Applications down in 2011--THIS MAY BE THE YEAR TO GO FOR IT

A recent survey revealed that 62% of top business schools are either flat or down in their number of applications this year, with some schools in the top tier seeing a 20% or more fall off. What does this mean? Well, on one hand, it could potentially make it easier to get in, with less competition. The only wild card is quality. Some of those same schools are seeing a huge jump in MWE, or months work experience, indicating that the quality level of the applicant pool may be on the rise. Still, it makes sense to apply in a year when the numbers are down. Remember, it's not a lottery pick, where the odds are always the same, but rather a very complicated formula of how many apply and how qualified they are compared to the competition. Focus on how you stand out and apply with the confidence that you may be standing out in a more shallow pool this year. Good luck!