The mbaMission Podcast

Send us your admissions questions! MIT Sloan is consistently ranked one of the top business schools in the country, and is one of the elite M7 programs known for their excellence and competitiveness. In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, we discuss what makes MIT Sloan the dream MBA program for so many applicants. Our guest for this week's episode is Dawna Levenson, Assistant Dean of Adm...

Send us your admissions questions! For many business school hopefuls, standardized testing is the most daunting part of the application process. Applicants often find that they cannot reach their desired scores through traditional study techniques. Why is that? And how SHOULD you prepare for an adaptive exam like the GMAT or the GRE? In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, we’re turning to the...

Send us your admissions questions! Business school applications typically open in late spring or early summer -- but when should you actually start preparing your MBA candidacy? Earlier than you might think! In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Gavriella Semaya discuss the many components of MBA applications and the importance of starting the process ea...

Send us your admissions questions! It has been just over a year since the Graduate Management Admission Council, or GMAC, introduced the new GMAT Focus Edition which replaced the traditional GMAT exam. What have we learned? How can you best prepare for it? What score do you need to hit to be competitive at top-10 or top-15 business schools? And how does the GRE fit into all of this? In this episod...

Send us your admissions questions! In our first podcast episode of 2025, mbaMission's Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Jessica Shklar share their takeaways from the 2024 MBA application season and make predictions for the 2025 application season. They discuss macro trends related to the economy, the impact of AI on business school admissions, trends in GMAT scoring, and more. Book your...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Michael Guttman discuss the intricacies of being waitlisted by business schools, particularly focusing on strategies for applicants to improve their profiles, demonstrate interest, and effectively communicate with admissions committees. They emphasize the importance of proactive engagement and the potential for success ev...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky and Gavriella Semaya discuss the critical role of resumes in the MBA application process. They emphasize the importance of crafting a distinctive resume that highlights accomplishments over responsibilities, the significance of formatting, and how personal interests can add value. The conversation also to...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky interviews Christine Patel, a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Christine shares her enriching experiences at the GSB, highlighting the unique culture, the genuine connections she made, and the various activities and programs she participated in. She emphasizes the importance of authen...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Rachel Beck discuss the complexities of the MBA application process, focusing on what can go right and wrong. They explore the competitive nature of admissions, the importance of academic metrics, the role of recommendations, and the art of storytelling in essays. They also provide insights on how applicants can move forw...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode, Harold Simansky and Christine Patel discuss the landscape of MBA programs focused on healthcare. Christine shares her background in healthcare and her experiences applying to various MBA programs, including Stanford, Wharton, and Berkeley. They explore the differences between healthcare management programs and traditional MBA programs, the import...

Send us your admissions questions! In this mbaMission podcast episode, Harold Simansky interviews Kimberly Hoey, an mbaMission colleague and Kellogg MBA alum, about her experience at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management . Kimberly shares that Kellogg was transformative for her, helping her pivot from finance to brand management. She highlights Kellogg's strong teamwork...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky and Rachel Beck discuss effective strategies for MBA interviews. They emphasize the importance of authenticity, preparation, and understanding common interview questions. Rachel shares her insights from her experience as a journalist and alumni interviewer, providing practical tips for candidates to prese...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Harshad Mali discuss the intricacies of the MBA admissions process, focusing on the importance of personal storytelling, overcoming demographic challenges, and the significance of fit in consultant relationships. They emphasize the need for applicants to present their unique perspectives and experienc...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Debbie Choy discuss the unique aspects of the MBA experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Debbie shares her insights on the intimate and collaborative environment at Stanford, highlighting the strong relationships formed during her time there. She also reflects on the challenges of tim...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky and Kim Hoey discuss the common fatal flaws that lead to rejection from business schools. They emphasize the importance of strong letters of recommendation, addressing weaknesses in applications, and focusing on results in resumes. The conversation also highlights the need for clear and logical career goa...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Devi Vallabhaneni discuss the intricacies of preparing for the Harvard Business School (HBS) interview. Devi shares her personal journey with HBS, her experiences as an interviewer, and the evolution of the interview process. They delve into the importance of preparation, self-awareness, and the commo...

Send us your admissions questions! In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky and Kate Richardson discuss the unique team-based discussion format used by Wharton for MBA admissions interviews. They explore the structure of the interview, the importance of collaboration, and strategies for success. Kate shares insights on the roles candidates can play during the discussion, how to c...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky, Kate Richardson, and Katrina Evans discuss the Wharton team-based discussion, which is a unique interview format for business schools. They explain how the team-based discussions are structured and what Wharton is looking for in candidates. They also discuss the process of organizing mock team-based discussions and the chall...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Rachel Beck discuss Columbia Business School. Rachel shares her experience as a student and highlights the core curriculum as a valuable aspect of the program. She also emphasizes the diversity of the student body and the wide range of backgrounds and experiences represented. Columbia is often associated with finance, but...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Debbie Choy discuss school selection for MBA programs. Debbie shares her experience of choosing Stanford and emphasizes the importance of being authentic in the application process. They also discuss factors to consider when selecting schools, such as geography and industry connections. Debbie dispels the myth that Stanfo...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky interviews Kate Richardson, a University of Chicago Booth MBA, about her experience at Booth. Kate highlights the reputation of Booth as a quant powerhouse and the flexibility it offers for career changers. She also mentions the focus on entrepreneurship and experiential learning that has grown at Booth over the years. Howeve...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Rachel Beck discuss how to assess one's chances of acceptance into business school. They cover topics such as academic credentials, including GPA and university attended, the importance of standardized testing, and the value of leadership potential. They also emphasize the need to demonstrate fit with the school and...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Kim Hoey discuss the importance of recommendations in the MBA application process. They address the question of how to handle constructive criticism in recommendations and emphasize the need for balance and authenticity. Kim shares her background and how she transitioned from investment banking to brand management and eve...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Gavriella Semaya discuss how to choose an MBA admissions consultant and the qualities that make a consultant effective. They emphasize the importance of finding a consultant who works well with you and pushes you to elevate your application. They also address common questions about whether a consultant needs admissions ex...

Send us your admissions questions! In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Gavriella Semaya discuss Cornell Tech, a school that focuses on technology and entrepreneurship. They talk about the facilities and resources available at Cornell Tech, as well as the unique experiences and opportunities it offers to students. Gavriela shares her personal experience at Cornell Tech and how it helped her g...