Vince Admissions FAQ: Vince answers frequently asked questions about his service

 

WHAT IS AN ADMISSIONS CATALYST?

'Admissions catalyst' means admissions advisor, consultant or coach.

  • I help my clients accelerate their application process.
  • By helping them select and tell their best stories, I help my clients get invited to interview at schools that might not otherwise show an interest.
  • In short, I make them into better applicants, better leaders, and better people.
     

 

HOW CAN VINCE HELP ME?

Since 2002, I have helped over 400 clients successfully manage their admissions: 

 

STRATEGY

CONTENTS

PROCESS

Determine your relative strengths and weaknesses compared to past applicants

 

Read between the lines to determine why admissions officers ask particular questions

Guide you step-by-step towards success using time-tested methods & customized creativity

Research the current admissions environment at your target schools

Provide an objective view of your materials, as adcoms are likely to view them

Pull out your best performance, like a personal fitness trainer, or athletic coach

Reflect industry trends into your goals and accomplishments to impress non-expert readers

 

Structure stories so outsiders can understand the cultural context of your achievements

Motivate you to keep pace with an ambitious but realistic application schedule

 

WHO IS VINCE?

 

 
APPLICANT: How long have you been in Japan?
 
VINCE: I moved to Tokyo on March 7, 2002.

 

 

APPLICANT: Why did you come to Japan?
 
VINCE: My best friend at NYU was a Japanese-Colombian, who was there on a Fulbright Fellowship.
 
After graduation, he returned to Tokyo to become the production manager for a major broadband contents company.
 
About a year later, he called me to come over for a consulting project.
 
To learn more about my background, please see my LinkedIn page, plus this interview I conducted with a leading Tokyo magazine.
 
 
 
APPLICANT: Why do you advise MBA applicants?
 
VINCE: I love to help people tell their stories on paper and in person.
 
I also love learning about new cultures. I accepted my first counseling job to learn about Japan. I continue doing it because it keeps me humble.
 
Finally, I love helping clients realize their goals. We have the same objective. We both want you to get accepted. The results are easy to measure.
 
 

 

APPLICANT: How do you differentiate between yourself and other counselors? What makes you special?
 
VINCE: I do not know any other counselors that can match my experience as an award-winning educator and stage actor.
 
First, I have taught writing for 20 years. Earlier in my career, I won an award from State of Louisiana for my teaching. Today, I teach writing and presentation skills to graduate level engineers and scientists at The University of Tokyo.
 
Second, I am also a professional actor, with Shakespeare and improvisational training from recognized masters. Therefore, I can help clients present themselves effectively at interviews.
 
All of my experience contributes to boost client results.
 
 
 
APPLICANT: Why is your office in Hongo?

VINCE: In 2010, I moved my office to Hongo for four reasons.
 
First, it is close to Otemachi, where many of my clients work.
 
Second, my clients and I both appreciate the quiet, academic atmosphere.
 
Third, it is convenient when I teach my technical writing and presentations classes to graduate-level engineers and scientists at the University of Tokyo, Hongo campus.
 
Finally, it is near my family home in Itbashi-ku.

 

 

 

HOW DOES VINCE WORK?


 

 

APPLICANT: What are your strengths and weaknesses as an admissions consultant?
 
VINCE: Passion is my greatest strength. It is also my greatest weakness.

  • I am passionate about storytelling. I have taught critical thinking and essay writing for 20 years. I also teach engineers and scientists how to present their ideas more effectively. I love helping people tell their stories.
  • Past clients praise my brainstorming. I help them identify and capture stories they might have missed.
  • Perhaps my passion for storytelling comes from my Italian side. (My father’s ancestors immigrated to the US from Italy; my mother’s side came from Germany and the UK).
  • Now, for the bad news. Sometimes, my passion for my work causes me to be too emotional. It can also cause me to place too much faith in my clients' stories. I am your advocate, but I must remain objective to consider how adcom readers will interpret your message. Will they think what you want them to think?
  • Thankfully, my German side keeps me focused. On the downside, it can also cause me to get lost in details.
  • Bottom line: after nearly a decade as an admissions counselor, I have a good handle on my strengths and weaknesses. I can manage my time and manage my emotions to help you get results.

 

 

APPLICANT: Please elaborate your brainstorming methods. What are the most effective ways to pick up good topics for essays, and how to make them into good stories?
 
VINCE: I am lucky to be able to offer my Tokyo-based clients the best of both worlds: unlimited face-face brainstorming plus extensive written comments on all application related documents.
 
I rent a small office in order to meet my Tokyo-based clients face-to-face. In my experience, face-to-face communication can be more effective for brainstorming than communicating over the telephone / Skype or email.
 

I have four reasons.

  • First, face-to-face communication often allows people to be more open-minded and creative. I am an award-winning classroom teacher and professional public speaker. I am also a professional stage actor who has four years of training from a master of improvisational theater. Those experiences allow me to facilitate the creative process.
  • Second, face-to-face communication enables us to minimize distractions. Researchers at Cornell University (see “The Future of Meetings: The Case for Face-to-Face”) discovered that “[Multitasking] engages a different part of your brain, and information doesn’t make it into long-term memory”. In other words, when we concentrate on each other’s verbal and non-verbal communication, we learn more about each other. And we remember what we learn.
  • Third, I believe that face-to-face meetings inspire a positive emotional reaction. Those positive emotions help open our minds to new ideas that we would not have considered if meeting on the phone or via Skype.
  • Fourth and finally, face-to-face meetings build relationships. It is easy to share information virtually, but relationships are built through in-person human interaction. The research shows relationships forged in person are stronger.  Cornell researchers note that, “Trust is built more effectively face-to-face.”
  • In summary, I believe that there is no substitute for the kind of energy and connection that happens when you meet someone in person.

 

 

APPLICANT: What is your process for completing essays, recommendations and application data forms? What is the sequence of steps?
 
VINCE:  These are the tasks most clients complete for a typical school:

 

  • Goals / why MBA essay
  • Leadership / accomplishments essay
  • Failure / mistake / setbacks essay
  • Contribution / personality essay
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Application data forms
  • Interview preparation

 


Every time you need to write an essay, recommendation letter or application data form short answer, you should follow my five suggested steps to writing winning essays that get results: 

 

  1. Brainstorm (list and discuss ideas and options with Vince)
  2. Outline (list your main ideas and supporting details)
  3. Draft (turn your outline into complete sentences and paragraphs)
  4. Revise (add words to make the story clear and interesting (explain what happened, add details)
  5. Edit for concision (cut words to meet the word limit)

 

We edit LAST. I suggest you start cutting words one or two weeks before the deadline. Here is my best advice about how to cut words from your essays.

 

I can help you edit as needed. I am fast and effective, but your essay will only get results if the story makes sense and contains your true voice and your true details.


The 10 items below show how the process can work. This is an ideal workflow that includes frequent contact and regular input from Vince:

 

  1. Brainstorm new essay, recommendation, or application data form short answer topic with Vince (face to face or on the phone/Skype)
  2. Outline your essay
  3. Upload your outline to Google Docs or send it to Vince as an MS Word file (please be sure to add your initials to the file name)
  4. Tell Vince your outline is ready for his quick review
  5. Vince will insert comments in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS (When I read your draft, I will sometimes insert comments IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. If my suggested text is correct, please kindly re-write my ALL CAPITAL LETTERS into normal text. On the other hand, if my suggested text does not fully capture your intentions, please kindly replace my words with your own. We can discuss any issues during our next session.)
  6. If your logic is clear, Vince will encourage you to write your full essay draft (as you write, you can delete Vince's comments as you fix each issue)
  7. Send Vince your full essay draft
  8. Vince will add more comments before our next face-to-face or telephone / Skype session
  9. The process continues until you have fully explained your story
  10. After all contents are explained in logical, detailed English, you and Vince begin editing your essay draft until it fits within the school’s required word limit

 

 

APPLICANT: How long will it take me to finish my application?
 
VINCE: It can take anywhere from one to three months to finish the entire application for your first school. How much time you need usually depends on four factors:

 

  1. How deeply you have thought about why you need an MBA  (Can you articulate your strengths and weaknesses? Do you know what kind of job you want right after MBA, otherwise known as your short-term goal? Do you have a clear and competitive long-term career vision?)
  2. How quickly you outline and write essays in English (Do you have to write in your native language first? Can you make logical outlines?)
  3. How much time you can spend writing (Are you especially busy at your job? Are you still studying for tests?)
  4. How well you work with Vince (Can you send regular updates? Can you balance the input of “senpai”, mentors, friends and family as you find your own voice to best answer each essay question?)

 

 

APPLICANT: Why did you change to a pay-as-you go system?
 
VINCE: I changed to an hourly counseling system to make myself more accessible to non-traditional and self-sponsored applicants. I also wanted to be more accessible to clients outside Japan. Helping them improves my skills for my core Japan-based clients.

 

 

APPLICANT: Can I still sign up for flat-fee counseling?
 
VINCE: I can offer flat-fee counseling on a case-by-case basis. If interested, please discuss this option with Vince during our initial discussions.

 

 

APPLICANT: What is your cancelation policy?

VINCE: If necessary, requests to reschedule appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance of the originally scheduled appointment time. Rescheduling requests made less than 24 hours prior to an appointment will be granted at Vince’s discretion.  

 

 

APPLICANT: Is there a penalty I change a face-to-face counseling session to a Skype, phone or email session at the last minute?
 
VINCE: As needed, a client may change a face-to-face session to a “distance” session to be conducted over email, phone or Skype. Please kindly inform Vince ahead of time.

 

 

APPLICANT: Can I send Vince materials to read on the day of our counseling session?
 
VINCE: Yes, but if you do, please give me 10 minutes to review your materials before calling or visiting me.

Here are the details of my "10 minute rule":
 
  • You are free to send me essays and other application materials to read on the day of our counseling session. I have one request, however.
  • If you send me something to review the day of our meeting, please call me or arrive at my office 10 minutes late so that I can review everything and prepare my feedback before we speak. For example, if you send me something to read at 13:00 for a 17:00 meeting, please call or come to my office at 17:10.
  • Alternatively, if you send your materials by midnight the day before the session we can start our session at the appointed time. For instance, if you send your essays for me to read at 23:50 on Saturday night for a 13:00 session on Sunday, you can call or visit me promptly at 13:00. Please note all times are JST. Please plan accordingly. 

 

 

APPLICANT: How should I send my materials to Vince for his review?
 
VINCE: Please combine ALL CONTENTS  into a single MS Word or Google Docs file.
  • This can include your latest outlines or drafts of all essays, plus application data form short answers (as needed), and  recommendation letters (if available).
  • Doing so saves time and minimizes the chance that either of us will misplace a file or reviewing an old version instead of the latest one.
  • Also, please do not send me pdf files because I cannot make comments on them.
  • I can only provide feedback using the editing functions in MS Word or Google Docs.

 

 
 
APPLICANT: How do I track multiple versions of the same MS Word file?
 
VINCE: Every time we make a change to an MS Word file, we increase the version number.
 
 
For example
 
  • Every time we make a change to an MS Word file, we increase the version number. For instance, we rename "v1" as "v2"; "v3" becomes "v4", etc.
  • I tend to avoid using dates to name files because the date you change something is not always the same date I check it (and vice versa).
  • Therefore, I find the "v1, v2, v3" system to be more effective and less confusing for everyone.
 
(Please note: If we are using Google Docs files, we not need to change the filename Google automatically tracks and stores all previous versions under the File menu item called "see revision history").
 
 

 

APPLICANT: I already completed my first application to my first school. How do I start essays for my next school?
 

VINCE: Make a fresh start with each new MBA application.

 

Too often, clients begin a new application by copying and pasting their essays from a previous school. They end up wasting time because it takes longer to rewrite an old essay than it does to write a new one that directly answers the question.

AdCom members are sensitive and can recognize when applicants cut corners and recycle old content. Think of an MBA application as a marriage proposal. If your first lover turned you down, why re-use the same tired line?

If you are serious about making a lifelong commitment to this school's alumni association, start by taking the time to approach their essay questions with an open mind a blank page.

Of course, you might save time later by re-purposing some useful phrases from an old application.

Bottom line: make a new outline every time. By starting a new application the way you would start a new relationship, you can avoid old mistakes and increase your chances for success over the long-term.

STEP ONE: RESEARCH AND NETWORK
Find your fit

Before you start the "goals" or "Why MBA?" essay, create a ranked list of reasons why you would attend this MBA program.

The first reason is your #1 "killer" reason why you would attend if admitted. It often has something to do with the people you have met (current students and alumni). Think fit. Think student culture.

1.
2.
3.


If you are clear about your reasons for applying to each school, your essays will be more convincing. If your reasons are not clear, then your essays will not matter.

AdCom needs to see the results of your networking. Therefore, please start each new school's application by sharing the names of alumni and current students you know. Then, I can know whether or not you need me to introduce any of my former clients.


STEP TWO: CREATE NEW OUTLINES

Do not simply copy and paste
Build a new foundation
Create a new frame

Whenever you begin essays for a new school, always make a new outline. Think of tearing down and old house to build a new one; you might reuse a window or part of a wall, but you must build a strong foundation first.

Start from a blank piece of paper
Answer the question directly
Change the keywords
Change the structure of your story
Add sentences and phrases later


STEP THREE: CUSTOMIZE TOPIC SENTENCES

After finishing your outline, it is time to write topic sentences for each paragraph.

When starting your next school, customize the topic sentences of each answer to fit the question. Otherwise, AdCom will know that you are copying and pasting essays from another school. Be careful!

I assume that AdCom members speed read application essays. Whether they do so consciously or unconsciously, AdCom readers probably read every word of each topic sentence, and then skim the details in the rest of the paragraph. They simply do not have time to mull over every word in your essay. Therefore, I encourage you to help them do their jobs more effectively by writing clear and concise topic sentences that capture the logic and flow of your ideas.

After you complete your draft, go back and reverse engineer your essay.

Here is my favorite editing exercise:

Remove everything but the first (topic) sentence of each paragraph.
Read it aloud at full volume, as if you were delivering a speech.
Does your story make sense?
Will a non-expert be able to understand what happened?
Do you appear in your own topic sentences?
Do your verbs convey power?
If not, fix your topic sentences so that you are at the center of the action.

Weak Topic Sentence: "Your school helps me realize my short and long term goals."
Strong Topic Sentence: "Wharton best prepares me to lead a multinational consumer electronics manufacturing firm."

Bottom line: Write clear and concise topic sentences that capture the logic and flow of your ideas.

 
 
 

 

APPLICANT: How do I ensure that my essays contain the latest and best content? 
 
VINCE: Please reflect any relevant changes from your latest SCHOOL A essays into their corresponding SCHOOL B versions, if applicable.
 
 
As deadlines approach, we often need to simultaneously edit similar contents for two or more schools. This can include
  • Application forms (apps)
  • Essays
  • Letters of recommendation (LoRs)
 
Please take responsibility for tracking the latest versions. If I edit something for one school, please apply those changes to all other schools. 
 
 
 
THE PROBLEM
 
 
Too often, I find myself re-editing the same content. Here is an example.
  1. Client A sends me an essay that discusses two projects in detail. 
  2. I change all instances of the number two from the numerical form (2) to the word form (two).
  3. Then, client A sends me a different version of that same story for School B. 
  4. I find the same mistakes have not been updated. All previous examples of "2" are still written in number form, not word form. 
 
This wastes time.
 
 
 
THE SOLUTION
 
 
In my first year as an admissions counselor (2002), I had a genius client who was admitted to every school he applied. He was a controller at Japan's largest energy company. (I will never forgot the first sentence of his goals essay. He wrote, "I am both a survivor and an architect of the profound changes that have reshaped Japan's oil industry.")
 
 
He taught me the best method for tracking contents across multiple schools. 
 
 
Perhaps because he worked in the back office, he tracked everything. For example, he kept a binder with all of his essays printed out. 
 
 
Here is Hamada-san's Three-step Method for Tracking Essay Changes Across Multiple Schools:
 
  1. He highlighted all edited sentences from his most recent essay. 
  2. Then, he went back and found examples of his original unedited sentence in old essays. (I assume he used MS Word "find and replace" feature, since this was before Google Docs was even invented.) 
  3. Best of all, without my prompting, he automatically went back and updated all previous versions of the same sentence using my most recent edits.

 

 
APPLICANT: How should I format my essays?

VINCE: Please use standard formatting:
 
 
CLEARLY DELINEATED PARAGRAPHS
 
  • Within the text, paragraphs are indented five to seven spaces (which translates into about a half-inch indent on word-processors)
  • Paragraphs are identified by an indentation of five spaces (a tab), do not make extra spaces between paragraphs
 
GENEROUS LINE SPACING
 
  • Single-space your essays unless the school requests otherwise
  • You can use 1.5 spacing for schools like Tuck that ask you to, "Please double-space your responses"
  • To do this, open Microsoft Word and go to Options (O) and Paragraph (P).
  • Next, go to and Line Spacing (N) and set to 1.5, not 2.
 
READABLE FONT
 
  • Please use a standard font type like Arial or Times New Roman
  • 12 pt font size is kind on tired eyes
  • 11 or 10.5 if necessary 
 
INCLUDE THE ESSAY QUESTION
 
  • Write the question at the top of each essay (preferably in the header)
 
ADD PAGE NUMBERS
 
  • Add page numbers at the bottom if the essay is more than one page
 
ONE INCH MARGINS
 
  • Use the standard margins of 1" (2.5 cm); no less than .8" (2 cm) on top, bottom, right and left
 
FLUSH LEFT 
 
  • All typing is done flush-left, not right justified nor full justified.
  • In other words, leave the right margin uneven or "ragged right."
  • This allows the reader more space to write comments in the margins.
 
ADD WORD and CHARACTER COUNTS
 
  • During drafting, please always include the current word count plus the maximum number of allowable words (like this: 534/500). Just be sure to remove these numbers before submitting your essay
  • Always include character counts when required by the school (e.g. most application forms except Chicago, some recommendations like Tuck CSQs)
  • When counting characters, be sure to include spaces

 

 

APPLICANT:  Do you think it matters that you do not have MBA? How about the fact that you never served on AdCom?

VINCE: I have been advising clients for nearly ten years. My results speak for themselves.

  • First, I can think like adcoms because I used to manage a highly selective educational non-profit. We only took 10% of student applicants, and less than 10% of staff. I know how to make decisions based on how people present themselves on paper.
  • Second, some consultants tout their "inside connections" with their friends and former colleagues that still work as admissions officers. I have these same connections simply because I have been in the industry long enough that admissions officers know me and trust my work. It also helps that I am a member of AIGAC.

 

 

APPLICANT: Is it true that you only work only with clients who have either 100 TOEFL or 700 GMAT?
 
VINCE: Not true.
 
  • Just like AdCom, I view applicants as people, not just a collection of scores.
  • That said, I want my clients to be satisfied, so I want to help applicants that have ambitious but realistic expectations.
  • For example, if someone wants to attend a school like Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, MIT, Kellogg, or INSEAD, she needs high numbers.
  • On the other hand, every year, I help a few clients whose scores match their target schools (below 700 GMAT and/or below 100 TOEFL, aiming for IBEAR or IE or Michigan GMBA, etc.)
 
 
 

 

-Updated by Vince on 8 Dec 2011

 
  • I am a graduate admissions consultant who works with clients worldwide.
  • If you would like to arrange an initial consultation, please complete my intake form.
 
 

 

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Results

 
 
Vince's Comprehensive
Clients admitted per school
since 2007-2008 

3   @ Berkeley Haas
10 @ Chicago Booth
6   @ Columbia
6   @ HBS
6   @ INSEAD
13 @ Kellogg
8   @ Tuck
6   @ UCLA Anderson
10 @ Wharton


Full list here

Testimonials

 

 

"Preparing admissions essays for MBA programs can be a lonely process, involving much introspection and contemplation. Throughout this process, Vince was an invaluable partner to me, providing objective and professional advice that was critical to my success; ultimately, I gained admissions to 5 top programs in the US, including HBS, Wharton and Northwestern’s JD-MBA program."

Harvard Business School Class of 2012

More here http://www.vinceprep.com/testimonials

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