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How to Write Good English

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How to Write Good English

A student recently sent us this list. We think it’s a great review of what NOT to do. No matter what test you’re studying for or which schools you’re applying to, avoiding these mistakes can really improve your writing.

HOW TO WRITE GOOD ENGLISH

by Sally Bulford
(reprinted without permission from somewhere)

1. Avoid alliteration. Always.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They’re old hat.)
4. Employ the vernacular.
5. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
6. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
7. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
8. Contractions aren’t necessary.
9. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
10. One should never generalize.
11. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.”
12. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
13. Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary; it’s highly superfluous.
14. Be more or less specific.
15. Understatement is always best.
16. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
17. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
18. The passive voice is to be avoided.
19. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
20. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
21. Who needs rhetorical questions?
22. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.

Got good English…

So you know what not to do, but still have writer’s block? We can help you with your university undergraduate, graduate, or MBA essays. Read more about our essay editing services and Whatsapp us for help!

 

College Application Timeline for International Students

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College Application Timeline for International Students

The College Board has released a great college application timeline that will take you from start to finish in the entire process. You can download and print out the timeline here. Be sure to stick it on your wall and use it as a checklist!

Extra College Application Timeline Tips for International Students

As with many College Board guides, they aren’t geared towards international students. Don’t worry! Here are our tips to make this checklist more relevant and include all the information you need to know.

June to August

Summer is a great time to start preparing for the SAT so you’re ready to take it in October. Besides, it’s hot in Dubai so you’ve got plenty of time to inside to study. Going abroad for the summer? All you need to study it an SAT book and an exercise book. Both of these will travel well.

August

Register for the SAT by August if not earlier. Spaces fill up fast in Dubai, so if you wait until September to register, you won’t be taking the SAT in October!

October

Register for SAT (II) Subject Tests so you can take them in November and December.

January/February

You only need to complete a FAFSA if you are an American citizen.

April

Choose your university carefully but quickly. You have to let the university know you’re coming so that they can prepare an I-20 packet for you (it will be sent by mail or courier) so you can get your student visa.

May/June

If you’re lucky enough to have gotten your I-20 paperwork already, it’s time to schedule your visa interview with the American embassy and complete the financial verification process. Expect to get everything finished by mid to late July, just in time to go to uni!

How to Work an Education Fair

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How to Work an Education Fair

There are a number of education fairs coming up in the UAE and you should be “working” them. Fairs are perfect opportunities to meet representatives from your favorite colleges and business schools. “Working” a fair means that you go prepared to leave an impression on whomever you meet. More specifically, the university representative should go back telling her colleagues that she met a great student in Dubai (you!) that would be a good fit for the program. Here’s how to work an education fair:

1. Do your homework.

Visit the fair or conference website to get a list of the university or MBA programs attending. Select the schools you want to talk to. Visit those schools’ websites to get an idea about the programs they offer. You should find at least one course, activity, or aspect of the university that excites you. Take notes.

2. Dress appropriately for the education fair.

You should wear business casual clothes for the fair. Check out the examples below to see what business casual means for high school students. If you’re a business school applicant, you already know what we’re talking about.

3. Go at the right time.

The best times to go to an education fair or conference are at the end of the first day and on the second day. For a three day conference, many representatives will end early on or skip the last day to catch their flights. Going at the end of the fair won’t make you the last person they meet; it makes you the most forgettable person they met.

4. Be assertive.

Since you’ll come well-dressed and with questions in mind, step up and talk to the representative. Start with a firm handshake and introduction. Explain your interest in the program and confidently ask your questions. Listen attentively, searching for a topic that may encourage conversation. To leave an impression, you should talk for at least 3 minutes. Don’t forget to talk about yourself a bit. The easiest way is to explain your background and ask if they think you would be a good fit for the school.

5. Get a business card.

Be sure you get the representative’s business card so you can email them later with additional questions or if you need help during the application process. A nice personal touch is to email them after the fair stating it was a pleasure to meet them and you have decided to apply to the program.

Attended an education fair and know where you want to go but need help applying?

Apply Me offers comprehensive admissions consulting services to help you throughout the application process. Email us to see how we can help!

 

6 Awesome Websites for College Research

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6 Awesome Websites for College Research

In your quest to find the perfect university for you, you’ll need to do more than just look at rankings and university websites. Take a look at these awesome websites for college research. They can help give you insight into the process, estimate your chances of getting in, and let you know what current students think about the university.

1. Common Application

The Common App website is a great resource for students applying to one of the more than 450 universities and colleges that use the Common Application. A useful aspect of the site that people often overlook is the College Search. In a few clicks, you can search for more universities accepting the Common App based on location, deadline, and major as well as see a quick profile of their requirements. You can even request an application and SAT fee waivers.

2. EducationUSA

EducationUSA is a government-sponsored U.S.-based organization with a mission to help international students interested in studying in America. Their site has a lot of great advice and information about the overall process to help you define your education goals and understand general requirements.

3. Facebook (for college research)

Facebook for college research? Just about every university now has an official Facebook page. Many admissions departments maintain separate sites, as well, to keep prospective students interested in and informed about the admissions process. You don’t have to become the admissions department’s fan on Facebook; just check it periodically to see if anything interesting gets posted.

4. College Board

The College Board, administers of the SAT, have completely revamped their website to provide students with more information about college. The site features a great CollegeMatchMaker (a nice starting point for shortlists) and allows you to save your list so you can receive updates from the university or track the application process. There are also helpful essay writing tips and, of course, you can register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests.

5. Cappex

Cappex is a typical college research website with one amazing added feature: you can see admission scatter plots. What is this and why is this important you ask?

The Cappex scatter plot at the left includes information submitted by students who were accepted, denied, or waitlisted based on two critical numbers: grade point average (GPA) and SAT score. While there are a number of factors that influence the admissions process, you can see the trends and think about where you might fall.

6. College Prowler

This site is probably the most all-inclusive of awesome college research websites. It includes a college search, articles on applying, and the Cappex scatter plot for various universities. It’s absolutely most important features are the grades and reviews given in many different categories by current and former students. You can learn exactly what they thought. It’s like TripAdvisor for universities!

Now that you know which sites to use, go get your college research on!

 

How NOT to Pick a University

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How NOT to Pick a University

To prevent you from selecting universities that aren’t a good fit for you, we’ve compiled a list of 5 ways NOT to pick a university.

Since application season is in full swing, we’ve been meeting with many students around Dubai interested in studying overseas. Some have come with a pre-made university shortlist of schools recommended by friends and family or directly from the U.S. News Top 10 list. Although other people are good and rankings are good starting points for university selection, don’t decide your list solely on the recommendations of others.

Avoid the pitfalls of how NOT to pick a university and you’re more likely to attend a university you’ll love.

1. Don’t pick universities based on rankings only.

University rankings from U.S. News and Financial Times are good starting points to learn about more universities than you’ve heard of. However, there are more than 3,400 universities and colleges in the U.S. alone and the rankings may only identify 10% of them. Some students argue they are only interested in “top schools,” but just because a university is ranked doesn’t mean it’s the best for your major. Major specific rankings, research on the university’s website, information sessions, or webchats, and a college visit will tell you more than any ranking can.

2. Don’t pick universities based on word of mouth.

Support from friends, family, and teachers is important throughout the college or MBA application process, but that doesn’t mean you have to put all of their recommendations on your shortlist. Research the university for yourself. Visit the university website and make sure it has the major, extracurricular activities, and environment you are interested in.

Check out student photos of the college campus on Flickr to get a real idea of the campus setting. Above all, know yourself. Prefer a small town to a big city? Hate cold weather? Want to study game design in its creative hub? Then, only put universities on your list that fit these requirements. Remember, you’ll live there for several years.

3. Don’t pick a university based on where your parents or siblings went.

It’s great if your family went to a particular university or region to study. That doesn’t mean it’s the best fir for you as well. Universities change and evolve, guaranteeing that you won’t have the exact same experience that your parents had. Besides, “legacies,” or students whose parents attended the same university, can be unfairly scrutinized during the application review process. Unless you are doing more and scoring higher than your parents did, you may want to add a few other schools to your shortlist. (Note: Acceptance rates for legacy students are typically twice as high as for regular students. However, this statistic doesn’t guarantee your admission.)

4. Don’t pick a university based on one information session.

Colleges and universities pay lots of money to send representatives to the Middle East to interact with you or, worse, to get educational consultancies to recruit you. (Note: Apply Me is not a recruiter. We work for you, not universities). Although some great universities have ties to the Middle East, many more not-so-good universities have affiliations in the Middle East.

If you’re going to pay US $20,000+ for your education, make sure you attend a reputable, accredited university. Attend information sessions only after you have researched universities and decided they belong on your shortlist. You can confirm information you read on the website or heard from other students during the info session and get some face time in front of recruiters so they can tell admissions departments about your interest and enthusiasm.

5. Don’t pick a university based on meeting one person you liked.

Met a guy who was cool during a campus visit? Exchanged emails with your friend’s friend on Facebook and they went to a particular university? Met your dad’s friend who is really successful and went to a certain college? Cool. Great. Awesome. None of this means you should apply to the same universities these people went to.

Universities do have the power to help you be successful or shape your personality, but these characteristics are still unique to the individual. Instead of assuming the university was the secret to their success and coolness, ask these people questions about their time at university, what they learned, and why you should attend.

Don’t make these mistakes and you should be just fine!

Need help deciding where to apply for university?

Whatsapp us or email us at [email protected] to talk to us about how we can help you decide.

 

Tips on MBA Application Short Answer Essays

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Tips on MBA Application Short Answer Essays

With more business school applicants and a longer, more complicated application process, many b-school admissions committees are changing the essays. They are crafting MBA application short answer questions that require a focused and succinct answer. Often, they want a simple, clear statement of your goal or goals. This is different from the usual fluff that they read in longer application essays.

Sample MBA Application Short Answer Questions

This sample question from Columbia gets to the heart of the matter, Twitter-style.

Short Answer Question: What is your post-MBA professional goal? (200 characters maximum)

Columbia has conveniently provided a few sample answers as well. Here the aspects we believe you can analyze and reproduce in your own short answers.

“After my MBA I want to build my expertise in the energy sector and learn more about strategy and decision making by joining a consulting firm specializing in renewable energy and power companies.”

Our analysis: Notice that the “After my MBA” introductory phrase refers back to the question. In addition, it puts the answer in the proper time frame. Adding a comma after MBA is a stylistic preference that is grammatically acceptable. The answer states the specific industry, type of company, and specialty of the company that the applicant wants to join post-MBA. Moreover, it offers what the applicant hopes to learn.

“After my MBA I hope to work in business development for a media company that is expanding its market share in Asia.”

Our analysis: This candidate is not sure what she wants to learn. However, she is specific about the role she will perform, type of company, goals of the company, and geographic region.

“My short term goal is to work with an investment firm that utilizes public-private partnerships to invest in community development projects.”

Our analysis: The applicant uses a different, but just as effective transition to begin his response. His answer is specific, yet general. We know the type of company and company mission, but we don’t know his role or the company’s geographic region.
Your ideal answer will combine all the best elements from the above response. Simultaneously, it will be a reflection of your true goals.

SAT Score Choice: To Choose or Not to Choose?

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SAT Score Choice: To Choose or Not to Choose?

With SAT season upon us, many of our students have been asking whether they should use the new SAT Score Choice. The answer to that question, like those to many questions in life, is…IT DEPENDS. It depends on your profile, your year in high school, your goals, your situation, your universities. Lots of factors!

Should You Use SAT Score Choice?

To keep it simple, different situations can be grouped into several scenarios. See if you fit one of them:

1. I’m in my last year in high school and this is my first time taking the SAT. I do not intend to take it again. It does not matter if you choose Score Choice because you will only have one set of scores to send to universities.

2. I’m in my last year in high school and this is my first time taking the SAT. I do intend to take it again. I would not recommend sending your scores to schools. If you score well on the SAT this time, you can always have those scores sent to the universities later. If you don’t do well, universities will have a copy of your scores, which means if you do better the second time, they will see both scores anyway. You should select Score Choice the second time so that universities will see your best score.

3. I’m in my junior year of high school and I want to see how I would do on the SAT without much preparation. If you’re taking the SAT as practice, I do not recommend sending your scores to universities. Once again, if they see these scores and your future scores, they will already know your complete scoring profile.

4. I’m in my junior year of high school and I have been preparing to take the SAT all summer. I have not taken the SAT before. In this scenario, selecting Score Choice does not matter because you only have one set of scores.

5. I’m in my junior year of high school and I have been preparing to take the SAT all summer. I have taken the SAT before and I’m sure I will score higher this time. Bingo! This student should use Score Choice. This new set of scores will be higher than the previous ones and it benefits the student to show only the highest scores.

Apply Me Overall Recommendations

Don’t send scores to any universities until you completely finish the SAT testing process.

You’re offered four free scores but if you send scores every time, Score Choice won’t matter because universities will have all your scores. Wait until you’re completely finished taking the SAT, then send scores.

Send the best scores from each category (Math, Reading, Writing), NOT NECESSARILY the best overall score.

Many universities select the best test scores from each category and put them together for your new admissions composite score. If you select to send only one set of test scores, you may be hurting your chances of getting in.

Still haven’t taken the SAT with deadlines looming?

Email us to find out how you can prepare for the October, November, and December SATs.

 

Business School Resume’ Resources

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Business School Resume’ Resources

Have you read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of our resume’ series and still want more information? Follow these links to some of the best business school resume’ resources on the web.

If you need lots of resume’ help, you definitely should check out the other posts in this series:

10 Characteristics of an Awesome Business School Resume’
Business School Resume’ Templates
5 Business School Resume’ Examples

Business School Resume’ Resources

How to Write a Resume’ That Doesn’t Annoy People

Source: Harvard Business Review

Great standard tips on essay writing from the Harvard perspective. Here’s another great site from the Harvard Business School Alumni page with more advice on Resumes & Cover Letters.

Copy This Experienced Investment Banking Resume Template to Break In As an Associate

Source: Mergers & Inquisitions Blog

One of the best resume’ writing posts we’ve ever seen (other than our own, of course). Most of the information you need to write a great investment banking and business school resume’ are here: overviews, tips, videos, templates, and samples.

Applying to Business School? Resume’ Perils to Avoid

Source: Businessweek

Some of these tips are a bit obvious, but it’s nice to read the tips directly from admissions experts.

Business School Resumes Explained!

Source: Knewton

Great guest post from a former Admissions Interviewer from the Yale School of Management. One great piece of advice is to emphasize the parts of the resume’ that you would want to discuss in the business school interview.

Resume Samples

Source: About.com

Even more information and links to get you started on your resume or to help you polish it.

5 Great Business School Resume’ Examples

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5 Great Business School Resume’ Examples

Looking for business school resume’ examples? Parts 1 and 2 of our resume’ series gave you the tips and templates to develop an awesome business school resume’. If you need lots of resume’ help, you definitely should check out the other posts in this series:

  • 10 Characteristics of an Awesome Business School Resume’
  • Business School Resume’ Templates
  • Business School Resume’ Resources

It usually helps to have a few examples. Here are five great business school resume’ examples for you to download with our comments on what makes them great.

Great Business School Resume’ Examples

1. University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business Resume Book

Resume’ books are available online from various business schools to ensure employers have access to recent grads. Fortunately, this book includes more than 100 resumes from students who attended Haas Business School. Browse through and notice what types of and how experiences are represented. However, keep in mind that most US resumes DO NOT include the applicant’s photo.

University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business Resume Book

2. MBA Game Plan Result Resume’

This resume’ from MBA Game Plan demonstrates how you should try to make action-result-oriented bullet points. This style of writing really separates your resume’ from others for two reasons. First, most people don’t write resumes this way so you’ll be unique. Second, you are offering tangible, important information to the Admissions Committee rather than just a list of responsibilities.

Result Resume

3. University of Rochester Resume’ Formats

Several resumes are included in this file from the University of Rochester. The first follows the standard Harvard Business School format. The others use different University of Rochester formats. Take a look at how each resume’ emphasizes either education, work experience, or other activities.

Resume Formats

4. Mergers & Inquisitions Resume’

This resume’ from the blog Mergers & Inquisitions nails the resume’ format. In addition, it offers important guidance for filling in the template. Moreover, the site has great tips and resources for aspiring investment bankers.

M&A Resume’

5. IMD Business School Resume’ Book

Another resume’ book, this time from an international business school to offer some variety and perspective. This book was professionally edited and produced. However, it offers some interesting ideas for formatting for application to non-US based programs. Note the:

  1. Pictures, ages, and countries of origin (not on US resumes)
  2. Education summarized after the header
  3. An included experience summary

IMD Business School Resume Book

Business School Resume’ Templates

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Business School Resume’ Templates

Tired of the same boring resume’ format? This post is the second part of our series to help you ensure your resume’ will be professional, concise, consistent, and–above all–easily visually scanned by admissions staff. Start with one of these business school resume’ templates to develop a resume’ that stands out.

If you need lots of resume’ help, you definitely should check out the other posts in this series:

  • 10 Characteristics of an Awesome Business School Resume’
  • 5 Great Business School Resume’ Examples
  • Business School Resume’ Resources

Business School Resume’ Templates

Check out these five Microsoft templates to get started. Be sure to mimic structure and formatting, not content.

Office Manager Resume’

Office Manager Resume’

This resume’ offers clear, eye-catching divisions. Although the objective section should be deleted for a business applicant, the key skills section is perfect for someone with diverse experience in a skills-based job (i.e., not consulting).

Banker Resume’

Banker Resume’

The above resume’ is a really basic resume’ good for applicants that don’t have a lot of experience. The wide right column helps to fill the page without making the resume’ appear awkward or leaving too much white space. Delete the profile summary section and add additional skills or interest section for your b-school resume’.

Engineer Resume’

Engineering Resume’

This resume’ is great for engineers who need to state or emphasize technical skills that may not be obvious from your job description. If you have any professional licenses or certifications, there’s also room for them on this resume’.

Basic Resume’

Basic Resume’

Another great basic resume’, but for business school applicants with significant experience. You can stretch the margins to 0.5″ but don’t go any further or your resume’ will stand out, in a bad way. Your smallest font size can be 10 point.

Marketing Resume’

Marketing Resume’

If you’re in a slightly creative business field, such as marketing or communications, you may want your resume’ to have a little style but still be very professional. The above resume’ has both style and substance. Be sure to delete the objective and skills profile sections, add an education section, and provide as much description of your experience as possible. To maintain the style of this resume’, don’t go below 0.75″ margins.

Check out our post on 10 Characteristics of an Awesome Business School Resume’ to apply these templates to your profile. Don’t forget your essay should only be one page!

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