Lauren Wakal
Admissions Director Q&A: Bruce DelMonico of the Yale School of Management
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, Bruce DelMonico, the Assistant Dean for Admissions at the Yale School of Management, joins us to discuss the leading MBA program. He started at Yale SOM, which is based in New Haven, Connecticut, in October 2004 and has led the Admissions Office since November 2006. Before Yale, Bruce was an attorney focused on First Amendment, white collar, and commercial litigation. Yale SOM is known for its small class size (typically around 350 new students join the program each year) and integrated curriculum. Below, DelMonico digs into the curricular structure, what to expect... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Amber Janke of the University of Washington Foster School of Business
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we hear from Amber Janke, the Director of Full-time and Evening MBA Admissions at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington. Amber has pursued a career in higher education for the past 15+ years, working with faculty and student affairs at universities in California and New York before moving into her passion – admissions. Janke obtained a Masters in Higher Education Administration at New York University and spent 10 years in various roles at NYU before returning to Washington and joining Foster in 2016. Read on for her insights into... Read more »
Episode 116: Wire Taps—Don’t Let Your GPA Drag You Down
It’s time for another podcast episode of Wire Taps, in which our resident experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, advise current MBA applicants. Catch a summary of the profiles from MBA ApplyWire below, then tune in. The first applicant has a lot going for them, except for the undergraduate GPA: The next applicant needs to refine their goals a bit: The third profiled candidate brings a rich background in venture capital: Happy listening! Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast Episode 116: Wire Taps—Don’t Let Your GPA Drag You Down Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward... Read more »
Fridays from the Frontline: Johnson Faculty and Alumni Launch Investment Internship with the Cayuga Fund
COVID-19 has caused the upheaval of countless plans–one being summer internships for MBA students. In light of these challenges, the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business sought to create new opportunities for their students. In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, learn how some Johnson MBA students were able to enjoy investment internships during these unusual times. Johnson Faculty and Alumni Launch Investment Internship with the Cayuga Fund By Susan Hu, Center Coordinator, Parker Center for Investment Research, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Early this year, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, disrupting lives as the world... Read more »
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we’re catching up with essay tips, deadlines, and more from the week of August 10-14, 2020. 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: MIT Sloan Ohio State / Fisher Washington / Foster WUSTL / Olin Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: JHU Carey You can also bookmark our deadlines page and Early Action/Round 1 deadlines chart... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Cristina Sassot of Esade
We head to Barcelona for this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Cristina Sassot is Director of Recruitment & Admissions of the Full Time MBA and Masters of Science in Management at Esade, the first Spanish school to earn the three most prestigious accreditations: AACSB International, EQUIS, and AMBA. Read on to learn about the dynamic and diverse leading MBA program at Esade. Clear Admit: Name one aspect of your programme that you wish applicants knew more about. Cristina Sassot, Director of Recruitment & Admissions, Full Time MBA and Masters of Science in Management, Esade Cristina Sassot: I think everybody... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Emily Thomas of Columbia Business School
Imagine having New York City as your b-school campus—and that being just one of many hallmarks of your MBA experience. Columbia Business School, located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of New York City, may be the place for you. Director of Admissions, Emily Thomas, is here to talk all about the leading MBA program in this Admissions Director Q&A. Emily joined the admissions committee after working for a number of years in Academic and Student Affairs for Columbia’s Executive MBA program. Read on for her insights into what stands out at CBS, what to expect in the admissions process and... Read more »
Episode 115: Wire Taps—Does This Hobby Make Me Look Crazy?
Another week, another Wire Taps podcast feature! Our resident MBA admissions experts Graham Richmond and Alex Brown offer feedback to three Fall 2021 applicants. Check out a summary of each MBA ApplyWire entry below, and listen away. First up, we have a candidate aiming for a tech career post-MBA: Next up, an applicant with standout work experience in their family business: And finally, an applicant who’s all in on ultimate frisbee – and wondering if schools will think it’s too much. Happy listening! Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast Episode 115: Wire Taps—Does This Hobby Make Me Look Crazy? Play Episode... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Bailey McChesney of Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Business
We head to Nashville in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, for a deep dive into Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Business. Bailey McChesney began with the Vanderbilt Recruiting and Admissions team in March 2011. She facilitated many of the operational procedures for the department and planned the national MBA recruiting tour, Inside the MBA. She also enjoyed traveling and recruiting students to join the Vanderbilt MBA program and serving as the Owen Orientation Chair. Now, as the Senior Associate Director of MBA Admissions, Bailey currently manages the application evaluation process, campus visit experience and our MBA Recruiting... Read more »
Fridays from the Frontline: GBC Fostering Community at Chicago Booth
In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, we hear from Chicago Booth MBA student, David Noël, about how the Graduate Business Council has been supporting the spirit of the student community in these trying times. GBC Fostering Community at Booth By David Noël, Chicago Booth MBA ’20 Chicago Booth prides itself on the strength of its community. And while the transition to an all-virtual environment presented considerable challenges, it also created an opportunity to engage with each other in a way we haven’t had the opportunity to before. Though we had to contend with moving to online instruction for... Read more »
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we’re catching up with essay tips, deadlines, and recommendation questions from the week of August 3-7, 2020. 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: Georgetown / McDonough Oxford / Saïd SMU / Cox Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: London Business School You can also bookmark our deadlines page and Early Action/Round 1 deadlines chart for... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Pasquale Quintero, Jr. of the UMD Smith School of Business
As the Senior Director of the Full-Time MBA and Specialty Master’s Programs, Pasquale Quintero, Jr. leads the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business recruiting and enrollment efforts. He oversees the recruitment team in College Park, and closely collaborates with Maryland Smith’s Global teams. Pasquale has 15 years of higher education experience and joined us to discuss UMD Smith’s admissions, standout faculty, and the impact of COVID-19 in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A. Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about? Pasquale Quintero, Jr.: Analytics is a major part of... Read more »
HEC Paris Alumni Boost Energy Access in Rural Africa
Sponsored Content When is the last time you noticed the light from a lamp? Or heated up your lunch in just a few seconds? The flick of a switch, the press of a microwave button—these simple motions provide convenient access to electricity. The ubiquity of outlets likely means your smartphone has not dropped below a 5% charge either. We can move, we can talk, we can work seamlessly because of the ease with which we can access electricity. In rural Africa, the lack of such access threatens to stymy its economic growth. Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent,... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Renee Cherubin of Northwestern Kellogg School of Management
A little north of downtown Chicago in Evanston, Illinois, MBA students enjoy a team-oriented culture and education at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Renee Cherubin, who earned her MBA from Kellogg in 2006, is the Senior Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions for the school. She is an active member of the Admissions leadership team focused on attracting the best and brightest candidates to Kellogg’s Full-Time degree programs, including Two Year, One Year, MMM, JDMBA, MD-MBA programs, as well as the M.S. in Management Studies (MSMS) program. Prior to Kellogg, Renee spent nine years in strategy consulting and talent at... Read more »
Episode 114: Wire Taps—Where Should I Apply for a Career in Healthcare/Pharma?
Three new MBA hopefuls are profiled in this podcast episode of Wire Taps. Our resident experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, dig into career plans, concerns about test scores and more. Catch a summary of the profiles from MBA ApplyWire below, then tune in. First up is an applicant looking to venture into entrepreneurship: Another MBA hopeful is worried their scores are too low to be competitive: The third profiled applicant has several more details to consider: Happy listening! Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast Episode 114: Wire Taps—Where Should I Apply for a Career in Healthcare/Pharma? Play Episode Pause Episode... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Ruthie Pyles Stiffler of WashU Olin Business School
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, Ruthie Pyles Stiffler, the associate dean of graduate enrollment management for WashU Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, digs into the value and culture of their full-time MBA program. Ruthie oversees the admission, recruitment, reporting, financial services and talent acquisition divisions for Olin’s graduate programs. Ruthie Pyles Stiffler, Associate Dean of Graduate Enrollment Management for WashU Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis Ruthie spent the first 18 years of her life and career taking on a variety of roles in the entertainment industry and traveling extensively... Read more »
Fridays from the Frontline: How Do You Turn a Business Idea into a Real Business?
While the setting of this Fridays from the Frontline is Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, the question it explores is universal: How do you turn a business idea into a real business? Oxford MBA student, Jiaxian Shi, shares his journey to answer this question–what inspired him to attend Oxford Saïd, bridging the gap between ideas and reality, and more. How Do You Turn a Business Idea into a Real Business? Jiaxian Shi Oxford MBA ’19-’20 By Jiaxian Shi, Oxford MBA ’19-’20 This question haunted me long before I came to Oxford. In my former company, I worked on a project... Read more »
Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we’re catching up with essay tips, deadlines, and recommendation questions from the week of July 27-31, 2020. 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: IESE Business School And, ICYMI, here’s more advice for essays released earlier this summer: CEIBS Columbia Business School Harvard Business School Stanford GSB UPenn / Wharton Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out:... Read more »
Admissions Director Q&A: Melissa Rapp of the Emory Goizueta Business School
Our latest edition of the Admissions Director Q&A series takes us to Atlanta, Georgia, and Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Melissa Rapp is the Associate Dean of MBA Admissions there. In this role, she leads the team responsible for the recruitment, evaluation, and matriculation of students across Goizueta’s portfolio of MBA programs. Read on for her insights into admissions at Emory Goizueta, including what they look for in application essays, what to expect in regards to your interview and more. Melissa Rapp, Associate Dean of MBA Admissions at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program... Read more »
HBS Announces Virtual Admissions Interviews for 2020-2021 Season
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Harvard Business School announced that all admissions interviews for the 2020-2021 application season will take place virtually. In a message on the Direct from the Director’s blog, Managing Director of MBA Admissions Chad Losee shared the following: “I have said it before—the interview is a highlight of the application process for us. After getting to know you first through your written application, we finally get to have a conversation and learn more about you. Invariably the 30 minutes fly by. “Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the decision to conduct all of... Read more »
