M7A: How Did You Get In?

In this episode, we sit down with Chase Lin (GSB '27), a joint MA/MBA candidate at Stanford GSB studying education and business administration. Chase grew up in a first-generation household in Queens, went to NYU Stern, and built a career across consulting, JP Morgan, and Iron Mountain before deciding an MBA was how he'd close the gap between his technology background and the thing he actu...

In this episode, we sit down with Simi Shah (WG '25) to hear how she went from private equity to serving as Chief of Staff to former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi before building South Asian Trailblazers, a media company and agency elevating South Asian leaders. Simi opens up about crafting a cohesive application narrative across three very different career chapters, why she believes every experienc...

In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Zhang (WG '24) to hear how she went from investment banking in Hong Kong to tech in Mexico City before landing at Wharton. Hannah opens up about burning out in finance, why she wishes she'd taken the GMAT in college, and how her international experience helped her stand out in a competitive applicant pool. She also talks about choosing Wharton over...

In this episode, we sit down with Nicolas Echegaray (WG ’21) to unpack his path from Lima to Wharton – including how taking the GMAT early helped him score a 750, how he built a mission-driven narrative around financial inclusion, and how he navigated interviews as a non-native English speaker. Nico also shares how a viral LinkedIn post led him to an internship at Juno during COVID, why he ultimat...

In this episode, we sit down with Christopher Ghadban (WG ’23) to explore his unconventional path from a 2.7 GPA and initial MBA rejections to earning a 740 GMAT score in just five days and ultimately getting into Wharton. Chris shares how his early experiences founding a synthetic biology lab at 19, working in clinical strategy and innovation at AstraZeneca, and later moving into venture capital...

In this episode, we sit down with Simo Mohamed Senhaji Rhazi (WG ’22) to unpack his journey from Morocco to Boston College, Wayfair, and ultimately Wharton. Simo shares how he navigated the challenges of being an international student, built an authentic narrative around making a difference in the world through entrepreneurship, and found community in the Lauder Institute’s MBA/MA joint degree pro...

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Choi (WG ’19, HKS ’19) to unpack his journey from the US Air Force to Wharton and Harvard Kennedy School – and ultimately to entrepreneurship. Alex shares how he built a standout narrative as a veteran applicant, the risk of leaving active duty before knowing he’d been admitted, and how his time at Wharton and HKS shaped his perspective on leadership, service...

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Willis (WG ’23) to unpack his journey from Notre Dame to Deutsche Bank, GTCR, and ultimately the Wharton MBA. Brian shares how he built his foundation in finance and private equity, what led him to step back and pursue business school, and how the experience reshaped his perspective on career, community, and balance. He reflects on his time at Wharton – from...

In this conversation, Bethany Rolan, HBS '22, shares her journey from McKinsey to Harvard Business School and back to the firm in a specialized role. She discusses her pre-MBA background working at McKinsey for three years, including an internal rotation with their global social responsibility group, and her decision to pursue an MBA with company sponsorship. Bethany provides detailed insights...

Kelsey Roberts’ path to Harvard Business School was anything but typical. In this episode, she shares how she applied through the 2+2 program as an engineering student at Georgia Tech and used her deferral to explore manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Kelsey discusses her unique application strategy, the decision to wait four years before starting at HBS, and how her MBA h...

Radhika Lokur’s journey to Harvard Business School defies convention. In this episode, she opens up about her background in international development, navigating the MBA application process, and pivoting into a tech role in London. From GMAT challenges to building community at HBS, Radhika shares practical insights for applicants considering bold career shifts – and reminds us that the MBA path do...

In this conversation, Bob Boniface shares his journey from working at General Motors to pursuing an MBA at Harvard Business School and eventually transitioning into entrepreneurship through acquisition. He discusses the value of an MBA, the application process, the impact of COVID-19 on his business school experience, and the lessons learned while running a business post-MBA. Bob emphasizes the im...

In this episode, Lesley shares her journey from Korea to HBS, discussing her unique background in blockchain and international relations. She reflects on her decision to pursue an MBA, the application process, and the importance of self-reflection. Lesley highlights her experiences at HBS, the challenges of being an international student, and how her education has shaped her career in corporate fi...

In this conversation, Ananya Zutshi shares her inspiring journey from her early life in India to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the biotech industry after completing her MBA at Harvard Business School. The discussion covers her educational background, the challenges she faced during her application process, the importance of networking, and the valuable lessons learned about leadership and...

In this conversation, Tyrel Sulzer (HBS '22) shares his journey from working as a geotechnical engineer in Canada's oil sands to pursuing an MBA at Harvard Business School. He discusses his unique background as an indigenous Canadian and how he crafted his application essay around his experiences bridging corporate and community interests in the energy sector. The discussion covers his str...

In this episode, Julia and Alex tackle three critical MBA application topics that prospective students frequently ask about: handling waitlist decisions, choosing between Round 1 and Round 2 applications, and deciding between the GMAT and GRE. Drawing from their own experiences and conversations with classmates, they provide practical advice for navigating these challenging aspects of the MBA admi...

In this conversation, Jungduk Seo shares her journey from healthcare consulting to pursuing an MBA at Kellogg School of Management. She discusses her thoughtful approach to school selection, the value of working with an admissions consultant, and how she used multiple internships during business school to pivot into product management. Jungduk emphasizes the importance of being open to unexpected...

In this conversation, Matt Ochalski (Booth '23) shares his journey from working seven years in debt capital markets in New York to pursuing an MBA at Chicago Booth School of Business. He discusses his methodical approach to the application process, including his extensive planning timeline, managing applications while working 90-hour weeks in banking, and his authentic essay strategy centered...

In this episode, Alex Neuber (HBS '21) is interviewed by her co-host Julia about her journey from marketing at Wayfair to Harvard Business School and eventually to entrepreneurship in the food tech industry. Alex shares how a gallbladder surgery in college sparked her passion for food and nutrition, leading her to pivot her career focus toward the food industry while building entrepreneurial skill...

In this conversation, Jeff Simnick (Haas '20) shares his journey from healthcare investment banking in Chicago to pursuing the joint MBA/MPH program at Berkeley Haas School of Business. He discusses his transition from traditional healthcare to digital health product management, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in business school applications and pursuing what you want rather than wh...

In this conversation, Linda Li, HBS '21, shares her journey from credit risk analysis at JP Morgan to impact investing at Social Finance, and ultimately to her current role at a mental health startup. She discusses how her unique background in impact investing helped differentiate her application, despite initial insecurities about competing with accomplished colleagues who were also applying...

In this conversation, Michael Mancinelli (HBS '21) shares his unique journey from Denver to Harvard Business School through the prestigious 2+2 deferred admission program. As a former Harvard undergraduate who studied electrical engineering while playing Division I football, Michael offers valuable insights into how engineers can successfully position themselves for MBA admissions. He discusse...

In this conversation, Behram O'Habib (HBS '21) shares his unconventional path from nanotech engineering to Harvard Business School. He discusses growing up in Pakistan, immigrating to Canada as a child, and how his parents' sacrifice to provide better opportunities shaped his worldview. Behram details his experience co-founding a startup, living in China for over two years, and the cha...

In this conversation, Kate van Keulen shares her journey from working in insurance and tech to pursuing an MBA at USC Marshall School of Business. She discusses her unique background in cyber security program management at One Medical, her decision to apply to business school despite skepticism from colleagues in San Francisco's tech scene, and her strategic approach to the application process. Ka...