It’s that time of year again, when Bloomberg Businessweek starts planning the new series of MBA Journals. We’re looking for entering MBA students in the 2012-13 academic year, the significant others of MBA students, and those applying to business school now to share the best and worst of their B-school journey.
The MBA Journals are a special part of Bloomberg Businessweek’s business school coverage. We use them to give prospective and current MBA students and their families an insider’s look at the business school experience from start to finish. These journals should go beyond the brochures that schools put out. And the journal writers should be open and honest about their experiences. If you plan on candy-coating your journals or serving as a promoter for a particular school, then do not bother applying. More than 100 people have brought their stories to the Businessweek community so far. You can be next. Here’s how:
1. You must be starting an MBA program during the 2012-13 academic year, or you must be the significant other of someone who will be starting an MBA program during the 2012-13 academic year, or you must be planning to apply to an MBA or EMBA program for the 2013-14 academic year.
2. You must be willing to submit about one journal entry per month.
3. You must be able to meet deadlines, follow directions, and get edited.
4. You must be willing to do all of this on a volunteer basis.
If you meet the above requirements and would like to be considered for the position of MBA Journal writer, you should send the following material to fdbloombergbw@gmail.com by June 30, 2012:
1. Two writing samples (limit: 500 words each). If you’re selected, the first sample will be used as your first published journal entry for Bloomberg Businessweek. In it, you should introduce yourself to the business school audience, describe your professional and personal background, and let us know why you want to attend business school—and particularly the one you’ll be enrolling in (if applicable).
Other questions your first sample might address include: What will the MBA do for you? Is B-school part of your overall career plan? Or are you looking to broaden your managerial horizons and see where you end up? The main goal of this essay should be to acquaint the reader with you and your personality. Do not send application essays for this sample. This should be an original work written for Bloomberg Businessweek exclusively.
For the second sample, you can send a personal statement or your best application essay. This sample should also clue us in to who you are. The second writing sample will not be published.
2. The name of the university you (or your significant other) will be attending, the type of MBA program (full-time, part-time), and the program’s length. Applicants should describe the kind of program they’re aiming to attend and let us know what stage in the process they have reached. For instance, have you taken the GMAT? Visited any schools? Sent out applications?
3. An updated résumé.
4. Permanent contact information (mailing address, e-mail, and phone number) where you can be reached until Oct. 31, 2012.
5. A digital photo taken recently and sent in JPG format.
We look forward to your applications. Bloomberg Businessweek will make its selection in late August or early September, and all applicants will be notified of our decisions.