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18 Jan 2016, 10:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Considering a Second MBA Degree? |
 Applicants who received an MBA abroad can use a second MBA to strengthen job prospects. This post originally appeared on Stacy’s “Strictly Business” MBA Blog on U.S.News.com The idea of pursuing a second MBA degree may sound strange, but it happens with a small number of applicants during every admissions season and can make sense under the right, very specific, circumstances. Some applicants consider a second degree after earning an MBA from a for-profit university or an unaccredited program. They may find they have hit a ceiling with their employment prospects as they vie for positions against candidates from better-known schools. More often, people who seek a second degree are international candidates who have discovered that their professional dreams cannot be fulfilled with their current degree alone. In India, for example, it’s common for a student to jump into an MBA program straight out of university, which makes for a very theoretical learning experience rather than a practical one in which to contextualize management problems. Once these MBA grads get into the workforce, they discover they must further develop various skills to become strong business leaders. For professionals working in international firms who aspire to relocate abroad, a degree earned in-country will not open doors the way a highly ranked MBA from a name-brand university will. A second MBA is seen as an efficient way to move out of a stagnant career and enhance their competitiveness, allowing the degree holder to shift into a new function, industry or geography after completing their studies. Creating a rich classroom experience through diversity is a huge focus of the top business schools, offering students the opportunity to interact with peers from an array of countries and professional backgrounds. While the educational component of the degree in South Asian business schools, for example, may sometimes rival their international counterparts, the ability to create networking ties across the globe is nowhere near as strong. For career switchers looking to break into competitive industries such as finance or consulting, earning an MBA from a globally recognized brand becomes paramount. As with any blip or oddity in candidates’ background, they need to think through their story as they prepare application essays. What did you not get from a prior MBA that you can get this time around? How is the target program different, or a better fit? Or maybe it’s a matter of timing, and the first one was a mistake you need to acknowledge. What skills are you looking to gain, and why couldn’t you acquire them with your first degree? An applicant needs to show why it would make sense to repeat the same degree from a different school. It can be a hard narrative to flesh out and tell in a compelling way, but it’s not impossible. When I first read through the profile for our client Vijay, I saw strong academic numbers, volunteer involvement, an interesting entrepreneurial venture – and that he already had an MBA from one of the Indian Institutes of Management. My first question was the same any admissions committee member would ask him: “Why do you need a second MBA?” Vijay entered an IIM program when he was a university student to supplement his engineering coursework. While he had received an MBA credential, he considered the degree as an addendum to his undergraduate diploma. Also, his degree did not provide the same career advantages he would get from one of his target schools in the U.S., which were the MIT Sloan School of Management, the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. For his career goals essay, we discussed exactly what this second MBA degree would do for Vijay’s career. We also used the optional essay to clearly outline how specific coursework in entrepreneurship, international experience and networking opportunities at each program made a second MBA absolutely necessary. His hard work and compelling argument paid off, and Vijay pursued his second MBA at Sloan, where he made some great contacts for future entrepreneurial ventures. Many top business schools in the U.S. and Europe welcome applicants who already hold an MBA degree. If your first MBA is from a smaller international school, the elite programs are well aware of their advantages over the initial degree. Fortunately, your prior MBA degree won’t be a problem for on-campus recruiting, though you should be able to explain why you needed the two degrees. Assuming you have a solid story, the emphasis will be on your work experience and skills. If you are admitted to a strong program, the degree — combined with your skills — will enable you to land a great job come graduation. Contact the admissions department at the programs you are interested in to find out the specifics for each school, and be ready to make a rock-solid case for why a second MBA is the next logical step for you. Image credit: KMo Foto (CC BY 2.0) |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
19 Jan 2016, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: New Chicago Booth Scholarships for Nonprofit, Govt. Professionals |
 The Chicago Booth School of Business has debuted a scholarship program designed to support advanced business education in the nonprofit and government sectors. The new Civic Scholars Program, funded in part by a $4-million gift from the Neubauer Family Foundation, will provide full-tuition scholarships every year to Chicago Booth’s Weekend MBA Program for eight professionals working in the nonprofit and government fields. Known as Neubauer Civic Scholars, students in the program will continue working full-time as they pursue their degrees, allowing them to apply their classroom experiences to their workplaces. Traditionally the public and nonprofit sectors are underrepresented in MBA programs, but with the Civic Scholars Program, Booth can tap the potential of professionals in these fields. No other world class business school currently offers as comprehensive a program for civic leaders. “This is an opportunity to strengthen the development of future leaders from the public and nonprofit sectors across the United States, and Booth’s data-driven and collaborative approach will help these professionals drive change within their organizations that has a dynamic impact,” says Joseph Neubauer, MBA ’65. “The same leadership skills are required to run all enterprises regardless of sector, which is why we are particularly excited to provide this opportunity to those who are the best and brightest in their chosen fields to strengthen the critical business and analytical skills required to run their organizations,” he adds. The program will bring important voices to the classroom and community by providing broader perspectives on issues such as understanding the role of business in society, the implications of expanding public-private partnerships, and the opportunities for business leaders to engage productively with government and nonprofit organizations. Neubauer Civic Scholars will be subject to the same curriculum requirements as all students in Booth’s MBA Programs, and ideal candidates will have approximately six to ten years of professional experience when applying to the program. In addition to the core curriculum, they will have new, experience-based courses designed exclusively for the program that allow them to work in small teams on research and consulting projects for social sector and government organizations, as well as on individual projects at the Civic Scholars’ own organizations. Additionally, a platform of curricular and extra-curricular programs exclusive to Neubauer Civic Scholars will be developed with the goal of fostering the group’s connections with each other as well as enhancing the educational experience. The Civic Scholars Program will partner with other Booth research centers such as the Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State, Social Enterprise Initiative, and the Harry Davis Leadership Center, as well as faculty from the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, on curricular and co-curricular programming. “We are very grateful for the pledge from the Neubauer Family Foundation to create the Neubauer Civic Scholarship Fund,” says Booth Dean Sunil Kumar. “This investment will allow Chicago Booth to provide select students from the nonprofit and public sectors the same discipline base and leadership tools we offer to business leaders. In time, this will help the school broaden its impact into these sectors, by building a community of talented and well-trained alumni.” Image credit: Adam Fagen (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
20 Jan 2016, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: PepsiCo Chairman, CEO Endows Deanship at Yale SOM |
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The Yale School of Management is on a hot streak of late: Dean Edward Snyder was named Dean of the Year by Poets and Quants and has been reappointed to a second term; full-time MBA application volume is up; and post-graduation salaries rival peer schools such as University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. The SOM has once again made news with the recent announcement that a donation from alumna Indra Nooyi, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Inc, makes her the most generous alumni donor in the school’s history, and the first woman to endow a deanship at a top business school, the Indra Nooyi Deanship. The amount has not been disclosed.  “My gift to this wonderful institution pales in comparison with the gift that Yale gave me — the fundamental understanding that leadership requires an expansive worldview and a deep appreciation of the many points of intersection between business and society,” Nooyi said in a press release. This gift will establish the Fifth Decade Innovation Fund, so named because the first class entered the business school in 1976 and the SOM now celebrates its 50th year. The fund aims to advance the SOM’s mission of cultivating leaders with a global mindset, and is open to additional contributions that would further develop and support the infrastructure and technology required of future initiatives. According to a bio statement released by Yale SOM, Nooyi has served as chief executive officer of PepsiCo since 2006, and chairman since 2007. She is the chief architect of Performance with Purpose, the company’s promise to deliver top-tier financial performance over the long term by integrating sustainability into its business strategy and leaving a positive imprint on society. Snyder, who is the inaugural Indra K. Nooyi Dean, lauded her accomplishments at PepsiCo and said, “Having the deanship named in her honor communicates to the world the school’s model of purposeful and broadminded leadership.” For more information about Nooyi and this historic gift, please read: PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Indra K. Nooyi ’80 Endows Deanship at Yale School of Management. Image credit: Penn State (CC BY-NC 2.0) |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
21 Jan 2016, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: 4 Things Wharton Looks For in MBA Applicants |
 Do you wonder just exactly what the top business schools look for when deciding whom to admit to their MBA programs? Well, after more than 15 years of helping our clients receive highly coveted admissions letters to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, I’ve pulled together some key characteristics that, together, paint a unique picture of what Wharton is looking for in MBA students. Keep in mind though, knowing what a particular business school is looking for isn’t an opportunity to re-make yourself into what you think their “ideal” student would be. Rather, it’s a chance to find a learning community that values your strengths and where you can make a positive contribution with the unique skills, experiences, and perspectives you bring to the table. To discover which four characteristics Wharton looks for in MBA candidates, I invite you to follow the link to read my latest article published on Business Insider. You may also be interested in: Wharton MBA Interview Tips Wharton School Fall 2016 MBA Essay Tips Image credit: Jack Duval (CC BY 2.0) |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
22 Jan 2016, 11:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign Heats Up |
 We’re wrapping up the third week of the Words of Wisdom (WOW) campaign on our social media streams, and the online response has been nothing short of incredible! Have you checked it out yet? The goal is to motivate potential MBA candidates with inspirational quotes from the top business schools and our educational partners. More than 12 elite MBA programs, and organizations such as Forté Foundation and the MBA Tour, have chimed in with their thoughts on reapplying, reminders about how to take advantage of every opportunity, reality checks regarding the GMAT, and views on how to create value and sense of purpose in all that you do. Every Friday during the campaign, we’ll provide a roundup of these motivational messages here on the blog, but you can see them right away on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use the following hashtags: #WOW #WordsofWisdom #SBCWOW #MBAinspiration and #BeInspired to check it out each day. We hope these messages inspire you to make 2016 your best year ever!
Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign Continues Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
25 Jan 2016, 10:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Should You Consider Applying in Round 3? |
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You tried your best, but you just couldn’t pull together all of your business school materials before Round 2 deadlines hit. Now what should you do? Isn’t Round 3 where MBA applications go to die? Not always. In general, it is tougher to earn a spot at most top MBA programs when you apply in Round 3. Admissions committees have seen thousands of qualified applicants throughout Rounds 1 and 2, have pulled together a fairly good idea of what the incoming class will look like, and have also compiled a waitlist of additional candidates. Before Round 3 closes out, a certain percentage of people who were admitted in Round 1 and 2 will have already committed to a program. In short, there will be precious few spots left when the AdCom finally turns its attention toward final-round applications. So where does that leave you? It depends. If it’s been more than five years since you graduated from college, you should seriously consider applying in Round 3. While every situation is different, time could start to work against you at programs that tend to focus on younger applicants. Plus, the odds of your candidacy significantly improving over the next eight months after you’ve already been in the workforce for so long are probably slim. If this is your situation and all you need to do is put the finishing touches on your materials, go for Round 3. There are also other circumstances that make Round 3 a perfectly fine option: you’re in the military and recently received your release papers; you are going through a job change or rolling off of a major project; you had extenuating circumstances that prevented you from applying earlier (and which you can reference in the optional essay); or you are most interested in MBA programs outside of the “top 20.” However, if you’re only two or three years into your career, it may make sense to wait until next season’s Round 1. Focus on building more leadership and community service/volunteer experience in the meantime and make your application even stronger. And remember:  “Be a force for intellectual honesty in public discourse—be true to your values, respect the differing values of others, and be willing to change your views in the face of new analysis and evidence.” – Professor David Besanko, Kellogg School of Management. See other inspiring quotes like this one in our “Words of Wisdom” series! Make sure you’re following all of Stacy Blackman Consulting’s social media channels daily and here on the SBC blog every Friday for inspiration from our partners at top MBA programs. *** 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. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
26 Jan 2016, 12:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Texas MBA’s Perspective on the “Non-Numeric” You |
 A recent post on the Texas MBA Insider blog at the UT McCombs School of Business drives home a message that we stress with clients on a daily basis: the admissions committee wants to get to know the person behind the data points. Now, this isn’t to say that a strong GMAT score or undergrad academic performance isn’t important…it’s very important to get those components right. In The Non-Numeric You: You Are Not Your GPA, Kimberly Jones from the Texas MBA admissions team simply wants applicants to realize that their numbers do not define them when it comes to applying for a seat in their program. Convince us that you are not only capable, but that you are special and that we will be lacking something without your presence.–The Texas MBA Program “Even if you do have a 780 GMAT, this does not, in itself, indicate to us that you will succeed, make good grades, find an internship, thrive in your study groups, or find a good job after graduation,” Jones writes. The truth is, a lot of people have a 700 GMAT and 3.8 GPA. What is critical for applicants is conveying their own unique story in a compelling way. “This story can go a long way in convincing us that a so-so GMAT or GPA is nothing to worry about in the long run, because you have a clear sense of who you are and what you are capable of,” she adds. In our work, we find that countless applicants undervalue their uniqueness. Prospective students often shy away from sharing small but important details about themselves that can help them stand out from the crowd. They think, “Admissions committees don’t want to hear about that side of me,” or “Business schools don’t want people who are interested in that.” Or, “If I talk about this, it will sound like I’m boasting.” It’s time to get over all of that. If you want to do well in the admissions process, you have to communicate who you are, not just what you do. Click on over to the original post for tips on how you can stand out and land a spot at McCombs over an applicant with the exact same numbers. You may also be interested in: 3 Ways to Stand Out in a Competitive B-School Applicant Pool |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
28 Jan 2016, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: INSEAD Tops Latest FT Global MBA Rankings |
Earlier this week, the Financial Times released its 2016 Global MBA Rankings, and for the first time since the ranking’s launch in 1999, a business school with a strong Asian presence—INSEAD—takes the top spot, rising from fifth place in 2015. INSEAD, the international business school with campuses in Singapore, Abhu Dahbi, and Fontainebleau, France, also makes history in this particular ranking as it is the first time FT has crowned a one-year MBA program. INSEAD was the first business school in the world to offer a one-year MBA program beginning in 1959. “As the cost of studying for an MBA has steadily risen, many students are wary of taking on the debt associated with two-year degrees — students are frequently more than $100,000 in debt when they graduate. Though fees and living costs can be substantial, it is often the opportunity cost of lost salary that is the biggest factor,” write FT’s Della Bradshaw and Laurent Ortmans. This year’s ranking shows a bit more movement than we saw last year, when FT deemed Harvard Business School the top MBA program for the third time in a row. U.S. MBA programs continue to dominate the top ten with seven schools, but this year, Spain’s IESE Business School slipped to 16th place, down from seventh place. Meanwhile, Cambridge Judge Business School comes in at number 10 this year, up from 13th in 2015. Top Ten FT Global MBA Ranking 2016
The Financial Times ranking methodology involves assessing MBA programs according to the career progression of alumni, the school’s idea generation, and the diversity of students and faculty. FT data from the past three years is used for alumni-informed criteria. For more information, visit FT‘s 2016 Global MBA ranking analysis and school profiles. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
29 Jan 2016, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Stacy Blackman’s #WOW Campaign Continues to Inspire |
 We’re wrapping up the fourth week of the Words of Wisdom (WOW) campaign on our social media streams, and the online response has been nothing short of incredible! The goal is to motivate potential MBA candidates with inspirational quotes from the top business schools and our educational partners. More than 12 elite MBA programs, organizations such as Forté Foundation and The MBA Tour, and our test prep partners have chimed in over the past few weeks. Every Friday during the campaign, we’ve provided a roundup of these motivational messages here on the blog, but you can see them right away on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use the following hashtags: #WOW #WordsofWisdom #SBCWOW #MBAinspiration and #BeInspired to check it out each day until the campaign ends on February 9th. We hope these motivational messages inspire you to make 2016 your best year ever!
Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign Heats Up Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign Continues Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
01 Feb 2016, 08:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Etiquette After Submitting Your MBA Application |
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After you’ve submitted your MBA applications and are waiting to hear back from programs, it’s normal to have a moment of panic—either immediately, or at some point a little later on. You’ve been agonizing over your materials for months, and now you just want to know where you’re going to end up already! When that moment of panic hits, try to remind yourself that you pulled together the absolute best set of materials that you could. Everyone feels extremely anxious in the weeks between due dates and interview invitations, so if there’s anything you can do to keep your mind off of “The Wait”—do it. What you shouldn’t do, however, is contact the school with “updates” on your candidacy. There are deadlines for a reason. If each of the thousands of hopefuls kept emailing and calling their dream programs after their materials were submitted, the admissions committee would never have time to actually read through those materials and make decisions. The best thing you can do is sit tight and let them do their jobs. “But what if I just got an unexpected promotion?” you might say. “What if I just singlehandedly brought in $2 million of new business to my firm?” “What if I was let go two days after the deadline?” “What if…” We’ve heard every type of scenario, but the reality is that it’s extremely rare for anything to happen to someone post-deadline (personally or professionally) that would actually change the AdCom’s ultimate decision on his or her candidacy. They’re judging your fit with their program based on a lot of different factors—one new accomplishment probably wouldn’t be enough to sway their decision. So please, resist the urge to call or email the admissions office after you’ve submitted your materials. Instead, plan to share any exciting updates with them during your interview. And try not to stress out in the meantime. Remember:  “Students ask me how to find their purpose. My advice is simple: stop looking for a purpose and start noticing when you get excited by what you are doing. When you enjoy your work, your purpose usually finds you,” Professor Richard Shell, Wharton School. See other inspiring quotes like this one in our “Words of Wisdom” series! Make sure you’re following all of Stacy Blackman Consulting’s social media channels for daily inspiration from our partners at top MBA programs. *** 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. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
02 Feb 2016, 11:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Avoid These 10 Pitfalls in MBA Application Essays |
 This post originally appeared on Stacy’s “Strictly Business” MBA Blog on U.S.News.com The essay component of the MBA application is a chance to really wow the admissions committee and stand out from potentially thousands of other candidates with similar GMAT scores or GPAs. There are many ways to craft a stellar essay that will give the reader a better sense of who you are, but there are also several mistakes to avoid as you’re answering these required prompts. Make sure you sidestep the following pitfalls at all costs. 1. Neglecting to answer the question: Applicants often become so determined to drive home a particular point, or worse, drift off into a tangent, that they fail to succinctly answer the question. Don’t answer with “what” when the question asks “how?” or “why?” Business schools create their essays with the goal of finding out how you fit their program, and not answering the question immediately indicates poor fit. 2. Using industry jargon or pretentious language: Never assume the admissions committee member reviewing your application is intimately familiar with your particular industry. Write for a lay audience, and avoid flowery or stuffy language – use familiar words instead. With hundreds of applications on their desks, the admissions staff has only a few minutes to review each essay. It should be immediately digestible. 3. Basing essays on what you think the admissions committee is looking for: Even if you have a pretty good idea of what a particular business school looks for in MBA candidates, this isn’t the time to remake yourself into what you think their ideal student would be. This is a major pet peeve of the admissions committee, which is why they have gone to great lengths recently to come up with creative essay prompts. Stay true to yourself and your professional goals. 4. Using a negative tone, or sounding whiny or complaining: As you come up with those great anecdotes to illustrate your leadership, problem-solving or team-building skills, make sure the examples in your essay don’t include criticizing a co-worker or complaints about your supervisor, even in a subtle way. Always keep the tone positive, or it will end up reflecting poorly on you. 5. Lying or exaggerating about your experience: For some applicants, it can be tempting to fudge a few details or embellish a bit in the hopes of making a memorable impression. Just ask news anchor Brian Williams. But aside from being bad form, the admissions committee has various ways to fact-check a candidate’s claims, and discovering fabricated information would trigger an automatic rejection, even if the mistake was innocent. Be accurate in how you represent yourself. 6. Failing to demonstrate passion: Most MBA applicants aren’t professional writers, and sometimes make the mistake of writing essays that are informative, logical, well-organized and, inadvertently, a snooze fest. This is not the time to repeat your resume in prose form. You must connect with the person evaluating your application on an emotional level if you hope to stand out. As the University of Texas—Austin McCombs School of Business‘ MBA program recently noted on its admissions blog, “Convince us that you are not only capable, but that you are special and that we will be lacking something without your presence.” 7. Discussing inappropriate topics: While you do want to open up and allow the admissions committee to get to know the person behind the paper, certain subjects do not belong in an essay for business school. Leave out any mention of religious or political views; avoid the subject of money and how you want to make loads of it after you get your MBA; and steer clear of overt humor in general, unless you are a comedian by profession. 8. Disregarding word count: In almost all instances, the admissions committee has specified a word limit to the essays. With thousands of applications to read each round, they don’t have time to review essays that read like epic tomes. You can sometimes go over the limit a smidge, but flagrant disregard for the prescribed word count is a red flag that you either have trouble following directions or cannot express yourself concisely. 9. Referencing high school experiences: Unless you did something amazing in your teenage years – started a business, raised an insane amount of money for a fundraiser, built houses for Habitat for Humanity in Kyrgyzstan – stick to anecdotes from your career from the past three years. Candidates applying straight out of college or with only one year of work experience can mention university accomplishments. But for those with more than two years in the workforce, focus on current career developments instead. Recent examples give the admissions committee a better sense of where you are today, both personally and professionally. 10. Making apologies or excuses: Whether the issue is poor academic performance in the past, being fired from a job or even having a criminal record, applicants feel terrified they will be rejected out of hand if they admit to these kinds of mistakes. Address the matter directly, take ownership and explain what you learned or how you improved. No excuses or apologies needed – or desired. MBA essays are a wonderful opportunity to share what makes you a dynamic, multidimensional person. If you can avoid inadvertently committing these mistakes, you’ll stand an excellent chance of creating a positive impression on the admissions committee. Image credit: Daniel Foster (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
03 Feb 2016, 08:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: UCLA Anderson Launches Entrepreneurship Accelerator |
 UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Dean Judy Olian To meet the needs of an expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus, the UCLA Anderson School of Management has announced the launch of the Anderson Venture Accelerator—a 10,000-square-foot incubator for nascent UCLA startups. The accelerator, launched in association with the UCLA library, encourages multidisciplinary collaboration among aspiring Anderson MBA candidates, faculty researchers, undergraduates and graduate students from other schools on campus, and will include mentoring from alumni, experienced entrepreneurs, and the business community. This technology-rich space is divided into training rooms, collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, and working lounge areas, all of which are conducive to developing the ideas and momentum needed to start businesses. The facility will also host guest speakers, topical seminars and “demo days” for resident companies. The Anderson Venture Accelerator offers students and researchers an environment that triggers innovation and breakthrough ventures. —Dean Judy Olian Elaine Hagan, executive director of the Price Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, explains that Anderson’s accelerator has slightly different goals than incubators at other universities. “We’re taking students through the entrepreneurial experience so they can understand if it’s right for them,” she says. “We’re helping them decide what role they would like to fill or whether or not they like collaborating. There’s an opportunity to learn about themselves.” The Anderson Venture Accelerator launch is sponsored by Cadillac, which is presenting three $10,000 Cadillac Dare Greatly Awards to each of three outstanding entrepreneurial ventures founded by members of the UCLA community:
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Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
04 Feb 2016, 12:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: $10M Gift Will Transform Wharton Leadership Program |
The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School has received a $10 million commitment from alumna Anne Welsh McNulty that will drive the global reach of the current Wharton Leadership Program and build on its 20-plus years of innovation and impact in leadership development. Anne McNulty, image courtesy of The Wharton School In recognition of this transformative gift, the Wharton Leadership Program will be renamed the Anne and John McNulty Leadership Program at the Wharton School, memorializing John’s legacy of impact and both John and Anne’s passion for preparing individuals to lead in their fields and communities. The program will continue to provide a holistic approach to coursework, coaching, mentoring, and experiential learning for students of all ages. It will also provide them with the necessary tools to adapt their leadership styles through action, reflection, and experience, and to become global leaders of diverse workforces. “I believe in the transformative power of developing each individual’s leadership capacity. Wharton’s Leadership Program is uniquely poised to make a real impact that will multiply from its students to businesses and communities and beyond,” says McNulty. “Wharton was a turning point in our lives,” Anne says, reflecting on her and John’s experience at the school. “It challenged us to think differently and taught us to be more thoughtful and more ambitious. Our time at Wharton motivated us to be active leaders, not only in running businesses, but also in our communities. It is a pleasure for me to support future students so that they may have a similar experience, so that they may reach their potential, and so that they may change the world through the lessons they learn at Wharton.” Learn more about John and Anne McNulty, and how this new investment will accelerate Wharton’s leadership development initiatives, here. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
05 Feb 2016, 16:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Stacy’s #WOW Campaign Inspires Thousands in Social Media |
 Have you been keeping an eye out for the Words of Wisdom (WOW) campaign on our social media streams? For the past few weeks, we’ve been motivating potential MBA candidates with inspirational quotes from the top business schools and our educational partners. Awesome is the only way to describe the massive online response! More than 12 elite MBA programs, organizations such as Forté Foundation and The MBA Tour, and our test prep partners have chimed in with their advice. Every Friday during the campaign, we’ve provided a roundup of these motivational messages here on the blog, but you can see them right away on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use the following hashtags: #WOW #WordsofWisdom #SBCWOW #MBAinspiration and #BeInspired to check it out each day until the campaign ends on February 10th. We hope these motivational messages inspire you to make 2016 your best year ever!
Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign Continues Stacy Blackman’s Words of Wisdom Campaign Heats Up Stacy Blackman’s #WOW Campaign Continues to Inspire |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
08 Feb 2016, 10:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Steer Clear of the MBA Rumor Mill |
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Did you hear that Stanford is no longer admitting anyone who scored lower than a 700 on the GMAT? Or that HBS already filled up its entire class in Round 1 and won’t actually admit anyone they’re interviewing in Round 2? Or that the way to ace the Wharton group interview is actually to stay silent the entire time? What? You didn’t hear any of that? That makes sense, since we completely made up all of the above in order to prove a point about gossip and rumors that can make even the most levelheaded MBA applicant start to fret. We remember how anxiety inducing it is to wait to hear back from schools. And we’re all too familiar with how easy it is to get sucked into the many message boards there are for MBA hopefuls. Sometimes these online communities can be a great thing: it’s not unheard of for people to end up becoming friends with each other “in real life” after meeting on such a site. Plus, hearing that others are just as stressed out as you are can certainly be a source of comfort. But please remember that the rumor mill is usually in overdrive on MBA forums, and it’s easy for gossip and hearsay to overshadow the truth. The reality is that no one except those on the AdCom for the schools you’re applying to really knows what’s going on with interview invites, acceptance rates, waitlists, or anything else of importance for prospective students. In other words, keep this timeless advice in mind when you find yourself starting to worry about the latest MBA rumors:  *** 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. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
09 Feb 2016, 06:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Who Scored Big in Kellogg’s Super Bowl Ad Review? |
 Half of U.S. homes with televisions tuned in for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, so it’s no wonder advertisers willingly pay millions per minute to grab those viewers’ attention. Two marketing professors at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management think businesses can learn a lot from which ads resonate with the audience, and for the past twelve years have been leading a panel of MBA students who grade the spots on their effectiveness in real time during the Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review. This Review uses a strategic academic framework known as ADPLAN to evaluate the effectiveness of Super Bowl spots in building the advertiser’s brand. The acronym instructs viewers to grade ads based on: Attention: Does the ad engage the audience? Distinction: Is the execution unique in delivery? Positioning: Is the appropriate category represented and a strong benefit featured? Linkage: Will the brand and benefit be remembered? Amplification: Are viewers’ thoughts favorable? Net equity: Is the ad consistent with the brand’s history and reputation? “Toyota’s Prius was a clear winner in this year’s Super Bowl because it kept our attention, had strong linkage to the brand and showcased its benefits,” said Derek D. Rucker, Sandy & Morton Goldman Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies in Marketing, of the spot with the four elusive bank robbers titled “The Longest Chase.” Other brands that earned top marks include Budweiser, T-Mobile, Doritos, Audi and TurboTax. Squarespace, LG and Acura received low grades for less effective ads. “While many advertisers played it safe, our panel found most of the overall advertising worked well with strong branding and many companies communicated a clear point of difference,” said Tim Calkins, Clinical Professor of Marketing, who also leads the Review. “On the other hand, Squarespace ranked at the bottom of our Ad Review for the second year in a row. This is not a surprise as our panel found it both confusing and lacking a clear point of difference,” he added. Many advertisers included humor or upbeat themes, with only a few exceptions, including Colgate, SunTrust and Audi. Courtney Firestone, one of the 69 Kellogg MBA students who participated in the Ad Review panel, said, “As a student, getting to participate in Kellogg’s Super Bowl Ad Review was a great experience to apply what we’ve learned in class.” A full list of the rankings is available here. Image credit: Kellogg School of Management |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
09 Feb 2016, 17:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Stacy Blackman Consulting Honored with 2015 Spectrum Award |
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Today we’re excited to share with you our recent recognition by City Beat News, which has presented the 2015 Spectrum Award to Stacy Blackman Consulting for providing excellence in customer care. About this award: The Spectrum Award of Excellence in Customer Satisfaction was established to spotlight companies providing exceptional service and experiences to their customers. Our research is done annually and is completely independent and unbiased. The award is only bestowed upon that fraction of companies earning our highest ratings. Through this award we honor our mission to provide voice to the unheralded small businesses that are the foundation of our communities and to find and promote excellence wherever we find it. Here at Stacy Blackman Consulting, we strive to provide each and every client with the absolute best experience possible. With our expert guidance and availability on your schedule, we offer assistance that will strengthen all aspects of your MBA applications. We’re proud of our work, and our stats. Google ‘Stacy Blackman Consulting’ to view the strongest track record of reviews in the industry – appearing on multiple sites all over the Internet dating back to 2001. In partnership with our clients, we enjoy great success each and every admissions season. Let us know if we can help you achieve your MBA goals—just request a free consultation and we’ll get the conversation rolling. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
11 Feb 2016, 11:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Interview Tips from the Darden MBA Program |
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Is the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business on your short list of dream MBA programs? Then be sure to check out this new video blog from the Darden admissions team, which shares solid advice for those hoping to interview at this top-tier MBA program. In it, Admissions Dean Sara Neher gives an overview of the Darden interview process and stresses the three things candidates should focus on for a successful interview experience, which we’ve summarized below. Pay attention to first impressions: The interview actually begins before the interview, says Neher, so make sure your interactions with your interviewer—or the person setting up the interview beforehand— via email, by phone or in person, are positive and demonstrate your enthusiasm and positive attitude. Answer questions in C.A.R. format: Applicants should expect to answer behavioral questions during their interview. The “Tell me about a time when…” question can cover many areas, and Neher suggests framing your answer using the CAR format, which she says she learned while working a Procter and Gamble. The acronym stands for Context, Action, Result. As you answer the question, you’ll first summarize the situation, then tell the interviewer what you did, and finally discuss what happened afterward. Remember to include anything quantifiable—give them the numbers—whenever possible. Ask a question at the end of the interview: Your interviewer can learn more about you from the kinds of questions you ask him or her, Neher says. So, think of something you’d like to know that you couldn’t find on the company or school website and that works for many kinds of interviewers, no matter their level. If you can follow these three steps successfully, you’re sure to ace your Darden interview. You may also be interested in: UV Darden Tops Forbes List of Most Satisfied MBAs |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
12 Feb 2016, 07:00
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: Cornell to Establish Integrated College of Business |
 Cornell University recently announced that it will establish an integrated College of Business that will cement the university’s position as a world-class center of teaching and research for business management and entrepreneurship. Upon launch, anticipated during the 2016-17 academic year, the College of Business will comprise Cornell’s three accredited business programs: the School of Hotel Administration, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. By unifying all three accredited business schools, Cornell is creating a more comprehensive and collaborative business management program that will benefit students at all academic stages. Students will have greater opportunity to learn across disciplines and collaborate with a broader network of faculty and fellow students at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Every leading university must have a great business school to maximize its global impact. —Robert S. Harrison, Chairman of the Cornell University Board of Trustees This new environment will create even more learning opportunities that have yielded popular, progressive programs, such as Cornell’s undergraduate Business minor and the new Johnson Cornell Tech MBA, and will enable students from any school to pursue a specialty focus in unique programs such as hospitality, real estate, or resource and developmental economics. Each school will maintain its unique identity and mission, while their collective capabilities will be strengthened by bringing together faculty, curricular offerings, and programs within a cohesive College. The Cornell College of Business will be one of the most comprehensive business schools in the nation with 145 research faculty and nearly 2,900 undergraduate, professional, and graduate students. Each school will be presided over by a Dean of the School who will have responsibility for that school’s admissions and academic program. Each school’s faculty will maintain oversight over its academic program. Soumitra Dutta, the current Dean of Johnson, will become Dean of the College of Business. Dutta called the integration of Cornell’s three accredited business schools a tremendous opportunity to create a unique offering to the world. “This is a critical moment in the history of Cornell, and it is our responsibility to welcome it, embrace it, and develop it for the future,” he added. “As a whole, business can do more for the world, and we can be an important part of this.” |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
15 Feb 2016, 10:01
| FROM Stacy Blackman Consulting Blog: MBA Interview Tips: 3 Common Questions |
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Round 2 applicants, get ready for your interviews! Whether you’ve already received an interview invitation or are hoping to get an invite over the next few weeks, you want to make sure you’re prepared to do your best when the big day arrives. Here are tips for three common MBA-interview questions:
We recommend quickly summarizing the highlights of your college years and then moving on to your professional career. Explain why you took the roles you did, what your main responsibilities were, and what you enjoyed or took away from each position. If you’ve stayed at the same company for several years, you could talk about how your responsibilities have increased over time. [*]Why do you want to go School X?[/list] If you haven’t discussed your short- and long-term career goals yet, you could begin your response by briefly explaining what you’re hoping to do after graduation. Then you can state the specific skills and knowledge you’ll need to be successful in the future—and how School X can help you fill those gaps. You should be prepared to mention school-specific examples of courses, clubs, and other aspects of the curriculum that fit with your career goals. In short, do your homework and refresh your memory of School X’s program before your interview! [*]Is there anything else you’d like to add?[/list] The worst thing you could say in response to this question is “No.” Even if you’ve had an hour-long discussion that covered everything under the sun and you’re feeling confident about how things have gone, you still should take this opportunity to reiterate why you’re excited about the program and why you’d be an asset to the incoming class. And, of course, if there’s something specific about your candidacy that you feel could improve your odds and you haven’t been able to discuss it up to this point, now’s the time to do so. Our parting advice: Be yourself. You want the AdCom to admit you for who you really are, right? Finally, you might want to jot this down the morning of your interview:  Looking for additional interview help? Check out Stacy Blackman Consulting’s school-specific interview guides here. *** 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. |
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with the Stacy Blackman Team? Contact us to learn more.
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