MBA Application Checklist: All There Is to Know About Completing Your Consortium MBA Application by Jan. 5

With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time — if you’re thinking about applying to MBA programs — to compile all of your application materials and submit them by The Consortium’s January 5, 2022, application deadline. 

By now, you’re likely aware of the many benefits of applying to MBA programs through The Consortium — a common application, tiered application fee, the merit-based fellowship opportunity, access to a network of 10,000-plus alumni, internship opportunities with some of the nation’s leading companies and more. “By going through The Consortium application, candidates won’t need to fill out applications and pay an application fee for each individual school,” says Kristin Laney, application processor for The Consortium. “This saves both money and time.”

Eligibility

Kristin Laney

Kristin Laney

To be eligible to apply, candidates must first meet three key criteria: 

  1. Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident of any race or ethnicity at the time of application
  2. Demonstrate a commitment to The Consortium’s mission of helping to reduce the serious underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in both our member schools’ enrollments and the ranks of management
  3. Hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a college or university outside the U.S.

While The Consortium itself has no work experience requirement, member schools may. If candidates have questions or concerns about required work experience, they should contact member schools directly.

Required Materials

Individuals meeting all three of the above criteria must submit official/unofficial transcripts for each school they list in their application, a resume, official GMAT/GRE/EA test scores and three letters of recommendation (two professional recommendations and one mission recommendation).

“In order for applicants to submit their application,” Laney says, “they will need to fill out all required questions, including essays.”

Essays include at least two required and one optional. The core essays will be received and read by each member school an applicant applies to (up to 6), thus Laney recommends keeping it more general as opposed to tailored to a specific school. “They’ll have an opportunity to do that in the school-specific essays,” she says, noting that applicants may choose to include information in the core essays that may be important for each member school to know. “For example, if they have a gap in work history, a low test score or something along those lines.” (For questions about these essays, applicants should contact member schools directly.)

For membership essays — those tied to gaining membership in The Consortium — applicants should clearly and explicitly explain how they’ve demonstrated a commitment to the organization’s mission of improving equal opportunity for underrepresented groups in business and employment opportunities. “They should identify the target groups they work with, tie relationships to The Consortium’s mission and use multiple examples,” Laney says. Overall, applicants should strive to be as explicit as possible in the membership essay.

How to Apply

To apply, simply visit The Consortium’s website and click on the green button at the top of the page that says “Click Here to Apply” — or click on this link. You will be prompted to create an account to begin your application. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2022. Applications and all supporting materials are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. Once all required materials are submitted, The Consortium will release your application to the member schools you’ve selected.

Announcements about admissions decisions vary by school; however, fellowship and membership notifications will be made in March 2022. While those awarded the fellowship receive a full ride to the awarding member school, all students who are admitted to a member school and granted membership to The Consortium — regardless of whether or not they receive the fellowship — get the benefit of being part of The Consortium family.

“Applying through The Consortium and becoming a member allows applicants to become a part of our exclusive network, have access to our online job portal and get the opportunity to attend our annual Orientation Program & Career Forum in June,” explains Laney. 

To learn more about The Consortium, the benefits of membership or navigating the application process, consider registering for an upcoming event at https://cgsm.org/events/. If you have questions about the application or The Consortium’s application process, email recruiting@cgsm.org or call 636.618.5460.