2009 Yale SOM MBA Chat with Bruce DelMonico

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Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 11:59:29 AM)
Hello. My name is Linda Abraham. I am the founder of Accepted.com and the moderator of today’s chat. First I want to welcome all applicants to the Yale School of Management

chat today, and I want to congratulate you for taking the time to learn more about Yale. To make a sound decision and to get accepted you need to know as much as you can about the schools you are applying to. Being here today allows you to ask the experts about this outstanding business school.

I also want to welcome our special guests Bruce Delmonico, Director of Admissions, and Shelley Clifford, Deputy Director of Admissions and Keith Morriss, Yale SOM Class of 2009.

Bruce DelMonico is the Director of Admissions at the Yale School of Management. He joined Yale SOM in October 2004 as deputy director of admissions and assumed the role of director in November 2006. Before coming to the school, Bruce worked as a lawyer.

Shelley is the Deputy Director of Admissions at Yale SOM. In addition to working on strategic initiatives, operations, diversity issues and mentoring programs, she chose this position because she truly enjoys helping people achieve their goals. Prior to her current position, Shelley earned her JD from Columbia Law, and after working for 3 years as a corporate attorney in NYC, received her MBA from Yale SOM.

Keith, can you provide a brief bio telling us where you are from, what you did before coming to Yale, what you are involved in at Yale, and what you want to do after earning your MBA?

Thanks to everyone for joining.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:00:40 PM)
I graduated from Colby College in 2002 and worked at Cambridge Associates prior to SOM. I spent the summer working for an investment management firm.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:00:58 PM)
This is your chance to ask questions about Yale’s program and admissions policies. Please post your questions.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:01:15 PM)
Bruce and Shelley: Yale’s R1 deadline in less than a month (Oct. 22). Any advice for Yale applicants planning to apply on or before your first deadline?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:01:53 PM)
Linda, good question. One thing I would suggest is that we have a lot of receptions and information sessions

going on around the country and the world right now .

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:01:54 PM)
Keith, why did you choose Yale ? Did it meet your expectations?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:03:10 PM)
I would suggest that people think about attending one of those sessions to learn more about SOM and talk to admissions staff, faculty, and alumni. It's a great way to tailor your application to the school, which definitely comes through in the application. You can find the receptions on our website at www.mba.yale.edu.

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:03:36 PM)
Bruce: I am very interested in the Silver Scholars program and have researched the program on the Yale website. What else could you tell me about Silver Scholars?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:03:38 PM)
I was really drawn to the new curriculum and the small size of the school. I knew I wanted to go into investment management and thought that the focus of the school would really help me understand how to analyze companies and work with others solving problems. I found my first year provided great training for the work I did this summer, and I couldn't be happier with Yale.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:03:59 PM)
Keith, What aspect of the Yale program do you like best? Least?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:04:32 PM)
Ashley, the Silver Scholars program is something we've had in place since 2001. For those who don't know, it's a program for students to come to SOM directly after college.

Sagar (Sep 25, 2008 12:06:14 PM)
Bruce, is there any minimum experience criteria for the Full Time MBA program? I graduated this year, however I have experience founding & floating an organization which I started in 2005 while pursuing my engineering degree.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:06:36 PM)
Linda, I think the best part for me is my peers. It is a very close community and everyone is very supportive. The hardest part for me in coming back to school was learning again how to effectively manage my time - there is an amazing amount of opportunities here from class work, club participation, social events, recruiting, etc.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:06:44 PM) Ashley, the course of study is to do the first year at SOM then do a one-year internship, and then the second year at SOM. One thing I would say about the program is that we work closely with the Silver Scholars to place them in the internship they want because a one-year internship is not the norm for MBA students. I would suggest talking to Nehal Khokhar (nehal.khokhar@yale.edu ) in our office about the program because she handles the Silver Scholar applicants.

PM (Sep 25, 2008 12:06:57 PM)
Bruce: Given the current market scenario, do you see the size of the application pool increasing as compared to the previous years? I've heard B-schools do expand class size slightly if the number of applicants grows significantly. Does Yale have any such provision?

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:07:05 PM)
Thank you so much!

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:07:57 PM)
Keith, What class or professor is simply not to be missed?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:08:01 PM)
Sagar, There is no minimum experience to apply to SOM. We even admit some people directly from undergrad as part of our Silver Scholars program. What we tell people is that we look at the quality of the experience as much as the quantity.

IT_boy (Sep 25, 2008 12:08:22 PM)
Bruce: Is Yale holding any of these information sessions in India? If not, how can Indian applicants attend one of these?

[Although this question was missed in the course of the chat, Yale requested that we post the following response: We actually do not plan to be in India at any point this fall, but we are holding a virtual reception at noon ET on October 8^th  for potential candidates who are unable to attend any of our in-person receptions.  You can sign up for the virtual reception at http://www.mba.yale.edu/MBA/admissions/events.asp.]

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:08:36 PM)
I would suggest that all applicants spend a lot of time refining their application essays to explain coherently how they would tie together their previous experiences, the Yale SOM MBA experience and what they want to do after business school.

sidharth (Sep 25, 2008 12:08:58 PM)
Shelley: I graduated two months back . Does Yale accept recent graduates?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:09:37 PM)
PM, we do expect an increase in the applicant pool this year, but we have no plans to increase the student body. We are holding our number firm at 185-195 to be able to provide the same quality of experience we have in past years. We don't want to jeopardize that by increasing the class.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:10:27 PM)
Bruce: How is the financial melt-down affecting Yale SOM, its graduates and alumni?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:11:07 PM)
Since I want to stay in finance, I have been trying to take advantage of the great resources here for finance, especially in the current environment. That said, I am taking a class that is outside of my finance/accounting class on Leadership and Values by Professor Cain that is great. It combines ethics/psychology/economics and has really made me think a lot about leadership and decision making, something very timely!

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:11:18 PM)
Linda, that's a great question. The school actually just convened a Roundtable in New York on Tuesday, jointly run by us and the Wall Street Journal.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:11:45 PM)
Great. There is so much uncertainty now. I'm sure this is THE question on everyone's mind.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:12:05 PM)
Siddharth thanks for your question. We consider all applications holistically and work experience is one part of your application. We also consider all scores, transcripts, extra curricular activities etc. The important thing is for you to know that this is the best time for you to go to business school and for you to convey that to us in your application.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:12:25 PM)
Linda, I am also in Professor Shiller's behavioral economics class. That has also been a very interesting class and is the type of class that I think can only be experienced here!

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:12:42 PM)
What makes it unique to Yale?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:13:44 PM)
Yale is one of the few schools that teach behavioral economics and Professor Shiller literally wrote the book on it.

Sagar (Sep 25, 2008 12:13:52 PM)
Shelley: What would be the preferred application deadline for International applicants? Is Financial Aid available easily to International Applicants ?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:14:42 PM)
Linda, the roundtable was run by Dean Podolny and included Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, Wilbur Ross, Robert Schiller, and others. You can learn more about it and see a video at http://www.mba.yale.edu/news_events/CMS/Articles/6608.shtml. We have also redoubled the commitment to providing career services support to both students and affected alumni. Our alumni have actually been reaching out to our CDO office to help our students with placement and using the Yale network to help our students with their careers.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:15:15 PM)
Sagar - there is no preferred application deadline but we recommend that you apply in either the first or second rounds. We consider all admitted students for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. Of course we also have outside scholarships on our website: www.mba.yale.edu.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:16:00 PM)
Bruce, I guess it's way too early to talk about the effectiveness of these measures, but it's clear Yale is on top of the situation.

IT_boy (Sep 25, 2008 12:16:20 PM)
Shelley: Does it make any difference to one's chance of getting admitted if one applies in R1 or R2?

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:17:06 PM)
Keith, how are students, especially 2^nd  year students responding? Are they widening their job searches, especially if they were interested in Wall St.?

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:17:28 PM)
Bruce: What would you say stands out the most on prospective students' applications?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:17:49 PM)
IT_boy, they are basically the same so I would suggest that you apply when you feel that the application is in its best shape.

jsun (Sep 25, 2008 12:18:04 PM)
Shelley: Is an interview required, and if so, do alumni conduct interviews? I'm on the west coast.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:18:09 PM)
Linda, yes, one of the things that's great about SOM is that we are nimble and responsive, and we jumped on the situation very quickly. The driving force behind the Roundtable was Jeff Sonnenfeld, who heads our Executive Education program and runs our CEO Summit, among other things. He was closely in touch with Stephen Schwartzman and things took off from there.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:18:22 PM)
Isn't he also the former dean?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:18:32 PM)
Ashley, it really depends on the applicant, but there are a few things I can say.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:18:49 PM)
Jsun, in order to be admitted you have to interviewed. Interviews are by invitation only and if you are unable to visit campus, we do offer offsite interviews with SOM alumni.

Dan (Sep 25, 2008 12:18:50 PM)
Keith: How applied is the learning at Yale? Are there real-life projects with real client actions at stake in any of the classes?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:19:10 PM)
Linda, in some sense I think that is true, however, for students who know what they want to do, many are focusing even harder on those positions. What we have heard from many recruiters and the Career Office is that in times like this, it is important to demonstrate a commitment to the industry we want to be in, and so it requires some additional work to show the firms that we are committed to them and the industry.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:20:08 PM)
Dan, I didn't take it, but GSE is a class that runs through the year as a consulting project and then over spring break is implemented in the community.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:20:12 PM)
Ashley, a well-written essay can go very far, so I would suggest paying close attention to your essays. Answer the question asked, and clear, concise writing can go a long way. So that's one thing I would say stands out. Also, pay attention to whom you ask to write your recommendations. People who know you well and can write strong, concrete recommendations are key factors to look for.

IT_boy (Sep 25, 2008 12:20:21 PM)
Shelley: Does Yale offers a specialization in Social Innovation or Non-profit management?

PM (Sep 25, 2008 12:20:35 PM)
Bruce: While a smaller class size definitely ensures that individuals get more focus, how does Yale ensure that its students are not at a disadvantage in terms of networking?

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:20:40 PM)
Thank you!

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:21:23 PM)
Linda, actually Jeff Garten was the former Dean. He's still here, too -- he teaches a course called "Global Financial Centers" that looks at the rise of New York, London, Hong Kong, and Dubai and that includes trips to all four as part of the course. It's very popular and, right now, very timely!

Dan (Sep 25, 2008 12:21:55 PM)
Bruce: I recently finished reading Daniel Gilbert's "Stumbling on Happiness" and he suggests that the best way to know if you'll be happy in some circumstance is to ask people in that circumstance. So...are you folks happy at Yale? What do you like best about it? What are you trying to change?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:22:09 PM)
PM, that's an excellent question. What we have found is that the small class size actually fosters stronger connections among the students and to the school.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:22:38 PM)
Dan, also in the Integrated Leadership Perspective class (part of the core in the spring) we work on cases in the Yale "raw" form that look at many very current issues, (Equity Office Properties for example). Today in my Real Estate class we worked a brand new Yale "raw" case on the current crisis where we dissected an actual MBS to better understand the securities and the cause of the current situation. So it is a good mix of more traditional lectures/theories and current applied cases.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:22:44 PM)
IT-Boy: as you may already know, we have a Program on Social Enterprise which is led by Professor Sharon Oster and it houses all of our electives, research projects, volunteer opportunities and student clubs such as Net Impact, Global Social Enterprise etc. So you could choose to have social innovation and/or non-profit management as one of the focal areas for your second year elective study.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:23:39 PM)
PM,  as a result of the stronger connection, the number of people in one's "true" network is actually equal to or even higher than at larger schools. Also, there is a camaraderie among Yale students and alumni regardless of which school they attended, and our students plug into the larger Yale University network in addition to the specific SOM network.

PM (Sep 25, 2008 12:24:38 PM)
Thanks a lot Bruce.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:25:14 PM)
Siddharth - we appreciate getting essays that best reflect you as an individual and could tie together all of your past experiences, what you hope to get at Yale SOM and your short and long term career goals. Of course having your essays grammatically correct is always beneficial. We really do want to get a sense of who you are as a person and a potential SOM student and alum.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:25:43 PM)
Actually, Keith, could you also respond to Dan's last question?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:25:47 PM)
Dan, I'll try not to sound like an unashamed cheerleader here, but people at SOM definitely are happy from what I have seen. I'll let Keith chime in here as well, but I think one reason for this is that SOM works very hard to help students find the career path that they want to take, rather than trying to "track" them into a path that is easy or well-worn. As a result, I think a higher percentage of SOM graduate end up doing what they want, not what is easiest for them to do.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:27:21 PM)
Bruce: Yale asks about convictions for felonies in its application as well as about incidents of academic discipline. What about a DUI or misdemeanor? Since such information is not asked for in the application, if an applicant doesn’t discuss it, could that silence harm him or her during a post-acceptance background check?

jain (Sep 25, 2008 12:28:03 PM)
Shelley –Is a 2 year Business Analyst experience sufficient for me to apply?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:29:50 PM)
Linda, we don't currently ask about misdemeanors but may change that in the future. If you have a misdemeanor that you don't mention in the application, that won’t disadvantage you in the post-acceptance background check because you responded to the question truthfully and accurately. But as I mentioned, because we want to get as much information here as possible, we may change this question slightly in the future.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:30:07 PM)
Dan, as far as trying to create change, I am currently a co-leader of the Finance Club here and I am working with the Investment Management club and other students who are interested in the field to build a stronger presence here. The clubs play a vital role here at SOM, and so we are working to increase our network and also our institutional knowledge for the classes below us.

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:30:11 PM)
Bruce: If Yale SOM is a student's number one choice, what would you say is the best way to convey that through the use of the application process?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:30:11 PM)
PM, you're welcome.

PM (Sep 25, 2008 12:30:15 PM)
Keith: Can you please elaborate on the reasons why you chose Yale amongst all the b-schools?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:30:36 PM)
Jain - we do not have any minimum work experience requirements. We have students who are directly out of college and those who have been working for more than 10 years. It is a personal decision for each applicant to decide when it is best for them to attend business school. Have you explored your options at your current employer? Do you feel like you need more technical/academic training to further your career? Do you need to build your professional network? Do you want to switch careers and need an MBA to do that? These are just some of the things that you could think about as you decide if you want to go to business school.

mhollandjr (Sep 25, 2008 12:30:44 PM)
Shelley: What is the policy on auditing classes at SOM? For those of us who might be interested in not necessarily pursing an MBA/MPP or an MBA/MPA, are there options whereby a student can supplement his or her MBA with course work in public affairs or administration?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:31:50 PM)
Ashley, that's a good question. I think applying early sends a good signal, and certainly the more you know about the school and why you want to come here, the more genuine your expression of interest will seem. Just saying SOM is your number 1 choice isn’t necessarily effective unless you can demonstrate why that's so and what you hope to gain from the experience.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:32:15 PM)
Mhollandjr: Our curriculum allows for you to take electives around Yale University and have them count towards your MBA degree requirements. So you are free to take classes at the Graduate School, the Luce Center for International Studies and Globalization etc.

Dan (Sep 25, 2008 12:32:19 PM)
Bruce: I'm currently reading David Swenson's "Unconventional Success" and he has some pretty harsh words for mutual fund managers and a condescending view of Fixed Income Analysts - he basically says they lack talent, so it feels like he'd look down on you if you worked as one. Is that kind of attitude common at Yale? Are there careers that are looked down on by the community writ large?

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:32:31 PM)
Dan, you are currently reading a lot of books.

mhollandjr (Sep 25, 2008 12:32:56 PM)
Much appreciated. Thanks Shelley.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:32:59 PM)
PM, I was very impressed with the student body. I knew I wanted a small school experience and found the culture at Yale really stood out for me. I also spent a lot of time looking at the structure of the curriculum at each school and the courses offered by Yale really stood out for me. I think the new core provided great training for my summer experience, and now I am taking electives particular to the field I want to enter. So it really came down to culture and offerings for me.

Dan (Sep 25, 2008 12:33:21 PM)
A man's gotta learn somewhere.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:33:35 PM)
Keith, Any tips for people leaving the working world and returning to school?

Sagar (Sep 25, 2008 12:33:59 PM)
Shelley: If we apply for the Round 1, but our scores reach later than the deadline for R1, will our application be considered for R1 or will it be forwarded to R2 ? Or be rejected as incomplete ?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:34:13 PM)
Hi there Jain! The middle 80% range for our GMAT scores is 670-760 with an average of 718 but again, we have no minimum cutoffs and we consider all applications holistically.

YaleProspect (Sep 25, 2008 12:34:34 PM)
Shelley & Keith: Yale offers a rigorous and very competitive curriculum, do you think it's fun at the same time? The reason I’m asking is because I know people who went to equally good schools and were practically dead after the first year and had absolutely no time for anything else.

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:34:38 PM)
Thank you so much!

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:35:57 PM)
Linda, I guess I would say that since it is only a 2 year experience, it is important to know what you hope to get out of the experience so you can make the most out of the short amount of time. Whether it is an in-depth understanding of a specific industry or a more broad general management education.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:36:14 PM)
Sagar - once we get the scores within a reasonable time after the deadline, we will consider it in Round 1. If your application is incomplete, we will contact you for the outstanding materials before the end of the round.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:36:24 PM)
Dan, I agree with Linda -- you are a voracious reader! Don't worry, David Swensen's view about fund managers is not shared by the admissions office when it comes to the application process. There are not necessarily any careers that are looked down on -- it's a matter of what you do within the profession, how you conduct yourself, and what you make of your opportunities that matter to us. Beyond that, though, I am loathe to disagree with anything David Swensen says.

YaleProspect (Sep 25, 2008 12:37:06 PM)
Bruce: if a student has demonstrated great skills through the essays that could potentially offset their UGPA, and I’m sure this has happened and will continue to happen, do you look at their GMAT score to be sure of their academic capabilities? And if that's the case, why is the UGPA as important as the GMAT score?

IT_boy (Sep 25, 2008 12:37:10 PM)
Thanks Shelley! What are the career opportunities available after focusing on Program on Social Enterprise offered by Yale? What kind of organizations/firms do such students go to?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:37:18 PM)
Yale Prospect - we work hard but we have a great time as well. Because we are such a close knit community, people have fun even just hanging out after class with their classmates and study groups.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:37:36 PM)
Yale Prospect, it is rigorous, but the students make it a lot of fun. When you are up late working on a case, it makes all the difference that you are working together with great people. So I think that is a key feature of the school.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:37:56 PM)
And you're not dead after the first year, right?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:38:08 PM)
I'm still here!

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:38:13 PM)
You are not dead - you are just getting started!

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:38:24 PM)
IT_boy - it would depend on your particular interest. We have a wide range of opportunities, ranging from charter schools to non-profit consulting firms, Gates Foundation etc.

mhollandjr (Sep 25, 2008 12:38:28 PM)
Keith: Do most SOM students live on campus? My wife works in NYC and if I were to be admitted, we'd consider splitting the distance between Manhattan and New Haven and commuting. Is that nuts?

PM (Sep 25, 2008 12:38:47 PM)
Shelley: What percentage of your class typically moves to private equity/ investment banking?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:38:52 PM)
Yale Prospect, you also learn how to manage your time and leverage your study groups etc. So that itself is a great experience.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:39:18 PM)
PM - 25% IB and 5% PE (Class of 2007 numbers).

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:39:28 PM)
YaleProspect, we look at all the data points together -- GMAT, GPA, work experience, essays, recommendations, activities, interview, etc. No single data point carries any specific weight -- we look at them all and get a picture of the applicant based on the overall profile that emerges from the entire application.

Dan (Sep 25, 2008 12:39:54 PM)
Bruce: I've changed careers a couple times - I did production planning for a few years and then I moved over to military contracting, and then, because I felt guilty about that, I joined the Peace Corps. I was at each job for about 3 - years and successful at each of them, but I'm concerned that my application looks like I'm jumping around trying to get my ticket stamped. For the AdCom, is that an issue? If it is, how would you like me to address it? Are there many career jumpers at Yale?

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:40:17 PM)
Shelley: Are there any special considerations for re-applicants? Do you reviewers also look at least year's application when reviewing the application of a re-applicant? Do they just look at the reviewers' notes? Or do they ignore last year's application?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:40:38 PM)
Dan, there's actually a book that talks about this.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:40:44 PM)
Mhollandjr, a lot of students do live in New Haven, but there are a number of students who live in the surrounding towns, and I do have classmates with similar circumstances. It is feasible, it would likely just require you to budget your time effectively.

Dan (Sep 25, 2008 12:41:11 PM)
Bruce: Do tell.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:41:51 PM)
Linda - we review reapplicants' past applications within the last three years and we read all of the applications all over again. I would say for re-applicants, the important things is to focus on highlighting to the Admissions Committee how the application has changed since the last time and what changes have happened since their last application.

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:42:15 PM)
Shelley: After a round deadline, how much time (on average) can be expected to pass before a student is invited for an interview?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:42:43 PM)
Mhollandjr: For example, it might be helpful to have a study group that tries to get work done during the week, leaving your weekends open to head back to NYC.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:42:50 PM)
Dan, just kidding. It's not an issue for us if you can make sense of the progression. We don't expect people to know exactly what they want to do from college -- you can try things out and experiment. But you should learn something and take something from each experience, and you should begin to narrow in on what you want to do as you move through your career. If you're just jumping from thing to thing without getting closer to what you want to do, that can be an issue, but if you're learning and growing through the process, that's OK.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:42:53 PM)
Keith: What is the most important lesson you have learned at SOM?

IT_boy (Sep 25, 2008 12:43:12 PM)
Bruce: How does the admissions committee distinguish whether the essay is genuine or it is just written to impress the AdCom? How do you check the accuracy of the facts and experiences elaborated in the essays?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:43:54 PM)
Ashley - there is no specific deadline for interview invitations. The invitations could go out anytime two weeks after the deadline up until the decision deadline. This is because we review applications throughout the season and issue invitations throughout the round.

mhollandjr (Sep 25, 2008 12:43:57 PM)
Thanks for the insight.

2011applicant (Sep 25, 2008 12:44:09 PM)
Shelley: How do you view a candidate that has taken the GMAT 3-4 times? You say you look at all the scores but consider the highest. Does that mean you somewhat discount the high score if it took multiple attempts to attain it?

Ashley Carnahan (Sep 25, 2008 12:44:19 PM)
Thank you!

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:44:30 PM)
Linda: Aside from the actual concepts/theories, there are a few things that stand out. First is working in teams. Much of work is done in groups, and learning how to effectively manage that process is a great skill.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:45:17 PM)
Keith, given that so much work is done in teams today, you felt that the SOM experience really enhanced your abilities in this area? How so? Can you give an example?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:45:34 PM)
Linda, I have also gained a lot of experience with my presentation skills. I never had to present  prior to Yale, and now  I have taken a few classes that require presentations.  I have gained a lot of experience and confidence in my presentation skills.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:45:37 PM)
IT_boy, we do care a lot that you write about what's important to you. You shouldn't try to guess what's important to us. Be yourself! In terms of checking accuracy, we do that in a number of ways, including the background check and the interview. So it does behoove you to be accurate and factual. That is one area in which we have no tolerance for: Inconsistency.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:46:16 PM)
Bruce: What 3 qualities do you want to see in applicants before you will admit them?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:46:17 PM)
Hello 2011applicant. We give you credit for the highest score but we also note if you have been steadily improving your score over time. We do understand that sometimes people have an off day and that one test is not a perfect reflection of your abilities and so we consider applications holistically.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:46:39 PM)
Linda, that's a tough question. I'll try to stick to three, but it may be tough.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:46:48 PM)
3 is not a magic number. Whatever you feel is important.

Dan (Sep 25, 2008 12:47:23 PM)
Keith: With respect to the overall picture of the applicants, what's that look like? Not the standard GMAT range GPA stuff - I'm clear on that. Rather, what are the two or three things mark folks as Yale type? I'm a career changing creative communicator with a guilt complex, not so much a quantitative spreadsheet analyzing consultant with an ego - are there many other folks like me at Yale? I'm wondering about fit, I guess.

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:47:26 PM)
Linda: We have a few classes built into the core that focus on team work and interpersonal skills. An example is managing a group dynamic in a study group with individuals with varying backgrounds. It can be difficult at times, but we learn how to delegate work and develop a process that works for the group, etc.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:47:47 PM)
Shelley: Is there any difference in acceptance rates for the different rounds at Yale?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:48:27 PM)
Linda - it really depends on the round and the year. There is no magical formula that we employ to decide the rates in advance. It really depends on the quality of the pool in each round.

mhollandjr (Sep 25, 2008 12:48:40 PM)
Shelley: Talking about the GMAT, I know that Tuck accepts unofficial scores for tests taken up to the day before the admissions deadline. The Admissions website makes no mention about a similar policy. Am I correct to assume that the AdCom only accepts official scores? And, on a side note, I was under the impression that 3 was a magic number.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:48:55 PM)
I guess with the news these days, we're all into magic. J

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:49:39 PM)
I would say at core, we want people who are smart. There needs to be some native level of intelligence. Beyond that, common sense is something that we value, and I think something that is much undervalued in many ways. We also want to see people who are internally driven -- initiative is the key. People who wait for other people to tell them what to do will not succeed here. And then, given the model of leadership we teach here at Yale, teamwork and authenticity are key components. You need to be able to work well with others, and you need to be true to yourself.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:49:48 PM)
Mhollandjr - you could report your unofficial scores to us when you submit your application and you just have to request that your official scores be sent to us at the time that you take the test and we should get them within 4-6 weeks. This is completely fine.

2011applicant (Sep 25, 2008 12:50:11 PM)
Shelley: What is your target class size this year?

KeithMorrissYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:50:25 PM)
Dan: I think that the school does a great job in this respect. We have folks with a WIDE skill set. One of the nice things about the school is the size. If you want to transition or learn a new skill, there will be someone who has done that and can help you. The clubs play an important role in this too. In the finance club, we do a lot of training for the first years to get them ready for their interviews/networking etc. The culture is very collaborative, so your peers will go out of their way to help you out.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:50:51 PM)
2011applicant - we are targeting 185-195 for the next class.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:51:09 PM)
Shelley: How do you use the interview in the admissions process?

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:51:52 PM)
Bruce: If you are looking at an application and the numbers and basic profile is in the ballpark for a Yale student, what distinguishes an application that is accepted from one that is rejected?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:53:05 PM)
Linda - we consider all applications holistically but we do view the interview as important for telling us about a student's professional presence, how well they are able to tell "their story", about their social skills and how genuine is their interest in Yale SOM. Of course, it is not perfect, but it is helpful.

mhollandjr (Sep 25, 2008 12:53:52 PM)
Much appreciated Shelley.

YaleProspect (Sep 25, 2008 12:53:57 PM)
Shelley: Do all admitted students have to go through an interview? If not, how do you choose people to whom you invite to interviews?

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:54:35 PM)
Linda, that's a good question. There's no simple formula, but in general, once an applicant is in the ballpark, it gets down to the quality of the other aspects of the application -- the quality of the essays, recommendations, and interview become key. We also look at things like activities to see what the applicant's level of "citizenship behavior" is like -- because we expect our alumni to be broadly engaged leaders, we want people who are active, engaged, community-oriented. So those things can make a big difference, all other things being equal.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:54:49 PM)
Thanks YaleProspect. In order to be admitted to our program, you have to be interviewed. Interviews are by invitation only.

SteveL (Sep 25, 2008 12:55:16 PM)
Shelley, I am planning to take the GMAT by end of Nov. to catch the Jan deadline and send in the materials. If the GMAT result did not meet expectation lets say low 600s, do you suggest re-taking the test and applying for the 3rd round instead? (considering 4 years of really good professional experience, but an average GPA). Thank you!

IT_boy (Sep 25, 2008 12:55:20 PM)
Thanks Bruce, I'll give you an example. For example. If you ask me in an essay what I have learned from a mistake? How can I realistically and truthfully answer the question if I think I haven't made any significant mistakes in my life? I am not counting a mistake in an exam or following a wrong technical procedure at work as a mistake that makes for a good answer!

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:56:03 PM)
IT-boy, if you are in your mid 20's and have never made a significant error in your life, either you aren't reflective on your actions or you have never tried anything. And probably the former. I am not speaking for Yale. That is my opinion.

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:57:51 PM)
Hi SteveL! I would not be so fixated on the numbers. If you think that this is the best time for you to apply and this application reflects the best for you, then I would focus on highlighting the positives in your application. That being said, it is perhaps better to apply earlier rather than later, but that has to be a personal decision for you.

2011applicant (Sep 25, 2008 12:58:01 PM)
Thanks Shelley. I love small classes (all the schools I'm applying to have small class sizes) but I must admit I'm a bit concerned that Yale is keeping its class too small. Continued class sizes around 190 do nothing to improve Yale SOM's already small alumni base. I've also heard it keeps some recruiters away from campus because there aren't enough students there to justify their time. I assume Yale is aware of these issues. Are there plans to make any changes or has the school decided that the benefits of having the smallest class of any MBA program outweigh the costs?

ShelleyCliffordYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:58:18 PM)
2011 applicant - I believe that our alumni body is amazing because even though they are few in number, they are incredibly helpful and responsive so I would not be too worried about the size.

BruceDelMonicoYALE (Sep 25, 2008 12:58:22 PM)
IT_boy, I think you should think hard about whether you have never made a mistake in your life. If you have not made a mistake, then it's likely that you have not stretched yourself or gotten out of your comfort zone, which is something you need to do to succeed. It doesn’t need to be a huge mistake or something you did horribly wrong, but even just a time when you looked back and saw how you could have handled something differently is important. It also shows that you are introspective and can learn from the things you do, which are also keys for success.

Linda Abraham (Sep 25, 2008 12:58:30 PM)
Thank you again all for participating. Special thanks to Bruce, Shelley & Keith for joining us today. We will post the transcript from this chat sometime late next week. You will be able to access it from the Yale MBA Zone

on Accepted.com.

We look forward to seeing you at future chats. On deck: