Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast

Latest Episodes:

MBA Wire Taps 369—655 GMAT, completed PhD. 675 GMAT, do they explain? 4 years of experience, still an undergraduate. Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the activity on MBA LiveWire, which soon turned into a short quiz with Alex testing Graham on key admissions dates for next season; Cambridge / Judge leads the way with a Round 1 application deadline of August 27.

Graham highlighted the summer application series that Clear Admit is hosting, which concludes this Wednesday, July 31, with Yale SOM, Columbia, Michigan / Ross, and IESE. Signups are here: https://www.bit.ly/summeressays

We then discussed a recently published article on Clear Admit which clusters together the key themes for essay topics for MBA programs. While Alex guessed two key themes correctly, he failed on the remainder; the clusters do reveal what is very important for admissions officers as they review their MBA candidates.

Graham noted two recently published MBA admissions tips. The first focuses on creating an MBA admissions resume, the second was an admissions tip for younger MBA candidates. Graham then discussed four recently published Adcom Q&As, from Cambridge / Judge, Notre Dame / Mendoza, UPenn / Wharton and Toronto / Rotman.

Graham then highlighted three recently published, and soon to be published, podcasts that were recorded during GMACs annual conference. These podcast feature admissions officers from Cambridge / Judge, Duke / Fuqua and Cornell / Johnson, answering three questions related to MBA admissions: candidates’ use of AI in the admissions process, the use of video in the admissions process, and aspirational trends that they a seeing from their candidates.

For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

This week’s first MBA admissions candidate is a Hispanic male with a PhD, and experience at an MBB; this experience revealed to them why they need an MBA. They have entrepreneurial aspirations.

This week’s second MBA candidate is from India, and is a little worried about the quant score of their GMAT. We are less concerned, and think they need to leverage their interests in the life sciences as part of their MBA strategy, all while applying in Round 1.

The final MBA candidate for this week is currently still an undergraduate student, but has been working 40 hours a week, while maintaining a super GPA and being very active on campus. They are debating whether to pursue an MBA, or MS in Finance, directly after completing their undergraduate degree.

This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

Live Admissions Q&A: Shari Hubert of Duke Fuqua Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

If you're applying to Duke Fuqua for your MBA, this is a must-listen special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast. Shari Hubert, the Associate Dean of Admissions, reviews the history of their "25 Random Things" essay and offers insider advice on what the admissions team is looking for in response to the creative prompt. She also touches on AI in the application process as well as career trends.

Live Admissions Q&A: Emily Brierley of Cambridge Judge Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Tune into another special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, recorded live at the 2024 GMAC conference, to learn more about Cambridge University's Judge Business School. From AI in the application process to the video component of the Judge application, Emily offers her insights into the admissions process. She also touches on career trends she's been seeing during her tenure in admissions.

MBA Wire Taps 367—M7 realistic? 760 GMAT, from India MiM before MBA? Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the activity on MBA LiveWire, where last season is essentially closing out, with MBA programs reducing their wait lists as the beginning of orientation approaches.

Graham highlighted the summer essay insights series that Clear Admit is hosting, which continues this Wednesday, July 24, with CMU / Tepper, Chicago / Booth, Georgetown / McDonough, Cornell / Johnson and Vanderbilt / Owen. Signups are here: https://www.bit.ly/summeressays

Graham noted a recently published article on MBA programs and their use of AI, clearly a fast moving area. Graham then discussed three recently published Adcom Q&As, from NYU / Stern, Duke / Fuqua and Bath.

Graham then highlighted a recently published podcast that was recorded during GMACs annual conference. This podcast features a long-serving adcom from Dartmouth / Tuck answering three questions related to MBA admissions: candidates’ use of AI in the admissions process, the use of video in the admissions process, and aspirational trends that they a seeing from their candidates.

For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries.

This week’s first MBA admissions candidate has a decent profile, with a strong finance background. Their academic record is strong, their GMAT is 720, after a couple of retakes. The key question is how competitive they will be at the M7 programs they are targeting.

This week’s second MBA candidate is from India, and has a pretty entrepreneurial story, to date. They have also co-founded a school, which appears to have had good impact. Their GMAT is an outstanding 760.

The final MBA candidate for this week is currently still an undergraduate student, and is debating whether to pursue a masters in management degree, ahead of pursuing an MBA degree in a few years. They do appear to be very active on campus, and have an outstanding academic record, and decent internships.

Live Admissions Q&A: Amy Mitson of Dartmouth Tuck Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

Tune into this special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, recorded live at the 2024 GMAC conference, to learn more about the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Amy Mitson, Director of Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing at Dartmouth Tuck, offers insights into the student experience, MBA admissions, career trends and more.

MBA Wire Taps 365—Cyber warfare to Finance. Special Operations, 333 GRE. Tajikistan, to Moscow and Berlin. Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the activity on MBA LiveWire. With most top MBA programs finalizing their incoming classes, we are seeing more MBA programs reducing the size of their wait lists ahead of the beginning of their programs.

We then discussed Clear Admit’s MBA admissions book, authored by Alex, which is freely available on the Clear Admit site: https://www.clearadmit.com/products/admissions-books/ This book will provide MBA candidates a comprehensive understanding of the MBA admissions process, and enable candidates to really determine the best way to present their candidacy. It is also an easy and fast read.

Graham highlighted the upcoming summer application series that Clear Admit is hosting, which began last Wednesday to great success in terms of attendance and content; two MBA programs announced their new MBA admissions essays during this first session. This Wednesday, July 17, is our second session and we will hear and learn from Dartmouth / Tuck, Berkeley / Haas, UNC / Kenan Flagler, Texas / McCombs, and Washington / Foster. Signups are here: https://www.bit.ly/summeressays

Graham noted a recently published admissions tip focused on GMAC’s common letter of recommendation. For candidates applying to multiple programs, they will likely need to use this recommendation format for at least some of those programs. Graham then mentioned a unique full tuition scholarship offered by HEC Paris.

Graham then shared tidbits from four recently published Adcom Q&As, from Columbia, CMU / Tepper, Washington / Foster and Florida / Warrington.

For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries.

This week’s first MBA admissions candidate is a military candidate who has worked in cyber warfare, and has a masters degree in computer science. They are looking to use the MBA to transition into the finance sector and investment banking.

This week’s second MBA candidate is also from the military, and is applying for their MBA after also considering going to law school. They also have a super GRE of 333, and very interesting experiences in the military in special operations.

The final MBA candidate for this week is originally from Tajikistan, and she’s worked and been educated in several countries including Russia and Germany. We think adcom will really like her profile, but may have concerns with potentially weaker quant skills, and fuzzy post-MBA goals.

MBA Wire Taps 364—Life sciences to MBA. Unicorn Tech to MBA. Big Ten Football to MBA Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the activity on MBA LiveWire, with most top MBA programs finalizing their incoming classes; there is still some activity around wait lists at a few MBA programs.

Graham highlighted the upcoming summer application series that Clear Admit hosts, which begins this Wednesday, July 10, with Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, Columbia, UPenn / Wharton and UVA / Darden. Signups are here: https://www.bit.ly/summeressays

Graham noted a recently published admissions tip focused on selecting recommenders. Graham then highlighted three recently published Adcom Q&As, from Emory / Goizueta, ESMT and Harvard Business School, and also discussed a recently published Friday’s from the Frontlines which focuses on a VC competition won by Northwestern / Kellogg students.

Graham then noted the publication of a new podcast which was another recording from one of the panel discussions during the in-person Chicago MBA admissions event that Clear Admit hosted. This discussion centered on the key elements of the applicant profile, including test scores, GPA, work experience and extra-curricular/additional activities. Duke / Fuqua, Georgetown / McDonough, Yale SOM and Emory / Goizueta participated in this discussion.

For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

This week’s first MBA admissions candidate began in investment banking, but soon switched to strategy consulting focused on life sciences. They have a very strong GPA of 3.87; their GRE is OK, but does not stand out.

This week’s second MBA candidate appears to have a strong tech-focused career in India, having graduated from a top Indian university. They have a decent GMAT of 730, their GPA is 6.8 out of 10. Their post MBA goal is product management, then entrepreneurship.

The final MBA candidate for this week played Division 1 football in the Big Ten Conference, and has now pursued a career in Real Estate. Post MBA they plan to join their family firm in Real Estate. They have a very strong GMAT (705); their overall GPA is a little weaker.

Episode 363: Roundtable Insights from Duke Fuqua, Emory Goizueta, Georgetown McDonough & Yale SoM Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Select MBA admissions experts convened at the Clear Admit MBA Fair to discuss some components of a successful MBA application. In this special podcast episode, Shelly Heinrich, Associate Dean & Managing Director, MBA Admissions, Georgetown McDonough; Allison Jamison: Assistant Dean of Admissions, Duke's Fuqua School of Business; Melissa Rapp, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions, Emory Goizueta Business School; Amber Walsh, Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions, Yale SOM, dig into the following questions: What is the role of standardized testing and past academic performance? How much work experience is needed, and what aspects are important? Why do admissions teams look at hobbies, volunteer work, and collegiate involvement?

MBA Wire Taps 362—Manufacturing to MBB. Handling employment gaps. Liberal arts to product management. Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began with a rundown of all the latest MBA application news - ranging from admissions deadlines and essay topic releases to forthcoming decisions and waitlist updates.

Graham highlighted the upcoming summer application series that Clear Admit hosts, which begins on Wednesday, July 10, and will include the majority of the top MBA programs. Signups are here: https://www.bit.ly/summeressays

Graham noted two recently published admissions tips; the first is about the importance of post-MBA goals, the second focuses on how to handle gaps in employment.

Graham then highlighted the recently published essay prompts for Harvard. HBS is taking a slightly different approach to their essays this season, as the admissions office is now under new leadership.

Graham then noted the publication of a new podcast episode which was a recording from one of the panel discussions during the in-person Chicago MBA admissions event that Clear Admit hosted. This discussion centered on how to handle the application materials that a candidate has direct control over; London Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, Texas / McCombs and CMU / Tepper participated in this discussion.

Graham finally highlighted the publication of four Adcom Q&As, from Rochester / Simon, Maryland / Smith, emlyon, and IESE.

For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

This week’s first MBA admissions candidate began their career in manufacturing, and then moved on to MBB consulting; we like that transition. They plan to retake the GMAT, which is currently a 700.

This week’s second MBA candidate has 12 years of experience, placing them at the long end of the spectrum; they will need to justify “why now” is the right time. They have had some employment gaps, due to chronic health issues, and were recently laid off from their most recent role, unrelated to health. They do appear to have developed a strong resume, but they will face challenges in the MBA admissions process.

The final MBA candidate for this week has very good numbers, and graduated top of their class. They are currently a consultant, and are looking to move into product management. Overall, they have a strong profile.

Episode 361: Roundtable MBA Insights from Kellogg, LBS, Tepper & Texas Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

We continue to share panel discussions from the Clear Admit MBA Fair with this podcast episode, which focuses on articulating career goals, brainstorming for essays, choosing recommenders, and preparing for interviews. The panel includes Alessandra Gazzola from London Business School, Jerry Langfelt from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Rodrigo Malta from UT Austin McCombs, and J.R. McGrath from Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, with each sharing their expertise on specific topics.

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