In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Debbie Choy discuss school selection for MBA programs. Debbie shares her experience of choosing Stanford and emphasizes the importance of being authentic in the application process. They also discuss factors to consider when selecting schools, such as geography and industry connections. Debbie dispels the myth that Stanford is only for entrepreneurs and suggests other schools with strong entrepreneurial programs. They also provide tips for crafting a strong Stanford essay and offer advice for applicants, including staying organized and staying true to oneself.

Takeaways

• Choosing a business school requires careful consideration of factors such as geography and industry connections.
• Stanford is not just for entrepreneurs; other schools like Wharton and Harvard also have strong entrepreneurial programs.
• Crafting a strong Stanford essay involves self-reflection and peeling back the layers to identify what truly matters most to the applicant.
• Applicants should start the MBA application process early and allocate 8 to 12 hours per week for preparation.
• Staying organized and staying true to oneself are key to navigating the application process successfully.

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In this conversation, Harold Simansky interviews Kate Richardson, a University of Chicago Booth MBA, about her experience at Booth. Kate highlights the reputation of Booth as a quant powerhouse and the flexibility it offers for career changers. She also mentions the focus on entrepreneurship and experiential learning that has grown at Booth over the years. However, she notes that the social activities were more spread out geographically during her time at Booth. Overall, Kate had a positive experience at Booth and encourages listeners to reach out for a free consultation.

Takeaways

• University of Chicago Booth is known for its quantitative and data analysis rigor.
• Booth offers flexibility and opportunities for career changers to explore different courses and network with diverse students.
• The focus on entrepreneurship and experiential learning has grown at Booth.
• Social activities at Booth were more spread out geographically in the past.
• Listeners are encouraged to reach out for a free consultation with Harold or Kate.

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In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Rachel Beck discuss how to assess one's chances of acceptance into business school. They cover topics such as academic credentials, including GPA and university attended, the importance of standardized testing, and the value of leadership potential. They also emphasize the need to demonstrate fit with the school and realistic career goals. They encourage applicants to be realistic about their profile, identify weaknesses, and take steps to address them. They also highlight the importance of differentiating oneself and showcasing unique experiences and perspectives.

Takeaways

• Assess your academic credentials, including GPA, major, and university attended.
• Standardized testing is important and should be taken seriously.
• Demonstrate leadership potential through work experiences and extracurricular activities.
• Consider fit with the school and articulate realistic career goals.
• Identify weaknesses in your profile and take steps to address them.
• Differentiate yourself by showcasing unique experiences and perspectives.

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In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Kim Hoey discuss the importance of recommendations in the MBA application process. They address the question of how to handle constructive criticism in recommendations and emphasize the need for balance and authenticity. Kim shares her background and how she transitioned from investment banking to brand management and eventually to mbaMission. They also discuss the issue of writing your own recommendation and advise against it, highlighting the importance of a third-party perspective. They stress the significance of recommendations in the overall application and provide guidance on selecting the right recommenders. They also touch on the importance of specificity and authenticity in recommendations.

Takeaways

• Constructive criticism in recommendations provides a balanced perspective and allows the admissions committee to see the applicant holistically.
• Writing your own recommendation is not recommended as it lacks objectivity and authenticity.
• Recommendations are a critical part of the MBA application and can validate other parts of the application.
• The recommender should be someone who has worked closely with the applicant in a professional context and can provide specific examples of their skills and strengths.
• Recommendations should be genuine, enthusiastic, and avoid generic language.
• If the current supervisor cannot be a recommender, recent past supervisors or other professionals who have worked closely with the applicant can be considered.
• Recommendations should address the specific questions asked by the schools and provide examples of the applicant's work and growth mindset.
• Specificity and authenticity are key in writing effective recommendations.

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In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Gavriella Semaya discuss how to choose an MBA admissions consultant and the qualities that make a consultant effective. They emphasize the importance of finding a consultant who works well with you and pushes you to elevate your application. They also address common questions about whether a consultant needs admissions experience or needs to have attended the schools you're targeting. They highlight the value of consultants who have strong writing and MBA backgrounds. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the level of commitment and effort required when working with a consultant.

Takeaways

• Choose an MBA admissions consultant who works well with you and pushes you to elevate your application.
• Admissions experience is not necessary for a consultant, but strong writing and MBA backgrounds are valuable.
• A consultant does not need to have attended the schools you're targeting; they need to understand you more than the school.
• Working with a consultant requires commitment and effort, with an average of five hours per week and a marathon-like mindset.

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In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Gavriella Semaya discuss Cornell Tech, a school that focuses on technology and entrepreneurship. They talk about the facilities and resources available at Cornell Tech, as well as the unique experiences and opportunities it offers to students. Gavriela shares her personal experience at Cornell Tech and how it helped her gain skills in the digital economy and product management. They also discuss the types of candidates who would be a good fit for Cornell Tech.

Takeaways

• Cornell Tech is a school that is purely geared towards technology and entrepreneurship.
• The campus at Cornell Tech is cutting-edge and offers state-of-the-art facilities.
• Students at Cornell Tech have the opportunity to work on real-world projects and gain hands-on experience.
• Cornell Tech is a great option for anyone interested in technology and the digital economy.
• The school is known for its strong focus on product management and prepares students for roles in companies like Amazon and Google.

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In this conversation, Harold Simansky and Gavriella Semaya discuss the topic of school selection for MBA programs. They emphasize the importance of considering both professional goals and cultural fit when choosing a school. They also highlight the value of talking to current students and recent alumni to get a better understanding of the school's environment. The conversation mentions several underrated schools, including University of Washington Foster, UCLA, Cornell, and Haas. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the factors to consider when selecting an MBA program.

Takeaways

• Consider whether a school will help you achieve your professional goals and has a strong track record in your desired field.
• Evaluate the cultural fit of a school and determine if you will thrive in its environment.
• Talk to current students and recent alumni to gain insights into the school's culture and opportunities.
• Explore underrated schools that may offer unique programs and opportunities.

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In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Gavriella Semaya discuss the importance of the short answer section in MBA applications. They emphasize that the short answers are not just a repetition of the information in the resume, but an opportunity to showcase the impact and significance of the applicant's experiences. They also discuss how to approach short-term and long-term career goals in the limited space provided. Overall, the conversation highlights the need to make the short answers interesting and compelling to capture the attention of the admissions committee.

Takeaways

• The short answer section of MBA applications is surprisingly important and should not be left to the last minute.
• Short answers should focus on the impact and significance of the applicant's experiences, rather than simply repeating information from the resume.
• When describing job responsibilities, highlight the how and the impact, rather than just the what.
• For early-career professionals, focus on the influence and contributions made within a project or team, even if the direct impact is not clear.
• Avoid exaggerating or overemphasizing the significance of certain experiences, as admissions committees can see through it.
• Short answers should be coherent with the rest of the application and should make the applicant interesting and compelling to the admissions committee.

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In this conversation, Harold Simansky, Jessica Shklar, and Devi Vallabhaneni discuss their experiences at Harvard Business School and delve into the changes in the Harvard Business School application process, particularly the new essay questions. They provide insights into how to approach the essays and highlight the importance of showcasing leadership and personal growth. They emphasize the need to connect different aspects of one's story and demonstrate good judgment in decision-making. Overall, the conversation offers valuable advice for prospective applicants to Harvard Business School. The conversation explores the themes of growth mindset, learning from mistakes, and the importance of showcasing personal growth in the HBS application. It emphasizes the need to demonstrate a willingness to learn and evolve, rather than focusing on static perfection. It suggests that HBS is looking for individuals who have a track record of taking initiative and making an impact. The conversation concludes with practical tips on brainstorming and planning the essays, as well as the significance of a strong resume.

Takeaways

• The Harvard Business School application process has undergone changes, including the introduction of new essay questions.
• The new essay questions focus on business-mindedness, leadership, and growth orientation, and require applicants to demonstrate their mindset rather than just skills and activities.
• Applicants should carefully consider the criteria provided by HBS and ensure that their essays, resume, and recommendations align with these criteria.
• Leadership is a key aspect that HBS looks for in applicants, and it can be demonstrated through various experiences, such as managing teams, taking initiative, and showing good judgment in decision-making.
• Applicants should connect different aspects of their story and highlight personal growth and the impact they plan to have on businesses, organizations, and communities.
• The HBS application should be viewed as a portfolio, with the essays complementing other components such as the resume and recommendations.
• Prospective applicants should take the time to understand HBS and why they want to attend, as this knowledge can be valuable in the interview and post-interview reflection. Demonstrate a growth mindset and a willingness to learn and evolve in the HBS application.
• Focus on personal growth and learning from mistakes rather than presenting static perfection.
• Max out your life and create opportunities for yourself to stand out in the application process.
• Showcase your initiative, problem-solving skills, and impact in your essays.
• Brainstorm and plan your essays carefully, ensuring that each essay presents a unique aspect of your profile.
• Pay attention to your resume, as it may be the only document some interviewers see.

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Summary

In this conversation, Harold Simansky interviews Nisha Trivedi, a certified business etiquette trainer and mbaMission MBA admissions consultant, about the importance of business etiquette in the MBA admissions process and in the professional world. Nisha shares her expertise on making a positive first impression, dressing appropriately for business school visits, and how to approach conversations with current students and alumni. She also emphasizes the principles of consideration, respect, and honesty in all interactions and the importance of clear and honest communication in solving business problems.

Takeaways

• Making a positive first impression is crucial in the MBA admissions process.
• Dressing appropriately, such as in business casual attire, is important for business school visits.
• When reaching out to current students or alumni, be gracious, specific in your request, and thank them for their time.
• During conversations, ask questions that go beyond what can easily be found on the school's website and share the floor with others.
• In interviews, be concise, direct in answering questions, and follow up with a thank-you note within 48 hours.
• Consideration, respect, and honesty are key principles in business etiquette.
• Clear and honest communication is essential in solving business problems and maintaining strong relationships.

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