FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: Round One Decisions: Ready, Set, Go!

It’s finally Dec. 11. That means that our round one decisions have been released! As our phone calls and excited conversations with admitted students finish, I can hear a collective deep breath being taken across our office; I imagine you have taken one as well. I am excited to welcome our admitted students to Tepper! I also want to personally invite our newly admitted students to our Full-Time Welcome Weekend (March 27-28, 2020) or Part-Time Admitted Student Weekend (May 1-2)! Check the MBA Countdown site for more details on how to register. So, what is next? No matter the outcome of your admission decision, know that we seriously consider every application and appreciate your hard work and thoughtfulness in submitting your application. For those of you who are currently on our waitlist, I’ll have some words for you in early January about some steps you might take to stay engaged with the Admissions team. If you were offered admission, stay connected to the Countdown website. We'll be posting a lot of exciting and important information on that site in the coming months. For those of you who will be submitting your application in round two, now is your time! Note that our round two application deadline is Jan. 5, 2020, so you have plenty of time to work on and submit your application. Please know that the university will be closed Dec. 24 - Jan.1. We will be back in the office on Thursday, Jan. 2. If you have any last-minute questions about submitting your application, be sure to send them by Dec.r 23, or sooner (Be kind to Judy, who answers our main Admissions number!) Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: Application Tips From MBA Students: Interviews

Are you wondering how to compile a competitive MBA application? Having been through the application process and now sitting successfully on the other side, our first-year MBA students have some advice for those now applying. This blog post is the fourth in a series of posts providing tips for putting your best foot forward in your MBA application.

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: Application Tips From MBA Students: Interviews and What's Next

Are you wondering how to compile a competitive MBA application? Having been through the application process and now sitting successfully on the other side, our first-year MBA students have some advice for those now applying. This blog post is the fourth in a series of posts providing tips for putting your best foot forward in your MBA application.

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: Annual Women’s Leadership Conference: Hope to See You There!

I have many favorite days, and one of them is quickly approaching! On Sunday, Feb.16, our Tepper Women in Business club will host their annual Leadership Conference. This isn’t an admissions-specific event, but I’d highly encourage you to attend! (And, you’ll still see friendly Admissions faces as we all share a love for this conference!) I received a note from TWIB (our Tepper Women in Business club) that provides a lot of great context that I’d like to share. This year’s conference focuses on empowerment and wellness, providing an opportunity for professional and leadership development and fostering discussions around the unique opportunities and challenges women face in their careers. What else can you expect from this conference? You will have the opportunity to explore leadership journeys (from CMU students, alumni, faculty, and staff)), learn how to empower yourself and others, and get connected and inspired. If this sounds like an opportunity you would like to explore, then I would recommend that you register to attend! What are the specifics? First, there is no cost to attend. Second, breakfast and lunch (and lots of coffee!) will be provided. Last, the dress code is smart casual. The conference, hosted here in the brand new Tepper Quad, is Sunday, Feb. 16 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. I hope that you will join me for the excellent professional development and networking opportunity! Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: Tuesday Tips: Thank Your (MBA) Valentine!

With Valentine’s Day approaching (and Galentine’s Day for any Parks and Rec fans!), I want to offer some advice for thanking your MBA Valentine. While I doubt many of us have the time to make a construction-paper mailbox or send a cartoon Valentine’s card, there is something to be said for reaching out to those who have helped, mentored or guided you through the MBA application process (or are about to) and offering your warm wishes and gratitude. Most likely, you have had guidance and support in your MBA application and admission process — or expect to if you are just beginning this journey. Whether your partner offered to read your essay, your supervisor gave feedback on your resume, or your mentor conducted a mock interview, I think there’s merit in making sure the people who were integral in your MBA admission preparation know that you are grateful! Treat them to dinner, write a personal note of thanks, or send some chocolates (it is Valentine’s Day after all!) and let them know how integral they have been/will be to your MBA admission process. Those whom we surround ourselves with quickly become our personal and professional network, and this is certainly something you will experience in B-school. Your classmates can become some of your closest friends. They will be the ones you call to ask to prep for an interview. Your professors who offer their mentorship will be the resources you consult years from now when you want their expertise on a project. A strong network is something that can continue to grow as you make this transition into an MBA program. While this growth is exciting, I would recommend that you blend it with your current network as well; after all, they are who helped get you where you are today. Make sure that these people know how appreciated they are. Start by finding out their favorite type of chocolate! Happy Valentine’s Day! Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: Round Two MBA Admission Decisions are Released!

When my calendar on Sunday read March 1, I excitedly thought to myself, “It’s finally decision month!” If you are a recently admitted round two MBA candidate (or our round one deposited folks), I look forward to seeing you (and your partner) at our MBA Welcome Weekend, March 27-28. It's another reason why I am so excited that it's March! We’ll send an email shortly, providing the registration link. I want to thank each of you who submitted an MBA application in round two. Your thoughtful responses, dedication, and effort to make your application as competitive as possible did not go unnoticed. Our MBA Admissions team spent the last several months immersed in application review and they are just as excited as I am to welcome everyone to campus. I hope everyone can now take a moment to catch their breath and look forward to the next several months. Our team has rounds three and four to look forward to, as well as Welcome Weekend (our favorite weekend). For you, the next months will be about preparing for the next two or three years of your life as a Tepper MBA student! Welcome! Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: COVID-19 MBA Admissions Update: We're Going All Virtual

First, thank you for your patience as we transitioned to a virtual office. We appreciate that you are going through a similar experience and understand that you may have questions about what this all means for the MBA admission process at Tepper. While this is an uncertain and unprecedented time, you can continue to rely on our MBA Admissions team for guidance, resources, and understanding. I’d like to share with you the latest on our admission procedures and how we are moving forward. Carnegie Mellon is committed to the health and well-being of all our students, faculty, staff, and guests. Many difficult decisions have been made. We share in the disappointments many of those decisions have caused but take comfort in knowing that they are part of a greater necessity — the safety of our entire community. The main point I want to stress is that we will continue to receive applications, make admission decisions, and eagerly await the start of our fall 2020 MBA program. The only difference is that the process will now be fully virtual. What I love about Carnegie Mellon is that we are always striving for innovation, and this crisis presents an opportunity to do what we do best — leveraging technology to improve a process. Or in this case, identify different ways of supporting prospective and admitted students. While we miss seeing you in person, we know that we can effectively guide you through the process in new and creative ways without missing a beat. Because I have a lot to share (thanks for sticking with me), I’ve broken up the key updates by MBA program and population. For Everyone In accordance with recommendations from the CDC and local agencies, all on-campus and off-campus events are canceled until further notice. University-level updates can be found on CMU’s COVID-19 information center. We will provide any updates that impact prospective students and applicants as we receive them. Hosting you virtually — whether conversations, class visits, or webinars — is not new for us. Talk with an Admission Officer: If you want to talk on the phone or prefer to meet via Zoom, let Judy Nardiello know and she will set up an appointment with an admission officer. Contact Judy at 412-268-5687 or . Attend virtual events, including Information sessions, chats with current students, and online class visits. If you have already connected with us, we will email you as well. If you haven’t, please join our mailing list Follow us on Instagram: Additionally, we’re excited about some upcoming interactions we’ll be hosting on social media. If you don’t already, I would highly encourage you to follow us on Instagram to see what we've been up to. Contact a current student: You can't beat the perspective of a current MBA student. They look forward to sharing their experience with you. Admitted Students I posted on the admitted student Facebook group that this past week and a half has been like standing on shifting sand given the daily changes we experienced. While we made the necessary but difficult decision to cancel both our Full-Time Welcome Weekend and Part-Time Admitted Student weekends, we are diligently working toward delivering the content online. I am excited by the energy of our students who are invested in making “Welcome Weekend: Home Edition” a meaningful experience. We are close to finalizing these activities and we will email you with an update. We understand that this is an uncertain time for you as well. We know that choosing to pursue your MBA was already a major life decision that has suddenly become even more weighty. Tepper is a small program and we care about our students, so we want to help as you navigate through the shifting sand to make the best decision for your future. As a result, we are adjusting some of our policies to provide options for whatever circumstances you may find yourself. Moving forward: Our round two initial deposit deadline is about four weeks away and we hope that you are still planning to secure your place in the class. If your circumstances change and you are unable to join the Tepper MBA because of the coronavirus, we will offer an admission deferral to fall 2021 and refund your deposit. Should you need to do this, just stay in touch with admission officers and we will be here to help. We trust that this flexibility will serve to lower any anxiety about submitting your deposit during this uncertain time. We want to be a continued resource for you today, tomorrow, and in the weeks to come. If you have been working with a specific admission officer, stay connected. If you don’t have a specific contact, email us. We will be sure to connect you with an admission officer immediately. No question is too small. While this is an ever-changing environment and we may not have an immediate answer, allow us to support you in this process. Applicants (Rounds Three, Four, and Extended Rolling) We are full-steam ahead in Round Three. The application review process is currently underway and has seen no changes. We will release Round Three decisions on May 4. (Insert "Star Wars" joke here.) Interviews will be hosted online and are already a regular part of our process. You can register for our Demystifying the Tepper MBA Interview webinar, taking place next week. If you have applied in Round Three but your application is incomplete because of GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS testing cancelations, follow the guidance below. Our Round Four application deadline is April 9 and we know that many of you are wondering about the GMAT/GRE. As noted above, we want to help make the process less stressful so are trying to be flexible during this time. If you live in an area where your testing site was closed due to the outbreak, we encourage you to continue working on your application and submit it by the deadline. We will process your application and hold it until we receive your test score. If you have not yet taken the GMAT/GRE/TOEFL or your exam date was canceled, simply submit a Round Four application with all other required application materials. When completing the application, you will be prompted to check the box if you plan to retake or need to schedule the exam. If you have a rescheduled test date, enter that date. If you do not, leave the field blank. You will receive a Round Four decision on May 21 if you submit an unofficial test score by May 10. What is an unofficial test score? On the day you take the test, the testing agency provides you with an unofficial score report. You may receive an admission offer with the provision that we need to receive your unofficial score to complete your admission. If you are unable to meet the May 10 deadline, we will move your application into our Extended Rolling Round and will work with you to understand when you may be able to take the test. If you have a current GMAT/GRE/TOEFL score but were planning to retake, submit a Round Four application with your current test score. When completing the application, you will be prompted to check the box if you plan to retake or need to schedule the exam. If you have a test date, enter that date. If you do not, leave the field blank. If you have not retaken your exam by May 10, we will reach out to you to see if you would like to proceed with an admission decision or move your application to our extended rolling round. Extended Rolling Round Typically, after Round Four has ended, we are still able to receive MBA applications until the end of June and provide decisions on a rolling basis. In response to the growing concern over GMAT/GRE testing availability, we are going to keep our application open as far into the summer as we can. If your application needs to move to or is submitted in the Extended Rolling Round, we will work with you to understand your plans and will be as flexible as possible. For Everyone (Again) Thank you for sticking with me and reading this post. Know that while we are all navigating uncharted waters, the MBA Admissions team and the Tepper School is with you every step of the way. We look forward to welcoming you as part of our incoming MBA class. No doubt our circumstances will change over the coming weeks. We will keep you apprised of how that may impact you. I find comfort in the knowledge that our Tepper graduates are prepared to lead and adapt to the uncertainties they face. Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: COVID-19 Update: We Are Adjusting Our MBA Admissions Process

“The one thing we can count on is change.” This saying has never been so true as it has been this past month. Even though our reality has fundamentally changed, one thing I am most proud of, in Pittsburgh and at Tepper, is that we will continue to use the tools we have to support our community moving forward. As I look towards the future, I am proud that Tepper has long been a leader in the art and science of technology-enhanced business education. We have a well-designed and robust infrastructure in place so our students will not have any disruption in obtaining an outstanding MBA education, regardless of the format they choose. Our part-time and full-time programs continue to be leaders among the nation’s top business schools and just recently, our online MBA was ranked #1 by Poets & Quants. Delivering education online requires a different pedagogy than in-person learning. Fortunately for our students, our faculty excel at both. As well-known innovators, we teach our MBA students how to have an eye on the future, succeed during times of ambiguity, and lead - on teams as well as virtually. There is no better time to pursue an MBA at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. Adjusted Admissions Process In that spirit, we are adapting to today’s environment and streamlining our admissions process for our MBA applicants. It’s not too late to apply for fall 2020. Whatever your current situation or location, we have an MBA format to meet your needs. As well, we are the only top MBA program that allows you to transition seamlessly from part-time to full-time or vice versa. And ALL MBA students are supported by our top-ranked Career Services team and Accelerate Leadership Center. Further, we are waiving application fees through July 31 as one more effort to help you apply and achieve your goals. For those who haven’t yet applied, our goal is to be as supportive as possible during these challenging days. Changes for applying include: No application fee for those who apply by July 31, 2020 New application round with expedited decision deadline. Apply by May 31, 2020, for a decision by June 22, 2020. Extended rolling admission through July 31, 2020 More flexibility in application requirements and credentials. Once admitted, we will continue to support you. We have reduced the deposit amount that will allow you to hold your seat in the program and hopefully will be less of a burden during this very challenging time. And if you have special circumstances that still make this untenable for you, please reach out and we will see what we can do. We care about our students and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to join us in the fall and accomplish all your goals. Out of chaos, comes opportunity. Whether you’re interested in pursuing your MBA full-time, part-time, or part-time online, our program helps you achieve your career goals. The Tepper School is a leader in the digital (and virtual) age of innovation. We will make sure you are, too. Our admissions team is pleased to help you navigate this process. We are available for a one-on-one phone call or Zoom meeting. Judy Nardiello can set up a time for you to speak with an admission officer when it is convenient for you. You can reach Judy at 412-268-5687. Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

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FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: Chart Your Path Toward Admission and Earn and Application Fee Waiver

Our application is live and as our Round One admissions deadline approaches, we want to make sure that you are well prepared to submit your strongest application! We have developed an online tool to help you get there. The tool, called Chart Your Path, is available for both Full-Time and Part-Time MBA applicants. By following the seven steps in Chart Your Path, you will explore relevant information about the program. We hope this will help you confirm if the Tepper MBA is indeed a good fit. Bonus: If you complete all seven steps along the path, you will earn an application fee waiver!

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: What We Are Thankful For

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and in a year where so much has been unprecedented, it is especially important to step back and remember what we are grateful for. This year, I decided to ask our Admissions team what they are thankful for in 2020. “More than ever before, I am thankful for the health and safety of my family, and the joy of spending time at home with my children. We welcomed twins to our family in August so I am also endlessly grateful for amazing colleagues who covered my responsibilities so that I could focus on them during my maternity leave. “ “In a time where we don’t leave our houses, I still get to speak with people from across the globe and the country by connecting our prospective students.” “I am thankful for my relationship with my daughter. We have grown even closer over the last several months and have made some fantastic memories.” “I'm thankful for Thanksgiving dinner…especially ravioli and stuffing, and time to relax with my family and dog.” “I'm so thankful for our current students and how much they have stepped up and helped this past year, from hosting town halls dedicated to diversity to making phone calls to share their experiences with incoming students.” “I am thankful for good internet that allows for easy and seamless Zoom interviews with excellent candidates and two healthy, full-of-energy toddlers who have no idea there is a pandemic and just want to enjoy life!” “I’m thankful for my family and my health! I’m also thankful for this opportunity to slow down and appreciate the little things during this quarantine.” I am very thankful for our Admissions team and their tireless work over the last few months. I love working among so many talented individuals and am excited for all of you to have the opportunity to interact and connect with them more in the coming months. I’ll be using this week to unplug and recharge and hope that you all can do the same! Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: As COVID-19 Persists, So Does Our Support of MBA Applicants

In recognition that MBA applicants continue to be impacted by COVID-19, we are extending our flexibility for candidates to demonstrate their mathematical preparedness as a candidate for the MBA program.  We have re-introduced a test waiver option in continued support of our MBA applicants. The following information outlines the details and process for applying for a test score waiver.  All applicants to the Tepper MBA program at the Tepper School are required to submit a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) test score with their application as part of our holistic candidate review process. However, the Tepper School realizes that ongoing challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic may impact a candidate’s ability to take the test under normal, standard conditions. For this reason, we are offering candidates the option to apply for a GMAT/GRE/EA waiver with their application. When deciding whether to apply for the waiver, we encourage you to be objective about your academic preparedness. Please consider the following: Waivers will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Waivers will be evaluated based on mathematical preparedness demonstrated through advanced quantitative classes in undergraduate or graduate work. These classes include, but are not limited to calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. A waiver decision by the admission committee does not signal an admission decision. The admission decision will be based on a holistic review of the application. Regardless of prior coursework, candidates admitted without a standardized test will be required to successfully complete the Tepper School "Calculus Fundamentals" course to complete their admission to the program. Test scores are considered in the decision to offer merit-based scholarships. In addition, some employers also consider test scores as part of their initial job applicant screening. When completing your MBA application, please indicate that you are applying for a waiver request and provide additional information to support your request. Upon submission of your application, the waiver request will be reviewed, and you will receive a response to the waiver request within 10 business days of the application deadline. If you are applying through the Consortium, please follow the instructions provided by the Consortium. In addition, if you would like to apply for a standardized test waiver, complete this form by Dec. 31, 2020. If you receive a test fee waiver approval from the Tepper School, forward a copy of the waiver confirmation to the Consortium to complete your application. Upon completion of your application, it will be forwarded to the Tepper School. Round 1 applicants may still take advantage of this option. To provide for this, only admit and waitlist decisions will be made for Round 1 applicants. Any applicant who receives a waitlist decision may complete the form below by Dec. 31, 2020 to apply for a test waiver and will receive a response to the waiver request no later than Jan. 11, 2021. If the waiver is granted, previously submitted test scores will not be considered as part of your application and we will reevaluate your application considering the waiver. You will receive an updated admission decision on March 10, 2021. Complete this form to request a GMAT/GRE/EA test waiver only if you are a Round 1 waitlisted candidate. Back to the MBA Admissions Blog

FROM CMU Tepper MBA Admission Blog: It’s Official: Round One Decisions Have Been Released

We’ve made our list, checked it twice (and maybe a few times more than that), and Round One decisions have been released! I am thrilled to welcome all our newly admitted students and our team is looking forward to connecting with you in the upcoming months. Mark your calendars for our Full-Time Welcome Weekend (April 9-11, 2021). More information with be available on the MBA Countdown site! As 2020 continues to cause uncertainty and challenges, the Tepper School decided to only release admit and waitlist decisions, in order to offer the opportunity to our Round One applicants to take advantage of the newly implemented test score waiver option. Our waitlisted candidates can find more information about the test score waiver here.  To candidates planning to submit in Round Two, the deadline is approaching. Now is the time to finalize before submitting for our Jan. 10 deadline. The Admissions team is eager to be a resource and work with each of you! Remember, you can also earn an application fee waiver by completing Chart Your Path: Seven Steps to Your Strongest Application. Check out the full-time path or the part-time path. Congratulations to our newest admitted MBA applicants! Back to the MBA Admissions Blog