Calling all Broad (Michigan) MBA Applicants:(2018 Intake)Class of 2020

Hi cxa0897

We agree that this is a bit unusual. However, Broad probably took the decision because they wanted a concise expression of applicants' differentiators. The second 'slide' isn't really a slide though - it is simply an open-ended writing sample to see the applicant's capabilities in terms of analytical reasoning, expression, and writing. Treat slide 1 as an opportunity rather than a disadvantage and use the visual medium to the full.

Really very unclear. You need either to contact the adcom with your question (Do not hesitate) or attend any event. If you struggle, you can hire a admission consultant.

I think in a way, MSU intentionally made slide 1 vague in order to see what the applicant would do with it. Considering they get a lot of applications, making it a slide format is one way to allow applicants to really visually make their response stand out, and illustrate their capabilities with Powerpoint at the same time. This also allows you to very concisely point out what sets you apart from other applicants. I essentially picked 4 reasons that made me a good candidate and differentiated me from the crowd, and put those on the slide with supporting information to back each one up. Something I'd recommend thinking about would be what YOU can bring to Broad. Why should they want you amongst their class of 2020?

Another thing to consider is, if you click on the video interview link, you'll see that the first video question is essentially going to ask you to pitch your slide 1 like a presentation (in the 2 minutes). At least, that was my first video interview question (I'm assuming it will be the same for everyone). They tell you this ahead of time once you click on the link as a warning to ensure that you have completed the "essays"/slides before doing the video interview questions.

Thanks cxa0897 for creating this topic. Let's make it official discussion thread for the class of 2020. I've added deadlines and data tables in the first post.

FROM Broad (Michigan State) MBA Blog: Business College Pavilion Fly Through

The next chapter for the Eli Broad College of Business is officially underway. Michigan State UniversityPresident Lou Anna K. Simon recently approved the college’s plans to begin construction on the Business College Pavilion, and construction crews are preparing the college’s current facilities and surroundings for the forthcoming groundbreaking and building activities. “We are thrilled that this project is underway, and that the Broad College will soon offer our students the learning environment they need to thrive and that they deserve,” said Sanjay Gupta, the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Dean of the Eli Broad College of Business. “We will continue working toward our fundraising goal for the project, but have reached a critical milestone in our ultimate goal of making a tremendous impact on our students and community,” he said. The formal groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively scheduled for early fall. Over the last few years, committees comprised of Broad College faculty and staff, MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, Clark Construction, and architectural consultants and designers FTCH and LMN have worked together on project planning to present minimal disruptions. With project completion slated for the fall of 2019, most Broad College students will experience student life in the Pavilion. View a live time-lapse video feed of the Pavilion progress.

FROM Broad (Michigan State) MBA Blog: 2017- 18 Broad College of Business Speakers

The Sylvan T. Warrington Visiting Lectureship in Ethics and Leadership Speaker- Craig Menear (BA,’79, Human Resources); Chairman, CEO and President; The Home Depot, Inc., Atlanta, GA The Broad College of Business hosts a diverse group of business leaders and guest lecturers who share cases and insights from their careers, connecting students to real-life examples of business concepts they’re studying in the classroom. Broad MBA students get an opportunity to learn about the range of career options available to them and the chance to expand their network through direct interaction with the visiting speakers. Fall 2017 SPEAKERS September 21, 2017 Mark Hawkins (BA,’81, SCM), EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Salesforce.com, Inc., San Francisco, CA September 28, 2017 The Sylvan T. Warrington Visiting Lectureship in Ethics and Leadership- Craig Menear (BA,’79, Human Resources); Chairman, CEO and President; The Home Depot, Inc., Atlanta, GA October 19, 2017 Omari Bouknight (BA,’99, SCM), Chief Commercial Officer, and Jeff Rynbrandt (MBA,’02, SCM), VP US Sales, CardioFocus Inc., Marlborough, MA November 2, 2017 TBD November 16, 2017 Matthew Jennings (MBA, ’88, Marketing); Chairman, CEO and President;  Phillips-Medisize, a Molex Company; Hudson, WI   Spring 2018 SPEAKERS January 18, 2018 Brian Kesseler (BA,’88, Finance), CEO, Tenneco Inc., Lake Forest, IL February 1, 2018 Gregory Longstreet (BA, ’92, General Business), CEO & President, CytoSport, Inc., Walnut Creek, CA February 15, 2018 Timothy Griffith (BA, ’91, Economics), Sr. VP & Chief Financial Officer, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Findlay, OH March 15, 2018 TBD April 12, 2018 Rajiv Gupta, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Delphi Automotive PLC; Member, Board of Directors of HP Inc. and The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Former Chairman and CEO, Rohm and Haas Company, Newtown Square, PA

Thanks for the heads-up on the video question. I read the directions that stated to finish the slides first, but had not ventured that far to see how it references back.
I had a similar idea to you, picking 3 or 4 pictures/phrases that showcased what I am passionate about and how they relate to me/leadership/etc.

Did you start the writing sample yet? Did you pick a topic admissions related or just a seperate sample that shows your writing ability? I have a few argumentative pieces I've typed up over the years, but none that are related to my professional career. Not sure if that is out of scope or not.

For the writing sample, I just used an analytical case study I wrote for a project in my capstone management course in college. I'm thinking this will show my writing abilities while also showing some critical reasoning/business strategy. If you wanted to write something new to use, I'm sure that would also be acceptable.

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Did my video interview today...ugh, I am not a natural in front of the camera. It was harder than I expected for something so simple.

Oh yeah, and I cut one question off early thinking I had another retry, and I didn't. Oops.

I did interview on campus during my visit though and I think that went much better. I'll be submitting the application tomorrow after brushing up the slide/essay a bit.

I am also planning to submit my application in a day or two...did really bad in video essays..I am always uncomfortable infront of camera

Application is submitted. Let the waiting game begin.

i fed the recommenders ' names today. The recommenders didnt receive a mail immediately. is there something to worry about?

Mine didn't get emails either. I asked Paul about this when I interviewed and he said that they are references, and don't need to submit anything. I simply let my recommenders know that they should expect a call at some point in the next month while they review my app.

If you are particularly worried, send admissions an email to see if there is a way to have the link sent out.

Any one else with the same recommender mail issue?

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I seem to have run i to the same problem. My references do not have access to a personal phone at work.paul reolied that they will try to contact them on skype. Really do not know what to do now.

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FROM Broad (Michigan State) MBA Blog: #1 Time to Payback

When considering whether to pursue an MBA, many students think: “Is it worth two years and the tuition dollars?” One of the tools MBAs learn to assess investment decisions is a payback analysis. But when looking for the quickest return on investment in an MBA education, Forbes ranked the Broad College of Business Full-Time MBA Program as one of the country’s best choices. According to its latest rankings of full-time MBA programs, released today, Broad students tied for the shortest payback time among all MBA programs ranked: just 3.6 years to make up the costs of their MBA degrees in additional compensation. “The ranking demonstrates the value of our two-year MBA program. Students can invest two years and get back their investment quickly upon starting their new lives as a Broad MBA,” said Glenn Omura, associate dean for MBA and professional master’s programs. “This allows our students to get on with their lives and not be overburdened with debt. Our team is focused on customizing each of our MBAs’ educational experience, in a way that broadens their knowledge base across business disciplines and specific competence in their chosen fields that prepares them to solve problems creatively and innovatively and, ultimately, to make business happen.” Another investment analysis tool is return on investment (ROI). Forbes bases its biennial MBA rankings entirely on calculations of ROI, which come from measuring compensation five years after graduation and subtracting tuition costs and salary forgone during school. The 2017 ranking placed Michigan State University’s Full-Time MBA program No. 9 among public schools and in the top 25 overall, consistent with its position over the past decade. The magazine surveyed the Class of 2012 and requested pre-MBA salaries and compensation for three of the first five years after receiving degrees. Forbes then compared their post-MBA compensation with their opportunity cost: tuition costs as well as the estimated salary they would have made had they stayed in their old jobs. Salary figures were adjusted to account for cost-of-living expenses, and the earnings gains were discounted using a rate tied to the discount rate large companies’ pension funds use. For more information about this ranking, visit forbes.com.

I submitted my application today. Now fingers crossed..!!

My status moved to "under review" the other day and I can't stop checking it. Logical me knows I won't have a decision for a while. Not so logical me is hoping to be wrong.

It's definitely my top choice, so I'm hoping that I'm not as bad when I submit my other apps. I can't imagine being this impatient for multiple schools lol.

Just got an email inviting me to set up an interview! I submitted my application the first week of August.