B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit

During Round 2 interview season, this episode replay covers 3 reasons why candidates who seem similar on paper could end up with drastically different MBA admissions results.

While there are deferred-admissions programs for MBA hopefuls who are still in college, is it possible for someone with just 1 or 2 years of work experience to get into an MBA program "the normal way"? It's not impossible, but it's pretty rare. This episode replay explains why, and gives advice for MBA applicants who are less than 3 years out of college.

Considering this week's surprises in AI advancement, we're replaying Chandler's talk with Futurist Dr. Nathan Walworth. Futurism is a broad term referring to the advancement of disruptive technologies across industries. These exponential technologies are rapidly emerging in the fields of genetics, robotics, artificial intelligence, synthetic organisms, nanotechnology, 3D printing, virtual reality, big data, cybernetics and many other areas. Cross-disciplinary by nature, Futurism is growing in popularity among business school applicants. But what does Futurism mean in the MBA context? How do applicants passionate about these areas stand out? What roles can applicants from non-scientific backgrounds play in this rapidly expanding arena? Perhaps most importantly, is it true that futurist MBAs just might save the world? Chandler Arnold sits down with Futurist Dr. Nathan Walworth to discuss all of this and more. Listening to this podcast is a must for anyone interested in exponential technologies, tech for good, and interdisciplinary approaches to systematic change.

In this replay of co-host Chandler Arnold's very first B-Schooled episode, he welcomes SBC colleague Christina to have an extraordinary conversation about a hot topic in the world of MBA applications: authenticity. Chandler and Christina share several excerpts from past admissions consulting clients' essays as examples of how to use candor, vulnerability and boldness effectively.

Are you interested becoming a McKinsey/Bain/BCG (MBB) consultant after business school? Or are you a pre-MBA consultant interested in applying to a top business school? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, this is the podcast is for you. Today we welcome Will Bachman back to the pod. Will is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Umbrex, a firm providing rapid access to independent management consultants with experience at top-tier consulting firms. Today, Will and his team manage more than 1,000 independent consultants, over 90% of these consultants are alums of McKinsey, Bain, or BCG. Prior to founding Umbrex, Will spent four years as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company eight years as a Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy. Will also graduated from Harvard and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School. In the second part of this two-part segment, Will and host Chandler share advice for MBA students hoping to land a top-tier consulting internship or full time job during or after B school. In this wide-ranging discussion Will and Chandler discuss: Specific pieces of advice for MBAs wanting to land a MBB internship or full time offer, Several things Will and Chandler know today that they wish they'd known when applying for their first consulting positions, Suggestions for those from non-consulting backgrounds, and Other tips from Will, who currently works with thousands of MBB alums In addition to all kinds of great tips and suggestions in the podcast, Will has also been kind enough to share a free Consulting Skills Self-Assessment module with podcast listeners. Will developed this module with other Umbrex consultants, which helps you rate your consulting skills across more than 50 areas: https://umbrex.com/resources/consulting-skills-self-assessment/

Are you interested becoming a McKinsey/Bain/BCG (MBB) consultant after business school? Or are you a pre-MBA consultant interested in applying to a top business school? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, this is the podcast is for you. Today we sit down with Will Bachman. Will is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Umbrex, a firm providing rapid access to independent management consultants with experience at top-tier consulting firms. Today, Will and his team manage more than 1,000 independent consultants, over 90% of these consultants are alums of McKinsey, Bain, or BCG. Prior to founding Umbrex, Will spent four years as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company eight years as a Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy. Will also graduated from Harvard and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School. In the first part of this two part segment, Will and host Chandler share advice for pre-MBA consultants interested crafting applications that stand out when applying to top-tier MBA programs. In our next podcast, Will shares advice for MBA students hoping to land a top-tier consulting internship or full time job during or after B school. In this wide-ranging discussion Will and Chandler discuss: Advice for pre-MBA consultants applying to B school, Ways to make applications from consultants stand out from the crowd, Suggestions about how to make your MBA application stand out from other consultants, Ways to complement the traditional consultant skillset, Suggestions for those wanting to explore their passions—and expand their business acumen—prior to business school, Tips for how to combat self-doubt during the MBA application process, In addition to all kinds of great tips and suggestions, Will has also been kind enough to share a free Consulting Skills Self-Assessment module with podcast listeners. Will developed this module with other Umbrex consultants, which helps you rate your consulting skills across more than 50 areas: https://umbrex.com/resources/consulting-skills-self-assessment/

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to those celebrating today. In this replay episode we share another extensive profile of an applicant Stacy Blackman Consulting worked with. We explain how the former admissions committee members on our staff assessed his candidacy and what ended up happening.

In this replay episode, we share an extensive profile of an applicant Stacy Blackman Consulting worked with. We explain how the former admissions committee members on our staff assessed her candidacy, what advice they gave to strengthen her materials, and what ended up happening.

Today we are joined by Brian Plemmons, Director and Global Process Owner for BD, a global medical technology company advancing the world of health. After graduating from high school, Brian joined the United States Navy. During his military service Brian also earned his Associate's Degree, then went on to earn his Bachelor's degree and a law degree. Brian practiced law for seven years before transitioning to corporate America with a global medical device company. After working in the corporate world for some time Brian then decided to return to school, earning his MBA from Kenan-Flagler in his late 30s/early 40s. In this wide-ranging discussion Brian and Chandler discuss a range of topics, including: How to leverage military experience in your MBA application (and in the classroom), The importance of "giving yourself grace" when applying to business school and planning your career, Suggestions for those interested in earning an MBA in addition to another advanced degree, Advice for older-than-average applicants, Advice for applicants with children, Tips for those interested in earning an MBA part-time, and real-world advice for running your own cost/benefit analysis on whether or not an MBA is the right choice for you. This podcast is a must for anyone--regardless of your age--interested in hearing thoughtful tips regarding the MBA application process from a global leader with lots of kindness and wisdom to share.

In this replay episode, our host Erika welcomes Bill Chionis, one of Stacy Blackman Consulting's experts on part-time (PT) MBA programs. They have a discussion about: Whether or not we've seen an increase in interest in PT programs since COVID hit in 2020 The benefits of PT program vs. a traditional 2-year MBA Similarities and differences between part-time and full-time MBA programs How employers look at PT programs How (and if) PT MBAs can pursue a career switch Part-time MBA application criteria and guidance