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Posts by Lauren Wakal

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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.
Published: July 2, 2024
MBA Admissions Tip: Selecting & Preparing Recommendation Writers
If you’re applying to business school in the 2024-2025 admissions season, you can start thinking about who should write your MBA recommendation letters. Your letters of recommendation are a critical variable in the MBA admissions equation. They allow the admissions committee to get an outside perspective on your skills and strength, and to learn about your work experience beyond that’s covered in your essays and resume. Who Should Write My MBA Letters of Recommendation? First, your recommenders should hold a position that is senior to yours – unless the school specifically asks for a peer recommendation. The adcom gives greater Read more
Published: July 2, 2024
Episode 363: Roundtable Insights from Duke Fuqua, Emory Goizueta, Georgetown McDonough & Yale SoM
We are capping off our panel discussions from the Clear Admit MBA Fair with this podcast episode, which focuses on MBA application components such as tests, grades, work experience and outside activities. The panel includes Allison Jamison, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Duke Fuqua; Melissa Rapp, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions, Emory Goizueta; Shelly Heinrich, Associate Dean & Managing Director, MBA Admissions, Georgetown McDonough; and Amber Walsh, Senior Associate Director, MBA Admissions, Yale School of Management. The admissions representatives answer questions Read more
Published: June 27, 2024
Fridays from the Frontline: Winning the Venture Capital Investment Competition for Northwestern Kellogg
This Fridays from the Frontline takes us inside the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) with Prashanth Somu, a Northwestern Kellogg team representative from the Class of 2024 Evening & Weekend MBA program. The team representing Kellogg, Collin Bhojwani, Erica Buursma Klenz, Henry Richmond, Eunice Wangadi, Prashanth Somu, and Jason Epstein, won the top prize in the VCIC 2024 Global Finals held at UNC Kenan-Flagler. Winning the Venture Capital Investment Competition for Northwestern Kellogg By Prashanth Somu ’24 MBA, Collin Bhojwani ’24 MBA and Jason Epstein ’25 MBA – Northwestern University Kellogg Read more
Published: June 27, 2024
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
We are serving up another Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site, as we prepare for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: ESMT Berlin Harvard Business School Texas McCombs Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Cornell / Johnson U. Chicago / Booth MIT Read more
Published: June 25, 2024
Episode 361: Roundtable Insights from CMU Tepper, Northwestern Kellogg, LBS & Texas McCombs
We continue to share panel discussions from the Clear Admit MBA Fair with this podcast episode, which focuses on articulating career goals, brainstorming for essays, choosing recommenders, and preparing for interviews. The panel includes J.R. McGrath from Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business, Alessandra Gazzola from London Business School, Jerry Langfelt from Northwestern Kellogg, and Rodrigo Malta from Texas McCombs, with each sharing their expertise on specific topics. The admissions representatives answer questions such as: When a business school asks an applicant Read more
Published: June 23, 2024
The Week Ahead: HBS & Wharton Deferred Decisions, June 24-28, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Final rounds are concluding. With the exception of a few MBA programs offering rolling admissions through the summer, official deadlines for the leading MBA programs are concluding this week. Thursday, June 27, Harvard is scheduled to release its 2+2 final decisions. UPenn / Wharton is also scheduled to release its deferred admissions decisions. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit MBA LiveWire for the latest “buzz” about MBA admissions, including interview invitations and decision notifications. There are  Read more
Published: June 20, 2024
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
We are back with another Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site, as we prepare for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Dartmouth Tuck Michigan / Ross UVA / Darden Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Read more
Published: June 19, 2024
The Consortium Expands to 25 Member Schools
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in graduate business education and American business, recently expanded to 25 member schools. The Consortium partners with top-ranked MBA programs across the U.S. to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in business education and corporate leadership. Following the addition of Duke Fuqua earlier this year, Chicago Booth was subsequently selected to become its 25th member school. A Long History at Fuqua In its announcement of the nomination of Duke Fuqua, Read more
Published: June 18, 2024
Episode 359: Your Post-MBA Consulting Career – Expert Advice from Bain & Co.’s Recruiting VP
Noble StaffordBain & Co. Vice President, RecruitingChicago In this special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, recorded live at the Clear Admit MBA Fair, we dive deep into the world of strategy consulting with Noble Stafford, Vice President of Recruiting for Bain & Company’s Chicago office. Stafford first joined Bain in 2013 as a consultant and returned in 2022 to spearhead Chicago’s recruiting initiatives. Between his tenures at Bain, Noble honed his expertise at Russell Reynolds Associates, a global executive search firm, where he excelled in both client-facing and internal team management roles. Read more
Published: June 13, 2024
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines
We are back with another Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site, as we prepare for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Cambridge Judge Northwestern Kellogg NYU Stern Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have Read more
Published: June 11, 2024
Episode 357: Insights from Top MBA Admissions Directors
Recorded live at the Clear Admit MBA Fair, admissions directors from top business schools share their insights on key questions prospective MBA students often need answering in this special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast. The episode features Eddie Asbie from Cornell Johnson, Dana Fernandez from Harvard Business School, Matthew Ganderson from Michigan Ross, and Lindsay Lloyd from NYU Stern. Together, they answer questions such as: What are the different teaching methods employed in MBA programs, and can you describe experiential learning? Do you have any Read more
Published: June 9, 2024
The Week Ahead: Booth & Marshall MBA Admissions Decisions, June 10-14, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! A Few Decisions Roll Out Thursday, June 13, Chicago / Booth is scheduled to release its decisions for its Chicago Booth Scholars program. Saturday, June 15, USC / Marshall is scheduled to release its Round 4 decisions. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit MBA LiveWire for the latest “buzz” about MBA admissions, including interview invitations and decision notifications.  There are 5 Ways MBA LiveWire Helps You Navigate Admissions. Access MBA ApplyWire to explore the application strategies of fellow Read more
Published: June 6, 2024
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines
We are back with another Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site, as we prepare for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Columbia Business School UPenn / Wharton Yale SOM Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: UT Austin / McCombs Read more
Published: June 2, 2024
The Week Ahead: MBA Admissions Decisions, June 3-7, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Rounds 3 and 4 Decisions Round 3 and 4 decisions continue to roll out. Wednesday, June 5, Carnegie Mellon / Tepper is scheduled to release its Round 4 decisions. Thursday, June 6, Texas / McCombs is scheduled to release its Round 4 decisions. Friday, June 7, London Business School is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit MBA LiveWire for the latest “buzz” about MBA admissions, including interview invitations and decision Read more
Published: May 28, 2024
Georgetown McDonough’s Flex MBA Online Students Find Community & More
Sponsored Content The Georgetown McDonough Flex MBA Online program offers a dynamic and flexible educational experience designed for working professionals seeking to advance their careers without compromising their current commitments. This program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical, real-world applications, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in today’s competitive business landscape. With access to Georgetown’s renowned faculty, comprehensive career resources, and a diverse network of peers, students are empowered to achieve their professional goals. The program’s flexible online format allows for a customizable learning experience, ensuring that students can balance their studies with their Read more
Published: May 26, 2024
The Week Ahead: Interview Invitations & Decisions, May 27-31, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Deferred Enrollment & Late Round News Tuesday, May 28, UPenn / Wharton is scheduled to release its interview decisions for its deferred admissions program. Wednesday, May 29, Georgetown / McDonough is scheduled to release its Round 4 decisions. HBS is scheduled to release its 2+2 interview invitations or early release decisions. Friday, May 31, Cornell / Johnson is scheduled to release its final notifications for Round 3. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit MBA LiveWire for Read more
Published: May 23, 2024
Change Your Career with the Georgetown McDonough Flex MBA
Sponsored Content The Flex MBA at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business is a catalyst for professionals looking to pivot their careers, offering a comprehensive curriculum and career support tailored to individual goals. Designed for working professionals, the Flex MBA degree is delivered on a timeline—24 to 60 months— that allows students a seamless balance among school, life, and work. The program is taught by the same faculty, follows the same core MBA courses, and confers the same degree as Georgetown’s full-time MBA. Moreover, the MBA Career Center is there every step of the way for Flex MBA Read more
Published: May 23, 2024
An Ecosystem of Support: One Tuck MBA’s Path to Entrepreneurship
Sponsored Content Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA program stands out for its robust entrepreneurship offerings, catering to students eager to dive into the world of startups and innovation. In the last 15 years, approximately 10 to 12 percent of Tuck students have embarked on starting or joining an early-stage company immediately after completing their studies. At the heart of Tuck’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is its Center for Entrepreneurship, a dynamic hub that provides students with invaluable resources, mentorship opportunities, and funding support for their entrepreneurial endeavors. Tuck’s MBA curriculum is carefully crafted to include courses covering essential topics Read more
Published: May 23, 2024
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. We are officially kicking off the 2024-2025 admissions cycle with a few deadlines and essay advice. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Berkeley Haas London Business School Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Berkeley / Haas Read more
Published: May 19, 2024
The Week Ahead: Late Round Admissions Decisions, May 20-24, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Rounds 3 and 4 underway. Late round decisions continue to roll out. Monday, May 20, IESE is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. UNC / Kenan-Flagler is scheduled to release its Round 4 decisions. Thursday, May 23, Stanford GSB and Chicago / Booth are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit MBA LiveWire for the latest “buzz” about MBA admissions, including interview invitations and decision notifications. There are 5 Ways MBA Read more
Published: May 14, 2024
MBA Admissions Tip: Background Checks
As late round decision notifications roll out from MBA programs, we know that many of our readers will be asking about the background checks conducted by leading business schools. Here are some quick facts to help explain this part of the MBA admissions process: 1. What are background checks? Background checks involve the verification of information that a candidate has provided in his or her MBA applications. Although the process varies from school to school, it usually includes checking that an applicant attended the undergraduate (or graduate) school(s) that he or she claims to have attended, received the grades indicated Read more
Published: May 12, 2024
The Week Ahead: Round 3 MBA Admissions Decisions, May 13-17, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round 3 Decisions Round 3 decisions are beginning to roll out. Monday, May 13, UPenn / Wharton is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. Wednesday, May 15, USC / Marshall is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. Thursday, May 16, MIT / Sloan and Yale SOM are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. Friday, May 17, Cornell / Johnson has its initial notification deadline for Round 3. Oxford / Saïd is scheduled to Read more
Published: May 9, 2024
Calling All MBA Hopefuls: Post Your Profile to ApplyWire
Get ready for the 2024-2025 admissions season by verifying your b-school plans in MBA ApplyWire. This social tool was designed to help applicants develop their MBA application strategy by drawing on the collective wisdom and input of the active Clear Admit applicant community. ApplyWire allows applicants to share the schools they are considering applying to along with some details about their credentials and goals. The community can then chime in with feedback on how the applicant might refine his or her list of target schools. For example, you may receive constructive commentary Read more
Published: May 5, 2024
The Week Ahead: Late Round Decisions & Deadlines, May 6-10, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Rounds 3 and 4 Underway. Round 3 decisions are beginning to roll out. Monday, May 6, CMU / Tepper has its Round 4 application deadline. Tuesday, May 7, Cambridge / Judge has its Round 5 application deadline. Wednesday, May 8, Northwestern / Kellogg, Emory / Goizueta and CMU / Tepper are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. Thursday, May 9, Texas / McCombs has its Round 4 application deadline. Friday, May 10, Duke / Fuqua Read more
Published: April 28, 2024
The Week Ahead: Late Round MBA Deadlines & Decisions, April 29-May 3, 2024
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Rounds 3 and 4 Underway. Round 3 decisions are beginning to role out. Monday, April 29, UNC / Kenan-Flagler has its Round 4 application deadline. Tuesday, April 30, Georgetown / McDonough has its Round 4 application deadline. Wednesday, May 1, UVA / Darden and Georgetown / McDonough are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. Thursday, May 2, Dartmouth / Tuck, Berkeley / Haas and Texas / McCombs are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. Read more

MBA Livewire

January 9, 2026 10:57am ET
Waitlisted at Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email on November 13, 2025
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
GPA: 2.96
EA: 155
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Finance, Investment Banking
Application Location: Japan
January 9, 2026 6:40am ET
Accepted to Oxford / Saïd
Round: Round 2
Received via email
Standardized Test: GRE
GRE: 323
Program Type: One Year Program
Target Career: Non Profit / Social Impact
Application Location: Netherlands, amsterdam
January 9, 2026 1:57am ET
Applied to Chicago Booth
Round: Round 2
Received via portal
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 665
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Marketing
Target Career: Marketing
Application Location: India, delhi
January 8, 2026 5:58pm ET
Waitlisted at NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via portal January 8, 2026
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.6
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
January 8, 2026 2:36pm ET
Interview Invite to UNC Kenan-Flagler
Round: Round 2
Received via email on January 06, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.72
GMAT: 655
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, EY Parthenon, McKinsey, Oliver Wyman, PWC, PWC Strategy&, Consumer Goods, Apparel/Luxury Goods
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