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27 Feb 2024, 17:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: HBS 2+2 MBA Essay Tips for 2024 |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/HBS-Harvard-Ayva-EM-1-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Are you a college senior with MBA dreams in your future? Why not jump-start your B-school journey right now? The HBS 2+2 deferred MBA program at Harvard Business School is accepting applications until April 25, 2024, for entry in Fall 2026. In this program, admitted candidates work for two years and then start their MBA studies. The ideal applicant for the HBS 2+2 program adds diversity of background and thought to the school. Harvard is looking for highly accomplished students with unusual paths. For example, candidates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, first to graduate college, or those with non-traditional career goals like manufacturing or engineering. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/hbs-2-2-harvard-program-college-seniors/]HBS 2+2 Program for College Seniors: How to Get In[/url] There is some flexibility around the two-year work deferral, but most applicants work for two years before beginning their on-campus MBA experience. In the past, the HBS 2+2 essay prompt has been the same as the question asked within the regular full-time MBA application. However, the admissions committee decided to make a change this year. [url=https://www.hbs.edu/mba/find-answers/Pages/default.aspx#2+2]According to Harvard Business School[/url], that’s because: “The HBS classroom and community thrive when we bring together people who can share a variety of perspectives. We are looking for people who will be good community members, and this new essay format is designed to get to know you better and learn how you will engage at HBS and beyond.” And, as with the traditional program application essay, the HBS AdCom shares similar advice: “We think you know what guidance we’re going to give here: don’t overthink, overcraft, or overwrite. Please answer the questions in clear and concise language.” [b]The Stacy Blackman Consulting team includes several experts in the deferred admissions process. Reach out today to talk strategy with a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] with an SBC Principal Consultant. [/b] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Aerial_of_the_Harvard_Business_School_campus-1-734x487.jpeg[/img] [b]HBS 2+2 MBA Essay Tips[/b] Part 1: Personal Essays (choose two – up to 300 words per prompt) The HBS classroom and community thrive when we bring together people who can share a variety of perspectives. To get to know you better and how you will engage at HBS, please choose two of the three prompts below to tell us more about yourself: [b]Option 1: How have your experiences shaped who you are, how you lead, and how you will contribute at HBS?[/b] The essays are your opportunity to reveal yourself. Think about your background, skills, motivations, and the aspects that make you unique. Harvard is interested in who you are as a person. Choose stories that show your management potential. HBS has always focused on leadership and loves candidates with a track record of leadership impact and future potential. Your goal is to demonstrate a success trajectory to indicate upper management potential. The stories you choose for this essay can be from almost any part of your life. How have you learned and developed in college? What early influences may have been part of forming who you are? Think deeply about yourself and show that introspection in this essay. [b]Option 2: What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA?[/b] Because you are a college senior, academics have been your primary focus for the past several years. When you think about your college experience, what first sparked your interest in business and pursuing a graduate business degree at Harvard 2+2? What drives your academic focus, and how do you hope to continue to learn? Perhaps you took a class in economics or finance, and the topic fascinated you. The intellectual experience could have also been outside the classroom, either in a summer internship or through an extracurricular activity. Ultimately, this question is seeking to understand your interests and motivations. Did you know? SBC’s stellar team includes two former HBS Admissions Officers who helped launch the 2+2 Program. [b]Option 3: What communities have you been engaged with that have defined how you invest in others?[/b] Harvard is explicitly looking for non-traditional applicants for the 2+2 program. When you think about communities, this could be part of your cultural or familial background. Or, a community could be chosen, like one focused on a hobby or interest. Because you are a college senior and have less formal work experience, describing how you engage and invest in communities is a great way to show leadership skills. Consider how you have positively influenced these communities. For example, leaders take formal leadership roles in school clubs, develop community within a sports team, or volunteer to serve their cultural community. Think about how you might use your experience to demonstrate these skills. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/HBS-Harvard-Ayva-EM-3-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Part 2: Career Essay (up to 300 words) How do the career plans you shared in the Career Plans section of the application fit into your current long-term career vision? What skills and/or professional experiences do you hope to obtain in the deferral period that will help build the foundation for your post-MBA career? As a college senior planning your life five years into the future, you should have a strong vision. Most MBA applicants can rely on past experiences to tell their MBA admissions story, while you have limited work experience to draw upon. Therefore, being specific about your Harvard 2+2 goals and plans will add credibility to your application. “I wanted to ensure that I spent time at a company that would allow me to gain new skills, grow, and create an impact before starting my studies at HBS.” – Carol Wright, 2+2 MBA First, think about what you aspire to accomplish in your career. Perhaps you want to run your own business or be a senior manager in an industry you admire. Explain why you are drawn to that role and industry. And, how you think your educational background and Harvard 2+2 MBA will help build your skills. Then, add your plans for the two years between college and the MBA program. How will you choose an industry to position yourself well to benefit from an MBA? What specific roles are most appealing? With a focused career plan, you could emphasize leadership opportunities or high-visibility roles that give you access to senior leaders. For example, some 2+2 applicants worked in management consulting or as an assistant to a small company CEO. Both positions would provide a wide range of work experience in a short time. Be as specific as possible about the skills and experience you hope to acquire before you join the MBA program. Think both about hard skills like accounting, finance, or marketing planning and soft skills like working with a diverse team and leading without authority. When you pull your story together, your educational background, post-college work experience, and HBS MBA should position you for your future long-term career goals. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/hbs-2-2-deferred-mba-get-accepted/]HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Program: Get Accepted[/url] *** We hope our HBS 2+2 MBA essay tips have further awakened your interest in this exceptional deferred MBA program. If you are considering HBS 2+2 and need input from an expert sounding board, we’re here to help! Reach out to set up a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]complimentary assessment[/url] of your candidacy today. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/hbs-22-mba-essay-tips/]Tuesday Tips: HBS 2+2 MBA Essay Tips for 2024[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
29 Feb 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Kellogg MBA Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Kellogg-Global-Hub-2-734x490.jpg[/img] How hard is it to get into the [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/northwestern-kellogg/]Kellogg School of Management[/url]? With its medium class size of 529 students in the [url=https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/programs/full-time-mba/class-profile.aspx]MBA Class of 2025[/url], the most recent Kellogg MBA acceptance rate of 31.4% makes it one of the more accessible M7 programs. Notably, [url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/northwestern-university-01071?mba-redesign-control]US News & World Report[/url] [b]ranked Kellogg at No. 2[/b] in its latest rankings of the best business schools. Women represent 48% of Kellogg’s class, which has increased by almost 10% over the last decade. Meanwhile, 39% of the class is international, 42% identify as U.S. students of color, and 13% are first-generation college students. Kellogg’s average GMAT now hovers around 731, median GRE is 163 (Verbal and Quant), and undergrad GPA is 3.7. With an ever-growing talent pool, this continually increasing average GMAT reflects Kellogg’s focus on intellectual aptitude. Now that we’ve gotten those basic stats out of the way, let’s explore at what this top business school seeks in successful applicants. Admissions staff who review applications look for academic ability, professional experience, promotions, impact, and leadership. They also assess applicants’ career focus and leadership, both in the workplace and in the community. We have evaluated recent SBC client data to help demystify the Kellogg MBA acceptance rate drivers. Our findings show that besides strong GPAs, test scores, and work experience, Kellogg appreciates applicants who demonstrate authenticity and self-awareness. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/KelloggFT7-734x551.jpg[/img] Recent SBC Clients Admitted to Kellogg School of Management To preserve anonymity for our client pool, we’ve deconstructed each of our client profiles across these criteria: [list] Nationality[/*] Industry[/*] Employer[/*] College[/*] GPA[/*] Test scores[/*] Other distinguishing factors[/*] [/list] Our consultants have shared client attributes for each of these criteria, and we’ve aggregated the outcomes for Kellogg admits according to personal, extracurricular, and professional domains. These visuals showcase the kaleidoscope of qualities found in Kellogg’s admits across a sampling of recent SBC clients. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-02-21-at-10.54.49-AM.png[/img] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-02-21-at-10.54.57-AM.png[/img] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-02-21-at-10.55.05-AM.png[/img] Overcoming the Kellogg MBA Acceptance Rate Odds We asked the former Kellogg Business School Admissions Officers on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]Stacy Blackman Consulting team[/url], “What does Kellogg Admissions look for?” The consensus: Kellogg is looking for candidates with the “Kellogg DNA” – high impact, low ego learners and leaders. Leadership and a track record of involvement are also prime differentiators for Kellogg, whether at work, during undergrad, or through extracurriculars. Depth of involvement – a long-term commitment to one extracurricular activity- or breadth – multiple undergraduate activities- are valued. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]Meet the former Kellogg AdCom on the SBC Consulting Team:[/url] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/SBC-consultants-Kellogg.png[/img] We asked these same former Kellogg Admissions Officers, “What does Kellogg Admissions want to avoid?” Their answer: Every applicant talks about the “people and culture“ being the main draws to Kellogg. Since “culture” is a given, Kellogg Admissions is looking for applicants who go beyond that – citing a particular Kellogg class, professor, experience, opportunity, etc shows applicant has done their research. Building a network and teamwork is fine to relay, but be careful not to talk too much about the “fun” aspect of the experience. The Kellogg experts on our SBC team added: The key to Kellogg is its culture. Team-oriented, collaborative, student involvement…these are all ways to accurately describe the very unique culture that is cultivated at Kellogg. While the class is comprised of driven, high achievers and the environment can be very intense, it is not cutthroat-competitive. Kellogg’s unique culture is partially a result of its policy of interviewing all applicants – thus emphasizing the personal aspect of the application, more than almost any other school. This also makes it a very popular choice with recruiters. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/kellogg-mba-program-inside-scoop/]Kellogg MBA Program: Get the Inside Scoop[/url] Check out our HBS and GSB dual admit study [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/stanford-harvard-business-school-mba-applications-double-admits/]here[/url] for more MBA inspiration. And don’t miss our related posts: [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/stanford-mba-acceptance-rate-deconstructed/]Stanford Business School Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed[/url], and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/mit-sloan-acceptance-rate/]MIT Sloan Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed.[/url] *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/kellogg-mba-acceptance-rate/]Kellogg MBA Acceptance Rate, Deconstructed[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
01 Mar 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Compelling Stories for MBA Interviews |
|
[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Embarking on the MBA admissions journey is a transformative experience, and one of the crucial stages is the interview process. Beyond your GMAT scores and academic achievements, admissions interviews provide a unique opportunity to showcase your personality, accomplishments, and future aspirations. The key to making a lasting impression lies in your ability to share impactful stories for MBA interviews that resonate with the admissions committee. “What you really want to be is the applicant they’re thinking about as they drive home that night, as they’re chatting with their spouse over spaghetti that evening,” [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/essential-mba-application-tips/]explains SBC consultant[/url] and B-Schooled co-host Chandler Arnold. Read on for five tips on choosing the right stories that will set you apart and enhance your chances of securing a spot in your dream MBA program. Are you curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] with an SBC Principal Consultant. [b]Tip #1 Align Stories with Your Career Goals[/b] Why are MBA career goals important? Admissions committee members want to understand the threads between your past, present, and future career. Sharing your professional goals gives business schools a sense of the impact you’d like to make–and your plan for achieving that vision. One of the primary objectives of an MBA admissions interview is to understand your motivations and aspirations. Consider sharing a story that illustrates your passion for your chosen field. For instance, recount a time when you led a successful project that significantly improved efficiency in your department. Discuss how this experience fueled your desire to pursue an MBA and delve deeper into the specific skills you gained that align with your future career goals. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/brett-jordan-Z2bJeJQRbW0-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] [b]Tip #2 Showcase Leadership and Teamwork[/b] MBA programs seek individuals who can thrive in a collaborative and leadership-oriented environment. Share a story that exemplifies your leadership skills. This could be a situation where you spearheaded a cross-functional team to overcome a significant challenge. For example, talk about a time when you encountered a conflict, such as over ideas on the best way to tackle a project or personal conflicts with people on your team. Perhaps you worked with someone who was bossy and overbearing or with people who didn’t do their share of the work—show how you brought dissenters together to achieve that shared goal. Elaborate on your strategies, the teamwork dynamics, and the positive outcome. Highlighting your ability to lead and collaborate effectively will resonate positively with the admissions committee. You will likely encounter scenarios like these during business school. If your interviewer feels you are already well-prepared for the inevitable challenges, your application is much more likely to receive a green light. [b]Tip #3 Emphasize Personal Growth and Learning[/b] Admissions committees value candidates who embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Is there a specific problem you see in the world? What are your ideas on how to solve it? What skills, experiences, etc., do you need to build up to reach this goal? You want to share stories for MBA interviews that highlight your genuine excitement about striving for meaningful, attainable goals. Share a personal or professional adversity story and how it shaped your character. For example, discuss a project where you faced unexpected setbacks, but through perseverance and learning, you overcame obstacles and emerged with newfound skills and resilience. This narrative demonstrates your capacity for continuous improvement and your ability to turn challenges into opportunities. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/etienne-girardet-EP6_VZhzXM8-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] [b]Tip #4 Prioritize Relevance and Impact[/b] While sharing personal and professional stories is essential, ensure they contribute to the overall narrative you want to present. Choose an anecdote that showcases your impact within a team or organization. For instance, discuss a project where your innovative approach resulted in a measurable improvement, such as increased revenue or enhanced customer satisfaction. By focusing on the relevance and impact of your experiences, you’ll underscore your potential contribution to the MBA program. [b]Tip #5 Be Authentic[/b] Admissions committees [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/how-to-structure-your-mba-essays/]love a compelling story[/url]; authenticity is key to making a lasting impression during an MBA admissions interview. In our experience, non-traditional applicants, in particular, often have fascinating narratives to share. Whether you’ve pursued a passion project, volunteered in remote areas, or started a small business, your journey off the beaten path can impress the admissions team. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-103-the-power-of-authenticity-in-mba-applications/]B-Schooled Podcast #103: The Power of Authenticity in MBA Applications[/url] Choose stories that genuinely reflect your character, values, and motivations. For example, you might share a situation where your ethical values were put to the test, and you made a principled decision, even if it posed challenges. Such experiences can lead to memorable interviews that set you apart from other candidates. The Power of Well-Chosen Stories for MBA Interviews The MBA admissions interview provides an opportunity to present a three-dimensional version of yourself beyond the confines of your application. You can craft a compelling narrative that sets you apart by aligning your stories with your career goals, showcasing leadership and teamwork, emphasizing personal growth, prioritizing relevance and impact, and being authentic. Remember, your stories are not just anecdotes. They are windows into your character and potential, guiding the admissions committee in their decision-making process. Finally, we leave you today with these extra interview tips from Stacy Blackman herself! [url=https://www.tiktok.com/@stacyblackmanconsulting?refer=embed]@stacyblackmanconsulting[/url] Try the STAR technique to ace your interview. [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sbcyourfuture?refer=embed]#sbcyourfuture[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/interviews?refer=embed]#interviews[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mba?refer=embed]#mba[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bschoolprep?refer=embed]#bschoolprep[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/admissions?refer=embed]#admissions[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/admissionscounselor?refer=embed]#admissionscounselor[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mbaapplication?refer=embed]#mbaapplication[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7169695871863458603?refer=embed]? original sound – Stacy Blackman Consulting[/url] *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/compelling-stories-for-mba-interviews/]Compelling Stories for MBA Interviews[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
05 Mar 2024, 14:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Talking About Your Accomplishments in MBA Applications |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/luis-talon-6usgPVijU7o-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Many MBA hopefuls who have come to this blog for guidance feel uncomfortable talking up themselves in their B-school applications. They know their worth but are humble about shouting their successes from the rooftops. While humility is admirable, the fact is that you must talk about your accomplishments in MBA applications. How else can you [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/differentiate-yourself-mba-admissions/]convey what differentiates you[/url] from other candidates? The goal is to lose some of that awkwardness when tooting your own horn—without veering into obnoxiousness. So, let’s dive into how you can do that in different parts of the application. Curious about your chances of getting into a top b-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] with an SBC Principal Consultant. Promoting Accomplishments in the MBA Resume As we often stress, [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/sell-yourself-with-an-mba-resume/]your resume[/url] is arguably the most crucial part of your MBA application package. You have one page to communicate what makes you stand out from the pack. Fortunately, that limited space can work for you when it comes to making blunt statements that would sound boastful in a conversation. The cardinal rule for resumes is to quantify accomplishments and shift the focus toward achievements over responsibilities as much as possible. For instance, if you led a project that resulted in cost savings or increased revenue, emphasize those hard numbers. Always include leadership skills, too, because they demonstrate your ability to make impactful decisions. “I was kind of obsessed with the fact that I wasn’t a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/non-traditional-mba-applicant/]typical MBA candidate[/url],” says SBC consultant and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/chandlers-mba-reflections-a-journey-of-inspiration/]B-Schooled co-host Chandler[/url]. “To get around that, I specifically formatted my resume to highlight the quantifiable results I’d driven. “I put a big focus on quantifying successes not only in terms of dollars raised or children reached, but also in terms of how I performed relative to the goal, relative to expectations, and relative to performance in previous years.” Highlighting specific examples of organizational impact is a terrific way to boost your profile’s appeal significantly. Mention how you streamlined processes resulting in efficiency gains or developed strategies leading to market expansion. These instances showcase problem-solving abilities and capacity for strategic thinking—both highly valued traits within business schools’ context. As these examples show, your resume is where you can pull off being direct when stating your accomplishments because that’s what the admissions committee expects. (The data form, with its character limits, is another place where conciseness is a must.) [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Highly_Recommended-2-734x309.jpg[/img] Bragging by Proxy A prime place for touting your accomplishments in MBA applications is through your recommendation letters. But don’t assume your recommender will remember all your glowing achievements. They also may not know what schools seek in letters of recommendation. To help them get started, create a bullet-point list of the projects you have worked on. Next, give them an outline of your strengths that goes into more detail than your resume. You want your recommenders to read this document, so keep it to one page and don’t overload them with information. It should be a quick, helpful reference. Then, decide on four or five characteristics you would like them to emphasize throughout the letter. For example, think of leadership, teamwork, creative thinking, determination, focus, intelligence, charisma, and integrity. Finally, develop at least one concrete example that illustrates each characteristic. Likewise, if you have a stellar accomplishment that feels too “braggy” to mention yourself, let your recommender do the heavy lifting! For example, if you were: [list] [*]The youngest person in a specific role[/*] [/list] [list] [*]Promoted early,[/*] [/list] [list] [*]The first person in a particular role,[/*] [/list] [list] [*]The only associate to work on a deal of that scale,[/*] [/list] [list] [*]Or, if the company created a role just for you,[/*] [/list] Those statements sound much better coming from your recommender. That’s because a recommender will have the context of managing people in your role and your level. So, if they say you’re “the youngest” or “the first” to do X, that’s a more believable and objective source than if you say it. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-suzy-hazelwood-3631711-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] The Essays: Prime Real Estate for Talking About Accomplishments in MBA Applications People often struggle with trumpeting their accomplishments when writing those MBA essays. Again, our advice is to keep it factual and direct. A favorite technique we recommend is to use the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Especially in the context of an essay with word limits, the STAR format helps you get rid of extra stuff that could border on bragging or not being self-aware. If you keep to: [list] [*]The project was about this, [/*] [/list] [list] [*]Here’s what I had to do, [/*] [/list] [list] [*]Here is what I did,[/*] [/list] [list] [*]Here was the result,[/*] [/list] It can help you avoid anything that might not be serving you. Finally, note that while it’s crucial to highlight your accomplishments and strengths, some applicants make the mistake of turning their essays into a laundry list of achievements. They focus solely on what they’ve done without delving into the “why” or the impact of those accomplishments. Why not dig deeper? Instead of merely cataloging your accomplishments in MBA applications, share the stories behind them. What challenges did you overcome? What did you learn from your experiences? How have they shaped your aspirations and values? By providing context and reflection, you’ll make your essays more engaging and meaningful. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/linkedin-sales-solutions-6ie6OjshvWg-unsplash-1.jpg[/img] Nailing the MBA Interview MBA applicants can run into trouble with the MBA interview without word count limits or scripts to corral them. Presenting yourself succinctly can be especially difficult with behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time you…”) because it is natural to launch into a story without a clear destination. The goal is to stay focused on telling your story to demonstrate the qualities you wish schools to see. A surefire way to control that is to use the STAR format for your interviews as well. The power of the STAR method is that it allows you to formulate a complete answer, but it keeps your answer organized and prevents you from rambling on and on—a common occurrence in interviews. Here’s one example of how you can organize your notes: [b]Situation:[/b] “Product A was losing market share to a new competitor.” [b]Task:[/b] “I needed to create a plan to regain our lost share.” [b]Action:[/b] “I led a team to implement tactics A, B, and C.” [b]Result:[/b] “We regained lost share, plus 10 percent.” And then you stop. The interviewer will often probe further, asking for specific details related to your story. You need to be prepared to elaborate, but start with your story’s essential elements. STAR will help you get there. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-94-a-deep-dive-on-behavioral-interviews/]B-Schooled Podcast #94: A Deep Dive on Behavioral Interviews[/url] You should always [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/compelling-stories-for-mba-interviews/]have multiple stories[/url] in your back pocket that you have practiced out loud. These should include new stories you haven’t mentioned anywhere else in your applications. Consider recording yourself as you rehearse. That way, you can assess your body language and tone and adjust as needed. Also, be ready for situations that you did cover in your essays, but practice recounting them with new details to mix it up a bit. [b]If you’d like expert assistance to help you prepare for your interviews, SBC offers an [/b][url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/][b]MBA interview coaching service[/b][/url][b]. Contact us today to learn more.[/b] Finally, the most vital advice we can give is to be yourself and allow your personality to shine through. The AdCom wants to admit authentic people, so it’s okay to show your nerdy, quirky or sarcastic side in the MBA interview. The information on [url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/admission/evaluation-criteria]evaluation criteria[/url] for admission at Stanford GBS includes the following instructions to candidates: “Take time to reflect on who you are, and have confidence. There is neither an ‘ideal’ candidate nor a ‘typical’ Stanford MBA student. In your application, we would like you, quite simply, to be yourself.” *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/accomplishments-in-mba-applications/]Talking About Your Accomplishments in MBA Applications[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
06 Mar 2024, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast #200: An Early SBC Client Looks Back After Almost 20 Years |
 For our special 200th B-Schooled podcast episode, we are sitting down with an early SBC client— Stephen Frayne, Jr.—who worked with us almost 20 years ago. Chandler and Stephen talk about a number of important topics of interest to any MBA applicant, including: • How to think about the value of investing in working with an MBA consultant, • The ways in which an MBA consultant can serve as a mentor, • Advice from a re-applicant who didn’t get in the first time…but ended up getting into his dream school the second time, • Lessons learned from that same applicant who ended up TURNING DOWN his dream school for reasons he never would have expected, • Suggestions for MBA applicants interested in the intersection between entrepreneurship and intellectual property, • Lessons learned from standing up for yourself early in your career, • The benefits of asking for help and coalition building, • The power of taking a “portfolio approach” to life, and • Keeping a “beginner’s mindset” throughout the course of one’s career, and • The perils of thinking small. Special thanks to Stephen for this very honest and candid conversation. This B-Schooled episode can be found here, or take a listen on any of the major podcast platforms below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify TuneIn Please be sure to subscribe to B-Schooled so that you don’t miss a thing. Also, if there’s something you’d like for us to cover in a future episode, please email podcast@stacyblackman.com. We’d love to hear from you! The post B-Schooled Podcast #200: An Early SBC Client Looks Back After Almost 20 Years appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
07 Mar 2024, 15:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Seemingly Similar MBA Applicants, Different Admissions Outcomes |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Every-minute-you-spend-wishing-you-had-someone-elses-life-is-a-minute-spent-wasting-yours.png[/img] If Round 2 results from your dream school are in and you didn’t get the news you were hoping for, it can be pretty devastating. After months of hard work on your application and then a few more months of anxiety-ridden waiting, finding out that you weren’t accepted is tough. When you’re already feeling confused, down, or angry, learning that similar MBA applicants, such as a friend or [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/coworker-also-going-for-mba/]co-worker[/url], did get an interview invite (or an acceptance) can feel like having salt poured into your proverbial wound. If you believe you’re actually more qualified than someone who received better news, it’s even worse. One of the classic mistakes applicants make when considering MBA admissions decisions is believing there’s a magic formula that works every time. They assume that a certain GPA, GRE or GMAT score, undergraduate institution, employer, promotion track, etc., will result in a slam-dunk admission. So, if your coworker has a similar profile and got an interview and you didn’t, the world suddenly makes no sense. Why do scenarios like this come to pass? How can two people who work at the same place or are similar “on paper” meet such different MBA fates? How can a stellar candidate receive a ding when a seemingly so-so applicant gets in? There are three main reasons. Did you know SBC [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]offers a Ding Analysis[/url] as an a la carte service? Contact us today to learn more. [b]The MBA application process is subjective. [/b] Let’s face it: anytime humans are involved, you’re dealing with a process that will be influenced by many things you can’t control. Most MBA programs have more than one person reviewing each candidate’s file to control for this type of subjectivity. This means that if the first reader is having an awful day or feeling meh about your candidacy when reviewing your materials, rest assured at least one or more people will also read your application before reaching a final decision. Admissions committees consider thousands of qualified applicants each year and have developed a strong sense of who will fit best with their program. While you may think you’d be a bigger asset to a certain school than an acquaintance who got in, the admissions committee felt differently. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-ann-h-3482441-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] [b]You don’t know absolutely everything about your friend or co-worker’s candidacy. [/b] If you did your homework on the MBA process, you know that AdComs are looking for what makes applicants tick. They want to understand your personality. They are interested in more than just your career experience and “stats.” When comparing similar MBA applicants, it could come down to something written in an essay or recommendation letter that really moved or impressed the admissions committee. Even if you read your friend’s essays, you likely don’t know every detail included in their applications. Nor do you know everything discussed in their interviews. Sometimes, something subjective and imperceptible to you gives a similar candidate the edge. Chances are your demographics, backgrounds, and motivations are not as alike as you might have thought. Ultimately, the AdCom saw something unique in your friend that they were looking for. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-markus-spiske-1679618-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] [b]You may not have even been competing with your friend for a spot in the first place. [/b] As alluded to above, each program strives to put together a diverse class of impressive people. However, no one knows the secret sauce that any given AdCom uses to fill open spots. We do know that it’s not as straightforward as most people assume. Similar MBA applicants might have subtle yet important differentiators. Everything from your gender to your industry to your nationality to your career aspirations, community service, and personality comes into play when an AdCom attempts to build a graduating class. And there’s no way to predict that because it depends on the full applicant pool the admissions committee sees in any given cycle. This changes year to year, even round to round, and certainly across schools. What worked for similar MBA applicants in 2022 might not prove as successful in 2023-2024. Listen to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-episode-8/]B-Schooled Podcast #8[/url]: Time and Energy Wasters [b]Don’t Fall Into the Trap of Obsessing Over Similar MBA Applicants[/b] We know how tempting it is to play the comparison game. In the end, comparing yourself to other candidates is a pointless exercise. Unfortunately, doing so won’t change anything or make you feel any better when similar MBA applicants get the results you didn’t. The best thing you can do is try to be objective about how you could improve your odds if you reapply next year. Many [url=https://www.tuck.dartmouth.edu/mba/blog/reapplying-to-tuck]top B-schools welcome reapplicants[/url]! Cast a wider net with new programs or strengthen your quant profile and community service record over the next several months. We work with successful reapplicants every year, so this route can definitely lead to acceptance at your dream school. For assurance and inspiration, read our profile of [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/successful-reapplicant-harvard-business-school-stanford-gsb/]former SBC client Ed Redden[/url], who went from reapplicant to admitted at both Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/seemingly-similar-mba-applicants-different-admissions-outcomes/]Seemingly Similar MBA Applicants, Different Admissions Outcomes[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
12 Mar 2024, 15:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Volunteering Can Boost Your Career and MBA Admissions Odds |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/best-gift-is-you-dakota-corbin-xh4mG4cqHGg-unsplash-734x718.jpg[/img] We probably don’t need to sell you on the [url=https://www.happiness.com/magazine/personal-growth/why-volunteering-is-important-benefits/]karmic benefits[/url] of donating your time to a worthy cause. But besides all the feels you get for helping others, there’s a surprising side benefit you may not have considered. Namely, that volunteering is one of the most underleveraged ways to advance your career. And it’s something that all top business schools hope to see on applicants’ resumes. After all, the MBA experience is about bringing all facets of your life—not just what you’ve achieved on the job—to help your classmates learn. Having interests outside of work shows that you can balance multiple commitments and that you are the type of person who is capable of juggling academics with clubs, conferences, recruiting, and more. Today, we focus on skills-based rather than classic volunteer activities, such as planting trees or serving meals at a soup kitchen. Strategic volunteering exposes you to diverse industries and functions, helps identify your strengths, builds connections, and provides valuable new skills and experiences—all of which can pay dividends in your MBA applications. Check out these three major benefits you can get when you give back. [b]Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]Contact us[/url] to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant.[/b] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/analia-baggiano-egbB-zLBeDo-unsplash-734x734.jpg[/img] Volunteering Develops New Skills As a volunteer, you can try out new skills without worrying about affecting your current position. For instance, your job may not include project management or give you much chance to grow your leadership ability. If so, look for a volunteer position that provides formal leadership to others. Many volunteering roles will help you hone those always-desirable soft skills. Think of areas such as communication, public speaking, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. You can also look for opportunities where you’ll make an impact with your existing skills. See if your employer has any community-focused committees with which you could get involved soon. You could mentor a junior employee or head up a company-sponsored fundraising drive. If your company is hiring right now, you could lead efforts to recruit at your alma mater. That’s a way to give back while leveraging connections you already have at your college. Any of these steps could result in additional accomplishments you can add to your resume, write essays about, or discuss in an interview. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/young-teaching-old-734x490.jpg[/img] It Can Offer Relevant Career Experience It’s often difficult to gain job experience without getting hired for the new role. Whether you’re a recent grad or hoping to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment, volunteering is a tried-and-true method of gaining relevant knowledge in a new field. The key is identifying positions and organizations that align with your desired career. That way, you can show potential employers that you have transferable skills despite limited or no formal professional history in the role. At the same time, it gives you valuable feedback on whether you enjoy the work and want to explore further. If you discover that you don’t relish the tasks involved, you’ve saved yourself a lot of angst down the line. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” – Gandhi Volunteering Expands Your Network Chances are, most of your network comes from the same industry you do. However, strategic volunteering connects you with diverse people coming together for a common goal. This creates a unique opportunity to expand your network with connections outside of your field. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-alexander-suhorucov-6457515-734x489.jpg[/img] Unlike those typically awkward formal networking events, the volunteering environment is usually open and friendly. It’s a place to forge meaningful connections with people who have shared interests without pressure or expectations. That said, you’re still networking with people who may help your job search or provide professional references one day. So, make it your business to meet as many people as you can while volunteering—you never know who’s connected to exciting new prospects. Of course, your primary reason for volunteering is still to share your skills and give back to your community. But why not also reap some professional and MBA admit advantages along the way? The months ahead will provide more than enough time to get involved — or ideally, get more involved — in a cause that’s close to your heart. You cannot change some aspects of your candidacy: where you earned your undergraduate degree, your GPA, and your career choices up until now. But there are other things, like your volunteering efforts, that you can improve over the next several months if you’re willing to get creative. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] to hourly help reviewing your MBA resume. Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]our SBC team[/url]. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/volunteering-boost-your-career-mba-admission/]Volunteering Can Boost Your Career and MBA Admissions Odds[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
13 Mar 2024, 17:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode #201: 12 To Do’s for MBA Admits, Part 1 of 2 |
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If you’re heading to business school this year, congrats! The hard part—pulling together your application materials and interviewing—is definitely over, but there are still some critical decisions you need to make and things you need to do between now and matriculation. We’ll cover the first six of these “to do’s” in this week’s encore episode of B-Schooled, including ensuring your professional network endures, building your new MBA network, and thinking through important job-related moves that could have big consequences. We’ll also discuss what you should do to avoid possible background check issues after you’re admitted. If that’s something that concerns you, be sure to check out SBC’s MBA PreCheck service. Get all of the details in B-Schooled episode #201, which you can listen to here or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify TuneIn Please be sure to subscribe to B-Schooled so that you don’t miss a thing. Also, if there’s something you’d like for us to cover in a future episode, please email podcast@stacyblackman.com. We’d love to hear from you! The post B-Schooled Podcast Episode #201: 12 To Do’s for MBA Admits, Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
14 Mar 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Get to Know the M7 Business Schools and Find Your MBA Match |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/M7-Business-Schools-1-1500x924.png[/img] Embarking on the MBA journey is an exciting yet challenging endeavor. Among the elite M7 business schools—Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Wharton School, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, and MIT Sloan—prospective students often find themselves faced with the daunting task of choosing the best fit for their MBA aspirations. Each institution boasts a distinct personality, catering to different strengths and preferences. In this blog post, we explore the unique characteristics of each of the M7 business schools, helping you navigate the sea of options to find your perfect MBA match. [b]Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]Contact us[/url] to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant.[/b] Harvard Business School [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/HBS-Harvard-Business-School-Baker_library-cropped-734x430.jpg[/img] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/harvard-business-school/]Harvard Business School (HBS)[/url], the oldest M7 member, has built a legacy as the bastion of leadership and general management. HBS is renowned for its Case Method approach, fostering an immersive and experiential learning experience. Despite its intimidating reputation as a top-tier institution, HBS fosters a remarkably collaborative environment. The case method encourages students to discuss, share perspectives, and learn from each other. With a larger class size of around 930 students per year, the community at HBS remains diverse, vibrant, and conducive to building lifelong connections. The school’s culture emphasizes leadership, and its alum network includes some of the world’s most influential business leaders. HBS is ideal for candidates seeking a broad understanding of business fundamentals, strong leadership development, and a vast network of high-profile connections. Harvard Business School boasts one of the lowest admission rates among M7 business schools. With an acceptance rate of around 11%, gaining entry into HBS is highly competitive. The selective admissions process ensures that those who get admitted are part of a distinguished and accomplished cohort. [b]What is HBS looking for in applicants?[/b] “Habit of leadership, analytical aptitude & appetite and engaged community citizenship, are what HBS is looking for in its applicants,” shares Andrea, a former HBS Admissions Officer and HBS MBA on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/HBS-sign-734x490.jpg[/img] Harvard Business School (HBS) is all about bringing together a mix of qualities in its student body. First, they value academic excellence and want candidates who’ve excelled in their undergrad studies and other educational pursuits. Then, there’s the leadership potential aspect, where they’re looking for people who’ve shown they can lead in different areas, like work, school, or extracurricular activities. Making a positive impact and having meaningful work experience are also big deals—they appreciate candidates who’ve made a mark in their communities or workplaces and who’ve spent a few years in the workforce. You’ve got to bring some analytical skills, as seen in your test scores and academic and work achievements. Interpersonal skills are a must, too, because teamwork matters in the business world. HBS also values passion and authenticity—they want applicants who are genuinely passionate about their goals and can lay out a clear plan for the future. [b]HBS by the Numbers[/b] [list] [*]Applications received in 2022-2023: 8,149[/*] [*]Enrolled students to the Class of 2025: 938[/*] [*]45% Woman[/*] [*]39% International[/*] [*]4.9 Years of work experience[/*] [*]Median GMAT: 740[/*] [*]Median GRE (V&Q): 163/163[/*] [*][url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/harvard-university-01110]US News & World Report[/url] 2023-2024 Ranking of the Best Business Schools: 5[/*] [/list] Stanford Graduate School of Business [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Stanford-GSB-Stanford_University_from_Hoover_Tower_January_2013_002-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Renowned for its proximity to Silicon Valley, [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/stanford-graduate-school-of-business/]Stanford Graduate School of Business[/url] stands out as the go-to destination for those who envision themselves as innovators and disruptors in the business world. Stanford GSB thrives on its reputation as an innovation hub, attracting individuals passionate about entrepreneurship. Despite being academically rigorous, Stanford GSB is known for its supportive and collaborative atmosphere. The smaller class size, around 435 students, contributes to a close-knit community where students collaborate on projects and ideas. Stanford GSB’s focus on personal development and sharing experiences creates an environment where students lift each other toward success. Stanford GSB maintains an acceptance rate of approximately 6%. This low admission rate reflects the school’s commitment to assembling a cohort of exceptionally talented individuals passionate about driving change and innovation in the business world. [b]What is the GSB looking for in MBA applicants?[/b] “Stanford seeks outstanding and diverse people who seek a transformative experience at the GSB and in turn, seek to transform lives, organizations and the world — that is, to make a significant impact,” shares a former Stanford GSB Admissions Officer on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Stanford-GSB-Knight_Management_Center-734x488.jpg[/img] Stanford GSB is looking for MBA candidates with a mix of qualities that make them stand out. Intellectual vitality is a primary focus, valuing individuals with curiosity, open minds, and a dedication to personal and professional growth. Leadership potential is crucial, with a preference for candidates who have made notable impacts in their careers through work achievements, entrepreneurial ventures, or organizational contributions. Beyond academic and professional realms, Stanford GSB places significant importance on personal qualities and contributions. They seek candidates with unique perspectives, experiences, and personal attributes to enrich the MBA community. A solid commitment to social impact is highly appreciated, whether demonstrated through volunteerism or a compelling vision for positive change. Teamwork is paramount, and Stanford GSB looks for candidates with a collaborative spirit who can contribute to a supportive learning environment. Given its pivotal role in the business world, effective written and verbal communication is emphasized. Lastly, Stanford GSB values candidates who have engaged in self-reflection, uncovering their motivations and authentic selves. The aim is to create a vibrant community where everyone’s unique contributions unite to make Stanford GSB an enriching place to pursue an MBA. [b]GSB By the Numbers[/b] [list] [*]Applications received in 2022-2023: 6,190[/*] [*]Enrolled students to the Class of 2025: 431[/*] [*]46% Woman[/*] [*]36% International[/*] [*]5 Years of work experience[/*] [*]Average GMAT: 738[/*] [*]Average GRE (V&Q): 164/164[/*] [*][url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/stanford-university-01028]US News & World Report[/url] 2023-2024 Ranking of the Best Business Schools: 6[/*] [/list] University of Pennsylvania Wharton School [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Huntsman_Hall_at_Wharton-734x490.jpg[/img] If finance is your forte, [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/upenn-wharton/]UPenn’s Wharton School[/url]—the oldest business school in the United States—is likely your haven. Known for its strong finance focus, Wharton also has a collaborative atmosphere that might surprise some. Despite its competitive reputation, the school places a high value on teamwork, reflecting the collaborative nature of the business world. The school follows a hybrid teaching model—some classes are case-based, others are lecture-based, and many combine both methods. The Wharton academic program focuses on skills and technical abilities. Even a marketing or strategy class will require “running the numbers,” and most students have strong quantitative backgrounds and abilities. With an admission rate of around 20%, Wharton is committed to building a diverse and collaborative community of future business leaders. Partner with Stacy Blackman’s best-in-class GMAT and GRE experts and increase your score significantly. Check out our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/testprep/]test prep services here[/url]. Request a free game plan chat with SBC’s lead test prep coach by emailing testprep@stacyblackman.com. [b]What is the Wharton School looking for in MBA applicants?[/b] When considering applicants, Wharton emphasizes a unique blend of qualities. Academic excellence holds significant weight, as reflected in strong academic records during undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate studies, along with competitive standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE). Leadership potential is crucial, requiring candidates to demonstrate leadership in various professional, academic, or extracurricular contexts, showcasing their ability to inspire and influence others. “Solid applicants across all dimensions with emphasis on strong performance in GMAT and professional experience is what Wharton seeks in its applicants,” shares Meghan, a former Wharton Admissions Officer on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team. Professional experience is also a crucial factor. Wharton favors candidates who possess a few years of post-undergraduate work experience. The institution values diverse professional backgrounds, recognizing the enriching contributions that individuals with varied career paths can bring to the MBA community. Additionally, given the collaborative nature of the business landscape, Wharton seeks applicants who excel in teamwork and collaboration. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Upenn_-Wharton.png[/img] The AdCom team appreciates applicants who have a global perspective. Therefore, they consider candidates with international experience or exposure to global business issues as assets. Effective written and verbal communication skills are essential in the business realm, so the AdCom evaluates those as well through application essays and interviews. Wharton also values candidates who have positively impacted their workplaces and communities, emphasizing achievements and contributions. Lastly, interpersonal skills, including emotional intelligence and the ability to work effectively with others, are qualities Wharton looks for in successful candidates. [b]Wharton by the Numbers[/b] [list] [*]Applications received in 2022-2023: 6,194[/*] [*]Enrolled students to the Class of 2025: 874[/*] [*]50% Woman[/*] [*]31% International[/*] [*]5 Years of work experience[/*] [*]Average GMAT: 728[/*] [*]Average GRE (V&Q): 162/162[/*] [*][url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/university-of-pennsylvania-01194]US News & World Report[/url] 2023-2024 Ranking of the Best Business Schools: 3[/*] [/list] University of Chicago Booth School of Business [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Chicago-Booth-supplied-by-school-1-734x490.jpg[/img] The [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/chicago-booth/]Chicago Booth School of Business[/url] prides itself on its analytical approach to business challenges. With a flexible curriculum that allows students to tailor their MBA experience, Booth is perfect for analytical thinkers who enjoy digging into data and solving complex problems. The school’s strengths lie in finance, entrepreneurship, and economics. One of Chicago Booth’s significant interests is diversity, and ideally, students will graduate having learned much about foreign business and social cultures. Chicago is an active and engaged community, reflected in its alumni network of 40,000 graduates from over 90 international countries. Booth prefers to expand the boundaries of the typical business school curriculum. Unlike most schools, there is no strict core class requirement. Students can choose the classes they want to take, when, and at which level to take them. That means Booth students can skip taking classes they don’t want. Instead, students work closely with guidance counselors and career coaches to select the classes that best complement their interests. Only one course is required over their two years. This flexibility also allows students to get more from the business school experience and investment. Chicago Booth maintains an admission rate of approximately 23%. The school’s flexibility in curriculum design attracts candidates with diverse backgrounds and interests, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic learning environment. Chicago Booth may be your ideal fit if you thrive in an intellectually challenging environment and appreciate the freedom to customize your academic journey. [b]What is Chicago Booth looking for in MBA applicants?[/b] According to the former Booth AdCom members on the Stacy Blackman team, Booth looks for applicants who demonstrate alignment with its discipline-based approach and’ pay-it-forward’ mentality. It seeks students who will be involved in the institution’s growth and value a wide array of viewpoints. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Chicago-Booth-Hyde-Park-sent-from-Booth-734x489.jpg[/img] Successful Chicago Booth MBA applicants have intellectual curiosity, strong analytical skills, and leadership potential. The school values candidates with diverse professional backgrounds, a collaborative mindset, and top-notch communication skills. Booth appreciates individuals with a few years of post-undergraduate work experience, a global perspective, and a fit with the school’s unique culture characterized by intellectual rigor and collaboration. The admissions process is holistic, considering each applicant’s overall profile and alignment with Booth’s values. Successful candidates demonstrate a commitment to positively impacting the business world and contributing to the vibrant Booth community. [b]Booth by the Numbers[/b] [list] [*]Applications received in 2022-2023: 4,184[/*] [*]Enrolled students to the Class of 2025: 637[/*] [*]42% Woman[/*] [*]36% International[/*] [*]5 Years of work experience[/*] [*]Median GMAT: 730[/*] [*]Average GRE (V&Q): 162/163[/*] [*][url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/university-of-chicago-01073]US News & World Report[/url] 2023-2024 Ranking of the Best Business Schools: 1[/*] [/list] Columbia Business School [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/03-columbia-business-school-iwan-baan-1597-neighbors.jpeg[/img] Nestled in the heart of Manhattan, [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/columbia-business-school/]Columbia Business School (CBS)[/url] reflects the energy and pace of the business world in New York City. While Columbia’s academics are certainly on par with other top-tier schools, its status as the only Ivy League business school based in Manhattan draws the most accolades from graduates. Columbia is known for its strong ties to the finance and consulting industries. It is the place to be if you’re seeking a fast-paced, dynamic environment and aspire to make it big in the world’s financial capital. The school’s emphasis on real-world application and its diverse student body contribute to a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. Graduates from the program have well-rounded interests, international connections, and a solid network of alumni willing to help them explore all their options. One unique thing is that CBS offers an accelerated 16-month January entry option or J-term. Each year, about 200 students enter that term. They take the same classes, participate in the same clubs, and receive the same degree as those entering in August. CBS has an admission rate of around 18%. The school’s competitive nature aligns with its location’s fast-paced environment, attracting ambitious individuals who aspire to succeed in the heart of the business world. [b]What does Columbia Business School look for in MBA Applicants?[/b] CBS is looking for MBA candidates who will truly stand out. They’re seeking individuals committed to excelling academically, displaying strong leadership qualities, and making a substantial impact in the business realm. “With Columbia, it really is a holistic approach, but the fit is very important,” shares a former CBS Admissions Officer on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team. “Top Columbia focus points for application include involvement outside of work/classroom and leadership or potential for leadership. They want to be certain that you’re going to fit into its tight-knit community and super involved student life. Logical and attainable career goals are important as well.” [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Columbia-Business-School-quad.jpg[/img] Even though each applicant brings their unique strengths to the table, CBS has a few key traits they value. First and foremost, they prioritize academic excellence. Demonstrate your exceptional performance in undergrad and showcase impressive GMAT or GRE scores. Leadership skills hold significant weight as well. Whether you’ve led in the workplace, in academic settings, or through extracurriculars, CBS wants to see how you’ve inspired and guided others. Columbia values a diverse range of professional backgrounds, as that variety contributes to the richness of the MBA community. Being a team player is also essential in the business landscape, and CBS highly values candidates who can collaborate effectively. Additionally, CBS highly regards community contributions, emphasizing a candidate’s commitment to making positive impacts professionally and societally. AdCom also wants to ensure applicants have well-defined career goals and demonstrate a strategic vision for their post-MBA trajectory. [b]Columbia Business School by the Numbers[/b] [list] [*]Applications received in 2022-2023: 5,895[/*] [*]Enrolled students to the Class of 2025: 900[/*] [*]44% Woman[/*] [*]47% International[/*] [*]5 Years of work experience (average)[/*] [*]Average GMAT: 730[/*] [*][url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/columbia-university-01148]US News & World Report[/url] 2023-2024 Ranking of the Best Business Schools: 11[/*] [/list] Kellogg School of Management [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Kellogg2019-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Northwestern University’s [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/northwestern-kellogg/]Kellogg School of Management[/url] stands out for its collaborative culture. The school strongly emphasizes teamwork and interpersonal skills, making it an excellent choice for individuals who thrive in a supportive community. While the class is comprised of driven, high achievers, and the environment can be intense, it is not cutthroat-competitive. Kellogg’s unique culture is partially a result of its policy of interviewing all applicants, which emphasizes the personal aspect of the application more than almost any other school. The admission rate at Kellogg is around 26%. People often incorrectly peg Kellogg solely as a marketing program. While it has a stellar marketing curriculum, it is a well-rounded MBA program with fantastic resources in all major (and minor) business subjects. The goal is to provide students with the tools to become effective managers and business leaders. Kellogg’s focus on experiential learning and diverse student body foster an environment where collaboration is ingrained in the school’s DNA. If you value teamwork, interpersonal skills, and a close-knit community, Kellogg School might be your perfect match. [b]What does Kellogg look for in MBA applicants?[/b] Like other leading business schools, the Kellogg School of Management seeks diverse and accomplished MBA applicants. “The admissions team reviews applicants holistically,” explains [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/kellogg-mba-program-inside-scoop/]SBC consultant Beth[/url], the former director of full-time admissions for Kellogg. “They’re going to look at your resume to see your career progression. Have you gotten a couple of promotions? Are you on track or ahead of your peers in terms of advancement? They are going to consider your career goals and your career focus. Do you have an idea in mind of where you’re headed?” [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Kellogg-Global-Hub-2-1-734x490.jpg[/img] Kellogg typically considers specific factors when evaluating applicants. Academic excellence is crucial, as demonstrated by a competitive GPA and proficiency in quant coursework in undergrad. The AdCom also wants to see strong GMAT or GRE scores to confirm applicants’ analytical abilities. While there’s no hard work requirement in years, Kellogg values diverse professional backgrounds. Leadership potential and positive impact are highly regarded in professional or personal pursuits. Teamwork and collaboration are also critical, reflecting Kellogg’s commitment to a collaborative learning environment. Finally, the admissions team looks to assemble a diverse class so applicants who can contribute unique perspectives in the classroom have a leg up in admissions. [b]Kellogg School of Management by the Numbers[/b] [list] [*]Applications received in 2022-2023: 4,187[/*] [*]Enrolled students to the Class of 2025: 529[/*] [*]48% Woman[/*] [*]39% International[/*] [*]5 Years of work experience (average)[/*] [*]Average GMAT: 731[/*] [*]Average GRE (Verbal & Quant): 163/163[/*] [*][url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/northwestern-university-01071]US News & World Report[/url] 2023-2024 Ranking of the Best Business Schools: 2[/*] [/list] MIT Sloan School of Management [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/1280px-MITSloan_E62-734x489.jpg[/img] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/mit-sloan/]MIT Sloan School of Management[/url] is where business meets technology and innovation. With a curriculum that seamlessly integrates business and technology, Sloan is the go-to place for aspiring tech industry leaders. The school’s emphasis on analytics, entrepreneurship, and technology management attracts individuals passionate about leveraging technology for business success. MIT Sloan has a competitive admission rate of around 14%. The admissions process’s competitive yet collaborative nature aligns with the school’s focus on innovation and technology management. With a medium-sized class of around 486 students, Sloan fosters a dynamic and interactive MBA community. If you see yourself at the intersection of business and technology, MIT Sloan offers an unparalleled playground for your aspirations. [b]What does MIT Sloan seek in MBA Applicants?[/b] MIT Sloan seeks applicants who can navigate problems of progressive complexity and adapt to ambiguous situations. They also value independence of thought, humility, and consideration for others. MIT Sloan looks for the exceptional in academic, professional, and civic arenas and good citizens with great attitudes. “I always sensed a special something, a spark, in the candidates I recommended for admission that set them apart: it’s a sense of self not everyone has,” says a former MIT Sloan AdCom officer now on the Stacy Blackman team. MIT Sloan School MBA candidates should be committed to academic excellence, demonstrated through robust grades and strong GMAT or GRE scores. A collaborative attitude is paramount. MIT Sloan values individuals who can seamlessly integrate into team dynamics, prioritizing collective success over individual achievements. The capacity to function adeptly within a group setting is as vital as any individual achievement. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/MIT_Main_Campus_Aerial-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Innovation is also a critical pillar in the evaluation process. Beyond technical competence, candidates should demonstrate creative thinking and a capacity to develop groundbreaking ideas. MIT Sloan seeks individuals who transcend conventional boundaries and contribute to pioneering developments in their respective fields. Finally, the MIT Sloan AdCom wants to see a compelling demonstration of passion and an unwavering dedication to their professional trajectory. [b]MIT Sloan School of Management by the Numbers[/b] [list] [*]Applications received in 2022-2023: 5,349[/*] [*]Enrolled students to the Class of 2025: 409[/*] [*]46% Woman[/*] [*]40% International[/*] [*]5 Years of work experience (average)[/*] [*]Median GMAT: 730[/*] [*][url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-01111]US News & World Report[/url] 2023-2024 Ranking of the Best Business Schools: 4[/*] [/list] So, which of the M7 business schools is the right fit for you? Each institution has a unique personality and strengths in the vast landscape of M7 business schools. Whether you thrive in collaborative environments, value close-knit communities, or seek a dynamic and competitive atmosphere, understanding the culture of each school is crucial. By aligning your goals, values, and aspirations with the strengths of a particular school, you can find the perfect match that will not only nurture your academic and professional growth but also provide an unforgettable MBA experience. So, take the time to explore these distinctive personalities, envision your future, and decide which of the M7 business schools resonate with your unique ambitions. Your journey to business leadership starts with choosing the right path—make it a rewarding one! *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] to test prep to hourly help with targeted tasks. Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]our SBC team[/url]. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/m7-business-schools/]Get to Know the M7 Business Schools and Find Your MBA Match[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
20 Mar 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode #202: 12 To Do’s for MBA Admits, Part 2 of 2 |
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This week on B-Schooled, we wrap up the encore of our two-episode series covering 12 important things that new MBA admits should take care of as soon as possible before they head to campus. We’ll cover the final six to-dos in this week’s episode, including budgeting for your MBA, planning to relocate, and figuring out how to best spend your time between now and matriculation (when you aren’t attending to all of the other to-dos!). And it’s worth mentioning again that in Part 1 of this series that aired last week, we covered how you can head off possible issues with your background check after you’re admitted. If that’s something that concerns you, be sure to check out SBC’s MBA PreCheck service. Get all of the details in B-Schooled episode #202, which you can listen to here or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify TuneIn Please be sure to subscribe to B-Schooled so that you don’t miss a thing. Also, if there’s something you’d like for us to cover in a future episode, please email podcast@stacyblackman.com. We’d love to hear from you! The post B-Schooled Podcast Episode #202: 12 To Do’s for MBA Admits, Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
21 Mar 2024, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: It’s Not Too Late to Improve Your B-School Candidacy |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/checklist-2077018_1280-734x534.jpg[/img] Are you planning on applying to MBA programs in the upcoming admissions season? You may think there is nothing you can do to bolster your B-school candidacy in this short amount of time. Not true! You can take action in several areas right now that will pay dividends in the fall. [b]Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]Contact us[/url] to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant.[/b] Academic Enhancement Once you have a test score, see how it compares to the average listed on each school’s class profile page. If you took the GMAT once or twice and didn’t get the score you wanted, consider a prep course for a refresh on solving those high school math logic problems. Liberal arts majors or those with a GPA below 3.2 should also consider alternative ways to enhance their academic profile. Retake the GMAT or GRE until you’re satisfied, or prove you have the quantitative chops by taking a college-level statistics, microeconomics, or calculus course at the local community college. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/math-study.jpg[/img] “Most students take the GRE or GMAT test two or three times—and that’s fine,” says [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony-test-prep/]Anthony Ritz[/url], SBC’s Director of Test Prep. “Schools will take your highest score, and you can even [url=https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/scores#:~:text=After%20the%20exam%2C%20you'll,the%20completion%20of%20your%20exam.]cancel a bad GMAT score[/url] without a trace if you want total reassurance that it won’t count against you.” Fortunately, most MBA admissions teams take a holistic view of an individual’s candidacy. That means enthusiastic recommendation letters that also address the applicant’s quantitative skills will carry significant weight with the committee. [b]Partner with Stacy Blackman’s best-in-class GMAT and GRE experts and increase your score significantly. Check out our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/testprep/]test prep services here[/url]. Request a free game plan chat with SBC’s lead test prep coach by emailing testprep@stacyblackman.com.[/b] Extracurricular Involvement A strong focus on work is great. However, it is important to showcase other personality traits and prove that you bring diverse skills to an MBA program. Community involvement demonstrates that you have a larger view of the world, see what’s happening outside of your office, and want to contribute in some way. Perhaps you didn’t have time or energy for outside interests and passions due to your 80-hour pre-MBA work week. Nonetheless, you should find ways to increase your community engagement in the coming months. Note that this isn’t about gaming the process with some new-found volunteering involvement. Listen to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-104-the-importance-of-extracurriculars-and-community-service/]B-Schooled Podcast Episode #104[/url]: The Importance of Extracurriculars and Community Service The best way to seamlessly incorporate extracurriculars is to think about longstanding passions and interests and build upon them. If you’ve volunteered for a group before, see what else you can do to help that’s more high profile. You could also see if there are any open leadership roles that would be a good fit. Don’t focus exclusively on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/volunteering-boost-your-career-mba-admission/]traditional volunteer work[/url], though. There are many ways to show your diversity that can boost your B-school candidacy. So, think hard about what excites you and how you can leverage those interests for the greater good. [b]Don’t miss [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/evaluating-your-mba-candidacy/]Evaluating Your MBA Candidacy from the AdCom’s Perspective[/url][/b] Leadership Development Business schools want to see applicants with proven leadership skills that will develop further through an MBA program. A promotion between now and the fall would be the ideal scenario. But you don’t have to wait for your supervisor to enhance your overall leadership potential for business school applications. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-miguel-a-padrinan-194094-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Letting others at work know you want to develop your people skills may uncover more opportunities to go above and beyond and provide great material for your resume and essays. [list] [*]Volunteer for that cross-functional team or project,[/*] [*]Offer to help your boss with a tough long-term goal or[/*] [*]Get involved with employee groups at work, whether through volunteering in the community or promoting diversity in your company.[/*] [/list] To show leadership without clear career progression, look to your extracurricular activities and think about taking on a leadership role. Can you find a way to lead with ideas and show success because of your influence, communication skills, or ability to motivate people? This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you can run a project and motivate a team. The spring and summer months can be very fruitful for personal development and for improving and strengthening your B-school candidacy. With a little advanced planning and a commitment of just a few hours a week, applicants can greatly enhance their profile before the final rush of the fall and winter. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] to test prep to hourly help with targeted tasks. Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/its-not-too-late-to-improve-your-b-school-candidacy/]It’s Not Too Late to Improve Your B-School Candidacy[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
25 Mar 2024, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: MBA Timeline: Key Target Dates for MBA Applicants |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/MBA-APPLICATION-JOURNEY-734x413.png[/img] [list] Spring and summer of your application season is for research, test-taking, and application strategy and development[/*] September and October—Round 1 deadlines [/*] Early January—Round 2 deadlines[/*] Late March/early April—Round 3 deadlines. Spring deadlines are ideal for [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/deferred-mba-admissions/]deferred MBA admissions for college seniors[/url] and part-time and EMBA programs. [/*] [/list] Are you planning to apply to business school in the fall? Once you’ve decided to pursue an MBA, your work is cut out for you. MBA applicants must fit studying for the GMAT or GRE and developing essays with other personal and professional commitments. That’s where an MBA timeline comes into play. Having a game plan for completing the admissions components within a schedule means you won’t deal with undue stress and sleepless nights. The best way to do this is to put together your MBA application timeline months before your target deadlines. Are you curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] with an SBC Principal Consultant. MBA Timeline: Getting Started Early spring of your MBA application season is when we recommend starting the research on schools, [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/school-culture/]finding the right fit[/url], estimating admit odds, checking application requirements, and learning what each program has to offer. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5198239-734x489.jpg[/img] “Attend as many admissions sessions and events as you can to get to know the program better and hear from the MBA admissions team, who may provide updates on their requirements given current times,” advises [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/sherry/]Stacy Blackman consultant Sherry[/url], who has been with SBC for more than a decade after a tenure at Duke Fuqua Admissions. “Talk to current students and/or recent alumni to become more familiar with the program. Hear their stories, and discuss your short and long-term goals to determine if they are realistic based on their knowledge of the program,” she adds. Spring is also the time to check the average reported statistics online to calibrate and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/b-schooled-episode-6-strengthening-quantitative-profile/]bolster your academic record[/url]. But know there’s always a range with respect to test scores and GPA for every MBA program. Listen to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-108-strengthening-your-quantitative-profile/]B-Schooled Podcast #108[/url]: Strengthening Your Quant Profile How Much Time for Test Prep? MBA hopefuls often ask how far in advance before applying should they take the GRE or GMAT. Also, how much time should they spend on test prep? Our clients usually need 3-4 months for test preparation, depending on how much time they have to study if they’re still working. Test scores are one variable that allows us to rank potential MBA programs into [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/why-your-mba-short-list-should-include-dream-target-and-maybe-safety-schools/]reach versus reasonable categories[/url]. So, we prefer to have several diagnostic test scores or even the actual test score—ideally not later than two months before the application deadlines. Get the test done early to optimize your efforts and to decide whether to engage an MBA admissions consultant. In an ideal world, separating your test prep from your essays/applications work allows you to focus fully on each and helps minimize the stress of trying to do everything simultaneously as deadlines loom. Test scores are good for up to five years. When thinking about your MBA timeline, the earlier you start studying and secure a satisfactory score, the better. Keep in mind that there often is some overlap between studying and working on applications. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-pixabay-301920-734x489.jpg[/img] “Depending upon your goals, I usually advise taking 3-4 months to prepare for the GMAT or the GRE ([url=https://www.gmac.com/executive-assessment/about/why-take-the-executive-assessment]EA preparation[/url] can often be done in less time). Studying a bit each night throughout the week will help you to retain your learnings,” [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony-test-prep/]SBC’s Director of Test Prep Anthony Ritz[/url] notes. The weekends are a great time for practice tests or more intensive studying. Candidates shooting for top scores usually study around 100-150 hours. “But remember, quality is better than quantity. Work to understand each problem and why you got it right or wrong,” he adds. “The goal is to study productively—not just to do a lot of practice problems!” Don’t miss [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/new-gmat-focus-and-shorter-gre/]The New GMAT Focus and Shorter GRE: What to Expect[/url] What to Know About the Different Application Rounds By now, you know that business schools have two or more application deadlines, or rounds, by which candidates need to submit their application materials. So, does that mean there’s an optimal time to apply? Round 1 takes place in the fall, either September or October, whereas Round 2 takes place in early January. Round 3, meanwhile, hits in March or April. Some schools have slight differences, such as Early Action deadlines. For top US full-time MBA programs, we [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/these-applicants-should-apply-round-1/]almost always encourage candidates[/url] to apply in rounds 1 or 2. That’s because there are simply fewer spots open in round 3. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Timing-is-Everything-734x413.png[/img] That said, round 3 is perfectly acceptable for some MBA program types. This includes part-time and EMBA programs, EU-based programs, as well as some lower-ranked full-time, two-year US MBA programs. College seniors applying for [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/top-deferred-mba-programs-mba-without-work-experience/]deferred MBA admissions[/url] programs are almost always aiming for spring deadlines (late March and early April). How to Submit a Quality Application On Time To achieve this goal, frontloading tasks is a key tool of a successful MBA timeline. Our best admit outcomes are from clients who have plenty of lead time before MBA deadlines to assemble thoughtful and high-quality application materials. We need a minimum of four weeks prior to deadlines. But it’s ideal to have 2-6 months of lead time before application deadlines. Most of our clients begin work with us on an average of 4-5 months prior to the deadlines. One of our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hbs-2-2-deferred-mba-get-accepted/]HBS admit clients[/url] emphasized that the application process is a journey. “One thing that helped give me an extra boost of confidence to apply was telling myself that even just the application process itself was a tremendous growth opportunity—a chance to reflect and figure out my future goals,” she said. “And it truly was a fantastic experience. I feel like a more self-aware person now than before I applied.” *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs. From our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] to test and interview prep, essay editing, resume review, and much more, we’ve got you covered! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/mba-timeline-key-target-dates-for-mba-applicants/]MBA Timeline: Key Target Dates for MBA Applicants[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
28 Mar 2024, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: The Big Question: Which Business Schools to Target? |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/ricardo-arce-cY_TCKr5bek-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Spring is all about transformation and new beginnings. And in our corner of the universe, that means it’s time for a fresh crop of MBA aspirants to evaluate their B-school options. Deciding which business schools to target is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make during the MBA application process. It’s also a time when would-be applicants often make one of two common mistakes, which we explored in-depth on an episode of [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-171-school-strengths-and-selection/]the B-Schooled podcast[/url]. The first is taking themselves out of the running for a particular school because they assume they can’t get in. Every year, we see excellent candidates self-select out of applying to some of the top programs. Getting into a highly-ranked business school is indeed challenging. And yes, literally thousands of qualified applicants are turned down each year. But if you don’t even give yourself a chance, you may always wonder, “What if…?” Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]Contact us[/url] to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. Whenever clients waver about whether to apply to a program that is admittedly a stretch for them, we ask them to consider the following scenario: Imagine you get admitted to all the lower-tier schools you apply to. If that happens, will you regret not having swung for the fences? Or will you be happy with your options? The answer may vary from person to person, but we hope applicants think carefully and don’t discount programs from the get-go. Sure, there are thousands of people vying for those coveted spots. Yet, there isn’t anyone else exactly like you. Why would you want to make it easier for somebody else to get in by taking yourself out of the mix? You deserve a shot, just like everybody else. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/fab-lentz-mRMQwK513hY-unsplash-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] [b]The Over-Confident May Face a Cold, Hard Truth[/b] The second common mistake MBA aspirants make when deciding which business schools to target is the opposite situation. These folks only apply to the hardest B-schools in the world. They assume that because they have excellent grades or a stellar GMAT score, they’re a slam dunk for admission. So, they put all their eggs in a risky basket. Naturally, they feel shocked and devastated when they get dinged by all of them and regret that they hadn’t cast a wider net. When we see applicants heading in this direction, we urge them to ask themselves whether getting the MBA degree itself is most important or if they only want an MBA from a certain school. If they would be at peace if they never earned an MBA because they didn’t get into Wharton, Harvard, or Stanford, then they can move forward and focus all their efforts on their shortlist of dream schools. Thinking Through Selectivity Rates If you’ve decided that getting an MBA degree is paramount, consider five or six schools with a range of selectivity rates. Also, consider spreading your efforts across rounds one and two. Selectivity rates mean the percentage of people admitted out of everyone who applies. Everyone assumes Harvard and Stanford have low selectivity rates, which is correct. However, many people are surprised to learn that Berkeley Haas, Columbia, and MIT Sloan round out the top five [url=https://poetsandquants.com/2023/09/01/has-the-window-reopened-acceptance-rates-yield-more-at-the-top-50-u-s-mba-programs/]most selective business schools[/url] in the US. That’s because selectivity is based on how many people apply to a particular school and how many students make up the average graduating class. Those schools have a smaller class size than others that rank higher overall. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/ante-hamersmit-U3AKT6ryvic-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] So, keep an open mind when it comes to which business schools to target. Don’t count yourself out of the running for any program, and don’t focus so tightly on just a few programs that you’re blind to schools that might be a great fit both program and culture-wise. Deciding Which Business Schools to Target As you create your list of potential schools, first consider what you’re looking for academically from an MBA to achieve your longer-term career aspirations. Ensure your target programs have electives in that functional area or industry-specific electives that serve your future needs. And remember the geographic component, too. Many companies hire from schools in their backyard, and it’s easier to network if you can meet for coffee or lunch on a Tuesday without getting on a plane. For example, suppose you want to work in the Latin American office of a commercial bank in Miami, and you’re applying to the Foster School at the University of Washington. In that case, the admissions committee might be confused. In this scenario, the AdCom would question your readiness for an MBA since your career goal and school choice don’t match. Second, the program must have ties to the industry you want to work in after graduation. That might include target companies that hire interns or graduates from their program. Perhaps it also includes alums and faculty research connected to your desired industry. We’re not saying you can’t secure an opportunity in Northern California if you attend school in New York. However, networking is critical to your career search, and geographic proximity should be a consideration when choosing which business schools to target. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/ioann-mark-kuznietsov-gtCWBwbZNpM-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] What Type of MBA Experience Do You Seek? Next, take time to think about what you envision your MBA experience to be like. What activities, extracurriculars, and clubs will you get involved in? Do you want to have global opportunities or a chance to have an external consulting opportunity? Does it matter if you’re in an urban or more of a rural environment? Then, make a list of your MBA criteria with all these attributes—plus the academic, industry, alumni connections, and geographic considerations. Afterward, you can rank that list based on what’s most important to you. You might be willing to compromise in some aspect to get more of something that might be higher on your priority list. For the fourth consideration, you must assess your candidacy objectively and realistically. You may have potential issues—or red flags—such as: [list] [*]A low GPA[/*] [*]Low GMAT or GRE score[/*] [*]Employment gaps[/*] [*]Little to no extracurricular involvement[/*] [*]Plans for a significant career pivot[/*] [/list] If so, you’ll need a mitigation strategy for any question mark in your profile. For instance, if you want to be a brand manager at P&G, you want to target more than just schools with strong ties to the CPG industry and good marketing programs. You’ll also want to find programs that are more flexible on potential issues or might be open to applicants looking to make significant career changes. Finally, don’t worry about any website or magazine rankings—instead, think about what you want to get out of your time at B-school. Doing all of this will help you narrow your list of a dozen schools to a more manageable six to eight. Have this research on hand to help later if you’re in the lucky position of choosing among multiple admission offers. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/path-4610699_1920-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Which Schools Have Strengths in Which Areas? All top MBA programs teach you how to be an excellent general manager, and you really can’t go wrong, no matter which one you choose. However, certain schools have a reputation for their strength in specific areas. For the sake of argument, here are some general thoughts on which programs excel in certain arenas. [list] [*][b]Investment banking[/b]: Wharton, Columbia, NYU Stern, Cornell, Chicago Booth[/*] [*][b]CPG brand management[/b]: Kellogg, IU Kelley, Duke Fuqua, Dartmouth Tuck, Columbia[/*] [*][b]Luxury brand management[/b]: NYU Stern, London Business School, Columbia, HEC Paris, INSEAD[/*] [*][b]HR management/organizational behavior[/b]: Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, Michigan Ross, Vanderbilt Owen, Cornell[/*] [*][b]Energy[/b]: Rice, Texas A&M, UT McCombs, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Duke Fuqua, UC Berkeley Haas[/*] [*][b]Entrepreneurship[/b]: Babson, Stanford, MIT Sloan, HBS, Berkeley Haas, Washington University St. Louis [/*] [*][b]Healthcare management[/b]: Vanderbilt, Cornell, UNC, UVA Darden, Rice, Michigan Ross, Emory[/*] [*][b]Nonprofit[/b]:[b] [/b]Yale SOM, HBS, Stanford, Georgetown McDonough[/*] [*][b]Operations[/b]: MIT Sloan, CMU Tepper, Michigan Ross, Texas A&M, Purdue[/*] [/list] But please take this list with a hefty grain of salt when deciding which business schools to target. No school likes being pigeonholed in a single field when they shine in many areas. When talking about some of the top programs, you will get an outstanding education and a robust and fantastic network at any of them. So, unless you’re in a niche field, those “softer” issues like location, culture, and overall fit should be what you focus on when deciding. Ultimately, we can’t overemphasize the importance of being yourself in your application. That’s the best way to find the school that is right for you. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not uncommon to be admitted into a more highly-ranked program and denied by a seemingly less competitive one. That’s because the MBA admissions process is not only about numbers—it’s about numbers, experiences, personalities, and fit. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] to hourly help reviewing your MBA resume. Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/which-business-schools-to-target/]The Big Question: Which Business Schools to Target?[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
29 Mar 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Admissions Advice for MBA Applicants with Disabilities |
|
[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/disability-pexels-tara-winstead-8378740-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Assembling a diverse MBA class is a top priority for most business school admissions officers. In addition to gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and socio-economic considerations, MBA applicants with disabilities are also warmly welcomed. For more on this topic, we’re tapping the wisdom of [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kevin/]SBC consultant Kevin[/url], a Chicago Booth MBA and senior principal at Guild Education. Kevin is a leader in the disability movement, writing, speaking, and advising for disability-related organizations, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity. Embracing one’s disability in an MBA application goes beyond mere disclosure; it is an affirmation of identity, a testament to resilience, and a declaration of one’s intention to [url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-mba-admissions-strategic-value-disability-kevin-rockmael-90yac/]leverage their experiences for greater societal benefit[/url], Kevin says. This issue is critical, as a [url=https://accesstosuccess.ca/report/]global survey[/url] of 184 current, former, and prospective MBA students with disabilities from Access to Success showed widespread barriers across the MBA experience—from application to graduation. Kevin originally shared the following information on MBA applicants with disabilities on the [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-111-advice-for-mba-applicants-with-disabilities/]B-Schooled[/url] podcast. Today, we’re sharing the highlights of his conversation with host Erika. This Q&A has been edited and condensed for clarity. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/world-population-disability-numbers-1080x1000.png[/img] Are there any statistics on how many MBA applicants with disabilities are admitted to business schools? [b]Kevin:[/b] It’s a very much an understudied area. About 10 to 20% of all applicants and MBA students likely have some disability. Nationally speaking, about one out of every three or four adults have a disability. There is some data on college students. About 20% of college students report having a disability, and the most common are learning disabilities and some sort of attentional issues such as ADD and ADHD. And then mental illness or psychiatric conditions would be the third main area. Unfortunately, it’s an understudied area. Some researchers are trying to find information about MBA candidates and students, but we’re still a few years off from really understanding that data well. What are your chances of getting into a top business school? Contact us to talk strategy with a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] with an SBC Principal Consultant. What do such candidates need to consider when applying for their MBA? [b]Kevin:[/b] Every MBA candidate, regardless of background, should consider why they want an MBA and what they hope to get out of it. Is it for the network? Do you want to switch careers? Are you trying to build leadership and strategy skills? But if you do have a disability, there are a couple of other things that I would think about. One is: does your disability connect with your long-term goals? How do you want to consider your disability in relation to your long-term work goals and your life going forward? That’s a critical question that those with disabilities need to consider. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/kevin.jpg[/img] SBC consultant Kevin Another thing they want to evaluate is the community or the program itself. Every school will have some sort of disability support services, but some schools are better than others. For example, Cornell has an exceptional neurodiversity club, which might be interesting. A neurodiverse MBA student at Michigan Ross launched a new club, [url=https://michiganross.umich.edu/graduate/full-time-mba/admissions/admissions-blog/2024/02/21/supporting-prospective-and-current]Business Leaders for Diverse Abilities at Ross[/url], in 2022. The club’s mission is to make Ross a leader in disability inclusion, admission, and recruiting for top MBA programs. Another thing to look at is the community in general. Some communities really support the disability movement—for example, UC Berkeley. Most people believe the movement really started in Berkeley. But other very progressive cities and communities, such as Los Angeles, northern California, New York, and Chicago, typically have strong disability movements. So, to summarize, I would think first about why you want your MBA. Do your long-term goals connect with your disability? Does the school have a good disability program, and does the community have disability support? Should candidates discuss their disability in their MBA application materials? [b]Kevin: [/b]You don’t need to disclose if you have a disability; it’s up to the person and what’s best for them. However, if you’re asking for any accommodation, then you will need to mention it to get that accommodation. I decided to disclose my disability in my application process and during my interview. In my case, it connected with my long-term goal, which, as a neurodiverse individual, was uncovering how companies could better manage and support those with disabilities. I wanted to get companies to consider the disability community as part of the broader community, and one that can add creative thinking and diversity in ways that they hadn’t fully considered before. Asking for accommodations and disclosing my disability was the right thing for me. But of course, you don’t need to disclose anything—it’s up to the individual. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/disclosing-disabilities-1080x1000.png[/img] Are there situations where applicants benefit from disclosing a disability? [b]Kevin:[/b] The “should” is more of a strategic consideration. If the disability has significantly impacted your life and you identify as disabled, then my recommendation is to disclose it. I’ll give a few examples of how it can play into your story. I worked with one successful applicant who had a long-term illness and disability throughout high school and college. She found hospitals incredibly depressing, not customer-friendly, and almost a hostile environment at times. She expressed her goal in the admissions process to take that personal experience and reinvent hospitals so they were more customer/patient first. So, that became her story because it made sense for her. She experienced it, built a story around it, and now is building a career around it. Another candidate I worked with had mental health obstacles as a child. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get the support they needed until adulthood. Their goal in the essays and interviews was to find scalable ways to support children and adults in getting the therapy they needed by leveraging technology. Again, that was a case where they used their own story to illustrate clear career goals. This person was particularly brave in talking about their mental health challenges. I encouraged them to do so because it was critical to their story and was really a differentiator, which we know is vital in the application process. To reiterate, if your disability is part of your story and relates to your career goals, you should include it. For some people, their disability is a core part of their identity and how they see their career going forward. And for others, it’s not. If so, I would include it in your story and application process. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/disclosing-or-not-disabilities-1080x1000.png[/img] Is there any difference in your interview advice for MBA applicants with disabilities? [b]Kevin:[/b] According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, you have a right to accommodations with any university. All things being equal, I recommend talking about your disability in the interview and leaning into it, especially if it’s something obvious or that you identify with. If it’s a physical disability, the interviewer will see it and likely create their own narrative about it. This is a chance to shape the narrative to your advantage, whatever that narrative might be in your story. Also, when you do talk about your disability in the interview, you’re demonstrating a willingness to discuss it with the admissions committee. They also see that you’re more likely to engage your classmates, educate them, and talk about disabilities in a comfortable way. Part of business school is meeting people who are different from you, with different backgrounds, origins, ethnicities, and religions. Some are able-bodied, and some have disabilities. Business schools typically encourage those with disabilities to take a proactive approach in the university setting. Demonstrating this early in the interview process can help the application process go more smoothly and to your advantage. If an applicant with a disability is admitted, what accommodations could they expect at any MBA program? [b]Kevin[/b]: Most high schoolers with disabilities receive accommodations through the [url=https://sites.ed.gov/idea/]Individuals with Disabilities Education Act[/url], or IDEA. So roughly 90-plus percent of students with disabilities receive some help. When they move to college, very few students disclose they have a disability and take advantage of the resources at their school. And there are a lot of reasons for that. For one, there’s still some shame attached to it. A lot of people want to get away from the stigma of having a disability. It also can be challenging to access those accommodations, even though dozens and dozens of accommodations are available to students. Note takers are one, extra time is one, or other types of technology that can be leveraged to support those with various disabilities. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Accomodations-for-students-with-disabilities-1080x1000.png[/img] The first step is to meet with a disability center to do an intake. They’ll look at your documentation to confirm that you do have a disability. It will be the student’s responsibility to advocate for themselves. Students will need to work directly with professors to find the right accommodations because every class is different, and every disability is unique. What’s important is to find an agreed-upon solution that meets the student’s needs and is considered reasonable accommodation. There’s little comparable research in MBA programs, but when you look at undergrad, you’ll see that those with disabilities who disclose their disability and get accommodations will see an increase in their GPA anywhere from 0.5 to one whole point. You’ll also see a dramatic increase in graduation rates—sometimes up to three or four times for those who disclose and receive the accommodations early on rather than later in their school system as they progress through the process. What should these applicants do to prepare for the in-class experience? [b]Kevin[/b]: For the most part, professors are used to this, but it doesn’t always work smoothly. Professors differ in their knowledge and willingness to provide accommodations. I’ve had professors request to see specific documentation about my disability. That’s not the process. You work through the disability center, where they document your disability, and then you work with the professor to find the exact accommodation. Most professors are good with this, but some aren’t. Some will say that they think the accommodation is an unfair advantage. For example, some professors believe that the extra time often allotted to those with learning disabilities is an unfair advantage. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/increase-inclusion-disabilities-1080x1000.png[/img] Another obstacle, especially at elite education institutions, is that they have many professors from different countries with different norms. That can be highly challenging. In my experience, international professors, especially those visiting for a short period, might not understand what it means to provide reasonable accommodations per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some countries have more progressive rules, and some have less progressive rules, but every country is different. Dealing with international professors who don’t understand the ADA’s nuances can lead to more challenging conversations. And so, this is where advocacy comes in. Understand the ADA and what a reasonable accommodation is, and work with a disability office to overcome some of the obstacles that you might face. How can students with disabilities make the most of the social, networking, and bonding opportunities that are vital to the MBA experience? [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-elevate-3009800-1500x1000.jpg[/img] [b]Kevin:[/b] The research is clear on the lack of social mobility that those with disabilities face. There are obvious reasons for that. Sometimes, it’s physical limitations. For example, there could be a softball league, and someone has a physical limitation that prevents them from playing. You can understand they couldn’t join that team and share some bonding and fun. I would recommend a few things to MBA students with disabilities. People belong to multiple groups, so I suggest these students find the commonalities they share with others. There’s a lot of overlap between the disabled community and some of the marginalized groups you might find in business school. For example, 20% of all African Americans also identify as being disabled. The same is true for Native Americans. The second thing I recommend is finding affinity groups of like-minded people with similar interests. It’s easy to focus on the differences, but there’s also a lot of overlap. There are dozens, sometimes hundreds, of different clubs in business school. It’s critical to find those clubs and groups where your disability doesn’t prevent you from enjoying those activities and that group bonding. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Student-Life-experience-students-with-disabilities-1080x1000.png[/img] Let’s talk now about the interview process for both internships and postgraduate jobs. What have you learned from the MBA students you’ve worked with? [b]Kevin:[/b] There are a few differing opinions on this. At one extreme, some believe that you should learn the skills you need to work through and adapt to any environment you’re going to be in and not share your disability during an interview. On the other hand, there are those who believe you should be very open from the beginning. That way, you can find the right environment and type of people to support you and get the accommodations you need. Of course, the risk of disclosing is that you may face some levels of discrimination. This is especially true when interviewing with people who may not have exposure to or might not be comfortable with those with various forms of disabilities. So, my advice is that if you need accommodations during the interview process, you should certainly ask for it. There are also some services to consider for MBA graduates, depending on their type of disability. One example is a nonprofit called [url=https://www.integrateadvisors.org/]Integrate[/url] that works specifically with students on the autistic spectrum. They help college graduates and MBA graduates succeed in finding the right employer and being successful as they transition to that work. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/on-campus-recruitment-disabilities-1080x1000.png[/img] [b]Thanks for sharing your insights and advice from your experience working with MBA applicants with disabilities. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to add?[/b] [b]Kevin[/b]: Business schools seek diverse candidates with unique life experiences and viewpoints. If disability has impacted your life, I would think very seriously about how you can use it to tell a story about what sort of career you’re looking for and the impact you’re looking to have in organizations and society. Finally, just be a good advocate for yourself and an ally for others who need it in the disability space, whether that’s in college, graduate school, or employment. Advocate for yourself and help others. Those are the three areas I would focus on for anyone considering business school. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/mba-applicants-with-disabilities/]Admissions Advice for MBA Applicants with Disabilities[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
01 Apr 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Do’s and Don’ts for Reapplying to Business School |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/MBA-application-checklist.png[/img] Many business schools, even the most elite and well-ranked ones, welcome re-applicants. Reapplying shows that you are very serious about your interest in the program, as this UVA Darden [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2024/01/17/all-about-the-application-tips-for-re-applicants/]blog post[/url] affirms. The best way to approach the process when you’re reapplying to business school is to highlight how you have improved your candidacy. Take a closer look at the following aspects of the MBA application package to determine where you should focus your energies to improve your odds next time around. Did you know SBC [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]offers a Ding Analysis[/url] as an a la carte service? Contact us today to learn more. Reapplying to Business School? Decide Which Programs to Target If you received multiple dings in your first application attempt, add new programs next time you’re reapplying to business school. You might have applied to ones that didn’t [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/why-your-mba-short-list-should-include-dream-target-and-maybe-safety-schools/]match up well with your profile[/url]. Make sure your focus is on fit over brand strength, and match your preferred learning style to the school’s instruction style. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-pixabay-277593-734x391.jpg[/img] [b]DO [/b]apply to at least four schools to maximize your chances of success. These programs should represent varying levels of competitiveness. [b]DON’T [/b]apply to too many schools—usually six or more—believing that hedging your bets in this way will guarantee admission somewhere. While that strategy sounds logical, in reality, your efforts will become diluted with each successive application. There just won’t be enough passion there to sway the admissions committee. [b]DO [/b]include your dream school in the mix. It may be a real reach, but go for it anyway, and you’ll have no regrets later. Tweak Letters of Recommendation Unsuccessful applicants sometimes don’t realize that the rejection occurred because their [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/mba-recommendation-letter/]letters of recommendation[/url] came across as weak endorsements at best. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Highly_Recommended-2-734x309.jpg[/img] [b]DO[/b] make sure whomever you ask is willing to write a compelling recommendation. Since it’s not a given that you’ll see the letter once it’s written, it’s perfectly OK to come right out and explicitly ask for what you need. [b]DON’T [/b]choose a recommender for superficial reasons. We’ve seen too many applicants dinged for committing this mistake. Asking the president of a company, an alum of your dream school, or any other bigwig won’t do you any good if they cannot speak intimately and enthusiastically about your many virtues. [b]DO[/b] remind your recommenders to address specific examples of your accomplishments and leadership abilities. They should also discuss your work ethic or team-building skills. Writing a strong endorsement requires some effort, so make it easy for your recommender by providing a list of the accomplishments you want to highlight. Pump Up Your GMAT Business schools always stress that test scores are just one metric of admissions decisions. However, they are important because the admissions committee has to make sure the people they accept can handle the quantitative work. Partner with Stacy Blackman’s best-in-class GMAT and GRE experts and increase your score significantly. Check out our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/testprep/]test prep services here[/url]. Request a free game plan chat with SBC’s lead test prep coach by emailing [email=testprep@stacyblackman.com]testprep@stacyblackman.com[/email]. If your initial scores don’t compare to those of an average student at the schools you’re applying to, you need to make significant gains on your GMAT score in subsequent sittings or have other extremely impressive qualifications when reapplying to business school. “Most students take the GRE or GMAT test two or three times—and that’s fine,” says [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony-test-prep/]Anthony Ritz[/url], SBC’s Director of Test Prep. As discussed in [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/gmat-test-expert-tips-tricks-and-advice/]prior posts[/url], preparing early and adequately for the entrance exam is critical. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/why-cant-I-get-my-GMAT-score-above-700_-734x615.png[/img] [b]DO[/b] allow time to retake the exam. Nerves or lack of preparation might have torpedoed your first effort. The familiarity of taking it a second or even third time will often lead to a higher score. [b]DON’T[/b] wait until the last minute to take your GMAT. Take care of it early in the year before you have to juggle the other aspects of the application. [b]DO[/b] consider alternative preparation methods to see if they yield better results. If you studied on your own last year, see if a formal class or working with a GMAT tutor helps you improve your weak areas more efficiently. [b]DON’T[/b] cancel a score when the option appears upon completing the test, even if you’re pretty sure you’ve blown it. Schools will evaluate your highest score, so don’t worry about a low score reflecting negatively on you. That initial score provides valuable feedback about your testing strengths and weaknesses. You may also find out that your performance was not as bad as you imagined. B-Schooled [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-182-updates-on-the-new-shorter-gre-and-gmat-tests/]Podcast Episode #182[/url]: Updates on the New Shorter GRE and GMAT Tests Rock Those Essays Sometimes, applicants get hung up on writing the “perfect” essay. In reality, they should focus on writing a compelling essay instead. Candidates must really do their homework about the schools they have targeted. After doing so, they can create compelling essays convincing the AdCom that the program will help them reach their career goals. This also predicts how they would contribute to the school as students and eventual alums. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-suzy-hazelwood-1995842-734x449.jpg[/img] [b]DO [/b]use the additional essay to explain what’s changed in your situation to make you a stronger candidate when reapplying to business school. Make sure to address both professional and personal advancements, but show that you are realistic and self-aware. Revealing your humanity, with all its [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/3-unconventional-steps-to-writing-great-mba-essays/]quirks, weaknesses, and flaws[/url], can often help the admissions committee like you. [b]DON’T[/b] recycle essays from the first time around, and don’t use the same essay for multiple schools. At best, your essays will all sound generic. At worst, you might accidentally leave the wrong school name in the essay. Trust us—we’ve seen this unfortunate error happen many times. You’ll get rejected out of hand for your lack of attention to detail. [url=https://www.tiktok.com/@stacyblackmanconsulting?refer=embed]@stacyblackmanconsulting[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mba?refer=embed]#mba[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mbaadmissions?refer=embed]#mbaadmissions[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sbcyourjourney?refer=embed]#sbcyourjourney[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/hbs?refer=embed]#hbs[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/harvard?refer=embed]#harvard[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/stanford?refer=embed]#stanford[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/reapplicantadvice?refer=embed]#reapplicantadvice[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dualadmit?refer=embed]#dualadmit[/url] [url=https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7343373886819502890?refer=embed]? original sound – Stacy Blackman Consulting[/url] Finally, take comfort in knowing that many people in business school right now were dinged the first time they applied. The MBA admissions process requires resilience, so take some time to recover, reassess, and dive back in. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/reapplying-business-school/]Do’s and Don’ts for Reapplying to Business School[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
02 Apr 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: 3 Unconventional Steps to Writing Great MBA Essays |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Where-to-Start.jpg[/img] The essay component is arguably the most crucial piece of your business school application. When done right, a compelling story can help [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/strengths-weaknesses-mba-essay-examples/]counterbalance weaker aspects[/url] of your candidacy. Unfortunately, the AdCom member reading your materials has only about 15-20 minutes to form an impression of your candidacy. Great MBA essays can move the needle in your favor. Ultimately, you don’t want them to merely like your application when they finish reading it. “What you really want to be is the applicant they’re thinking about as they drive home that night, as they’re chatting with their spouse over spaghetti that evening,” explains SBC consultant and B-Schooled host Chandler Arnold. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-118-tackling-your-main-mba-essay-part-2-of-2/]B-Schooled Podcast Episode #118: Tackling Your Main MBA Essay[/url] Before you start working on your MBA applications in earnest: [list] [*]Think through and articulate your career objectives.[/*] [*]Assess your strengths and weaknesses.[/*] [*]Ensure you have researched the business schools that best fit you as much as possible.[/*] [/list] Through our work with applicants, we’ve learned that it’s best to begin brainstorming by sifting through various life experiences to identify a core strength. But what can you do if you’re seriously stumped on what to write about? When you feel blocked, don’t panic. Inspiration is everywhere in your daily life. Try these unconventional approaches to help spark great MBA essays. [b]Want some help drafting a killer MBA essay? We’ve got you! [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]Request a free MBA advising session[/url] to learn how we can help with your complete MBA applications.[/b] Ask people around you for their insights Sometimes, it’s hard to see what makes us unique, so ask a coworker, mentor, or friend for inspiration. Different people may notice different aspects of your character, skills, or experiences. Collecting feedback from a variety of sources can provide a more comprehensive understanding of what sets you apart. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-helena-lopes-745045-1500x1000.jpg[/img] A refreshing conversation with a good friend can stir up new ideas and get your creative juices flowing. To jump-start this process, gather friends and family and have them share what they think is most interesting and memorable about you. Ask what values they see you demonstrating in your life, career, or personal choices. Dig deeper and ask yourself how you would want your future classmates to see you. What are some of the personal stories you would share with a new friend? What would your future professors want to know about you? How might you contribute while in school and after graduation? Hearing others’ perspectives on what makes you unique can validate or challenge your own self-perception. This process can help you refine and articulate your understanding of your strengths and distinctive qualities. Record your first thoughts What do you wake up thinking about in the middle of the night? Looking back at your life, what will you admire and regret about your choices? These are the kinds of questions you should ask yourself as you approach a variety of common MBA essay topics. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/notebook-bed-dream-journal-pexels-andrea-piacquadio-1024611-1536x1070-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Keep a notebook by your bed so you can record your first thoughts or dreams upon waking up—these might help you understand your passions. Writing can reveal genuine emotions and perspectives. It allows you to explore your thoughts in a more intimate and unfiltered way, fostering authenticity in your essays. Brainstorming at a different time of day or in a new environment can help break mental blocks. A change in surroundings can stimulate new ideas and perspectives that may not have surfaced during your usual routine. Here’s another unconventional strategy:[b] [/b]Set your alarm for an odd hour, wake up, and read an essay question. Contemplate the first things that pop into your head. Often, the act of doing something simple in a new way or at a different time will get you out of your rut and allow you to see things from a fresh perspective. Take a new route to the office, switch up your workout schedule, skip the nightly Netflix binge, and end the day with an intriguing novel instead. See whether these simple changes boost your essay ideas. Keep a journal In the weeks before writing your application essays, keep a journal and jot down moments that impact you, such as a great meal, an amazing sunset, or a funny video. Then, when you begin to write, look through your notes and see where inspiration strikes. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/journal-writing-2-734x489.jpg[/img] Engaging your auditory senses can also stimulate creativity. You can conveniently dictate your thoughts into your phone while you are out and about. Listening to your recordings later on can trigger additional insights or perspectives you may not have considered at the moment. Often, a casual speaking tone translates into a more authentic and personable version once written on paper. This can be a great launching pad for the first drafts of your essays. Another useful technique is documenting your life as it is now on a storyboard with various categories, such as personal, professional, extracurricular, and academic. As a starting point, you may want to consider the choices that have led you to your current career path. Focus on the inflection points that have inspired you—whether college coursework, early exposure to running your own business, or watching a family member pursue his or her dreams—to help clearly outline the reasons you have made certain life choices thus far. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Berkeley-Haas-courtyard_closeup-734x489.jpg[/img] Berkeley Haas Tips for Great MBA Essays This year, [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/berkeley-haas-application-essays-tips/]one of the Berkeley Haas MBA essays[/url] asks applicants to describe, “What makes you feel alive while doing it, and why?” We think this question is a useful launchpad for the myriad MBA essay questions you’ll encounter. Here is [url=https://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/hubfs/BHAA/Guides/Essay%201%20Brainstorming%20Guide.pdf]their advice for brainstorming[/url] possible answers. Choose one of the below prompts that resonates with you, set your timer for two minutes, and strive to write down at least 10 responses to each. Work quickly, focusing on quantity over quality. [list] [*]If you only had 2 free hours a week to spend doing something for you, how would you spend it?[/*] [*]Reflect on times when your schedule has been so busy that you felt you didn’t have time for anything else. What activities or pastimes were you not willing to compromise?[/*] [*]What if the word “alive” was replaced by: “fulfilled,” “inspired,” “invigorated,” “connected,” “safe,” “challenged,” “balanced,” or “happy”? Then how would you respond?[/*] [/list] Look at your list. It may be a collection of single words or actions, such as: trail running after work, hiking by the ocean, baking my grandma’s famous cherry pie, meditating every morning, skiing with my family, volunteering at my church, singing in the car, dancing in front of the mirror, building sandcastles or reading to my children. This is a great start, but let’s go further. Choose your favorite five responses. One at a time, go through the responses and recall a specific time when you engaged in this activity (the operative word being specific). As you reflect, strive to suspend your attention and really focus on experiencing that moment again. Take down notes on the following: [list] [*]What prompted you to do this activity? Was the decision active or reactive?[/*] [*]How were your senses engaged – what did you see, hear, smell, and feel?[/*] [*]What feelings are you experiencing – excitement, calm, relief, connection, challenge, love, etc.[/*] [*]If you were to draw a picture of this scene, what details would you make sure to include in the image?[/*] [/list] You should now have several possible ideas for your alive essay. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-suzy-hazelwood-3631711-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Great MBA Essays Don’t Happen Overnight Once you’ve tried one or more of these unconventional but effective exercises, you should start to develop a few intriguing ideas for brainstorming essays. Afterward, most of the writing process should seem more manageable. Remember to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for rewriting—truly great MBA essays aren’t crafted overnight. Author Stephen King once said, “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” The hardest part is starting. And after that, everything gets easier. Best of luck on your MBA adventures; we can’t wait to read what you create. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/3-unconventional-steps-to-writing-great-mba-essays/]3 Unconventional Steps to Writing Great MBA Essays[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
03 Apr 2024, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode #203: How Watching the Grammy’s Might Help You Get into B School |
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For this episode of B-Schooled, Chandler sits down with SBC consultant Dawn, who is no stranger to the podcast. Dawn graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. (She was also admitted to the Stanford GSB.) Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at a wide range of companies, including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group, and Warner Bros. A few weeks ago, Dawn approached Chandler with a unique podcast idea: to discuss the recent Grammy performance featuring Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. Dawn uses this unique collaboration as a jumping-off point to talk about a range of topics of interest to MBA applicants, including:
This B-Schooled episode can be found here, or take a listen on any of the major podcast platforms below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify TuneIn Please be sure to subscribe to B-Schooled so that you don’t miss a thing. If there’s something you’d like for us to cover in a future episode, please email podcast@stacyblackman.com — we’d love to hear from you! The post B-Schooled Podcast Episode #203: How Watching the Grammy’s Might Help You Get into B School appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
08 Apr 2024, 15:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: SBC Consultants Deliver on their Clients’ MBA Dreams |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/sbc-meetstacy-1500x646.jpg[/img] We know MBA aspirants have an array of options when it comes to selecting an admissions consulting firm. But we also firmly believe Stacy Blackman Consulting stands head and shoulders above the rest, thanks to our amazing SBC consultants. Stacy Blackman is the only MBA admissions firm with a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]complete panel of former Admissions Officers[/url] from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. And that insider expertise pays off in spades when it comes to helping our clients get into the B-school of their dreams. Today, we’re sharing more feedback we’ve recently received from clients who applied in Rounds 1 and 2 of this admissions season. See what others in your shoes have to say about the experience of working with SBC consultants. Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]Contact us[/url] to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. Finding What Makes You Unique [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meg/][img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/SBC-consultant-Meg-cropped-and-flipped-274x300.jpg[/img][/url] SBC consultant Meg, the former Senior Associate Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meg/]Meg[/url] was my primary partner through my application process. From the beginning, she was enthusiastic and came in with a game plan. She very quickly identified the strengths in my story and helped me harness them through each application and iteration of essays. She also had a very clear understanding of the goals for each individual essay, making sure I molded my story accordingly. Rather than critiquing or trying to change things about my profile, Meg focused on the assets that made me unique. She responded swiftly to any questions I had, and was a true champion of my success at every milestone, all the way to my acceptances at Fuqua and Kellogg! The rest of the SBC team was very supportive, between Sarah, who matched me with Meg after learning about my background and goals, and Lisa (another former admissions officer), who conducted my flight test and provided a great birds-eye view of my candidacy before I hit submit. I chose SBC based on extensive online research, and this choice was instrumental in my success in this tedious process. There was so much I would not have known without Meg and the rest of the SBC team. Thank you for everything!!! Awareness of Cultural Nuances [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Mark-300x300.jpeg[/img] SBC consultant Mark, the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Oxford Said and Sr. Admissions Manager, London Business School I was paired with [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/mark/]Mark[/url] via Stacy Blackman Consulting via Bill ( a personable and informed gentleman), who introduced me to Mark. Mark’s consultancy transcends the ordinary, especially for candidates from the Middle East seeking admission into top UK MBA programs. His profound familiarity with the cultural nuances and professional landscapes of the Middle East set him apart as an invaluable guide in my MBA journey. Mark’s awareness of these cultural distinctions and his accommodating approach made a significant difference, providing personalized strategies that aligned with my background and aspirations. Beyond his expertise in admissions and his strategic acumen, Mark’s ability to understand and respect cultural perspectives enriches his consultancy. He leverages this understanding to tailor applications that not only stand out but also authentically represent the candidate’s heritage and vision. For Middle Eastern candidates aiming for UK MBA programs, Mark is the best. He offers more than just admissions guidance, he provides a bespoke consultancy that appreciates and incorporates cultural insights into a winning strategy. He is a friend, guide and overall pleasure of a person to deal with. I would recommend anybody looking for counselor to aid them in UK MBA admissions to hire Mark. Admits Plus Full-Tuition Scholarships [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Caryn-Guru-841x600.jpeg[/img] SBC consultant Caryn, a former Admissions Officer at Kellogg School of Management I utilized [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/caryn/]Caryn[/url]‘s all-in support on two schools and supplemented this with multiple hourly sessions on other schools. Caryn helped me from the very start of the process of by helping to define my MBA story and recommending ways to bring my story to life. She provided tactical advice on my resumes, recommender packages, essays, etc. and helped me with a mock interview for Kellogg. I felt very prepared going into the admissions process because of her (also received additional help through mock interviews with Geri and Anthony for HBS and Wharton respectively). As a result of her support, I was able to receive admission into HBS, Wharton, Columbia, and Kellogg (also receiving full-tuition scholarships at Columbia and Kellogg). I would highly recommend her services! Your Pillar of Support [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/][img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/SBC-consultant-Emma-Screenshot-2024-04-08-121425-709x600.png[/img][/url] SBC consultant Emma, a former Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Emma[/url] was a genuine pillar of support for me through my application process and eventual acceptance to an M7 school. She was fantastic at hearing me out, going through my essays and self-evaluation drafts, and zooming in on my strengths that aligned well with my target school. She was also super helpful in preparing for the interview. At the end of the day, she is just an authentic and warm person to work with! P.S. This review is not AI-generated. Just go work with Emma and Stacy Blackman, the results outweigh the cost. Worth Every Penny [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/deanna/]Deanna[/url] was incredibly helpful in helping me craft my narrative, refine my essays, and prepare for my interviews. Most importantly, she was very candid throughout the process and did not sugarcoat weak spots in my application, but she always offered solutions for each of my weak spots. With her help, I got admitted at a top 20 MBA with a scholarship. In other words, [b]I got an ~8x return on my investment in her consulting services[/b]. Incredible. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/sbc-consultants-deliver/]SBC Consultants Deliver on their Clients’ MBA Dreams[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
09 Apr 2024, 19:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Rescue Plan for MBA Applicants Who Got Dinged Everywhere |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Uncertain.jpg[/img] Today, we’re covering a touchy topic that no B-school applicant wants to contemplate. But rip off the Band-Aid we must. This one’s for the MBA hopefuls whose application journey has now come to an unfortunate and disappointing end. What can you do if you don’t get into any program? While the outlook may seem bleak, there are several viable paths forward for MBA applicants who got dinged everywhere. SBC [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]offers a Ding Analysis[/url] as an a la carte service. Contact us today to learn more. The first path is time-sensitive: Apply to other business schools before [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/round-3-insight-from-mba-admissions/]round three deadlines hit[/url]. If you chose this option, you’ve likely already submitted additional applications, as most round-three cutoffs have already passed. Round three isn’t an ideal option unless you have a compelling reason for waiting to apply. Be sure to communicate that reason to the admissions committee. Otherwise, they might view your application as a last-ditch effort to go somewhere and not believe you have a genuine interest in their program. Reapplying to the Same Schools The second option is to reapply at the appropriate time in the future. Many business schools, even the most elite and well-ranked ones, [url=https://blogs.darden.virginia.edu/admissions/2024/01/17/all-about-the-application-tips-for-re-applicants/]welcome re-applicants[/url]. “We work with successful reapplicants every year, and this route can definitely lead to acceptance at your dream school,” SBC consultant and B-Schooled host Erika Olsen explains in [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-154-5-paths-forward-if-youve-been-dinged-everywhere/]this episode[/url] of the podcast. For the most competitive programs, your odds of admission as a reapplicant are better if you had an interview during your prior attempt. The admissions team clearly found you qualified to attend if it had previously invited you for an interview. It may have been that luck wasn’t on your side in this cycle. Even though many people assume they got dinged because something went haywire in their interview, that probably wasn’t the case. “We’ve found that most applicants are their own worst critics when it comes to interviews,” Erika says. Applicants need to remember that the interview is only one piece of the overall puzzle for the admissions committee. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-ann-h-3482441-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] “They’re still looking to put together a diverse class of people from different countries and ethnicities and industries and roles,” she adds. “So, even though you had a stellar interview, you weren’t what they were looking for in terms of class makeup for that cohort.” Although you might be anxious and ready to return to school, as a reapplicant, you’ll need to have something new to discuss that strengthens your candidacy. It may be best to wait more than one application year cycle before you reapply, especially if you’re on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/younger-mba-applicants-readiness/]the younger side[/url] of the candidate pool. And we’re sorry to break the news that a higher GMAT score alone usually isn’t enough. “A lot of people assume it’s their GMAT score, and they’ll retake it, do better, and think…boom! I’m in. But that’s usually not the case,” Erika says. Got Dinged Everywhere? Cast a Wider Net The third path for those who got dinged everywhere is to apply to different schools in the next application cycle. If you’re willing to cast a wider net, applying to business school again sooner rather than later is an acceptable plan because you’ll be a first-time applicant to all those new schools. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/cast-a-wide-net-pexels-pratik-chavan-18821128-1500x1000.jpg[/img] With this path, the process is still fresh in your mind. You might not need to change everything about your resume or the data forms—or even that much of the application itself. You may even be able to ask the same recommenders to prepare additional letters. That said, ensure you’re objective about any weaknesses in your previous applications so you can tweak them as necessary. Maybe [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/sell-yourself-with-an-mba-resume/]your resume[/url] didn’t highlight the leadership and growth of your skills over time that it needed to. A generic-sounding [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/mba-recommendation-letter/]recommendation letter[/url] may not have helped your case. Maybe your essays lacked [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/how-to-structure-your-mba-essays/]cohesion and a compelling narrative[/url]. Or—and this is something many people don’t want to hear—perhaps the schools you applied to were really long shots when you compare their admitted class profile statistics to yours. It won’t be easy to overcome a 2.7 GPA from a non-feeder school and a GMAT score far below the program’s average. That is, unless you have a remarkable background or unique experiences to share with a class. Stats Aren’t Enough On the other end of the spectrum, remember that while competitive statistics are usually enough to check the boxes you need to get in, they’re not the only thing you need. The following scenarios could result in a ding if you had a high GPA from a great college and you rocked the GMAT or GRE, but you: [list] [*]Failed to communicate your softer skills or leadership.[/*] [*]Didn’t show that you did your research on the program and explained why it was the right fit.[/*] [*]Neglected to prove why you need an MBA in the first place or[/*] [*]Didn’t do enough to differentiate yourself from the pack—especially if you come from a competitive industry or demographic.[/*] [/list] Whether you reapply to the same schools in the future or apply to different MBA programs next time, consider having someone else look at your materials. It can be a friend, coworker, mentor, or somebody who went to business school. If you’re not planning to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]go All-In[/url] with an admissions consultant next time around, consider getting an hourly service like SBC’s Ding Analysis. That’s where one of our consultants goes through all your materials to assess what might have gone wrong. “If there’s one thing I’ve seen over and over again after being in admissions consulting for so many years, it’s that many applicants are not fully aware of how competitive this process is,” Erika notes. They assume that because they’ve always been at the top of their class, have gotten the highest rankings at work, or are employed by a respectable company that regularly sends people to the top programs, that will be enough. But it’s not. A rejection rocks those to their core because they’re not prepared mentally for it. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/kind-and-curious-L9IHDMIZkKM-unsplash-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Looking Beyond the Big Three We often meet prospective clients intent on applying only to the big three B-schools: Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. They haven’t even considered any other program and feel—at least initially—that if they don’t get into one of those schools, there’s no point in getting an MBA. Those folks care too much about other’s opinions and not enough about why they need an MBA in the first place. This attitude excludes them from great opportunities and life-changing experiences at other excellent programs. Ensure you’re targeting schools for the right reasons, especially if you’re reapplying. Don’t do it because your family expects you to attend a particular program or because it ranks “the best.” Do it because you know you would thrive at any and have something to offer their campus communities. Different Format, Same Degree Another excellent option for applicants who got dinged everywhere is to apply to part-time or evening MBA programs. If you want to get an MBA but full-time programs are not yielding results, then a part-time, weekend, or evening program may be the way to go. You still make friends and get a top-notch education—often with the same professors as the full-time programs. Likewise, you’ll have access to the same alum network. Ultimately, you’ll have the same MBA degree listed on your resume. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/path-4610699_1920-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Forge Your Own Path The final path for applicants who got dinged everywhere is to forego business school. If the rejection is still fresh in your mind, you might not even be able to imagine this path. But stop momentarily and think of three people who have changed the world for the better. Consider leaders who have impacted your life, your country, and maybe even the entire planet in a positive way. We’re willing to bet that probably none of them have MBAs. While this degree has immense value, other ways exist to make your mark on this world or achieve your dreams. With that in mind, we’ll leave you with this quote from the journalist and author Po Bronson. He has had a unique career and knows a little something about trying different paths and persevering. He said, “Allow for many paths to your goal. Do not fixate on one path because then you are likely to give up when that path is blocked.” *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/rescue-plan-for-mba-applicants-who-got-dinged-everywhere/]Rescue Plan for MBA Applicants Who Got Dinged Everywhere[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
12 Apr 2024, 14:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Why You Need a Personal MBA Soundbite |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/applicant-back-building-business-businessman-businesswoman-1652046-pxhere.com-1-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Admissions officers and employers often make up their minds about an applicant during the first few moments of a conversation. That’s why starting on your best foot in a compelling, dynamic, memorable, and authentic way is critical. Today, we’ll discuss powerful opening statements that we call the personal MBA soundbite. Just as with essays, the first sentences of your interview have an outsized impact. Imagine your interviewer asks a quintessential icebreaker, such as, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Walk me through your resume.” That’s when it’s vital to pause, reflect, and then share a concise and thoughtful summary of who you are, your work, and your future goals. “I would hazard that they are the most important sentences of your entire interview,” says SBC consultant and B-Schooled host Chandler Arnold in [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-147-your-personal-mba-soundbite/]this episode of the podcast[/url]. “Avoid the impulse to dive quickly into the weeds.” Let’s say the interviewer asks you to walk her through your resume. The obvious option is to go chronologically. For example, “After graduation, I took an entry-level position at the American Cancer Society, then blah, blah, blah…” However, there are more dynamic and memorable ways to start an interview. More to the point, that approach uses up the first substantive sentence of your conversation by going into detail about something that is potentially one of the least relevant or interesting work experiences you’ve had in that first job after college. So, rather than making the first sentence of your first answer about that first job, consider answering the same question with a different introduction. What are your chances of getting into a top business school? Contact us to talk strategy with a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] with an SBC Principal Consultant. [b]Try this Instead[/b] What if you said something like, “You know what? I’m a cancer survivor and my personal passion is to develop new corporate and individual fundraising models to raise the funds needed in partnership with cutting-edge researchers to find a cure for the cancer that I had during my lifetime. After graduation, I took an entry-level position at the American Cancer Society and blah, blah, blah…” You’re still answering the question and talking about that first job. Yet the second opening is a much more powerful way to start a conversation. It also sets the tone for the rest of the dialogue over the next half hour or so. And to be clear, you don’t need to be a cancer survivor to have a powerful opening statement. Anyone can create a personal MBA soundbite that immediately piques your listener’s curiosity. Now, by definition, these should be personal. No one format or formula will work for everyone. But before we share some of the elements you might consider as you develop your own, let’s cover a few of the main goals of what this personal MBA soundbite should accomplish. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-christina-morillo-1181715-1500x1000.jpg[/img] First, it summarizes who you are in a memorable, dynamic, and compelling way at the start of your interview. Second, it creates a framework for the first part of your conversation so that the interviewer understands your life and work experience in the appropriate context, given your future goals. Beyond its use in interview prep, it can also help in other elements of your application journey, such as when speaking to current students, alumni, admissions officers, etc. Ingredients of a Stellar MBA Soundbite So, what elements should a perfect MBA soundbite include? Let’s spell out four of them. Number one, it shares something personal and vulnerable about you. Again, you don’t need to be a cancer survivor to be vulnerable. However, sharing something candid and authentic at the beginning of an interview can create a nice dynamic and connection between you and the interviewer. Number two, the opening soundbite must be short. If you share something vulnerable about yourself, do it briefly. If you add a personal tidbit, don’t tell the whole story. Instead, reference it as an on-ramp to your larger point about who you are and the work you’re passionate about. The interviewer will likely come back and ask a follow-up question. Or, you’ll have the opportunity to dig deeper into this personal story later in the interview. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Passion-734x490.jpeg[/img] Third, it’s crucial to highlight [url=https://hbr.org/2019/04/how-to-show-youre-passionate-in-a-job-interview]what you’re passionate about[/url]. Whether it’s sustainability, diversity, or any other cause close to your heart, painting a vivid picture of your passion can engage the interviewer and show them your drive and commitment. “I’ve done alumni interviews myself, and if there’s one common thread to the applicants who didn’t wow me, I would say that they failed to share their passion in the interview,” Chandler says. Finally, consider how to set up your overall career pathway narrative. This is your opportunity to connect your past experiences to your future goals and why you believe an MBA is the next step. While it’s important to keep it short, this context can guide the interviewer’s understanding of your journey and aspirations. Check out: [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/the-scoop-on-the-mba-elevator-pitch/]The Scoop on the MBA Elevator Pitch[/url] [b]Case in Point[/b] With the applicant who’s a cancer survivor, the person sums it up by touching on new fundraising models to help researchers find a cure for that cancer in the applicant’s lifetime. This isn’t long or complicated, but it does begin to paint a picture of who the person is and what they want to do with their life. Once you share that brief personal MBA soundbite, you dive into the details and describe those work experiences, knowing that the interviewer now understands the context and why these experiences were so important to you. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-alexander-suhorucov-6457519-1500x1000.jpg[/img] Personal MBA Soundbite Makeovers During the podcast episode, Chandler shares examples of how applicants might workshop their personal MBA soundbite. The first case is a straight white male with four years of experience in private equity in the oil and gas space who wants to stand out in an oversubscribed category. Here’s a familiar way that a typical interview opener goes: [b]Interviewer:[/b] Could you walk me through your resume? [b]Applicant[/b]: Sure thing. As you can see from my resume, I have four years of private equity experience: a year with firm A and three years with firm B. In my first role…blah, blah, blah. Now, here’s a new and improved answer from the applicant. [b]Applicant:[/b] Absolutely. But first, it might be helpful to give you some context. Looking at my resume, I realize I probably don’t look like a rebel. I’m a white private equity guy who plays lacrosse, for goodness’ sake. However, during my first year in private equity, I worked on this awesome sustainability initiative for one of our portfolio clients, which changed my outlook on the industry. Not only did these sustainability efforts help the planet, but they also considerably increased our company’s profitability. As a senior on the team, I’ve been able to encourage five other portfolio companies to explore their own green energy sustainability efforts. Having done this work for almost four years, I know the sector is ready to evolve, and I feel like I’m in a powerful position to drive positive change in the sustainability category. So, let me walk you through my resume with that in mind. That’s a much better opening to the interview. Not only does it give some context, but the applicant also injected some self-deprecating humor that showcases his emotional intelligence and makes him more approachable. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5439428-1500x1000.jpg[/img] [b]Applicant Combining Work in Two Different Sectors[/b] For this example, let’s say the interviewer starts with a general question like, “So great to meet you today. Why don’t you start by telling me a little about yourself?” [b]Applicant:[/b] Sure thing. I grew up in New York City, and as you can see from my resume, I have spent my time since graduation working in two very different fields…. Now, here’s a more compelling way to answer this question: [b]Interviewer[/b]: Hey, why don’t you tell me about yourself? [b]Applicant:[/b] Sure. I grew up in New York City, and when I was ten years old, Disney’s Pixar released the movie Wally. I was captivated by this story! Not only because it was about a cute little robot who literally saved the world but also because it was essentially about a super-powerful computer that could not only think but also feel. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by this connection between artificial intelligence, human emotions, and how people make decisions. So, I started my career in AI and spent the last year or so doing marketing work with a Fortune 500 company. When friends hear this, they sometimes make fun of me, seeing these as two completely different worlds. But I’ve always considered these two sides of the same coin, and leading brands must understand both. So, let me walk you through my resume and tell you why… Both examples show that these more thoughtful personal openings bridge the gap between your past and future and offer you a powerful way to start the conversation. Listen to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/b-schooled-podcast-episode-147-your-personal-mba-soundbite/]B-Schooled Podcast Episode #147[/url]: Your Personal MBA Soundbite A Roadmap—Not a Formula Starting the interview off on the right foot not only means aceing the first question but also confidently approaching future questions in a way that allows you to truly enjoy the conversation. We’re not suggesting there’s a single formula that works for everyone. Nor do we believe your entire personhood can be boiled down to a soundbite. But we do think this format can help anyone set themselves up to succeed. So, remember these four key points. 1.) Share something personal and vulnerable. 2.) Keep it short. 3.) Highlight your passion. 4.) Signpost your overall career path narrative. We’ll sign off by challenging you to develop your own personal MBA soundbite. We hope you’re already thinking about how to start that all-important conversation with your admissions interviewer. Remember, we’re cheering for you! *** Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/]All-In Partnership[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-interview-prep-coaching/]Interview Prep[/url] to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/hourly/]hourly help[/url] with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]free 15-minute advising session[/url] to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]SBC team[/url]. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41509] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png[/img] Ashley HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37267] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png[/img] Kerry HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolKellogg MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41714] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png[/img] Pauline Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolMBA, the Wharton School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41781] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Geri-pic.jpeg[/img] Geri HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business School [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36146] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/laura.jpeg[/img] Laura HBS Admissions Boardat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33615] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/andrea_k.jpg[/img] Andrea Director HBS Admissionsat Harvard Business SchoolHBS MBA [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36122] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg[/img] Jennifer Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33613] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin-k.jpg[/img] Erin K. Asst Director MBA Admissionsat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Director MBA Admissionsat Berkeley’s Haas School of Business [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-42822] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg[/img] Susie Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-35390] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png[/img] Dione MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)Minority Admissions, the GSBDiversity Programs, the GSB [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-34284] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/anthony.jpeg[/img] Anthony Associate Director MBA Admissionsat the Wharton Schoolat the University of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33611] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meghan_e.jpg[/img] Meghan Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketingat the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-36612] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Amy-Hazen.jpeg[/img] Amy Director, the Wharton Schoolat the University of PennsylvaniaProfessional Writer [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-37475] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png[/img] Ally Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)NYU Admissions [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-33607] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/erin_B-v2.jpg[/img] Erin B. Assistant Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS)M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania [/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#consultant-41568] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png[/img] Emma Associate Director MBA Admissionsat Columbia Business School (CBS) [/url] Ashley Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ashley/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Kerry Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/kerry/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Pauline A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/pauline/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Geri Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/geri/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Laura Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/laura-h/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Andrea Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/andrea/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Jennifer Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/jennifer/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin K. Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-k/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Susie Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/susie/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Dione Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/dione/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Anthony Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/anthony/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Meghan Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/meghan/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Amy Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/amy-3/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Ally Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/ally/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Erin B. Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ... [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/erin-b/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] Emma Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/emma/]Learn More[/url] [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/#our-team]×[/url] The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/why-you-need-a-personal-mba-soundbite/]Why You Need a Personal MBA Soundbite[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
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