MBA Programs: Going to business school doesn’t mean that you have to quit your job and try to get into Harvard. Here’s a look at the top part-time programs at places like Indiana University and Rollins.
  7. Business School Diversity Profiles: Find out which of the top schools offer the best diversity.
  8. Best distance-learning MBAs: The Economist lists international distance-learning programs from Open University and IE Business School as its top choices.
  9. How do you research programs?: The Wharton Business School has put together this tips guide for researching business schools and programs.
  10. Quick Search: Business Programs: The Princeton Review publishes this very useful directory as well as its guide to the rankings.

GMAT Tips

Be sure to gain admission into the best online university with our GMAT tips below.

  1. GMAT Score: Before you take the test, understand how it’s scored and what score you’ll need to get into your top school.
  2. Build up your floor: Your floor is the level of questions you can consistently answer correctly. Practice easier questions first.
  3. Pay attention to the first questions: Your answers to the first few questions of each section are used to determine your level of difficulty, so take your time on these.
  4. Don’t fill in guesses randomly: This technique actually counts against you, so West.net recommends that you "try to eliminate at least one answer choice before you confirm your response."
  5. Advice on Test Preparation: Learn how to focus on only certain areas, and don’t over prepare yourself.
  6. GMAT Math: Achieve a Top Score: Learn how to get a better math score here.
  7. GMAT Tips: The Numbers Game: Don’t look for trick questions on the GMAT: everything is supposed to be pretty straightforward.
  8. Need-to-Know GMAT Tips and Strategies: Get tips for reading comprehension, data sufficiency questions and more here.
  9. GMAT Prep Resources Hacks: Use study guides like the ones found on this list to familiarize yourself with the format of the test beforehand.
  10. Take a practice test: Learn the format and prep yourself with practice questions to make yourself feel more comfortable with the GMAT.

Important Dates

Don’t miss the test! Here are links to keeping your dates straight.

  1. Take the GMAT: Schedule the GMAT using these tools.
  2. Clear Admit application deadlines: This blog posts upcoming application deadlines in its left sidebar.

Standing Out

For help figuring out how to stand out from the rest of the applicants, take a look at this list.

  1. The Admissions Office Finds Facebook: This article explains how admissions offices "are seeking applicants through social networking sites," so clean up your profile.
  2. How to get into a top MBA program: This About.com article offers advice from admissions representatives from schools like Columbia, UT and others.
  3. Understand what sets you apart: Admissions reps want to know how you’re different, so take some time to figure out what it is that makes you different from everyone else, like your family background, small business story or something else.
  4. How B-Schools Catch Resume Liars: If you think no one will catch the way you padded your resume, think again. It’s best to be honest.
  5. Don’t be shy: The admissions process can be cutthroat, so don’t be shy about sharing your story, speaking up during an interview or acknowledging your racial or ethnic background.
  6. Have a clear, specific plan for post graduation: If you want to go to a business school in order to network and learn the skills you need to start your own cosmetics line, put that in your essay and include it in your interview. The more specific, the more you stand out.
  7. Letters of recommendation: These can really help your cause, so pick people who know you really well and who believe in your potential.
  8. Write a winning essay: Your essay may be one of the most important factors in your entire application process, so make sure it’s error-free, well-organized, and personal.

Tools for Staying Organized

From calendars to practice tests, these tools will keep you better organized.

  1. MBA Depot: Use this website to keep track of your choice schools and more.
  2. HipCal: HipCal is a great little web-based calendar, address book and alert system that can help you keep track of study time, exam dates and more.
  3. Check Seat Availability: Use this tool to preview testing centers before you register.
  4. GMAT Practice Tests: GMATCAT.com’s free sample questions are a great help for nervous test takers.
  5. Study Suggestions: MBA.com, the website for the Graduate Construction Management Admission Council, has lots of suggestions and tips here.
  6. Timing your application: Check out this guide that has tips for planning out the best time to submit your application.

Your Application

Below are tips for cleaning up your application and making sure it’s error-free.

  1. Make copies: Before marking up the original, make sure you can make copies or print out several editions so that you won’t have to scratch through or white-out your mistakes.
  2. Triple check each question and box: It’s absolutely important that you don’t leave anything blank.
  3. Remember your name: Don’t forget your name and/or signature!
  4. If you have bad handwriting, type it: Type in your answers if you have terrible, illegible handwriting.

Scholarships and Grants

Part of the admissions process is evaluating what kind of financial aid you need and where you can find it. Read our tips below for help locating scholarships and grants.

  1. How to Go to Business School for Free: Don’t discount options like full tuition and hefty grants.
  2. Funding and Scholarships: Read tips for evaluating your financial need here.
  3. FastWeb: This site lists all kinds of scholarship information that will help you pay for business school.
  4. National Association of Women MBAs: Women MBA hopefuls should consider applying for this scholarship.
  5. National Black MBA Scholarship Programs: African American applicants may want to apply for assistance through the National Black MBA Association, Inc.
  6. NSH MBA: The National Society of Hispanic MBAs also has scholarship programs for Hispanic students going to business school.
  7. Scholarships.com: Search by school or scholarship to find the best solution for your needs on this site.
  8. FAFSA: You can find federal aid for graduate school, too.
  9. Paying for Your MBA: School-Based and Federal Aid: Learn about these two types of MBA tuition assistance here.
  10. 4 Things to Know About Receiving Tuition Reimbursement from Your Employer: Getting your boss to pay for your MBA is very tempting, but make sure you’re aware of all the loopholes and fine print first.

Evaluating Your Skills and Experience

From preparing for interviews to asking for letters of recommendation to finding the best MBA program for you, we’ve got a lot of advice and resources to help you evaluate your skills and experience.

  1. Career Planning: Learn how to identify your skills using this guide.
  2. Leadership Skills Assessment Questionnaire: Rate your leadership skills to help you design your resume and application.
  3. How Schools Evaluate Your Application: By understanding how admissions departments analyze your application, you’ll have a better feel for what to include and what to leave out.
  4. Personal and Professional Career Assessment: The Harvard Business School has put together this resource to help students identify their strengths, goals and career goals.
  5. SMU Admissions Criteria: Here you’ll find plenty of admissions tips as well as gain insight into the kinds of skills and experience candidates are expected to have when they apply to a respected MBA program.
  6. Credit for Work Experience: If you’ve already put in many years in the business sector, you might be able to enroll in a program with some credits already satisfied.
  7. HBS Gives Advice on Letters of Recommendation: Learn what to ask for when you request letters of recommendation.
  8. Work after your undergraduate degree: Most competitive business schools, including international schools require, or at least prefer, their incoming students have a few years of experience working in a business environment.
  9. Foundation Skills: Use this resource from The Career Key to better evaluate your marketable skills.
  10. Are You Ready for an MBA?: Before you even start researching schools, ask yourself if you’re ready to take the next step and if you’re at the right place in your life to go back to school.
  11. Work Experience: Learn "what your work experience says about you" and how others view your experience.

Essays and Interviews

Follow these links to even more tips about acing the interview and writing a winning essay.

  1. Application Tips from the MBA Class of 2008: Stanford MBA students share tips in this video.
  2. MBA Admissions Essays: Learn strategies for successful essay writing here.
  3. Look at Your Competition: Before heading into an interview or writing your essay, anticipate how your competition is going to try to stand out.
  4. MBA Admissions Interview: Tips, Sample Questions, Feedback: Access sample interview questions that will help you prepare.
  5. Sample MBA Application Essays: Read examples of four types of essays: the background essay, the goals essay, the personal essay and the example of what not to write.
  6. MBA Admissions Interview Tips: Before going to an interview, learn how to set your own communication objectives and speak coherently.
  7. Write for Acceptance: Consider taking an essay-writing class or getting professional help designing your MBA essay.
  8. Application Essay Dos and Donts: Listed in this guide are 20 different dos and donts for MBA application essay writing.
  9. Essays: MBA.com’s resource features a list of things all essays should consider and important points to remember when crafting your MBA admissions essay.
  10. Admissions Interview Tips: Click on a specific business school to find out what kinds of interview questions they typically ask.

Articles and Guides

This list includes tips about tweaking your resume, analyzing your GPA, and more.

  1. MBA Admissions Resume: Read this guide to learn about the characteristics of a good resume.
  2. GMAT Test-taker Rights and Responsibilities: You’ll need to familiarize yourself with your rights before taking the tests.
  3. Recipe for Disaster: Application Mistakes You Want to Avoid: Learn what not to do when you read this guide.
  4. Academic Record: Know how admissions offices will regard your academic record and GPA.
  5. Letters of Recommendation: Kaplan shares more tips for making your letter of recommendation personal.
  6. MBA Admissions: Low GMAT or GPA: Learn how to address a low GMAT score or GPA during the applications process by reading over this guide.
  7. Managing Your Offers: Get tips on what to do when you’re rejected, admitted and deferred.
  8. How Important is Your GMAT Score?: If you’re a nervous test taker, read this guide to get a more realistic idea of how much your score matters.
  9. Admissions to Business School: Yahoo! Education’s guide to applying to business school lists top schools and admission statistics, and gives you insight into the competition.
  10. Glossary of Terms: Look up business school terms to make your application process easier.

Forums and Blogs

Turn to these resources for advice from the people who’ve already been there.

  1. GMAT Hacks: This blog has daily tips for cracking the GMAT.
  2. MBA Forums: Check out what MBA students are saying to get an impression of what you’ll really encounter in business school.
  3. MBA Zone: Categories and threads here include "What are my chances?" and "Application questions."
  4. BW Business Schools: BusinessWeek’s forum includes discussions about going back to school, early decision and more.
  5. Beat the GMAT: Get tips for acing GMAT strategy, math and verbal sections.
  6. GMATClub: Here’s another forum for cracking the GMAT.
  7. Veritas Prep: The blog for the Veritas organization has tips on essay writing and more.
  8. MBA Admissions Wire: MBA applicants can find plenty of advice and links here.
  9. Journey to my MBA: Get tips on the TOEFL, interviews and more on this blog.
  10. The MBA Insider’s Blog: UCLA Anderson School of Management offers up plenty of tips and news for its programs.

General Tips

Our last list features a round-up of tips that can help you organize your admissions process.

  1. Know why you want to go to business school: This question will come up in your essay, interviews, and everywhere else in the admissions process. Expressing a clear set of goals for how business school will affect you personally is what deans and presidents want to hear.
  2. Be thorough: Be thorough with your research, tracking down teachers who can write your recommendations, evaluating your skills, and reviewing your application.
  3. Be honest: Admissions directors conduct background checks, so if you lie on your application, you’ll be disqualified immediately.
  4. Pick a backup school: It’s the same rule as college, but even more necessary now, since MBA schools are even more competitive. Have a backup school waiting in the wings in case you don’t get in to your first choice.
  5. Emphasize Your Leadership Skills: Business schools have an invested interested in how well you can demonstrate leadership skills before, during and after you earn your MBA.
  6. Proactively Address Academic Gaps: Make sure all of your prerequisites and transcripts are in order.
  7. Every Contact Counts: Don’t blow off an interview or make a rude phone call. Know that every contact with your business school counts.
  8. Visit the campus: This shows the school how interested you are and gives you a better idea of how you think you’ll fit in.
  9. Prepare adequately for the GMAT: Take practice tests, understand the format, and of course, get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast before the exam!

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Inside the World's Best Business Schools

The Ultimate B-School Tour

By Louis Lavelle

The Ultimate B-School Tour

Choosing a business school is no easy task, but it helps to have the right tools. In the slide show that follows, we've collected all the intel you need on 40 top full-time MBA programs: the top 30 U.S. B-schools and the top 10 international programs in Bloomberg Businessweek's most recent ranking.

Each slide includes links to our B-school comparator tool, which allows prospective students to do a side-by-side comparison of programs on dozens of data points, as well as each program's complete statistical profile. You'll also find links to each B-school's site on the Business Exchange, which aggregates coverage of the program in one place, and to a school tour—a photo essay on the program that includes details on programs, curriculum, the class profile, placement rates, top employers, and more.

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