Admissions officers pride themselves on their ability to evaluate each candidate on his and her individual merits.  But it’s also true that candidates with similar professional and academic backgrounds tend to sound pretty darn similar in their applications.

Take engineers, for example.  When we think about engineers, we generally assume certain strengths…good quantitative skills, highly analytical, and very detail oriented.  You were thinking that too, right?  But we also assume a number of weaker traits…poor communication skills, less leadership ability, weaker social comfort.  I remember giving a presentation one night.  When I asked the group to identify some negative stereotypes for engineers, someone in the back of the room said “geeky,” But I didn’t hear him clearly and thought he had said “kinky.”  I’m not often speechless, but that comment had me stumped.  But I digress.

Now knowing the established stereotype you, the engineer, are well armed to tip the scales in your favor.  First, take full credit for all the positive things admissions officers will assume about you from the start (smart, analytical…)  But then distance yourself from the perceived negative traits (by demonstrating your fine communication and leadership skills, etc.)  This is a terrific way to distinguish yourself from other candidates with similar professional experience.

While it’s great fun to pick on engineers (go ahead, try it), we could go through the same exercise for any professional background.  What’s important is that you understand your perceived strengths and weaknesses based on what you do, and then turn it to your advantage.

When it comes to interviews, I’m reminded of the time my wife asked me what was I thinking when I allowed my (at the time) 10 year old son to watch the movie, “Old School” with me. “Well, it’s very funny,” I answered.  As it turned out, this was not a good response. While not completely analogous to a b-school interview, there are similarities.  How you handle interview questions can have an impact on your future quality of life; and how I handled my question had an (adverse) impact on the quality of  my life.

Where did I go wrong?  First, I didn’t consider framing my response for the interviewer, instead opting for a retort I might enjoy hearing (or saying).  Further, I hadn’t anticipated the question, so I was forced to improvise.  With some forethought, I’m sure I could have come up with a better answer.  So be sure to prepare for the most typical interview questions (Why b-school? Why our school? Why now? What are your career plans? …etc.)

Moreover,  I didn’t consider the main objective.  In my case, familiy harmony.  In the b-school interview, it’s about demonstrating the qualities that would make you  a great addition to the class.  In summary, think and plan ahead.  It will serve you well in your interviews…and in your marriage.

Given how competitive this year has been, some of you no doubt have received rejection letters from your top choice schools.  For those who are considering reapplying next year, my next blog will cover ways to make yourself more competitive as a reapplicant.