The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast

Is it worth it to get an MBA if it's not Harvard, Stanford or Wharton?  Many candidates don't think so. In this episode Darren talks about the top 5 arbitrages that exist in the MBA world. If you know what's important to you, you can still "negotiate up" and get a great educational and life experience at many top MBA programs outside the top 3 (or top 7).

Can an MBA really develop "global leaders you can trust?"  This week I sat down with Anjaney Borwankar, Director of Corporate Develpment, SE Asia, to discuss how IESE MBA strives to fulfill this mission through its global makeup and case-study pedagogy. Anjan is an IESE MBA alumni, and plays an active role on the admissions committee and career services teams. We had an illuminating discussio...

Christine and I talk about the exciting new MBA collaboration between Cornell Tech and the Johnson School in New York City that starts next year in 2014. What makes it different from Cornell's traditional MBA? Who should apply? And what should candidates keep in mind when applying to this 1-year program? For the first couple years the program will be held in Google's Manhattan office in the Chelse...

This week I spoke with Christine Sneva, who is Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid of MBA Programs at Cornell Johnson. Christine is one of the most enthusiastic guests I've had on the show. And she really opens up on what makes Johnson special and how her team looks at applications. You can really go behind the scenes of Cornell's admissions process in this episode. Althou...

Mr. Edward Cook, Director, MBA Programs, Melbourne Business School to talk about the benefits of attending one of Australia's top ranked MBA programs and how to get in. The Melbourne MBA in a Tweet: Global business leaders learning within an intimate and multicultural environment. Listen on for much, much more...

Jolene and I discuss the value (and reputation) of MBAs in Germany, job opportunities for international MBA students in Germany, and how to get into ESMT. The program was founded just over 10 years ago by 25 leading companies - including Bayer, Daimler, and McKinsey - who wanted to develop management talent in Germany. The school's EMBA program is ranked #29 in the world by the FT, and ESMT expect...

How did Lawrence Cole, author of the popular MBA applicant blog  MBAOver30 , get into Wharton, Chicago Booth and MIT Sloan as a 36 year old? Just so you know his stats: Lawrence graduated from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in 2000, worked for over 10 years at UPS and Internet Brands, and “barely broke 700″ on his GMAT. He also started 2 online businesses. Lawrence i...

Over the past 6 months, I’ve had over 20 MBA Admissions Directors on the  Touch MBA Podcast . I’ve asked all of them, “What would you advise candidates to improve their chances of admissions?” This is what they told me. Here are 10 actionable tips you can use right away to boost your admissions and scholarship chances at your target business schools. Avoid them at your...

Dr. Shulver and I talk about what makes Warwick's 1-year MBA unique, and what he looks for from candidates during the admissions process.  Warwick's 1-year Full-time MBA was ranked #3 worldwide for ROI by the Financial Times with graduates experiencing an average salary rise of 84% within 3 years of graduation. The school's curriculum places a heavy emphasis on the practice of management and...

Having a hard time differentiating business schools? After listening to this episode, you'll have the toolkit to surgically dissect an MBA's offering. You'll also know a lot more about the student experience at LBS. James Clark just graduated from LBS and wrote a student blog post,  "What I had wished I had known when choosing business schools."  In it he lists 22 questions you should as...

The Goizueta MBA is one of the few top-ranked US programs that can be completed in 1 or 2 years. The school emphasizes Day 1 Readiness: getting students exceptionally ready for class, internships, interviews, and jobs. Listen on as Libby and I discuss admissions tips, career opportunities and more at this intimate and market-oriented program in the US.

Viet is a former management consultant and investment banker - hear his take on picking business schools, getting through the application process and the INSEAD experience.

Jeff and I discuss the flexibility and opportunities of getting your MBA at MIT Sloan. Listen on for admissions tips, career opportunities and more at one of the most entrepreneurial MBA programs in the US and the world.

Darren continues his conversation with Prof. Yoshi about how candidates can stand out in the admissions process and what scholarship, career, and international opportunities there are at the Hitotsubashi ICS MBA.

The Hitotsubashi ICS MBA is one of the top English language MBA programs in Japan. What makes this program unique? And what is the value of a MBA degree in Japan?  Darren interviews Prof. Yoshi Fujikawa, faculty director of the Hitotsubashi ICS MBA program, to learn more.

Darren talks with Mr. Kannan, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, about what makes the Indian School of Business unique - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in India and Asia.

Darren speaks to Nadia about what makes the London Business School's MBA unique and gets the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the UK, Europe and the world.

Shari and Darren discuss the Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business MBA focus on global management, integrative learning, and mission to make a meaningful impact in business and society. Get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the US.

Katherine opens up to Darren about the Darden MBA's focus on general management and the case-study method - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the US.

Darren has a lively discussion with Megan about what makes Fuqua unique, and what Fuqua's adcom looks for in applicants. Listen on to  get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the USA.

Andrew Bueno joins the show and shares more INSEAD's unique format, admissions process and scholarship and career opportunities at arguably the world's most international business school.

Darren discusses 3 ways to show "leadership potential" even if you are short on work and management experience. They are demonstrating that you have had vision and made it real, attracted and influenced people, and gotten results. Just about all top MBA programs have "habit of leadership" as an admissions criteria so listen on for specific ways you can show this in your application.

Phillipe and Darren discuss what makes the HEC MBA unique and get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in France / Europe.

Darren and Dirk talk what makes the IE MBA unique - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in Spain / Europe.

Get the inside word on MBA admissions at INSEAD from Caroline Diarte Edwards who was Director of MBA Admissions at INSEAD for 7 years. Learn about INSEAD's 4 criteria (academic capacity, leadership potential, ability to contribute and international motivation) and what you can do if you are weak in any of these areas.