B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit

School selection and program strengths: B-Schooled episode 171

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this replay of a popular past episode of the B-Schooled podcast, we cover: Two big mistakes we see applicants make regarding school selection An ex...

What to do when you get stuck (Part 2 of 2): B-Schooled episode 170

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone – and we do mean everyone – gets stuck on their MBA Applications from time to time. So it really isn't a question of IF you are going to ...

What to do when you get stuck (Part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode 169

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone – and we do mean everyone – gets stuck on their MBA Applications from time to time. So it really isn't a question of IF you are going to ...

Spotlight on MIT Sloan: B-Schooled - Get Your MBA Admit - Episode 168

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Erika talks with fellow Stacy Blackman Consulting team member Deedee, who spent 12 years on the MBA admissions team at Massachusetts ...

The 5-paragraph MBA essay: B-Schooled episode 167

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While there are countless ways to approach an MBA essay, we know a few things are true for virtually any business school essay prompt: You need to con...

MBA career goals: B-Schooled episode 166

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode covers: - How you should think about and position your short- and long-term MBA career goals in both the short-answer responses on busine...

MBA in space—Using an MBA in emerging sectors: B-Schooled episode 165

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Host Chandler Arnold sits down with longtime friend and MBA classmate Carie Lemack to talk about using an MBA in the aerospace field (specifically) an...

ChatGPT and your MBA essays: B-Schooled episode 164

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've toyed with the idea of using an artificial intelligence tool to write your MBA essays, this is the episode for you.

Highlighting what you've learned + how you've grown: B-Schooled episode 163

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One thing many admissions officers focus on is identifying applicants who have a strong record of learning and growth, in both their professional and ...

How to address red flags in your MBA candidacy (Part 2 of 2): B-Schooled episode 162

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a continuation of episode 158 on "candidacy question marks" – or red flags on an MBA candidate's record – this week's episode covers what to do...

Write the MBA essay that scares you: B-Schooled episode 161

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The things that scare us – especially in the context of MBA essays – are often the things that make us feel vulnerable, uncertain, or insecure. In...

Spotlight on Notre Dame - Mendoza: B-Schooled episode 160

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Erika talks with Joe Sweeney, the MBA Program Academic Director of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. Joe's unique experience ...

Leadership lessons from a Navy SEAL + Stanford GSB grad: B-Schooled Episode 159

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, co-host Chandler Arnold sits down with Jamey Cummings to talk about leadership. Jamey graduated from the United States Naval Academy ...

How to address red flags in your MBA candidacy (Part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode 158

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode—a replay of a listener favorite—covers what to do about "question marks," or possible red flags, in an MBA applicant's candidacy, inc...

12 MBA program considerations *beyond* the rankings (Part 2 of 2): B-Schooled episode 157

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First of all, we recognize that many applicants do consider MBA rankings as a key input into their school selection process. We consider MBA rankings ...

Spotlight on Michigan Ross: B-Schooled episode 156

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Laura, a Michigan Ross MBA alum and former admissions committee member during her second year, joins Erika -- a Ross BBA graduate -- to share advice f...

12 MBA program considerations *beyond* the rankings (Part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode 155

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First off, many applicants do consider MBA rankings as a key input into their school selection process. With good reason. We consider MBA rankings too...

Dinged everywhere? 5 paths forward (replay): B-Schooled episode 154

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After working so hard on your MBA materials for months on end, it can be shocking and devastating if you're not accepted anywhere. What should you do ...

Connecting with MBA students, faculty and alums: B-Schooled episode 153

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode offers a deep dive into an aspect of the MBA application process many forget about: connecting with students, faculty and alums at your t...

Spotlight on Stanford GSB: B-Schooled episode 152

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alex, a GSB alum who's now on the SBC admissions consulting team, shares advice for Stanford's extensive MBA application, as well as insight into the ...

Using an MBA in education--A conversation with Recy Dunn: B-Schooled episode 151

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode of B-Schooled we sit down the Recy Dunn. Recy currently serves as the CEO of Ascend Public Charter Schools and oversees a network of ...

Business School and the Entrepreneurial Journey: B-Schooled episode 150

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate our 150th episode, our founder Stacy Blackman joins us to talk about business school and the entrepreneurial journey. This episode is per...

Spotlight on Columbia Business School: B-Schooled episode 149

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hannah, a former member of the Columbia Business School adcom -- who's now on the SBC admissions consulting team -- shares advice for the CBS applicat...

Advice for Wharton's TBD group interview from a person who helped create it: B-Schooled episode 148

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this replay, Erika talks with Anthony Penna, a fellow SBC admissions consultant who spent 10 years with the Wharton School in Career Management and...

Developing your personal MBA soundbite: B-Schooled episode 147

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many interviewers report that they make up a big percentage of their mind about applicants during the first few minutes of an interview. This podcast ...

Standing out from the MBA competition: B-Schooled 146

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can you differentiate yourself from your MBA competition, particularly if you're in one of the most competitive buckets when it comes to demograph...

MBA waitlist advice (replay): B-Schooled episode 145

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MBA candidates who've been waitlisted can feel like they're in some sort of admissions purgatory. In this episode, our host Erika and her colleague an...

10 tips if you have 6 months before you apply (Part 2): B-Schooled episode 144

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have six months (or more) before your application deadline, this two-part podcast is for you. In Part 1 of this podcast, we shared five sets of...

10 tips if you have 6 months before you apply (Part 1): B-Schooled episode 143

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcasts is designed for applicants who have 6 months (or more) before their applications are due. In addition to offering suggestions about how ...

Round 3 (or final round) considerations: B-Schooled episode 142

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This replay focuses on when it does or doesn't make sense to apply in a school's final application round.

Top 10 things before submitting your application: B-Schooled episode 141

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast gives applicants 10 things to think about in the days before submitting their applications. This is not intended as something to listen t...

Advice from a former adcom, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 140

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A unique aspect of our admissions-consulting process at Stacy Blackman Consulting is our Flight Test, which replicates an actual admissions committee ...

Advice from a former MBA adcom, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 139

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At Stacy Blackman Consulting, we have a team of former admission committee members from the top MBA programs who serve as our "Flight Testers." Our Fl...

Doubting yourself? This could be a great thing, Part 2: B-Schooled episode 138

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you having doubts about applying to business school? This could be a good thing. Are you having REALLY BIG DOUBTS? This could be even better. In t...

Doubting yourself? This could be a great thing, Part 1: B-Schooled episode 137

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Every thoughtful MBA applicant doubts themselves at some point during the MBA application journey. More critically,it is often the applicants who have...

Reapplying (2022 update): B-Schooled episode 136

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you didn't get into your dream program, how long should you wait until you reapply? Should you use any of the same materials again? What about reco...

MBA interview advice, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 135 (replay)

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our host Erika is joined once again by former Kellogg admissions director Beth Tidmarsh for a discussion specifically about behavioral MBA interviews ...

Ten things I wish I'd known about recommendations when applying, Part 2: B-Schooled episode 134

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the last episode your host Chandler Arnold shared five things he wished he'd known about recommendations when applying to business school, includin...

Ten things I wish I'd known about recommendations when applying: B-Schooled episode 133

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this series of two episodes your host shares ten things he wished he'd known about recommendations when applying to business school, including: The...

MBA interview advice, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 132 (replay)

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our host Erika is joined by former Kellogg admissions director Beth Tidmarsh for a discussion about MBA interviews. They cover the types of questions ...

MBA career goal madlibs: B-Schooled episode 131

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You may remember madlibs from childhood—the silly word game where you fill in blanks to make an entertaining story… but don't let the playful titl...

6 things you think you know about MBA essays (but might not): B-Schooled episode 130

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all know how to write, so what could possibly go wrong in an MBA application essay? Lots of things, as it turns out. In this podcast we dive into 6...

Time and energy wasters (replay): B-Schooled episode 129

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this replay of one of our most popular episodes, Meg — a former University of Chicago Booth admissions committee member and current SBC admission...

Single-Employer Career Narratives: B-Schooled episode 128

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode discusses the most important things you must communicate to the admissions committee -- as well as the red flags you can head off -- if y...

How to pick the right recommenders (replay): B-Schooled episode 127

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode details: The most important recommender criteria What you should do if you can't ask your direct manager for a letter What you should do ...

Things you're scared to talk about (and why you REALLY should) Part Two: B-Schooled episode 126

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Caryn Altman joins us for more real talk. Today's topic: the complicated question of sharing something in your application of which yo...

Things you're scared to talk about (and why you REALLY should) Part One: B-Schooled episode 125

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Caryn Altman joins us for some real talk. Today's topic: the complicated question of sharing something in your application of which yo...

How to write and talk about accomplishments: B-Schooled episode 124

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you're usually not comfortable "tooting your own horn" -- or telling others about your achievements, this episode is for you. There's a fine line b...

Tips for LGBTQ+ -- and other underrepresented -- applicants: B-Schooled episode 123

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All of us who put together this podcast are on a mission to help MBA applicants shine their brightest when applying to business school. For this episo...

What should you do with your life? (replay): B-Schooled episode 122

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this replay of one of our most popular episodes, Erika is joined by Kellogg JD/MBA and fellow SBC consultant Gina for an in-depth discussion about ...

GRE vocabulary prep: B-Schooled episode 121

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are dive into a topic on the minds of many MBA applicants: test prep for the GMAT and/or GRE. We are joined by Anthony Ritz, Stacy Blackman C...

What makes you unique?: B-Schooled episode 120

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's a question that haunts all MBA applicants: How do I stand out? What's special about me? What makes me unique? This episode offers several ideas f...

Data form do's and don'ts (replay): B-Schooled episode 119

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode covers how to make the most of the data form—or the actual online application itself—and why you shouldn't underestimate its importan...

Tackling your main MBA essay (Part 2 of 2): B-Schooled episode #118

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

B-Schooled Episode #118: Tackling Your Main MBA Essay (Part 2 of 2) Today we are dive into about one of the topics we get the most questions about: ho...

Tackling your main MBA essay (Part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode #117

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are dive into about one of the topics we get the most questions about: how best to tackle your main MBA essay. While different MBA programs a...

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and the MBA : B-Schooled episode 116

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At SBC we work with an increasing number of applicants interested in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion – either because they are personally ...

Spotlight on Darden: B-Schooled episode 115

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

MPG, a former Assistant Director of Admissions and adcom member at Darden -- who's now on the SBC admissions consulting team -- shares insight into UV...

How to MBA your resume (replay): B-Schooled episode 114

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Your resume is perhaps the single most important part of your application materials. This episode (a replay of episode 16 from August 12, 2020) covers...

Top 10 things I wish I'd known when applying (Part 2): B-Schooled episode 113

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Looking back on 15+ years of helping applicants with their own MBA applications, host Chandler Arnold shares a Top Ten List of things he wishes he had...

Top 10 things I wish I'd known when applying (Part 1): B-Schooled episode 112

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Looking back on 15+ years of helping applicants with their own MBA applications, host Chandler Arnold shares a Top Ten List of things he wishes he had...

Advice for differently abled MBA applicants: B-Schooled episode 111

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Erika talks with her SBC colleague Kevin, a member of the disability community, about what differently abled MBA applicants need to keep in mind, do/n...

Round 1 kickoff: B-Schooled episode 110

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode will motivate you to get going on your Round 1 MBA materials, and will cover what makes the most sense for you to be working on right now...

Disruptive technologies and the MBA: B-Schooled episode 109

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The hottest topic in MBA circles just might be a term you've never heard before: Futurism. Futurism is a broad term referring to the advancement of di...

Strengthening your quantitative profile (replay): B-Schooled episode 108

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode (a replay of episode 6 from June 2020), our host Erika and fellow SBC admissions consultant (and former Kellogg adcom) Caryn have a di...

The inside scoop on short- and long-term career goals: B-Schooled episode 107

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If there is one question nearly every school asks somewhere in the application process, it is some version of "What are your short and long-term term ...

MBA admissions test prep deep dive: B-Schooled episode 106

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Ritz, Stacy Blackman Consulting's Director of Test Prep, who's been a GMAT and GRE tutor for more than two decades, joins the podcast to share...

Pro tips from 100+ episodes (from a successful applicant who listened to them all): B-Schooled episode 105

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We love the podcast. Hopefully you love the podcast. But even if you love the podcast as much as we do, you might not have time to listen to all 100+ ...

The importance of extracurriculars and community service (replay): B-Schooled episode 104

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What should you do if you're light on extracurriculars, volunteer work and community service? And is it even worth it to try and beef up this aspect o...

The power of authenticity in MBA applications: B-Schooled episode 103

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chandler Arnold joins B-Schooled as a new host, and he welcomes SBC colleague Christina Fu to have an extraordinary conversation about a hot topic in ...

Financing your MBA: B-Schooled episode 102

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After you've celebrated the huge achievement of getting into an MBA program, then you have to figure out how you're going to pay for it. This episode ...

Interview with HBS/GSB admit Nick (replay): B-Schooled episode 101

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a replay of our MOST popular episode. SBC admissions consultant Erika Olson interviews her past client Nick, who is about to graduate from HBS...

100th episode - What 20 years of MBA trends mean for you, with Francesca Di Meglio: B-Schooled episode 100

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's our 100th episode! For this milestone, we've invited journalist Francesca Di Meglio—who's reported on MBA programs for 20 years—to share her ...

Consulting interviews & MBA hiring trends with My Consulting Offer CEO Davis Nguyen: B-Schooled episode 99

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My Consulting Offer CEO and former Bain consultant Davis Nguyen returns to the podcast to share insight on consulting interviews and recent trends he'...

Consulting careers for MBAs, with My Consulting Offer CEO Davis Nguyen: B-Schooled episode 98

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My Consulting Offer CEO and Bain alum Davis Nguyen gives an overview of both the consulting industry and consulting careers for MBA graduates.

HBS FAQs (& life advice) with Dawn Clare: B-Schooled episode 97

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Erika and her SBC colleague, Dawn Clare, discuss misconceptions about what it takes to get into Harvard Business School, as well as HBS-related questi...

Online MBA programs: B-Schooled episode 96

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Curious about how an online MBA works? In this episode, SBC's online MBA expert Bill covers the structure of these programs, how they are both similar...

Waitlist do's and don'ts: B-Schooled episode 95

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For MBA hopefuls, getting waitlisted after months of hard work can be devastating and demoralizing. But one of the worst things you can do after getti...

Behavioral interviews: B-Schooled episode 94

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode takes a deep dive into the most common type of MBA interview: the behavioral interview.

Dealing with dings: B-Schooled episode 93

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It can be devastating to receive a ding after months of hard work on your MBA applications. This episode focuses on what a ding from any given program...

MBA background checks: B-Schooled episode 92

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After you've been admitted to an MBA program, it's very likely the program you decide to attend will perform a background check on you. This freaks a ...

Do MBA rankings matter? Part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 91

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second of a two-episode arch discussing the Stacy Blackman Consulting team's thoughts on MBA rankings, the differences between the "top" s...

Do MBA rankings matter? Part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 90

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do MBA rankings matter? Are there real differences between the "top" schools and the next tier? The Stacy Blackman Consulting team had A LOT of though...

Advice for younger MBA applicants: B-Schooled episode 89

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While there are deferred-admissions programs for MBA hopefuls who are still in college, is it possible for someone with just 1 or 2 years of work expe...

Before you submit in Round 2: B-Schooled episode 88

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Round 2 deadlines are approaching -- are you ready? This episode gives advice on what MBA applicants should focus on in the remaining days before thei...

Advice for older MBA applicants: B-Schooled episode 87

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you're more than 5 or 6 years out of college, or well into your 30s, do you have any hope of being admitted into an MBA program? Yes you do, but yo...

Spotlight on Kellogg: B-Schooled episode 86

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A former Kellogg adcom director and current member of the SBC admissions consulting team shares magnificent insight into the multiple MBA programs at ...

Spotlight on Rice Jones: B-Schooled episode 85

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue with our series of program-spotlight episodes, next up is the Jones School at Rice University. This week, our host Erika talks with Lis...

Spotlight on Fuqua: B-Schooled episode 84

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to be on Team Fuqua, this week's episode is for you! It's jam-packed with insider information from Sherry, a member of our SBC admissions ...

Spotlight on Booth: B-Schooled episode 83

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, two former Booth adcom members (and current SBC admissions consultants) share their insights on what is unique about University of Chicago'...

Interview with UT McCombs Adcom MD, Rodrigo Malta: B-Schooled episode 82

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you're interested in the University of Texas Austin McCombs School of Business, this is a can't-miss episode! Erika interviews Rodrigo Malta, Manag...

Spotlight on Tuck: B-Schooled episode 81

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A Tuck MBA who previously worked with Tuck admissions shares insight about the program; about the benefits of Dartmouth's Hanover, New Hampshire, camp...

Spotlight on Wharton: B-Schooled episode 80

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Erika talks once again with Anthony Penna, a fellow SBC admissions consultant who spent 10 years with the Wharton School in Career Management and as A...

Interview with Cooper, current CMU Tepper student: B-Schooled episode 79

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cooper is on the younger side of the MBA applicant pool and applied to a handful of programs in Round 2 of the 2020-21 application season. He knew goi...

Unique recommender situations: B-Schooled episode 78

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode covers who you should ask to write your recommendations if you work for a family business, lead a startup, or can't risk asking your dire...

Interview Prep Do's & Don'ts: B-Schooled Episode 77

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focuses on smart MBA interview-prep strategies, and also covers which tactics are a waste of time or could backfire and negatively affect...

What to do after a ding: B-Schooled episode 76

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday, Harvard Business School was the first MBA program to release its 2021-22 Round 1 interview invites and dings, meaning that thousands of MBA...

Interview with Jenny, Wharton/CBS admit: B-Schooled episode 75

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our host Erika interviews her 2020-21 client Jenny, who found a way to differentiate herself from the rest of the financial services ...

Round 2 2021-22: B-Schooled episode 74

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focuses on a few important things to keep in mind for MBA hopefuls who are applying in Round 2 of the 2021-22 application year.

3 Round 1 submission do's and don'ts: B-Schooled episode 73

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Round 1 of the 2021-22 MBA application cycle is soon drawing to a close, and along with those deadlines comes a surge in self-sabotaging applicant beh...

Interview with HBS/GSB/Haas/Yale admit Maddy: B-Schooled episode 72

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

B-Schooled's host Erika interviews her 2020-21 Round 2 client Maddy, who was accepted to HBS, Stanford GSB, Berkeley Haas and Yale School of Managemen...