The mbaMission Podcast

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How do you figure out what your post-MBA career goals should be when you only know you want change but do not yet understand what that change entails?

In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky speaks with Melissa Blakeslee, an mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant, and Rachel Beck, an mbaMission Managing Director, about how business school applicants can clarify, research, and articulate MBA career goals that will resonate with an admissions committee.

The admissions experts explain why so many candidates get stuck on the career goals question, how to transition from a vague desire for “more” and a credible post-MBA plan, and why schools care that candidates have goals that are both ambitious and achievable. The conversation also covers practical research tools—such as LinkedIn, school employment reports, student club leaders, and job postings—that can help applicants build a stronger, more realistic story.

If you are struggling to connect your past experience to your future objectives, this episode will help you approach the problem with more structure and confidence.

00:00 Why MBA Career Goals Trip Up So Many Applicants
01:50 Your Story Only Needs to Make Sense—for Now
03:59 What “Ambitious but Achievable” Really Means
06:12 Reflecting on What You Want from Your MBA
08:16 Researching Roles Through LinkedIn and Business School Resources
09:23 Using Business School Employment Reports to Test Your Assumptions
15:30 Frameworks for Narrowing Your Options
24:23 Why Unclear Post-MBA Goals Can Lead to Rejection
26:14 Final Advice for MBA Applicants

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
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Many successful MBA applicants were not accepted the first time they applied.

In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Executive Director Jessica Shklar and Senior Admissions Consultant Melissa Blakeslee to discuss what MBA reapplicants can do to strengthen their candidacy and improve their chances of admission.

The conversation explores why admissions committees do not view reapplicants in a negative light, how applicants can identify weaknesses in their original applications, and what kinds of growth schools want to see from candidates before a second attempt. Harold, Jessica, and Melissa also share advice on improving one’s essays, recommendations, career goals, extracurricular involvement, and school research.

Whether you are considering reapplying to Harvard Business School, the Stanford GSB, UPenn Wharton, Northwestern Kellogg, or another top MBA program, this episode offers practical advice for moving forward strategically and confidently.

0:00 Why MBA Reapplicants Can Still Be Successful
1:53 How Admissions Committees View Reapplicants
5:46 The Biggest Reasons Strong Applicants Get Rejected
7:25 Improving Essays, Goals, and School Fit
13:01 How to Show Growth Before Reapplying
17:08 Reapplying Strategically and Expanding Your School List
19:17 Why MBA Rejection Does Not Define Your Future

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
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What does it really take to make partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and stay with the firm for more than three decades without losing yourself? Debbie Lovich, BCG managing director and senior partner, joins host Harold Simansky and mbaMission Executive Director Jessica Shklar for a candid conversation about her path through consulting.

Debbie became BCG’s fastest-promoted partner, achieving the position in less than six years. She was also the first woman on the firm’s executive committee. She later stepped away from the partner role to find work-balance before returning and making senior partner on her own terms.

This episode covers the unglamorous truth about work-life balance in consulting, why Debbie got rejected by BCG twice before being hired, how the “up or out” culture actually functions, and what she tells every MBA applicant who thinks they want to do consulting.

This episode is must-listen for anyone considering an MBA with consulting as their career goal.

📖 Debbie’s new book, Make Work Work: The 5 Daily Practices of the Employee-Centric Leader, will be released in November 2026. Preorder now: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/831079/make-work-work-by-deborah-lovich/

00:00 Introducing Debbie Lovich, BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner

07:48 The Path to Partner — Speed, Serendipity, and Purpose

16:01 Work, Life, and Finding Balance

24:41 Advice for MBA Applicants

30:49 Retiring from Consulting and Writing a Book

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

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Send us your admissions questions!

In this milestone 100th episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky and mbaMission founder Jeremy Shinewald reflect on more than two years of MBA admissions insights. They share favorite moments, discuss what sets applicants apart, and explore how AI and evolving trends are shaping the application process.

They also highlight the long-term value of an MBA, from career outcomes to lifelong connections, and look ahead to what comes next for the podcast.

00:00 Celebrating 100 Episodes and Podcast Milestones

01:15 Growth, Reach, and Impact of the Podcast

02:18 The MBA “X Factor” and What Sets Applicants Apart

03:43 Favorite Guests and Most Memorable Episodes

06:38 AI in MBA Applications: Opportunities and Risks

10:47 MBA Experience Today: In-Person Learning and Global Exposure

15:49 Changing Applicant Profiles and Career Planning Advice

18:19 On-Track by mbaMission, Admissions Strategy, and School Research

21:33 Interviews, Emotional Intelligence, and Final Reflections

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

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Think product management is just a Silicon Valley thing? Think again. In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, Managing Director Rachel Beck and host Harold Simansky break down one of the most in-demand post-MBA career paths that most applicants overlook: product management.

Rachel defines the product manager role as that of a “mini CEO” who sits at the intersection of engineering, operations, marketing, finance, and strategy. She explains why the role has expanded far beyond big tech and where candidates with nontechnical backgrounds can find their footing. The conversation covers the AI era and why strategic thinking gives MBAs a decisive edge, the realistic career trajectory from product manager to chief product officer, which MBA programs best prepare candidates for PM recruiting, and why experiential learning is nonnegotiable for this career path.

If you have ever thought “I want to be a product manager” without knowing exactly what that means, this episode is for you.

New episodes of The mbaMission Podcast are released every Tuesday on all major streaming platforms.

00:00 What Is a Product Manager?

03:52 Project Manager Beyond Silicon Valley

06:59 The MBA as a PM Jumping Point

08:59 PM Career Path to Chief Product Officer

14:11 Programs That Excel in Product Management

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

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Send us your admissions questions!

What does the future of business school look like? Harvard Business School Professor Joshua Margolis joins host Harold Simansky and MBA Admissions Executive Director Jessica Shklar to explore how AI is reshaping the MBA experience.

Joshua Margolis is the James Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and the Unit Head for the Organizational Behavior unit. He is also Faculty Chair of the Program for Leadership Development. His research and teaching revolve around leadership and ethics, spanning courses on Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Leadership and Corporate Accountability, Authentic Leadership Development, and FIELD Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development.

Whether you are applying to business school or already in the workforce, this conversation offers honest, practical insight into leadership, learning, and the evolving value of an MBA.

00:00  Introduction: Three Paths to Business School
02:51  Finding Your Story Through-Line
04:15  From Research Assistant to HBS Professor
10:45  Managing Human Beings in the Age of AI
13:21  How HBS Students Are Using AI in the MBA Classroom
15:33  The Ethical Line: When AI Use Goes Too Far
17:15  Why the People Side of AI Is Harder Than the Technology
21:52  Closing Thoughts

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

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Send us your admissions questions!

Business schools ask about your activities outside of work but what are they really looking for?

In this episode, host Harold Simansky is joined by MBA Admissions Executive Director Jessica Shklar and MBA Admissions Managing Director Rachel Beck to break down how MBA admissions committees evaluate extracurricular activities. They explain why who you are as a person matters just as much as your professional story, what counts versus what doesn't, and how to find meaningful experiences you might already have, without fabricating anything.

Whether you're a high-hours professional wondering if you have time, someone worried they have nothing, or just want to understand what MBA programs really want to see, this episode will change how you think about your application.

0:00 Why Business Schools Care About Your Activities Outside Work 

2:13 How Are You Connected to Your Communities? 

5:37 Family Responsibilities, High-Hours Professionals, and "Nothing to Share"

7:32 Turning Small Moments Into Big Essays 

12:20 What Makes Activity Descriptions Credible to Admissions 

16:33 Non-Traditional Activities and Why Authenticity Wins 

25:13 Business Schools Want to Know Who You Are as a Person

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

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Send us your admissions questions!

Getting rejected from business school can feel discouraging but it’s often a signal, not a setback.

In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Nisha Trivedi and MBA Admissions Managing Director Harshad Mali to break down the most common reasons applicants get rejected and what they can do differently next time.  

From unclear career goals and weak school fit to generic essays and ineffective recommendations, the team shares insights from real “ding reviews” and explains where strong candidates often fall short. They also discuss how to strengthen your profile, whether and when to reapply, and why rejection is not the end of your MBA journey.

If you’ve recently been rejected, or want to avoid common mistakes, this episode offers practical, actionable guidance to help you move forward with confidence.

00:00 Why MBA Applicants Get Rejected

01:54 Common MBA Application Mistakes (Goals, Essays, Fit)

05:18 The Role of Recommendations and Test Scores

08:42 Demonstrating School Fit and Doing Your Homework

11:21 Reapplying: When and How to Improve Your Business School Application

14:07 What Makes a Strong Essay and MBA Resume

18:02 Standing Out and Timing Your Business School Application

22:02 Final Thoughts: Turning Business School Rejection into Opportunity

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

Contact Us:
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Send us your admissions questions!

Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business sit at the very top of the MBA world—but the experience at each school can be dramatically different.

In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald welcome MBA Admissions Executive Director Katy Lewis, a Harvard JD-MBA and former Stanford GSB admissions evaluator, to compare these two powerhouse programs.

The conversation explores how Harvard and Stanford evaluate candidates, what kinds of applicants succeed in the admissions process, and how the programs differ in culture, curriculum, and career outcomes.

Whether you’re deciding where to apply or simply curious about how these schools differ, this episode offers practical guidance for anyone considering an elite MBA program.

00:00 Introducing the HBS vs Stanford GSB Debate

02:35 What HBS and Stanford GSB Look for in Applicants

10:57 Harvard’s Case Method vs Stanford’s Teaching Style

17:56 Culture, Location, and Career Paths

28:32 Why Admissions Can Feel Like a Lottery

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

Contact Us:
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Follow Us:
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Send us your admissions questions!

What should you do if your first MBA application cycle did not go as planned?

In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald and MBA Admissions Managing Director Debbie Choy for an in-depth conversation about the MBA reapplication process.

Together, they discuss what it really means to be a reapplicant, why reapplying is not a “scarlet letter,” and how applicants can use a previous rejection as an opportunity to build a stronger, more authentic candidacy. The conversation explores how schools evaluate reapplicants, whether admissions committees revisit past applications, and what kinds of changes matter most the second time around.

Harold, Debbie, and Jeremy also share practical advice on refining career goals, adding new data points, addressing weaknesses such as test scores or school selection, and avoiding the common mistake of simply reusing last year’s materials. Along the way, they offer real reapplicant success stories that show how thoughtful reflection, stronger positioning, and clearer storytelling can lead to admits at top MBA programs.

Whether you are preparing to reapply this year or considering a longer-term strategy, this episode offers a realistic and encouraging roadmap for approaching the process with greater confidence.

Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form.

Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your customized learning path.
 
‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️

Contact Us:
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