In July 2001, a study by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of a huge research program called the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), suggested that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) should not be recommended for long-term use. In fact, the results were so alarming, the study was halted before its completion date. It was found that Prempro, a combination of estrogen and progestin, which was a “standard issue” HRT formulation for postmenopausal women, increased the risk of invasive breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolisms (blood clots). However, Prempro did reduce the incidence of bone fractures from osteoporosis and colon cancer. Nevertheless, the idea that HRT is a long-term “fountain of youth” is slowly dissolving. The study participants were informed in a letter that they should stop taking their pills. HRT, used in the short-term to relieve menopausal symptoms, is still considered a good option, and there was no evidence to suggest that short-term use of HRT was harmful. The study only has implications for women on HRT for long-term use—something that was recommended to millions of women during the past 20 years because of perceived protection against heart disease.

In 1998, an earlier trial, known as the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS), looked at whether HRT was reduced in women who already had heart disease. HRT was not found to have any beneficial effect. Women who were at risk for breast cancer were never advised to go on HRT; similarly, women who had suffered a stroke or considered at risk for blood clots were also never considered good candidates for HRT. It had long been known that breast cancer was a risk of long-term HRT, as well as stroke and blood clots. However, many women made the HRT decision based on the fact that it was long believed to protect women from heart disease. Millions of women are now questioning whether they should be on HRT in light of these facts and findings.

Today, the only thing the “experts” can agree on is that the HRT decision is highly individual and must be an informed decision, where all of the possible risks and benefits of taking—or not taking—HRT are disclosed. Women with a family history of breast cancer were never considered good HRT candidates. So, for this group of women, things have not changed. However, women who were considered at higher risk for heart disease due to family history or other risk factors, such as Type 2 diabetes, are now more confused than ever.

In many ways, consultants are made for business school. As a consultant, you most likely have a strong academic background, have had multiple experiences with myriad companies, and have finely tuned analytical and interpersonal skills. Additionally, you have direct access to a cadre of b-school graduates through your firm, who serve as great advisors.

Unfortunately, more applicants fall into the consultant category than probably any other profile type. As a result, it is also probably more difficult to differentiate yourself as a consultant. Consulting firms often have standardized analyst programs that “feed” business schools with applicants after they’ve had two or three years of experience. Over time, many b-schools have become somewhat wary of these programs, because of their tendency to produce applicants who are simply looking to “get their ticket punched.”

You can avoid the perception that you’re just trying to get your ticket punched by being explicit about how you intend to utilize an MBA to reach your career goals. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t express an interest in returning to consulting. But if you do go down that path, you need to make sure to discuss how you see yourself having an impact on the organization. Do you see an opportunity to increase your clients’ revenues through Customer Relationship Management? Then discuss how you want to capitalize on this opportunity by studying the intersection of marketing and technology. The bottom line is that you have to provide tangible reasons for wanting to attend b-school. In many ways, if you intend to return to consulting, this is even more important than if you’re planning on switching careers.

Along the lines of being explicit in your writing, try your best not to introduce consultant jargon into your essays and interviews. Consultants have a tendency to write essays that are high-level and ambiguous. Admissions counselors comment that consultants often fail to adequately explain their specific actions on projects and the results of those actions. To the extent that you can quantify both, you will stand out from the pack.

The average number of years of work experience at top business schools approaches five. Consultants, however, tend to apply to schools after only two to four years of experience. If you fall into this group, then you should expect to be questioned about it and should find ways to emphasize your maturity. One way to do that is by discussing activities in which you are involved outside of consulting. Because of the long hours associated with their profession, many applicants from consulting are unable to talk about anything that is unrelated to work. To the extent that you are able to weave activities outside of the consulting world into your story, you will be able to differentiate yourself.