Coffee Chats and Business School

by Lauren

From Coffee Chat to BC...
Last year, when I was applying to Business school, I never expected that a coffee chat would be the deciding factor in which B-school I would attend. During the interview process, I chose to fly up to Boston from North Carolina for an in-person interview instead of a Skype interview because I wanted to see BC's campus. A few days before my interview, it occurred to me that BC had options to check out the school- coffee chats, class visits, information session etc. It was last minute, but I emailed the Graduate Admissions Office and asked if I could meet with a student. Luckily a First-Year student was free one hour before my interview for coffee.

There's a lot you can learn about Business schools from their websites, promotional materials and third party sites. However, you gain so much more from talking to a current student. What would life be like as a BC MBA? Could I imagine myself there? BC is a small program, would I like it? How could I leverage the BC network? Would I be happy at BC or would I be happier somewhere else?

The First-Year MBA I met for coffee answered all of those questions. And honestly. She told me what she liked and what she didn't. I felt comfortable asking her every question I could think of (I wanted the truth!). After 45 minutes, I felt like I had a pretty clear understanding of what it was like to be a BC MBA, the strengths and weaknesses of BC, and what I would get out of the program. (Thanks, Jaclyn!)

In the end, I had to choose between two great business schools and relied heavily on my coffee chat. I knew how the two schools looked on paper, and I could see myself at either one, but which one was the right choice? Luckily, I had met with students at both schools I was deciding between and compared their feedback on both schools and my gut feel from each.

After a few weeks of deliberation, I chose BC. At the time, I felt confident that BC was the right school for me and that I was making the best decision for my career because of my coffee chats. Now almost one semester in, I have no regrets and am even more confident that I made the right choice.

Who would have guessed that coffee would decide which B-school I would go to?

Chocolate Bar in Stokes Hall

Paying it Forward
Just as Jaclyn met me for coffee, I've been meeting prospective students for coffee at the Chocolate Bar in Stokes Hall (so delicious!) to answer their questions about the program and help them decide if BC is the right school for them. I valued honest feedback, which is what I try to give during my chats. I didn't want to meet with someone who would give me canned answers on how great the school was- I wanted to know what I was really getting into!

Advice for Coffee Chats: Come with Thoughtful Questions
Everyone has different concerns when they look at schools: community, specializations and classes, clubs, social activities, leadership training, field learning, and of course, careers. All of these areas are important, and to get the most information from a coffee chat, make sure you come prepared with thoughtful questions! It's hard to get a meaningful answer from generic questions like "What's the community like?" and "How are classes?" Although these are good starter questions- I'll tell you that I love the BC Community because the people are friendly, motivated, fun, and I learn a lot from my peers. But what are you interested in getting out of a community? Think about that when you go into the chat and ask follow up questions. Do you have X because I'm really interested in __?  The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the conversation.

So go grab a cup of coffee- it's worth it!

For the Quantitatively Challenged: Owning the Admissions Process & Transitioning into the Program

by Siobhan

Over the past few weeks, I’ve met a number of prospective students who have expressed a common concern: I don’t have a formal business background, how is the transition to the MBA program going to be for me? As someone who majored in Foreign Affairs and worked in the nonprofit sector for 5 years in fundraising and event management, the nervousness around the application and then ultimately the transition to the MBA program is a feeling that I am very familiar with and am happy to share that the transition is in fact nothing to worry about! Whether you majored in art history or politics or French or have spent the last 5 years skiing the Alps, here are a few reasons to not stress about the application or the transition from life pre-MBA to your first year in the program:

• It’s all about how you tell your story. Often referred to as your elevator pitch, or “what you wrote in your essay,” it’s critical to know where you are in your career and professional life and how an MBA will help take you to the next level. When you prepare for your interview, Admissions teams are really looking for you to make the connection between your current career and how you think an MBA can further leverage that experience to take you to the next level in your career.

• Everyone has dealt with a management issue. I've talked to applicants who have stressed about their lack of "management experience." Admissions staff isn't looking for you to have directly managed a team or other employees (obviously if you have, make sure to share that!), but even if you have worked in a "softer skill" role, you've probably had to make strategic decisions that have impacted your organization. Or maybe you've been a part of a team where you've really struggled and had to overcome obstacles? Admissions staff are really looking for you to explain how you've used critical thinking to make decisions that ultimately show them that you have the potential to be a business leader and manager.

• People are looking at your GMAT quant score. Yes, the GMAT. We all hate it. That's a fact. However, if you have a non-business or quantitative background, you already know that you can't retake your college courses all over again. Maybe you even took an Econ class and didn't do well (or 2 like someone I know...yes, that's me)? Point is, the quant section of the GMAT is your time to show Admissions that you can in fact hang with your peers with quantitative backgrounds. Obviously, the verbal section shouldn't be ignored - but if you are worried about how to show your quantitative strenghs, the quant section of the GMAT provides the opportunity.

At this point, many of you might be thinking "Ok Siobhan, so I've already done all of this and have gotten accepted to BC and am still a little nervous about what to expect." That's fine! I felt the same way. If you have already mastered the GMAT and rocked your interview and have bought your BC sweatshirt in preparation for the fall - here are a few things that will hopefully calm your nerves about the fall:

• You will never be in a class where you are the only person who hasn't taken Statistics, Accounting, Finance or any quant class before. At BC, if you majored in a specific subject, you can waive out of that course, so often the "experts" are out of the course keeping the class more at the same level. Every course - from Marketing to Finance - is designed to be an intro level for MBAs. Even at other MBA programs, if you are not a "quant person" there are often seminars before the program starts to get you up to speed. At BC, there are sometimes people in your class who have experience with the subject, but luckily, given our culture of a strong community, these are the people you find to help you when you feel lost!

• Group projects are basically the workplace in the classroom - minus the boss. Group projects are collaborative and at BC, teams are formed of individuals with various backgrounds. You will never find yourself on a team with 4 other people who have been trading derivatives or working at a private equity firm. Plus, your teammmates who really are more comfortable with numbers are typically looking for you (yes, you - the English major) to help them with writing up reports and other less numbers oriented activities.

• Your professors want you to excel. At least at BC, your professors are smiling when you did well on that exam - and are upset when they see that you did not do well, especially when you tried your hardest. I have never seen faculty with such dedication to their students' achievement and they will make time to help you better understand how to create that statement of cash flows or identify the NPV on a potential investment. If you are worried about some of your quant classes, go and talk to your professors early on and stay in touch with them during the semester if you see yourself slipping behind or not understanding content. They really do want to make sure that you walk away from their class understanding how to leverage the skills they are teaching you in the classroom in your future career.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

by Siobhan

After returning to the second semester of business school Monday, this first week has felt like a month. Whether it’s the reality that another tough semester has begun or the major contrast to a month of relaxation and laziness, the return to BC’s campus – while for me was definitely needed to get back into a routine – was not necessarily a joyous occasion when on Monday morning we literally got down to business (no pun intended!). Between Boston’s cold weather, the hundreds of pages of reading that now need to be completed, and other projects beginning to pile up, it may be difficult to look ahead to the various academic and social activities that will make our second semester at the Carroll School even better than the first. Here is a preview of the second semester:

• Carroll School of Management Winter Gala: Held every year, this is an event not to be missed! This year’s event will be held downtown at the InterContinental Hotel, overlooking the Fort Point Channel with views of the Boston Harbor and the city of Boston. Open to the entire graduate school, this is a great way to dress up for a night on the town, put on your dancing shoes, and let loose with your classmates – while making connections with some of the other students that the First Year Full-Time MBAs don’t necessarily get to see on a daily basis.

• BC Consulting Project: A unique aspect of the Carroll School, the BC Consulting Project, allows us to apply the skills that we have learned over the course of the first semester. Our class has been split into new teams (20 total) and have been matched with a company, nonprofit, or government agency that has a real-world problem that they need solved. This is not a simulation – but an actual business problem for an actual organization that our team is expected to complete over the course of the semester. While this will be a very challenging and time consuming aspect of this semester, I know it will be an incredibly rewarding experience. The capstone of the project is the Diane Weiss Consulting Competition that takes place in May. All of the teams present their work to a panel of faculty and three teams are selected to move on to the final where they present to a panel of outside judges. I look forward to seeing the hard work of my team, and all of my classmates’ hard work, come to fruition and see the impact we’ve made in these organizations throughout New England.

• BC Business Days: Every spring semester, there are typically at least three events to welcome admitted students to Boston College’s campus. If you are an admitted student, I highly recommend taking the time to come visit BC’s campus and spend a day in Fulton Hall getting to know the program, faculty, staff and current students. For my class, it’s a great way to pay it forward and share our amazing experience at BC to date with the future class of 2015.

• Tuck Winter Carnival: Held every year in Hanover, NH and hosted by Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, this is an amazing way to get out of town for the weekend, while networking with other MBA’s in New England. It’s a weekend complete with skiing, parties, networking, and enjoying some of New England’s best winter scenery!

As you can see, although this semester will be incredibly demanding, there are so many things to look forward to between now and the end of the year. Between the real world application of the business skills I’ve learned over the course of the year so far, plus a host of social activities to keep me sane, I plan to make the most of this semester and know that it will be even better than the last.

Keep Calm and Interview On

by Jaclyn

At around this time last year, I was scheduling my first round of interviews, figuring out which of my suits still fit and how I could prepare for something that seemed so daunting. Since I had never interviewed for a graduate program before (shocking!), I did what anyone would do, I Googled it. But seeing tens of thousands of results only psyched me out and sent enough mixed messages to leave me more confused than when I started. Such stress! But wait, consider this...

You are both the interviewee and the interviewer. I know, I know, it's easy for me to say as I sit comfortably in a Boston College seat, but I still think this is key to a successful two years. Visiting schools, speaking to students, inquiring about the curriculum, getting a feel for the environment...you are essentially judging the program and the program wants to impress you. Don't take this to the extreme, I'm not saying don't prepare, but reflect more on how to effectively show your true self to the admissions team than trying to fit into a mold.

Now that I've hopefully lightened the weight on your shoulders slightly, everyone loves lists, so here are a few of my own interview tips:

1. Know the School. It sounds so simple, but being able to reference a professor you've heard about or an elective course or student club you've read about will go a long way. Again, be yourself and use specifics about the school that attracted you in the first place. Don't hide your enthusiasm.
2. Don't Forget Examples. Almost every school I interviewed with asked behavioral questions. You know the ones, "Tell me about a time when..." Have examples prepared from your professional experience, previous school projects, club sports, etc. so you're comfortable with your talking points.
3. Communicate Your "Fit." You have a reason for getting your MBA and for applying to a particular school, right? There's something you plan on taking away from this experience. Well, there are also skills and experiences you bring to the table. Make sure to communicate both and connect the two. The interviewer will have a much easier time picturing you in a seat of an MBA class actively contributing to the the conversation.
4. Ask Questions. If there is time allotted at the end of your interview, know what you want to know. Asking questions regarding aspects of the program or what the interviewer believes are the strengths of the school, can show genuine interest and separate you from others.
5. Take a Deep Breath.

Good luck!

Advice over coffee

by Jaclyn

So you're ready to start your MBA. You've narrowed down and prioritized your list of programs. The application process is well underway and deadlines are fast approaching. You've shared your plans with a few select colleagues and are eagerly telling all of your friends and family. But as the start of your MBA gets closer, you start to wonder how to prepare...

I'm sure advice from seemingly everyone you know is not in short supply, but I'm going to jump on the advice train with a few of my own:

1. Know "Why MBA?" There is no denying that returning for an MBA education is a commitment, both in time and in cost. So to make such an investment for two years, there must be a really good reason. My advice is to know yours, not just what you wrote in your admissions essay, but what you really want to get out of the experience. For some it's an opportunity for a career change, for others it may afford new opportunities at their current workplace, and still others are simply looking to strengthen skills. Having these goals in mind will motivate you more than you could imagine in the first year of the program, and are a guide when prioritizing all of the opportunities an MBA education affords.
2. Embrace the Transition and Seek Challenges. I just completed the first 7 weeks of the MBA program last Friday and it's hard to explain what a rush of emotions it was. There's the feeling of relief; the first semester of the BC MBA program is intensive and having been out of a school environment for 5 years, I was anxious. While there isn't a lot of time to become adjusted, looking around the classroom you realize most everyone is in the same boat. My classmates very quickly became a support system, my study buddies, my teammates and my friends. Anticipate and enjoy the transition. The other feeling was excitement; looking back I can't believe the knowledge I've gained and all of the times I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and accomplished more than I thought possible. Seek challenges and take risks you wouldn't be able to outside of the program. You have two years.
3. Put Your Game Face On. As one of my favorite first quarter professors would say, "This isn't a spectator sport. Get in the game." Returning for your MBA is not a passive experience, so enter the front doors knowing you're going to work hard and may sacrifice a little sleep along the way. Approach the two years excited to learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and discovering what your true passions are. Look forward to making some incredible friends along the way, because it will most certainly happen and it'll happen fast.

Last, but not least, learn to appreciate coffee in all of its caffeinated glory. Good luck!

Decisions, Decisions... Choosing an MBA & Boston College

by Siobhan

Why an MBA? By the time you arrive at b-school, you’ve answered this question hundreds of times. However, by the time you sit down in your first class, the answer you might have given before you took the GMAT, or the answer you gave during your Admissions interview, or the answer you told your uncle over the summer before school started, may be completely different. At least, this was the case for me! For me, the decision to get an MBA can be summed up in one word: change (which is probably why my answer was ever-changing).

Not only had I wanted to change the organizations that I had worked for, but I was ready to experience a change in my role and perhaps even the industry I had worked in over the past 5 years. Most importantly, I was ready to change myself – not in a drastic way – but to change the knowledge and skillset that I hope to bring to my career and to future organizations – whether for-profit or nonprofit – that I will work with down the line. I knew that in order to make these changes, both internally and externally, I needed to go back to school and knew that an MBA would allow me to influence my career and the organizations in which I will work, the most effectively.

But why BC? Deciding to come to Boston College was an easy decision. Obviously, when weighing the various factors that influence your choice of the best b-school for you, there is PLENTY to consider. For me, coming from a more non-traditional background, the two questions that were most important to my decision were:

1) Which program stresses not only gaining the business skills I need to be successful in my career, but focuses on how to be a socially conscious business leader?

You already know the answer to this question, but BC! Unlike many business school programs, BC has a mandatory service requirement for graduation. While any added extracurricular activities tend to make any MBA student a little nervous, having started at BC, I can honestly say that the student body is generally committed to service – and not only committed, but excited to engage with the community. Invest N’ Kids is a program that brings local, at-risk youth to BC for tutoring and mentoring throughout the semester. A number of my classmates immediately jumped at the opportunity to get involved with this opportunity (and by the end of the semester – all of them will have already completed their service requirement!).

I’ve elected to serve in a different capacity, as a Board Fellow with a local nonprofit program, where I hope to fuse my previous experience in the sector, with the new skills that I’ve developed over the first six weeks of business school. I couldn’t be more excited to learn about what nonprofit I will be placed at for the semester and begin the process of supporting my project.

While the service element is a key component of BC’s uniqueness as a b-school, the commitment to producing socially conscious business leaders is integrated throughout our coursework – which was another key element for me. This was something discussed during my interview and again when I visited campus after I was admitted, but I can now say that everything I was told is 100% true. The Carroll School has a set of core values that the faculty and professors stress upon us to follow and uphold. We even had an assignment this quarter to write about our Core Values, forcing all of the First Years to identify what “makes us tick” as ethical individuals both personally and professionally.

2) Which program has the people that are the best for me?

The minute I stepped into the BC Admissions Office, I knew that BC was the right place for me. Greeted by a warm, engaging Admissions team, who were genuinely excited to get to know ME (not a candidate, or an applicant, but ME), I knew that BC was it. This was reinforced by my visit after I was accepted to BC and I had a chance to meet current students, other admitted students, faculty, and professors who stressed one thing: the sense of community. The sense of being a part of such a powerful, committed group of motivated, intelligent, passionate individuals exuded from every member of the BC community that I met with on campus. For me, I needed to be a part of an MBA program that promoted this inclusive network. As soon as I arrived, I knew that I belonged. After being at BC for six weeks, I can say that I made the best decision for me. I have classmates willing to set aside time to help me understand the accounting or statistics homework that I might be struggling with or read the paper that I want to make sure is grammatically correct. The community is here to support its members to ensure the success of the group, versus the success of the individual.

No matter what, any MBA program give you the business toolkit that you need to succeed. However, it’s critical to identify what type of program will allow you to thrive.