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Posts by Lauren Wakal

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Lauren Wakal has been covering the MBA admissions space for more than a decade, from in-depth business school profiles to weekly breaking news and more.
Published: July 5, 2022
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GRE Scores by Top U.S. Business Schools
Average GRE scores by business school can provide applicants with a sense of the rigor of the MBA program, expectations of the adcom and general competitiveness of the applicant pool. While the GMAT used to be the only accepted admissions exam at leading MBA programs, many have opened up to other options, including the GRE. The GRE consists of a 60-minute Analytical Writing section, which includes two essays that applicants have 30 minutes each to complete. An additional Verbal Reasoning section also features two 30-minute sections of 20 questions each. Another two sections are devoted to Quantitative Read more
Published: July 4, 2022
Admissions Director Q&A: Donna Swinford of Chicago Booth
This Admissions Director Q&A is all about Chicago Booth admissions, as Donna Swinford discusses the review process, essays, interviews and much more about the MBA program. Swinford 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 for Student Recruitment and Admissions for MBA Programs. Read on for her insights into Read more
Published: June 30, 2022
HEC Paris & Launching a Life in France: Georgina Young, HEC Paris MBA/MPA ‘19
Sponsored Content We continue ”HEC Paris & Launching a Life in Paris” with more insights into how the HEC Paris MBA is an ideal vehicle for change—62 percent of the recent graduating class changed their location with nearly a quarter settling in France. For Georgina Young, HEC Paris MBA/MPA ’19, returning to France from Australia was a dream for several years. She credits HEC Paris as the “entry point,” helping her establish a life there. She interned for the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee during her MBA and continues to live her passion for the athletic industry at 17 Read more
Published: June 29, 2022
Juno Hits High Goal of Guaranteed Lowest Rates for MBA Students
A message from our Partner, Juno. Nikhil Agarwal and Chris Abkarians, co-founders of Juno, recently marked a milestone for the company and its MBA student members: creating a low-price guarantee in the private student lending marketplace. Juno counts on collective bargaining to secure better MBA student loan rates for MBA candidates. By utilizing competition among banks and analyzing the subsequent deals that become available, Juno is able to get members significantly reduced interest rates and creates the most value for its student members.   “When we first started Juno four years ago, our end goal was to be able to Read more
Published: June 29, 2022
Admissions Director Q&A: Steve Thompson of Northwestern Kellogg
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, Steve Thompson, Senior Director of Admissions at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, digs into the many offerings at the school as well as insights and tips about the Kellogg application. As the leader of Full-Time admissions, Steve is focused on attracting the best and brightest candidates to Kellogg’s portfolio of Full-Time MBA programs. Steve has played a critical leadership role at Kellogg since January 2018, when he first joined the team as director of the Executive MBA Program. Prior to Kellogg, Steve worked Read more
Published: June 28, 2022
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores for Top European Business Schools
We’ve compiled the average GMAT scores for the top European business schools in the chart below. See where your GMAT score lands or, if you have yet to take the GMAT, get a sense of what score you need to target to be competitive. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic abilities and a high score can help you stand out in admissions. Also, average GMAT scores play a role in schools’ rankings. Review the average GMAT scores for the top European business schools below. European School Avg. GMAT Bocconi School Read more
Published: June 27, 2022
Admissions Director Q&A: Lisa Rios of the NYU Stern School of Business
We are excited to kick off our annual Admissions Director Q&A series, in which MBA admissions directors shed light on their program’s application process, essays and more. To start the 2022-2023 round of exclusive Q&As, Lisa Rios, Assistant Dean for MBA Admissions at the NYU Stern School of Business, joins us to discuss the Stern application, interview & much more. Lisa Rios, Assistant Dean for MBA Admissions at NYU Stern Lisa leads a team of 20 professionals, overseeing the core admissions function for Stern’s full-time MBA programs, as well as marketing and operations. Lisa Read more
Published: June 23, 2022
HEC Paris & Launching a Life in France: Clare Cartwright, HEC Paris MBA ’20
Je ne regrette rien. Translation: I have no regrets. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school? Did you study geography in class and marvel at the globe? Where did you imagine living or working or visiting? How have you stepped outside of your culture recently? What changes do you want to make in your career? While some of these questions may be easier to answer than others, there’s never been a clearer path to change–and avoiding regrets–than business school. HEC Paris is particularly adept at supporting MBA students in changing industry, function Read more
Published: June 22, 2022
Key Takeaways from The Economist 2022 Best Full-time MBA Ranking
Harvard Business School tops The Economist’s 2022 full-time MBA ranking, as more business schools elected to participate again. As many may recall, most of the top U.S. MBA programs abstained from last year’s Economist ranking due to the pandemic. This resulted in a top-10 that was half European MBA programs and half American MBA programs. Last year, IESE and HEC landed in the #1 and #2 spots, respectively. Meanwhile, the highest ranking U.S. programs taking part last year were Michigan Ross (#3), NYU Stern (#4), U. Washington Foster (#8), CMU Tepper (#9), U. Minnesota Carlson Read more
Published: June 21, 2022
Admissions Tip: 3 Ways to Show an MBA Program That You Mean Business in Your Essays
During the MBA application process, you’ll need to learn more about your target programs in the process of rounding out your “why are you pursuing an MBA/why [school name here]” essays. Keeping this important component of the MBA admissions process in mind, we wanted to offer some advice on how to polish this element of your file and get the most mileage out of this section. MBA Admissions is Personal Schools look for applicants who seem genuinely excited about their program, and the best way to bring this across in your essays is to come Read more
Published: June 20, 2022
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs
See where your GMAT score lands among the top U.S. MBA programs, as we report the average GMAT scores in the chart below. If you have yet to take the GMAT, you can also get a sense of what score you need to target. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic abilities and a high score can help you stand out in admissions. Also, average GMAT scores play a role in schools’ rankings. Review the average GMAT scores for your b-schools in the U.S. below. U.S. School Avg. GMAT Arizona State Read more
Published: June 15, 2022
Real Humans of Bain & Co.: Matthew Michaelides, INSEAD MBA ‘J21, Consultant
Join Matthew Michaeledes on his path to becoming a consultant at Bain & Co., as he shares his journey to and through the dynamic MBA program at INSEAD. Matthew also offers insights into how business school prepared him for his career, and what made his MBA experience so special in this Real Humans: Alumni feature. Matthew Michaelides, INSEAD MBA ‘J21, Consultant at Bain & Company Age: 29 Hometown: Houston, TX Undergraduate Institution and Major: Columbia University, Political Science Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration (if applicable): INSEAD, July 2021 Pre-MBA Work Read more
Published: June 14, 2022
Northwestern Kellogg Receives $2M Gift for Sustainable Finance
A joint $2 million gift establishes the Thomas K. Montag Sustainable Finance Fellowship Fund in Sustainable Finance at Northwestern Kellogg. In addition to programming such as conferences, panels and research, the fellowship is designed to bring sustainable finance leaders to engage with Kellogg students and faculty. The field of sustainable finance prioritizes environmental, social and governance issues in investing and business practices. The focus will be on finance, banking and economics covering topics such as addressing climate change and improving inclusive development practices. Northwestern Trustee Tom Montag ( MBA ’82) and Janet M. Montag, along with Bank of America Charitable Read more
Published: June 6, 2022
Real Humans of Amazon: Clemente Reyes-Retana, CBS MBA ’19, Sr. Product Manager – Technical, Financial Technology
Clemente Reyes-Retana sought a mix of tech and finance in his MBA program, hence he chose Columbia Business School to propel his career into the tech industry at Amazon. Read on for his story, as he shares insights into the interview process at Amazon, advice for MBA candidates and more in this Real Humans: Alumni. Clemente Reyes-Retana, CBS MBA ’19, Sr. Product Manager – Technical, Financial Technology at Amazon Age: 31 Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico Undergraduate Institution and Major: Instituto Tecnológico Read more
Published: June 2, 2022
Real Humans of BCG: Matt Leung, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’21, Consultant
Looking to expand his horizons beyond healthcare, Matt Leung, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’21, set his sights on b-school to cover more industry ground as a consultant. Read on for his story about what he learned at Kellogg, the process of joining BCG and more in this Real Humans: Alumni. Matt Leung, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’21, Consultant at BCG Age: 28 Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL Undergraduate Institution and Major: Northwestern University, Chemical Engineering Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration (if Read more
Published: June 1, 2022
Real Humans of Amazon: Tonka Lange, INSEAD MBA ’20J, Senior Financial Analyst
It takes more than a stalwart delivery person and miles of cardboard to keep Amazon running seamlessly. Behind the scenes, people like Tonka Lange, INSEAD MBA ’20J, keep the financial wheels turning. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Tonka shares how the the program enhanced her career and what appealed to her most about pursuing financial services at Amazon. Tonka Lange, INSEAD MBA ’20J, Sr. Financial Analyst at Amazon Age: 35 Hometown: It’s complicated. And perfectly normal for an INSEAD-er. Home is everywhere. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria. Raised in Moscow, Russia. Educated in Read more
Published: May 31, 2022
What Are M7 Business Schools?
In U.S. graduate management education, the M7 business schools are considered to be the seven best in the space. They offer elite MBA programs and are known for their highly selective admissions processes—it’s no wonder the “M” stands for “magnificent.” Which Business Schools Comprise the M7? The schools that make up the M7 include: Columbia Business School (CBS) Harvard Business School (HBS) MIT Sloan School of Management (MIT Sloan) Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern Kellogg) Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Stanford GSB) Read more
Published: May 30, 2022
Real Humans of Morgan Stanley: Avery Adams, Cornell Johnson MBA ’20, Technology Investment Banking Associate
Investment banking is a popular career path for MBA candidates and in this Real Humans: Alumni, Avery Adams, Cornell Johnson MBA ’20, illuminates how business school prepared her to join a leader in the industry, Morgan Stanley. Read on for her insights into Cornell Johnson’s useful offerings as well as the culture that drew her to the prominent investment bank. Avery Adams, Cornell Johnson MBA ’20, Technology Investment Banking Associate at Morgan Stanley Age: 29 Hometown: Kansas City, MO Undergraduate Institution and Major: Fairfield University, International Business & Finance Graduate Business Read more
Published: May 25, 2022
Real Humans of Amazon: Marcos Coppa, Michigan Ross MBA ’21, Pathways Operations Manager
Get an inside look at Marcos Coppa’s MBA journey through Michigan Ross, particularly how the leading business school and standout STEM and operations offerings supported his advancement to Amazon. He also digs into the recruiting process and culture of the tech giant in this edition of Real Humans: Alumni. Marcos Coppa, Michigan Ross MBA ’21, Pathways Operations Manager at Amazon Age: 32 Hometown: Rio de Janeiro – Brazil Undergraduate Institution and Major: UFRN – Electrical Engineering Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Read more
Published: May 22, 2022
New Dean to Lead Michigan Ross: Professor Sharon Matusik of Leeds School of Business
Michigan Ross welcomes Professor Sharon Matusik to the role of Edward J. Frey Dean of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in a five-year, renewable term that begins August 1, 2022. Matusik joins the Ann Arbor business school from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Professor Sharon Matusik, New Dean of Michigan Ross “Professor Matusik is a distinguished scholar and teacher whose foci include strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” Provost Laurie McCauley said. “As an academic leader, she has a strong record of accomplishment in critical areas – student success, Read more
Published: May 17, 2022
MBA Math, HBS CORe and Other Pre-MBA Courses to Boost Your Profile
While you will never have a time machine to retake undergraduate courses and improve your GPA, there is something you can do to “repair” your transcript for MBA admissions. Transcript repair – aka “supplemental coursework” or “pre-MBA coursework” is the act of pursuing non-degree coursework to demonstrate your academic aptitude to the admissions committee, usually in the quantitative domain. Specialized courses in this domain are offered by MBA Math and Harvard Business School (HBS CORe), but many candidates may pursue individual courses at their local university. Supplemental coursework can help offset a lower undergraduate GPA, lift a disappointing GMAT/GRE, or Read more
Published: May 12, 2022
Real Humans of BCG: Valerie Jadulang, USC Marshall MBA ’18, Project Leader
Now a project leader at BCG, Valerie (Claire) Jadulang, USC Marshall MBA’18, prioritized “fit” when it came to choosing a business school & her post-MBA employer. Read on for her story in this edition of Real Humans: Alumni. Valerie (Claire) Jadulang, USC Marshall MBA ’18, Project Leader at BCG Age: 30 Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of California, Los Angeles; English Major, Public Policy Minor Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration (if applicable): USC Marshall, 2018 Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years, Education Read more
Published: May 11, 2022
Real Humans of Amazon: Vienna Chen, Wharton MBA ’20, Senior Product Manager Technical
What do you when you want to move from finance to tech? Pursue an MBA, of course! In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Vienna Chen, a senior product manager technical at Amazon Web Services, talks about how the Wharton MBA program prepared her for her career change. Vienna Chen, Wharton MBA ’20, Senior Product Manager Technical at Amazon Web Services Age: 32 Hometown: Houston Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Pennsylvania, Life Science and Management Dual Degree Program: Finance, Biology Graduate Business School, Graduation Read more
Published: May 9, 2022
Real Humans of Microsoft: Ruchi Nanda, CBS MBA ’19, U.S. Capital Markets Sr. Industry Advisor
In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Ruchi Nanda, CBS MBA ’19, talks about how Columbia Business School, New York City and more supported her career progress in technology to land a role at Microsoft. Ruchi Nanda, CBS MBA ’19, U.S. Capital Markets Sr. Industry Advisor at Microsoft Age:  31 Hometown: Chicago, IL  Undergraduate Institution and Major: Cornell University, Economics and Cognitive Science Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration (if applicable): Columbia Business School, MBA 2019 Read more
Published: May 5, 2022
Real Humans of Amazon: Chidinma ‘Chi’ Esinaulo, Kellogg 1Y MBA ’21, Sr. Product Manager
In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Chidinma ‘Chi’ Esinaulo, Northwestern Kellogg 1Y MBA ’21, shares the motivation behind her goals and how her desire for meaningful impact led her to Amazon. Chi also talks about how the team structure and more at Kellogg prepared her for her role as Senior Product Manager there. Read on for her story. Chidinma ‘Chi’ Esinaulo, Kellogg One-Year MBA ’21, Sr. Product Manager at Amazon Age: 31 Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria Undergraduate Institution and Major: 1) Covenant University, Information and Communication Technology. 2) University College London (UCL), Read more

MBA Livewire

December 21, 2024 2:38am ET
Waitlisted at Duke / Fuqua
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 10, 2024
GPA: 3.27
GMAT: 760
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: CA
December 20, 2024 11:16pm ET
Accepted to Babson / Olin
Round: Round 1
Received via email on December 17, 2024
GPA: 3.9
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: South Asia
December 20, 2024 7:50pm ET
Accepted to Columbia
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on December 10, 2024
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: India
Note:

$100k scholarship
December 20, 2024 3:21pm ET
Accepted to Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via email December 20, 2024
GPA: 4.0
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

100% scholarship
December 20, 2024 3:05pm ET
Accepted to Georgetown / McDonough
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 09, 2024
GMAT: 710
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Non Profit / Social Impact
Application Location: Argentina
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