Getting Admitted to the MBA Program

Let backtrack a bit: How was I able to get admitted to the Asian Institute of Management (AIM)?

The admission process is a relatively brief process, but rigorous nonetheless. The AIM Website outlines the procedure on how to apply and the requirements as well. However, I found some old content at the AIM site that might get some users confused. But in spite of that, my experience in applying was a very smooth and hassle-free one.

I made sure that I had the following accomplished:

• Application Form - This can be downloaded online. The application form is very long and has 14 essay questions! It is better to answer the essay questions briefly and direct to the point.
• Official Transcripts - This is my undergraduate transcript from the University of the Philippines - Diliman.
  
• Academic Recommendation Letter - I had a former professor of mine from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business accomplish this one.
• Professional Recommendation Letter - I asked a former superior make a recommendation. She was an AIM alumna, so I hoping that would count for something. :P

After getting those requirements out of the way, I was scheduled to take the AIMAT or Asian Institute of Management Admission Test. It's similar to the GMAT, but with fewer coverage of topics. The exam questions were good enough, but the time pressure made things a bit iffy. (You only have less than a minute to answer each question.)

A couple of weeks after the exam, I received an email from Ms. Lot Aramil from the Admissions Office telling me I was scheduled for an interview. (That implies I passed the AIMAT. :P) I thought this would be the most challenging phase of the admission process. When the day of the interview came, I was feeling a bit giddy.

The interview process consisted of two parts: A group discussion (GD) and a one on one interview. The group discussion had us applicants in a room with a moderator, and we discussed a difficult case study. Our moderator also asked some grilling types of questions and really made us justify our positions. (Tip: make sure you establish rapport with your co-applicants to make the discussion flow better.)

After the GD, an interview with Prof. Ricardo Lim followed. I felt the interview was anti-climactic, considering what transpired at the GD. But it's great that the GD went that way because it made me felt I was ready for anything that would be thrown at me at the interview.

Two days after the interview, I received an email from Ms. Twiggy Reyes of the Student Services, Admissions & Registrar (SSAR) telling me I got accepted at the MBA program.

Whew! It wasn't a long road to get admitted, but it was an interesting ride. If the admission process to the MBA program is a preview of what's to come, boy am I looking forward to it.