VictoryMBA wrote:
I have a question for everyone...if you had to do it all over again, would you still apply through the consortium? Would you apply to fewer/more schools?
Another question about what people think about my candidacy. I am an URM, however I'm not sure what adcoms would think of my commitment to the mission.
I would definitely apply through the consortium in your case - you have a compelling interest in wanting to "give back", and if articulated well, that can be a huge plus. While I eventually passed on my Consortium admission offers, I found it to be a good experience, a good mission, and the member school definitely take the applicants seriously.
Some people mentioned that there is little space to tell specific school interest in the essay format, but I disagree; think of it as an opportunity to write succinctly and powerfully. Generally speaking, I found in my applications that if an essay required a significantly higher than allowed word count to "sound right", you are probably writing about the wrong things. Remember, you have to interview BEFORE you submit your application with the Consortium, so I would argue that this takes an added dimension of importance and fills the essay gaps in a way that a traditional application does not.
Bottom line, applying through the Consortium can only HELP your chances of admission, and will save you some money as well. Treat the applicantions like you would at any other school, make sure you would actually consider matriculating there (ADCOMS have a way of sniffing that out), and give it a go. I can say nothing but good things about my experience with it, and I truly wish I had a way of remaining involved with what they are trying to do.