Mimi Musumeci
Coordinator, Admissions and Financial Aid
Kellie Sauls
Associate Director, Admissions & Financial Aid
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Our speakers were: Mimi Musumeci Coordinator, Admissions and Financial Aid
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mimi.musumeci | WELCOME! to the October Online Chat Session sponsored by the Full-time MBA Admissions Staff at Wake Forest University. Kellie Sauls and Mimi Musumeci will be online from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to answer your questions about the application process. An archive of tonight's session will be available tomorrow for your review at http://business.wfu.edu/chat.cfm . We are ready for your questions! |
| kellie.sauls | Hi Bryan, Jean and ruralhall | |
| kellie.sauls | Please don't be alarmed by our small chat screen, we are working on it..... | |
| Bryan | <Q>I have an interview scheduled this Friday. Will there also be a tour of the facilities? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>Hello Bryan! Are you staying for a class visit? Your student host will take you on a tour of the campus. | |
| kellie.sauls | Jmenser - welcome! | |
| Jean | <Q>I guess a good way to start would be to ask how I can schedule an interview. I would love to speak to faculty and see the campus. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>You may call or email Cathy Caesar at 866-WAKEMBA or cathy.caesar@mba.wfu.edu to schedule an interview and a class visit. | |
| jmenser | <Q>Thanks, I actually talked with you over email a few weeks ago. I'm probably the lone undergraduate among us. | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>No worries.....all on equal footing when it comes to the b-school search. | |
| Bryan | <Q>I would like to, but the package I received in the mail did not mention it. However, I remember signing up for it. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>I would call or email Cathy Caesar to make sure she signed you up for a class visit. (866-WAKEMBA or cathy.caesar@mba.wfu.edu) | |
| Bryan | <Q>OK. Thanks. I'm really looking forward to my visit. | |
| Bryan | <Q>See you on Friday. Goodbye. | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>Bye | |
| Jean | <Q>I was concerned about obtaining a student visa. If accepted, what exactly is the process and how long does it usually take? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>Once you are accepted, Kent Greer, our International Student Advisor, will process your I-20. It usually takes him almost two weeks to get the I-20 DHL'd to you once he receives your certificate of finance information. | |
| kellie.sauls | So glad you could join us. So I guess the first area we can discuss is work experience: Let me ask first if there are any questions before I get started? | |
| kellie.sauls | Babcock likes to see at least two years of work experience. The average for last year's incoming class was 4+ years. | |
| kellie.sauls | Your work experience does not have to be in a "corporate" setting | |
| kellie.sauls | Babcock focuses mainly on the quality of your work experience | |
| kellie.sauls | You should be able to articulate if you were a part of any team projects, lead a project or team, have any supervisory experience, etc... | |
| jmenser | <Q>Yeah I have a couple quick questions on that issue. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>Please ask! | |
| kellie.sauls | If you had internships: How did your work contribute to your area, department or a particular project | |
| kellie.sauls | Be prepared to explain multiple job changes. As you can see, your resume becomes extremely important | |
| kellie.sauls | Full time work matters most for exhibiting results and progression. | |
| kellie.sauls | For those without full-time work experience, you need to be able to demonstrate through undergraduate work/experience, and internships your level/quality of work. | |
| kellie.sauls | Usually, those entering the first year without work experience are joint degree students: JD/MBA, MSA/MBA or MD/MBA | |
| jmenser | <Q>Since I am graduating early from school (in Dec) I will hypothetically have 8 or 9 months to be working, and I will be working. Is this considered in the application process? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>Any work experience is considered in the application process. Those applicants with less than 2 years work experience must show above average qualities in other areas such as GPA, GMAT score, volunteer experience, etc. to make up for lack of work experience. | |
| jmenser | <Q>Also, about how many students do you take each year straight out of undergraduate school? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>The current class is made up of 3% without work experience. | |
| kellie.sauls | When considering your work experience, also think about your career focus. Where do you want to go with your career and how will an MBA help you get there? | |
| kellie.sauls | Self-Assessments can help with this process. (ex: Career Leader) | |
| kellie.sauls | If you are a career switcher, definitely conduct some research. You may even want to speak with someone form our Career Management Center | |
| kellie.sauls | We highly recommend that you conduct interviews with MBAs in your chosen career field. We will be happy to put you in contact with a Babcock alumnus. | |
| kellie.sauls | Most importantly, once you have done this background work, communicate your career focus in the interview and the application essays. | |
| kellie.sauls | We've given you a lot of information on work experience. Do you have any questions before we move on to Leadership and extracurricular activities? | |
| kellie.sauls | We have a question.... | |
| Jean | <Q>Well one of the reasons that I am looking at Babcock is the fact that you do have a full first year core curriculum, and a mentorship program. I am currently deliberating on corporate finance and product management. I was hoping your school will help me make an informed decision once admitted? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>Our Career Management Center will begin working with first-year students the first week of classes - helping them with career direction. | |
| kellie.sauls | The Career Management Center conducts a class in the first and second minis of the first year | |
| kellie.sauls | You will have plenty of time during those classes to work on your career direction and progression | |
| kellie.sauls | The CMC also assigns counselors to each first year student by area of concentration | |
| Jean | <Q>So incoming students are not expected to have a specific career choice (as long as they're on the same track)? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>It would be preferable if incoming students have a specific career choice. However, if they do not, the Career Management Center will show them the opportunities available to them. | |
| jmenser | <Q>That's a great service to have at your disposal if you are a first year student. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>The Career Management Team is eager to help all students get the job they desire. | |
| kellie.sauls | Extracurricular and leadership activities demonstrate to the admissions committee your level of involvement and investment in your community as well as you ability to manage school/professional priorities with community service oriented activities. | |
| kellie.sauls | Emphasize activates that demonstrate leadership. Use your involvement as a opportunity to highlight skills that you have not or cannot exhibit in the workplace | |
| kellie.sauls | Highlight your personal contribution. | |
| kellie.sauls | These things should be communicated via the resume, essays and/or the letters of recommendation | |
| kellie.sauls | This will give the admissions committee an idea of your willingness to invest in the Babcock community. | |
| kellie.sauls | Any questions about community service before going on to Letters of Recommendation? | |
| kellie.sauls | Babcock requests two letters of recommendation preferably form persons who can discuss your professional skills | |
| kellie.sauls | Letters from family members do not appear objective. Please solicit letters from your supervisor or past supervisor. | |
| kellie.sauls | Make sure to give your recommenders adequate time to formulate their letters or to complete our online forms. | |
| kellie.sauls | We really do pay attention to what the letters of recommendation tell us about you. | |
| kellie.sauls | Any questions about Letters of rec? | |
| kellie.sauls | Moving right along........... | |
| kellie.sauls | Academic transcripts and GMAT: | |
| kellie.sauls | The GMAT score is valid for five years. So if you take it early and score well, then that is one less worry you will have. | |
| kellie.sauls | Babcock will always take the highest total score. We do not combine portions of scores, nor do we average scores. | |
| kellie.sauls | I recommend that you go to MBA.com to check out more information about the GMAT, national average scores and trends. | |
| kellie.sauls | A plug for our Scholars Program. you must have a minimum score of 650 to be considered for the Dean's scholar award, among other qualifications. | |
| kellie.sauls | You do not have to have been a business undergraduate major. Liberal Arts is OK too. | |
| kellie.sauls | If you have been able to balance your academic background out with classes outside of your major discipline, that helps as well. | |
| kellie.sauls | Babcock look for grade trends as well. Many suffer from "Freshman Shock" and don't do as well the first year as they would like. Improvements made through graduation are considered as well. | |
| mimi.musumeci | The Fall 2004 entering class undergraduate majors consist of Business/Commerce (44%), Engineering (16%), Social Science (14%), Economics (13%), Humanities (8%), Science (4%), Computer Science (1%). | |
| kellie.sauls | Any questions about the GMAT or academic background? | |
| Jean | <Q>Assuming worst case scenario, should I still submit a GMAT score slightly below 600? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>The closer candidates score to our average GMAT score, the better. | |
| kellie.sauls | Jean - Will you be taking the test again? | |
| mimi.musumeci | WELCOME to the October Online Chat Session sponsored by the Full-time MBA Admissions Staff at Wake Forest University! Kellie Sauls and Mimi Musumeci will be online from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to answer your questions about the application process. An archive of tonight's session will be available tomorrow for your review at http://business.wfu.edu/chat.cfm. We are ready for your questions! | |
| Jean | <Q>yes, I am currently preparing with the aid of Kaplan. | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>Great! I would take it again and see how well you do. Worst case scenario, you will still have the first score. Usually, people score better the second time around. | |
| annette.fowler | <Q>Are there any activities or resources for the wives or partners of students? | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>Yes, there are. Our partners organization is very active. You can check our website to see what they are doing and how involved they are with the Babcock community. We can always put you in touch with a partner and if you attend an on-campus event, you will have an opportunity to meet the partners. | |
| kellie.sauls | Essays and interviews: | |
| kellie.sauls | Essays can be a bit tedious but it really is an opportunity for you to present yourself and reflect who you are. | |
| kellie.sauls | Be sure to answer the question(s). Be specific and concise. Check spelling, grammar, and writing. | |
| kellie.sauls | Get at least one other person to check/review your essays. | |
| mooskins | <Q>I work for a small company and do not feel comfortable asking for two different recommendations. Do I have to have both recommendations from my current supervisor? | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>No both your recommendations do not have to be from the same company. | |
| mooskins | <Q>How long do the essays have to be? | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>There is a word/page limit listed on our online application. You can go to the maximum limit or keep it short. It is up to you. | |
| Jean | <Q>would you place less weight on the essay if a candidate undergoes the interview process, and hopefully presents themselves well. | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>I can not say we would place less weight but if you are able to articulate better in the interview what you may have tried to convey on the essay, that will be taken into consideration. | |
| kellie.sauls | More on the essay: Remember, we do not know you so explain things that might not be obvious. Also, if you are not creative or funny, don't try it on the essay. | |
| mimi.musumeci | We encourage all prospective students to visit our campus, attend a class, and talk with first-year students about our program. | |
| kellie.sauls | Interviews: Babcock requires an interview in order for your application to be considered complete. | |
| kellie.sauls | As Mimi mentioned before, you can request an interview online or contact Cathy Caesar directly to schedule an interview. Her e-mail address is: cathy.caesar@mba.wfu.edu | |
| kellie.sauls | All interviews for international applicants are by invitation only. | |
| kellie.sauls | The interview is a chance for you to make sure you address anything that may be presented to the admissions committee | |
| mimi.musumeci | International students are welcome to interview on campus if possible. | |
| kellie.sauls | We want to learn of your interest in Babcock and how the Babcock program aligns with your goals, personal learning style and interests. | |
| kellie.sauls | We suggest practicing a mock interview with a friend or colleague who can help assess your performance. | |
| Jean | <Q>how many days does the interview process take? I know that it is paired up with class, sit-ins, meeting faculty and so forth. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>The actual interview may last 30-40 minutes. The candidate then attends a 90 minute class with a first-year student host and then eats lunch with first-year students. All can be accomplished in one morning. | |
| mimi.musumeci | Our interview times are: Monday thru Friday at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m. Class visits are not possible at the 3:00 p.m. time slot. | |
| jlundstr | <Q>I am older applicant (early 30's) and noticed that the avg. age and avg. yrs of w/e for the FT program is less than other schools that you cross-compete with. Are you taking any steps to address this? | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>Jlundstr - yes, I think you will notice the average age has increased form last year's incoming class and with the increase in work experience, so goes the increase in age. You might be surprised to learn of how may students in the FT class are also in their 30's. Please remember that Babcock is small school so every person affects the averages. I encourage you to make a visit and talk to current students. | |
| jlundstr | <Q>Thank. I do plan to visit. | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>Great! | |
| Jean | <Q>can a campus tour be paired in as well? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>A building tour is possible - just let Cathy Caesar know you want a tour so she can let the Student Host know. Campus tours take much longer and our students do not have enough time between classes to give campus tours. We do have a campus map that you are welcome to follow on your own. | |
| kellie.sauls | So I think we have covered the major areas of the application. Are there any other questions? Your questions have been great thus far. | |
| kellie.sauls | Please continue to check our website. We travel quite a bit in the Fall and may be in a city near you. We also have events going on throughout the Spring that you can be a part of. | |
| mimi.musumeci | Applications are considered complete when the following components are in our possession: application form and accompanying essays, resume or CV, application fee, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, official GMAT score (and official TOEFL score for international students), and interview (for domestic students). | |
| mimi.musumeci | The TOEFL is required for those who have not completed their undergraduate work at an English-speaking college or university or whose native language is not English. | |
| jlundstr | <Q>Babcock offers some great choices for concentrations, but not one specifically for Gen. Mgt. can students create their own concentration ? | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>Gen Mgt/Consulting is an area of concentration at Babcock. You can also tailor your 2nd year classes to provide you with some additional areas of focus that may not be part of the gen mgt concentration. Feel free to contact our Program Director or our registrar for specific information for your area of interest. | |
| Jean | <Q>I appreciate your time. this session was very informative. I will definitely be getting in touch Cathy Caesar first thing in the morning to schedule an interview. thank you once again for giving me the opportunity to participate in this session. Good night. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>Jean - Thank you for joining us. If you have future questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Admissions Team. | |
| kellie.sauls | jlundstr - if you need their contact information, e-mail me and I will be happy to provide them. | |
| jlundstr | <Q>Kellie - yes, that would be helpful. | |
| kellie.sauls | <A>no problem. | |
| jlundstr | <Q>Real quick re: interviews (sorry if this is a repeat) Does the application need to be complete before conducting an interview? | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>No, the application does not need to be complete before the interview. Please note that beginning January 1, 2005, candidates must have an application in our office before an interview will be granted. Before January 1, a candidate just needs to schedule an interview and does not need the application in our office. Interviews are a component of our application process. An application will not be considered complete until an interview has been conducted. (domestic students) | |
| jlundstr | <Q>Ok. Thanks. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>You are welcome! | |
| jlundstr | <Q>Thanks for your time tonight. Look forward to visiting this fall. | |
| mimi.musumeci | <A>Be sure to come by and say "hello." | |
| mimi.musumeci | Thank you for participating in the October Online Chat Session. Our next chat will be on November 17. Please join us then! |