From the Admissions Office
October 22, 2007

As the first round deadline approaches, we would like to continue our ongoing series of application tips with suggestions on how to strengthen your resume, along with information about some valuable tools on our website that will help you learn more about Yale SOM.

At this point in the season, candidates for the Class of 2010 are at different stages in the application process — some are putting the finishing touches on their first round applications due on October 24, and others are just beginning the process for the second round deadline on January 9. Regardless of where you are in the process, your resume is an important part of your admissions package that deserves careful attention. By providing a brief and easily digested summary of your work history and education, your resume provides a valuable snapshot of your past achievements. As you prepare your resume, keep in mind the following suggestions:

• Sell yourself. Try to avoid a general list of job responsibilities and instead focus on highlighting your accomplishments and skills. This is your opportunity to tell us what you’ve contributed to your office, so emphasize results, not just responsibilities.
• Keep it brief. Your resume should touch upon the most important points. It’s not necessary to include every detail of everything you’ve done. The more minutiae you include, the less the important information will stick out. We recommend a one- to two-page resume for your business school application.
• Fill-in the gaps. It’s helpful to list your experiences in chronological order so we can get a sense of your career progression. If you’ve stepped out of the work force for a little while, be sure to talk about it in your application.

During the admissions process, we get to know you through your application, but this is also a time for you to learn more about what makes Yale SOM unique. In an effort to bring more information to candidates who don’t have the opportunity to visit campus, we’ve added a series of online tools to our website. Students and admissions officers are online to answer questions though our discussion boards; to read about the MBA experience first-hand, check out our community blog. If you would like to connect with a student who shares your interests, please contact one of our admissions ambassadors. These are great resources for prospective applicants for fall 2008, as well as those thinking ahead for the next few years.


Admissions Office
Yale School of Management
135 Prospect Street
Box 208200
New Haven, CT 06520-8200
203.432.5635, Admissions Office
203.432.6380, Visitor Center
fax 203.432.7004
mba.admissions@yale.edu