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Weekly Columns

Keep up with the latest school facts and news from your fellow MBA applicants.
Published: June 17, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: The Value of the HBS Case Method – Lessons from an SVMP Participant
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Harvard Business School 2+2 candidate, Austin Moore, shares his experience with the HBS case method and Summer Venture in Management Program. The Value of the HBS Case Method – Lessons from an SVMP Participant By Austin Moore, 2+2 HBS MBA Candidate Growing up as a Black male from South Los Angeles, I was raised in a vibrant community surrounded by a diverse group of individuals who gave me guidance and taught me core values –such as curiosity, community, and persistence. My childhood experiences and the values that Read more
Published: June 10, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Navigating the Career Pivot in Tech with Anderson
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, UCLA Anderson MBA student, Tracie Liu, walks us through her journey to a career in tech and how the MBA program supported her career change. Student Perspectives: Navigating the Career Pivot in Tech with Anderson By Tracie Liu, UCLA Anderson MBA ’22 In February 2020, as a freshly admitted MBA candidate of 2022, I finished my first Parker advising session before school started in August. I walked out of the Marion Anderson Hall with more excitement than ever, envisioning career opportunities in tech, Read more
Published: June 3, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: 3 Ways Fuqua Prepared Me for a Career in Consulting
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA student Austin Ray shares how the program prepared him for a career in consulting. 3 Ways Fuqua Prepared Me for a Career in Consulting By Austin Ray, Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA ’21 I came to business school with many goals for my personal and professional development, but my career goal was singular: I was going to get a job in consulting. I knew I wanted to solve tough problems for big companies, and I chose Duke because the numbers speak for themselves: the Read more
Published: May 27, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: London Business School – Out in Business, EUROUT, and Being Gay
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, current LBS MBA student, Aaron Cho, delves into the school’s Out in Business (OiB) club, related events and more. Out in Business, EUROUT, and Being Gay By Aaron Cho, MBA2022, Incoming Co-President of OiB My name is Aaron Cho, I’m a current MBA candidate at LBS and I’m set to graduate in May 2022. I identify as a cis-gendered, gay Asian male. Whilst my sexuality doesn’t define me, it’s an important part of who I am. It’s very important Read more
Published: May 20, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Developing Second-Generation Family Business Leaders at INSEAD
Get a closer look at how INSEAD supports family business professionals in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, featuring an account from Cecily Liu, INSEAD Class of ‘J21. Developing Second-Generation Family Business Leaders at INSEAD By Cecily Liu, INSEAD ‘J21 Businesses come in all shape and forms, but family businesses have always lit a magical spark in my heart. Perhaps my fascination traces back to my experiences growing up in an entrepreneurial family, watching my parents build their business over the years, and joining them on this journey as a daughter and ‘consultant’. My Read more
Published: May 13, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: How I Navigated Virtual Recruiting and Secured My Summer Internship
Current Wharton MBA student, Nancy Zhang MBA ’22, shares her journey through virtual recruiting to a summer internship in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline. How I Navigated Virtual Recruiting and Secured My Summer Internship Nancy Zhang, Wharton MBA ’22© Matt Greenslade Nancy Zhang, WG’22, is interviewed by Sugirtha Stathis, Director of Student Programs and Communication, MBA Career Management Sugirtha Stathis: What did you do before coming to Wharton? What did you want to explore during your time in the MBA Program? Nancy Zhang: Prior to coming to Wharton, I spent five Read more
Published: May 6, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Making Kellogg History by Winning the Venture Capital Investment Competition
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, get a behind-the-scenes view of Northwestern Kellogg MBA students’ prep for the annual Venture Capital Investment Competition. Making Kellogg History by Winning the Venture Capital Investment Competition By Hayley Bohart (2Y 2022) “The best way to break into Venture Capital: do the job before you get the job.” This advice should sound familiar to anyone looking to land a role in VC after business school. I heard it myself when I started my Kellogg MBA journey this past fall, and I wondered how someone might crack this Read more
Published: April 29, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: How Covid Led Us to Build an Online Networking Platform for MBAs
Two NYU Stern MBA students, Kidae Hong and Claire Park, share their entrepreneurial and tech experience in bringing a new sense of community to life during the COVID-19 pandemic. How Covid Led Us to Build an Online Networking Platform for MBAs By Kidae Hong and Claire Park, NYU Stern School of Business (MBA ’21) Stumbling on a Problem  Kidae Hong and Claire Park, NYU Stern School of Business (MBA ’21) In December of 2019, fresh from completing our first semester in NYU Stern’s full-time MBA program, Kidae held his birthday party in our small studio apartment Read more
Published: April 22, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: My Takeaways from the First Half of Business School
This week in Fridays from the Frontline, current UCLA Anderson MBA student, Lorie Xi, shares her key lessons from the first year in business school. Student Perspectives: My Takeaways from the First Half of Business School By Lorie Xi, UCLA Anderson MBA ’22 This year is definitely special. Regarding what happened around the world, we started the school fully virtual. Even though I haven’t physically been at school, I think I have had a very fruitful six months. During winter break, I spent some time thinking of the most important Read more
Published: April 15, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: How Learning to Lean on My Fuqua Community Made Me A Better Leader
Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA student, Nwaka Isamah, shares her transformative journey through business school, amid personal and global challenges in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline. How Learning to Lean on My Fuqua Community Made Me A Better Leader By Nwaka Isamah, Daytime MBA ’21 The most challenging aspect of my leadership experience was last summer when I felt like I could barely balance life personally and professionally. The first wave of COVID-19 hit, classes were now virtual, my internship had been shortened, and I was grappling with how to build an Read more
Published: April 8, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: The Art of Perseverance and Resilience – Reapplying to HBS
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, we bring you a story of hope, perseverance and resilience from a current Harvard Business School student. Omar Aboulezz, HBS MBA ’21, shares his journey of applying to the program three times before finally finding success. The Art of Perseverance and Resilience – Reapplying to HBS By Omar Aboulezz, HBS MBA ’21 My name is Omar Aboulezz, and I’d like to share with you a bit about my journey to HBS and how I persevered through multiple setbacks. Nearly four years elapsed between starting my first HBS Read more
Published: April 1, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: My Experience with Meet LBS
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, London Business School MBA student, Jai Pareek, shares how the program has enabled connections even before matriculation. Read on for his story about the school’s new social platform, Meet LBS. My Experience with Meet LBS By Jai Pareek, LBS MBA ’23 The MBA, many of you would agree, represents a transformational journey that bridges the gulf between you and your aspirations, a journey that is marked by the deep social connections fostered along the way. While applying to LBS, I knew that my MBA was going to be a Read more
Published: March 18, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Give Yourself Grace – My 5 Tips for Surviving Virtual Classes
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, we hear from Emory Goizueta MBA student, Racquel Waite, about virtual classes during b-school. Give Yourself Grace: My 5 Tips for Surviving Virtual Classes By Racquel Waite, Emory Goizueta MBA ’21 I think we can all agree that this is not how we planned or thought our business school journey would go. Many of us came to school to expand our network, and though we may have accomplished that, it is unfortunate that we weren’t able to do it in the same way that previous classes Read more
Published: March 11, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Cementing Friendships During COVID Self-isolation
In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, INSEAD MBA ’21J, Cecily Liu, sheds light on building and maintaining connections during a pandemic. Cementing Friendships During COVID Self-isolation By Cecily Liu, INSEAD MBA ’21J Self-isolation paints a scary picture during COVID times. For many, the thought of attending MBA classes via Zoom while being confined to a tiny room is a significant compromise to the campus experience, and potentially a nightmare. But having being thrown unexpectedly into this situation for two weeks, my perspective transformed. The care, support and friendships I experienced during this Read more
Published: March 4, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Being a Woman at Duke Fuqua
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Lilian Izuorah, Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA ’21, sheds light on the community she found before and during business school. Being a Woman at Fuqua by Lilian Izuorah, Daytime MBA Class of 2021 One of my favorite stories is Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl,” for reasons probably different from what the author had intended. I had lived and worked in spaces where sentences too often began with, “Women should do this,” or “A woman cannot.” That story is a reminder to brace myself when someone starts Read more
Published: February 25, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Getting Involved at Booth – What it Means to Lead and to Serve
Three Chicago Booth MBA students share insights into b-school life and what it’s like to be student group co-chairs in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline. Getting Involved at Booth – What it Means to Lead and to Serve By Kailin Fu, Chicago Booth MBA ’21 When talking with prospective students, I am often asked about leadership opportunities at Booth and time management. When I share information about demonstrating leadership as a co-chair, there are even more questions about the value of that role and balancing that with classes and recruiting. That’s why Read more
Published: February 18, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: HBS Virtual Treks, How Student Clubs Are Adapting to the New Normal
In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, Harvard Business School MBA student, Rashveena Rajaram, discusses moving career treks and conferences online amidst the pandemic. HBS Virtual Treks, How Student Clubs Are Adapting to the New Normal By Rashveena Rajaram, HBS MBA ’22 Career treks and conferences organized by student clubs remain fundamental elements of the MBA experience at HBS. Like other events, though, clubs had to move these signature treks online. The VCPE Venture Capital Trek was one of these events. The high caliber of past events and students’ Read more
Published: February 11, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Leadership Lessons from Volunteering in the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Roll-Out
In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, Oxford MBA student, Emma Berry, shares her experience drawing on b-school lessons to help fight the pandemic through vaccine roll-out. Leadership Lessons from Volunteering in the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Roll-Out By Emma Berry, Oxford MBA 2020-21 On the 4th of January 2021, the unwelcome but necessary news of a third UK lockdown was announced. This brought with it the immediate closure of schools and universities – not exactly the news you want to hear part-way through a one-year MBA at Oxford. Feeling somewhat disheartened Read more
Published: February 4, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: UCLA Anderson Student Perspectives – Winter is Coming – Behind-the-Scenes of Internship Recruitment
The MBA is a common stepping stone to a better career and the Parker Career Management Center at the UCLA Anderson School of Management works extensively with students to ensure a successful path. In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, first-year Anderson MBA student, Shruti Pandey, walks us through the thoughtful and thorough internship recruitment calendar. Student Perspectives: Winter is Coming – Behind-the-Scenes of Internship Recruitment By Shruti Pandey, Anderson MBA ‘22 People do an MBA for multiple reasons, the most common being getting their desired Read more
Published: January 28, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Beyond a Safe Space – Empowering LGBTQ+ Students
In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, a Daytime MBA student at Duke Fuqua, Jordan Daniel Lantz, shares his story of discovering the inclusive community at the leading program. Beyond a Safe Space: Empowering LGBTQ+ Students By Jordan Daniel Lantz, Duke Daytime MBA ’22 I remember visiting Fuqua for the first time during Pride Weekend, an event for LGBTQ+ prospective students hosted by Admissions and Fuqua Pride. I had been researching business schools for a couple years, and after a while, all the top schools seemed the Read more
Published: January 21, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: The Support of the Stern Community During Covid-19
It takes a community to get through a pandemic, and that’s just what Rizwana Iqbal, Stern MBA ’21, found at the NYU Stern School of Business. Read her story from startups to Stern and through recruiting with the help of her b-school community. The Support of the Stern Community During Covid-19 Rizwana Iqbal, NYU Stern Full-time MBA, Class of 2021 From Startups to Stern I began my journey with economics as an undergraduate at Delhi University and as a post-graduate at the London School of Economics. After graduation, I started off Read more
Published: January 14, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Heard on the Street (HOTS) – Bringing the HBS Community Through Harmony
Music can bring people together and that’s just what the a capella group at Harvard Business School aims to do. Justin Kim, HBS MBA ’21, shares the story of Heard on the Street and building community through harmony in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline. Heard on the Street (HOTS) – Bringing the HBS Community Through Harmony By Justin Kim, HBS MBA ’21 Heard on the Street (HOTS) is the one and only a cappella group at HBS. During this period of disconnection due to COVID-19, we have embraced music’s power to Read more
Published: January 7, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: Medical Group Benefits from MBA Skills during the Pandemic
Rahul Singh, a Two-Year MBA candidate at the S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, shares how his MBA education helped fight back against the impact of the pandemic in this week’s Fridays from the Frontline. Medical Group Benefits from MBA Skills during the Pandemic By Rahul Singh, Two-Year MBA ’21 Providing affordable and accessible healthcare, especially in rural America, is a challenge. It is a complex financial proposition for hospitals and medical practices to provide quality care while simultaneously experiencing declining revenues and increasing costs in the Read more
Published: December 17, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: MBA & Motherhood? Yes, You Can
Osemhen Okenyi, Oxford MBA 2020-21, walks us through figuring out how to blend MBA life with motherhood in this edition of Fridays from the Frontline. MBA & Motherhood? Yes, You Can By Osemhen Okenyi, Oxford MBA 2020-21 When I started thinking about doing an MBA, I spent hours googling “MBA and motherhood.” What would a day in my life look like? Would I be able to keep up with the frantic pace of business school, and balance the pressure with the demands of mothering? Would my children recognize the inconveniences as Read more
Published: December 10, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: Balancing My Extracurricular Commitments
B-school life is busy, so how do students manage their schedules? McCallen Moser, Daytime MBA, Class of 2020 at Duke Fuqua shares how she balanced her extracurricular activities. Read more

MBA Applywire

9
November 20, 2024 9:42pm ET
Applying: Babson / Olin, , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Emory / Goizueta, Rice / Jones, Rochester / Simon, SMU Cox, UCI Merage, Washington U. / Olin
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Technology - Entrepreneurship
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Entrepreneurship
GRE: 333
GPA: 2.56
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Lagos
Notes:

I just got rejected for WashU Olin and I have an interview invitation with Questrom. GPA continues to bother me but I addressed it in my supporting essays.
11
November 19, 2024 12:51pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Tech in government
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , McKinsey
GRE: 319
GPA: 2.9
Years of Work Experience: 7
Notes:

I got cancer when I was undergrad that's why my undergrad GPA is low. After MBA I want to work in consulting then make a social impact in Africa through entrepreneurship
10
November 19, 2024 12:06pm ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden
Pre-MBA Career: Wealth Management and Military
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Asset Management, inc. HF, Other Companies: Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management , State Street , Vanguard
GPA: 3.80
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: San Diego
Post MBA Location: Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Charlotte
Notes:

UG Degree: BBA Financial Markets at an Accredited Institution.

Civilian Work History: 3 years as Wealth Advisor under an RIA in Minneapolis and Denver. Total AUM of ~$350-400M, served as a salaried advisor in a primary and secondary capacity. Holistic services to include investment management, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, tax planning, etc.

Military History: 4 years as a supply/logistics officer heading efforts for air/ground mobility, defense contracting, supply and procurement, and fiscal budget management while located at various bases within CONUS and multiple forward deployed locations.

Professional Certifications: Obtained Certified Financial Planner designation (2022) and Series 65 (2019).
7
November 18, 2024 12:50am ET
Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, NYU Stern, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , Barclays , Citibank , Credit Suisse , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase
GRE: 323
GPA: 3.32
Years of Work Experience: 7
Notes:

Education:
- Combined Major in Economics and Statistics
- CFA Charterholder (passed all three levels on the first attempt)

Professional Experience:
- Manager at a Big 4 firm Specializing in capital projects and infrastructure, with a role similar to investment banking
- Seven years of experience, mainly in financial services in Ghana

Extracurricular Activities:
- Pro bono capital-raising services for SMEs
- Aspiring to run a full advisory firm for SMEs in the future
- CFA exam coaching and tutorial classes for candidates
- Founder of a travel and tour club offering affordable trips to explore beautiful and historic scenes in Ghana

Will being 32 years old affect the attractiveness of my candidacy?
10
November 17, 2024 9:24am ET
Applying: Columbia, , Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Stanford GSB, UCLA Anderson, Yale SOM
Pre-MBA Career: Higher Education
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Media, Undecided Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey , JP Morgan , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase , Apple , Google , Microsoft , Andressen Horowitz , Charles River , Sequoia Capital , Blackstone , KKR , 21st Century Fox , Comcast , Walt Disney
GPA: 3.97
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Denver, Colorado
Post MBA Location: New York City
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MBA LiveWire

November 21, 2024 4:51am ET
Waitlisted at NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on November 19, 2024
GPA: 3.54
GRE: 331
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Nicaragua
Note:

Waitlisted without interview. How can I flip this in my favour?
November 21, 2024 3:13am ET
Accepted to Washington U. / Olin
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 20, 2024
GPA: 3.81
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Los Angeles
Note:

100K scholarship!
November 20, 2024 11:49pm ET
Interview Invite to Berkeley / Haas
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 20, 2024
GMAT: 645
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

Consortium
November 20, 2024 9:20pm ET
Interview Invite to Dartmouth / Tuck
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on September 04, 2024
GPA: 3.74
GRE: 311
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Tampa, FL
Note:

Applied early enough to guarantee interview.
November 20, 2024 9:19pm ET
Interview Invite to U. Washington / Foster
Round: Round 1
Received via email on October 31, 2024
GPA: 3.74
GRE: 313
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Tampa, FL
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