Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi Stacy,

Three questions for you:

1) What is the general connotation of fraternity leadership positions?

I served as the "Academic Chair" in my fraternity for a year and developed methods to help other members improve their grades. I was told, in college, that I shouldn't list anything related to my fraternity on my resume. Is this true with MBA applications?

2) Regarding community service...

Having decided recently to pursue the MBA, I've started signing up for community service activities, a service leadership program, and a tutoring program for 8-18 year olds through a local public school. I'll apply to schools next fall - does it look fishy to see a big spike in community service activity 1 year before applying?

3) Finally, how much weight does an applicant's undergraduate institution carry?

I graduated from Oregon State University w/ a few classes at Denmark Technical University (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, GPA 3.68 ). Oregon State was a great school for me, but it's no Stanford. Does that hamper my chances at a school like Duke or Michigan?

Thank you very much for providing your insights. They're quite invaluable to all of us on the forum.

A. Sadowski

Stacy,

Thank you for your response to the last questions. I'm sorry this next bit is so long, but I really would like your opinion on my situation.

My choice of schools is very limited because my wife will be attending nurse anesthesia school at the same time. The schools that offer both programs, as you can see below, are generally highly regarded programs:

Michigan
Duke
UNC-Chapel Hill
Michigan State
Wake Forest

I have three basic ideas for career path: corporate finance, consulting, or entrepreneurial focus based on current land development ventures.

Education: Oregon State University, Mech. Engr., 3.68
GMAT: Assume a 700 (currently studying, feel confident about a 700)
Resume:
- Since graduation, R&D Process Engineer for Xerox Corp (2 years). Being considered for promotion to single point accountability for upcoming project. Crossing my fingers!
- During school, I was selected for a competitive internship program (MECOP) which yielded two 6-month internships. See below

• * 1st internship, Meridian Automotive Systems, positioned me as an engineer at Freightliner in Portland, OR where I had to solve an incredibly heated quality issue between the two companies, 4000 miles apart. That job was very difficult (as a junior in college), but I learned a lot from it. (interest in management consulting stems from this experience)
  * 2nd internship, Wah Chang Precious Metals, Tooling Engineer

- Fluid modeling research assistant, Oregon State University, 3 months

Extracurriculur
- Tutoring 8-18 year old students through Police Activities League of Beaverton, OR.
- Academic chair, Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, OSU
- Activities Coordinator, Society of Mech. Engr, OSU
- Secretary, Society of Mech. Engr., OSU
- BAJA off-road vehicle competition team, design help and travel coordinator, OSU
- Presenter at MECOP internship program workshop for mentor improvement

Awards
- Mechanical Engineering Dept. Scholarship, OSU
- ASHRAE Scholarhip (society of heating, refrig., and air conditioning engineers)
- Diversity Achievement Scholarship, OSU

Interesting Personal Facts
- In my free time, my passion is drumming. Have been playing for over 10 years in church bands, all 3 high school bands, and 3 independent college bands. Last band, Evelate, recorded a studio album that's available in local music shops in Portland, OR.
- Lived in Copenhagen while studying at Denmark Technical University for 5 months. Coordinated dinners and birthday parties with a group of friends from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France, Denmark, and Bulgaria.
- For the past 2 years, I've been learning the ropes of independent land development under the tutelage of my father-in-law. Will soon create an LLC with my wife to deal with part ownership of a new multi-million dollar dimentia care facility in Newberg, OR.

What are my chances at the few schools I can apply to? Thank you for enduring the length of my post!