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Published: April 15, 2021
A Debrief of March Madness: Post-MBA Employer Edition
In March 2021, we selected 32 notable companies to go head-to-head in our first-ever Post-MBA Employer Edition of March Madness. These firms were selected and seeded into the bracket based on their popularity with Clear Admit’s registered users – so we had our own predictions about how things would unfold. Graham Richmond, co-founder of Clear Admit, comments on the intriguing process of watching the tournament unfold: “This was a lot of fun for those of us who are keen followers of MBA recruiting trends. It was especially fascinating to watch the three most popular domains of MBA recruiting – consulting, Read more
Published: April 15, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: How Learning to Lean on My Fuqua Community Made Me A Better Leader
Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA student, Nwaka Isamah, shares her transformative journey through business school, amid personal and global challenges in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline. How Learning to Lean on My Fuqua Community Made Me A Better Leader By Nwaka Isamah, Daytime MBA ’21 The most challenging aspect of my leadership experience was last summer when I felt like I could barely balance life personally and professionally. The first wave of COVID-19 hit, classes were now virtual, my internship had been shortened, and I was grappling with how to build an Read more
Published: April 14, 2021
Choosing the MBA That’s Right for You – Video Recap
Having a difficult time choosing the MBA that’s right for you?  This video recap might be just what you need! There are a lot of variables that applicants need to consider when selecting their short list of schools and sometimes the decisions can be overwhelming, especially with there being hundreds of universities and colleges that offer MBA Programs and sometimes even 3-4 program options at each school. Join the University of Miami in this discussion exploring all of the many things one should consider when researching MBA Programs. Some of the topics the panel explored included: What Read more
Published: April 14, 2021
Texas McCombs MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / First-Year Student / Zoom
Round 3 Zoom interview with a first-year MBA student – I didn’t learn who the interviewer was until only a couple minutes before the interview. Application submitted 3/30, interview invitation received on 4/5, interviewed on 4/9 (still waiting to receive final admissions decision). Interview was pretty standard – I can’t remember every single question, but everything he asked was covered in other McCombs interview reports here on Clear Admit. I liked the interviewer and we had brief bits going off-script, but he was just reading through a list of questions and typing as I responded. The interview itself lasted 45 Read more
Published: April 14, 2021
Stanford MSx Class of 2021: Profile in Resilience & Purpose
Stanford GSB’s MSx program is a mid-career one-year, full-time master’s degree program that traditionally begins in July at the Knight Management Center. Mike Hochleutner, director of admissions for the MSx program, told Clear Admit: “The MSx program itself is a very unique program that blends full-time business education with a particular model that is geared much more toward experienced and mature leaders. In the midst of Silicon Valley and Stanford, they have full access to the best of our faculty and other resources.” Mike Hochleutner, Director of Admissions, Stanford GSB MSx Program Current MSx student Katherine Read more
Published: April 13, 2021
Real Humans of Johnson & Johnson: Joe Velli, NYU Stern ‘19, Associate Brand Manager, Listerine
Switching careers can be a challenging endeavor, but an MBA can help make the transition more seamless and open new doors at the same time.  In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, we hear from Joe Velli, NYU Stern MBA ‘19, on how his MBA helped him pivot from financial services toward a general management opportunity to further his professional aspirations. During his business school experience, Joe Velli had the opportunity to intern at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health for several months on a small brand the company had acquired a few years prior. Read more
Published: April 12, 2021
Real Humans of Nissan Motor Corporation: Ruiyi Chen, Duke Fuqua ’19, Product Strategist
Digitization, increasing automation, changing business models, and new climate goals are revolutionizing the automobile industry. One of the key players of the global auto revolution is Nissan, a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer. As one of the largest automakers globally, Nissan strives to make cars that change the world. As a Product Strategist at Nissan, Ruiyi Chen, Duke MBA ’19, aims to be a part of this impact, which is also why he decided to obtain his MBA at Duke. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, we hear Read more
Published: April 11, 2021
UNC Kenan-Flagler Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Zoom
My interview with UNC KF was with a member of the admissions committee. She mentioned that since she was part of the admissions committee she had read parts of my application (and then tailored some of her questions towards that). Questions included: Usual Tell me about yourself questions Why I want the MBA/Why the MBA now Why I want to go into my intended career path A question I wasn’t expecting was “What is one thing that people assume about you that ISN’T true?” Why is racial equity important and what does it mean to Read more
Published: April 11, 2021
Texas McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Zoom
I interviewed with one of the adcom officers of McCombs. Out of all my interviews, this one was the only one where I felt very uncomfortable and self-conscious. The moment the interviewer saw me, his demeanor completely changed. He did not seem interested in learning more about me and when I was asking questions about the school or program, he had a very lackluster response. For example, I asked what was the best part about the McCombs culture? His response was, “oh… the people. I really like the people who are in the school.” Normally, interviewers would answer in great Read more
Published: April 11, 2021
Episode 157: Wire Taps— Am I Crazy to Turn Down HBS for Love?
What would you do if you and your partner weren’t both accepted to all of the same MBA programs?  And what if one of those non-overlap programs was Harvard Business School?  Fasten your seat belts, as Alex and Graham put on their ‘relationship counselor’ hats this week…with potentially disastrous consequences. And that’s just one of the conundrums covered in this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps. Beyond love and b-school, this week’s episode assesses the plans that one applicant has laid out for deferred enrollment, while also looking at the results of an accepted candidate who returns from a Read more
Published: April 8, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: The Art of Perseverance and Resilience – Reapplying to HBS
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, we bring you a story of hope, perseverance and resilience from a current Harvard Business School student. Omar Aboulezz, HBS MBA ’21, shares his journey of applying to the program three times before finally finding success. The Art of Perseverance and Resilience – Reapplying to HBS By Omar Aboulezz, HBS MBA ’21 My name is Omar Aboulezz, and I’d like to share with you a bit about my journey to HBS and how I persevered through multiple setbacks. Nearly four years elapsed between starting my first HBS Read more
Published: April 8, 2021
ISB Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alumni / Zoom
Hello! I was interviewed by 3 interviewers (1 alumnus (2006) and 2 alumnae (2014 and 2018)). The interview happened over Zoom and it was very conversational and stress-free. Questions: 1. Tell us about yourself. 2. Goals? What motivates them? 3. Are you sure ISB will help you achieve your goals? 4. Give an example of a post-MBA company you want to work in. Why do you want to work in this company? 5. What has motivated transitions in your career? 6. What are your 3 biggest achievements? 7. How did you convince your Read more
Published: April 7, 2021
LBS Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alumnus / Zoom
The interview was on Zoom. My interviewer was very friendly. He introduced himself and the process briefly, and then asked the standard why MBA / why now / why LBS questions. Then he asked the behavioral questions. Most of the questions were behavioral. I was expecting some questions regarding family, but surprisingly they never came. 1. When was a time you made an impact on your organization? 2. Tell me about a difficult teammate you had. 3. Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership. The problem solving question was nothing to worry about. It was very Read more
Published: April 7, 2021
Stanford Graduate School of Business: Women Belong In ‘A Place Like This’
What’s A Nice Girl Like You Doing In A Place Like This? Fifty years ago, five young and ambitious women were admitted into the MBA program at Stanford University — three of them being Susan Phillips, Anne Thornton, and Barbara West. At first, their presence was unusual to faculty, administrators, and the male-dominated class. In fact, female students only made up 2% of the school class. The young women would often get asked, “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” These women soon reclaimed that question and proved they Read more
Published: April 7, 2021
Episode 156: Meet Podcaster Cassandra Pittman, CBS MBA & Former INSEAD/LBS Adcom
We are excited to welcome Cassandra Rae Pittman, host and executive producer of the Power Done Differently podcast, to share her rich perspective on MBA admissions, empowering women in business, entrepreneurial grit and more. Cassandra Rae Pittman, host and executive producer of the Power Done Differently podcast Cassandra spent nearly 20 years working across three continents with some of the world’s leading business schools. At INSEAD and London Business School, she held the roles of marketing and admissions officer. She also garnered work experience at a top 5 management consultancy firm, Capgemini, and has launched a Read more
Published: April 6, 2021
HBS Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / AdCom / Virtual
The interview was for a prompt 30 minutes. – Interviewer asked me about supply chain disruptions due to COVID. How has the economy changed your work life and that of your company?(answered him in 2 ways : 1) how demand was in flux due to people losing jobs and having no income to spend on phones 2) how we were trying hard to make products in spite of these disruptions – by working with 3rd party people, govt officials, opening factories at reduced rate and making sure that safety of workers were our KPIs) – 2-3 questions related to work-related Read more
Published: April 6, 2021
Real Humans of General Mills: Matt Lieberman, Chicago Booth ‘18, Associate Brand Manager
When scanning over your cereal box, you’ll probably see the infamous “General Mills” logo plastered on it. With more than 100 brands in more than 100 countries on six continents, General Mills is one of the world’s leading food companies whose purpose is to make food the world loves. From Cheerios to Pillsbury, our pantries are full of their portfolio brands. One foodie allowed his passion to lead him to this multinational manufacturer and marketer, and as an Associate Brand Manager, he is getting to know these popular brands inside and out. That foodie is Chicago Booth Read more
Published: April 5, 2021
MBA Student Interview by Juno: Harvard Business School
The MBA Series is brought to you by Juno, a collective bargaining group for student loans. In this series, we’ll interview MBA students about their paths and decision-making process. The subject of this piece has asked to remain anonymous, so we’ll refer to them as John. Before HBS Before Harvard Business School, John worked at a financial technology firm in New York. His plan had always been to attend business school, so he had been actively saving with that goal in mind. Fortunately, he was earning about $150,000 per year and was able to put about Read more
Published: April 5, 2021
HBS Online’s CORe Business Essentials Program: Confidence and Skills for Every Stage of Your Career
An MBA is a valuable credential, whether you want to advance your career or become an entrepreneur. This degree adds value to your work experience and makes you more attractive to prospective employers by conferring the necessary skills for business success and unparalleled networking opportunities. It requires an investment of your time and energy to succeed in an MBA program. It can also be an expensive path, so you must consider the return on that investment for yourself and your career. How do you know an MBA is the right path for you? How do you know you Read more
Published: April 5, 2021
Real Humans of Johnson & Johnson: Grace Babula, Northwestern Kellogg ‘19, MedTech Marketing
Johnson & Johnson is the world’s largest and most broadly based healthcare company. For over 130 years, J&J has developed medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods to advance human health and well-being. With over 130,000 employees across the world, J&J relies on scientists to research and develop new products, and marketing professionals to uncover market insights and make sales to patients, consumers and medical professionals around the globe. Some employees, like Grace Babula, Kellogg MBA ‘19, have training in both!  In this edition of Real Humans: Read more
Published: April 4, 2021
Episode 155: Wire Taps—Berkeley Haas or UCLA Anderson for Tech?
It’s time for another podcast episode of Wire Taps! As the dust settles on R2 decisions, Graham and Alex report in from the frontlines, sharing a couple of really challenging dilemmas faced by accepted students. The first dilemma involves a candidate with offers from Wharton (w/$50K) and Haas ($160K) and goals in PE/real estate. The second features an applicant with offers at Haas (w/$50K) and UCLA (w/$160K) and goals in tech. Beyond these tough decisions, Alex and Graham explore the profiles of two early bird applicants coming from non-traditional backgrounds (homebuilding, and fashion/acting) and outline the challenges typically faced by Read more
Published: April 1, 2021
HEC Paris Launches New Initiative to Empower Female Entrepreneurs in Green Transition
HEC Paris, an international business school located in France, has decided to partner with the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society and Procter and Gamble (P&G) to start an ambitious initiative called #WomenEntrepreneurs4Good accelerator program. This initiative is designed to inspire women to innovate, grow, and foster their female creativity by turning their big idea into a business that aligns with the European Green Deal. This initiative was started for a multitude of reasons. First, the pandemic Read more
Published: April 1, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: My Experience with Meet LBS
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, London Business School MBA student, Jai Pareek, shares how the program has enabled connections even before matriculation. Read on for his story about the school’s new social platform, Meet LBS. My Experience with Meet LBS By Jai Pareek, LBS MBA ’23 The MBA, many of you would agree, represents a transformational journey that bridges the gulf between you and your aspirations, a journey that is marked by the deep social connections fostered along the way. While applying to LBS, I knew that my MBA was going to be a Read more
Published: March 31, 2021
Stanford GSB to Eliminate Admissions Essays, Require Video Instead
Palo Alto, CA – Citing a need for the MBA admissions world to modernize its selection process, the Stanford Graduate School of Business has unveiled a substantial change for the 2021-22 admissions cycle. The school will no longer require admissions essays, including its famed ‘What matters most?’ essay. Instead, MBA applicants will need to create a TikTok video. This new component asks applicants to, “Make a first impression on your future classmates by creating a 15-second video on the TikTok platform, preferably set to music.”  Kirsten Moss, the school’s Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid, offered the following Read more
Published: March 31, 2021
Kellogg School Offers Rejected Applicants Kinder, Gentler Rejection
Evanston, IL – It’s no small secret that applying to leading MBA programs is a stressful process. While some programs take a ‘rip the band-aid off’ approach by delivering admissions decisions en masse, others slowly trickle out interview invitations or calls of congratulations, as applicants painfully sit by and wait. Looking to ease the stress and lessen the sting of rejection, the Kellogg School of Management has taken a rather unorthodox approach to delivering admissions decisions. First, the school has promised a participation trophy for each applicant, to Read more

MBA Applywire

6
November 28, 2024 8:12am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology
GMAT: 645
GPA: 84%
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: Brazil
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.
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MBA LiveWire

November 28, 2024 4:55pm ET
Applied to Emory / Goizueta
Round: Round 2
Received via email
GPA: 3.19
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Nigeria
November 28, 2024 1:14pm ET
Interview Invite to Berkeley / Haas
Round: Round 1
Received via email on October 27, 2024
GPA: 84%
GMAT: 645
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: Brazil
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
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