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30 May 2019, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Michigan Ross MBA Essays for 2019-2020 |
 The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business has announced the Ross MBA essays for the 2019-2020 admissions season. In an update to her blog, Director Soojin Kwon noted that for this year, the team has made only one small tweak to one of the six short-answer essays. Short Answer Essay Questions Choose one from each group (100 words each) Group 1
Career Goal Essay Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this career goal right for you? (300 words) For more information on applying, please visit the Michigan Ross admissions site. If you need guidance on your Ross 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 Michigan Ross MBA Essays for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
30 May 2019, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Michigan Ross MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 |
 The Michigan Ross MBA deadlines for the 2019-2020 admissions season have been announced. In an update to her blog, Admissions Director Soojin Kwon noted a few changes to the Ross MBA deadlines this season. “We’re pushing the Round 2 deadline back a bit so applicants have a little more time after the holidays to finish apps,” Kwon says. In addition, “We’re pushing the Round 3 deadline back by a few weeks to accommodate applicants who get more clarity on their business school plans later in the winter.” Michigan Ross MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: September 30, 2019 Decision released: December 18, 2019 Round 2 Application due: January 6, 2020 Decision released: March 18, 2020 Round 3 Application due: March 30, 2020 Decision released: May 8, 2020 Kwon also announced that Ross will hold Round 1 Team Exercises in India and China this fall. They will continue to hold Team Exercises in Tokyo and Sao Paulo in Round 2. In other news for international applicants, Ross will begin accepting the IELTS, in addition to the TOEFL. The new application will go live in July. For more information on applying, please visit the Michigan Ross admissions site. If you need guidance on your Ross MBA application or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Michigan Ross MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
30 May 2019, 13:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Darden MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 |
 Are you interested in applying to the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business? Then mark your calendar, because the Darden MBA deadlines for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle have just been announced! Darden MBA Deadlines Early Action Application due: September 3, 2019 Decision released: October 9, 2019 Round 1 Application due: October 4, 2019 Decision released: December 11, 2019 Round 2 Application due: January 6, 2020 Decision released: March 18, 2020 Round 3 Application due: April 6, 2020 Decision released: May 6, 2020 Consortium Deadlines If you plan to apply through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, your application deadlines are as follows:
NOTE: The Consortium only has 2 application deadlines. All applications for the full-time MBA are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline day. For more information on applying, please visit the UVA Darden admissions site. If you need guidance on your Darden MBA application 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 Deadlines for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
31 May 2019, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Yale MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 |
 Are you interested in applying to the Yale School of Management? Then get out your calendar, because the Yale MBA deadlines for the 2019-2020 admissions season have just been announced! Yale MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: September 10, 2019 Decision released: December 4, 2019 Round 2 Application due: January 7, 2020 Decision released: March 24, 2020 Round 3 Application due: April 14, 2020 Decision released: May 19, 2020 For more information on applying, please visit the Yale SOM admissions site. If you need guidance on your MBA applications or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Yale MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
31 May 2019, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Wharton Application Deadlines for 2019-2020 |
 Is the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School on your shortlist of target b-schools? Then mark your calendar, because the Wharton application deadlines for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle have just been announced! Wharton Application Deadlines Round 1 Application due: September 17, 2019 Decision released: December 18, 2019 Round 2 Application due: January 7, 2020 Decision released: March 26, 2020 Round 3 Application due: April 1, 2020 Decision released: May 8, 2020 Applications due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the day of the deadline. If you submit your application after the deadline for Round 1 or 2, it will be rolled into the next round. Applications submitted after the Round 3 deadline will not be accepted. By submitting an application earlier in a round, you will have more time to schedule an interview. Wharton recommends submitting your application as early as possible, and some programs require you to apply during Round 1 or 2. For more information on applying, please visit the Wharton School admissions site. If you need guidance on your Wharton MBA application or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Wharton Application Deadlines for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
03 Jun 2019, 06:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Time to Plan for Round 1 |
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Over the past couple of weeks, top MBA programs — including HBS, Booth, Kellogg, CBS and Fuqua — have started announcing their deadlines for the 2019–2020 application season. Sure, those September and October dates might seem far away right now. But we assure you, the next few months are going to go by in a flash. Time to plan for Round 1! We guarantee that many of your fellow applicants are already diving into the MBA process. After all, some schools, such as CBS and HBS, have also confirmed their essay questions. You can expect that most programs’ full applications will be available online in the coming month or so. So how can you go about getting your head in the game when the thought of pulling together application materials doesn’t exactly seem urgent just yet, especially for applicants in the US who just ended a long holiday weekend? Getting started with a plan for Round 1 First and foremost, it’s never too early to start a list of potential recommenders. You’ll want to consider managers and co-workers who know you extremely well. These folks can speak to both your professional achievements and personal qualities. You can also start thinking about your essay responses for schools who have released their questions . . . or for some of the more commonly asked queries, such as “What are your future career goals?” and “Why School X?”. Even if you intend to wait a few more weeks before starting to draft responses, letting ideas brew in the back of your mind in the meantime can only help you come up with more possibilities for compelling themes. Contemplate what makes you tick, what you’re truly passionate about, and what you honestly want to do in the future. Then consider the “whys.” Why does a certain cause speak to you? Why do you know you’d be happiest working in your target field? Why do you care so much about improving the healthcare system in your country (for example)? The best way to keep from becoming a huge ball of stress and anxiety in this process is to pace yourself. There’s no time like the present to get your plan for Round 1 underway. Remember:  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. The post Time to Plan for Round 1 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
04 Jun 2019, 06:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Wharton MBA Essay Tips 2019-2020 |
 The Wharton School seeks to understand who you are and what motivates you in this set of essays. Beyond your credentials and experience, fit is important. Are you excited to join the Wharton community? How will you contribute? Wharton values diversity and teamwork, and wants a class that will work well with each other. Review our Wharton MBA essay tips, and get to know the Wharton community. You could visit campus, research online, and attend admissions events. Wharton has a specific culture, and learning about the culture will pay off in your application. Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words) This is a standard career goals question. However, it’s also a question about your personality and potential success in the program. Jordan Mock, WG’16 wrote a blog post with three excellent tips for this essay, saying, “Wharton is unique and your essay should reflect that.” Be careful to answer the specific question in this career goals essay. Notice that you are not asked about your professional background or your key accomplishments outright. You will want to focus mainly on the future and what you are planning to pursue with your MBA degree. How will a Wharton MBA help you “connect the three career dots” that Jordan writes about? You have room to add color by using your background information where it’s most relevant to your goals. Think about the key moments of your professional life that crystallized your goals for you, and focus on illuminating those decision points rather than reciting your entire resume. Anything unique in your background is always worth highlighting. Understanding exactly how you fit in will help you describe what Wharton will do for you, as well as navigate interactions with the Wharton admissions committee. Consider including specific information from your Wharton research in this essay. For example, mention the Wharton faculty you would like to study with or unique educational opportunities at Wharton. When you address your personal goals for the MBA make sure you are making the case for Wharton specifically. Consider what living in Philadelphia might be like. Think about the many clubs and student activities. Also, research the leadership development opportunities like traveling to Antarctica with your classmates that may address some of your personal life goals. Essay 2: Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment that is not reflected elsewhere in your application. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Wharton community? (500 words) Wharton is an intense academic environment, but also a strong community with focus on teamwork and learning from each other. As you select a topic for this essay, think about a time you demonstrated your collaborative approach to team problem solving. What have you done that can show how you will contribute to the community? Your contribution to the Wharton community could be in the classroom, clubs or within small group projects. You might bring your experiences launching a new product to your marketing case studies. Maybe you will lend creative ideas to your learning team as you prepare a research project, because you have demonstrated creativity in your past accomplishments. Perhaps you have shown a tendency to teach and mentor others, and you plan to help your learning teammates with skills that they may not have learned in their own past work. Or you might contribute to the Media and Entertainment Club by leading a career trek or bringing a new speaker to campus because you have connections from a prior career experience. Think about what you have learned in your career and in prior academics that may help those around you at Wharton. Additional Question (required for all Reapplicants): 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) All re-applicants are required to provide information that supports your renewed candidacy. The most successful version of the re-applicant essay will provide tangible evidence that you have improved the overall package you are submitting this year. Improvements like GMAT score or new quantitative classes are especially tangible and convincing. But a promotion, increase in responsibility at work, a job change or even a change of goals and mission can serve as reasonable updates. A rejection or waitlist last year is a form of feedback, and may have led to soul searching for you. When you describe your changes make sure reflect your ability to take feedback and improve. Describe how you approached the reapplication process after assessing your own strengths and weaknesses as a candidate. It is also useful to describe your efforts to improve. If you are not a re-applicant you may use this space to address any areas of concern in your application. If you have a low GPA or GMAT, gaps in your resume, grades under a C in any quantitative courses. Wharton cares specifically about calculus, statistics and microeconomics – classes like finance and accounting are less indicative of core quant ability. Other issues could be disciplinary action in undergrad. If there is anything else that you want to explain, provide a brief explanation and any supporting evidence to show you have moved past the setback and corrected any concerns. Now that you’ve seen our Wharton MBA essay tips, consider contacting Stacy Blackman Consulting for customized advice to give you that competitive edge in your Wharton application. The post Tuesday Tips: Wharton MBA Essay Tips 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
04 Jun 2019, 14:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: INSEAD MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 |
 Are you interested in an MBA from the highly ranked international business school INSEAD? Then check out these INSEAD MBA deadlines for the September and January intakes! INSEAD MBA Deadlines: September Intake (Class of July 2021) Round 1 Application due: September 18, 2019 Decision released: November 22, 2019 Round 2 Application due: November 6, 2019 Decision released: January 24, 2020 Round 3 Application due: January 15, 2020 Decision released: March 20, 2020 Round 4 Application due: February 26, 2020 Decision released: April 30, 2020 INSEAD MBA Deadlines: January Intake (Class of December 2021) Round 1 Application due: March 11, 2020 Decision released: May 15, 2020 Round 2 Application due: May 6, 2020 Decision released: July 10, 2020 Round 3 Application due: June 24, 2020 Decision released: September 4, 2020 Round 4 Application due: July 28, 2020 Decision released: September 25, 2020 *** To be included in a specific round, you must submit your completed application by 23:59pm French time on the day of the deadline. To enjoy an optimum application experience and to avoid the peak period, INSEAD strongly encourages you to apply a couple of weeks prior to the application deadline, if possible. Competition for each round is equal regardless of the intake or round you apply for. INSEAD reviews the pool of applications submitted within each round independently. This keeps the “offer ratio” (percentage of candidates accepted vs. applications received) fairly constant across all rounds. For more information on applying, please visit the INSEAD admissions website. The post INSEAD MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
04 Jun 2019, 14:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Emory MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 |
 Are you interested in the Goizueta Business School at Emory University? Then mark your calendar, because the Emory MBA deadlines for the 2019-2020 application season have been announced! Emory MBA Application Deadlines Round 1 Application due: October 4, 2019 Decision released: November 29, 2019 Round 2* Application due: November 15, 2019 Decision released: January 24, 2020 Round 3** Application due: January 10, 2020 Decision released: March 13, 2020 (domestic)/March 20, 2020 (international) Round 4 Application due: March 13, 2020 Decision released: May 1, 2020 * Preferred deadline for One-Year MBA applicants, international applicants, and applicants interested in consideration for top named scholarship. ** Final deadline for general merit-based scholarships. For more information on applying for the Emory MBA, please visit the Emory-Goizueta admissions website. The post Emory MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
05 Jun 2019, 11:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Kellogg MBA Essays for the 2019-2020 Season |
 Are you targeting Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management? Then it’s time to shift into gear. The Kellogg MBA essays for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle have just been announced! The essays let you explain, in your own words, why you think Kellogg is right for you. Take some time to think through the experiences that led you here and how they have shaped where you want to go. The following two Kellogg MBA essays are required of all applicants:
1Y applicants: Please discuss your post-MBA career goal, the current experience you will leverage to support the transition, and the Kellogg 1Y opportunities that will help you reach this goal. (250 words) JD-MBA applicants: Please discuss your post-JD-MBA career goals and why the JD-MBA Program is the right program to help you reach those goals. (250 words) MMM applicants: The five core values of the MMM Program are curiosity, creativity, empathy, open-mindedness and a learning mindset. Describe a situation in which you demonstrated one of these values. Why is this value an important part of the MMM experience for you? (250 words) Reapplicants: Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 words) All applicants have the opportunity to provide explanations or clarification in Additional Information. Use this section if you think the person reviewing your application might have a few questions about one or more of your responses. This could include:
The Kellogg admissions team advises the following in regards to the video essay: The video essay 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. Read specific advice for how best to prepare for the video essay here. For more information on applying, please visit the Kellogg School’s admissions site. If you need guidance on your MBA applications or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Kellogg MBA Essays for the 2019-2020 Season appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
06 Jun 2019, 11:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuck MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 |
 The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth has made some applicant-friendly changes for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle. Prospective MBA students will now have more time to apply for round one, more space to share how Tuck advances their aspirations, and a streamlined experience for applicant references. Without further ado, let’s look at the Tuck MBA deadlines for the upcoming season. Tuck MBA Deadlines and Key Dates for 2019-2020 Round 1 Application due: October 7, 2019 Decision released: December 12, 2019 Round 2 Application due: January 6, 2020 Decision released: March 12, 2020 Round 3 Application due: March 30, 2020 Decision released: May 7, 2020 Consortium Deadlines Round 1 Application due: October 15, 2019 Decision released: December 12, 2019 Round 2 Application due: January 5, 2020 Decision released: March 12, 2020 Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST For more information on applying, please visit the Tuck School admissions site. If you need guidance on your MBA applications or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Tuck MBA Deadlines for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
06 Jun 2019, 11:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuck MBA Essays for 2019-2020 |
 Is Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business on your shortlist of target MBA programs? Then you’ll be excited to learn that the new Tuck MBA essays for the 2019-2020 admissions season are available! Tuck admissions has announced a few changes to this year’s application. Gone is the short-answer question section of the application. In these new Tuck MBA essays, applicants will now have more space to share how a Tuck MBA advances their aspirations. In the 2019-20 application, there will be three 300-word essays. Essay Questions
“We have been pleased with the quality and caliber of aspiring wise leaders for whom all four of the criteria have resonated,” says Luke Anthony Peña, executive director of admissions and financial aid. Finally, the last difference between this year’s application and those of prior years is that Tuck admissions has elected to fully adopt GMAC’s Common Letter of Recommendation Questions. For more information on applying for a Dartmouth MBA, please visit the Tuck School admissions site. If you need guidance on your MBA applications or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Tuck MBA Essays for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
07 Jun 2019, 11:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Money, Meaning, and the MBA |
Young professionals in recent years have become increasingly focused on happiness and fulfillment. We see this reverberated throughout our client pool of hundreds of elite MBA applicants. They have carefully orchestrated their career paths to include multiple value dimensions. Money itself is not the exclusive priority. Over a third of MBA applicants across our client pool seek to utilize the MBA experience to pursue inspired career paths, such as in education, nonprofit, healthcare and impact investing. Dr. Cassie Mogilner Holmes We sought to understand this trend better through delving into the research on happiness by Cassie Mogilner Holmes. Dr Holmes is currently the Associate Professor of Marketing at UCLA, Anderson School of Management and formerly Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School. Like the clients that we help in their MBA pursuits, Dr Holmes’ academic achievements are sterling. She holds a PhD in marketing from Stanford and an undergraduate degree in psychology from Columbia. Dr. Holmes shares her insights in an interview here. Does criteria for happiness change with political and economic climate and/or generational values? The criteria for happiness do not change. The thing that perhaps has changed is the greater attention to personal happiness, which makes meaning and fulfillment something that more students and young professionals are now looking for from their careers. This means that people are expecting more from their jobs and for their jobs to deliver on many dimensions. It is important to remember, however, that individuals aren’t entitled to and shouldn’t simply expect things to be handed to them. Instead, people have to work hard for and make the right decisions to have their desired impact. How can one find happiness through career path? Often times, people have a notion of what they should do in order to achieve a particular outcome and are strategic in that pursuit. Sure, sometimes these strategies can pay off. But if they don’t, then everything they’ve done will have been a complete waste. On the other hand, if you do things because you care about them and they are intrinsically motivating (regardless of whether you ultimately achieve the outcome), you gain in the process. Focus on what truly matters to you. And to be honest, I think this path is more likely to help you achieve the outcomes anyways. Plus, it is more sustainable long term, because there are always next goal posts. So the best “strategy,” so to speak, is to be genuine rather than strategic. A clear example of this for me has been my decision to study happiness, rather than whatever “hot” marketing topic there was at the time. Studying happiness was certainly not the strategic path, given that it was unclear whether this research topic would be valued at business schools (a context in which I needed to earn my PhD, get hired as a faculty member, and ultimately get tenure). However, it is a topic that I am genuinely passionate about: trying to empirically identify what individuals can do to make their lives “better” in term of their subjective experience. I have spent the last 14 years of my life on this. Even if I had failed to achieve each goal of graduating, getting a paper published, getting a job, getting tenure at any juncture along the way, I would always feel motivated and assured knowing that I’m spending my time and devoting my efforts doing what I care about. Is there a trade-off between happiness and achievement? There does not need to be a trade-off between happiness and achievement. If you’re striving to achieve through doing what you care about, rather than striving to achieve for the sake of such external factors as status or money, then your happiness and achievement will be aligned. You will feel happier once you’ve achieved, and the process will be happier too. Plus, people are typically better at doing what they like doing, so it’s a more likely path to success and “achievement.” How does time (vs. money) apply to the MBA hopeful? Research has shown again and again that money matters far less for happiness than people think. Once basic needs can be bet, money is not related to greater happiness. Research has shown that after approximately $75,000 of income, a higher income doesn’t translate into any more happiness. Recent research has also shown that individuals with $8 million in wealth are no happier than those with $1 million. Not only does money not offer greater happiness, but pursuing money can actually undermine happiness. This is partly because people adapt to what they have and always want more. It’s partly because there are always people who have more money, which through social comparison makes you feel badly about how much you’ve got, even though it is likely plenty.  Time on the other hand is less comparable and is closely linked to greater happiness. How we spend our time comprises our lives. My research has shown that focusing on time instead of money leads to greater happiness, because it makes people more deliberate in how they spend their time—spending it in happier and more personally fulfilling ways. So, MBA’s should choose a program with an eye towards time: where will they find most joy during their two years of the program and in their likely career following. My students enjoy a collaborative and friendly culture, where success is shared. Your seven year tenure at Wharton was during the last recession and during the recovery years. Did your tenure at Wharton in those recessionary years expose the value of time, money, experiences (aka the drivers of happiness)? Certainly, students felt a lot of stress when uncertain about whether they would get a job. That said, if students optimized their time during the program both in the classroom and developing meaningful relationships with their classmates, and they had chosen the program for fitting them along these dimensions (rather than simply the program with the highest possible salary upon graduation), they still ultimately benefited. What do you recommend for MBA applicants to be happy? Figure out: 1) who you are (i.e., What do you care about? and What do you stand for?) and 2) what you want from your MBA in terms of location (both during the program and placement afterwards), development (What skills do you want to gain? or What interests do you want to further cultivate?), and culture (With whom do you want to connect and how?). This will help identify the subset of programs that are the right fit for you. If genuine and communicated, the school will see you as the right fit for them too. Stay focused on you and be confident in having that guide your choice of program and in expressing that in your application.  Once in school, what can MBA students do to be happy? Probably the most consistent finding in happiness research is the importance of social connection. So, my number one piece of advice is to make friends. These friendships will get you through the program happily and will last through life. There are an incredible number of opportunities—intellectually, experientially, personally, and interpersonally. And two years goes by quickly. Get the most out of this time by being super deliberate in how you spend your time. Your interests and preferences (not your friends’) should serve as your guide. Research shows the importance of getting enough sleep and regular exercise for health as well as happiness. So it’s a simple but real recommendation: protect the time to get at least 7 hours of sleep most nights of the week and get moving (even if it’s just going for a walk) for at least 30 minutes each day. What is your favorite quote? Henry Ford: “Business must be run at a profit, else it will die. But when anyone tries to run a business solely for profit… then also the business must die, for it no longer has a reason for existence.” Maya Angelou: “At the end of the day, people won’t remember what you said or did. They will remember how you made them feel.” What’s your wish for young professionals? I wish that young professionals work really hard for what they genuinely care about. This will generate a happy process and outcome. *** We predict MBA graduates in the years ahead will increasingly find fulfillment, through their own journey of self-development and their diligent pursuit of both income and meaning. The post Money, Meaning, and the MBA appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
10 Jun 2019, 11:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Darden MBA Essays for 2019-2020 |
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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 2019-2020 admissions cycle. Darden MBA Essays For the 2019-20 application cycle, Darden will again offer multiple short answer questions. The goal is to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality. 1. Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact. (200 words) 2. Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Read University of Virginia’s Diversity & Inclusion Vision Statement. Share a time in which you engaged with a perspective, identity, community or experience that was different from your own and how it impacted your worldview. (200 words) 3. 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? (50 words) 4. Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you – personally, professionally, or both? (100 words) 5. What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and why? (150 words) *** 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 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
11 Jun 2019, 06:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Michigan Ross MBA Essay Tips 2019-2020 |
 The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is a top ranked MBA program that provides real-world opportunity for students. Ross emphasizes learning both inside and outside the classroom. This is a close-knit community, and you should demonstrate your fit with the program within the application process. Review our Ross MBA essay tips and show the admissions committee you are intellectually curious and able to accomplish your goals.Visiting Ross or learning about the program through current students, alumni or faculty would be helpful before starting this set of essays. The Ross admissions committee offers guidance through videos, blog posts and other communications. For example, Admissions Director Soojin Kwon has provided tips in a series of videos on the Michigan admissions website. In one of her videos, she says that a clear resume sets candidates apart and is the first thing they review in the application. Kwon also emphasizes the importance of test scores. In addition, Kwon and her team want to see candidates at events, showing strong people skills. PART 1: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS Select one prompt from each group. Respond to your selected prompts using 100 words or fewer (<100 words each; 300 words total). Group 1 • I want people to know that I: • I made a difference when I: Group 2 • I am out of my comfort zone when: • I was humbled when: Group 3 • I was aware that I was different when: • I was challenged when: Take note that these short answers are about getting to know you personally, not your collection of accomplishments. Ross values: community engagement, interpersonal communication and teamwork skills. When you think about your short answers you may want to write about an important extracurricular moment, a challenge you overcame, or an event in your life that highlights something unique about your background. The questions are short and purposeful. The experiences you describe should be clear and stand alone. Looking at each group in turn, Group 1 might be an opportunity to talk about impact and action. It reads as a place to highlight accomplishments. The first open-ended prompt allows you to talk about something you feel proud of—a personal quality, or an experience. For the next prompt, you could describe when you made a difference to an organization, person or advanced a cause important to you. Group 2 is more about your reaction to events in your life and your character. How do you interpret what happens to you and how do you handle adversity and discomfort? Perhaps you have unique experiences in your life thus far. For example, living outside your home country, working with diverse groups, or overcoming a challenge at work or in your personal life. Group 3 is an opportunity to highlight how you are unique as compared to other people you know. These questions ask for some self-awareness as you describe who you are and how others may view you. What makes you different from your peers? What is a particular challenge to you that may not be to other people? PART 2: ESSAY Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this the right choice for you? (300 words) Admissions Director Kwon said Michigan Ross is “looking for — straightforward” in response to this essay question. Therefore, to answer this essay in a straightforward way you should state your career goal in a sentence or two. Then, use the remainder of the space to elaborate. Make sure to answer “why” you chose your short-term career goal. As you describe your goal make sure you explain what has led you to pursue it, and why it resonates with you. The answer doesn’t need to be elaborate or dramatic, but it should be convincing and real. Note that the question highlights “all backgrounds and different career goals” that all thrive at Ross. If you have a unique background or goal it can be an asset to show how you will contribute to this environment where everyone thrives. Kwon advised last year that the admissions committee does not expect you to have all the experience needed for your career goals right now. However, “We want to know that you understand the skills that are important for your desired career. Recruiters assess whether you’re able to bring relevant skills/strengths to the table, so we do the same. Some of the skills and knowledge you’ll need will be developed during your time in the MBA program, but students are more successful in their career search if they understand the skills required to succeed in their chosen field.” OPTIONAL STATEMENT This section should only be used to convey information not addressed elsewhere in your application, for example, completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate. Take it directly from the Ross admissions director: “The optional essay should only be used if there’s something in your background that requires a brief explanation. It’s not the place to submit an essay you wrote for another school, or to tell us how much you love Ross.” Think about anything that may raise questions while reviewing a resume, transcript or recommendations. Typically the kinds of gaps that raise questions are significant gaps in employment (more than a few months), anything below a C on your college transcript (particularly in quantitative coursework) and low test scores. Stacy Blackman Consulting has worked with successful candidates to Michigan Ross for over a decade and can offer comprehensive strategic advice every step of the way. Now that you’ve reviewed our Ross MBA essay tips, contact us to learn more. The post Tuesday Tips: Michigan Ross MBA Essay Tips 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
11 Jun 2019, 08:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Kellogg MBA Essay Tips 2019-2020 |
 If you are getting ready to apply to Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management this year, these Kellogg MBA essay tips will help you prepare to knock it out of the park. Is Kellogg the right fit for you? The Kellogg School is a close-knit community. It values a diverse community and philanthropy. In addition, our insiders tell us that candidates who show the right combination of high impact leadership and humility demonstrate “Kellogg DNA.” Do your research on the programs, activities, clubs, classes and professors you are most excited about. While you are talking to students and alumni, look for ways you will contribute to the Kellogg MBA community. According to Kellogg’s admissions criteria: “We look for people who are not afraid to question the status quo, can motivate a team to drive impact, and are eager to dive in and collaborate with an engaged, ambitious community of peers.” That said, being overly coached won’t help you break through with Kellogg. Therefore, keep yourself authentic in your communication and let your real self shine through. Kellogg MBA Essay Tips for 2019-2020  The following two Kellogg MBA essays are required of all applicants: Essay 1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created 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 “provide a recent example…”). Details about exactly what you did, said and learned in your leadership story tell the reader how you approach issues and learn from experience. “Creating lasting value” is another key to this essay and you should think about what you have done that endures. As you structure the essay, spend some time to set up the background of the story. Then use most of the space to describe specifically what you did, thought, felt and how you behaved. Also, use details to entice the reader and set yourself apart. A few well-placed specifics will add color without adding length to the essay. You have discretion in your topic selection, as long as you demonstrated leadership and created value. It might be a time that everything went 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, as long as your story demonstrates that you have left your mark on the organization. If you choose a challenging situation then the learning part of the essay will be important. In addition, 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. 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: Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (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 values into their personal and professional goals. How have your values directed your actions in work and life? When you describe how your values have influenced you in past decisions, make sure it is relevant to your plans to pursue an MBA at Kellogg. Therefore, the story you tell 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 work and life thus far, you should choose only one or two main experiences to share. As you discuss how your values have guided you, specific examples will communicate concisely. For example, if you have a value of driving excellence, and that has led you to a consulting career where you help organizations become more efficient and achieve their goals. Or, your core value may be helping others and you have chosen a career that provides the ability for you to give back to your community or lead a group of people. The Video Essay The Kellogg admissions team advises the following in regards to the video essay: The video essay 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. Read specific advice for how best to prepare for the video essay here. Watching a video essay gives the admissions committee a sense of who you are, and your personality. Therefore, the Kellogg admissions committee advises: “Be yourself. We don’t want scripted answers — we want to get to know you and learn something new. Please do not try to reuse an example from an essay that might in some roundabout way answer the video essay question you are being asked. We already read that essay, so why tell us that story again?” After you submit your application you will receive your actual video essay questions. Therefore, 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. Extensive preparation will help you be comfortable and be yourself when you are recording the video. That said, it’s important not to be overly scripted as if you are “acting.” Kellogg allows you to practice with the video format a few times with practice questions before you submit your official video. In addition, it would be useful to do a few rounds of practice in front of the camera to get comfortable.  JD-MBA applicants: Please discuss your post-JD-MBA career goals and why the JD-MBA Program is the right program to help you reach those goals. (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. 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. MMM applicants: The five core values of the MMM Program are curiosity, creativity, empathy, open-mindedness and a learning mindset. Describe a situation in which you demonstrated one of these values. Why is this value an important part of the MMM experience for you? (250 words) Continuing the theme of “values” from the required essay, candidates for the MMM degree should reflect the intent of the program. Also, Kellogg is looking for design thinkers for this program, so you will need to demonstrate how you have shown curiosity, empathy, open-mindedness and a learning mindset and are ready to contribute in the MMM program. This is a behavioral essay question (“Describe a situation…”) and you will need to show the reader how you felt, acted and made decisions in the situation. Reapplicants: Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 words) While answering this question make sure you provide tangible evidence that you have improved your candidacy. Some of the most tangible improvements could be a stronger GMAT score or grades from new quantitative classes you attended. Other steps that you can describe include a promotion at work or new volunteer activities. Another area could be increased responsibility at work or in your activities. If you don’t have something tangible and external to report, discuss how your career goals have changed or your personal goals have been refined. All applicants have the opportunity to provide explanations or clarification in Additional Information. Use this section if you think the person reviewing your application might have a few questions about one or more of your responses. This could include: • Unexplained gaps in work experience • Academic, GMAT or GRE performance • Extenuating circumstances that we should be aware of when reviewing your application If there are any areas of concern, this is the correct place to address them. Strike an upbeat tone here and avoid excuses. Also explain your issue clearly and focus most of the essay on the correction for the issue. For example, for a disciplinary issue, demonstrate that you learned from the experience and have been an ideal citizen since. Low GPA issues should be explained here. 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. For academic questions, emphasize your improved performance later in your college career or in work or classes since college. *** Need even more Kellogg MBA essay tips and advice? Contact Stacy Blackman Consulting for a free analysis of your candidacy. For more details on the application process, visit the Kellogg MBA Admissions website. The post Tuesday Tips: Kellogg MBA Essay Tips 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
12 Jun 2019, 08:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Want to Become More Creative? Book a Trip to Finland |
 This post originally appeared on the Blacklight, our new newsletter for professionals. In a continent crowded with picturesque landscapes, standing out isn’t easy. So when Finland created a marketing campaign in 2010 to boost tourism, it decided to tout a uniquely Finnish cultural trait: silence. (But, since the Finns are also super polite, the slogan is actually “Silence, please”. ) In today’s 24/7-connected culture, quiet is becoming a precious resource—much like clean water and clear air. In fact, acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton considers silence an endangered species. He defines real quiet not as an absence of sound, but an absence of noise. “I think we’re realizing quiet is important, and we need silence. That silence is not a luxury, but it’s essential,” Hempton says. The Benefits of Alone Time Plenty of research points to the importance of solitude for calming our bodies and inspiring creativity. Once we turn off the pinging phone, social media, Flipboard, NPR updates, podcasts, YouTube, etc., our minds have a chance to rest and recharge. Silence may feel uncomfortable at first. We’re so used to being surrounded by noise and receiving non-stop input. But when we tune out those outside influences, we become receptive to deeper thoughts and reflection. When you embrace the quiet, something magical happens. The ideas start flowing, and solutions that have eluded you until now suddenly pop into your head. And it’s not just painters and novelists who can enjoy the creative thought and idea generation that solitude sparks. In his memoir, “iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It,” Steve Wozniak makes a convincing argument for the importance of intellectual independence in the creative process: Most inventors and engineers I’ve met are like me — they’re shy and they live in their heads. They’re almost like artists. In fact, the very best of them are artists. And artists work best alone — best outside of corporate environments, best where they can control an invention’s design without a lot of other people designing it for marketing or some other committee. I don’t believe anything really revolutionary has ever been invented by committee. Solitude + Nature = Creative Bliss  By now you’ve guessed one of the best ways to boost creativity: spending time in nature. In 2012, neuroscientist David Strayer conducted a study of nature’s effects on 56 adults. After four days of backpacking in the mountains, disconnected from all technology, the subjects’ performance on a creative, problem-solving task increased by a full 50 percent. Strayer’s research shows that the prefrontal cortex is less active when people are in a natural environment. Once immersed in “nature therapy,” your mind begins to sift through memories and explore random ideas and emotions. “You let the prefrontal cortex rest, and all of a sudden these flashes of insight come to you,” Strayer says. “It supports creativity, positive well-being, reductions in stress. There are all kinds of reasons why it’s helpful.” If you’re feeling the call of the wild, consider booking your next vacay in Finland—land of saunas, Northern Lights, and world-class solitude. It’s the ideal place to tune into the sound of quiet and recharge your creative soul. *** Did you enjoy this post? Our newsletter the Blacklight aims 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 goal posts closer, sign up today. The post Want to Become More Creative? Book a Trip to Finland appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
12 Jun 2019, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Booth MBA Essays for 2019-2020 |
 Are you planning on submitting an application to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business this upcoming season? Then let the brainstorming begin! The Booth MBA essays for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle have arrived. Chicago Booth MBA Essays
For more information on applying, please visit the Chicago Booth admissions site. If you need guidance on your Booth 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 Booth MBA Essays for 2019-2020 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
13 Jun 2019, 09:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: LGBTQ Diversity at Business School |
June is Pride Month around the globe, so we’re taking a look at how top business schools are striving provide a welcoming environment for applicants and students of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. But first, how can applicants determine which schools rank as gay-friendly? Enter Campus Pride. This leading national nonprofit organization works to create a safer environment for LGBTQ students. It has created a Campus Climate Index that takes an in-depth look at LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs, and practices. This year, Campus Pride partnered with BestColleges to compile a 2019 list of best colleges for LGBTQ students. These schools excelled in eight LGBTQ-focused areas: policy inclusion, support and institutional commitment, academic life, student life, housing, campus safety, counseling and health, and recruitment and retention efforts. Top ratings went to several universities also lauded for their elite MBA programs. The list includes:
Student clubs and organizations like Ross Out for Business, Pride@Kellogg, and Wharton Out 4Biz strive to foster a supportive atmosphere and offer a social network for students, alumni, staff, and faculty. These groups provide opportunities for students to explore the roles and contributions of gays and lesbians in the business community.  “Recruiters are increasingly placing an emphasis on diversity in the workplace,” Roxanne Hori, associate dean at NYU Stern, told the Financial Times in an article on tapping into the LGBTQ talent pool. Management consultants like McKinsey led the way, Hori said. Subsequently, banks and tech companies have worked to catch up, she noted. They now actively promote affinity groups in order to create a welcoming environment, she said. LGBTQ applicants and students should also check out the nonprofit organization Reaching Out MBA. It promotes the education, visibility, and networking capabilities of LGBTQ graduate business school students primarily through an annual conference. This year, it will take place October 10-12, 2019 in Atlanta. Is this a topic for your MBA apps? As MBA admissions consultants, we know that sexuality is not a topic often addressed within the b-school application. Nevertheless, we urged one gay client to consider weaving that personal information into his essays as a way to distinguish himself from his peers. Initially, he resisted what he thought seemed like a “diversity gimmick.” But we helped him see that the process of coming out was integral to his identity. It was a major theme in his life, and had shaped him in many ways. The client ended up adapting one essay per school to his sexuality. He discussed his journey of self-discovery and the process of self-acceptance. Then, he wrote about telling family and friends, their reactions, and how that had impacted him. The mechanics of his story may have been similar to others. But the way it shaped his outlook, and his involvement in mentoring activities, was personal. Ultimately, this applicant was admitted to Columbia University and Harvard University. We’ll never know for sure whether including this element in his applications led to those admits. However, we all agreed that the application he submitted had revealed a more authentic picture of himself. What does the adcomm think?  Here’s what the admissions team at Duke Fuqua has to say on the subject: “It is completely your decision whether or not to be out in your application. However, the Admissions team strives to get to know you on a personal level, and many LGBT applicants feel that they can better present themselves and their “stories” in their applications if they are open about the sexuality and gender identity. The Admissions team is very LGBT-friendly and is excited to work to increase the relative proportion of LGBT students in the larger Fuqua student body, given our historical under-representation in MBA programs. As a quick note, if you are ‘out’ in your application, you do not automatically have to be out to your classmates and professors if you so choose (although we do hope that most LGBT students will choose to be out on campus).” *** The right fit is a crucial part of a positive MBA experience. That means finding a school where you will thrive personally and professionally. When researching potential programs, remember to give significant weight to how welcoming the campus environment feels. As Reaching Out MBA notes, “you’re not part of the LGBTQ MBA community for two years—you’re part of it for life.” The post LGBTQ Diversity at Business School appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
14 Jun 2019, 08:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Stay On Track with SBC’s Top Ten Blog Posts-June 2019 Edition |
 Wondering which blog posts this year’s crop of MBA applicants visit the most on the Stacy Blackman Consulting site? We were, too! Thanks to modern technology—AKA Google analytics—you now have the news you need right at your fingertips. Without further ado… SBC’s Top Ten Most-Visited Blog Posts Harvard Business School 2018-2019 MBA Essay Tips The most challenging part of the HBS essay is remaining disciplined. Who is Harvard 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. Wharton MBA Essay Tips 2019-2020 The Wharton School seeks to understand who you are and what motivates you in this set of essays. Beyond your credentials and experience, fit is important. Are you excited to join the Wharton community? How will you contribute? Wharton values diversity and teamwork, and wants a class that will work well with each other. Review our Wharton MBA essay tips, and get to know the Wharton community. Wharton has a specific culture, and learning about the culture will pay off in your application. The 411 on Recent Updates in MBA Admissions If you plan to apply for business school next season, you’ll want to have a clear understanding of the MBA admissions landscape. We’ve seen several updates in MBA admissions over the past two years. Today, we’re taking a look at some specific questions we’ve fielded from various news outlets related to these changes. Character Prevails: Stanford & Harvard Business School MBA Applications Have you ever heard of the term “double admits”? That’s what we in the MBA admissions consulting industry call those singular applicants who receive admissions offers from both Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business. We’ve worked with many top applicants this MBA admissions season who achieved this impressive feat—some with scholarships to boot. Here we analyze eight cases—and we have eight specific takeaways to share. Successful Reapplicant to Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB For many rejected MBA candidates, having to wait another year to start business school feels like pure agony. When we met Ed Redden last year, he had submitted six failed applications, but the rejections from Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business in particular made him question whether he should even try to apply again. Face Off: Stanford GSB vs Berkeley Haas The school selection process for MBA applicants can seem overwhelming. With so many great business schools, how do you decide which one is right for you? In SBC’s new blog series Face Off, we tease out the strengths and differences between two similarly ranked b-schools. First item of business today: the Stanford MBA application versus the UC Berkeley Haas MBA application. Face Off: Wharton School vs Chicago Booth The school selection process for MBA applicants can seem overwhelming. With so many great business schools, how do you decide which one is right for you? In SBC’s new blog series Face Off, we tease out the strengths and differences between two similarly ranked b-schools. First item of business today: the Wharton MBA application versus the Chicago Booth MBA application. Columbia MBA Essay Tips for 2019-2020 Columbia Business School has released the application and essay questions for candidates beginning at the MBA program in 2020. These essay questions have been updated for this year. The new MBA essay questions include a new question about leadership and your fit with Columbia Business School. Client Case Study: How the GRE® General Test Can Complement an Unconventional Applicant When this client first contacted Stacy Blackman Consulting for guidance with his MBA application, he told us how he had struggled with the GMAT. Test-taking was not one of his strengths. After two attempts, he could not raise his score enough to be competitive with other candidates applying to his dream MBA program at Columbia Business School. H1B Visa Program Updates to Benefit MBA Students in the US There’s good news for international MBA students! The H1B visa program has been updated to benefit international graduate students, who will now effectively get two shots at approval. *** For more MBA applicant advice and news, you can also check out the February edition of SBC’s Top Ten Most-Visited Blog Posts. Good luck as you map out your business school application strategy! The post Stay On Track with SBC’s Top Ten Blog Posts-June 2019 Edition appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
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