The Leading Independent
Resource for Top-tier MBA
Candidates

Posts by Christina Griffith

About
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 7, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Katy Radoll of UNC Kenan-Flagler
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we meet Katy Radoll, the new Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. With roots in the Pacific Northwest, Katy is thrilled to have joined the UNC Kenan-Flagler team as the Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program in the summer of 2024. Prior to UNC Kenan-Flagler, she led Associate Recruiting at McKinsey in Atlanta and, before that, held several different roles at MIT Sloan.  At MIT Sloan, Katy was part of the team that Read more
Published: August 5, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Chris Healy of Manchester AMBS
Let’s welcome back Chris Healy, the Head of MBA Marketing & Recruitment at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) for this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A. Chris has 15 years of experience in graduate management education. He’s implemented and developed marketing and recruitment strategies both domestically and internationally, to meet the academic and commercial objectives of the school. During this time, he’s gained experience and insight in the UK, Western Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, North America, Africa, and Asian markets. He works with individual candidates as well as global corporates looking Read more
Published: August 1, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Isabelle Perna of ESCP Business School
While ESCP Business School is comprised of six campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw, this Admissions Director Q&A takes us to Paris to meet Isabelle Perna, the Global & Paris Head of Admissions & Recruitment for the MBA in International Management. Isabelle Perna has over 35 years of experience in the world of recruitment, with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Read on to learn her favorite aspects of the ESCP MBA program and how important it is to be your authentic self on your application. Isabelle Read more
Published: July 31, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Cara Sonnier of Georgia Terry
We welcome back Cara Sonnier, Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA and M.S. Business Analytics programs at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business for the next installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Since joining the Full-Time MBA program in 2012, Cara has been instrumental in shaping the admissions process, making it more accessible and streamlined for prospective students. With a passion for graduate management education, Cara believes deeply in the transformative power and significant return on investment that the Terry College programs provide. Under her leadership, the admissions Read more
Published: July 29, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Jennifer Zhao of CEIBS
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A we meet Jennifer Zhao, Deputy Director of MBA Marketing and Admissions at CEIBS, who joins us to talk about MBA admissions. Jennifer joined CEIBS in 2006. As Deputy Director, she has full responsibility for marketing, admissions and scholarships in the MBA. Jennifer’s career at CEIBS has also included years of service in the Career Development Center, providing general support and coordination to the team. Prior to CEIBS, she worked in Human Resources in various industries and locations and has extensive experience in talent Read more
Published: July 25, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Justin Aier of Boston College’s Carroll School of Management
We are back in Boston again for this Admissions Director Q&A as we sit down with Justin Aier, Assistant Dean of Graduate Recruitment & Enrollment at the Boston College Carroll School of Management Justin has been a part of the Boston College Carroll School Graduate Admissions team for over six years, and has taken on roles from marketing and communications to recruitment and enrollment management. His favorite aspect of the admissions process is working directly with applicants to explore how the BC MBA can help them achieve their academic and professional goals. Read on for Justin’s Read more
Published: July 24, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Donna Swinford of Chicago Booth
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome back Donna Swinford, Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions for MBA Programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Donna is a longtime Chicago resident and has been at Booth since 1997. She joined the Office of Admissions in 2005 and has seen the admissions process at Booth from pretty much every angle over the course of her tenure by serving in several roles, including head of Operations and Evaluation before transitioning to her current position as Associate Dean for Student Recruitment Read more
Published: July 22, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Charlotte Russell-Green of Cambridge Judge
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we return to the UK’s Cambridge Judge Business School to check in with Head of MBA Recruitment and Admissions Charlotte Russell-Green. 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 marketing, recruitment, and admissions at Cambridge ever since. Her passions at work include building and Read more
Published: July 18, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Claire Fitzgibbon of Notre Dame Mendoza
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we meet Claire Fitzgibbon, Senior Director of Graduate Enrollment at the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, for a deep dive into MBA admissions there. Claire is responsible for the strategy and oversight of all aspects of the graduate admission process. She began her career at Notre Dame in 2023 after many years leading undergraduate admission teams. Claire graduated from Mendoza while also a member of the Notre Dame Drumline. She also holds an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Hofstra University. Read on Read more
Published: July 17, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of The Wharton School
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we’re back with Blair Mannix, the Director of Admissions of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Blair has over 17 years of experience in selective admissions at the University of Pennsylvania. She was made Director of MBA Admissions in 2018. In the fall of 2022, Blair took over leadership of the Wharton MBA for Executives Admissions Office and was named Executive Director of Graduate Admissions. Blair has a deep passion for the business of admissions. She has a masters degree from the University Read more
Published: July 17, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Mohammad Salhia of Toronto Rotman
We visit Canada in this Admissions Director Q&A to meet Mohammad Salhia, the Managing Director, Recruitment, Admissions and Business Development at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management. Prior to joining Rotman, Mohammad spent his career working in healthcare, predominantly focusing on education strategy and operations in the health professions. He was previously a Director of Continuing Education. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education, both from the University of Toronto. Mohammad is currently a PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Read more
Published: July 15, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Shari Hubert of Duke Fuqua
The Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University Fuqua School of Business Shari Hubert is excited – about the entrepreneurial offerings at Fuqua facilitating some real growth in their MBA students, about getting to know Fuqua applicants, and how deftly the Career Management Center supports the students’ diverse career interests, among other things. There is plenty more to be excited about at Fuqua, and Hubert is here to share her insights in this Admissions Director Q&A. Hubert’s role is overseeing recruitment and admissions for the school’s portfolio of ten business degree programs. Prior to Read more
Published: July 11, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Lindsay Loyd of NYU Stern
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Lindsay Loyd, Executive Director of MBA Admissions at the NYU Stern School of Business. 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 Luxury & Retail MBA. She joined NYU Stern in 2023 after a 20-year career in financial services, serving in roles of progressive responsibility in analytics, marketing, and strategy at Capital One and American Express. She holds a Bachelor Read more
Published: July 10, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Becky Gallagher, University of Bath School of Management
We head to the UK, just outside of London, for our Admissions Director Q&A with Becky Gallagher, Head of MBA Admissions and Recruitment at the University of Bath School of Management. Becky has worked within the University for over 20 years, spending time in the Students’ Union where she oversaw student development and leadership programs. She has worked in the role of Head of MBA Recruitment and Admissions since January 2021 and has built an impressive network of connections globally. Becky loves nothing more than Read more
Published: July 8, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Tricia Baione of Columbia Business School
Meet Tricia Baione, Assistant Dean of Admissions for Columbia Business School (CBS), in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series.  Tricia was appointed in September 2023 as the Assistant Dean of Admissions to provide strategic leadership, vision, and coordination of a centralized recruitment program and admissions office for all CBS’s degree programs. She joined the School’s Career Management Center (CMC) in 2011 where she was previously the Executive Director of Career Education and Advising. She earned her MBA in 2009 from CBS, with a concentration in marketing Read more
Published: July 8, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Dr. Naz Erenguc of University of Florida Warrington College of Business
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, we head to Gainesville, Florida, to meet Dr. Naz Erenguc, Director of Admissions for the University of Florida Warrington College of Business. Whether in her role as a professor of global health or as director of admissions for the University of Florida’s top-ranked MBA program, Dr. Erenguc helps make sure everyone has a seat at the table, and a pathway forward. Her work with the Association for Academic Women as an Executive Board member and as the Institutional Read more
Published: July 4, 2024
Admission Director Q&A: J.R. McGrath of Carnegie Mellon Tepper
For this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back J.R. McGrath, Executive Director of Masters Admissions at the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business. J.R. has been at Tepper for the past 3.5 years and accepted the role of Executive Director in October 2022. He has previously served in leadership roles at SMU Cox, TCU, and Syracuse. In addition to his professional responsibilities, J.R. and his wife have a young daughter that keeps them busy. J.R. also enjoys running, golf, and anything to do with Pittsburgh sports teams. Keep reading for his Read more
Published: July 3, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Brent Nagamine of University of Washington Foster School of Business
This installment of our Admissions Director Q&A takes us back to the University of Washington Foster School of Business with Director of Admissions Brent Nagamine. Brent oversees marketing, recruitment, selection, and scholarships for the Full-Time, Evening, and Global MBA programs. He has been working in the higher education sphere since 2013, when he graduated from the University of Washington. He started his career working in undergraduate admissions and eventually pursued his M.S.Ed from the University of Pennsylvania. After joining the Foster MBA admissions team in 2019, he was also drawn to pursue his own MBA, Read more
Published: July 1, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Melissa Rapp of Emory Goizueta
For this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, we revisit Atlanta, Georgia, and welcome back Melissa Rapp, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions for the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Melissa she leads the teams responsible for recruiting, evaluating, and yielding students across the portfolio of Graduate Business programs, including the MBA and Specialized Master’s programs. A longtime higher education professional with 20 years of experience, Melissa has worked at a variety of institutions, helping to form and implement successful admissions strategies. She collaborates with program offices, registrars, career centers, and alumni offices Read more
Published: June 27, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Stephanie Kluth of ESMT Berlin
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Stephanie Kluth, the Director of Admissions at ESMT Berlin. Kluth 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 pup would be Read more
Published: June 26, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Rupal Gadhia of Harvard Business School
Following the release of new application essays this year, Rupal Gadhia, managing director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard Business School, joins us for this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Gadhia graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 2004. Her post-HBS career began in brand management with Sara Lee and Campbell Soup Company, followed by a move to Booz & Co as a management consultant. Leveraging her passion for brand and consulting, she joined the Brand Union, managing North American strategy and Read more
Published: June 24, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Rebekah Lewin of the University of Rochester Simon Business School
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we get an update on MBA admissions at the University of Rochester Simon Business School with Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions and Programs Rebekah Lewin. Rebekah has over 25 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, student experience, EDI, and corporate engagement 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: June 24, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Maria Pineda of the University of Maryland Smith School of Business
We welcome back Senior Director of Admissions Maria Pineda of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business for this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Pineda has been with UMD Smith for over 15 years, and manages the recruiting efforts for Full-Time MBA and Specialty Master’s Programs. She joins us again this year for an update on the MBA 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: June 20, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Paula Amorim of IESE
Our Admissions Director Q&A series continues with a visit to Barcelona, Spain, with the Director of Admissions of the Full-Time MBA at IESE Business School, Paula Amorim, who is back this year with more behind-the-scenes insights into MBA admissions. 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 Read more
Published: June 19, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Matteo Pedriglieri of emlyon business school
For this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, meet Matteo Pedriglieri, Recruitment Manager and Business Developer at emlyon business school. Pedriglieri is an experienced professional with dual master’s degrees in International Relations and Human Resources Management, and boasts an international background. With a decade of experience, his career spans significant roles at globally renowned recruitment consulting firms Michael Page and Morgan Phillips. Pedriglieri now spearheads recruitment for the International MBA program at emlyon business school, leveraging his extensive experience and global perspective to foster the next generation of business leaders. Read on for Read more

MBA Livewire

November 21, 2024 6:44pm ET
Accepted to Rochester / Simon
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 21, 2024
GPA: 3.82
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Operations Management
Application Location: Nigeria
Note:

Application submission was on the 14th of October. Interview was on the 7th of November. Admitted with scholarship.
November 21, 2024 5:41pm ET
Accepted to Rochester / Simon
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 21, 2024
GPA: 7.4/10
GRE: 321
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Healthcare
Application Location: India
November 21, 2024 4:42pm ET
Accepted to Cornell / Johnson
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 21, 2024
GPA: 3.16
GMAT: 730
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
November 21, 2024 4:08pm ET
Accepted to Rochester / Simon
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 21, 2024
GMAT: 555
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
November 21, 2024 3:42pm ET
Interview Invite to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via email on November 03, 2024
GPA: 3.2
GRE: 333
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Marketing
View or Submit Entries
Live
Wire