B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Episodes
Round 1 vs. Round 2: B-Schooled episode 71
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is there an advantage to applying for business school in Round 1? If your MBA materials aren't ready in the fall, is it significantly harder to be acc...
Why now for your MBA? : B-Schooled episode 70
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes "Why do you need an MBA now?" is an essay question that programs ask directly, but more often than not it's something applicants should end ...
The STAR method for essays and interview questions: B-Schooled episode 69
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode talks about how to use the STAR method to organize your thoughts for powerful resume bullets, essays or interview responses. STAR stands ...
Think like the admissions committee: B-Schooled episode 68
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In order to stand out from your MBA competition, you need to take a step back and assess your candidacy from the admissions committee's point of view....
Powerful resume writing: B-Schooled episode 67
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode builds upon the advice covered in episode 16 ("MBA your resume") on how to create an MBA resume that best positions and differentiates yo...
Interview with Mike, SBC client and CBS Class of 2023 admit: B-Schooled episode 66
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our host Erika Olson interviews her recent SBC admissions consulting client Mike, who is about to head to Columbia Business School (CBS) after applyin...
Career narratives for MBA applicants with several employers: B-Schooled episode 65
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Being able to tell a clear story about your career to date is a critical part of your MBA candidacy. This episode covers what to do if you've worked f...
European MBA programs - FAQs: B-Schooled episode 64
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this follow-up to episode 56, which gave a general overview of European MBA programs, Cathy, an INSEAD graduate and one of Stacy Blackman Consultin...
5 MBA applicant pitfalls: B-Schooled episode 63
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers 5 MBA applicant pitfalls – as in, traits, attitudes or approaches that some MBA applicants take that can ultimately derail their...
The HBS essay: B-Schooled episode 62
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Harvard Business School's essay is open-ended and has no word limit. This episode focuses on how MBA candidates should approach both the content and t...
The importance of extracurriculars (2021 update): B-Schooled episode 61
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers exactly why extracurriculars are so critical to your MBA candidacy. It also gives advice on what to do if you're light on extracur...
Calling all social impact applicants!: B-Schooled episode 60
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Chandler Arnold, a Stanford MBA, SBC consultant and social-impact executive, shares advice for those in social-impact careers who are...
Things to do now that Round 1 is here: B-Schooled episode 59
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The 2021-2022 MBA application season is officially upon us, with several top business schools having already posted their deadlines, as well as a few ...
2021-22 application year trends so far: B-Schooled episode 58
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The 2020-21 MBA application year saw double-digit increases in the number of students applying to business school, driven by uncertainty in the market...
Ryan Price of MBA Secrets' wild application ride: B-Schooled episode 57
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Erika chats with Ryan Price of the MBA Secrets podcast. Ryan discusses his extremely unique MBA application and GMAT experience, his ...
European MBA programs -- an overview: B-Schooled episode 56
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our host Erika talks with Cathy, an SBC consultant and INSEAD grad, about some of the major European MBA programs and how they compare to US-based pro...
Executive MBA programs (EMBAs): B-Schooled episode 55
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we welcome Stacy Blackman Consulting's EMBA expert, Bill Chinois, to discuss all aspects of executive MBA programs, including why some...
Dual HBS/GSB admits, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 54
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode continues the in-depth look we started in episode 22 at research Stacy Blackman Consulting conducted across 22 SBC clients who were admit...
Stacy Blackman on entrepreneurship: B-Schooled episode 53
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode marks the one-year anniversary of B-Schooled's launch, and who better to join us for the occasion than Stacy Blackman herself. Stacy will...
Dual HBS/GSB admits, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 52
21 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode takes an in-depth look at research Stacy Blackman Consulting conducted across 22 SBC clients who were admitted to both HBS and Stanford G...
9 types of MBA hopefuls that should work with an admissions consultant: B-Schooled episode 51
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Obviously not every MBA applicant needs to work with an admissions consultant in order to be successful! However, over the past two decades, 9 types o...
5 paths forward if you've been dinged: B-Schooled episode 50
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After working so hard on your MBA materials for months on end, it can be shocking and devastating if you are not accepted anywhere. What should you do...
12 to do's for MBA admits, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 49
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This two-part series of episodes outlines 12 things that admitted MBA applicants should do between now and matriculation. Part 2 covers budgeting for ...
12 to do's for MBA admits, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 48
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This two-part series of episodes outlines 12 things that admitted MBA applicants should do between now and matriculation. Part 1 covers To Do's relate...
Planning for a years-away MBA: B-Schooled episode 47
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you know you want to pursue an MBA in the future, but that future is still at least a few years away, what could (and should) you do now to build a...
Social media & your MBA candidacy: B-Schooled episode 46
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers how an MBA applicant's social media behavior might affect his or her candidacy — both positively and negatively.
How to approach the "Bird in Hand" dilemma: B-Schooled episode 45
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss 4 things MBA candidates should consider when facing the "Bird in Hand" dilemma: namely, when they have been admitted to at ...
Negotiating merit scholarships: B-Schooled episode 44
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode discusses how accepted MBA candidates should go about asking for an increase in merit aid; the four situations a candidate might be in an...
Similar MBA candidates, different outcomes: B-Schooled episode 43
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers 3 reasons why candidates who seem similar on paper could end up with drastically different MBA admissions results.
Wharton's team-based discussion interviews: B-schooled episode 42
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Erika talks with Anthony Penna, a fellow SBC admissions consultant who spent 10 years with the Wharton School in Career Management and as Associate Di...
HBS interviews: B-Schooled episode 41
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode offers insight into Harvard Business School's unique type of MBA interview, as well as advice on how to prepare.
Round 3 (or final round) considerations: B-Schooled episode 40
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode focuses on when it does or doesn't make sense to apply in a school's final application round.
Deciding between MBA programs: B-Schooled episode 39
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are you in the extraordinarily enviable position of having to decide between two or more MBA programs? Are you nervous about your choice or unsure of ...
For waitlisted applicants: B-Schooled episode 38
13 Jan 2021
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...
A real application review, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 37
06 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we share another extensive profile of an applicant Stacy Blackman Consulting worked with. We explain how the former admissions committ...
A real application review - part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 36
30 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we share an extensive profile of an applicant Stacy Blackman Consulting worked with. We explain how the former admissions committee me...
Last-minute applications: B-Schooled episode 35
23 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode gives advice (and warnings) to those attempting to pull together MBA applications in the final weeks before the deadlines.
Underrepresented minority applicants and the MBA: A conversation with Roxanne Mendez, Executive Director of the Riordan Programs : B-Schooled episode 34
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Roxanne Mendez, Executive Director of the Riordan Programs, joins us to talk about the experiences of underrepresented minority appli...
How personal is too personal in MBA essays? : B-Schooled episode 33
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Erika is joined by her SBC colleague Lisa, the former Director of MBA Admissions for the full-time and part-time MBA programs at Rice...
What do you bring to an MBA program? : B-Schooled episode 32
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Communicating what your classmates will learn from you and how you'll be an asset to the MBA program you attend is monumentally important. This episod...
Tips for editing down essays & application responses: B-Schooled episode 31
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Often times, it's quite a challenge to fit an application, data-form or essay response into the space provided when restrictive character or word coun...
Communicating MBA program knowledge & fit: B-Schooled episode 30
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers a quick admissions update from Harvard Business School before diving into why it's important for you to demonstrate your knowledge...
Communicating why you need an MBA : B-Schooled episode 29
11 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode discusses why all business school candidates need to be able to clearly explain why they need an MBA, especially if they are in one of fo...
MBA interview advice, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 28
04 Nov 2020
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 ...
What's on Your Mind: An Admissions Test Q&A: B-Schooled episode 27
28 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome back Jay Bryant, a former MBA admissions director who is now a liaison between business schools and ETS, the company behin...
MBA interview advice, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 26
21 Oct 2020
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 ...
Part-time programs: B-Schooled episode 25
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our host Erika welcomes Bill Chionis, one of Stacy Blackman Consulting's experts on part-time (PT) MBA programs. They have a discussi...
COVID updates and coping with first dings: B-Schooled episode 24
07 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers: What candidates should make of recent news headlines about "soaring" MBA application numbers due to COVID, and Important context ...
Admissions test (and other) anxieties: B-Schooled episode 23
30 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Jay Bryant, a former MBA admissions director who is now a liaison between business schools and ETS, the company behind the...
What to do (and not do) after you submit: B-Schooled episode 22
23 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After you submit your MBA applications, should you contact the admissions committee with updates on your candidacy? What should you do if you find an ...
Data form do's and don'ts: B-Schooled episode 21
16 Sep 2020
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...
Video essays: B-Schooled episode 20
09 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers how to prepare for the various kinds of video essays (pre-recorded, live with known questions, and live with randomized questions)...
Before you submit in Round 1... : B-Schooled episode 19
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers some last-minute things to think about, do and not do as Round 1 deadlines loom.
Career goals: B-Schooled episode 18
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers: - How you should think about and position your short- and long-term career goals in both the short-answer responses on business s...
Reapplying: B-Schooled episode 17
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers common questions MBA candidates have about reapplying -- including specific advice for those who first applied in spring 2020's ex...
How to MBA your resume: B-Schooled episode 16
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Your resume is perhaps the single most important part of your application materials. This episode covers how to maximize that one precious page.
6 Essay-writing mistakes to avoid: B-Schooled episode 15
05 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Round 1 deadlines start to hit a little over a month from now, so while you're in the midst of essay writing, make sure you don't make any of the 6 co...
What should you do with your life? : B-Schooled episode 14
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Erika is joined by Kellogg JD/MBA and fellow SBC consultant Gina for an in-depth discussion about how applicants can use the MBA appl...
Virtual info sessions -- are they valuable?: B-Schooled episode 13
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Since in-person campus visits and traveling information sessions aren't happening for a while, MBA admissions committees are offering several differen...
How to pick the right recommenders: B-Schooled episode 12
15 Jul 2020
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 ...
COVID-19 Impacts: B-Schooled episode 11
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus has upended the MBA journey for those starting programs in the fall, for those who requested but were denied deferrals, and for those ...
Candidacy question marks, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 10
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a continuation of last week's episode on "candidacy question marks" – or red flags on an MBA candidate's record – this week's episode covers wh...
Candidacy question marks, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 9
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers what to do about "question marks" — or possible red flags — in an MBA applicant's candidacy, including: A low GPA A low test s...
Time and energy wasters: B-Schooled episode 8
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Meg — a former University of Chicago Booth admissions committee member and current SBC admissions consultant — joins Erika to dis...
School selection and program strengths: B-Schooled episode 7
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we cover: Two big mistakes we see applicants make regarding school selection An exercise to help you think about and narrow down your ...
Strengthening your quantitative profile: B-Schooled episode 6
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our host Erika and fellow SBC admissions consultant (and former Kellogg adcom) Caryn have a discussion that covers: Several tactics a...
Round 1 kickoff: B-Schooled episode 5
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we'll cover: Round 1 deadline news from some top schools How Covid-19 may or may not be affecting timelines and the applicant pool thi...
How important are extracurriculars and community service? : B-Schooled episode 4
20 May 2020
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...
Don't be Joe or Jane MBA: B-Schooled episode 3
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explains the risks of trying to be "Joe or Jane MBA" -- the stereotypical business school applicant.
Interview with Nick, SBC client and HBS Class of 2020 student: B-Schooled episode 2
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
SBC admissions consultant Erika Olson interviews her past client Nick, who is about to graduate from HBS. Nick was admitted to both Harvard Business S...
Strengthen your candidacy before Round 1 deadlines: B-Schooled episode 1
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this premiere episode of B-Schooled, an MBA admissions podcast by top admissions consulting firm Stacy Blackman Consulting, we'll discuss: What lis...