Standing Out Among the Outstanding: MBA Schools

An animated discussion rang out in one of the auditoriums on the Microsoft campus in Redmond Thursday, June 18th. The panel of three diverse and knowledgeable guests was assembled by "Africans at Microsoft." The subject, however, broadly applies to anyone considering an MBA who is seeking guidance and, at times, assurance.

Hear the event here: http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/BizSchoolPanelMicrosoft.asp?iEpisode=74

The full title of the event, the 2nd Annual MBA Panel, is Standing out among the outstanding: Recession, Competition, and Business School Admissions. Moderator Chika Ekeji asked the panel for changes they've seen as a result of the current economic crisis. Scott Shrum, the Director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep, says the surge in applications to MBA schools has dropped away because of the lack of financing available. It's become, Scott says, a "lost season.." The desire is there among would-be MBA applicants, but the money isn't.

Bryan Tomlinson, one of two experts-in-our-midst, along with Edward Gali, both representing the University of Washington, home to the Michael G. Foster School of Business, added that it's "tough out there." Later in the conversation, Bryan said that the classes of 2005 and 2006 didn't build up their networks -- they didn't need to. But the class of 2009 are great networkers, and that will serve them well over time.

Barbara Thomas, President and CEO of the National Black MBA Association, offered her tips for networking to the Microsoft employees gathered in the room and on the conference line. Barbara says she collects about 100 business cards every week, writing on the back of the cards where she met the people and what she said to them. She follows up with notes every six months.

To the issue of improving your candidacy, Cassandra Pittman, Assistant Director of Marketing at INSEAD, frankly told the potential MBA candidates that they shouldn't be preparing for the more narrow role of being accepted at a choice school. Instead, they should be living a dynamic life, focused on what they are interested in, their true passions. She suggested they take some math to prep, but also travel, explore their passions, and meet a lot of people.

While I heard anxiety trip in the voices of the potential students who asked questions at the mic, the answers supplied by the panelists were even, honest, and provocative. The take-away from the panel follow your unique passions and network!

Microsoft's 2nd Annual MBA Panel: Soliciting Questions from You!

UPDATE (6/25/09): The Panel was a success! Hear the event here: http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/BizSchoolPanelMicrosoft.asp?iEpisode=74

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As we all know, the current economic climate is prompting thousands to consider going for their MBA and in turn propelling upward the number of applications to business schools. With the increased competition, how do you gear up to get an MBA in this climate? One contribution comes from a special business school panel presented by Microsoft. The focus is a current and compelling one -- the theme is "Standing Out Among the Outstanding: Recession, Competition, and Business School Admissions"

Guests on this year's panel include:

• Cassandra Pittman Assistant Director of Marketing at INSEAD and responsible for MBA recruitment in North and South America
• Scott Shrum Director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep
• Barbara Thomas, President and CEO National Black MBA Association, the world's leading organization for black professionals
• There will also be "experts in the audience" contributing to the dialogue: Bryan Tomlinson and Edward Gali, both representing the University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business

MBA Podcaster will be attending the event and bringing your questions to the panelists. So we're asking you: if you're seeking your MBA -- or considering it -- what questions would you have for this panel? Send your questions to info@mbapodcaster.com

The Business School Panel will be held at the Redmond, WA headquarters of Microsoft on June 18th, 2009, hosted by Africans at Microsoft.

This is the second annual panel put on by Africans at Microsoft. Below is a link to our podcast on the event from last year. The show covers the entire MBA process from the applications to acceptance.

2008 Business School Panel: Pursuing an MBA -- Motives, Values, and Opportunities
http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/BizSchoolPanelMicrosoft.asp?iEpisode=74

We had representatives from Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, University of Washington, and the GM of Microsoft's global recruiting team. Also participating were students from Harvard, Wharton, Darden, and Cornell Business Schools.

The energy generated by the audience and the panel made for a lively, informative discussion that covered and broke the bounds of the topic. We expect no less this time!

This is a valuable topic -- how to stand out among so many outstanding candidates!

Please let us know what questions you have for this event, and likely you'll hear them answered by these elite panelists on our next podcast.

GMAT Test-Taking Tips & Today's Expert: Veritas Prep

I'm Diana Jordan with MBA Podcaster. I'm working on an upcoming show about the GMAT. I have interviewed five experts who have been giving me their advice on how you can improve your GMAT score.

The fifth of five experts on this topic is Brian Galvin of Veritas Prep. Galvin is given to visual examples. He mentions the guy whose car broke down on the day of the test, and he had to sprint. Sweating, then chilled by the air conditioning, the GMAT test-taker finally calmed down after he realized he was nailing the answers because he was so well-prepared.

Then there's what not to do. Galvin says one student decided to stay in a hotel the night before her GMAT. And, since she'd heard that salmon was great brain-food, she dined at an all-you-can-eat seafood restaurant. Her plans got upended when she got food-poisoning and spent much of the night and the morning of the test day puking. The lesson here, Galvin says, is stick with your normal routine. Eat what is familiar to you. And do what is familiar -- for example, if you usually workout at night -- do it.

And that brings me to another one of his great stories. Galvin says he's a marathoner. Much like the GMAT test, in a marathon you log hundreds of miles -- or hours -- practicing, so by the time you get to test day or the day of the marathon, and you get out there, with the timer about to start..recognize that you've already done the hard part. And, that, he says, should give you confidence!

On the upcoming show, you'll hear from experts from PowerScore, Manhattan GMAT, Kaplan and Knewton. The finished show should be posted in a few weeks at MBA Podcaster.

(Updated! Listen to the completed show here: http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/gmat-test-taking-tips.asp?iEpisode=77)