Kaneisha Grayson's Blog, page 9
January 27, 2022
When will HKS, American, SIPA, SAIS, SPIA, Goldman, etc. let me know about my scholarship status?
Are award letters different from admissions letters? What to do if you’ve been admitted to your dream school, but are left in the dark about your scholarship status!? Watch the video to find out! Click here: https://theartofapplying.com/call/ 
to book a Quick Call and see how The Art of Applying can help you get into the grad school of your dreams!
In this video:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Applicant asks: When will I know my scholarship status?
02:32 Answer 1: Don’t wait to reach out
03:02 Answer 2: What to mention in an email
03:33 About GA (Graduate Assistantships)
04:08 Award letters are not acceptance letters
04:42 What to look out for in the award fine print
05:20 Use your course to negotiate scholarship
Looking for more answers to your grad school application questions? Book a 15-minute Quick Call with our team to see if we can help! 
https://theartofapplying.com/call/
Other helpful videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWjhkMI3gQNmhjvq3hsKkgg04wifEGLLG
Don’t miss out on valuable information to help you with your application process! Subscribe to The Art of Applying®’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Theartofapplying?sub_confirmation=1
The post When will HKS, American, SIPA, SAIS, SPIA, Goldman, etc. let me know about my scholarship status? appeared first on The Art of Applying.
January 20, 2022
Best Practices for Applying for Scholarships
Looking for scholarships to help you with paying for grad school? Watch this video to get valuable advice on where to start! Need more guidance in your application journey? 
https://theartofapplying.com/quick-call/ Book a 15-minute Quick Call to see if we can help!
In this video:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Applicant asks: what are the best practices when applying for financial aid
1:45 The Art of Applying®’s internal resources
3:38 Grad schools consider you for scholarships even without applying
4:47 Negotiating for more financial aid or more scholarship funding
Resources mentioned in this video are available to The Art of Applying®’s clients.
If you’re applying to a grad school this year, get in touch and book a 15-minute Quick Call with our team to see if we can help: https://theartofapplying.com/quick-call/
Other videos you will find useful:
Grad School Application Advice playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWjhkMI3gQNmhjvq3hsKkgg04wifEGLLG 
Don’t miss out on valuable information to help you with your application process! Subscribe to The Art of Applying®’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Theartofapplying?sub_confirmation=1
The post Best Practices for Applying for Scholarships appeared first on The Art of Applying.
January 13, 2022
Find scholarships for Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Chicago Harris, and other policy schools | Ask The Art of Applying®
Looking for scholarships for your policy degree? Get our consultants’ advice on where to look for scholarships and what aspects influence your eligibility for a scholarship! Applying to grad school this year? 
https://theartofapplying.com/quick-call/ Book a free Quick Call to see if we can help!
Resources mentioned in this video:
Harvard Kennedy School scholarship and fellowship database https://apps.hks.harvard.edu/scholarship/
Harvard Kennedy School Center of Public Leadership https://cpl.hks.harvard.edu
University of Chicago scholarship and fellowship database https://grad.uchicago.edu/fellowships/
American Public Health Association fellowship https://www.apha.org/professional-development/apha-internships-and-fellowships/public-health-fellowship
In this video:
0:00 Intro
0:55 Applicant asks for MPP scholarship recommendation
1:46 Demographic profile details when searching for scholarships
02:38 Answer 1: Scholarship resources by schools
03:36 Chicago Harris fellowship database
4:50 Answer 2: HKS Center of Public Leadership scholarship resources
Looking for more answers to your grad school application questions? Book a 15-minute Quick Call with our team to see if we can help! https://theartofapplying.com/quick-call/
Other videos you will find useful:
Graduate School Application Advice playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWjhkMI3gQNmhjvq3hsKkgg04wifEGLLG Don’t miss out on valuable information to help you with your application process! Subscribe to The Art of Applying®’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Theartofapplying?sub_confirmation=1
The post Find scholarships for Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Chicago Harris, and other policy schools | Ask The Art of Applying® appeared first on The Art of Applying.
January 4, 2022
Client Case Study: Alma
For over six years, Alma had bookmarked her goal of going to graduate school and getting an MBA. She read The Art of Applying® newsletter and watched client case studies, witnessing countless success stories that she just couldn’t imagine for herself. After facing low scores and rejection, she almost closed the book on her own success story forever. Instead, she chose to start a new chapter for herself after a discussion with her husband about being the kind of parents who still pursued their dreams.
Alma is a first-generation college graduate, a 33 year-old mother, and was an avid follower of The Art of Applying® long before deciding to book a Quick Call for herself.
She says, “I would read all of the amazing client stories and they would really inspire me…but I always kept thinking, ‘That’s them, they did it, they’re wonderful, like – this is not going to happen for me.’”
After the talk with her husband, Alma realized that becoming a mother meant she actually needed to start chasing her dreams now more than ever. She started out reading client cases but never imagining herself in the same position. Now, Alma’s story is featured in the Fortune article What is an MBA admissions consultant, and should you hire one?
Choosing The Art of Applying® to take that first step with her was the easy part for Alma, having spent so long hearing accounts from wild card applicants just like herself. She explains, “[Kaneisha is] helping out other people like me. We’re a very interesting bunch, right, like we need a little bit of different love, so that’s why I reached out to [The Art of Applying®]. I knew that you had helped people in my similar situation be successful.”
Alma says that predominantly, what took her so long to reach out to The Art of Applying® for help was not thinking of herself as an investment. “I used to think things happened to me and I realized, I have to make things happen for myself.” Working with The Art of Applying® really proved to Alma that she was more than a test score, and those tests weren’t predicting her future success in graduate school. In the end, her scores didn’t hold Alma back or keep her from applying.
During her success interview with our founder Kaneisha, Alma said, “You do this day in and day out, and help people like me. You’re the expert in this, so it’s something you’ve just got to like, let go and trust that other people have the best interest in you as well.”
This whole process has been a family affair for Alma. After the initial Breakthrough Call®, Kaneisha actually suggested she invite her husband to the next call. Alma explains, “I already knew, Wow, she gets it, right? When you have a partner, this is like who’s supporting you through this like you feel even more energized to keep moving forward.” Involving her husband in the process kept Alma motivated and made it feel like getting into school would be a family victory instead of hers individually.
It was from that same perspective that Alma chose to go to the University of Texas McCombs Business School of Business, where she received a $20,000 scholarship, over a full ride to Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. She ran the numbers and factored in the emotional math of how she wanted to spend her first summer with her daughter. After reaching out to and feeling a special connection with McCombs students and alumni, Alma knew it was the right decision. Her story shows that it’s not all about the money, or going wherever is free. When you face a variety of choices, you can truly pick what’s best for you and your life at the time.
From a conversation with her husband about inspiring their daughter to pursue her dreams, Alma now has two articles her daughter can someday read to learn about how she chose not to give up when things got hard and ultimately made her dream come true!
Start Date: July 2020 | End Date: June 2021
Applicant InformationGPA: 3.2GRE: 152V, 154Q (GMAT equivalent: 530)Major: Communication Studies and Spanish LanguageAcceptances
University of Texas McCombs School of BusinessRice University Jones Graduate School of BusinessScholarships
University of Texas McCombs School of Business: $20,000Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business: Full ScholarshipNotable QuotesFor anyone hesitating to reach out to The Art of Applying® because of low scores:
“That was me, and I spent years…just sitting by myself with my own thoughts, looking at these websites that said this is the score you need, basically. But those are averages. They are very clear about that, but you’re still in your own head when you don’t talk to someone who really knows about the process – and that’s you and your team. And you focus on what score do you need based on your profile. Because everyone is so different, they come with different backgrounds, and now I really do understand that schools do look at all of you, not just your score. I know that when we met you were like, ‘Okay, this is your score. How can we bolster other parts of your application to make sure that’s not what they’re really focusing on?’”
On deciding to walk away from a full ride in favor of another program:
“It was very much the students. I took your advice to talk to as many students as I had time for, and I felt like I really connected with the McCombs students. They really do want to make the program better, as students and then as alumni. I spoke to several alumni who were like, whatever you need let me know and that’s really great because I know that’s a really strong community… At the end of the day it kind of balanced out, right? We’d have to move, and the move, even though it’s not maybe like, hard dollars, was going to be time and energy. I really wanted to spend the summer just with my daughter and hanging out with her, and I thought this is time that I’m never going to get back. So the money, while some people are like, You put what? You left what? Life will work itself out, is sort of what I’m thinking at this point.”
Alma’s advice to anyone worried they can’t have a success story like the ones featured by The Art of Applying®:
“My husband is the one, really, who kept me going through these years and this journey and he would always say, ‘The journey’s not over until you say it’s over.’ And even though I said it’s over back in 2018, I was still holding on. So, if you’re still holding on just ask for help. Because once you talk to someone and you on your own decide this is the end, then that should be the end for you, but you should keep going if you’ve still got a glimmer of hope.”
Want to have a success story like Alma’s?
If you feel like you keep seeing success stories that you can’t envision for yourself, take Alma’s advice. Our team can help you with an application that showcases how much more you have to offer than a score on a page. Start chasing your dreams like Alma did and book a Quick Call with our team today!
The post Client Case Study: Alma appeared first on The Art of Applying.
November 9, 2021
Client Case Study: Malcolm
By the time our client Malcolm started working with us, he already had a great GRE score, and he knew that he was interested in MBA and MPP programs. However, telling his story was not his strong suit and he wanted help crafting his narrative.
A friend of his had worked with The Art of Applying® and referred him to us. Malcolm signed up for a Breakthrough Call and enjoyed the experience. About that initial call, he said, “I was able to share my background, the strengths I had, and the things I’ve gone through. The person who ran a conversation was really phenomenal and got me excited to work with The Art of Applying®.”
Malcolm decided to sign on with The Art of Applying® as an Hourly Coaching client. Hourly Coaching is designed for applicants looking for a more flexible option than the Application Accelerator® or who want targeted help on a particular part of their application. Because Malcolm already had a strong test score and wanted to focus on storytelling, Hourly Coaching was the perfect fit for him.
Malcolm said, “We all have incredible individual stories. No one has the same story, so understanding how to articulate your story in a way that business or policy school programs will understand and [in a way that] aligns with your personal passion is something that The Art of Applying® most definitely helped with.”
Investing in telling his story paid off for Malcolm. He is now celebrating acceptances and scholarships to several MBA and MPP programs, including HKS, Yale, Chicago Booth and more!
For others who are figuring out how to articulate their own stories, Malcolm shared some perspective: “Know your truth, understand your story, understand what type of career you want to have in the future. Seek it out, and if you truly feel after some due diligence that an MBA or an MPP can help you get there, do the steps that it takes for you to be able to get there. It is tough, it is a long journey but many, many people have gone before. But they’ve never done it [by] themselves and The Art of Applying® can be that resource for you”.
Whether you’re interested in Hourly Coaching like Malcolm, or looking for a different type of help on your application, our team is here to help! Book a Quick Call to discuss your needs: https://theartofapplying.com/quick-call/
Start Date: August 2020 | End Date: June 2021
Applicant Information
GPA: 3.6GRE: 320; 160 V, 160 QWork experience: Consulting Major: BusinessAcceptances
Harvard Kennedy SchoolDartmouth TuckChicago BoothUC Berkeley HaasYale School of ManagementUniversity of Chicago Harris School of Public PolicyScholarships
University of Chicago Booth School of Business (MBA) – $100,000 University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy (MPP) – $70,000Yale School of Management (MBA) – $80,000Notable reflections from Malcolm on his application experience:
Malcolm’s thoughts on deciding to invest in his application:
“It’s a tough, tough decision…it’s not cheap, it’s a financial commitment. But I guess the biggest thing overall was just me, looking within myself having a Breakthrough Call and thinking, am I going to make this bet on myself? Is this something I truly want in terms of getting accepted into MBA and MPP programs? Is this something that I actually want that will help me advance my career for my ambitions and my future goals? And at the end of the day…this is about myself and I want to be able to make that commitment, and [the cost] was extra motivation to make sure that I had that return on that commitment.”
The best part of Malcolm’s Hourly Coaching experience:
“I think it was the iterations working with my consultant, in terms of first, overall, sharing my story and then being able to see ways I could bring out the best of my story just through conversations or through suggestions for my consultant and having that partner throughout the entire process was really valuable and the best part for me.”
What changes for Malcolm now that he has been accepted to these programs and been awarded these scholarships:
“I think it’s just being more aligned with my story, and my mission. This is something that now I will, of course, have to take to MBA schools and policy schools, but when looking for internships or starting those conversations…my story is something that [I] continuously bring to the table and throughout the MBA and MPP application process I grew and I became more confident with that story. And I’ll continue to push it forward as I head into school.”
The post Client Case Study: Malcolm appeared first on The Art of Applying.
Client case study: Malcolm
By the time our client Malcolm started working with us, he already had a great GRE score, and he knew that he was interested in MBA and MPP programs. However, telling his story was not his strong suit and he wanted help crafting his narrative.
A friend of his had worked with The Art of Applying® and referred him to us. Malcolm signed up for a Breakthrough Call and enjoyed the experience. About that initial call, he said, “I was able to share my background, the strengths I had, and the things I’ve gone through. The person who ran a conversation was really phenomenal and got me excited to work with The Art of Applying®.”
Malcolm decided to sign on with The Art of Applying® as an Hourly Coaching client. Hourly Coaching is designed for applicants looking for a more flexible option than the Application Accelerator® or who want targeted help on a particular part of their application. Because Malcolm already had a strong test score and wanted to focus on storytelling, Hourly Coaching was the perfect fit for him.
Malcolm said, “We all have incredible individual stories. No one has the same story, so understanding how to articulate your story in a way that business or policy school programs will understand and [in a way that] aligns with your personal passion is something that The Art of Applying® most definitely helped with.”
Investing in telling his story paid off for Malcolm. He is now celebrating acceptances and scholarships to several MBA and MPP programs, including HKS, Yale, Chicago Booth and more!
For others who are figuring out how to articulate their own stories, Malcolm shared some perspective: “Know your truth, understand your story, understand what type of career you want to have in the future. Seek it out, and if you truly feel after some due diligence that an MBA or an MPP can help you get there, do the steps that it takes for you to be able to get there. It is tough, it is a long journey but many, many people have gone before. But they’ve never done it [by] themselves and The Art of Applying® can be that resource for you”.
Whether you’re interested in Hourly Coaching like Malcolm, or looking for a different type of help on your application, our team is here to help! Book a Quick Call to discuss your needs: https://theartofapplying.com/quick-call/
Start Date: August 2020 | End Date: June 2021
Applicant Information
GPA: 3.6GRE: 320; 160 V, 160 QWork experience: Consulting Major: BusinessAcceptances
Harvard Kennedy SchoolDartmouth TuckChicago BoothUC Berkeley HaasYale School of ManagementUniversity of Chicago Harris School of Public PolicyScholarships
University of Chicago Booth School of Business (MBA) – $100,000 University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy (MPP) – $70,000Yale School of Management (MBA) – $80,000Notable reflections from Malcolm on his application experience:
Malcolm’s thoughts on deciding to invest in his application:
“It’s a tough, tough decision…it’s not cheap, it’s a financial commitment. But I guess the biggest thing overall was just me, looking within myself having a Breakthrough Call and thinking, am I going to make this bet on myself? Is this something I truly want in terms of getting accepted into MBA and MPP programs? Is this something that I actually want that will help me advance my career for my ambitions and my future goals? And at the end of the day…this is about myself and I want to be able to make that commitment, and [the cost] was extra motivation to make sure that I had that return on that commitment.”
The best part of Malcolm’s Hourly Coaching experience:
“I think it was the iterations working with my consultant, in terms of first, overall, sharing my story and then being able to see ways I could bring out the best of my story just through conversations or through suggestions for my consultant and having that partner throughout the entire process was really valuable and the best part for me.”
What changes for Malcolm now that he has been accepted to these programs and been awarded these scholarships:
“I think it’s just being more aligned with my story, and my mission. This is something that now I will, of course, have to take to MBA schools and policy schools, but when looking for internships or starting those conversations…my story is something that [I] continuously bring to the table and throughout the MBA and MPP application process I grew and I became more confident with that story. And I’ll continue to push it forward as I head into school.”
The post Client case study: Malcolm appeared first on The Art of Applying.
October 18, 2021
Client Case Study: Emmanuel
Our client Emmanuel came to The Art of Applying® with a unique goal: to apply and get into one graduate program: Harvard Kennedy School’s Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program. After a Breakthrough Call with Kaneisha herself, he decided to go all in!
Emmanuel grew up in French-Caribbean Martinique, moving away to become the first college graduate in his family. After pivoting from a Bachelor’s in physics to a graduate degree in business, he joined a private equity fund for infrastructure in Chile and Europe. There, he developed his desire to work in public policy and ended up relocating to Africa through his company to do work on urban resilience.
Reading about this impressive journey, you might be feeling the exact same thing Emmanuel did when he first started looking into the Harvard Kennedy School: imposter syndrome. He explains, “I basically approached this entire journey with what I think a lot of people would call imposter syndrome…you see all those great profiles, those great people with so many accomplishments, and you’re like ‘Oh wow, how would I even compare to those’.” What’s more, last year the Harvard Kennedy School received a record number of applications, making the process all the more intimidating.
In spite of this, Emmanuel knew what he wanted and was ready to commit to his plan. He connected with one of those amazing Harvard Kennedy School alumni to find out that, when faced with a similar struggle, they turned to The Art of Applying® to get the extra support they needed.
After listening to Emmanuel’s story, those HKS grads told him this about working with The Art of Applying®: “I know that you think that you might be able to do it on your own, but everybody needs a little help. So don’t hesitate, and just go for it! Save yourself time…and just go for it!”
When Emmanuel was ready to make the investment in Hourly Coaching, his wife was understandably a little hesitant about spending money for help with his application. Here’s what Emmanuel said to convince her of it after his Breakthrough Call, “It basically allows you to get the necessary bandwidth to deliver on all that you have to deliver. This application is pretty demanding, you have to dig into all the corners of your life, take that out, and expose it to the admission committee in a way that would be…appealing to them. So it takes time, it takes a lot of thinking, a lot of posing and iteration with your consultant to make sure you get to that point where you’re satisfied with what you’ve produced.”
He’ll never forget how good it felt to submit his application: “I was like, You know what? If the road ends here, that’s fine. I’m good. Because, what I’ve been able to accomplish just by preparing that application was already something great. And then, you know, the rest is history.”
And after all of his hard work over six months, it all paid off handsomely with an acceptance to the Harvard Kennedy School Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program as a Mason Fellow. Congratulations, Emmanuel!
Ready to save yourself some time and get help applying to the school of your dreams?
Book a Quick Call with our team to see if we can help!
Start Date: July 2020 | End Date: December 2020
Applicant Information
Age: 36Work experience: Private equity fund for infrastructure in Chile, Europe, and AfricaUndergraduate major: PhysicsMasters: Business SchoolAcceptances:
Harvard Kennedy School Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA)Notable Quotes
How a 90-minute Breakthrough Call with Kaneisha led Emmanuel to take the leap with The Art of Applying®:
“During the Breakthrough Call, I didn’t have any specific expectation.. but then the result of that was pretty mind-blowing, in the sense that I think I saw and I understood that there was a way to actually frame my story in order to make it more powerful. And I think the alignment I had after the Breakthrough Call was this: Kaneisha basically took all the bits and pieces that I was throwing at her and then rearranged everything into something that’s consistent.”
Emmanuel on his decision to invest in Hourly Coaching instead of the Application Accelerator®:
“There’s the pressure, because you’re not sure what the outcome’s going to be. But I think to cope with that, and to mitigate that, the feeling I had after the Breakthrough Call basically told me ‘No, there’s definitely something important to explore and develop there.’ I decided that I would…go with hourly coaching because I knew already that I had valuable experiences that could be interesting for the school. I needed some help in basically putting them into motion, in something that would be coherent…and powerful.
Emmanuel’s words to someone who might be wondering if they can take the leap, overcome the challenges, and get into their dream school:
“You’ll never regret betting on yourself. You are special. Just find what makes you special and try to get it out there. That’s the basis for everything, and the rest takes care of itself. If it’s money, then perhaps allow yourself some time to be more prepared. As a foreign student, you have to be aware that if you’re not a green-card holder then you have to go through that financial certification process. So on the budget standpoint, make sure you’re covered. Find the right support system to tell your story and put it out there.”
Are you ready to put your story out there?If you feel the same way Emmanuel did, like you need someone to help you frame your own unique journey in a coherent and compelling way, we’re here to help. Book a Quick Call with our team today to see if we can help!
The post Client Case Study: Emmanuel appeared first on The Art of Applying.
September 1, 2021
Joint JD/MBA Degree Programs That Accept the GRE and GMAT
Joint JD/MBA degree programs are becoming an increasingly popular way to cut down on the time and cost of schooling while graduating with degrees in both law and business. This is especially true for those pursuing work in corporate or business law. While it’s by no means required for a lawyer to have an MBA, more law students are turning to this option as a way to double their networking and internship opportunities and gain a competitive edge in their field. Entrepreneurs looking for deeper business and legal expertise have also found the appeal of a joint JD/MBA, both to bolster their qualifications and meet like-minded people.
If you’ve been considering a joint JD/MBA degree, now’s the time to take your first step and start considering your options. With two programs combined, it can be even harder than usual to get information on applications, deadlines, and requirements, so we at The Art of Applying® went ahead and did some of the work for you!
Here we outline some of the top JD/MBA joint degree programs, the application process, and whether that program accepts GRE and/or GMAT scores.
Schools with Joint JD/MBA Degrees Joint Degree Application Process Accepts GRE and/or GMAT Duke University Law School and Fuqua School of BusinessSingle form through the Law School Admissions CouncilAccepts GRE and/or GMATUniversity of Pennsylvania Francis J. & Wm. Polk Carey JD/MBA ProgramApply through Wharton MBA ProgramAccepts GRE and/or GMATStanford Law School and Graduate School of BusinessApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GRENew York University Stern Dual Degree applicationJoint application to NYU Stern Dual Degree application and NYU LawAccepts GREColumbia University Three-Year JD/MBA ProgramApplication through Columbia Business SchoolAccepts GRE or GMATUniversity of Michigan Law and Business Administration ProgramApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GMAT and GREGeorgetown University JD/MBA Joint ProgramApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GRE or GMATUniversity of Virginia JD/MBA Dual Degree ProgramApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GRE or GMATUniversity of California, Berkeley JD/MBA Combined DegreeApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GRE or GMATCornell University JD/MBA Dual-Degree ProgramApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GRE or GMATHarvard Joint Degree Program in Law and BusinessApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GREUniversity of Chicago Joint Degree Program in Law and BusinessJoint JD/MBA applicationAccepts GRE or GMATYale University MBA/JD DegreeApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GREUniversity of British Columbia JD/MBA ProgramApply to both programs separatelyAccepts GRE or GMATIt can feel overwhelming trying to prepare for a joint degree program, as there might often be two separate application processes. Before you start feeling too bogged down, book a Quick Call with our team today! We’re here to help you feel confident and prepared going into your joint JD/MA program application.
The post Joint JD/MBA Degree Programs That Accept the GRE and GMAT appeared first on The Art of Applying.
August 25, 2021
Client Case Study: Bea
Originally from the Jamaica, Queens, neighborhood in New York, our client Bea*, is a Filipinx-American, nonbinary, child of immigrants. When they decided they wanted to go to business school, they were concerned that they may not fit the mold. However, as they searched for people they could relate to in MBA programs, they came across a video from The Art of Applying® featuring a Reaching out MBA (ROMBA) representative. ROMBA is an organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ individuals find scholarships and application resources for MBA programs. This is how Bea learned about The Art of Applying®.
Not knowing anyone who had gone through this process before, Bea had already suspected that they may need help with their graduate school applications. The ROMBA video had piqued their interest, so they did their research and watched more content from The Art of Applying®. After seeing our founder and CEO, Kaneisha, engage with clients in testimonial videos, they decided to book a Breakthrough Call with our team. They quickly signed on to the Application Accelerator® program after that.
Bea shares how the Application Accelerator® helped their application process, “If I hadn’t signed with The Art of Applying® and I was just doing this on my own I probably would have burned out really quickly. I knew I needed the group of people, and I knew I needed a cheerleader, [which was my consultant] to tell me to keep going, so I would say the people and seeing other clients [were the best part.]”
Bea’s decision served their application well. With The Art of Applying®’s help, Bea was accepted to Berkeley’s MBA and MPH programs with a full Consortium scholarship. Now that Bea has been accepted to their dream program, their perspective on belonging in business school has shifted for the better. They shared, “I learned that I belong in more spaces than I let myself believe.”
So what’s next for Bea? In their own words, “The reason for why I’m in healthcare, and the reason I want to do this work… It’s a big vision that I’m hoping is going to impact a lot of people’s lives. And I know that the MBA and an MPH from Berkeley is an awesome vehicle to be able to achieve that. I just needed a runway to accomplish this dream, and this is a part of that runway.”
Start Date: June 2020 | End Date: June 2021
Applicant Information
Age: 29GPA: 3.3GRE: 310 – 157 V; 153 QWork experience: HealthcareUndergraduate: Liberal arts college in Brooklyn Major: Biological sciencesAcceptances
University of California, Berkeley Haas MBA University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health MPHScholarships
Berkeley Haas MBA with full Consortium scholarshipNotable Quotes
Bea reflects on the concerns they had about investing in The Art of Applying ® and how that investment paid off:
“My biggest fear was definitely around cost. But at the same time…I was already a half yes, I had been thinking about applying. I had even been studying for the GMAT for a while already. …I was just making little micro decisions and putting money away. …So I was already ready to say yes to somebody. I think it just took the right person and the right company to say yes to. For me personally, I think it wasn’t that scary, I think, making that big commitment like, ‘Oh I’m really doing this. I have some skin in the game and this is for real now.’ There is no backing out because I’m telling people. I’m signing a contract and making that commitment, that was the scary part…but I knew I needed help and I’m glad that I eventually said yes to that.”
Bea reflects on what they would change about their application process if they could:
“I would worry a little bit less about the test. I would still put in the same amount of effort that I did. But I would be kinder to myself, because I was a healthcare worker in the middle of the pandemic. …So for anybody who is experiencing the same thing, if you know you’re giving your all into a part of the application process, just accept that and know that that is awesome. …I would also take the energy and time I spent overthinking an essay trying to perfect it and spend more time networking with current students at all of the schools that I applied to, I think…that really helped, whenever I could get face time with a current student because culture fit…was super important for me.”
How Bea took some of the pressure of getting a good test score off themselves:
“Imperfect action is better than no action at all. …Take a diagnostic test, see where you are and really target the areas of the exam where you feel like you could really brush up on. I think it’s helpful if you have some months before actually submitting your application to have it in your head, ‘I can take this more than once.’…If you tell yourself, ‘I could take this a second or third time.’ It really helps just take off the pressure because you know this isn’t your one and final shot to get the score that you want. …I had so many unanswered questions about the rest of the application process. So I had a big sense of things that I needed to accomplish to make a successful application, but I also knew that I had a set amount of time and I didn’t want to spend it all just studying for the test.”
Bea’s advice for others who may not see themselves represented in business schools:
“Right now the current state of business schools is you’re not gonna find a lot of intersecting identities, but something that I would say is if you’re someone who identifies with a certain ethnicity, a certain gender or …even if you have like a lower GRE score or GMAT score. ….If you’re someone with identities that you don’t necessarily see represented in these top business schools, I would say don’t be afraid to be the one who goes first because somebody needs to go first. And that’s something I told myself when I couldn’t find Filipinx, nonbinary, LGBTQ, people from Jamaica Queens. I was like, ‘I don’t know if this is for me because I don’t see people with like a million things that identify with.’ But I told myself, even if I don’t, I’ve been the first to come out in my family. I’ve been the first to do a lot of things. Why not be one of the first people with these identities, to go into business school? …So I would say that if there are things about yourself and your identity that you’re using as a reason to count yourself out of this process, I would say don’t be afraid to go first, because a lot of people need to do that. These schools need us, these schools need our stories as much as we need them to accomplish what we want to accomplish. So I would just say that…you don’t have to be invited, you can just show all the great things about yourself and then the right school will see that. And then you’ll end up in a place that is meant for you and I think that’s what happened for me and this application cycle is just something that I needed to remind myself to trust the whole time that I was applying.”
Want to have a success story like Bea’s?
We helped Bea make their graduate school dreams come true and we can help you too. We help clients from all walks of life get into premier graduate schools. Book a Quick Call with our team and get started on your graduate school journey today.
*Bea is not their real name. Our client asked that we not share their real name in this client case study.
The post Client Case Study: Bea appeared first on The Art of Applying.
August 18, 2021
Which MBA programs have a STEM designation?
Author: Yorm
More MBA programs are offering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) courses or STEM-designated programs in response to demand from international students and the growth of technology-related roles in business.
For international students, a STEM-designated program allows them to stay and work in the United States after graduation, for up to 36 months, instead of the typical 12 months, without requiring a work visa. The increasing role of technology also means there’s a high demand for US companies for MBA graduates with a STEM background.
The schools listed below offer a variety of options to meet the STEM requirement.
Note: Be sure to verify current STEM designations on school websites as schools continue to add more certified courses and concentrations to their programs.
Business School Details Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of BusinessSTEM Designated Program*Columbia Business SchoolSTEM Designated ProgramCornell University, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of ManagementOne Year & Two Year Management Science MBA, Johnson Cornell Tech MBADartmouth College, Tuck School of BusinessManagement Science & Quantitative Analysis / STEM trackDuke University, Fuqua School of BusinessManagement Science and Technology Management (MSTeM) certificateGeorgetown University, McDonough School of BusinessManagement Science MajorHarvard Business SchoolJoint Master of Science in Engineering Sciences and Master of Business Administration (MS/MBA); Joint MS/MBA BiotechnologyIndiana University-Bloomington, Kelley School of BusinessMajors in Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing or Supply Chain and OperationsMassachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Sloan School of ManagementMaster of Business Analytics (MBAn), Full time MBANew York University, Leonard N. Stern School of BusinessSTEM Designated ProgramNorthwestern University, Kellogg School of ManagementManagement Science MajorRice University, Jones Graduate School of BusinessSTEM Designated ProgramStanford University, Graduate School of BusinessFull time MBA, One-year Master of Science in Management (MSx)The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolSTEM Concentration in Business Analytics and Management ScienceUniversity of California, Berkeley, Haas School of BusinessSTEM Designated ProgramUniversity of California, Los Angeles, UCLA Anderson School of ManagementSTEM Designated ProgramUniversity of Chicago, Booth School of BusinessSTEM Designated ProgramUniversity of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan Ross School of BusinessSTEM-Designated Specialization in Management ScienceUniversity of Pennsylvania, Wharton SchoolMajors in Statistics, Actuarial Science, Business Analytics, Business Economics & Public Policy, Operations Information & Decisions, Quantitative Finance, Business, Energy, Environment & SustainabilityUniversity of Rochester, Simon Business SchoolMBA with a STEM designated optionUniversity of Southern California, Marshall School of BusinessSTEM-certified Management Science specializationUniversity of Virginia, Darden School of BusinessSTEM-certified Management Science specializationUniversity of Washington, Foster School of BusinessMBA Management Science Degree OptionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin School of BusinessSTEM-designated MBA programs in Operations & Technology Management and Supply Chain ManagementVanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of ManagementConcentrations in Finance and Operations & AnalyticsWashington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School5 STEM designated courses (~80 courses available) in addition to core curriculum to earn STEM MBAYale University, Yale School of ManagementManagement Science Concentration*STEM Designated Program: entire program has been STEM certified vs specific courses or concentrations.
A STEM designated degree not only allows for additional work time for international students, but also provides career opportunities in specialized fields requiring expertise in technology and data analytics.
If you would like to learn more about getting into MBA programs with STEM designations, or need help with your business school application, schedule your 15-minute Quick Call with our team today.
The post Which MBA programs have a STEM designation? appeared first on The Art of Applying.
