Ad-Coms deconstructed

While it's no surprise that applicants aren't really on the level in their essays, it should come as even less of a surprise that the ad-coms are worse (or better !) at obfuscation.

Here are a few things that people should know...

Spin : Your stats don't matter. You as an individual matter.
Fact : The colour of your skin, your gender, and your ethnicity/nationality matter. BIG TIME!

Spin : Leadership potential is valued.
Fact : B-schools are actually truthful here. And nothing shouts out leadership potential louder than having daddy dearest rolling in greenbacks! After all, which B-school would refuse admission to a scion of a major industrial houses? Someone who is bound to become the CEO sooner rather than later. Who is bound to land up on the 'prominent alumni' section of the website.

Spin : Diversity is good.
Fact : It is good. But it's used as a convenient excuse to get rid of one conventional applicant, to bring in another with the right gender / ethnicity / nationality. That boosts the rankings. That bring in more money. That helps you improve your ranking further. That gets you more money. And so it goes...