Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog : Ask Admissions Consultants

StacyBlackman · 2013-12-11T12:44:33-08:00

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Tuesday Tips: Stanford GSB Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips [#permalink]

20 Jun 2017, 12:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Stanford GSB Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips

Stanford Graduate School of Business pioneered the open-ended personal essay and has continued that tradition this year. “What matters most to you and why?” is a simple question that can lead you down many paths. There isn’t a specific best kind of story for this essay, rather the best essays tell a story about who you are as a person and leader.

You can use the same application for the Stanford MSx, accelerated Masters of Science in Management degree, which is a 12-month graduate program for experienced professionals. If you have more than 8 years of work experience and would like to gain all of the benefits of a Stanford GSB degree in only one year, the MSx program is an ideal choice. Unlike executive MBA programs the design is full-time and residential.

Whatever program is best for you, Stanford is a business school devoted to innovation and growth. When approaching these essays it will be useful to have spoken with Stanford students and alumni, or visited campus to understand what values the community holds.

LENGTH

Your answers for both essay questions combined may not exceed 1,150 words (1,200 words if you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs). Each of you has your own story to tell, so please allocate these words between the essays in the way that is most effective for you.

ESSAY A: WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU, AND WHY?

For this essay, Stanford would like you to:

• Do some deep self-examination, so you can genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be the person you are.

• Share the insights, experiences, and lessons that shaped your perspectives, rather than focusing merely on what you’ve done or accomplished.

• Write from the heart, and illustrate how a person, situation, or event has influenced you.

• Focus on the “why” rather than the “what.”

This Stanford GSB MBA essay is your opportunity to demonstrate who you are, what motivates you, and why. Topics can range from personal history to grand visions of the future. While this topic should not be explicitly career related (and the strongest essays are likely not career oriented at all) it is possible that some of your themes will continue in the next essay, which will likely focus more on your career.

Your accomplishments and achievements are part of why you have developed into the person you are today, however it’s far more important to explain your influences, lessons learned and motivations. Introspection and honesty should persist through the entire set of essays.

To generate ideas, try brainstorming over a period of a few days. Ask friends and family what values they see you demonstrating in your life and choices. Keep a notebook by your bed so you can record your first thoughts upon waking up. Review your personal history for ideas. What keeps you awake at night? When you look back at your life what do you admire and regret about your choices? What moments in your life have led to a change in direction? Who has impacted your choices? These are the kind of questions to ask yourself as you approach topics for this essay.

Though the essay question may seem open-ended, answering the question with vivid and specific examples will provide the reader with images and stories to understand your perspective. After reading hundreds of essays, the ones that have vivid and descriptive stories in them stand out the most.

Keep in mind as you select examples that Stanford GSB specifically advises focusing on people and experiences that have influenced you, rather than accomplishments or achievements. Don’t be scared of the tough moments in life – often self-awareness emerges from challenges. Whatever experiences you choose it’s very important to talk about why they made an impact on your life and your values.

Along with vivid examples, talk about how you felt, thought and reacted both at the time and as you reflected later. The “why” will come out of your reactions to your life experience or people who have influenced you, and the resulting introspection.

ESSAY B: WHY STANFORD?

Enlighten us on how earning your MBA at Stanford will enable you to realize your ambitions.

• Explain your decision to pursue graduate education in management.

• Explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at Stanford.

• If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

After you have explained what is most important to you in life you need to explain why your next step is a Stanford MBA. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx, make sure you can highlight the advantages of both programs for your specific situation. Perhaps you have significant work experience but are also interested in a two-year program and therefore would be interested in either option.

The sub questions for this essay cover both why you are interested in pursuing an MBA at all, and why you specifically want to attend Stanford GSB. Stanford GSB wants to know your aspirations will be uniquely satisfied by the program at Stanford GSB, and school research will help you determine what aspects of the academic program, community and students are crucial to your aspirations.

Be as specific as possible in your response to provide evidence that you have done your research. You should know everything about the aspects of the program that most appeal to you. Have you met current students and alumni? Who are the professors you are excited about? What are the unique programs? What appeals to you about Stanford’s culture? Perhaps you are impressed with the career path of a specific alumna and can highlight that knowledge.

When you discuss how Stanford will help you achieve your ambitions consider that Stanford likes to see applicants who dream big, and have the credibility to achieve their goals. Be bold with your aspirations. Don’t focus on what your parents or partner want you to do. Don’t think about the next job on the corporate ladder. What do you, with your own unique background and values, want for your life?

If the question seems too vast, take a few minutes to close your eyes and reflect. Envision your life in twenty years. Where do you live? How do you spend your days? What is your favorite activity? How does this vision fit into your career aspirations? Don’t be shy about your ambitions. Once you have identified your dream career, you also need to make sure an MBA is an important part of achieving your plans and explain that part in your essay.

Though you should think big, don’t make the mistake of acting as if you are already perfect with no development needed. Remember that MBA programs want to help promising candidates reach their goals and be a step on an ambitious career trajectory.

Finding the Stanford essays challenging? Contact Stacy Blackman Consulting for personalized guidance through the application process.

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Tuesday Tips: NYU Stern Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips [#permalink]

20 Jun 2017, 13:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: NYU Stern Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips

As the New York University Stern School of Business website states, “We seek students who best exemplify Stern’s core value: IQ+EQ. Our admissions committee takes care to select those who demonstrate strong intellectual ability, superior interpersonal skills, and a desire to create value for business and society. “ The parameters of IQ and EQ that are important in the evaluation are academic ability, professional achievements and aspirations, and personal characteristics.

While your academics will be evaluated mainly through your GMAT and GPA, the essays are a crucial part of your application strategy to cover professional achievements and aspirations and your personal characteristics.

This year NYU Stern also asks a new recommender question:

• You are required to submit one EQ Endorsement with your application.

• The endorsement must be from someone who knows you personally and/or professionally and can act as a persuasive advocate of your EQ strengths.

• More detail can be found here and on the NYU admissions website

Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped countless aspiring NYU Stern MBA students to showcase personal and professional stories that cut through the clutter. Contact us to learn more.

Essay 1: Professional Aspirations

(500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• What are your short and long-term career goals?

• How will the MBA help you achieve them?

While many people seek an MBA degree, NYU wants to invest in those who can use it most effectively. Perhaps you’re seeking an MBA for networking or professional credibility, or maybe you want an MBA to learn specific skills to change careers. Whatever your own personal reasons may be, make sure you can point to specific aspects of the MBA education both generally and specifically at Stern that are necessary to achieve your goals.

Your post MBA goal should be both achievable and demonstrate the need for an MBA. An MBA from NYU Stern will open professional doors for you, and you should demonstrate that you are ready to take advantage of those opportunities. Think about a logical sequence that starts with your past work experience, then your MBA education and ends with your immediate post MBA goal. Ideally your goal pulls from both your current work experience and the skills you will gain in the NYU MBA program.

Essay 2: Program Preferences

NYU Stern offers a portfolio of MBA programs designed to meet the needs of our applicants. Your program preferences are very important as you will be admitted to only one program. You cannot switch your program option after receiving your admissions decision.

A. Primary Program Preference (250 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• Please indicate the primary MBA program for which you would like to be considered, as indicated in the Primary Program Selection section of the application.

• Explain why the program you have selected is the best program for you.

B. Alternative Program Preference(s) (250 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• Please indicate any alternative program(s) for which you would also like to be considered, as indicated in the Alternative Program Selection section of the application and why you would also like to be considered for this/these program(s).

• An alternate program does not need to be selected. If you have no alternate programs you do not need to complete this essay, just indicate “N/A”.

NYU Stern now offers several distinct MBA options. You can choose a traditional full-time two-year MBA, the part-time option of the same program, or specialized one-year programs in tech or fashion & luxury.

The primary focus of this essay is to explain your first and second program preference. If you only want to be considered for one program, you will indicate that here as well (only answer option A). Consider that both the tech and fashion & luxury options are deep dives into the respective industries that are designed to give you access to working professionals, companies and the industry. That could be invaluable if you are set on either industry and know you want to pursue a job or start your own company in the space. If you are unsure about your career steps post-MBA the traditional MBA program allows you some space to explore other career options.

Whichever program choice you make it is important to tie your career goals as described in Essay 1 to your MBA plans. Why do you want to pursue an MBA at all and what do you hope to gain from the program. This essay also offers an opportunity to demonstrate your fit with NYU Stern and describe why NYU Stern is the right place for you to spend the next two years of your life.

Certainly personal experience of the campus through visits or student touch points would be ideal, but even if you are halfway around the world you can illustrate the many ways in which you learned about the NYU Stern experience.

Essay 3: Personal Expression (a.k.a. “Pick Six”)

Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements:

• A brief introduction or overview of your “Pick Six” (no more than 3 sentences).

• Six images that help illustrate who you are.

• A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.

Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.

NYU Stern has evolved the creative essay into one that is more specific, but still allows you the freedom to communicate what you choose to the admissions committee. A favorite American idiom says “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and in this essay you have six pictures to use to communicate with your future classmates and the Stern admissions committee. Think about the story you want to tell with the six images – is it a collage of your life or a progression? How do the pictures work together to tell the story?

While the medium is novel, your content is king in this essay. The best first step is to brainstorm the information you want to convey. Reflect upon your unique personal qualities and what is valued most by your friends and family. How would you want your classmates to see you? What information would you share with a new friend?

Your six images may be all personal, all professional (not recommended!) or aspirational. Perhaps you want to show a journey you have taken, a person who is important to you, or a vision of your future.

Isser Gallogly, associate dean of MBA admissions and innovation, has said that this question evolved to be similar to the kind of post you might share on social media. Images are more and more important in digital communication, and this essay asks you to use images as the primary form (drawings, photos, infographics, or any other images you choose). Though images are the central medium of this essay, what is most important is the message and content to demonstrate who you are to the admissions committee.

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4 Ways to Stay Engaged With B-Schools This Summer [#permalink]

21 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: 4 Ways to Stay Engaged With B-Schools This Summer

If you’re applying to business school in the fall but still want to enjoy your summer downtime, here are four ways to keep your research and application preparation going until the autumn crunch time.

1. Plan a Campus Visit

The best way to determine whether a school’s culture is a good fit with your needs is to experience the campus firsthand. For many, summer is the perfect moment to visit if taking time off during the rest of the year is difficult.

2. Attend School Events

Most schools host events in cities throughout the world during the summer months. These “meet-and-greets” offer a great opportunity for current students to talk about their MBA programs with prospective students in a casual environment. Check the schools’ websites for sign-up information and availability.

3. Become a Follower/Fan

Classes may not be in session, but university publications and media sites are updated weekly—in some cases, daily—with a wealth of information to keep you current on school happenings, achievements and media attention. And of course, following this blog for breaking b-school news when you need it most.

4. Take Stock and Strategize

Use the pre-crunch time these next few months to analyze your career goals, resume and GPA. Enrolling in a summer class, or taking on a leadership role at work or in your extracurricular activities can provide a real boost to your application. And it never hurts to start studying early for the GMAT.

Do have fun and relax this summer, but remember, it’s also the ideal time to take those steps that will help you later in the year with your MBA applications.

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Cornell Johnson Fall 2018 MBA Application Deadlines [#permalink]

21 Jun 2017, 12:00

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Cornell Johnson Fall 2018 MBA Application Deadlines

The Johnson School of Management at Cornell University has posted the following MBA application deadlines for the 2017-18 admissions season.

Two Year MBA Program
October Round

Application due: October 5, 2017

Decision released: November 15, 2017

November Round

Application due: November 15, 2017

Decision released: January 10, 2018

January Round

Application due: January 10, 2018

Decision released: March 15, 2018

April Round

Application due: April 5, 2018

Decision released: May 1, 2018

After April 5th, applications will be received and reviewed on a space available basis.

One Year MBA Program
Early Action Round

Application due: September 5, 2017

Decision released: October 10, 2017

October Round

Application due: October 5, 2017

Decision released: November 15, 2017

November Round

Application due: November 15, 2017

Decision released: January 10, 2018

January Round

Application due: January 10, 2018

Decision released: March 15, 2018

Rolling

March 15, 2018*

*After January 10th, applications will be received and reviewed on a space available basis with a final submission deadline of March 15, 2018. International students requiring F-1 visa sponsorship must apply by the January 10th deadline.

Applications should be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

For more information, please visit the Johnson School MBA admissions website.

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Kellogg School Fall 2018 MBA Essays [#permalink]

22 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Kellogg School Fall 2018 MBA Essays

Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management has posted the updated MBA essays for the 2017-18 admissions cycle.

For 2017-2018, the following two essays are required of all applicants:

Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 words)
Pursuing an MBA is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. How have you grown in the past? How do you intend to grow at Kellogg? (450 words)

Certain applicants will respond to additional questions:

Dual-degree applicants: For applicants to the MMM or JD-MBA dual degree programs, please explain why that program is right for you. (250 words)
Re-applicants: Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 word limit)

All applicants have the opportunity to provide explanations or clarification in Additional Information:

If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (no word count)

Video Essay
The Video Essay is one component of the application and provides you with an additional opportunity to demonstrate what you will bring to our vibrant Kellogg community – in an interactive way. You will respond to several short video essay questions. The questions are designed to bring to life the person we have learned about on paper.

After submitting an application and payment, you will be able to access the video essay through the your application status page. One question will be a “get to know you” icebreaker type of question. The second question will be an opportunity to describe your plans for the future and how Kellogg will help you on that journey. The other questions will be randomly generated questions that will be similar to interview questions.
There are practice questions that you may complete as many times as you like to get comfortable with the format and technology. The practice questions and experience will simulate the actual video essay experience, so this is meant to be a useful tool to help you feel prepared.
We encourage you to practice so you are comfortable with the format once it is time to complete the official questions. There is not an opportunity to re-do the answer to the official video essay questions.
You will have 20 seconds to think about the question and up to one minute to give your response.
We estimate the video essays will take 20-25 minutes to complete – which includes time for set-up and answering all the practice questions. You will need an internet connected computer with a webcam, microphone and an updated version of Adobe Flash in order to complete the video essay.

***

Kellogg offers more insight in this section (see link above) on why the admissions team has a video essay component, what kinds of questions to expect, wardrobe suggestions, as well as answers to many technical questions related to the process.

For more information on applying, please visit the Kellogg School MBA admissions website.

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Kellogg School Fall 2018 MBA Application Deadlines [#permalink]

22 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Kellogg School Fall 2018 MBA Application Deadlines

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University has posted the following MBA application deadlines for the 2017-18 admissions season.

Round 1
Application due: September 20, 2017

Decision released: December 13, 2017

Round 2
Application due: January 10, 2018

Decision released: March 28, 2018

Round 3
Application due: April 11, 2018

Decision released: May 16, 2018

Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. CT on the application deadline date. All applicants are considered equally; however, the earlier you apply, the greater chance we can accommodate your interview preference. If you’re an international applicant, Kellogg encourages you to apply in Round 1 or 2 to allow time for your visa application.

For additional information on applying, please visit the Kellogg School MBA admissions website.

Image credit: Mike Willis (CC BY-ND 2.0)

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UT McCombs School Posts Fall 2018 Application Deadlines [#permalink]

23 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UT McCombs School Posts Fall 2018 Application Deadlines

The UT McCombs School of Business has posted the following MBA application deadlines for the 2017-18 admissions cycle.

Round 1
Application due: October 10, 2017

Decision released: December 19, 2017

Round 2
Application due: January 9, 2018

Decision released: March 29, 2018

Round 3
Application due: April 3, 2018

Decision released: May 10, 2018

Applicants should note that Round 1 is the priority deadline for scholarships and fellowships at the Texas MBA program. For additional information on applying, please visit the Texas MBA admissions website.

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UT McCombs School Announces Fall 2018 MBA Essays [#permalink]

23 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UT McCombs School Announces Fall 2018 MBA Essays

The UT McCombs School of Business has announced the updated MBA essay questionsfor the 2017-18 admissions season.

Essay One
Introduce yourself. Select only one communication method that you would like to use for your response.

Write an essay (250 words), OR
Share a video introduction (one minute)

Essay Two
Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your two years as a Texas MBA student, and how that experience helped to prepare you for the post-MBA world. (500 words)

Optional Statement
Please provide any additional information you believe is important and/or address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the Admissions Committee in considering your application (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). (250 words)

***

The application for fall 2018 will open in late summer. For additional information on applying to the Texas MBA program, please visit the McCombs admissions website.

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Determining Your Final B-School List [#permalink]

26 Jun 2017, 10:00

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Determining Your Final B-School List

One of the most important decisions you’ll make during the MBA application process is which schools you’re going to apply to in the first place. We know—duh, right? But seriously, we can’t stress enough how important it is to put significant thought into which programs you’re going to dedicate dozens of hours to over the coming months.

Each year we see excellent candidates who want to prematurely take themselves out of the running for some of the top programs. Make no mistake: it is extremely tough to get into a highly ranked business school. Certain programs have single-digit acceptance rates, and literally thousands of more-than-qualified applicants are turned away each year. But if you don’t even give yourself a chance at admission, you may always wonder, “What if?” Is there anything worse?

That’s why we typically recommend that people ask themselves whether or not getting an MBA is most important to them—or if getting an MBA from a certain school is what really matters most. If you’d truly be at peace with never getting an MBA if you weren’t accepted to School X, then you can move forward by focusing all of your efforts solely on your dream school or schools.

However, if you want an MBA no matter what, then you’d be wise to consider five or six schools, or maybe spread your efforts across Rounds 1 and 2.

We hope you at least give yourself a shot at the programs you’re really interested in, though. Applying to top business schools is something of a self-selecting process: most people who apply are overachievers who would be assets to any class. It’s easy to let that discourage or intimidate an applicant to the point of not even trying. You might think, “What’s the use? There are thousands of other people like me fighting for spots.”

But we’d argue: 1) no, there isn’t anyone else exactly like you, so figure out how to differentiate yourself, and 2) why would you want to make it easier for someone else to get in by taking yourself out of the mix? You deserve a shot just like everyone else.

Think of it this way:

If you’re struggling to begin the MBA application process, Stacy has some advice for you in her recent “Beginnings are Hard” Bigger Picture column entry.

Until next time,

The team at Stacy Blackman Consulting

***Do you want to stay on top of the application process with timely tips like these? Please subscribe to our weekly newsletter and you’ll receive our expert advice straight in your mailbox before it appears on the blog, plus special offers, promotions, discounts, invitations to events, and more.

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The Bigger Picture: The Truth About Being Busy [#permalink]

27 Jun 2017, 05:00

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: The Bigger Picture: The Truth About Being Busy

It’s a well-known fact that being busy is a form of procrastination. Consider the out-of-shape individual who is “too busy” to exercise or cook healthy meals, or the MBA applicant who is too busy to start on application essays. It happens everywhere: you want to clean out your apartment, dive into a new work project, study for your exam, begin your book manuscript or learn a new language, but you are way too busy. However, if you take a close look at what you are busy with, it’s often unnecessary tasks. You are running around dropping off dry cleaning, buying the perfect gifts, making restaurant reservations, walking the dog, visiting a friend or replying to emails. Many of these tasks could be eliminated, outsourced or simplified. But then you’d have to face the more daunting, challenging tasks at hand.

“Being busy” is a sneakier form of procrastination than aimlessly surfing the web, because it is disguised as productivity. Today I am discussing an even more insidious category of procrastination: when you are “busy” doing things that actually relate to and appear to support the task at hand.

Every year we have several of these clients: they sign up early with big plans to apply to all their target business schools in the first round. They have done a ton of research. They have spreadsheets comparing programs, ROI analyses, outlines for potential essays, lists of activities, pro/con reviews of potential recommenders; they have done their homework and then some! I used to be impressed and almost intimidated by the thoroughness and preparation power of these individuals. Their checklists, to-do lists and timelines were always so beautifully formatted and thoughtfully prepared.

That was before I learned that they are really just expert procrastinators in disguise. No, they aren’t lying around on the couch binge watching The Real Housewives with a bag of Doritos. But they may as well be doing just that. Honestly, most of the work they are doing is not going to help them complete their end goal. Year after year these individuals end up rolling their applications to round 2 and sometimes abandoning the process altogether. After several “strategy” calls we tell them that they need to start writing. But they often want to ponder a new angle, and get it all just right before taking the plunge.

And then there are those clients who just crank it out. The drafts may be sloppy and excessively long, but day after day without fail, they arrive in my inbox. Nothing fancy, lots of typos, but they get the real work done. It’s apparent in their real life too. These are the applicants who balance a demanding full-time job with volunteer work, fun extra-curriculars and a social life. They break through the fear of not getting it perfect and they just forge ahead and do.

So, what should you do if you find that your “busy” life is preventing you from the real things you want to accomplish?

Consider the hard work that needs to be done in order to accomplish your goal.For example:

Applying to business school: draft essays

Launching a blog: write that first blog post

Getting fit: go for a run

Starting an interior design business: land your first client
Consider all of the secondary tasks related to your goal and jot them down in a to-do list.For example:

Applying to business school: secure recommenders, fill out data forms, schedule school tours and interviews

Launching a blog: finalize the name, create a logo, secure a url

Getting fit: buy workout clothes, find an exercise class, search online for healthy food blogs

Starting an interior design business: create a website, order business cards, find a contract templateItems in this step are fillers. It can be a lot of fun to shop for workout clothes, peruse MBA program websites and create a logo for your blog. Do these things when you need a break, on a Saturday morning or even late at night in front of the TV. Yes, you can complete these tasks, but don’t fool yourself into believing they are mission critical.
Do the one task in step 1 before you ever touch the tasks in step 2. The fear in your brain will try to steer you to step 2 tasks. The fear will rationalize that you have to do the prep before diving in. But, it’s not true! You CAN write a blog post before you have a logo. You CAN draft an admissions essay without an outline. You CAN get fit without a beautiful food journal.…and perhaps you SHOULD.

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Tuesday Tips: Chicago Booth Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips [#permalink]

27 Jun 2017, 10:00

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Chicago Booth Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is consistently rated in the top echelon of MBA programs in the United States and is known for a strong intellectual community. While Chicago has asked a version of a creative, open-ended essay for many years, this one focuses more on personal experiences with your classmates than in the past.

Senior Director of Admissions Donna Swinford says in the Booth Admissions Blog: “Please trust when I say that there is no hidden meaning in the prompt. Rather than spend time worrying about what you think we want to hear, focus instead on telling us why the Booth moment truly resonates with you.”

While Chicago highly values academics, there are many places in your MBA application to feature your academic accomplishments. Academic ability will largely be communicated through your GPA/GMAT, transcripts and other fixed data points, though intellectual curiosity can be demonstrated in the essays and the interview.

Along with academics, Chicago will be looking for demonstrated leadership, team building skills and community involvement, as well as your fit with Chicago Booth and the perspective you will share with your classmates.

If your career goals and work experience does not fit with the essay portion of the application, make sure your resume is shows progression, clearly communicates your experience and highlights core accomplishments.

ESSAY QUESTION

View this collection of shared Booth moments. Choose the moment that best resonates with you and tell us why.

Presentation/Essay Guidelines:

• Choose the format that works for you. Want to illustrate your response visually? Submit a slide presentation. Like to express yourself with words? Write a traditional essay. Use the format that you feel best captures your response, the Admissions Committee has no preference.

• Determine your own length. There is no prescribed minimum or maximum length. We trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be, but we recommend that you think strategically about how to best allocate the space.

Technical Guidelines:

• File Size: Maximum file size is 16 MB.

• Accepted Upload Formats: Acceptable formats are PDF, Word, and PowerPoint. We strongly recommend converting your piece to a PDF file prior to submitting.

• Multimedia Restrictions: We will be viewing your submission electronically and in full color, but all submissions will be converted to PDF files, so animation, video, music, etc. will not translate over.

This Chicago Booth essay question provides a set of photos and text describing and depicting a range of student activities at Booth – from a student taking notes in class to a group scuba diving in Central America– and asks you to choose one that resonates with you.

Your first step is to do as much school research as possible on Chicago. Visit campus. Attend events. Speak to alumni. Read the admissions blog. Whatever you are capable of doing to experience the community for yourself before starting your application will be invaluable as you set pen to paper.

Chicago Booth’s open-ended essay format is daunting for most applicants. Whether you choose to write an essay or prepare a presentation, take a step back from the unique format and think about the question strategically. The format’s open-ended setup simply gives you the freedom to express who you are in words, images, graphics or some combination.

Keep in mind what Chicago Booth represents in the image you choose. Booth is a school with a tradition of intellectual rigor, non-conformity, and innovation. When discussing the image that resonates with you about Chicago Booth you can share almost anything from any context, from work to home to extracurricular activities.

It’s also important to explain why your chosen image resonates with you and to bring in important elements of your application strategy. Maybe the image of students celebrating diversity resonates with you because it is one of your core values that you will share with your Booth classmates as a club president. Or the image of a student walking by the modern art collection resonates with a core hobby that you want to share with your classmates.

If you decide to write an essay response, you have enough space to tell a story that describes something new about yourself. If you decide to prepare a PowerPoint in response to this essay question, refine your story to its key elements.

To keep a visual essay interesting and high-impact, consider how you will format. Can you use photos? Drawings? If you use words, keep them clear and focused. Take every point up a level, so you are communicating a vision rather than a thesis.

Optional Essay:

Is there any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? If so, please address in an optional essay. (300 words maximum)

This optional essay is a flexible question, allowing you to provide the information you need to put forward the best possible application. If you have any areas that need to be explained in your profile, such as academic issues or gaps in work experience, this is the ideal place to add more detail.

Because the essay is open-ended you can also use it to add any additional information you wanted to inform the admissions committee about. Anything from an interesting personal background to meaningful extracurricular could be relevant context to add to a successful application.

Contact Stacy Blackman Consultingto learn more about how we can help you approach your Booth application.

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Tuesday Tips: Northwestern Kellogg Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips [#permalink]

27 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Northwestern Kellogg Fall 2018 MBA Essay Tips

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management is a close-knit community that values a diverse community and philanthropy. At the same time, diversity in experience, background and thought is important to the Kellogg admissions committee.

Do your research on the programs, activities, clubs, classes and professors at Kellogg as you approach your essays. While you are reading and conversing with students and alumni, envision how you will contribute to the community.

Kellogg now has a video essay as part of the application process and it’s worth visiting the Kellogg FAQs site to learn more.

REQUIRED ESSAYS

Essay One: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 words)

This essay focuses on leadership using a behavioral essay framework (the clue is “tell us about a time…”). The details about exactly what you did, said and learned in your leadership story communicate valuable information about how you approach issues and learn from experience.

When approaching this essay spend some limited time to set up the background of the story, and then use the majority of the space to describe specifically what you did, thought, felt and how you behaved. Use details to entice the reader and set yourself apart. A few well-placed specifics will add color without adding length to the essay.

The topic you choose can be anything regarding leadership. It might be a time that everything went perfectly smoothly and you learned how to work with a group or inspire people to action. On the other hand, it could be a challenging situation where you learned what not to do! Don’t be nervous about showing weakness here.

If you choose a challenging situation the learning part of the essay will be crucial. Show you can and do learn from experience. Every leader has to learn and develop, and willingness to be open to feedback and improve will be an asset to your application.

Do not neglect mentioning teamwork, which is a core value of Kellogg’s culture. Your leadership experience is likely part of a team at work or in an extracurricular activity, and sensitivity to teamwork and collaboration in any leadership story demonstrates maturity and social skills.

Essay Two: Pursuing an MBA is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. How have you grown in the past? How do you intend to grow at Kellogg? (450 words)

This essay question is a hybrid of a classic career goals essay and a personal essay. Kellogg is interested in candidates who are able to integrate their personal and professional goals and show how a Kellogg MBA will serve both sides of life.

When you describe professional and personal growth in the past, make sure it is relevant to your plans to pursue an MBA at Kellogg. The story you tell in this essay should provide insight into your decision to pursue an MBA and allude to your future goals. Because this isn’t a question about your entire career and personal life thus far, you should choose only one or two main experiences to share.

The topic of this essay should also be an experience that demonstrated growth over time. Perhaps you started in an entry-level position at work and progressed into a management role. Or maybe you learned more about yourself by switching jobs and careers, showing progression in your understanding of your goals and aspirations.

For the personal angle of the essay you could focus on a passion outside of work that has developed over time and led to personal growth. It’s also possible to have both personal and professional growth in your career. Many people mature significantly in the time period between college and graduate school and typically work and life both contribute to that growth.

VIDEO ESSAY

The Video Essay is one component of the application and provides you with an additional opportunity to demonstrate what you will bring to our vibrant Kellogg community – in an interactive way. You will respond to several short video essay questions. The questions are designed to bring to life the person we have learned about on paper.

One question will be a “get to know you” icebreaker type of question. The second question will be an opportunity to describe your plans for the future and how Kellogg will help you on that journey. The other questions will be randomly generated questions that will be similar to interview questions.

After you submit your application you will receive the video interview questions, one of which will focus on Why Kellogg and another will be a general “getting to know you” question. The video essay is an opportunity for the admissions committee to see the person behind the accomplishments you will describe.

Prepare as if you would for an interview, drafting the topics you want to cover and practicing your presentation. Writing some bullet points down in advance will help you remember and focus as you answer the questions.

The video should accurately portray your personality and demeanor, it’s a way for the admissions committee to see how you communicate non-verbally. Extensive preparation will help you be comfortable and be yourself when you are recording the video.

Kellogg allows you to practice with the video format a few times before you submit your official video, and it would be useful to do some additional rounds of practice in front of the camera. Use friends and family to give you feedback on your performance. Stacy Blackman Consulting also uses a video tool to provide feedback for you, contact us to learn more.

Dual-degree applicants: For applicants to the MMM or JD-MBA dual degree programs, please explain why that program is right for you. (250 words)

Doing your research on Kellogg MBA’s academics and resources will help you answer the question about why you need a dual degree to achieve your goals. If you are applying to the MMM program, you’ll have to show how the degree will prepare you more effectively for your career goals than the MBA alone.

Be able to articulate what is different about the Kellogg MMM program as compared to the MBA and other joint degrees. Know the classes you want to take, the professors you hope to work for, and how the MMM experience will be an asset in your future career.

Similarly, the JD-MBA at Kellogg is a highly competitive admissions process and will require a very clear explanation of what you will do with both degrees after school. Consider the unique attributes of the Kellogg JD-MBA program as compared to others, and also why you specifically need both a JD and an MBA to achieve your career goals.

Re-applicants: Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 word limit)

In answering this question make sure you provide tangible evidence that you have improved the overall package you are submitting this year. Some of the most tangible improvements are a stronger GMAT score or grades from new quantitative classes you attended since the last time you applied.

Other steps that you can describe include a promotion at work, new volunteer activities, or increased responsibility at work or in your activities. If you don’t have something tangible and external to report, it’s reasonable to discuss how your career goals have changed or your personal aspirations have been refined as you revamped your applications.

Additional Information (Optional)

If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (no word count)

If there are any areas of concern, this is the correct place to address them. Strike an upbeat tone here and avoid excuses. Explain your issue clearly and focus most of the essay on the correction for the issue. For example, if you had a disciplinary issue in college, spend most of the essay demonstrating that you learned from the experience and have been an ideal citizen ever since.

Low GPA issues should be explained here, and if there is a grade of C or below on your transcript the admissions committee will want to know why and feel comfortable it is an outlier in your overall academic record. For academic questions make sure you emphasize your improved performance either later in your college career or in subsequent work or classes since college.

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UV Darden School Announces Fall 2018 Deadlines, MBA Essay Question [#permalink]

27 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UV Darden School Announces Fall 2018 Deadlines, MBA Essay Question

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business has announced the following MBA application deadlines as well as an updated essay question for the 2017-18 admissions cycle.

Round 1
Application due: October 5, 2017

Round 2
Application due: January 9, 2018

Round 3
Application due: April 3, 2018

All applications for the full-time MBA are due by 12:00 p.m. EST (noon) on the deadline day. All decisions are released at 12:00 p.m. EST (noon) on the decision release day, which as of this posting has not yet been announced.

Required Essay Question
When preparing for class at Darden, students formulate an opinion on each case before meeting with their learning teams and class sections. When encountering different views and perspectives from their own, opinions frequently shift. Tell us about a time when your opinion evolved through discussions with others. (500 words maximum)

For more information about the program, please visit the Darden MBA admissions website.

Image by Andrew Shurtleff, courtesy of University of Virginia

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Duke Fuqua Announces Fall 2018 MBA Essays [#permalink]

28 Jun 2017, 10:00

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Duke Fuqua Announces Fall 2018 MBA Essays

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business has posted the MBA essay questions for the 2017-18 admissions season. Three short answer questions and 2 essays are required from all applicants.

Required Short Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer all 3 of the following questions. For each question, respond in 500 characters only (the equivalent of about 100 words).

What are your short-term goals, post-MBA?
What are your long-term goals?
Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the short-term goals that you provided above not materialize what alternative directions have you considered?

First Required Essay: 25 Random Things About Yourself
Instructions: Present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.

The “Team Fuqua” spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of “25 Random Things About Yourself.” As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire’s professional and academic background, so learning these “25 Random Things” helps us get to know someone’s personality, background, special talents, and more.

In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you–beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of “25 Random Things” about YOU.

Second Required Essay
Instructions: Your response should be no more than 2 pages in length.

Fuqua prides itself on cultivating a culture of engagement. Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and are vital to providing you with a range of experiential learning and individual development experiences.

Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, how do you see yourself engaging in and contributing to our community, outside of the classroom?

Optional Essay
If you feel there are circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them in an optional essay (such as unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance).

Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area of the application.
The Optional Essay is intended to provide the Admissions Committee with insight into your circumstances only.
Limit your response to one page.

For additional information about applying, please visit the Duke Fuqua admissions website.

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Duke Fuqua Announces Fall 2018 Application Deadlines [#permalink]

28 Jun 2017, 10:00

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Duke Fuqua Announces Fall 2018 Application Deadlines

The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University has announced the following MBA application deadlines for the 2017-18 admissions cycle.

Early Action:
Application due: September 12, 2017

Decision released: October 19, 2017

Round 1
Application due: October 10, 2017

Decision released: December 15, 2017

Round 2
Application due: January 3, 2018

Decision released: March 15, 2018

Round 3
Application due: March 20, 2018

Decision released: May 1, 2018

A note to applicants:

All deadlines are at 11:59 pm ET. The Early Action option is ideal for applicants who have completed their MBA research and have decided that this is the best program for them. Applicants admitted in Early Action must submit a tuition deposit along with official transcript(s) by December 8, 2017.

If your ability to enroll is dependent upon receiving merit-based scholarship assistance, you should apply during Early Action, Round 1, or Round 2.

International Applicants: you must apply during Early Action, Round 1, or Round 2 for visa processing.

Re-applicants: reapply for during Early Action or Round 1.

The 2017-2018 Daytime MBA application will be available in mid-July.

For more information, please visit the Duke Fuqua admissions website.

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Wharton School Announces the Fall 2018 MBA Essays [#permalink]

28 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Wharton School Announces the Fall 2018 MBA Essays

The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School has posted the following MBA essay questions for the 2017-18 admissions season.

Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)

Essay 2: Teamwork is at the core of the Wharton MBA experience with each student contributing unique elements to our collaborative culture. How will you contribute to the Wharton community? (400 words)

Additional Question (required for all re-applicants):

Explain how you have reflected on the previous decision about your application, and discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)*

*First-time applicants may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)

For additional information on applying, please visit the Wharton MBA admissions website.

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IESE Fall 2018 MBA Application Deadlines [#permalink]

29 Jun 2017, 11:01

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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: IESE Fall 2018 MBA Application Deadlines

Spain’s IESE Business School has posted the following MBA application deadlines for the 2017-18 admissions season.

Round 1
Application due: October 17, 2017

Decision released: December 15, 2017

Round 2
Application due: January 9, 2018

Decision released: March 23, 2018

Round 3
Application due: March 6, 2018

Decision released: May 4, 2018

Round 4
Application due: April 24, 2018

Decision released: June 1, 2018

For more information, please visit the IESE MBA admissions website.

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IESE Fall 2018 MBA Application Deadlines [#permalink]

29 Jun 2017, 11:01

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