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Episode 501: Why Your Career Plan Should Shape Your MBA Journey

Published: July 14, 2026 by Lauren Wakal
Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast
Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast
Episode 501: Why Your Career Plan Should Shape Your MBA Journey
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Lauren Wakal
Lauren Wakal has been covering the MBA admissions space for more than a decade, from in-depth business school profiles to weekly breaking news and more.
Read more from Lauren Wakal

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MBA Livewire

July 13, 2026 8:25pm ET
Accepted from Waitlist to UCLA Anderson
Round: Round 3
Received via portal on July 08, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.74
GMAT: 615
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Healthcare
Application Location: Bay Area, California
Note:

Received a call from admissions last Thursday (7/9), official letter posted to portal today. Offered admission (no scholarship) after submitting a test score update (327 GRE) and quantitative readiness course completion.
Juno Member: Not yet
July 12, 2026 5:31pm ET
Accepted to Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on July 07, 2026
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
EA: 163
Program Type: January Intake
Post MBA Career: Management Consulting
Application Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Note:

Applied June 7, invited to interview June 29, interview and acceptance on July 8
Juno Member: Not yet
July 12, 2026 6:54am ET
Rejected from Waitlist at MIT Sloan
Round: Round 2
Received via portal on June 29, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 675
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Technology
Note:

Waitlisted twice in February then April. No interviews. Submitted several self-updates and letter from alumni. The waitlist Q&A session said offers to international candidates will be decided by early July and it did. Guess there is a super huge waitlist pool. I'd say if waitlisted without interview, the odds are low. Hope this helps future applicants! Good luck!
Juno Member: Not yet
July 9, 2026 3:09pm ET
Accepted from Waitlist to Penn / Wharton
Round: Round 2
Received via email on July 07, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GRE: 319
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: New York
Juno Member: Not yet
July 8, 2026 4:30pm ET
Accepted to Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email July 8, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.83
GMAT: 700
Program Type: January Intake
Post MBA Career: Finance, Asset Management
Application Location: New York
Note:

June 8 applied
June 26 interview invite
July 2 interview
July 8 acceptance via email about portal update
Juno Member: Not yet
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