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Published: November 14, 2021
Wharton MBA Employment Report for 2021 Reveals Impressive Results for Grads
See the Wharton MBA employment report for the Class of 2022 here. The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School has released its MBA employment report for the Class of 2021, and its successes point to a Wharton degree’s value in the job market. An impressive 99% of MBA graduates seeking employment received a job offer within three months of graduation, while 96.8% had accepted job offers. The median class salary was $155,000, a record high for the school. Maryellen Reilly, Deputy Vice Dean of Wharton’s MBA Program, had this Read more
Published: November 14, 2021
Episode 199: Wire Taps—Underrepresented in Eastern Europe, How to Pitch a Pivot, First-Gen GPA Blues
Many applicants are now looking to refine their admissions strategies for Round 2 deadlines, and Graham and Alex provide key advice in this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps. First up, an Eastern European applicant may be underrepresented in the applicant pool, but should likely try to retake the GMAT given a below average result. Next, a civil engineer who struggled with health problems in Round 1 is hoping to submit more Round 2 apps, but will need to clearly present his goals in the sports domain to find success. Finally, a first-generation college graduate with a 3.18 GPA and Read more
Published: November 13, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Early Action / Second-Year Student / Skype
The interview started on a very good note where the second-year student introduced himself and set the tone and format for the interview. it was going to be a conversational interview where he would want me to walk him through my CV, answer his specific questions about my understanding of the Duke Fuqua MBA, answer his questions on leadership and teamwork, ask any questions that I had. The questions that were asked were (After I walked him through my CV and clarified why MBA): 1. What resonated with me about Duke Fuqua? 2. What do I think is Read more
Published: November 13, 2021
Berkeley Haas Interview Report: Round 1 / Pre-Recorded / Kira
Did the pre-recorded interview since there were no slots available for the live one. Here were the questions: 1) DEI Experience 2) Why MBA/Haas? 3) A risk you took? 4) When did you get a team to work together? 5) Anything else? Best of luck! Read more
Published: November 13, 2021
NYU Stern Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom
I applied to Stern in Round 1 on 9/1 and interviewed on 10/21. My interview was exactly 30 minutes. It was not difficult and the admissions member was very nice. He started with the Pick 6 and asked about a specific picture and I talked about that for a few minutes. He then jumped into it and asked me the following: 1. What do you do at work? I answered and he asked me to elaborate. 2. What do you hope to get out of an MBA? Specific classes, skills etc. 3. What is your leadership Read more
Published: November 12, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 1/ Alum / Zoom
The interview was a virtual Zoom meeting. I had an interview with an alum from the program. The interview was based on my resume and it was a list of questions then a casual conversation. 1) Can you please go over your resume with us? 2) Why MBA? 3) What do you hope to get from an MBA? 4) How do you think Duke will help you with your career? 5) What is your backup plan if your plans do not come to fruition? 5) What other schools are you applying to? 6) Tell Read more
Published: November 11, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Reflections on Transitioning from the Military to NYU Stern
In honor of Veterans Day, NYU Stern MBA candidates, Bartek Czarnik and Chris Meyer, share their paths from the military to NYU Stern in this edition of Fridays from the Frontline. Reflections on Transitioning from the Military to NYU Stern Bartek Czarnik (left) and Chris Meyer, NYU Stern MBA ‘22 By Bartek Czarnik and Chris Meyer, NYU Stern MBA ‘22 Chris: Ask ten military veterans what their military experience was like and you’re certain to get ten wildly different answers. Bartek and I started our military journeys at West Point and Annapolis, respectively. From there, we Read more
Published: November 10, 2021
Real Humans of Washington Foster Business School’s MBA Class of 2023
Say hello to Seattle as we chat with some new members of the Washington Foster MBA Class of 2023 in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students. 126 students comprise Foster’s latest full-time MBA class. Forty percent of the class are women and international students also make up 40 percent of the student population. Twenty percent are Washington state residents. During their undergraduate years, Foster MBA candidates averaged a GPA of 3.42. A third of the class had majored in engineering, the leading major of the Washington Foster MBA Read more
Published: November 9, 2021
Northwestern Kellogg Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom
Kellogg / October 14 / Round 1 Interview / Zoom Casual interview done by an Adcom. Resume based. 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. Proudest accomplishment? 3. Time you worked on a diverse team? 4. Stepping up to a leadership role? 5. Weakness? 6. Why MBA? Why Now? Why Kellogg? Interview seemed to follow the same format as other reviews. Nothing was surprising or difficult. Interviewer was nice and conversational. Read more
Published: November 9, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Early Action / Second-Year Student / Zoom
A very casual conversation with the interviewer. The following questions were asked: 1. Why MBA? 2. Why Fuqua? 3. Biggest accomplishment? 4. Failure? 5. Experience working in a diverse team? 6. Tough feedback given to a junior? Why did you give it, and how did you react to it? 7. There was one more question, which I cannot remember right now. The interview lasted for 30 mins, and then we chatted for almost 20 minutes. Overall, the interview had no surprises except the last question. I liked the entire conversation, but strangely waitlisted Read more
Published: November 9, 2021
Admissions Director Q&A: Deirdre M Kane of The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business
Deirdre Kane, Director of Admissions, Full-Time MBA & Dual Degree programs at the University of Georgia This edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series takes us to the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Deirdre Kane, the Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA & Dual Degree programs at Terry College, joins us to discuss the ins and outs of MBA admissions. Deirdre earned her bachelor’s in English literature with minors in French and women’s studies from Drew University, a master’s in English literature from the University of Maryland, Read more
Published: November 9, 2021
Episode 198: Real Humans of the Wharton Lauder MBA/MA Class
We have a special edition podcast episode for you in which we welcome two current students of the Wharton School’s Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies class. As part of our Real Humans: MBA Students series, current Wharton Lauder students, Wendy Yu and Juliana Escobar, share their experiences with the joint degree program. Wharton Lauder students earn two degrees in two years: A Wharton School MBA plus an International Studies MA from the University of Pennsylvania. Wendy Yu (left) and Juliana Escobar, Wharton Lauder MBA/MA Candidates Our first guest, Wendy Yu, is a top Read more
Published: November 8, 2021
Real Humans of Cornell Johnson’s MBA Class of 2023
We head to “gorges” Ithaca, New York, for this edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students to meet some new members of Cornell Johnson’s Two-Year MBA Class of 2023. The Johnson Two-Year MBA Class of 2023 is comprised of 304 students. Thirty-nine percent of the first-year students are women, which represents an eight percent increase from the prior class. Twenty-five percent are underrepresented minorities, which refers to students of African American, Native American, and Hispanic American backgrounds. International citizens account for 35 percent of the class, representing 30 countries. Students in the Class of Read more
Published: November 7, 2021
UVA Darden Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Questions were based on whatever I told them. Started with the usual: (1) Tell me about yourself, where you grew up, what you did in college and what you do now? (2) Why MBA? Why Darden? (3) How did your experience living in various places and countries shape your perspectives? And what would it mean for you to be a part of a global community? (4) How do you manage your time during a hectic schedule? Very friendly interviewer and even told me at the start of the interview that they get course credit for doing these interviews, so this Read more
Published: November 7, 2021
Episode 197: Wire Taps—Do I Need Awards?, Should I Aim Higher in R2?, Can a 760 GMAT Address a 2.9 GPA?
It’s time for another podcast episode of Wire Taps, in which Alex and Graham dig into MBA admissions advice for applicants who have posted to MBA ApplyWire. This week, an executive recruiter at Google is concerned about the ‘Awards’ section of the application forms. Another applicant in tech strategy is looking at more schools to consider for Round 2. Finally, another applicant with a tech background has a stellar GMAT of 760, but sub-3.0 GPA. Preview the posts that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! A Google employee needs help addressing a particular part of Read more
Published: November 4, 2021
Veteran & Military Support at the Kelley School of Business
Military experience is a plus at the Kelley School of Business. Veterans in the Full-Time MBA Program will find resources at Kelley and Indiana University to help them navigate their educational benefits and transition to higher education and civilian life.  Veterans comprised more than 5% of the most recent graduating class, whose members received a median starting salary of $119,000. The Kelley MBA provides an outstanding return on investment for military veterans, and provides support throughout the program with the Veterans Club, Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
Duke Fuqua Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
I had my interview during the open period, with a 2nd-year student. She was very friendly and welcoming, and we had a great back-and-forth that felt natural and conversational. She had a copy of my resume. 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. What are your ST and LT goals? 3. Why are you pursuing an MBA, and why Duke? 4. What kind of person are you in a team? 5. What’s your biggest strength and weakness? Can you name a time when you exemplified that strength? 6. Who’s a leader that you look up Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
UVA Darden Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Zoom
It was a pretty relaxed interview! It was with an adcom member, and she set the general expectation that I’d be doing most of the talking as I walked her through my profile and reasons for doing an MBA. It was also blind, and she had not seen my resume at all. Here’s what was asked: 1. Tell me about yourself. (This went on for quite long, I wanna say 15-20 minutes, and I covered my background to current role/ECs with some follow-ups in between) 2. Why are you pursuing an MBA, and why is now the right time? Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
UVA Darden Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
The blind-interview lasted 30 minutes, was very fair and conversational. The student asked me the regular questions: (10-12 minutes) 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Why MBA, why now, why Darden? We moved after to discuss behavioral situations: (10 minutes) 1. Tell me a time when you showed leadership. 2. Describe to me your biggest accomplishment. 3. Tell me a time when you faced diversity. What did you learn from that? Lastly, I ended up asking her 3 questions. This is it basically. I prepared for much more difficult questions, but it Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
CBS Interview Questions & Report: Early Decision / Alum / Virtual
Pretty conversational Alum was senior – Class of 2008 Standard questions resume based. Tell me about yourself. Few questions on career achievements. Few on Extra curriculars. Why MBA? Why Columbia? Why now? It was very 2 way. Lots of opportunity to ask about the interviewer’s Bschool experience. Read more
Published: November 3, 2021
Real Humans of the London Business School MBA Class of 2023
This edition of Real Humans: MBA Students takes us to London to meet some new members of the London Business School MBA Class of 2023. LBS welcomed 511 new students this fall. Thirty-eight percent of the MBA Class of 2023 are women. LBS prides itself on being an international melting pot, and 90 percent of students come from outside of the United Kingdom. The LBS Class of 2023 represents 67 different nationalities. Twenty-one percent joined the new class from North America and 30 percent came from Asia. Another 16 percent of candidates represent Europe Read more
Published: November 2, 2021
UCLA Anderson Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom
Resume-based interview with a 2nd. Pretty standard questions: Tell me about yourself. Why MBA? Why now? Why Anderson? Why are you a good fit for Anderson? Long-term goals? Plan B for short-term goals? Tell me about a time you used your strengths to help a team reach a goal. The interviewer was really friendly and did a really good job of making it feel like a conversation. I think it speaks well to the type of students Anderson accepts. Read more
Published: November 2, 2021
CMU Tepper’s MBA Class of 2023 Demonstrates Curiosity and Resilience
Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business has released its MBA Class of 2023 profile. This year’s class of 231 is more typical than last year’s pandemic-shrunk 141-member class, and reflects the challenges that have changed the business school landscape. Kelly R. Wilson, Executive Director of Masters Admissions at the school, had this to say about the incoming MBA students: “We have found the incoming class to have a great deal of enthusiasm, optimism, and empathy and look forward to their contributions throughout the coming year. As with Tepper MBAs before them, they demonstrate their resilience as their curiosity Read more
Published: November 1, 2021
Real Humans of the Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2023
New members of the Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2023 discuss their admissions journeys, the leading b-school and more in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students. HBS’s Class of 2023 is made up of 1,010 students–an above average size since the school had implemented a deferral policy last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the admissions team split the 200 deferring candidates across the Classes of 2023 and 2024. Forty-six percent of the latest class are women and 37 percent are international. HBS shares the racial and Read more
Published: November 1, 2021
Episode 196—Wharton Team-Based Discussion (TBD) Tips
In this special edition of the podcast, your hosts Alex Brown and Graham Richmond break down Wharton’s group interview – known as the Team Based Discussion (TBD) – and offer a wealth of tips and background to help applicants ace it. Alex and Graham, who both formerly worked in admissions at Wharton, set out to tell you everything you need to know to be successful in your Wharton TBD. They’ll discuss: The history of the TBD Why Wharton uses it How to prepare for it How to perform in it What this year’s Read more

MBA Applywire

5
November 27, 2024 5:44pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Duke / Fuqua, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton
Pre-MBA Career: Corporate Communication Specialist
Post-MBA Target Industry: Other
GPA: 3.9
Years of Work Experience: 6
Location: Indonesia
4
November 27, 2024 12:00pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, London Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Eingeneer
Post-MBA Target Industry: Other
GMAT: 675
GPA: 3,5
Years of Work Experience: 4.8
Location: Chile
4
November 27, 2024 9:07am ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Finance Manager
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: Accenture , AT Kearney , Bain , BCG , Deloitte , Ernst & Young , McKinsey , PWC
GMAT: 690
GPA: 3.79
Years of Work Experience: 2
7
November 27, 2024 9:07am ET
Applying: Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Duke / Fuqua, Michigan / Ross, Notre Dame / Mendoza, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UVA / Darden, Vanderbilt / Owen
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Banking
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Commercial Banking Companies: Accenture , AT Kearney , Bain , PWC , Bank of America
GRE: 306
GPA: 3.64
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Africa
Notes:

Recently wrote the GRE. It's not a super score but I will probably apply with it anyway. I am still considering retaking the test, as the next time I can take it is around the Round 2 deadline.

My educational background is in social sciences, so wasn't very quant-heavy. Looking at taking an additional quant course to back up my GRE score as the exam fee is about 10x the minimum wage in my country. Any suggestion is welcomed.
5
November 27, 2024 6:51am ET
Applying: Dartmouth / Tuck, Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Program Manager, Humanitarian INGO
Post-MBA Target Industry: Entrepreneurship, Non Profit/SI
GMAT: 685
GPA: 3.27
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: US Citizen (positioned abroad)
Notes:

Long time listener first time caller. Love the podcast! Adding my profile just because I want to be part of the community.

R2 applicant for Fall 2025 entry.

Background: mid-to-late 20s US citizen, lower-income single parent upbringing.

Work experience: currently a manager at a humanitarian INGO in active / post-conflict settings (think Afghanistan, Yemen, etc.) with several million in project budget under management and overseeing multiple teams. Will have been in emergency aid for 2 years upon matriculation, career before that was 1 year quantitative analyst ---> 1 year teaching English abroad. High impact job, recently promoted.

Academics: 3.27 cumulative. Small state school for first year with a 4.0. Transferred to an Ivy, but had to work full time to support family, had just above a 3.0 at the Ivy. I've also done a masters since at a top 5 UK (shout-out to Alex!) with distinction (3.9+ equivalent). Additionally, took Calculus this year (got an A-) to give schools a bit more reassurance on quant abilities since my quant record in college had its ups and downs, and to demonstrate respect for the rigors of the Y1 MBA curriculum.

Test: took the GMAT only once, 685 (86V 82Q 84D). First mock exam was a 625 with a terrible quant score, but brought quant up to 76th percentile with a couple months of study. Internet is too slow to take online, so only had one chance to do it in-person while I was on leave -- retake physically impossible even if I wanted to.

ECs: Very focused on social entrepreneurship. Have also been helping teach / support one of the foreign language programs at the state school I originally went to and transferred out of. Community service award as well, and mountain climber.

Post-MBA goal is social entrepreneurship that can help people in crisis contexts.

I've listened to enough Wire Taps to guess exactly what the advice will be: "You might want to cast a wider net due to the lower GPA, right now you're only targeting top schools." -- Absolutely fair call. However, what I want to do is extremely difficult and will require a ton of resources. I've selected the programs I think best fit my goals / have a strong social and entrepreneurial mission. I don't particularly mind getting dinged everywhere and reapplying next year if need be.

Long post, thanks for reading! Have a great holiday!
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MBA LiveWire

November 28, 2024 10:17am ET
Interview Invite to Indiana / Kelley
Round: Round 1
Received via email on October 16, 2024
GPA: 83%
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Nigeria
November 28, 2024 10:15am ET
Interview Invite to Emory / Goizueta
Round: Round 1
Received via email on November 07, 2024
GPA: 83%
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Nigeria
November 28, 2024 9:53am ET
Interview Invite to INSEAD
Round: Round 2
Received via email on November 26, 2024
GMAT: 655
Program Type: One Year Program
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: France
November 28, 2024 3:34am ET
Interview Invite to Boston College / Carroll
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on October 29, 2024
GPA: 3.18
GRE: 302
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: General Management
November 28, 2024 2:23am ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via email on November 25, 2024
GPA: 3.42
GMAT: 685
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: Nyc
Note:

Interview 9/7 call and email 11/26. No scholarship
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