Source: CSG

Inside the Mind of a B-School Admissions Officer: What Wows Them, What Irritates Them and What They Want to See in the 2009-10 Application Season

Veritas Prep Releases White Paper Offering Exclusive Insights From Admissions Officers at Top 30 MBA Programs to Help Applicants Shape Effective Applications That Improve Their Chances for Admission

MALIBU, CA--(Marketwire - June 11, 2009) - Understanding what wows and irritates admissions officers at leading business schools, and tailoring the MBA application accordingly, can propel an applicant's candidacy from unlikely to competitive. To give applicants the inside scoop on what admissions officers are looking for in the 2009-10 admissions season, Veritas Prep has compiled exclusive insights from admissions officers at top 30 schools in their latest white paper, now available for download at www.veritasprep.com/AdmissionsOfficerWhitepaper09.pdf.

Trends in MBA Admissions: Perceptions of Admissions Officers at Top 30 Business Schools highlights notable findings from the Veritas Prep Survey of MBA Admissions Officers, an eight-week online survey conducted among the top 30 business schools in the United States, according to bi-annual rankings compiled by BusinessWeek. Responses from admissions officers on topics ranging from student selection criteria to the future of the MBA application revealed a series of considerations that any b-school applicant should heed, including:

--  Almost half of respondents report that the number of admits straight
    out of college has increased compared to five years ago, partly reflecting
    a push by many top MBA programs to attract younger applicants.
--  Among desired changes that admissions officers would like to see in
    their applicant pool, diversity ranks number one.
--  Among applicant traits and characteristics, analytical skills rank as
    the most important, far ahead of any other characteristic such as
    leadership and community service.
    

"Despite the increased demand for graduate business education stemming from the current economic slowdown, the savvy business school applicant is in a unique position to secure a coveted seat in a leading MBA program through some additional due diligence," explains Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep and co-author of "Your MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies for Getting Into the Top Business Schools." "This white paper analyzes the issues and perceptions among admissions officers at the leading U.S. business schools to help prospective students craft effective applications that improve their chances for admission."

As the world's fastest-growing GMAT prep and MBA admissions consulting provider, Veritas Prep is committed to helping applicants leverage their academic and personal strengths to gain admission into the top business schools in the world, via sound intelligence and thorough preparation. To access Veritas Prep's full catalog of MBA applicant resources, visit www.veritasprep.com/mba.

About Veritas Prep

Veritas Prep is a leading test preparation and admissions consulting provider offering effective programs to help applicants improve their test scores and gain admission to the world's best graduate schools. Founded in 2002 by graduates of the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep now offers live GMAT prep instruction in more than 80 cities worldwide, as well as interactive online courses available everywhere. Additionally, Veritas Prep offers industry-leading admissions consulting services for applicants seeking admission to the most competitive business schools, law schools, and medical schools in the world.

Contact Information: Contact: Lisa Weiner 303.433.7020