Characteristics

• The backgrounds of graduate school applicants vary immensely. Their employers range from small domestic family-owned businesses to giant multinational corporations and even government ministries. Some are company-sponsored, whereas others are self-sponsored. Such applicants include promising men and women of ages ranging from their mid-20's to early 40's. One quality that all graduate school applicants have in common is their relentless drive to succeed, which R1 helps to strengthen, organize, and focus.
• The R1 Team has worked closely with graduate school applicants from organizations in the following industry sectors in Asia, Europe, and North America: banking and finance, securities, insurance, telecommunications, electronics, information technology, accounting & auditing, management consulting, healthcare, pharmaceutical, chemical, environment, construction, real estate, import & export, manufacturing, iron & steel, energy, automotive, marine, transportation & distribution, aerospace, media & entertainment, advertising, consumer products, food & beverage, research & think tanks, and government. Regardless of an applicant's organization, sponsorship-status, gender, or age, R1 can help them to effectively market themselves to a Western academic environment.

Segments

Self-Sponsored Applicants
Most applicants fall into this category. In general, top graduate schools tend to favor company-and government-sponsored applicants. Therefore, self-sponsored applicants have to work even harder (and smarter) to win admission.

Sponsored Applicants
Some applicants fall into this category. Although top graduate schools tend to favor this group, they are still highly selective. Sponsorship helps, but it's just one factor among many others considered.

Private-Sector Applicants
Most applicants fall into this category. They come from large, medium, and small organizations in a broad range of industry sectors. However, it's what you've done, rather than where you're from, that really matters.

Public-Sector Applicants
Some applicants fall into this category. Although a few government employees apply for Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs, many considering career transitions covet the MBA credential.

Applicants from Family Businesses
A small minority of applicants fall into this category. They usually seek the MBA degree. These applicants are often concerned about selecting appropriate recommenders and designing ambitious career plans. R1 delivers solutions.

Applicants from the Financial Sector
Many Asian applicants fall into this category. As so much competition exists among applicants from the financial sector, these applicants generally find it more difficult to gain admission to top schools than applicants from other industry sectors.

Applicants from General Trading Companies
Some applicants fall into this category. They often have substantial international business experience and strong English skills. Although they are tough competitors, such applicants often underestimate their competition.

Applicants from the IT Sector
Some applicants fall into this category. Many come from Engineering backgrounds. This group tends to focus too much on technical issues in their essays and needs considerable guidance on how to optimally present their personal experiences.

Applicants Planning on Career Transitions
Most applicants fall into this category. Although some will remain with their employers, the career paths of almost all graduates will change at some point in the future. An advanced international education makes fundamental career transitions possible.

Young Applicants
A small minority of applicants fall into this category. R1 categorizes applicants with less than 4 years of work experience at the time of enrollment as "young." For such applicants, quality of experience and notable achievements are especially important.

Mature Applicants
A small minority of applicants fall into this category. R1 categorizes applicants over age 35 as "mature." Mature MBA applicants typically need to explain why a 2-year degree is necessary in their case. Without a compelling explanation, schools will likely recommend that mature applicants apply to 1-year Executive MBA programs.

Female Applicants
Females are a minority group among Asian graduate school applicants. As top schools actively recruit females, this group has an advantage over its male counterparts. However, competition remains intense, so effective self-promotion is essential for women.

Re-Applicants
A small minority of applicants fall into this category. It's always more difficult to gain admission as a re-applicant. Therefore, choose your Admission Consultant carefully so you don't become a re-applicant!