B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit

For the first time in more than a decade, Harvard Business School has updated its essay questions. In this much-anticipated series, we sit down with HBS alum and longtime SBC consultant Yvette to talk about each of these questions and share suggestions, tips and strategies regarding how best to approach these new essay prompts. In this segment, we tackle the second question: Leadership-Focused Essay: What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words) In this episode, we discuss: What this question is REALLY asking (and what it isn't), A discussion of what "leadership" means in the context of this question and what leaership experiences might be appropriate for this essay Possible ways to structure your essay response, Specific things you should do when answering this question, Possible pitfalls you should avoid when answering this question, and How this essay fits into your larger application This essay is a MUST for anyone thinking of applying to HBS. Special thanks the many SBC consultants and former admissions officers who shared useful advice and guidance that informed this episode.

For the first time in more than a decade, Harvard Business School has updated its essay questions. In this much-anticipated series, we sit down with HBS alum and longtime SBC consultant Yvette to talk about each of these questions and share suggestions, tips and strategies regarding how best to approach these new essay prompts. In this segment, we tackle the first question: Business-Minded Essay: Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words) In this episode, we discuss: What this question is REALLY asking (and what it isn't), One possible way to structure your essay response, How to decide which experience(s) from your own life to share (and the importance of sharing what you LEARNED), Specific things you should do when answering this question, Possible pitfalls you should avoid when answering this question, and How this essay fits into your larger application This essay is a MUST for anyone thinking of applying to HBS. Special thanks the many SBC consultants and former admissions officers who shared useful advice and guidance that informed this episode.

Perhaps more than any MBA acceptance pair, many applicants dream of being admitted to both the Stanford Graduate School of Business (the GSB) and Harvard Business School (HBS). In this three-part series, two GSB + HBS dual admits -- host Chandler and SBC consultant Dawn -- sit down for a series of VERY candid conversations about gaining admission to these two schools. In the first segment, our hosts start by sharing some important context for how this podcast should be used (and how it shouldn't). Afterwards they share their personal takes on what types of students tend thrive in each environment. In the second segment, our host are more data driven, with Dawn and Chandler reviewing successful applicant profiles from each school. In this final third segment, Dawn dives deep into what some call the "unicorn" of the MBA applicant world... those applicants who are fortunate enough to earn admission to both programs. This episode is a must-listen for any applicant applying to either of these schools.

Perhaps more than any MBA acceptance pair, many applicants dream of being admitted to both the Stanford Graduate School of Business (the GSB) and Harvard Business School (HBS). In this three-part series, two GSB + HBS dual admits -- host Chandler and SBC consultant Dawn -- sit down for a series of VERY candid conversations about gaining admission to these two schools. In part one, Chandler and Dawn start by sharing some important context for how this podcast should be used -- and how it shouldn't. To that end, will listening to this podcast ensure that you get into both of these schools? No. But we can assure you that listening to this podcast will help you think about how you as a unique applicant can apply most thoughtfully to each of these schools... potentially increasing your chances of admission significantly. In part one Dawn and Chandler also share their personal opinions about what type of students flourish in these somewhat different MBA environments. This episode is full of behind-the-scenes information based on the speakers' unique experiences as well as information they've each gathered over decades of working with applicants applying to both schools. Part two of this series (episode 212) will be more data driven, with Dawn and Chandler reviewing successful applicant profiles from each school. In the third and final episode of this series (episode 213), Dawn will dive deep into what some call the "unicorn" of the MBA applicant world... those applicants who are fortunate enough to earn admission to both programs. This episode is a must-listen for any applicant applying to either of these schools.

Perhaps more than any MBA acceptance pair, many applicants dream of being admitted to both the Stanford Graduate School of Business (the GSB) and Harvard Business School (HBS). In this three-part series, two GSB + HBS dual admits -- host Chandler and SBC consultant Dawn -- sit down for a series of VERY candid conversations about gaining admission to these two schools. In last week's segment, Chandler and Dawn start by sharing some important context for how this podcast should be used (and how it shouldn't). Afterwards they share their personal takes on what types of students tend thrive in each environment. This segment--part two in the series--is more data driven, with Dawn and Chandler reviewing successful applicant profiles from each school. In the third and final episode of this series, Dawn will dive deep into what some call the "unicorn" of the MBA applicant world... those applicants who are fortunate enough to earn admission to both programs. This episode is a must-listen for any applicant applying to either of these schools.

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 strong candidacy? This replay episode gives actionable advice for all aspects of an eventual-applicant's profile.

This episode is specially designed for applicants from military backgrounds… but if you think this is JUST for applicants from military backgrounds, you are WRONG. This episode is for *anyone* applying to business school from a nontraditional background. Today our host Chandler will be joined by SBC Consultant Margaret who has been working with MBA applicants—with a special focus on military applicants—since 2000. Margaret has successfully worked with every type of client imaginable, with a very high percentage receiving merit scholarships. Her clients can now be found on the alumni rosters of every top school. Last week -- In part one of this conversation -- Margaret and I discussed: Common misconceptions applicants from military backgrounds have about applying to business school, Unique application assets many military applicants have (and how to leverage these), and Common pitfalls applicants from military backgrounds should avoid. And today – in part two of this conversation – we will continue the conversation to cover a range of additional topics, including: The best advice Margaret has for applicants from military (and other nontraditional) backgrounds, Success stories from military applicants (and how these can help you in your own applications), and Some special secret advice for applicants from military backgrounds. This is a "must-listen" episode for military applicants... or any applicant from a "non-traditional" MBA background.

This episode is specially designed for applicants from military backgrounds… but if you think this is JUST for applicants from military backgrounds, you are WRONG. This episode is for *anyone* applying to business school from a nontraditional background. Today our host Chandler will be joined by SBC Consultant Margaret who has been working with MBA applicants—with a special focus on military applicants—since 2000. Margaret has successfully worked with every type of client imaginable, with a very high percentage receiving merit scholarships. Her clients can now be found on the alumni rosters of every top school. In part one of this conversation, Margaret and Chandler will discuss: Common misconceptions applicants from military backgrounds have about applying to business school, Unique application assets many military applicants have (and how to leverage these), and Common pitfalls applicants from military backgrounds should avoid. In part two of this conversation, we will continue the dialogue to cover a range of additional topics, including: The best advice Margaret has for applicants from military (and other nontraditional) backgrounds, Success stories from military applicants (and how these can help you in your own applications), and Several pieces of secret advice for applicants from military backgrounds.

In this replay episode, we welcome Stacy Blackman Consulting's EMBA expert, Bill Chinois, to discuss all aspects of executive MBA programs, including why someone might want to consider an EMBA over a part-time or full-time program.

Are you considering transitioning from the private sector to the nonprofit/social sector? If so, this episode is for you! In this episode, Chandler sits down with Becki Last, whose career includes leading major initiatives for both Fortune 500 companies as well as leading nonprofit social enterprise organizations. In this engaging conversation Becki and Chandler share: Suggestions identifying the right social impact organization/role for you, Tips for “selling” your corporate skill set to a nonprofit/social impact employer, Advice for easing your easing your transition from the private sector to the public sector, Suggestions for thriving in the public sector once you land your dream job, and Lessons from their own MBA and early work experiences they still use today.

In this episode your host Chandler pulls together a range of suggestions from other SBC podcasts along with a range of new insights – to give you all the tools you need to not just survive your time on the waitlist but, hopefully, thrive. Insights from this episode include: What being on the waitlist means (and what it doesn’t), The importance of developing an individualized waitlist strategy, Specific guidance about following your school’s waitlist process (which varies from program to program), What to do if your school allows students on the waitlist to send follow-up materials and updates, Tips for asking about feedback regarding your application if appropriate, Tips for developing a relationship your waitlist point of contact, Possible benefits of playing the “waitlist long game”, and Suggestions for how to stand out on the waitlist (in good ways) and how to avoid standing out on the wait list (in bad ways).

This replay of B-School's one-year-anniversary episode features Stacy Blackman herself! Stacy will talk about her entrepreneurial career and how an MBA helped her (and continues to help her) start three companies. She'll also share advice for MBA hopefuls who are looking to run their own firms at some point after graduation, as well as for those who might be approaching the application process with entrepreneurial experience already under their belt.

For this podcast Chandler sits down with SBC Consultant Dawn, who is no stranger to the podcast. Dawn graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. Dawn was also admitted to the Stanford GSB. Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at a wide range of companies, including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group and Warner Brothers. A few weeks ago Dawn approached Chandler with a unique podcast idea: in this episode Dawn and Chandler discuss the recent Grammy performance featuring Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. Dawn uses this unique collaboration as a jumping off point to talk about a range of topics of interest to MBA applicants, including: Embracing authenticity and vulnerability Celebrating diverse perspectives Knowing how to play to your strengths The power of collaboration The benefits of surprising your audience Modestly shining the spotlight on your excellence Connecting with your audience on a personal level The benefits of starting early Listening to this podcast is a must – not only for artists and performers – but for anyone interested in crafting an application that allows you to really connect with your reader.

This replay of a two-part series of episodes outlines 12 things that admitted MBA applicants should do between now and matriculation. This week's Part 2 covers budgeting for your MBA, planning to relocate, and figuring out how to best spend your time between now and matriculation (when you aren’t attending to all of the other to do’s!). As a reminder, last week in Part 1 (episode 201) we discussed how to head off possible issues with your background check after you’re admitted. If that’s something that concerns you, be sure to check out (on our website under "Work With Us").

This replay of a two-part series of episodes outlines 12 things that admitted MBA applicants should do between now and matriculation. Part 1 covers To Do's related to an applicant's current and future networks, as well as other important actions to take before leaving a job. We also discuss how to head off possible issues with your background check after you’re admitted. If that’s something that concerns you, be sure to check out (on our website under "Work With Us").

Four our special 200th podcast episode we are sitting down with an early SBC client – Stephen Frayne, Jr. -- who worked with SBC almost 20 years ago. Chandler and Stephen talk about a number of important topics of interest to any MBA applicant, including: How to think about the value of investing in working with an MBA consultant, The ways in which an MBA consultant can serve as a mentor, Advice from a re-applicants who don’t get in the first time… but ended up getting into his dream school the second time, Lessons learned from that same applicant who ended up TURNING DOWN his dream school for reasons he never would have expected, Suggestions for MBA applicants interested in the intersection between entrepreneurship and intellectual property, Lessons learned from standing up for yourself early in your career, The benefits of asking for help and coalition building, The power of taking a “portfolio approach” to life, Keeping a “beginner’s mindset” throughout the course of one’s career, and The perils of thinking small. Special thanks to Stephen for this very honest and candid conversation.

For the past two years our co-host Chandler has ended each of his podcasts with the same 9 words: “Be authentic, be brave, and have a solid plan”. In the first segment of this series Chandler talked about WHERE YOU ARE NOW as an applicant what you have learned thus far in life. In the second segment he discussed how to articulate bold goals for where you ultimately WANT TO BE. In this critical third segment we connect the dots by discussing how to you GET FROM HERE TO THERE in ways that are specific, tangible, and – perhaps most importantly – realistic. In this episode, Chandler discusses how to: Articulate what you want to get out of your MBA experience, Describe your short and long term career goals, Detail the career stepping stones connecting your MBA experience to your ultimate career objective, Identify and describe your own “career exemplar”, and Pressure test your career plan with an industry expert. Chandler closes the episode by pointing listeners to a range of other free SBC resources for those interested in additional career planning support.

For the past two years our co-host Chandler has ended each of his podcasts with the same 9 words: “Be authentic, be brave, and have a solid plan”. In many ways, these words summarize so much of Chandler’s entire MBA application philosophy. In this three part series, he will dive deep into authenticity, boldness, and career planning—and how each of these relate to MBA applications. In this episode Chandler talks extensively about how to be bold in your MBA applications. Among other things, Chandler talks about why top business schools are looking for bold applicants and how to: Be bold by centering your passion and being specific, Incorporate bold elements into your career goals, Think about what you want to do with your life, Talk about your accomplishments without sounding like you are bragging, Talk about the elements of your application you are the most nervous about (and why this is a very good thing), Write the essay that scares you, and Decide how personal is “too personal” for MBA essays and interviews.

For the past two years our co-host Chandler has ended each of his podcasts with the same 9 words: “Be authentic, be brave, and have a solid plan”. In many ways, these words summarize so much of Chandler’s entire MBA application philosophy. In this three part series, he will dive deep into authenticity, boldness, and career planning—and how each of these relate to MBA applications. In part one, Chandler talks extensively about authenticity and aggregates a great deal of free resources related to this critically important topic. Among other things, Chandler talks about how to: Channel your most authentic self when writing your MBA essays, Highlight what you've learned and how you've grown, and Deal with self-doubt while on your MBA journey Chandler concludes by challenging listeners to use authenticity as a way to reframe doubts into boldness. By turning your deepest fears on their heads, you might just discover the fuel you need to take your application to the next level.

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 how to go about making such a huge commitment? This episode pulls together advice from the entire Stacy Blackman Consulting staff on how to approach this decision and what factors to consider (both short-term and long-term).