Here is how you Manage first Impression in MBA Admissions

“We are happy with Windows XP. Don’t force us with Windows Vista.” The year was 2006 when early test users gave scathing remarks on Vista’s innumerable bugs, and what executives called “Punishment for depending on the Microsoft Ecosystem.” Apple capitalized the negative press with the “I am a PC; I am a Mac Ad” where an overweight person represented PC (Windows), and a healthier counterpart represented Mac in what was a series of “Why Mac was better than PC Ad.”

Despite fixing the bugs, the opinion about Vista remained negative. In a desperate attempt to prove the biases of users, and how early impression pretty much influences all your future impression, executives in Microsoft conducted a blind test on 120 subjects in San Francisco over a 3-day period. First, they were shown a video demo of Mojave – the new fake Microsoft Operating System (OS). Then they were allowed to play around with the operating system. The subjects who gave 4.4 out of 10 rating for Vista without using it now gave 8.5 for the Mojave operating system, which was actually Windows Vista OS.

What does it show?

The first impression leaves behind a permanent trail of prejudice in our mind. MBA Admission process offers several touch points for the AdCom. Unfortunately, these interactions are subject to AdCom’s rationality in separating the first impression from prejudice, and how impressionable they are at believing in Generalizations.

Assume that the applicants start at 25/100 based on their GMAT and GPA scores, and the 90/100 at the end of the evaluation process is what applicants should strive to achieve.

Resume (15)

The first impression in MBA Application resume depends on a large extent to the format followed by the MBA applicant. If she fails to follow the 1-page resume format, it shows an inability to follow the recommended guideline or lack of conformity to a college culture, or lack of awareness about the format. In any case, the dent to the first impression has already occurred. If the applicant follows the format but fails to capture the achievements in a single sentence, the admission team will assume that you are incapable of evaluating your achievements. This skill could serve you in the future when you are pitching to venture capitalists, giving a presentation to the top management or selling your skills to Employers post-MBA. Sure, the Career service team would coach you how to be saleable, and pitch with minimum jargons but the resume is an early indicator on how well you will adapt to the language of Management.

Essays (30)

The Admission team out of sheer laziness or the fact that they had to read the 100th essay about moving from IT to Finance chose to read fewer words from 2012, a change that has put genuine high-achieving applicants in a flux. No matter how much you twist and turn the phrases, you cannot completely capture your achievements and strengths in a 350-word essay. You have to sacrifice a few achievements, and instead, focus on the opening sentence. When top schools receive thousands of applications, the opening lines influence the AdCom’s impression about you. Starting with a funny anecdote had backfired for a few applicants and starting with a quote from Dr. Seuss will make the AdCom wonder how many kids you are babysitting. Raw emotions or shocking events without any structure will not create the right first impression. It just suspends their judgment for a few more lines. Understanding how the chronology, vividness, and active verbs influence the first impression is crucial. The opening paragraph will give hints on how you think. Carefully touch upon each winning points when your construct the opening paragraph.

Recommendation Letter (15)

A Chinese recommender in his broken English endorsed the applicant with such sincerity; the admission team understood the intent of the letter and the event that the recommender had covered. A Hong Kong-based recommender wrote an impeccable prose on what the candidate had achieved in dollar values and his contribution to the team but failed to capture a single event that proved one of his qualities. The letter looked like an orchestrated attempt by the applicant. Expectedly, the AdCom rejected the summary of the candidate’s achievements. What generalization does is that it gives an ambiguous first impression, a threat far exceeding the positive or negative impression about the candidate. The negative first impression can be compensated in the next round if the scale has not turned too much against you, but an ambiguous first impression makes you forgettable.

Interviews (20)

We had covered in detail about controlling the first impression in our MBA Admission Interview Guide. The trick is to balance personal grooming, the tone of your answer, and mannerism to fit with the expectations that you have set with the resume, essays, and the recommendation letter. A slouched shoulder and an unimpressive handshake will send conflicting signals in a narrative about an applicant who is always first in the battle line. Confidence and Dead Fish handshakes never go hand in hand. It can decide your future in just a few seconds.

Is it fair that first impression influences your candidacy? No! But, the competition is strong, application volume high and the attention available for the admission team limited. Unfortunately, first impression and, in many cases, prejudices about job profiles, nationality, or community help the AdCom make faster decisions. Your job is to break the typecast and create a favorable first impression in each round.

If you want to know whether your Profile gives the right First Impression, submit your resume for a Basic Evaluation.