Everything you need to know about applying to MBAs with the Consortium

The Consortium is a nonprofit which works to strengthen the representation of minorities in business schools and corporate leadership. 

It partners with some of the world’s top business schools and companies to create a network of diverse MBA candidates who drive its mission: “to enhance diversity and inclusion in global business education and leadership by striving to reduce the significant underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, in both our member schools’ enrollments and the ranks of global management, across for profit corporations, non-profit corporations, government agencies and contractors, and entrepreneurial ventures in both for profit and non-profit environments”. 

Which business schools are part of the Consortium?

You can apply to MBA programs at the following business schools through the Consortium application:

Haas School of Business - University of California, Berkeley

UCLA Anderson School of Management - University of California, Los Angeles

Tepper School of Business - Carnegie Mellon University

Columbia Business School - Columbia University 

SC Johnson Graduate School of Management - Cornell University

Tuck School of Business - Dartmouth College

Fuqua School of Business - Duke University

Goizueta Business School - Emory University

McDonough School of Business - Georgetown University

Kelley School of Business - Indiana University-Bloomington

Michigan Ross School of Business - University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Leonard N. Stern School of Business - New York University

Kenan-Flagler Business School - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jones Graduate School of Business - Rice University

Simon Business School - University of Rochester

Graduate School of Business - Stanford University

Marshall School of Business - University of Southern California

Foster School of Business - University of Washington

Olin Business School - Washington University in St. Louis

Wisconsin School of Business - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Yale School of Management - Yale University

Who can apply for an MBA via the Consortium?

To apply via the Consortium, you need to fulfill the following requirements:

• US Citizen/Permanent resident/DACA recipient recipient of any race or ethnicity

• Hold a four-year Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• Demonstrate a commitment to the Consortium’s mission

Note that you do NOT need to be an underrepresented minority to apply via the Consortium. Individuals from any race or ethnicity may apply, as long as they share a “demonstrated commitment” to the Consortium’s mission of promoting diversity in business schools and corporate management. 

Why should you apply for an MBA with the Consortium?

Business schools that partner with the Consortium strongly recommend that you apply through the Consortium application because of four key benefits:

1. Membership in the Consortium: If you are admitted to the Consortium, you will gain access to 80+ recruiters and corporate partners, as well as the Consortium’s expansive network spanning 12,000+ alumni and 1,200+ current students. 

2. Fellowship: Admitted applicants who become Consortium members are considered for the Consortium Fellowship, a two-year fellowship covering all tuition and other mandatory school fees. You may also be offered partial funding. Fellowships are typically awarded to top MBA candidates “who have a proven record of promoting inclusion in school, in their jobs, or their personal lives”. Becoming a Consortium Fellow does not preclude you from other merit-based scholarships offered by the business schools you apply to via the Consortium. Note that you must be enrolled in a Consortium member school to be considered for this fellowship.

3. Orientation Program (OP): All Consortium members who have been admitted to a partner school can attend the 5-day Orientation Program in June before they start their MBA. In the OP, students will attend MBA prep workshops, networking events, career fairs, and have private interviews with leading educational institutions and corporations, well before they enter the classroom.

4. Common Application Portal: You only need to complete one streamlined Consortium application to apply to up to 6 partner schools. You can login to this common application portal here.

5. Lower Application Fee: Applying through the common Consortium application is less expensive than applying to each member school individually.

   
   

How does the Consortium MBA application work?

When you log in to the Consortium portal, you will be asked to complete a Consortium application, consisting of mission essays, mission recommendation, resume, and your personal details. 

You will then choose the b-school(s) you are interested in (also via the same portal), and complete their core essays and any other supplementary questions they ask. Schools will only see these; they will not see your responses to the mission essays, mission recommendation, or other supplements you have filled for your Consortium membership application. 

Once you submit your application, the Consortium committee will check if you have provided all required materials. If they confirm that it is complete, they will forward your application to the schools, who will evaluate your application through their standard process. The schools will notify you of an acceptance, waitlist, or rejection directly. 

Deadlines for Consortium MBA applications 2025 - 2026

	Deadline	Admissions Decisions
Consortium 1st Deadline	October 15, 2025	Varies by School
Consortium 2nd Deadline	January 5, 2026	Varies by School

Applicants may not apply to schools in both Round 1 and Round 2 via the Consortium. You will have to choose one of the above application deadlines. Once your application is completed and submitted, you will receive one of three initial notifications: invitation to interview, waitlist offer or denial of admission.

Don’t worry if your school’s deadlines are different from the Consortium deadlines. If you are applying via the Consortium, you only have to follow the deadlines shown above. 

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Consortium MBA essay questions 2025 - 2026

Mission Essay (required): Our mission, supported by the strength of our growing alliance and network of committed allies, is to expand access and increase representation in business education and leadership. In collaboration with our member schools and partners, we work to strengthen enrollment and leadership across the following sectors: for- profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, government agencies and contractors, and entrepreneurial ventures in both for-profit and nonprofit environments.

*Please address the three questions noted below and use specific examples that clearly articulate your involvement, actions and results.

Mission Essay 1

The Consortium is committed to expanding access and increasing representation for individuals and communities that have not always had equal access to opportunity. Please describe the specific actions you have already taken—through your business, personal, academic, or volunteer experiences—that demonstrate your commitment to this mission. Include examples that show your values in action, the impact of your efforts, and how they contribute to building a more inclusive community. (400 word limit)

Mission Essay 2

How do you plan to support The Consortium’s mission while enrolled in your MBA program? What actions will you take to help build a stronger, more inclusive community? (400 word limit)

Mission Essay 3

After completing your MBA, how will you continue to support The Consortium’s mission through your career, leadership, or community involvement? (200 word limit)

Core Essay 1

Please describe your short- and long-term goals post-MBA. How has your professional experience shaped these goals and influenced your decision to pursue an MBA degree? (2,000 characters).

Core Essay 2 (Optional)

Is there any other information you would like to share with us that is not presented elsewhere in your application? (1,000 characters)

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Interested in applying through the Consortium? Get in touch with our team of expert consultants to discuss how to approach your mission essays and recommendation.