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Posts by Christina Griffith

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Christina Griffith is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia. She specializes in covering education, science, and criminal justice, and has extensive experience in research and interviews, magazine content, and web content writing.
Published: August 6, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Jelena Pejic of Boston College’s Carroll School of Management
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A, we meet Jelena Pejic, Associate Director, Graduate Recruitment & Admissions at the Boston College Carroll School of Management. In her role, Jelena manages the MBA program portfolio. With over 13 years of experience recruiting and advising graduate applicants and students, she is an international higher education professional who is motivated to meaningfully influence students at a pivotal time in their lives. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston University. Jelena grew up in the former Yugoslavia and relocated to Read more
Published: August 4, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Rodrigo Malta of Texas McCombs
In this edition of our MBA Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director of MBA Marketing, Recruiting & Admissions at the Texas McCombs School of Business. Rodrigo is originally from Brazil and immigrated to the United States during high school. He earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business in 2007, and his bachelor’s degree in management from Missouri State University in 2000. Before and after his MBA, Rodrigo worked for Fortune 100 companies in internal audit and marketing within the telecom and technology industries. One of Read more
Published: July 30, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Andrea McHale of Michigan Ross
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Andrea McHale, Director of Admissions for the Full-Time and Global MBA Programs at University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Before transitioning to higher education, Andrea spent 10 years in marketing, sales, and supply chain management within the healthcare and automotive industries. In 2013, she moved into education administration and is currently the Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program at Ross. Previously, Andrea served as the Director of Admissions for Michigan State University’s Broad Read more
Published: July 30, 2025
Top In-Person MBA Events to Check Out in August 2025
An essential part of the process when you apply for an MBA is events. On or off campus, formal or informal, in-person MBA admission events are opportunities for applicants to connect with current students and alumni, sit in on classes, meet the admissions team, and take campus tours. With the application season in full swing, schools are ramping up their event calendars for prospective students. Here’s what’s coming for the month of August. Why Attend MBA Events? More than just another step in the process you want to check off your list, this is where you can assess for yourself Read more
Published: July 29, 2025
Admission Director Q&A: J.R. McGrath of Carnegie Mellon Tepper
We welcome back J.R. McGrath, Executive Director of Masters Admissions at the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business, for this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. J.R. has been at the Tepper School for more than five years and accepted the role of Executive Director in October 2022. He has previously served in leadership roles at SMU Cox, TCU, and Syracuse. In addition to his professional responsibilities, J.R. and his wife have a young daughter that keeps them busy. J.R. also enjoys running, golf, and anything to do with Pittsburgh sports Read more
Published: July 28, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Rupal Gadhia of Harvard Business School
We welcome back Rupal Gadhia, Managing Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard Business School, for our ongoing Admissions Director Q&A series. Gadhia graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 2004. Her post-HBS career began in brand management with Sara Lee and Campbell Soup Company, followed by a move to Booz & Co. as a management consultant. Leveraging her passion for brand and consulting, she joined the Brand Union, managing North American strategy and research for consumer and corporate clients, and was recruited to Interbrand to lead the Read more
Published: July 23, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Maria Pineda of the UMD Smith School of Business
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we’re back in College Park, Maryland, with Maria Pineda, Executive Director of Admissions at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Pineda has been with UMD Smith for almost 20 years and manages the recruiting efforts for the MBA and Specialty Master’s Programs. Keep reading for her advice on navigating the admissions process, what’s unique about the UMD Smith MBA, and her favorite aspects of the program.  Maria Pineda, Executive Director of Admissions at The University of Maryland Clear Admit: What is the Read more
Published: July 21, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Shelly Heinrich of SMU Cox
We are back in Texas at the SMU Cox School of Business in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series with Shelly Heinrich, Senior Assistant Dean, Graduate Admissions and Career Management Center.  Heinrich brings 20 years of experience in the higher education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, with direct experience working in five business schools. Her responsibilities have included admissions, recruitment, marketing, employer/business development, and career services, among others. Heinrich manages a team of 40, leading the strategic direction and oversight of Graduate Admissions (recruitment, marketing, and admissions) Read more
Published: July 16, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Mohammad Salhia of Toronto Rotman
For this Admissions Director Q&A we welcome back Mohammad Salhia, the Managing Director, Recruitment, Admissions and Business Development at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management. Prior to joining Rotman, Mohammad spent his career working in healthcare, predominantly focusing on education strategy and operations in the health professions. He was previously a Director of Continuing Education. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education, both from the University of Toronto. Mohammad is currently a PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, also at the University of Toronto. Read more
Published: July 14, 2025
Toronto Rotman Launches One-Year MBA and Master of Management Degree Programs
The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management is launching two new programs: a Master of Management (MMgt) and a One-Year MBA.  “The Master of Management program is designed to provide students with the critical thinking, creative problem-solving and communication skills they need to succeed,” said Prof. Joseph Milner, Vice-Dean, MBA Programs in the school’s announcement. “With the One-Year MBA, students will leverage their academic business background to accelerate their MBA and develop the skills and leadership experience they need to achieve their career goals.” In contrast to Rotman’s Read more
Published: July 14, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Paul North of Ohio State Fisher
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome Paul North, the Executive Director of the Graduate Programs Office at The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Paul has served in leadership roles at both public and private universities, bringing deep expertise across a range of graduate business programs—including MBA, MS, executive, and dual degree formats. In his current role, Paul leads strategic direction for the Graduate Programs Office, overseeing recruitment and marketing, admissions and Read more
Published: July 9, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Melissa Rapp of Emory Goizueta
Get an insider’s take on MBA admissions at Goizueta Business School at Emory University with Melissa Rapp, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions, in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A. Melissa leads strategy, recruitment, and enrollment across a portfolio of MBA and Specialized Master’s programs. A respected voice in graduate education, she brings over 20 years of experience designing admissions systems that are effective, inclusive, and human-centered. Her career includes leadership roles at top institutions, including Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where she served as Director of Admissions for the Read more
Published: July 7, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Donna Swinford of Chicago Booth
Get an insider’s view of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with Donna Swinford, Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions for MBA Programs, in this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Donna is a longtime Chicago resident and has been at Booth since 1997. She joined the Office of Admissions in 2005 and has seen the admissions process at Booth from practically every angle over the course of her tenure serving in several roles including head of Operations and Evaluation before transitioning to her current position as Associate Read more
Published: July 3, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Rebecca Mallen-Churchill of ASU W.P. Carey
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome back Rebecca Mallen-Churchill, Senior Director of Recruitment, Admission, and Financial Services for graduate programs at Arizona State University (ASU) W.P. Carey School of Business. Mallen-Churchill graduated from ASU in 2005; while earning her degree in theatre and Italian, she also discovered her love for higher education while working for the Graduate Admissions office. After gaining work experience in the hospitality industry and traveling the world, Rebecca returned to Arizona and joined W. P. Carey in 2013. In her time working with the graduate program’s Read more
Published: July 2, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Shari Hubert of Duke Fuqua
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome back Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University Fuqua School of Business, Shari Hubert. Hubert’s role is overseeing recruitment and admissions for the school’s portfolio of ten business degree programs. Before Fuqua, she was in charge of admissions for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Hubert has extensive experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and entered higher education after working for the Peace Corps as director of recruitment within the Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection. Her work is Read more
Published: July 1, 2025
HEC Paris Announces its “Campus of the Future”
HEC Paris has launched a €230 million (approximately $267 million) project to transform its campus in Jouy-en-Josas, France.  The plan calls for 40,000 square meters of campus space to be built or renovated around what the school is calling its three pillars. First, a new “Campus Heart” unifying all the academic programs will include a state-of-the-art library, collaborative workspaces, innovation labs, amphitheaters, a new 850-seat auditorium, and dining and leisure facilities. Second, the historic Château and its annexes are slated for complete redesign and reconstruction for executive education. Finally, the school’s historic academic Read more
Published: June 30, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Katy Radoll of UNC Kenan-Flagler
We welcome back Katy Radoll, Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A. Katy was thrilled to join the UNC Kenan-Flagler team as the Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program in the summer of 2024. Prior to UNC Kenan-Flagler, she led Associate Recruiting at McKinsey in Atlanta and, before that, held several different roles at MIT Sloan, where she was part of the team that established The Asia School of Business in Collaboration with MIT Sloan (ASB) and Read more
Published: June 30, 2025
Top In-Person MBA Events to Check Out in July 2025
An essential part of the process when you apply for an MBA is events. On or off campus, formal or informal, in-person MBA admission events are opportunities for applicants to connect with current students and alumni, sit in on classes, meet the admissions team, and take campus tours. With the application season upon us, schools are ramping up their event calendars for prospective students. Here’s what’s on deck for July. Why Attend MBA Events? More than just another step in the process you want to check off your list, this is where you can assess for yourself whether a school Read more
Published: June 25, 2025
Real Humans of Google: Faye Phillips, Yale SOM MBA ’23, Program Manager
Faye Phillips, a Brooklyn native and Yale School of Management MBA Class of 2023 graduate, brought her background in public education to business school with a desire to explore the private sector and gain fluency in the language of business. After six years as a program manager with the NYC Department of Education, she pursued her MBA to build new skills, challenge herself, and connect with others who shared a passion for impact. Drawn to Yale SOM’s mission of educating leaders for business and society, Phillips appreciated the school’s values-driven community and its small-city setting Read more
Published: June 25, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Dr. Naz Erenguc of University of Florida Warrington College of Business
We welcome back Dr. Naz Erenguc, Director of Admissions for the University of Florida (UF) Warrington College of Business, in this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A. Combining her passion for equity with business, academic, and global health expertise, Dr. Naz Erenguc is one of the most versatile voices in graduate education today. In her role as a professor of global health or as director of admissions for UF’s top-ranked MBA program, “Dr. Naz” helps makes sure everyone has a seat at the table. During her tenure at UF, she Read more
Published: June 23, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Anne Kilby, Associate Dean of MBA Admissions at Georgetown McDonough
Anne Kilby, Associate Dean of MBA Admissions at Georgetown McDonough in Washington, D.C., joins us for this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A. Kilby oversees admissions, sets the admissions strategy, and manages the scholarship budget for the Full-Time MBA, Flex MBA, and Flex MBA Online programs. She has spent 17 years in higher education, mainly in admissions and recruiting. Kilby has worked within a global scope by representing programs internationally at recruiting events and fairs, partnering with universities and clients abroad, and interviewing prospective candidates residing worldwide. Prior to Georgetown, she was the Director of MPA Read more
Published: June 23, 2025
Real Humans of PwC: Shoma Yasuda, IESE MBA ’24, Consultant
Shoma Yasuda, IESE MBA Class of 2024, went to business school with a mission: to advance decarbonization in the maritime and energy sectors by gaining strategic skills and building a global network. After eight years at NYK Line in Japan, he chose IESE for its strong leadership development and access to Europe’s renewable energy ecosystem. A summer internship at the Spanish National Hydrogen Center and a collaborative classroom experience prepared him well for his current role as a Manager at PwC, where he now advises clients on decarbonization strategies. Shoma reflects on the value of self-reflection during the job Read more
Published: June 19, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Lindsay Loyd of NYU Stern
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we catch up with Lindsay Loyd, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions at NYU Stern, as the school celebrates its 125th anniversary. Lindsay leads the recruiting and admissions efforts for Stern’s Full-time MBA Programs, including the two-year Full-time MBA and focused one-year MBAs: the Andre Koo Technology & Entrepreneurship MBA and Luxury & Retail MBA. She joined NYU Stern in 2023 after a 20-year career in financial services, serving in roles of progressive responsibility in analytics, marketing, and strategy at Capital One and American Read more
Published: June 18, 2025
Real Humans of BCG: Cameron Bard, Emory Goizueta MBA ’24, Consultant
In this Real Humans: Alumni, Cameron Bard, Emory Goizueta MBA ’24, shares his journey from Lockheed Martin to BCG. Read on for his insights into the value of an MBA, what he learned during the recruiting process and how an Emory Goizueta MBA prepared him for consulting at BCG. Cameron Bard, Emory Goizueta MBA ’24, Consultant at BCG  Age: 30 Hometown: Knoxville, TN Undergraduate Institution and Major: Davidson College, Physics; Washington University in St. Louis, Mechanical Engineering Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Read more
Published: June 18, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Kara Tripi of Michigan State Broad College of Business
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Kara Tripi, Director of Admissions and Enrollment at the Michigan State University Broad College of Business MBA program.  With over a decade of higher education experience, Kara is passionate about guiding students toward academic success. In her current role, she oversees recruitment and admissions while contributing to program development. Her diverse background in education provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s students. Read below Read more

MBA Livewire

December 4, 2025 11:55pm ET
Rejected at Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via portal December 4, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 7.8/10
GRE: 336
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: India
Note:

9 YOE
December 4, 2025 10:49pm ET
Accepted to Michigan / Ross
Round: Round 1
Received via phone December 4, 2025
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.81
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: United States, Texas
Note:

Admitted with 40k scholarship
December 4, 2025 10:47pm ET
Accepted to Carnegie Mellon / Tepper
Round: Round 1
Received via phone
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.81
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: United States, Texas
Note:

Admitted with 90k scholarship
December 4, 2025 10:26pm ET
Waitlisted at U. Chicago Booth
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on December 03, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.61
GRE: 333
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: India, New Delhi
December 4, 2025 10:12pm ET
Accepted to U. Chicago Booth
Round: Round 1
Received via portal December 4, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 710
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: Canada
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