Any Consortium applicants?

I've seen this Consortium thing everywhere I go.

I know this organization is to help minorities get into b school, but how does it help your chances to apply through the consoritum vs. applying by yourself?

I think most of the actual benefits are realized once you are accepted to one of the 13 schools. There are a million networking, Consortium alumni, and career-centered events before and during b-school.

Their mission is technically to help place minorities in business, just through business school. So to answer your question, they don't really offer any competitive advantage to get into the schools, you still must have the stats...but once you're in you get a full tuition fellowship (ideally) and access to a lot of resources which help with internships/jobs. I think that's where the real benefit comes in which makes it better than applying to each individual school.

Actually, Consortium applicants need to fill out one application for all schools that are part of the program. They can apply to 10+ schools with just one application. I see that as the biggest benefit to begin with; I think that anyone who has filled out several applications would agree. The other benefits are as detailed. I have a friend here who has a Consortium scholarship. The do have some great networking opportunities.

Yeah it DEFINITELY helps to have a 'common application' situation. You can apply to up to 6 of the 13 schools at once (for $150-330 which is nice). There is one application with common questions, but you have to answer at least one essay for each school you choose to apply to. So it certainly helps not to have to fill out all that background information over and over.

Hopefully this post has someone looking at the Consortium who didn't know about it. If you are fortunate enough to get in, and even better with the fellowship, then there are a lot of opportunities available.

Whaaaa?!?

Only 1 essay question?

^^ I should be more clear...I applied to three schools through the Consortium and wrote 7 essays.

3 "Common Application" essays through the Consortium
1 for IU
1 for Emory
2 for Michigan

So all the schools get the three common questions, and each individual school sees your response to their question. So it definitely saves time, which is a plus, but I'd say 7 essays still takes time, lol.

So the specific questions that each school requires, is it identical to their regular essay quesiton or is it specific for the consortium?

Can you do more and answer every question that each school requests of the regular applicants... you know to show desire and increase your chances? I'd imagine this would give you a much bigger advantage.

Also, does each school see what other schools you've applied to?

For Ross they also asked those two questions in the regular application. For Tuck it was just why Tuck. For the other schools I have no idea.

You can't submit essays they don't ask for. That would be like submitting extra essays on a normal application. Kind of weird. Besides they're already getting 4-5 essays from you.

Yes they know where you apply. In fact, you rank them in order of preference. That's for fellowship because only one school can award you a fellowship and your top choice gets first pick. If they decline you then second choice can give it to you etc. I'm not a huge fan of this system, but I am a huge fan of a full scholarship so what can you do....

Sorry to bring this post out from the dead, but I recently posted a concise recap of the entire Consortium process. I think it sums things up in a good way.

I think it's important because the Consortium offers FREE TUITION FELLOWSHIPS to qualified minority (and minority-sympathetic, lol) applicants.

Check it out here

nice, I wish I could just write 7 essays

I think I hit 19 essays in the end... 7 for Haas, 4 for UCLA, 3 for Stanford, and 5 for Kellogg. Granted, there are overlaps, but still...

Who would qualify as minority-sympathetic applicant. Is consortium only for US applicants or for all countries?

^ Well according to the website here are the qualifications:

1 Are African Americans, Hispanic Americans, or Native Americans or U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents of any race or ethnicity.
2 Demonstrate a commitment to The Consortium’s mission of helping to reduce the serious underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in both our member schools’ enrollments and the ranks of management.
3 Hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a foreign country.

#2 is what I call 'minority sympathetic' haha. My term not theirs.

i guess asian-americans are not minorities?

Well I think you could get in under #2. Technically it's for anyone, just have to shape that story.

I applied through the Consortium and I am asian/white. I think you just need to have a story you can share as to how you've worked with minorities to support the Consortium mission. You need this no matter what your race is since it's an essay question you have to answer.

Any other Round 1 Applicants heard anything?

I applied to UVA, Emory, and Texas. Interviewed with UVA and Emory in mid-January. Still haven't heard anything from them.

I was accepted at Ross and should hear from Tuck by next Friday.