Establishing Networks and Easing In

Wisconsin's Diversity Weekend is a great way to learn about the university's MBA program and meet other students of color

by Marjani Coffey

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Marjani Coffey
Wisconsin - Madison
MBA Class of 2008

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It's not competitive here…They work really hard to make you succeed…Blah, blah, blah. I remember hearing those sales pitches during my visit to the University of Wisconsin. Of course, my first thought was, "yeah, right, whatever." Now, I'm the one giving the spiel. Funny thing is, it's all true.

Last night, I had cocktails with roughly 20 prospective students at the kickoff of Wisconsin's Diversity Weekend. The weekend is full of social and informational events designed to attract students of color. I didn't attend last year, but many of my classmates say Diversity Weekend sold them on the merits of a Wisconsin MBA. After a really rough week (two exams and a take home midterm that made me consider dropping out), this was a great way to unwind.

It seems like everyone I met was suffering from GMAT angst. Who really remembers the formula for the surface area of sphere? It felt good to tell the prospectives my story of inspiration. I prepped for the GMAT in one month using books and CD-ROMs from the library. My score went up 200 points. No expensive prep course, no costs other than time.

Ease the Transition

The other big concern I heard: How am I going to pay for it? You can't go wrong by applying to the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. The Consortium awards full fellowships to any of its 13 member schools. Instead of applying to each school individually, you fill out an online application that is good for up to six schools. Anyone can apply, regardless of race. You simply have to prove a commitment to increasing diversity in your academic and/or professional career.

The Consortium also gives you an established network before you start school. The other Consortium fellows: Adeola, Terry, Soly, Renee, Felipe, Richard, Michael, Ato, and Carlos have been my rock. We consoled one another after the dreaded finance exam (the mean was a 43); Soly and I have a monopoly on the right side, second row, third and fourth seats of every classroom (yes, we're that superstitious) and Felipe turns any occasion into a party. We bonded this summer at the Consortium's orientation program. Knowing some of your classmates before you start school makes the transition so much easier.

Overall, I told the group not to stress over the application process. If you work at it, you will get into good programs. Then, you have to find the right fit. Visit and go with your gut. You'll know if it feels right. After two months of classes, I can honestly say Wisconsin suits me.

Afraid of the Future

I'm one of 18 first-year students specializing in brand management. (There are 13 specializations.) The curriculum is heavily team-based. My class of 120 is divided into two cohorts. You take your four core classes: finance, accounting, marketing, and data analysis with your cohort. The fifth class is a career specialization course. Within the cohort, you have a team of people from different specializations that you do most of your group projects with.

I was terrified when I looked at the list of people on my team: four guys, and I was the only woman. I know that reflects the business world, but I feared I wouldn't be respected and my ideas wouldn't be heard. When I met my team members, everyone seemed nice, but I still was worried that it was going to be a long semester.

O.K. I usually don't like to say this: but I was wrong, very wrong. My teammates are the coolest people. We rely on each other's strengths. As a former reporter, I can talk my way out of anything. I love the presentations and marketing cases. Mike and Brian are whizzes in finance and accounting (thank goodness), Ivan is the finance guy from Russia who swears vodka will cure everything, and Puneet is our operations expert who keeps us from getting too crazy. They are totally respectful of my ideas and we work well together.