The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast

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#100 Our Most Popular Guests Answer: “What 1 Action Can Candidates Take to Dramatically Improve Their MBA Application?” Dec 25, 2016

Show notes

To celebrate the 100th episode of the Touch MBA Podcast, I’m trying something a little different. Instead of hearing from just 1 guest today, you’ll hear from 9.

I asked guests from our most downloaded episodes:

“What 1 Action Can Candidates Take to Dramatically Improve Their Application?”
Today, you’ll hear answers from some incredibly knowledgeable folks, a group with over 75 years of MBA admissions experience.

You'll get 9 powerful, bite-sized tips (each less than 5 minutes) on mindset, positioning, school selection, resumes, essays and interviews.

I encourage you to listen EVERY minute so you can absorb ALL the advice each guest has to offer.

Applying to top MBA programs is never easy. I hope these words of wisdom inspire you prepare your best application and stay true to who you are and what you value.

Tune in and enjoy!

Nick Barniville, Associate Dean for Degree Programs, ESMT Berlin (6:20)
Caroline Diarte Edwards, Former Admissions Director of Insead and Director of Fortuna Admissions (7:54)
Lawrence Li, Northwestern Kellogg Full-time MBA (13:03)
Leigh Gauthier, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto (15:26)
Tyler Cormney, CEO & CoFounder, MBA Prep School (19:07)
Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of MBA Admissions, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University (23:56)
Ashley Lautzenheiser, Associate Director of Graduate Admissions at Olin Business School, Washington University of St. Louis (26:20)
Chua Nan Sze, Director of Graduate Studies, NUS Business School, National University of Business School (29:30)
Ivan Kerbel, Former Director Career Development Office of Yale School of Management and Founder, Practice MBA (32:58)

Episode summary, links and more at: http://touchmba.com/100

#99 Preparing for MBA Interviews with Vince Ricci Dec 15, 2016

Show notes

Vince Ricci from VincePrep shares his best MBA interview preparation tips, from mindset to strategy to tactics. Vince has some of the most downloaded Youtube videos on MBA interviews and has helped hundreds of applicants get past this final hurdle so don't miss this one!

About Our Guest

Vince Ricci is Director of Admissions Counseling for Agos Japan and Owner of VincePrep.com, where he has produced over 120 videos on how applicants can ace their MBA essays and interviews. Vince has been a Graduate Admissions Consultant for over 15 years and currently serves as President of The Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC). He got Bachelors from Stanford and Masters in Instructional Design from New York University. Vince currently lives in Tokyo with his family.

Episode summary, links and more at: http://touchmba.com/mba-interview-prep-tips

#98 Insead Insights Real Time: President of Private Equity & Venture Capital Club, Rahul Kewalramani Dec 05, 2016

Show notes

Rahul Kewalramani, Insead MBA 16D, shares his thoughts on leading the Insead Private Equity & Venture Capital club, finding jobs in Private Equity and Venture Capital, the January vs. September intake, differences between Singapore and Fountainebleu's campus and cultures, exchanging at Wharton, bidding for exchanges/classes at Insead, entrepreneurship, hot industries at Insead and more.

About Our Guest

Rahul Kewalramani is getting his MBA at Insead, where he is President of the Insead Private Equity & Venture Capital Club. Rahul graduated from McGill University where he studied Economics and Finance. Prior to Insead, he worked for JP Morgan in Mergers & Acquisitions, Macquarie Group covering Telecoms, Media, Entertainment and Technology, and Redmart, an online grocery startup in Singapore, doing corporate development. He will graduate from Insead in December 2016.

Episode summary, links and more at: http://touchmba.com/insead-insights-real-time-president-private-equity-venture-capital-club

#97 Michigan Ross MBA Program & Admissions Q&A with Son Nguyen Nov 25, 2016

Show notes

Son Nguyen is Associate Director of Admissions at Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, where he has been since 2014. Previously he was a Corporate Recruiter for Target and Assistant Director of Admissions for the University of Notre Dame. Son got his Bachelors from Notre Dame and his Masters of Science in Strategic Communications from Columbia.

University of Michigan Ross MBA Program Highlights 4:18 Admissions 21:56 Financing 38:58 Careers 42:11

Go to http://www.touchmba.com/michigan-ross-mba-admissions-interview for a full breakdown of the program's key advantages and fast facts about admissions, financing, and careers at the Michigan Ross MBA program.

#96 Career Tips for Spain MBAs with Amber Wigmore Alvarez Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

Amber Wigmore Alvarez, Executive Director of Career Services for IE, shares her best career tips for international MBA students considering top business schools in Spain. Amber and Darren discuss work conditions for non-EU nationals, Spain's new visa policy, achieving career goals in a 1-year program, and placement trends for IE MBA graduates.

About Our Guest

Amber Wigmore Alvarez is Executive Director of Career Services at IE Business School, Law School and University, where she manages a team of 30 people in the areas of Career Advising, Career Education and Recruiter Relations. She oversees career services for 5,000 current students, 50,000 global alumni and over 4,000 recruiting partners. Amber got her International MBA from IE in 2000 and hosts a monthly podcast focused on career journeys.

Episode summary, links and more at: http://touchmba.com/spain-mba-careers

#95 MBA Careers in Social Impact Oct 24, 2016

Show notes

Pin Chin Kwok, UC Berkeley Haas MBA '09, shares her journey pursuing a social impact career as an MBA applicant, student and alumni. Pin majored in Finance & Operations Research at NYU and worked 7 years at Citi in the finance industry before starting her MBA. Pin and Darren discuss what social impact applicants (broadly defined as those who want to work in corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, non-profit, government/public policy, and corporate social responsibility) should look for when shortlisting MBA programs, securing internships/jobs in the sector, and planning their careers.

About Our Guest

Pin Chin Kwok is a Singaporean who graduated from UC Berkeley Haas in 2009, where she was co-chair of the Global Social Venture Competition and a Haas Merit Scholar. She pursued an MBA to move from finance to the social impact space. She is currently Innovation Director for LumenLab, a MetLife Innovation Centre, focused on health care innovations. She lives in Singapore with her husband Stefan (also a Haas grad!) and daughter Jodi.

Episode summary, links and more at: http://touchmba.com/mba-careers-social-impact

#94 US Visas: What International MBA Students Need to Know About Working and Staying in the US Oct 19, 2016

Show notes

Emma Fisher, NYU Stern MBA '15, joins the show to discuss what international MBA students must know about working in the US during and after their US MBA. Emma and Darren walk through the common visa path for most international students - from F1 student visa to OPT/CPT to H1B. Emma also shares ways international students can maximize their chances of working in the US post-MBA.

About Our Guest

Emma Fisher is a Canadian who graduated from NYU Stern MBA in 2015. Emma pursued a US MBA to switch careers from private equity to luxury brand marketing. She currently works as a Merchandise Planner for Canada Goose in Toronto.

Episode summary, links and more at: http://touchmba.com/us-visas-international-mba-students

#93 Which Extracurriculars? Sep 23, 2016

Show notes

Darren offers 3 questions to consider when presenting your extracurricular activities and shares examples from successful applicants. The volunteering / activities / interests / achievements / additional part of your resume is anything but "additional." Make it count!

Episode summary, links and more at: http://touchmba.com/extracurriculars

#92 MBA Careers Uncovered with Ivan Kerbel Aug 06, 2016

Show notes

Darren speaks with Ivan Kerbel of Practice MBA about what applicants need to know about MBA career strategy. A Wharton MBA himself, Ivan headed Yale SOM’s Career Development Office and was also a Associate Director at Wharton’s MBA Career Office. There are few people worldwide who have Ivan’s know-how about MBA career strategy – listen on for the inside scoop!

Questions, links and more at: http://www.touchmba.com/mba-careers-uncovered-ivan-kerbel/

#91 Overlooked Aspects of the MBA Experience Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

Darren shares 3 overlooked aspects of the MBA experience after going through CEIBS Pre-MBA Bootcamp, an intense 5-day MBA immersion in Shanghai, China. They are:

Classroom. You'll be spending at least 700 hours in class - who do you want to learn from?
Careers. Opportunities are often different for local & international students - do you know what's more possible for you?
Community. You're investing in a family for life - what types of people would you be excited to know now and in the future?

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