MBA Admissions Brief

Published: July 21, 2019

This edition of MBA Admissions Brief takes us to California, where Assistant Dean of the Full-time MBA Program and Admissions, Pete Johnson, walks us through opportunities and features of the MBA at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Pete Johnson, Assistant Dean, Full-time MBA Program and Admissions, Berkeley Haas School of Business Johnson previously served in Berkeley MBA Admissions for 11 years, including as associate director, director of international admissions, and as executive director of MBA Admissions through 2010. He then headed to Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, followed by acting as the vice president for enrollment & international programs at Dominican University. He rejoined the Haas staff as assistant dean in 2016. The culture at Berkeley Haas centers around four defining principles: Question the Status Quo, Confidence without Attitude, Students Always and Beyond Yourself. The MBA curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and problem-solving in order to help students become innovative leaders. Read on to learn more about the program and best strategies for admission from the assistant dean. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Signing up for boot camp is a good idea. It’s an eight-step process put together by the admissions committee to help make applying to business school, whether that’s Haas or elsewhere, a little less intimidating. The boot camp includes checklists, it includes questionnaires to help people think about their personal brand, and includes thought questions to do candidates’ own self-reflection. Allowing candidates to think about why they want an MBA and what are the criteria that are most important to them as they consider business school. We have a template that candidates can provide to their recommenders to help them talk through how they might reflect on some of those questions as well. Read more

Published: July 15, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Dartmouth / Tuck

For this installment in our ongoing series, MBA Admissions Brief, we turn to the admissions office of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Luke Anthony Peña has been the Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid there for a few years now, but still vividly remembers the highs and lows of applying to business school 10 years ago. He cares deeply about reducing stress and anxiety for business school applicants, and regularly provides updates for applicants on the Tuck360 blog as part of his teams’ commitment to transparency and accessibility. Read on for his insights into the Tuck admissions process and how you can best prepare to apply. Luke Peña, Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Tuck School of Business What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? First and foremost, congratulations! You’ve taken the important first steps towards a life-changing experience that can accelerate your career and transform you as a leader. Second, take a deep breath, envision your path ahead, and build a thoughtful application plan. The application process can feel daunting and overwhelming—I vividly remember what it’s like to apply—and your physical, mental, and emotional self-care will be essential for success. Finally, assemble your support squad. While my colleagues and I want to significantly reduce your stress and anxiety, I acknowledge applying still requires real effort, and you’ll feel more empowered for success when you can rely on a team of advisors, accountability partners, and cheerleaders. What’s the one thing MBA candidates should know about selecting a recommender? Know that a good reference letter takes time to write! The reference letters are immensely valuable, as they complement your application and essays with the insights of others. With this in mind, select references who have the knowledge, desire, and time to advocate on your behalf. The last of these is essential; even if your reference knows your work well and strongly supports your application, we see this only when your reference invests the necessary time and effort to highlight your qualifications. Plan ahead, give your references advance notice, and check in with them along the way. Read more

Published: July 1, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: INSEAD

In our ongoing new series, MBA Admissions Brief, we bring you tips and insights from leading business schools about the MBA admissions process. We are going international with this installment, as we hear from the prestigious institution, INSEAD; namely, Virginie Fougea, who is the Global Director of Admissions and Financial Aid for INSEAD Degree Programmes Department. She has been with INSEAD for the last 20 years. Virginie Fougea, Global Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, INSEAD Degree Programmes Dept. Before that she had been studying in the US and working in Brazil. She is an admission professional with 15+ years of file evaluation and selection of MBA students from diverse multi-cultural and professional backgrounds. She enjoys promoting INSEAD and the various programmes during Information Sessions on and off campus and meeting prospects. INSEAD offers a 10-month MBA program beginning either in January or September. Their main campuses span continents, with one based in Fontainebleau, France, and the other in Singapore. Read on for Fougea’s advice about applying to INSEAD and more. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? I would recommend to anyone who is considering either applying to the January or the September intake to prepare some sort of retroactive planning. It is important to not rush and submit a clumsy application. Applicants may want to give themselves the time to prepare for the GMAT or the GRE. It also takes time to select who can submit insightful letters of recommendation as well as prepare genuine and honest essays. The essay part can be seen as cumbersome but this is where applicants can really describe who they are, their passions and their values and it gives the Admissions Committee a chance to “meet” the applicant. What’s the one thing MBA candidates should know about selecting a recommender? Candidates need to select recommenders who know them well. Our questions in the letter of recommendation are related to skills people demonstrate in a professional context: team collaboration, creativity, communication style, etc. Someone who does not know the applicant well may struggle to find examples of these skills. Read more

Published: June 30, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Yale School of Management

For our next installment of MBA Admissions Brief, which brings you application advice and program insights directly from leading business schools’ admissions, we hear from Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the Yale School of Management in New Haven, CT. Bruce Delmonico, Assistant Dean of Admissions DelMonico has been at the school for close to 15 years, and has been running the Admissions Office for roughly 13 of those years. He explains, “During that time, I have seen the school grow both in size and in stature, and look forward to its continued momentum under the leadership of incoming Dean Charles. I was drawn to the school because of its mission to educate leaders for business and society and have stayed because the school is one where the mission really matters, which is an uplifting and inspiring place to be.” Read on for his insights into the MBA application process, the Yale MBA program and more. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? First of all, I would start by acknowledging that the MBA application process can seem a bit daunting at first – there are multiple elements to the application that you need to manage at the same time that you are trying to learn about multiple schools and understand their various processes. This is an area where a little advance planning can go a long way. Take just a little time at the outset to think about when you want to apply, and then work backward to think about when you need to focus on the different elements of the application–e.g., speaking to your recommenders, studying for and taking a standardized test, working on your essays, etc. Now is also the time you’ll want to be doing research on various schools as you narrow down the list of schools to which you plan to apply. There are many resources to help you learn more about schools–seemingly too many at times, I’m sure–and every school has ways for you to connect with their communities. I would suggest taking advantage of these school resources–for example, we have a list of Student Ambassadors on our website who are available to talk about their experience here at Yale–to find out more about our culture and values. Ask each school the same questions as you do your research so that you can more easily compare them. The process of learning about schools and going through the application process can seem like a major investment–and it is–but it is one that is well worth it, and one where a little time spent up front mapping out a plan can make a big difference. Read more

Published: June 25, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Duke / Fuqua

This edition of MBA Admissions Brief takes us to Durham, North Carolina, where Associate Dean of Admissions, Shari Hubert, walks us through opportunities and features of the MBA at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions Hubert is responsible for overseeing recruitment and admissions for Fuqua's Daytime MBA, Weekend Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA, and four Specialty Masters’ Degree Programs. Prior to Fuqua, she was in charge of admissions for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Read on for her advice about the Duke MBA admissions process and exciting features of the program. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Think about what’s important to you in an MBA program, and tailor your questions accordingly, instead of only asking “what’s unique about your program” or “how does X program differ from Y program” Every top MBA program will have similarities and things unique to their culture – the important question is what’s important to you and what are you hoping to get out of your MBA, that will allow you to better compare programs and have a good basis for conversations with the various representatives you meet across the different schools (Admissions, students, alumni etc…) throughout the process We look for applicants who really understand our culture, can see themselves thriving here and demonstrate that they have taken the genuine time to get to know us throughout the application process, and therefore really want to be part of our unique community. Give yourself plenty of time. There is often a lot of soul searching that can happen in the application process and you don’t want to feel rushed with your essays. You want to give yourself time to process and think through the best representation of who you are and why an MBA will help you accomplish your goals. I’d also advise making sure you build in time to visit the schools on your shortlist. This is especially important at Fuqua, if you can swing it. You learn so much from being on campus and interacting with students and staff. Our signature Campus Visit program will start again in the early Fall so lookout for information on our website to register. If you feel as if you’re well prepared by the beginning of September or if you plan to apply in our Early Action Round, then take advantage of our Open interview season. We have started traveling this summer so check our calendar of events and meet us on the road. Reach out to our alumni, in your current work place or via your network Plan to join us for our various diversity weekends this Fall, 2019 – The Duke MBA Veteran’s Symposium (Oct 10-12) The Duke MBA Women’s Leadership Conference (Oct 31-Nov 2), The Duke MBA LGBTQ Weekend (Dec 5-7), The Duke MBA Workshop (Nov 21- 23) to test out the MBA, gain a first-hand experience of our culture and begin to build your network. What’s the one thing MBA candidates should know about selecting a recommender? I’m not sure there’s just one thing. Read more

Published: June 23, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Georgetown / McDonough

In our ongoing new series, MBA Admissions Brief, we catch up with leading business schools to bring you their tips about the admissions process and insights into what to expect from their full-time MBA programs. This week, we hear from Shelly Heinrich of Georgetown / McDonough, where she oversees the admissions team's operational strategy and marketing as Associate Dean of MBA Admissions and Director of Marketing. Shelly Heinrich, Associate Dean, MBA Admissions and Director of Marketing Georgetown University is located in Washington, D.C., which means students of the McDonough MBA program can enjoy studying at the intersection of business, government and international relations. Jesuit values also run through the MBA program, which drives its mission to prepare "disciplined and discerning business professionals with a clear sense of purposeful leadership." Read on for more about the Georgetown MBA program at the McDonough School of Business and how you can best prepare to apply. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? If you are looking to apply next fall and have already started to prepare, you are ahead and will set yourself apart from your peers. By starting this early, you can apply to round one of your preferred schools, which is a smart move. Typically, round one has a lower application volume than round two for many schools so you are able to introduce yourself to your preferred program and show them you’re interested before the large rush in round two. Additionally, applying early in round one gives you the most flexibility and time to improve your application in case you receive a place on the waitlist. At Georgetown, we offer coaching calls for candidates waitlisted in round one who were on the borderline of admission to provide feedback on how the application can be more competitive. If there are things like a standardized test or proof of quant ability that you can improve, then you have a few months to do so before we finalize our class. Read more

Published: June 18, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Columbia Business School

For our next installment of MBA Admissions Brief, which brings you application advice and program insights directly from leading business schools’ admissions, we visit Columbia Business School in Manhattan. Students can begin the full-time, two-year MBA program at CBS in either August or January, and enjoy the distinct advantages of New York City. Michael Robinson, a Director of MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School Shedding light on the CBS MBA application process and CBA MBA program is Michael Robinson, a Director of MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School. Much of his 16-year tenure has revolved around advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Michael’s responsibilities have included expanding strategic outreach in Africa and South East Asia and managing relationships with key non-profit partners. He is a graduate of Baruch College (BBA '87) and Columbia Business School (MBA '01). Prior to his transition to higher education, Michael had a seven-year stint running a profitable music publicity firm where Buju Banton and the platinum-selling Grammy winner Shaggy were clients. An avid reader with a preference for historical biography, he is a former freelance writer and has completed three New York City Marathons. Read on for more about the CBS MBA. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Someone just getting started in the MBA application process first has to engage in thoughtful and reflective introspection. Spend some quality time looking inward before considering schools. I’ve heard Sheena Iyengar, one of our superstar professors, provide great career advice to our students through a three question framework that I’ve reworked a bit to make it relevant and helpful to MBA applicants as well. Ask yourself: Read more

Published: June 16, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: MIT Sloan

Moving right along in our new series, MBA Admissions Brief, which brings you advice and insights directly from leading business schools’ admissions, we catch up with the MBA program at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the MIT MBA stands out for its entrepreneurship training and technological focus. They have also been keen to support the demand for business analytics. Read on for tips and advice from Jean Ann Schulte, the Director of Employer Relations & Recruiting Services Career Development Office, and Jen Burke Barba, the Senior Associate Director of MIT Sloan Admissions. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Get to know us! Explore our new website Join us at an event online or in-person our events. Our events are open for registration. Read our MIT Sloan student blogs Read more

Published: June 10, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: UT Austin / McCombs

This edition of MBA Admissions Brief takes us to Austin, Texas, where Managing Director, Rodrigo Malta, walks us through opportunities and features of the MBA at the McCombs School of Business of the University of Texas at Austin. Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director for MBA Recruitment and Admissions Rodrigo Malta is the Managing Director for MBA Recruitment and Admissions at Texas McCombs. His job is to oversee admissions for our Full-Time, Working Professional and Executive MBA programs. Rodrigo was born and raised in Brazil, pursued his bachelor and graduate business degrees in the United States, and is an MBA alumnus himself. He’s a proud Texas Longhorn, husband to David and dog dad to Cooper and Oscar. He loves his job, soccer and all things taco-related. Read on for what he shared about the Texas MBA program. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Come to an MBA event! Our admissions team hosts events, in-person and online, year-round in cities around the world so you can get to know us. There’s no better way to learn about our culture and your fit with the program. Our website is also a great place to start to learn about the program and the admissions process: TexasMBA.com. Read more

Published: June 10, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Chicago Booth

For this installment in our ongoing series, MBA Admissions Brief, we turn to the admissions office of the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the university's main campus, Chicago Booth's full-time MBA program enjoys a class size of around 580 students, extensive finance program and faculty, flexibility in curriculum and course scheduling, and broader international and experiential learning opportunities. The school also offers other MBA programs, including executive, international as well as part-time and weekend ones. Interim Executive Director of Student Recruitment, Financial Aid, and Admissions For insights into the Chicago MBA admissions, we hear from Donna Swinford, who has been at Chicago Booth since 1997. She joined the Office of Full-Time Admissions in 2005 and is currently the Interim Executive Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions. Prior to Admissions, Donna held various positions in Information Technology and MBA Career Services. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Now is the perfect time for potential applicants to explore and get to know the school community on a deeper level. We hold information sessions, participate in fairs, and have student-hosted events and alumni-hosted pop-ups in locations around the world. Talking directly with Booth alumni, students, and admissions staff offers an up close and personal perspective that can help connect the dots for your own MBA ambitions, as well as your understanding of Chicago Booth’s values and how the environment can propel you forward. Booth gives students unparalleled freedom to choose courses and dive into learning experiences that will build upon their educational and professional background to prepare for and achieve their specific goals. Want to know how students navigate our immensely choice-rich environment to maximize their two years in the program? We can help potential applicants connect directly with current students representing diverse backgrounds and interests to ask questions just like this. Investing time to uncover what makes Booth special will not only help you define your own unique path, but it will prepare you for talking about it in your application. Read more

Published: June 4, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Oxford Saïd Business School

Our new series, MBA Admissions Brief, continues with tips and advice about the Oxford MBA programme at Saïd Business School, which is located in the university town of Oxford in England. In addition to their one-year, full-time MBA programme, they offer a two-year dual-degree option, the Oxford 1+1 MBA, and an Executive MBA programme. Oxford Saïd is recognized for the opportunities it offers in the wider Oxford University, its international community of professors and students, and its emphasis on combining rigorous academic training with practical experience. Samantha Whyte, Marketing Manager, Oxford MBA Programme In this edition, we hear from Samantha Whyte, the Marketing Manager for the Oxford MBA programme at Saïd Business School. Samantha moved to Oxford from Australia two and a half years ago with her Kiwi fiancé, who is currently studying at Oxford University. Read on for her advice in applying to the Oxford Saïd MBA programme. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Don’t underestimate the time it takes to apply. Have a really good read through the requirements and make sure you have a checklist of everything you need so that you’re not scrambling for a second reference or your University transcripts hours before the deadline. Take your time with the GMAT/GRE—do your research and study so that you receive a score you’re happy with, and leave yourself enough time to re-take if you don’t think your score is an accurate reflection of your capabilities. Make an effort to reach out to current and past students to get a feel for the school and the culture–if you can find people with similar backgrounds to yours who ended up on a similar career path as you’re hoping for, try to reach out to them—we’re always happy to help connect you with students to assist with this or you can reach out via LinkedIn. Join our webinars, come to an event if you can, and don’t be afraid to email us or call us—we’re always happy to answer any questions you have about our MBA programme and life at Oxford Saïd. Read more

Published: May 27, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: UVA Darden School of Business

For this MBA Admissions Brief, in which leading business schools provide guidance for your application and insight into their program, we hear from the Darden School of Business of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. In addition to being known for its tight-knit community, a hallmark of the Darden MBA experience is the instructors’ use of the case method, a technique that fosters discussion among students about real-world business problems. The school estimates that each student will examine more than 500 business cases over the course of the two-year MBA program. Executive Director of Admissions, Dawna Clarke Today we hear from Executive Director of Admissions Dawna Clarke, who joined Darden in October 2017. Clarke previously served as director of admissions at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College for 11 years. Prior to Tuck, Clarke served in various leadership roles at the Darden School, including five years as admissions director and as director of alumni relations. Read on for her insights into the MBA admissions process and the Darden program. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? As you are navigating your MBA search, it’s important to take time for reflection—spend some time thinking about who you are. What is your skillset? What are you passionate about? What sort of gaps are you hoping to fill in business school? As you think about these questions, use your answers to help determine what programs and communities are in alignment with your goals and interests. Take time to genuinely get to know members of each program’s respective communities—especially their students and alumni. Don’t shy away from thinking critically about who you are and where you hope to be in 5-10 years. And, of course, don’t forget to enjoy the journey! Read more

Published: May 26, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: NYU Stern

Our new series, MBA Admissions Brief, continues with tips and advice about the Leonard N. Stern School of Business of New York University, located in Manhattan. Associate Dean of Admissions and New Program Innovation, Isser Gallogly We hear from the Associate Dean of Admissions and New Program Innovation, Isser Gallogly, who came to Stern over 15 years ago. Since then, he’s had a hand in almost every aspect of admissions for the school’s MBA programs. After a start in banking, he himself sought out an MBA to pivot into marketing, spending several years working for Mattel, Unilever and L’Oreal before heading into higher education. So he understands the MBA application process from both sides, as well several of the career paths the degree can help students pursue. Read on for his insights into the NYU Stern MBA program. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Take time to reflect on your goals and why you believe an MBA is the optimal path. Determine where you’d like to take your career and start to connect with people in the industries that interest you. Once you have a clearer picture, begin researching schools to find your fit. At Stern, aside from speaking to our Admissions team, we can connect you with current students who are eager to share their journeys and experiences to help you chart your own. Next, use this time to start taking stock of your strengths, core characteristics and professional accomplishments and begin to think about how you’ll tell your personal story. At Stern, for example, a unique and relatively new part of our application is our popular Pick Six visual essay. The Pick Six asks you to express who you are through six images, such as pictures, charts, infographics and artwork, along with six short captions. This is an opportunity for you to go beyond your résumé and tell the Admissions Committee about who you are as a person, what’s important to you and what you are passionate about. We’ve gotten great feedback from candidates who say they had fun with this part of the application. Read more

Published: May 22, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: UCLA Anderson School of Management

In this edition of MBA Admissions Brief, we hear from Alex Lawrence of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. The Anderson School of Management is situated amid the greater University of California, Los Angeles campus in the Westwood section of the city of Los Angeles. Alex Lawrence, UCLA Anderson Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid Alex Lawrence, Class of 1999, became the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid in August 2012. He had been the Executive Director of The Riordan Programs at UCLA Anderson since 2004, working with Professor Bill Ouchi and Riordan Programs' founder Mayor Richard Riordan to advance high school and undergraduate students' development and educational attainment. Prior to his leadership of the Riordan Programs, Alex worked at Cap Gemini, where he developed CRM strategies and trained clients in the automotive, medical and insurance industries. As Executive Director of Riordan, Alex developed creative programs and initiatives which target students who are the first in their family to apply to college, current undergraduates, or professionals seeking an MBA degree. Program achievements include a 100% success rate of high school participants continuing to college, and nearly 70% of Riordan MBA Fellows obtaining their MBA at the nation's elite business schools. Read on for his insights and advice about the MBA application process. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? First of all, I would say congratulations! If you are “just getting started,” then you made a recent decision ….(a great one in my opinion)….to take the next leap in your professional development, expand your social network, and explore what the future (the next 2, 5, 10 years) could look like for you. Use this time to understand what interests you about the MBA experience, what the different programs offer at the schools, talk to as many different people as possible, including students, staff, alumni, and other applicants. And as you go through the process, try to learn as much about the process and what it entails. Even though it can be stressful, try to have fun in the process, because in the end, the experience of matriculating to an MBA program should be a celebration of your accomplishments. Read more

Published: May 20, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

For our next installment of MBA Admissions Brief, which brings you advice and insights directly from leading business schools' admissions, we head to North Carolina. Kenan-Flagler Business School is housed within the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school is well-regarded for its emphasis on team-based learning, its numerous international study programs and the variety of careers its graduates enter. Danielle Richie, Senior Associate Director of MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment, UNC Kenan-Flagler / alexjonesphoto.com Danielle Richie is Senior Associate Director of MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. She has over 11 years of experience within higher education admissions with a focus on MBA recruitment. She has a Master’s of Science in Communication and Advertising from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Public Relations from the State University of New York at Oswego. Read on for her advice on how to make the most of your time applying for an MBA in the coming year. What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Kudos to you for starting your application early and getting the documents together now in advance of the early action application deadline. I recommend taking the next few months to visit the schools that you plan to applying to and immerse yourself into the MBA culture of each school. Ask yourself: Can I see myself here for two years? Do I feel as if the school, city and students match what I am looking for? Visiting a school brings all of your research to life. You’ve read about it online but now is the time to experience it before you apply and, more importantly, before you receive your admissions decision. By carving out time now, you will find it easier to finalize your decision and pay your deposit instead of rushing your experience. Find out whether the school has open interview season. If so, take advantage of it now. Read more

Published: May 15, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Cambridge Judge

Margaret O’Neill, Head of MBA Admissions, Marketing and Careers In this edition of MBA Admissions Brief, in which leading business schools provide guidance for your application and insight into their program, we hear from Cambridge Judge Business School. Highlights of Judge’s MBA program include its condensed timeline of just one year, its dedication to international diversity, and its unique curriculum that gives students additional learning opportunities in the form of seminars, consulting projects and workshops. Read on for tips and info from Margaret O’Neill, Head of MBA Admissions, Marketing and Careers Read more

Published: May 12, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Michigan / Ross

In this installment of MBA Admissions Brief, we bring you tips and advice from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Soojin Kwon, Managing Director for Full-time MBA Admissions and Student Experience Soojin Kwon is the Managing Director for Full-time MBA Admissions and Student Experience at Ross. She is also an adjunct lecturer in Ross’ Business Communications department. Soojin joined Ross in 2004 and has led the Admissions Office since 2006. Before joining Ross, Soojin was a Manager in Deloitte’s Strategy and Operations practice, focusing on consumer business clients. Prior to consulting, she was selected as a Presidential Management Fellow and worked in Washington, D.C. for the Senate Budget Committee, House Appropriations Committee, and Department of Commerce. Soojin holds an MBA from Ross, an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Yale. She has served on the boards of the Forte Foundation, Greenhills School and ETS’ Business School Advisory Council. She has also served as an alumni interviewer for Yale. Read on for her advice about the Ross application process, choosing recommenders and what you may have to look forward to in Ann Arbor! Read more

Published: May 7, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: Harvard Business School

Moving right along in our new series, MBA Admissions Brief, we hear from Chad Losee (HBS MBA 2013), the Managing Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard Business School. HBS Managing Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Chad Losee Losee knows what it’s like to be on the applicant side of the process, having gone through it himself not too long ago. Moreover, he has a storied history with the school and passion for education that shines through his professional choices. After a couple of years at the management consulting firm Bain & Company, he headed to HBS— inspired by MBAs from Bain & Co, drawn to the case study method. While on campus, he volunteered as an admissions ambassador and spent the summer between his first and second MBA years working as an associate in the office of former HBS Dean Kim Clark. Upon graduating HBS, he spent a year working as a fellow for HBS Dean Nitin Nohria. The latter post was initially intended to be a few months, but stretched into a full year as a leadership fellow and later assistant director of HBX (now known as Harvard Business School Online). He also sat on the HBS Board of Admissions during that time, providing an up-close look at what became his every day in May of 2016. Over the past three years heading up admissions at HBS, he’s helped shaped the exceptional classes, overseen a shift to two admissions rounds, welcomed an inaugural cohort of MS/MBA students and taken the time to talk to Clear Admit about interviews, financial aid and more—to mention just a few. Read on for Losee's insights into HBS, their admissions and what actions applicants can start taking now. Read more

Published: May 6, 2019

MBA Admissions Brief: The Wharton School

We are excited to launch a new series, MBA Admissions Brief, in which leading business schools provide guidance for your application and insight into their program. Whether you are already lining up recommenders or just beginning to think about an MBA, the adcoms will be sharing tips and info with you in this new Q&A feature. Maryellen Reilly, Deputy Vice Dean of the Wharton MBA Program To kick things off, we hear from the Wharton School's Maryellen Reilly, the Deputy Vice Dean of the MBA Program, who oversees Wharton MBA Admissions, Financial Aid, Career Management and Student Life. Before coming to Wharton 12 years ago, Maryellen spent over 15 years in finance in both the US and Europe at firms including Capital Group and JP Morgan. Additionally, Maryellen sits on the investment committee of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Forum of Executive Women. In her role as Deputy Vice Dean, Maryellen leads the student experience outside the classroom, including Career Management, Admissions & Financial Aid and Student Life in identifying and providing services and support to enhance the student experience from admission to graduation and beyond. Read on for her advice about the Wharton application process, choosing recommenders and what you may have to look forward to at Wharton! What would you say to someone who’s applying next fall and just getting started in the MBA application process now? Start by thinking deeply about what your goals are and what do you hope to gain from an MBA, both professionally and personally. That’s a big part of the decision process: getting to know yourself. Once you know what you want and what you hope to get out of business school, then you can then set your sights on researching programs and finding the place that best fits you. Every school is really excited to show you everything we offer, but it’s important that you really take this opportunity to see if the school you’re thinking of is the place for you. Read more

MBA Applywire

October 26, 2026 2:21am ET

Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, London Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Penn / Wharton, Toronto / Rotman, UCLA Anderson, USC / Marshall, UVA / Darden

Intake Year: 2027

Pre-MBA Career: Entrepreneurship

Post MBA Career: Finance, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Real Estate, Undecided, Technology, Undecided

GRE: 333

GPA: 3.26

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: India

Post MBA Location: US and EU

Notes:

I’ve done a stint at a startup which got acquired by a Singapore based VC firm, post that I was working in my family business.

October 23, 2026 8:46am ET

Applying: Chicago Booth, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, UCLA Anderson, USC / Marshall

Intake Year: 2027

Pre-MBA Career: Tech/Customer Success

Post MBA Career: Consulting

GMAT: 675

GPA: 3.88

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Germany

Notes:

Working at a small strategy management software company, currently 4 people.

Athletics (Rowing) have been a big part of my life: Scholarship for US college (captain of D1 team), National team, rowed across the Atlantic and raised $100k for youth development charities during that.

Additionally some mentoring/volunteering.

Likely aiming for consulting post MBA, long term entrepreneurship or sustainability in CPG. Would like to avoid going into debt for the MBA.

October 22, 2026 4:00pm ET

Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cambridge / Judge, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Dartmouth / Tuck, Harvard Business School, Indian School of Business, London Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2027

Pre-MBA Career: Government

Post MBA Career: Consulting, Management Consulting, Technology

GRE: 334

GPA: 7.86

Years of Work Experience: 6

Location: India

Post MBA Location: UsA

Notes:

Profile Review: 334 GRE (170Q), Indian Male (Non-Engineer! / Govt & Diplomacy), Targeting HBS, GSB, CBS, Yale SOM & Oxford Said for Big Tech Public Policy

Hi r/MBA,

I am finalizing my applications for Round 2 and would love a brutal, objective reality check on my profile. I know "Indian Male" is the toughest demographic bucket, but my background is entirely non-traditional (zero engineering, zero IT, zero corporate finance). My career has been spent exclusively in political campaigns, national governance execution, parliamentary policy, and G7 diplomacy.

My primary concern is whether admissions committees will view my varied government/political roles as a cohesive upward trajectory or a disjointed series of job hops, and whether my post-MBA goal makes sense to commercial recruiters.

Here are the details:

Background: 27, Indian Male.

Undergrad: Bachelor of Journalism from DU

Post Graduation: MA in Human Resource Management from JMI

GRE: 334 Total (170 Quant - 89th percentile, 164 Verbal).

Work Experience (5+ Years Total)

My career has been a deliberate progression up the governance chain: from state election campaigns, to drafting laws in Parliament, to national execution, and now bilateral diplomacy.

Current Role (Diplomacy): Political & Economic Officer at a G7 Diplomatic Mission in India.

Previous Role (National Gov Execution): Analyst at a National Government Apex Body.

Previous Role (State Gov Execution): Associate Fellow at a State Legislature.

Previous Role (Legislative): Policy Assistant to a Federal Member of Parliament.

Early Career (Campaigns): Field Research Lead at top Political Consulting Firms.

Extracurriculars & Impact

\* COVID-19 Oxygen Network (April 2021): Built and managed a two-stage verification and routing pipeline staffed by 50 volunteers during the healthcare collapse. Maintained strict operational discipline to prevent routing families to occupied beds, connecting over 1,200 families to verified medical care over two months.

\* Migrant Worker Crisis (April 2020): Volunteered with a labor-rights collective during the sudden national lockdown. Spent three days coordinating directly between two state governments and railway officials to clear transit bottlenecks and secure a special relief train for 500 stranded migrant workers.

Post-MBA Goals

\* Short-Term: Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager at a global tech multinational (Google, Meta, Apple) covering South Asia.

Target Schools

\* Reach: Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School (HBS). Applying to Stanford MPP + HKS MPP ( If possible can be combined with GSB & HBS)

\* Target/Reach: Columbia Business School (CBS), Yale SOM.

\* Target (UK): Oxford Saïd (1-year MBA).

My Questions:

The "Job Hop" Perception: I have had 5-6 distinct roles across campaigns, state assembly, parliament, national execution, and the diplomatic mission. I frame this in my application as a deliberate progression, but will adcoms view this as instability?

Tech Policy Feasibility: Is my goal of transitioning into Big Tech Government Affairs directly from an MBA realistic to adcoms?

School Selection: Given the heavy public-sector/diplomatic background, are there any other programs I should be targeting for massive merit aid?

October 22, 2026 2:16pm ET

Applying: Georgia Tech / Scheller, Michigan / Ross, Minnesota / Carlson

Intake Year: 2027

Pre-MBA Career: Food production and Agriculture Technology

Post MBA Career: Consulting, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PWC Strategy&

GRE: 334

GPA: 2.5

Years of Work Experience: 8

Location: Ghana

Notes:

I am currently in operations and my post mba goal is to pivot into supply chain consulting. My undergraduate degree was in English and it was 10 years ago. I have a master’s in logistics and supply chain management with a 4.0 GPA. Applied to round one and got waitlisted by Gtech Scheller and UTK Haslam.
Wonder what I could be doing wrong

October 22, 2026 12:44pm ET

Applying: Columbia Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Penn / Wharton

Intake Year: 2027

Pre-MBA Career: Strategy - Retail/eCommerce

Post MBA Career: Health Care, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical, Marketing

GMAT: 655

GPA: 3.96

Years of Work Experience: 4

Post MBA Location: Northeast or Midwest

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October 28, 2026 7:19am ET

Accepted to UVA / Darden

Round: Early Decision

Received via phone October 28, 2026

Standardized Test: I haven't taken any of the standardized tests yet.

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Application Location: India

Juno Member: Not yet

October 28, 2026 4:36am ET

Waitlisted at MIT Sloan

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on October 26, 2026

Standardized Test: GMAT

GPA: 9.11/10

GMAT: 715

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Post MBA Career: Technology

Application Location: India

Juno Member: Not yet

October 28, 2026 4:12am ET

Waitlisted at MIT Sloan

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on October 26, 2026

Standardized Test: GMAT

GPA: 3.8

GMAT: 675

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology

Juno Member: Not yet

October 28, 2026 1:11am ET

Interview Invite to UCLA Anderson

Round: Round 1

Received via email October 28, 2026

Standardized Test: GMAT

GPA: 9.21/10

GMAT: 735

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology

Application Location: India

Juno Member: Not yet

October 28, 2026 12:08am ET

Interview Invite to MIT Sloan

Round: Round 1

Received via email October 28, 2026

Standardized Test: GMAT

GPA: 3.79

GMAT: 665

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Post MBA Career: Finance, FinTech

Application Location: Thailand

Juno Member: Not yet

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