Let’s Get Ready to Recruit the Penn State Smeal MBA Class of 2015!
May 11th, 2012 - No Comments
As some of our students prepare to leave campus for their internship, and new graduates get ready to take on new career challenges, MBA admissions is already in planning mode for the next admissions cycle. We have already seen inquiries from prospective students who are applying to start school in the fall of 2013 to become the class of 2015. If you are looking at getting a head start on your application for next year, here are some things you can do now:
1)Begin preparing for the GMAT. It may seem like you have plenty of time before our November deadline, but if you prepare and take the exam early in the process, you leave yourself plenty of time to test again if necessary. If the first score is what you want, you’ve also then given yourself some extra time to work on other parts of your application.
2)Narrow your top program choices into a short list. You may be interested in 20 programs, but realistically, you probably won’t wind up applying to more than about 6. Certainly this number varies by applicant, but keep in mind the application itself can be expensive. Choose wisely and make sure you really know which programs will be a good fit for you.
3)Begin looking at finances. If you haven’t already, get a good idea of how much your target programs cost and how much you will be able to afford. If you are hoping for merit-based aid from a program, you need to make sure your final applications are as competitive as possible.
4)Start thinking about themes for your essays. While each program will ask slightly different essay questions, as you do your research, notice some of the themes that will emerge (career goals, leadership experiences, etc.)
5)Check out the fall schedule for both MBA recruiting fairs AND for the specific programs you have interest in. Fairs can be helpful in identifying program choices that best fit you and your goals, but they shouldn’t be the only way you research programs. Lots of great MBA programs don’t make the full “fair circuit”. Additionally, most schools will soon post program-specific events including campus visit opportunities. Mark your calendar now so you can make sure you’ve put aside the appropriate amount of time for MBA-related events and campus visits.
While summer can be a great time to relax and enjoy the weather, it’s also a great time to put yourself ahead of the pack and get an early jump on b-school admission!
–Stacey Dorang Peeler
Tags: application, GMAT, MBA, MBA fairs, Penn State, Penn State Smeal MBA, Smeal, visit mba
Football, Hot Dogs, and… Networking?
April 20th, 2012 - No Comments
Here at Penn State football is a big deal. If it wasn’t, there is no way we could fill a stadium with over 107,000 people, not to mention the countless other thousands that don’t go into the game but only tailgate outside the stadium. Penn Staters didn’t invent tailgating, but they surely have perfected it. Being outside, tossing a football with a lot of good friends and eating a lot of great food, it truly is an art form around these parts.
Starting today is the Annual Blue/White weekend, an entire weekend of events culminating with the annual Penn State Blue/White football scrimmage. Alumni come from all over the world to return and visit this weekend, and it’s a great time to catch up on what is going on with old friends. It is also, like any other tailgate, a great opportunity for networking.
Should you be a member of the Penn State Smeal MBA class of 2014, remember, even if football isn’t your thing, it can be a great opportunity to work on your career. The MBAA makes sure to have a tailgate every home football weekend in the fall and often they are sponsored by corporations such as Dell, Deloitte and PNC Bank. It is a truly unique way to network with your fellow students, alumni and recruiters in a festive, casual environment.
You really couldn’t ask for much more… except nice weather.
- Scott Sylves
Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
April 20th, 2012 - No Comments
As William Shakespeare wrote so many years ago in Romeo and Juliet, “parting is such sweet sorrow.” This sentiment is certainly appropriate as the academic year comes to a close and we get ready to say goodbye to another graduating class of Penn State Smeal MBAs. Throughout their time here, they have been through rigorous team work, internships, challenging classroom experiences, and hopefully a whole lot of fun as well! So many of our “almost” graduates have shared the revelation that their two years in the program have gone by too quickly (although I’m sure there were a few times, like exam weeks, where time did not go quickly enough!). In admissions, we feel the same way. It seems like only yesterday we were reviewing their applications and sending them their “Congratulations” letter to tell them the great news that they had been admitted to Smeal. As with any ending, there is a new beginning that will soon follow. While we will greatly miss our graduating students, we know that this is just the beginning of new and exciting opportunities that lie ahead for them. As we say goodbye at pre-commencement next Saturday, we also feel the excitement of looking ahead to the time when we welcome them back to campus as alumni (and sometimes recruiters!) who our program has helped set the course to pursue their next set of dreams. Congratulations to the Penn State Smeal MBA Class of 2012! WE ARE…
–Stacey Dorang Peeler
Tags: graduation, Smeal MBA
I’ve Enrolled, Now What?
April 9th, 2012 - No Comments
For many of you, that is what you will be asking yourselves in the next few weeks. The pressure is off. You’ve enrolled in the Smeal MBA Program, or a program at another institution. You can take a deep breath and begin to plan your next few months. From the Smeal perspective, I can share what you can expect in the upcoming weeks and months.
First, be prepared for e-mails filled with important information. These messages will include dates, requirements, housing information and deliverables. Yes, I said deliverables. These will range from surveys collecting important information (Bringing a spouse? Special diet? T-shirt size???), to career services document that will begin the journey to your internship. It is worth the time and energy it will take to read all of these emails, and complete all of the deliverables.
Second, if you haven’t already done so, PLEASE find housing. It goes quickly around here, and the longer you wait, the fewer options you will have. Do you have a pet? Do you want to walk to campus? Look NOW!
Third, take advantage of opportunities to get to know your fellow classmates before you arrive. The transition back to school will be much easier if you come to orientation knowing a few people, even if you only know them via e-mail! Our Facebook App for admitted students and our discussion boards on the MBA Exchange are great places to start connecting.
Finally, give yourself some time to breathe, relax and get excited. Arrive early if you can to get to know the area. Enjoy the time before Orientation, because it is busier than you think. The first day of class will be here before you know it and the next two years will be a whirlwind!
-Ann Mallison
Tags: admissions, business school, Community, experience, housing, MBA, Penn State, Penn State MBA, Smeal, Smeal MBA
It’s Crunch Time!
April 2nd, 2012 - No Comments
The month of April is a busy one for those finalizing their decisions regarding which MBA program to attend. Many programs are moving into “crunch time” and require a decision from most candidates by April 15th if they applied in the early rounds. If you are still taking inventory of your list of options, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
1)Do I have all of the information I need? It’s not too late to ask questions of the admissions team, program staff and current students.
2)Which program is the best fit for me? By now, you have probably visited several programs. Think back to the things that stood out to you and how you felt about potentially being in a certain environment every day for the next two years.
3)Will you be supported in your academic and career goals? You are getting an MBA degree to advance both your education and career. It’s important to understand the resources you will have at your disposal at the program you choose.
4)What is your expected ROI? Any program is a big investment. Make sure you have thoroughly evaluated overall costs, aid opportunities, and potential payback time.
5)What else do I still need to consider? Many MBA students aren’t the only stakeholder in their decision. If you have a family, spouse or partner who will be either re-locating with you or heavily impacted by your decision, now is the time to make sure you’ve thought of all the angles.
We know this is a big decision, and the Penn State Smeal MBA team is here to support you all the way! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and let us know what questions you still have and what we can do to help make this process easier for you. We hope to see you at Smeal this fall!
–Stacey Dorang Peeler
Service Immersion
March 22nd, 2012 - No Comments
Often when we speak about our Penn State Smeal MBA Program we include the word community. A few weeks ago, the 2nd year MBA students took that sense of community beyond campus and engaged in a week of Service Immersion. The concept is simple. The week before Spring Break each year, our 2nd year students are asked to find a service project and dedicate some time to helping others. Each year it amazes me how passionate our students are to reach out around the world, and lend a hand to those in need. From State College, PA to New Orleans, LA to Guatemala, this year was no exception. I am honored to be a part of this program, where we practice values of not only leadership, but Principled Leadership.
More about the various Service Immersion projects can be found here: http://blogs.smeal.psu.edu/mba/
-Ann Mallison
Tags: admissions, business school, Community, leadership, MBA, Penn State, Penn State MBA, Principled Leadership, Service, service immersion, Smeal, Smeal MBA
MBA Visitation Weekend is Coming!
March 15th, 2012 - No Comments
MBA admissions is a pretty exciting place to be throughout the year in general, but one weekend stands out as being one of the highlights of the year—MBA Visitation Weekend. This year from March 29th-31st we will welcome our admitted students to a three day experience that will show them what it’s really like to be a Smeal MBA. For some, this will be their first trip to campus. For many, it will be a final trip back to Penn State before they officially move here over the summer to start the program in August. For the admissions team, we really look forward to meeting some folks we only had the opportunity to talk with via phone or webcam, and of course, we also can’t wait to see those who we’ve had the chance to meet earlier in the season back on campus again. If you are an admitted student and can’t make it to Visitation Weekend this year, please stay tuned on Facebook during the weekend as we will post commentary and pictures from the events in real time. If you are planning to apply next year, our Visitation Weekend Facebook page is a great resource for you as well. It’s never too early to get an insider’s view of the program!
–Stacey Dorang Peeler
Tags: MBA Visitation, Visitation Weekend
Back to it!
March 9th, 2012 - No Comments
Monday all of our MBA students will make their way back to Smeal and to 220, after 2 weeks away and things just haven’t been the same without them.
Our first year students are returning back from their Global Immersion trips and Spring Break adventures all over the globe. We purposely coordinate our Global Immersion Week to precede Penn State University’s spring break for just that reason. We figure as long as our students are across the globe they should take their extra time (if feasible for them) and see other areas as well.
Our second year students are returning from Service Immersion Week and helping out not only the local community, but communities around the US and in other countries. After that they enjoyed what will likely be their final “Spring Break” as it is not something offered at most Fortune 500 companies.
Here in 220 it has been business as usual over the last 2 weeks only with quieter hallways and more available parking spaces. But we look forward to seeing everyone again, hearing their stories from break, and hitting the ground running on another semester.
-Scott R. Sylves
Resume Gaps
March 2nd, 2012 - No Comments
Each year as we review applications we come across gaps in applicants’ resumes, and often these gaps lead to questions in an interview asking for an explanation. Answers vary from family and personal issues, to professional decisions or training. Usually, these reasons are easily explained and acceptable to admissions committees and corporate recruiters.
Lately, we have seen an increase in the number of people who have told us that they decided to stop working for a period of time in order to prepare for their MBA application process. They used the time to study for tests such as GMAT and TOEFL, and to complete their MBA applications. The amount of time they choose not to work can last up to one year.
However, the Penn State Smeal MBA Program recommends that candidates do not quit working with the sole intent of preparing for the MBA admissions process. This recommendation stems from three main reasons:
1) The most important reason is that recruiters who hire MBAs look at past work experience when hiring for internships and full-time placement. Recruiter feedback says that the more work experience you have prior to your MBA, the more qualified you most likely are for their positions. Students, especially international students looking for sponsorship, are putting themselves at a disadvantage in the hiring process if they are choosing to lose out on months or a year of work experience prior to their MBA.
2) The ability to study and prepare for MBA admissions while holding full-time work shows the applicant’s ability to successfully multi-task and prioritize. MBA will be the busiest 2 years of your life. If you are unable to manage working and the admission process, it leads us to question your ability to handle the workload of the program.
3) Admissions committees compare the quantity and quality of work experience among candidates. Those who take a year off to study lose out on promotions, teamwork opportunities and leadership experiences. The quality of your application decreases when you chose to take a year off simply to study.
We hope this explanation helps candidates make informed decisions when planning for MBA preparation. We want to give every candidate the best chance of admission and placement. We wish you the best of luck, and we hope to meet you in the near future!
-Ann Mallison, MBA ‘02
Tags: admissions, application, business school, Interviews, MBA, Penn State, Penn State MBA, resume gaps, Smeal, Smeal MBA, work experience
Making Your Network WORK!
February 20th, 2012 - No Comments
An old friend stopped by my office yesterday. He is someone I hadn’t connected with in many years, but he happened to be in the building near my office for a meeting and he wanted to say hello. As two Penn State alumni, and now two employees of the university, we had a lot of things to talk about and catch up on. It was amazing to me how quickly we could pick the conversation back up as if we had just spoken a few days prior. Our interaction gave me pause for reflection. In the daily grind, it is very easy to lose contact with friends and former colleagues, as well as family and people who may at one time have been a very important part of your life. In a personal sense, this is rather sad. In a professional sense, this is simply not good maintenance of your network! You never know where opportunity may lie. Whether it is your next career, or the chance to take on something amazing in your personal life or the community around you.
In a world that’s connected virtually, reaching out, re-connecting, and making new connections has never been easier. The obstacle remains, however, that most of us have trouble juggling our demands to figure out where we could possibly squeeze in an extra 30 minutes in our week to make connecting a priority. Like anything else, you have to schedule it! Block 30 minutes a week on your calendar for connecting and networking. Whether it’s through social media, e-mail, or phone, you don’t know what could come of it until you do it. At very least, you might make someone smile by letting them know you are thinking about them or remind yourself of fun memories and the reasons you chose to connect with an individual in the first place. At Smeal, we talk frequently about our community values and the power of the network. Good networking isn’t just about making connections to further your own interests, it’s about helping others further their interests as well. In our ever changing global environment, we must help and support each other to be successful. But, ultimately, it’s up to you to make your network WORK! Make time to connect with someone today. You will be glad you did! WE ARE…
–Stacey Dorang Peeler
Tags: connect, network, Smeal MBA, social media