Teacher Materials

1. © 2015 SkimaTalk, Inc.
SkimaTalk Official Course
Preparing for the MBA Application Process
Lesson 3: Know Your School’s Values

2. Each MBA Program Has Unique Core Values
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Question the status quo
Students always
Confidence without attitude
Beyond yourself
Example: UC Berkeley’s “Defining Principles”

3. MBA Programs Select Candidates that Align with
their Core Values
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“Will this person fit in?”
“Can this person become a
good leader”
“Is this person committed to our
core values?”

4. A Successful Application Will Demonstrate Your
“Fit” with the School’s Values
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Value: Committed
to Innovation
“In my previous job, I designed and
developed a new order management
system to help the customer better track
inventory. This innovative process saves
the customer millions of dollars every
year.”
Value: Selfless
“In my spare time I help tutor students in
a low-income neighborhood. After
school, I want to start an education
company that focuses on helping
students in low-income areas.”

5. Lesson Structure
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Before the lesson you will prepare a list of the core values for one of
your target MBA programs.
During the lesson you will discuss the values with your teacher:
(10 minutes) – Review each of the core values.
(15 minutes) – For each value, spend 3 – 5 minutes discussing how your
background, education, and interests are a fit with the value. Use
specific examples where possible.

6. Teacher Notes
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Teacher Version Only
Teacher Instructions:
1. (10 minutes) Spend the first 10 minutes of the session discussing the core values for
the school that the student selects:
• What are the core values?
• What does each value mean?
• Make sure the student can confidently explain each value.
2. (15 minutes) For each core value, discuss how the student demonstrates a fit with the
value.
• Fit could mean professional accomplishments, academic achievements, or
activities in the student’s personal life.
• At the end of the conversation the student should be able to answer the following
question: “What are the core values of ‘School X’, and how are you a fit with those
values? Please provide specific examples.”

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End of Lesson
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