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Posts by Christina Griffith

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Christina Griffith is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia. She specializes in covering education, science, and criminal justice, and has extensive experience in research and interviews, magazine content, and web content writing.
Published: August 9, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Stephanie Kluth of ESMT Berlin
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we meet Stephanie Kluth, the Director of Admissions at ESMT Berlin. Stephanie has been working for ESMT since its founding in 2002 and has been heading the Admissions office since 2005. Prior to joining ESMT Berlin, Kluth worked at the Aspen Institute Berlin and the Jewish Museum Berlin. Berlin has been her home for many more years, so she knows the city inside and out. She knows every full-time MBA alumnus/a who has studied at ESMT, and she and her rescue Read more
Published: August 8, 2023
Wharton MBA Class Profile: Diversity & Gender Parity for the Class of 2025
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania presents its profile of the MBA Class of 2025, a cohort that embodies diversity and achievement. The 874 enrolled students were selected from a pool of 6,194 applicants, a slight drop in application volume from 6,319 last year.  Academic and Professional Achievement The Wharton MBA Class of 2025 brings with it an average of five years of professional experience. A wide range of careers are represented. Twenty-seven percent hailed from consulting, the most popular industry. Private equity and venture capital Read more
Published: August 7, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of The Wharton School
We welcome Blair Mannix, the Director of Admissions of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, to this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Blair has over 16 years of experience in selective admissions at the University of Pennsylvania. She was made Director of MBA Admissions in 2018. In 2020, Blair was instrumental in delivering the Class of 2022 through pandemic lockdowns. She created a homegrown virtual platform, called Wharton HQ, to communicate with admitted students. Wharton HQ was home of virtual tours, webinars, FAQs, and a direct line to Read more
Published: August 3, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Melissa Rapp of Emory Goizueta
For this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome back Melissa Rapp, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions for the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Melissa leads the teams responsible for the recruitment, evaluation, and matriculation of students across the portfolio of graduate business programs including a One-Year MBA, Two-Year MBA, Evening MBA, Executive MBA, Master of Science in Business Analytics, and Master of Analytical Finance, Master in Management, and the Master in Business for Veterans. A longtime higher education professional with more than 18 years of experience, Melissa Read more
Published: August 2, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Chris Healy of Manchester AMBS
In this edition of our ongoing Admissions Director Q&A series, we have Chris Healy, the Head of MBA Marketing & Recruitment at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) at the University of Manchester, returning to bring us his insights into the culture at AMBS, what to expect during the MBA program, and more about their admissions. Chris has 15 years of experience in graduate management education and a passion for GME that has only grown over time. He’s implemented and developed marketing and recruitment strategies both domestically and internationally, to meet the academic and commercial Read more
Published: August 1, 2023
New Master in Business for Veterans Program at Emory Goizueta Business School
Goizueta Business School at Emory University has launched an innovative new program designed for active-duty military, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve personnel. The Master in Business for Veterans is an 11-month degree program focused on improving and accelerating the transition from military service to a successful civilian business career.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States is home to approximately 18.4 million veterans as of 2022. Despite historically low unemployment rates, many veterans still view employment as a top challenge during their transition Read more
Published: July 31, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Jana Kierstead of Harvard Business School
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome Jana Kierstead, Executive Director, MBA and Doctoral Programs at Harvard Business School. Jana brings over 25 years of experience to this role, with more than 20 years dedicated to leadership in business education. In her role as the Executive Director, Jana leads a team of over 120 full-time professionals who manage the student experience from admissions and financial aid, to student life and career services. In 2013, Jana was selected to lead the School’s online learning initiative, Harvard Business School Online (formerly Read more
Published: July 27, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Dawna Levenson of MIT Sloan
In the latest interview for our Admissions Director Q&A series, the Assistant Dean of Admissions at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Dawna Levenson, returns to delve into all things MBA admissions. As the leader of the admissions team, Dawna oversees all recruiting, evaluation, conversion, and marketing activities in support of the MBA, Sloan Fellows MBA, Master of Finance (MFin), Master of Business Analytics (MBAn), MBA Early Admission, and Master of Science in Management Studies (MSMS)  programs. Prior to this role, Dawna was the Director of Admissions for five years and the Associate Director for MFin Read more
Published: July 26, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Maria Pineda of the UMD Smith School of Business
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we get an update on MBA admissions at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Senior Director of Admissions Maria Pineda has been with UMD Smith for over 15 years. Maria manages the recruiting efforts for Full-Time MBA and Specialty Master’s Programs. She joins us again this year to share her insights into the admissions process, what to expect during the interview, what makes a great essay, and more. Maria Pineda, Senior Director of Admissions at The University of Maryland Clear Admit: What is the one Read more
Published: July 25, 2023
Real Humans of Citi: Elizabeth Jimenez, Dartmouth Tuck MBA’19, Senior Vice President, Strategic Risk
In this installment of our Real Humans: Alumni series, we meet Elizabeth Jimenez, who is a first-generation high-school, college, and master’s graduate in her family. Her decision to attend Dartmouth Tuck‘s MBA program was fueled by her desire for a more challenging and meritorious career path and the positive experience she had visiting with Tuck students. Read on to find out how Tuck gave Jimenez the tools necessary for her new career in strategy and risk. Elizabeth Jimenez, Dartmouth Tuck MBA’19, Senior Vice President, Strategic Risk at Citi Age: 33 Hometown: Read more
Published: July 25, 2023
Introducing the Chicago Booth Master in Management Degree
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business has announced the launch of its new Master in Management Degree, designed for recent college graduates who studied humanities, arts, social sciences, biological sciences, or physical sciences. The new program invites candidates with limited work experience to study business and management at one of the most prestigious business schools in the U.S.  “We are excited to debut Chicago Booth’s one-year Master in Management, the school’s first new degree program in 88 years,” said Madhav Rajan, Booth Read more
Published: July 24, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Paula Amorim of IESE
In the latest installment of our Admissions Director Q&A, we take a deep dive into MBA admissions with Paula Amorim, the Director of Admissions of the Full-Time MBA at IESE Business School. Paula joined the Admissions team after completing her MBA at IESE in 2016 and was previously responsible for the Latin American market, based in the Sao Paulo campus. She is an Industrial engineer from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, in her hometown, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Prior to the MBA, she dedicated her career to management consulting in local firms Read more
Published: July 19, 2023
The Cost of the MBA Application Process
When thinking about the cost of getting an MBA, what immediately comes to mind is tuition, moving to a new city, books, supplies, and possibly some new attire. But often overlooked are the numerous fees and associated costs of the MBA application process. Individually, the numbers appear small, but as you complete your application(s), your choices each have a cost, and those can add up. MBA application costs can vary depending on the school you’re applying to, application requirements, and whether you’re a domestic or international applicant. Although fee waiver opportunities are growing, most business schools charge an application fee Read more
Published: July 19, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Debbie Macedonia & Jessica Lunce of SMU Cox
Get deeper insights into MBA admissions at the SMU Cox School of Business in this Admissions Director Q&A with two leaders from their full-time MBA admissions team, Debbie Macedonia and Jessica Lunce. Debbie is the Assistant Dean of Full-Time MBA and MS Admissions at SMU Cox. She started her career working in financial reporting with Cambridge Associates and quickly found parallel professional interests in recruiting, mentoring, and training. In her career in higher education, Debbie has held various roles across marketing, student services, and admissions with the College of Charleston, Carnegie Mellon Read more
Published: July 18, 2023
HBS Online Launches CLIMB Program for Leadership and Management Development
Harvard Business School Online, the online platform for Harvard Business School to deliver flexible certificate and credential programs, has launched the Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB) program. The program consists of seven courses, with four long courses lasting between five to nine weeks and three short courses. Two of the long courses are mandatory selections focusing on leadership and strategy, with the specific content varying based on the participant’s leadership experience. Participants then choose two electives, one in finance and one from HBS Online’s Read more
Published: July 17, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Rebekah Lewin of the University of Rochester, Simon Business School
Let’s dig into MBA admissions at the University of Rochester, Simon Business School with Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions and Programs Rebekah Lewin in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Rebekah has over 20 years of undergraduate and graduate admissions and program management experience. In her current role, she oversees strategy related to recruitment, admissions, financial aid, career management, and student experience aspects for full-time, part-time, and online MBA and MS programs. Rebekah is involved in board and advisory roles, including as a Board Trustee for the Consortium Read more
Published: July 12, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Shari Hubert of Duke Fuqua
Go behind the scenes of MBA admissions at the Duke University Fuqua School of Business with Associate Dean of Admissions Shari Hubert in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Hubert oversees recruitment and admissions for the school’s portfolio of ten business degree programs. Prior to Fuqua, she was in charge of admissions for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Hubert has extensive experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and entered higher education after working for the Peace Corps as director of recruitment within Read more
Published: July 10, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Donna Swinford of Chicago Booth
Get an inside look at admissions at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business with Donna Swinford, Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions for MBA Programs, in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Donna has been at Booth since 1997 and joined the Office of Admissions in 2005. She’s seen the admissions process at Booth from pretty much every angle over the course of her tenure, having served in several roles, including head of Operations and Evaluation, before transitioning to her current position as Associate Dean Read more
Published: July 5, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Rebecca Mallen-Churchill of ASU Carey
Let’s dig into Admissions Director Q&A ASU Carey with Rebecca Mallen-Churchill, Director of Graduate Student Recruitment, in our latest Admissions Director Q&A. Mallen-Churchill graduated from ASU in 2005; while earning her degree in theatre and Italian, she also discovered her love for higher education while working for the Graduate Admissions office. After gaining work experience in the hospitality industry and traveling the world, Rebecca returned to Arizona and joined W. P. Carey in 2013. In her time working with the graduate program’s office, Rebecca has recruited students from every corner of the globe. She Read more
Published: July 4, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Lindsay Loyd of NYU Stern
Take a deep dive into MBA admissions at the NYU Stern School of Business with Lindsay Loyd, Executive Director of MBA Admissions, in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Lindsay leads the recruiting and admissions efforts for Stern’s Full-time MBA Programs, including the two-year Full-time MBA, and focused one-year MBAs: the Andre Koo Technology & Entrepreneurship MBA and Fashion & Luxury MBA. She joined NYU Stern in January 2023 after a 20-year career in financial services. Lindsay is a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in acquisition, engagement, Read more
Published: July 3, 2023
Real Humans of BCG: Bren Marschner, Emory Goizueta MBA ’20, Project Leader
In this Real Humans: Alumni, Bren Marschner, Emory Goizueta MBA ’20, shares his story of pivoting to a consulting career and landing a position at his target firm, BCG. Read on to see how Emory Goizueta‘s curriculum, community, and consulting mastery guided him to a new career. Bren Marschner, Emory Goizueta MBA ’20, Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group Age: 30 Hometown: Decatur, AL Undergraduate Institution and Major: Birmingham-Southern College Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration (if applicable): Goizueta Business School, 2020 Pre-MBA Work Experience Read more
Published: June 29, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Charlotte Russell-Green of Cambridge Judge
Go behind the scenes of MBA admissions at Cambridge Judge Business School with Head of MBA Recruitment and Admissions Charlotte Russell-Green in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. After training in Drama and Theatre at Goldsmiths in London, Charlotte transitioned into marketing after graduation and has now worked in the MBA market for over 10 years. She started her MBA career at QS, managing the marketing for the World MBA Tour events in North America, and has worked in admissions and recruitment for the Cambridge MBA for 8 years, admitting Read more
Published: June 28, 2023
Real Humans of Meta: Kenneth Liu, INSEAD MBA ’21, Client Partner, Business Director
With his goal to join a global giant and, in the future, perhaps launch his own business, Kenneth Liu decided an MBA was key to developing the knowledge and skill set needed for strategic thinking. In today’s Real Humans: Alumni, Liu describes how his experience at business school INSEAD prepared him for making key decisions for large clients in the tech industry at Meta. Kenneth Liu, INSEAD MBA ’21, Client Partner | Business Director at Meta Age: 32 Hometown: Chengdu, China Undergraduate Institution and Major: Read more
Published: June 27, 2023
Admissions Director Q&A: Imran Kanga of Toronto Rotman
Get a closer look into MBA admissions at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management with Director of Recruitment and Admissions Imran Kanga in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Imran’s motivation to join Rotman stemmed its culture of community and collaboration inherent in the students, faculty and staff there. Rotman’s focus on students’ academic and career success as well as being a catalyst for positive change is what drew Imran to Rotman. With almost a decade of experience in higher education, Read more
Published: June 26, 2023
Real Humans of McKinsey: Jordan Morris, Michigan Ross MBA ’20, Engagement Manager
Being uncomfortable sounds unappealing, but when it comes to growth and change, it’s a necessity. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, we meet Jordan Morris, whose desire to stretch and grow his skill set led him to Michigan Ross MBA. Read about Morris’s journey into an exciting career as a “Swiss Army knife” of business in consulting at McKinsey & Co. Jordan Morris, Michigan Ross MBA ’20, Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company Age: 32 Hometown: Champaign, IL Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Illinois-Urbana Read more

MBA Livewire

February 23, 2025 11:42am ET
Rejected at Columbia
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 19, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GRE: 323
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Central Asia
February 23, 2025 10:22am ET
Waitlisted at MIT Sloan
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 18, 2025
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Non Profit / Social Impact
Application Location: United States, WASHINGTON
February 23, 2025 12:59am ET
Interview Invite to Carnegie Mellon / Tepper
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 17, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 675
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: East Asia
February 23, 2025 12:36am ET
Interview Invite to Northwestern / Kellogg
Round: Round 2
Received via email on February 17, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.2
GRE: 321
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
February 22, 2025 8:48pm ET
Interview Invite to Duke / Fuqua
Round: Round 2
Received via email
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.7
GRE: 322
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Healthcare
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