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($) Make the adcom’s “holistic review” fruitful!!

August 2, 2019 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

If you’ve done even two seconds of research into applying to business school, you’ve encountered the assurance from the admissions teams that they do a “holistic review” of your application.

What does that even mean, and what should you do about it?

You’re probably well aware that “holistic” just means “whole,” as in, they look at everything. When an admissions person trots out the “holistic review” phrase, they’re trying to reassure you that you won’t get dinged solely because your GMAT score is a little bit low. They’re trying to communicate that they do indeed look at everything — and they do! They study all elements of your application. They have constructed their app requirements because they find value in each piece that they are asking for, and they make adjustments to those requirements every year because they are always seeking to fine-tune the process and make sure that they give you, the applicant, an opportunity to share who you are with them directly.

As just one example, this year, Kellogg has changed one of the questions they ask in their video essay requirement, where you record answers to certain prompts in real-time on a webcam. This has been a core part of their application for many years now, and this year they switched one of the questions to an open-ended “Introduce yourself” type format, based on feedback from applicants before.

Knowing that (and having read the Kellogg SnarkStrategies Guide for tips on how to maximize that), you can leverage your answer to that prompt within the entirety of your application.

Which is exactly what we mean by the title of today’s post.

When you know that the school is going to look at everything, that means that EVERYTHING is an opportunity for you.

The biggest waste of opportunity that we see BSers make is that they copy and paste the bullets from their resume into the work history section of the app dataset.

Oh wait – no. That’s not the biggest waste.

The biggest waste of opportunity of all is not redoing the resume (shameless plug) for the purpose of this process. But that in itself is not part of the “holistic review” strategy.

The other very important strategy to employ across the entirety of your application is to always remember that they have the entirety of your application.

Frequently we see BSers repeat the same information in multiple essays.

But then they also repeat the same information in the app dataset.

And essentially the same information is also in the resume, for example for Harvard where they ask for most significant achievement on the job.

Now before you get too far ahead of yourself: Yes of course, if you have an important “win” that you are especially proud of based on impact and how it demonstrates leadership, then yes, it will likely appear in multiple places in your application. This is not only unavoidable, it’s desirable.

But doing a cross-asset analysis of everything you’re presenting to the adcom, and what you’re saying where (and how you’re saying it), is absolutely key for maximizing your chances.

That’s how you present as well-rounded.

That’s how you give the reader a robust, multi-dimensional view of you as a candidate.

That’s how you include more of yourself in the limited space available within these app assets.

Our Complete Essay Package is one way to sort through the mess of possibilities, in figuring out what are your strongest topics to be using in all of your apps, and hone and refine the messaging for the strongest of those into actual final drafts of polished essays that are ready (or near-ready) to submit.

You won’t be able to do this at the very beginning, but you definitely should do this in the middle, and at the end, and at regular times as you build out your strategy, for the first app and for every app.

What are you saying, where are you saying it, and how?

Are the repetitions of topics intentional? Are even those repetitions done efficiently, and effectively, with new language, new insights, new angles offered at every turn? Are you provided new color and texture in each element, to build a whole picture of yourself when the reader gets to the end?

That’s how you build an app that stands out.

That’s how you become a candidate that they remember by name.

That’s how, even if your GPA or your GMAT is a little low, you still are so memorable and distinctive that they fight to admit you anyway.

You can do this, BSer!!! We’re here to support with your heavy lifting if we can.

 

 
 
You may also be interested in:

  • All schools do a “holistic review.” But…
  • What does it mean to be “differentiated” in the context of your MBA applications?
  • Diversity in essays (but not the kind you are thinking of)?

Filed Under: app dataset, planning your strategy

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Next: “Every word…” »

So who the heck is EssaySnark, anyway?!

We're the snarky experts in MBA admissions!

Sometimes amused and often appalled by what candidates write in their MBA applications to top bschools, EssaySnark created this little blahg to share common mistakes. Learn from them and avoid making admissions directors laugh (or want to hurl) when they read your essays. If you are hoping to have your essay reviewed anonymously on the blahg for free, submit it for consideration.

Want EssaySnark's personal assistance with your MBA applications? Start with our menu of consulting services and please read the Help FAQ to learn how we operate. Still have questions after doing all that? Email Team EssaySnark at gethelpnow at essaysnark dot com.

Good luck on your apps, Brave Supplicant!

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From a BSer January 2020:
"love the guide books!"


CLASS OF 2023 MBA APPLICATION STRATEGY GUIDES

     
    The 2020 Berkeley-Haas MBA Application Guide - updated for the Class of 2023 application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Berkeley Haas - refreshed and updated, with brainstorming exercises and structured maps to help you focus your stories!
   
    The 2020-2021 NYU Stern MBA Application Guide that covers the main essay, the EQ Endorsement and Pick Six!
SnarkStrategies Guide for NYU - discusses your requirements for the Class of 2023 essays!
   
    The 2020-2021 Columbia MBA Application Guide
SnarkStrategies Guide for Columbia Business School for 2020-2021 applications
   
    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Harvard Business School!
   
    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Duke Fuqua - up to date for the current season!
   
    The 2020-2021 MIT Essay Guide covers the org chart, the contacts for two references, and additional tips for the cover letter and 'introduce yourself' video -- and everything else you need to know!
SnarkStrategies Guide for MIT Sloan MBA - totally revised for the Class of 2023!
   
    The 2020-2021 Tuck Essay Guide has been refreshed with latest insights and advice for your essays about "investing generously" and "why Tuck"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for the Dartmouth Tuck MBA - completely overhauled for 2020, to help you demonstrate how you are nice, aware, etc stuff!
   
    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Yale SOM - updated for 2020-2021
   
    The 2020-2021 Chicago Booth MBA Application Guide - ready to go to support your Class of 2023 essay strategy!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Chicago Booth for this year's MBA app!
   
    The 2020 Wharton MBA Application Guide - even more advice on how to get to a win with those essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for The Wharton School - with new tips for 2020!
   
    The 2020 Kellogg Essay Guide - with a full methodology to identify your 'lasting impact' and your 'values' -- plus tips on 2020 world events and applicability to your essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Kellogg MBA - updated and revised for the new realities of 2020!    
      The 2020 Stanford MBA Application Guide - for "what matters most" in your MBA application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Stanford GSB for the Class of 2023
   
    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for 
UCLA
   
   

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What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: The Fed and the virus
  • 2020: What you control in life
  • 2019: ($) "What can I do to improve my chances?" GMAT edition
  • 2018: Quote of the Day
  • 2018: The main argument in favor of a larger school
  • 2017: New "Add to Favorites" blahg feature
  • 2017: Plea for Help! "Maybe I'm not as qualified as I thought..."
  • 2015: *NOW* what are your reasons for going for an MBA?
  • 2015: ($) Everybody's at a disadvantage in admissions
  • 2014: Someone is starting early!
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