Thinking about applying to business school next year?  Now that the first round of admittance to top business schools is taking place, admissions directors are able to share some of this year’s trends, as well as important tips for future applicants.  Dawna Clarke, director of admissions at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, recently shared some of this insight with the Wall Street Journal.  Clarke revealed that the school will accept between 450 and 500 total applicants this year—about 17% to 20% of all applicants.  She conceded that applications decreased by 7% since last year, but 2010 had an exceptionally large pool of candidates.

When asked what makes for the best applicant recommendations, Clarke claimed that they come from people who know the applicant well, such as a direct supervisor.  Recommendations with anecdotes offer some personality and make for memorable applications.  In addition, while many applicants are concerned about the negative connotation associated with job hopping, Clarke insisted that jumping from job to job is okay, so long as the applicant had a good reason for doing so.  Finally, Clarke said that top business schools often provide feedback for rejected applicants; so if you didn’t get lucky this time around, be sure to ask what you could have done better!  You may get a better response if you ask when the admissions season is over.