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Published: July 6, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Donna Swinford of Chicago Booth School of Business
In addition to being one of the Best Business Schools for Finance, the Chicago Booth School of Business also stands out for its culture of curiosity and a teaching style called The Chicago Approach.  The educational philosophy of The Chicago Approach is about critical thinking—by understanding fundamental scientific disciplines, the resulting theoretical frameworks help define problems, ask better questions, and develop better solutions.  To discuss more of the hallmarks of the Chicago Booth MBA program, the Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions, Donna Swinford, joins us for this Read more
Published: July 5, 2020
Episode 110: Wire Taps—Do I Need a CS Credential to Transition into Tech?
In this podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown advise MBA applicants who need help with defining their career goals and determining fit.  Preview their profiles from MBA ApplyWire below, then tune in. Read more
Published: July 5, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Margaret O’Neill of Cambridge Judge Business School
“Collaboration is a buzz word that is often used, but at Cambridge we live and breathe it,” says Margaret O’Neill, Head of MBA Marketing, Admissions and Careers at Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS). O’Neill has oversight of the whole MBA journey, from the moment candidates first engage with the school, to the time they leave to embark upon their post-MBA careers.  She has spent the past 20 years working with post-graduate business school professionals across projects, careers and admissions at both Cambridge Judge and London Business School. Margaret O’Neill, Head of MBA Marketing, Read more
Published: July 2, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: At Stanford GSB, Reimagining the News
In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, Stanford GSB student, Judd Olanoff, introduces his entrepreneurial project, Storyist. Read on for how an MBA class inspired his idea, and how the Stanford GSB program helped him bring it to life. At Stanford GSB, Reimagining the News By Judd Olanoff, Stanford MBA ’20 Judd Olanoff, Stanford MBA ’20 “How many of you read The New York Times? The Wall Street Journal?” NYT editor and GSB lecturer Glenn Kramon begins his “Winning Writing” class by asking students what news they read. Fewer than half raise Read more
Published: July 1, 2020
The Forté Foundation’s Annual MBA Women’s Leadership Conference
Over 1,600 people attended the Forté Foundation’s annual MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, which ran June 12th and 13th this year. Held virtually for the first time in Forté’s history, the event set an attendance record with more than double the attendance of 2019’s sold-out conference. As a non-profit dedicated to advancing women in business, Forté Foundation hosts the conference to connect women looking to enroll in a Forté partner school MBA program with business leaders, MBA alumnae, experts, and representatives of Forté’s partners.  The conference highlighted community, empowerment, and confidence for Read more
Published: June 30, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Lisa Rios of NYU Stern School of Business
Lisa Rios, the Executive Director of MBA Admissions at NYU Stern, joins us in this Admissions Director Q&A to cover the hallmarks of the Manhattan-based MBA program. A member of the admissions team since 2008, Rios works with the Full-time MBA programs. Prior to Stern, she worked in industry at JP Morgan Chase and Liz Claiborne. Such industry ties and experience are also an advantage NYU MBA students can expect to gain during the full-time program. Below, Rios discusses how NYU’s location, experiential courses including Stern Solutions and much more, Read more
Published: June 28, 2020
Northwestern Kellogg Interview Questions: Deferred Admission / Adcom / Skype
Walk me through your resume. Tell me about a time when you showed leadership. Tell me about a time when you worked in a diverse team. Why Kellogg? What are your career goals? Read more
Published: June 28, 2020
MIT Sloan Interview Questions: Deferred Admission / Adcom / Skype
Are there any updates to your application? Tell me a time when you worked with a difficult person. Tell me a time when you demonstrated leadership. Tell me about any advice you’ve received recently. Why Sloan? What are your career goals? Read more
Published: June 28, 2020
Episode 109: Wire Taps—Is My Quant Background Strong Enough?
The new MBA admissions season is upon us, as applicants fill this week’s Wire Taps podcast episode.  Our admissions experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, advise three new MBA hopefuls who posted to MBA ApplyWire. Get a glimpse of their profiles below and then tune in. The first applicant has a passion for the automotive industry, and more: Another MBA hopeful needed to consider strengthening his quant background: Another MBA applicant is targeting an investment banking career: Read more
Published: June 28, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of the Wharton School
We continue our Admissions Director Q&A series with Blair Mannix, the Director of Admissions of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in Philadelphia.  In addition to rigorous quantitative training, Wharton MBA students enjoy an intimate learning environment due to the Learning Team and cohort structure. Students spend their first year divided into Learning Teams of approximately five to six students, and multiple teams are brought together to form cohorts of about 70 students. MBA candidates of the leading business school can also expect diverse career training—Wharton has made the lists of Clear Admit's "Best Business Schools for..." entrepreneurship, finance, healthcare and marketing. Read more
Published: June 25, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: Student Perspectives – The Consortium at UCLA Anderson
This edition of Fridays from the Frontline highlights a valuable organization for diversity in business school: The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. Current MBA student at UCLA Anderson, Carmen Chávez, shares her story of the support and guidance she received through the Consortium. Student Perspectives: The Consortium at Anderson By Carmen Chávez, UCLA Anderson MBA ’21 A year ago, I started working with The Parker Career Management Center to prepare for The Consortium’s Orientation Program, or “OP” as it is commonly referred to, where I’d have the opportunity to Read more
Published: June 24, 2020
USC Marshall Interview Questions & Report: Round 5 / Adcom / Skype
As others have already written, the interview was very laid-back and casual. Elaine was very kind and started with some small talk, which put me at ease. The questions were exactly as others have already posted, very straight-forward: resume walk-through, why MBA, why Marshall, what are you most proud of?, what do you do in your free time?, do you have any questions for me? The questions she asked only lasted about 15 minutes and the rest of the time was spent with me asking her my questions. It was a very positive experience! Read more
Published: June 24, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Chad Losee of Harvard Business School
When it comes to community, Harvard Business School’s Chad Losee, current Managing Director of MBA Admissions and HBS MBA ’13, can attest: Business school classmates transcend campus relations and become lifelong friends. As we all continue to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, Losee cites the support of his HBS sectionmates in these trying times—and he wants applicants to understand that they, too, can find a strong community at Harvard. Of course, applicants face thorough scrutiny to gain entrance into the HBS community, as Losee recounts the reads and re-reads (and likely more re-reads) of application materials Read more
Published: June 22, 2020
MIT Sloan Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Adcom / Skype
It went pretty well. The interviewer asked me about three questions in the thirty-minute time frame and it was over before I knew it. One behavioral question she asked was about a time I had to push back or experienced conflict with a superior in the workplace. She seemed to like my answers but you can never be so sure. Hoping for the best!! Read more
Published: June 22, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Lihao Ji of CEIBS
MBA admissions directors from around the world will be discussing their programs, the admissions process, essays, interviews and more in our annual Admissions Director Q&As.  We are excited to kick off the 2020-2021 series with insights from Lihao (Steven) Ji, the assistant director of the MBA Marketing, Admissions & Financial Aid Department at CEIBS. Lihao (Steven) Ji, Assistant Director, MBA Marketing, Admissions & Financial Aid Dept. at CEIBS CEIBS, which stands for the China Europe International Business School, is located in Shanghai, China, and was founded in 1994 as a Read more
Published: June 21, 2020
Episode 108: Wire Taps—When Is It Time to Give Up on the Waitlist?
We are excited to bring you our 50th episode of Wire Taps! Our admissions experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, have certainly enjoyed recording this weekly podcast to deliver admissions strategies and tips. See which profiles from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire they discuss this week below and then tune in. The first applicant is worried his application may seem one-dimensional, due to his professional & extracurricular focus on data analysis: Another MBA hopeful needs to address their low GPA: Read more
Published: June 18, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: How Duke Fuqua Forged Ahead During the Pandemic
Current Duke MBA student, Sandeep Panda, took to Fuqua's student blog to share how the faculty and community have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read on for Sandeep's story in this edition of Fridays from the Frontline. Read more
Published: June 14, 2020
Episode 107: Wire Taps—Should I Turn Down an M7 to Re-Apply to H/S/W?
This podcast episode of Wire Taps is chock full of decision-making advice about when to apply and where to matriculate.  In this episode, MBA hopefuls who have posted to MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire get direct feedback on their potential choices from our admissions experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown. See which profiles they discuss and then tune in. They begin with an applicant who is weighing whether to matriculate this year or re-apply next year for better options: They also discuss a candidate trying to Read more
Published: June 14, 2020
The Deferred Enrollment Program at Columbia Business School
As a college senior or graduate student, your path up until this point has likely been laid out relatively clearly for years—course schedules, weekly assignments, credit requirements, etc.  Now, with graduation finally in sight, what will be your next step?  What will you need to thrive in a global economy—not to mention, adapt to the ups and downs of one?  Deferred enrollment MBA programs offer the ideal mix of real-world experience and advanced management education to give you greater freedom in your career choice, increased salary potential and more.  For deferred enrollment, you secure your acceptance to business school now, Read more
Published: June 11, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: Stanford GSB Leading with Purpose in a Time of Crisis
In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, two Stanford GSB MBA students discuss how the leading MBA program supported their efforts to launch Gift Card Bank.  Khalil Fuller GSB '20 and Harry Mahadevan GSB '20 founded the nonprofit to help people in need due to the pandemic. Gift Card Bank supports financial & food security by facilitating the collecting and distributing of gift cards. Read on for their story, and how they drew on lessons from their MBA program to succeed. Read more
Published: June 10, 2020
Stanford GSB Plans for Post-COVID-19 Future
After months of social distancing and business closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been catching glimpses of our old lives lately—dining outside at our favorite restaurants, unfurling our coziest blankets at our local beach. These hints of normalcy, however, belie the deeper economic and social impact of the disease, which experts say will last at least 12-24 months.  To tackle the range of challenges we will face in our post-COVID-19 future, Stanford GSB announced a new initiative: Stanford Rebuild, a global innovation sprint to rebuild the economy, develop solutions for a better “new normal” for Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
CBS Interview Questions & Report: Deferred Program / Adcom / Online
Went well. Very focused on undergrad experience and why I made the decisions I did. Classic Why MBA and Why Columbia questions. Hoping for good news. Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
Wharton HQ Developed as New Platform for Spring Welcome Weekend
For newly admitted MBA students, spring is a time to get to know their future campus and fellow classmates at Welcome Weekends. During these events, students as well as their spouses or partners convene on campus to begin building relationships and getting a feel for a school’s culture.  The coronavirus pandemic, however, has upended these in-person traditions this season.  In light of these circumstances, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania found a new online platform for their annual Spring Welcome Weekend: Wharton HQ. Wharton HQ is an expansive online hub for new admits to Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
Rice Jones Interview Questions & Report: Rolling Admission / Adcom / Zoom
The interview was for the MBA@Rice online program. The interview was conducted via Zoom and it was only 30 minutes. There are only 5 questions so make sure to fit everything you want to say in them. These were the 5 questions: First impressions are lasting impressions – give your two minute elevator pitch. Why are you pursuing your MBA? What is the specific reason you like the Rice MBA program? What is your most successful example of teamwork? What was your worst project? Read more
Published: June 8, 2020
Letters from the Deans: George Floyd, Community & Calls to Action
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has sparked a national revolution, as people in every state take to the streets in protest, demanding systemic changes to ensure justice and equality.  Business school deans have reached out to their school communities, expressing grief and anger as well as delivering calls to action. We’ve collected excerpts of some of their messages below. Yale SOM Seeks to End the Cycle Dean of the Yale School of Management, Kerwin K. Charles, wrote, “Dear Yale SOM Community: “The killing of Mr. George Floyd, an African American Read more

MBA Applywire

1
November 28, 2024 10:49pm ET
Applying: Arizona State / W.P. Carey
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Accountant
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: Booz Allen Hamilton , Ernst & Young
GRE: 311
GPA: 3.22
Years of Work Experience: 2.5
Location: Ghana
Post MBA Location: Accountant/Public
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
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MBA LiveWire

November 29, 2024 5:15am ET
Accepted to UVA / Darden
Round: Early Decision
Received via phone on October 15, 2024
GPA: 67%
GMAT: 705
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: India
November 29, 2024 2:45am ET
Accepted to Cornell / Johnson
Round: Round 1
Received via email on November 26, 2024
GMAT: 740
Program Type: One Year Program
Target Career: Entrepreneurship
Application Location: India
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
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Wire