B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit

This episode explores why it's important to demonstrate your knowledge of and fit with the MBA programs you’re applying to – and how you can do so in both your written materials and your interview responses.

The first sentence of each of your business school essays is incredibly important. This is your opportunity to start your essay strong, grab your reader’s attention, and chart a bold course for where your essay will go. On the other hand, an opening sentence that isn’t compelling can dramatically increase your chances of losing your reader’s attention and decreasing their engagement.  In this podcast we will: Discuss why the first sentence is so important, not only for the essay itself but for the first sentence of each paragraph as well, Share examples of strong opening sentences and different categories of opening sentences you might consider Talk about the power of final sentences (for the essay as a whole as well as for each paragraph), and Share tips to make sure your first (and last) sentences are unique and memorable

In this replay of a popular episode, Erika is joined by her SBC colleague Lisa, former Director of MBA Admissions for the full-time and part-time MBA programs at Rice University’s Jones School, to have a discussion about when it is and isn't a good idea to share deeply personal stories in your MBA essays or interview responses.  While you want to present your authentic self across your materials, when it comes to writing about certain past struggles or traumas, there is a fine line between what will differentiate you and what might give admissions committees pause.

In today’s podcast Chandler sits down with David Morgenstern (he/him). David serves as the Global Kids Apparel Business Operations Director at Nike. David shares his answers to a number of questions, including:  What is the best decisions you made in business school? What things would you have done differently in business school? How can an MBA break into the world of sports/apparel? What advice for listeners wanting to thrive within a big company? What advice do you have for families about navigating family, work, and life? Note: David joins us on the podcast today to talk about the sports and apparel industry, thriving within a big company, and balancing the demands of career and family. David is not here at a representative of Nike.

For this podcast our host Chandler joins SBC’s Director Of Test Prep, Anthony, for a great conversation with our friend Tyler from Achievable—an AI-powered test prep platform for the GRE—to discuss the new shorter GRE and GMAT tests.  In this episode Tyler, Anthony and Chandler walk through recent changes in the GRE and GMAT tests, including: The new GMAT focus, which is shorter than the previous test, including: Changes in the GMAT focus algorithm,  New content focus areas for the GMAT focus, The ability to change up to 3 answers on the GMAT focus, The new shorter GRE test (what has changed and what hasn't), Differences between the two new tests, Pros and cons of the new tests, How to prepare for these new tests, Admissions offer perspectives on the GMAT vs the GRE, and How to choose the test that is the best for you. This podcast is a must for anyone wanting to learn more about these new shorter tests or anyone who is trying to decide which test is best for them.  This conversation first aired on GRE Snacks and is re-aired here with permission.

In the second episode of this two-parter, our co-host Erika details the class sessions she went to during her 20-year Harvard Business School MBA reunion and what she took away from them.

In the first episode of this two-parter, our co-host Erika shares an overview of her 20-year Harvard Business School reunion this past June.

In order to claim a spot at your dream school, it’s critical that you find a way to let the admissions committee know what your classmates will learn from you and how you’ll be an asset to their program. However, since most schools don’t come right out and ask you to address what you’ll bring to the school’s community, you need to find a way to convey that information throughout your materials.  In this replay of a past episode, we cover ways to communicate the knowledge, experience, soft skills and interests you’ll contribute to class discussions and be able to bond over with fellow students.

In this episode we sit down with an SBC alum, Whitney, who just completed her first year at Stanford… along with two different summer internships. Whitney comes from the social impact world and shares lots of great information in this discussion, including: The best decision she made during her first year, One thing she would do differently about her first year, Suggestions for those wanting to make the most out of their internship experience (and for those considering two different internship experiences), Tips for those interested in the social impact space, and Advice about taking risks. This podcast is a must for anyone interested in making the most out of their first year, anyone passionate about social impact, or anyone interested in learning more about the Stanford GSB student experience.

In this episode we sit down with an SBC alum, Ty, who just completed his first year at Darden and a summer internship with Bain & Company. Ty comes from a somewhat untraditional background—with a focus on music and social change—and shares lots of great information about his experiences at Darden and his transition to the world of consulting, including:  The best decision he made during his first year,  Balancing his marriage and being a father while in school, One thing he would do differently about his first year, Suggestions for those wanting to make the most out of their internship experience, Tips for those wanting to break into consulting, and Advice about taking risks while at B school. This podcast is a must for anyone interested in making the most out of their first year, anyone applying with an untraditional background, or anyone transitioning into the world of consulting.