双语时事系列187:在职人员备考MBA

双语时事：在职者如何为读MBA做准备

Business-school applicants have to juggle their real-world work and family commitments with GMAT-taking, tedious applications and dozens of essays. It can be difficult to figure out when to apply -- and when to tell the boss you might be leaving. Here's how to handle M.B.A. application season:

-- Choose your application round carefully. Most schools have several windows in which applicants can apply. The deadlines start in November and can go as late as April. The key is to zero in on your top choice and work on that application before the others, says Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, which coaches individuals during the M.B.A. admissions process. But don't wait until the third round to apply to a school you're serious about. By that time, schools are looking for very specific types of people to round out the rest of the class, says Jennifer Hayes, senior associate director of admissions at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

-- Break the news to your employer. Applicants with letters of recommendation from a current employer are much stronger than those without. Ideally, you have discussed your long-term goals with your employer, so this won't come as a surprise. Ms. Blackman recommends telling your supervisor about your ambitions two years before you apply. However, if you feel as if sharing your goal will endanger your employment, include an additional letter addressed to the admissions committee explaining your concerns.

-- Work harder in the office. Truth is, not every applicant will get into their dream school. Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research of Veritas Prep, an admissions firm in Malibu, Calif., suggests finding ways to make your candidacy even stronger while waiting for a final answer. If there's a new workplace project that needs a leader, volunteer. It will give you more to talk about if you make it to the personal interview at your choice schools, says Mr. Shrum.

-- Prepare for the interview. You should count on spending three weeks preparing for each interview, Mr. Shrum says. That includes checking online forums, such as those found on Accepted.com, to familiarize yourself with the specific questions each school tends to ask and studying the details of your application. Even if the interviewer has only a copy of your resume, rest assured he or she is familiar with your application and will have questions regarding career changes or a spotty resume.

-- If you are wait-listed, don't panic. Every school handles wait-listed students differently. You may be assigned a wait-list counselor who will keep tabs on your progress. Other schools will instruct you to submit information to supplement your application materials. If you suspect a mediocre quantitative score on the GMAT is a culprit, send them transcripts of accounting or finance classes you have taken at a community college to boost your skills, for example. Make sure to inform the school of any recent promotions or new work assignments.

-- Plan your exit. When the acceptance letter comes, you have anywhere from four to six months to plan a departure from your company. If your employer isn't already aware of your plans, ask for a meeting to explain. Offer to finish out any significant projects and to train your replacement, says Ms. Blackman. Work out a clear transition plan. This will leave your employer happier -- and more likely to offer a positive reference.

'Document all your work, make sure the files you leave behind are easily accessible,' she says. 'This is still your network, and your former company is still important.'

申请商学院必须两头忙，一头是手头的工作和对家庭的责任，一头是GMAT考试，冗长的申请流程，还有大量要写的申请文章。什么时候申请，什么时候告诉老板说你要离开，或许很难确定。下面这些内容，告诉你怎样安排MBA申请期间的各种事情：

──仔细选择申请轮次。多数院校都有多个申请时间。截止时间早的在11月份，晚的可以迟至次年4月份。提供MBA申请咨询的咨询公司Stacy Blackman Consulting创始人布莱克曼女士(Stacy Blackman)表示，关键之处在于瞄准你的最高选择，并在其他人之前着手进行申请。不要等到第三轮才去申请你真正想读的院校。美国西北大学(Northwestern University) 凯洛格管理学院(Kellogg School of Management)招生事务高级副主任海斯(Jennifer Hayes)说，到第三轮的时候，各院校都已经在寻找非常特别的申请者，用以填补班级的空缺。

──将消息果断告诉雇主。如果有当前雇主写的推荐信，申请人的优势要大得多。理想的情况是你已经跟雇主谈过你的长远目标，这样申请MBA的消息就不会来得太突然。布莱克曼建议在申请前两年把你的抱负告诉雇主。而如果你觉得透露自己的目标会危及自己的工作，那么在申请的时候，就给招生委员会多写一封信，解释你这方面的担心。

──更加努力地做好手头的工作。不得不承认的是，并不是每一个申请者都能进到自己梦寐以求的学校。加州马利布市招生公司Veritas Prep的MBA招生研究负责人施勒姆(Scott Shrum)建议，在等待最后结果的时候，要想方设法地让自己的申请条件更加有优势。如果公司里有新的项目需要有人领导，那就毛遂自荐。施勒姆说，如果你能得到理想院校的面试机会，这样的经历会让你有更多材料可谈。

──为面试做好准备。施勒姆说，每一次面试，你都应该拿出三个星期的时间来准备。这包括流览Accepted.com等网上论坛，熟悉一下每所院校倾向于问到的问题，也要仔细研究申请材料中的各种细节。即使面试官只有你简历的一份副本，放心，他/她对你的申请材料也早已烂熟，而且会问到你的跳槽经历或简历上的疑点。

──如果进了待定名单，不要惊慌。对待定学生的处理办法，各个院校是不一样的。有的学校会给你安排一位顾问，帮助你继续申请。也有的学校会要求你提交信息、补足申请材料。如果你觉得是因为GMAT分数一般影响了录取，那就把在社区学院里为提高技能而参加的会计或财务课程的成绩单寄过去。如果最近被提拔或分配了新的工作，一定要让学校知道。

──做好离职前的工作。录取通知书寄来过后，你还有四到六个月的时间来做离开公司的准备。如果雇主还不知道你的计划，请求当面解释。布莱克曼说，如果手头有重大项目，要主动完成，对接替你工作的人也要做好培训。制定出一个清晰的交接计划。这样做，会让雇主更加高兴，而且很有可能提供一份正面的推荐信。

布莱克曼说，要把所有工作都做好备案，确保你留下的文件都很好使用。这仍然是你的关系网，你的前雇主仍旧很重要。

本文选自上海新东方学校惠瑾的博客，博客链接地址：http://blog.hjenglish.com/huijin

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