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MBA Podcast

Published: September 26, 2021
Episode 187: Wire Taps—Aiming High Enough and Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Alex and Graham are back with their MBA admissions advice in another podcast episode of Wire Taps. This week, a healthcare IT applicant inquires about a GMAT waiver. Another applicant from the environmental non-profit space weighs a third sitting of the GRE. Finally, a Brazilian MBA hopeful wants to know where her profile stands in the applicant pool.  Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! The first applicant from a non-profit background wants to scale up his impact but wonders about his GRE result: The second featured applicant has goals Read more
Published: September 19, 2021
Episode 186: Wire Taps—Is 700 Enough?, ORM or URM?, GPA Repairs
With so many top business schools to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down a list of where to apply and when. In this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, two MBA applicants seek help on which programs they should target. One early bird MBA applicant, who wants to end up in Atlanta, did well on the first sitting of the GMAT, but is wondering if they should retake.  Another MBA hopeful has established her target schools based on the class profiles, but is wondering if she should consider other programs – and whether she falls into the Read more
Published: September 12, 2021
Episode 185: Wire Taps—R1 Sanity Check, PhD to MBA, Startup Goals
This week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps features applicants at all different stages of MBA admissions.  While some applicants are in the thick of Round 1, others are looking ahead to future deadlines and intakes. One MBA hopeful is about to click “submit” and wanted some last-minute input.  A nontraditional PhD holder is looking ahead to next year. Finally, an international candidate with tech entrepreneurship goals also sought advice. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! After a year of listening to the podcast, an Army officer checked in on his apps: Read more
Published: September 5, 2021
Episode 184: Wire Taps—Humility, Ambition, and Corroboration
Welcome to another podcast episode of Wire Taps, in which Alex and Graham offer MBA admissions advice to applicants. This week, one MBA hopeful with a winding career path and concerning GPA needs some help to shape his admissions strategy. A classically trained dancer has been building her repertoire in VC and now wants to work with a series A/B startup post-MBA. Another applicant has big plans for their family business, but may have to dig deeper for a second reference letter. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! An applicant with Read more
Published: August 29, 2021
Episode 183: Wire Taps—High Bars and Vaulting to Success
The MBA degree can support career goals for a variety of backgrounds, whether from a typical finance/consulting one or something more nontraditional, like sports or entertainment. In this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, the three spotlighted applicants are seeking help to maximize their chances of admissions success. The first applicant has solid stats—a 760 GMAT & 3.88 GPA—and is wondering if her school list is too much of a stretch. A former gymnast wants an MBA to eventually turn sports into an avenue for children to learn life skills. Finally, an international applicant in the oil & gas industry Read more
Published: August 22, 2021
Episode 181: Wire Taps—International Applicants, Military Backgrounds, GMAT Struggles
The applicants featured in our latest podcast episode of Wire Taps have already made some significant journeys, and now have an MBA in their sights. A first-generation Chinese college student is serving in the U.S. military and wants to return to CSR consulting. Another MBA hopeful from India via Canada has policy experience in myriad countries but wonders if she will still be considered an ORM. Also, a promising infantry officer is looking to apply for an MBA in a few years. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! From China to the Read more
Published: August 15, 2021
Episode 180: Wire Taps—Supply Chain Standout, Marketing Dreams, Career Goal Question Marks
As more and more applicants post to MBA ApplyWire, Graham and Alex have no shortage of cases to draw upon in this week’s episode of Wire Taps. One applicant works for ‘MBB’ in supply chain operations and aims to stand out in the industry with an MBA. Another applicant has consulting experience in crisis management and human capital, but wants to pivot to brand/product marketing with an MBA. Meanwhile, an overrepresented candidate needs to compensate for their below average GPA and GMAT to start on their path to investment banking. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this Read more
Published: August 8, 2021
Episode 179: Wire Taps—Low GPA, Dual Degree, Creative Arts Success
Welcome to another podcast episode of Wire Taps, in which Graham and Alex discuss MBA admissions strategies for applicants who have posted to MBA ApplyWire. One applicant has dreams of building the leading consulting firm in his home country of Chile, but needs to deal with a low GPA of 3.0. Another MBA hopeful in the education space will be targeting a dual degree. Meanwhile, another applicant will be showcasing a creative side in the admissions process, thanks to his success in the music industry (on top of consulting). Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, Read more
Published: August 1, 2021
Episode 177: Wire Taps—FinTech Goals, GPA Woes, H-1B Lottery
When you want to apply for an MBA, you need to make sure all of your ducks are in a row. The featured applicants in this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps have a lot going for them, but need help addressing potential rough patches. One applicant has goals in tech and eventually wants to return to their home country of the Philippines. Then, a successful entrepreneur has some undergrad missteps to cover. Finally, bad luck with the H-1B visa lottery could be an issue for a promising international applicant. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, Read more
Published: July 25, 2021
Episode 175: Wire Taps—Low GMATs, Fuzzy Goals, Visa Issues
An MBA can enhance your career progress or help you get a running start on a new path—and that’s exactly what this week’s featured applicants want. In this podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham and Alex advise three MBA hopefuls looking to achieve career growth or make a career change. One MBA hopeful is looking to pursue consulting after a career in the military. Another applicant wants to reach higher in finance or possibly consulting. And finally, a candidate with extensive international experience wants to excel on the GMAT as well as in investment banking. Preview the profiles that Alex Read more
Published: July 18, 2021
Episode 173: Wire Taps—Should I Apply Now or Sit This Year Out?
Career goals and application timing are hallmarks of this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, as Graham and Alex dig into three MBA hopefuls’ quandaries and dish out related admissions advice. One applicant is seeking help regarding whether she should apply for an MBA this year or get her grounding in her new role first. Also, a consultant is looking to change tracks to private equity. Then, someone discovered their passion for problem-solving and needs an MBA to make a career of it. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! The first featured Read more
Published: July 11, 2021
Episode 171: Wire Taps—Is My Undergrad GPA Too Big of a Hurdle?
Graham and Alex are here for another podcast episode of Wire Taps to address all of your b-school admissions concerns. This week, application challenges run the gamut of MBA admissions—from academic history and showing impact at work to deciding which schools to target. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! An MBA applicant with a military background faces the hurdle of a low undergrad GPA: Next, a boutique investment banker has his sights set on the UK post-MBA: Finally, a Tokyo-based real estate development planner seeks Read more
Published: July 4, 2021
Episode 170: Wire Taps—Pivoting Industries with the Help of an MBA
An MBA not only helps advance candidates on their current career paths, but also supports wholesale changes in industry and function. In this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham and Alex advise three MBA applicants planning on pivoting—from corporate strategy to PE in the restaurant/hospitality domain, from oil & gas/chemical engineering to consumer packaged goods, and from MBB & military (reserves) to tech. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! An MBA applicant with a passion for the restaurant industry opens the episode: Next, Graham and Alex resolve some Read more
Published: June 27, 2021
Episode 169: Wire Taps—Help! I’m Off the Waitlist after Making Deposits at Another School
MBA applicants and candidates had a lot going on last week, based on entries in MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire. The first person featured in this week’s Wire Taps podcast has already financially committed to one program—only to be taken off the waitlist at another, higher ranking program!  Should they turn their summer plans upside down?  Another MBA hopeful with an impressive profile struggles to turn practice GMAT scores into the one that counts. And finally, b-schools will likely line up to recruit the third profiled applicant—an immigrant turned U.S. Marine with international & management experience. Preview the Read more
Published: June 20, 2021
Episode 168: Wire Taps—Big Dreams, Re-applying & Changing Industries
It’s time for another podcast episode of Wire Taps, as Graham and Alex dig into candidates’ profiles shared in MBA ApplyWire. This week’s edition delves into a number of key questions: What should applicants with somewhat informal outside activities do to best position those activities in their applications? How can reapplicants be sure to put their best foot forward – even if their recommenders aren’t ‘all-in’ for another go round? Alex and Graham try to provide answers to these questions and more, while analyzing candidates from California, Indonesia, Singapore and beyond. Get a closer look at the applicants featured Read more
Published: June 13, 2021
Episode 167: Wire Taps—Older Re-Applicant, Lawyer to MBA, and Investment Banking Goals
It’s time for another podcast episode of Wire Taps!  As the G7 summit invades Alex’s backyard in England, he and Graham still manage to share of host of vital admissions lessons. This week’s show focuses on three MBA applicants who have shared their profiles and challenges in MBA ApplyWire. Preview the applicants featured below, then tune to the show! First up, a re-applicant in the oil industry is still hoping for acceptance letters this season but very much aware that reapplication may be in the cards: Next, a U.S. trial attorney wants to use the MBA Read more
Published: June 6, 2021
Episode 166: Wire Taps Turns 100!
Alex and Graham are in a celebratory mood as this episode marks the 100th time our hosts have recorded an edition of Wire Taps! To mark the occasion, this show includes audio clips from some of the Wire Taps faithful, facts and figures about the Wire Taps journey to date, and a medley of classic Alex/Graham banter (tucked into the end of the episode). Of course, our hosts still make time to review a great group of MBA candidates, including a woman in NYC with healthcare experience looking to boost her GMAT, an EdTech professional wondering about the impact of Read more
Published: June 1, 2021
Episode 165: Meet Ryan Price, Keeper of MBA Secrets
What is MBA student life like—really? Our special guest, Ryan Price (BYU Marriott MBA), joins Graham Richmond to explore the ins and outs of the b-school experience, from admissions to career support and more. Ryan Price, Founder & Host, MBA Secrets Podcast Ryan is the host and founder of the podcast, MBA Secrets, and an incoming full-time business school student at Brigham Young University. His mission is to provide current and aspiring MBA candidates with the perspectives of the students who are actually DOING business school every day. Ryan has international business experience as the regional Read more
Published: May 30, 2021
Episode 164: Wire Taps—Aim Higher for Your Target Schools!
This podcast episode of Wire Taps features feedback for three MBA applicants trying to hammer out their roadmap for the coming admissions season. Graham and Alex offer their keen advice to an applicant with goals in tech and consumer goods. Also, an innovation consultant with solid stats sought advice on a high GRE/low GPA issue. Finally, another MBA hopeful wants to elevate her career with an MBA—but should she go to school in Europe or the U.S.? We are excited to be hitting a major milestone next week: The 100th podcast episode of Wire Taps! And we want you to Read more
Published: May 24, 2021
Help Alex and Graham Celebrate 100 Episodes of WireTaps!
Are you a consistent WireTaps listener? Are our podcasts part of your routine? Have you ever been featured in an episode? If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, we want to hear from you. To celebrate 100 episodes of WireTaps, Graham and Alex will be featuring audio clips from listeners and participants like you. Here’s how to secure a spot in the 100th episode: Record an audio clip that is less than 30 seconds in length. If you have been featured on WireTaps in the past, discuss your experience. Was our advice useful? Which school did you Read more
Published: May 23, 2021
Episode 163: Wire Taps—Government & Goals, Being All You Can Be, ‘Fostering’ the Right Environment
Tune into another informative podcast episode of Wire Taps with our resident experts, Graham and Alex!  After discussing the news of Rod Garcia’s retirement from MIT Sloan admissions, our hosts review an Indian applicant with a nontraditional government background who needs to hammer out some post-MBA details. Additionally, an Army Officer checks in about school choice and other application concerns. Finally, a candidate choosing between Indiana Kelley and Washington Foster hones in on the value of location. Preview the posts from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire that Graham and Alex discuss below, then tune in! An MBA hopeful Read more
Published: May 16, 2021
Episode 162: Wire Taps—Reapplication Strategy, Casting too Wide a Net, and Decision Dilemmas
This week, Alex and Graham travel to Southeast Asia while touting a review from a listener in Thailand and evaluating a Malaysian applicant who needs a reapplication strategy (and who apparently likes cooking while tuning into WireTaps). They then turn their attention to a consultant in NYC who needs a bit of a confidence boost due to a below-average GPA (and who apparently listens to WireTaps in the shower). Our hosts also dig into a dilemma from a candidate with admissions offers from Vanderbilt ($92K), Georgetown ($20K), and Georgia Tech (~$20K). The dilemma? This candidate has an aversion to landing Read more
Published: May 9, 2021
Episode 161: Wire Taps—GMAT / GRE Recency, Back Office Blues, and a Texas vs. California Clash!
This week, Alex and Graham tackle a number of key admissions questions, ranging from the importance of GMAT/GRE ‘recency’ to potential hurdles candidates may face when coming from ‘back office’ roles. Along the way, our hosts also counsel an early bird applicant thinking of applying in 2024 and a recently admitted applicant weighing offers from UCLA Anderson (with $100K) vs. UT Austin McCombs (with $30K). Other topics in this jam-packed episode include R3 applications and the state of the waitlist at top schools this season. Preview the featured posts from MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire that Graham and Read more
Published: May 2, 2021
Episode 160: Wire Taps—ED or Not ED, That Is the Question
Graham and Alex deliver another podcast episode of Wire Taps, dishing out MBA application and admissions advice. This week, a military applicant who has made significant strides in maturity and time management wants to show the adcom he’s ready for business school life—even if his early undergraduate record suggests otherwise. Another MBA hopeful reached out for advice on timing of their applications—specifically, should they jump head-on into an early decision that would be binding or take their chances with more flexible acceptances? Finally, an accepted candidate planning on a tech career is weighing matriculating at CBS with a scholarship or Read more
Published: April 25, 2021
Episode 159: Wire Taps—The “That Was Then, This Is Now” Strategy
In this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham and Alex offer keen admissions advice to two new applicants and one candidate torn about school choice. First up, a U.S. Army officer with a poor academic background sought advice about targeting MBA programs for their pending return to civilian life in 2022. Another MBA hopeful coming from commercial banking and hoping to transition into investment banking also needed help with school choice. Finally, as the 2020-21 admissions season winds down, some candidates are still facing tough decisions. This week, Graham and Alex weigh in on one candidate’s scholarship-laden choice between Read more

MBA Applywire

7
November 26, 2024 6:16am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Dartmouth / Tuck, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, UCLA Anderson
Pre-MBA Career: Software Engineer
Post-MBA Target Industry: Other
GRE: 331
GPA: 3.2
Years of Work Experience: 4.5
Location: United States
Notes:

I am aiming to pivot from Software Engineering to Product Management. My undergrad degree was in Computer Science from an Ivy League school where I was a D1 varsity athlete. EC's outside of that are pretty slim, although I am involved with charities and volunteer organizations sporadically. Have organized and led a small handful of hobby groups among friends and colleagues as well. Work experience includes solid brand recognition, and my previous 2.5 YoE are in the music/entertainment industry.
2
November 26, 2024 5:48am ET
Applying: Columbia, NYU Stern
Pre-MBA Career: product Manager in Entertainment
Post-MBA Target Industry: Undecided
GPA: 3.57
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: New York
Notes:

I am a woman of color and a Product Manager at a major streaming service with three years of experience thus far. I hold a degree in Cinematography from a CUNY school and began my career as an NBCUniversal Page. Since then, I’ve worked for prominent media companies like NBCU, Peacock, A+E Networks, and Paramount+. While I didn’t initially plan on pursuing an MBA, my career trajectory has naturally led me in that direction due to my rapid career growth. I’m preparing for the GMAT (focus edition) with a target score of 655 or higher.

As a non-traditional candidate, are there any potential red flags in my profile? Additionally, are there other MBA programs I should consider? Thank you!
9
November 26, 2024 12:03am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Pre-MBA Career: Government Affairs at technology startup
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey , Amazon , Apple , Facebook , Google , LinkedIn , Microsoft , Tesla , Uber
GMAT: 770
GPA: 3.4
Years of Work Experience: 3
6
November 25, 2024 11:01am ET
Applying: Arizona State / W.P. Carey, Georgetown / McDonough, Indiana / Kelley, U. Washington / Foster, UCLA Anderson, USC / Marshall
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Military: Acquisition Program Manager
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology Companies: Accenture , Bain , Deloitte , McKinsey , Amazon , Apple , Facebook , Google , IBM , Lenova , LinkedIn , Microsoft , Oracle
GRE: 317
GPA: 2.43
Years of Work Experience: 9
Location: Los Angeles
Post MBA Location: West Coast
Notes:

Undergrad was at a Service Academy. Also earned a Masters of Science with a GPA of 4.0, Project Management Professional certification holder, and volunteered for two years at service to schools helping veterans get into an undergraduate program.
2
November 25, 2024 7:58am ET
Applying: Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB
Pre-MBA Career: Equity Research at Goldman Sachs, and long only Asset Management (healthcare sector)
Post-MBA Target Industry: Asset Management, inc. HF Companies: Fidelity
GMAT: 735
GPA: 3.6
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: San Francisco CA
Post MBA Location: San Francisco CA
Notes:

I took a gap year in college and switched majors taking longer to graduate so I’m 30, would matriculate at 32 and graduate at 34. Seems like I’m an outlier and worried I’m too old.
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MBA LiveWire

November 26, 2024 11:19am ET
Interview Invite to Rochester / Simon
Round: Round 2
Received via email November 26, 2024
GPA: 7.01
EA: 161
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: India
November 26, 2024 10:53am ET
Accepted to London Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 26, 2024
GPA: 3.7
GMAT: 655
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
November 26, 2024 10:32am ET
Accepted to Rochester / Simon
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 26, 2024
GPA: 3.76
GRE: 328
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: Pakistan
Note:

Admitted with 60% Scholarship
November 26, 2024 10:00am ET
Accepted to London Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 26, 2024
GRE: 328
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: Based in UK but Caribbean
November 26, 2024 8:27am ET
Accepted to London Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 26, 2024
GPA: 3.84
GRE: 327
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: United States
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