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Published: July 27, 2021
Admissions Director Q&A: Chad Losee of Harvard Business School
Are you applying to Harvard Business School (HBS) this year? Then you won’t want to miss this latest installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series as we welcome Chad Losee, the Managing Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at HBS. His team is responsible for recruiting, evaluating, and yielding a class of about 930 HBS students each year. In addition, Losee’s team oversees a need-based financial aid program that deploys more than $40 million in scholarships for HBS students. Chad Losee, Managing Director, MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at HBS Losee earned Read more
Published: July 25, 2021
Episode 175: Wire Taps—Low GMATs, Fuzzy Goals, Visa Issues
An MBA can enhance your career progress or help you get a running start on a new path—and that’s exactly what this week’s featured applicants want. In this podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham and Alex advise three MBA hopefuls looking to achieve career growth or make a career change. One MBA hopeful is looking to pursue consulting after a career in the military. Another applicant wants to reach higher in finance or possibly consulting. And finally, a candidate with extensive international experience wants to excel on the GMAT as well as in investment banking. Preview the profiles that Alex Read more
Published: July 22, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: NYU Stern Leadership Accelerator’s First Live Case
During NYU Stern’s Leadership Accelerator first live case, teams of first-year MBAs spent seven full hours acting out a real-life leadership experience. The brainchild of Stern MBA and veteran Natalie Ashbridge and the Leadership Accelerator team, the live case launched with help from more than 40 actors, including Stern alumni and administrators and more from NYU. Learn more about the first case here and read on below for Natalie’s experience in helping to design and implement this Stern first. NYU Stern Leadership Accelerator’s First Live Case By Natalie Ashbridge, Stern MBA ’21 In the Marine Corps, messing up Read more
Published: July 20, 2021
Admissions Director Q&A: Blair Mannix of The Wharton School
Blair Mannix, Director of Admissions at the Wharton School We are rolling along with our Admissions Director Q&A series and are thrilled to welcome Blair Mannix, Director of Admissions for The Wharton School. Blair has a rich history in higher education, working at Penn since 2008 and specifically in admissions at Wharton for nearly a decade. She has an undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University and a master’s degree from Penn’s Graduate School of Education, where she studied Early Decision programs at selective universities. In this interview, Blair talks about: The life of an MBA application at Read more
Published: July 18, 2021
Episode 173: Wire Taps—Should I Apply Now or Sit This Year Out?
Career goals and application timing are hallmarks of this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, as Graham and Alex dig into three MBA hopefuls’ quandaries and dish out related admissions advice. One applicant is seeking help regarding whether she should apply for an MBA this year or get her grounding in her new role first. Also, a consultant is looking to change tracks to private equity. Then, someone discovered their passion for problem-solving and needs an MBA to make a career of it. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! The first featured Read more
Published: July 15, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: A Pride@Kellogg Student Leader Leans In
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Northwestern Kellogg MBA student, Maddie Reese, shares her Kellogg experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and her reflections during Pride Month this year. A Pride@Kellogg Student Leader Leans In By Maddie Reese, Kellogg MBA 2Y 2022 Tell us a little about yourself and your journey to Kellogg. Maddie Reese, Kellogg 2Y MBA ’22 Hi everyone! I’m Maddie Reese. I’m a rising second year at Kellogg and am a VP of Engagement for Pride@Kellogg. For the past decade, I’ve been trying to find ways to blend my creative Read more
Published: July 14, 2021
Tuck Alumnus Creates Scholarship to Inspire Students From Japan
Everyone wants to look in the mirror and be proud of who they have become. To do so, people need paths to become the person they want to see. Though there are many different avenues one can take, many people choose the path of an MBA program. MBA programs are a wonderful way to grow your business network, develop advanced skills, and challenge your intellect. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to change paths because you do not have the means or ability to continue forward; and, over the past few years, Japanese students have been declining to Read more
Published: July 13, 2021
Admissions Director Q&A: Emily French Thomas of Columbia Business School
Emily Thomas, Director of Admissions, Columbia Business School We are excited to kick off our annual Admissions Director Q&A series, in which MBA admissions directors shed light on their program’s application process, essays and more. To start the 2021-2022 round of exclusive Q&As, we welcome Columbia Business School’s Director of Admissions Emily French Thomas. Emily has been a proud member of the Columbia Business School community since 2008. She joined Columbia as part of the Academic and Student affairs team in the Executive MBA program, and now leads recruiting for EMBA, MBA and Deferred Enrollment programs on Read more
Published: July 11, 2021
Episode 171: Wire Taps—Is My Undergrad GPA Too Big of a Hurdle?
Graham and Alex are here for another podcast episode of Wire Taps to address all of your b-school admissions concerns. This week, application challenges run the gamut of MBA admissions—from academic history and showing impact at work to deciding which schools to target. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! An MBA applicant with a military background faces the hurdle of a low undergrad GPA: Next, a boutique investment banker has his sights set on the UK post-MBA: Finally, a Tokyo-based real estate development planner seeks Read more
Published: July 6, 2021
Stacy Blackman Consulting Offers a ‘Social Impact Accelerator’ to MBA Candidates
Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC) is a leading MBA admissions advisory firm with a proven track record of acceptances to the world’s top MBA programs. With over twenty years of experience, Stacy Blackman and her team recently noticed the lack of extra support being offered to students who want to pursue a career in social impact.  Therefore, Stacy Blackman Consulting has collaborated with Chandler—a Stanford GSB/HBS dual admit and 20-year serial social entrepreneur—to put together a one-on-one consulting model with a suite of supplemental Read more
Published: July 4, 2021
Episode 170: Wire Taps—Pivoting Industries with the Help of an MBA
An MBA not only helps advance candidates on their current career paths, but also supports wholesale changes in industry and function. In this week’s podcast episode of Wire Taps, Graham and Alex advise three MBA applicants planning on pivoting—from corporate strategy to PE in the restaurant/hospitality domain, from oil & gas/chemical engineering to consumer packaged goods, and from MBB & military (reserves) to tech. Preview the profiles that Alex and Graham discuss this week, then tune in below! An MBA applicant with a passion for the restaurant industry opens the episode: Next, Graham and Alex resolve some Read more
Published: July 1, 2021
Supporting LGBTQ+ Students: Saïd Business School Partners With Reaching Out MBA
Saïd Business School at Oxford University has partnered with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) to develop a fellowship program designed to support LGBTQ+ students and candidates. The goals of the ROMBA fellowship are to help LGBTQ+ students become the leaders of tomorrow, provide a unique global network for LGBTQ+ MBA students, help other people see the world from a LGBTQ+ lens, and empower/build representation of LGBTQ+ people in decision-making places and in society. ROMBA Fellowship Recipients Oxford University is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the 2020–21 ROMBA Read more
Published: July 1, 2021
Fridays From the Frontline: My Journey From Japan to NYU Stern
In this week’s Fridays From the Frontline, recent graduate Kaori Yamaguchi takes a look back on her journey from Japan to NYU Stern and discusses her future goals. My Journey From Japan to NYU Stern By Kaori Yamaguchi, NYU Stern MBA ’21 I just graduated with my MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. I’m proud of my achievement – it was a long and tough journey for me, and I finally came to this point. I’d like to look back at what brought me to Stern, Read more
Published: July 1, 2021
When it Comes to the B Corporation Movement, the Terry College Means Business
When Ally Hellenga began her role as community manager for Creature Comforts Brewing Co. in Athens, Georgia, in January 2020, she had approximately two and a half months of normalcy before the pandemic took hold in the U.S. A University of Georgia alum, Hellenga stewards community impact initiatives, and as the project manager behind the brewery’s B Corporation certification process, is also affectionately known as their “B keeper.” When she walked in the door on her first day, the groundwork for Creature’s journey to B Corp certification was laid by Read more
Published: June 30, 2021
Wharton Joins AltFinance, a $90M Investment in HBCUs
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is investing in the promise of alternative finance to bring diversity to the financial industry. The business school has partnered with Apollo Global Management, Ares Management, and Oaktree Capital Management to launch the $90 million AltFinance: Investing in Black Futures™, an initiative that will fund recruiting, training, and career opportunities at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) over the next ten years. The consortium of finance companies has established a non-profit, ALT Finance Corporation, to administer the program, with $3 million from each company pledged annually. This initiative is the Read more
Published: June 29, 2021
Operation Cura Personalis: Georgetown McDonough Deploys One of its Central Tenets to Support its Students
As a Jesuit institution, cura personalis is part of Georgetown University’s DNA. The Latin phrase translates to “care of the whole person,” which the university takes seriously. Students receive a holistic education through the curriculum, student programming, and community. Care for the whole person–and each unique person–means students walk away with both mind and spirit supported, cultivated, and grown. The Georgetown McDonough School of Business prides itself on its community. While the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on MBAs across the globe, McDonough made preserving and enriching their community a priority.  Read more
Published: June 27, 2021
Episode 169: Wire Taps—Help! I’m Off the Waitlist after Making Deposits at Another School
MBA applicants and candidates had a lot going on last week, based on entries in MBA ApplyWire and MBA DecisionWire. The first person featured in this week’s Wire Taps podcast has already financially committed to one program—only to be taken off the waitlist at another, higher ranking program!  Should they turn their summer plans upside down?  Another MBA hopeful with an impressive profile struggles to turn practice GMAT scores into the one that counts. And finally, b-schools will likely line up to recruit the third profiled applicant—an immigrant turned U.S. Marine with international & management experience. Preview the Read more
Published: June 24, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition—More than Competing
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Emory Goizueta MBA student, AJ Hobbs, sheds light on her meaningful first case competition. John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition: More than Competing By AJ Hobbs, Goizueta 1Y MBA ’21 This past winter, I teamed up with four Goizueta Business School classmates for the John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition (JLCC). If this is your first introduction to JLCC, its purpose is to bring corporations and students interested in business together to create innovative and actionable racial justice initiatives. Please, read more Read more
Published: June 21, 2021
Real Humans of General Mills: Steve Cheng, Cornell Johnson ‘18, Associate Brand Manager
For many MBA students, participating in an internship can be an eye-opening experience that can help pinpoint likes and dislikes, develop professional aptitude, increase marketability, and more. Beyond internships, the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University takes this one step further with its unique immersion program for performance learning. This learning model includes an intense, hands-on semester of integrated course and fieldwork in a specific industry or career interest, giving students applied knowledge in a chosen field, premier networking opportunities, and even preferred Read more
Published: June 21, 2021
New DeFi Toolkit: Wharton Professor & World Economic Forum Collaboration
At the peak in May, over $80 billion in digital assets were locked into Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, applications (i.e., MyEtherWallet and BurnerWallet) generally as liquidity or collateral supporting various services. Due to this new phenomenon, DeFi became a major development in global finance. However, many policy makers and other individuals struggled to understand the details of this new development. Therefore, The World Economic Forum decided to partner with Professor Kevin Werbach from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania to create the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Policy-Maker Toolkit.  Read more
Published: June 20, 2021
Episode 168: Wire Taps—Big Dreams, Re-applying & Changing Industries
It’s time for another podcast episode of Wire Taps, as Graham and Alex dig into candidates’ profiles shared in MBA ApplyWire. This week’s edition delves into a number of key questions: What should applicants with somewhat informal outside activities do to best position those activities in their applications? How can reapplicants be sure to put their best foot forward – even if their recommenders aren’t ‘all-in’ for another go round? Alex and Graham try to provide answers to these questions and more, while analyzing candidates from California, Indonesia, Singapore and beyond. Get a closer look at the applicants featured Read more
Published: June 17, 2021
Fridays from the Frontline: The Value of the HBS Case Method – Lessons from an SVMP Participant
In this week’s Fridays from the Frontline, Harvard Business School 2+2 candidate, Austin Moore, shares his experience with the HBS case method and Summer Venture in Management Program. The Value of the HBS Case Method – Lessons from an SVMP Participant By Austin Moore, 2+2 HBS MBA Candidate Growing up as a Black male from South Los Angeles, I was raised in a vibrant community surrounded by a diverse group of individuals who gave me guidance and taught me core values –such as curiosity, community, and persistence. My childhood experiences and the values that Read more
Published: June 16, 2021
HBS Announces Need-based Application Fee Waiver
MBA applicants to the Class of 2024 at Harvard Business School can request a need-based waiver of the $250 application fee. HBS first piloted this option in the 2020-2021 admissions season and were pleased with the support. As a result, HBS plans to keep it as a part of ongoing efforts to help remove barriers to applying and improve accessibility to graduate education from different walks of life. Chad Losee, Managing Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, told Clear Admit, “If you think of access to education in the U.S. for instance, we know Read more
Published: June 15, 2021
Stanford MBA Students Use Social Innovation to Drive Change
Stanford’s Graduate School of Business offers many opportunities to MBA students, one of them being the Social Innovation Fellowship (SIF). This fellowship is designed to support emerging entrepreneurs who want to start a high-impact business that addresses a pressing social or environmental need. As the selected fellows test and implement their venture ideas, the fellowship will provide funding, advising, and mentoring to help the fellows reach their business goals.  Stanford GSB is proud to announce the 2021 recipients of the Social Innovation Fellowship: Abdulhamid Haidar, Ted McKlveen, and Shawon Jackson. Read more
Published: June 15, 2021
Real Humans of Nike: Katie Ross, Kellogg ‘20, Corporate Strategy Manager
Nike is the world’s largest supplier and manufacturer of athletic shoes, apparel and other sports equipment. This American multinational company, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, is driven by its vision statement to “bring inspiration to every athlete in the world and to make sport a daily habit.” For Katie Ross, an avid runner and adventurer, this message resonates deeply. Leveraging her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Katie Ross gets to make an impact every day as a corporate strategy manager for this champion brand builder.  After deciding to get an MBA Read more

MBA Applywire

5
June 30, 2026 11:10am ET
Applying: Columbia Business School, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, NYU Stern, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Defense Industry as a Engineer
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Undecided
GMAT: 675
GPA: 3.44
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: New Jersey
Post MBA Location: NYC
Notes:

Chemical Engineering Bachelors and Masters (3.44 and 3.88 respectively)

Currently mentoring entry level engineers as well.

Worried about transition from a more engineering field to consulting and how the masters impacts admission odds
21
June 29, 2026 11:59am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cambridge / Judge, Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, ESADE, Harvard Business School, HEC Paris, IESE, INSEAD, London Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Quant/ Software Engineer at top Investment Bank
Post MBA Career: Blackstone, Jefferies Group, Goldman Sachs, Management Consulting, Technology, Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Facebook/Meta, Google, Microsoft, Uber, Private Equity, Nomura, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Barclays, Investment Banking, Finance, McKinsey, Kearney, BCG, Bain, Consulting
GRE: 322
GPA: 7.45
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: India
Post MBA Location: US, UK, Middle-East
Notes:

Background:
24F, Indian
GPA - 7.5 from a Tier 1 Indian college

Participated in CBSE Swimming nationals, and won medals in relay

Took part in badminton clusters

Was part of the prefectorial body in which we welcomed delegates from all around the world

Took part in a NASA program wherein we visited the Johnson Space Centre in Houston

College:

Not good GPA but can defend it

Part of college badminton team and won many laureates

Got bronze in an inter-collegiate tournament as the women’s badminton team captain. And created history as this wasn’t achieved before by any woman’s badminton team

Was the sportswoman of the year for my college

Was part of the incubation center management team of the college. Was part of the strategic relations team (where we almost got Steve Wozniak to deliver a speech) and was the event management team lead

Work Experience:

3yrs Software eng/ quant experience in a top investment bank (front office and back office Eng roles)

Got a promotion

Lead a 2months intern project

What are my chances for the above colleges for a MBA and can I expect any scholarship?

Should I retake the test? Planning to apply in R1
3
June 27, 2026 6:22am ET
Applying: Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: 2x Founder & Management Consulting
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Finance, Management Consulting, Technology
GRE: 301
GPA: 2.93
Years of Work Experience: 6
Location: Dubai
Post MBA Location: USA
Notes:

Two-time founder (marketing agency during undergrad, then a fintech post-graduation), ex-Kearney consulting, currently on the founding team of a boutique financial consulting firm. Based in Pakistan, 29. Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Undergrad from LUMS (top business school in Pakistan) with a 2.91 GPA, which I know is my main weakness.
Targeting HBS, Stanford, and MIT Sloan for R1. I'm aware these are reaches given my GPA. GRE is in progress, currently retaking to push into the 315 to 320 range with a strong quant score to offset the academic profile.
Post-MBA goal is to scale into senior operating or founder roles in fintech and financial services, building on my consulting and startup background.
6
June 24, 2026 12:12pm ET
Applying: Emory / Goizueta, Georgetown / McDonough, Georgia / Terry, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: United States Marine Corps Logistics Officer
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, McKinsey, Other Industries
GPA: 3.23
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: North Carolina
Post MBA Location: Virginia/North Carolina
Notes:

GMAT/GRE waiver, realistically what are my chances? I have 4 major exercises and 1 deployment. The reason for the waiver is time constraints as I am currently deployed.
2
June 22, 2026 9:40pm ET
Applying: HKUST, Nanyang
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Healthcare
Post MBA Career: Health Care
GMAT: 620
GPA: 7.0
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: India
Post MBA Location: Europe
Notes:

I'm a dentist from India exploring international MBA programs and would appreciate some advice from people who have either gone through a similar transition or have experience with MBA admissions and outcomes.

My long-term goal is to move into the healthcare/healthtech ecosystem, potentially in areas such as healthcare consulting, product management, healthcare strategy, or healthtech startups. I am particularly interested in leveraging my clinical background rather than moving into a completely unrelated field.

I'm currently evaluating MBA programs in Europe and Asia (Singapore, Japan, HongKong)

For context, I have a GMAT Focus score of 575 with 4 years of work ex within the clinical and corporate side of the healthcare sector
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MBA LiveWire

July 3, 2026 9:48am ET
Accepted from Waitlist to Duke / Fuqua
Round: Round 2
Received via phone on June 04, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.74
GRE: 310
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Other Industries
Target Career: Other
Application Location: United States, New York
Juno Member: Not yet
July 2, 2026 11:03pm ET
Interview Invite to Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email July 2, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 2.7
GMAT: 720
Program Type: January Intake
Post MBA Career: Finance, Investment Banking
Application Location: USA
Juno Member: Not yet
July 1, 2026 9:05pm ET
Accepted to Penn / Wharton
Round: Early Decision
Received via portal July 1, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 735
Program Type: Deferred Enrollment
Juno Member: Not yet
June 29, 2026 7:40pm ET
Interview Invite to Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email June 29, 2026
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
EA: 162
Program Type: January Intake
Juno Member: Not yet
June 29, 2026 1:39pm ET
Rejected from Waitlist at Columbia Business School
Round: Round 2
Received via portal June 29, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.21
GRE: 339
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Finance, Investment Banking
Application Location: Vienna
Juno Member: Not yet
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Live
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