Case Competitions

Case Competitions: Impressive Record of Success

Broad MBAs know how to execute under tight deadlines. Nothing quite demonstrates this as clearly as their consistent success in internal and external case competitions, including some of the most highly regarded national case competition. Teams of students have a short time - sometimes as little as 24 sleepless hours - to develop a strategic solution to a problem, analyze unanticipated issues, and present a solution to a team of expert judges, usually from industries related to the case at hand. Add to this the competitive pressure of facing off against the best and brightest from many of the other top MBA programs around the country, and you can understand the intense value that is created from participating in one of these competitions. As 1991 MBA Alum and former MBA Program Director Jennifer Chizuk says, "You can't just write it up and ship it off. You have to make a good decision and then stand up there and defend it." Arica Drummond, Broad MBA 2004 and member of the champion National Black MBA case team states, "They teach you more about thinking on your feet, and they emphasize the absolute importance of working well within a team, in school, and on the job."

One area that makes Broad uniquely competitive in case competitions is our core curriculum course on business presentations. This required course, unique among business schools, helps MBA students sell not only their ideas, but also themselves throughout their studies and their career. Add this to our first semester Leadership and Teamwork course that instills the values and skills necessary to perform in intense team situations, you can understand why Broad MBAs are so well equipped to perform and win these competitions.

These skills not only helps Broad MBAs during case competition experiences, but it also gives them essential skills for performing well in internship and full-time job interviews. "Students who participate in the case competitions have the opportunity to create very positive, high impact impressions upon employers", notes MBA Career Services Director Lucinda Wright, "since the cases simulate real world business situations, they provide the students with a venue to showcase their talent, as well as give employers an objective glimpse into their potential on-the-job performance. Additionally, some employers prefer to structure the entire interview around a case assignment. They give the students a two hour window to analyze the case and present their recommendations. Students who have previously participated in a case competition have the advantage and are better able to successfully navigate this type of interview."

Very often, teams compete for valuable prizes and scholarship opportunities. For instance, Broad's First Place 2004 National Black MBA Association Case Competition team took home scholarships worth $15,000. But more importantly, these experiences provide a measuring stick for Broad MBAs vs. the MBA students at other top national and international programs. As Dr. Robert Wiseman, coach of the National Black MBA team says, "The level of competition is intense. Our students spent long nights collecting and analyzing data, and developing a sound and credible plan from that data. The judges were obviously impressed." And considering our longstanding and impressive record of success, Broad MBAs know they have what it takes to compete with the best of the best from any institution.

As Stacy Durham, member of the 2004 Broad Innovation Challenge team (3rd place out of 250 teams) states, "The hard work was definitely worth it. We were all very proud to bring an Innovation Challenge title back to Broad. What a great opportunity to apply our MBA knowledge and promote the Broad MBA Program at the same time."