Dear ROMBA Community,

Excitement continues to build for the 2026 ROMBA Conference in Dallas, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome our community this October.

Over the past several months, we've been working to create an incredible conference experience—one filled with opportunities to learn, build meaningful connections, explore internship and full-time career opportunities, and strengthen the community that makes ROMBA so special. Along the way, we've also been listening closely to the questions we've heard from students, professionals, alumni, and partners. Last week, more than 150 members of our community registered for a Community Conversation about the conference, traveling to Dallas, and what attendees can expect this October. It was a thoughtful discussion that reflected the care our community brings to supporting one another and informed the resources we're continuing to develop.

One of those resources is our new Preparing for Your ROMBA Dallas Experience: Travel, Safety & Community Resources guide. We created it to help attendees feel informed and prepared as they plan for the conference, and I encourage you to take a look if you're considering joining us in Dallas.

View our Travel, Safety & Community Resources Guide.

The Conference Experience Starts Now

The excitement doesn't start when you arrive in Dallas—it starts now.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be hosting a series of virtual and in-person pre-conference events designed to help you kick off the academic year, build your network, sharpen your recruiting skills, and connect with the ROMBA community.

These events are open to all MBA students—whether you've already registered for the conference, are still deciding, or simply want to connect with the community and prepare for recruiting season. From case interview workshops designed to help students prepare for consulting and other case-based interviews, to networking events and community conversations, our goal is to help you start the school year with confidence and build momentum for the months ahead.

Whether you're pursuing consulting, finance, technology, healthcare, or another path, you'll have opportunities to sharpen your recruiting skills, connect with fellow students and corporate partners, and begin building relationships that will continue through the ROMBA Conference and beyond.

I hope you'll join us for one—or all—of these opportunities as we count down to Dallas.

Upcoming Pre-Conference Events

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• From Resume to Recruitment: Preparing for ROMBA Success

· August 28, 2-3 PM ET, Register Here

• Answer First: Thinking Like a Consultant, Presented by Bain & Company

· September 2, 7-8 PM ET, Register Here

• From Storyline to Slides: Designing Presentations That Land, presented by think-cell

· September 10, 7-8 PM ET, Registration Link Coming Soon

• IRIS Virtual Community Event

· September 11, 2-3 PM ET, Register Here

• Know Before You Go: ROMBA 101 & Company Webinar Pitches

· September 17, 2-3:15 PM ET, Register Here

If you haven't registered yet, now is the time to join us in Dallas! Early Bird registration is available through August 31, making this the perfect time to secure your spot for three days of learning, networking, internship and full-time career opportunities, professional development, and community.

Register for the 2026 ROMBA Conference: https://bit.ly/ROMBA2026

I look forward to welcoming you to Dallas this October.

Warmly,

Dr. Ryn Skultety

Executive Director, Reaching Out MBA

Have Questions About ROMBA 2026?

Over the next two months, we're hosting a series of virtual events designed to help everyone attending ROMBA 2026 feel confident and prepared for this year's conference. Whether you have questions about recruiting, want to strengthen your case presentation skills, or are simply looking to start building your community before arriving in Dallas, there's something for you. Explore the events below and find the opportunities that will help you make the most of your ROMBA experience.

From Resume to Recruitment: Preparing for ROMBA Success

Friday, August 28, 2-3 PM ET, *Register Here*

What catches a recruiter’s attention? How can you showcase your experience effectively? What makes a candidate stand out? Hear directly from corporate partners as they share insights into the recruiting process and offer practical advice for preparing for conversations with employers at ROMBA. The session will conclude with breakout rooms where attendees can connect with recruiters for resume tips and industry-specific career guidance.

Answer First: Thinking Like a Consultant, Presented by Bain & Company

Wednesday, September 2, 7-8 PM ET, *Register Here*

Whether you're competing in the Bain-sponsored Consulting Case Competition or just exploring consulting more broadly, this interactive session will help you sharpen your case approach and present your ideas with confidence. You'll learn how Bain consultants use 'Answer First' thinking and crisp storytelling to break down complex business problems and land a recommendation clearly, skills that carry through the competition, future case interviews, and well beyond. You'll also hear directly from the founder behind this year's case challenge for firsthand context on the business and the problem you'll be solving, with insights to help shape your team's approach. Register here to attend: https://atbain.co/3RPEa6k

From Storyline to Slides: Designing Presentations That Land, presented by think-cell

Wednesday, September 2, 7-8 PM ET, *Registration link to follow*

A strong storyline is only as effective as the presentation that brings it to life. In this practical session, think-cell will share techniques for translating a clear storyline into compelling presentation design, building slides more effectively, and using technology to work smarter. Participants will learn how to use think-cell, the leading Powerpoint plug-in tool used by all of the top 10 consulting firms, to make more compelling slides faster. All ROMBA attending students and faculty can obtain a free annual think-cell license (benefit valued at over $500). A registration link will be shared soon.

IRIS Virtual Community Event, presented by McKinsey & Company

Friday, September 11, 2-3 PM ET, *Register Here*

Join current students, alumni, professionals, and representatives from McKinsey for a virtual gathering designed to foster connection and support within the IRIS community ahead of the ROMBA Conference. This conversation will provide an opportunity to build relationships, share experiences, and connect with others who are preparing for the conference experience. Additional details will be shared soon, but our goal is simple: to ensure that every member of the IRIS community feels welcomed, supported, and connected before arriving in Dallas.

Know Before You Go: ROMBA 101 & Company Webinar Pitches

Thursday, September 17, 2-3:15 PM ET, *Register Here*

A strong storyline is only as effective as the presentation that brings it to life. In this practical session, think-cell will share techniques for translating a clear storyline into compelling presentation design, building slides more effectively, and using technology to work smarter. Participants will learn how to use think-cell, the leading Powerpoint plug-in tool used by all of the top 10 consulting firms, to make more compelling slides faster. All ROMBA attending students and faculty can obtain a free annual think-cell license (benefit valued at over $500) – get your license activated prior to the session here.

Bain & Company Opportunities

Consultant Application

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We hope you've had a great summer! Whether you're exploring Bain for the first time or continuing your recruiting journey with us, we look forward to connecting with you.

Choosing where to continue your career after business school is one of the most important decisions you'll make. As you explore full-time opportunities ahead of graduation, we want you to have the time to evaluate Bain thoughtfully, alongside every other firm you're considering, so you can make the decision that's genuinely right for you. That's why we've moved the full-time Consultant application deadline for our Americas offices earlier than in previous cycles. More information on the role can be found here (https://www.bain.com/careers/find-a-role/position/?jobid=10409).

Application deadlines by region:

• Americas offices (U.S., Canada, Mexico, and South America): Tuesday, August 11
• APAC offices: Tuesday, September 8, with a rolling application review starting August 11
• EMEA offices: Tuesday, September 8

2026 MBA 2nd Year: Good to Great Casing

Bain & Company is excited to invite you to the 2026 MBA 2nd Year: Good to Great Casing event! Join us virtually on August 10th from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET to practice and sharpen your case interview skills with Bain consultants. Through guided practice and practical tips, you'll build confidence for your upcoming interviews and strengthen your approach to case solving. MBA students graduating in 2027 who are interested in applying for the full-time Consultant role this fall are welcome to attend.

Registration link: https://atbain.co/4fDlFev.

Please register for this event by August 10th at 5:00pm ET. A Zoom link will be provided to those who register prior to the event. We hope to see you there!

Your Chance to Win Big: Apply for a ROMBA Competition

As a reminder, applications for the 2026 ROMBA Competition Applications are live! We encourage all MBA and graduate business students to apply. Competitions are a great way to exercise your skills in developing and presenting decks, get in front of industry professionals, and win some money to put toward next semester!

Put your problem-solving skills to the test in ROMBA’s 26th Annual Consulting Case Competition. Compete alongside fellow MBA students, tackle a real-world business challenge, and vie for up to $5,000 in prizes while showcasing your skills to top consulting professionals. Sign up your team no later than August 31. This competition has proudly sponsored by Bain & Company | Powered by think-cell.

Sign Your Team Up

Whether you're building your first venture or scaling an existing startup, the Startup Pitch Competition is your chance to showcase your business to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors. Receive valuable feedback on your pitch and business model, expand your network, and compete for a $2,500 prize to help fuel your next stage of growth. Open to current MBA students and alumni. The submission deadline is September 11, so submit your pitch soon!

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Kirsi Zhou - Social Chair