Welcome back to another edition of Clear Admit's weekly MBA admissions podcast. This week's episode can hardly be described as just 'another edition' of the show; that's because it was recorded live in San Diego, California at the annual GMAC conference and includes special guest appearances from admissions directors at CMU Tepper, Georgetown McDonough, Berkeley Haas, and Yale SOM!

Before bringing on the string of special guests, host Graham Richmond (who did his best without co-host Alex Brown this week) ran down the latest news and notes.  This began with some discussion of continued waitlist movement visible on LiveWire, and also included a short plug for the Clear Admit virtual webinar series - which starts July 12th! and can be signed up for here: bit.ly/cambaessay [Don't miss the chance to hear from a host of amazing schools as their admissions directors share insights into drafting essays!]

Graham also mentioned an admissions tip about volunteer experience and community service that should be useful for those embarking on their applications.  He then highlighted two recent admissions director Q&As with Imran Kanga from Toronto / Rotman and Hollie Hinton from OSU / Fisher and two Real Humans: Alumni featuring an Emory / Goizueta graduate working at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker and a Michigan / Ross graduate working at McKinsey as an engagement manager.

The main segment of this week's show featured detailed interviews with J.R. McGrath from CMU Tepper, Shelly Heinrich from Georgetown McDonough, Eric Askins from Berkeley Haas, and Bruce Delmonico from Yale SOM.  Graham asked each guest the following two questions:

QUESTION 1

GMAC has introduced a new version of the GMAT exam (the GMAT Focus Edition) and ETS and has introduced a new version the GRE exam. Both tests are shorter and should make it a bit easier for applicants to tackle this aspect of the application process. Both tests are being introduced mid-season, in a sense, which means your admissions team may see a mix of new and old tests.

-What's your take on the changes to these tests, and how will your team handle the mix of two different versions of each exam?

QUESTION 2

It feels like generative AI is a very hot topic of late. How does your admissions team feel about the use of tools like ChatGPT in the application process?

Tune in to hear what these special guests had to say on these topics...

This episode was recorded in San Diego, California, USA. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Special thanks to Shelly, Bruce, Eric and JR for taking time out of their busy schedules to join the show! Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!