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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: September 1, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Brad Rosenwinkel of Kelley School of Business
For this Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome Brad Rosenwinkel, Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid for the Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA program at Indiana University. Originally from the Chicagoland area, he has more than two decades of experience in higher education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at various institutions across the country including his alma mater, Valparaiso University, the University of Denver Daniels College of Business, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Berkeley Haas, and Michigan Ross. While his career has focused on admissions, he has led Read more
Published: August 31, 2025
Top In-Person MBA Events to Check Out in September 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. As first-round deadlines approach, schools are ramping up their event calendars for prospective students. Here’s what’s on deck for September. 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 or program Read more
Published: August 27, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Patrik Wallén of IESE
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we meet Patrik Wallén, MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. Patrik joined the Admissions team after several years leading IESE’s Career Development Center, where he supported MBA and MiM students in navigating their career paths and building relationships with global recruiters. Originally from Sweden, Patrik completed his MBA at IESE in 2007. He also holds executive coaching certifications (ORSCC, CPCC, ACC) and has been actively involved in IESE’s leadership and Read more
Published: August 25, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Eric Askins of Berkeley Haas School of Business
We are back in Berkeley, California, with Eric Askins, Executive Director of Full-time MBA Admissions at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A. Eric is dedicated to recruiting exceptional global talent and focuses his efforts on the intersection of access and excellence, identifying and enrolling outstanding leaders from all backgrounds who will shape the future of business. Eric and his team partner with students, faculty, and staff to build a community defined by innovative leadership and academic rigor, ensuring that a Haas education Read more
Published: August 20, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Luke Bretscher of WashU Olin
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome Luke Bretscher, Assistant Dean and Director of Recruitment and Admissions at Washington University’s Olin Business School. Luke spent over a decade working in admissions and enrollment across a range of institutions—public and private, large and small—and he’s passionate about helping students find the right fit for their goals. He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership, an MBA with specializations in Finance and International Business, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Analytics at WashU. He lives in St. Louis with his Read more
Published: August 18, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Lawrence Mur’ray of the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we hear from Lawrence Mur’ray, Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Dartmouth Tuck. Before joining the Tuck School in August 2022, Lawrence served as the Senior Assistant Dean of Graduate Business Programs at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, where he was responsible for strategic enrollment management for more than 15 graduate business programs. Before his time at Gabelli, Lawrence spent more than ten years in MBA and undergraduate business program administration at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Across these Read more
Published: August 13, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Betsy Ryan of the Minnesota Carlson School of Management
Get an insider’s perspective of the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management MBA program with Betsy Ryan, MS, Senior Associate Director of Admissions for MBA & MS Programs in this Admissions Director Q&A. Betsy has been a member of the Carlson School of Management MBA & MS team since 2016. Before holding her current role, she worked closely with CSOM MBA students as an academic advisor. She holds an MS degree in Counseling and has 15 years of experience in higher education, with a particular focus on adult and graduate student Read more
Published: August 12, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Eddie Asbie of Cornell University’s S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management
We are back at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University in this Admissions Director Q&A for an overview of the MBA admissions process and some highlights of the MBA program with Executive Director of Admissions and Scholarship, Eddie Asbie. Eddie is responsible for overseeing admissions and recruitment for the Two-Year Residential MBA program. He has spent over 20 years of his professional career in higher education, primarily within admissions, and has called Ithaca, N.Y., and Cornell home for 13 years. He completed his undergraduate degree from the Read more
Published: August 11, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Steve Thompson of Northwestern Kellogg
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, we are back again with Steve Thompson, Senior Director of Admissions at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. As the leader of Full-Time admissions, Steve is focused on attracting the best and brightest candidates to Kellogg’s portfolio of Full-Time MBA programs. Steve has played a critical leadership role at Kellogg since January 2018, when he first joined the team as director of the Executive MBA Program. Prior to Kellogg, Steve worked at IE Business School as the Read more
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

MBA Livewire

December 16, 2025 7:00am ET
Accepted to Babson / Olin
Round: Round 1
Received via portal December 16, 2025
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
GPA: 3.03/4
EA: 152
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: India, New Delhi
December 16, 2025 6:54am ET
Waitlisted at Columbia
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on December 14, 2025
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
EA: 155
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Brazil
December 16, 2025 6:29am ET
Interview Invite to Ohio State / Fisher
Round: Round 1
Received via email on December 11, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.92
GRE: 330
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Nigeria
December 16, 2025 6:27am ET
Interview Invite to Arizona State / W.P. Carey
Round: Round 2
Received via email on December 14, 2025
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.58
GRE: 330
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: Abuja, Nigeria
December 16, 2025 6:19am ET
Waitlisted at Columbia
Round: Round 1
Received via portal December 16, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.35
GMAT: 695
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: India
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