Courtney Keene at Tepper's International Day celebration

Accepted.com is continuing a blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application.

Here’s a talk with Courtney Keene, a student at CMU’s Tepper and Heinz who will be working at Deloitte Consulting next year. Thank you Courtney for sharing your thoughts with us!

Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from? What and where did you study as an undergraduate and when did you graduate?

Courtney: I’m originally from Washington, D.C., but I can’t really claim it as my ‘hometown’ as I spent most of my childhood and teenage years overseas in West Africa and South East Asia due to my parents’ careers. If anywhere, I’d say my real hometown is Dakar, Senegal, where I’ve spent the most time in any single place and where my husband is from. Although I would go to D.C. and New York during summers to visit family and friends, moving to New York to attend Barnard College in 2003 was my first time actually living in the U.S. since the age of two. At Barnard, which is a small liberal arts college for women at Columbia University, I majored in Political Science and did a minor in Environmental Science. I graduated in 2007.

Accepted: Why did you decide to pursue a combined MBA/MPP? How will these degrees contribute to your career goals?

Courtney: I’m a bit of an atypical MBA candidate, although I think the path I’ve taken is becoming increasingly popular. Before coming back to school I worked in the non-profit world and focused on social innovation and international education. My overarching passion, in line with my upbringing, is the challenge of economic development in emerging markets. I decided to ‘switch sides’ so to speak to address this challenge from the private sector. I figured the best way to obtain the requisite analytical skills and experience would be to pursue an MBA while enriching my knowledge and policy skills with a Master in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM). The two programs complement each other very well and I expect the two perspectives to be useful, especially considering the growing prevalence of public and private sector collaboration in the overlapping fields of economic development and social innovation.

Accepted: Which other programs were you considering in addition to CMU? What tipped the scales to favor Tepper/Heinz?

Courtney: I applied to a short list of schools via the Consortium’s common application. My goal was to either find an MBA program that was very interdisciplinary with strong social entrepreneurship and international development programs and opportunities, or to find a university with a dual degree option with two highly ranked programs featuring these elements. Ultimately I decided on CMU’s Tepper and Heinz schools for several reasons: they are both highly ranked; Tepper has a small and quantitatively-rigorous program, which is what I was looking for; every interaction with admissions staff, students and alumni was positive; their financial aid support is outstanding; and culturally they were the best fit.

Accepted: What are some of your favorite things about living in Pittsburgh? Least favorite?

Courtney: Pittsburgh has a special energy and pride that has pleasantly surprised me since my arrival. It’s a town known for its great decline from the steel empire it once was, but it is in the process of remaking itself, which I’ve found fascinating to witness and be a part of. I’ve enjoyed learning about the economic development efforts here through my Heinz coursework as well as my volunteer internship with a local community development non-profit, GTECH. I’ve also really grown to enjoy the charm of Pittsburgh as an old post-industrial city, home of the Steelers, and a place where most people say hi on the street. Two things I won’t miss: the long waits for the bus and the unpredictable weather.

Accepted: What’s your favorite class so far?

Courtney: Last fall for my Tepper Capstone requirement I took a class called ‘Managing the Enterprises of the Future.’ The course consisted of a series of lectures by very distinguished C-Suite guest speakers and a real-life semester long consulting project with corporate clients. I had the opportunity to work with Walgreens on creating a spin-off non-profit web platform for helping corporate clients, like Walgreens, hire people with disabilities. It was an invaluable learning experience to have an actual client, a real project and an interdisciplinary team of eight to work with over a period of four months to deliver tangible results.

Accepted: Do you have a job lined up for next year? If so, what role did CMU play in helping you secure that position?

Courtney: Next fall I will start at Deloitte Consulting full-time in the Federal Practice in Washington, D.C. I had the great opportunity to intern there last summer, a position I got through CMU’s on-campus recruiting and networking. Both Tepper and Heinz were great resources in the internship search and preparation process.

Accepted: Do you have any advice for some of our applicants who will be applying to CMU’s MBA and/or MPP programs?

Courtney: I found that the application process for graduate school elicited a lot more authentic soul searching than what I remember from college application essays. This time I was sincerely asking myself ‘why do I want to do this?” and trying to answer as honestly as possible both to myself and to the schools to which I was applying. Looking back, I think this helped me a lot not only in terms of the quality of my applications, but also in the quality of my experience in both graduate programs. My words of advice: be flexible, but have some internal compass guiding your decisions.

Accepted: As someone who majored in Political Science and Environmental Studies, rather than something more “business-y” like Economics or Accounting, did you find it hard to adapt or keep up with the quant classes at first? And what about your GMAT — did you find the quant sections much more challenging than the verbal parts?

Courtney: One of the features that tipped the scales in favor of both Tepper and Heinz is their focus on quantitative analysis, a skill-set lacking from my political science liberal arts background. I found the verbal part of the GMAT pretty easy, but was intimidated by the quant section. So yes, the first semester of core classes at Tepper was pretty brutal, but it was a welcomed challenge that I sought out for myself. Fortunately, Tepper has a very supportive and collaborative culture and all of my more experienced peers were willing to help.

Accepted: What attracted you to the Consortium? How have you benefited from the program?

Courtney: I first heard about the Consortium from my aunt, who is a Consortium alumna. Once I knew about it, the value proposition was a no-brainer. It’s an organization with a mission to increase diversity in MBA programs and the business world in general, a mission that aligns well with my own values and goals. I’ve benefited from my affiliation with the Consortium in so many ways: I saved money applying to schools via the common application; I’ve saved a lot of money attending business school due to the Consortium’s financial support; I networked and interviewed with companies at the Consortium’s Orientation Program in June before even beginning my program; I bonded with a network of fellow Consortium students at school; I’ve taken advantage of the extensive alumni network; and I’ve gained on-campus leadership experience as a Tepper Consortium Liaison.

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For help with your Tepper and Consortium application, consider a Tepper School of Business Essay Package or a Consortium Essay Package.

For complete, soup-to-nuts guidance on the MBA admissions process, please purchase Linda Abraham’s new book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools – now available in paperback and Kindle editions!

Wisconsin and Consortium student Jordan Williams

Here’s a talk with Jordan Williams, a student at the Wisconsin School of Business and a member of The Consortium with a passion for graffiti art, travel, and, of course, business education. Thank you Jordan for sharing your thoughts with us!

This interview is the latest in an Accepted.com blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application.

Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from? What and where did you study as an undergraduate and when did you graduate?

Jordan: I am originally from Chicago, but I’ve been living on the east coast for the better part of a decade. I graduated from Bates College in 2008 with a double major in African American Studies and Women and Gender Studies. I wrote my senior Honors Thesis on the roles race and gender played in Parisian graffiti communities. I’ve had some tremendous opportunities to travel and grow through my adventures overseas, but I am excited to be back in the Midwest and close to Chicago again.

Accepted: Why did you decide to attend the Wisconsin School of Business? Which other programs did you consider?

Jordan: I was a faculty member and website manager at the Middlesex School, and I had the privilege of relaunching their website after the school rebranded. The process introduced me to discipline, and the Tuck Business Bridge Program at Dartmouth solidified my passion for marketing. While attending the Tuck program I was introduced to an employee who was planning to matriculate to the Wisconsin School of Business. Laura mentioned that Wisconsin offered a brand specialization, which was appealing because I wanted my professional studies to be more focused than my liberal arts undergraduate studies.

I also applied to Kellogg and Cornell, but Wisconsin’s community and curriculum set it apart. The size of the program facilitates a “band of brothers” dynamic among students. Students genuinely supported one another and this atmosphere resonated with me. I was also impressed with how the curriculum balanced theoretical and applied business principles. The applied learning series brings in industry leaders every week to share their experiences and current business challenges. The network Wisconsin has was impressive, and it was clear that the supportive ethos existed at the alumni level as well.

Accepted: What are some of your favorite things about living in Madison? Least favorite?

Jordan: What’s not to love about Madison? I am such a fan of the city that I am working with the Visitor’s Bureau to develop a new integrated marketing campaign for the city so it can attract more leisure travelers. It is a project for my Brand Communications class.
I love the cheese curds, the micro brews, the bike trails, the UW sports culture, and the flavor of the city. Madison is an affordable city that has a menu of activities. It is a multi-dimensional city, and it has been a delight to explore it.

If it had San Diego’s climate, it would be the greatest city in the U.S. But as is, it is still top 25.

Accepted: What’s your favorite class so far?

Jordan: It is hard to pick favorites, but one class stands apart. The first is the applied learning series that we attend every Friday. Each week we are introduced to marketers from myriad industries, and they share business insights and challenges with us. For example, Nestle brand managers share how they write a creative brief for an agency, and Whitewave brand managers challenge us to think through the rise of private label milk, which is a real issue milk producers face. The applied learning series is an excellent example to take the theoretical lessons learned in Jan’s marketing classes and apply them to living business cases or incorporate the principles of operational management to a marketing case. The applied learning series is an opportunity to apply the frameworks we spend all week exploring.

Accepted: Do you have an internship lined up for next year? If so, what role did Wisconsin play in helping you secure that position?

Jordan: I will be a brand marketing intern at MillerCoors Brewing in Chicago, IL. I do not know which brand I will be working on, but I am very excited to work with such a great company.

Amanda Truppe and Erin Nickelsburg helped me to show my best self during interviews. They not only taught me interview fundamentals and tactics, but they also encouraged me to push harder. They inspired me, and motivated me to find the connections between my background in education and my passion for marketing. However, I would be remised not to mention the roles the Wisconsin alumni network played. A half dozen alumni donated their time so that I could practice interviewing in person and by phone. I look forward to giving back in the same way when I am an alumnus.

Accepted: Can you tell us about your graffiti art research and your related travels? Your LinkedIn profile indicates that you have a strong background in art — have you found a way to connect this passion with your MBA studies?

Jordan: In 2006 I received a Hoffman research grant from Bates College to complete Honors Thesis research on graffiti, gender, and race in Paris, France. Over the course of the next 2 years, I conducted various research projects on the same subject across Europe. Although I am no longer actively studying graffiti, I am still inspired by the medium and its culture. Graffiti is marketing. Writers think about placement and targeting when they decide to paint a piece on a  train, positioning when they choose their name or style, and packaging when they pick their colors. Graffiti and street art introduced me to design, and I have applied my design thinking and mind to many group projects during my MBA studies, particularly my Launching New Products class. Graffiti taught me to be unafraid of rapid prototyping and bold ideas, but most importantly, it instilled a rigorous work ethic. Graffiti writers don’t have coaches. They don’t have anyone telling them to paint, and yet Writers are relentless. I try to apply this ethos to my studies and my professional life.

Accepted: Do you have any advice for some of our applicants who will be applying to Wisconsin?

Jordan: Know yourself. Think deeply about what your brand is. Think deeply about the environments that make you thrive. Think deeply about your goals. I have found success at Wisconsin because the environment, ethos, curriculum, and people harmonize with who I am and my core values. Not every school is the same. Go out and touch and feel a school to understand if it is the right fit. Life can’t be googled. Life has to be lived.

Accepted: I see that you are a member of the Consortium. What attracted you to the Consortium program? Is the program living up to your expectations?

Jordan: When I attended a business school fair in Boston, I had the pleasure of speaking with an admissions counselor from Cornell. I shared my passion for social justice, and he gave me some promotional information. I might have never found the Consortium if it wasn’t for that conversation, and I am grateful I introduced myself and that we spoke. I pursued the Consortium application because I want to dedicate my career in business to more than increasing shareholder value. I have always wanted to give part of myself to something larger, and I believe this commitment is reflected in the Consortium’s mission. The Consortium introduced me to other students and business people who are diversity and inclusion stewards, activists, and advocates. The community empowers me to act, and it never lets me lose sight of my core values and aspirations.  The Consortium has surpassed my expectations, and I look forward to paying the gifts it has presented forward.

For help with your Wisconsin and Consortium application, consider Accepted’s MBA essay editing or a Consortium Essay Package.

For complete, soup-to-nuts guidance on the MBA admissions process, please purchase Linda Abraham’s new book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools– now available in paperback and Kindle editions!

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Meet Jeffrey, current UVA Darden student and Consortium member

Accepted.com is continuing a blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application.

Here’s a talk with Jeffrey Love, a student at UVA Darden who provides a window into student life in Charlottesville, his thoughts on Darden’s case study method of instruction, and advice on how to apply to Darden and the Consortium successfully. Thank you Jeff for sharing your thoughts with us!

Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from? What and where did you study as an undergraduate and when did you graduate?

Jeff: I am from Huntsville, Alabama. I matriculated at Alabama A&M University, where I majored in accounting. I graduated summa cum laude in 2006. After obtaining my Bachelor’s, I attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to pursue the Masters of Accountancy. I graduated from UAB in August 2007 and after graduation, sat for the CPA Exam (which I passed).

Accepted: Why did you decide to attend UVA Darden? Which other programs were you considering and what tipped the scales to favor Darden?

Jeff: I was admitted to other top business schools, but I chose to attend Darden because Darden had a reputation for being one of the toughest business schools in the country and because I believe in the experiential learning that the case method provides. Darden has a rigorous first year curriculum and I knew that after graduating from Darden, I would be very prepared for whatever career I pursued. The other schools that I considered attending were HBS, Duke, and Booth, but I ultimately chose Darden because of its reputation of preparing students to become hardworking, principled leaders.

Accepted: What are some of your favorite things about living in Charlottesville?

Jeff: Charlottesville is a nice, small college town. I never had the college town experience so that I appealed to me about Charlottesville. Furthermore, I wanted to attend a college town that required students to connect with one another on social level as well as an academic level. In some of the other schools that are located in bigger cities, students do not interact with one another outside of the classroom because they have so many options of other things to do. Charlottesville forces you to interact with your classmates socially, which fosters long-term friendships.

Accepted: Darden is well-known for utilizing the case-study method of instruction. Is that something you had sought out specifically when choosing b-schools to apply to? Is it a learning method that you’re enjoying? What surprised you about the reality of this teaching method?

Jeff: As I mentioned earlier, the primary reason I decided to attend Darden was the case method. I knew that the case method would be an interesting and unique way to learn. However, I underestimated the full extent of the learning process. I have been pleasantly surprised by how intense the classroom setting is when you openly discuss and debate business issues with your peers. Additionally, the case method requires disciplined study habits because students must come to class fully prepared to discuss the cases. The case method always keeps the students captivated because the topics build on one another and each day you leave out of class feeling enriched because of what you have learned.

Accepted: What’s your favorite class so far?

Jeff: I have enjoyed each of my classes, but my favorite class has been economics. This class has really expanded my knowledge on macroeconomic events and has provided me with the fundamentals to assess the current state of the economy and start thinking about ways to improve the economy. I am still surprised at how much more comfortable I am when reading current news sources like the Wall Street Journal because of the increased fundamentals that we have covered in our economics class.

Accepted: Do you have an internship lined up for the summer? If so, what role did Darden play in helping you secure that position?

Jeff: This summer I will be interning at Wells Fargo Securities as a summer associate in investment banking. Darden has a great career development office and alumni base. Our career advisors and the Darden alumni were very instrumental in me obtaining my summer internship. The career advisors and Darden alumni held mock interviews and held review session to help students prepare for investment banking interviews.

Accepted: Do you have any advice for some of our applicants who will be applying to UVA Darden?

Jeff: Students interested in applying to Darden should start early working on essays and taking the GMAT. The Darden admissions department is looking for students who can demonstrate that they have a history of leadership and students that have a plan for their future. Students who qualify for the Consortium should strongly consider applying through the Consortium.

Accepted: What attracted you to the Consortium? Is the program living up to your expectations?

Jeff: I was initially attracted to the Consortium because of their mission to reduce the underrepresentation of minorities in both the top MBA programs and the ranks of management resonated with me. The Consortium also simplifies the application process by allowing students to apply for multiple business schools with one application. I was fortunate to receive the Consortium Scholarship to Darden, which has allowed me to focus on my classwork without worrying about how I would pay for school.

Accepted: Can you share some application tips for other students applying to business school through the Consortium?

Jeff: My advice to any student interested in applying to Darden through the Consortium is to apply to Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). MLT is an organization that equips talented minorities with coaching throughout the business school application process, provides early exposure to admission officers, and allows fellows to reflect on their past and properly plan for their future through a detailed curriculum. Any candidate that becomes an MLT fellow before applying to the Consortium will be fully prepared for the application process.

Please visit our UVA Darden B-School Zone and Consortium Zone for more Darden- and Consortium-specific advice. For complete, soup-to-nuts guidance on the MBA admissions process, please purchase Linda Abraham’s new book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools – now available in paperback and Kindle editions!

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Accepted.com is continuing a blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application.

Here’s a talk with Huriyyah Muhammad, an NYU Stern student who is passionate about travel and making movies. Thank you Huriyyah for sharing your thoughts with us!

Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from? What and where did you study as an undergraduate and when did you graduate?

Huriyyah: I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio where I spent the first 16 years of my life. At 16 I was eligible to graduate from High School but instead chose to participate in an exchange program that allowed me to live in Khartoum, Sudan for a year and travel to surrounding nations in the Middle East and N.E. Africa. It was an amazing experience that instilled in me a love of travel, as well as an early look at cultures around the world. So much of what is taken for granted here in the US is hard to come by in nations around the world. It cemented a greater appreciation for creature comforts, as well as the opportunities that came my way.

Following my time in Africa, I enrolled in Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, where I majored in Computer Science and double minored in English and Mathematics.

Accepted: Why did you decide to attend NYU Stern?

Huriyyah: I decided to attend NYU Stern because I was in love with the community from the moment I walked in the door. While NYU Stern is highly ranked, there is a down to earth feeling that permeates the community. I got the sense immediately that everyone I came in contact with was rooting for my success, from the admissions team, to the current students I spoke with, to professors whose classes I had the privilege of visiting.

Accepted: What are some of your favorite things about living in New York City? Least favorite?

Huriyyah: Favorite thing is the diverse community. Least favorite thing is the dirt.

Accepted: What’s your favorite class so far?

Huriyyah: Probably Firms and Markets, a microeconomics class.

Accepted: Do you plan on continuing to work at Infinite Wings Media, the business you started, after you receive your MBA? In what ways are you hoping Stern will help you as an entrepreneur?

Huriyyah: Being an entrepreneur has been an invaluable learning experience, as has been producing multiple independent feature films. I’m very proud of the work that I’ve done and the stories that I’ve been able to help create. What became more apparent to me in the past few years however was that it was essential for me to increase my understanding in critical areas including finance, operations, strategy…etc. This is what I expected from an MBA, and so far, I have not been disappointed. What I’ve learned in such a short amount of time is invaluable, not to mention the connections that I’ve made.

What also became apparent to me over the past few years is that I missed working in a larger organization, one with the human and financial capital in place to really touch people around the world. Post MBA, I look forward to finding a place within a major studio or production company that has a long history of making films and that will allow me to bring my unique creative and business background to the table. I’m passionate about making films, and it’s how I hope to do my part to help make the world better for us all.

Accepted: I see that you are a member of the Consortium. What attracted you to the Consortium program? Is the program living up to your expectations?

Huriyyah: Yes, I am a member of the Consortium. Connecting with other top MBA candidates across the US who share similar cultural experiences has been great. Through the Consortium, not only did we get to meet, but we got to spend a substantial amount of time together toward developing relationships that will hopefully last a lifetime.

Accepted: Can you share some application tips for other students applying to business school through the Consortium?

Huriyyah: The biggest tip I can provide is just be yourself. Also have faith that no matter what happens, it’s for your best good.

Accepted: Do you have any advice for some of our applicants who will be applying to NYU Stern?

Huriyyah: Make yourself visible.

Accepted: Last but not least, do you have a favorite place to curl up and study when you don’t want to be bothered?

Huriyyah: Yep. I go up to the Accounting Department and sit in the lounge. Pretty quiet up there. I guess everyone is busy crunching numbers.

Please visit our NYU Stern B-School Zone and Consortium Zone for more NYU- and Consortium-specific advice. Still haven’t decided which b-school are best for you? Download our FREE special report, Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Choosing the Right One for You, to help you narrow down your choices and begin your application efforts out on the right foot.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Accepted.com is continuing a blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application.

Here’s a talk with Amara Aigbedion, a student from Houston who is loving living in Berkeley and throwing herself into all sorts of new experiences at UC Berkeley Haas. Thank you Amara for sharing your thoughts with us! P.S. Amara used to take a helicopter to work…read on for more details!

Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from? What and where did you study as an undergraduate and when did you graduate?

Amara: I was born in Texas and grew up in Houston. I went to high school and college in Houston (University of Houston). In undergrad I majored in Mechanical Engineering. I’ve always had an urge to be hands-on and had a knack for math and science. In my career I’ve been drawn to technology and energy. As a child I wanted to be an astronaut at NASA and was able to attain internships working on Space Shuttle Discovery during undergrad. Ultimately, I ended up working in the petroleum industry, which is the other industry that Houston is known for.

Accepted: Why did you decide to attend Haas?

Amara: The environment both physically and academically attracted me to Haas. As an aspiring entrepreneur I wanted to be in an environment that fostered creativity and openness. Haas also has strong networks within the companies in Silicon Valley. Some of the brightest minds in technology are out here and I wanted to be as close as possible to them.

Accepted: What are some of your favorite things about living in the Bay Area? Least favorite?

Amara: Best things are the proximity to great outdoor activities. Out here within my first semester, I’ve learned to surf, been hiking and rock climbing at several locations, visited Yosemite National Park, skied for the first time in Lake Tahoe, and took golfing lessons at Tilden Park Golf Course which is a few miles from campus. All of these activities are a short driving distance away. Being able to open myself to these activities has enriched my MBA experience.

The only negative thing about the area is that there are so many things to do that it is actually difficult to choose sometimes.

Accepted: What’s your favorite class so far?

Amara: So far I’ve only taken my core classes but my favorite class has been finance. Unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to take a business course in undergrad. However, I believe that regardless of one’s background, he should have a basic understanding of how projects and investments are evaluated. Understanding the fundamentals of finance has put a lot of things into perspective from my previous job to making purchase decisions. I now know how to go about determining the value of a company or asset as well as how to invest in the stock market.

Accepted: Do you have an internship lined up for next year? If so, what role did Haas play in helping you secure that position?

Amara: I don’t have a job set in stone yet but I have some offers that were afforded me through the Consortium. In the summer, prior to coming to school, Consortium students attend a conference and career fair (OP Orientation Program) where they have the opportunity to interview with top companies in advance of their classmates. The career coaches at Haas helped me update my resume, set up mock interviews with alums, and helped me with other preparation activities that prepared me for the Consortium OP Conference. This made my life a lot easier when I got on campus.

Accepted: Can you tell us about your job at BP?

Amara: My job at BP was a great learning experience. I started as a subsea engineer in deep-water Gulf of Mexico. In that role I was able to ride to work on helicopters and organize offshore campaigns performed by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). I worked on several small and large projects from appraisal to operations. The oil and gas industry is very hands-on and requires expertise from a variety of disciplines. I was fortunate to meet interesting people of all walks of life from the rig hands in the field to the executives in the boardroom. I was able to learn the importance of various perspectives and how they contribute to the overall company objectives.

Accepted: That sounds like an exciting job! Haas is known as one of the more diverse business schools in the U.S. – was that an important criterion in your b-school search? How is that diversity enhancing your MBA education?

Amara: When I applied to Berkeley I was looking at the school’s reputation, the people, and environment. I have found that the people who choose to come to Haas are very down to earth and collaborative. Also, the proximity to outdoor activities, good weather, Silicon Valley and the Consortium fellowship were huge draws. It has helped to create a balanced life experience. I would have to say being in this environment has afforded me the opportunity to open myself up to having brand new adventures and acquiring friends from all backgrounds and ethnicities. I’ve been able to travel internationally with my colleagues, which has helped me to understand diverse markets and perspectives when it comes to assessing opportunities.

Accepted: What attracted you to the Consortium program? Is the program living up to your expectations?

Amara: I initially heard about the program from a friend three years ago. She informed me of the fellowship opportunity as well as some of the other benefits of the program. Namely that there was a common application that allowed one to apply to up to six top business programs in the nation, full and partial fellowship opportunities, and a summer career conference prior to one’s first year. I was intrigued and immediately began researching the Consortium

The Consortium has turned out to be a tremendously valuable organization in my life without which, I may not have decided to pursue my MBA at this time. The common application, fellowships, and strong network are only a few of the benefits that I have realized.

Even beginning in the application phase, the organization took a very hands-on approach to recruiting by hosting info sessions across the country and webinars. I attended one in Houston where I was able to connect with former alumni and obtain information about the member schools. The opportunity to be a part of this network of talented, like-minded, and genuinely warm-hearted people has a value beyond measure.

Accepted: Can you share some application tips for other students applying to business school through the Consortium?

Amara: Approach the application holistically. Admissions will be looking at four key components: resume, test scores, essays, and recommendations. Every piece tells a portion of the story about who the applicant is. The resume will tell them about his/her work history, the test scores let admissions know that the applicant can handle the course load, and the essays will speak towards what shaped the applicant’s future goals. The applicant should not neglect his recommendations because they serve to fill in the stories untold by the resume and essays. They speak towards the types of relationships and lasting impact that the applicant has made within an organization.

Accepted: Do you have any advice for some of our applicants who will be applying to Haas?

Amara: Haas has four defining principles that are very important to student life and help to differentiate us: Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Beyond Yourself, and Students Always. Take time to reflect on these principles within your own life experiences. Then think about how you can effectively contribute to strengthening the Haas brand while at school and within your other future endeavors.

Please visit our Haas B-School Zone and Consortium Zone for more Haas- and Consortium-specific advice. Still haven’t decided which b-school are best for you? Download our FREE special report, Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Choosing the Right One for You, to help you narrow down your choices and begin your application efforts out on the right foot.

Consortium students at CMU Tepper

Thank you for attending our recent Consortium Strategy Q&As with Travis McAllister and the reps from participating Consortium schools UT McCombs, University of Wisconsin, UC Berkeley Haas, Yale SOM, Michigan Ross, CMU Tepper, Indiana Kelley, and Rochester Simon. The school adcom representatives each talked about what’s new at their schools and how their programs view Consortium applicants.

Here’s an excerpt that covers some info on Consortium member perks:

Linda Abraham: Maria asks is, “What is the most valuable aspect of being a member of the Consortium?”

Robyn Winstanley: One of the most beneficial aspects is that it does allow you the opportunity to create a whole additional funnel of corporate sponsors and relationships that you can develop for your future career goals. So within each business school that you ultimately choose to attend, of course you can work through the Career Management Center and then networking opportunities available through the alums of that particular business schools, but being part of the Consortium will also provide you an additional set of organizations that can be very useful to you, depending on what your future career goals are….

Obviously another large benefit is financially. We certainly encourage all students who believe that they can fulfill the values and mission of the Consortium absolutely to apply, as we’ve already mentioned the ability to receive a full-tuition fellowship….So a combination of both networking opportunities and the financial advantages are the two key things that I personally would highlight.

Jim Holmen: [R]emember that the Consortium has been around nearly 45 years. So when you join any Consortium member school, you become a member of their family of alums, but you are also part of the family of the Consortium alumni from all the member schools, and that significantly increases the pool of candidates that will be a part of your network of friends and colleagues.

Linwood Harris: I wanted to add the fabulous experience that students will actually gain by attending the Orientation program….You will get an opportunity to set your future career path on fire. And it’s a great way to connect with 300-400 students who are actually in the same shoes as you are, coming into this incoming class….Many of the students who actually come to campus in the fall, by attending that orientation program, they’ve already received some interviews and some great offers for internship before they even step foot into any class because of their relationship of being involved in the Consortium.

For the entire conversation, please view the transcript or listen to the audio file on our website. (This excerpt is from the second Consortium Q&A event we held. Here’s the link to the first.) You can also read up on Consortium-related news and advice by visiting the Consortium Zone.

To automatically receive notices about these MBA admissions chats and other MBA admissions events, please subscribe to our MBA event list. To listen to the Q&A recordings on-the-go, please subscribe to the Accepted Admissions Podcast.

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Consortium students at CMU Tepper

Applying to b-school using the Consortium‘s application has many benefits, including convenience and membership perks. But with all of your focus on a single application, you’re going to have to make sure that you get it exactly right. Learn how to create an effective Consortium application strategy with Travis McAllister, Recruiting Manager, and school reps from participating Consortium b-schools in an interactive admissions Q&A on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET / 1:00 AM GMT.* If you are applying through the Consortium, then you won’t want to miss this chance to learn insider tips and advice on creating a compelling Consortium application, and in turn, enhancing the mission of creating diversity in the business world.

Register now to reserve your spot for the Consortium Application Strategies Q&A: Round 2!

What time is that for me? Click on the link to find out the exact time for your location.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Linda Abraham: Angela asks, “What helps make the application stand out and get the attention of those making the selection?

Kellie Sauls:  I think what helps an application to stand out is, first and foremost, just making sure that you complete the application to the full degree. It can be a little bit unsettling to review an application and see a lot of blank spaces, and we can get really creative when it comes time to filling in that space….

Then, you dive a little deeper… All the components of the application need to be significantly strong. It’s a competitive process, so if you have some things that you’ve done in your background that really stand out and that are unique, if you bring those things out, it’s a really great way to make your application stand out. It pretty much starts with the basics: just making sure that you get the application completed, and then just making sure that each area is as strong as it possibly can be.

I think a really great area that a lot of applicants tend to overlook…is the letters of recommendation. … it’s a great way for someone who’s not intimately involved in the application process to substantiate all of the wonderful things that you’ve said … but also call out specific examples in regard to your strengths professionally…

Libby Livingston:  I think that what Kellie has said is great … I think you should try to visit the schools that you’re planning to apply to show your interest and that you know a lot about the program. Through the individual school essays, oftentimes you can share information about the program and why you feel it’s a good fit…. I think it’s important to definitely take the time to learn about the program and visit if you can. If you can’t visit, there are lots of webinars and webcasts that you can participate in to get to know the school.

For the entire conversation, please view the transcript or listen to the complete audio file on our website.

Want to learn more about the Consortium’s unique program? Register for Consortium MBA Application Strategies Q&A which takes place TOMORROW, Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 5:00 PM PT. For tips on submitting the best MBA letters of recommendation, please see Landing Winning MBA Letters of Recommendation 101.

To automatically receive notices about these MBA admissions chats and other MBA admissions events, please subscribe to our MBA event list.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Consortium students at CMU Tepper

Applying to b-school using the Consortium’s application has many benefits, including convenience and membership perks. But with all of your focus on a single application, you’re going to have to make sure that you get it exactly right. Learn how to create an effective Consortium application strategy with Rebecca Dockery, Senior Manager of Program Administration, and school reps from participating Consortium b-schools in an interactive admissions Q&A on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET / 1:00 AM GMT.* If you are applying through the Consortium, then you won’t want to miss this chance to learn insider tips and advice on creating a compelling Consortium application, and in turn, enhancing the mission of creating diversity in the business world.

Register now to reserve your spot for the Consortium Application Strategies Q&A!

What time is that for me? Click on the link to find out the exact time for your location.

* Due to time zone differences, the Q&A will begin on the next calendar date for the indicated time zones.

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Consortium students at CMU Tepper

Considering applying to business school through the Consortium? Join us for an interactive admissions Q&A on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET / 1:00 AM GMT,* during which Travis McAllister, the Consortium’s Recruiting Manager, and participating Consortium b-school adcom reps will answer your questions on Consortium admissions policies, goals, and benefits. The Consortium prides itself on its mission of inclusivity and diversity in the business world, only accepting applicants who have demonstrated their dedication to this ideal. With constantly expanding benefits for its members, including fellowship and networking resources, the Consortium strives to ensure that under-represented groups are able to excel in leadership and management. If you are applying to the Consortium,then this is an outstanding opportunity to learn all about this unique program and the potential it holds to change your life, as well as the lives of the people around you.

Register now to reserve your spot for the Consortium MBA Admissions Q&A!

What time is that for me? Click on the link to find out the exact time for your location.