The Consortium Quick Start Guide and FAQs

Bringing Diverse Perspectives to American Business

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management is a continually growing and evolving alliance of some of the world’s leading graduate business schools and business organizations, supported by the strength of The Consortium's extended network of students and alumni.

The Consortium's Approach is Simple

The Consortium connects people, institutions, and companies that have shown a commitment to its mission, and positions them for even greater success. Specifically, The Consortium fosters a network of the country’s best students, leading MBA programs, and corporate partners, including Fortune 500 companies.

The Consortium awards up to full tuition fellowships to top MBA candidates who have a proven record of promoting inclusion in school, in their jobs, or in their personal lives.

The Consortium's Mission

The Consortium's mission, through the strength of its growing alliance and extended network, is 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 The Consortium's Member Schools’ enrollments and the ranks of global management across the following sectors:

For-profit corporations
Nonprofit corporations
Government agencies and contractors
Entrepreneurial ventures in both for-profit and nonprofit environments

The Consortium by the Numbers

$600 million+ fellowship support provided to Consortium members since its inception
12,000+ Consortium alumni since 1968
1,000+ applications for Consortium membership received annually
1,000+ Consortium students attending its member schools each year
90+ corporate partners supporting The Consortium
23 member schools

What is The Consortium application?

The Consortium application simplifies the process of applying to MBA programs. You start by selecting the programs you wish to apply to, then you submit one application that includes all necessary materials.

Start your 2023-2024 application.

Applicant Eligibility

If you meet the following requirements, you are eligible to apply using The Consortium's application:

U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident (with a residency number), or DACA recipient of any race or ethnicity. Be sure to check with individual programs on their DACA policies.
Demonstrate a commitment to The Consortium’s mission of helping to reduce the serious underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in both our member schools’ enrollments and the ranks of management.
Hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from a college or university outside the U.S. at the time of applying.

If you submit an application without meeting these requirements, your application will not be released to member schools and your application fee will not be refunded.

How long does the application process take?

It's important you start your application as early as possible since completing your application can be a lengthy process. Below is a suggested timeline that includes key actions to keep the application process on track. This timeline may need to be adjusted based on your programs' respective requirements.

Timeline	Key Actions
Prior to the Start of the Application Process	Research programs you wish to apply to. Pay special attention to: Cycle dates and deadline requirements. Application fees. Recommendation requirements. Minimum requirements, including prerequisites, standardized test scores, supplemental applications, etc. Begin contacting potential recommenders to confirm their participation. Review the core application essays and membership essays. Review the instructions in this Help Center.
2-3 Months Prior to Deadline	Create your account. Complete the Colleges Attended section. Complete the Recommendations section. Check in with your recommenders to confirm that they received the recommendation request via email.
As the Deadline Approaches	Complete and submit your application. Monitor your application for receipt of letters of recommendation and follow up on any missing items. Continue monitoring your application until your status is Complete.
After Deadline	Download a copy of your application for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Consortium	Transcripts and Recommendations	Programs and Statuses	Fees and Payments
What does The Consortium do? The Consortium is a nonprofit alliance of top-tier business schools and corporate partners dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in business education and corporate leadership. The Consortium does this by collaborating with member schools to recruit MBA candidates who share its mission. Consortium fellows will have the opportunity to receive up to full tuition fellowships to the MBA programs they attend and interact with The Consortium's corporate partners. What are the benefits of The Consortium? Even before they become members of The Consortium, MBA prospects can apply to up to multiple member schools at rates deeply discounted from what it would cost to apply separately. Once admitted to one of the member schools and to The Consortium, members have the benefit of The Consortium's network of more than 12,000 alumni, as well as attendance at the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum. There, students attend an intense slate of MBA preparation workshops and networking events, exposing them to job opportunities even before they set foot in the classroom. How many students are members? The Consortium typically recruits a class of more than 500 students each academic year. In 2020, The Consortium recruited a record 634 students. At any one time, 900 to 1,000 Consortium students are attending one of the 23 member schools. How is The Consortium supported? The Consortium receives operational support from its 90+ corporate partners and from individual donations, which underwrites its operations and the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum. Member schools provide the fellowships. Do I need to be an underrepresented minority to be a Consortium member? No. The mission of The Consortium is to increase the ranks of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in business education and corporate leadership. The Consortium believes the best way to accomplish that is by recruiting MBA prospects who share a demonstrated commitment to that mission — regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. When it was originally founded, The Consortium only recruited African American men. In 1970, that mission was expanded to include women, as well as Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. That mission further evolved to open eligibility to any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who can show that demonstrated commitment to its mission through the application process. How do I become eligible for membership through The Consortium? Review the Applicant Eligibility requirements to learn if you can apply for membership through The Consortium. Note that your application will not be released to member schools if you do not meet our eligibility requirements. Application fees are non-refundable. Who is the leader of The Consortium? Peter J. Aranda III is the executive director and CEO of The Consortium. He is also the first of The Consortium’s leaders to be an alumnus of the program. He received a Consortium fellowship in 1985 to attend Washington University in St. Louis, where he received his MBA in 1987. Learn more about The Consortium	Do I need to send transcripts? You must upload an unofficial or official transcript for each institution you enter in the application. We do not accept screenshots or portal printouts. Keep in mind that transcripts are required for your application to be complete and reviewed comprehensively by member schools. See the Colleges Attended page for more information. My transfer credits are listed on my primary transcript. Do I still need to upload all transcripts? You must report all colleges and universities attended and upload transcripts, even if your transfer credits are listed on your primary transcript. How many professional recommendations do I need for my application to be complete? You must request two professional recommendations. Your recommenders will submit the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation (LOR) form through Liaison Letters, the Recommender Portal. Note that you will also need a mission recommendation in order for The Consortium to consider your application for membership.	How do I remove a program? Your application must always have at least one program selected. To remove a program, click the checkmark next to the program name on the Add Program tab or click the trash icon on the Submit Application tab. Can I apply to more programs after I submit my application? No. Once you submit your application, you cannot apply to additional programs. Additionally, you may only apply for one deadline per cycle using The Consortium's application. Should I submit my application if I'm still waiting on recommendations and/or official test scores? Yes. You can submit your application before your recommendations and/or official test scores are received by The Consortium. Keep in mind that these items will need to be received by The Consortium in order for your application to be considered complete and released to member schools. Will The Consortium update me on the status of my application? Your application status for each program is listed in the Check Status section of the application. The Consortium will notify you if your application is missing any materials. When will I learn about admissions decisions? Did I get in!? Your programs will contact you directly with your admissions decisions.	Is there any other way to pay other than by credit card? We currently only accept payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). I want a refund. What do I need to do? Refunds are not given for any reason. Review Refunding/Withdrawing Your Consortium Application for more information.

The Consortium

Transcripts and Recommendations

Programs and Statuses

Fees and Payments

What does The Consortium do?: The Consortium is a nonprofit alliance of top-tier business schools and corporate partners dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in business education and corporate leadership. The Consortium does this by collaborating with member schools to recruit MBA candidates who share its mission. Consortium fellows will have the opportunity to receive up to full tuition fellowships to the MBA programs they attend and interact with The Consortium's corporate partners.

What are the benefits of The Consortium?

Even before they become members of The Consortium, MBA prospects can apply to up to multiple member schools at rates deeply discounted from what it would cost to apply separately.

Once admitted to one of the member schools and to The Consortium, members have the benefit of The Consortium's network of more than 12,000 alumni, as well as attendance at the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum. There, students attend an intense slate of MBA preparation workshops and networking events, exposing them to job opportunities even before they set foot in the classroom.

How many students are members?: The Consortium typically recruits a class of more than 500 students each academic year. In 2020, The Consortium recruited a record 634 students. At any one time, 900 to 1,000 Consortium students are attending one of the 23 member schools.

How is The Consortium supported?: The Consortium receives operational support from its 90+ corporate partners and from individual donations, which underwrites its operations and the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum. Member schools provide the fellowships.

Do I need to be an underrepresented minority to be a Consortium member?

No. The mission of The Consortium is to increase the ranks of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in business education and corporate leadership. The Consortium believes the best way to accomplish that is by recruiting MBA prospects who share a demonstrated commitment to that mission — regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity.

When it was originally founded, The Consortium only recruited African American men. In 1970, that mission was expanded to include women, as well as Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. That mission further evolved to open eligibility to any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who can show that demonstrated commitment to its mission through the application process.

How do I become eligible for membership through The Consortium?

Review the Applicant Eligibility requirements to learn if you can apply for membership through The Consortium.

Note that your application will not be released to member schools if you do not meet our eligibility requirements. Application fees are non-refundable.

Who is the leader of The Consortium?: Peter J. Aranda III is the executive director and CEO of The Consortium. He is also the first of The Consortium’s leaders to be an alumnus of the program. He received a Consortium fellowship in 1985 to attend Washington University in St. Louis, where he received his MBA in 1987.

Learn more about The Consortium

Do I need to send transcripts?: You must upload an unofficial or official transcript for each institution you enter in the application. We do not accept screenshots or portal printouts. Keep in mind that transcripts are required for your application to be complete and reviewed comprehensively by member schools. See the Colleges Attended page for more information.

My transfer credits are listed on my primary transcript. Do I still need to upload all transcripts?: You must report all colleges and universities attended and upload transcripts, even if your transfer credits are listed on your primary transcript.

How many professional recommendations do I need for my application to be complete?

You must request two professional recommendations. Your recommenders will submit the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation (LOR) form through Liaison Letters, the Recommender Portal.

Note that you will also need a mission recommendation in order for The Consortium to consider your application for membership.

How do I remove a program?: Your application must always have at least one program selected. To remove a program, click the checkmark next to the program name on the Add Program tab or click the trash icon on the Submit Application tab.

Can I apply to more programs after I submit my application?: No. Once you submit your application, you cannot apply to additional programs. Additionally, you may only apply for one deadline per cycle using The Consortium's application.

Should I submit my application if I'm still waiting on recommendations and/or official test scores?: Yes. You can submit your application before your recommendations and/or official test scores are received by The Consortium. Keep in mind that these items will need to be received by The Consortium in order for your application to be considered complete and released to member schools.

Will The Consortium update me on the status of my application?: Your application status for each program is listed in the Check Status section of the application. The Consortium will notify you if your application is missing any materials.

When will I learn about admissions decisions? Did I get in!?: Your programs will contact you directly with your admissions decisions.

Is there any other way to pay other than by credit card?: We currently only accept payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover).

I want a refund. What do I need to do?: Refunds are not given for any reason. Review Refunding/Withdrawing Your Consortium Application for more information.