The mbaMission Podcast
The mbaMission Podcast offers weekly discussions on various MBA application components, providing expert guidance on business school admissions. Each episode covers topics such as essays, interviews, and school selection, helping applicants navigate the admissions process.
Episodes
How to Connect with MBA Students and Alumni to Strengthen Your Application | Ep 124
Send us your admissions questions!How do you extend your research on a business school beyond its website? By having authentic conversations with the people who know it best.In Episode 124 of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Founder Jeremy Shinewald break down how applicants should connect with their target schools and with those schools’ students and alumni
Why an Entrepreneur Chose an Online MBA Program | Ep 123
Send us your admissions questions!Why would an experienced entrepreneur and product leader decide to attend business school—and choose an online MBA program?In Episode 123 of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Founder Jeremy Shinewald speak with Jim Caruso, chief innovation officer at Elevate and a graduate of the Michigan Ross Online MBA program. Jim explains
MIT Sloan Fellows MBA: A One-Year Career Accelerator | Ep 122
Send us your admissions questions!Which MBA candidates should choose the MIT Sloan Fellows MBA over a traditional two-year MBA or executive MBA program?In Episode 122 of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky speaks with Ricardo Heredia, a biotech scientist, life sciences investor, and recent MIT Sloan Fellows MBA graduate. Ricardo explains how the immersive, 12-month
Inside Cornell Tech’s One-Year MBA: Innovation, Careers, and Impact | Ep 121
Send us your admissions questions!The Johnson Cornell Tech MBA offers an accelerated path for professionals who know they want to work where business and technology intersect.In Episode 121 of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya welcome Corey Laffel Solon, Gavi’s classmate in the inaugural Johnson Cornell Tech MBA cohort and c
What Strengthens an MBA Application? (Your Questions Answered) | Ep 120
Send us your admissions questions!Which admissions test should you take? Can you overcome a lower GPA? How should reapplicants choose their recommenders, and how much clarity do business schools expect applicants to have about their career goals?In Episode 120 of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya explain how candidates from
How Duke Fuqua Helps MBAs Build Lasting Careers | Ep 119
Send us your admissions questions!In this episode, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Founder Jeremy Shinewald speak with Shari Hubert, associate dean of admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, about MBA career outcomes and the school’s approach to long-term professional development. Shari explains that Fuqua’s Career Management Center assists students with increasi
Finding MBA Programs Outside the Top Ten That Fit Your Goals | Ep 118
Send us your admissions questions!The perfect MBA program to get you closer to your goals might be outside the top ten.In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky, mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald, and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya discuss how applicants can build a more appropriate list of target MBA programs by looking beyond the top tiers of the rankings. Their conve
HBS Online Core Business Essentials for MBA Applicants | Ep 117
Send us your admissions questions!Can Harvard Business School (HBS) Online’s Core Business Essentials program help MBA applicants prove they are ready for the classroom?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya speak with Simeen Mohsen, senior managing director of HBS Online, about the program’s origins, structure
Why “Team Fuqua” Is More Than a Motto and How It Turns Culture into Leadership | Ep 116
Send us your admissions questions!What does Team Fuqua mean for Duke MBA students once they arrive on campus?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Founder Jeremy Shinewald continue their conversation with Shari Hubert, associate dean of admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. This time, they move beyond admissions to explore F
AI in MBA Admissions: Your Unique Voice Beats Polished Sameness | Ep 115
Send us your admissions questions!In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya discuss how MBA candidates can use AI responsibly when preparing their applications, without losing their unique voice. They explain that AI detectors are unreliable, offer guidance on responding to schools’ AI disclosure questions, and sh
What Duke Fuqua Looks for in MBA Applicants When Building “Team Fuqua” | Ep 114
Send us your admissions questions!What does Duke Fuqua’s admissions team want candidates to understand before they start working on their application to the school’s MBA program?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky and Founder Jeremy Shinewald speak with Shari Hubert, associate dean of admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, abou
Is an MBA Worth is in 2026 and Beyond? | Ep 113
Send us your admissions questions!Is an MBA still worth the investment in 2026? What about in the years ahead?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Senior Consultant Harold Simansky, Founder Jeremy Shinewald, and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya discuss the MBA’s return on investment, AI, hiring headlines, scholarship opportunities, and the long-term value of business school. The
From Waitlist to Startup CEO: Clyde Anderson’s MIT Sloan Story | Ep 112
Send us your admissions questions!What does starting a company during business school really demand beyond a strong idea?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky and Gatehouse Founder Liza Weale sit down with GrowthFactor CEO and MIT Sloan alumnus Clyde Anderson for a candid conversation about the Sloan experience, entrepreneurship, and school fit. Clyde explains how he move
Beyond the Essay: How Top Consultants Guide Candidates to Strong MBA Applications | Ep 111
Send us your admissions questions!How do MBA admissions consultants help their clients beyond editing their essays?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky sits down with two highly experienced admissions consultants, mbaMission Managing Director Rachel Beck and Gatehouse Admissions Founder Liza Weale, for a candid, inside look at what MBA consulting entails.The conversation
The Future of Work and Reinventing Work | Ep 110
Send us your admissions questions!The old deal with work is broken. Leaders today are looking for a way to get their company’s culture back, but an expert in the consulting space argues that rather than returning to old ways, we should be reinventing work from scratch.In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald and Executive Director Jessica Shklar sit down with
How to Avoid Business School Application Mistakes | Ep 109
Send us your admissions questions!In this episode, listeners learn how to optimize the formatting of their resume, strategically handle issues with their transcript, and make their short-answer responses effective.Host and mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald talks with Executive Director Jessica Shklar and Managing Director Rachel Beck about how admissions committees evaluate applicants’ professio
Understanding the Case Method with HBS Professor Joshua Margolis | Ep 108
Send us your admissions questions!What is the case method, and how does it work at Harvard Business School (HBS)? Plus, what should MBA applicants know before they enroll?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky and mbaMission Executive Director Jessica Shklar sit down with HBS professor Joshua Margolis—a member of the program’s Organizational Behavior Unit and a faculty mem
Real Estate as an MBA Career Path with Frank Cohen | Ep 107
Send us your admissions questions!Is real estate a feasible career path for MBA students? And how can one break into the industry?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky and mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald speak with Frank Cohen, a Boston-based real estate developer, co-founder of Sheridan Road Properties, former senior director at Tishman Speyer, and a Kellogg MBA, abo
Why “Nontraditional” MBA Applicants Don't Exist (And What Does) | Ep 106
Send us your admissions questions!Are any MBA applicants truly “nontraditional” applicants?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky is joined by Jeremy Shinewald, the founder of mbaMission, to examine a common notion in MBA admissions: that of the “nontraditional” applicant. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Jeremy argues that applicants should not focus on whether
The Truth About Informal Business School Endorsements | Ep 105
Send us your admissions questions!What role do informal letters of recommendation play in business school admissions decisions? Host Harold Simansky is joined by Melissa Blakeslee, an experienced MBA admissions consultant and former admissions director, to clarify what these endorsements are and why most programs discourage them. In this episode, Melissa shares firsthand insight into how admission
MBA Networking That Leads to Referrals | Ep 104
Send us your admissions questions!How can MBA applicants and business school students network effectively?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky and Jessica Shklar, mbaMission Executive Director, speak with Jeff Yolen, CEO and founder of Career Connector, about how to network effectively to advance your career. Jeff explains why cold applications so rarely lead to offers,
How to Define Your Post-MBA Career Goals | Ep 103
Send us your admissions questions!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 applic
Reapplying to Business School: MBA Admissions Strategies for Reapplicants | Ep. 102
Send us your admissions questions!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 con
From Rejection to Partner: 32 Years at Boston Consulting Group | Ep. 101
Send us your admissions questions!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 fas
100 Episodes Later – Reflections, Lessons, and What Comes Next
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 M
Product Management as an MBA Career Path | Ep 99
Send us your admissions questions!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 intersect
HBS Professor on AI, Leadership and the Future of the MBA | Ep 98
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 He
What Business Schools Really Want: The Truth About Extracurriculars | Ep 97
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
EP 96 | MBA Rejections Explained: Why You Got Dinged and How to Improve Your Business SchoolApplication
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 differentl
Ep 95 | Harvard Business School vs Stanford GSB
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
Ep 94 | MBA Reapplication Strategy: What Successful Reapplicants Do Differently
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 reapplican
Ep 93 | What Makes a Great MBA Admissions Consultant? Experience, Strategy, and Expertise
Send us your admissions questions!How do you choose the right MBA admissions consultant, and what separates experienced advisors from newcomers to the industry?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission founder Jeremy Shinewald and Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Nisha Trivedi to discuss what truly defines expertise in MBA admissions consulting.They ex
Ep 92 | Finance Applicants Beyond Private Equity: How to Stand Out in MBA Admissions
Send us your admissions questions!Private equity often dominates the MBA admissions conversation — but finance is far broader than PE alone.In this episode, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald and Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Julie-Anne Heafey to explore how finance applicants from investment banking, venture capital, equity research, and investment management
Ep 91 | West Coast MBA Programs You Are Probably Not Considering (But Should)
Send us your admissions questions!West Coast MBA programs offer more than just proximity to tech. In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by MBA Admissions Managing Director Debbie Choy to explore the distinctive culture, career pathways, and hidden gems across leading West Coast business schools.From innovation-driven classrooms and entrepreneurial ecosystems to
Ep 90 | Navigating DEI in MBA Admissions: Advice for Today’s Applicants
Send us your admissions questions!DEI may be under scrutiny, but diversity hasn’t disappeared from MBA admissions — it’s evolving.In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky speaks with Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Nisha Trivedi and MBA Admissions Managing Director Harshad Mali about how diversity, equity, and inclusion are being reinterpreted in business school admissions
Ep 89 | Stanford GSB Interview Breakdown
Send us your admissions questions!What makes the Stanford GSB interview so different from every other MBA interview?In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky sits down with Senior Admissions Consultants Christine Patel and Julie-Anne Heafey to unpack Stanford’s structured behavioral interview. They discuss how GSB evaluates candidates, why authenticity matters so much, and how app
Ep 88 | Exploring the EMBA
Send us your admissions questions!In this week’s episode of the @mbaMission podcast, the team takes a deep dive into Executive MBA (EMBA) programs and how they compare to part-time, full-time, and mid-career MBA options. Jeremy Shinewald and Harold Simansky are joined by Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Julie-Anne Heafey to unpack who EMBAs are designed for, what makes their admissions process uni
Ep 87 | The US MBA Visa Maze
Send us your admissions questions!The U.S. MBA visa process can feel overwhelming for international applicants—but it’s far more navigable than many assume. In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harshad Mali, Harold Simansky, and Jeremy Shinewald break down the full U.S. MBA visa journey, from F-1 student visas and STEM-designated OPT to the H-1B lottery and longer-term pathways. They discuss
Ep 86 | When is the right time to apply to business school?
Send us your admissions questions!Timing your MBA application can be just as important as your credentials. Applying too early—or too late—can affect everything from your testing strategy to your chances in a competitive applicant pool. In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, hosts Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by mbaMission Senior Consultant Nisha Trivedi to unpack when the
Ep 85 | Why Mid-career Pros Choose These Business Schools
Send us your admissions questions!Mid-career MBA programs offer a very different experience from traditional two-year MBAs—and for the right candidates, they can be transformational. In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, hosts Jeremy Shinewald and Harold Simansky explore accelerated, one-year programs designed for experienced professionals, including Stanford MSx, MIT Sloan Fellows, London Bu
Ep 84 | Insights From a Former Stanford GSB Admissions Committee Member
Send us your admissions questions!The Stanford GSB is the most selective business school in the country, admitting only 6-8% of applicants each year. So how can you stand out in an incredibly competitive pool? In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Jeremy Shinewald is joined by Katy Lewis, mbaMission Executive Director and former MBA admissions reader at the Stanford GSB. Katy shar
Ep 83 | Nontraditional vs. Overrepresented MBA Applicants
Send us your admissions questions!What does it mean to be a nontraditional MBA applicant? What about an overrepresented applicant? Understanding these distinctions can make a big difference in how you approach your business school applications. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simanksy is joined by Senior Consultant Nisha Trivedi and Managing Director Harshad Mali. Har
Ep 82 | The Best MBA Programs for Healthcare
Send us your admissions questions!Healthcare is a dynamic and fast-changing industry. More and more MBA students hope to improve lives by driving innovation and strategy in the healthcare space, whether in biotech, pharma, hospital administration, or digital health. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simanksy and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by mbaMission Senior Consultan
Ep 81 | Stanford GSB Application Essays: What the AdCom is Looking For
Send us your admissions questions!The Stanford GSB application is notoriously challenging, and includes a variety of essay and short answer prompts including the famous: "What matters most to you, and why?" In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simanksy and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by Christine Patel, an mbaMission Senior Consultant and graduate of the Stanford
Ep 80 | The Impact of AI on Business School and MBA Careers
Send us your admissions questions!Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we think, work, and lead. If you're thinking about earning your MBA, AI is likely on your mind. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simanksy is joined by mbaMission Managing Director Harshad Mali and Executive Director Katy Lewis. Harold, Harshad, and Katy discuss the impacts of AI on the econ
Ep 79 | How to Land Your Dream MBA Internship
Send us your admissions questions!For many business school students, securing a summer internship between the first and second years of their MBA program is a top priority. These MBA internships are competitive, and the recruitment process starts earlier than you might think. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jessica Shklar welcome back Aman Singh. Aman is
Ep 78 | The State of MBA Admissions in 2025
Send us your admissions questions!2025 has been a unique (and at times unpredictable) year when it comes to business school admissions. Questions around the economy, tariffs, AI, international student visas, and more have left many aspiring MBAs wondering: is this the right year to apply to business school? In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald
Ep 77 | MBA Application Essays: The Dos and Don'ts of Final Revisions
Send us your admissions questions!As MBA application deadlines approach, many applicants feel the pressure to make their application essays "perfect." But how should you actually go about revising and polishing your essays? How much rewriting is TOO much, and how does a final read-through differ from a standard round of revisions? In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Ha
Ep 76 | Career Pivots and the Foundations of Effective Leadership
Send us your admissions questions!In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, we welcome back Liz Ramos, former head of human capital at Bain & Company. Today Liz is sharing her professional journey from management consulting to the field of HR/human capital. She talks about career pivot points, the critical role of people management in successful firms, and universal leadership tra
Ep 75 | How to Secure Standout MBA Recommendation Letters
Send us your admissions questions!Letters of recommendation are a critical -- and often overlooked -- part of the MBA application process. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Managing Director Rachel Beck and Executive Director Jessica Shklar. Harold, Rachel, and Jessica discuss the role recommendations play in business school admissions,
EP 74 | Financing Your MBA: Merit Scholarships and Financial Aid
Send us your admissions questions!Getting into business school is challenging, but PAYING for business school can be just as stressful for many MBA hopefuls. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald sit down with mbaMission Managing Director Rachel Beck to discuss all things related to financing your MBA. They talk about MBA merit scholarships, fi
Ep 73 | What Makes the UVA Darden MBA Program Stand Out?
Send us your admissions questions!The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia is known for it's top-ranked faculty,dedication to the case method, and stunning facilities. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald welcome back Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at UVA Darden. Dawna shares the qualities and feature
EP 72 | Attending B-School in the U.S. as an International Student
Send us your admissions questions!In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jessica Shklar welcome back Aman Singh, a former mbaMission client and current student at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Today Aman is sharing his an experience as an international student attending business school in the United States. He discusses the ways in which he connected with
EP 71 | How (and When) to Prepare for MBA Recruitment
Send us your admissions questions!In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald welcome Liz Ramos. Liz has spent decades recruiting and hiring MBA students at firms such Bain & Company, Fidelity Private Equity, and Cambridge Associates. Today Liz shares her unique perspective on how top firms recruit and develop talent. She discusses how the MBA re
Ep 70 | Assistant Dean Breaks Down UVA Darden Admissions
Send us your admissions questions!The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia offers one of the most rigorous and transformational MBA programs in the country. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald sit down with Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at UVA Darden. Dawna discusses the kind of applicant the Darden admi
Ep 69 | Journey to Business School: How Aman Got Into MIT Sloan
Send us your admissions questions!This week on the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jessica Shklar welcome Aman Singh, former mbaMission client and current student at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Aman shares his journey to business school and the ways in which Jessica helped him to craft a powerful MBA application. He discusses his background in data science, engineering, and product
Ep 68 | Avoid These Last-Minute MBA Application Traps
Send us your admissions questions!When working on business school applications, MBA applicants tend to focus on their essays, resumes, and recommendations. But inside the applications are a myriad of additional questions that require equal attention. This week on the mbaMission podcast Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Managing Director Rachel Beck and Executive Director Jessica Shklar. Haro
Ep 67 | Tips for Nailing Your MBA Interviews
Send us your admissions questions!Round 1 business school application deadlines are here, which means interview season is just around the corner. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast we're discussing all things interviews, and sharing our top tips for succeeding on interview day. This week Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by mbaMission Senior Consultant Susan M
Ep 66 | Pitfalls of Bad MBA Interviews (and Hallmarks of Great Ones)
Send us your admissions questions!In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast we're discussing common MBA interview pitfalls. Where do MBA interviews tend to go wrong, and why? And -- just as importantly -- what are the hallmarks of great business school interviews? This week Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by mbaMission Executive Director Devi Vallabhaneni. Devi is
EP 65 | Insider Tips From an HBS Interviewer
Send us your admissions questions!In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremey Shinewald welcome back mbaMission Executive Director Devi Vallabhaneni. Devi is an alum of Harvard Business School and spent years interviewing HBS applicants as a member of the admissions board. As mbaMission's Interviewer in Residence, she conducts hundreds of interview simul
Ep 64 | Our Clients' Toughest MBA Interview Stories ***UPDATED***
Send us your admissions questions!In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremey Shinewald are joined by Devi Vallabhaneni, HBS alum and mbaMission's Interviewer in Residence. Harold, Jeremy, and Devi discuss some of the most challenging interview experiences they and their clients have had. They talk about the human element of interviews, how to tackle some of
Ep 63 | Does an Entrepreneur Need an MBA?
Send us your admissions questions!In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, we're tackling a question that we're hearing more and more often these days: can business school really prepare you to be an entrepreneur? Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald discuss their own post-MBA experiences as entrepreneurs, and whether the skills they developed in business school are necessary f
Ep 62 | How to Get a Job in Private Equity, Venture Capital, or a Hedge Fund
Send us your admissions questions!As the private equity industry continues to expand, the number of PE associates applying to business school -- and the number of MBA students interested in entering PE post-graduation -- is on the rise. In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald explore the worlds of private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. The
Ep 61 | MBA 101: All You Need to Know About Business School
Send us your admissions questions!In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, we're breaking down MBA basics: What exactly do you learn in business school? How is the curriculum structured? And how can an MBA accelerate your career? Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald discuss what business school is all about, and then then walk through each piece of the application process, from prog
Ep 60 | How I Decided Between MBA Programs
Send us your admissions questions!After navigating the rigorous MBA application process, receiving an acceptance from one of your target business school can be a huge relief. But what if you find yourself with offers from more than one of your target schools? Today we welcome back Austin Sandoval to the mbaMission podcast. Austin was accepted to multiple top-15 business schools and offered generou
Ep 59 | The Best MBA Programs Outside of the M7
Send us your admissions questions!Most MBA applicants are familiar with the M7 -- or "Magnificent Seven" -- a group of seven highly selective business schools that are consistently ranked among the best in the United States. In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, we're posing the question: If the M7 became the M8, which MBA program would be added to this prestigious list
Ep 58 | From Low Test Score to Dream MBA Program
Send us your admissions questions!What does it take to gain admission to your target MBA program? What if you have a below-average GMAT or GRE score... can you still earn a spot at a top business school? MBA applicant Austin Sandoval did just that. In the latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Austin talks with Harold Simanksy and Jeremy Shinewald about his MBA application journey, and how he u
Ep 57 | The Realities of Being an International MBA Applicant in 2025
Send us your admissions questions!With the constantly evolving sociopolitical news about immigration, Visa policies, and international enrollment restrictions at top American universities, international MBA applicants understandably have a lot of questions about applying to U.S. business schools in 2025. In the latest episode of the mbaMission podcast we invited John Byrne, founder and editor-in-
Ep 56 | How the Yale SOM Prepares Grads for Post-MBA Careers
Send us your admissions questions!The Yale School of Management prepares MBA graduates for a broad range of careers. In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast we welcome back Laurel Grodman and Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Deans of Admissions at the Yale SOM. Laurel and Bruce discuss the ways in which the SOM prepares students for diverse post-MBA careers, and why firms value having SOM gradua
Ep 55 | Strategies for Nailing the HBS Application Essays
Send us your admissions questions!Last year Harvard Business School changed it's MBA application essays for the first time in nearly a decade. The changes were significant, and caused anxiety for many business school hopefuls. After working with applicants on the new HBS essays for the last year, we're sharing what we've learned. In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Haro
Ep 54 | How to Nail Your Post-MBA Career Goals
Send us your admissions questions!Most business schools will ask you to discuss your career goals in your MBA application. Why do MBA programs ask about your goals when they know that your plans may change while you're in business school? And how do they evaluate your goals? In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky, Susan McInerny, and Jeremy Shinewald discuss what mak
Ep 53 | Underdog MBA Applicants Accepted at Top Programs
Send us your admissions questions!The MBA admissions process is, in many ways, subjective. Broadly speaking the top MBA programs want to see a high GMAT or GRE score, a strong undergraduate GPA, and solid work experience. But, there is no magic formula for getting admitted. In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald discuss the clients who have surprised
EP 52 | How Can Consultants Stand Out in the MBA Application Process?
Send us your admissions questions!If you look at the class profiles of the top business schools, you will find that more admits come from consulting than from any other field. MBA programs love management consultants, but coming from an overrepresented field means that the competition is fierce. How can consulting applicants stand out in a crowded applicant pool? In our latest episode of the mbaMi
EP 51 | What Makes The Yale SOM Stand Out Among Top MBA Programs?
Send us your admissions questions!The Yale School of Management's mission is to educate leaders for business and society. How does this mission inform the program's approach to academics and community, and how else does the SOM differentiate itself from other top MBA programs? In the latest episode of the mbaMission podcast we welcome back Bruce DelMonico and Laurel Grodman, Assistant De
Ep 50 | Inside HBS: Community, Culture, and the Social Scene
Send us your admissions questions!Harvard Business School is known for its top tier faculty and its pioneering use of the case method. But what about outside of the classroom? What are the clubs, events, and section experiences that make HBS special? Today we welcome HBS Student Association President, Hayden Tanabe, back to the mbaMission podcast to talk about the the HBS community and culture, fr
Ep 49 | Top Tips From MBA Admissions Insiders
Send us your admissions questions!The team at mbaMission has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the business schools of their dreams over the last twenty years. In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Susan McInerny discuss the most important things applicants need to know as they begin -- or plan ahead for -- the MBA application
Ep 48 | How to Choose an MBA Admissions Consultant
Send us your admissions questions!If you are applying to business school -- and especially if you are applying to the most competitive MBA programs -- having an admissions expert in your corner can significantly improve your chances of admission success. At mbaMission, we help our clients unlock their most powerful stories and present their strongest possible profiles to the admissions committees.
Ep 47 | Private Equity MBA Applicants: What Are Your Chances at Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton?
Send us your admissions questions!Many individuals working in private equity have their sights set on Harvard Business School, the Stanford GSB, and Wharton for their MBA education. Business schools love PE applicants -- but does that mean you are guaranteed a spot in one of these elite MBA programs if you work in PE? Does coming from private equity give you an advantage in the application process
Ep 46 | From 11 MBA Acceptances to HBS Student Body President
Send us your admissions questions!Former mbaMission client Hayden Tanabe was admitted to a whopping eleven MBA programs, including Harvard Business School, the Stanford GSB, Dartmouth Tuck, Northwestern Kellogg, and more. He ultimately chose to attend Harvard Business School and is currently serving as the HBS student body president. In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Hayden talks wi
Ep 45 | What is the Yale SOM Admissions Team Looking For?
Send us your admissions questions!The Yale School of Management has a distinct mission: to educate leaders for both business and society. While the school has a strong social orientation, it is also a strong general management program, consistently ranked as one of the top 15 U.S. business schools. In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Jeremy Shinewald is joined by Bruce DelMonico and Laurel
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