This week’s action-packed episode runs the gamut from admissions gossip to HBS interview invites, and from Fortune’s MBA ranking to candidate profile reviews… Alex and Graham kick things off by reviewing the upcoming MBA admissions deadlines, including UNC / Kenan Flagler, Texas / McCombs and USC / Marshall. They also discuss the activity on MBA LiveWire as Harvard released its Round 1 interview invites. This led to a segment on the forthcoming departure of Chad Losee from Harvard, who joins admissions directors from Stanford, Columbia, Michigan, Tepper, and more as part of an admissions exodus. Graham then highlighted the Real Humans pieces from Emory / Goizueta, ESADE, London Business School and Rochester / Simon as well as the recently published class profiles for Stanford, Chicago / Booth and UVA / Darden. And finally, before tackling three ApplyWire entries, Graham asked Alex to weigh in on the recent MBA ranking from Fortune.
As to the this week’s profile reviews: first up, Alex picks a finance candidate from London. They have very good numbers (750, 4.0) and have targeted all the usual suspects in terms of top programs in the Northeast of the U.S. While they are active at work, with respect to additional activities, Alex and Graham are curious what they do outside of work. There was also some discussion regarding their heritage, and its potential impact on their candidacy. This week’s second candidate also has an outstanding GMAT (750), but their GPA is slightly lower. They are a reapplicant, and have made some improvements over the additional year. Their goal is entrepreneurship, and Alex and Graham encouraged them to also consider UPenn / Wharton (they do not want to be on the West Coast, which rules out some additional options). Finally, Alex selects an Indian lawyer, who is targeting next season. There is a lot to like about their experience, and the numbers are very good, too. Because they already have 8 years of experience, Graham and Alex would have preferred if they were targeting this season, but next season, in the first rounds, may well be fine, as long as they have a good focus on their “fit”. Fit because they are a lawyer, and also because they are on the longer end of the work experience spectrum.
London-based finance guy
Tech applicant seeking entrepreneurship
Indian lawyer, next season
Happy listening!
Be sure to post to MBA ApplyWire, MBA DecisionWire or MBA RankingsWire if you’d like Graham and Alex to offer admissions advice.
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This episode was hosted by Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, and produced by Dennis Crowley. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us!
