Hi readers,
If you haven't figured it out already, this blog is now idle. It was originally created for an IMC course, and the people who worked on it have graduated and are all gainfully employed. I'm not shutting it down because there is some good info on here that's still current. However, please don't post to the blog and expect an answer. Your best bet is to contact the IMC program: http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/imc/default.aspx Cheers!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
Top 10 NU IMC Application Tips
10. Talk to a current student to get a first-hand perspective on the program. Most students are happy to answer any questions you may have. We've been where you are--we know what it's like!
9. Try to sit in on a class before you apply. Often, the info sessions are held on class nights, so you can typically sit in on class after the info session. Classes are a good place to make a connection to current students (though you can do so in other ways--just ask).
8. Don't try to complete the application in one day! Don't rush to complete the essays, even though they're short. Write drafts and come back to them a day later.
7. Take the GRE or GMAT early enough for your scores to make it in before the admissions deadline. Aim for at least a month before the admissions deadline.
6. Update your resume before you apply. Show it to a friend or colleague who has editing skills.
5. Give some thought to selecting your references. Supervisors, mentors and college profs are good options, but IMC alums, key clients or ties through professional organizations are options, too. Just make sure it's someone who knows you well and appreciates your skills. Give them time to write the recommendation. Ask for a copy. Be sure to send a thank you note.
4. Don't be shy when sharing information about your achievements and success, but don't lie. Be honest. Also, talk about your experiences outside of work, like volunteer projects, studying abroad or how you started your own business.
3. The admissions interview is low stress. Be yourself. To prepare, think about your career goals and why you believe the IMC program will help you achieve success. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
2. Don't worry too much about your undergraduate grades or GRE/GMAT scores. The program seems to truly look at the whole you--and work experience counts. There's no cookie-cutter applicant. Everyone brings something different to the table, so be confident in your unique skills.
1. RELAX! Don't expect to hear if you've been admitted until the official notification date.
9. Try to sit in on a class before you apply. Often, the info sessions are held on class nights, so you can typically sit in on class after the info session. Classes are a good place to make a connection to current students (though you can do so in other ways--just ask).
8. Don't try to complete the application in one day! Don't rush to complete the essays, even though they're short. Write drafts and come back to them a day later.
7. Take the GRE or GMAT early enough for your scores to make it in before the admissions deadline. Aim for at least a month before the admissions deadline.
6. Update your resume before you apply. Show it to a friend or colleague who has editing skills.
5. Give some thought to selecting your references. Supervisors, mentors and college profs are good options, but IMC alums, key clients or ties through professional organizations are options, too. Just make sure it's someone who knows you well and appreciates your skills. Give them time to write the recommendation. Ask for a copy. Be sure to send a thank you note.
4. Don't be shy when sharing information about your achievements and success, but don't lie. Be honest. Also, talk about your experiences outside of work, like volunteer projects, studying abroad or how you started your own business.
3. The admissions interview is low stress. Be yourself. To prepare, think about your career goals and why you believe the IMC program will help you achieve success. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
2. Don't worry too much about your undergraduate grades or GRE/GMAT scores. The program seems to truly look at the whole you--and work experience counts. There's no cookie-cutter applicant. Everyone brings something different to the table, so be confident in your unique skills.
1. RELAX! Don't expect to hear if you've been admitted until the official notification date.
Why I Chose IMC Over MBA
Having worked in marketing for a few years, yet still not possessing the skills I knew I needed to get me over my next career hump, I started considering grad school. My first inclination was to look at MBA programs--like both of my brothers had done before me--but I dug a little deeper to see whether that would be the best way to go.
First off, I wanted to avoid the finance and numbers-heavy curriculum of an MBA program, as I was much more interested in marketing and the creative side of business. The IMC program fit perfectly: there was still a finance class, as well as a couple statistics and data mining classes, so I knew I would have a good foundation. Yet the program on a whole was geared toward a much more creative bend, which fit in with my goals.
My next step was to talk to professionals that were doing what I wanted to be doing when I finished the program. Their feedback was that an IMC degree would not only provide a good foundation, but might actually be preferable to an MBA from a hiring standpoint--one said that "MBAs are a dime a dozen, and you need to get something different to make you stand out." After talking to a couple people with IMC degrees who concurred, and had positive things to say about the program, my mind was made up.
You can find plenty of things to complain about as far as this program is concerned, as well as plenty of things that are laudable; much as I imagine you could with ANY graduate school program. Ultimately, though, I basically got into it for the connections and relationships that I would form, as well as for the prestige of listing a master's degree from Northwestern on my resume. The world of marketing is evolving and changing faster than anyone can imagine; and while some of the knowledge I have picked up over the past two years may soon become obsolete, the contacts, relationships, and membership in the Northwestern family never will.
First off, I wanted to avoid the finance and numbers-heavy curriculum of an MBA program, as I was much more interested in marketing and the creative side of business. The IMC program fit perfectly: there was still a finance class, as well as a couple statistics and data mining classes, so I knew I would have a good foundation. Yet the program on a whole was geared toward a much more creative bend, which fit in with my goals.
My next step was to talk to professionals that were doing what I wanted to be doing when I finished the program. Their feedback was that an IMC degree would not only provide a good foundation, but might actually be preferable to an MBA from a hiring standpoint--one said that "MBAs are a dime a dozen, and you need to get something different to make you stand out." After talking to a couple people with IMC degrees who concurred, and had positive things to say about the program, my mind was made up.
You can find plenty of things to complain about as far as this program is concerned, as well as plenty of things that are laudable; much as I imagine you could with ANY graduate school program. Ultimately, though, I basically got into it for the connections and relationships that I would form, as well as for the prestige of listing a master's degree from Northwestern on my resume. The world of marketing is evolving and changing faster than anyone can imagine; and while some of the knowledge I have picked up over the past two years may soon become obsolete, the contacts, relationships, and membership in the Northwestern family never will.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
NUIMC: What's it all about? Grads share their views.
Lisa's IMC Experience:
I'm just two short evenings away from completing the part-time IMC program. Was it worth it? YES. Was it hard work? YES. Did I learn a lot? YES. Did I make great connections? ABSOLUTELY!
My Path to IMC
I never planned on graduate school, mostly because I didn't think there were any programs that were right for me. Being an English and communications undergrad, I felt a traditional MBA program was not a good fit for what I wanted to do. Did I really need to sit through accounting and econ to learn to be a better marketer? I had approximately 10 years of marketing communications experience under my belt, but I knew I lacked a lot of skills--from basic marketing quant skills to a fresh exposure to the future of marketing.
Then I heard about IMC. The outside-in, customer-centric approach of IMC was refreshing. It looked like IMC had the perfect balance of fundamentals and forward-thinking classes to set me on the path to success.
The Courses
I'm pleased with the variety of coursework. We covered a wide range of topics--from marketing management and finance, to consumer insight and crisis communications.
I was afraid of stats, finance and database analysis. But I made it through just fine. In fact, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed marketing finance. The profs know that some of the quant concepts are new to students, and they make a point to explain how these concepts apply to real-world examples.
Most classes have group projects, and typically these projects are for actual companies. In most cases, we'd present to these "clients" to get real advice and input. I found that I learned just as much from team members as I did from working for the clients.
One great thing about IMC is that many of the professors either still work outside academia and/or they have strong ties to marketing leaders at a wide range of companies. We had a lot of excellent guest speakers--from marketing VPs at Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs who are shaking up the marketing landscape.
The Connections
I know I've make friends for life in the IMC program. There's a great deal of camaraderie and encouragement among part-time IMC students. Everyone is helpful. I can turn to classmates for advice and for insight into areas outside of my work experience. We get together outside of class, too--end-of-quarter parties were always a blast!
I'm just two short evenings away from completing the part-time IMC program. Was it worth it? YES. Was it hard work? YES. Did I learn a lot? YES. Did I make great connections? ABSOLUTELY!
My Path to IMC
I never planned on graduate school, mostly because I didn't think there were any programs that were right for me. Being an English and communications undergrad, I felt a traditional MBA program was not a good fit for what I wanted to do. Did I really need to sit through accounting and econ to learn to be a better marketer? I had approximately 10 years of marketing communications experience under my belt, but I knew I lacked a lot of skills--from basic marketing quant skills to a fresh exposure to the future of marketing.
Then I heard about IMC. The outside-in, customer-centric approach of IMC was refreshing. It looked like IMC had the perfect balance of fundamentals and forward-thinking classes to set me on the path to success.
The Courses
I'm pleased with the variety of coursework. We covered a wide range of topics--from marketing management and finance, to consumer insight and crisis communications.
I was afraid of stats, finance and database analysis. But I made it through just fine. In fact, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed marketing finance. The profs know that some of the quant concepts are new to students, and they make a point to explain how these concepts apply to real-world examples.
Most classes have group projects, and typically these projects are for actual companies. In most cases, we'd present to these "clients" to get real advice and input. I found that I learned just as much from team members as I did from working for the clients.
One great thing about IMC is that many of the professors either still work outside academia and/or they have strong ties to marketing leaders at a wide range of companies. We had a lot of excellent guest speakers--from marketing VPs at Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs who are shaking up the marketing landscape.
The Connections
I know I've make friends for life in the IMC program. There's a great deal of camaraderie and encouragement among part-time IMC students. Everyone is helpful. I can turn to classmates for advice and for insight into areas outside of my work experience. We get together outside of class, too--end-of-quarter parties were always a blast!
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