General
News items that we think are relevant and potentially of interest to MBA applicants and anyone interested in business school.
Published: December 18, 2018
Professors Talk About the Holiday Toy Battle Sans Toys “R” Us
What’s a Christmas without Toys "R" Us? How are all those parents and kids going to find their perfect toy?
While this year might mark the first Christmas season without Toys "R" Us, there’s no need to panic. Many stores and outlets have already rushed to fill in the gap left by the toy store’s bankruptcy filing. Amazon sent out holiday toy catalogs to millions of customers, and Walmart and Target also have plenty of toys to fill in the gap for families. Most surprising, Toys "R" Us itself isn’t entirely out of the running, yet. In October, the brand decided not to liquidate all of its assets and instead has partnered with Kroger to create pop-up stores inside the supermarket called, “Geoffrey’s Toy Box.”
To figure out what all this means, Wharton School marketing professor Barbara Kahn got together with Mark A. Cohen, the director of retail studies at Columbia Business School, to talk about Christmas without Toys "R" Us.
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Published: December 18, 2018
Advice on MBA Networking from UC Berkeley Haas
Sponsored Content Networking is vital for every MBA student and applicant, and at the University of California-Berkeley Haas School of Business, the school does whatever it can to help. From offering a myriad of networking opportunities to focusing on creating diverse classrooms, UC Berkeley Haas ensures that before, during, and after your MBA you have connections that will last you a lifetime. Liz Rosenberg, Senior Associate Director of Full-time MBA Admissions at Berkeley Haas Here’s what Senior Associate Director of Full-time MBA Admissions Liz Rosenberg had to say about networking and diversity at Berkeley Haas.
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Published: December 16, 2018
Real Humans of Cambridge Judge’s MBA Class of 2019
Cambridge University is an institution steeped in history. Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, Sylvia Plath, and Isaac Newton have walked across its quads and sat in its halls. So it's no wonder that the business school ad com looks for candidates who are "intelligent, curious, and energetic, and keen to contribute to our community, as well as achieve great things for themselves." Before we introduce five students who met the criteria, let's take a closer look at the school and its Class of 2019.
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Published: December 16, 2018
Using Social Media to Help Your B-School Application: Advice from Admissions Directors
If you’re an MBA candidate, you should know that there’s more to an MBA application than the forms you fill out and the essays you write. In this age of social media, what you post online can have repercussions in the admissions process and on your future career.
Admissions offices at leading business schools know that most applicants maintain an online presence and will sometimes check to see what they’re posting. We recently discussed this very issue in our article, Social Media in MBA Admissions: Can Your Twitter Feed Derail Your B-School Dreams?, which focused on the results of a Kaplan Test Prep survey that reported that 40 percent of admissions officers have visited an applicant’s social media page.
So, the question becomes: “How can I make sure that my social media works for me and not against me?” We put this question to admissions officers at some of top b-schools around the country including Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and Emory’s Goizueta Business School.
While this is a re-post from one year ago, these tips hold true today. Find out what they had to say to MBA candidates with regard to their social media presence:
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Published: December 13, 2018
Real Humans of Oxford Saïd’s MBA Class of 2019
As HQ for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, Oxford has long held a place in the global imagination as the image of elite British education. While Oxford Saïd Business School is a relatively new addition to the Oxford ranks, it has quickly made a significant contribution to the legacy of the institution in its short 22-year existence. In fact, The Economist currently ranks Oxford Saïd as the UK’s top MBA program. Over the course of the yearlong program, Oxford Saïd MBA students will develop the skills they need to thrive as corporate executives through team projects, workshops, seminars, and lectures. Students acquire and
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Published: December 13, 2018
Fridays from the Frontline: Olin Alum Roams into Global Scavenger Hunt Success
While working as a Quantitative Associate Analyst at Allstate in the greater Chicago area, Harding was also putting 50 hours per week into a scavenger hunt app.
Let’s Roam co-founder Mike Harding took to the Olin Blog to discuss the origin of his scavenger hunt tour company, which re-imagines “the way people explore and connect, at home and abroad” through custom hunts that foster team-building.
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Published: December 12, 2018
UVA Darden Admissions Explains How to Be an MBA Networking Genius
Sponsored Content You’ve decided to apply for an MBA program, great! Now what? Now, you start networking right away. At UVA Darden School of Business, the earlier you start building your network the better. Your network will be invaluable throughout your MBA career and beyond, as long as you take advantage of every opportunity. The good news is that UVA Darden has many unique MBA networking possibilities, all of which will help you create a diverse set of connections that will see you through life. Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid To gain insight
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Published: December 11, 2018
Take Your MBA Networking to the Next Level with NYU Stern
Sponsored Content At the NYU Stern School of Business, networking is a great way to get to know a school, the MBA program, the admissions team, the application process, and prepare for your future. That’s why it’s so vital that you meet and engage with as many people as possible in as diverse of an environment as possible. The good news is that NYU Stern has many unique opportunities set up to make networking as an MBA student a breeze. Check out MBA Admissions Director Lauren Calio’s recommendations for MBA networking at NYU Stern. Lauren
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Published: December 9, 2018
Real Humans of UCLA Anderson’s MBA Class of 2020
At the UCLA Anderson School of Management, the collaborative curriculum gives students the skills to achieve their goals while the Career Management Center provides one-on-one coaching and access to top-level executives and businesses to help students make a smooth, successful transition into the professional world. Of the 3,423 people who applied to be a part of the supportive program, 360 matriculated in the Class of 2020. Altogether, the new class averaged 719 on the GMAT and the 80 percent range fell between 680 and 750. Their middle-80 percent undergraduate GPA range landed at 3.2 to 3.8. A quarter
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Published: December 6, 2018
Fridays from the Frontline: To Do Or Not To Do: The Intensive Language Program – That Is The Question
One of INSEAD’s major selling points is its language policy, which requires that students speak English fluently and moderately well in a second language. By the time the program wraps, INSEAD MBAs must be able to speak a “third, commercially useful, language at A2 'Basic' level in order to graduate.”
Since languages play such an integral role in an INSEAD education, it may come as no surprise that the school offers intensive language courses in both Spanish and French. Current MBA student Rada Keratirags ‘19J took to the INSEAD MBA Experience blog to review the intensive French course offered by INSEAD training partner FL&C in Fontainebleau.
The following post has been republished in its entirety from its original source, the INSEAD MBA Experience Blog.
To Do Or Not To Do: The Intensive Language Program – That Is The Question
Rada Keratirags, MBA’19J
A 26-year-old auditor-turned-consultant from Bangkok, Thailand. Travelling has always been my passion, and documenting it—both by photography and keeping a diary—comes naturally to me. And here I'd like to share my INSEAD journey with you.
I believe a lot of people wonder about this. In fact, I owe a 19D a thorough review of the intensive language program.
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Published: December 5, 2018
Real Humans of the Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2020
As a global hub for politics, business, tech, and nonprofit organizations alike, Washington, D.C., is one of the major selling points for prospective Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business students. Students also laud the close-knit community of the MBA program, and how second-year students are always at the ready for any and all questions from new candidates. In this edition of Real Humans, we’re going to meet five new students who chose McDonough for different reasons, but found the same sense of community. We start with a snapshot of the new class. The 271 students who enrolled
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Published: December 5, 2018
Got Your MBA? Here’s How You Can Save Money on Your Student Loan after Graduation
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Apply for refinancing now” and “save over $20,000* through refinancing
As an international MBA graduate you worked hard to get into the right school, get the MBA to set you apart from your peers, and then to land the job you’ve always dreamed of.
You’re on track to a lucrative professional career. The catch? You likely spent thousands to get where you are. And now you’ve got years worth of student debt holding you back from starting the life you want.
The answer seems simple: just refinance your student loan. But unfortunately, for immigrants living and working in a new home country, your refinance options are going to be limited. Your domestic peers have opportunities to suit their needs but you’ve been held back because of your visa status.
Fortunately that’s about to change. You can save thousands of dollars by refinancing your student loan with the introduction of international lenders like Prodigy Finance. International lenders are focused on breaking down the traditional challenges of cross-border lending to give more people the opportunity to access financial independence.
How refinancing your international student loan can save you money
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Published: December 4, 2018
Network Like an MBA Boss with Advice from Michigan Ross
Sponsored Content Attending a multi-school event to learn more about potential MBA programs is a great start for gathering information. Even better is using that opportunity to build your MBA network. But that’s just the start of your networking experience at Michigan University’s Ross School of Business. The school offers a variety of events, clubs, organizations, and opportunities to meet new people, expand your viewpoint, and build your network for the future. The key is to take advantage of everything that’s available. Diana Economy, Michigan Ross’s Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions To get an idea
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Published: December 3, 2018
Discover How Yale SOM Makes MBA Networking a Dream Come True
Sponsored Content If you’re an MBA candidate, you probably know that networking is vital to your experience. You’ve probably even started to consider what events you’ll attend and what classes you’ll sign up for once you start school to help build your network. But did you know that you can start your network before you even apply? At least that’s what the Yale School of Management recommends. There’s no time like the present to start building a diverse network of contacts that will help you throughout the MBA applications process, during your MBA program, and beyond.
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Published: December 2, 2018
Real Humans of Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA Class of 2020
We are pleased to continue our Real Humans series with a snapshot of the Class of 2020 at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Situated in Hanover, New Hampshire, Tuck stands out from its peer schools for offering only a full-time MBA program, though students may pursue joint or dual degrees in conjunction with Dartmouth and other leading universities. Once again, the Tuck class matriculated with impressive and diverse experiences. Compared to the Class of 2019, the average GMAT score has stayed consistent at 722 and the average GPA has dropped only slightly to 3.49. Tuck also continues
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Published: November 29, 2018
Fridays from the Frontline: Top 5 Spots for Chicago Booth Coffee Chats
Peer-to-peer mentorship is an integral part of the MBA experience that often gets overlooked in favor of other kinds of networking. Chicago Booth understands that the connections its students make among peers will serve them well during their MBA stint, their careers, and beyond.
This is why Chicago Booth facilitates “Coffee Chats,” or informal hangs for first-years to pick the brains of second-years about recruiting, internships, and their Booth experiences. Current Booth student Aliy Markowski MBA ’19 offers her personal recommendations for the best coffee spots in Hyde Park that cater especially well to these unique meet-ups.
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Published: November 26, 2018
How to Build and Take Advantage of Your MBA Network: Advice from 7 Top-Tier Schools
Sponsored Content There’s no doubt that networking is a vital piece of the MBA experience. When done correctly, it can offer a range of benefits from sourcing information to salary growth, building stronger relationships, improving job satisfaction, and more. In fact, research reveals that the more you network and grow your list of diverse contacts, the better you’ll be able to generate ideas. Unfortunately, many MBA students and applicants decide not to start networking until they’re on campus. And, even then, research reveals that while 95 percent of
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Published: November 22, 2018
Fridays from the Frontline: A business school internship with the National Park Service?
Internships are arguably the second major step in the MBA process; choosing where to intern has the potential to shape your career just as much as the business school you end up attending.
When it comes to internships, many b-schoolers opt for one of the usual suspects—Fortune 500 corporations, consulting firms, ecommerce giants—but fewer stop to consider the wealth of opportunities in the public sector, particularly organizations that address the relevant intersection between business and environmental issues.
Current UNC / Kenan-Flagler Business School student Bailey Whitaker took to the K-F blog to talk about his experience interning with the National Park Service.
The following post has been republished in its entirety from its original source, the Kenan-Flagler Blog.
Bailey Whitaker (MBA ’19)
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Published: November 21, 2018
Real Humans of IESE’s MBA Class of 2020
Widely considered one of the top MBA programs in Europe, IESE provides a business school experience that gives students the skills necessary to truly become a leader who leaves a legacy. The international student population at IESE is large and varied. The IESE Class of 2020 comes from 64 different countries, an increase from the previous year’s 57 countries of origin. In addition to the various countries where students originate, the Class of 2020 consists of 81 percent international students. In terms of geographic origin, the largest percentage comes from Europe, making up 37
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Published: November 19, 2018
The Kelley Full-Time MBA Program Was Made for Career Switchers
Sponsored Content If you’re applying to business school because you want to change your career, you are not alone. Almost half (48 percent) of all MBA candidates head back to school for a career switch, according to a recent survey by the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants. Even more telling is what happens after graduation. According to a 2017 GMAC study, 52 percent of MBA alumni work in a different industry or job function than what they did before school. Earning your MBA to career switch is the norm. And that’s especially the
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Published: November 18, 2018
Real Humans of Rotman’s MBA Class of 2020
“The need for change is real, and the blueprints are already in process. One of the most distinctive blueprints being developed is at the Rotman School.” – Lane Wallace, The New York Times The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management has staked a claim as one of Canada’s top-tier business schools with a diverse student population that reflects Toronto’s mélange of global cultures. As a world-renowned institution that has cultivated business leaders since 1950, one might expect Rotman’s programs to have a rarefied air around them—keen to preserve the past at the expense of finding new
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Published: November 15, 2018
Fridays from the Frontline: Advice from Yale SOM Student Admissions Ambassadors
The b-school application is just as much of an opportunity for adcom members to get an overview of who you are as it is a crash course in “knowing thyself.” Applications ask would-be students to not just tell a story, but to do so within the context of their educational and professional goals.
Five current Yale School of Management MBA students took to the Yale SOM blog to discuss how applicants can contextualize the micro within the macro—and vice versa.
The following post has been republished in its entirety from its original source, the Yale SOM Blog.
Advice from Student Admissions Ambassadors
Students weigh in on how to select the best school for you and position yourself in your business school application.
Whether you’re currently working on your Yale SOM application for Round 2 or you’re still gathering information on individual schools, students’ experiences offer lessons on refining “the list,” identifying what is important to you in an MBA program, and positioning yourself in your business school application. We asked admissions ambassadors for their advice.
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Published: November 7, 2018
From Lawyer to Leading at Waymo Google’s Self-Driving Car Division: An Alliance Manchester MBA Journey
Sponsored Content What if five years into your career you could totally change directions? What if you could reinvent yourself and go from lawyer and internal auditor to working at your dream company as a senior program manager? That’s exactly what Leticia Cavalcante (Lety) did thanks to her Alliance Manchester Business School MBA. A Lawyer and Auditor Lety’s journey started nine years ago in São Paulo, Brazil where she graduated with her J.D. from the Universidade de São Paulo. But after working three years as a tax lawyer in Brazil, Lety was offered an opportunity to work abroad and she
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Published: November 1, 2018
Thinking About Berkeley Haas for Your MBA? Here’s Why You Should
Sponsored Content U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business ranked #7 by the U.S. News & World Report and The Economist, #9 by Forbes, and #10 by the Financial Times. It reaches these high rankings thanks to the school’s academic rigor, exceptional faculty, and business ecosystem. The School offers multiple MBA programs including: Full-Time MBA: This 21-month program helps students build a fluency in business fundamentals that inform confident leadership decisions. Evening & Weekend MBA: This part-time
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Published: October 31, 2018
How Does Michigan Ross’s MBA Program Stand Out?
Sponsored Content The Michigan Ross School of Business is ranked #7 by the U.S. News & World Report, #12 by Forbes, #21 by The Economist, and #26 by the Financial Times. What makes the school top-ranked is their large and influential alumni network, excellent career services, and outstanding value. The school is home to multiple MBA programs including: Full-Time MBA: This full-time MBA program takes an active and rigorous approach to learning with globally-oriented curriculum designed to help you succeed. Evening MBA:
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