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17 Jun 2020, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Wharton MBA Essays for 2020-2021 |
 Are you targeting the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School? Then it’s time to shift into high gear. We’ve already shared the upcoming application deadlines with you. Now, the admissions committee has announced the updated Wharton MBA essays for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. Here are the Wharton MBA essays you’ll answer in this year’s application. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself. For additional essay writing resources, see the essay tips article. First-time MBA applicants and re-applicants must complete both essays. Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words) Essay 2: Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words) Required Essay for all Reapplicants: Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words) Optional Essay: Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. Admissions Director Blair Mannix explained the changes to the essays on the Wharton MBA Admissions Blog: Our main goal is to get to know you the best that we can, and the change to our second prompt was largely motivated by that desire. We hope to give applicants room to reflect on their unique backgrounds and think about what their value-add will be to the Wharton community. Applicants should remember that the Admissions Committee is looking for candidates who will contribute to all aspects of Wharton life. *** For more information on applying, please visit the Wharton 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 Wharton MBA Essays for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
18 Jun 2020, 05:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Duke MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 |
 Are you targeting the Fuqua School of Business in the upcoming admissions cycle? Grab your calendar, because here are the Duke MBA deadlines for the 2020-21 application season. Duke MBA deadlines Early Action: Application due: September 23, 2020 Decision released: October 27, 2020 Round 1 Application due: October 20, 2020 Decision released: December 18, 2020 Round 2 Application due: January 7, 2021 Decision released: March 20, 2021 Round 3 Application due: March 25, 2021 Decision released: April 30, 2021 A note to applicants about the Duke MBA deadlines: 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. If you need merit-based scholarship assistance, you may apply during Early Action, Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3. International Applicants: you must apply during Early Action, Round 1, or Round 2 for visa processing. Re-applicants: reapply during Early Action or Round 1. The application for the class beginning in 2021 will become available in July. *** Now that you have seen the Duke MBA deadlines, please visit the Duke Fuqua admissions website for more information on applying. Also, if you need guidance on your Fuqua MBA application or wish to discuss your business school plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Duke MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
18 Jun 2020, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Berkeley Haas MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 |
 Are you interested in the full-time MBA program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business? Then get out your calendar and start planning your timeline. The school has announced the Berkeley Haas MBA deadlines for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. Berkeley Haas MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: September 24, 2020 Decision released: December 17, 2020 Round 2 Application due: January 14, 2021 Decision released: March 25, 2021 Round 3 Application due: April 5, 2021 Decision released: May 13, 2021 *** For more information on applying, please visit the Berkeley Haas MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your Haas MBA application or wish to discuss your business school plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Berkeley Haas MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
18 Jun 2020, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Duke MBA Essays for 2020-2021 |
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Are you targeting the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University? Then let the brainstorming begin! The Duke MBA essays for the 2020-2021 admissions season are here. According to Assistant Dean of Admissions Allison Jamison, the team decided to make some changes to the Duke MBA essays this cycle. “We understand the essay portion of the application is the most time-consuming,” she acknowledges. “But it shares a lot of information about you that we cannot get from a test score or resume,” she explains. Duke MBA Essays For 2020-2021, applicants will now answer just one short-answer question about post-MBA career goals. Required Short-Answer Essay Question Instructions: Answer the following question in 500 characters only (the equivalent of about 100 words). What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first choice career plan and your alternate plan. 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 two pages. For context: Fuqua believes different types of people, points of view, and experiences bring out the best in everyone. And above all, we place a premium on succeeding while making a positive impact on businesses, organizations, and the world. These ways of thinking set the Duke MBA experience apart, and this concept 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: the Fuqua Community and You Instructions: Your response should be no more than 300 words. 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, what are the three most meaningful ways you expect to engage and contribute to our community outside of the classroom? Jamison hopes this updated essay question will allow applicants to focus on things that spark their interest. “While there are so many opportunities available, one of the first skills you must develop as a student is how to prioritize what’s most important to you,” she notes. What you share with the admissions committee will offer insight into the unique contributions you will bring to the class, Jamison adds. Optional Essay Tell us more If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware (such as unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance), please explain them in an optional essay. Please do not upload additional essays or additional recommendations in this area of the application, and limit your response to one page. *** For more information on applying, please visit the Duke Fuqua MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your Duke MBA essays and application or wish to discuss your business school plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post Duke MBA Essays for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
19 Jun 2020, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Deferral Option for Ross International Admits |
 The Michigan Ross School of Business is facing the same challenges affecting top U.S. business schools everywhere. Most visa offices remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This leaves international students with no way to process their paperwork in time for on-campus learning in the fall. As a result of this uncertainty, MBA Admissions Director Soojin Kwon has announced a deferral option for Ross international admits. Like Harvard Business School, which also offered deferrals for any admit who requested one, affected students may postpone the start of their MBA studies to fall 2021, or fall 2022. It’s too soon to predict how many international admits will choose the deferral option for Ross. But, by spreading the deferrals over two years, the school hopes to lessen the impact on new applicants worried about space in the upcoming classes. In fact, Kwon anticipates “that a good number of international students will choose to enroll this fall as planned.” What Will Instruction Look Like in the Fall? The answer, as for most schools, is murky at best. With continued uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, Michigan Ross is currently gaming out several scenarios for the fall. Kwon shares that the adcom team is awaiting a decision from the university’s leadership by the end of this month. “Our priority is to provide students the best learning and development opportunities possible while keeping our community safe,” Kwon explains. No matter which scenario ultimately plays out, any student who cannot move to Ann Arbor in the fall will still be able to access classes and recruiting remotely. That way, they can stay on track and finish their MBA on time. Furthermore, the team at Ross has decided that all recruiting activities will take place virtually this academic year. “This approach will offer the most accessible, equitable, and consistent recruiting experience for all students in these challenging times,” says Kwon. Get to Know Ross Virtually In such uncertain times, MBA applicants will need to tap into different resources to get to know the business schools that interest them. For those targeting Michigan Ross, Kwon recommends prospective students check out Ross’s library of recorded webinars. Also, you can join online events such as admissions chats and “Ask Me Anything” sessions with current students. “They are the best way to get to know Michigan Ross and what it’s like to live in Ann Arbor,” says the director. Earlier this month, the Ross School published the MBA deadlines and essay questions for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. Likewise, SBC has shared its MBA essay tips for Ross. If you would like help with your Michigan Ross MBA application, don’t hesitate to get in touch. SBC offers a free, 15-minute candidacy assessment. Schedule yours today! The post Deferral Option for Ross International Admits appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
22 Jun 2020, 05:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Fight Zoom Fatigue |
 “Fresh ideas from the Blacklight” SBC’s Weekly Newsletter for Professionals COVID-19 stress continues to take its toll, leaving many of us exhausted at the end of each day. Now, we’re learning that the ubiquitous tool in our coronavirus communications arsenal is partly to blame. Researchers say frequent use of videoconferencing services like Zoom is mentally draining. By mid-April, “Zoom fatigue” had officially become a thing. If we used it only for occasional team check-ins, it wouldn’t be so bad. But now, we have Zoom meetings several times a day. We use them for work. And for school. You can take an exercise class or even attend religious services via Zoom. Currently, it’s also the safest way to socialize with friends and family through Zoom happy hours and game nights. It goes without saying that we’re fortunate to have these virtual communication tools available during the pandemic. But the reasons it leaves us feeling spent are worth noting. What Causes Zoom Fatigue? “It doesn’t matter whether you call it a virtual happy hour. It’s a meeting, because mostly we are used to using these tools for work,” Gianpiero Petriglieri, an associate professor at INSEAD, told BBC Worklife. Video calls can tire us out for reasons both physio-and psychological. Video chat is harder for our brains to process than face-to-face communication. We need to focus intently on the conversation to absorb information, process facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. That extra effort requires more mental bandwidth. It’s also unnerving if you’re not used to video calls. “Our minds are together when our bodies feel we’re not. That dissonance, which causes people to have conflicting feelings, is exhausting. You cannot relax into the conversation naturally,” Petriglieri explained. There’s another aspect of video calls that can negatively affect our psyche. On Zoom, you’re hyper-aware of how you look and sound. You feel pressure to “perform.” That alone is stressful and draining. The good news is, we can make a few tweaks to reduce Zoom fatigue. Here are some of the research-based tips Harvard Business Review recently shared. Tip #1 Build in Breaks For those long Zoom meetings, it’s essential to give your eyes and brain regular mini-breaks. Researchers have found we blink far less often when we’re watching a screen compared to in-person interactions. Look away from the screen for a few seconds, minimize the window, or move it to behind your open applications, HBR suggests. Finally, schedule at least 10 minutes to rest between meetings on days when you have back-to-back Zoom calls. You can use the buffer time to review what you discussed, stretch your legs, and mentally prepare for your next conversation. Tip #2 Reduce On-Screen Stimuli A Zoom meeting in gallery view “is the equivalent of trying to watch 5, 10, 20, or more different TV shows, side-by-side, meanwhile checking a mirror to see how you look. This is incredibly exhausting,” a story in Fast Company observes. It’s near impossible not to focus on your face when you’re on video. But you can sidestep that temptation by hiding your video from your display. Now, how about all the distractions lurking in the backgrounds of each participant? As we ponder their décor choices and spy loved ones or adorable pets walking by, our brains must process all these visual environmental cues. HBR recommends encouraging people to use plain backgrounds, if possible. Or, have everyone who is not talking turn off their video. Tip #3 Switch to Phone Calls or Email  At the beginning of the shelter-in-place order, Zoom became a lifeline tethering us to our colleagues and friends in the outside world. Now that we’re three months in, it’s okay to switch to a phone call or email for some of our communication. If you feel “Zoomed-out” before an upcoming meeting, HBR encourages asking if the other person would mind rescheduling for a later time so you can recharge. Or, see if you can take a break from video calls to chat over the phone. They’re likely feeling as much Zoom fatigue as you and will appreciate the suggestion. Until we’re on the other side of this pandemic, video meetings will continue to be a fact of COVID-19 era life. While we can’t eliminate Zoom fatigue, we should pay attention to how it affects our minds and bodies. Incorporate these three strategies and, fingers crossed, you’ll end your days with a bit more fuel in your tank. *** Did you enjoy this post with actionable tips to fight zoom fatigue? It originally appeared on the Blacklight, our weekly newsletter for professionals. At the Blacklight, we aim to illuminate with every dispatch that lands in your inbox. If you’re thirsty for guidance to help you slay it at work or as a student and move your goalposts closer, sign up today! The post Fight Zoom Fatigue appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
23 Jun 2020, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Wharton MBA Essay Tips 2020-2021 |
 This year’s Wharton MBA Essay tips will help you prepare your best Wharton application. The Wharton School seeks to understand who you are and what motivates you in this set of essays. Admissions Director Blair Mannix comments that “the Admissions Committee is looking for candidates who will contribute to all aspects of Wharton life.” Beyond your credentials and experience, fit is important. Above all, Wharton values diversity and teamwork. Wharton seeks a class that will work well with each other and wants to admit passionate learners. Review our Wharton MBA essay tips, and get to know the Wharton community through networking and reading. Wharton has a specific culture, and learning more about it 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. Therefore, you should write about the future and what you will use your MBA to achieve. 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 relevant to your goals. Think about the key moments of your professional life that led to your goals. Focus on telling the story of those decision points. This will be more effective than reciting your resume. Anything unique in your background is always worth describing. Understanding exactly how you fit in will help you describe what Wharton will do for you. This will also help you 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 want to study with, or the unique classes at Wharton. When you address your goals, 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 unique leadership development opportunities, such as traveling to Antarctica with your classmates.  Essay 2: Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words) Wharton is an intense academic environment. But, it also has a strong community focused on teamwork and learning from each other. As you select a topic for this essay, think about your particular background. What have you done in the past that can show how you will contribute? 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. Required Essay for all Reapplicants: Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (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 to reflect your ability to take feedback and improve. Describe how you approached the reapplication process after assessing your own strengths and weaknesses. It is also useful to describe your efforts to improve. Optional Essay: Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. This optional essay is a great place to address any areas of concern in your application. For example, low GPA or GMAT, gaps in your resume, or grades under a C in any quantitative course. Wharton is looking for strong academics and quant skills. Other issues could be disciplinary action in undergrad. First, explain the issue clearly and succinctly. Then, use evidence to show you have improved and addressed any concerns. Finally, discuss how you plan to maintain positive momentum. Now that you’ve seen our Wharton MBA essay tips, contact Stacy Blackman Consulting to learn how we can help with your Wharton application. The post Tuesday Tips: Wharton MBA Essay Tips 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
23 Jun 2020, 10:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Duke MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 |
 Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business is a community-oriented program seeking a diverse class of accomplished students. Today, we’re sharing our tips for the Duke MBA essays. Assistant Dean of Admissions Allison Jamison has written a blog post about the updates to the Duke MBA essays this year. COVID-19 has changed many things about the MBA experience and admissions. Jamison says that their goal is to reduce stress at this time. Therefore, Duke has streamlined the Duke MBA essays and application this year. As a result, Duke reduced the short answer questions to just one. Also, Fuqua has retained the iconic “25 Things” essay and has shortened the “Why Fuqua” essay. Stacy Blackman Consulting can help you prepare an individualized strategy for your Duke MBA essays. Contact us to learn more. Duke MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 Required short-answer essay question Instructions: Answer the following question in 500 characters only (the equivalent of about 100 words). What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first choice career plan and your alternate plan. This is a concise essay asking for your vision for your career. Think big picture and focus on the overall story trajectory. How will your career goals flow from the combination of your MBA and your past experiences? The career goals essay is about your ability to assess your skills and plan for the future. However, it’s not a commitment to a specific path. To that point, Duke is interested in your first and alternate choices in careers. In response, think about goals that fit with your background and personality. Also, show what you could explore if your first plan doesn’t work out. Flexibility is useful in a changing world, and valuable for this Duke MBA essay. For example, say your primary goal is to work in marketing in the consumer packaged goods industry. Therefore, you might be interested in a company like General Mills. If you don’t find the right job in that industry after Duke, maybe you would consider marketing for a retailer, such as Target. This could be an alternative career path because it allows you to develop a marketing career while remaining flexible about the industry. Or, you may have two separate interests and want to consider both of them. Your Plan A is to join a strategy consulting firm after graduation. However, if you don’t receive a job at your top choice firm, you would think about co-founding a start-up as another possible path. Think about your range of interests and go from there. Because you have limited space in this Duke MBA essay, boil your plans down to a clear statement. You should support any ideas for an MBA and career goals with the information provided in your resume, recommendations, and other essays. In particular, Duke Fuqua should be the ideal training ground for your future career.  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 two pages. For context: Fuqua believes different types of people, points of view, and experiences bring out the best in everyone. And above all, we place a premium on succeeding while making a positive impact on businesses, organizations, and the world. These ways of thinking set the Duke MBA experience apart, and this concept 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. This Duke MBA essay is entirely open-ended. As a result, you can cover your background, work experiences, values, and hobbies. If you have a particularly compelling story, this is the place to tell that tale. Make sure that personal topics are also relevant to your Duke Fuqua application. To help you answer this question, the Duke admissions committee has posted their own 25 Random Things examples. The examples run the range of very personal (engagement stories) to inspiring (starting a company from nothing). Consider the range of responses as you compose your list. Coming up with 25 random things to list in this essay may seem daunting at first. Start your creative process by brainstorming with friends and family. First, ask them about what is unique and memorable about you. Then, ask them to share the first story they think of when asked about you. Consider keeping a notebook with you to record ideas as they come to you. Once you have 25 random things, how do you structure your list? There are a few possible ways: chronologically, thematically, or even alphabetically. Also, you could organize the list so that it builds from shorter to longer items. Another idea is to alternate paragraphs of explanations with sets of one sentence items. Structuring the list to make it easy to read and follow will be appreciated. But, resist the urge to package the list too perfectly. Content is always the most critical factor in these Duke MBA essays. Also, remember that the point of this essay is to show Fuqua your personality. This makes the essay a crucial part of your overall Duke Fuqua application.  SECOND REQUIRED ESSAY: THE FUQUA COMMUNITY AND YOU Instructions: Your response should be no more than 300 words. 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, what are the three most meaningful ways you expect to engage and contribute to our community outside of the classroom? This year, the school has trimmed this essay from two pages to 300 words. Therefore, you will need to be very specific about why Team Fuqua is the right place for you. The best Duke MBA essays will be personal, while informed. Everyone benefits from a diverse alumni network. So, what will you specifically give and receive from your classmates? When you consider which three areas to focus on in this short essay, draw on past experience. Are there clubs around your interests? What classes are intriguing and build on your knowledge? Finally, offer specific examples from your past experiences to show your consistent passions. Your fit with the program is crucial to this Duke Fuqua application. In addition, it would be ideal to showcase the personal qualities that Duke Fuqua values. For example, Fuqua is especially interested in your role within the community. Community involvement has significant weight in your Duke Fuqua application. This essay can also be a place to talk about how the Duke MBA fits into your career goals. What do you know now that will be enhanced through your Fuqua MBA education? And what skills will you learn at Duke for your future? Overall, the main focus should be your contributions to the Duke community. Think about how you plan to improve the experience of others at Duke.  Fuqua School of Business – Keller Center East – Hall of Flags OPTIONAL ESSAY Tell us more If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware (such as unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance), please explain them in an optional essay. Please do not upload additional essays or additional recommendations in this area of the application, and limit your response to one page. This space is meant only to explain special circumstances. Therefore, do not use this essay to add new information to your Duke Fuqua application. The reasons to write this essay include: low GPA, gaps in work history, and lack of recommendations from current supervisors. If you do not have anything unique to explain, skip the question. Focusing on explanations and future performance is the best strategy. Your goal is to show that any past issues have been addressed. You are now on a successful trajectory and can handle Duke Fuqua’s academics. In a factual and positive manner, write that you know there could be questions about your background. Then, describe how you have improved. Overall your goal is to show you are ready to contribute to Duke Fuqua. The post Tuesday Tips: Duke MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
24 Jun 2020, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Episode #9: Candidacy “Question Marks,” Part 1 of 2 |
 We’re back to preview episode 9 of SBC’s new B-Schooled podcast, which covers all aspects of the MBA application and admissions process. This two-part episode covers what to do about “question marks” — or possible red flags — in an MBA applicant’s candidacy, including: • A low GPA • A low test score • A few low grades within an overall decent GPA • A lack of extracurriculars • A lack of work experience, and • “Too much” work experience (or when an applicant is older than the rest of the candidate pool) Additional issues will be covered in Part 2 next week. Listen to B-Schooled episode #9 here, or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher TuneIn Please be sure to subscribe to B-Schooled so that you don’t miss a thing. If there’s something you’d like for us to cover in a future episode, please email podcast@stacyblackman.com. We’d love to hear from you! The post B-Schooled Episode #9: Candidacy “Question Marks,” Part 1 of 2 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
25 Jun 2020, 05:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: INSEAD Grad Has Thoughts on the MBA in a Time of Crisis |
Many prospective MBA applicants wonder how COVID-19 might affect the timing of their business school plans. While the world has never seen anything on the level of this pandemic, we can learn from those who weathered the global financial crisis of 2008 while pursuing an MBA. Today, we’re sharing a Q&A with SBC consultant and INSEAD MBA Cathy. She considers her time at INSEAD a crucial inflection point in her career path. That’s why Cathy enjoys helping MBA candidates pursue their own ambitions for top MBA programs. We’ve asked Cathy for her insights into pursuing an MBA in a moment of crisis. Also, we wanted to find out what advice she would offer to INSEAD applicants in particular. Here’s what Cathy had to say. 1. You decided to leave your Wall Street career in 2009 to attain your INSEAD MBA. Was the economic meltdown in 2008 a reason for your pivot to higher education? Actually, I had been looking at MBA programs prior to 2008, as I had wished to advance significantly in my career. After doing my research, I knew that the right MBA could make all the difference in my career trajectory. So, I sought top-ranking MBA programs with whose culture and values I aligned. It was a coincidence that I applied for MBA programs during the economic downturn. To outsiders, it might not have seemed the best decision to give up a well-respected position in a bulge-bracket investment bank to study, with no job guarantee afterward.  Maybe I was naïve, but my joy in getting into INSEAD outweighed my concerns. I was confident that the MBA itself would be a worthwhile investment, and I felt that it was the right timing nonetheless. So, off I went! 2. Do you feel that the economic downturn shaped your MBA experience in any way? For example, did you use the MBA education to find a career path that had more meaning or impact than your preceding finance career? Since 9/11, I had wanted to do something more meaningful with my career. Pre-INSEAD, my goal was to enter social impact investing after graduating. The economic downturn did reinforce the idea of pursuing a meaningful career, though. My INSEAD experience further encouraged me to do so, with its emphasis on its community being a “Force for Good.” But, I never knew I would completely switch my career. Thanks especially to its supportive community and excellent entrepreneurship classes, I felt equipped to pursue a passion I’ve had all my life—chocolate! Combining this with my belief in sustainability, I’ve worked with some of the best chocolatiers whose values aligned with mine, making a positive difference for farmers and the environment while making delicious chocolate.  3. Would you recommend that young professionals pursue an MBA in this current climate, with uncertainty around the world, and why? Without a doubt. The MBA is more than the perfect place to gain the knowledge you need to advance in your career. It also provides you a community of outstanding, driven professionals – peers and faculty alike – where you can have those discussions, ask those questions, and be a resource yourself. It’s where great minds gather, where ideas are generated, and passions turn into reality. It’s very stimulating. Having an MBA is particularly relevant in this current climate. MBA students and alumni are very well-known for innovating. Pursuing an MBA will enable students to come up with collaborative solutions in an uncertain world. With a host of business, leadership, strategy and interpersonal skills under their belts, and a passion to change the world for the better, MBA graduates will be among those with the confidence and abilities to lead the way. 4. What application advice do you have for MBA applicants who are applying for INSEAD? INSEAD places a strong emphasis on bringing together students from around the world. If you love international diversity and discovering new places and cultures, remember to clearly share that in your application.  Secondly, INSEAD has also been very strong on being a Force for Good. The school encourages each student and alumni to make a positive contribution in society, no matter which industry s/he is in. If you feel passionate about making a positive impact on the world, let that shine through in your application as well. Thirdly, INSEAD looks for leaders, or future leaders, to lead these important changes, whether it’s in your hometown, country, an entirely different part of the world, or globally. If you’ve exemplified leadership, or possess entrepreneurship skills, include that in your application. Finally, a bit of humility doesn’t hurt. The INSEAD community, while extremely accomplished, is also surprisingly modest and down-to-earth. If you’re confident, but not arrogant, express that in your application as well. INSEAD isn’t looking for overly confident applicants. 5). The intensity of the pandemic and issues of racial equality will influence the MBA experience. Do you think it will be somehow strengthened as a result of these issues? Yes, definitely. MBA experiences themselves are meant to be transformative. What better place to be challenged, and to develop professionally and personally, than in an environment conducive to collaboratively resolving issues with sustainable solutions, and with creativity and intelligence? In the INSEAD community, the pandemic has already sparked constructive solutions to tackle the spread and even combat COVID-19. So to answer that part of your question, the pandemic is already strengthening the MBA community and experience. Regarding issues of racial equality, these are the impetus for the important discussions that take place between cohorts and professors, faculty, and staff. With the diversity that INSEAD embraces and embodies, I believe that each member is reflecting on these serious issues, doing the necessary research to understand more, and figuring out how it translates personally and socially into changed mindsets and consequent actions. I believe the MBA experience is already being strengthened as a result of these issues, and I have no doubt that it will also positively impact the curriculum in the near future. The post INSEAD Grad Has Thoughts on the MBA in a Time of Crisis appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
26 Jun 2020, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuck MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 |
 The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth has made some changes for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. Prospective MBA students will now have a fourth, rolling round deadline in late spring 2021. Without further ado, let’s look at the Tuck MBA deadlines for the upcoming season. Tuck MBA Deadlines and Key Dates for 2020-2021 Round 1 Application due: September 28, 2020 Decision released: December 10, 2020 Round 2 Application due: January 4, 2021 Decision released: March 18, 2021 Round 3 Application due: March 29, 2021 Decision released: May 6, 2021 Rolling Deadline Application due: April 1–June 1, 2021 Decision released: May 10–July 1, 2021 Consortium Deadlines Round 1 Application due: October 15, 2020 Decision released: December 10, 2020 Round 2 Application due: January 5, 2021 Decision released: March 18, 2021 Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST Tuck’s 2020-21 MBA application will open soon. 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! Photo courtesy of Tuck School of Business The post Tuck MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
26 Jun 2020, 13:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuck MBA Essays for 2020-2021 |
 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 2020-2021 admissions season are available! This year, the Tuck admissions team has fine-tuned one of the four criteria the school uses to evaluate applicants. The criterion “Encouraging” replaces last year’s “Nice.” As admissions director Luke Anthony Peña explains, “We’ve evolved this criterion from ‘nice’ to better describe about how Tuck students conduct themselves.” Tuck MBA Essays
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! Photo courtesy of Tuck School of Business The post Tuck MBA Essays for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
29 Jun 2020, 14:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UCLA STEM MBA Designation |
 UCLA Anderson School of Management has received STEM certification for its full-time, fully-employed, and executive MBA programs. The UCLA STEM MBA designation puts Anderson in league with a growing number of STEM-certified business schools. The three UCLA Anderson MBA degree programs were changed from “Business Administration and Management, General,” to “Management Science,” which is considered a STEM program. (UCLA Anderson’s Master of Financial Engineering and Master of Science in Data Analytics are also STEM certified. ) UCLA Anderson Dean Antonio Bernardo said the new STEM certification reflects the increasingly quantitative focus of the school’s MBA curriculum. That shift has come in response to technological advances, employer needs, and student interests. He also noted it is retroactive to the class of 2019. “Our MBA programs have always had significant quantitative elements, but as technology has advanced and more MBA students turn to tech careers, the number of data and quantitative courses in the MBA curriculum at Anderson has grown significantly,” Bernardo said. “This change is a reflection of that.” The STEM MBA is also increasingly desirable among employers, the dean said. The technology and management skills that graduates acquire while earning their degrees have become essential in today’s workplace. Recruiters seek graduates with an analytical and technological orientation, said the dean. Anderson’s STEM designation will underscore students’ abilities and interests in these areas. UCLA STEM MBA and OPT International graduates of the three programs typically are eligible to hold U.S. jobs for 12 months. The designation makes it possible to remain in the country for an additional 24 months after graduation and receive continued work experience. The U.S. government established the STEM designation to address a shortage of qualified workers in scientific and technical fields. Since 2016, it has allowed eligible F1 visa students to apply for the STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) extension. All current UCLA Anderson international students with the F1 visa and enrolled in the three programs can apply for the extension under the designation. The post UCLA STEM MBA Designation appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
30 Jun 2020, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Tuck MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 |
 The Tuck MBA essays are out, and we have the latest tips for you! The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth has a small student body and a rural location, combined with world-class faculty and academic focus. The admissions committee has spent considerable time developing a clear set of criteria for admissions. This year the criteria have been tweaked slightly, and Tuck replaced “Nice” with “Encouraging.” Through their Tuck MBA essays, successful applicants will show they are: smart, accomplished, aware, and encouraging. These criteria can be a big part of your Tuck MBA essays. Luke Anthony Peña, executive director of admissions and financial aid at the Tuck School, has a new blog post where he describes the criteria in more depth. Overall, Tuck is looking for applicants who show a pattern of behavior that demonstrates these qualities. For example, you would describe a pattern of accomplishments in your essays and resume. And then, you would show awareness when you describe how you view the world in your essays and interviews. Finally, you could show you are encouraging by describing a time when you have challenged and developed others. Stacy Blackman Consulting can help you put together successful Tuck MBA essays. Contact us to learn more about the customized assistance we can provide for you. To learn more about the Tuck MBA application, visit the Tuck MBA admissions website. Tuck MBA Essays  Essay One: Tuck students can articulate how the distinctive Tuck MBA will advance their aspirations. Why are you pursuing an MBA and why Tuck? (300 words) Being aware is one of the four criteria for successful Tuck MBA essays. To show awareness in this essay, spend some time considering your goals. Also, think about why you think an MBA is the right choice. Finally, consider why Tuck is the right place for you. Once you have crystallized your goals, you must articulate them in this essay. Make sure you have done research on Tuck. Use that research to show why Tuck is the right place for your next step. Being aware also means seeing the opportunities available at Tuck. To make goals that are appropriate for you, considering your background and MBA, also shows you are aware. Essay Two: Tuck students recognize how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are. (300 words) Make sure you have spent time learning about Tuck and why you think you are a fit with the community. This essay is the perfect place to talk about how you are encouraging. How have you spent time developing people in your life? And, what will you do to bring that quality to Tuck? Finally, by reaching out to current students and alumni, you will learn more about the Tuck experience. That will help you better understand how you fit in at Tuck, and write better Tuck MBA essays. Once you understand Tuck, think about the experiences that have shaped you. This essay is an ideal place to talk about some of your past accomplishments that involved others. For example, what you have experienced in various communities and what you have contributed or learned. You can show that you are aware, of yourself and others, through describing your experiences. If you are struggling to come up with a topic to discuss, talk to your friends and family about any stories that remind them of your unique personality and how you interact with others. Sometimes talking with the people who know you the best can aid your self-awareness. Essay Three: Tuck students invest generously in one another’s success even when it is not convenient or easy. Share an example of how you helped someone else succeed. (300 words) Tuck is a team-oriented culture. It’s important to be an encouraging person who wants to develop others, and this essay is another place to show that quality. This essay can show your personality and teamwork skills. Think about times that you invested in another person’s success even when inconvenient. Maybe you helped a competitor at work. Or, helped someone who was not in a position to reciprocate. It’s easy to help others in a low-stakes environment. It is hard to be encouraging when it doesn’t personally benefit you. Think about your behavior in a team. Do you help your teammates understand issues, or hold up team progress? How do you resolve conflict? When have you helped someone when it was not noticed or required? Choose a time when you have truly been an encouraging and helpful teammate. Explain the situation, what you did, and the result. If there were any lessons learned that you have applied since then, describe those lessons.  Optional Essay: Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere (e.g., atypical choice of evaluators, factors affecting academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application. (300 words) This optional essay is designed only for you to use if needed. If you feel that the rest of the application has fully described your personal qualities and accomplishments, no need to write this one. However, do use this essay if you do need to explain anything to the admissions committee. Examples of necessary explanations include a low GPA or academic probation. Or, gaps in your work experience or a non-professional recommender. If there is anything in your application that may raise questions, clear up those doubts in this essay. Ideally, an optional essay is brief, to the point, and focuses on the future. Succinctly explain what happened. Then, focus on how you improved and will continue to improve. Remain forward-looking and optimistic. Photos courtesy of Tuck School of Business The post Tuesday Tips: Tuck MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
01 Jul 2020, 05:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Episode #10: Candidacy “Question Marks,” Part 2 of 2 |
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We’re back to bring you a preview of episode 10 of SBC’s new B-Schooled podcast, which covers all aspects of the MBA application and admissions process. In a continuation of last week’s episode on “candidacy question marks” – or red flags on an MBA candidate’s record – this week’s episode covers what to do if you:
B-Schooled is available on most major podcast apps, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher TuneIn Please be sure to subscribe to B-Schooled so that you don’t miss a thing. If there’s something you’d like for us to cover in a future episode, please email podcast@stacyblackman.com. We’d love to hear from you! The post B-Schooled Episode #10: Candidacy “Question Marks,” Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
02 Jul 2020, 05:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Top Ten Blog Posts-July 2020 Edition |
 Wondering which blog posts this year’s crop of MBA applicants visits 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 for the second quarter of 2020. The COVID Round Coronavirus Admissions Update for Round 3 There is a lot of uncertainty worldwide as we grapple with the COVID-19 outbreak. For business schools, that has meant adapting to meet the circumstances of MBA applicants. Many MBA programs chose to extend Round 3 deadlines, some as far as mid-summer, to accommodate last-minute submissions. Application Strategies Worth Noting Character Prevails: Stanford & HarvardBusiness School MBA Applications Have you heard of the term “double admits”? That’s what we 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 When we first met Ed Redden, 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. What Makes a Great MBA Recommendation Letter The recommendation letter forms an integral part of your MBA application package and can make—or break—your chances of admission. Ideally, the MBA recommendation letter provides the admissions committee with a fresh perspective on your skill sets. Above all, your recommenders should enhance your application by offering new and valuable insights into you as a person. Don’t Fear Those MBA Admissions Background Checks The vast majority of people shouldn’t stress over this verification process. Business schools aren’t on a mission to grill candidates about every last detail of their applications. They simply want to ensure that applicants have honestly represented themselves, their experience, and their accomplishments. Face-Off: Oxford vs. Cambridge In SBC’s blog series Face-Off, we tease out the strengths and differences between two similarly ranked, or located, b-schools. Plus, we’ll highlight unique elements of their admissions processes. Let’s kick things off by looking at the differences between the Oxford MBA application versus that of the University of Cambridge Judge School of Business. Blog Posts with Program-Specific Intel Harvard MBA Essay Tips for 2020-2021 Harvard Business School will again use the same essay question as last year. According to MBA Admissions Director Chad Losee, “Amidst all the uncertainty globally, we plan to minimize changes in our application process this year.” The admissions committee understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted plans, employment, and personal lives. Stanford MBA Essay Tips for 2020-2021 The admissions committee at Stanford has gained significant insight into applicants by asking, “What matters most, and why?” along with “Why Stanford?” These questions are simple, yet the answers are revealing. One of SBC’s former GSB Admissions Officers shared, “GSB is looking for people who will make a big difference AND have a better shot than most in being able to execute. Stanford GSB students also seem to have this ‘X’ factor associated with them. Almost like an ‘unexpected’ trait, talent, or experience.” Columbia MBA Essay Tips for 2020-2021 These Columbia MBA essay questions include a new question about leadership and your fit with the School. As one of SBC’s former CBS Admissions Officers shared, “With CBS, it really is a holistic approach, but the fit is VERY important. They want to know why CBS- that is a big part of their culture. They want to know you’re going to fit in.” Wharton MBA Essay Tips for 2020-2021 The Wharton School seeks to understand who you are and what motivates you in this set of essays. Admissions Director Blair Mannix comments that “the Admissions Committee is looking for candidates who will contribute to all aspects of Wharton life.” Beyond your credentials and experience, fit is important. Above all, Wharton values diversity and teamwork. Wharton seeks a class that will work well with each other and wants to admit passionate learners. Looking ahead… We hope this roundup of blog posts serves as a helpful jumping-off point as you begin to prepare for your application journey in 2020 and beyond. The post Top Ten Blog Posts-July 2020 Edition appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
03 Jul 2020, 05:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: SBC Principal Esther Magna on the Value of an MBA Dual Degree |
Many business school aspirants are interested in exploring the value of having an MBA dual degree. That’s when students complete two degrees in two disciplines at the same time. A dual program takes longer compared to a single degree. But, it is shorter and less expensive than pursuing two degrees consecutively. The MBA degree, when partnered with a second degree such as law, engineering, healthcare, etc., can lead to even greater career outcomes. Today, we’re highlighting the MBA dual degree experience of SBC Principal Consultant Esther Magna, who received a joint MBA and MPH from UCLA’s Anderson School. In her role as Principal Consultant, Esther provides an initial assessment for more than 900 applicants each year. Many of these MBA aspirants are targeting joint degree programs at the world’s most elite business schools. What were your initial impressions of dual degrees? What made you interested in one? Truthfully, I loved the idea of having two degrees on my bio more than just one degree. Also, I was very excited for a three-year commitment to education and all the fun experiences of being a student. I decided to apply to both MBA and MPH programs about four years into my career. At the time, I was working in healthcare project management at Kaiser Permanente. I selected the joint degree program because it was an extension of what I loved most about my work. My role was to spearhead patient safety initiatives across the organization of hospitals and physicians.  My work had a double-bottom-line mission. I was advocating for the company’s business priorities, and also for impact, which was the improved quality of care for patients of the healthcare enterprise. I knew the MBA degree would afford a rigorous tool kit around business principles. Meanwhile, the MPH degree had an entirely different paradigm focus on community health and societal priorities. I remember meeting with a dean at UCLA’s public health school in the application process, and his message to me was that the ethos of the MPH education would be complementary to that of the MBA. I enjoyed understanding how the two ideologies, MBA and MPH, meshed within the joint degree experience. Why did you decide to pursue this particular dual degree? I was working professionally, just based on intuition, and often felt I was “winging it.” I knew I needed to professionalize my skills through higher education. I wanted to get the knowledge, tools, frameworks, and networks to advance my career short and long term. The MBA and MPH were an ideal extension of my desire to do work that reflects the priorities of both business and societal good. I also valued the higher education degrees for the credibility that they afford within professional settings. It is like a stamp of approval or legitimacy, and that has ignited my career ever since. What was the deciding factor in selecting your specific school? I applied to the joint degree programs at both UCLA and USC, which entailed four separate applications and essay sets. I received admissions offers from both, and a full scholarship offer from USC. Ultimately, I went with UCLA Anderson because I valued its brand, student class, and location on the Westside of LA, where I knew I wanted to raise my family. Did the dual degree coursework seem to differ from a “regular” program? How? Most dual-degree programs offer the coursework separately. In other words, there aren’t “dual degree” courses. Instead, there are courses in the MBA program and then classes in the MPH program, including required and optional courses. I was one of three MPH/MBA joint degree students, so I didn’t see my joint degree peers in my classes. Similarly, the MBA/MD or MBA/JD students were so few. The MPH courses were very different from the MBA courses in many ways. For example, the typical MPH student is much younger and has less work experience than those in the MBA program. Business school aspirants usually have 3-5 years of work experience before the program. The MBA courses were usually larger, likely due to the higher demand for the program, and often case study-based. MPH program courses often went into clinical or societal aspects of healthcare, such as population health or community organizing. The MPH program courses took place inside the UCLA hospital network facilities and often taught by clinical research-based faculty. Thus, my education was influenced heavily by the medical system that surrounded it. How did your degree program prepare you for your current career? I had my first child during the second year of my joint degree program. Then, I had my second child one week after receiving my diploma at my graduation ceremony! I was the odd duck in grad school, as I was the only one who was pregnant for most of my higher education experience. As a result, I didn’t take part in on-campus recruiting during my third year, as I elected to be a stay-at-home mom in the years immediately after receiving my two degrees.  The value of the MBA/MPH became most clear only after I returned to my career seven years later, just after the 2008 economic downturn. Through a lucky encounter with Stacy Blackman via social circles, I began this work full-time in MBA admissions consulting. The role actively relies on my graduate degrees. I could not have this career without those degrees and feel grateful that I had taken the time to get both degrees when I was younger. As a consultant guiding higher education applicants, I regularly draw upon my knowledge from the joint degree experience. The MPH has become more relevant for MBA applicant inquiries because so many are applying from healthcare industries or social impact domains. Many clients are aspiring toward post-graduate career paths in social impact. I can relate to a wide array of higher education applicants because of my joint degree. Did you feel your dual degree gave you a leg up over just pursuing an MPH or MBA by itself? How? The MBA is essential to my current career, no question. The MPH is an incremental value-add because of the rising demand for healthcare careers and the need for healthcare leaders trained in both business and healthcare disciplines. I could do my work without an MPH degree. But it’s undoubtedly valuable, and the MPH also has parallels to other joint degree programs such as public policy. While I don’t work in public health, I call on the learnings from the MPH degree when relating to grad school applicants who are nontraditional in career paths or aspirations. ETS, the company that administers the GRE, recently chose me to act as an industry influencer. In that role, I participated in a social media campaign that included a YouTube video produced by an ad agency in New York. I asked the producers why they selected me. It was because of my joint degree. I loved the experience, and it was a reminder that the MPH degree is continuing to benefit me.  Are there any areas where you feel you didn’t get as in-depth an education as you would’ve liked? Years after the MBA, the most valuable tools aren’t the equations, calculations, or models from the lectures. The real value is the critical thinking that I learned from the joint degree — the level of higher and broader thinking that stands the test of time. I remember several powerful moments in my education.
 What was the job search like after graduating with your dual degree? How did prospective employers react to it? My peers from both programs found awesome jobs through on-campus recruiting. If I worked in a traditional corporate setting, I’m sure the joint degree would be a value-add for recruiters in any healthcare or social impact domain. For all industries, two grad degrees shows intellectual horsepower, range, and relatability. Like anything, a higher education degree is not the secret sauce on its own. It’s work ethic, character, ambition, diligence, networking finesse, and other traits that are the dealmakers and are essential to optimize recruiting potential, even with the higher education degree. What advice would you give to students considering pursuing a dual MBA degree? Keep in mind a joint degree isn’t ever a requirement for a given job. One higher degree often is required, depending on the role. Two grad degrees can open more recruiting doors due to the breadth and range of training. It’s an investment in yourself toward long-term opportunities. Evaluate and embrace what the second degree will offer that the first grad degree alone will not afford. Many higher education programs, such as the MBA, have become well-balanced across courses and allow for electives at adjacent programs, such as MPP (master of public policy) or MPH schools. A deep-dive education into the second degree should be welcome and exciting for you, given the extra year required. The joint degree would take a third year, inclusive of costs, and place you into a different cohort (a later year of MBA graduates) for recruiting, networking, etc. You will want to leverage the connections you will make within your MBA program. A joint degree may take you away from the MBA student group to some extent. So, stay engaged in the student groups of both programs to maximize relationship-building and networking. You can catch up on sleep later in life! This professional spotlight originally appeared on OnlineMBA.com. Kaiser Permanente image by Ted Eytan (CC BY-SA 2.0) The post SBC Principal Esther Magna on the Value of an MBA Dual Degree appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
07 Jul 2020, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Chicago Booth MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 |
 Are you already planning your application strategy for the University of Chicago Booth School of Business? Then get out your calendar, because the Chicago Booth MBA deadlines for the 2020-2021 admissions season have been announced! Chicago Booth MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 Round 1 Application due: September 24, 2020 Decision released: December 3, 2020 Round 2 Application due: January 12, 2021 Decision released: March 18, 2021 Round 3 Application due: April 1, 2021 Decision released: May 20, 2021 All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Applications submitted after a deadline will automatically be considered in the next round, provided that all required materials are included with the application. *** If you need guidance on your Booth MBA applications or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! For more information about applying to Chicago Booth, please visit the Booth admissions website. The post Chicago Booth MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
07 Jul 2020, 13:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Kellogg MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 |
 Are you interested in Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management? Then get ready to mark your calendar. The Kellogg MBA deadlines for the 2020-2021 admissions season have been announced! They are as follows: Kellogg MBA deadlines for 2020-2021 Round 1 Application due: September 16, 2020 Decision released: December 9, 2020 Round 2 Application due: January 6, 2021 Decision released: March 24, 2021 Round 3 Application due: April 7, 2021 Decision released: May 12, 2021 Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. CT on the application deadline date. If you’re an international applicant, Kellogg encourages you to apply in Round 1 or 2 to allow time for your visa application. *** If you need guidance on your Kellogg application or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! For more information about applying to the Kellogg School of Management, please visit the Kellogg admissions website. The post Kellogg MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
07 Jul 2020, 13:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: NYU Stern MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 |
 Is the New York University Stern School of Business on your shortlist of target MBA programs? Then get ready to mark your calendar. The NYU Stern MBA deadlines for the 2020-2021 admissions season have been announced! NYU Stern MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: October 15, 2020 Initial notification: January 1, 2021 Round 2 Application due: November 15, 2020 Initial notification: February 1, 2021 Round 3 Application due: January 15, 2021 Initial notification: April 1, 2021 Round 4 Application due: March 15, 2021 Initial notification: June 1, 2021 Your application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the day of the deadline. NYU Stern encourages international applicants to the Full-time MBA program to apply earlier in the application cycle to facilitate visa arrangements and to have priority consideration for off-site interviews. The 2020-2021 application is now open. For more information on applying, please visit the NYU Stern MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your Stern MBA application, or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! Image by Flickr user Peter Skim (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) The post NYU Stern MBA Deadlines for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
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