Coronavirus Concerns Disrupt MBA Admissions Interviews, Testing and More
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reaches over 80,000 globally, mounting concerns have disrupted normal operations of MBA admissions testing, interviews and events.
Entrance Exam Sessions Suspended
GMAT, GRE, IELTS, and TOEFL testing in mainland China has been pushed back further to the end of March. On its official website, the Graduate Management Admissions Council, which owns and administers the GMAT and Executive Assessment, states the following:
“In the interest of the health and safety of our candidates, all testing in Mainland China has been suspended through March 31, 2020. Previously scheduled GMAT and Executive Assessment test appointments at test centers in Mainland China through March 31, 2020 are being canceled and full refunds provided to candidates who had appointments scheduled during this time. No new appointments are being accepted through the end of March.
Appointments for the GMAT exam and the Executive Assessment can be made at test centers in Mainland China for dates as of April 1, 2020 and beyond. Test centers in the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Taiwan are open and accepting test appointments for test dates as of February 3. We are working closely with our testing partner to expand testing availability.”
In addition, GMAT testing in Northern Italy, which has nearly 500 confirmed cases of the virus, has also been postponed until early March. The virus has also caused delays in the QS World Grad School Tour, which originally featured stops in Torino, Milan, Bologna, Rome, and Naples in mid-March, until May 2020.
GRE testing will also be temporarily delayed in Iran, Italy, South Korea, and Vietnam. Testing has officially resumed, however, in Hong Kong.
MBA Admissions Interviews Move Online
Business schools are also making adjustments to their admissions practices in response to health risks and travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus threat. Instead of conducting admissions interviews in-person in China, Duke Fuqua will be holding them via Skype, according to Associate Dean of Admissions Shari Hubert. For those invited to interview at Wharton, but affected by travel restrictions, Director of Admissions Blair Mannix noted that the school is offering virtual Team-Based Discussion interviews.
The Switzerland-based school, IMD, also cancelled admissions interviews in Singapore, and expects to host online interviews and case studies for candidates affected by travel restrictions. ESMT in Berlin conducts most of their interviews online anyway, but Head of Marketing Rick Doyle reported that they have altered some travel in the coming months and will be relying on local alumni to engage candidates face-to-face. For applicants affected by the availability of the GMAT and TOEFL, ESMT is trying to be flexible.
On the applicant side, a Yale SOM interviewee and a Georgetown McDonough candidate reported on LiveWire that their admissions interviews were changed from in-person to online.
MBA applicants report on LiveWire how their admissions processes have been impacted by the coronavirus.
Per the image, anon20605 stated: “I had an interview with MSB (Georgetown) off campus (Mumbai) on 7 Feb. They postponed it and changed it to a virtual interview because the team preferred not to travel due to the outbreak.”
Community member anon42375 wrote: “Yale interview with admissions in Tokyo was cancelled on Wednesday, and I had to reschedule for an online interview via Zoom.”
Safety Measures Mean On-campus Interactions Go Virtual, Too
Business schools in China have been closely monitoring the outbreak, with on-campus life at schools undergoing changes. On February 21st, the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) held its first “virtual town hall,” sharing admissions and other updates to the school’s MBA calendar.
The town hall was hosted by CEIBS Vice President and Dean Yuan Ding, who said,
“Although we have seen encouraging signs of improvement recently, we must balance this optimism with caution when it comes to the safety of the CEIBS community. As such, we have introduced a series of measures to adjust our schedules for term dates, overseas lectures, INNOVATEChina and MBA graduation, so as to avoid large scale gatherings until the coronavirus is brought completely under control.”
CEIBS Associate Dean and MBA Director Juan Antonio Fernandez added, “Despite the geographic distances involved, the MBA Office will strive to remain close to you all, now more so than ever as we temporarily move lectures from the classroom to the cloud for term three.”
As members of a global community, business schools are taking every precaution in light of the coronavirus. Stay tuned for ongoing coronavirus updates.
This article has been edited and republished with permissions from its original source, Clear Admit.
New MBA Jobs in South Korea
As Asian economies have grown in terms of scale and influence, so have the opportunities for MBA graduates in many cities in the region. For professionals who want to take on a new challenge in their careers, the neon-lit streets of Seoul, South Korea offer many possibilities. This week’s dispatch is focused on the various positions available in the city.
Continue reading…The New USC Marshall Faculty, Summer Programs, and More – Los Angeles News
We’ve rounded up the latest news coming out of Los Angeles MBA programs this week.
Students Explore Asian Culture Through Unique Summer Program – Loyola Marymount University Newsroom
The Center for Asian Business at Loyola Marymount University’s College of Business Administration celebrates the 10 year anniversary of its “Exploring Asian Culture” program this year. The course, which has served 142 students since its premier ten years ago, is held at LMU in the spring and includes a two-week immersion experience in cities throughout Asia.
This year, students traveled to Shanghai and Beijing in China and Seoul and Busan in South Korea. Throughout the two week trip, students had the opportunity to visit cultural sites, attend lectures, and visit with local companies.
“The program was designed to broaden students’ perspectives through global imagination, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and exemplify positive world views,” comments Dr. Marki Hackett, Assistant Director for the Center for Asian Business.
“Our goal is that the program promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation between Asians and Americans, as well as prepare students to work in the global market.”
Read more about the Center for Asian Business and the “Exploring Asian Culture” course at Marymount here.
New Faculty 2018 – USC Marshall Newsroom
The Marshall School of Business at USC has recently announced the addition of nine new and continuing teacher-scholars.
In the past two years, the university added more than 50 new faculty members to the business school, covering a wide range of departments including entrepreneurship, economics, and accounting. Marshall MBA alum Maria Colman, lecturer in the Department of Business Communication, and Feng Chen, Department of Data Sciences and Operations lecturer, are also among the nine new faculty members joining the school this year.
More than 50 new faculty members have joined the USC Marshall School of Business over the past two years.
“We are excited about these faculty appointments, which build on our long tradition of fostering excellence in both research and teaching,” comments Marshall’s Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs Nandini Rajagopalan.
Click here for more information on the new faculty joining Marshall this year.
A Career That Makes Memorable Experiences for Others: Incoming Director Ellen Kim Discusses Opportunities in Entertainment and Hospitality – Mihaylo Newsroom
Associate Professor of Management, Ellen Kim, has been named as the new Director of the Center for Entertainment and Hospitality Management (E&HM) at the Mihaylo College of Business at California State University, Fullerton. The Center aims to make students and graduates aware of the many opportunities in this growing field, especially in the Southern California area.
With Disneyland, Southern California has a unique position when it comes to careers in entertainment and hospitality. The E&HM Center is the only hospitality program at a university in Orange County, positioning Kim to play a defining role in the way the industry grows in the area.
“Our students major in business, taking courses in accounting, finance, marketing and operations that are very challenging, which makes them well-rounded,” Kim comments in the Mihaylo Newsroom.
“What makes our students stand out is that they have a strong business foundation, which Mihaylo College provides.”
Read more about the Center at Mihaylo here.
The 5 Important Things You’ll Need to Know When Getting an MBA
If you’ve gone through the rigamarole of an MBA application, chances are you’re feeling a bit taxed (no pun intended). Don’t slow down now! Sometimes when you have your life and education under the microscope it’s helpful to get a gentle reminder from a reliable source—like us—of what you hoped to get out of the degree in the first place. Here are a few tips that might help calibrate your b-school compass:
Practice On The Field
Cliff Oxford, founder of the Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs, wrote in the New York Times that certain traditional MBA programs are “like having athletes studying game film but never practicing on the field.” This is why many schools encourage students to apply for internships during enrollment or summer semesters. These opportunities can be competitive—especially if you have your mind set on a large company—but don’t let that deter you.
There are many ways to stay connected with the global marketplace, where you will be employed in only two years. For starters, keep applying and remain alert to positions that may have a greater potential for longevity. Interviews that don’t lead to an internship are still essential experiences. If your chosen program doesn’t have adequate outlets for students to engage with employers, ask for them.
Let A Mentor Set The Pace
Mentorships reinforce the idea that there’s no substitute for experience. For students too intimidated to reach out to a professor, consider that mentorships may be the most rewarding part of their job.
Many schools offer a mentorship program built into the curriculum. Large schools like the University of Oregon and the University of Miami pair students with local professionals to “meet regularly throughout the academic year to discuss everything from study habits to career choices.” Schools have reported that these connections are pivotal for students in achieving their ideal positions and cultivating life-long relationships in the field.
Mentorship is also a staple of the career path designed for students at powerhouse business schools like the Yale School of Management, which recently revamped its WE@Yale program.
Change Your Perspective
When under pressure, remember to give yourself a break. Exercise and meditation are steadfast options, but use your imagination. Jerry Seinfeld reportedly displayed images from the Hubble Space Telescope on the walls of his writing room to calm his nerves. ”I don’t find being insignificant depressing. I find it uplifting.”
Completing your MBA is a personal exploration above all else. Don’t forget your true entrepreneurial spirit while finding your footing. After all, changing ones career is the second most common reason, according to students, that they pursue an MBA in a first place.
Experiment With Electives
Special projects and electives are a chance to step out of your comfort zone. These courses are updated on a yearly basis, meaning that they cover cutting-edge topics that can open up new worlds and help you garner skills that separate you from the rest.
For example, the Stern Signature Project at the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights recently led students to create a business plan “focused on sustainable employment and profit” for a private Kenyan social enterprise.
The NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights launched in 2013, focusing on various issues like manufacturing, sustainability, and much more.
Get To Know Your Pack
A drive to succeed doesn’t mean that you have to be the lone wolf on Wall Street. Every MBA program has students who come from unique backgrounds, cultures, and histories. These are your future colleagues. They’re also hidden mentors who may be your most valuable supporters.
Many schools, like the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, actively acclimate their students together with unique Olympic-like events, helping bridge the various cultural gaps of the incoming students. Not only are these events fun, unless you hate being outside or sack races, but they are potentially powerful networking events for you and your peers.
“Business in Capitals” Immersion Takes MBA@American Online Students to Brussels
Last month, a group of Kogod School of Business students took part in an academic and a cultural immersion to Brussels, Belgium. The study experience was the first official MBA@American international trip, bringing together 60 MBA candidates from across the country to explore the European business landscape. Continue reading…
New GMAC Report: Is the GMAT Getting Easier?
Is the GMAT getting easier? That’s the question that the Graduate Management Admission’s Council (GMAC), a non-profit organization of leading graduate management schools, set out to answer in their recent market intelligence report: The GMAT Exam Is Not Getting Easier: The Fallacy of Score Increases and the Impact of Score Preview. The 26-page white paper is the first in an annual series that will serve as a sort of quality assurance (QA) report for the GMAT.
