THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
About Yale’s School of Management
The School of Management (SOM) is one of the youngest of the many prestigious
Yale University programs. The program has prided itself on its mission statement of
“educating leaders for business and society” and has recently overhauled its core curriculum to better prepare its students for the issues that will be faced in the 21st Century. Students have the opportunity to continue their SOM education in the doctoral
program in the areas of Accounting, Finance, or Marketing.
SOM’s campus sits on Hillhouse Avenue, not far from the action present on the historic
undergraduate campuses. SOM students mingle with other graduate and professional students at the Graduate-Professional Student Center at Yale (GPSCY). In addition
to the many events at GPSCY, there are numerous cultural, academic, entertainment,
and political events that are open to all students from all programs. Past events have
included speeches by President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (who was appointed the Howland
Distinguished Fellow during the 2008-09 academic year for a joint course between
SOM and Yale Divinity School) as well as performances by Saturday Night Live’s Darrell Hammond, The Hangover’s Ed Helms, and the world famous Whiffenpoofs of Yale.
Yale University Programs
Yale’s rigorous undergraduate program is arguably the best in the nation and is consistently at or near the top of every ranking system. Yale College is certainly a major feeder into SOM and the university’s other graduate programs. Additionally, the university
is noteworthy for boasting the world’s premier law school, an elite medical school
research program, and a host of top-10 masters and Ph.D programs. SOM students are
afforded the opportunity to take elective courses in the various graduate programs as
well as at Yale College.
The Yale School of Management
The Yale School of Management has built itself into one of the elite business school
programs in a very short time (it was established in 1976) through a commitment
to finding innovative ways to prepare its students for the challenges that will face
society in the future rather than solely looking back at past practices. SOM is an intimate environment made up of a diverse student body from dozens of countries
with backgrounds in private, public, and nonprofit careers. Many know SOM for its
nonprofit focus; however, it receives its greatest acclaim for its finance and strategic
management programs.
SOM is truly a community of people who care about one another and strive to make
sure that each person is getting the best experience possible in all realms of student
life. This student-friendly environment fosters a sense of collaboration and teamwork
that stretches beyond the classroom. The curriculum is always evolving, highlighted
by the new changes made to the core in 2006, so as to address the technological and
ideological changes within the business world. SOM offers numerous joint-degree
programs, including one of the few three-year JD/MBA programs, as well as a relatively new Executive MBA for those in the Healthcare industry. The planned new campus will further set SOM apart with its ground-breaking technological advances and
environmental innovations.
01
A complete list of
Yale University Schools
includes:
Yale School of Management
Yale College
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Law School
School of Medicine
School of Engineering and Applied
Sciences
School of Architecture
School of Art
School of Music
School of Nursing
Divinity School
School of Public Health
School of Forestry and Environmental
Studies
School of Drama
Institute of Sacred Music
“Many know SOM for its nonprofit
focus; however, it receives its greatest
acclaim for its finance and strategic
management programs.”
A B O U T YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
The Yale Approach
The Yale School of Management discovered that the “silo” approach to teaching –
where each discipline is compartmentalized into the traditional areas of Marketing,
Finance, Economics, Operations, and so on – does not fully prepare students for the
realities of 21st Century business needs. The silo approach was successful in the past
when careers were developed by vertical movement within one specialized discipline.
However, in today’s environment, successful management careers no longer have
boundaries, as they require expertise in each discipline in a cross-functional manner.
Organizational Perspectives. In light of the program’s philosophical shift,
SOM has completely overhauled its core curriculum to allow for the complete integration of the disciplines in a manner more representative of the problems managers will
face in the world of business. The core curriculum is now broken into eight multidisciplinary areas referred to as Organizational Perspectives. These perspectives focus on
issues encountered both inside and outside the firm in a relevant context.
Increased International Focus. In addition to the new core, first-year students are now also required to travel to one of several destinations in the world as part
of the International Experience Destinations program. These trips allow students to
study their businesses of interest within another culture and setting. The trip is linked
to the spring course State and Society and the year-long Leadership Development
Program. This furthers SOM’s long-standing history of maintaining a global perspective. The diverse student body is celebrated in October of each year through International Month as presentations are given by members of each parts of the global community. The culmination of the month-long celebration is the pot-luck dinner where
students provide dishes that represent their cultures and styles of cuisine.
Hands-on Instruction. The faculty has embraced a hands-on teaching philosophy to augment SOM’s new curriculum. Instructors routinely solicit student contributions in the classroom, rather than just delivering rote lectures. They also address
social responsibility and corporate governance issues to maintain the school’s longheld commitment to ethical behavior. Classes run the gamut from case method and
lecture to student-oriented projects and presentations. Business leaders from all sectors often lead class discussions and interact with students to discuss real-world problems and potential solutions. It is commonplace to see team project competitions
judged by the very business leaders who faced the same issues in real life.
“Raw Case” Approach. Yale SOM offers a unique version of the popular case
method teaching style, known as the “Raw Case” approach to management education. Most case method programs use what are commonly referred to as “cooked”
cases (or “closed” cases) that are packaged and synthesized before use. Yale SOM has
developed its own set of cases which are housed on a multimedia platform and feature the types of open-ended, “fuzzy” source materials that a professional might encounter while analyzing a problem. It requires Yale students to sift through all the data
and information to find what is pertinent and what can be ignored. Distilling information is often one of the most challenging aspects of real world problem solving and
Yale SOM is attempting to teach its students how to jump over this hurdle before
diving into an analysis.
02
“First-year students are now also
required to travel to one of several
destinations in the world as part of the
International Experience Destinations
program.”
“The faculty has embraced a handson teaching philosophy to augment
SOM’s new curriculum.”
“It is commonplace to see team
project competitions judged by the
very business leaders who faced the
same issues in real life.”
“Yale SOM has developed its own
set of cases which are housed on a
multimedia platform and feature the
types of open-ended, ‘fuzzy’ source
materials that a professional might
encounter while analyzing a problem.”
A B O U T YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Admissions at Yale
Application Essay Topics
Yale SOM features four required short answer questions, two “personal statement” questions, and an optional essay. Applicants should
note that the personal statements are not traditional open-ended essays, but rather follow a series of prompts – Personal Statement
1 features a universal prompt and Personal Statement 2 gives the candidate four choices (with an additional entry for re-applicants).
The questions for the 2009-2010 application intake are as follows:
Short Answers (150 words each): Described as an opportunity to “distill your core ideas, values, goals and motivations into a set of
snapshots that help tell us who you are, where you are headed, and why.”
1
2
3
4
What are your professional goals immediately after you receive your MBA?
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA and why now? (If you plan to use your MBA experience to make a
significant change in the field or nature of your career, please tell us what you have done to prepare for this transition.)
What attracts you specifically to the Yale School of Management’s MBA program?
Personal Statement 1: Describe an accomplishment that exhibits your leadership style. The description should include evidence of
your leadership skills, the actions you took, and the impact you had on your organization. (500 words maximum)
Personal Statement 2: Choose one of the following topics and answer it in essay form. Please indicate the topic number at the
beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum)
1
2
3
4
5
A central premise of our teaching about leadership at the Yale School of Management is that true
leadership—leadership that helps to address a significant problem in a new way—is necessarily
personal. It is only when personal passion aligns with meaningful aspirations that individuals
are able to inspire others to act in support of an important goal or cause. What are you most
passionate about, and how have you demonstrated a commitment to this passion?
What achievement are you most proud of and why?
What is the most difficult feedback you have received from another person or the most
significant weakness you have perceived in yourself? What steps have you taken to address it
and how will business school contribute to this process?
Describe a situation in which you devised and implemented a creative or unique solution to a
difficult problem. What obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
Required for reapplicants: What steps have you taken to improve your candidacy since your last application?
Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation, please provide any additional information that you would
like the Admissions Committee to consider. (250 words)
Veritas Prep clients working on their Yale applications will receive expert guidance on each of these essay questions. Head Consultants
help clients understand how to highlight strengths and weaknesses as well as unique elements within the confines of the question,
while also addressing each of the key business school admissions themes. Furthermore, Yale Specialists will help clients decide whether
to make use of the optional essay, how to embrace both the freedom and the challenge presented by Essay 3, and will ensure that all
essay responses are in keeping with what Yale SOM is looking for in its applicants and that the program highlights included in this guide
are used as appropriate reference points and examples.
03
A D M I S S I O N S
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Admissions Criteria
Admissions Statistics
As with many elite business schools, SOM grants interviews on an invitation-only
basis. The core curriculum is rigorous and quantitative-based, and as a result, a
strong quantitative background is highly regarded by the Admissions Committee.
Additionally, the committee seeks candidates that have passions beyond the
“boardroom” and are contributing members of society. As one might expect, SOM
relies heavily on academic record, GMAT scores, essays, resumés, and, of course,
interviews to assess each of these areas.
In something of a surprise to some, Yale SOM features one of the lowest acceptance rates and one
of the highest average GMAT scores of any top
MBA program. As more elite business school students start choosing Yale over other top schools
(SOM’s yield rate is just 44%), the program’s academic profile should continue to skyrocket.
Full time work experience is strongly encouraged. On average, SOM students have
over five years of work experience. However, the Silver Scholar program allows a
select group of college seniors (from any school, not just Yale) to apply to a threeyear MBA program that includes a full, one-year internship during the second year.
This provides some students with a faster path to their long-term career goals.
Total Full-Time MBA Enrollment....386
SOM has a strong commitment to diversity – diversity of race, ethnicity, nationality,
and socioeconomic background; sexual orientation; gender; age; veteran status;
religious belief; thought and opinion; professional aspirations; and more. This
dedication is accented by the fact that SOM has become the fourteenth member
institution of The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.
Percentage Interviewed....................32%
Interviews. Interviews are offered both on-campus (by admissions officers or by
current students) and with alumni off-campus. In both instances, the interview is “blind,”
in the sense that the interviewer does not have access to the candidate’s application
materials. The interviewer is only provided with a copy of the candidate’s resumé.
Average GPA.............................................3.52
04
Applications........................................... 3,051
Acceptance Rate....................................14%
Yield...............................................................44%
Average GMAT score............................718
20th/80th Percentile
GMAT Range....................................670-760
A D M I S S I O N S
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Visiting Yale
Deadlines
One of the best ways for candidates to truly understand if Yale is a proper fit is to visit
the campus and get a feel for the academic environment, student life, and overall
campus culture. Additionally, visiting the school offers the opportunity for face-toface contact with current students, professors, and admission representatives. Yale
SOM offers a variety of ways for candidates to come and experience the school for
themselves and tends to provide quite a bit of structure to a school visit.
Yale features the traditional three application
rounds that are common among top business
schools. As is the case with many elite programs, SOM has moved its Round 1 deadline up
by two weeks. However, in the case of Yale SOM,
the notification deadline has moved up by almost a full month, so the school is not merely
trying to buy more time for review. If anything,
this change should offer more deliberate and
careful planning – important for a school with a
yield rate under 50%.
Campus visits are available every Monday through Thursday starting on September
15. The typical campus visit schedule at Yale SOM is comprised of:
9:45 A welcome at the admissions office
10:00 A class visit
11:25 Campus tour, followed by lunch
1:00 A second class visit
2:30 A daily Q&A session hosted by the admissions office
While this structure may require more planning, it also allows prospective students
to gain more insight into the program in a shorter period of time. Furthermore, due
to the school’s location in New Haven, it is highly unlikely that a candidate would try
to visit two schools in one day, as may be the case in a city like New York.
Campus Tours and Lunch Program. Tours leave daily from the Admissions Visitor Center at 11:25 each day and it takes candidates around the SOM campus before dropping them off at the Donaldson Commons for lunch.
Class Visits. Visitors to Yale SOM receive a schedule of that day’s classes and are
allowed to select from available options. Prospective students must arrive within five
minutes of the start of class.
Admissions Q&A Sessions. An admissions officer is on hand each day at
2:30 to answer questions from prospective students.
Round 1
Submission Deadline
October 8, 2009
Decision Notification Date
December 18, 2009
Round 2
Submission Deadline
January 7, 2010
Decision Notification Date
April 2, 2010
Round 3
Submission Deadline
March 10, 2010
Decision Notification Date
May 7, 2010
Contact Information
Office of Admissions
Yale School of Management
135 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511-8200
Phone: 203.432.5932
05
A D M I S S I O N S
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Financial Assistance at Yale
Tuition and Cost
Financial Assistance Options
Yale SOM presents the following options for exploring financial assistance:
The following annual costs are based on information released by the Yale School of Management for the 2009-2010 academic year:
Merit-Based Scholarships
Tuition...................................................$47,200
•
Room & Board Expense.............$14,265
•
Joseph Wright Alsop (PhB 1898) Memorial Scholarship – Named after an
1898 graduate and President of the Covenant Group, this fund is awarded without
restriction to an incoming student deemed to meet the merit requirements.
Professor David Berg Leadership Scholarship – Professor Berg served at
SOM from 1977 to 1992. This annual scholarship named in his honor is given to
“an incoming student who has demonstrated, in his or her years since college
graduation, a commitment to improving both the humaneness and effectiveness
of organizational life through personal and institutional self scrutiny.”
•
Donald G. Borg Fellowship – This scholarship is also awarded without restriction
to an incoming student of merit.
•
Roberts W. Brokaw Free-Enterprise Fund – This fund was established for
recent Yale College graduates who go on to the Silver Scholar program at SOM and
have plans to study the corporate sector.
•
George G. Brooks Jr. Fellowship – This scholarship is also awarded without
restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
Robert C. Busch Class of ‘54 Scholarship – This fund, established in 2004 as part
of Mr. Busch’s 50th Yale College Reunion, is awarded to Yale College graduates who
are selected for the Silver Scholar program at SOM.
Additional Expenses* ................$11,652
Total .................................$73,117
*Includes books, supplies, travel, personal, health
insurance, computers, and various fees.
Candidates should note several things about
these proposed budgets. First, while fees cannot be waived, the health insurance cost can
be waived by showing proof of insurance. The
room and board expenses are estimates based
on SOM students living a modest lifestyle.
For joint-degree students, the different programs at Yale have different tuition rates and
financial aid policies. The estimated budgets
and financial aid plans will depend on the curriculum plan that was established for each joint
degree program.
Federal Loans
•
Laura Cha (Shi Mei Lun) Scholarship – This scholarship was established for
an exceptional student from mainland China with financial need. Made possible
through a donation by Ms. Cha, this fund provides full tuition support for both years
of SOM study.
As with most graduate programs, Yale SOM makes
available a series of federal loan programs that
often comprise the bulk of each student’s financial
assistance:
•
John G. Conley Scholarship – This scholarship is also awarded without restriction
to an incoming student of merit.
•
Consortium for Graduate Study in Management – The Consortium is
dedicated to increasing diversity for underrepresented minorities in business. Meritbased, full-tuition fellowships are awarded to candidates who best demonstrate
The Consortium’s goals and ideals. Interested candidates should apply to SOM
through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.
Federal Stafford Loan – Available to U.S. citizens
and permanent residents. The maximum dollar
amount is $20,500 and the subsidized amount can
be up to $8,500, depending on financial need. The
Stafford Loans have a fixed interest rate of 6.8%.
•
Michael P. Dowling Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded through Mr.
Dowling’s philanthropic foundation alternately to by Yale School of Forestry and
Environmental Studies and the Yale School of Management to a joint degree
student.
•
Forté Foundation Scholarships – The Forté Foundation’s mission is to
increase the number of women in business. The SOM admission’s director will
determine which of its accepted students will be eligible for consideration for a
Forté Foundation Scholarship based on the criteria of academic leadership, team
leadership, community leadership, creative leadership.
•
Frederick Frank Fellowships for Language Study – This scholarship was
established on the basis of preparing students for a world of true globalization.
06
Federal Perkins Loan – An interest-free loan
while in school, it is a smaller loan program
available to qualified students who are U.S. citizens
and permanent residents.
Federal Graduate PLUS Loans – This loan can
cover cost of attendance after other assistance has
been calculated, provided the student qualifies
and is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
F I N A N C I A L
A S S I S TA N C E
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
•
Janet (Ginger) Gelb Scholarship – This annual scholarship
was established in Ms. Gelb’s memory for a woman “of
particular promise” at SOM.
•
H. Stuart Harrison Fellowship – This scholarship is also
awarded without restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
•
John Hechinger Scholarship – Mr. Hechinger is a Yale
College alumnus from 1941. He established this scholarship in
1983 for SOM students from the metro Washington, DC area
with a preference towards African American students.
•
Frederick T. Holliday & Frederick T. Holliday, Jr.
Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded without
restriction to an incoming student of merit from the Midwest.
Jess Morrow Johns Memorial Scholarship for Advertising
and Marketing – This scholarship is awarded without
restriction to an incoming student of merit in the field of
advertising and marketing.
•
Michael H. Jordan Fellowship – This annual scholarship was
established to promote diversity at SOM.
•
Richard Kauffman and Ellen Jewett Scholarship – This
annual scholarship was established to promote diversity at SOM.
•
Kasem Lamsam and William Ligon Scholarship – This
annual scholarship was established by Austin Ligon, Class of
1980 and co-founder and retired president and CEO of Carmax,
Inc., and Samornmitr Lamsam, Yale College Class of 1976 and
SOM Class of 1980, to honor their fathers. It is awarded without
restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
Irene A. Loukides Scholarship – This scholarship was
established in 2003 to honor the memory of a long time
and well-respected SOM employee. It is awarded without
restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
David I. Mazer Scholarship – This scholarship is also
awarded without restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
H. Hugh McConnell Scholarship – This scholarship is also
awarded without restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
Joseph C. McNay Fellowship in Finance – This scholarship
is awarded without restriction to an incoming student of merit
in the field of finance.
07
•
Gordon and Betty Moore Fellowship – This award is for
joint degree students of SOM and The Yale School of Forestry
and Environmental Studies. It provides full tuition and living
expenses for the three-year program as well as funding for at
least one summer internship.
•
Donald Rappaport ‘47 and Susan Rappaport Scholarship
– This scholarship is also awarded without restriction to an
incoming student of merit.
•
RealNetworks Women in Business and Technology –
This scholarship is awarded to women interested in studying
entrepreneurship or innovation.
•
John F. Riddell Memorial Fellowship – This scholarship
is also awarded without restriction to an incoming student
of merit.
•
Betsy Rotman Pace and William Baldwin Pace ‘80 – This
scholarship is also awarded without restriction to an incoming
student of merit.
•
Richard A. Robertson, III Fellowship – This scholarship is also
awarded without restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
Samuel B. Sutphin Fellowship – This scholarship is also
awarded without restriction to an incoming student of merit.
•
Teach for America Scholarship – This partnership was
established to provide Teach for America Alumni to receive an
MBA from the Yale School of Management. This is a merit-based
scholarship where approximately $20,000 will be given annually.
•
G. Harold Welch Scholarship – This scholarship is also
awarded to an incoming student of merit from the New
Haven area.
•
West Point Memorandum of Agreement – SOM partnered
with the United States Military Academy to provide a
significantly reduced tuition for up to two active-duty military
officers who are designated for a three-year teaching position
at the USMA.
•
YQ Scholarship – This scholarship, established through a
donation by Mr. Yongqiang Qian, SOM ’00, is for students with
need who graduated high school in mainland China. This
scholarship pays for half of the SOM tuition.
•
Kevin Y. Zhang Scholarship – This half-tuition scholarship
funded by Mr. Zhang is offered for students of merit with need
from mainland China. Starting in Fall, 2009, a one-quartertuition endowed scholarship will be offered.
F I N A N C I A L
A S S I S TA N C E
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Need-Based Scholarships and Grants. All admitted students to SOM
are invited to fill out a financial aid application as well as a FAFSA to be considered for
need-based grants and scholarship awards.
Loans for International Students. SOM recently announced the details
to its loan program for International students. The program is constructed each year
so that International students can receive private loans without a cosigner. Details are
as such:
•
Maximum loan: tuition and fees, minus any scholarship awarded
•
No cosigner required
•
Fixed interest rate of 7.75%
•
Origination fee of 5% subtracted from loan proceeds
•
10-year repayment period
•
No payments during enrollment
•
6-month grace period upon separation from school
•
Interest accrues during enrollment and the grace period
•
Interest does not compound and there is no pre-payment penalty
Note: SOM provides a series of outside funding opportunities that may provide further financial assistance to its students.
Private Loan Program. SOM has private loan programs for all U.S. students
and International students who have a U.S. Social Security number and a credit history
in the U.S.
Loan Forgiveness. For those students interested in working in government or
nonprofit positions, SOM offers a loan forgiveness program. Alumni may apply for the
program at any time within the first ten years after graduation. Alumni who are fully
employed by a government or nonprofit organization with salaries of $77,600 or less
receive complete reimbursement for their annual debt of need based loans. Alumni
making more than $77,600 receive partial reimbursement.
Internship Fund. SOM is unique in its support of students going into the public
and nonprofit sectors. Eligible students seeking summer internships in those sectors
receive funding from the Internship Fund to supplement the lower wages they receive from the internship.
08
F I N A N C I A L
A S S I S TA N C E
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Yale Students
Student Stats
Yale SOM features one of the smallest class sizes among any MBA program and
the smallest among elite business schools. Students come from all over the U.S., although the international population is a bit smaller relative to other top programs
(on a percentage basis). SOM also features a particularly diverse class where undergraduate studies are concerned, enrolling incoming students from a wide variety
of majors and areas of study. While SOM still prizes significant work experience, the
average age of 27 is indicative of a slight trend towards a younger incoming class – in
part due to the Silver Scholars program, discussed above.
Average Age.................................................27
Student Organizations
Male Students..........................................66%
Female Students....................................34%
International Students........................28%
Place of Origin:
North America.........................................72%
•
Northeast ........................................49%
SOM has more than 50 clubs, spearheaded by the Dean’s Advisory Council, which
serves as a liaison between the student body of the business school and the administration. The school’s website includes a complete list of clubs and student organizations, however some of the most popular and important clubs, organizations, and
activities at Yale include:
•
Mid-Atlantic....................................14%
•
West ...................................................12%
•
South..................................................10%
•
Southwest.......................................... 6%
•
Black Business Alliance
•
Midwest.............................................. 5%
•
Business and the Environment
•
Other..................................................... 4%
•
Community Service
•
Consulting
•
Economic Development
•
Energy
•
Entrepreneurship
Business.......................................................19%
•
Food for Thought
Humanities................................................19%
•
Hockey
Economics.................................................18%
•
Internship Fund
Engineering...............................................16%
•
Marketing
•
Media and Entertainment
•
Net Impact
•
Our SOM
•
Ski & Snowboarding
•
Women in Management
09
Asia.................................................................15%
Central and South America ............. 5%
Europe........................................................... 4%
Other............................................................... 4%
Undergraduate Major:
Social Sciences........................................15%
Science........................................................... 6%
Computer Science.................................. 3%
Math................................................................. 3%
Law................................................................... 1%
Average months of
pre-MBA work experience...................64
YA L E
S T U D E N T S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Yale Academics
The core classes are:
The instruction at The Yale School of Management is built on a unique mix of theory
based on the excellent research by the faculty and instruction that allows students
to gain practical experience in their fields of interest.
Introduction to Negotiations
Class Organization
Customer
Students are broken out into three or four cohorts, depending on class size – Blue,
Silver, Gold, and Green. These cohorts are randomly assigned, although SOM makes
sure that each section has a nice mix of backgrounds. Students remain in their cohorts for the first year, after which students enroll in required courses and electives
based on any schedule they choose. SOM does not assign first-year study groups. It
is up to each individual to find a group that best fits his or her study style.
Core Classes
As discussed earlier, SOM has a unique and innovative core curriculum. The core
starts with a seven-week Orientation to Management that introduces the basic
frameworks and concepts essential to any business school and necessary for preparation for the rest of the core. This orientation includes the following:
•
Basics of Economics
•
Basics of Accounting
•
Individual Problem Solving
•
Careers
•
Data and Decision Analysis
•
Managing Groups and Teams
•
Decision-making with Spreadsheets
Competitor
Investor
The Global Macroeconomy
Sourcing and Managing Funds
State and Society
Employee
Innovator
Operations Engine
Concentrations include:
Finance
Leadership
Marketing
Operations Management
Nonprofit Management
Public Management
Strategy
Once the orientation is complete, students begin work in Organizational Perspectives. They are presented from various perspectives of management, both internal
and external to the firm. A complete description of the courses can be found here.
Concentrations
SOM offers concentrations in various disciplines to build on the knowledge students
will draw upon throughout their careers. Concentrations are not required for graduation, as students are free to set a curriculum that suits the individual.
Course Enrollment
As SOM electives tend to be quite popular, the school uses the bidding system in
order to allocate the scarce resources. First year students are given 300 points to use
in order to bid for the six-to-eight units of electives they are required to take in the
spring semester, while second year students are given 500 points for each semester
for bidding. If a course can fit 50 students, then the 50 students who bid the highest
will all get in, at the bid they each placed for the class. As Professor Barry Nalebuff
teaches in game theory, students must “know their value” for each course and prioritize accordingly. Studying the bidding history for the popular courses is key – particularly for a course like Associate Dean Jeffrey Sonnenfeld’s Leadership Across Sectors,
which has students practically scaling the walls to try and sneak in on the first day.
10
YA L E
A C A D E M I C S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Yale Research Centers and Joint Degree Programs
Research Centers: Yale SOM centers provide students, faculty, executives, and
policy makers to provide top-notch research towards the goal of strongly impacting
society. Activities ranging from lectureships to seminars to workshops allow center
member to work in partnership to ensure that objectives and criteria are met. These
centers include:
•
Center for Business and the Environment at Yale (CBEY)
•
Chief Executive Leadership Institute
•
International Center for Finance (ICF)
•
The Millstein Center for Corporate Governance
and Performance (MCCGP)
•
Program on Social Enterprise (PSE)
•
Yale Center for Customer Insights (YCCI)
Academic Calendar
Fall
August
16-25 New Student Orientation
September
3 Fall classes start
October
3-15 First year mid-terms
1
14 Full time interviewing begins
20-21 Second year mid-terms
November
26-28 Thanksgiving
December
11 Fall classes end
15-19 Final Exams
Joint Degree Programs: Yale offers an incredible array of joint degree programs available to SOM students who are able to gain admission to both the business
school and the other school of interest. The level of prestige associated with most Yale
graduate programs is a good and a bad thing for SOM students – there are incredible
opportunities for joint degrees, but plenty of competition to earn a seat in any accompanying program.
Spring
•
March
JD/MBA. Perhaps the most prestigious law program in the country, Yale Law
School boasts graduates including the current District Attorney of Manhattan,
newly confirmed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Sonia Sotomayor, and countless former presidents and dignitaries. The JD/MBA is
perfectly tailored to those interested in business law-related practice as well as in
careers as entrepreneurs and managers in business and nonprofit organizations.
Yale offers the traditional four-year JD/MBA or an accelerated three-year JD/MBA
without the need for summer classes. Those choosing the accelerated program
will graduate with their incoming class at both schools. The three year JD/MBA
program breaks down as such:
Fall
Spring
•
11
Year 1
Yale Law School
(16 Units)
Yale Law School
(12-16 Units)
Year 2
SOM Core Courses
(12 Units)
SOM (12 Units)
Yale Law School
(3-4 Units)
January
26 Spring classes start
February
16 President’s Day
2-14 Midterm exams
1
16-27 Spring break
May
1 Recruiter’s Day
12 Spring classes end
14-19 Final exams
25 Graduation
Year 3
Yale Law School
(14-16 Units)
Yale Law School
(14-16 Units)
MBA/MEM or MBA/MF. The Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies is
internationally known for its focus on local, regional, and global environmental
issues. This dual degree is housed within the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale and seeks to meld SOM’s mission statement to “educate leaders for
business and society” with the FES promise to help graduates to “achieve fair and
effective solutions to environmental problems.”
YA L E
A C A D E M I C S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
•
MBA/MPH. The Yale School of Public Health is one of the oldest public health
programs in the country. The department was instrumental in overhauling the
public health system in Connecticut. The program focuses not only on high-level
academic principles, but also on cutting edge research into procedures and policy. The joint MBA/MPH degree prepares students to effectively set and administer
public policy.
•
MBA/MD. Yale’s MBA/MD joint degree is a five-year program that combines the
world-renowned resources of the Yale School of Medicine with the business practices of SOM. Students learn hands-on medicine while gaining expertise in managing health care in a changing environment. The result is a group of doctors
able to care for patients while also efficiently running a hospital or practice from
a financial, operational, and economical standpoint.
•
MBA/MARCH. The world-famous Yale School of Architecture offers the ability to
learn various philosophies and styles of design and architecture. The joint Master
of Architecture degree with SOM provides the ability for its students to construct
and implement business plans for their projects.
•
MBA/MFA. The Yale Drama School is known for the many actors, writers, directors, and producers that have filled its hallowed halls. The Master of Fine Arts degree matched with the MBA provides its graduates with the ability to manage
theaters, studios, and productions of any kind.
•
MBA/MDIV or MAR. The three-year MDIV degree focuses on theological studies
primarily for the practice of Christian ministry while the two-year or three-year
MAR degree prepares students for lay ministry or service. The combined degrees
allow the graduates to apply sound business practices to maintain the ministries.
•
MBA/MA in International Relations. The Graduate Program in International
Relations prepares students for leadership positions in the international field for
public, nonprofit, or private sector jobs. The joint degree is tailored for students
who will be in management careers for companies with a strong international
focus or will be in an international career where management needs will feature
strongly.
•
MBA/MA in Russian and East European Studies. This MA degree is housed
within the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies
at Yale. Its goal is to educate its students about all of the culture and history of Europe while allowing them to focus on their particular areas of interest. Similar to
the MA in International Relations, this degree is perfect for those looking to work
in Europe or work for a company that is heavily involved in Europe.
•
MBA/PhD. As discussed earlier, students have the option of continuing their
SOM education through the doctoral program with focuses in Accounting, Financial Economics, and Marketing. This provides an academic and theoretical
element to the hands-on, practical education that will be received through the
MBA program.
12
The Yale MBA for Executives in Healthcare
The Yale MBA for Executives in Healthcare is an
intensive, 22-month program that uses faculty
members and research from SOM, the School
of Medicine, and the School of Public Health
to prepare executives for the current realworld challenges in the healthcare field. The
Visiting Scholars Program enhances instruction by bringing leaders of various segments
of the healthcare industry to give lectures and
take part in enlightening Q&A sessions. The
Independent Study Program gives student
a chance to put what they’ve learned in the
classroom to use in a project of their own design (with faculty supervision) in research, consulting, or business plan writing.
Classes meet every other Friday and Saturday
with in-residence periods of two weeks during
the first summer and one week during the second. Graduation is concurrent with the regular
MBA program. Most of the students receive
some degree of sponsorship or financial aid
from their respective companies.
YA L E
A C A D E M I C S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Yale Faculty
The Yale faculty is populated with many prominent business leaders, researchers,
and teachers. Among Yale SOM students, there are a handful of professors who are
considered a “must” to have for a class, due to their reputation both as educators and
as experts. This list isn’t merely a collection of famous names, but rather the instructors that Yale University students deem to be essential for the full experience. These
notable professors include:
Jeffrey A. Sonnenfeld
Senior Associate Dean for Executive Programs
Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management
Dean Sonnenfeld is very much the face of SOM as he appears regularly on CNBC,
FOX News, CNN, PBS, the morning news shows, and in various publications including
BusinessWeek, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Furthermore, he is an award-winning author, having written eight books such as The Hero’s
Farewell and Firing Back. Dean Sonnenfeld is the founder and president of the Chief
Executive Leadership Institute, which researches CEO leadership and corporate governance. His course Leadership Across Sectors is perhaps the most popular course at
SOM as he brings in CEOs and other executives from all aspects of business in both
the public and private sector. Classes have been visited by JetBlue’s CEO David Neeleman, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s Sharon Patrick, and former Brooks Brother
president William Roberti, among others. The class even traveled to the Times Square
Toys “R” Us to meet with then-CEO John Eyler. Dean Sonnenfeld’s course takes a case
study approach that is heavy on class discussion and mixes it with insights from a
panel of the very CEOs and executives the cases are about.
Arthur J. Swersey
Professor of Operations Research
Professor Swersey is one of the most well-loved and well-respected professors on
campus. A master of both statistics and operations, he takes the time to make sure
that every one of his students understands the material, no matter the amount of
time it takes. As such, he has won numerous teaching awards from various classes
and alumni at SOM. He is an expert in quality management, operations management, and mathematical modeling. He has consulted for organizations ranging from
Xerox Corporation to Uniroyal Chemical Company to City of New York Fire and Police Departments. Among his many research items, Professor Swersey developed a
mathematical model for predicting the severity of prostate cancer based on biopsy
results and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.
The Yale faculty is divided
into 7 disciplinary groups:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accounting
Economics
Finance
Marketing
Operations Management
Organizational Behavior
Politics
“Dean Sonnenfeld’s course takes a
case study approach that is heavy
on class discussion and mixes it with
insights from a panel of the very CEOs
and executives the cases are about.”
“Among his many research items,
Professor Swersey developed a
mathematical model for predicting
the severity of prostate cancer based
on biopsy results and prostate specific
antigen (PSA) levels.”
Nicholas C. Barberis
Stephen & Camille Schramm Professor of Finance
Professor Barberis researches behavioral finance and uses cognitive psychology in
pricing of financial assets. He teaches the first year core concept “The Investor,” which
gives students a perspective on how behavioral finance solves real-world problems.
He has also taught the popular second-year elective Financial Management. One of
Professor Barberis’ recent projects involved using prospect theory to explain human
behavior at casinos – the subsequent paper was a hit among students who had the
chance to discuss it in class.
13
YA L E
A C A D E M I C S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Ravi Dhar
George Rogers Clark Professor of Management & Marketing
Director of the Yale Center for Customer Insights
Professor Dhar is an expert in consumer behavior and branding, marketing management, and marketing strategy. He has consulted with numerous Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Lucent Technologies, and Pepsico and has served as a visiting
professor at HEC Graduate School of Management in Paris, at Erasmus University in
the Netherlands, and at the Business Schools at Stanford and New York University. His
dynamic teaching style engages the students and keeps them involved in each topic.
He is a favorite in the core curriculum as well as the second-year elective Marketing
Strategy.
Barry Nalebuff
Milton Steinbach Professor of Management
Professor Nalebuff is an award-winning, best-selling author of Why Not?, Co-opetition,
Thinking Strategically, and The Art of Strategy. He also is the co-founder and chairman
of the product Honest Tea, a staple in the refrigerators of the current White House.
Professor Nalebuff is an expert in game theory and competitive strategy and his fastpaced teaching style that relies on cold-calling certainly keeps the class invigorated.
He teaches three steps ahead while thinking four steps ahead. He uses real-world
examples from the past and present to show game theory in action and applies his
“Why Not?” theory to the animal kingdom as well as humanity.
Sharon M. Oster
Dean and Frederic D. Wolfe Professor of Management
and Entrepreneurship
Dean Oster is the first woman to receive tenure at SOM and is popular for her instruction of Microeconomics to the core curriculum. She gives students the real-world
applicability of the economic theories in a down-to-earth, congenial manner. Dean
Oster was instrumental in the innovative re-design of the SOM core curriculum and
she teaches the popular public sector course Strategic Management of Nonprofit Organizations.
“Professor Nalebuff is an expert in
game theory and competitive strategy
and his fast-paced teaching style that
relies on cold-calling certainly keeps
the class invigorated.”
Fiona M. Scott Morton
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Professor of Economics
Professor Morton is one of the more challenging and engaging professors at SOM.
She is an expert in competitive strategy, having provided government testimony for
House Oversight and Government Reform, Senate Finance Committee, and FTC hearings. Professor Morton teaches The Competitor Perspective in the core and the electives courses of Competitive Strategy and E-Commerce Strategy. Students had better
be prepared when you enter her class as she is definitely one to cold-call! Professor
Morton brings her years of research experience into the classroom through the casestudy method for various businesses and fields. Game theory and microeconomic
analysis is at the forefront of her coursework.
14
YA L E
A C A D E M I C S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Grading Policies
The Yale School of Management has a rather unique grading system so as to foster cooperation and teamwork among its students. Rather than the traditional A-F
system, grades fall into the categories of Distinction, Proficient, Pass, and Fail. In the
core curriculum, a bell curve is used to determine which of the four categories the
students’ grades belong. Most students generally will land in the proficient category, but as the bell curve is strictly enforced, there are students in the core that will
either have a Pass or a Fail (despite the popular misconception that “everyone is
proficient”). No GPA or class rank is calculated and grades are confidential and for
internal use only – except in the case of Distinction grades. Courses taken outside of
SOM will have their grades transferred into the SOM grading system.
Nonproficient grades in 13 or more units of core courses or failing grades in 5 or
more units of core courses will result in dismissal. However, SOM is very proactive in
making sure that students possess the tools to make sure that they will be successful in reaching the requirements for graduation in good standing.
Yale Business Plan Competitions
Y50K Entrepreneurship Competition. The Yale Entrepreneurial Society (YES) sponsors this annual competition that awards a total of $100,000 to Yale
students.
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Club Case Competition.
Teams comprised of students from SOM, students from Yale graduate science, postdoctoral fellows, and other Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Club members compete to determine the value of a pharmaceutical compound and whether or not it
is worthy of development funding.
Net Impact Green Challenge. SOM participates in this annual contest
which recognizes the efforts of students to develop effective environmental policies at their universities.
15
YA L E
A C A D E M I C S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
The Yale School of
Management Campus
SOM is housed in four historic mansions on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven. The
mansions originally housed the dean of Yale College, a private school in 1836, professor of agriculture professor John Pitkin Norton, and New Haven Mayor Aaron Skinner (a Yale alumnus). These buildings now serve as classrooms, administrative and
faculty offices, and the International Center for Finance. The historic Hall of Mirrors in
Evans Hall serves as a central meeting place for social and work related gatherings,
highlighted by International Month – when the school celebrates its great diversity.
Donaldson Commons, named after SOM’s founding dean William H. Donaldson
(also the founder of Donaldson, Lufkin, Jenrette and a former SEC chairman), is the
primary eating place for SOM students as well as students from other nearby graduate programs. Additionally, Donaldson Commons is where the Internship Fund Auction takes place each year, where funds are raised for those students entering into
summer internships in nonprofit and public organizations.
“The current campus is within walking
distance of the historic Old Campus
and the many other graduate and
undergraduate campuses of Yale.”
The current campus is within walking distance of the historic Old Campus and the
many other graduate and undergraduate campuses of Yale. New Haven is largely a
walking town, and as such, the many popular restaurants, bars, museums, university
sports arenas, and theaters are all within a stone’s throw of the campus.
In 2007, Yale announced that the architecture firm Foster + Partners had been
selected from an international competition to design a new campus. The firm is
chaired by Pritzker Prize Laureate Lord Norman Foster (Yale Architecture ‘62) and has
designed such landmark buildings as the Hearst Tower in New York City, the Reichstag in Berlin, and Terminal 3 at the Beijing Capital International Airport (the largest
single building on the planet).
The new 4.25-acre campus is described as being “as bold and innovative as any of
the celebrated structures with which the firm has made its mark” and will “incorporate state-of-the-art technology and best-practice classroom design.” The design
for the new campus is not finalized, however Foster + Partners has confirmed that
there will be a spacious, open courtyard, a light-filled arcade, a media center, a café,
a business center, and an auditorium. The operating plan is to obtain a high LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System) rating for environmental performance.
“The new 4.25-acre campus is
described as being ‘as bold and
innovative as any of the celebrated
structures with which the firm has
made its mark’ and will ‘incorporate
state-of-the-art technology and bestpractice classroom design’.”
Finally, one could consider part of Yale’s campus to extend all the way to New York,
site of the Yale Club – the largest university clubhouse in the world. The Yale Club
features over 11,000 members and features 22 stories of prime Midtown Manhattan
real estate and includes several dining rooms, banquet rooms, and bars, in addition
to a library and a fitness center. Membership is restricted to Yale alumni and faculty
members, but Yale SOM students are allowed access even during their two years of
full-time MBA work. It is another perk of attending a business school situated at such
a prestigious university, and one of the many ways that Yale SOM connects closely
with New York City despite being located over an hour away in New Haven.
16
YA L E
C A M P U S
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Professional Recruitment at Yale
Meet the Firms
Career Development Resources
Each fall, SOM organizes this event at the
Yale Lawn Club so that recruiters from firms
in such industries as consulting, finance,
manufacturing, nonprofit, and consumer
goods industries can seek out students looking
for summer internships and full-time positions.
Over 40 firms attended the last Meet the Firms
event, including American Express, Boston
Consulting Group, Credit Suisse, General
Motors, IBM, JP Morgan, McKinsey, Merrill
Lynch, Pepsi, P&G, Sears, and the United Way.
The Yale SOM Career Development Office offers numerous services to first-year students searching for internships, second-year students applying to full-time positions,
and alumni who are in need of assistance. The alumni network reaches beyond the
SOM base as students will have access to all Yale alumni from the undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
Career Management Workshops. These workshops begin as early as orientation and allow students to work on their résumé and cover letter writing, networking, off-campus searches, mock interviews, and negotiation.
Corporate Presentations. Firms begin visiting the SOM campus in September to give presentations in the GM Room in Horchow Hall to students interested in
learning more about the companies. Generally, these visits begin with a presentation
and end with a Q&A session.
On Campus Interviews. As with most top MBA programs, companies visit
the SOM campus to interview students. Most elect a “closed” interview (by appointment only), though some firms choose “open” interview sessions where students who
were not invited to interview can either make an interview or bid for a chance to be
interviewed.
MBA Job Postings. The career services offices maintains an online job posting
forum that allows employers to post various jobs specific to the SOM community.
Resumé Books. The career services office makes available to companies resumé
books, which are compilation of first and second-year student resumés. These books
can be purchased, allowing companies a way to search through the resumés of SOM
students in search of a particular fit.
Company Treks. Company treks are coordinated trips to the headquarters of
various firms so that students can learn see first-hand the inner workings of the companies and meet the executives on their turf. Past treks have included trips to CIGNA,
Pepsi, NBC, ESPN, and several investment banks on Wall Street.
Career Counseling & Coaching Services. Free lifetime coaching sessions are available to all alumni. These 30-to-60 minute sessions include job search
strategy, resumé review and cover letter assessment, researching companies, and salary negotiations.
17
P R O F E S S I O N A L
R E C R U I T M E N T
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Employment Statistics
Salaries
Yale annually produces one of the most diverse graduate pools among top business
schools. In keeping with program strengths (but perhaps cutting against public
perception), 40% of SOM graduates go into finance positions each year. However,
unlike most “finance” schools, SOM also sends a relatively huge number of graduates
into general management positions. Not only that, but Yale SOM sends more graduates
into the non-profit sector than any other elite business school. Finally, Yale SOM has a
stronger connection to New York City than most would realize, as the school sponsors
many activities in the city and some students actually commute from Manhattan
during their second years. Therefore, it is not a surprise that Yale SOM places a high
percentage of gradates in New York.
Mean Salary.......................................$99,562
Consulting 22%
Non-Profit 10%
Energy 6%
Technology 6%
“Other” guaranteed
bonus average.................................$19,000
Major Employers
American Express
Manufacturing 5%
Bain & Company
Consumer Products 4%
Booz Allen Hamilton
Media/Entertainment 3%
Other 3%
Real Estate 2%
Government 2%
Health Care 1%
Signing bonus average..............$20,000
Major companies across the globe recruit Yale
graduates and many of the most common
employers are similar to those that recruit
at other top business schools. The following
companies hired five or more graduates from
the class of 2008:
By Industry
Financial
Services
36%
Median Salary..................................$95,000
Boston Consulting Group
Citigroup Inc.
Credit Suisse Group
By Function
Deloitte
Consulting 25%
General Electric
JPMorgan Chase
General
Management 21%
Finance/
Accounting
40%
Lehman Brothers
McKinsey & Company
Marketing/Sales 10%
Merrill Lynch
Human Resources 2%
Microsoft
Other 2%
North American Location
Procter & Gamble
Global Location
Yale-facilitated Activities...................66%
West 12%
Northeast
59%
Graduate-facilitated Activities.......34%
North America
91%
Mid-Atlantic 7%
Midwest 7%
Southwest 3%
South 3%
18
Source of Job Offers
Asia 6%%
Africa 1%
Latin America 1%
Europe 1%
P R O F E S S I O N A L
R E C R U I T M E N T
AT YA L E
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Yale and Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep has a distinguished track record helping our clients gain acceptance to
one of the world’s truly elite business schools. The secret to our success, as always, is
in first ensuring that Yale is a proper fit for the client, and then assisting the client in
expressing that unique fit in the most articulate and impactful way possible.
Our Team
Our team of Yale consultants includes former admission representatives, alumni interviewers, members of influential student groups, and, of course, accomplished professionals in a variety of fields. With multiple Yale consultants on our admission consulting
team, we are able to provide customized service to clients based on background, timing, and logistics. Our Yale consultants have career experience in a variety of industries
and functions.
Each client who works with Veritas Prep on a Yale comprehensive package will receive
a customized team of consultants: a Head Consultant and a Yale Specialist.
Head Consultant. All of our Head Consultants have experiences as admissions
representatives that afford each of them a unique perspective on the applicant pool
and how candidates must position themselves to express proper fit and to stand out
in an increasingly competitive process. The Head Consultant will guide the client
through every step of the process: from the initial Diagnostic Session to submission
of the application.
“The secret to our success, as always,
is in first ensuring that Yale is a proper
fit for the client, and then assisting the
client in expressing that unique fit in
the most articulate and impactful
way possible.”
Yale Specialist. Every comprehensive package client who chooses Yale will also
receive a Yale University Specialist who is either a current student or recent graduate
of the school. This individual will ensure that essay responses are both topical and
aligned thematically with the things that matter to Yale. In addition to helping clients
find specific courses, programs, clubs, and professors that match their interests, the
Yale University Specialist will also comb through each question and answer to ensure
that the response is properly aligned with the qualities that Yale seeks in a candidate.
For more on Veritas Prep’s incredible team and the individuals who serve as our Yale
consultants, please visit the Consultant Profiles page of our website.
19
YA L E
A N D V E R I TA S
P R E P
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Our Yale Services
The Yale School of Management is always one of the most popular school selections among our clients due to its reputation as a cutting edge, socially responsible
program housed within one of the world’s most prestigious universities with a community built on cooperation. Students enjoy New Haven’s central location between
New York City and Boston and the fact that SOM is high on melding strong academics with practical applications from top business leaders. However, the Veritas Prep
approach is built upon identifying the right fit for each client, regardless of the generic qualities of the business school. Only once we have verified a proper match do
we begin to build the candidate’s personal marketing platform and piece together
the perfect Yale application.
Diagnostic Session. Our Diagnostic Session – the first step in our comprehensive packages as well as a stand-alone service – assures that each client’s goals
and prospects are properly aligned. Once we have helped ensure that the client is
making sound choices with regard to each business school application, we start
building a timeline and a strategy specifically tailored for a Yale engagement.
Personalized MBA Game Plan. Each client’s Head Consultant will create a
Personalized MBA Game Plan, a strategic approach based on the client’s professional,
academic, and personal history. Those elements will become the foundation of the
Yale application story, allowing the client to demonstrate leadership, innovation, maturity, teamwork skills, analytical ability, and potential for academic excellence. A major component of the Game Plan is the identification of each candidate’s strengths
and weaknesses – as well as truly unique qualities – relative to the Yale applicant pool
(this applies to nearly all of the elite business schools). This will create an application
platform from which to work and will help mold and shape the strategy of how to
address application components such as the resumé, essays, and letters of recommendations.
“SOM wants leaders that can not only
thrive in the executive ranks, but who
will also give back to the community
and lead the charge in social
responsibility.”
Leadership for Business and Society. This theme is so important to
the Yale School of Management that it is in the mission statement – “educating leaders for business and society.” SOM wants leaders that can not only thrive in the executive ranks, but who will also give back to the community and lead the charge in
social responsibility. The Veritas Prep approach with SOM is to ensure that you have
demonstrated a well-rounded approach to leadership that includes more than just
the bottom line. We will help you weave any stories of volunteering or community
outreach into your narrative in a clear and concise manner without detracting from
the other aspects of your candidacy. Leadership for Business and Society is a cornerstone in the SOM consulting engagement.
20
YA L E
A N D V E R I TA S
P R E P
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Collaboration. The Yale SOM environment feeds off of collaborative efforts
between students and faculty. Courses rely heavily on engaging and challenging
discussions as well as group projects that require strong teamwork. Students must
be willing to work within the team system and share their perspectives in an open
and honest manner. As a result, the admissions office is constantly searching for
candidates who can display a robust and consistent history of working well within
diverse and dynamic team environments. The Head Consultant will make sure that
the client displays a history of collaborative engagements in his or her career and
the SOM Specialist will isolate particular experiences or skills that would prove to be
an exceptional fit among the student body at Yale.
Balance and Perfection. Once the themes of Leadership in Business and
Society and Collaboration have been installed as the backbone of the Yale application, the Veritas Prep Head Consultant and Stanford Specialist will team up to
ensure that all of the questions have been properly answered, that the resumé and
essay questions have been crafted with style and efficiency, and that all of the key
business school themes have been addressed in a balanced way throughout the
application. It’s not easy applying to one of the most popular schools in the country, but our consulting team will ensure that Veritas Prep clients give themselves
the best chance of admissions success through the most accurate, engaging, and
persuasive portrayal of their candidacy that they can possibly create. This is true
of our approach to all schools, but particularly at Yale, where two critical themes –
Leadership in Business and Society and Collaboration – must resonate so strongly
and consistently throughout the application.
21
“The admissions office is constantly
searching for candidates who can
display a robust and consistent history
of working well within diverse and
dynamic team environments.”
YA L E
A N D V E R I TA S
P R E P
THE YALE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
About Veritas Prep
Founded in 2002 by two graduates of Yale SOM, Veritas Prep has emerged as a global
leader in GMAT® education and MBA admissions consulting. The company’s business
school team includes more than 300 graduates of the world’s elite MBA programs,
managed from its headquarters in Malibu, California.
The Veritas Prep consulting model is built on adding value to a student’s application
process by providing both mentorship and expertise. The business school admissions
process has become increasingly competitive and applicants must do everything
possible to showcase their value. Our consultants assist applicants in presenting their
unique stories in the most professional and meaningful way possible. In a sense, our
consultants are translators – helping an applicant discover raw materials and information and then helping that candidate articulate a unique story in a language that admissions committees understand. More than anything, Veritas Prep gives candidates a
sense of ownership and control over the process. Quality of work, attention to detail,
care for the student, and integrity are the lynchpins of a successful consultation.
In addition to elite MBA admissions consulting services, Veritas Prep also offers the
finest GMAT preparation available in the industry, as well as admissions consulting for
law school, medical school, and graduate school services.
“Founded in 2002 by two graduates
of Yale SOM, Veritas Prep has emerged
as a global leader in GMAT® education
and MBA admissions consulting.”
“Success Favors the Prepared“
For comprehensive information on all of Veritas Prep’s many services, please visit our
website.
22
A B O U T V E R I TA S
P R E P