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MBA Application Workshop Round 1 2025

First Step to a Winning Application

 

MBA Application Workshop Round 1 2025

First Step to a Winning Application

The MBA Application Process

The business school application process can be long, confusing, and have unexpected challenges and hurdles. For example, there might be hidden essay questions in an application that go unnoticed till the date of submission and more importantly, what to say in an essay and what not to is a big question. This is where these workshops, led by Swetha (GMAT 780, USC Marshall MBA) come in.

MBA Workshop Calendar - Round 1 - 2025 Application Cycle

These MBA application workshops are conducted twice a year to coincide with the Round 1 and Round 2 application cycles of top business schools.

These workshops are well structured, highly interactive sessions that span 5 weeks. Each week you will attend one session focusing on a specific aspect of the MBA application process. These are online workshops and offered through Zoom. The Round 1 workshop series starts on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Here is the detailed workshop Calendar

Session Focus Topic Date Time
Session 1 Perfecting Your Resume Tue, Aug 6, 2024 9 PM to 11:30 PM IST
Session 2 Impressing with Goals Essay Tue, Aug 13, 2024 9 PM to 11:30 PM IST
Session 3 Fitting in with Behavioral Essays Tue, Aug 20, 2024 9 PM to 11:30 PM IST
Session 4 LORs, Optional Essays, Application Form Tue, Aug 27, 2024 9 PM to 11:30 PM IST
Session 5 Sealing the Deal with Interviews Tue, Sep 10, 2024 9 PM to 11:30 PM IST

 

Session 1: Perfecting Your Resume - Aug 6, 2024

Resume

Agenda

  1. What should be the format of the MBA application resume?
  2. What sections are key and what are not?
  3. How should each bullet point be worded and drafted?

Pre-Work

  • Have an updated resume in an editable format. We will discuss different sections and you can edit / take notes during session.
  • Create an account on an AI-supported resume evaluation website used by most b-schools - we will send you the link to create one.

Post-work

  • Email Swetha your resume & get feedback. We will not be editing your resume for you but will give a detailed feedback for you to implement the changes.
  • After editing based on feedback, use AI account to do a second review.

From Wizako's Resource Kit, you get

  1. Resume template
  2. Action words for an impactful resume
  3. AI resume evaluation tool
  4. Sample resume examples - good and bad

Session 2: Impressing with the 'Goals' Essay - Aug 13, 2024

Goals Essay

Agenda

  1. A standard essay question crucial to admit: what are your short- & long-term goals.
  2. What factors should you address in the essay? What are the implied questions in this question (what does the ad-com expect in answer but do not explicitly ask)?
  3. How is your past connected to the future and your school to your goals?
  4. How should you adopt the content to differing word limits?

Pre-Work

  • Complete the thought exercise sent by WhatsApp and answer the questionnaire.

Post-work

  • Choose prompt from a school and draft a response. Email us and receive feedback.

From Wizako's Resource Kit, you get

  1. Thought exercise questionnaire
  2. Sample goals essay with comments on effective practices

Session 3: Fitting in with 'Behavioral Essays' - Aug 20, 2024

Goals Essay

Agenda

  1. Schools evaluate 'fit' using essays asking you to recount an experience. How should such essays be structured?
  2. What stories can you write about & what can you not?
  3. How much importance should be given to which part of the story?
  4. How should the answers be adapted for a video essay?

Pre-Work

  • Complete the thought exercise sent on WhatsApp & answer the questionnaire.
  • Each week, the thought exercise is different and needs introspection - about 15 minutes a question.

Post-work

  • Choose two life experiences to storyboard.
  • Use the storyboarding template discussed in session to structure the narration and email for feedback.

From Wizako's Resource Kit, you get

  1. Thought exercise questionnaire
  2. Video essay best practices
  3. Storyboarding template
  4. Sample essay with comments on best practice

Session 4: The Mixed Bag: LoRs, Optional Essays, Application Form Segments - Aug 27, 2024

Optional Essay, LoRs

Agenda

  1. How should you approach managers for Letters of Recommendation (LoRs)? What makes a good LoR?
  2. What to watch out for in application form?
  3. How to best use the optional essay space?
  4. Can you negotiate scholarships? If so, how and when?

Pre-Work

  • Identify three potential recommenders for discussion during session, regarding their feasibility. Use the thought exercise questionnaire to do so.

Post-work

  • Complete at least one discussion with a recommender based on the template provided during the session.

From Wizako's Resource Kit, you get

  1. Common recommendation questions asked by most schools & template.

Session 5: Sealing the Deal with Interviews - Sep 10, 2024

MBA Interviews

Agenda

  1. What are the common questions asked in a b school interview for MBA applicants?
  2. How long should an answer be and how should you structure responses to different question types?
  3. Add-on thoughts for in-person or group interview
  4. What questions can you ask them (the interviewers from the adcom of the business school)?

Pre-Work

  • Complete the thought exercise sent on WhatsApp & answer the questionnaire.
  • Be as introspective as you can in these thought exercises.

Post-work

  • Use the guidelines provided to send two video responses to often-asked interview questions through WhatsApp
  • Receive feedback on body language, modulation, script.

From Wizako's Resource Kit, you get

  1. List of interview questions to prepare for
  2. Questionnaire to ideate potential responses
  3. Tracking table to help think on your feet during an interview
  4. Interview storyboarding template

Who is hosting these webinars?

Swetha Rajagopal

Swetha Rajagaopal | MBA USC Marshall School of Business | GMAT 780

Swetha Rajagopal stands out as an exceptional guide for MBA aspirants, bringing a wealth of experience and success to the MBA Application Workshop. With her impressive GMAT score of 780, Swetha demonstrates a mastery of the skills crucial for MBA admissions. Her own journey through the competitive MBA landscape culminated in her graduating from the prestigious USC Marshall School of Business, where she secured a coveted 100% tuition fee waiver - a testament to her outstanding candidacy.

As a verbal tutor and aspiring author, Swetha possesses the refined communication skills essential for crafting compelling application essays. Her expertise extends beyond mere academics; she offers invaluable insights into the nuances of the application process, having experienced it firsthand as a successful applicant and now as a mentor to countless students each year.

What sets Swetha apart is her unique perspective from both sides of the admissions table. She intimately understands the challenges and anxieties of applicants, as well as the expectations of top business schools. This dual insight allows her to provide targeted, actionable advice that can make the difference between a good application and a great one.

Attending this workshop with Swetha as the facilitator offers a rare opportunity to learn from someone who has not only excelled in her own MBA journey but has also guided dozens of students to success. Her track record speaks volumes, making this workshop an invaluable resource for anyone serious about maximizing their chances of admission to a top-tier MBA program.

Limited Seats

This exclusive MBA Application Workshop offers a rare opportunity for personalized guidance, with seating limited to just 20 participants. The restricted capacity ensures meaningful interaction between Swetha and each attendee, allowing for in-depth, tailored advice. Participants will benefit from Swetha's expert feedback on both pre-workshop and post-workshop exercises, a level of individual attention that's only possible in such an intimate setting.

Given the workshop's popularity and limited spots, early registration is strongly encouraged. Once all slots are filled, a short waitlist will be maintained, with notifications sent out if any openings become available due to withdrawals. Don't miss this chance to work closely with Swetha and significantly enhance your MBA application - secure your spot today!

Fees

The fees for the 5 session workshop including access till January 15, 2025 to recordings of the sessions is INR 25,000 + GST.

A very few early bird offers are available. Send an email to study@wizako.com or a WhatsApp message to +91 95000 48484 to know offers available.

Register Now

What did past attendees have to say about the workshop?

How should I be looking at things, how should I be doing things, more importantly, there were so many things that I did not know. There were things that in my head were not of value or would be things I could include but the insights with which you have led the workshop have structured things for me, in my head. I would like to add that the format of having a small group of people who are also applying really helps to know what their concerns are and what their questions are - and I have learnt a lot from knowing what others are thinking. That makes this format great and possibly, from here, I could head to a one to one consulting, knowing what to expect. I was very happy that I could learn from others as well.

- Sadhavi

Given the amount of things to think about - the best thing about the workshop is that you never think about so many factors until the first edit but this workshop made us consider factors early on in the application. I also love what you have done - the questionnaire was thought provoking and you used our answers in class, which made that part of the discussion feel one on one. We also had amazing peers that contributed to the learning and that was perfect. I learned a lot and the resources you shared have been really really helpful.

- Nadya

The AI tool you shared for the resume is the one that the MBA program I have joined has also now shared with us. I already have a 90% score starting the program while my peers are scoring in the 60s. I feel like I have a head start.

- Omkar

I came into this workshop knowing that I am still studying for the GMAT and so my core focus is on that. I took this workshop to just familiarize with the rest of the application so that I can then do one on one consulting after I give the GMAT. Just having the material and the resources was very good for me, just so I can start thinking about the process. Having these workshops as a way to review what needs to be done for one on one consulting felt good. The workshop was phenomenal, very very useful. I plan to rewatch the videos when I am ready to apply.

- Bryce

I think watching the videos and referring to questionnaire before working on the essays would be really good. I got a lot of perspective and added a lot of value for me.... I believe the thing that helped the most was introspecting on the questions that you provided. Initially it took a lot of time but it did help a lot. Once the foundation was laid, everything was smooth. Right from the essays to interview prep, at every stage we referred to those answers.

- Kapil

The workshop was incredibly useful in so many ways. And it's not just MBA or MIM programme I am talking about, in general I learnt a lot of professional things that I needed to know about to navigate in the corporate world. And I absolutely loved loved the whole assignments idea and you taking examples of our own answers really helps to get a perspective of what my peers are thinking. I came into this whole thing only thinking about the GMAT exam but this turned out to be wayyy more insightful and informative than I thought it would be! Really grateful that I was able to come across this particular workshop at this particular time (coz it was the first workshop). Was very insightful. And thanks for not giving us too much homework 😅 at first I was worried about doing this on the side along with my studies but it didn't really affect it and on the contrary it helped lighten my load. Coz everytime I used to think about this whole admissions process it used to stress me out sooooo much but the class broke it down so well that now I feel like I can help others too via this learning. I am no longer scared to write my essays, I feel a bit more confident of what I am walking into now! I owe that all to you! Thanks a bunch. I really mean it

- Shruti

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Important facts that you should know about the Online MBA Application Workshop

While a few of the participants have managed to use the learnings from this workshop and work on their applications without resorting to one-on-one consulting, others have used the workshop as a starting point to get themselves ready to get the maximum value from their one-on-one engagement.

Of course you can take up 1:1 consulting but we ask our 1:1 candidates to also attend the workshops. Three reasons:

  1. You start planning your essays early, without finalizing schools or having a GMAT score. No last minute pressure!
  2. You leverage peer learning. We will anonymously discuss participant stories, enhancing understanding of the different approaches to an essay.
  3. It is a fraction of the cost. Start working on the admission process without breaking the bank!

Yes! We do. We work with not more than a dozen students on an One-on-One basis for each admission cycle. Swetha and our founder K S Baskar will be your mentors through the entire admissions consulting journey. You can get more details about Wizako's MBA Admission Consulting service here.

A qualified yes! We work with not more than a dozen students in each admission cycle. So, if we are already committed to working with other students and cannot do justice to more applicants, we will not be able to assist you.

If you upgrade early enough before we reach our capacity, the fees paid toward the Application Workshop will be adjusted against the One-on-One Admission Consulting fees. This offer is valid only if you take up both services in the same admission year.

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