Consultant Bio
Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS).
During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and domestically to recruit and build relationships with high quality prospective students, turning many into successful CBS students. At Columbia, Ally also managed the class visit program and worked to ensure prospective students had a meaningful, engaging, and fun experience.
Prior to her time at Columbia, Ally spent 3 years working in graduate admissions at NYU, where she earned her M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She also earned her B.A. in Psychology from Muhlenberg College.
Ally is extremely well-versed in the application process, interview process, and all things related to student life and community on-campus. She understands the balance between pursuing a rigorous program and living life in a bustling city like New York. An (extremely) avid ice cream fan, be sure to ask her for her best ice cream recommendations in and around NYC!
Company Information
SBC is the only consulting firm in the industry who has on our team a complete panel of former MBA Admissions Officers from the top US programs and top EU programs. No other firm has this complete talent. 75% of our MBA consultant team hails from the top seven US MBA programs as MBA graduates and/or former MBA Admissions Officers, including from Harvard and Stanford. The SBC team has MBA expertise at every top US and EU school, has graduated from the elite MBA programs and understands career paths in every industry, traditional and non- traditional.
Over 1/4 of SBC’s consultant panel is of minority background, and SBC has five consultants who identify as and specialize in LGBTQ+ candidacies. This reflects the company’s mission to further diversity in the MBA applicant pool. No other established MBA admissions firm has a team that is as diverse.
OUR KNOWLEDGE
SBC’s reach, contacts, and connections converge to benefit our clients. We know what’s going on, and we know it first. We have former Admissions Officers (AdCom) from every top MBA program who are informing us of the current internal program priorities. We have tremendous insight as to what is currently keeping the AdCom up at night and what values they are looking for from their current students.
OUR MODEL
SBC’s engagement model of a dedicated consultant with additional review by our AdCom team is the most robust of all firms. SBC offers unlimited time with a carefully selected Primary Consultant, allowing for full accountability and dedication. A candidate’s identity and character is best captured with one consultant completely responsible for success. SBC also believes in checks and balances, as it has the Flight Test which is a complete review by a former Admissions Officer. This structured feedback from a former AdCom mimics a real AdCom review and helps to ensure that a candidate’s application is most compelling to the target audience. We also include free access to a database of successful essays and interview questions and online guides.
GET STARTED WITH SBC
SBC deeply values mentorship within its client engagements and limits the number of clients for each consultant. We engage with clients only after evaluating candidacy nuances and deciding that we could be successful together.
SBC offers a limited number of complimentary phone or email-based consultations weekly for inquiries who have been pre-screened by our tenured team. Contact us today to request a free consultation with an SBC Principal.
Menu of Services and Associated Costs
The SBC All-In Service
The majority of our clients select our comprehensive package because they recognize that the competitive admissions process requires an application set that is stellar and strategic on all levels. The essays, interview, school visits, recommendation letters and resume are informed by an integrated strategy that is managed within our All-In service by one dedicated and accountable consultant.
SBC’s comprehensive “All-In” engagement includes:
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Kickoff meeting to identify Client’s strengths and weaknesses and to develop the unique approach to Client’s application process.
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Telephone consultations to discuss strategy issues, challenges and questions. Telephone consultations can be arranged as needed at Client’s discretion but must be scheduled with the consultant in advance.
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Written document review, including essays, resume and other communications with target schools.
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Assistance with general questions that arise throughout the process.
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Interview coaching and one mock interview.
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One AdCom Flight Test™ with prior admissions committee member.
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Post-application consultation to work through issues such as interviews, waitlist and deferral strategy and school selection.
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Assistance with recommendations – advice on selection and preparation of references and high level review of recommendation letters to provide feedback on general approach.
Hourly First Services
Start with 2-3 hours for strategy work a la carte and the candidate can then roll up into the purchase of an All-In package. SBC also allows a client to add hours to a comprehensive engagement with the same consultant.
Hourly Services
Hourly services can include any or all of below:
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Initial Strategic Planning
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Background Assessment/School Selection
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Resume Review
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Recommendation Counseling – selection, prep, review
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Essay Review – one draft of set of essays
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Waitlist Strategy & Communications
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Ding Analysis
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Career Coaching
All-In Interview Prep
Leverage our video platform for unlimited practice, self-assessment, and a professional review. Work with a dedicated consultant one-on-one for one hour to gather interview prep tips and then put them to the test in a live mock interview, followed by detailed feedback and coaching.
Plan Ahead
For candidates who are a year or more out from submitting applications, we recommend Stacy Blackman Consulting’s Plan Ahead package.
Location: United States
Email: info@stacyblackman.com
Website: https://www.StacyBlackman.com
