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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: August 20, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: UCLA Anderson Internship – Day in the (Virtual) Life – Biogen
Internships are a hallmark of the MBA experience, enabling b-school students to gain real-world experience, rub elbows with company execs and—both literally and figuratively—get their foot in the door. But now, in the day and age of COVID-19, social distancing and office regulations mean many internships have moved online. In this edition of Fridays from the Frontline, an MBA student at UCLA Anderson, Thea Whyte, shares a look inside her virtual summer internship. Day in the (Virtual) Life: Biogen By Thea Whyte, UCLA Anderson MBA ’21 Thea Whyte, UCLA Anderson MBA Read more
Published: August 19, 2020
Kellogg Announces New Joint Degree in Business & Tech, MBAi
At Northwestern University, the Kellogg School of Management has announced a new joint degree, called the MBAi, in partnership with the McCormick School of Engineering. The MBAi is an accelerated, five-quarter program that combines the study of management principles and technical strategic management. Read more
Published: August 19, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Anna Farrus of IMD
Located on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, IMD maintains a small class size of about 90 MBA students each year. To talk more about the leading MBA program, Anna Farrus, the Director of MBA Recruitment and Admissions, joins us for this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Farrus has worked in business schools for almost 20 years. Before joining the MBA team at IMD in 2018, she spent almost 12 years at Oxford Saïd Business School heading up their Admissions and Financial Aid team, and before that worked in the MBA Admissions team at IESE Business School, in Barcelona where she is originally from. Read more
Published: August 17, 2020
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. Read more
Published: August 16, 2020
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 what stands out about the Seattle-based b-school, the excellent faculty, what to expect during admissions and more. Read more
Published: August 16, 2020
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: Read more
Published: August 13, 2020
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 Read more
Published: August 12, 2020
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. Read more
Published: August 10, 2020
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 more. Read more
Published: August 9, 2020
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. Read more
Published: August 9, 2020
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 & Admissions Fellows. Read on for her insights into the MBA program, what to expect in the application process and more. Read more
Published: August 6, 2020
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 Read more
Published: August 5, 2020
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. Read more
Published: August 5, 2020
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
Published: August 3, 2020
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 Read more
Published: August 2, 2020
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. Read more
Published: August 2, 2020
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. Read more
Published: July 30, 2020
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 Read more
Published: July 29, 2020
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. Read more
Published: July 28, 2020
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 Read more
Published: July 27, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Soojin Kwon of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, learn all about the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.  Soojin Kwon is the Managing Director for Full-time MBA Admissions and Program and a lecturer of Business Communication at Michigan Ross. Soojin has led MBA Admissions since 2006 and, since 2016, also oversees the MBA Program, which includes student experience and academic advising. Before joining Ross, Soojin was a Manager in Deloitte’s Strategy and Operations practice. Prior to consulting, she served as a Presidential Management Fellow, doing stints with the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, House Appropriations Committee, and Department of Commerce. Read more
Published: July 26, 2020
Stanford GSB Announces Action Plan for Racial Equity
Following their pledge to stand against racism and social injustice, Stanford GSB leadership announced the Stanford GSB Action Plan for Racial Equity today. The plan’s initiatives include the goals of increased representation, building a culture of inclusion and belonging, making positive change beyond the school, and leadership accountability. Read on for how the school proposes to achieve these objectives. Increased Representation Representation matters, and Stanford GSB aims to improve the diversity of their faculty, students and staff. Faculty recruitment strategies will be bolstered, drawing on alumni’s input to identify talented lecturers Read more
Published: July 26, 2020
Episode 113: Wire Taps—Can a Class Make Up for My Quant-less Liberal Arts Background?
We are back with another podcast episode of Wire Taps, which is chock full of MBA admissions advice from our resident experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown. The two talk through three profiles shared in MBA ApplyWire. Catch a summary of the MBA applicants below, then tune in. The first MBA hopeful has a background in the energy industry: Read more
Published: July 26, 2020
Admissions Director Q&A: Jackie Brockmyre of the Boston College Carroll School of Management
A little west of Boston, Massachusetts, MBA students enjoy a collaborative community and industry-focused curriculum at the Carroll School of Management of Boston College (BC).  In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, we hear from Associate Director of Graduate Admissions, Jackie Brockmyre, about the tight-knit community and flexible admissions process.  Brockmyre graduated from Elon University with a business degree and has been a member of the Carroll School of Management’s graduate admissions team for close to four years. Prior to BC, Jackie worked in education technology and technology sales. She is currently pursuing a part-time MBA at BC and is expected to graduate in 2021. Read on for her admissions insights. Read more
Published: July 23, 2020
Fridays from the Frontline: Duke Fuqua Student Life Events Adapt to Social Distancing
MBA students continue to adapt under the social restrictions due to COVID-19. See how the Duke Fuqua student community has been maintaining their connection in this edition of Fridays from the Frontline. Read more

MBA Livewire

December 17, 2025 6:30am ET
Accepted to Columbia
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on December 14, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.36
GMAT: 740
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Finance
Application Location: NYC
December 17, 2025 3:05am ET
Accepted to Columbia
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on December 14, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.46
GMAT: 675
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
December 17, 2025 3:04am ET
Accepted to Berkeley / Haas
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 10, 2025
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.46
GMAT: 675
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
December 16, 2025 10:34pm ET
Accepted to UCLA Anderson
Round: Round 1
Received via phone December 16, 2025
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.75
Target Career: Healthcare
Application Location: United States, Southern California
Note:

Notified at 6:30 PM PST via Phone, formal emails will go out the 17th with all information as well as more. The call was roughly 10 minutes, received a scholarship as well. (15,000$)
December 16, 2025 10:03pm ET
Rejected at UPenn / Wharton
Round: Round 1
Received via portal
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.34
GRE: 319
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Application Location: New York
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