Ready to get to work on your application for The Consortium? Read on. 

The Consortium application essay tips

Core Essay 1 (required)

Please describe your short- and long-term goals post-MBA. How has your professional experience shaped these goals and influenced your decision to pursue an MBA degree? (2,000 characters)

This is a standard goals essay. In 2,000 characters max, or roughly 400 words, you need to state clearly what your short- and long-term goals are and how your career to date has influenced those goals. Although you can briefly discuss how you got to where you are today, it’s crucial that you avoid going into excessive detail about your past experience and instead focus on your post-MBA plans. Additionally, you need to write about why you think an MBA is the right degree for you, given your professional aspirations. Consider the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your goals, identify any gaps, and then speak to how earning an MBA will help you close those gaps. You must be specific and realistic, stating objectives that are aligned with your career thus far and that business school will help you achieve.

Core Essay 2 (optional)

Is there any other information you would like to share with us that is not presented elsewhere in your application? (1,000 characters)

Although this is an optional essay, I always recommend writing it. You can use this essay to discuss anything that you believe needs to be explained, such as a gap in your work experience or a sudden drop in your grades. In fact, The Consortium notes that if you answered “yes” to any of the questions in the Personal Certification/Signature section of its application, you must provide an explanation, and this is the perfect place to do so. If there is nothing in particular that you need to explain, you can use this essay to write about something you think is important and have not already shared in the required essays, such as an experience from an extracurricular activity, a special hobby, or a unique story that would help you stand out. Given the tight word limit for all the essays, this is an excellent opportunity for you to share a part of yourself that the admissions committees would not otherwise see. 

Mission Essay (required)

Our mission, supported by the strength of our growing alliance and network of committed allies, is to expand access and increase representation in business education and leadership. In collaboration with our member schools and partners, we work to strengthen enrollment and leadership across the following sectors: for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, government agencies and contractors, and entrepreneurial ventures in both for-profit and nonprofit environments.

*Please address the three questions noted below and use specific examples that clearly articulate your involvement, actions, and results.

1. The Consortium is committed to expanding access and increasing representation for individuals and communities that have not always had equal access to opportunity. Please describe the specific actions you have already taken—through your business, personal, academic, or volunteer experiences—that demonstrate your commitment to this mission. Include examples that show your values in action, the impact of your efforts, and how they contribute to building a more inclusive community. (400 word limit)

2. How do you plan to support The Consortium’s mission while enrolled in your MBA program? What actions will you take to help build a stronger, more inclusive community? (400 word limit) 

3. After completing your MBA, how will you continue to support The Consortium’s mission through your career, leadership, or community involvement? (200 word limit)

When applying for membership selection, according to The Consortium website, “applicants should demonstrate a clear commitment to The Consortium’s mission, supported by detailed examples that show both personal alignment and a strong identification with its purpose.”

The Consortium’s three mission questions aim to reveal how your values align with those of the organization. Question 1 is backward-looking and provides an opportunity for you to share how you have demonstrated your values through action, convey the impact of your efforts, and explain how those efforts contributed to an inclusive community. Questions 2 and 3 are forward-looking at specific points in time. Question 2, which focuses on creating an inclusive community, asks how you plan to support The Consortium’s mission while enrolled in an MBA program. What, specifically, will you do to influence the community to create a stronger and more inclusive culture? Finally, via question 3, The Consortium seeks to understand your intentions for the ongoing support of the organization’s mission after you graduate from the MBA program. The prompt asks you to consider how you might lead and continue your involvement within this community as a professional.

It is important to note that your mission essay will not be shared with your target schools. However, Core Essays 1 and 2 will be sent to each MBA program you apply to through The Consortium. Additionally, Consortium scholarships are determined and funded by each member school.

School-Specific Essays

You must write at least one school-specific essay for each MBA program you are applying to. These programs will receive only the essays you have written for them and none that you have prepared for any other schools. For these essays, you will need to go to the Program Materials section of the application portal and add each program for which you plan to submit an application. You must upload each of The Consortium’s essays and the school-specific essays as separate documents. When you submit your responses to the three mission essay questions, you will paste your content into text boxes with the noted character limits for each.

Make sure that you “study” each of your target schools well before writing their application essays, just as you would if you were not applying through The Consortium. You need to pay just as much attention to these essays as you will to The Consortium’s, because the individual schools – not The Consortium – will ultimately make the decision to admit you or not. So, do your research on each program so you can demonstrate fit in your school-specific essays. 

Every eligible MBA applicant who aligns with The Consortium’s mission should consider applying through the organization.

The Consortium application deadlines

Source: The Consortium website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with The Consortium directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

As a former admissions dean who has worked closely with The Consortium, serving on the Application, Fellowship & Membership, and Applicant Pool Development & Recruiting committees, I am happy to offer you my help in applying for Consortium membership and to Consortium member schools for your MBA.

Related Resources

• Business School Essay Tips
• The Business School Selectivity Index: GMAT Scores, GPAs, and MBA Acceptance Rates
• Five Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your MBA Application Essays, a free guide

The post The Consortium MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2025-2026], Class Profile appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Our consultants receive a lot of questions from clients about applying to MBA programs through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. I’ve heard myths that suggest that applying to one (or more) of the 22 Consortium schools through The Consortium’s application is disadvantageous. But as the former director at two Consortium schools, I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth — provided you meet The Consortium’s minimum qualifications.

Though the requirements, participating schools, and corporate partners have changed over The Consortium’s 57-year history, not only is the organization the best deal in town but it also gives its members an alumni network that extends throughout the 22 member schools.

The Consortium history and mission

Initially, The Consortium provided opportunities for young African-American men to have a fair chance at rising up the corporate ladder via the MBA. Later, The Consortium added Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and women to its mix. Membership came along with the fellowship.

However, after the Supreme Court decided the Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger cases, The Consortium opened its doors to offer membership to selected applicants that further The Consortium’s mission to promote the “inclusion in global business education and leadership . . . of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans.” Members do not need to belong to one of these groups but must demonstrate the mission through community and professional action and impact. Thus, membership is no longer race based but rather mission driven. Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to succeed in a Consortium member school’s MBA program.

Consortium member benefits

Like the undergraduate Common App, candidates can apply to up to six schools with only one application for a fraction of the cost that the candidate would incur by applying to each school separately. The Consortium membership grants the candidate access to the orientation and corporate partners. Many members receive internship offers before the start of school.

To summarize the benefits:

1. Applicants can use a single application for up to six schools at one low cost.
   
2. Members gain access to a vast alumni network of 22 schools, including mentorship from among the approximately 9,000 Consortium alumni (formal or informal).
   
3. Students gain access to corporate sponsors at orientation if selected as a member.
   
4. If selected as a fellow, students receive full tuition and a stipend.

READ: The Consortium Application: Tips for Your CGSM Essays >>

Consortium member schools

* School’s class profile presents a score/GPA range rather than an average.

To learn more about applying through The Consortium, please contact me for a consultation.

By Natalie Grinblatt, the former admissions dean/director at three top business schools. Natalie has reviewed more than 70,000 applications, interviewed more than 2,500 candidates, and trained nearly 700 admissions directors and alumni volunteers to select outstanding candidates for admission. Her clients gain admission to top programs, including those at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Cornell, Columbia, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, and NYU. Natalie holds an MBA from Michigan Ross. Want Natalie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Top MBA Application Essay Questions: How to Answer Them Right
• The Consortium Application: Tips for Your CGSM Essays [2022 – 2023]
• What the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Can Do for MBA Applicants – podcast episode 395

Can the Consortium Help You Get Accepted and Fund Your MBA? [Episode 532]

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In this episode, the Director of Recruiting at CGSM details the benefits – and opportunities! – available to Consortium members, what it takes to become a member, and why applying in Round One may not always be an applicant’s best strategy.  [SHOW SUMMARY]

There’s an organization that can help U.S. citizens and permanent residents get accepted to top MBA programs, fund their MBA, and even provide career support post-MBA – provided the applicants support the organization’s mission. Let’s learn all about it from the Consortium for the Graduate Study of Management’s (CGSM) Director of Recruiting.

An interview with Bianca Keys, director of recruiting at the Consortium for the Graduate Study of Management. [Show Notes]

Welcome to the 532nd episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for joining me. 

Sometimes I’m asked, is the MBA worth it? And my answer is, it depends on your individual circumstances. But I’ve got good news. We’ve developed a tool that will help you evaluate whether an MBA is worth it for you and your individual circumstances and by how much. Just go to accepted.com/mbaroi and check how much you’re likely to benefit, or not, from earning an MBA. And using it won’t set you back even one cent, it’s free. 

I’m delighted for the first time on Admissions Straight Talk to talk with Bianca Keys, Director of Recruiting at the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. Bianca earned her bachelor’s degree from Lindenwood University and her master’s in Business Management and Leadership from Webster University. She has worked in enrollment management, DEI training, and admissions in different capacities since 2008. She became CGSM’s Director of Recruiting in September 2022. 

Bianca, welcome to Admissions Straight Talk. [1:53]

Thank you. Thank you for having me.

I’m delighted to do so. Now let’s start with something really, really basic. What is the Consortium? [1:59]

All right. So, the Consortium, we are pretty much an alliance of top graduate business programs and also top corporate partners, and we’re supported by alumni and students. We were founded in 1966 by Washington University’s professor, Sterling Schoen. And his one driven mission was actually inspired by him noticing a lack of African American men in leadership in American corporations.

So, with the partnerships of some corporate partners and some founding schools, they were able to pretty much create this alliance to give African American men the business skills to be able to secure positions in American corporations. So, now we’ve grown.

And I assume it’s no longer limited to African American men. It’s now African American men and women, right? [2:59]

Yes, men and women. And our target pops are African American men, Native American and Hispanic American, but our applications are open to all.

How does one become a CGSM member? [3:16]

In order to become a member, you would have to, of course, apply. And three of our requirements are that you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident of any race or ethnicity, you must demonstrate a commitment to our Consortium’s mission, and hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or equivalent. So, to be approved for Consortium membership, an applicant must demonstrate the commitment through their resume, our essay, and their letter of recommendation.

I have in front of me your mission, so I’m just going to read it off. “The mission of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, an alliance of leading American business schools and some of our country’s top corporations, is to enhance diversity in business education and leadership by helping to reduce the serious underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in both the member schools’ enrollments and the ranks of management.” 

So, again, there’s no racial requirement in terms of membership as long as you support and identify with and support and have supported that mission in the past. [3:59]

Yeah.

All right. So, one of CGSM’S benefits is the ability to apply through CGSM and pay one application fee, and I think it goes to a maximum of six schools, correct? [4:33]

There’s no max anymore.

There’s no max anymore, ooh! [4:44]

So, two things, two updates. We’ve removed rankings. So, there are no rankings, and you can apply to as many member schools as you would like. So, from one to two schools is $150, up to six schools which is $300, but each additional program is $25. Yeah, so they can apply…

And so, in the past with our ranking system, the top ranking school, they were the only school that was able to offer a fellowship opportunity. And now if you applied to all six schools or more, they have the opportunity to offer you… they each have an opportunity to offer you a fellowship. And we empower the student to be able to make the better choice of what school best fits them.

Wow, that’s a big change. When did this change take place, like last year? [5:38]

This last application.

Last cycle. Should’ve interviewed you then. No, I’m teasing. That’s great news. I somehow missed that announcement. Okay, good to know. Good to know. So, there’s no more ranking and there’s no more maximum, and multiple schools could offer a fellowship. [5:43]

Yes.

Now you apply for membership at the same time that you submit your application, correct? [6:00]

Yes. It’s a one stop shop,

It’s a one-stop deal, one application. So, it is possible to use the CGSM application process and ultimately not be approved for CGSM membership, is that correct? [6:09]

Yes, that is possible. But the application is still considered an application, so you won’t get rejected from the member school just because you didn’t get membership. They still go through their standard process of admissions. And a lot of times they’ll offer you other fellowship opportunities or scholarship opportunities that they may have available at the schools.

And the schools don’t even see your decision in terms of CGSM membership. They don’t see the membership essay, correct, the membership application essay? [6:46]

They don’t see any of the membership application essays or letters of recommendation. All they see is the decision once we’ve made it.

Now I saw on your website that Stanford partnered with CGSM last year and became the 22nd school to become a partner school. Have any other schools partnered since then? [7:02]

Yes, I’m excited to say that…

Well, you got lots of news today. [7:17]

Yeah, I do. I do. Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, they are our newest, our 23rd school, which we are so excited to have them. They will begin July 1st, actually, and they will be on our application this upcoming cycle. And this upcoming cycle is for students fall 2024, that will begin fall 2024.

What is the benefit of applying through CGSM as opposed to just using the school’s portal? Portals, I should say. [7:45]

We, one, save you money. An average application for any grad program can be up to about $300 for one application, where six applications is $300 applying through us. So, it’s definitely a win for the students. Whether they get membership or not, it’s saving them money and they are allowed to go by our application deadlines as well. So, if maybe Columbia or one of the schools, maybe their application deadline may be September 15th, they still would recognize the application on our deadline, which our Round One is October 15th.

And I believe it’s also easier to apply. Aren’t there fewer essays required or is it pretty much the same at this point? [8:50]

Right, so it is the core essay which asks the applicants to discuss their MBA goals, and then there’s a second core essay that the applicants are able to detail any additional information that they may want to add that they weren’t able to explain in the application.

Right. And is there typically a supplemental per school essay, or do the schools ask for their own essays in addition to the Consortium essay? [9:20]

Sometimes they ask for their own supplementals that are added in addition. We are going through that process of application updates as we speak.

But it’s not all schools that do that? [9:38]

No, no. No, no.

Usually the student has the mission essay and then the two GMAC format essays.

Are you worried about CGSM’s applicants using ChatGPT and preparing their essays? [9:51]

Oh, the ChatGPT.

You got it. I’m asking everybody this question. [10:03]

And that’s a good question. So, with it being such a newer phenomenon right now, I just want applicants and students to be mindful that there are advantages and disadvantages to using ChatGPT, because what we’re looking for is consistency in their demonstrated commitment to the mission. And I doubt it if they’ll be able to convey that in an interview based off of a ChatGPT essay.

So, a lot of the admissions advisors and committees, they’re looking for authenticity. They’re looking for unique perspectives and their applicant’s ability to be able to express themselves. So, I don’t know if they can… It probably is a good tool to help guide them in forming their essay, but I don’t think it should be something that can express exactly your commitment.

I’ve played with it a little bit, and sometimes there are outright errors in it. It’s wrong. [11:09]

Right, right.

And other times it’s just very generic, and it has to be generic. You’re not going to get a lot of authenticity. But it does sometimes help. [11:17]

Yeah, yeah.

But to rely on it blindly I think is a big mistake. [11:28]

Yeah. Yeah. Especially if you don’t check.

Absolutely. Absolutely. [11:35]

Attention to detail.

Are there other elements to the CGSM application? We discussed you pay a fee. You have the core essays. You might have supplemental essays. Are there short answer essays or anything like that or is it pretty straightforward? [11:40]

Yeah, it’s pretty straightforward. If the school has any changes or supplements to each essay, that may be the different shift or change. But pretty much transcripts, resume. We always advise students to make sure that your experience, if you’re a part of organizations like Forte or MLT, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Teach for America, making sure that that’s actually on your resume. That definitely helps. Your test scores, GRE, GMAT or Executive assessment, letters of recommendation. One for the mission, and then there are two for the schools. Yes. And making sure you get the right recommender.

What makes a right recommender? [12:41]

Someone who can explicitly… Especially for the Consortium mission letter of recommendation, somebody who can explicitly pretty much show your demonstrated commitment to our mission and they know about that.

They’ve observed it. [13:01]

Yeah, they’ve observed it, and they can actually speak to it. And they’re not saying, “Well, I don’t know about their demonstrated commitment, but Jane is a great person and we love her personality. She’s very professional.” It’s like, what?

That’s not the question. [13:17]

So, definitely communicate with your recommender about expectations. And with us, it doesn’t have to be your supervisor with the Consortium mission letter of recommendation. It can be as long as it’s not a family member. It could be anyone who can speak to it.

That you’ve somehow supported that mission. Makes sense [13:40.

Yes.

What are the non-admissions benefits of being a CGSM member or fellow, and what is the difference between being a CGSM member and fellow? So, there’s really two questions there. Why don’t we start with the non-admissions benefits of membership, and then we’ll get to the difference between being a member and a fellow. [13:46]

So, the non-admission benefits are pretty much the early access to corporate partners. A lot of our students, we just had OP, our orientation program this past June, and it was amazing. It was amazing.

I know you’re working very hard on it. [14:20]

Yeah. Oh man, it was definitely a job, but it’s worth it. And just to see all of the students that we worked with from the beginning up until that point, from all their stress points, their pain points, to see them, they made it, and they’re at the orientation program. So, them having early access to our corporate partners.

They also have access to our system that is… We have a platform that is called Hello Fellow that allows them to join different groups that are industry groups. And our corporate partners have access to them as well, and they’re able to apply to positions that are open to those corporate partners.

Also, at our orientation program, we had a corporate open house that’s not like your traditional job fair. All of our corporate partners actually already had our students’ resumes, they already had a student look book, they’ve already seen the students and they already know the students prior to them even coming to the expo.

So, they definitely have a great advantage by being a Consortium fellow. And then the camaraderie, the support that they have with each other, there’s nothing like it. I love how each campus had… they call themselves CFAM.

Campus family, yeah. [15:53]

Yes. Each campus, each Consortium cohort on each campus, they’re so close. A lot of our alumni mention that the connection, that’s like a trending thing with us here at the Consortium is connection. Being able to connect students with not only each other, but also with our corporate partners and with our top MBA programs.

So, they have lifelong connections with all three of those different entities, and they enjoy being able to talk with someone who understands them, someone who may be going through the same even issues at their jobs or anything like that, and that connection. And if there’s a job loss or anything like that, we do provide the support to help those students to be able to reconnect with corporate partners and find another opportunity.

So, just to clarify, the orientation program is open to all Consortium members, not just fellows, correct? [16:54]

So, Consortium fellows, you’re applying for membership, but the membership allows you to become a Consortium fellow. So, whether you received a fellowship or not, you are considered a Consortium fellow.

So, you’re a Consortium fellow whether you get a scholarship or not? [17:16]

Right.

Got it. And all the fellows/members can go to the orientation program. How long is the orientation program? [17:26]

So, it’s a four-day conference, and it consists of a lot of hands-on career development. We have diversity theater, which is amazing. A lot of our corporate partners, they have private interviews with a lot of the students. So, a big portion of our students leave with internships or career opportunities.

For next year, for next summer, or for this summer? For next summer? [17:56]

Yes. For this upcoming year –

For summer 2024, let’s say? [18:03]

Yes.

And what is diversity theater? [18:06]

Oh my goodness, diversity theater. This was actually my first year to experience it. Hearing it from other coworkers and staff was not the same as experiencing and seeing those difficult conversations displayed on stage.

So, there’s actors that are on stage, and they may act out a scene where some coworkers that may deal with microaggressions or different challenges that you may face at work and how to address that, and just having those conversations amongst your peers. And it really was eye opening for not only the students, but for staff, for a lot of our corporate partners and admissions representatives as well. So, it was pretty amazing, and we have it annually as well.

And it seems like the orientation program is very much career oriented. Is there any prep for the actual study of the MBA, or is that assumed that the schools will handle that? [19:09]

So, the schools, the admissions representatives and career services representatives are present. So, they do have an advising session that they get to work with them and meet with them one-on-one for prep with the corporate partners, but also any questions that they have about the upcoming program that they’re about to start in the fall. They have all of that one-on-one time, a lot more one-on-one time than they would normally get during the school year.

Sounds like a very busy four days, very full. [19:54]

Yeah, it is very full.

Okay. How does CGSM help its fellows in career placement, both during and after the MBA? [20:00]

So, during the MBA, again, we have the Hello Fellow and our annual program, our annual orientation program and career forum. Like I mentioned before, they have the opportunity to interact with the corporate partners. The corporate partners get to review their resumes and their backgrounds early on before even meeting them face-to-face. Our alumni network, our Hello Fellow system, allows them to, again, engage with these corporate partners.

And then our student and alumni relations department, they are amazing with connecting with the students. They engage with student liaisons as well in providing that support that they may need throughout the year. And if there’s a student, like we just had tech layoffs recently. And our alumni development department, they were able to help and assist with reengaging with those students or those alumni to be able to help them to get placed in other career opportunities.

A few weeks ago you had the OP. It was mostly geared towards people starting the MBA in 2023, but it also had people who started the MBA in 2022. Is that correct? [21:18]

We had some second year. Like if something happened last year, I know dealing with the pandemic and other issues, some students were not able to attend last year, and so they were given the opportunity to attend this year.

But it’s usually just for the people about to start the MBA, the OP? [21:48]

Right, it’s usually first year students.

What do you see coming down the pike for the Consortium? [21:54]

Oh my goodness. Continued growth, continued engagement with a lot of the students. We’re working on increasing our exposure and engaging. This year we shared a lot of our OP activities on our social media and got a lot of good feedback and engagement. So, definitely I think we have a good momentum right now to be able to get all of the good things that we do at the Consortium out to the public and to the world.

What advice would you give to someone applying to apply via the Consortium in this, the 2023-2024 application cycle? [22:34]

Definitely begin your MBA journey. And beginning your MBA journey does not start with the application. It starts with the preparation.

Yes, that’s right. [23:13]

Definitely starts with the preparation. So, researching a lot of the schools that you’re interested in, finding out if you’re interested in the Consortium, finding out what that Consortium culture looks like on each campus to see what best fits you. Also, looking into preparation for GRE, GMAT, or the Executive Assessment and finding out what the class profiles are for each school that you’re interested in so you can have a good idea of where you stand. And don’t rush your application. Don’t rush it.

Yay! [23:54]

I always have some overzealous students that want to, “I’m getting it in for Round One.” Wait a minute. Make sure that you’re submitting the strongest application and that this is the right time for you to start a program. There’s no rush. There’s no rush. There’s no rush. Make sure you have the strongest application. Utilize all resources that you need to support you through your application process.

We always advise students to attend our events. We have member school webinars that are… We actually have one coming up on July 10th, which will have Washington University, University of Rochester Simon, and UCLA Anderson. And they will be talking about their MBA programs, but also talking about their Consortium cohorts on their campus as well.

And we also have our MBA application preparation seminars, which is MAPS, which will be in person this year. So, we will be in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and DC.

Wow. You’re getting around. [25:16]

Yes.

Not all Consortium schools require a test score. Does the Consortium require a test score even if the school does not? [25:21]

So, for membership we don’t require a test score. But if you are applying and they offer a test waiver, we would need to have that test waiver submitted, or you would need to submit that in the application. And then we just confirm it with the member school whether that test waiver was actually approved. Yeah. And then if it wasn’t approved, then they would have to submit a test score.

Are any of the programs or any of the partner schools entirely test optional? Do you know off the top of your head? I wasn’t sure as I was thinking about it. [26:03]

I don’t think so. Well, it depends on the school and what policies they have in place this upcoming school year.

I think most of them have a test waiver option, and I also would have to go through each one. [26:19]

Yeah. I always advise students to talk with them early about it, because last year I ran into the issue of students who just missed it. It was like they just missed the test waiver window. So, definitely talk with your school of interest to find out when that test waiver timeframe is and get that in if that’s an option for you.

Wonderful advice even if you’re not applying through CGSM, by the way. [26:51]

Right, absolutely.

What would you have liked me to ask you? [26:56]

These were all great questions.

What would you like to share that I haven’t asked? [27:02]

I would like to share just my… In my position as Director of Recruiting, what my passion and desire and vision is for the Consortium moving forward is to be able to expand our exposure to those who definitely need the opportunity, to be able to expand our exposure to those areas, because sometimes we are in this collegiate bubble.

Aacademia. [27:37]

Yeah, absolutely. And to be able to… We do so many great things.

You do. [27:45]

And just being able to see just the energy that I get from the students, just being around them, and just the positive nature of it all, being able to give that to others who don’t know about the Consortium. So, that’s my mission and goal is to increase exposure and to really share about the great things we’re doing here at the Consortium.

Well, today in this podcast, you did it. [28:14]

Thank you. Thank you, Linda.

You’re very welcome. Bianca, I want to thank you so much for joining me today. Where can listeners and potential applicants learn more about CGSM? [28:21]

They can check us online at www.cgsm.org or on our LinkedIn page and our Instagram page and on Twitter.

Relevant Links:

• The Consortium for the Graduate Study of Management
• Applying For Your MBA Through The Consortium: Best Deal In Town
• MBA ROI Calculator   

Relevant shows:

• How to Get an MBA at Columbia Business School – a podcast Episode 528
• How to Get Accepted to NYU Stern – a podcast Episode 525
• How to Get into Dartmouth Tuck – a podcast Episode 514
• How to Get Into Georgetown McDonough’s MBA Program – a podcast Episode 512
• How to Get Accepted to UNC Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA Program – a podcast Episode 496

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The post Applying for Your MBA Through The Consortium [Episode 532] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

[powerpress]

Learn about The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, and how it can help YOU gain acceptance at a top business school. [Show summary]

Danni Young, Director of Recruiting for the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, breaks down how the Consortium helps hundreds of students from target populations get accepted to top MBA programs each year.

Are you planning to apply to top MBA programs? Listen in to discover if applying through The Consortium is right for you. [Show notes]

Danni Young, Director of Recruiting for the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, earned her bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University in Missouri and her MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Let’s hear from her how the Consortium can help you get your MBA.

Let’s start with the basics. What is the Consortium? [1:41]

The Consortium is a nonprofit organization that’s been around for over 50 years now. Our mission is to ultimately increase the representation of three target populations in our member schools, MBA programs, and in the ranks of management in corporate America. Our mission is focused on African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. Our goal is to ultimately increase representation of those three target populations in our member schools. Over the last 54 years, we’ve offered $510,000,000 in fellowship support.

What are the benefits of membership? [2:35]

It starts with our common application process. If you’re thinking about pursuing your MBA at one of our 20 member schools, we definitely encourage you to use our common application. With that common application, a prospective MBA has the ability to apply to up to six of our member schools with one common application. Obviously, the benefit of that is that you’ll save time and money when you’re applying to business schools, but you’re also having an opportunity to apply for Consortium membership, which is very valuable in itself, and then also to be considered for the Consortium fellowship.

The application process is very streamlined. You don’t have to apply directly to our member schools. You can apply through us, and your common application will serve as your application to the business school. It will serve as your application for membership as well as your application for the fellowship consideration. It’s a one-stop shop.

Ultimately, the benefit of Consortium membership is that aside from the fellowship consideration, you’ll have an opportunity to be a part of our exclusive network. Our network consists of our 20 member schools, roughly 1000 students across our 20 schools currently. We have 10,000 alumni in the US and abroad, and we also have roughly 90 corporate partners that are part of the Consortium as well. That’s our network, and that’s what membership entails: being a part of that network. Membership also means that you have access to our online career center. It’s called CGSM Online, and it’s a platform only for Consortium members. It’s a great way to have connections with our corporate partners, upload your resume, look at a job, post job opportunities.

That membership means that every new Consortium member has a chance to attend our annual orientation program and career forum. We call it OP. That’s the highlight of the Consortium experience. It happens every year in early June. This past year, it was supposed to be in Seattle, Washington. With COVID, we had to transition the conference to virtual, but it worked out really well. But next year, our OP will be in New Orleans. Hopefully, we’ll be able to be onsite for that. That’s a four- to five-day conference in which new members have a chance to connect with other Consortium students across our schools. They have a chance to attend workshops and seminars on business-related topics. They get a chance to have direct access to our corporate partners and also attend our career forum. So even before they start their MBA program in the fall, they have an opportunity to land an internship and have job reviews before they start their MBA program.

You apply with a Consortium application to up to six business schools, correct? If you’re accepted to one of those business schools, are you automatically a member? [5:22]

Not at all. We’re looking for applicants who have the ability to get into one of the member schools, but who also have that passion and commitment to our mission. We’re looking for candidates who embody our mission. We want you to show us that you are committed to diversity and inclusion as it relates to our target populations. How have you positively impacted those organizations? We will ask applicants to write a membership essay in which they’ll need to articulate to us, in that essay, how they have championed diversity and inclusion, whether it’s in their community, their workplace, or at the undergraduate level. How have they impacted those target populations? We want them to provide examples of that.

Also, we want them to have a recommender that can attest to that as well. They need to provide a mission recommendation and choose someone that can say, “Hey, this person is passionate about diversity and inclusion. Let me tell you why.” That’s what we’re looking for, in addition to having the ability to gain admission into one of our member schools. They have to be passionate about our mission and be able to show an example or examples of that.

If somebody is passionate about the mission and, let’s say, is not accepted the first time they apply to business school, they can apply again through the Consortium, but they cannot yet be a Consortium member. Is that correct? [6:37]

There can be a scenario when someone applies through us and they gain admission into the school, but not membership to the Consortium. They can simply apply next year, but they would have to start all over with business school. They can’t just start their program and reapply for membership. They have to start the process over again and reapply the following year. That happens sometimes. Typically when that happens, that person just did not do a good enough job explaining in their membership essay how they’ve demonstrated commitment to our mission. So it does happen, but again, they can certainly reapply in the following year.

The Consortium only accepts applications from US permanent residents or citizens, is that correct? Which schools are member schools? [7:25]

Correct, and we have 20 member schools. The complete list can be found on our website at www.cgsm.org. We have 20 awesome member schools that are committed to diversity. Obviously, they’re looking to increase the diversity within our MBA programs. Just recently, in the last two years, Rice University has joined the Consortium. They’re located in Houston. Also University of Washington’s Foster Business School joined the Consortium. We’re very excited to have those two new schools onboard. We’re up to 20 now.

Is there a cost to joining the Consortium? [8:23]

There are no membership dues associated with Consortium membership. We just ask that you continue to be an advocate for the Consortium and also donate with your time. So many of our Consortium alumni and current students give back by attending some of our recruitment events, talking to prospective MBAs, and giving back with their time. They may ask their corporate partner to be a sponsor. And in some cases, they may give back and donate money as well. There are no membership dues associated with membership.

Can you review the core essays and the Consortium’s common app? [9:01]

The main core essay deals with short- and long-term goals, and that core essay will be seen by all the schools. If you choose to apply to six of our member schools, that general essay will be seen by those schools. Then there’s a membership essay. That membership essay is what will be seen by the Consortium, not the schools. That’s what our recruitment team will look at to assess if we want to extend your membership or not.

Will the school see the membership essay also? [9:34]

They will not see the membership essay. The schools do not have a part in membership, so they will not review your membership essay or your mission recommendation.

The schools definitely have supplemental essays. If you choose to apply to six schools, you will have the core part of the application to complete, but also you’ll have individual supplements for each school that you’re applying to. Those supplements, that’s what the schools have created, that series of questions and essays that they want to ask the applicants applying to the school.

Are there any other elements to the CGSM application, or is it just what the schools require? [10:10]

There are the transcripts and recommendations. The great thing about our application is it’s all streamlined. Rather than having to send your transcripts to the schools directly or send your test scores to the schools directly, you can have them funnel through the Consortium. For instance, for the recommendations, we have three total. We require two professional recommendations and one niche recommendation. The two professional recommendations are seen by the schools. We simply ask that you input the contact information of your recommenders in our application, and they will receive a link to fill out the recommendation form. You don’t actually have to ask them to write a letter of recommendation. They will fill out a form once you input their contact information. And with the GMAT score, you just request to have your official score report sent to the Consortium, and we will forward it to the schools on your behalf. It’s the same thing with the transcript.

Are any of the Consortium schools test-optional or experimenting with test waivers? [11:11]

Every school is doing something a little bit differently, but we know that there are some schools who give students the opportunity to apply for waivers. Some of them don’t have it automatically. You have to apply for a test waiver. If you meet the criteria, they may decide to waive it or not. We are noticing some schools are offering more flexible test score requirements, but again, every school is different.

What’s the difference between being a CGSM member and a CGSM fellow? [11:44]

There is no difference. You’re a Consortium member, regardless of if you received a fellowship or not. You have some Consortium members who were offered fellowships and you have some who weren’t.

How does CGSM help its members in terms of career placement? [12:11]

We don’t offer career placement, but again, we have that online career center called CGSM Online. That’s a portal that our corporate sponsors have access to. They’re always in there sourcing resumes and posting jobs and whatnot, and a big part of the preparation before OP is with the schools. The career offices at the schools will help the students prepare for OP, since they’re going to interview. We don’t do job placement, but we do have a portal that’s designed for Consortium members only. Our corporate sponsors have access to that, and they’re looking for candidates to fill positions, particularly internships.

How has CGSM changed or adjusted as a result of both the pandemic and the renewed focus on racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death? [13:11]

I’ll take a step back and start with the biggest change for us right now: We moved into a new application system. That is a huge thing for us, because our goal has always been to improve the application process for our candidates to make it as seamless as possible. We’ve integrated this new application system which makes it so much easier to navigate the application system. It’s easier to toggle through, and we’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from it from our round one applicants. That’s really one of the biggest changes that we’ve had this year, moving into a new application system. That is huge in itself for us, and we’re still working through it. We’re proud to say that our round one application numbers are up right now. We have 265 right now compared to 232 at this time last year. We’re expecting probably the same trend for the round two applications that are coming up on January 5th.

Our CEO released a statement on what’s happening in today’s climate. It reinforces how important organizations like the Consortium are. Now more than ever. The reason why we exist. We definitely have released a statement to all of our constituents about that. It reinforces why we are here, the importance of us existing, trying to get more underrepresented populations in these top MBA programs, and in these companies as well, because there’s a lack of representation. We exist for a reason, and we’ve been here for 54 years, and we have to do something about it. Our organization is kind of leading the challenge and the change, so to speak.

What advice would you give to someone planning to apply via CGSM in this 2021 application cycle, by that January 5th deadline? [15:21]

I would say go for it. Historically, when the economy has been down, when the unemployment rate is very high, you see an influx of folks applying to business school with the hopes of, once they graduate two years from now, that the economy will be better and they will have a better chance of getting a job. So I would say, go for it. If you’ve been thinking about it for a while, go ahead and start working on the application.

This is the best time, especially since some schools are offering the opportunity to apply for waivers, and some schools are taking other tests aside from the GMAT. There is more flexibility, I would say, with some of the schools now more than ever. I would encourage someone to take advantage of that. Go forward, submit your application, and see what happens. Obviously, do your due diligence and research the schools, and make sure you submit a competitive application. But I would encourage someone to just go for it now, especially if you’ve been putting off for so long. Consider actually going for it right now.

And then, don’t wait till the last minute. Our deadline is January 5th. You don’t want to wait until January 4th to submit your application. You can actually start working on your application now. Give yourself time. It is a competitive process. There are a lot of moving parts to the application. You don’t want to rush the process by any means.

And if you feel like, for some reason, you can’t put together the best application at this time, then certainly wait. The goal is to submit the best application possible, because it is a competitive process. And in fact, we actually saw from our applicant pool last year, about 10% of our applicants are reapplicants. So if for some reason you don’t get admission to any of these top schools, don’t beat yourself up about it. You could definitely reapply next year.

You have an MBA. Are you glad you got your MBA? [18:07]

I received my MBA from Washington University in St. Louis about five years ago, but I actually went the part-time route. I didn’t do the full-time route. I actually was working at WashU at the time and had the opportunity to pursue my MBA on a part-time basis. I’m very fortunate to have had that experience. I met a lot of great people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities. I had a lot of great professors. I learned so much. I really learned how to think more analytically. That’s one of the biggest things I took from my MBA: just being able to problem-solve better and to think more analytically about different problems or how to solve things. It was really a great experience, and I actually learned how to be a better leader as well from it. I’m very glad that I made the decision just to go for it.

What do you see coming down the pike for CGSM? Do you see CGSM perhaps working with non-MBA management degrees, going into other areas? [19:12]

That’s to be determined. We have a new program that we just launched in the last couple of years called Competitive Advantage. That’s designed for undergraduate students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They have an opportunity to get a jumpstart on their career opportunities and be mentored. That program is probably the newest program in the Consortium. That is probably the biggest thing in our future.

Is there anything you would’ve liked me to ask you or anything you want to tell our listeners? [19:59]

Check out our new application system. If you, within our old application system, had any issues or it was just too much, I would definitely encourage you to consider jumping into our new system. It’s so much easier to navigate. It’s very sleek-looking, and it’s so much easier to toggle through. I’m really excited about it. I know our implementation team has spent a lot of time over the last six months working with the new system vendor. We’re really proud of this product. As I said before, we’ve gotten a lot of great feedback about it already, and we’re looking forward to round two and seeing the results from that as well.

We have some virtual recruitment events coming up, as well. We actually have an alumni panel tonight, so we’ll be featuring some alumni from our member schools. They’re going to talk about their experience with the Consortium. They’re going to give some great tips and advice on the application process. Then we also have our MAPS event, our MBA Application Preparation Seminar. Our fourth and final MAPS event will be November 17th. Those are recorded and they will be virtual this year, obviously. That MAPS event is a great opportunity to connect with our schools, hear from an admissions panel, and get insight from the school reps. Also, we’ll have school breakout sessions where you can talk to the schools directly and get your questions answered and learn more about their MBA programs from current students and alumni. We’re excited about that MAPS event coming up November 17th. If you’re a prospective student who needs some guidance or insight about how to submit the best application possible, that MAPS event will help answer some of your questions. [Note: You can check out the recordings of the MAPS events on the CGSM website.]

Related Links:

• The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management website
• The Consortium Application: Tips for Your CGSM Essays [2020 – 2021]
• Applying for Your MBA Through The Consortium: Best Deal in Town
• A Kenan-Flagler Student Discusses Industrial Engineering, Healthcare and Business, an interview with an MBA and Consortium fellow
• Life at Yale SOM, Google Internship & the Importance of Diversity, an interview with an MBA student and Consortium member
• A Day (and a Year) in the Life of a Ross MBA Student, an interview with an MBA student and Consortium member
• Accepted MBA Admissions Services

Related Shows:

• MBA Life at UC Berkeley Haas, From Its New Executive Director of Admissions
• What MBA Students Can Expect at UCLA Anderson
• An Insider’s Look at MBA Admissions
• How to Address COVID-19 and the Events of 2020 in Your Application
• The Consortium Can Help You Get Your MBA

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The post What the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Can Do for MBA Applicants [Episode 395] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Learn how real students and recent grads have navigated their way through the business school admissions process and b-school itself with our What is Business School Really Like? series.

Meet Harmonie, a second-year MBA student with a background in engineering, future career aspirations in the field of healthcare, and a passion for promoting women and underrepresented groups in business and STEM professions.

Harmonie, thank you for sharing your story with us!

Your undergraduate degree is in industrial engineering. What prompted you to pursue an MBA?

Harmonie: I chose industrial engineering because I was torn between my interests in both math and business, and the degree was a great way to satisfy both interests while at the same time providing a diverse set of postgraduate options, as the degree is very industry and even function agnostic.

After my junior year, I interned at Goldman Sachs. It was during this summer that my eyes were opened to a number of different career opportunities that aren’t traditionally taken by engineers, and I was also introduced to the Forte Foundation. A couple of years into my career, I realized that I really enjoyed working with and leading teams of people and an MBA could help me round out some of the leadership skills that I would need to progress in an organization.

I also wanted to learn more about other industries surrounding entrepreneurship, such as venture capital. After filing the Forte newsletters away for a long time, I decided to finally apply for the Forte MBALaunch Program, and the rest is history!

Can you tell us about your experience as a member of the executive council of the Society of Women Engineers? What are the society’s goals, and what did you personally hope to achieve as a council member?

Harmonie: It’s actually a funny story how I initially got involved. As a freshman pursuing engineering, we were required to go to a general body meeting for one of the engineering societies as part of the Introduction to Engineering course. The meeting that I ended up joining was not just any Society of Women Engineers (SWE) meeting, but the one in which elections for the incoming leaders were being held. There were six open positions, and the last one, Inter-Club Council (ICC) Representative, was uncontested, so I decided to raise my hand and volunteer for the role. The following year, I was the only sophomore on the leadership team (everyone else was either a junior or a senior). I ended up learning so much from the upperclassmen about how to effectively run a student organization, and I had the opportunity to interface with all of the other ICC Representatives from other clubs on campus.

The mission of Society of Women Engineers is to empower women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion. Over the course of the year, we held various professional development events and also conducted outreach with younger females to inspire them to pursue degrees in STEM. I also had the opportunity to attend the International SWE Conference, where I landed my first internship at Toyota. I ended up serving as President of the student SWE organization during both my sophomore and junior years.

Upon graduating, I sent an email to the San Diego Professional Section with an interest in getting involved. I was thrown directly into the role of Member Services Director where I was responsible for all social and developmental events for the 300 female engineer strong organization. It was after that year that I was elected to the Executive Council, and I served as the Vice President for two years.

During my time on the Executive Council of the San Diego Professional Section of SWE, I had the opportunity to better understand the challenges that females face while progressing in organizations, and it was empowering to be able to provide resources and developmental opportunities to engineers at all stages of their career. I also continued to mentor younger females via various outreach events.

It was my experience at SWE that inspired me to pursue leadership opportunities with Carolina Women in Business. There are many parallels and common goals between SWE and CWIB despite the difference in career focus amongst members.

How did you determine which business schools to apply to? What excited you about Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program?

Harmonie: The Forte MBALaunch Program was an incredible opportunity that helped me with all aspects of the application process, including school selection. I attended MBA fairs, including the Forte Forum in Los Angeles. The MBALaunch webinars and access to current students and alumni across the Forte partner schools provided great insights that helped me start to differentiate schools based on culture, course offerings, and other factors.

Beyond that, I knew that I wanted to hopefully go somewhere new and the decision of schools was also a team decision. My husband had also made the decision to pursue business school. The Healthcare Concentration was what initially drew me to UNC Kenan-Flagler. Upon visiting, I really felt the close-knit community right away. The students were so welcoming during the tour, lunch, and class visit. I even kept in touch with my tour guide and a couple of students that I had lunch with. For my husband who was looking to pursue investment banking, Kenan-Flagler was also a great fit due to their high banking placements and alumni network.

So you and your husband both applied to Kenan-Flagler? How did having a spouse going through the MBA application process at the same time you were help or complicate the process for you?

Harmonie: Yes, we did! We applied to mostly the same schools. Having a significant other going through the MBA application process was incredibly helpful. We kept each other motivated during GMAT prep and applications, and we served as each other’s second pair of eyes. We also went through the process of evaluating schools together prior to applying, so it was definitely one more element that went into the application process since we wanted to ensure that the schools we applied to were a fit for both of us. I will say that even after we were both fortunate enough to get into UNC Kenan-Flagler, many other parts of the b-school experience have been a puzzle, including the challenge of trying to land internships/full-time offers in the same city.

Did you experience any bumps along the road to MBA admission? How did you identify and deal with the issues?

Harmonie: Absolutely! First off, the whole process is just so time-intensive and frankly exhausting. I was often working 50 or 60 hour weeks, planning a wedding, trying to stay healthy, traveling internationally AND working through GMAT/application prep all at the same time. Something had to give each week, and unfortunately that was typically social life. It was extremely hard turning down happy hour with friends and coworkers, especially when I felt like I really deserved it. My husband and I even brought our GMAT prep books on our honeymoon (although I can’t say we were too disciplined with studying during that time…but we definitely tried).

As with many prospective MBA students, I also dealt with the struggle of not being 100% happy with my GMAT score and dealing with rejection at the application stage. At the end of the day, I determined that all I could do was try my hardest and allow my passions and intentions to shine through in my application, and the rest would play out how it was supposed to.

Congratulations on being selected as a Consortium fellow! Can you share a bit about the Consortium, it’s mission, and what it means to be a fellow?

Harmonie: Thank you! I’m really honored to be a part of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. It’s an amazing organization that provides phenomenal opportunities and resources for underrepresented minorities and allies pursuing careers in business and leadership. The mission of CGSM is to enhance diversity and inclusion in global business education and leadership by striving to reduce the underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in member schools and management.

As a fellow, I feel like I have had the opportunity to further develop myself as an ally for underrepresented groups and am well-equipped to further serve the mission during my remaining time at Kenan-Flagler and once I enter back into the workforce.

As someone who worked for several years after undergrad, was it difficult to return to life as a student? Any tips for balancing school and personal life?

Harmonie: It definitely was a bit difficult to switch gears back to student life, especially because I didn’t give myself much time between ending work and starting the program. If possible, my advice to incoming MBAs is to take some time off prior to starting class!

In terms of balancing school and personal life, my key recommendation would be to learn very quickly how to say no, figure out what works for you to effectively manage time, and when possible, leave some time to do what you enjoy. For me, my current non-negotiables are to allocate time for riding my (new!) Peloton bike during the week and playing tennis on the weekends. When possible, I also try to mix school and personal life to maximize my time. For example, some of the members of my Carolina Women in Business Board are also some of my best friends here, and I’ve tried to get off campus to have meetings over wine or food when possible!

What do you wish you had known about your MBA program before starting out?

Harmonie: That’s a great question… I think perhaps I wish I had known how supportive and willing the faculty were to get involved with student organizations. It’s easy to assume that outside of class, their only focus is research. However, we’ve integrated faculty more recently (as part of Carolina Women in Business) into small group dinners with students, into Lean In Circles, and they will also be helping with our annual CWIB Leadership Conference.

What extracurricular activities are you currently involved in, on or off campus?

Harmonie: My main extracurricular as a 2Y is my role as President of Carolina Women in Business. I’m also a first-year Career Mentor for Technology/Healthcare and a Dean’s Fellows Connections Committee Chair. I recently joined a Forte Student Leadership Steering Committee with other Women in Business and Men as Allies leaders at other Forte sponsor schools. I’m an active member of the Ambassadors Club (with a key role as a Digital Ambassador, so prospective students can reach out to chat about Kenan-Flagler), Healthcare Club, and the Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club.

Can you share a bit about your recent experience as a summer intern at Google? What did a typical day look like?

Harmonie: I was an MBA Intern in Google’s gTech Global Customer Care team in New York City. I worked on the 4th floor right above the Chelsea Market building – what a fun location! My key project over the summer was focused around conducting research and making recommendations to optimize one of the main workflows between Google’s Sales and Support teams. The project itself involved many stakeholders across different organizations, and so there really wasn’t a typical day. The project required me to be a self-starter and I definitely enjoyed/embraced the challenge. Additionally, I had a fantastic manager and team that supported me along the way… they were just great/fun people to work with!

Some of my other highlights during my summer at Google were joining the Bubble Tea Club, siting in the second row of a Google Talk on Sea Wall/A Life (with Jake Gyllenhaal), and reviewing veteran resumes during a Google Serve event!

On the weekends, you could find me trying all of the food and roaming around on the Citi bikes!

What is the process for applying to internships? How does Kenan-Flagler support students who are going through this process?

Harmonie: The internship application process can vary greatly depending on the company and also whether you’re participating in on vs. off-campus recruiting (or a combination of both). I had the opportunity to attend Consortium’s Orientation Program (OP), and ended up interviewing with several companies in June (before I even started my first year of b-school). Forte, ROMBA, NBMBAA, and the MBA Veterans Network also provide early recruiting opportunities with companies prior to the regular on-campus recruiting process.

Through the fall semester, I took the opportunity to attend company presentations and network with recruiters/alumni to learn more about different opportunities before deciding to accept my offer with Google!

I understand your goal is to combine healthcare, technology, and business in your future career. What do you find attractive about these fields? How do you hope to integrate them?

Harmonie: I found a true affinity for healthcare while working in biotechnology (and genomics specifically) prior to school. I think it’s so important that everyone has access to affordable and high-quality healthcare, regardless of socioeconomic or other factors.

After getting my whole genome sequenced while working at Illumina, one of my significant findings was that I have a predisposition for colorectal cancer based on my genetics (which isn’t surprising, as my grandma had colon cancer in her 70s). Having this information is so valuable, because now I know that I should be screened earlier and more frequently than others.

I know we are far way away from it, but I think technology companies and business leaders are a huge part of the equation for society to get closer to more proactive and precision medicine. I look forward to working my way into a healthcare-related/focused role in technology and eventually finding an opportunity to get intimately involved in healthcare product or service innovation.

Do you have questions for Harmonie? Questions for us? Do you want to be featured in our next What is Business School Really Like? post? Know someone else who you’d love to see featured? Are there questions you’d like us to ask our students in this series? LET US KNOW!

You can learn more about Harmonie by connecting with her on LinkedIn.

Are you setting out on your own b-school journey? We can help you reach the finish line! Check out our MBA Admissions Consulting Services to team up with an admissions expert who will help you join the ranks of thousands of Accepted clients who get accepted to their dream schools.

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Related Resources:

• Fitting In and Standing Out: The Paradox at the Heart of Admissions, a free guide
• How Forté Helps Women Get into Business and Stay in Business, a podcast episode
• UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2019 – 2020]

The post A Kenan-Flagler Student Discusses Industrial Engineering, Healthcare and Business appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Learn how real students navigate their way through the business school admissions process and b-school itself with our What is Business School Really Like? series.

Meet Dan, a Yale SOM student with a background in engineering.

Dan, thank you for sharing your story with us!

I understand your undergraduate degree is in engineering. How does your engineering background fit in with your post-MBA goals?

Dan: I often get asked about the transition to MBA for those with engineering backgrounds. I feel that engineering gives a great base of skills that can be applied in a variety of contexts, including business school. Thinking analytically, working effectively in teams, and problem solving using a data-driven approach are all strengths that my engineering education helped me build. My engineering background inspired a love for working on innovative projects and digging deep into technical solutions. It has also guided me towards my goal of working on impactful, innovative technology.

What was the most surprising aspect of the MBA application process?

Dan: Most surprising was how enthusiastic and helpful all the people I reached out to were. From current students in the clubs to alums in the spaces I wanted to work, I was able to get a great amount of information and feedback. I would recommend reaching out to anyone doing something you are excited about from your programs of interest, and you will likely be positively surprised at the response.

What work experience did you have at the time you applied to business school?

Dan: Going into business school, I had four years of work experience as a Technology Consultant. From this experience, I knew that I enjoyed focusing on user experience, working directly with clients, and collaborating with developers and other technical teammates. I wanted to gain a more well-rounded understanding of business and add more varied work experience, so I decided it would be a good time to apply to business school.

Congratulations on landing an internship at Google! Can you tell us about the application process and your internship experience?

Dan: Thanks! Past the straightforward parts of applying, some useful things I did was think about how and why I use Google products, what past experiences were directly applicable to the role, and how working at Google could fit into my long-term development. After each interview (done over Google Hangouts video-chat), I felt even more excited about the work my interviewers described, and I was fortunate to get the summer role! So far, my internship experience at Google has been shaped by supportive and enthusiastic coworkers, lofty objectives towards impactful goals, and plenty of quirky, Googley fun.

Can you share more about your role as an intern? What does a typical day look like?

Dan: Of course every role is different but happy to explain mine! I am working to improve the support experience for an app. This involves analyzing the user journeys that lead to issues or frustration, recommending courses of action from a support perspective, and coordinating cross-functionally to build product solutions. My typical day involves researching issues and preparing proposals, presenting to stakeholders across the organization for feedback on feasibility and impact, and taking time to grab coffee or lunch with Googlers from across the organization. One of my goals is to meet many people and learn about what they are working on – something that the size and openness of Google is great for!

What is a Yale SOM student ambassador?

Dan: Student ambassadors serve as connection points for prospective students to learn more about the Yale SOM program and what current students are involved in. I am involved or affiliated with the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM), the Technology Club, the Data Analytics Club, and the Hockey Club. If any prospective students have questions on those areas or are generally interested in Yale SOM, my contact information is listed on my page and I am always happy to connect!

What is the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management? What are the benefits of membership?

Dan: The Consortium aims to improve the representation and inclusion of traditionally underrepresented minorities in business and leadership. As a prospective applicant who is interested in business school and the mission of the Consortium, one can apply to Consortium schools through their reduced-fee application (cgsm.org). Besides the community and networking opportunities, membership (along with admission) allows you to attend a pre-MBA summit called OP to meet members across all the Consortium member schools and prepare for the transition to business school. At Yale, I have found a great sense of community with my Consortium peers, knowing we all support each other and share the organizational values.

What is your favorite business school course (so far)?

Dan: My favorite course so far has been the Employee Perspective. Going in, I did not expect to be very interested in the ‘human resource management’ class. After learning how to guide an effective people strategy – through job design, organizational structure, alignment of incentives, and more – I found myself excited to learn as much as I could from this class.

What elective courses do you look forward to taking?

Dan: One elective that I am hoping to take is Interpersonal Dynamics. Effective interpersonal relationships and being able to relate to others is essential for leadership in any organization. This course often comes up when I ask alumni for their favorite or most memorable course, and I am excited for the opportunity to try it. I also plan to take classes to strengthen my understanding of strategy, finance, and analytics.

What has surprised you most about your program?

Dan: A significant reason why I chose Yale SOM was the diversity I saw and experienced during my application and interview process. Even so, the depth of diversity has been a pleasant surprise. My classmates have widely varied backgrounds in terms of education, work experience, long-term goals, and more. Though there is still work to be done, the international and minority presence, including our large Consortium class, is a step in the right direction. This diversity creates an incredible environment for learning and inspiration that I am thankful to be a part of.

What are your post-graduation goals?

Dan: Tough question! At a high level, I would love to join an organization where I can contribute to innovative technology solutions, grow my analytical and interpersonal capabilities, and work with great people. These elements are personally important and will help me develop into the type of leader I want to become.

If you could share one message with new MBA applicants, what would it be?

Dan: Research! With the wealth of information from the schools, non-school sources on the internet, and student ambassadors, there are so many ways to learn all about an MBA program. Employment outcomes, life at the program, academics, or anything else you are curious about – please research, ask questions, and get informed before you apply. This will help you write great essays, interview well, and know for yourself if the program is right for your goals.

Do you have questions for Dan? Questions for us? Do you want to be featured in our next What is Business School Really Like? post? Know someone else who you’d love to see featured? Are there questions you’d like us to ask our students in this series? LET US KNOW!

You can learn more about Dan by connecting with him on LinkedIn.

Are you setting out on your own b-school journey? We can help you reach the finish line! Check out our MBA Admissions Consulting Services to team up with an admissions expert who will help you join the ranks of thousands of Accepted clients who get accepted to their dream schools.

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Related Resources:

• Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One
• Yale Som: Integrated in Its Curriculum, with Its University, and to the World, a podcast episode
• Yale SOM MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines

The post Life at Yale SOM, Google Internship & the Importance of Diversity appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Learn how real students navigate their way through the business school admissions process and b-school itself with our What is Business School Really Like? Series.

Meet James, a Ross MBA student with a background in education.

James, thank you for sharing your story with us!

What made you decide to pursue an MBA?

James: Part of me always knew I wanted to get an MBA. My parents were both small business owners and I remember loving talking about the challenges of competing in a changing business environment and how best to provide value to customers. While Dartmouth (my undergrad) didn’t have a business program, they did offer a few Tuck classes for undergrads and I took two of them and they were some of my favorite classes.

In terms of my career, I had worked in education prior, first as a teacher and then as a product manager at an education technology company, and realized there was a lot to learn from the business world in terms of how to make decisions. I’m particularly interested in how organizations can leverage human capital to achieve ambitious goals.

Coming from the education sector where resources (financial and human) will always be limited, I’m excited to explore how organizational design and strategic people development can support those goals.

I also felt like I would be limited in my approach given my background as I didn’t have an understanding of the bigger picture decision-makers were facing. I saw an MBA as that bridge between gaining the foundational business acumen and allowing me to pivot into a field that would allow me to get the hands-on experiences I thought would drive my long term career growth.

Did you experience any bumps along the road to business school acceptance? If so, how did you identify and address the issues?

James: Absolutely. The first time I applied to business school, I applied to five schools and got rejected from every single one.

The first thing I did was take some time off from the frenzy of MBA applications. During that time, I did a lot of reflecting and honing into what I wanted my personal vision of change to be and what strengths I thought I could bring to the table. I also took the GRE again (and improved two whole points!).

At the end of the day, I think my applications the second time around were more authentic and better reflected who I was and what I wanted to do. The second time, I also applied to additional schools through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) which was the biggest blessing. I hadn’t applied to Ross the first time and only applied on a whim the second time. And it worked!

Can you tell us more about the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management? What resources are available to fellows?

James: The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) is a network for students who demonstrate a commitment to “enhanc[ing] diversity and inclusion in global business education and leadership.” There are currently 19 MBA programs in the Consortium, and, from a prospective student perspective, is similar to the undergraduate Common Application that helps to streamline applications to those member schools.

Once accepted to one of the CGSM member schools, Consortium fellows are offered additional networking and professional development opportunities that prepare them for business school.

Did you take the GMAT or GRE? How did you prepare? Any study tips that sound crazy, but really work?

James: I took the GRE. I took a practice GMAT and those data sufficiency questions were just too much for me.

I took a Manhattan Prep class which, more than the class itself, was really helpful in keeping me accountable for doing the studying (the course pace is about a workbook a week).

The second time around, I used Magoosh which was great because the online question banks could be customized so I could focus on the types of problems that I found most challenging (anything probability/combinations/permutations).

I think I also tried to keep everything in perspective. I knew that what was going to get me into a program was never going to be my test score or my GPA – those were going to be fine and show that I can do the work, but those aren’t the strengths in my application. I instead decided to really focus on the areas where I thought I could control – my essays and preparing for interviews.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities prior to applying to business school? How do you think these experiences contributed to the strength of your candidacy?

James: My big extracurricular involvement post-college and pre-business school was getting involved with Teach For America’s LGBTQ affinity groups. I led the affinity group when I was in the classroom in Houston and served on the LGBTQ alumni board when I was in Boston after that.

Inclusion and diversity are things that I’m super passionate about and I identify as LGBTQ so doing those things made sense for me. It also fed into professional goals of thinking of how to foster inclusion as a means of enabling people to bring their full selves to the workplace so I think it all “fit” as well.

Did you visit the Ross campus, either while researching schools or to interview? If so, what impressed you?

James: I visited Ross for my interview and it was my first time on campus. The entire interview day was impressive. Compared to some of the other interviews that I did, I really appreciated the intentionality with which the admissions office and the current students approached the day.

At some other schools, it felt like this was just another event on the calendar but you could tell that Ross cared about (and then took action on) making a strong impression on candidates. I think Ross does a really good job at aligning their brand and student culture with the evaluative exercises which helps the adcom make the best decisions but also the accepted students know what they’re getting into.

Ross’ interview style is somewhat unique, as students participate in a team-based exercise. How does this differ from a traditional interview, and what was your experience with the exercise?

James: There are two components to Ross’ interview: a 1-1 behavioral which is pretty straightforward and then the group exercise which is unique. I can’t speak too much to this as I am a group exercise evaluator. Thinking back to my time as an applicant though, I remember not feeling too stressed about the process. Soojin has videos online that helped to ease any worries I might have and, having been through the process and evaluated them, can say that watching those videos are the best prep for it.

What has surprised you most about Ross so far?

James: Coming to Ross, I knew it had a very down-to-earth kind of culture. But I’ve been surprised as to how grounded my classmates seem to be. In classes, no one is trying to impress anyone else or one-up someone which creates this very collaborative and open environment for people to ask questions and share their experiences.

Can you describe REAL and MAP? How have you benefited from these experiences?

James: REAL is the umbrella office that houses all of our action based learning so MAP falls under them. Action-based learning was a huge reason Ross stood out to me. I found out in college that I learn best by doing and wanted a program where it wasn’t just something that you might do in one elective course but was built into the foundation of the program and there’s no program where that’s more true than Ross.

Learning by doing is evident in all parts of our MBA program and it starts at orientation with the Business+Impact Challenge and continues with extracurricular activities like the Crisis Challenge.

In that lens, MAP would be considered the capstone experience as its something all students complete. It’s the last 7 weeks of your first year where teams of 4-6 work with a sponsor to present a strategy to solve some sort of challenge that organization is facing. It’s a way for us to take everything we’ve learned in the core and apply it in the real world. During those 7 weeks, MAP is the focus and takes up the entire courseload so it’s something everyone goes through together.

I’m currently working with a tech startup in San Francisco that’s looking to build out their employee volunteerism program. We’re considering issues of employee engagement and motivation and thinking strategically about how the program can sustain an ever growing organization. We were just in San Francisco for a week onsite doing firsthand interviews and working on our strategy and recommendation now back on campus. Coming from the education space, social impact and volunteerism are important to me so it’s been a tremendous experience being able to think strategically about how to ingrain volunteerism into the fabric of the organization.

Outside of MAP, there are additional curricular opportunities for hands-on learning through courses like the Living Business Leadership Experience and a course working with AT Kearney consultants on operations/supply chain related projects.

And then, typical to all business schools, you can join clubs that work with local business/community partners to get hands-on experience and do case competitions. We also have a number of student investment funds that many of my peers participate in to get that experience.

What do you love about business school? What’s the biggest challenge?

James: Let’s be honest, business school is fun. It’s a two-year time when you get to take a step back from working life and spend time with some incredible human beings. Whether that’s in study groups, lunches on campus, happy hour at a local bar, football tailgate, weekend trip, whatever, it’s a fun experience.

That’s also the biggest challenge – there are so many things to do and options that it can get really overwhelming. I think those who are most successful at business school have found out how to prioritize and say “No” such that they can protect their time and get the most out of their experience but doing that isn’t always easy.

What is a typical day like for you?

James: A typical day is a mix of preparing for classes (working on problem sets, doing readings) and going to classes, meeting for group projects and extracurricular activities, and social engagements. Some of my classmates squeeze in a workout somewhere in the day also, I sometimes squeeze in a nap. During recruiting season, there’s usually at least 3-4 recruiting events during the week and many networking calls in the middle.

Can you tell us about recruitment at Ross?

James: At Ross, like most other business schools, there are two routes: on-campus recruiting and off-campus recruiting. 

On-campus is traditionally for the major functions (consulting, finance, marketing, operations, general management, human capital, and strategy) and for companies that have more formal recruiting practices. It involves campus corporate presentations and networking opportunities and is very structured. 

Off-campus is traditionally for those with more niche interests or what we consider recruiting with companies that traditionally don’t come to campus. Off-campus is basically how we’ll all get jobs after business school and involves a lot of networking and sourcing opportunities on our own.

What do you think your classmates would be surprised to know about you?

James: Living in Ann Arbor will be the first time since leaving for college at 18 that I’ll be living in the same apartment for more than 12 months – I’m so excited I don’t need to pack!

Where do you see yourself professionally in 5 years from now?

James: I hope to still be in consulting and transiting more into managing and developing effective teams. I also assume I’ll be at the point where I’ll be specializing more in my practice and I’m hoping to focus more on strategic priorities that involve organizational capacity and effectiveness.

If you could relay one message to MBA applicants, what would it be?

James: Take a deep breath and trust in the process. If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again – it worked for me. The more you can bring yourself to the process and be authentic, the more successful you will be.

Do you have questions for James? Questions for us? Do you want to be featured in our next What is Business School Really Like? post? Know someone else who you’d love to see featured? Are there questions you’d like us to ask our students in this series? LET US KNOW!

You can learn more about James by connecting with him on LinkedIn.

Are you setting out on your own b-school journey? We can help you reach the finish line! Check out our MBA Admissions Consulting Services to team up with an admissions expert who will help you join the ranks of thousands of Accepted clients who get accepted to their dream schools.

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Related Resources:

• Why MBA, a guide to writing about your MBA goals
• Michigan Ross MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2019 – 2020]
• Podcast Interview With Michigan Ross Directors of Admissions

The post A Day (and a Year) in the Life of a Ross MBA Student appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

This interview is the latest in an Accepted blog series featuring interviews with business students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top programs. And now, introducing Jasmine…

Accepted: We’d like to get to know you! Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad?

Jasmine: Hi everyone! I grew up in Honolulu, HI and miss its warm-hearted people, year-round sunshine, and delicious local food all the time. Not wanting to give up sunny weather, I attended the University of Southern California for undergrad and majored in business administration.

Accepted: Where are you currently attending business school? What year are you?

Jasmine: I am in my first year at the Yale School of Management (Class of 2019). We just finished our fall 1 quarter, which was an absolute whirlwind!

Accepted: You are a Consortium Fellow and have taken advantage of The Forte Foundation’s incredible resources for women MBA applicants. How have these two programs helped launch your journey to business school?

Jasmine: I’d highly recommend anyone who supports the Consortium’s mission of promoting inclusion in school, in their jobs or in their personal lives to consider applying to business school via the Consortium. In addition to providing scholarships, the Consortium hosts its Orientation Program (OP) conference each summer. OP is a great opportunity to meet other Consortium students across the network’s 19 business schools and network with top companies looking for diverse MBA talent before you step foot on campus. Beyond providing scholarships and access to career opportunities, the Consortium is a truly unique community of driven, supportive, and purpose-driven classmates that I lean on frequently. Transitioning to business school is challenging, but I’m grateful to have a group of people I can always turn to whether it’s to study for exams, provide and share career advice, or just hang out.

Similarly, the Forte Foundation provides an array of pre-MBA and MBA networking and career opportunities for women. I hope to attend one of their conferences in the future, and have already taken advantage of the job resources and information that they regularly disseminate to fellows. While I’m not an alum, I’d highly recommend the Forte MBALaunch program to women who are considering applying for their MBA, and know several peers who found the program to be very valuable.

Accepted: Looking back at the application process, did you experience any challenges? How did you overcome them?

Jasmine: One of my biggest challenges was tackling the GMAT. I took it three times before I got a decent score! I’m not a naturally good test taker, and if you aren’t one either, that’s totally OK. Incorporating a consistent study regimen into my schedule helped immensely, which meant studying a few hours in the early mornings since I had trouble concentrating in the evenings after work. If something about your current studying strategy isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to change up the materials or approach that you’re using. Additionally, having accountability partners to keep me on track was extremely helpful. I participated in the Riordan MBA Fellows program at UCLA Anderson before applying to business school, and the friends I made through the program helped motivate me through the toughest parts of the studying process. In fact, I celebrated with them after taking my last exam!

Accepted: Your work has been focused on educating youth and ways to strengthen the community. How will an MBA help you achieve your long-term career goals?

Jasmine: When I was working in operations for a charter school network, I saw how a strong business skillset was essential to running an efficient, financially sustainable, and effective nonprofit organization. Many of my colleagues and mentors whom I looked up to had MBAs, and I witnessed how their diverse perspectives, strong problem-solving skills, and capacity to work with numerous stakeholders coupled with the academic expertise of talented educators and administrators helped drive better results for our schools.

As my long-term goal is to serve in a chief operations or strategy role of an education nonprofit (or possibly lead my own!), I felt that getting an MBA was the best way to accelerate my career and build those skills quickly. Additionally, since I studied business in undergrad, I wanted to attend an MBA program with specialized courses in nonprofit management and an interdisciplinary curriculum that combined business with social impact. Yale SOM definitely checks those boxes. I would like to gain several years of experience in the private sector to expand my perspective before returning to education or nonprofit work.

Accepted: What are some of your most rewarding extracurricular activities (both before entering Yale and your current activities)? How have those activities helped shape your career?

Jasmine: While I was working in my first job in finance, I spent my Saturdays volunteering as a mentor with Minds Matter of Los Angeles, an organization that empowers underserved youth to achieve a college education. That experience working with my mentee motivated me to want to work in a more hands-on role in education, which led to my career transition from finance to education. My mentee and I remain close to this day, and she is a constant source of inspiration for why I’m so passionate about working in education; I strongly believe that anyone can reach their full potential once they’re empowered to do so. I was also deeply involved with LAMusArt, a multidisciplinary arts school with a 70+ year history located in East LA, where I founded its young professionals advisory board. There is a broader trend now of nonprofits establishing young professionals boards to leverage the fresh ideas, energy, and diverse skills that we can bring to the table. Our board is thriving, and one of our prior members now serves on the board of directors.

Accepted: Finally, what are your top three tips for those who are going through the MBA application process right now? Is there anything you wish you would have known, that you know now?

Jasmine:

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! I reached out to dozens of current MBA students and alumni at the schools that I applied to. You’ll find that people are very gracious and willing to help you since they were once in your shoes. Also, leverage your mentors, close friends, and the people who know you best to give you feedback at different points in the process. They can help to both push you and encourage you to stay authentic to your true self and voice.

2. Take time off the summer before you start business school if you can – you’ll need it! Travel, spend time with family, or do whatever you need to re-charge. Once you start school, you will hit the ground running at 100 mph!

3. Try to find the silver lining in the application process. It can feel like a very arduous marathon, but at the same time, it’s a unique opportunity to pause and deeply self-reflect on your short-term and long-term career goals. An MBA is a huge investment in yourself, and you may be surprised by some of the insights you uncover about yourself through the process!

Want to learn more about Jasmine? You can check out her LinkedIn profile. Thank you Jasmine for sharing your story and advice – we wish you much success! 

For one-on-one guidance on your b-school applications, check out our catalog of MBA admissions services.

Do you want to be featured in Accepted’s blog? If you want to share your b-school journey with the world (or at least with our readers), email us at bloggers@accepted.com.

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Related Resources:

• The GMAT: Low Scores, Retaking & Strategies for Success, a free webinar
• How Forté Helps Women Get into Business and Stay in Business, a podcast episode
• The Consortium Can Help You Get Your MBA, a podcast episode

The post Can The Consortium and Forte Foundation Boost Your Goals? [An Interview] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

[powerpress] It gives me great pleasure to have for the first time on AST, Danni Young, Director of Recruiting at The Consortium for the Graduate Study of Management. Danni earned her bachelors degree from Lincoln University in Missouri and her MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. FYI she loves cats. Welcome!

Let’s start with the basics. What is the Consortium for the Graduate Study of Management? [1:17]

We’re a stellar organization that’s been around since 1966. Our mission is to increase the representation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in business schools and corporate management.

We serve as a connector between students and schools, and with our corporate partners.

Today our network is made up of 19 partner schools across the US. We have 900 current students, 9000 alumni (in the US and abroad), and 78 corporate partners. And we’ve awarded $390 million in fellowship support over the last 51 years.

What role does the Consortium play at the application stage? [4:40]

We have a common application, so for prospective students, they have the ability to apply to up to six schools with one application. They submit everything to the Consortium and we forward the materials to the member schools.

Can anyone use the Consortium application? [3:30]

There are eligibility requirements.: Any US citizen who can demonstrate commitment to our mission – but you must have a four-year bachelors degree, and you must be applying to one of the member schools.

How do applicants show a commitment to the Consortium mission? [4:15]

We require a membership essay. They can talk about their experience as champions for diversity. There’s also a mission recommendation, where the recommender attests to their commitment to our mission.

Which schools are member schools? [5:00]

We have 19 member schools currently. The full list is on our site, but just to name a few: UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Cornell, Yale, Dartmouth, UNC, Michigan. Recently, Rice joined as our latest member.

Do you have to be a member to apply via CGSM? [6:10]

When you apply via CGSM, you’re applying for admission, Consortium membership, and fellowship opportunities as well.

Is membership automatic? [7:05]

No. It’s not automatic. We determine that based on the mission essay.

The admission application will still be considered, but you may not get the benefits of Consortium membership.

How much does it cost to apply through CGSM? [7:50]

We have a tiered application fee structure. The minimum is $150 for two schools. And the maximum you would pay is $300 for six schools. So you can save money and time.

Are this year’s essay questions available yet? [9:05]

The general essay questions are the same as last year’s. The member schools’ essays have now been updated. Our core questions are the same as last year.

What are the other elements of the application? [9:55]

Beyond essays – we ask applicants to provide their transcripts (from all schools). There are recommendations – three total (two professional and one mission recommendation). The applicant inputs the letter writer’s information and the writer gets an invitation to upload the letter.

We ask for your most recent GMAT or GRE score.

And finally, there’s the application fee.

The recommender only fills out one form, and it goes to all the schools. And the mission rec is only seen by the Consortium.

What are the benefits of Consortium membership? [12:05]

One initial benefit is that every new member has the chance to attend our orientation program (OP) – it’s a major annual conference, including alumni, corporate representatives, and students from across the country.

It gives them participants access to seminars, corporate partners, and other Consortium members from different schools. Some people walk away with internship offers before they’ve even started business school!

Membership also gives people a chance to get fellowships that cover the entire MBA program.

And they get access to our network: we have 9000 alumni, corporate partners – membership is lifelong.

Are there dues? [14:30]

No, there are no membership dues, but we do ask members to pay it forward and give back when they can.

What’s the difference between “members” and “fellows”? [15:00]

All our members are actually classified as fellows, even if they don’t win a fellowship. They all get financial benefits, such as subsidized travel to OP, etc.

Did you go to OP when you were about to start your MBA? [15:45]

I did attend one of our member schools – Washington University in St. Louis – but I went to the evening program, which is not part of the Consortium. So I didn’t have the opportunity to be a Consortium member. But I’ve had the chance to participate in three OPs, and it’s very exciting and rewarding.

Can you share a memorable moment from a recent OP you attended? [16:40]

One that stands out: we have students take a class photo, and we have about 470 students. So they were all grouped close for the photo. One funny moment was just after the photo was taken, a few more students trickled in, and we had to retake the photo – and then a few more students came in. The students in the bleachers were heckling the people coming in. It was fun to see them bonding so quickly.

You mentioned people leaving OP with internship offers already. How does CGSM help its members in career placement? [18:55]

We don’t help with career placement, but we help connect students with our corporate partners. So starting at OP they have a lot of opportunities for networking. They get direct access, and with that access comes opportunity.

At OP we have a career forum – that’s how people walk away with internships. And we have an online career center for Consortium alumni. Our corporate partners are actively looking for diverse talent.

Do you have advice for someone planning to apply through CGSM this year? [20:35]

Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Students try tend to wait to the last minute.

We have two deadlines – Oct 15 and Jan 5. The application is available early. There are so many components – you have to prepare ahead. If you haven’t taken the GMAT or GRE yet, make sure you have enough time to do that.

On our site, we have contact information for student liaisons at each partner school – connect with them.

Do your research. Preparing and applying takes work and time – make sure you’re applying to the right schools.

Attend recruitment events. We have recruitment events in the fall. We also have Consortium alumni in attendance.

So my best advice: prepare and do your research!

What’s coming up for the Consortium? [24:00]

We’re going to continue trying to increase our applicant pool and make people more aware.

We’re hoping to build our class size – we want to reach a class of 500. Last year’s class was 475. There may be more schools joining us. And we’ll keep doing what we’ve done as it relates to our mission.

Related to the fellowship: how many were offered last year? [25:30]

There were 413 fellowships last year – full rides (tuition and fees). That’s a lot of fellowships provided to our students!

Last year we had 1179 applications. Of that, 741 were offered admission to at least one school, and there were 413 fellowships. We’re very proud of the applicants, and of the schools for providing the fellowships.

What differentiates a fellowship winner from a non-winner? [26:50]

Fellowships are decided by the member schools. They’re merit based. You first have to apply for Consortium membership.

They look at test scores, work experience, academics – all play a role in fellowship applications.

Related Links:

• The Consortium for the Graduate Study of Management
• Applying for Your MBA Through the Consortium: Best Deal in Town
• Welcoming Keith Vaughn to the Accepted Family

Related Shows:

• UCLA Anderson MBA Admissions According to Dean Alex Lawrence
• What’s New at NYU Stern? A Lot!
• Wharton MBA Student, Single Mom, Entrepreneur 
• Make a Difference at Michigan Ross: An Interview with Soojin Kwon
• Exploring the Haas MBA: An Interview with Peter Johnson
• A 20-Year MBA Admissions Veteran Shares His Insights

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The post The Consortium Can Help You Get Your MBA [Episode 216] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

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!

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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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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.

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