7 Action Items For MBA Round 1 Applicants

It’s June, and your plan is to apply for Round 1 deadlines. That’s three months away. What should you be doing now? Decide how you feel about your GMAT/GRE score. Hopefully, you have taken the GMAT or GRE already and are happy with your score. One less thing to worry about. If you haven’t, now it’s the time to take it. Whittle down your list of schools to apply to. You have done your research and have a pretty good idea of what schools you will be applying to. Get the final list of schools ready, with their deadlines arranged in chronological order. In that list, you should include your dream school for sure, a couple where your profile fits right in, and at least one ‘safety,’ where you are almost sure you can get admitted. This is the time to narrow down your choices. Having this list will help you narrow your research and concentrate on those schools only. Finalize your resume. There’s no need to wait around any longer. Your resume should be good to go now so that you have one less piece of the puzzle to worry about. Fine tune your goals. If your goals are still not quite clear in your mind, this is the time to give them some deep thought and write them down. This is particularly true if you are planning on changing fields. Do your homework now so that you start your applications with a clear idea of what you want to do short and long term. Start choosing your recommenders and track them down. Maybe you haven’t seen one of them in a while, so it’s probably a good idea to contact him/her and re-connect. Taking care of this now will allow you to find alternates if for some reason one of the people you had in mind is unwilling or unable to write a recommendation for you. Figure out if you have enough extracurriculars. If you feel you lack community service or extracurricular activities, get on it right away. See my blog post about this here. Start working on your essays. If you have completed steps #1-6 and your target schools have released their application questions, you can start drafting essay responses. If your schools’ questions aren’t out, then just start a file, mind map, or folder where you jot down examples of leadership, top achievements, successes, failures, teamwork, initiative, etc. When the questions are available this file will put good stories and examples at your fingertips to anchor your essays. It will also be useful when you want to prepare for interviews. The importance of staying organized The coming months will be very stressful for you, no doubt. So start working on these things now to allow time to dig deeper on the essays and the rest of your application materials later. You will find that ninety days go by very quickly, so make sure every day counts. Now is also a great time to start working one-on-one with your personal Accepted advisor. Check out our MBA Admissions Consulting Editing Services – we look forward to helping you GET ACCEPTED. Esmeralda Cardenal is a Former Associate Director of Admissions at Yale SOM, Director of MBA Admissions at MSU Broad, and consultant at Cardiff Business School in the UK. Since 2014, she has guided Accepted clients to acceptance in various graduate programs including MBA and master's in finance, business analytics, data science, sustainability, and public policy.  Want Esmeralda to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: †¢ School-Specific MBA Application Essay Tips †¢ 4 Essentials for Your MBA Application †¢ Why Extracurricular Activities Make a Difference in Your MBA Application

Hult alumnus makes Forbes list of top 100 Italian leaders under 30

Luigi Congedo graduated with his Masters in International Business  in 2013. During his time at Hult, he was actively involved in the Venture Club. Over the years, he has gained experience in business development and finance. His passion, however, is startups. And he wants to contribute to their success on a global scale. Luigis latest achievement was being featured in Forbes as one of the  TOP 100 ITALIAN LEADERS UNDER 30. We caught up with Luigi to talk more about this impressive achievements. Congratulations on being named in the Forbes list. You must feel amazing! I still remember reading Forbes when I was in my first year of university, dreaming about my professional career without knowing what would come next for me. The last few years have been a wonderful experience. I have learned so much in Silicon Valley. I hope that my work continues to reflect my commitment to excel here. I also hope to be able to inspire the millions of young Italians who are studying and working under an extremely inefficient system. Know that  you are way better than what people are telling you, and the world has unlimited opportunities to offer. Keep going, and keep challenging yourself. Fail fast. Succeed faster. The world has unlimited opportunities to offer. Keep going, and keep challenging yourself. Fail fast. Succeed faster. What have you been doing since graduation? I worked at Samsung for a few months, then a fast-growing startup called RadiumOne. Next, I launched a company in Italy called Lovesano.it.  For the last four years, I have been at BootstrapLabs. Since I arrived in Silicon Valley, I have also been writing and speaking at different conferences, including the Mobile World Congress in Spain this year. One of the most important things I learned during my program at Hult is that your reputation in your industry is extremely important and it can accelerate your professional growth. Tell us about BootstrapLabs and how you got involved Founded in 2008, BootstrapLabs is a leading venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley and focused on applied artificial intelligence. As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand firsthand the needs and challenges of building a startup. We invest early in potentially disruptive tech startups with global potential. We believe â€Å"AI is eating software,† and invest in innovative and smart software platforms that create significant value for their users in large, global markets. Key sectors of interest include transportation, logistics, FinTech, future of work (FoW), security, internet of things (IoT), HealthTech, and others. BootstrapLabs tracks innovation around the globe and each year connects with over 1,000 founders from 60 countries. Portfolio companies include Prezi, AngelList, Zerply, Trusted Insight, AEye, Qurious.io, Roger.ai, Vidora, Sibly,   and others. Additionally, BootstrapLabs has curated and continuously engages with an incredible network of experts across industries and skills via conferences, events, workshops, and its proprietary advisory platform, BootstrapWorks. What is a typical day like for you? Vetting new investment, working with portfolio companies, and meeting Fortune 500 executives to build partnerships for my firm. I am lucky enough that I dont have the â€Å"typical day† at BootstrapLabs. I am helping my company with investments, marketing, and business development, so my day changes very often. Venture capitals have very different phases of activities. Some periods, like last year, we have been very active investing in new companies, and I have been spending a lot of time on investment research to support my company decisions. But this year, for instance, we are more focused on supporting our portfolio. So, my â€Å"typical day† completely changed in the last few months. How did your studies at Hult help you on your career path? Hult helped especially with developing soft skills. It was also fundamental for my current career to learn how to work in a multidisciplinary and international team. Thanks to my experiences at Hult, I have also learned a lot about managing teams and finalizing projects with short deadlines. Do you still leverage your Hult network? I am still in touch with different Hult students and professors, and crossed paths with many of my colleagues in the last few years. Even if its hard to keep in touch with everyone after the program, especially because many people relocated, Ive had very positive experiences with my Hult network. Very recently for example, I met one of my friends from the Masters in International Business, and now we are thinking about starting a new project together. Furthermore, last month I invited one of the speakers to our annual Applied AI Conference thanks to one of my connections from Hult. What’s your advice to someone wanting to launch their own company? I am not a big fan of to-do checklists. And I truly believe that, even if there are many very good techniques for entrepreneurs today, in the real-world, building any business is much harder than how it looks in books. Every successful company will have different challenges to deal with and opportunities to chase. Be an expert in your industry, and try to build a great team before you start building any product. 99% of success depends on execution. Without the right people in your team, it will be very hard to build anything big. I also always like to say that starting or launching a new company is the easy and fun part. Scaling and keeping your company in business for many years is a completely different thing. Too many people focus on how to start, without thinking about how to scale. 99% of success depends on execution. Without the right people in your team, it will be hard to build anything big. Silicon Valley has been an incredible school for me, and one of the most important pieces of advice that I like to give to new entrepreneurs is: do the things that dont scale at the beginning. Do not build any structure on day one—keep experimenting before defining procedures and bureaucracy. At the beginning of the journey, what really matters is asking yourself and your team the right questions, identifying the right go-to market, and staying as close as possible to your potential customers. Define the pain of your customer, explore the solution, and remember that your product, market, and KPIs, will need to evolve over time. But your value proposition will stick around for many years. Focus on short-term execution, but develop your long-term vision based on your value proposition. What’s next for you? I will continue investing in AI startups and working at BootstrapLabs. I am very excited by this opportunity and Im in love with the idea of being at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution. I really believe that this is one of the major game changers in human history, and I really hope to be one of the leaders, helping the industry to develop technologies and companies that can improve our work, life, and—ultimately—society. Learn more about Luigi by visiting his website:  https://luigicongedo.com/ Curious to read more about the career success of Hult alumni?  Download our latest Global Careers Report. Grow your leadership capabilities with an MBA in international business at Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog A new model for leadership development in the 21st century, or give your career a boost with our Masters in International Business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .