A Tight-Knit Network Within a Community: One Student’s Consortium Experience
Setting foot on campus for the first day of Opening Term, I felt excited about the great networking that would begin but also slightly nervous about the academic workload that lay ahead and whether I would remember all of the helpful quant tricks that helped me on the GMAT only months earlier. Within the first few minutes of being inside of the McDonough building, I ran into a fellow Consortium member and we started swapping summer travel stories that allowed me to postpone my quant anxieties for another time.
This example underscores my Consortium experience – no matter what challenges you’re facing in this MBA program, your Consortium family has your back.
An information session in Atlanta two priors to applying to Georgetown initially led to me pursuing a Consortium membership. One of the main takeaways for me was the strength of the additional network, and as a career changer, I wanted to have access to plenty of job opportunities. I was also a busy working professional that was trying to balance both work and my MBA application, so I appreciated the ability to apply to Georgetown’s program through the Consortium. This streamlined the process for both myself and my recommenders, who were putting a tremendous amount of effort into helping me get to Georgetown. I had already made up my mind about the overall benefits of Consortium at this point and I needed to figure out how the Georgetown Consortium experience would benefit me next.
After I had the good fortune of being accepted to my dream MBA program at Georgetown, I learned that the career services directors would work directly with me as a Consortium member even prior to starting the program in the fall! Because the Consortium Orientation Program takes place before the academic semester starts, my Consortium classmates and I embarked on an intense but rewarding career preparation program with our respective career directors. They took the time to coach us through individual discovery sessions, career-related deliverables, specialized one-on-one interviews, and networking preparation. The Consortium’s summer Orientation Program was our Super Bowl and we had the career services directors with us onsite to guide us through our first job interviews as MBA students. The amount of time and dedication that McDonough’s Career Center offered Consortium members during the summer allowed everyone to have an edge when it came to on-campus recruiting in the fall due to the amount of practice and exposure.
On top of preparing us early for the MBA job process, going through the Consortium experience with my fellow Georgetown classmates allowed us to bond, share interview best practices and tips, and build an additional network amongst ourselves and the broader Consortium programs that we otherwise would not have been exposed to. Even as an incoming second year, my Consortium classmates are the first people I contact about new ideas, opportunities, or just to talk about life and I’m looking forward to expanding that group to the new incoming class.
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) aims to bridge the gap between underrepresented minorities and top business schools.
I learned about CGSM through friends that were pursuing their MBAs and they have said nothing but positive things about the organization. Applying to business school through CGSM was a seamless process that I would recommend to everyone.
Who should consider applying through CGSM?
Underrepresented minorities and others who support the organization’s mission.
How many schools can you apply to through CGSM?
Applicants can apply to six out of the 20 member schools with their CGSM application. Application fees range from $150-300. Applying to six top business school programs for a total price of $300 is a no-brainer!
What does the application consist of?
Two professional recommendation letters (one from your current manager is preferred)
One mission support recommendation letter from someone who can speak to your dedication to the CGSM mission
An essay describing your short- and long-term goals post-MBA
An essay describing your commitment to the CGSM mission statement
For each school you apply for, there will be school-specific essays. When I applied to McDonough, I had to write one essay and complete a one-minute video essay introducing myself to my cohort.
All of these application components are submitted on a single portal, which was very convenient. I most appreciated that my recommenders were able to submit a single recommendation letter that could be easily accessed by each school I applied to.
How early does the application open?
The application usually opens in mid-August, but the non-school specific essay prompts are on the website year-round, so feel free to get ahead!
When is the application due?
There are two application deadlines, one is usually in mid-October, while the other is in early January. Please, and I cannot stress this enough, apply when and only when you feel that your application is completely ready!
How does the ranking process work?
Representatives of each of the 20 schools meet in St. Louis each March to review the applications of people who have 1) been admitted to the respective school, and 2) been accepted as a CGSM member, to determine who will be named a Consortium Fellow and receive funding for their MBA experience. My personal recommendation: rank your schools in order of where you really want to attend and where you think you will likely be accepted.
How much funding may I receive if I am named a Consortium Fellow?
It depends! Some schools offer full rides and others offer partial funding.
Are there other benefits to be a CGSM member if I don’t receive funding?
Absolutely! CGSM gives you access to a diverse network of MBA candidates from other schools, exposure to Fortune 500 companies (before the school year even starts), and a powerful alumni network. Applying through CGSM allowed me to meet and bond with 20 of my classmates before we started at Georgetown McDonough last fall. These people have become my family and support system at McDonough. Most importantly, you’ll be able to promote diversity and inclusion to truly make an impact in business school and beyond.
Today's competition was a learning experience. Opened my eyes to obstacles to overcome. All implements can and will be different, ie. slick vinyl cover on a log, smaller grips on farmers, etc. Doesn't matter. I was dealt the same cards as my competitors. Car deadlift was no lift. Log C+P @ 240# for 1 rep with a couple half reps. 😆 Need more leg drive. My best event was Yoke carry @ 625# for 51 secs. Farmers/Tire flip was short lived. Stone over bar @ 300# was almost there for 1 rep. I need to bring my knees in closer when the stone is in my lap so I'm not squated so deep. Hand position felt good. Needless to say I met some awesome people and I got to spend time with my Palehorse Crew. I look forward to more. #palehorseSC #norsefitness #centralgastrongestman #CGSM #HWNovice (at Macon State Farmers Market) https://www.instagram.com/jwillissmith/p/BvqG60djVrd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cjohjvhpu0uj
Q Mal Partido Jugamos... 🙈🙈🙈 Empate En 1 Con Los Molles... Desorden... Desconcentracion...Descontrol... Deeeespues Hablamos.. 😠..Ja.. Vos Velo... Fijate.. Manejala 😉 La Base Esta... Diria El Historico Bambino Veira... VAMOS LOS PIBES... Y AGUANTE SAN MARTIN #CGSM
Feliz Cumple Mi Amado Club San Martin... Todo Listo Para Los Festejos Del 67 Aniversario... #club #fiesta #sanmartin #clubgeneralsanmartin #CGSM #merlo #25demayo #festehos #fiesta #cumpleaños #aniversario #sanlyis #argentina #fotografiacelular #fotografiaconmovil @juan_pablo_fotografo (en Merlo, San Luis)
