Ask Stacy Blackman Consulting - Business School Admissions
Hey Everybody - if any of you are looking for a quality GMAT preparation I'd encourage you to check out our partnership with Veritas Prep here because WSO members get 10% off: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/veritas-gmat-prep-d...
For those of you thinking of an MBA with admissions questions I've spoken with Stacy Blackman and she and her team have agreed to answer any questions for the WSO community. Any questions you have about the admissions process I'd recommend that you post them here in this thread.
For those of you that haven't heard of Stacy's services, here is a quick bio: Since 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped clients gain admission to every top business school in the world. The company's approach, based on developing and implementing a winning marketing strategy, makes the application process less stressful and more successful. Stacy Blackman Consulting's dedicated MBA consultant team boasts a unique combination of admissions experience, marketing savvy and writing skills. This, combined with extensive company resources, has led to an exceptional client success rate.
In addition to private client work, Stacy Blackman Consulting has run workshops at companies including JPMorgan, UBS and Credit Suisse First Boston. Stacy Blackman personally serves on the Board of Directors of AIGAC, the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants, has published a book, The MBA Application Roadmap, and is the Back to B-school blogger for CBS Interactive’s BNET website. Stacy Blackman Consulting has been profiled in several publications, including Fortune Magazine, BusinessWeek and the Wall Street Journal.





One question thats been
One question thats been lingering in my thought were how top MBA programs view a masters degree in finance. I will undoubtedly be applying for H/S/W and want to understand if this will deteriorate my chances. Also unemployment gaps from undergrad to a FT job. Obviously you understand our current situation but how will top MBA programs view this. Thanks in advance
I have been wondering about
I have been wondering about how MBA programs view classes taken pass/fail. I understand if it's not in your major it isn't given much consideration, but if it comes down to two equally qualified candidates, can that be used as a point against you? Many thanks
Masters in Finance Degree
Of course it depends on each individual situation and your personal circumstances, but as a general rule, the Masters in Finance will not help much. MBA programs want to see that you did well as an undergraduate, and then they want to see you excell professionally. The Masters in Finance can show them that you can handle the quantitative subject matter, but you can also prove this through earning your CFA, or through relevant work experience. If it makes sense for your story, it does not have to hurt you, but it is not something I would recommend to give you an edge in the admissions process.
With regards to gaps in employment...having a gap does not hurt you per se. It's how you handle that gap. Did you bounce back quickly, create opportunities for yourself? What did you learn? How did you grow? Getting laid off can even be an asset if you can show you grew from the experience.
www.StacyBlackman.com
Classes taken Pass/Fail
I have been wondering about how MBA programs view classes taken pass/fail. I understand if it's not in your major it isn't given much consideration, but if it comes down to two equally qualified candidates, can that be used as a point against you? Many thanks
Pass/Fail should not hurt you. If all your quant courses were pass/fail, they would want to see some evidence that you can handle that type of class, but no, most people have some pass fail courses and it is not a big deal. They will look at those classes as probably being subjects that you were interested in and just wanted to take and enjoy...and leave it at that.
www.StacyBlackman.com
For those of us that are
For those of us that are going to start working full-time this fall, any tips on how we should spend our spare time after work (in terms of "extracurriculars")? For the idea of increasing admission chances of course.
*EDIT* Those of us that won't be working in banking (hence, actual spare time)
Extracurriculars
For those of us that are going to start working full-time this fall, any tips on how we should spend our spare time after work (in terms of "extracurriculars")? For the idea of increasing admission chances of course.
*EDIT* Those of us that won't be working in banking (hence, actual spare time)
The key here is to align your activities with your interests. Think about things that you actually enjoy doing, activities you enjoyed in high school or college, and try to do something that extends that story. If you were on the soccer team, coach a soccer team. If you enjoyed art, get involved with bringing arts to inner city schools, etc... Try to make the activity fit with who you are.
www.StacyBlackman.com
Admissions Process
Being that I am still an undergrad, I have a bit of time before I look at MBA schools more seriously, but I have a very general question for you. From some conversations I have had with alumni up to this point, it seems like there are three major things the schools focus on for candidates:
1) Undergrad GPA
2) Work Experience
3) Letter of Recommendation
Would you say this is an accurate perception? If not, what would you add? Are clubs/organizations relevant given the fact that they most likely have not been touched upon in 5 years when it becomes time to apply?
Any comments appreciated, thank you!
What is Important
Being that I am still an undergrad, I have a bit of time before I look at MBA schools more seriously, but I have a very general question for you. From some conversations I have had with alumni up to this point, it seems like there are three major things the schools focus on for candidates:
1) Undergrad GPA
2) Work Experience
3) Letter of Recommendation
Would you say this is an accurate perception? If not, what would you add? Are clubs/organizations relevant given the fact that they most likely have not been touched upon in 5 years when it becomes time to apply?
Any comments appreciated, thank you!
The GMAT is also important. Activities matter as well, and if you have important activities in college you will want to continue to be involved in some way post college. Your life should not just be pure career. Hence it will not be a gap of five years by the time you apply. Your essays, which encompass most of these things, are incredibly important, along with recs and interview. In the essays you touch on academics, career, and also who you are and what your goals are. This is where you tell your story - everything gets tied together.
www.StacyBlackman.com
When speaking about GPA, is
When speaking about GPA, is this Overall or Major? What happens if you have a 3.7+ overall from double majoring, but around a 3.3 GPA in your business major?
IB1 wrote: When speaking
When speaking about GPA, is this Overall or Major? What happens if you have a 3.7+ overall from double majoring, but around a 3.3 GPA in your business major?
They look at everything. The number that is often quoted "average GPA" is the overall GPA. But if that overall GPA is based on easy courses at a lower ranked school, it will not weigh as heavily as if you majored in engineering at Stanford, or finance at Penn. They are not necessarily concerned with your major GPA, but if your major was easy or difficult that will factor into the assessment of your GPA. If your major was a business or highly quantitative subject, they will scrutinize it more carefully, because they want to know how you perform n these subjects.
Stacy Blackman Consulting
MBA Admissions Consulting
www.StacyBlackman.com
GPA'S from different schools
Lets say you did your first two years in one school, than later transferred to another school two finish the last two years. Which school GPA do they take into consideration for admissions? Will they take the last two years or do they average the two?
Thanks!
I was curious to know
I was curious to know exactly what Harvard/Wharton/Stanford view as being the most important criteria for admission. How important is the GMAT (I've heard that its more important in business school admissions than the SAT is in college admissons)?
Also, since I am an undergraduate at a state university, and I am majoring in Engineering (minor in econ/math), is there anyway that I might be given more leniency for GPA standards?
As a final question, I wanted to ask you how the undergraduate major factors into Business School admissions. I've known many people who got into excellent business programs (Harvard/Wharton) with engineering undergrad, and I've noticed that many non-finance majors have fared very well in the admissions process. Is there an advantage to studying something other than business/econ as an undergrad?
John Wikowski
balancing work and life
You mentioned that a candidate's life shouldn't be purely work-related, but following up on what CCme said, will admissions take into account that full time analysts in banking will not have much (or any) time to pursue activities outside of work?
Thank you in advance for answering our questions!
How important is work
How important is work experience for the MBA? I'v heard its possible to take the MBA immediatley after graduating for a bachelors without prior work experience but I'm inclined to take this with a grain of salt.
Should I take the GMAT as an
Should I take the GMAT as an undergrad?
I am currently an undergrad about to graduate very soon and my professors have told me I should take the GMAT when I have my study habits and ample time. Or is there a more optimal time or life stage in studying and preparing for the GMAT?
I have a few questions.
My last semester of college
How have previously
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TFA B-School Placement
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