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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: 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
Published: June 17, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Andrea McHale of Michigan Ross
We continue with our Admissions Director Q&A series with Andrea McHale, Director of Admissions for the Full-Time and Global MBA Programs at University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business, for insights into the application process, curriculum and more at the leading business school.  Before transitioning to higher education, Andrea spent 10 years in marketing, sales, and supply chain management within the healthcare and automotive industries. In 2013, she moved into education administration and is currently the Director of Admissions for the Full-Time and Global MBA Programs at Read more
Published: June 13, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Rebecca Mallen-Churchill of ASU Carey
In our latest Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome back Rebecca Mallen-Churchill, Senior Director of Recruitment, Admission and Financial Services for graduate programs at Arizona State University (ASU) W.P. Carey School of Business. 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 Read more
Published: June 12, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Kara Tripi of Michigan State Broad College of Business
Kara Tripi, Director of Admissions at the Michigan State Broad College Full-Time MBA, joins us for this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Tripi brings over a decade of experience in higher education. With a strong passion for working with students, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the world of academia. In her current role, Tripi assists with program development by overseeing the recruitment and admissions process. As a strong advocate for women in business and the LGBTQIA+ community, she is committed to ensuring Read more
Published: June 10, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Hollie Hinton of The Ohio State Fisher College of Business
We are officially kicking off our Admissions Director Q&A series for the 2024-2o25 admissions season with Senior Director of Admissions Hollie Hinton for an insider’s view of MBA admissions at The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business. Hollie Hinton leads global admissions strategy for the MBA and other graduate programs. Hinton brings private and public sector experience to her role at Ohio State, having formerly led a multi-state marketing and business development team for engineering and architecture firm DLZ, bringing critical infrastructure to communities and expanding the company into new markets. Read more
Published: June 5, 2024
Real Humans of BCG: Shane Polzin, Chicago Booth MBA ’23, Consultant
Many veterans find that an MBA program is an effective way to transition from military service to a civilian career. For Naval Flight Officer Shane Polzin, Chicago Booth promised veteran support, a proven track record of job placement in the consulting industry, and the right location. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Polzin tells us how the Chicago Booth MBA helped him reach outside his comfort zone, develop superior problem solving skills, and prepared him to join Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Shane Polzin, Chicago Booth MBA ’23, Consultant at BCG Read more
Published: June 3, 2024
Real Humans of Bank of America: Olivia Farley, Emory Goizueta MBA ’20, Vice President Investment Banking
At a pivotal point in her career, Olivia Farley decided to transition into investment banking and she turned to an MBA program to boost her skill set. In this Real Humans: Alumni, Farley shares how the combination of a powerful program with a supportive community in a big city drew her to Emory Goizueta. Read her story to see how the leadership skills she gained in the program contributed to her rise through the ranks at Bank of America. Olivia Farley, Emory Goizueta MBA ’20, Vice President Investment Banking at Bank of America Read more
Published: May 29, 2024
Real Humans of Amazon: Harshita Pal, UCI Merage MBA ’23, Senior Product Manager Tech
In this edition of our Real Humans: Alumni series, we meet Harshita Pal, whose fascination with the intersection of technology and business lured her from software engineering to product management. Read on to learn how the MBA program at UCI Merage and its focus on leadership for a digitally driven world guided her on the journey into a new career in the tech industry, and how an internship prepared her for an exciting opportunity at Amazon.   Harshita Pal, UCI Merage MBA ’23, Senior Product Manager Tech at Amazon Age: Read more
Published: May 28, 2024
Real Humans of the UCLA Anderson MBA Class of 2025
We dip back into our series, Real Humans: MBA Students, to take a trip to the UCLA Anderson School of Management to meet members of the MBA Class of 2025. 300 students joined the UCLA Anderson Class of 2025. Thirty-seven percent of the latest class are women. Forty-eight percent of students in the class are international. Twenty-eight percent identify as U.S. underrepresented minorities. With respect to students’ undergraduate degrees, a quarter of enrolled first-year Anderson students pursued the field of business. Nineteen percent of students arrived in LA with academic degrees in engineering. Fifteen percent Read more
Published: May 27, 2024
Real Humans of BCG: Carmen Del Valle, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’23, Management Consultant
Carmen Del Valle was passionate about her work helping historically marginalized and underserved people find success. To enhance her decision-making and quantitative skills and broaden her perspective on problem-solving, she decided to pursue an MBA. In this Real Humans: Alumni, Del Valle tells us how Northwestern Kellogg met both her short-term goals of getting into consulting and her long-term goals of merging her professional and personal passions. Read on to learn how Kellogg’s leadership opportunities and entrepreneurship resources prepared her for success at Boston Consulting Group. Carmen Del Valle, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’23, Management Read more
Published: May 22, 2024
Real Humans of Entrepreneurship: Timothy Go, IESE MBA ’12, Co-founder, BuildIt
If you want to spearhead a startup venture, you need rigor, grit and the skills to tackle complex business problems. In this installment of  Real Humans: Alumni, entrepreneur Timothy Go talks about how the MBA program at IESE gave him a well-rounded business education and instilled a values-driven style of leadership he needed to move from a technical role to a commercial role. Read on to learn how Go used what he learned in the IESE MBA to co-found a construction start-up. Timothy Go, IESE MBA ’12, Co-founder of BuildIt Age: 40 Hometown: Read more
Published: May 20, 2024
Real Humans of Pfizer: Jordan Daniel Lantz, Duke Fuqua MBA ’22, Senior Manager
In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Jordan Daniel Lantz shares how he wanted to pair his principles and values with effective business acumen to make positive change. To accomplish his goal, he pursued an MBA at Duke Fuqua. Lantz found Fuqua’s MBA program inclusive and welcoming for LGBTQIA+ students and essential for evaluating his current capabilities and challenging him to grow. Read his story to see how his Duke MBA experience prepared him for the impactful work he would find at Pfizer.  Jordan Daniel Lantz, Duke Fuqua MBA ’22, Read more

MBA Livewire

December 19, 2024 10:03pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via portal December 19, 2024
EA: 165
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Brazil
December 19, 2024 7:32pm ET
Interview Invite to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via email December 19, 2024
GMAT: 645
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: Texas
Note:

Invited for virtual interview. Applied as part of round 1 Consortium. Had sort of written it off as a rejection after hearing nothing from them since submitting on Oct 15th
December 19, 2024 6:11pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via email December 19, 2024
GPA: 3.8
GRE: 329
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Marketing
Application Location: Italy
Note:

Interviewed 11/24 and got the email today. Reapplicant after being waitlisted last year. Yay!
December 19, 2024 3:42pm ET
Accepted to Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 04, 2024
GPA: 3.83
GRE: 326
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: CA
December 19, 2024 3:25pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 2
Received via email December 19, 2024
GPA: 3.8
GRE: 319
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Marketing
Note:

Received application status update email with link to updated portal
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