Calling All Fall 2012 Consortium Applicants!

i wouldn't worry about it.. i received an invite and mine is still all messed up. the email from yale said to only use the portal as a means to track your application status.

Good to hear. It will make a difference. Wasn't sure if you said you completed the full app or the Consortium app? And also glad to hear they got a nice bump on your personal rankings; doesn't seem like you're alone on that one. From the roll call, Tuck & Yale seem to be the 'favorites' (or at least the most applied too)

More expensive? That's impossible, those bus tickets run about $10 one way, whereas the train runs about $50 one way

Guess you're right, tickets were $22 on Mega, but I paid $33 for the train. I looked at Peter Pan before and they were around $50 bucks and much longer transit times than Megabus.

One of my biggest gripes with Mega tho is the leg room. I have a 34 inch inseam and my knees are always banging up against the seats... I feel like the tin man when I have to pry myself out of those seats after three hours.

Then again, maybe I was just looking for an excuse to take the train

Guys, I'm a round 2 applicant. I just received my first interview invite and it is from none other than my number 2 option, Johnson. I'm very excited and worried at the same time. Please guys for those of you who got accepted, give me some tips for the interview. I will travel to Ithaca on Feb 10.
I'm interested in Real Estate and my ranking is as follows:
-Haas
-Johnson
-Ross
-McCombs
-UNC
-Wisconsin

I hear that, both the Mega and bolt buses can be super cheap, but if you are tall, you most likely will have to consider sitting at an angle. Not a good look for a 2hr bus ride.

Aahh, Ithaca in February. The weather is so lovely that time of year. BUNDLE UP!! And enjoy Cornell. It's a beautiful campus (with delicious food!!). Good luck with the interview.

I did the Consortium app,..I'm planning to sign up on your Consortium roll call,...just haven't gotten around to it,..sorry.

Also,..not sure of any of you have this feeling,..but on the Tuck trip i met so many fellow applicants that have really really impressive work backgrounds, that frankly, seem to blow me out of the water. It was great in the sense that I knew what kind of folks I would be surronded with if I have the good fortune to attend,...but also disheartening in that I know how challenging getting accepted will be.

Congratulations!! Johnson is my number 2 as well. I haven't done an interview with Johnson yet but from everything that I've heard and from my experience with Goizueta these interviews tend to be very conversational and relaxed.

One strategy that has always worked for me is to jot down a few main points or stories before the interview that I want to make sure to address. These points could be anything from a few facts about the school/company, a good example of leadership that they don't already know about or something else that would help me sell myself in the interview. I would memorize these main points and tailor my answers around them. For example, if I wanted to tell the interviewer about a promotion that I received at work I could mention it in response to a question like "tell me a little bit about yourself" or "why would you be a good fit for our school/company etc". Keep track of these main points and cross each one off in your head as the interview progresses.

I don't know if this will help you but it has always helped me to relax and come out of the interview feeling confident that I expressed myself in the best possible way.

Good Luck!! and fill us in with the details afterwards.

Mooze, no problem. When you get around to it that's fine. Re: Impressive backgrounds... I agree there are some very strong work experiences that you could easily get intimidated by but Tuck really places high value on diversifying the makeup of their class. Some schools, (ehem Wharton) draw heavily from finance and consulting backgrounds. Almost to an extent it polarizes those who come from other disciplines. I'm not criticizing consultants or financiers here, btw. But I wouldn't get too caught up in other folks experience v. yours... if there is something unique about you outside of your work (and maybe inside) they will likely notice.

They preach and preach and preach about the 'holistic approach' they make decisions based on so even those of you out there who are knee knocking about GMAT or GPA don't let it get you down too much if you have something else that can add diversity to their community.

Arzad,

1. Call Johnson and ask who you will be interviewing with.
2. If it's a professor make sure you look up their bio, what they do, what clubs/activities/classes they are involved in so you can speak to that in your interview.
2a. If it's a second year or an adcom I would consult the ClearAdmit Wiki.
3. Regardless of if it's an adcom, prof or student you will get asked: Why your MBA? Why now? Why Cornell? <--you may get Why Johnson? make sure you speak to the opportunities at Johnson as well as Cornell. Finally they'll likely ask you about a leadership situation.
4. It will be conversational so relax and be yourself.

any more questions PM me. Also johnnyGMAT, nessy26x and mixedin86 are all great resources as well.

Senator,
Is the roll call based on candidates' first school choice or all of their school choices? I'm assuming all because the numbers for each school don't add up to 50.

Posted from my mobile device

It only counts applicants. Not the number of schools they are applying to. It's done like that because that's the way Consortium counts applicants (not on a school-by-school basis). If you are looking for total applications, the 4th chart will offer detail on how many applications that each school is receiving from members of this forum (Although not everyone has updated their profiles in full).

If you notice any glitches and/or anything else you'd like to add or see I'll be happy to try and accommodate.

I gotcha... Thanks for the clarity. I was looking at the high numbers for some schools wondering if (for example) haas had 14 people making it their first choice, or did 14 people just put haas on their list. But I see now.

Posted from my mobile device

Arzad, my tips are simple:

- What are your strengths?

- What is something that you can say that your interviewer will ALWAYS remember... even if he/she doesn't remember your name... they might think, "oh yeah that's the guy who rescued a baby beluga from a net," .... etc. etc.... don't be perfect, be honest and memorable

- Let us be real for a second, we all, for the most part, have at least a decent GMAT and/or GPA... and if you've received an interview, you're past that filtering point... so now it's time to impress them or, at least, give them reassurance that you're not a total douche and will complement their class

- In the end though, just relax, smile, and know yourself... that's what will make you confident and get you through this and any other interview... it's worked for me, I have four acceptances and crapload of money offered and some of my stats are definitely not bragging material

I wish you the best of luck my friend

Hooray, just received a Ross interview invite for all you in the Consortium pool.

same here!