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IESE MBA Application Essays for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   03 Aug 2020, 14:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: IESE MBA Application Essays for 2020-2021


Is IESE Business School in Spain on your shortlist of target MBA programs? Then let the brainstorming begin! You’ll find the IESE MBA application essays for the 2020-2021 admission season within the online application.

IESE MBA Application Essays
Application Essay #1
If you had to come up with a motto for your life, what would it be and why? Please give an example of how you have demonstrated it (word limit 300 max)

Application Essay #2
Describe your short and medium-term post-MBA goals? How will the IESE MBA help you achieve them? (word limit 300 max)

Optional Essay
What would you like to highlight about yourself or your journey which may have not been captured in your application? (word limit 300 max)

***

For more information on applying, visit the IESE MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your IESE application essays or wish to discuss your business school plans, don’t hesitate to reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help!

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Tuesday Tips: Georgetown MBA Application Essays, Tips for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   04 Aug 2020, 10:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Georgetown MBA Application Essays, Tips for 2020-2021


The Georgetown MBA application is now live, and we have tips for the new essays of the 2020-2021 season. The Georgetown MBA program is in Washington, DC, at the center of government and public policy. Georgetown also has the Steers Global Real Estate Center and an entrepreneurship initiative.

When working on your Georgetown MBA application, keep in mind the academic and career benefits of the school. For instance, Georgetown’s community is close-knit, intellectually curious, and diverse.

Contact us for an evaluation of your Georgetown MBA candidacy and tips for your Georgetown MBA application. For more information about the MBA program, visit the program website.

Georgetown MBA Essays for 2020-2021
Our goal at Georgetown McDonough is to craft a diverse class with people who have varying personal and professional life experiences. Select one essay that best highlights your experiences, characteristics, and values.
Essay Option One: Georgetown McDonough places a strong emphasis on principled leadership, providing both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills. Describe a time when you’ve led a team in a professional environment to implement a new idea or process. What leadership characteristics did you utilize? What could you have done to be more effective? And most importantly, what skills will you be able to bring to the teams you lead at McDonough?
Leading a team through a process or idea that is entirely new can be daunting. This experience is outside many people’s comfort zone. Also, inventing something altogether unique requires learning and development. You may have found that you needed to innovate during one of your best leadership experiences. If so, this is a great essay to show what you learned in that process.

Note that Georgetown is looking for principled leadership. Further, Georgetown defines principled leaders as those who operate with a “clearly articulated set of principles and values.” (Learn more on the Georgetown MBA website.) Therefore, defining your own set of principles and values in this essay will help you explain how you led the team. Georgetown wants to understand both what you did and how you did it.

Finally, as you write this Georgetown MBA application essay, make sure to include many details. Fully describe the situation, what you did, any challenges, and what you learned about yourself. Don’t be afraid to explore the difficulties in this leadership experience. Innovating is often messy, and it’s ok to turn to mentors or team members for help. One sign of a good leader is knowing your limits and using the resources you have.



Essay Option Two: Hoyas Helping Hoyas. Georgetown McDonough embodies the ethos that people and organizations can and should contribute to the greater good. The admissions committee would like to better understand how you’ve demonstrated these values during uniquely challenging times. Describe a time where you’ve put the needs of others ahead of your own, or ahead of the bottom line. We look forward to learning more about the challenge you faced, what unique characteristics you brought to that scenario, and what you learned from it.
This option also focuses on principled leadership. However, this approach on the topic is about taking the risk to put other people ahead of profits or yourself. Similar to the question above, studying Georgetown’s idea of Principled Leadership will help you define the scope of this essay.

The essay here is also about challenges. Because many businesses put the bottom line first, you would be acting against that norm. Also, many professionals put their ambitions above the needs of others. If you acted from your principles, it might have been uncomfortable. Therefore, explain how your actions were a challenge and why.

First, demonstrate your specific mindset in this essay and show how you think. Second, describe what you did and how you decided to act. Finally, make sure you reflect a bit on your development and what you learned in the process.

Essay Option Three:  Think of a business leader or role model you admire or aspire to be. What are the defining characteristics of his or her personal brand that you see in yourself? Give an example of how you have been able to emulate these characteristics in your professional career and how your personal brand will enrich the McDonough community.
Through describing a business leader or role model you admire, this Georgetown MBA application question is looking for your leadership qualities. This could be a personal or a leadership question, depending on the type of person you choose and what qualities you admire. The second part of the question also allows you to write about the Georgetown MBA community.

Make sure you have a handful of vivid examples to support what you say about your qualities. For example, say you admire Jeff Bezos and believe that you are similarly entrepreneurial. Accordingly, you can provide an example of a time you started a business or enterprise. Or, on a more personal level, you can explain what personality and leadership traits you share with your subject.



Video Essay
What makes you unique? In a 1-minute video, describe the most compelling aspects of yourself that you believe makes you unique from other MBA candidates. (Hint: 1 minute goes fast! We already have your resume and goals – share something new!)
This Georgetown MBA application video essay specifically asks you to appear in a one-minute video and to address situations outside your resume. You will have unlimited time to record and edit this video (unlike a video interview). You should appear on-screen and can add other elements—for example, interviews with family and friends, photos or graphics, and music.

One minute seems like a short amount of time, but consider that television commercials are often only 30 seconds. A lot of information can fit into a one-minute video!

Like all interactive MBA admissions essays, the content is the essential aspect of this exercise. The admissions committee wants to get to know you and your dreams, background, and personality. Think about personal stories that you did not describe the rest of your Georgetown MBA application. Perhaps you have a hobby you are passionate about, or a family story to tell.

This is also the ideal place to demonstrate your fit with Georgetown (unless you focused on option three of the previously required essays). Can you take your hobbies to school and share them with your classmates? Will your background add to the diversity of the class? Or, can you open doors for your classmates professionally? Always think about your contributions to McDonough.

Make sure to demonstrate enthusiasm as you speak to the camera. You can also add additional elements to the video to make it compelling for the admissions committee to watch. However, keep in mind that content is the most crucial part of this video.

Optional Essay
Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included. (500 words or fewer)
This is an entirely open-ended optional essay. Most optional essays ask for an explanation for a gap in employment, the lack of a current supervisor recommendation, or academic issues. If you do need to address any of those elements to your Georgetown MBA application, this is the ideal place.

You could also use this space to highlight another aspect of your experience. Options include describing a situation at work or in your extracurricular activities. Perhaps you have a fantastic leadership experience you want to discuss. Or, a learning experience not covered in essay one.

Re-Applicant Essay
Required for re-applicants. How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally. (500 words or fewer)
Many candidates can write about a specific improvement since your last application, such as a promotion, improved GMAT, or increased responsibilities or experience. Georgetown is also interested in the less tangible improvements, like a revised career goal, personal growth, or an increase in maturity. Make sure you can make the case that you are now ready for a McDonough MBA and that any new development has only strengthened your resolve.

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Tuesday Tips: Texas McCombs MBA Application Essay Tips for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   04 Aug 2020, 13:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Texas McCombs MBA Application Essay Tips for 2020-2021


The UT McCombs School of Business is a globally recognized MBA program located in Austin, Texas, a center of technology and business for the region. When you are getting ready to draft your Texas McCombs MBA application, consider that entrepreneurship is a huge focus.

Along with Management Consulting, Clean Tech, Innovation Leadership, and Supply Chain & Operations Management, Entrepreneurship is a top 5 concentration. Class size at Texas McCombs MBA is small and close-knit, and the students’ backgrounds are diverse.

To prospective students, Texas MBA Admissions Officer Stacey Kammerdiener advises: “Be honest. These essays are our way to learn more about you. Our students value authenticity, and we look for essays that reflect your authentic self.” You’ll find more great advice for your Texas McCombs MBA application o the Texas MBA Insider blog.

If you need more assistance, we can help! Contact Stacy Blackman Consulting for a free evaluation and more tips on your Texas McCombs MBA application. For additional information on applying, please visit the McCombs admissions website.

Essay One
We will learn a lot about your professional background through your resume and letter of recommendation. We want to get to know you further. Please introduce yourself using an essay of 250 words, OR a video introduction of one minute.
An open-ended essay with a creative option (the video) can feel intimidating. Instead of focusing on whether you want to use an essay or a video, start thinking about what you want to communicate. Your Texas McCombs MBA application is a way to introduce yourself to the admissions committee. Also, of course, to your new study group.

As the Texas Admissions Blog reminds you, “While your professional life is important, this essay is your opportunity to share who you are outside of the bullet points on your resume.” The best Texas McCombs MBA application essays will dive deep into your motivations and aspirations.

Also, share your cultural background, formative moments in your life, and friends, family, and colleagues who have influenced you. To identify engaging stories for your Texas McCombs MBA application, think about those pivotal moments of change.



 

Life transitions can spark your Texas McCombs MBA application essay topics.
For many people, the transition from high school to college and from college to work leads to personal change. Others have had formative childhood experiences. Or, experiences that led to shifts in perspective, like travel or living outside your home country. Any of these types of experiences could be an excellent way to illustrate your values and what motivates you.

Once you have identified the content of your essay, you can decide how to present it. If you determine your story works better in writing, choose the essay. However, a video could allow you to add elements of emotion, such as humor, that are harder to convey in writing. With a video, you can include graphics, photos, or other visual elements. Note that you should appear in the video for the bulk of it.

If you choose a video essay, write a script for your video. Think about the bullet points you want to cover and any essential points. If you decide to talk into the camera, make sure you rehearse. Consider having a friend or family member there so you can speak to a person instead of the camera.

Try to edit the video after you record the footage to keep it smooth and on topic. Either way, make sure to record several takes of the video content so you can choose the best one to submit to McCombs.



Essay Two
Picture yourself at the completion of your MBA journey. Describe how you spent your time as a TexasMcCombs MBA student to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words)
This essay is your opportunity to demonstrate your fit with the Texas McCombs MBA program. As part of your homework for the Texas McCombs MBA application, you should learn as much as possible about the school. Here, you can combine that research with your aspirations and goals.

Use your imagination and think about how you might describe your Texas McCombs MBA experience at graduation. You’ll likely have had both professional and personal growth. Also, you will have met interesting people who will be part of your lifelong network. As the Admissions Blog reminds you, “We have also already reviewed your short and long term goals. Essay two is meant to explain to us how you believe McCombs will help get you there.”

To get started, research some of the unique opportunities at McCombs, like the Venture Labs, if you have entrepreneurial dreams. Another great program is The MBA+ Program, with opportunities to work with influential companies. Living in the city of Austin is also a unique benefit to the program that you may want to consider.

For example, maybe you were interested in working for a major technology firm to learn product management skills to use in starting your own business. While at McCombs, you might have tested ideas with the Venture Labs. You could have also consulted for major companies like Adobe or HP to learn how large companies worked. These experiences were probably formative as you made career plans.

Don’t forget the personal! McCombs has an active and engaged student culture with student clubs you likely joined. And your classmates and the friends you made were undoubtedly an influence.

Optional Statement
Please provide any additional information you believe is important and/or address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the Admissions Committee in considering your application (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). (250 words)
This optional essay provides space for you to explain anything that needs more context. Some areas that may require an explanation for your Texas McCombs MBA application include: lower than average test scores, any grades below a C on your transcript, academic probation, or a significant resume gap. Keep your explanation concise and factual. Also, focus on context for the issue, instead of excuses.

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Tuesday Tips: Emory MBA Essays and Tips 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   04 Aug 2020, 13:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Emory MBA Essays and Tips 2020-2021

The Emory MBA program at Goizueta Business School in Atlanta offers a variety of programs for maximum flexibility. Programs include a one-year MBA, a business analytics program, and a traditional two-year MBA. Emory also provides joint degree programs.

Designed to give students practical experience, the Emory MBA prepares students to be “day one ready” for their careers. Consequently, admitted students start working with a career coach before school. Also, Emory has high rankings with recruiters.

For more advice and help with your Emory MBA essays, contact Stacy Blackman Consulting for your free evaluation. The Emory MBA website can give you more detail on the Emory MBA application requirements.

Essay One: Post-MBA Career Goals
Define your short-term, post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience, and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300-word limit)
This Emory MBA career goals essay focuses on your short-term career goals. Also, the essay asks about your strengths, past experiences, and personal attributes. Instead of reciting your resume, think about the key moments in your career.

Also, think over what has formed your experience, accomplishments, and shaped your goals? To get started, first identify a few defining career moments. Then you can describe your strengths and experiences that prepared you.

This essay is most effective if you can show how your career so far fits with your goals. Show the connection from past experiences to your Emory MBA to your goals. For example, say you have been working in management consulting and want to move to internal strategy. First, talk about how your management consulting experience gives you comfort with presenting to executives.

Second, show how specific classes and clubs at Emory will help you gain relevant industry experience and academic knowledge. Finally, describe how all of this experience together will give you the skills to contribute to your new company.

Essay Two: Leadership in Business
Roberto Goizueta’s core values guide us in educating Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Provide an example of your leadership and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300-word limit)
This Emory MBA application essay is a behavioral question. The clue is that you are asked to provide an example. Therefore, the question is about how you think, act, and behave. The best predictor of your future behavior is your past. So, this question seeks to know how the past has shaped your development as a leader.

Use a specific leadership story and make sure you provide detail. A great strategy is to use the STAR framework. First, start with the situation. Then, explain the task in front of you. Finally, describe the actions you took and the result. Also, think about the lessons you learned. A recent example of a time that you used these skills is most convincing.

In this question, Emory asks specifically about the school’s namesake. Keep a laser focus on the school’s leadership and values. Include insights gleaned from thorough school research to customize your essay. To learn more about the Emory MBA program, take advantage of virtual admissions information sessions. Also, consider informal networking with current or former students.



Video Essay
Within the application, you will be provided with a question to answer. You will have 30 seconds to gather your thoughts and prepare your answer. You will then have up to 60 seconds to respond to the question. You will be permitted three attempts to record your video essay. However, each opportunity could present a different question.
Goizueta’s admissions team gave us the following insight into this new video essay: “Candidates will be provided a spontaneous question or prompt to reply to for the video essay. This will be randomly generated from a bank of questions we have developed to help us get to know candidates on a more personal level. We continue to use the video essay because it allows us to provide multiple types of platforms for candidates to express themselves, and it allows the admission committee to see a bit more of their personality. With our small-by-design classes, fit becomes very important, and the video essay helps us with that.”

Last year, the video essay was a choice of several options. And, those questions focused on Goizueta core values, personal stories, and your passions. Therefore, as you prepare for this video essay, make sure you are familiar with Goizueta’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Accountability, Rigor, Diversity, Team, Community.

Your resume and recommendations are about your career and accomplishments. In contrast, this video essay is more personal. Ideally, your personality will shine through the video. As the admissions team said, this essay is about fit.

To prepare for this video essay, make sure to practice, practice, practice. Take some time to think about what you want the admissions committee to know about you. Do you have any personal stories to tell here? Then, record yourself talking about these themes or telling your story. Practice several times until it feels natural.

For additional advice, read our blog post on prepping for video essays and long-distance interviews.

Additional Information
Should you feel there is an important part of your story missing from your application (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic probation issues), please use this section to provide a brief explanation. We ask that you limit your response to 100 words; responses in bullet point format are preferred.
This essay is for anything about your Emory MBA application you need to explain. An example might be if you have gaps in your resume. Other issues include a low GPA or GMAT, few promotions, or a recommender that is not a current supervisor.

If you do have unexplained gaps in your resume, how do you handle it? The best explanation is that you were doing something productive. However, that “something productive” could be anything from traveling the world to taking care of a family member.

How you explain your time off is most important. Make sure you can tie your gap in employment to your goals in some way. For instance, taking care of a family member could have led to introspection about your personal and professional goals.

On the other hand, you may not have done anything particularly memorable because a job hunt took up your time. Maybe you took advantage of informational interviews to learn about your career goals during the gap in employment. Or, tap into your ongoing volunteer efforts or hobbies. Think about how you can frame those activities to show that you are motivated and responsible.

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B-Schooled Episode #15: 6 Essay-Writing Mistakes to Avoid [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   05 Aug 2020, 06:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Episode #15: 6 Essay-Writing Mistakes to Avoid


With the first Round 1 deadlines starting to hit in less than 5 weeks, you’re probably in the midst of essay writing. This episode will cover 6 common essay mistakes and how to avoid them.

Listen to B-Schooled episode #15 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!

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Face Off: Duke Fuqua Vs. UVA Darden [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   07 Aug 2020, 07:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Face Off: Duke Fuqua Vs. UVA Darden
[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Darden-vs-Duke-Fuqua2-1-734x615.png[/img]
The school selection process for MBA applicants can seem overwhelming. With so many terrific business schools, how do you decide which one is right for you? In SBC’s blog series [b]Face Off[/b], we tease out the strengths and differences between two similarly ranked, or located, b-schools. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between the Duke and Darden MBA programs.

How do the Duke and Darden MBA programs stack up?
[b]Rankings[/b]
Both Duke University [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/duke-fuqua/]Fuqua School of Business[/url] and UVA [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/mba-application-advice/virginia-darden/]Darden School of Business[/url] consistently rank in the top 15 across multiple sources. The two schools rank back-to-back in the latest [url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/mba-rankings]US News[/url] and [url=https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/#tab:rank]Forbes[/url] “Best Business Schools” rankings (with Darden leading). Surprisingly, [url=https://www.bloomberg.com/business-schools/regions/us]Bloomberg Businessweek[/url] has Darden ranked 5th and Duke at 20th in its latest ranking.  Nonetheless, Duke University is a more recognizable brand globally, as we recently shared with [url=https://find-mba.com/articles/mba-school-choice-fuqua-vs-darden]Find MBA[/url].

[b]Career Outcomes[/b]
Outplacement to the consulting industry (32%) is comparable between the programs. However, other sectors such as tech (28% for Duke and 18% for Darden), finance (16% for Duke and 23% for Darden), and healthcare (9% for Duke and 3% for Darden) reveal key differences in the recruiting focus areas.

(Check out the latest employment reports at [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/career-support/employment-report]Darden[/url] and [url=https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/sites/www1.fuqua.duke.edu/files/media/duke_mba_employment_report_2018_-_2019_daytime_final.pdf]Duke-Fuqua[/url].)

While salary and employment rates are comparable between the programs, outplacement geographically varies markedly. For example, in the West, it’s 27% for Duke and 17% for Darden. The number of grads headed to the Midatlantic region is 6% for Duke and 19% for Darden. In the South, the numbers are 23% for Duke and 12% for Darden, as shown in the map and table below.

[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Darden-jobs-1.jpg[/img]

 

[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/Duke-employment-distribution.jpg[/img]

source: Duke MBA Employment Report 2018-2019

[b]Location Comparison[/b]
Darden is in Charlottesville, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia. Charlottesville is considered more of a [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/about/locations/charlottesville/life-in-charlottesville]quintessential college town[/url]. Applicants should decide whether they find the school’s rural setting idyllic or too isolated. Darden is about 90 minutes from Richmond, Va., and two hours from Washington, DC.

Meanwhile, Duke University’s location in Durham, North Carolina, is considered suburban and a bit more bustling. You can get a good sense of [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2016/05/09/maria-del-pilar-perez/living-in-durham]life in Durham[/url] in this post on the Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

How do the two schools’ MBA cohorts compare in terms of quality and culture?
The Duke and Darden MBA programs are comparable with respect to class cohorts, which influences the student culture and experience.  Duke has a slight advantage, however, given that it has a bit more international student representation (37% at Duke; 33% at Darden) and women (43% at Duke and 40% at Darden), as well as minorities (37% at Duke, 21% at Darden).

The average MBA class size is [url=https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/class-profile]395 at Duke[/url] and [url=https://www.darden.virginia.edu/mba/admissions/class-profile]336 at Darden[/url]. So, the higher numbers of international, women, and minority students at Duke may result in a student class with a broader array of viewpoints and perspectives. 

Both programs have a robust tight-knit student and alumni network. Anecdotally, Darden students are known to have heavier workload demands. “With its rural location and case study method, the focus at Darden is going to be on the program and your classmates–it is an intense, rigorous program,” shared a former Darden Admissions Officer who works on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team.

Duke students, meanwhile, are often stereotyped as having more fun because its MBA program is more flexible.

“Duke attracts quirky, fun and/or interesting students,” shared Sherry Holland, a former Duke Admissions Officer who works on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team.

How do the two curriculums and teaching methods compare?
Darden is more structured, with challenging workload expectations for its students and hence a potentially greater learning opportunity. Darden’s heavy emphasis on the case method (100% case method)  means more rigorous teamwork, time commitments, and overall work intensity.

On the other end of the spectrum, Fuqua’s professors use lectures, case studies, strategic games, simulations, visiting executives, and their own research to create a dynamic learning experience. Duke Fuqua’s teaching methods allow for more flexibility to create a tailored approach to time allocation and work intensity during business school.

***

We hope this comparison between the Duke and Darden MBA programs has given you helpful intel as you finalize your school selection decisions this season. If you need help with your MBA applications, please [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/]reach out[/url] to learn more about working with SBC.

The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/face-off-duke-darden-mba-programs/]Face Off: Duke Fuqua Vs. UVA Darden[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url].

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Re: Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   07 Aug 2020, 07:42
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9 Tips for LGBTQ+ MBA Applicants Applying to Business School [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   10 Aug 2020, 08:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: 9 Tips for LGBTQ+ MBA Applicants Applying to Business School


We’re on a mission to help all of the MBA applicants we work with shine their brightest when applying to business school. Bonus points if you’re able to enjoy the application process along the way! A group of LGBTQ+ consultants from the SBC team recently got together to share stories from our own experiences applying to b-school. We also swapped the lessons we’ve learned from working with clients over the years. Here are nine tips for LGBTQ+ MBA applicants to consider when thinking about business school.

Advice for LGBTQ+ MBA Applicants When Applying:
1. Connect with the LGBTQ+ student organizations at the schools you’re considering.
Speaking to LGBTQ+ MBA students at various schools is one of the best ways to learn about not just the program, but also the experience of LGBTQ+ students studying there. Most MBA programs include information about the school’s LGBTQ+ student organizations on the school’s website. But if you can’t find this information, contact the admissions office.

Our suggestion is to reach out to one of the student co-presidents or outreach chair; we can’t ever remember an applicant not getting a reply. This allows you to gain current students’ perspectives. Plus, you’ll be flagged as an interested LGBTQ+ applicant with the admissions office. If there are events or information sessions specifically for LGBTQ+ applicants, you’ll want invited to attend these as well.



Wharton has the largest LGBTQ MBA club in the U.S. and launched Prism, a full-ride LGBTQ MBA fellowship, in 2020.

2. Don’t be afraid to reach out to alums or individuals working in fields that interest you.
The LGBTQ+ world may be small, but it is also mighty. So, don’t be afraid to reach out to others in the LGBTQ+ community via LinkedIn and other professional platforms. Working through a friend of a friend is always great—but also try to “cold outreach” to other members of the community who graduated from schools you are interested in or who work in industries about which you are passionate.

Of course, this cold outreach doesn’t always work. Yet we’ve found LGBTQ+ applicants reaching out to others in the community seem to get an answer more often than not. A reminder: always put your best foot forward.

Whenever you reach out to anyone in connection to your business school journey, ALWAYS be thoughtful in your approach, proofread your writing, and be sure to thank anyone who offers you feedback or guidance.

3. When writing your essays, share your story thoughtfully.
For many, coming out is a deeply personal experience that requires a tremendous amount of self-examination and introspection. An essay that touches on this sort of deeply-revealing vulnerability and/or self-awareness can be remarkable.

Many of the most compelling essays we’ve read, for example, don’t actually “center” on a coming-out story. Instead, they used this experience as a jumping-off point to explore topics that are deeply meaningful to the applicant.



Remember that admissions officers want to understand many different aspects of you as an applicant; we suggest that you present this aspect of your identity as an important facet—but not the totality—of who you are.

4. Don’t be afraid to be different. In fact, standing out can be a very good thing.
We see many LGBTQ+ MBA applicants who have been in the closet in college and/or professionally to conform to what society has told them a business person is “supposed” to be.

With all of our clients (not only members of the LGBTQ+ community), we encourage people to be themselves authentically. Embrace your individuality, your quirkiness, and your queerness, along with all the other things that make you unique.



5. Check out the Reaching Out MBA Conference.
The Reaching Out MBA Conference (ROMBA) is the world’s largest gathering of LGBT+ business students and alumni. This event educates, inspires, and connects our community through C-suite panels, workshops, competitions, a host of receptions, and a career fair with 100 corporate partners across industries recruiting LGBTQ+ MBA talent. This year the conference (October 2-3 and October 8-10) will be completely online and free for pre-MBAs, so attending is a no-brainer.

After you’ve been accepted:
6. Check out the Point Foundation (and other scholarship groups).
The Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students of merit. Point promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training. To apply, applicants must be planning to attend a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate/ doctoral program. More information is available

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Tuesday Tips: IESE MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   11 Aug 2020, 01:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: IESE MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021

IESE Business School offers a world-class MBA program based in Spain, which started as an alliance with Harvard Business School. The IESE MBA program attracts students from more than 64 different countries and offers a globally-minded education in either 15 or 19 months.

The IESE MBA ranking and brand continues to rise, coming in 3rd in the Financial Times 2019 Best MBA in Europe list.  To teach its core general management curriculum, the school uses both the Case Method and other experience-based learning approaches. (Instruction takes place in both English and Spanish.)

You can learn more about the allure of international MBA program options by reading our consultant advice: Why US Applicants Should Consider MBA Programs Abroad.

IESE is looking for MBA applicants with academic ability, personal drive, and confidence. Also, your IESE MBA application should include leadership, work experience, and an international outlook.

Make sure you show you have excellent communication skills, a team player mentality, and strong values. As you draft your IESE MBA essays, remember to weave these attributes into your MBA application.

For more advice on your IESE MBA application from top-ranked MBA consultants, contact Stacy Blackman Consulting today. To learn more about IESE, visit the school website.

Application Essay #1
If you had to come up with a motto for your life, what would it be and why? Please give an example of how you have demonstrated it (word limit 300 max)
Through our years of experience with successful MBA candidates, we have witnessed the power of strong, attention-grabbing personal stories. You don’t have to be perfect, but you should be genuine and personal. For this IESE MBA essay, make sure the reader understands your true character. In many ways, a motto is a statement about your passions in life.

First, identify your motto. What are the phrases you tell yourself? It could be something as simple as “Be Kind.” Or, perhaps you have a famous quote that resonates, like the motto often attributed to Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Second, explain why this motto resonates with you. Are you reminding yourself of a higher ideal? Or, you may be grounding yourself in your values. Finally, provide an example of when you have demonstrated your motto.

Think about a time when you used your motto as a mantra to remind yourself to behave in line with your values. On the other hand, your motto could have helped you with interpersonal challenges or to take on a leadership role.



Application Essay #2
Describe your short and medium-term post-MBA goals? How will the IESE MBA help you achieve them? (word limit 300 max)
Essay two focuses specifically on your career goals and why IESE. The admissions committee can see your resume within the application, so this essay should give the background of who you are and why you have made your choices. Think about one or two pivotal career moments you may want to explore.

Ideally, your experiences have led to a career goal that you can describe clearly. In other words, be specific. For example, if you want to go into venture capital after graduation, talk about the industry you would like to focus on. Further, you could describe the products you like within that industry or any other details.

Then, you will want to explain why an MBA is your next step. What will you learn in the IESE MBA program to complement your work experiences? Will your classmates and the environment benefit from your expertise? Specific classes and professors are always useful details to add.

Optional Essay
What would you like to highlight about yourself or your journey which may have not been captured in your application? (word limit 300 max)
This optional essay is entirely open-ended and allows you to explain anything additional. Therefore, think about the stories you could tell about your background and questions to describe your journey.

If you focused on your career in the previous questions, this is a great essay to tell a personal story. For example, you could describe your background and motivations that have led to your accomplishments. Or, you could discuss a challenge in your life that has built character and impacted your life journey. Finally, make sure to include specific details to strengthen your story.

Also, to track this essay to the IESE MBA criteria, you could use this space to demonstrate that you have personal drive, international outlook, and strong values.

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Tuesday Tips: Cambridge MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   11 Aug 2020, 01:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Cambridge MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021

Are you getting ready to prepare an application for Judge Business School at Cambridge? The Cambridge MBA essays are out, and we have the latest tips for you! As part of a world-class campus and a location that is a center for technology and business, Judge Business School offers an excellent MBA program.

(Our post Getting a European MBA: A Unique Experience explains the many benefits of studying across the pond.)

To learn more about the Cambridge MBA program, you can chat with current students, read student blogs, and, for now, at least, attend virtual admissions events. The Judge admissions team seeks ambitious, innovative, and confident students with strong interpersonal skills.

International experience is another essential attribute for Cambridge MBA applicants. Although none of the Cambridge MBA essays specifically ask about it, you can work your global outlook into one or more of the essay responses.

For guidance on your Cambridge MBA essays, contact Stacy Blackman Consulting. And to learn more about the Cambridge MBA, visit the Cambridge Judge website.

Cambridge MBA Essays for 2020-2021
Required Essay 1
Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must address the following questions:

• What are your short and long term career objectives and what skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you achieve them?

• What actions will you take before and during the MBA to contribute to your career outcome?

• If you are unsure of your post-MBA career path, how will the MBA equip you for the future?
This personal statement essay asks you to explain why you are pursuing an MBA. If you have a specific long- and short-term career objective in mind, that is one way to structure the essay. And, if not, you will want to explain why an MBA is the right next step for you in your life.

This essay gives you the space to talk about the career accomplishments that make you most proud. Also, you will show that you are motivated and ambitious. In addition, you are ready for the challenge of an MBA at Cambridge. Use an equal amount of space to explain how you plan to enhance your career before and during your MBA to accomplish your goals.

What can you learn from your current job before you enroll at Judge? Which classes, professors, and projects will you pursue to prepare yourself for your next career step? If you are not exactly sure what you will do next, how will the MBA enhance the skills you already have?

As you write your Cambridge MBA essays, keep in mind that Judge is seeking candidates who “are highly motivated and ambitious, thrive under pressure, and have already exhibited clear progression within their career.”

In this essay, show that you have performed well and moved up within your jobs since you began working. Finally, demonstrate what you have learned and how you plan to further hone your developing skills through an MBA and future career.

Required Essay 2
What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Failures are challenging to work through. Yet, they can also lead to growth and increased self-awareness. Once you get past the embarrassment and shame of any failure, you can reflect on what the experience taught you. Did you take on too much, prepare too little, or fail to ask for help when you needed it?

This essay is mostly about what you learned. First, take a few sentences to explain the situation and failure. Then, dive into what you learned and ideally how you have moderated your approach. Also, write about how you improved yourself or learned to recognize challenging situations better.

Finally, consider using either a personal or professional example. Any topic can work here as long as you can show something about your leadership or personal qualities. However, consider what topics you are focusing on for essays 2, 3 and 4 to make sure you are describing both personal and professional stories. Also, you may have extracurricular experiences that are also useful to describe. Overall, your goal is to present a well-rounded view of your background and personality.

Required Essay 3
Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (up to 200 words)
Cambridge Judge seeks students who are collaborative and innovative with strong interpersonal skills. This essay can show the admissions committee that you know how to work within a team to accomplish a common goal.

As you did in essay 2, take a few sentences to explain the situation, then focus on what you learned. Also, you can describe your style when you work jointly and how you collaborate. Don’t forget to mention how you help others do their best work and manage challenges.

For this Cambridge MBA application essay, consider if you have a particular role or skill within a team. If so, whether building consensus or take a devil’s advocate position, explain that approach here.

Required Essay 4
If you could give one piece of advice to your 18-year-old self, what would it be? (up to 200 words)
Essay 4 is the most open-ended of this set of essays. Therefore, this essay could be an ideal place for a personal story. Especially because you are asked to reflect upon the years since you were 18, this topic lends itself to introspection.

Consider the paths you took and the paths you did not. Ask yourself if you have any regrets? Do you wish you had taken more risks in your life? On the other hand, you might wish you had persisted with something that seemed boring at the time. Remember, you only have 200 words to convey the point of this essay, and should focus on briefly explaining the advice and the context behind it.

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Why You Need a Weekly Tech Shabbat [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   12 Aug 2020, 07:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Why You Need a Weekly Tech Shabbat


“Fresh ideas from the Blacklight”
SBC’s Weekly Newsletter for Professionals
Let’s all say this together: Hello! My name is __________, and I’m a smartphone zombie. ICYMI, cell phone addiction now has a proper clinical name: nomophobia (no-mobile-phone-phobia).

Symptoms include that panicky feeling you get when separated from your smartphone. Then, there’s the compulsion to check and respond to notifications as soon as they arrive. And let’s not overlook the most pernicious indicator: the inability to give our undivided attention to conversations or work.

Yup, our smartphone addiction is wreaking havoc on our productivity and relationships, not to mention our physical and mental health. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Are you ready to admit that your unhealthy relationship with the cell phone is getting in the way of true happiness? If so, then face your nomophobia head-on by adopting a realistic remedy known as a “Tech Shabbat.”

Say that again?
“Shabbat” is the weekly day of rest in Judaism, though many world religions and cultures observe the practice. Author and award-winning documentary filmmaker Tiffany Shlain coined the term technology Shabbat or “tech Shabbat” in 2010 to describe her family’s screen-free day of rest.

In her book 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week, published last September, Shlain explores how shunning all screens for 24 hours each week is like hitting the reset button for your mind, body, and heart.

“Ten years ago, everything in my life was blurring together,” Shlain wrote in Wired. “My phone never stopped buzzing. I felt distracted and rarely present. I knew I needed a way to slow it all down.”

Implementing a weekly tech Shabbat has transformed the family’s life. They now fill that unplugged time by reading actual books, cooking together, journaling, bike rides, and music. Or, they do nothing at all.

“A decade later, we’re still doing it every week (our daughters are now 16 and 10), and it’s still our favorite day. It’s made the whole family happier and more balanced. My husband Ken and I also feel much more creative and more productive after our Tech Shabbats,” Shlain said.

For everyone still hunkered down at home due to COVID-19, the need to regularly unplug is even greater. Sheltering in place has magnified the importance of creating boundaries between time on vs. time off, Shlain recently wrote in USA Today.

“We’re going from screen to screen, hopping from one Zoom room to the next like it’s a warped ‘Brady Bunch’ bingo. The week dissolves into an exhausting stream of streams,” said Shlain.

“Right now, we don’t just need shelter from the virus; we also need shelter — any way we can get it — from all the stress and news and unease that come with it. During this quarantine, our screen-free day has been a shelter in time that protects and restores us all week long,” she explained.

Tech Shabbat: How unplugging on the regular can improve your life.
The benefits of taking periodic breaks from technology are overwhelming and well-documented. During these quiet periods, creativity and productivity skyrocket, as does your ability to sustain focus and concentration. Limiting screen time can help curb the climbing rates of depression and anxiety—especially among tech-obsessed teens. Plus, we now know that eliminating exposure to blue light in the hours before bedtime improves sleep.

“Planning for your first Tech Shabbat is a little like planning a day trip to the ’70s or ’80s,” Shlain warned. The piece in Wired provides a primer on everything you’ll need to initiate your own weekly respite from tech.



We’re talking using landlines (gasp!) for phone calls. Printing out any maps required the day before. Listening to music on a record player (though she does allow for voice command tech such as Amazon’s Alexa to play music.) You’ll also need to wear an actual watch—no smartwatches allowed.

Once you begin a regular technology Shabbat, you’ll soon find that the benefits to your health and psyche far outweigh those minor inconveniences.

If you’re having trouble imagining how you will fill those 24 hours offline (which is really only 16, if you get the recommended amount of sleep), try this simple exercise. Close your eyes and think about what you wish you had more time to do. Devote it to a hobby you love. Make art. Listen to music. Read more books. Whatever your leisure wish list looks like, just fill the day doing that.

***

Did you enjoy this post about the value of doing a weekly tech detox?  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!

Main image by Wendolin Jacaber (CC BY 2.0)

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STAR Method for MBA Essay Writing [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   13 Aug 2020, 07:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: STAR Method for MBA Essay Writing
Have you heard of the STAR interview technique? It’s when an interviewer asks you a behavioral question (which usually begins, “Tell me about a time when you…”), and you respond by laying out the Situation, the Task you received, the Action you took, and then the Result you achieved. It’s an excellent method for MBA hopefuls to leverage in adcom or alumni interviews. But did you know you can use the STAR method for MBA essay writing as well?

We’ve found that it’s a helpful way to organize essays, short-answer responses, and even resume bullet points. For example, let’s take an essay that asks you to describe your greatest professional achievement — in only 300 words. When you use the STAR method for MBA essay writing, it helps you pare down all of the information you could possibly include.

You’ll want to set up the Situation for your reader as succinctly and clearly as possible. Leave out industry jargon, acronyms, and “inside baseball” details that will bore the adcom. Remember, they want to learn about what YOU did — not the intricate complexities of your company or client’s issue.

Next, pinpoint the Task for which you were responsible. Sure, business schools are looking for team players. But if they’ve asked you to describe your most impressive accomplishment, they want to understand what your marching orders were.

The Action section is where you should expand a bit more and use this chance to shine.  Explain what you did specifically, and ideally, show how you went above and beyond in your role. Then, you can wrap up by revealing what Results you achieved. Keep in mind that both qualitative and quantitative outcomes are important to include, if possible.

After you’ve got your S, T, A, and R information covered in your essay, read through it again. Ensure the emphasis is on the Actions you took and the Results you achieved. We know it’s hard to condense what may sometimes be a years-long project into only a few sentences at the beginning. But it’s better to keep the focus on why YOU will be a welcome addition to any MBA program.

Your final task is to ensure that you’re within the word count limit and that you’ve told the story of your achievement in a compelling, memorable way.

If you’re in the thick of writing your essays right now, you don’t want to miss last week’s B-Schooled podcast episode on six common essay-writing mistakes to avoid. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher,or TuneIn!

When using the STAR method for MBA essay writing, always keep this in mind:



 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

The team at Stacy Blackman Consulting

***

If you enjoyed this article, please sign up for the SBC newsletter, where you’ll receive our expert advice on all aspects of the MBA application process delivered straight in your inbox each week.

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B-Schooled Episode #16: How to ‘MBA’ your Resume [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   14 Aug 2020, 06:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Episode #16: How to ‘MBA’ your Resume


Your resume is perhaps the single most important part of your MBA application materials. This latest episode of our B-Schooled podcast covers how to maximize that one precious page, including:

• How your resume functions in the context of the rest of your materials

• Information that it is redundant or otherwise not valuable to include

• The types of differentiating bullet points that many candidates fail to write

• Advice on layout and formatting

Listen to B-Schooled episode #16 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!

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USC Marshall Application Deadlines for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   17 Aug 2020, 18:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: USC Marshall Application Deadlines for 2020-2021


Are you targeting the USC Marshall School of Business this upcoming admissions season? Then mark your calendars, because the USC Marshall application deadlines for the 2020-2021 cycle are as follows.

USC Marshall Application Deadlines
Round 1
Application due: October 15, 2020

Decision released by: December 31, 2020

Round 2
Application due: January 5, 2021

Decision released by: March 31, 2021

Round 3
Application due: March 1, 2021

Decision released by: May 15, 2021

Round 4
Application due: April 15, 2021

Decision released by: June 15, 2021

Round 5
Rolling Admissions*

*USC Marshall will continue to accept applications after May 1, 2021. Applications received after this date will be considered on a first-come, first-served and space-available basis.

For more information on applying, please visit the USC Marshall 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!

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USC Marshall Application Essays for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   17 Aug 2020, 18:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: USC Marshall Application Essays for 2020-2021

Are you targeting the USC Marshall School of Business this year? The application for the full-time MBA program will go live on September 1st. Meanwhile, the USC Marshall application essays remain unchanged for the 2020-2021 admissions season.

Essay #1 (Required)
What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (word limit: 100)

Essay #2 (Required)
Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)

Essay #3 (Optional)
Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)

***

For more information on applying, please visit the USC Marshall admissions site.  If you need guidance on your USC Marshall application essays, or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help!

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Tuesday Tips: USC Marshall Application Essays, Tips for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   18 Aug 2020, 10:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: USC Marshall Application Essays, Tips for 2020-2021

The USC Marshall School of Business reflects the diversity and dynamism of the Los Angeles area. These USC Marshall application essays allow you the space to express how you will fit into the community.

According to Assistant Dean and Director Evan Bouffides: “What matters most to us is our learning community and how, through collaboration, we grow and learn together to collectively strengthen the Trojan Family.”

Because community is so vital to this USC Marshall application, the admissions office wants to know who you are a person. As he continues, “we do not believe in the concept of the ‘perfect’ or ‘ideal’ candidate. In fact, there are more atypical candidates than typical ones, and everyone has a unique story.”

Though the USC Marshall School is a community of its own, the larger USC Trojan Family is an integral part of the school’s identity and offers additional academic opportunities for MBA students.

As you prepare your USC Marshall application, make sure to do your research. For example, talk to current and former students to understand the culture in depth. To learn more details about the program, visit the USC Marshall website.

Need help with your USC Marshall application strategy? Contact us to learn more about what SBC can do for you.

Essay #1 (Required)
What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (word limit: 100)
With only 100 words to use here, stay brief, and focused in this USC application essay. Consider your plan when you graduate from USC. And make sure your resume and other application materials support this next step.

For example, if you are career switching, highlight any transferable skills in your resume. Another idea is to ask your recommenders to comment on your future plans. Further, as you craft all of these strategies, make sure you highlight how you will use your MBA to reach your goals.

What if your next job is a logical step from your prior experience to your MBA? Even if you think it’s obvious, it’s essential to be specific about your career goals. Describe the job you plan to pursue with as much detail as possible.



Essay #2 (Required)
Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600)
This letter serves as your personal statement that provides the Admissions Committee with an understanding of your candidacy for Marshall beyond what is evident in other parts of your application.

This essay is purposely open-ended. You are free to express yourself in whatever way you see fit. The goal is to have an appreciation for and an understanding of each candidate in ways that are not captured by test scores, grades, and resumes.

Showing who you are as a person is essential to your USC Marshall application. Ideally, you can demonstrate that you understand the USC culture and values with your answer to this essay question.

First, start with your statistics and data. USC Marshall will see your GPA, your test scores, and your transcripts. Second, the admissions committee will see your career progress on your resume. Third, you will add some personal color to your application through the recommendation letters. These elements should show that you have leadership potential, academic promise, and a well-rounded personality. This essay is the place to fill any gaps.

Consider what you need to communicate to show all sides of your candidacy in this USC application essay. For example, if you are someone who has a standard career history, you might describe something interesting in your background. Perhaps you have an unusual hobby, have made an impact on the community, or have a unique family heritage.

Another aspect of your USC Marshall application that may not appear in your data is your passion for learning. For instance, if there is a professor you would want to work with, this question is an opportunity to discuss their work. Similarly, you may want to join or lead a club or community effort that isn’t obvious from the other data you submit.

Essay #3 (Optional)
Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)
This USC application essay offers an opportunity to add more information or to discuss a concern. Therefore, if you have a low GPA, a grade below a C in a quantitative subject, an employment gap, or any other issue in your background, this is the place to explain it.

However, if you want to highlight anything else about your career path, experience, or personal background, this essay allows you the space to do so. And, if you need to explain an area of concern, clearly explain what happened, and what you have done to improve or address the issue. Focus on the future in a positive manner to leave the strongest impression.

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B-Schooled Episode #17: Advice for Reapplicants [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   19 Aug 2020, 12:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Episode #17: Advice for Reapplicants


We’re back to preview the latest installment of Sacy Blackman’s B-Schooled podcast. If you’re a reapplicant, this is the episode for you. It covers:

• How you should set your expectations

• Whether or not you should reuse your essays

• If it’s OK to ask the same recommenders for letters

• How to show your candidacy has strengthened since your last application

We’ll also address advice specific to those who applied in the last application cycle’s extended Round 3 (aka “the COVID round”), and those who originally applied when they were college to a 2+2 or deferred admission program.

Listen to B-Schooled episode #17 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!

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The Benefits of Working with an MBA Admissions Consultant [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   20 Aug 2020, 10:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: The Benefits of Working with an MBA Admissions Consultant


Acceptance rates at the most elite business schools range from six to 21 percent. Fierce competition drives many MBA hopefuls to weigh the benefits of working with an MBA admissions consultant to help them stand out amid a sea of equally amazing applicants.

The majority seek assistance with their essays, resume evaluation, and interview preparation.  There are numerous upsides to working with an MBA admissions consultant.

We believe a consultant can nearly always help, whether you are a first-time or a repeat business school applicant; whether you are in the dark or more knowledgeable about the admissions process.
After all, both beginning athletes and Olympians have coaches.

The one caveat to this situation?  If the admissions committee at the school to which you are applying focuses heavily on numbers.  In this case, you may not need a consultant to help flesh out things like your essays or interviews.

Capitalize on the experiences of a seasoned consulting team
An MBA admissions consultant offers a trained second pair of eyes to review your material, help steer strategy, and provide a sanity check. Our admissions consultants have years of MBA admissions and marketing experience.

(See how Stacy Blackman Consulting ranks compared to other firms in our industry.)

You’ll have the ability to leverage the database of knowledge of a collected group of experts. When taken together, these folks have experience with thousands of clients in programs across the globe. Input from one friend who applied, or even someone who attended the school, provides only a limited snapshot.

Here at SBC, we have perspective on what has worked—and what hasn’t —over time. Whereas our family and friends may be inclined to build us up and focus on the positive, a consultant will deliver critical feedback and offer a reality check if you need one.

As Clear Admit highlighted in its recent article on admissions consultants, we approach a client’s candidacy with fresh eyes. That means we can see unique strengths or pinpoint potential concerns that may not have been on your radar.

There’s a lot of information about the MBA admissions process readily available online for free. Blogs like ours offer application advice, school-specific essay tips, and more. But some people feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of info out there. We believe applicants can do their research and still benefit from personalized guidance and coaching.

Detractors might argue that if you’re a strong MBA candidate, consulting services will provide little added value. After all, your stats and profile should speak for themselves, right?
We disagree. In fact, we’ve seen many cases of stellar candidates who were shocked when denied admission to programs that seemed like sure things.

For example, we worked with one Cornell University graduate who had three years of experience in a top investment bank, a high GPA, a high GMAT score, phenomenal extracurriculars, and competent writing skills.

However, when he came to us, he had zero introspection and was unable to look inward to mine his unique strengths. Without a doubt, he belonged in a top program. With our guidance on how to market himself, his application package went from generic to compelling.

Know yourself before signing on with an admissions consultant
Cost is the obvious potential drawback of working with an MBA admissions consultant. Fees run anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a la carte editing services to several thousand dollars for comprehensive packages targeting multiple schools.

If you’re not committed to completing the process, it’s a colossal waste of money.  Some potential clients think hiring a business school consultant means they don’t have to do any work. A good consultant is not an essay writing service. We won’t do the work for you, and we’re not here to agree with whatever the client says.

This type of relationship won’t work for personality types that have difficulty accepting criticism, coaching, and input from others. Only invest in a consultant if you’re ready for a true partnership—not if you want a ghostwriter.

Consultants can push you, point out errors and opportunities, and help you submit your very best application. But they still need you on the team. To learn more about the process, reach out for a free, no-strings evaluation of your MBA candidacy. We believe in hard work and are willing to work hard with you.

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Kellogg Launches MBAi, a New Joint Degree in Business, Tech [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   24 Aug 2020, 11:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Kellogg Launches MBAi, a New Joint Degree in Business, Tech


Today’s world requires leaders who can spearhead strategic innovation while understanding the technological complexities that enable it.  To that end, Kellogg School of Management and the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University have launched MBAi, a new joint degree in business and technology management.

According to Kellogg School Dean Francesca Cornelli, “The MBAi was designed to produce leaders that will tackle the evolving, nuanced business challenges in technology.” This accelerated, five-quarter program will prepare students to meet that vital global need.

Who are the Target Candidates for the MBAi Program?
The program is ideal for students with substantial technology work or academic experience. Its focused curriculum covers machine learning, robotics, computational thinking for business, and introductions to the frontiers of science and technology. At the same time, students will study how data science and artificial intelligence drive innovation.

The MBAi program also includes an experiential summer quarter. This component allows students to gain work experience and engage with industry leaders while continuing to take classes.

Additionally, students will complete a full-time, 10-week summer internship, plus take two academic credits during the evening and weekends. The quarter concludes with an intensive immersion experience in San Francisco. Here, students will engage in on-site company visits, industry networking events, and case competitions.

McCormick Dean Julio M. Ottino said the new program will prepare students “to lead teams that are heavy in technology capabilities and guided by strategies rooted in business needs and return on investment.”

“While AI and analytics hold tremendous promise, most firms continue to struggle with delivering and scaling successful business outcomes,” said Eric Anderson, Hartmarx Professor of Marketing at Kellogg and director of the MBAi program. The challenge remains, according to Anderson, a business problem.

Application Deadlines for the MBAi’s Inaugural Class
  • Round 1: October 21, 2020
  • Round 2: January 6, 2021
  • Round 3: April 7, 2021
For more information about the MBAi program, visit the Kellogg School of Management.

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SMU Cox MBA Essays for 2020-2021 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   24 Aug 2020, 13:00
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FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: SMU Cox MBA Essays for 2020-2021

Are you targeting the SMU Cox School of Business for your MBA? Then get ready to start brainstorming! The SMU Cox MBA applications are now live. Here are the SMU Cox MBA essays for the 2020-2021 admissions season.

Two-Year Full-Time MBA and J.D./MBA Candidates
1. Please describe your immediate post-MBA career goals, including the target industry, sector, and/or organization. Why are you interested in pursuing a career in this particular area? (250 word limit).

2. Learning from one another’s experiences is a tenet of the MBA experience. As a member of the SMU Cox MBA class, how do you plan to contribute to the development of your classmates, whether personally or professionally? (250 word limit)

3. Growth is often the product of experience. Please discuss a time when you experienced professional failure. How did this event impact your professional outlook or affect your future work? (250 word limit).

***

For more information on applying, please visit the SMU Cox admissions site.  If you need guidance on your SMU Cox MBA essays or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help!

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