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Bell Curves Blog
On the Record: Q&A with BC Alumnus Rhomaro Powell
Recently, we thought that many people out there battling through the business school application process might benefit from some thoughts and insights from others who went through the experience. To that end, we started On the Record: Q&A with BC Alums. Last time around we spoke with Radina Russell. This time around, we got insights from the funny and talented Rhomaro Powell.
BC Alumnus Rhomaro Powell
Rhomaro graduated from the S.C. Johnson School of Management at Cornell University, and currently works in the financial services sector.
Why did you go to business school?
Business School was the next logical step for my career progression. Â My ultimate goal is to operate my own private equity firm; however I felt I was lacking some core skills, i.e. finance and accounting. Additionally, I felt I needed the proper brand and network that would provide me access to enter the private equity universe. Â Johnson at Cornell University gave me the brand, network, and knowledge I needed.
How has business school impacted your career?
Business school as accelerated my career tremendously, mainly because it has helped me grow as an individual, expanded my network, and provided opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. For example, I went into business school with the main goal of improving my technical skills, but learned that the softer skills were at least as important – and perhaps even more important – to my career.  I learned that knowledge only gets you so far, but being able to lead, influence, and build relationships with individuals will get you farther.  In regards to expanding my network and opportunities, I was able to do so through organizations such as Management Leadership for Tomorrow and The Robert Toigo Foundation. These organizations have expanded my network from outside the business school I attended.  Additionally, I studied in Madrid, Spain for 5 months.  My network now spans all the top business schools and companies around the world.
What do you want business school applicants to know?
Understand Your Passion:
Understanding your passions and what drives you will make the application process easier. This will help when writing your essays and speaking with admission officers. Admission officers can tell when someone is not genuine, and they gravitate to passionate individuals. It will make you memorable.
Due Diligence:
Each business school is different, so it is important to understand the culture and what makes each special. Harvard, Cornell, Stanford, Darden, Wharton, and NYU are not for everyone. Visit all the schools you are interested in and speak with both current students and alumni. The last thing you want to do is get into a school and find you don’t fit with the people, because this will be your network for the rest of your life and the two years will seem like an eternity. Remember, business school is not cheap, so invest your time and money wisely so you can get a great return.
How many schools did you apply to and get accepted to?
I applied to Stanford, Cornell, Michigan, Tuck, and NYU. Cornell and Stanford were my top two choices. Stanford said no, but Cornell said yes so I was on cloud nine.
What specific advice would you give those prepping for the GMAT now?
I took the GMAT 5 times. YES! 5 times! If you do the math it cost me $1500 (not including what I paid for prep courses and tutors) and over a year of my time. I thought it would have taken me at most two times to get the score I wanted. I considered the time and money as an investment in myself. Do not be discouraged if you have to take it more than once.
Preparing for the GMAT is definitely an individual effort, meaning that one strategy does not fit all. Take time to figure out how you learn best and what your study habits are. For some individuals classes are best, while for others a tutor is perfect. For me, it was a combination. I took a class to get the overall knowledge and strategy for the test and then hired a tutor to help me with my weak areas (verbal). I thought English was my first language until I took the GMAT. Anyway, here are a few tips:
1.      Put in the time. I would recommend a minimum of 20 hours a week. However, ensure you are studying efficiently or the time will not matter.
2.      Schools look at both the overall score and individual scores for each section. Some schools tend to put more emphasis on the quantitative score, so really focus on doing well on the quant.  Some schools use the score as an indicator on how an individual will perform in the quant-heavy core courses.
3.      Use study materials from different prep courses. I used materials from Bell Curves (really great instructors and online tools), Manhattan GMAT (really good material), and the Official Guide to the GMAT (really good practice questions).
4.      Studying in a group helps keep the motivation high and can add insight in tackling questions. You can learn a lot from your peers.
5.      Do not give up. Many will go through ups and downs. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize and that you are more than just a 3 digit number. Business schools are looking for well-rounded individuals. I know individuals that went to top schools that did not break 600. It is not the norm, but it is possible.
On the Record: Q&A with BC Alumnus Radina Russell
Recently, we thought that many people out there battling through the business school application process might benefit from some thoughts and insights from others who went through the experience. To that end, we present On the Record: Q&A with BC Alums. Over the next few months we’ll be sharing stories in Q&A format from some of our favorite Bell Curves alumni.
Today’s featured Bell Curves alumnus is Radina Russell.
BC favorite and all-around superstar Radina Russell
Radina graduated from Columbia Business School and now works as an Investor Relations and Financial Communications consultant. Here is what she has to say about her business school experience, the GMAT, and more:
How has business school impacted your career? I was able to completely reinvent myself. I made the switch from technology to finance and developed a brand new set of skills in b-school.
How to Choose: GMAT versus GRE
With the GRE changing on August 1st, 2011, and an increasing number of business schools accepting the GRE for the application process, we thought it might be a good time to discuss the two to help people make a decision about which test to take.
There are a number of factors that should influence your decision about which test to take. Before we get into those, we’d recommend that your first order of business should always be to contact the admissions office(s) at the program(s) you’re interested in to gather information on how each test is weighted in the admissions process. At present, very little information is given about how the two tests stack up in the admissions process (for example, Columbia provides a link to the GRE Comparison Tool on their admissions website, while Darden at the University of Virginia simply says the GRE is accepted in lieu of the GMAT; neither school, it should be noted, gives any specific info on how the tests are weighted). Given this circumstance, any information you can gather from the programs you’re interested in would be beneficial in informing your decision on which test to take.
So, here are some considerations in deciding which test to take: (more…)
Ideas to Innovation: What an idea! What an opportunity!
GMAC’s recently launched Ideas to Innovation Challenge (I2I) presents an intriguing host of possibilities. Let’s take a look at what the I2I program is:
Created in 2008 with a US$10 million commitment, the Management Education for Tomorrow (MET) Fund formalizes and enhances the Graduate Management Admission Council’s long-standing commitment to investing in strategic philanthropic initiatives that benefit business and management education globally. (more…)
Minorities and the GMAT
A few weeks ago, co-founder Akil Bello presented the above topic at GMAC’s Annual Industry Conference. The session was well attended and garnered positive responses from many of the industry professionals in attendance.
With over 20 years of test-preparation experience, as well as a focus in the last 10 on helping underrepresented minorities excel at standardized tests, Akil was well-positioned to provide the insights interested parties where there to hear. After significant research, and analysis of a wealth of survey data provided by GMAC, Akil brought his observations and conclusions to sunny San Diego. (more…)
Don’t Be “That (flashcard) Guy”
Greetings and welcome to another installment of Akil on the GMAT. I thought I’d share some of my thoughts and advice on how to study for the test. It seems more and more I encounter people who are studying wrong (oops I mean ‘incorrectly,’ since an adverb is needed to modify ‘studying’).
First, to understand how to study properly you have to understand the nature of the GMAT. The GMAT is an adaptive test that assesses quantitative and verbal REASONING. As such, the GMAT is not a test that you get a great score by simply memorizing facts, since a reasoning test requires logic supported by facts, rather than simple fact regurgitation.
Regurgitating facts will most likely only allow you to get a score in the low to mid 500s (in the best case scenario). If you are satisfied with a score in the 500s, you should just get a list of formulas and rules tested and memorize them. [My marketing department requires that I insert a shameless plug here for Bell Curves flashcards, which give you a succinct, comprehensive list of the rules and formulas tested on the GMAT - all in a nice, pretty package.]
If you want to have a realistic shot at the higher scores, you will need to memorize the facts necessary for success on the test and then, more importantly, develop your ability to use those facts in context.
Are you Flashcard Guy/Girl? (more…)
What is “The Consortium?”
Each year about this time I travel to several universities and speak to undergraduates about B-School and the GMAT, and each year I’m surprised by how much people don’t know about existing graduate school opportunities. So today’s blog is dedicated to shedding some light on an organization that every aspiring B-School applicant should investigate: The Consortium.
The Word on the Street
First, let’s look at the word on the street about the Consortium. This is what a few of my GMAT students had to say about it: (more…)
The PHD Project’s 1000th PhD and 15th Anniversary
As I’ve done the last 5 years or so, this past November I went to Chicago to speak at the PhD Project Annual conference. Each year this organization inspires and fascinates me. Its mission is profound and its reach is broad. While some elements were “business as usual” the event brought together about 400 potential doctoral candidates from around the country (and indirectly the globe) Â there were two significant milestones:Â the 15th year of the program and the 1000th doctoral candidate.
For anyone considering a PhD in business it’s a must that you check out this program!
My small contribution to the program was a presentation on how to prepare for the GMAT.
Yale School of Management (SOM) Explore Diversity 2009 Event
This past Sunday and Monday (the 8th and 9th of November), the Yale SOM hosted it’s annual Explore Diversity event. I was invited to attend and give a GMAT Presentation, and had a chance to meet many of the people directly involved in selecting candidates from the large pool of SOM applicants.
I have to say, first off, I was pleased to find that when Yale’s SOM touts a diversity weekend, they mean more than just ethnic or racial diversity. Their notions of diversity extend to include a great many parameters that would distinguish candidates, including career choices, country of origin, undergraduate education, and employment history, among others.
I also have to say I found the members of YSOM Admissions Committee to be a great bunch of people. Smaller, more intimate events such as this one give attendees a better opportunity to meet the people behind those the email addresses. The Admissions Committee seems as committed to diversity as the school is, with members clearly expressing very different personalities and perspectives. I imagine committee discussions about applicants are always interesting, and probably quite often heated. If you’re considering Yale, you should definitely meet some of these folks, and if they are any representation of the YSOM, it seems a great place to be!
Sitting in on the various events and talking to other people there, I got a few insights about the Yale SOM application/selection process. (more…)
MLT, a Bell Curves Partner, featured on CNN online
A recent feature on Management Leadership for Tomorrow Founder, John Rice. Watch for the Bell Curves mug at 1:47 into the video.