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Published: August 1, 2021
Episode 177: Wire Taps—FinTech Goals, GPA Woes, H-1B Lottery
When you want to apply for an MBA, you need to make sure all of your ducks are in a row. The featured applicants in this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps have a lot going for them, but need help addressing potential rough patches. One applicant has goals in tech and eventually wants to return to their home country of the Philippines. Then, a successful entrepreneur has some undergrad missteps to cover. Finally, bad luck with the H-1B visa lottery could be an issue for a promising international applicant. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, Read more
Published: July 28, 2021
Emory Goizueta Announces New Scholarship to Increase Representation of Women in Business
Usha Rackliff, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Accounting, teaching an Evening MBA Class. Did you know that women make up more than half of the United States’ workforce? However, women still lag substantially behind men in terms of equal pay and representation in leadership positions. For example, females represent only 7.4 percent of leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies. This statistic shows how women have to fight to prove they are capable and for a seat at the table; but Goizueta Business School wants to change that. Emory University’s Read more
Published: July 27, 2021
Admissions Director Q&A: Chad Losee of Harvard Business School
Are you applying to Harvard Business School (HBS) this year? Then you won’t want to miss this latest installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series as we welcome Chad Losee, the Managing Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at HBS. His team is responsible for recruiting, evaluating, and yielding a class of about 930 HBS students each year. In addition, Losee’s team oversees a need-based financial aid program that deploys more than $40 million in scholarships for HBS students. Chad Losee, Managing Director, MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at HBS Losee earned Read more
Published: July 25, 2021
Episode 175: Wire Taps—Low GMATs, Fuzzy Goals, Visa Issues
An MBA can enhance your career progress or help you get a running start on a new path—and that’s exactly what this week’s featured applicants want. In this podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham and Alex advise three MBA hopefuls looking to achieve career growth or make a career change. One MBA hopeful is looking to pursue consulting after a career in the military. Another applicant wants to reach higher in finance or possibly consulting. And finally, a candidate with extensive international experience wants to excel on the GMAT as well as in investment banking. Preview the profiles that Alex Read more
Published: July 22, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: NYU Stern Leadership Accelerator’s First Live Case
During NYU Stern’s Leadership Accelerator first live case, teams of first-year MBAs spent seven full hours acting out a real-life leadership experience. The brainchild of Stern MBA and veteran Natalie Ashbridge and the Leadership Accelerator team, the live case launched with help from more than 40 actors, including Stern alumni and administrators and more from NYU. Learn more about the first case here and read on below for Natalie’s experience in helping to design and implement this Stern first. NYU Stern Leadership Accelerator’s First Live Case By Natalie Ashbridge, Stern MBA ’21 In the Marine Corps, messing up Read more
Published: July 20, 2021
Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of The Wharton School
Blair Mannix, Director of Admissions at the Wharton School We are rolling along with our Admissions Director Q&A series and are thrilled to welcome Blair Mannix, Director of Admissions for The Wharton School. Blair has a rich history in higher education, working at Penn since 2008 and specifically in admissions at Wharton for nearly a decade. She has an undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University and a master’s degree from Penn’s Graduate School of Education, where she studied Early Decision programs at selective universities. In this interview, Blair talks about: The life of an MBA application at Read more
Published: July 18, 2021
Episode 173: Wire Taps—Should I Apply Now or Sit This Year Out?
Career goals and application timing are hallmarks of this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, as Graham and Alex dig into three MBA hopefuls’ quandaries and dish out related admissions advice. One applicant is seeking help regarding whether she should apply for an MBA this year or get her grounding in her new role first. Also, a consultant is looking to change tracks to private equity. Then, someone discovered their passion for problem-solving and needs an MBA to make a career of it. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! The first featured Read more
Published: July 15, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: A Pride@Kellogg Student Leader Leans In
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Northwestern Kellogg MBA student, Maddie Reese, shares her Kellogg experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and her reflections during Pride Month this year. A Pride@Kellogg Student Leader Leans In By Maddie Reese, Kellogg MBA 2Y 2022 Tell us a little about yourself and your journey to Kellogg. Maddie Reese, Kellogg 2Y MBA ’22 Hi everyone! I’m Maddie Reese. I’m a rising second year at Kellogg and am a VP of Engagement for Pride@Kellogg. For the past decade, I’ve been trying to find ways to blend my creative Read more
Published: July 14, 2021
Tuck Alumnus Creates Scholarship to Inspire Students From Japan
Everyone wants to look in the mirror and be proud of who they have become. To do so, people need paths to become the person they want to see. Though there are many different avenues one can take, many people choose the path of an MBA program. MBA programs are a wonderful way to grow your business network, develop advanced skills, and challenge your intellect. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to change paths because you do not have the means or ability to continue forward; and, over the past few years, Japanese students have been declining to Read more
Published: July 13, 2021
Admissions Director Q&A: Emily French Thomas of Columbia Business School
Emily Thomas, Director of Admissions, Columbia Business School We are excited to kick off our annual Admissions Director Q&A series, in which MBA admissions directors shed light on their program’s application process, essays and more. To start the 2021-2022 round of exclusive Q&As, we welcome Columbia Business School’s Director of Admissions Emily French Thomas. Emily has been a proud member of the Columbia Business School community since 2008. She joined Columbia as part of the Academic and Student affairs team in the Executive MBA program, and now leads recruiting for EMBA, MBA and Deferred Enrollment programs on Read more
Published: July 11, 2021
Episode 171: Wire Taps—Is My Undergrad GPA Too Big of a Hurdle?
Graham and Alex are here for another podcast episode of Wire Taps to address all of your b-school admissions concerns. This week, application challenges run the gamut of MBA admissions—from academic history and showing impact at work to deciding which schools to target. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! An MBA applicant with a military background faces the hurdle of a low undergrad GPA: Next, a boutique investment banker has his sights set on the UK post-MBA: Finally, a Tokyo-based real estate development planner seeks Read more
Published: July 6, 2021
Stacy Blackman Consulting Offers a ‘Social Impact Accelerator’ to MBA Candidates
Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC) is a leading MBA admissions advisory firm with a proven track record of acceptances to the world’s top MBA programs. With over twenty years of experience, Stacy Blackman and her team recently noticed the lack of extra support being offered to students who want to pursue a career in social impact.  Therefore, Stacy Blackman Consulting has collaborated with Chandler—a Stanford GSB/HBS dual admit and 20-year serial social entrepreneur—to put together a one-on-one consulting model with a suite of supplemental Read more
Published: July 4, 2021
Episode 170: Wire Taps—Pivoting Industries with the Help of an MBA
An MBA not only helps advance candidates on their current career paths, but also supports wholesale changes in industry and function. In this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham and Alex advise three MBA applicants planning on pivoting—from corporate strategy to PE in the restaurant/hospitality domain, from oil & gas/chemical engineering to consumer packaged goods, and from MBB & military (reserves) to tech. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! An MBA applicant with a passion for the restaurant industry opens the episode: Next, Graham and Alex resolve some Read more
Published: July 1, 2021
Supporting LGBTQ+ Students: Saïd Business School Partners With Reaching Out MBA
Saïd Business School at Oxford University has partnered with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) to develop a fellowship program designed to support LGBTQ+ students and candidates. The goals of the ROMBA fellowship are to help LGBTQ+ students become the leaders of tomorrow, provide a unique global network for LGBTQ+ MBA students, help other people see the world from a LGBTQ+ lens, and empower/build representation of LGBTQ+ people in decision-making places and in society. ROMBA Fellowship Recipients Oxford University is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the 2020–21 ROMBA Read more
Published: July 1, 2021
Fridays From the Frontline: My Journey From Japan to NYU Stern
In this week’s Fridays From the Frontline, recent graduate Kaori Yamaguchi takes a look back on her journey from Japan to NYU Stern and discusses her future goals. My Journey From Japan to NYU Stern By Kaori Yamaguchi, NYU Stern MBA ’21 I just graduated with my MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. I’m proud of my achievement – it was a long and tough journey for me, and I finally came to this point. I’d like to look back at what brought me to Stern, Read more
Published: July 1, 2021
When it Comes to the B Corporation Movement, the Terry College Means Business
When Ally Hellenga began her role as community manager for Creature Comforts Brewing Co. in Athens, Georgia, in January 2020, she had approximately two and a half months of normalcy before the pandemic took hold in the U.S. A University of Georgia alum, Hellenga stewards community impact initiatives, and as the project manager behind the brewery’s B Corporation certification process, is also affectionately known as their “B keeper.” When she walked in the door on her first day, the groundwork for Creature’s journey to B Corp certification was laid by Read more
Published: June 30, 2021
Wharton Joins AltFinance, a $90M Investment in HBCUs
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is investing in the promise of alternative finance to bring diversity to the financial industry. The business school has partnered with Apollo Global Management, Ares Management, and Oaktree Capital Management to launch the $90 million AltFinance: Investing in Black Futures™, an initiative that will fund recruiting, training, and career opportunities at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) over the next ten years. The consortium of finance companies has established a non-profit, ALT Finance Corporation, to administer the program, with $3 million from each company pledged annually. This initiative is the Read more
Published: June 29, 2021
Operation Cura Personalis: Georgetown McDonough Deploys One of its Central Tenets to Support its Students
As a Jesuit institution, cura personalis is part of Georgetown University’s DNA. The Latin phrase translates to “care of the whole person,” which the university takes seriously. Students receive a holistic education through the curriculum, student programming, and community. Care for the whole person–and each unique person–means students walk away with both mind and spirit supported, cultivated, and grown. The Georgetown McDonough School of Business prides itself on its community. While the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on MBAs across the globe, McDonough made preserving and enriching their community a priority.  Read more
Published: June 27, 2021
Episode 169: Wire Taps—Help! I’m Off the Waitlist after Making Deposits at Another School
MBA applicants and candidates had a lot going on last week, based on entries in MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire. The first person featured in this week’s Wire Taps podcast has already financially committed to one program—only to be taken off the waitlist at another, higher ranking program!  Should they turn their summer plans upside down?  Another MBA hopeful with an impressive profile struggles to turn practice GMAT scores into the one that counts. And finally, b-schools will likely line up to recruit the third profiled applicant—an immigrant turned U.S. Marine with international & management experience. Preview the Read more
Published: June 24, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition—More than Competing
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Emory Goizueta MBA student, AJ Hobbs, sheds light on her meaningful first case competition. John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition: More than Competing By AJ Hobbs, Goizueta 1Y MBA ’21 This past winter, I teamed up with four Goizueta Business School classmates for the John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition (JLCC). If this is your first introduction to JLCC, its purpose is to bring corporations and students interested in business together to create innovative and actionable racial justice initiatives. Please, read more Read more
Published: June 21, 2021
Real Humans of General Mills: Steve Cheng, Cornell Johnson ‘18, Associate Brand Manager
For many MBA students, participating in an internship can be an eye-opening experience that can help pinpoint likes and dislikes, develop professional aptitude, increase marketability, and more. Beyond internships, the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University takes this one step further with its unique immersion program for performance learning. This learning model includes an intense, hands-on semester of integrated course and fieldwork in a specific industry or career interest, giving students applied knowledge in a chosen field, premier networking opportunities, and even preferred Read more
Published: June 21, 2021
New DeFi Toolkit: Wharton Professor & World Economic Forum Collaboration
At the peak in May, over $80 billion in digital assets were locked into Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, applications (i.e., MyEtherWallet and BurnerWallet) generally as liquidity or collateral supporting various services. Due to this new phenomenon, DeFi became a major development in global finance. However, many policy makers and other individuals struggled to understand the details of this new development. Therefore, The World Economic Forum decided to partner with Professor Kevin Werbach from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania to create the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Policy-Maker Toolkit.  Read more
Published: June 20, 2021
Episode 168: Wire Taps—Big Dreams, Re-applying & Changing Industries
It’s time for another podcast episode of Wire Taps, as Graham and Alex dig into candidates’ profiles shared in MBA ApplyWire. This week’s edition delves into a number of key questions: What should applicants with somewhat informal outside activities do to best position those activities in their applications? How can reapplicants be sure to put their best foot forward – even if their recommenders aren’t ‘all-in’ for another go round? Alex and Graham try to provide answers to these questions and more, while analyzing candidates from California, Indonesia, Singapore and beyond. Get a closer look at the applicants featured Read more
Published: June 17, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: The Value of the HBS Case Method – Lessons from an SVMP Participant
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Harvard Business School 2+2 candidate, Austin Moore, shares his experience with the HBS case method and Summer Venture in Management Program. The Value of the HBS Case Method – Lessons from an SVMP Participant By Austin Moore, 2+2 HBS MBA Candidate Growing up as a Black male from South Los Angeles, I was raised in a vibrant community surrounded by a diverse group of individuals who gave me guidance and taught me core values –such as curiosity, community, and persistence. My childhood experiences and the values that Read more
Published: June 16, 2021
HBS Announces Need-based Application Fee Waiver
MBA applicants to the Class of 2024 at Harvard Business School can request a need-based waiver of the $250 application fee. HBS first piloted this option in the 2020-2021 admissions season and were pleased with the support. As a result, HBS plans to keep it as a part of ongoing efforts to help remove barriers to applying and improve accessibility to graduate education from different walks of life. Chad Losee, Managing Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, told Clear Admit, “If you think of access to education in the U.S. for instance, we know Read more

MBA Applywire

8
March 3, 2025 6:04am ET
Applying: Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, U. Washington / Foster, UCLA Anderson, USC / Marshall, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2026
Pre-MBA Career: Military Officer
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Private Equity, MF, Auto, Aerospace, Undecided Companies: Booz Allen Hamilton , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , Apple , Facebook , Microsoft , Boeing , Seimens
GPA: 3.8
Years of Work Experience: 20
Location: Germany
Post MBA Location: Seattle
Notes:

Retiring military officer, coming from operations and strategic planner roles. Previous led teams of 80+ people, and looking to grow into a leadership role in a large company in the Pacific Northwest. Undergraduate in Arabic Language and Culture from lesser known school, and a Masters in Theology from Seminary (3.8 GPA in both programs). Will be a practice GRE and GMAT to see which is a better fit.

Questions I am considering:
Will it be better to go to an M7 program or a local MBA program if I want to find a position in Seattle?
Will the GRE or GMAT be a better fit for my application?
Should I be looking into EMBA programs instead, based on the average age of MBA programs?
Should a maintain a federal job while attending a hybrid MBA or EMBA program?
9
March 2, 2025 3:30am ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: IT Audit for 2.5 years, Government Consultant for 1.5 years at time of application
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology Companies: Accenture , AT Kearney , Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , PWC , Amazon , Apple , Facebook , Google , Microsoft
GRE: 330
GPA: 3.6
Years of Work Experience: 2
Location: Michigan
1
February 28, 2025 7:26am ET
Applying: Carnegie Mellon / Tepper
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Financial analyst
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , JP Morgan
GRE: 328
GPA: 3.7
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Nigeria
Post MBA Location: USA
7
February 27, 2025 6:06am ET
Applying: Cambridge / Judge, Columbia, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, London Business School, U. Chicago Booth, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Family Business, Military
Post-MBA Target Industry: Family Business
GRE: 339
GPA: 3.1
Years of Work Experience: 2
Location: Singapore
8
February 26, 2025 5:04am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, UT Austin / McCombs
Intake Year: 2026
Pre-MBA Career: U.S. Special Operations 8yos / 5 years Financial Advisor
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Other Companies: Bain , Deloitte
GRE: 315
GPA: 3.7
Years of Work Experience: 13
Post MBA Location: Chicago
Notes:

Throughout my time in the Army I steadily promoted and I have had a successful Financial Advising career with notable institutions and now currently with a startup firm. Average client I manage has a liquid asset of $1.5million. I am looking to change careers as I struggle with the monotony of the job, and I am always seeking new challenges. I know post MBA there will be plenty of challenging and exciting opportunities to tackle which will hopefully help me feel more fulfillment in my professional career.
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MBA LiveWire

March 3, 2025 6:27pm ET
Interview Invite to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via email March 3, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 705
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: India, Hyderabad
March 3, 2025 3:04pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 2
Received via email March 3, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.76
GMAT: 700
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: General Management
Application Location: Mexico
March 3, 2025 2:46pm ET
Interview Invite to Northwestern / Kellogg
Round: Round 2
Received via email March 3, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.5
GRE: 331
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
March 3, 2025 1:51pm ET
Interview Invite to Cornell / Johnson
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 3, 2025
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.3
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: US
Note:

1+ YOE @ BB Bank. / Veteran
March 3, 2025 1:45pm ET
Interview Invite to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 2
Received via email March 3, 2025
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: Distinction
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Zimbabwe
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Live
Wire