Live Chat with Executive MBA Admissions
Join Executive MBA staff for a discussion about the application and the application process
Tuesday, January 20, 2011 - 12:00 PM CDT
Anita: Welcome! Career Services is looking forward to answering your questions.
Toby: Hi Everyone and welcome. Thanks for joining us. My name is Toby Cortelyou, I am the Associate Director of Admission for the Executive MBA Program. I look forward to answering your questions about Career Services.
dscanlan: Can XP students begin using Career Services after they have been accepted into the program?
Anita: XP students can begin using Career Services as soon as they go through orientation.
dscanlan: What percentage of students transition to another job while in the program?
Anita: A majority transition to another job - a combination during and shortly after completing the program.
dscanlan: If you are in transition when you enter the program, what are the tools available to students who have been out of the workforce for awhile?
Anita: There are a wide variety of tools and resources available to XP students - from self-assessment and job search planning to job postings, interview prep, and offer evaluation. There are so many!
G-212014700: What are the due dates for submitting the application of EMBA program ?
Toby: We use what we call Rolling Admissions meaning as your application becomes complete it goes for review. The final deadline to submit your application is April 1st.
G-212014700: Could I join the program without an employer sponsorship?
Toby: No. Unless you are unemployed at the time the program begins we require a letter of sponsorship from your company.
Mayur: What are the admission criteria? GMAT, Years of Experience etc
Toby: Hi Mayur. We don't have any requirements per se. There is no formula in the admissions process. When evaluating applications we are measuring your ability to manage the academic rigor of the program, looking to ensure that your goals in earning and MBA are consistent with what we offer and finally trying to determine what value you will be able to add to the experience of your classmates.
Jim: who are some of thetop employers of chicago booth mba graduates?
Anita: The range of employers is quite vast - from large multinationals like McKinsey, Google, and JP Morgan to start-ups like Groupon,
SF741: Since the round 2 application deadline is right around the corner, I'd be interested in learning how many applications are you expecting over the course of the 3 rounds, and how soon should students expect to hear back from admissions regarding interviews, etc.
Toby: Hi! We don't publicize our application volume. Once your application is submitted you will hear back from us withing 2 weeks whether or not you are invited in for an interview. After your interview you can expect a final decision back within 6 weeks.
hugomiura: Are Career Services equal for both EMBA and full MBA?
Blaze: Yes, but there are some differences that correlate to the needs of students in each program. For example, we do not engage in on-campus recruiting with executives as the recruiting hiring model does not work at more senior levels of hiring. Instead, we develop employer relationships that lead to job postings and facilitate networking events to create connections.
Mayur: How does it work for remote students. I live in Dallas.
Toby: Just under half of our students are flying in to the program every other week. With our location in downtown Chicago there are literally dozens of hotel options available to you. If you have specific concerns about commuting please let us know.
G-212005314: Hi Toby and Anita, thank you for taking the time today, would you be able to give a brief overview of what career services are available?
Anita: In addition to the services mentioned in a previous question, there are services that were developed specifically for EMBA. They include an initial career assessment conversation, career management small group virtual programs, executives on call (small group coaching with executives in a variety of fields,) and industry happy hours (opportunities for EMBAs to meet and learn from professionals in a variety of fields) - we just had a very successful one last Friday on consulting.
Jim: does your office keep track of the percentage of XP students going to to new careers and/or new employers upon graduation vs. staying in the same position within say 6mos or so of graduation
Blaze: We conduct a program wide survey at completion. The majority make some kind of change - whether promotion or employer change - while within or after program completion.
Steph: What type of career coaching services are offered to exec MBA students? How is that same/different from that offered to the full-time MBA program?
Anita: There is career coaching available to all EMBA students with coaches having extensive business experience. The content of the coaching focuses on the needs of more experienced individuals and is very similar to what is provided to alumni.
Sm: Hi, I have a question. Can someone with a liberal arts background, with virtually no business experience, successfully complete this program?
Toby: Yes. We work very hard to maintain a diverse classroom in terms of professional industry and function. We have students from many different types of backgrounds. There are also numerous support systems available in terms of your classmates, tutors, TA and faculty members. It would also be a good idea to possibly take a course in whatever area you feel may be lacking before the program begins.
Steph: Are students who have had a 10+ yr business career, but are taking a couple of years off to raise kids, admitted? Or does one have to be currently working full-time?
Patty: Hi Steph. Welcome to the chat - I am the associate dean of executive MBA. Students working full-time benefit because they can take back what they learn to the workplace. However,we do welcome applications from individuals with strong work experience but who may have taken time off for raising families. As long as your intention is to rejoin the workforce (and not use executive MBA in place of full-time program), we are happy to evaluate your application.
Mark: Are those that transistion during the program because of opportunities made available during the program or pursuits that were already in the works?
Anita: It is a combination of the two. Some people are on a track in their companies and proceed with that. There are also job postings that provide opportunities. Networking is another avenue.
G-212014700: What financing options are available?
Toby: Student Loans are the primary option available to Executive MBA students. We do not have any scholarships or fellowships available. Use the link below to learn more http://www.chicagobooth.edu/execmba/admissions/financialaid.aspx
G-212008044: Does career services actively work with companies for potential opportunities that fit the profile of EMBA students?
Anita: There is a global employer development team that meets with companies and develops relationships in a wide variety of fields.
lonestar: Every case is unique, but what is max age of typical EMBA candidate
Toby: Hi Lonestar. We don't have a max age. Our last cohort had students ranging in age from 28-58 if that helps.
hugomiura: Are Career Services and recruiters events equal for both EMBA and full-time MBA?
Anita: there is a ton of career activity for emba students and for ft students -- they are very different tho in most cases. the level of position sought by our emba students is very different from those sought by our ft students -- so the events and recruiters are different tho in many cases the firms are the same.
Mayur: What value does this program add to the person who already has a MBA from foriegn university?
Patty: Hi Mayur. One of the major reasons that students pursue MBA degrees in our executive MBA program is because of the network. Not only do you join 90 students from all over North America, but you have colleagues in our Singapore and London campuses from 40+ countries.
Sm: what is the average starting salary for people coming out of this program?
Blaze: There is quite a range of levels, industries, and functions so the average salary is not a particular usseful measure. It would not help you to determine your likely future salary.
Sree: Hi Toby - What are the objectives of the admission steps 1) application screening to make an invite 2) Interview. You do the filteration at step 1 or step 2
Toby: Hi Sree - the initial pre-interview screening is to primarily determine big picture fit and be sure that we are not wasting your time or our time in conducting an interview.
G-212008270: Do you feel as though corporate interest in hiring Booth MBA grads is equal to the level of interest in hiring Executive MBAs?
Julie: there is nice interest in hiring experienced folks from booth. we've seen a solid uptick in job postings for experienced hires and in recruiter interest overall. we have seen an analogous uptick in hiring interest from the full-time program too -- at a very different level of hiring.
hugomiura: Are the services provided by Carrer Services free , for ever ? Do they finish aftre graduation?
Anita: There are not cost for services provided by Career Services. Career Services is also provided to alumni without a charge.
G-212014700: Are there any pre-req courses?
Toby: There are no requires courses. We do offer a 4 day Pre-MBA course right before the program begins. Basically 2days of Math and 2 days of Accounting to make sure you are getting started on the right foot.
Sm: If you are not invited for an interview, does this mean you were not accepted?
Toby: Yes, if you are not invited for an interview that is where the admission process will end and you will not be offered a seat in the program.
G-212008044: Are career services limited to a period after you graduate, or do you have an open policy to any alumni?
Blaze: Career services are free for life for alumni.
G-212037476: The face time being less between emba students, does the bonding happen to help each other ?Have you seen than the class students helping each other in their career moves such as a student getting hired in his class mate company etc
Toby: Students in the XP program become very close. Keep in mind that you are taking all of your classes together for almost the entire 21 months. You will certainly get to know each other well. In terms of career it is very common for students to assist each other in job searches or even begin start-ups together.
Mayur: So all business schools now a days offer some kind of EMBA, XP, Part-time etc and they are using media for sales and marketing as if they are selling products. One thing I am interested to know is, program is not running as a profit making business instead of an academia with real interest in students career developement and meeting industry needs. What is the unique value proposition this particular program offers?
Patty: Hi again, Mayur. One of the major reasons we offer part-time programs is not for revenue generation, but to reach a broader audience at different points in their careers. We reach out to our prospective students in the ways to which they are accustomed - this includes media in all of its different forms. I assure you that we are very interested in the success of our students and alumni. Your successes are a direct reflection on our reputation. We expect strong commitment to the learning process and in return, we support your career development needs.
Jim: given the economy in the last few years, how would you characterize the volume of work Career Services is having to do in order to help students find new careers?
Anita: The volume of work to help prepare students and alumni and post job opportunities has definitely gone up. During the downturn, we actually added four employer development professionals to the team to expand the breath and depth of employer relationships globally. In addition, how we work with EMBAs is a bit different. EMBAs are looking for senior positions - the hiring is done on a one off basis. On-campus recruiting (OCR) is open to FT and evening and weekend students (and not EMBAs) as OCR targets entry level positions.
Steph: Thanks for the response, Patty. Can you help me understand better what you mean by not using the EMBA in place of the full-time program? Just looking to understand better.
Patty: Sure, Steph. Our full-time MBA students are at the early stages of their careers and have different support needs. Our EMBA students are part-time students and have different demands on their time -- work, school, family. The 2 program's are structured very differently from an experience standpoint particularly on the career front. Full-time students are preparing for entry-level business jobs while executive students are aspiring to move into general management positions - so, substantially beyond entry-level.
Guest: Has the admissions office started sending decision letters to selected candidates from the first round of application (applied before Dec 1st, 2010)?
Toby: Yes, decision are gong out as they are being made. We hope to have all decisions from Dec 1st out by Feb. 15th.
Jim: and following up, and has the amount of time students are looking for new careers increased substantially?
Blaze: Yes, over the past two years it is taking longer, and more steps, for people to change careers.
G-212014700: are there any careers sessions or events planned at Texas - Austin in near months or so?
Toby: Actually I was in Austin last week for an admissions event. I don't believe there are any official university events scheduled in the near future.
Sm: Can you elaborate on what you mean by different level of position sought by the emba and full-time students?
Blaze: Full-time MBA students typically have 3-5 years of experience. EMBA typically have 14 years of work experience. These lead to different hiring levels.
G-212014700: What does the curriculum include, are there any international visits in prorgam?
Patty: Hello. We run our general management executive MBA in Chicago, London and Singapore at our own campuses in those locations. Students from all 3 locations spend time taking classes at all 3 campuses. Not only is this a required component of the program, it is one of our differentiators and is a highlight of our program!
immi: How does the program cater to career changers?
Blaze: Career change can mean many things - level, function, industry, geography or some combination of these things. We help students to assess and determine realistic career targets, and to understand what steps need to be taken to get there. That is done through individual coaching and programming.
Sree: Whether the Career Service will help in getting the required contacts in Industry, Alumni network to support the career objectives of students
Anita: we have a robust database of contacts which is open to students in all programs - so contacts across many industries and functions, globally. in addition, there is a community directory of all alumni. you can also follow our employer development activity through our blog. if there are specific firms you want to contact, we can certainly work through a strategy, involving you and us, together -- in general, firms want to hear from candidates, not us!
Sunny: Do the employers differentiate between candidates in full time program vs executive program
Toby: It should be rare that a student from the Full-time and Executive program are competing for the same job simply because of Executive students being on average 10 years older. Regardless the programs should be viewed the same by employers - our faculty are the same, our curriculum is the same. All students regardless of program receive the same degree.
Moderator: The chat will be closing in 15 minutes. Please continue to submit your final questions! Please note, as we often get repeats of questions, we will try to address the general topic (if not your specific question).
G-212014700: How do you rank undergraduate transcripts?
Patty: We don't assign ranks or weights to application components. We look at transcripts to be able to assess if you can handle graduate level academic work.
LF: Networking is an important aspect of MBAs ,can you give some example how that works and whats the motivation for a person in network to help fellow alumini or students (This is my 2nd question,1st sent 15 mins. back,I didnt sen the answer as yet)
Anita: Thanks for your question. Networking happens in a variety of ways - from exchanges in the classroom to events held at the Gleacher Center (Industry Happy Hours, Corporate Access Programs, Industry Immersion, and alumni.) There are also alumni clubs and industry round tables in several dozen locations around the global that host events throughout the year. The motivation to help is that they were likely helped too - also there is a generosity of spirit in the network. With EMBAs, you will also be able to contribute to others.
immi: How often do you have folks joining your program from other states - CA in my case? What tools would be available to them in lieu of not being able to avail the university resources ?
Blaze: We work to make many resources available virtually or to schedule events for when you are on campus. For example, coaching can be done by phone or Skype, we offer webinars and teleconferences, networking events are typically scheduled for Friday nights when you are on campus, most career research databases are accessible remotely.
G-212008044: Toby, does the program have specific quotas for each round of applications? Are chances different depending on deadline dates?
Toby: We do not have quotas but applying earlier is better because we do fill up. We pay attention to the industries and functions in our applicant pool to be sure that no one area will dominate the class room. As a result an applicant in a particularly saturated industry would have better odds by applying earlier.
Raman: Q1. My question is about me being on L1 Visa status in USA, and what i need to do apart from taking GMAT, and applying for the school. Q2, would i be considered an International Student? Q3, do i need to give TOEFEL as well, since i'm in US for more than 1-1/2 years now? Thanks you!!
Patty: Dear Raman. Executive MBA is a part-time program so we are unable to offer student visas.
Sm: Blaze, as a follow up question, for EMBA, are you looking for a particular type of work experience? I am thinking someone could have 14 years and still need to pursue more of entry level position.
Blaze: With regard to hiring...the more things a person is changing - level, function, industry, geography - the more likely the search/change process is to take longer and more steps. Depending upon the number or elements in a change, someone with 14 years of experience might indeed consider a change at a different level.
oc: What kind of ROI information do you have for someone with ~15 years business experience. It is the old question: Will it be worth the time and money invested?
Toby: There are no specific numbers partly because it varies so much from student to student. I would encourage you to watch a webinar we hosted a couple months ago where a member of our team walked through the ROI of an MBA giving you some very specific ways to calculate your own situation. The link is below http://www.chicagobooth.edu/execmba/admissions/events/online-events.aspx
G-212008044: Hi Anita, can students take any of the other electives after the completion of their emba? Is there any cost associated?
Toby: After graduation students can come back to Booth for three more classes tuition free. So yes - and they're free!
Moderator: The chat will be closing in 5 minutes. We will answer as many remaining questions as possible. Don't forget to check the transcript to see all answers from today's chat. This will later be posted to http://www.chicagobooth.edu/execmba/chat/
Steph: Can you provide an example of the typical set of coaching that an EMBA student would receive as the program progresses? I'm sure it is tailored to the student, but I am curious to know how often/what sort of coaching meetings occur. Thanks very much! This has been very helpful.
Blaze: in the first quarter we have an initial career assessment conversation where we seek to understand your career ambitions and help you understand what career services you can take advantage of now, and through the program. From there the coaching progresses at entirely different paces. There is not a limit to the number of coaching sessions.
G-212008270: I see rates of hire statistics for FT MBA showing 90+% receive a job offer within the 1st year after graduation. Are there stats showing rates of success for Executive MBAs who wish to change careers or employment?
Julie: the stats for ft are actually at the 3 month post grad mark, not 1 year. but in any case, there is not the same robust data for emba's. we know what kinds of careers students enter, but it's hard to know the denominator to calculate a percentage. ie, how many emba's are actively seeking new positions? for the ft program, we know that everyone is -- not true for the emba's. while we have no stats, we know that most of the emba's successfully pursue new careers post graduation - whether that's a promotion, a new job, or starting their own biz.
Sree_1: Are there events available in the coming days to meet with the students, admission staff and alumni (other than the information share events on EMBA)
Toby: Hi Sree - yes. Our next on campus information session will have students, alumni and staff. That will be January 27th from 6-8 PM. For other events visit the link below. http://www.chicagobooth.edu/execmba/admissions/events/index.aspx
Patty: Thank you for joining our chat today. I hope it was helpful as you look into executive MBA programs.
immi: In certain industries career growth is reflected easily while not in others. In IT for example, after you attain a certain Senior rank - your growth is stagnant for a while. How is this viewed by the application reviewer? When comparing two candidates how do you determine that someone is genuinely strong candidate however did not get the growth opportunities?
Patty: Hello Immi. You are absolutely right. One of the ways we determine opportunities and potential is through more than just your job title or resume. We look at recommendation letters, your essays, and your interview. We also ask alumni in those fields and/or our career services staff for insight on a particular industry or job function.
Toby: Thank you everyone for joining us today. Don't forget to visit us on Facebook, Linked In, Twitter and Youtube and you can also schedule a class visit using the link below. http://www.chicagobooth.edu/execmba/campuslocations/chicago/visit.aspx
Anita: Thanks so much for your great questions. Much success in the application process.
Moderator: The chat has now ended. There were so many engaging questions that we're sorry we weren't able to answer them all. Have a great day!