Category: Posts by Rebekah

From the Assistant Dean: Reflections on Admissions Travels

The following blog post was written by Rebekah Lewin, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid, during her travels to international recruitment events in August 2019

Rebekah.LewinAs I write this post, I am in the air traveling somewhere between Lima, Peru, and Bogotá, Colombia. After nearly twenty years of representing the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School Admissions team at off-campus events, I still get excited to pack my suitcase for recruiting travel. The events we participate in throughout the United States and around the world connect us directly with prospective students as we identify the next cohorts of incoming MBA and MS candidates. We reconnect with candidates who have previously met us and are now preparing to apply, and we also introduce the School to candidates who are just beginning to explore our programs. 

One of my favorite aspects of recruitment travel is connecting with alumni who come to our events to speak with prospective students—it’s great to hear how the Simon degree has helped them reach their career goals, and I also have the opportunity to update them on all the great things that are happening back home in Rochester. We are fortunate to have many successful alumni who are passionate about “paying it forward.” Regardless of if we are near to or far from campus, we almost always have their support in our recruiting efforts.

Prospective students always seem to enjoy meeting and interacting with our alumni at the events. Sometimes we even have current students with us at fairs (depending on the time of year) who are always happy to describe their Simon experience and help potential students get a feel for what it’s like to be a member of the Simon family. 

Beyond speaking with current students or alumni, another benefit of attending an off-campus event is making a connection with a member of our Admissions team so we can provide advice and assistance as you plan for graduate study and your future career. This year we are participating in a variety of recruiting events including The MBA Tour, Access MBA, The Consortium MAPS events, and Forté Forums, as well as hosting Simon Business School networking and interviewing events.

Specific details on our upcoming travels and registration links are available on our website. We hope to connect in a city near you very soon!

If you live in India and are considering a Simon MBA, we invite you to register for one of our upcoming events in Mumbai, Bangalore, or New Delhi by August 28. These events are hosted by Simon and will include dinner and a lecture by Greg Bauer, associate dean of full-time MS & MBA programs and Rajesh Wadhawan professor. Julie Sadwick (Simon Admissions) and Pete Handley (Benet Career Management Center) will also be in attendance to answer any questions you may have about Simon’s STEM-designated MBA option, the MBA experience, life in Rochester, NY, and more. 

Aug 23, 2019 | 0 comments View Post

Advice from the Assistant Dean: Spring Applicant To-Do List

The following blog post was written by Rebekah Lewin, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid

Rebekah.LewinThis time of year we often receive questions from applicants wondering if it’s “too late” to apply or worrying about submitting their application after several rounds of applications are already under review. They express concern that a portion of the class is already reserved and wonder how competitive it will be for remaining spots. 

Don’t worry—if you are a top candidate, you will be competitive regardless of when you apply in the cycle. Don’t overthink the situation, as most top schools have a waiting list to save some spaces for top candidates in each application round. Simon also offers scholarship consideration in all five of our application rounds, which is a huge benefit. 

Here are a few tips that will help you put your best foot forward as a spring applicant:

  • Be confident. Regardless of your reason(s) for applying in the spring, you should be confident in your talent and work diligently on all aspects of the application. Show the Admissions Committee how you will be an asset to the school not only as a student, but as a member of its alumni community as well.
  • Do your research. Be thorough in researching your target B-schools so you understand the culture of the schools and can clearly express why you are a “good fit” for the program. Typically, the essay and interview components are good opportunities to express this to the Admissions Committee.
  • Apply when the timing is best for you. The Simon Admissions Committee will not ask you to address why you are applying in the spring. It’s your decision on if/when to provide this information to us. We understand circumstances change and people are creating new education and career goals all the time—we would love to help you achieve yours!
  • Plan ahead. All of our full-time programs begin in mid-July, so applying in March will provide more time to arrange the move to Rochester if you live outside of western New York.
  • Take stock of your scores. There will be little time to retake test scores or update items in your application after submission, so make sure you are really satisfied with your application items before submitting them for review.
  • Be ready to interview. The interview timeline will likely be compressed given the time of year, so be prepared to quickly respond if/when an offer is extended.
  • Don’t wait to secure your spot in the class. If admitted, the deadline to respond to our offer will likely be roughly three weeks, or possibly even less, depending on how late in the year you are admitted. Make sure you ask critical questions up front so that you are prepared to commit and enroll if you are admitted.

Each year we admit great students in the spring, and this year we hope you will be among them! Our remaining application deadlines for 2019 entry are as follows (rolling admission occurs in between the deadlines):

March 31, 2019 – This is an ideal deadline for international students to target, as it allows your I-20 to be processed earlier and expedites the Visa process.

May 1, 2019 – Final deadline for 2019 entry.

We hope to see you this summer to begin your business school studies. Put the finishing touches on your Simon application—we look forward to reviewing it soon!

Mar 12, 2019 | 0 comments View Post

Advice from the Assistant Dean: Three Reasons to Submit Your Application by February 15

The following blog post was written by Rebekah Lewin, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid

Rebekah.LewinI meet many MBA and MS candidates each February who are still in the midst of working on their application materials and are often stressing over the optimal timing to submit their application. Should you take the GMAT or GRE again or submit with your current score? And what about your essays—are further edits needed, or should you go with what you have already prepared? 

Beyond just concentrating on the application itself, I encourage you to focus on the reasons why you are applying for an MBA or MS degree to keep you motivated. You want to grow your career potential and 2019 is a great time to prioritize your professional advancement!

Here are three reasons to target our February 15 application deadline:

  • The Admissions Committee has not issued Round 2 decisions, so your application will be considered alongside Round 2 applicants. This means the majority of our spaces in each of our programs are still available. Even better, there is still ample scholarship support available for well-qualified candidates.
  • MBA candidates have the opportunity to attend our March 8–9 Experience Simon Weekend event where you can visit campus, network with alumni and current students, attend a sample class, and learn more about why were named “MBA Program of the Year” by Poets & Quants for 2018.
  • You will receive an admission decision no later than April 15, which will allow plenty of time to plan and transition to B-school by mid-July for orientation if admitted.

If you have concerns about your application or the best time for you to apply, connect with our Admissions Office at admissions@simon.rochester.edu or 1 (585) 275-3533 for assistance. We welcome the opportunity to connect with prospective students and provide advice as you work through the application process.

Don’t delay—apply now and ensure that you can make your academic and career dreams a reality for 2019!  We look forward to seeing your application. 

Feb 05, 2019 | 0 comments View Post

Advice from the Assistant Dean: 3 Tips for Success with Your Round 2 Application

The following blog post was written by Rebekah Lewin, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid

It’s that time of the year! You have probably been busy studying for your GMAT or GRE, working on edits to your application essays, and trying to finalize all the details on your MBA or MS application for a Round 2 submission. Before you submit, here are three important tips to keep in mind:

Rebekah.Lewin1.) Be Yourself! I know I am starting with something that seems “big picture,” but it is really so important in how you present your candidacy to the Admissions Committee. From your essays, to the résumé, to your interview—we really want to get to know you: what makes you special and interesting, how you fit with our program, what you will learn, and where you will add value. If you have done your homework and really understand our program (a bonus tip!), then you can proactively demonstrate your interest in every section of your application. There are no right or wrong answers in essays and interviews, so be yourself and let your unique talents shine as we get to know you.

2.) Start early. With about three weeks left until Round 2, there is still plenty of time to put the finishing touches on your application, but don’t wait until the last minute. There are often items that require input from others, such as collecting transcripts and getting help proofreading an essay. If you wait until the last minute, then you run the risk of missing the deadline (or just adding more stress to the experience). Set up a project timeline with goals and deadlines for yourself to manage what you need to do and when.

3.) Don’t forget: it’s a holistic review. Each part of the application is important and no one area alone will be the key to getting you admitted or rejected. Many students focus on the quantitative aspects of the application (years of work experience, test scores, GPA) when determining qualifications. While these are important, they are not the only factors that will be considered—the Committee will spend even more time on essays, communication skills, leadership, teamwork, and the quality of your prior work experience as it relates to future career goals. Make sure that you are giving each part of your application the effort necessary to position your candidacy for success.

If you have questions on the application process or your specific candidacy, please reach out to our office. While we are officially closed on 12/25 and 1/1 to celebrate the holidays, we are open each of the other days (Monday through Friday) in late December and early January, and we welcome the opportunity to engage with you.  Please email our office at admissions@simon.rochester.edu or call us at +1 (585)-275-3533. 

Good luck with your MBA or MS application—we hope to review it soon!

Dec 14, 2018 | 0 comments View Post
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