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22 Apr 2021, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Focus on These 5 Areas for MBA Admissions Success |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/MBA-APPLICATION-JOURNEY-734x413.png[/img] The MBA admissions process is rigorous and time-consuming. Therefore, having a strategy to guide you will go a long way toward helping you manage this experience. Admissions committee members evaluate MBA applicants across a host of components, so your goal is to maximize the impact of each one. Turn your focus to these five specific areas for MBA admissions success in the fall. Remember, each touchpoint is an opportunity to tell the admissions office something new about yourself. As we noted on [url=https://find-mba.com/articles/your-guide-to-the-entire-mba-application]Find MBA[/url], it’s a good thing that the adcom will judge you on your entire package. After all, we’re so much more than just our jobs, our grades, and our volunteer experience. Focus Areas for MBA Admissions Success [b]GPA[/b] Your GPA is a significant element of your MBA application. Besides your admissions test score, it’s a clear signal of your ability to handle the academic rigor of business school. Unfortunately, it is also one of the only components already set in stone. Keep in mind that a 3.5 or better undergraduate GPA is acceptable for most MBA applications. Check the mean standard for admitted students at your target programs to see whether you have a problem to overcome. If you have a [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/3-ways-to-offset-a-low-gpa-when-applying-to-business-school/]below-average GPA[/url] or low grades in quantitative/business classes, consider taking an online course this summer. Earning A’s in college-level quant courses will help convince the admissions committee that you can succeed in a challenging, fast-paced MBA program. Also, taking steps to shore up those weaknesses shows maturity and your ability to balance academics with work. [b]Career Progression[/b] When applying to a top-tier business school, show a clear path of professional growth in your application. The admissions team likes to meet potential students who have the drive to advance their skills and leadership abilities continually. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/man-in-black-suit-achieved-an-accomplishment-3779409-734x489.jpg[/img] If this is a trouble spot for you, it’s time to get creative. Think of ways to add value and continue to develop your career. If an official title change is not in the cards in the coming months, find other ways to take on more senior responsibilities at work. Ask to join a high-level project. Take on a leadership role. If you have a new member on the team, volunteer to mentor that person. Even within a flat organization with no title change, you can still [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/focus-on-career-progression-results-for-a-successful-mba-resume/]show career progression[/url] on your resume. Review your accomplishments and see how you can portray them in a way that reveals your professional growth. Each time your responsibilities grew, you can describe it in a bullet point with the date. For example: [list] [*]Directed a staff of three in servicing 45 client relationships of global corporations with more than $25B in assets. (2020) [/*] [*]Contributed to the growth of $34B business through a mix of market research, marketing, and client servicing. (2019-2020)[/*] [/list] The essays also provide ample opportunities to summarize career progress and explain the structure of your organization. [b]Admissions Test[/b] Unlike your GPA, business school aspirants have a great deal of control over this aspect of the application. Try to get the test out of the way as soon as possible. Then you can focus your energy on the essays and recommendation letters during the summer months. Explore your options and take a practice test. Consider taking a free or paid prep course, studying with a friend, or hiring a tutor if possible. These strategies can help you maintain discipline while studying. If English is not your first language, factor this into your plan as well. After all, preparation is essential for most candidates to excel on the test. If you received a below-average score the first time, plan to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/retake-gmat/]retake the exam[/url]. Reflect on whether you genuinely gave it 100 percent the first time around. Admissions committees often look favorably upon applicants who try to improve their scores. A score boost can help clear the path for MBA admissions success. [b]Recommendation Letters[/b] The admissions committee pays close attention to the content of recommendation letters in support of your MBA candidacy. Therefore, you should only choose recommenders who will champion your business school aspirations. A lukewarm letter of recommendation could do more damage to your chances of admission than a lower GPA or test score. Few applicants realize how much they can influence their recommenders to help them draft powerful, persuasive letters of support. While you should never write the letter yourself, you can guide your recommender to focus on key traits—leadership, communication skills, integrity, innovation mindset—that you wish to highlight. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Highly_Recommended-2-734x309.jpg[/img] Remind them of at least three compelling, work-related anecdotes that show how you contributed to a project, led a team, inspired others, communicated effectively, etc. Your recommenders can help you stand out from thousands of other highly qualified applicants by painting a clear picture of both the personal and professional you. Recommenders need to do a lot of work on your behalf. Start identifying who you want to approach now and have a preliminary chat with them about your MBA plans. Once they are on board, begin assembling materials so you can guide them to write the [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/mba-recommendation-letter/]most effective letter[/url] on your behalf. [b]Essays[/b] While most schools have yet to publish their essays for the 2020-2021 season, you can get a good idea of the types of stories you will need by reading last year’s application. Knowing that you will have to describe a leadership experience may motivate you to take on a new leadership role – in or outside of work. Realizing that you will see questions about your level of community involvement may push you to step up your volunteering efforts. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/board-3699939_1920-734x489.jpg[/img] It is also a good idea to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/3-unconventional-steps-to-writing-great-mba-essays/]begin brainstorming[/url] your answers to two questions that will crop up in either essay questions or the MBA interview. First, what are your career goals? And second, why do you need an MBA now? Reflect on your background and what stories you could share. If you identify gaps, create a plan to fill them. We recommend that candidates allocate two to three hours each time they sit down to work on their essays, especially for the first few drafts. Non-native English speakers may find they need to allow even more time for their applications, particularly writing, revising, editing, proofing, formatting, and inputting essays. That said, applicants should also avoid the “marathon session.” Few people remain sharp or creative during eight hours of writing and editing. Summer is right around the corner. Now is the time to launch into your MBA application journey with an eye toward MBA admissions success. Make this the year you take those vital first steps toward transforming your career. The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-admissions-success/]Focus on These 5 Areas for MBA Admissions Success[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. [img]https://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/StacyBlackman/~4/M3puvRyXLrw[/img] |
26 Apr 2021, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tips for Applying to B-School After Years in the Workforce |
 The average age of business school applicants has been trending downward for the past decade. With that, work experience expectations have shifted as well. But not everyone is ready or in a position to take the business school plunge at 26 years old. If you want to pursue an MBA in your early-30s and beyond, consider these specific tips as you put together your application package. Show Career Progression When applying to a top-tier business school, you’ll need to show the admissions committee a clear path of professional growth. The admissions team wants to admit students who continually seek to learn and advance their skills and leadership abilities. Even if you have held the same job for several years, you should demonstrate career progression. This can be in the formal sense, with increasingly higher-level job titles. Or by pointing out how you have gradually taken on greater responsibilities. Coach your recommenders to address this upward trajectory in their letters of support specifically. That will help convey your dedication to your professional development. Also, make sure to ask a current or recent manager for that recommendation. A letter from a supervisor who worked with you eight years ago might raise a red flag. If you select a recommender from the more distant past, make sure that you have kept in touch, and they can speak to your professional progression and work habits now.  If you have had several jobs, don’t worry about squeezing all of them onto the MBA resume. Highlight only the most critical positions and find ways to show career progression and results on your MBA resume. Show Strong Leadership Understandably, younger applicants won’t have many examples of leadership one year out of school. But, as time goes on, expectations increase, and the ability to manage and inspire others will become more important. The best MBA programs value outstanding leadership. If you are applying to Harvard Business School in your mid-30s, you better have already developed tremendous leadership skills and have a lot to show for them. For your essays, find professional or personal anecdotes that show how you have galvanized or improved the work of others. Try to paint a vivid picture of your most significant leadership challenge or of a time when you led with integrity or motivated a team to achieve a shared goal. You want to show how you always attempt to do more than a good job and strive to leave your mark on whatever situation you’re in.  As prepared as you are, you need to convince the schools that you still have room for improvement. And that can only come from the education and experiences of an MBA program. Let them know exactly what they offer that will help you further hone your leadership or technical skills. Choose the Right Type of Program If you’re quite advanced in your career, research what type of program best fits your professional goals and personal life. You may find that a part-time MBA program or an executive MBA program will allow you to meet your goals with greater flexibility and less disruption. When we worked with Claudine, she was in her late-30s and held an executive-level position in finance at a large consumer products company. She had reached a career plateau in her firm and thought an MBA would take her to the next level. We considered any of the three format options could help her achieve her goals. While excited by the range of social and extracurricular activities available in a full-time MBA program, Claudine had an extremely demanding family life with two small children. She didn’t think she could take advantage of the many social activities most full-time MBA students participate in.  Ultimately, her desire for a flexible way to expand her skills and tap into the network available from a strong program led Claudine to look most closely at an executive MBA. Claudine ended up having great success at the joint EMBA program between the University of California—Berkeley Haas School of Business and Columbia Business School. Business school admissions committees always seek applicants with diverse interests and backgrounds. Older candidates have numerous attractive qualities going for them. The key is to make sure all those great qualities stand front and center in your MBA application. The post Tips for Applying to B-School After Years in the Workforce appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
27 Apr 2021, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Social Media Tips for MBA Applicants |
 We’re going to tell you something you probably already know. Namely, if you’re applying to an MBA program this year, be careful about what you post online. Adcom members may search your name before admitting you to their program. It doesn’t end with the admissions committee, either. Let’s say you are invited to interview with a local alum; that person might try to find out as much information about you as possible before your chat. Once you’re at school, potential internship and full-time employers could perform an even more extensive online background check. Your fellow classmates might do some digging, too! You don’t want something written in haste to derail your chances of getting in. That’s why you should review these social media tips for MBA applicants asap. Rest assured, being active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms isn’t a negative. In fact, savvy candidates actually use these venues to boost their credibility. For example, you can also use social media to solidify the good impressions made through your application materials. Try these social media tips on for size Let’s say that you’re hoping to switch careers after business school. One of your essays talks about your intention to work for a company that develops clean-energy options in third-world countries. You could tweet links to articles or books you’re reading on the subject. Maybe you post about a local conference you attended. Perhaps you give your take on the most promising advancements in the field. Or, maybe your career to date has led you to become somewhat of an expert on microfinance. Reinforce that reputation through your online presence. Let people know when you were quoted in an article or asked to be on a panel.  Are you a marketing guru? It would be easy to weigh in on — or share — what some of the biggest brands are doing on social media. The key is to keep things professional and on point. It’s absolutely fine to let your personality shine through, too — just as it should in your essays. And you’re already following the programs you’re applying to, right? Doing so could be a great way to get insight into a school that you could work into your essays. Remember, if you don’t consider social media to be another way to strengthen your candidacy, you may be missing out on a great opportunity that other MBA applicants will most certainly take advantage of. Think of it this way:  Do your social media profiles need a makeover? For a b-school applicant, proper management of social media channels can help you expand the scope of your application without infringing on limited essay word counts. Check out the SBC Social Media Strategy Review, and let us help set you up for a lifetime of online social success. The post Social Media Tips for MBA Applicants appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
28 Apr 2021, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode 53: Stacy Blackman on Entrepreneurship |
 This episode marks the one-year anniversary of our B-Schooled podcast’s launch, and who better to join us in celebrating this milestone than the head of our team and founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting—Stacy Blackman! Stacy will talk about her entrepreneurial career and how an MBA helped her (and continues to help her) start three companies. She’ll also share advice for MBA hopefuls who are looking to run their own firms at some point after graduation, as well as for those who might be approaching the application process with entrepreneurial experience already under their belt. Listen to B-Schooled episode #53 here, or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher 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 53: Stacy Blackman on Entrepreneurship appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
29 Apr 2021, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Our GMAT Club: Test Talk with Stacy Blackman Consulting’s AdCom |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/math-study.jpg[/img] The buzz around test requirements for MBA programs has intensified over the last season due to the pandemic and access issues around test-taking. Across our client pool, we field questions about admissions exams daily. With former MBA admissions officers on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/about/mba-admissions-consulting-team/]our team[/url] for every top US and European program, we have a unique opportunity to share insights that reflect the active dialogue of our own “GMAT Club” community. Here is the first in a series of Q&As offering a sneak peek into the internal conversations we’ve been having. Do I need to take a test for MBA admissions? There are two different camps on this subject. The first includes strong proponents of test-taking. Meanwhile, others genuinely feel that standardized testing isn’t predictive or necessary for higher education admissions. Both camps are accurate. Prospective business school candidates need first to identify which caliber and type of MBA program they aspire to. Those criteria influence whether to take a test and how important that score will be in predicting relative admit chances. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/HBS-Harvard-Business-School-Baker_library-cropped-734x430.jpg[/img] There are countless graduate programs, especially outside of the [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/]top 15 MBA programs[/url], that are “test lighter” in their expectations. Still, we see that demand for the elite 15 full-time MBA programs has soared. This is because of the sterling value of their reputation, the education provided, and alumni networks. Most of the top executive MBA programs also require a test score. Even during the peak of the pandemic, few waivered on their requirement of an objective test measurement. [b]Bottom line:[/b] Almost all top brand MBA programs still expect and require a test of some type. What value does a test score have in MBA Admissions? A test score is the most objective measure of one’s ability to handle the coursework of business school. A score close to or at the program’s reported average demonstrates that the applicant can manage the analytical courseload. MBA admissions officers evaluate the test score to assess academic aptitude in conjunction with the [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/3-ways-to-offset-a-low-gpa-when-applying-to-business-school/]college transcript[/url] and work experience. “It becomes a moral question. I don’t want to admit someone who is going to struggle,” shared a college admissions officer in a recent Wall Street Journal [url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/college-admission-season-is-crazier-than-ever-that-could-change-who-gets-in-11615909061]article[/url]. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-tim-gouw-52608-734x490.jpg[/img] The [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/b-schooled-episode-31-tips-trimming-essays-application-responses/]MBA essays[/url] and [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/recommendation-letter-mba/]recommendation letters[/url] help paint the bigger picture of who the applicant is as a person. A strong test score shows the candidate committed to the academic exercise of test prep through hard work and perseverance. Such attributes are proxies for success within and outside the classroom of a graduate program. For example, a former admissions officer on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team shared the following about quant performance for most MBA applicants to [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/insead/]INSEAD[/url]: “Anyone who scores below the 70th percentile will be a ‘conversation.’ A committee discussion will ensue to review the academic record to see if there are overall concerns about the prospective student to cope with the rigor of the program. There is always some test score flexibility. But there’s definitely an agreement that quant performance predicts academic success within the INSEAD program.” [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/INSEAD-734x384.jpg[/img] Should I take the GMAT exam? If you’re aiming for top MBA programs and have access to the test—either version—we recommend taking the test and submitting the score. “Even for some programs such as [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/mit-sloan/]MIT Sloan[/url], which temporarily waived the test requirement due to the pandemic, we find that clients who submitted a test score have had more favorable admit outcome results overall,” shared a former MIT admissions officer who is now on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team. Any test is better than no test for applicants focused on the top MBA programs with competitive acceptance rates. There are other tests to consider, such as the Executive Assessment, if the GMAT isn’t ideal for the applicant. Should I submit a test score even if the program doesn’t require one? We almost always encourage minimizing risk by submitting a test score. “Not submitting a standardized test score is only beneficial if all other measures work well, especially the grades,” shared a former [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/northwestern-kellogg/]Kellogg School of Management[/url] admissions officer on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team. “So, if you had stellar grades undergrad, the AdCom would probably be okay evaluating you without a test, if the program’s application requirements waive the test score.” But if college grades were low in quant classes specifically, a test score to help counteract those grades is essential. A test score is the most reliable measure of academic aptitude. It’s also weighted more heavily than even if a candidate opted to submit any ancillary course transcripts such as HBx Core or MBAmath. [b]What has changed in test expectations for top MBA programs?[/b] Top programs have deemphasized the GMAT in recent years, so it’s not quite as rigid as it once was. This pivot has helped to diversify the student class. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-william-fortunato-6140676-734x489.jpg[/img] “When I was at Wharton Adcom, we placed less of an emphasis on stats (i.e., average GMAT score) as we realized Wharton had lost candidates to HBS and Stanford who were taking lower test scores,” noted a former member of the [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/upenn-wharton/]Wharton School[/url] admissions officer on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team. Programs still evaluate a candidate’s profile holistically based on all aspects. “All the test score shows, which is still vital, is that the applicant can do the work in addition to managing everything else that’s part of MBA experience,” shared a former [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/harvard-business-school/]Harvard Business School[/url] admissions officer on our Stacy Blackman Consulting team. *** Stay tuned for our next edition of GMAT Club: Test Talk with Stacy Blackman Consulting, where we will share the insights of the other former MBA Admissions Officers about test guidance. Main image credit: [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/billselak/2417001179/]Bill Selak[/url] (CC BY-ND 2.0) The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/our-gmat-club-test-talk-sbc-adcom/]Our GMAT Club: Test Talk with Stacy Blackman Consulting’s AdCom[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. [img]https://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/StacyBlackman/~4/hR3z7ubpBgc[/img] |
30 Apr 2021, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: How LinkedIn Can Help MBA Applicants |
 A growing number of admissions officers believe it’s “fair game” to scope out applicants’ social media feeds, a 2021 Kaplan survey confirms. Kaplan surveyed 150 business school admissions departments in 2018 to address that same issue. In that poll, 40% said they visited applicants’ social media profiles to learn more about them when making admissions decisions. Among admissions officers who visit applicants’ social media, half said they found something that negatively impacted an applicant’s admissions chances. For that reason, it’s imperative for applicants to review and mitigate any red flags. While we talked about cleaning up your online presence earlier this week, today, we’re sharing a few specific tips you can use to enhance your LinkedIn profile to further support your MBA candidacy. Having a LinkedIn profile that shows your unique personality and presents your professional/life experiences in a compelling way can help sway an on-the-fence adcomm member in your favor.  Tip 1. LinkedIn can help MBA applicants differentiate themselves. Your profile should highlight your leadership and accomplishments, plus present a full picture of your interests, passions and career goals. All that will complement what’s already in your application and provide more insight to the reader. Also, an MBA interviewer may look over your profile to get a better sense of your personality before the meeting. So, this is the place to start the process of winning over your audience. Be specific about your professional role in the headline. Also, think about whether you can provide a broader picture of yourself in this prime piece of real estate. For example, you may work as a staff consultant at Bain & Company or as an analyst at Goldman Sachs. But if you’ve also created some type of non-profit organization—our client Ali co-founded one helping girls in the Middle East obtain educational opportunities—listing that additional position in your headline will set you apart from the typical analyst in the applicant pool. Tip 2. Quantify your achievements. Admissions committees like to see results. So, try to quantify results within the body of your profile just as you would in your MBA resume. It’s much more powerful to write that you “created a marketing plan that resulted in a 30 percent increase in leads,” as opposed to noting that you simply “created a marketing plan.” Managing a staff is interesting. But the fact that you managed 30 employees and improved profitability by 25% is something anyone can understand. By giving the reader a number, you give them the chance to see just what kind of leader you were—and will be. Tip 3. Your LinkedIn “Interests” should match and support your candidacy. If your application touches on your keen interest in renewable energy, micro-investing in India, or Silicon Valley startups, this section should show that you’re following influencers or organizations in those industries. This consistency reinforces the narrative within your application and lends credibility to your stated interests and passions.  Tip 4. Make sure career and education information is consistent with your MBA application. This sounds obvious, but our memories can get fuzzy and small discrepancies are actually pretty common. Cross-check your education, employer names, and dates to ensure all are in the proper order. Consistency between your LinkedIn profile and MBA application is key. If the person reviewing your application spots inconsistencies compared to the data form, you’re inviting additional scrutiny. This could potentially raise a red flag that puts other aspects of your application under the microscope. LinkedIn can help MBA applicants in numerous ways. You can bolster your candidacy while providing a multi-dimensional view of yourself to the admissions committee and future recruiters. Isn’t it time you revisited your profile to make sure it’s MBA-ready? Whether you need to professionalize an existing profile or develop a presence on an entirely new platform, SBC can provide informed direction on which steps to take. For a b-school applicant, proper management of social media channels can also help you expand the scope of your application without infringing on limited essay word counts. Learn more about the SBC Social Media Strategy Review, and you can set yourself up for a lifetime of online social success. The post How LinkedIn Can Help MBA Applicants appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
04 May 2021, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Overcoming Overconfidence |
 “FRESH IDEAS FROM THE BLACKLIGHT” SBC’s Weekly Newsletter for Professionals Having a healthy level of confidence is a beautiful thing. Overconfidence, on the other hand, can have serious—sometimes life-threatening—consequences. Look no further than the U.S. government’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how disastrous overconfidence can be. Unlike those who suffer from Impostor Syndrome, people with overconfidence bias think too highly of themselves. They make poor decisions across a range of situations. They run roughshod over teammates and their suggestions. Waste time and money pursuing an idea doomed to fail. If any of this sounds uncomfortably familiar, don’t worry. You can take steps right now to put things in proper perspective. UC Berkeley Haas School of Business professor Don Moore specializes in the psychology of decision-making. In his latest book Perfectly Confident: How to Calibrate Your Decisions Wisely, Moore helps readers assess their confidence levels to keep their over-inflated sense of self in line. In an interview on the Knowledge@Wharton podcast, Moore agrees with host Katherine Milkman that confidence feels good. It’s backed by facts and reality and is empowering. On the flip side, “it doesn’t feel good to be overconfident,” he says. “And when you realize you’re overconfident, it feels like a mistake. You feel like a fool.” The students in my class who are most sure they’re going to ace the exam, and therefore don’t study, are not those who get the best grades, says Moore. To achieve what you want in life, Moore says you need to have realistic expectations about the risks and opportunities that lie ahead. Also, he notes, you must understand the actions you need to take to protect yourself from risks or capitalize on opportunities.  Wanna Bet? We can better calibrate our confidence by making “probabilistic forecasts” about what will happen in the future, says Moore. Ask yourself, “Do I believe that prediction enough to be willing to bet on it?” “If another rational, well-informed person is willing to take the other side of the bet, ask yourself what they know that you do not,” Moore advises. Considering the distribution of possible outcomes and then assessing the likelihood of each is useful for helping us question our assumptions, he explains. 4 Steps to Overcome Overconfidence In 1999, social psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger identified something now known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, which happens when people with low ability can overestimate their aptitude. As Dunning wrote in an op-ed for Politico, “The knowledge and intelligence that are required to be good at a task are often the same qualities needed to recognize that one is not good at that task — and if one lacks such knowledge and intelligence, one remains ignorant that one is not good at the task. This includes political judgment.” Explains a lot, doesn’t it? Here are Dunning’s quick tips for avoiding the overconfidence trap via this Reddit AMA (“Ask Me Anything”).
In the end, we should aim for the sweet spot Moore calls “the middle way between having too much and having too little” confidence. “The middle way enables you to see the truth and understand all that you are capable of, and how to achieve it,” says Moore. “It helps you steer clear of mistakes that can put you at risk for missed opportunities, embarrassment, and pain.” *** Did you like this post about keeping overconfidence in check? It originally appeared on the Blacklight, our weekly newsletter for professionals. At the Blacklight, we aim to illuminate with every dispatch that lands in your inbox. If you’re thirsty for guidance to help you slay it at work or as a student and move your goalposts closer, sign up today! The post Overcoming Overconfidence appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
05 May 2021, 10:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode 54: Secrets of Dual HBS/GSB Admits, Part 2 of 2 |
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Anyone who decides to pursue an MBA typically understands that the odds are against most applicants when it comes to being admitted into the top-ranked programs. This fierce competition makes it all the more impressive when a candidate gets into two of the most respected programs in the world: Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business. Stacy Blackman Consulting studied dual admits we worked with a few years ago, as well as those we worked with who were admitted after the extra-competitive rounds during COVID this past year, in order to analyze their secrets to success as well as assess trends over time. This episode focuses on the last four of the eight themes we discovered, while episode 52 covered the first four themes. Listen to B-Schooled episode #54 here, or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher 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 54: Secrets of Dual HBS/GSB Admits, Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
06 May 2021, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Build your Business School Network as an Applicant |
 As most incoming MBA students know, the network you cultivate during business school is likely the most valuable part of the experience. Through the Internet and social media, you can get a head start and build your business school network as early as the application phase. That network can help you research schools, decide where to apply, and support you throughout your candidacy. In addition to making those two years a whole lot of fun, these relationships will also become a lasting set of connections that have the potential to change the course of your professional life forever. Here are three ways to build your business school network before you even set foot on campus. Be social media savvy. Business schools want to expand their follower base to share news, deadlines, and admissions events with prospective students. Follow your target MBA programs on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. School-sponsored student blogs, such as the Booth Experience blog from the University of Chicago, are another great resource. Use these online vehicles to learn about the school and to connect personally. Friend people who can be your peers. Once admitted, you can take all of this social networking one step further. Don’t attempt to friend any of the admissions folks on Facebook. But do feel free to follow them on Twitter. Engage by asking thoughtful questions about the admissions process, and learn all you can from them. Another way to get on the admissions team’s radar is by keeping them apprised of your progress with a tweet. For example, you could write something like: “Submitted my Round 1 application to @MichiganRoss today. Super excited for a chance to participate in the team-based interview.” If you don’t consider social media to be another way to build your business school network and strengthen your candidacy, you may be missing out on a great opportunity that other MBA applicants will most certainly take advantage of. Ask to be introduced to current students who share your interests. As soon as it’s allowed, visit campus in person and go out of your way to meet specific students in person whenever possible. For example, if you’re interested in finance, ask someone to introduce you to the head of the finance club. Also, find out who is running the women’s association if you’re a female candidate targeting that school.  Call the admissions office and ask to be connected to a student who is doing something you want to do, such as pursuing your dream entrepreneurial goals or concentrating on green business practices. Admissions should be able to hook you up with like-minded individuals who can help you understand how the school can serve your goals. Once you’ve made contact, these are great people to stay loosely in touch with as you make up your final list of schools. Sometimes, you can even name drop a bit in your essays to show you have really done personal research and gotten to know the program and its student body. Now is also a great time to reach out to alumni and current students that you already know. Reinvest in those relationships and talk to them about their experiences and how an MBA degree has enhanced their careers. Work MBA admissions events to your advantage. Go to as many business school admissions events as you possibly can—even if it’s all virtual for now. This is a great way to decide if a certain program is legitimately the right place for you by hearing students and alumni speak and sizing up the way a school markets itself. As a bonus, attending an event shows your interest and that you have done your homework. It makes a school feel loved. Everyone likes to feel loved, even admissions committee members. It can be hard to stand out at these online events. But sometimes, you will have that meaningful conversation that can make a world of difference. In addition, business schools often recruit alumni to participate and help sell their programs to prospective students. As a result, you may encounter people working in the same industry you hope to after earning an MBA degree.  Try to find two or three people who match up with your experience and goals. Learn how their business school experience transformed them personally or professionally. If the person is willing to speak with you outside of the event, ask for an informational interview. Over the phone or even email, you can learn more about how they successfully transitioned to their current career. It truly is the people, not the brochure bullet points, that bring a school to life. So the more person-to-person contact you have, the more informed you will be when it comes time to apply – and when you finally set foot on campus. The post Build your Business School Network as an Applicant appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
07 May 2021, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Advice for Applicants from Over-Represented Buckets |
 If there’s one overarching trend we’ve seen in our two decades of admission consulting, it’s the move toward greater diversity at the top MBA programs. For example, applicants from consulting and banking used to dominate at business schools in the past. Plus, most students were white males. However, programs strive for diversity across several buckets: gender, ethnicity, industry, function or role, home country — even sexual orientation. What does that mean for applicants from consulting or financial services? Or white males or Indian male engineers (two of the most over-represented demographic buckets)? It means that you must work hard to stand out. You’ll need to prove you have something valuable to bring to the table. In other words, you’re going to have to clearly demonstrate that what your classmates will learn from your personal and professional experiences outweighs the fact that you aren’t contributing to a more diverse environment in the traditional ways. We often meet with applicants who are shocked to hear that their “stats” won’t be enough. A high GPA and a high GMAT score are never bad things, of course, but they don’t guarantee admission, either. The MBA application process is a self-selecting one in many ways. Meaning, the people pursuing b-school are the ones who’ve done well in school, on tests, and in their careers so far. Stats don’t tell the whole story.  The majority of applicants deserve to get in “on paper.” But your stats only indicate that you can likely handle the rigor of their program. They don’t reveal anything about how you work with others. Nor do they speak to any leadership roles you’ve taken. More importantly, they reveal nothing of what motivates you or what your future goals are. Unlike undergraduate colleges, MBA programs heavily rely on students teaching each other. As a result, schools expect high levels of spirited and interactive discussion in class, with students sharing their past experiences to benefit others. So while everyone who applies to business school should try to communicate the unique aspects of their candidacies that their classmates will learn from, it’s exponentially more critical that those from over-represented buckets do so. You’re going to want to pull from your volunteer, extracurricular, and leadership experiences across all facets of your life.  You might want to talk about places you’ve traveled and what you did or learned there. You might have a defining moment to share that led to your future career goals. You’ll want to highlight anything you are involved with at work that might relate to recent news headlines. The admissions committees love it when students can share first-hand experience with buzzy topics. Applicants from the “traditional” buckets still gain admission to top MBA programs across the country every year. So if you’re in one of those buckets, there’s no reason to lose hope. But you should look objectively and realistically at your candidacy and perhaps widen the net of schools you’re considering. Try to figure out what your classmates would learn from you. Then, focus on incorporating those themes into your materials. You can do it! And if you need help crafting your story, sign up for a free profile analysis from SBC. The post Advice for Applicants from Over-Represented Buckets appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
10 May 2021, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Harvard MBA Deadlines for the Class of 2024 |
 Are you already planning your application strategy for Harvard Business School? Then get out your calendar, because the Harvard MBA deadlines for the 2021-2022 admissions season have been announced! ROUND 1 Application due: September 8, 2021 Decision released: December 9, 2021 ROUND 2 Application due: January 4, 2022 Decision released: March 30, 2022 All applications are due at 12 noon EST on the day of the deadline. Therefore, Class of 2024 applications received after September 8, 2021, will be considered in Round 2. Consequently, applications received after January 4, 2022, will not be considered. The post Harvard MBA Deadlines for the Class of 2024 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
10 May 2021, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Harvard MBA Essay for 2021-2022 |
 In addition to the HBS deadlines, the Harvard MBA essay for the 2021-22 admissions season has been confirmed. The essay question remains unchanged from the last admissions cycle. Harvard MBA Essay for 2021-2022: “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?” (no word limit) The application will open up again in mid-June 2021, Losee added. Meanwhile, he encourages applicants to download the Application Guide to learn more about the requirements. “The essay really is make or break for HBS,” shares one of the former HBS Admissions Officers on the SBC team. “So many applications have acceptable credentials up to that point of the application. It really is the essay that sets the overall application apart and earns it the interview.” Check out our updated tips for the Harvard MBA essay. And don’t hesitate to contact us to learn how Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with your Harvard MBA application. The post Harvard MBA Essay for 2021-2022 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
12 May 2021, 10:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode 55: Everything You’d Ever Want to Know About EMBA Programs |
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Have you ever wondered if an executive MBA program (EMBA) might be right for you? Or what the differences are between EMBA, part-time, and full-time MBA programs? Or had you maybe not even ever heard of the term “EMBA” before you just read this post? Well, you can rest assured that this episode of B-Schooled will answer almost any question you might have about EMBAs. We welcome back to the podcast Bill Chinois, our resident SBC expert on EMBAs, to give an overview of EMBAs, discuss what similarities and differences exist between EMBAs and full-time programs, and cover a whole bunch of other EMBA-related questions that our host Erika throws at him. So, be sure to check out B-Schooled episode #55 here, or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher 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 55: Everything You’d Ever Want to Know About EMBA Programs appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
14 May 2021, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Do This if You Have No Extracurricular Activities |
 Are you applying to business schools in Round 1? Then the process of pulling your materials together will consume much of your life in the coming months as you focus on how to best position yourself. If you’ve taken on leadership roles in volunteer organizations or have actively engaged with a nonprofit you’re passionate about, make sure you play up that angle in your materials. But what if you’ve done nothing on that front? No volunteering, no extracurricular involvement—nada. Is your MBA candidacy doomed? Not necessarily. Admissions committees understand that for some people, it’s hard to have meaningful involvement in an organization outside of work. That often happens with applicants whose jobs, pre-COVID, constantly kept them on the road. Or, maybe their typical workday doesn’t even afford them the opportunity for a full night’s sleep. We have seen compelling candidates get into top programs, even though they lack post-college extracurricular involvement. But, if you had no extracurriculars as an undergrad, either, that might become a red flag. You’ll leverage all facets of your life—not just what you’ve achieved on the job—to help your MBA classmates learn. What do you do outside of work? If you have no extracurricular activities to talk about, brainstorm other relevant things you could share with fellow students. Think along the lines of travel or cultural experiences or even a family situation. What else are you passionate about besides your job, and how has that passion manifested itself? Hobbies or extracurriculars can be windows into character qualities. For instance, one of our clients was a Lego fanatic and had a dedicated brick room in his home. Talk about a conversation starter!  While it might look disingenuous to join a bunch of volunteer organizations in the months leading up to Round 1 deadlines, you could see if your employer has any community-focused committees that you could get involved with soon. Perhaps you could mentor a junior employee or head up a company-sponsored fundraising drive. Alternatively, taking an active role in a community organization or nonprofit that’s currently in dire need of someone with expertise or skills is an excellent way to differentiate yourself from the competition. If you’ve volunteered for a certain group before, see what else you can help them with that’s more high profile, or ask if they have new roles that have sprung up over the last year due to the COVID-19 crisis that would be a good fit. Any of these steps could result in additional accomplishments you can add to your resume, write essays about, or discuss in an interview. The Clock is Ticking Four months will provide more than enough time to get involved — or ideally get more involved — in a cause that’s close to your heart (even if done remotely). You cannot change some aspects of your candidacy. Think things like where you earned your undergraduate degree, your GPA, and your career choices up until now. But, there are other things that you can improve over the next few months if you’re willing to get creative. The post Do This if You Have No Extracurricular Activities appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
17 May 2021, 10:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Do Top B-Schools Have an International Experience Requirement? |
 The ability to work well with people from other cultures has never been more critical. In response, business schools continue to deepen their focus on globalization. While most schools do not have an explicit international experience requirement, MBA admissions committees seek curious, open-minded applicants who are eager to learn about the world at large. Having meaningful work, study, or travel experience outside your home country makes you more desirable as an MBA applicant. After graduation, these global experiences translate into marketable job skills. Think adaptability, leadership, cultural awareness, and communication and language abilities. INSEAD, for example, lists “international motivation” as a criterion for admission. But this does not mean you have to live or work abroad before you can apply. Instead, it means you seek out and feel comfortable with people from many different backgrounds.  The INSEAD blog describes international motivation this way: International motivation is not necessarily about how many countries you have lived in. It is about your willingness to adapt your communication style around different cultures, your motivation to want to explore them, and your desire to effectively collaborate with people who may be very different from you. Here are two key reasons why there is an international experience “requirement” when applying to business school. The value of diverse perspectives Look at the demographics of any elite MBA program, and you will see a considerable number of non-citizens enrolled. A cohort of students from an array of backgrounds, cultures, and languages enriches everyone’s experience. Having a broader perspective of global business issues in your arsenal means you bring a unique viewpoint to class discussions and team projects. It also expands your network as you tap into professional associations with your contacts in other countries. MBA applicants should highlight any experiences traveling, studying, or working abroad. Schools want to ensure candidates can actually thrive – not just survive – in the program and work well with a diverse group of classmates.  INSEAD notes that you can highlight your ability to navigate this level of diversity in many different ways. For instance, working in a multicultural team or for a multinational company. Or dealing with international clients. Have you learned a foreign language? Even a passion for traveling in your spare time counts at INSEAD. Adaptability is a requirement of today’s jobs. Have you already logged significant international work experience or education before business school? If so, you are three steps ahead of the game. When you immersed yourself in another language or culture, you likely encountered some form of culture shock. This process ultimately becomes a valuable learning experience. You demonstrate real leadership skills when you break through communication barriers. And when you learn how business practices work in an unfamiliar environment, you adapt to new social and business norms and go beyond your comfort zone. These skills are a crucial differentiator in a competitive MBA applicant pool. International travel and work experience can also offer a wealth of material for your MBA essays. Often, such experiences will spur new career goals and a broader vision for your life.  But what if you haven’t traveled a lot? You can still meet the international experience requirement by highlighting instances where you worked with people from other countries and cultures. Can you take on a work project that puts you in contact with international offices or teams? If possible, think about traveling internationally in the months before applying. Research international volunteer opportunities or continuing education study abroad programs. Your application probably won’t get rejected because you did not fulfill the suggested international experience requirement—if every single other component is compelling and persuasive. In your essays, reference your enthusiasm for the school’s diverse culture. Discuss your plans to take advantage of study abroad programs. Mention your desire to take part in clubs or student groups that will boost your cross-cultural awareness. As long as you can show you plan to expand your mindset and increase your international exposure during business school, you should be fine. The post Do Top B-Schools Have an International Experience Requirement? appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
18 May 2021, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: SBC Launches MBA Social Impact Accelerator |
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[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-thisisengineering-3861463-734x489.jpg[/img] Stacy Blackman Consulting is introducing a first-of-its-kind resource for MBA applicants focused on social change. Every year over the past two decades, SBC has seen more and more applicants using their MBAs to advance social change. We know that an MBA can be a powerful tool for those seeking to drive social impact in the public, private, and government sectors—from social entrepreneurs to innovative nonprofit leaders, from corporate advocates to impact investors, and many other roles. That’s why we are thrilled to launch the MBA Social Impact Accelerator, the first MBA consulting offering of its kind tailored to the unique needs of social impact-focused applicants. What is the MBA Social Impact Accelerator? SBC’s bold new offering centers on social impact-focused applicants and pairs our one-on-one consulting model with a suite of supplemental resources. The Accelerator was created in collaboration with [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/consultant/chandler/]Chandler Arnold[/url]—a Stanford GSB/HBS dual admit, 20-year serial social entrepreneur, and longtime SBC partner. Chandler and the team have combined decades of experience with extensive input from admissions officers, social impact leaders, and purpose-driven students and alums from the world’s top business schools to create the program. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-rodnae-productions-6257216-734x489.jpg[/img] SBC recognizes the financial constraints that social-impact-focused applicants may face. That’s why we’re proud of both the power of this program—and the fact that this product is priced more affordably than other offerings. [b]Who should accelerate?[/b] The MBA Social Impact Accelerator is for applicants with a demonstrated past commitment to social impact work. By this, we mean a full-time position at a nonprofit organization or a full-time job [url=https://diversity.social/social-impact/]focused on social impact[/url] in the government or at a private-sector enterprise. These are candidates who plan to expand their social impact and advocacy work via their MBA program experience. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-mentatdgt-2173508-734x489.jpg[/img] SBC is launching the MBA Social Impact Accelerator as a limited pilot effort for Round 1, 2021. Interested clients will need to demonstrate their commitment to social impact by sharing their resume and a brief statement explaining why they should be considered for the Accelerator. [b]What is included?[/b] This MBA Social Impact Accelerator pairs individual one-on-one consulting with a suite of new resources designed to guide social impact-focused applicants through each element of the application, including: [list] [*][b]The MBA School Selection Guide for social impact-focused applicants. [/b]This 35-page resource analyzes social impact initiatives at 15 of the country’s top MBA programs, along with spotlights on faculty, courses, and clubs that might interest purpose-driven candidates. The guide also includes behind-the-scenes tips and suggestions from students and alumni from each program. [/*] [*][b]Five 40-minute Inside Track videos [/b]with advice from top admissions officers focused on resume writing, short and long-term goal planning, letters of recommendation, essay writing, and interview prep.[/*] [*][b]Five Inside Track working modules. [/b]To make the most out of every minute with your consultant, these modules offer tips and exercises aligned with the Inside Track videos to get a jump-start on your application.[/*] [*][b]One-on-one time with your consultant, [/b]including scalable options, gives you exactly the number of hours you need.[/*] [/list] [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-christina-morillo-1181615-734x490.jpg[/img] [b]How much does this cost? [/b] We have priced these product options with accessibility in mind, recognizing that many social impact-focused applicants face financial constraints. The MBA Social Impact Accelerator Package costs $4,500 and includes the above resources, plus 12-to-13 hours of individual consulting with an SBC team member passionate about social impact. Applicants purchasing this package can also add any number of additional consulting hours to meet their exact consulting needs. The MBA Social Impact Accelerator Supplemental Resources (without the consulting hours) are also available a la carte for $795. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/pexels-mentatdgt-1078741-734x489.jpg[/img] We are excited about these new offerings to help clients interested in using their MBAs to change the world. But, space for the MBA Social Impact Accelerator Package for Round One 2021 is limited. These openings will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Want to learn more? Please reach out to us at [email=info@stacyblackman.com]info@stacyblackman.com[/email] or call us at 866.667.8229. The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/sbc-mba-social-impact-accelerator/]SBC Launches MBA Social Impact Accelerator[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. [img]https://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/StacyBlackman/~4/ih_lBLcZc_k[/img] |
18 May 2021, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Harvard MBA Essay Advice for 2021-2022 |
 Harvard Business School has confirmed that the Harvard MBA essay question for the class of 2024 remains the same. While the COVID-19 pandemic changed education for this year, there is hope that next year could mean a return to largely in-person instruction.Harvard Business School has not announced that vaccinations will be required, but is monitoring the vaccination rate of the community. Masks are still required on campus in the meantime. The class of 2023 went through virtual interviewing and recruiting, and it remains to be seen if that will continue this fall. The Harvard MBA essay is challenging because it is open-ended. Therefore, you must remain disciplined while writing this essay. You will feel tempted to write a laundry list of everything interesting or impressive you have ever done with unlimited space. That urge could backfire. The admissions committee uses the essay to weed out those who aren’t a fit for HBS. Meanwhile, a persuasive essay can move you into the interview round for a closer look. One of the former HBS Admissions Officers on the SBC team shared, “The essay really is make or break for HBS – so many applications have acceptable credentials up to that point of the application and it is the essay that sets the overall application apart and earns it the interview.” Think about who Harvard is looking for. The admissions committee writes that “Habit of Leadership, Analytical Aptitude and Appetite, and Engaged Community Citizenship” are the common characteristics of a successful applicant. Harvard MBA Essay for 2021-2022 As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program? (no word limit) A note on word count: HBS values brevity in essays. Don’t go overboard with a 2,000-word essay. Instead, focus on concise and clear writing and consider keeping it in the ~1,000-word range. Our clients have successfully composed essays anywhere from 500-1,300 words. If you find yourself on the upper end of that range, review and cut any unnecessary words. Because there is no stated word count for the Harvard MBA essay, you have the flexibility to take extra space if you are telling a compelling story that needs it. The goal of this essay is to know yourself, know HBS, and know-how to match the two. Your task is to demonstrate your fit with Harvard Business School. First, evaluate all of the other aspects of your candidacy – what is the story your resume tells? What do you think recommenders will say? How does your transcript communicate your skills, accomplishments, and interests? Then, evaluate how to fill the gaps with the essay. Chad Losee, Managing Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard Business School, provides several tips in this video. As Losee advises, a key part of the question is “what more”? The HBS admissions committee wants you to use this essay to communicate information that adds to the rest of your application. Also, give yourself “the time and space to really reflect.” “At the end of the essay, the reader should feel so moved they want to meet you immediately – can’t wait to get to know you better, hear more of the story, ask you specific questions to learn more, be inspired, etc,” shared one of the former HBS Admissions Officers on the SBC team. Learn more about current HBS students Check out the incoming class profile for some idea of the “typical” HBS student. Keep in mind that both personal and career-oriented topics can work for this essay. In fact, most candidates tell more than one story in the essay. In the past, we have seen successful HBS essays demonstrate a core driving passion. HBS students are ambitious, motivated, and never dull.  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. And, your path should show a passion for impact in both business and society. In past years, Harvard MBA essay questions focused on accomplishments. Therefore, consider telling an accomplishment story in this essay. If your key achievements are not evident in your resume or transcripts, you can use this essay to explain them. That said, this essay aims to discover who you are. “Be genuine,” advises the HBS admissions blog, and continues: “Yes, we want you to put your best foot forward, but be careful not to be so ‘polished’ that we can’t get to know the real you.” Especially at this time of global hardship, your story doesn’t need to be perfect.  Embrace the challenges that you have overcome and tell your story. Remember that focusing on the lessons in your setbacks can be inspiring and revealing. Losee also suggests that you read the essay over and make sure it can’t describe someone else. It should be personal and describe how you are unique. A note on what not to do Many applicants feel compelled to include “why HBS” type information in the Harvard MBA essay. Unlike most MBA programs, HBS has never asked “why HBS” in an application essay question. If you feel strongly that you want to explain why Harvard is the right fit, focus on tangible differences like the Case Method learning style. However, avoid lengthy explanations about how HBS is your top choice. Instead, use the space to provide detailed information about you and your strong candidacy. The SBC team wishes you much luck with your HBS application and interview and would love to support your efforts. See here for NEW 2021 HBS interview advice, including format, evaluation criteria, and sample questions. Contact one of our SBC Principals to request availability for HBS interview preparation by emailing hbs@stacyblackman.com asap. Here’s the overview of SBC’s interview prep services. The post Tuesday Tips: Harvard MBA Essay Advice for 2021-2022 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
19 May 2021, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode 56: An Overview of European MBA Programs |
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If you’ve ever dreamed of earning your MBA in a city like London or Paris, this episode is for you. Cathy, an INSEAD graduate and SBC consultant, gives listeners an overview of the major European MBA programs and how they compare to US-based programs in terms of the admissions process, acceptance rates, campus experience, post-graduation employment opportunities, and more. So be sure to check out B-Schooled episode #56 here, or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher 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 56: An Overview of European MBA Programs appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
21 May 2021, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Warning: Burnout Ahead |
 “FRESH IDEAS FROM THE BLACKLIGHT” SBC’s Weekly Newsletter for Professionals Know anyone who likes to humble brag about their 80-hour workweek or how they get by just fine on four hours of sleep a night? Is that someone you? We can’t all be hardcore, Elon Musk-level enmeshed with our careers. Nor should we. At least, not if we aspire to have friendships, romantic partners, children, or a baseline of moderate physical health. The stress of running at a constant 110% can take a disastrous toll on our bodies and personal lives. But how do you know if you’re a workaholic headed toward full-blown burnout? Executive coach Rebecca Zucker offered this checklist in Harvard Business Review to help you determine if you’re pushing yourself too hard at work. Read through the early warning signs of burnout and see if it’s time you made some changes before an intervention is in order.  Red Flag #1 You can’t stand taking time off Do you often work at home in the evenings and on weekends and rarely take time off to unplug? That’s a glaring signal that you’re burning the candle from both ends, Zucker said. According to research from the U.S. Travel Association, Oxford Economics, and Ipsos, 55% of workers reported that they don’t use all their vacation days. U.S. workers left 768 million unused vacation days on the table in 2018, up 9% from the previous year. All of this points to America’s growing “vacation deprivation” problem, says the travel association. For 2020, the stats are especially stark since the pandemic caused many employees to leave most or all of their vacation days on the table. But don’t freak out if a two-week island vacay isn’t in the cards just yet.  Start taking baby steps now to combat the draining effects of being in constant work mode. Zucker also advised carving out personal time in the evening and using the weekend to recharge. Even the occasional day off can help restore your energy and keep burnout at bay. Red Flag #2 You often put personal relationships on the back burner For many early-career professionals, work is the number one priority. But having a laser focus only on your professional growth puts your close relationships in jeopardy. In a Korn Ferry survey of nearly 2,000 professionals, a whopping 76% of respondents said work stress had hurt their relationships. “If you are not taking time outside of work to connect socially with others and have become increasingly isolated, such that social invitations have dried up because others assume you are not available, chances are you are too focused on work.” Now more than ever, not making adequate time to connect with the people in our lives can also wreak havoc on our health. Zucker highlighted research showing that a lack of social relationships has the same ill effect as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Yikes.  Red Flag #3 Your career is your whole identity This is a common problem, especially for people working in high-pressure industries. Any activity that absorbs your energy for most of your waking hours will become central to your identity, psychologist Janna Koretz explained in her article on work-life balance for HBR. Not sure where you fall on the workaholic spectrum? Koretz suggested asking yourself the following questions.
 Reconnect with people and interests outside of work. Once you make more time for the non-work you, you’ll create a more well-adjusted identity that also considers your value as a friend, partner, parent, etc. If you see yourself in these red flag warnings, stop pushing yourself so hard! By acting with intention to bring balance into your life, you can avoid workaholic burnout and its serious physical, mental, and emotional toll. *** Did you like this post about the warning signs of burnout? It originally appeared on the Blacklight, our weekly newsletter for professionals. At the Blacklight, we aim to illuminate with every dispatch that lands in your inbox. If you’re thirsty for guidance to help you slay it at work or as a student and move your goalposts closer, sign up today! Main image credit: Chris Blakeley (CC BY-ND-NC 2.0) The post Warning: Burnout Ahead appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
24 May 2021, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Darden MBA Essays for 2021-2022 |
 Is the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business on your shortlist of target MBA programs? Then get ready to hit the ground running, because the full-time MBA application is now live! Here are the Darden MBA essays for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. Darden MBA Essays This year, Darden will again feature multiple short answer questions, which provides a broader platform to showcase your background and personality. These questions are a great opportunity for you to help the Darden Admissions Committee understand who you are and who you will be at Darden. New for this year, for the “Leadership and Impact” and “Diversity and Inclusion” questions, you will choose to respond to one of two prompts. Select the prompt that best aligns with your past experiences and the overall narrative you are crafting through your application materials. Short Answer Questions Learning Teams are an invaluable peer resource for Darden students as they navigate the core curriculum. Every student is assigned to a Learning Team consisting of 5-6 students from an array of backgrounds and perspectives, and this built-in support system serves as an important connection to the broader Darden community.
Option 2: Tell us about a time you acted to solve a problem for the greater good. What drew you to this issue? What did you learn from this experience?  Diversity and Inclusion Essay The Darden School develops practices and cultivates a culture that reflect and incorporate the worldviews of its many community members. In this inclusive culture, the community learns important — and sometimes uncomfortable — lessons from one another, resulting in more conscientious global leaders and citizens. Please respond to one of the following prompts (200 words) Option 1: Share a time when you learned something related to diversity, equity or inclusion that was previously unknown to you? How did this experience impact your perspective? Option 2: Share a time when you advocated for a perspective, identity or community different from your own. How did this experience impact your worldview? Career Goal Essay What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (150 words) Darden Worldwide The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel, and why? (55 words)  Darden Continues Test Flexibility for Class of 2024 In 2020, the coronavirus disrupted the traditional standardized testing schedule worldwide. Subsequently, the Darden School offered increased options for applicants to demonstrate evidence of academic aptitude and accomplishment. This included announcing plans to accept standardized tests including the GMAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT and the Executive Assessment. The move proved beneficial for both applicants and the Darden School, adding flexibility and removing barriers. The school expanded this for the most recent admissions cycle included adding a test waiver process. For candidates who believe they can present a strong case for a standardized test waiver, we invite them to submit a test waiver request. Before submitting a waiver request, we encourage candidates to reflect upon their overall applicant profile as well as the relevant criteria under “Test Score Waivers” in the Application Instructions page of the application. If you have been granted a test waiver, your waiver has been recorded in your application. No additional action required. *** For more information on applying, please visit the Darden School admissions site. If you need guidance on your Darden MBA essays or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Darden MBA Essays for 2021-2022 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
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