closeEvents & Promotions
| Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 18:19 |
It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 18:19 |
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
10:00 AM EDT
-10:30 AM EDT
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
09:55 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
02:00 PM EDT
-03:00 PM EDT
03:00 PM PDT
-04:00 PM PDT
07:00 PM PDT
-08:00 PM PDT
10:00 AM PDT
-12:00 PM PDT
19 Jul 2022, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Georgetown MBA Application Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 |
 The Georgetown MBA application is now live, and we have essay tips for the 2022-2023 season. This year Georgetown has reduced the essay options from a choice of four to a choice of three essay prompts for the required essay. And, there is a required video essay along with an optional essay. The Georgetown MBA program is in Washington, DC, at the center of government and public policy. Georgetown’s community is close-knit, intellectually curious, and diverse. When working on your Georgetown MBA application, keep in mind all of the academic and career benefits of the school. For example, Georgetown has the Steers Global Real Estate Center as well as an entrepreneurship initiative. 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.  2022-2023 Georgetown MBA Application Essays Notes from the school: We want to hear your story. When responding to our required essays, be authentic and take time to reflect on your goals and past experiences. Craft a response that explains how these experiences led you to pursue an MBA. Our goal at Georgetown McDonough is to craft a diverse class with people who have had varying personal and professional life experiences. As such, we want to give our applicants the opportunity to select one essay (from a list of three) that allows them the ability to best highlight their experiences, characteristics, and values that showcase the value proposition that they can bring to the McDonough community. Please select one of the following three essays to complete in 300-350 words (approximately one page, double spaced) and include the essay prompt and your first/last name at the top of your submission. Essay Option One – Principled Leadership: 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 have 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 challenging. This experience is outside many people’s comfort zone. Also, inventing something altogether unique requires learning and development. Therefore, you likely 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.” 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 and what you did. Also, describe any challenges, and what you learned about yourself. Georgetown is specifically asking you to explain how you would improve in the future.  Essay Option Two – Hoyas for the Common Good: 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 have demonstrated these values during uniquely challenging times. Describe a time where you have 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. The second essay option also focuses on principled leadership. It has been a challenging few years in the world, and we have seen the importance of principled leadership more than ever. As such, you may already have some great recent examples. However, this 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. So, you’ll want to explain how your actions were a challenge and why. First, demonstrate your specific mindset in this essay and show how you think. Next, describe what you did and how you decided to act. Finally, make sure you reflect on your development and what you learned in the process. Essay Option Three: The Georgetown Community. Georgetown McDonough is a diverse, global community. We look to understand the contribution that your personal background would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g. first-generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g. community service and leadership) will contribute to our community. The third essay option focuses on diversity. What will you add to the community from your background and experiences? This option is a great choice if you would like the admissions committee to be aware of a unique aspect of your background. Also, note that the question has a broad definition of diversity. As a result, you can either describe challenges arising from your background or describe strengths. When brainstorming ideas for this essay prompt, think about the experiences of your life. Has anything in your family, economic, cultural, or social experiences had an impact of any kind? Next, determine if the impact was a challenge or an opportunity for you. Now, describe that experience in this essay. Make sure you use detail and explain how you felt and behaved as a result. In addition, this Georgetown MBA application essay is an opportunity to use your school research to describe how you will contribute. Unique experiences can be an asset to many clubs and activities. Make sure to describe which activities or organizations at Georgetown to which you plan to contribute.  Video Essay Building a cohort of diverse and unique individuals is important to the admissions team. We want you to bring your whole self to Georgetown McDonough. Throughout the application, we’ve learned about what you would add as a professional and leader. Just as important is learning about your interests outside of work. In one minute, please describe a hobby, passion, or what you do for fun in your free time—and why. You can find more information about the parameters of this essay here. This Georgetown MBA application video essay specifically asks you to appear in a one-minute video and address situations outside your resume. In addition, Georgetown wants to see unscripted and conversational responses. You will have unlimited time to record and edit this video (unlike a video interview). You should appear on-screen and consider adding other elements, such as interviews with family or friends, photos or graphics, etc. 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 video essays, the content is a vital part of this exercise. The admissions committee wants to get to know you and your dreams, background, and personality. Think about personal aspects that you did not describe in the rest of your Georgetown MBA application. Georgetown is looking for what you do for fun, specifically, and your enthusiasm should show through! This is also a great place to demonstrate your fit in this Georgetown MBA application (unless you focused on option three of the previously required essays). Can you take your hobbies to school and share them with your classmates? Always think about your contributions to McDonough. Make sure to keep this Georgetown MBA application video casual and conversational. You can also add other 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 assignment.  Optional Essay Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included. (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced). 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 in your Georgetown MBA application, this is the place. You could also use this space in the Georgetown MBA application 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, can you share 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. (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced). Many candidates can write about a specific improvement since their last application, such as a promotion, improved GMAT, or increased responsibilities or experience. This Georgetown MBA application is also interested in the less tangible improvements, like a revised career goal, personal growth, or increased 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. The post Tuesday Tips: Georgetown MBA Application Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
19 Jul 2022, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Berkeley Haas MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 |
 Are you interested in the full-time MBA program at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business? Then get out your calendar, because we’ve got the Berkeley Haas MBA deadlines for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle. Berkeley Haas MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: September 22, 2022 Decision released: December 15, 2022 Round 2 Application due: January 5, 2023 Decision released: March 23, 2023 Round 3 Application due: April 6, 2023 Decision released: May 11, 2023 *** 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 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
19 Jul 2022, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UC Berkeley Haas MBA Essays for the Class of 2025 |
 Are you interested in the full-time MBA program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business? Then let the brainstorming begin! Here are the Haas MBA essays for the 2022-2023 application cycle. UC Berkeley Haas MBA Essays Required Essay #1 What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum) Required Essay #2 What kind of leader do you aspire to be and why? (300 words max) Optional Information #1 We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements: 1. What is the highest level of education completed by your parent(s) or guardian(s)?
5. If you have ever been responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else, please indicate:
Optional Information #2 This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include an explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate. Supplemental Information If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A. List, in order of importance, significant community and professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies. Include the following information for each using the format below:
If you have ever been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university, please explain. If not, please enter N/A (An affirmative response to this question does not automatically disqualify you from admission. *** For more information on applying, please visit the Haas School admissions website. If you need guidance on your Haas MBA essays and application 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! Haas at Twilight image by Flickr user Wayne Hsieh(CC BY-NC 2.0) The post UC Berkeley Haas MBA Essays for the Class of 2025 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
21 Jul 2022, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode #117: Tackling Your Main MBA Essay (Part 1 of 2) |
 Today we are diving into one of the topics we get the most questions about: how best to tackle your main MBA essay. Different MBA programs approach this essay in different ways. But these programs REALLY want to understand who you are as a person and what you are passionate about. Just as importantly, these schools want to understand WHY you are passionate about these things… and how you want to lead in these areas after earning your MBA. These questions can be intimidating. These questions can be overwhelming. These questions take real work. But, fear not! Today we are sitting down with SBC consultant Kevin Rockmael to talk about how to approach these questions, how to learn things about yourself in the process, and – if you can believe it – actually ENJOY the experience. Part one will cover: • Planning out your overall application narrative pinpointing your personal north star • Clarifying your personal motivation(s) Part two (next week) will cover: • Structuring your essay, and • Stepping back and ensuring your essay accurately sums up who you are and what you are about. B-Schooled episode #117 can be found here, or take a listen on any of the major podcast platforms 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. Also, 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 Podcast Episode #117: Tackling Your Main MBA Essay (Part 1 of 2) appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
25 Jul 2022, 19:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Wharton Lauder: Application Tips and Admit Success, MBA & MA |
 Guiding applicants for select joint degree programs is an area of our expertise, especially with world-renowned joint degree programs such as Wharton Lauder. The Wharton Lauder program integrates the MBA plus an International Studies MA into the two years. As a result, this degree prepares its graduates to become impactful and responsible global leaders. Without a doubt, Wharton is one of the best business schools in the world, and its sterling brand, deep resources, and network are invaluable. The additional degree with Lauder is considered prestigious with its robust international emphasis and provides a unique community for students and alumni. As one Lauder student shared, “The Lauder program is known for its super tight-knit cohort and strong alumni presence globally, and Lauder adds another dimension to your MBA experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else.” Applicants to Wharton Lauder generally want to have an international career, build a diverse network, and embrace travel. Lauder students share that they also enjoy the program for its emphasis on humanities and social sciences and its inherent community focus. Lauder applicants should prepare for having an additional workload (e.g., extra social science classes), more specific coursework requirements (e.g., less flexibility with credits), and research projects. It’s worth noting that Lauder’s Summer Immersion programs in different countries are a hallmark of the experience. The program is also a bit longer—24 months—than the Wharton MBA, as Lauder starts in the summer. Its academic calendar for first-year students begins on June 1st.  Seoul, Korea, is just one possible Wharton Lauder immersion destination in 2022. Wharton Lauder Application Tips We are often asked if it’s easier to get admitted to Wharton’s MBA program by applying to Wharton Lauder. We have a former Director of Wharton Lauder Admissions on our team, and we asked for her guidance on applying to this coveted program. She shared, “It is possible to be accepted just at Wharton if candidate is otherwise strong but missing key Lauder pieces such as international experience or language.” She added that both Wharton and Lauder interview an applicant during the admissions process. There is a special Lauder admissions committee, where the Director of Lauder Admissions and Director of Wharton Admissions evaluate applicants. The applicant “needs to be admissible for Wharton, but if they are a strong Lauder applicant, the Lauder admissions team can advocate for candidates that they really like but might not be overly compelling for Wharton. For example, the Lauder admissions team may rally behind a candidate with soft quant background but who works for the Peace Corps.” Our expert clarified that successful Wharton Lauder applicants are admitted jointly: a joint decision to extend the interview and a mutual decision to accept. “Initially, many years ago, Wharton Lauder was seen as an easier way to get into Wharton because the admit rates were higher for Lauder,” a former Wharton Lauder Admissions Director noted. “But in recent years and now, applicants need to follow through on completing the Lauder program as Wharton quickly sought to minimize candidates trying to use Lauder as a back door.”  The application process to Wharton Lauder is somewhat self-selecting. Applicants need a second language that ties directly to the applicant’s concentration to demonstrate proficiency in a particular region (e.g., knows Mandarin and wants to enter IB in China) and must take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) language test. This interview is simply a 15 – 20 minute telephone conversation. Conveying robust international exposure through the supplemental Lauder application essays is required. These factors, when combined, serve to whittle down the Wharton Lauder applicant pool. The good news is that very few Wharton Lauder students pay full sticker for the Lauder MA, meaning they hand out fellowship money to many admits. We can improve your MBA profile and boost your candidacy. Gain insight into the review process and eliminate weaknesses from your MBA application. Schedule Your Free Advising Session our SBC team. Which MBA: Harvard vs. Stanford Described as “deftly-written with a ton of useful info side-by-side,” this HBS versus GSB smackdown is rich with information, including candid insights from the former HBS and GSB MBA Admissions Officers on the SBC team. Which MBA: Columbia vs. Wharton Hailed as “100% spot on for both schools, a remarkable piece and one of the best comparative stories,” you won’t want to miss out on this Columbia vs. Wharton smackdown. Which MBA: Kellogg vs. Booth Northwestern Kellogg and Chicago Booth have long been fierce competitors. In this Kellogg vs. Booth MBA smackdown, you’ll learn how these programs are similar and different. Which MBA: MIT vs. Berkeley Haas MIT Sloan vs. Berkeley Haas are on opposite sides of the country. Yet, there are similarities between MIT and Haas that we evaluate here, along with admissions insights. Which MBA: Duke vs. Darden Tight-knit culture and community are hallmarks of both Duke and Darden’s MBA programs. Let’s get critical through this new smackdown here. Which MBA: INSEAD vs. London Business School Consistently ranked as top among the European MBA programs, INSEAD and London Business School (LBS) offer truly global b-school experiences. Recruiters overwhelmingly agree that candidates with international experience outperform those without it. That global priority has pushed many applicants to head abroad for the MBA. Which MBA: Oxford Said vs. Cambridge Judge You can read additional insights on how to find your MBA program here: Career Recruiting by MBA Program MBA Program Deadlines & Average Test Scores MBA Program Rankings What are the Top MBA Programs and Why? The post Wharton Lauder: Application Tips and Admit Success, MBA & MA appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
26 Jul 2022, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Berkeley Haas Application Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 |
 The Haas School of Business at the University of California Berkeley is a highly selective school with a small class to fill. Therefore, it’s crucial to stand out from the crowd and show how you will benefit the Haas MBA class. These tips for the Berkeley Haas application essays will help you create that positive impression. To help you craft your essays, the Berkeley Haas admissions committee has a series of videos and tips posted on the website that can help you prepare. Are you ready? Let’s dive in. SBC’s Tips for the Berkeley Haas Application Essays Required Essay #1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum) The Haas MBA admissions team has asked creative and open-ended questions for many years. Essay one exemplifies that style. As a first step, think about activities you find completely fascinating—for example, hobbies, sports, or artistic pursuits. Or, maybe there’s an activity at work that absorbs you. Above all, it should reveal something personal and go deeper than your resume. After you have identified a meaningful activity, then you need to describe why. The “why” is more important than the “what” because it reveals who you are. For example, maybe you enjoy research projects. You like to solve problems at work and have the freedom to pursue the question wherever it takes you. In that case, consider whether you enjoy research because it allows you to be creative or solve problems. Delve into your motivations to see what is driving you—being specific about the “why” will help you with all of your essays.  Berkeley Sunset photo by Joe Parks Required Essay #2: What kind of leader do you aspire to be and why? (300 words max) This essay has evolved to be more future-looking than in prior years. Begin researching how Haas views leadership by reviewing its set of leadership principles. Question the Status Quo, Confidence without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself are the fundamental principles. For Haas, leadership is both inclusive and bold. Also, Haas prioritizes innovation, community, and collaboration. Next, think about your personal definition of leadership. If you had to define your leadership principles, what would they look like? For example, perhaps helping is a core part of your identity. And, for you, leadership means driving the development of your team. Therefore, you aspire to be a leader who develops others. Finally, consider how Haas will help you develop your leadership skills. During these covid times, you may need to research virtually, or you might have the option to visit the campus. Check the Haas website for the latest on in-person events. In either case, you can learn about specific classes, professors, clubs, and activities through blogs and class listings. In addition, consider networking with former and current students to discuss personal takes. Optional Essays We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements: 1. What is the highest level of education completed by your parent(s) or guardian(s)? Did not complete high school High school diploma or equivalency (GED) Associate’s degree (junior college) or vocational degree/license Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS) Master’s degree (MA, MS) Doctorate or professional degree (MD, JD, DDS) 2. What is the most recent occupation of your parent(s) or guardian(s)? Unemployed Homemaker Laborer Skilled worker Professional 3. If you were raised in one of the following household types, please indicate: Raised by a single parent Raised by an extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin) Raised in a multi-generational home Raised in foster care 4. What was the primary language spoken in your childhood home? 5. If you have you ever been responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else, please indicate: Child Spouse Sibling Parent Extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin) Other 6. Please elaborate on any of your above responses. Alternatively, you may use this opportunity to expand on other hardships or unusual life circumstances that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact. (300 words maximum) Haas twilight photo by Wayne Hsieh Berkeley Haas seeks diversity across many dimensions Berkeley Haas is committed to understanding applicants completely. Therefore, this question provides a chance to go deeper into your family background and your life circumstances. In addition, the admissions committee can understand your accomplishments in context. Question 6, provides a choice. You can either elaborate on the information described in Questions 1-5 or add new insights. However, it should be relevant information that can help the admissions committee understand your background. For example, you might have a highly educated family, and your parents are professionals. But, you moved to another country for college or a job. An experience like that is essential to explain how you learned a new culture or language. Or, maybe your parents are fully employed now. However, there was a period of unemployment in your family that impacted you. Therefore that information shows how you handle challenges at home. Finally, think about times you changed course because of your circumstances. And, think about the areas of your life that asked the most of your resilience. As a result, how have you used those experiences to continue to achieve?  Optional Information #2: This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include an explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate. Applicants should note there is a specific place to indicate that you won’t have a recommendation from your current supervisor in the supplemental information section. Therefore, you do not need to explain that here in the optional essay. Haas recommends using this space to address any information you could not adequately cover elsewhere. Specifically, any employment gaps or academic issues. Otherwise, you can use one or two examples to demonstrate that you have an analytical mind. Use examples to show you take a quantitative approach to problem-solving and evaluating data. Alternatively, explain any supplemental coursework to improve your quantitative profile. Any unexplained gap of several months between two jobs needs addressing. Therefore, if your resume has significant employment gaps, you should describe what you did between jobs. For instance, you can point to additional education, training, volunteering, or traveling during this gap. In addition, re-applicants can describe hard improvements to your candidacy. For example, these could be an improved GMAT score, new grades from quantitative classes, or a promotion. Also, other improvements might include refined career goals and additional leadership opportunities. *** Stacy Blackman Consulting has successfully coached applicants for the Haas MBA each admissions year. Now that you’ve seen these tips for the Berkeley Haas application essays, please contact us to learn more about how we can help you set a winning application strategy. Haas at Twilight image by Flickr user Wayne Hsieh (CC BY-NC 2.0) The post Tuesday Tips: Berkeley Haas Application Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
26 Jul 2022, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: UCLA MBA Application Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 |
 UCLA Anderson School of Management has released the UCLA MBA application for the 2022-2023 cycle. Located in Los Angeles, UCLA has a large alumni network focused on the entire southern California region. California has a diverse economy across industries like real estate, health care, and technology. And, of course, media and entertainment. Anderson’s MBA class is small and close-knit. Accordingly, your personality and fit with the program should shine in your UCLA MBA application. Review Anderson’s values before starting this set of essays. These critical values are: Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change. We have helped countless applicants achieve their MBA dreams. Contact us to learn how Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with your UCLA MBA application. To learn more about the UCLA MBA program, visit the school website. UCLA MBA Application Essays for 2022-2023  Required Essay: Tell us about a recent personal or professional achievement and how it connects to your MBA goals. (250 words maximum) This UCLA MBA application essay can be either professional or personal. Also, consider stories from your community and career. Remember, UCLA is looking to understand how you are different from other applicants. Therefore, stay away from generic stories. Think about examples that were pivotal in your life. For example, you may have recently had your first leadership experience, and it showed you the importance of management training. Or ignited a passion for a specific career or industry. In responding to this essay, use the filter of Anderson’s values: Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change. If you have an achievement that demonstrates these values, it could be a good example. Finally, Anderson is looking for students that are engaged, humble, and open. This question is seeking to understand how you think, act, and feel. Using a clear and detailed example will bring your application alive. Make sure you explain why you chose this achievement. Also, Anderson wants to understand the decision to pursue an MBA.  Optional Question (same for both new applicants and reapplicants): Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum) Optional essays are truly optional. There is no need to respond if you don’t have any special circumstances. For example, reasons to write this essay include gaps in work experience. Other topics may be poor grades or no recommendation from a current manager. Be clear and concise if you choose to write this essay for your UCLA MBA application. First, explain the situation briefly. Then, tell what has changed and improved. Finally, focus on explanations rather than excuses. The best UCLA MBA application essays will show you have moved on from your challenges. Therefore, improvements in your life make a great case for admission. For Reapplicants Reapplicants are those who applied to the MBA program within the last two application years, so those who applied three or more years ago are considered new applicants. Reapplicants may answer one or both of the essay questions above as options, and they must provide additional updates within text boxes given in the application for any new test scores, career developments, or other changes since their last application. UCLA Anderson reapplicants may answer one or both of the essay questions. However, reapplicants are required to provide updates. Also, these updates can be enhancements to your application. Therefore, keep in mind what may have changed for you since your last application. Consider how you want to communicate these changes to Anderson. Using the essay to describe a change in your goals and mindset may be helpful. On the other hand, if your changes are more quantitative, the application will be sufficient. The post Tuesday Tips: UCLA MBA Application Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
26 Jul 2022, 17:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: London Business School MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 |
 Are you targeting the top-ranked London Business School for your MBA degree? Then mark your calendar because the London Business School MBA deadlines for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle have been confirmed! Note that this year, LBS will not have a fourth application round. London Business School MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: September 9, 2022 Decision released: December 1, 2022 Round 2 Application due: January 5, 2023 Decision released: April 5, 2023 Round 3 Application due: March 27, 2023 Decision released: June 9, 2023 The 2022-2023 application is now open. For more information on applying, please visit the London Business School MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your LBS MBA application or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post London Business School MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
27 Jul 2022, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-Schooled Podcast Episode #118: Tackling Your Main MBA Essay (Part 2 of 2) |
|
Today we are diving into one of the topics we get the most questions about: how best to tackle your main MBA essay. While different MBA programs approach this essay in different ways, what these programs REALLY want to understand is who you are as a person and what you are passionate about. Just as importantly, these schools want to understand WHY you are passionate about these things… and how you want to lead in these areas after earning your MBA. These questions can be intimidating. These questions can be overwhelming. These questions take real work. But, fear not! Today we are sitting down with SBC consultant Kevin Rockmael to talk about how to approach these questions, how to learn things about yourself in the process, and – if you can believe it – actually ENJOY the experience. Part One has already covered:
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. Also, 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 Podcast Episode #118: Tackling Your Main MBA Essay (Part 2 of 2) appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
28 Jul 2022, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 |
 The application to Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina will go live soon. But for now, you can check out the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA deadlines for the 2022-2023 admissions season. UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: October 10, 2022 Decision released: December 12, 2022 Round 2 Application due: January 9, 2023 Decision released: March 13, 2023 Round 3* Application due: February 27, 2023 Decision released: April 24, 2023 Round 4 Application due: April 17, 2023 Decision released: May 22, 2022 *Round 3 is the final deadline for international applicants. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the application date. *** Please visit the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA admissionswebsite for more information on applying. If you need guidance on your UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA application or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
28 Jul 2022, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Essays for 2022-2023 |
 The application to Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina will soon be live. Meanwhile, here are the updated UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA essays and deadlines for the 2022-2023 admissions season. UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Essays From the AdCom: You’ll respond to two required essay questions and one optional question. Your responses should be concise, clear, and introspective as we’ll use them to learn more about you, your motivations, and your aspirations. Typically, we ask that you keep responses to 300-500 words max. Required Essay 1 Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following questions:
Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following question: We all belong to different communities representing various aspects of who we are, including groups we belong to, where we come from, how we think, what we believe, and how we see and experience the world. The process of discovery is strengthened when people with diverse perspectives and life experiences come together to share and learn from one another, negotiate differences, and engage in diplomacy. How do you envision furthering your growth as an inclusive leader as an MBA student and as a business leader?  Optional Essay We encourage you to tell us more about who you are so we can get to know you as a person and potential member of the Carolina community. Use this essay to convey information that you may not have otherwise been able to in the application. Your response should be no longer than 200 words. Optional topics:
For more information on applying, please visit the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA essays or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Essays for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
28 Jul 2022, 14:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: HEC Paris Essays for 2022-2023 |
 HEC Paris has a rolling admissions process. You can apply throughout the year to begin your MBA journey in either January or September. The following are the HEC Paris essays found within the application and remain unchanged from the previous season. Essay 1. Why are you applying to the HEC MBA Program now? What is the professional objective that will guide your career choice after your MBA, and how will the HEC MBA contribute to the achievement of this objective? (500 words max.) Essay 2. What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words max.) Essay 3. Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words max.) Essay 4. Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words max.) Essay 5. Please choose from one of the following essays, 250 words max.: a) What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your country or city to discover, and why? b) Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyse it. c) What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field (arts, literature, politics, business, etc) Essay 6. Optional: Is there any additional information you would like to share with us? (900 words max.) *** For additional information on applying, please visit the HEC Paris MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your HEC Paris application essays or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! *updated in August 2020 The post HEC Paris Essays for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
28 Jul 2022, 14:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: HEC Paris MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 |
|
Are you interested in applying to the prestigious French business school HEC Paris? Take a look at the HEC Paris MBA deadlines for the September 2023 Intake. Upcoming HEC Paris MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application due: August 15, 2022 Decision released: September 17, 2022 Round 2 Application due: September 15, 2022 Decision released: October 22, 2022 Round 3 Application due: October 15, 2022 Decision released: November 19, 2022 Round 4 Application due: November 15, 2022 Decision released: December 17, 2022 The admissions process at this European business school operates on a rolling basis throughout the year. HEC Paris aims to take applicants through the entire process from submission to decision in five weeks. *** For additional information on applying, please visit the HEC Paris MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your HEC Paris application, or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis of your candidacy. We’re here to help! The post HEC Paris MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
29 Jul 2022, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tepper MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 |
 Are you interested in applying to the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University? Then get ready to mark your calendar! The application will open in mid-August, but meanwhile, here are the Tepper MBA deadlines for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle. Tepper MBA Deadlines Round 1 Application deadline: October 2, 2022 Decision notification: December 7, 2022 Round 2 Application deadline: January 5, 2023 Decision notification: March 8, 2023 Round 3 Application deadline: March 12, 2023 Decision notification: May 3, 2023 Round 4 (Part-Time MBA Only) Application deadline: May 1, 2023 Decision notification: May 31, 2023 All deadlines are 11:59 PM Eastern Time (U.S.). *** For more information on applying, please visit the Tepper MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your Tepper 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 Tepper MBA Deadlines for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
29 Jul 2022, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: IESE MBA Application Deadlines for 2022-2023 |
 Are you targeting one of the top MBA programs in Europe, Spain’s IESE Business School? The IESE MBA application for the MBA Class of 2025 is now open. IESE MBA Application Deadlines Early Decision Round Application due: September 6, 2022 Decision by: October 24, 2022 Round 1 Application due: October 11, 2022 Decision by: December 12, 2022 Round 2 Application due: January 10, 2023 Decision by: March 20, 2023 Round 3 Application due: March 14, 2023 Decision by: May 15, 2023 Round 4 Application due: May 2, 2023 Decision by: June 19, 2023 All application deadlines are 23:59 Barcelona time. IESE recommends candidates send in their application prior to the deadline to avoid the rush and get ahead with the process. Applying early will give applicants more chances to earn a scholarship as well. *** For more information on applying, please visit the IESE MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your IESE MBA application 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! The post IESE MBA Application Deadlines for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
29 Jul 2022, 09:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tepper MBA Essays for 2022-2023 |
 Are you interested in the MBA program at Carnegie Mellon University’sTepper School of Business? The CMU Tepper application will go live in mid-August. Meanwhile, here are the confirmed essay questions, goals statement for the 2022-2023 admissions season, and the upcoming deadlines. Tepper MBA Essays Post-MBA Career Goals From the CMU Tepper website: We ask you a question about your post-MBA career goal as well as an alternative goal as a plan B. Tepper MBAs believe in being prepared! Required Essay The Tepper community is dynamic and unique. Each community member’s individual journey has shaped them into classmates who are collaborative, supportive, and inclusive. Describe how you have overcome adversity during your journey. What did you learn about yourself and how has that shaped who you are? (Maximum 350-500 words.) Optional Essay There also is an optional essay for additional information about your candidacy that you may wish to share with the admissions committee. Use this essay to convey important information that you may not have otherwise been able to convey. This may include unexplained resume gaps, context for recommender selection, etc. However, do not feel obligated to complete the optional essay. Reapplicants If you are a re-applicant, use the optional essay to explain how your candidacy has strengthened since your last application. *** If you need guidance with your Tepper MBA essays, don’t hesitate to contact us! For more information about applying to CMU Tepper, please visit the Tepper MBA admissions website. The post Tepper MBA Essays for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
01 Aug 2022, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: INSEAD MBA Essays for 2022-2023 |
 The INSEAD MBA application for the August 2023 intake is now live. Here are the deadlines, and you’ll find the INSEAD MBA essays within the online application. Once again, INSEAD asks applicants to answer a series of short-answer job description essays as well as motivation essays. INSEAD MBA Essays Job Description Essays The job questions are not essays. Hence, the number of words is not so important. People need to be comfortable writing 3 lines or 20. Some applicants work for companies that are well known and only 3 lines are sufficient to describe them; others work for small companies where it is more important to give the full picture. Essay 1 Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (200 words maximum) Essay 2 What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company instead of going to business school? (200 words maximum) Essay 3 Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 words maximum) Essay 4 Discuss your short and long-term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words maximum) Optional If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.  Motivation Essays Essay 1 Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary (maximum 500 words). Essay 2 Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned (maximum 400 words). Essay 3 Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (maximum 300 words) Optional Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (maximum 300 words) *** Wondering how to begin on your INSEAD MBA essays? Check out this article with essay writing tips direct from the school’s admissions team. For more information on applying, visit the INSEAD MBA admissions website. If you need guidance on your INSEAD MBA application 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! The post INSEAD MBA Essays for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
02 Aug 2022, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tuesday Tips: Kelley School of Business Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 |
 The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University is a top-tier business school with an innovative program that cultivates strong recruiting relationships with companies. These Kelley School of Business essays focus on understanding you. From the moment you decide to attend Kelley, you will be focusing on your career and leadership development. For example, even before you start classes, you will be part of an orientation program called Me Inc. to help you refine your career goals. After you start school, you will continue to receive personalized coaching, leadership training, and real-world industry projects. This will help you focus on the right career path and job openings for your internship and full-time job search. Consider these factors as you prepare your answers to these Kelley School of Business essays. Kelley’s program is unique and close-knit, so your fit with the program and your desire to participate fully will be vital to the admissions committee. Kelley has an academically strong class of students. A large number (42% of the Class of 2023) come from outside the United States, and the diverse cohort typically includes a significant number of women. To learn more, visit the Kelley School of Business website. Need help with your Kelley School of Business essays? Contact us for a free evaluation. Required Kelley School of Business Essays Essay One: Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (500 words) The Kelley School has tailored its curriculum to help you reach your career goals. Therefore, entering Kelley with a career vision will help you take full advantage of the program. For example, students can immediately specialize by choosing one of the first-year Academies in your industry area of focus. Think about these opportunities at Kelley when you answer this career goals question. Make sure to specify how you see yourself using the tools available. When you discuss your career experience in this essay, focus on the most critical moments in your career. Avoid reciting your jobs like a resume. Consider the times when you had to stretch to accomplish the goals set out for you. Maybe that happened when you stepped up to lead or became introspective about your career aspirations. These are the stories that will explain how your professional experience will help you achieve your goals.  The second half of this question deals with your flexibility around your career goal and ability to handle change. Change is constant in most industries, and your ability to recognize opportunity, even outside your anticipated career goals, will be critical to your success. Therefore, think about the core elements essential to you in forming your career goals and how you could achieve them in different career opportunities. For example, perhaps you are passionate about the food industry and want to update the world of packaged goods. However, you could imagine pursuing either a strategy role or a finance role within consumer packaged goods. Or, you love marketing but could see yourself either marketing a film or a jewelry line. In this case, the most crucial factor is practicing the craft of marketing. Showing that you can pivot while staying true to your core values and interests will position you well in this set of Kelley School of Business essays. Essay Two: Please respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words) My greatest memory is… I’m most afraid of… My greatest challenge has been… I’m most proud of… While the prior essay focuses on your career path and goals, this essay is about your core personal motivations. Consider, what are the formative moments in your life? In this essay, the story you choose to tell will reveal your personality and values to the admissions committee. Therefore, think about the moments in your life when you have changed or matured. Was there an experience that led you to learn more about yourself? Or, perhaps you interacted with someone who challenged or inspired you. Another experience might have been traveling outside your comfort zone—either literally outside your home country or in a transition like leaving home for college.  Option 2, “I’m most afraid of…” is the one prompt that does not explicitly call on a past experience. However, your fear likely has its roots in a formative moment in your life. Once you have a story to tell, make sure you explain why this moment is important to you. To clarify, you can narrate your thoughts, reactions, and opinions as you retell the story. Another idea is to take time at the end of the essay to reflect upon what you learned and why it was important. Essay Three: Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words) The admissions committee has read your career goals, read about a pivotal experience, and likely has reviewed your resume and application fact sheet. Make sure what you describe in this Kelley School of Business essay didn’t come up in any of those demographic or background data sheets in your application. Also, choose something short and easy to explain in 25 words. Perhaps you were a competitive swimmer in high school but didn’t pursue it in college. Or, your grandmother was from Sweden and taught you traditional cooking techniques that no one else in your life knows. Maybe you are heavily involved in a hobby that has impacted your life. Are you struggling to come up with an unusual or surprising fact? This is a great question to poll friends and family about. Because your friends and family likely know the elements of your background and personality, this can be an effective way to develop a unique story. Those elements are more profound than your resume or application fact sheet.  Optional Essay: Is there anything else you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your essays and credentials represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question. (300 words) The last of the Kelley School of Business essays is open-ended. Such a question allows you to add almost any story or additional background data you would like. However, before you take full advantage of the extra space, make sure you are truly adding to your application. If you have done the work on a comprehensive resume, excellent recommendations, and finely-honed essays, you likely don’t need this space. Finally, if there is anything to explain in your Kelley School of Business essays, use this space to do it. It could be a poor grade in a quantitative course in college, academic probation, or the lack of a recommendation from a current supervisor. In any case, make sure you are focused on explanations rather than excuses. Provide solid, recent evidence that you have done better since the event. Image credit: Flickr user StevenW. (CC BY-SA 2.0) The post Tuesday Tips: Kelley School of Business Essays, Tips for 2022-2023 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
03 Aug 2022, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Adaptability is a Super Power |
|
[img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/super-hero.jpg[/img] [b]“FRESH IDEAS FROM THE BLACKLIGHT”[/b] SBC’s Weekly Newsletter for Professionals We’re living in the digital age, but that doesn’t mean the skills we’ll need to thrive professionally center on technology. Recent research in [url=https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/six-unexpected-traits-leaders-need-in-the-digital-era]Harvard Business Review[/url] points to other qualities that matter more than digital literacy. Think squishier traits such as adaptability, emotional intelligence, and curiosity. HBS Professor Linda Hill and colleagues Ann Le Cam, Sunand Menon, and Emily Tedards collected a boatload of data to understand the traits needed to helm the companies of tomorrow. They found a surprising emphasis on features we often think of as “soft” skills. “71 percent of 1,500 executives we surveyed in more than 90 countries said that adaptability was the most important leadership quality in these times.” Today we’re sharing some highlights from their research, but we invite you to take a deeper dive via the link above. #1 Aim for Adaptability “Leaders will be blindsided if they rely only on their past experience or expertise when making decisions,” the researchers warned. Stay open to new ideas, prepare to pivot as needed, and [url=https://theblacklight.co/2019/02/21/hate-change-adaptability/]get comfortable with ambiguity[/url]. [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/undecided-indecision-cdd20-HQH-GOZ6K2c-unsplash-1024x683-1.jpg[/img] “Even with more data and analytics, executives we talked to said that leaders still need to adopt holistic thinking and stay open to the unexpected,” they noted. “Perfectionist Type-A personalities must open their minds to a more experimental approach.” #2 Build Trust “Leaders must learn to exercise influence without relying on formal authority,” Hill and her colleagues explained. The top-down approach of the past will no longer cut it. An ideal environment is one where employees feel encouraged to share in decision-making. Trust also requires collaborating with a diverse workforce, they noted. That means getting comfortable working “across functions, levels, geographies, and even organizational boundaries.” #3 Stay Curious “With so much changing around them, leaders must be explorers,” these researchers shared. Leaders should also stay humble and open to hearing from others outside of their bubble. Explorers adopt what one executive calls a “software mindset,” committing to continual “personal upgrades.” [img]https://www.stacyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/meerkat-agent-j-xJ-GlSTpvxI-unsplash-1024x768-1.jpg[/img] Also, when it comes to failure, leaders need to rethink their mindset. Hill and her colleagues said that “Eschewing opportunities just to avoid failure is perhaps the riskiest position of all in the digital economy.” #4 Become Emotionally Engaged We’ve discussed the value of tapping into [url=https://theblacklight.co/2021/10/07/emotions-at-work/]emotions at work[/url] before, and these researchers echo that advice. “The leaders we talked to acknowledged just how complex and demanding work has become for employees in the digital era,” they revealed. Now more than ever, managers may need to [url=https://theblacklight.co/2022/01/06/you-can-improve-your-eq/]bolster their EQ[/url] to notice and respond to employee stress and burnout. As the pandemic lingers, showing empathy and encouraging authentic conversations at work will become vital. “The best leaders show compassion by asking the right questions and actively listening,” the researchers explained, “even when the messages they receive reveal concern, skepticism, or fear.” Focusing on these four areas—adaptability, curiosity, trust, and empathy—will prepare today’s professionals and equip them with the right mindset and skills to lead in the digital era. Huzzah! You made it to the end of the post! This post on the work skills of the future appeared initially in [url=https://theblacklight.co/newsletter/]the Blacklight[/url], our weekly newsletter for professionals. At the Blacklight, we [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blacklight-career-hacks-life-inspo/]aim to illuminate[/url] 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, [url=https://theblacklight.co/]sign up[/url] today! The post [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com/blog/adaptability-is-a-super-power/]Adaptability is a Super Power[/url] appeared first on [url=https://www.stacyblackman.com]Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting[/url]. |
08 Aug 2022, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Safety Schools and Your MBA Application Strategy |
 The term safety schools gets thrown around quite a bit in MBA admissions. So, applicants need to clearly understand what that term means before they start the business school selection process. The rule when coming up with a target school list is that you must feel enthusiastic about attending every one of them. That holds true regardless of whether they are dream schools or programs you might consider a safer bet. If you would feel disappointed rather than ecstatic about advancing your career by attending a school, then do not apply. That’s a waste of everyone’s time and your money. What Exactly are Safety Schools? A safety school doesn’t mean you will always receive an offer of admission. It means your chances are far greater than at a program with an acceptance rate of 15 percent or lower. So, to decide what qualifies as a safety school for you, start with the hard data points. As a general guideline, look at intriguing programs where your profile falls within the top 10 percent of admitted students. Compare your undergraduate GPA, GMAT score, years of work experience, and industry background with accepted applicants reported by the school on their class profile page. If you come from an underrepresented industry, consider that an advantage for your application.  Here’s a foolproof way to decide whether your list should include one or more safety schools. First, determine whether it’s vital for you to go to business school next year. Is the need immediate? If so, then definitely include a range of schools of varying degrees of competitiveness. The application pool fluctuates each year, and all you need is one admit, so spread some risk around. Or, have you zeroed in on a handful of highly competitive programs that would best advance your professional goals? If you have some flexibility with the timing, it would be better to focus your energies on the GMAT and elevate your profile according to your target programs’ characteristics. Everyone has different reasons for applying to business school. Your focus may be on networking prospects, the educational experience, geographic location, culture, special programming, or even family tradition. If you’re excited about any of those elements at a school and would be happy to attend for any of those reasons, then consider it, even if it’s a safe choice.  Real-World Scenarios We had a client who applied to UCLA Anderson School of Management and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Of the two, Stanford is the more competitive “reach” school. But the client was from Los Angeles and would have been happy to go to Anderson, thus making it an excellent selection for a safety school. Ultimately, he did get into Stanford and chose that school over the full scholarship offer he received from UCLA. Another client faced the difficult decision of remaining on the waitlist at his dream choice, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, or accepting an offer from UT McCombs School of Business, his safety school, and one he would be happy to attend. When the waitlist purgatory continued into summer, he decided to withdraw from the Haas waitlist and commit to a sure thing. He became delighted with McCombs as he met his future classmates and weighed the significant financial benefits of in-state tuition. If you decide to apply to a range of schools, make sure each is a good fit. Also, ensure that your excitement, level of research, and passion for the program come through in your application. Even for the safety schools! The AdCom folks have been at it long enough and can tell when an applicant has lukewarm feelings for them. Any ambivalence is the surest way your safe bet will become a bust. The post Safety Schools and Your MBA Application Strategy appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting. |
|
|
||
