Archive for April, 2012
Football, Hot Dogs, and… Networking?
Friday, April 20th, 2012
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
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Congratulations to the Class of 2012!
Friday, April 20th, 2012
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
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I’ve Enrolled, Now What?
Monday, April 9th, 2012
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
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It’s Crunch Time!
Monday, April 2nd, 2012
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
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