The 61st International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition

Please write, and attach to the application as a pdf format, a one-page personal statement addressing the following questions:

1. Why do you want to participate in this competition?
2. An assessment of your analytical skills including the ability to read and understand financial statements and use and create linked spreadsheets.
3. An assessment of your writing and presentation skills.
4. An assessment of your interpersonal/team skills/leadership skills.
5. Any personal constraints (time or other) that might limit or interfere with your participation on a team.
6. Why do you think you should be chosen for a team?  This would include a discussion of your work ethic, your work experience, and any special talents or skills (speaking, writing, quantitative, or other) that you would be able to bring to your team.

The course schedule will follow the competition – not that of a regular semester. The tentative schedule for participation in the competition is as follows:

• Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM.  Required orientation meeting. There will be an overview of the upcoming competition, a discussion of materials, and information about getting prepared for the competition.  Teams will be formed, and roles selected.
• After the December meeting, individuals will prepare by reading the simulation Player’s Manual and learning how the simulation works.  You will meet with your team members to organize and plan for practice sessions.
• Monday, January 27, 2025, is the first “official” class session.  The class meets on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM.  It will be offered as a Hybrid course.  Six classes are in-person, not including the Intensive Phase.

 ALERT: Unlikely but subject to change depending on class progress

• January 27
• February 10
• February 24 
• March 10
• March 24 
• April 14

The Intensive Phase will be April 24 – 26, 2025.  You must be available the entire time from Thursday afternoon through Saturday late afternoon in person 

Important:

1. Following the competition, students will write a personal two-page paper on what they learned from the competition.  The course ends at the end of the Intensive Phase and once the student reflection paper and second peer review is submitted. 
2. Students are required to pay normal student fees associated with registering for a course at CSULB.  The University will cover the competition application fees and hotel expenses in April.

So you are ready?

Apply to Join the CSULB COB ICBSC Team