Last visit was: 26 Jul 2024, 21:19 It is currently 26 Jul 2024, 21:19
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
Unanswered
Active Topics
New posts
New comers' posts
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
   1  ...  28   29   30   31   32  ...  139   
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
7 Podcasts to Feed Your Mind This Thanksgiving Weekend [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   27 Nov 2015, 07:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: 7 Podcasts to Feed Your Mind This Thanksgiving Weekend
When you finally emerge from your Tryptophan coma this Thanksgiving weekend and have a hankering for some food for thought, check out these illuminating B-school podcasts that cover entrepreneurship, creativity, leadership and marketing tactics.



Professor Dorie Clark at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business talks about what it takes to succeed in business today. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee, it’s all about standing out.

From the online publication Kellogg Insight, October’s faculty podcast features two Kellogg School of Management professors and a lecturer about the power of storytelling, as well as their tips to become a better storyteller.

Wendy Huber, Assistant Dean for the Full-Time MBA Program at Darden School of Business offers tips on how to achieve success in business school.

Harvard Business School launched a podcast series this fall called Cold Call, and the episode “Dangerous Mines: Saving Lives Through Leadership” stresses safety in South Africa’s platinum mines.

Brit Morin, founder and CEO of Brit + Co, discusses Inspiring Creativity with Great Content in this podcast from Entrepreneurial Thought Corner at Stanford University.

Nicholas Epley, professor of behavioral science at Chicago Booth School of Business, debunks some dangerous myths about gender differences.

This one falls under the marketing category, but it’s also just really fun and interesting for anyone headed to see “Spectre” this weekend. The Wharton School‘s Knowledge@Wharton publication offers this new podcast: The Spy Whom We Loved: The Enduring Appeal of James Bond.

We hope you enjoy this little bit of brain food and find something useful—and interesting—in each of these suggestions.

Image credit: Flickr user Patrick Breitenbach (CC By 2.0)
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Time to Thank Your MBA Supporters [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   30 Nov 2015, 07:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Time to Thank Your MBA Supporters
Last week was Thanksgiving in the United States, and on Thursday, millions of people took a break to reflect on everything they have to be grateful for. It’s a good time for MBA hopefuls to do the same.

If you applied to schools in Round 1, you’re getting close to learning the final results of your efforts. Before you do, you should make a point of circling back with everyone who helped you along the way. Sure, you’ll touch base with them again to let them know where you’re going to end up. But it’s nice to thank people now so it doesn’t seem like you’re only grateful for their help because you were accepted to a certain school.

Think back to when you first downloaded your applications and make a list of those who played a role in ensuring you felt confident once you hit “submit.” Your recommenders, your friends and family members who proofread your materials or gave you great advice, your co-workers who helped calm your nerves after everything was sent in—everyone who’s supported you. We’re sure they’d appreciate a quick note of thanks.

If you’re currently in the midst of interviewing, remember to shoot a short thank-you email or letter to your interviewers, too! Don’t be discouraged or worried if you don’t hear back, though; some schools have policies about interviewers responding to candidates before final decisions are out. But we know they’ll be impressed by the gesture nonetheless.

What if you’re working to hit Round 2 deadlines? It’s still appropriate to thank those who have been helping you so far—especially your recommenders, who may be taking time away from their families to work on your letters over the holidays.

Remember:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*** Do you want to stay on top of the application process with timely tips like these? Please subscribe to our weekly newsletter and you’ll receive our expert advice straight in your mailbox before it appears on the blog, plus special offers, promotions, discounts, invitations to events, and more.
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
HBS Opens Workspace for Alumni in NYC [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   01 Dec 2015, 07:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: HBS Opens Workspace for Alumni in NYC
Harvard Business School has announced it will open its first workspace for HBS alumni startups in New York City, which will act as both an ecosystem for high potential ventures, and a community gathering space for alumni who are part of the NYC startup culture.



The new HBS Startup Studio will feature:

[*]3,000 square feet of subsidized co-working space for 8-10 alumni ventures[/*]
[*]Collaboration and community building with other HBS Alumni founders in NYC[/*]
[*]A director and a coordinator on staff to support you in your venture[/*]
[*]Access to programs and events for founders, investors and other entrepreneurial focused HBS alumni.[/*]
[/list]
“We look forward to the groundbreaking of HBS’s first co-working space in NYC.  With so many amazing HBS-founded companies in NYC — including Rent the Runway, Birchbox, and Blue Apron – we expect that this will help fuel growth of the HBS and Harvard entrepreneurial ecosystem in the NYC area,” say the alumni co-heading the new workspace, Diana Dowling and Jasaon E. Klein.

As part of the Harvard Business School Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship, the Startup Studio will be permanently located near Union Square, but while that space is being built out, will be temporarily located at the WeWork location at 39th and Broadway.  Teams will move to the new location in Spring of 2016.
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Harvard Business School Expands Peek Program for 2016 [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   02 Dec 2015, 12:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Harvard Business School Expands Peek Program for 2016
Harvard Business School has announced the initial details for its2016 Peek Weekend, an educational experience designed to give current college sophomores, juniors, and seniors insight into the Harvard MBA program.



From Friday June 10th to Sunday June 12th, Peek Weekend participants will visit the HBS campus in Boston to develop a broader understanding of the challenges leaders face, the many dimensions inherent in the business world, and the impact participants can have on their community and the world through organizational leadership.

Peek, which began in 2015 focusing on candidates from women’s colleges, will expand its applicant pool this year. The 2016 Weekend will include three cohorts, with each cohort having its own specific curriculum in addition to joint sessions for all Peek participants. Students should be in the Class of 2016, 2017 or 2018 and meet one of the following criteria to attend the Weekend:

  • Be enrolled at a women’s college
  • Be majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (the so-called STEM subjects)
  • Come from a family-owned business background
“These groups can be underrepresented in business school applicant pools,” says Dee Leopold, managing director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at HBS. “We want to do all we can to ensure that our admissions process reaches as many qualified students as possible and help them understand the many different options and opportunities a Harvard MBA can lead to in a graduate’s life.”

Peek participants will learn from faculty members who teach MBA courses at Harvard Business School during the academic year. Using the case method of instruction that HBS pioneered in the teaching of management and leadership, professors will lead participant-based class discussions on current management challenges and opportunities.

Peek students will spend their evenings preparing for class by analyzing cases based on real companies and situations. In the mornings before class, they will form small study groups to discuss their ideas before joining the rest of their classmates. The Weekend experience will also include sessions with staff as well as current and former HBS students.

The 2016 Peek Weekend costs $500, which includes case materials, weekend accommodations in the school’s on-campus dormitories, and all meals. A limited number of need-based fellowships will be available. Students will learn about available financial aid awards after their acceptance to attend the Weekend. Applicants are encouraged to inquire about the possibility of additional funding from their own college or university.

The application for Peek 2016 goes live online at the beginning of March and will require eligible students to supply a resume, an undergraduate transcript, and an essay on a topic to be announced at a later date.

Materials will be due no later than noon on Thursday, April 21. There is no application fee. Decisions will be released at noon on Thursday, May 5.

Interested students can receive updates on the Weekend by joining the Peek mailing list: https://apply.hbs.edu/register/PeekInquiryForm
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Michigan Ross Demystifies Team Exercise with New Video [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   02 Dec 2015, 12:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Michigan Ross Demystifies Team Exercise with New Video
Feeling nervous about what to expect during the team exercise at Michigan Ross School of Business? Soojin Kwon, director of MBA admissions at the Ross School, has just posted this new video, where she answers some of the many questions pouring in from applicants wondering what the experience will be like, and how to prepare for it. Take a look!
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
UV Darden Tops Forbes List of Most Satisfied MBAs [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   04 Dec 2015, 07:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UV Darden Tops Forbes List of Most Satisfied MBAs


Wondering which MBA grads feel the most love for their alma mater? According to Forbes‘s list of business schools with the most satisfied MBA graduates, it’s not directly related with the programs that the magazine ranked highest for return on investment back in September.

“Grads from Harvard, Columbia and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School had three of the four highest salaries among U.S. schools five years after graduation (only Stanford grads banked more). However, alumni from all three schools rank their job satisfaction among the bottom half of the 50 schools in our universe despite paychecks north of $200,000 on average,” reveals Forbes‘s reporter Kurt Badenhausen.

To come up with the list, Forbes explains that it looks at salary data from the ROI ranking published earlier this fall, and also asks alumni to comment on their satisfaction with their education, and how well  they feel the degree prepared them relative to other MBAs and their current jobs.

Top Ten Business Schools with the Happiest Graduates:
  • Darden School of Business
  • Dartmouth Tuck School of Business
  • USC Marshall School of Business
  • Michigan State Eli Broad College of Business
  • Emory University Goitzueta Business School
  • Stanford Graduate School of Business
  • Chicago Booth School of Business
  • MIT Sloan School of Management
  • UCLA Anderson School of Management
  • Northwestern Kellogg School of Management
“Some MBA rankings measure satisfaction of students at graduation, but we look at satisfaction five years out of school when students have had time to reflect on their educational experience and how they compare to other MBAs in the labor force,” writes Badenhausen. “Overall students gave their educations very high marks and less so for their current employment situation.”

To learn more about what makes each of these business schools so special in the eyes of their alumni, read thecomplete article on Forbes.

(image credit: Flickr user tldagny, CC 2.0)
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Make the Most of Each MBA Application Component [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   07 Dec 2015, 10:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Make the Most of Each MBA Application Component
As you pull together your MBA application materials for Round 2, try to think of each component as an opportunity to tell the AdCom something new about yourself.

What we mean is, don’t simply copy and paste bullet points from your resume into your data forms. Offer up new details when you supply responses for fields such as “role responsibilities,” “key accomplishments” or “biggest challenge.”

Similarly, if you focused on your volunteer work in one of your essays, highlight a different extracurricular activity in your data forms or resume. And don’t have your recommenders tout the exact same “significant achievement” in their letters that you already covered elsewhere.

Certain aspects of your package, such as your GMAT/GRE score and your undergraduate GPA, are truly data points in the most literal sense of the word. But everything else should be viewed as complementary chapters of an interesting story—a story about you.

After the AdCom is finished reviewing all of your materials, they should have an understanding of your personality, what you’ve achieved, what your goals are, and what you could offer their program.

Your test scores, transcripts and GPA will tell them something about your capacity to handle their curriculum. Your resume shows your career progression, increased responsibilities and demonstrated results. Depending on the school, some data forms offer a chance to add color to personal and professional achievements.

Your recommendation letters can offer even more proof of your leadership potential. And your essays can give them a sense of your “voice,” as well as provide insight into what makes you tick or what you’re passionate about.

It’s a good thing that the AdCom will be judging you on your entire package, though, right? We’re all so much more than just our jobs, our grades, or our volunteer experience.

Think of it this way:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***

Do you want to stay on top of the application process with timely tips like these? Please subscribe to our weekly newsletter and you’ll receive our expert advice straight in your mailbox before it appears on the blog, plus special offers, promotions, discounts, invitations to events, and more.
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Develop a Smart Social Media Strategy for MBA Applications [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   08 Dec 2015, 11:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Develop a Smart Social Media Strategy for MBA Applications

Being active on LinkedIn is especially critical to anyone embarking on an MBA career.

This post originally appeared on Stacy’s “Strictly Business” MBA Blog on U.S.News.com
When applying to business school, your MBA essays and interviews are the primary way to market yourself and generate positive attention from the admissions committee. But the way you present your personal brand on social media should also be a part of the equation. Your social profile needs to match the persona you will present to the admissions team, so start thinking of it as an opportunity to better tell the story of you.

Every applicant should have a baseline social presence to reinforce and enhance their candidacy. Some admissions committee members proactively search for information about applicants online, so you’ll want to link to your social profiles within the application to make it easy for them to have another touch point by which to assess you.

Define Your Shareable Story

This application strategy involves fine-tuning a story that you can leverage through social media. This is a clear and purposeful narrative of how you want people to talk about you. The articles and thoughts you share, the comments you make and the professional affiliations you display will provide schools with a multidimensional view of who you are, as well as support your expertise and passion for a particular industry or activity.

Some examples of shareable stories might be:

• “I am a driven finance professional with a passion for improving education systems. Through lobbying, recruiting and fundraising, I have affected thousands of children by improving their educational experience.”

• “My passion for people extends beyond U.S. borders. My love of travel has connected me with individuals around the world. I nurture and maintain these relationships and learn and grow through these connections.”

• “In my free time I eat. And cook. And entertain. I love bringing people together over a great meal. Exploring unusual recipes, experimenting in the kitchen and sharing my culinary successes is an important hobby of mine.”

Weave Your Story Into Social Media Platforms 

I recommend students initially focus on three key platforms. Most of us are on Facebook, so this is one area to clean up, make sure your privacy settings are in order  and develop a content strategy that positively reflects your personal interests. LinkedIn is also a must-have, as it is the professional social network. Twitter is a great option to start if you haven’t already since you can use it to expand and build your brand.

For Facebook, choose a cover photo that represents your shareable story. For example, the avid traveler would highlight a photo from a recent trip. A candidate who is passionate about mentoring disadvantaged children should select a photo that highlights those efforts. Then, make sure the things you like reflect the personal and professional interests you have shared in your essays.

LinkedIn is critical as you embark on your MBA career and is an excellent place to network, gather information and build your brand by communicating details that support your shareable story. Follow influencers who interest you and share their content, too. What you update on LinkedIn helps to reinforce your brand, and actively developing a strategy now can help tell your story now and later.

Twitter is a great platform to stay up to date and engage with people who share similar interests. Make sure your bio is filled in with information that reflects your shareable story. A profile photo is a must, and the background photo should also support some element of your story.

Follow relevant users, publications or brands on Twitter based on how you want to present yourself. Look at their followers to discover more people with similar interests. You can express your story through original and curated content by sharing articles, adding commentary and tweeting your thoughts on the topics that appeal to you. Make sure to follow the business schools you are interested in as well.

Social media is a time investment. You can blog, tweet and post all day long, but you will get lost in the jungle of the Internet if you do not reach out and link and connect with others. Make sure that you work to forge connections, on and offline.

Build your content and your audience based on your passions and you will attract an audience of like-minded people. They will inspire you with questions and theories and unique points of view that will spawn completely new thoughts of your own. This in turn becomes the idea factory that will help you consistently generate lots of great, share-worthy content.
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
FT Reveals 2015 Ranking of Best B-Schools in Europe [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   09 Dec 2015, 07:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: FT Reveals 2015 Ranking of Best B-Schools in Europe
The Financial Times has published its 2015 ranking of thebest business schools in Europe, and London Business School takes the top spot for the second year in a row.



According to the FT, the methodology for creating this ranking is based on the combined performance of Europe’s 85 leading schools across the main rankings published by the FT in 2015: MBA, executive MBA, masters in management and non-degree executive education programs.

Both quality and quantity are required to reach the top. Schools must take part in all four rankings to be eligible for a full score, the media outlet explains, so a school that took part in only one ranking is eligible for one-quarter of the total score, and so on.

The Top Ten Business Schools in Europe
  • London Business School
  • HEC Paris
  • INSEAD
  • University of St Gallen
  • IE Business School
  • ESADE Business School
  • Universitá Bocconi
  • IESE Business School
  • IMD
  • Oxford’s Saïd Business School
London Business School, it should be noted, rose from third to first in 2014 by participating in all four rankings for the first time. Professor Sir Andrew Likierman, dean of London Business School, says, “Taking the top spot in this year’s FT ranking of European schools is a great end to an exciting year.”

The methodology used by the Financial Times is unique and rather complicated, so do study the ranking more closely if you’re interested in seeing how each school’s final score is generated.

You may also be interested in:

4 Factors to Consider About European MBA Programs

Getting a European MBA: A Unique Experience
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Survey Reveals the Study Habits of Top Standardized Test Takers [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   09 Dec 2015, 09:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Survey Reveals the Study Habits of Top Standardized Test Takers


What does it take to get a top score on a standardized exam? The test prep experts at Magoosh surveyed more than 400 students who scored in the top 10% for the GRE, GMAT, SAT and ACT, and have shared those results with us so that our readers and clients put their best foot forward when it comes to preparing for this important component of the MBA application.

Here are the biggest takeaways from what they learned about the way top scorers prepare for test day:

  • Top scorers prefer to study alone. 98% of students said they chose to study alone instead of with friends or a group.
  • They don’t break the bank. 88% of respondents said they spent only $300 or less on their test prep. A majority also reported that they performed better on the exam than they thought they would.
  • They study for at least a month. 84% of respondents studied for a month or longer.
  • They don’t cram. 71% of respondents said they gave themselves a break the day before the exam instead of studying to the last minute.
  • They don’t listen to music while studying. 63% of students said they chose to study in complete silence, while only a few chose to listen to classical music or white noise.
  • They have a regular workout routine. 68% of respondents said they hit the gym or exercised at least 1-2 times a week while studying.
  • They aim to take the test once. 68% nailed their top scores the first time they took the exam.
Most Common Advice From Top Scorers:
Develop a routine and stick it to it. Many students from the survey said you should work a strict study schedule into your daily routine. Give yourself 3-6 months to study so you can spread out your prep time. Studying more than that might wear you out, while studying less might inadequately prepare you for test day. You can keep yourself from burning out by limiting yourself to no more than four hours of study in a single day.

It’s not the number of questions you practice, but how much you learn from each question that counts. Top scorers from the survey said that while studying, you should be mindful of the mistakes you make. Take time to learn from every question, and don’t rush through them. Several top scorers from the survey also mentioned that they kept a log of their errors to help them learn and move on from each mistake.

Focus on your weak spots. Do a diagnostic test, review your answers and determine the types of questions you struggle with. Make it a point during your studies to focus on those weaknesses, then practice those question types until approaching and solving them feels automatic.

And finally…

Pay attention to timing. It’s not enough to just know how to approach a question; you need to be able to complete it accurately under time constraints. At the beginning of your studies, you should work through questions slowly and develop your technique, but as you near the end you should start timing yourself to prepare for the realities of test day.

You may also be interested in:
5 Test Prep Steps from UM Ross Admissions Director

Exam Lifehacks for a Higher Test Score

Image credit: Flickr user Steven S. (CC BY 2.0)
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
MBA Debt Hurts Women More Than Men, Bloomberg Finds [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   11 Dec 2015, 12:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: MBA Debt Hurts Women More Than Men, Bloomberg Finds
Earlier this week, Bloomberg took a look at the gender pay gap among MBA graduates and found that it will take women an average of one year longer than men to pay back their student loans.

According to an analysis of data from its annual ranking of MBA programs, the men and women surveyed borrowed a median of $75,000 to finance their MBA degree. At graduation, MBA debt made up 56% of the take-home pay for men and 62% of women’s compensation.

However, in the video above, Bloomberg‘s Francesca Levy notes that six to eight years out, women are earning an average of $140,000 while men earn $175,000 annually. Employers, either consciously or unconsciously, are paying women 80% of what men with the same degree take home.

“As the gender pay gap widens, the loans begin to weigh more heavily on women than on men. The typical woman would repay the debt seven years after getting her MBA, a year after the typical man who went to business school,” Bloomberg researchers found.

Four years after graduating, student debt takes up 25% of women’s earnings but only 14% of men’s.

One of the things driving the disparity is bonuses—that extra income that many people depend on as a huge chunk of their salary, says Levy. “Bosses are making decisions about individual people and it’s trending in this one direction where probably equally qualified men and women are getting really different outcomes, and the difference just grows and grows year after year.”

Ultimately, women who pursue an MBA at one of the world’s elite business schools are making a safe bet that their eventual return on investment far outweighs the heavy debt they will initially incur.

“Most of them end up earning six figures and get rid of their loans relatively quickly,” Bloomberg researchers have found. “They just arrive at that promised goal later than men.”

You may also be interested in:
Study Examines Male-Female Wage Gap, Post-MBA

Enrollment Flags for Women Pursuing the MBA
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Tips for Your Video MBA Interview [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   14 Dec 2015, 08:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tips for Your Video MBA Interview
Did you know that an increasing number of MBA programs are making use of online video-interview platforms? That’s right—for some schools, you must record responses to one or more short-answer prompts before your application is considered complete. Often, the system will also allow for at least one extra try, so if you’re not thrilled with your initial response, you can record it again. (Phew.)

Why do schools add this extra step? Simple: they want to get a better sense of your personality. They’ve seen what you have going for you on paper; a video interview can help them judge whether or not the “real you” matches the impression you’ve built through your other materials.

Unfortunately, video essays can be a source of major stress for already-anxious prospective students.

But here’s some good news: the reality is that it’s unlikely you will totally bomb your answer (especially if you have the chance to re-record it). In fact, with just a little bit of confidence and preparation, you could give a response that makes the AdCom think, “We just have to meet this person!”

Here are some video-interview tips:

  • Prepare (and practice) succinct responses for all of the typical MBA-related questions: Why Program X, Why an MBA overall, Why now, What are your career goals, Summarize your career to date, and so on.
  • Then add some “fun” questions and responses into the mix: Review the last book you read/movie you saw/TV show you watched, What’s your favorite song and why, Where’s the best place you’ve gone on vacation, et cetera.
  • Record yourself answering these questions. Have a trusted friend review your responses and tell you how you’re coming off. Tweak your style accordingly.
  • When the big moment arrives and it’s time for the real thing, remember that no one is trying to trick you into embarrassing yourself. It’s just another opportunity for you to show what an asset you’ll be to an MBA program.
Remember:



 

 

 

 

 

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

And if you’re still feeling unsure about your video-interviewing skills, you might be interested in Stacy Blackman Consulting’s online practice platform.
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
B-School Students Can Network Effectively and Economically [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   15 Dec 2015, 09:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: B-School Students Can Network Effectively and Economically
The travel and networking experiences that MBA students have at their fingertips is just one of the many amazing benefits of business school. Whether the motive is a tech trek to Silicon Valley, an finance industry conference in New York, or a trip bonding with peers in Belize, these adventures can make quite a dent in a student’s wallet.

A recent article in US News offers some great tips to help b-school students trim some of those expenses by focusing on other, more affordable networking options. And in some cases, the untapped opportunities don’t cost a penny.


For example, students can take advantage of networking opportunities set up by the school to get first-year students paired with second years and alumni. “We really try to get the students engaged with the second-year class first, because that’s zero cost,” Emily Anderson, director of the career management center at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, tells US News.

Anderson also notes that at Owen, second-year students help facilitate a practice career fair, which lets first-year MBA candidates sharpen their networking skills while learning about various careers.

Another great tip is to help run a conference in the industry you’re interested in.  Working behind the scenes offers greater access to the speakers or session leaders of the event,  allowing you to forge stronger connections than the conference attendees collecting business cards at the cocktail reception, according to one Chicago Booth School of Business MBA featured in the article.

And don’t underestimate the networking power of a school sweatshirt—you never know what conversations it may spark and doors it may open. Anderson tells US News, “You want to draw people into conversations as much as possible.”

Despite the sometimes exorbitant cost, most MBA students find significant value in these travel and networking experiences, which can lead to employment offers and internships thanks to a school-sponsored trip.

Students must decide for themselves what is financially feasible, but there’s much to be gained from making strong connections with your classmates, and there’s almost no better place to do so than outside the classroom.

You may also be interested in:

Economist Ranks MBA Programs for Networking Potential

Image credit: Flickr user Richard Foster  (CC BY-SA 2.0)
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Michigan Ross R1 Admissions Decisions, Team Exercises Abroad [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   17 Dec 2015, 12:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Michigan Ross R1 Admissions Decisions, Team Exercises Abroad


The MBA admissions team at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business started the congratulation calls to accepted Round 1 applicants in the U.S. yesterday, and continues with notifications today to successful international applicants.  According to admission’s director Soojin Kwon, all Round 1 decisions will be released tomorrow, December 18th, just after noon EST.

The Round 2 deadline is coming up just after the New Year on January 4, 2016, and Michigan Ross plans to hold Team Exercises in the following international cities in addition to on-campus dates:

  • Sao Paulo: January 30
  • Mumbai: January 31
  • Shanghai: February 4
  • Tokyo: February 6
Although the admissions office will be closed from December 24th until January 4th, there are still ways to connect with Ross students and alumni during the winter break. “Over the holidays, students will host informal coffee chats around the world to answer questions about their experience at Ross,” says Kwon, adding, “We encourage you to connect with one to get the non-website, non-admissions staff view of the program.”

Check the Michigan Ross [url=https://michiganross.umich.edu/about/events/browse-all?type=Ross%20Admissions&program[]=6&audience[]=Students%20-%20Prospective]Events[/url] page in the coming week for upcoming locations and times.

You may also be interested in:
Michigan Ross Demystifies Team Exercise with New Video

Michigan Ross MBA Director Explains ‘Holistic Review,’ Gives Advice for R2
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Application Advice from MIT Sloan MBA Students [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   18 Dec 2015, 12:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Application Advice from MIT Sloan MBA Students
The MBA admissions team at MIT Sloan School of Management has prepared a video featuring Sloan students who offer tips and advice to prospective applicants. Each tackles a different aspect of how you can better prepare for this experience, and we’ve summarized their thoughts here but also encourage you to watch the brief video as well.



Julius Tapper, MBA 2016—Julius says coming to campus will give you more information than you’ll get anywhere else. But if you can’t come, reach out to someone who shares one of your interests through the club pages posted online and get the conversation started.

Chris Mannion, MBA 2016—Chris encourages applicants to start preparing early, after realizing himself how quickly things get backed up when you have to sit for the GMAT, line up your recommenders, prepare your applications, etc.

“It’s a very long process, and you have to give yourself the opportunity to really understand what school is all about before you even start the application process,” he says.

Brian Kirk, MBA 2016—Brian urges applicants to be themselves, and make their application representative of who they are. And when it comes to the optional essay, and he tells them to absolutely do it, and just make it their own.

“I did not do some fancy digital media video, or write a song or something for it,” Brian says. “I figured out my application up to that point had been entirely professional. I exist outside a professional setting, there’s a lot to me that does not come across in my professional accomplishments. So I wrote my third essay to the tune of, ‘this is who I am outside of the classroom, outside of the office’.”

***

Though she’s not identified by name in the video, the final student’s words are perhaps the golden rule of both MBA admissions and life in general. “Just be true to yourself,” she says. “The rest will come in time.”

You may also be interested in:
What to Expect During the MIT Sloan MBA Interview

MIT Sloan Fall 2016 MBA Essay Tips

 
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Tips for Applying to B-School After Years in the Workforce [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   21 Dec 2015, 11:01
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Tips for Applying to B-School After Years in the Workforce

If you’ve held the same job for many years, find ways to call out leadership and professional achievements.

This post originally appeared on Stacy’s “Strictly Business” MBA Blog on U.S.News.com
The average age of business school applicants has been trending downward for the past decade, and with that, work experience expectations have shifted as well.

But not everyone is ready or in a position to take the business school plunge at 26 years old. If you want to pursue an MBA in your early-30s and beyond, consider these specific tips as you put together your application package.

  • Show career progression:? When applying to a top-tier business school, you’ll need to show the admissions committee a clear path of professional growth. Avoid looking stagnant, as the admissions team wants to admit students who continually seek to learn and advance their skills and leadership abilities.
Even if you have held the same job for several years, you should demonstrate career progression either in the formal sense, with increasingly higher-level job titles, or by pointing out how you have gradually taken on greater responsibilities. Coach your recommenders to specifically address this upward trajectory in their letters of support, as this will help convey your dedication to your professional development.

Make sure to ask a current or recent manager for that recommendation, as a letter from a supervisor who worked with you eight years ago might raise a red flag. If you do select a recommender from the more distant past, make sure that you have really kept in touch and they can speak to your professional progression and work habits now.

Also, if you have had several jobs, don’t worry about squeezing all of them on to the MBA resume. Highlight only the most important positions and responsibilities, and find ways to show career progression and results on your MBA resume.

[*]Show strong leadership: It’s understandable that younger applicants won’t have many examples of leadership one year out of school, but as time goes on, expectations increase and the ability to manage and inspire others will become more important.[/list]
The best MBA programs value great leadership. If you are applying to Harvard Business School in your mid-30s, you better have already developed terrific leadership skills and have a lot to show for them.

For your essays, find professional or personal anecdotes that show how you have galvanized or improved the work of others. Try to paint a vivid picture of your biggest leadership challenge, or of a time when you led ?with integrity or motivated a team to achieve a shared goal. You want to show how you always attempt to do more than a good job, and strive to leave your mark on whatever situation you’re in.

As prepared as you are, you need to convince the schools that you still have room for improvement that can only come from the education and experiences of an MBA program. Let them know exactly what they offer that will help you further hone your leadership or technical skills.

[*] Choose the right type of program: If you’re really advanced in your career, research what type of program is the better fit for your professional goals and personal life. You may find that a part-time MBA program or an executive MBA program will allow you to meet your goals with greater flexibility and less disruption.[/list]
When we worked with Claudine, she was in her late-30s and held an executive-level position in finance at a large consumer products company. She had reached a career plateau in her firm and wanted to obtain an MBA to take her to the next level, but any of the three format options could help her achieve her goals.

While excited by the range of social and extracurricular activities available in a full-time MBA program, Claudine had an extremely demanding family life with two small children and didn’t think she could take advantage of the many social activities most full-time MBA students participate in.

Ultimately, her desire for a flexible way to expand her skills and tap into the network available from a strong program led Claudine to look most closely at an executive MBA, and she ended up having great success at the joint EMBA program between the University of California—Berkeley Haas School of Business and Columbia Business School.

Business school admissions committees always seek applicants with diverse interests and backgrounds, and older candidates have numerous attractive qualities going for them. The key is to make sure all of those great qualities stand front and center in your MBA application.

Image credit: Flickr user Penn State (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Get Organized Over the Holidays [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   22 Dec 2015, 07:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Get Organized Over the Holidays
Next week, 2015 draws to a close. Two weeks from today marks the first Round 2 deadline. Are you ready? If you’re not a “list person,” it’s time to become one—at least until the rest of your applications are in.

We’ll help by giving you this outline for your Round 2 To-Do list:

  • Assuming your recommenders have not yet submitted their letters, touch base with them again if it’s been more than two weeks since you last checked in. Remind them that it would be great if they could upload their responses a few days before the deadlines to avoid any last-minute system-crash drama. And thank them again for their time! Ensuring your recommenders are on track is your top priority because this is a tough time of the year for people to be pulled away from family obligations. You know you’ll get everything in, but this isn’t consuming their lives like it is yours.
  • Make sure you have all of the documentation each school requires—things like test-score reports and undergraduate or exchange-program transcripts. If you’re missing something at this point, you’ll probably have to hustle to secure what you need.
  • Finalize your resume. Many schools have cut down on essay requirements, so resumes are playing a larger role in deciding prospective students’ fates. It’s critical that your resume tells the full story of your professional, educational and extracurricular achievements.
  • Complete the applications/data forms for each school. Why do this before putting the finishing touches on your essays? Because when left to the ultimate last minute, applications fields are extremely easy to screw up. There’s no spellcheck available on these forms, and if you’re rushing through them you are likely to make a mistake. Don’t risk having the very first thing the adcom sees be riddled with typos!
  • And now . . . the essays. We’ll be honest: we hope you aren’t just starting your essays this late in the game. But it certainly is possible to pull together quality responses within two weeks. Have a few friends or family members on standby to help you firm up your themes and cut down extra words.
  • Take a little time off to enjoy the holidays!
Remember:



 

 

 

 

 

***

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

Need a second set of eyes on your Round 2 applications? Work with a Stacy Blackman consultant on an hourly basis.

 

 

 

 

 
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Getting Ready for Round 2 MBA Applications [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   23 Dec 2015, 07:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Getting Ready for Round 2 MBA Applications
For many people, the weeks leading up to the new year are a time of merriment and a full calendar of socializing with family and friends. However, for Round 2 MBA applicants, this is likely “crunch time” as deadlines in early January loom.


If you’ve already completed a first or second draft of your MBA essays, spend these next few weeks proofreading and polishing to make sure they hit all the right notes. Do they convey your passions? Do they clearly address your career goals? And crucially, do they show why X school is the best fit?

If you haven’t yet sought feedback on your essays, now is the time to enlist a family member, colleague, or trusted friend to look them over. However, their primary concern should be your spelling and grammar, not making you second-guess your strategy.

Another key component of the MBA application is the resume, so make sure yours is in tip-top shape. Get rid of any jargon or industry-specific acronyms that a lay person wouldn’t recognize; highlight achievements to identify results and impact; and show the skills you have gained.

Remember, this is not a resume designed to land a job interview—it’s another important way to tell your story to the admissions committee…and it’s often the very first document the person reviewing your application will open.

Finally, ensure your recommendation letters are in. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you know you’ll get your materials uploaded in time, but you simply can’t be as confident about your recommenders. If you haven’t received confirmation that they’ve submitted their letters, stop everything and do what you can to help them finish this critical task.

Best of luck to all candidates applying in Round 2!
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
Seasons Greetings! [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   24 Dec 2015, 12:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Seasons Greetings!


From the entire team at Stacy Blackman Consulting, we want to thank our loyal blog readers for logging on each day for the latest news from the B-school universe, and extend our very best wishes for a  happy holiday season!



 

Image credit: Flickr user Tambako The Jaguar (CC BY-ND 2.0)
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
User avatar
StacyBlackman
Stacy Blackman Consulting Representative
Joined: 03 Nov 2010
Posts: 2630
Own Kudos [?]: 175 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Send PM
On a B-School Waitlist? Do These 3 Things Right Now [#permalink] Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog   28 Dec 2015, 14:00
Expert Reply
FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: On a B-School Waitlist? Do These 3 Things Right Now
Ah, the waitlist….such an agonizing place to find oneself after applying to the business school of your dreams. There’s no denying that this temporary state of limbo is unsettling, especially for Type-A personalities who are used to taking matters into their own hands and getting stuff done.



While being waitlisted isn’t ideal, MBA applicants should celebrate the fact that their candidacy is strong enough to merit further consideration by the admissions committee. It’s a great sign that you are qualified to attend the program, and that the school is interested in your profile.

The applicant pool fluctuates every year, and if you’ve applied during an especially competitive season, it may just be that the program cannot offer you an immediate place in the class. So, what steps should you take if you’ve been waitlisted?

Find out the waitlist protocol and follow it to the letter—Waitlist guidelines vary by program, but some business schools welcome hearing from you if there’s been a significant change that bolsters your candidacy, such as improving your GMAT score, passing a college-level quant class with flying colors, receiving a promotion at work, or having had a recent extracurricular accomplishment.

On the other hand, if you’re waitlisted by a program that requests a simple yes or no answer about whether you are interested in remaining on the waitlist, don’t try to send more information or pester the admissions committee about their reasoning because you’ll only be shooting yourself in the foot. You want to do as much as you can without disregarding their requests or overloading their staff.

Show them the love—Your second goal, after updating the admissions team on improvements to your candidacy, is to show them the love. You want them to understand that you love their school, you very much want to be in their program, and that you are committed to attending if admitted.

Business schools don’t want to be rejected if they extend an invitation to you. They need to manage their yield, and want to be able to say that 100% of the people they invited to attend actually said yes.

So how do you show the love? By staying in touch with your waitlist manager through the occasional phone call or regularly scheduled email reiterating how excited you are about their program and that you absolutely will attend if they offer you a place in their class. Keep the contact and content under control, though. No stalking! This is about love, not obsession.

Relax and reconnect—Most MBA applicants become consumed by the admissions process and find themselves emotionally untethered when there is no immediate next step to advance to the goal. If that’s the case, it’s time to unwind and reconnect with the people and pastimes that fell to the wayside during those hectic months of preparation.

Once you do start business school, life may again be too frenzied to adequately nurture your outside hobbies and relationships, so make sure to devote time and energy to the things that feed your soul outside of your career.

Finally, to all those waitlisted candidates out there, take heart. It’s not the news you wanted, but there are plenty of reasons to keep hope alive. You wouldn’t be on the waitlist if you were not someone they thought could be a great addition to the class. Hang on and stay strong—and positive—as you wait out this last leg of the MBA admissions process.

You may also be interested in:
SBC Scoop: Waitlist Management

Image credit: Flickr user monkeyc.net(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
This Blog post was imported into the forum automatically. We hope you found it helpful. Please use the Kudos button if you did, or please PM/DM me if you found it disruptive and I will take care of it. -BB
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
On a B-School Waitlist? Do These 3 Things Right Now [#permalink]
28 Dec 2015, 14:00
   1  ...  28   29   30   31   32  ...  139