Simon School Admissions Blog

Women Flourish at Simon School

2009-12-11T10:15:23-05:00

By Lilly

This past weekend on December 4th and 5th, Simon was humming with activity and excitement. Our annual Women's Conference event, which is in association with the Forte Foundation, took place. This dynamic group of women came from a wide range of places with diverse backgrounds; women arrived from places ranging from Peru to India and New York City with experiences ranging from the US Navy, Merrill Lynch and privately owned gourmet food distributors among many others.

The women were treated to a variety of alumni panels, interviewing sessions, networking breaks and a gourmet dinner at local eatery Bamba Bistro where keynote speaker Heather Harris (Class of 1992) spoke about her experience at numerous major corporations and her current entrepreneurial venture, redFISH Art Studios and Gallery.

Members of SAWMBA (Simon Association of Women MBAs) were present to converse with applicants with numerous Simon Forte Scholars as well. This event is turning into one of the highlights for the female applicants to Simon and is a point of pride for women MBAs in general. We hope to see you at one of our next events.

Leadership in Action @ Simon

2009-12-08T03:34:00-05:00

By: Ameet Chandak, M.B.A. Candidate 2010

When asking students why they want an M.B.A., the most frequent response is to improve their “leadership qualities and potential.” How do you achieve this goal with a hectic academic schedule? The Simon M.B.A. imbibes the leadership spirit in its true sense and provides students with a host of opportunities to shine as leaders. I am happy and eager to share my experiences with you.

My first encounter with leadership at Simon came when I was elected the Vice President for Corporate Relations with the Consulting, Operations and Technology Association (COTA) student club. One of the programs that I lead was the planning and management of COTA’s annual corporate tour to Chicago, where we visited 8 companies over 3 days. My leadership role in this club also helped me connect with distinguished Simon Alumni and observe their leadership styles.

One of my most enriching leadership opportunities at Simon came in my second year when I was selected as a Second-Year M.B.A. Coach. As a coach, I mentor and guide first year teams by observing them in action, giving feedback on their performance, and at the same time receiving feedback from them on my leadership. As a Coach, I am involved in regular team meetings with my first-year team, organize team building activities, and work with them to improve their overall performance as a team. This experience has been very inspiring and bought about confidence in my leadership style.

I have also been able to take up a leadership role in a Job Opportunity and Leadership Team (JOLT) as a team captain. These teams utilize the strong collaboration spirit between students to streamline the career search for second-year M.B.A. students. As a team captain, my role is to help my team share job leads and search techniques so that we can all meet our career goals. This again is an excellent opportunity to build leadership skills and develop the ability to meet different stakeholder needs through a common vision.

The ability to take initiative, lead a team, and make decisions under pressure are skills which any top company would look for in an M.B.A. candidate. Given the diverse professional and geographic backgrounds we all come from, it becomes extremely important to master these leadership skills during the M.B.A. The Simon School provides multiple opportunities for each student to shine and emerge as a truly global leader, and I hope you will be able to use these to the fullest.

Meet Simon Students in a City Near You during Winter Break!

2009-12-04T14:47:00-05:00

By: Stefanie

Simon student ambassadors are returning home or traveling during Winter Break 2009 and hope to meet at a cafe near you! We are excited to be launching our inaugural "Simon Ambassadors@Home" program and you can find all available cities on our website.

This is a great opportunity to learn in a casual setting about what it's like to be a student at Simon and live in Rochester, New York. Our current students are so enthusiastic about this program, that some have selected multiple dates to meet with prospective students, some have chose multiple cities, and some are even willing to meet during their own vacation time while they are exploring new cities! So, please come get a cup of coffee or tea on us, pull up a chair, and learn more about the Simon M.B.A.!

We hope you can stop by and join us!

What's IN Rochester, anyway? Festival Edition.

2009-12-02T16:08:13-05:00

By: Ariane

I hope you all enjoyed my last blog post about all the great companies in Rochester. Now that we're in the midst of the holidays, I thought I'd switch topics to something a little more fun - festivals! Rochester is definitely a city known for its festivals.

The largest and most well known is the Lilac Festival. Highland Park hosts over 500,000 visitors each summer to eat, drink, listen to free concerts, and see and smell the gorgeous flora. The Park Avenue Festival hosts a slightly younger and more boisterous crowd, with food, vendors, and bands in the midst of Rochester's main neighborhood for college students and young professionals.

If food is your primary interest, the Big Rib & BBQ Festival is great place to check out. If beverages and bands are more your gig, the East End Music Festivals are held monthly each summer, hosting a multitude of bands both indoors and out.

Rochester's vibrant arts scene is another focus of festivals. The Cornhill Arts Festival showcases both crafts and fine arts vendors, while the Memorial Art Gallery's Clothesline Festival is a venue to check out high-end artisans. 360 | 365(formerly the High Falls International Film Festival) is a week of independent films, which has hosted esteemed guests including including Lynn Redgrave, Rita Moreno, Bill Pullman, Robert Forster, Christine Lahti, Angela Bassett, Jane Alexander, Candice Bergen, Joan Allen, Famke Janssen, Sally Kellerman, voice-over actress Nancy (Bart Simpson) Cartwright, producer Lauren Shuler Donner, and Shrek director Vicky Jenson. The International Jazz Fest is another great way to get your music fix, with a week of concerts featuring hundreds of performers. Previous performances include James Brown, Al Green, and Smokey Robinson - to name just a few.

While most of the festivals are warm-weather events, they don't only exist in the summer. The holiday season brings us back to Park Avenue for the Park Avenue Holiday Open House where you can indulge in performances of holiday music, horse-drawn wagon rides, and hot roasted chestnuts.

I've only just brushed the surface of the festival culture in Rochester - we'd love you to come experience it in person!

A City Worth Living in!

2009-11-27T09:00:00-05:00

By Greg

Newsday.com recently ranked Rochester, NY among 6 college towns worth visiting: http://www.newsday.com/travel/6-college-towns-worth-visiting-1.1569515

While those of us who live and work in Rochester, NY know about the great quality of life we enjoy here, it is nice to see the city continue to be recognized by national media for the gem that it truly is. Students routinely tell me how they find so many cool things to do in Rochester. I tell them my family moved here ten years ago and we are still working through our list of things to see and do.

Capitalizing on how easy it is to get out and about in Rochester, a group of Simon students has decided to make the most of our world famous winters. They have formed the Winter Sports Club and intend to organize trips to local ski slopes and skating rinks. Growing up in Canada, I have experienced more winters than I sometimes care to remember. Yet, I have always enjoyed watching some of our students react to snow for the first time.

Admissions tips for the 2010 Application cycle

2009-11-24T16:00:00-05:00

By Rebekah:

While gaining admission to a top-MBA or MS program is challenging and selective, there are some general "do's and don'ts" that will hopefully help you to successfully achieve a favorable outcome.

First, the "Do's"

Be yourself - be honest and remember that the application is going to help the Admissions Committee (AdCom) to get to know you. Be realistic about strengths and weaknesses.
Have Career Focus and clear reasons for your graduate school plans - know what you want and have a plan for how the Simon School can be a partner to help you to get there.
Proofread your essays - spend the extra time to look over your essays and catch typos, stay within the word limit, check your grammar and most importantly make sure you have answered the essay questions for the Rochester application.
Plan to check the status of your application online - decisions are released in real-time as they are finalized by the AdCom.

Now the "Don'ts"

Don't wait until the last minute to ask recommenders to assist in the application process. They need plenty of time to write your recommendation. Also, give them a helpful reminder at least 7-10 days prior to your targeted deadline.
Don't forget how/when to use the optional essay - it truly is optional, but if you have a weakness in your application, be sure to use that area as an opportunity to proactively address it. Please be sure that you are only presenting information that is truly relevant to the B-school application.

Good luck - we wish you the best in your application for MBA or MS study and look forward to reviewing your Simon application!

Entrepreneurship at Simon

2009-11-20T17:30:00-05:00

By Lilly

One of the fastest growing concentrations at the Simon School is in entrepreneurship. For alumni and current students in the program, this comes as no surprise as alumni have been leaving the conventions of corporate America to open and succeed with their own businesses for years. Notable alumni who have gone on to great success are Mark S. Ain with Kronos, Inc., Robert E. Rich with Rich Products Corporation, and Paul A. Brands with American Management Systems, now known as CGI, among numerous others.

Current students are fortunate enough to know that the Center for Entrepreneurship is actually located in one of the main Simon buildings. The proximity of the faculty and staff who work there, as well as the professors who teach the numerous entrepreneurship courses available is helpful as students work on their unique business plans and seek guidance.

In addition to the Center for Entrepreneurship, there are numerous other opportunities for current and prospective students on campus. There is the Mark Ain Business Model Workshop Series and Competition, the Simon Entrepreneurs Club, additional regional business plan competitions unique to the Rochester area (http://www.htr.org/2009_rochester_regional_business_plan_contest.asp) and numerous roundtables, panels and seminars available to learn from successful entrepreneurs in the local or regional community.

Additional Value in a B-School Network

2009-11-17T12:10:00-05:00

By: Tony

There are several factors that will play a role in the choice of what school to attend for your MBA or MS graduate business degree. We have all heard about the importance in a program’s curriculum, faculty prominence, career placement, size and many other points. One of these other important features to consider is one that you may not receive a benefit from until a few years into your career… the alumni network. The intangible benefit of a school’s professional and alumni community is an additional value that will provide you lasting power on your resume and your professional network.

The Simon School’s active and well-connected alumni network is primarily a benefit from our personal culture at the school. We boast alumni networks across the US and across the world. Not only are these alums in several cities, industries and companies; but also eager to provide advice and assistance in promoting the Simon School. You can find some examples of Simon grads and what they are doing now on our Alumni Profilewebsite along with some recent evidence of the commitment of our alums to the Simon School here.

While doing your research on possible b-school’s you want to attend, ask about alumni involvement and to speak with an alum. Not only will this be another information source for you find out more about the school... but also a chance for you to find out how you can benefit from the alumni network later in your career.

My Summer Internship Experience 2009

2009-11-13T05:09:00-05:00

By: Ameet Chandak, MBA Candidate 2010

Why do a Summer Internship? One of the top questions which one has to answer as an entrant of the Accelerated 18 Month MBA program at Simon is: “How valuable is a summer internship and should I pursue this option?” The hectic pace of the first two quarters which covers 7 core courses is demanding for most students and was no different for me. However, what began as a struggle quickly turned in to an exciting experience where I mastered core management skills across different business functions. Having worked as an IT Consultant with Ernst & Young prior to Simon, I was keen to progress to a broader role as a business technology advisor and use my newly found MBA skills in the real world. The summer internship presented me with the perfect opportunity to do this, and I joined Deloitte Consulting LLP with their Healthcare industry practice at the Boston office.

Welcome to Deloitte. The city of Boston brought a much needed change after a ‘typical’ Rochester winter, and I started my 10 week internship in the 2nd week of June, just days after finishing the spring quarter. As I walked through the corridors of 60 floor John Hancock tower to make my way to the Deloitte office, I felt anxious about how the internship experience would unfold. My first week was dedicated to understanding the overall business of Deloitte, its various services across different industries, the organization structure and firm culture. I was assigned my summer project in the second week and introduced to my team and reporting manager. I was part of a highly visible team which was advising a Healthcare client in transforming a critical business function.

The Simon Difference. As a summer associate, I was assigned the responsibility of planning and developing an overall testing plan to analyze core business functionality of the newly implemented ‘claims pricing system’. My role required extensive data analysis and I was able to use skills from core courses like GBA and Finance to analyze and interpret data. As the weeks passed by, I was able to easily bond with my project team and contribute as a team member, leveraging vastly on my experience of working with diverse teams at Simon.

My Key Takeaways. The summer internship experience helped me expand my professional network which now includes consultants at Deloitte, interns from schools like Harvard Business School and MIT, and Simon Alumni in Boston. The internship also helped me gain further insight into US work culture and business etiquette. The most important takeaway was identifying areas for personal development of my management and leadership skills. I am now using the internship feedback to select relevant courses in my second year at Simon and take on new leadership positions on campus.

The summer internship has provided me with clarity on the industry and function that I desire to build a long term career after the MBA. My new professional network will undoubtedly help me in my full time job search. All in all it was an extremely fulfilling personal and professional summer internship and I would recommend that you explore this option during your studies at Simon.

Simon Meliora Fund Investment Club

2009-11-10T02:14:00-05:00

By: Crissi

Simon is known as a finance school. Aptly, one of its most popular and asked about clubs is the Simon Meliora Fund Investment Club. It has undergone some notable changes in 2009 for the benefit of all Simon students.

For the last several years, Meliora Fund was a closed club with frozen assets. Only a few selected students had access to the Fund and there was no active trading. Starting last spring the current Executive Board started working on the Fund’s restructuring. The main goal was to open up the Fund to all students, start actively trading securities and make Meliora Fund a great learning environment for everybody. At this time, Meliora Fund doesn’t hold any meetings related to security analysis or portfolio management, except educational events for first-year students. The club will now start having regularly scheduled meetings open to all members. For the second-year M.B.A. students there will be many new available positions within the club including: Analysts for those with no or little experience; and, Senior Equity/Debt Research Analysts for selected students with extensive experience who will supervise the groups of analysts and play an important role in the decision making process.

The Meliora Fund is also hosting campus-wide events open to all Simon students. To learn more about stock analysis, this week the Meliora Fund Club is hosting a Stock Pitch Competition. Simon Students are encouraged to participate or attend in support of their colleagues. The event tagline is: 26 different students. 26 different stocks. 26 different analyses. To learn more about the Simon Meliora Fund Investment Club, you can contact its student leaders directly at: SMFI@simon.rochester.edu.