Episodios

  • MBA Wire Taps 447: Software engineer to PM. Engineering to real estate investing. From India, space career.
    Sep 15 2025

    In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the upcoming new MBA admissions season. This week, NYU / Stern, Chicago / Booth, INSEAD and Cornell / Johnson have their Round 1 application deadlines.

    Graham highlighted the ongoing September series of admissions events, where Clear Admit hosts the majority of the top MBA programs to discuss Round 2 application strategy. The second session is on Wednesday, and includes Chicago / Booth, Columbia, Texas / McCombs, Toronto / Rotman and Yale SOM. Signups for this series are here: https://bit.ly/cainsidemba Our second livestream AMA is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23rd on YouTube; here’s the link to Clear Admit’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/cayoutubelive.

    Graham then noted a recently published MBA admissions-related tip that focuses on polishing your business school application essays. He also reminded listeners about the 25 videos in our free Admissions Academy video series, of which five videos are exclusively about the essay writing process. We also continue our series of Adcom Q&As; this week we hear from IMD's Francesco Farné.

    For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

    This week’s first MBA admissions candidate works for Microsoft as a software engineer. They want to switch into product management.

    This week’s second MBA candidate has already completed one major career pivot from engineering and sales to real estate investing. They want to use the MBA to explore the latter, further.

    The final MBA candidate is from India, has a 755 GMAT score and works for the space agency. They also have quite significant activities outside of work.

    This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

    Más Menos
    35 m
  • MBA Wire Taps 446: 655 GMAT, Indian. Masters in International Relations. 337 GRE, Military
    Sep 8 2025

    In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the upcoming new MBA admissions season. This week, Michigan / Ross, Stanford, Northwestern / Kellogg, Yale SOM, Toronto / Rotman and Berkeley / Haas have their round 1 deadlines. Georgetown / McDonough and John’s Hopkins / Carey have their Early Action round deadlines.

    Graham highlighted the upcoming September series of admissions events, where Clear Admit will host the majority of the top MBA programs to discuss Round 2 application strategy. The first session is on Wednesday, and includes Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Georgia Tech / Scheller, UPenn / Wharton and UVA / Darden. Signups for this series are here: https://bit.ly/cainsidemba Our second livestream AMA is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23rd on YouTube; here’s the link to Clear Admit’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/cayoutubelive.

    Graham then noted two admissions-related tips. The first focuses on all the in-person events that the top MBA programs are conducting in the month of September, the second focuses on the increasingly popular video essays.

    We continue our new series profiling some of the leading MBA faculty at the top MBA programs. For this week, we have profiles on two faculty from Chicago / Booth.

    We also continue our series of Adcom Q&As; this week we hear from Vanderbilt / Owen and Indiana / Kelley.

    For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

    This week’s first MBA admissions candidate is from India with a 655 GMAT score. While the remainder of their profile looks very decent, we wonder if they can increase their GMAT score.

    This week’s second MBA candidate is targeting Round 2 and has not yet completed the GRE test. They also have an International Relations masters degree.

    The final MBA candidate has a 337 GRE score. They began their career in the private sector then enlisted in the military.

    This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

    Más Menos
    32 m
  • MBA Wire Taps 445: 685 GMAT, South Korea. Take or waive the GMAT. 330 GRE, Product Manager.
    Sep 1 2025

    In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the upcoming new MBA admissions season. This week, Duke / Fuqua, UVA / Darden and Notre Dame / Mendoza have their Early Action deadlines. Harvard, UPenn / Wharton, Columbia and London Business School have their round 1 deadlines, and Oxford / Said has its Stage 1 deadline.

    Graham highlighted the upcoming September series of admissions events, where Clear Admit will host the majority of the top MBA programs to discuss Round 2 application strategy. The first session is on Wednesday, and includes Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Georgia Tech / Scheller, UPenn / Wharton and UVA / Darden. Signups for this series are here: https://bit.ly/cainsidemba Our second livestream AMA is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23rd on YouTube; here’s the link to Clear Admit’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/cayoutubelive

    Graham then noted two stories covered on Clear Admit this week. The first looks at the ever-evolving picture of DEI in MBA admissions. The second focuses on a new climate-related program from Duke / Fuqua. Graham also highlighted three MBA admissions tips. The first focuses on the constraints of word and character counts, the second focuses on the optional essay, and the third tip focuses on the importance of avoiding the “comparison trap”.

    We continue our new series that Clear Admit is publishing this season, which focuses on profiling some of the leading MBA faculty at the top MBA programs. For this week, we have profiles on two faculty from Stanford GSB.

    We continue our series of Adcom Q&As; this week we hear from Berkeley / Haas and IESE.

    For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

    This week’s first MBA admissions candidate is from South Korea, with an undergraduate degree from the London School of Economics. They have a 685 GMAT score and several years of work experience.

    This week’s second MBA candidate is debating on whether to take the GMAT or try to waive the GMAT.

    The final MBA candidate is a tech product manager, based in New York. They have a 330 GRE.

    This episode was recorded in Philadelphia, USA and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

    Más Menos
    34 m
  • MBA Wire Taps 444: Low GPA, from India. 740 GMAT, first generation. 332 GRE, from Nigeria
    Aug 25 2025

    In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the upcoming new MBA admissions season. Cambridge / Judge leads the way with its first-round deadline next week! Graham and Alex plan to host monthly AMA-style webinars, as this new admissions season gets underway. The first is scheduled for this Tuesday, on YouTube; here’s the link to Clear Admit’s YouTube channel so you can subscribe and not miss any of the streaming: https://bit.ly/cayoutubelive.

    Graham also highlighted the upcoming September series of admissions events, where Clear Admit will host the majority of the top MBA programs to discuss Round 2 application strategy. Signups for this series are here: https://bit.ly/cainsidemba

    Graham then noted four admissions tips, which focus on areas of key importance for those targeting the first rounds. These include how to engage with representatives of the top MBA programs, the students, alumni and faculty, and how to show that you have done the research for each of your target programs. We also cover the differences in applying in Round 1 and 2, as well as the importance of understanding who reads your business school applications. We also covered a common myth - the higher the rank of the program, the better the fit for all candidates.

    Graham also highlighted the new series that Clear Admit is publishing this season, which focuses on profiling some of the leading MBA faculty at the top MBA programs. For this week, we have profiles on two faculty from Harvard Business School and from MIT / Sloan.

    We continue our series of Adcom Q&As; this week we hear from Dartmouth / Tuck, Cornell / Johnson and Northwestern / Kellogg.

    For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

    This week’s first MBA admissions candidate is from India and has a modest undergraduate GPA, with a positive trend. They have not yet taken the GMAT.

    This week’s second MBA candidate has a 740 GMAT, and is from rural India. Scholarships are a key concern from them.

    The final MBA candidate is from Nigeria and has a GRE score of 332. They have some NGO experience and now work as a chartered accountant. They are targeting a nice spread of MBA programs.

    This episode was recorded in Anse Saint-Jean, Quebec and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

    Más Menos
    41 m
  • MBA Wire Taps 443: Wealth Management to VC. Mechanical Engineer, from India. 625 GMAT, retaking
    Aug 18 2025

    In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing upcoming webinars that Clear Admit is hosting. Graham and Alex will be hosting an AMA-style webinar on August 26th via YouTube, as the new admissions season gets underway! Here’s the link to follow us on YouTube and join the livestream: https://bit.ly/cayoutubelive. Graham also highlighted the upcoming September series of admissions events, where Clear Admit will host the majority of the top MBA programs to discuss Round 2 application strategy. Signups for this series are here: https://bit.ly/cainsidemba

    Graham then noted an admissions tip which provides general guidance for MBA application essay writing. This also includes a section on how to use AI in helping to craft those essays. Graham also highlighted a new series that Clear Admit is publishing this season, which focuses on profiling some of the leading MBA faculty at the top business schools. For this week, we have profiles on two Wharton faculty.

    We continue our series of Adcom Q&As; this week we hear from Texas / McCombs and Michigan / Ross.

    For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

    This week’s first MBA admissions candidate has an interesting European background and now works in Wealth Management in Switzerland. They want to move into venture capital, in the United States.

    This week’s second MBA candidate is a mechanical engineer from India. They have a 740 GMAT and 8.35 GPA.

    The final MBA candidate works in London, and while they have a very good undergraduate record, their GMAT is currently 625. They do plan to retake the test before applying.

    This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

    Más Menos
    34 m
  • MBA Wire Taps 442: Comedy to MBA, Data scientist to MBA. 331 GRE, 2.75 GPA.
    Aug 11 2025

    In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing a couple of webinars that are in the works. Graham and Alex will host an AMA-style webinar, as the new admissions season gets underway on August 26. More details to follow, but it will be livestreamed on YouTube! Graham also highlighted the September series of admissions events, where Clear Admit will host the majority of the top MBA programs to discuss Round 2 application strategy. Sign ups for this series are here: https://bit.ly/cainsidemba

    Graham then noted a few new publications on the Clear Admit site. We have a post that covers all the top MBA programs’ in-person admissions event activities for the month of August. We also cover all the early and Round 1 application deadlines for the top MBA programs in a useful guide, and have a timely admissions tip on how to best prepare recommenders.

    We continue our series of Adcom Q&As; this week we hear from CMU / Tepper.

    For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

    This week’s first MBA admissions candidate has a career in undergraduate admissions, and a side-career in comedy. They want to use the MBA to pivot into the entertainment industry.

    This week’s second MBA candidate is a data scientist who also plays a rock guitar. They have a 695 GMAT.

    The final MBA candidate is a reapplicant. They have a low GPA of 2.75 but have now completed MBA Math. They do have a super GRE score of 331.

    This episode was recorded in Philadelphia, USA and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

    Más Menos
    33 m
  • MBA Wire Taps 441—Super GMAT, poor GPA. Indian candidate, non-US programs. Super profile, small firm.
    Aug 4 2025

    In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by highlighting the upcoming webinar on Thursday, hosted by Alex, which will cover the application process for those targeting the M7 MBA programs and feature admissions coaches from our friends at Leland. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/m7clearadmit

    Graham then noted the weekly refresh series that Clear Admit publishes during this time of year, which is designed to keep MBA applicants updated with admissions-related updates at the leading MBA programs. Graham also discussed a new admissions tip which focuses on all the standardized tests that non-English language MBA candidates might use to demonstrate English proficiency in the admissions process.

    We continue our series of Adcom Q&As, and this week we have two Q&As, from Harvard Business School's Rupal Gadhia and Maryland / Smith's Maria Pineda.

    Finally, Graham highlighted a recently published podcast that focuses on the strategy consulting industry and its importance for MBA candidates. This is a recording from a panel discussion from our spring event in Boston and includes a representative from Bain Consulting.

    For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries:

    This week’s first MBA admissions candidate has a superb 795 on the GMAT, but a very modest GPA. We discussed the impact of this GPA on their overall profile.

    This week’s second MBA candidate is from India and has not yet taken the GRE. They are targeting top MBA programs outside the United States.

    The final MBA candidate has a 745 GMAT and 3.95 GPA in chemical engineering. They work at a small firm, with no title change. We do think this is a very strong candidate.

    This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who’ve been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Podcast: From MBA to Bain — Breaking into Strategy Consulting
    36 m