Accepted

Just a couple of items of note, this week:

• CNNMoney/Fortune reports what it thinks is a new trend towards teaching "soft skills" at top business schools. I believe it is a trend that has perhaps gained steam or occasionally changed emphasis over the last several decades, but is not really new. "The Trouble with MBA's"  cites examples of top business schools, like Wharton, Chicago, MIT Sloan, Darden, Haas, and Tuck adding seminars, coaching, and courses to their curriculum all with the goal of improving communications and teamwork skills.  The article points out that this development comes in response to recruiter feedback. For you applicants, it implies that you too should be demonstrating those qualities -- not just your quant mojo or geek-ability -- in your essays and interviews, .
  
• BusinessWeek has an article on hover parents landing in business schools with their offspring. "Invasion of the Helicopter Parents" reflects more than minimal ambivalence towards parents doing anything more than visiting or helping with moving. Show it to your parents if they are a little too attached.
  
• Reminder: The MBA Admissions Telethon is next Thursday, April 26. It's an opportunity for you to test out Accepted's advising at no cost to you and obtain free advice from MBA admissions experts on your most urgent MBA admissions questions.
• Reminder: The Beautiful B-School Photo Contest ends on April 30. Please send in your pictures of your favorite business schools to be eligible to win up to $200 in Amazon gift certificates. Although the number of entries has increased over the last several weeks, your odds of winning a cash prize are still good and and your chances to win an honorable mention are excellent. Watch the b-school zones pages for the new entries.