B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
251 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 60 ratingsB-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit, a podcast from top MBA admissions consulting firm Stacy Blackman Consulting, covers all aspects of the MBA application and admissions process. We offer insight and advice on how to pull together your personal-best business school materials — and make the most of your time once you get on campus. We’ll occasionally hold interviews with current business school students and recent graduates, as well as other important players along a typical candidate’s MBA admissions journey.
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Episodes
How to address red flags in your MBA candidacy (Part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode 158
May 03, 2023 06:30 - 17 minutes - 40.6 MBThis episode—a replay of a listener favorite—covers what to do about “question marks,” or possible red flags, in an MBA applicant's candidacy, including: A low GPA A low test score A few low grades within an overall decent GPA A lack of extracurriculars A lack of work experience, and "Too much" work experience (or when an applicant is older than the rest of the candidate pool) Additional issues will be covered in Part 2 on May 17 (upcoming episode #162). Listen to B-Schoole...
12 MBA program considerations *beyond* the rankings (Part 2 of 2): B-Schooled episode 157
April 26, 2023 07:30 - 19 minutes - 37.4 MBFirst of all, we recognize that many applicants do consider MBA rankings as a key input into their school selection process. We consider MBA rankings too. But—and this is important—we belive these should be only one factor in your decision making process. The first part of this conversation focuses on six questions everyone should ask themselves regarding school selection--including considering traditional full-time MBA programs vs online, part-time, and executive progams, targeting a mix of...
Spotlight on Michigan Ross: B-Schooled episode 156
April 19, 2023 06:30 - 24 minutes - 45.8 MBLaura, a Michigan Ross MBA alum and former admissions committee member during her second year, joins Erika -- a Ross BBA graduate -- to share advice for and insight into the Ross application and interview process. And they might gush a little over how awesome Ann Arbor, Michigan, is as well.
12 MBA program considerations *beyond* the rankings (Part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode 155
April 12, 2023 07:30 - 19 minutes - 35.9 MBFirst off, many applicants do consider MBA rankings as a key input into their school selection process. With good reason. We consider MBA rankings too. But—and this is important—we belive these should be ONE factor in your decision making process. Not the ONLY aspect of your decision making process. Leading entities ranking MBA programs typically evaluate a range of factors relevant to the MBA experience: from quality of instruction, to student/teacher ratios, to alumni resources, to prestig...
Dinged everywhere? 5 paths forward (replay): B-Schooled episode 154
April 05, 2023 06:30 - 18 minutes - 43.6 MBAfter 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 now? This episode discusses 5 paths forward for MBA hopefuls who were dinged.
Connecting with MBA students, faculty and alums: B-Schooled episode 153
March 29, 2023 07:30 - 22 minutes - 41.8 MBThis episode offers a deep dive into an aspect of the MBA application process many forget about: connecting with students, faculty and alums at your target schools. There are SO MANY REASONS this is an important thing to do. Not only does this help give you a direct way to understand which school might be the best fit for you, but there are also indirect benefits –- from behind-the-scenes connections to admissions committees, to professional contacts, to networking opportunities, to new frien...
Spotlight on Stanford GSB: B-Schooled episode 152
March 22, 2023 06:30 - 29 minutes - 55.1 MBAlex, 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 program's culture and surrounding area in Silicon Valley.
Using an MBA in education--A conversation with Recy Dunn: B-Schooled episode 151
March 15, 2023 07:30 - 31 minutes - 58 MBFor 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 16 schools serving 6,000 students in grades K-12 across Brooklyn, NY. Prior to his role with Ascend, Recy served as the Chief Strategy Officer of the NYC Department of Education as well as a variety of other education leadership roles at both the local and national levels. Recy earned his MBA and his MA in Education from Stanford. In this e...
Business School and the Entrepreneurial Journey: B-Schooled episode 150
March 08, 2023 08:30 - 32 minutes - 61 MBTo celebrate our 150th episode, our founder Stacy Blackman joins us to talk about business school and the entrepreneurial journey. This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, those who hope to work with entrepreneurs, or anyone interested in learning more about the entrepreneurial journey. For this episode, Stacy sits down with co-host Chandler Arnold to talk about their respective entrepreneurial experiences, in business school and beyond. For the first part of this conversation, Stacy and Ch...
Spotlight on Columbia Business School: B-Schooled episode 149
March 01, 2023 07:30 - 28 minutes - 53.9 MBHannah, a former member of the Columbia Business School adcom -- who's now on the SBC admissions consulting team -- shares advice for the CBS application, as well as details about the program's amazing outside-of-class activities and its new location in Manahattan.
Advice for Wharton's TBD group interview from a person who helped create it: B-Schooled episode 148
February 22, 2023 07:30 - 21 minutes - 50.6 MBIn this replay, Erika talks with Anthony Penna, a fellow SBC admissions consultant who spent 10 years with the Wharton School in Career Management and as Associate Director of Admissions for the full-time MBA program. As Anthony served on the implementation and design team for Wharton's Team Based Discussion (TBD) interview format, this episode focuses on his insight advice for MBA candidates who will be interviewing with Wharton.
Developing your personal MBA soundbite: B-Schooled episode 147
February 15, 2023 08:30 - 21 minutes - 40.4 MBMany interviewers report that they make up a big percentage of their mind about applicants during the first few minutes of an interview. This podcast shares a number of very specific suggestions and tips to make yourself stand out during these first interactions. Our host shares his suggestions for something he calls a “personal MBA soundbite” – including how you can create this soundbite, how you can incorporate it into the beginning of your first question, and how you can use this language...
Standing out from the MBA competition: B-Schooled 146
February 08, 2023 07:30 - 18 minutes - 35.2 MBHow can you differentiate yourself from your MBA competition, particularly if you’re in one of the most competitive buckets when it comes to demographics or industry and function? That's the focus of this episode, which details specific ways to ensure you stand out from the most crowded applicant pools.
MBA waitlist advice (replay): B-Schooled episode 145
February 01, 2023 07:30 - 33 minutes - 78.8 MBMBA 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 and former MBA admissions director Lisa discuss what options waitlisted candidates have to learn more about why they were waitlisted and what, if anything, they can do to increase their chances of admission.
10 tips if you have 6 months before you apply (Part 2): B-Schooled episode 144
January 25, 2023 08:30 - 31 minutes - 57.9 MBIf 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 suggestions helping you to: Think about your application as a journey of self-discovery that can teach you important lessons about yourself, Begin work on your short- and long-term goals now, Rework your resume with a focus on quantifying impact, Rework your resume with a focus on adding important context behind your numbers, and Set professio...
10 tips if you have 6 months before you apply (Part 1): B-Schooled episode 143
January 18, 2023 08:30 - 26 minutes - 49.1 MBThis podcasts is designed for applicants who have 6 months (or more) before their applications are due. In addition to offering suggestions about how to present your scores, essays, resume, and recommendations in the best possible light, this episode offers specific suggestions on how to use the months ahead to improve the SUBSTANCE of these elements before the application deadline. Do you want to go for a promotion or a title change at work? Is now the time to take on new beefy professi...
Round 3 (or final round) considerations: B-Schooled episode 142
January 11, 2023 07:30 - 20 minutes - 49 MBThis 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
January 04, 2023 08:30 - 16 minutes - 32.2 MBThis podcast gives applicants 10 things to think about in the days before submitting their applications. This is not intended as something to listen to an hour before you submit… but it does offer incredibly useful information to think about a day or two before the application deadline. As we always say: you want an application that is authentic, bold, and that offers a clear and consistent narrative. You want this narrative to come across cohesively via all elements of your application: your...
Advice from a former adcom, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 140
December 28, 2022 07:30 - 20 minutes - 38.2 MBA unique aspect of our admissions-consulting process at Stacy Blackman Consulting is our Flight Test, which replicates an actual admissions committee review of your entire application process. We have a team of former admission officers from the top MBA programs who serve as our Flight Testers, and this week we wrap up our two-episode conversation with one of them: Caryn, a former Kellogg admissions committee member. In Part 2, Caryn reveals how MBA adcoms judge a candidate’s essays, recommen...
Advice from a former MBA adcom, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 139
December 21, 2022 07:30 - 20 minutes - 39.5 MBAt Stacy Blackman Consulting, we have a team of former admission committee members from the top MBA programs who serve as our "Flight Testers." Our Flight Test mimics an actual application review, just like the adcom will do it in real life. Except that you'll be getting personalized feedback on what you can improve BEFORE you hit submit. In the first of this two-part episode series, we talk with Caryn, a former member of the Kellogg admissions committee and member of the SBC team, who share...
Doubting yourself? This could be a great thing, Part 2: B-Schooled episode 138
December 14, 2022 08:30 - 17 minutes - 32.8 MBAre 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 this two-part episode host Chandler Arnold gets personal about combatting self-doubt and—more importantly—transforming this doubt into FUEL to drive your forward towards your goals. Last week we talked about 5 specific ways to combat self-doubt during the MBA admissions process: FACING YOUR DOUBTS HEAD ON DEVELOPING A PLAN TO ADDRESS EACH OF YOU...
Doubting yourself? This could be a great thing, Part 1: B-Schooled episode 137
December 06, 2022 18:46 - 26 minutes - 49.3 MBEvery thoughtful MBA applicant doubts themselves at some point during the MBA application journey. More critically,it is often the applicants who have the most to offer -- the most unique experiences, the most diverse perspectives, the most out-of-the-ordinary life stories -- who doubt themselves the most. Are you having doubts about applying? This could be a good thing. Are you having REALLY BIG DOUBTS? This could be even better. Host Chandler Arnold gets personal in this episode by sharing ...
Reapplying (2022 update): B-Schooled episode 136
November 30, 2022 07:30 - 20 minutes - 37.9 MBIf 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 recommenders? This episode is dedicated to giving frank advice about how to approach the reapplication process.
MBA interview advice, part 2 of 2: B-Schooled episode 135 (replay)
November 23, 2022 07:30 - 17 minutes - 40.4 MBOur host Erika is joined once again by former Kellogg admissions director Beth Tidmarsh for a discussion specifically about behavioral MBA interviews (i.e., "Tell me about a time when..." questions). They cover the types of behavioral questions candidates can expect, advice on how to answer those questions, pitfalls to avoid, and more. They also role-play a few questions and responses for listeners.
Ten things I wish I'd known about recommendations when applying, Part 2: B-Schooled episode 134
November 16, 2022 08:30 - 22 minutes - 40.6 MBIn the last episode your host Chandler Arnold shared five things he wished he’d known about recommendations when applying to business school, including: How to help your recommender think about the skills grid rankings, as well as how to prep your recommender for several frequently asked questions, including: FAQ 1: Describe the applicant’s key strengths and how she or he compares to others you have supervised FAQ 2: Describe the biggest piece of constructive feedback you have given the appl...
Ten things I wish I'd known about recommendations when applying: B-Schooled episode 133
November 09, 2022 08:30 - 24 minutes - 46 MBIn this series of two episodes your host shares ten things he wished he’d known about recommendations when applying to business school, including: The *skills grid* recommenders frequently need to fill out evaluating your personal and professional skills Frequently asked questions, such as: Describe the applicant’s key strengths and how she or he compares to others you have supervised. Describe the biggest piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Are there any areas of d...
MBA interview advice, part 1 of 2: B-Schooled episode 132 (replay)
November 02, 2022 06:30 - 20 minutes - 47.2 MBOur host Erika is joined by former Kellogg admissions director Beth Tidmarsh for a discussion about MBA interviews. They cover the types of questions candidates can expect, advice on how to answer those questions, what adcoms are looking to get from you out of these interviews, and more. Part 2 will be live on November 23.
MBA career goal madlibs: B-Schooled episode 131
October 26, 2022 16:40 - 26 minutes - 49.6 MBYou 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 title of this podcast fool you! The content we discuss today is anything but silly. However, we are using the madlibs concept as a powerful FRAMEWORK to help you think about how best to articulate your short and short- and long-term goals in ways that are specific, authentic, bold, and realistic. If you have ever been intimidated about fleshing out you...
6 things you think you know about MBA essays (but might not): B-Schooled episode 130
October 19, 2022 07:30 - 17 minutes - 32.6 MBWe 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 tips for MBA essay writing that even the most confident writers sometimes miss. This will include: Directly answering the question asked The active vs the passive voice Writing an attention-grabbing first (and last) sentence The STAR format and why it is your friend Structuring your essay clearly Writing in a way that is clear, simple and co...
Time and energy wasters (replay): B-Schooled episode 129
October 12, 2022 16:26 - 22 minutes - 51.8 MBIn this replay of one of our most popular episodes, Meg — a former University of Chicago Booth admissions committee member and current SBC admissions consultant — joins Erika to discuss some of the biggest things they see MBA candidates wasting their precious time on during the application process. They address: Their most-hated question MBA candidates often ask *Why* it doesn't make sense to worry about certain things in the admissions process What applicants' time is better spent on What ...
Single-Employer Career Narratives: B-Schooled episode 128
October 05, 2022 06:30 - 17 minutes - 33.8 MBThis episode discusses the most important things you must communicate to the admissions committee -- as well as the red flags you can head off -- if you're a candidate who's only worked for one employer since college.
How to pick the right recommenders (replay): B-Schooled episode 127
September 28, 2022 06:30 - 26 minutes - 62.5 MBThis 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 if you don’t want anyone at your company to know of your MBA plans If it’s OK to use college professors or extracurricular contacts as recommenders Whether seniority or alumni status matters Whether "side letters" are effective What you should do if you’ve worked for more than one company since college What you should do if you haven’t worked w...
Things you’re scared to talk about (and why you REALLY should) Part Two: B-Schooled episode 126
September 21, 2022 07:30 - 35 minutes - 66 MBIn this episode Caryn Altman joins us for more real talk. Today’s topic: the complicated question of sharing something in your application of which you are not proud. This might be explaining anything you wish you’d handled differently… from a low GPA, to a lapse in judgment, to something like a DUI. The key to approaching these topics effectively is often LESS about the incident itself and much MORE about how you respond to and explain the topic in your application. Admissions officers want...
Things you’re scared to talk about (and why you REALLY should) Part One: B-Schooled episode 125
September 14, 2022 07:30 - 34 minutes - 63.9 MBIn this episode Caryn Altman joins us for some real talk. Today’s topic: the complicated question of sharing something in your application of which you are not proud. This might be explaining anything you wish you’d handled differently… from a low GPA, to a lapse in judgment, to something like a DUI. The key to approaching these topics effectively is often LESS about the incident itself and much MORE about how you respond to and explain the topic in your application. Admissions officers want...
How to write and talk about accomplishments: B-Schooled episode 124
September 07, 2022 06:00 - 14 minutes - 28.6 MBIf 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 between confidence and arrogance. How can you make sure you don't cross it in your MBA materials?
Tips for LGBTQ+ -- and other underrepresented -- applicants: B-Schooled episode 123
August 31, 2022 07:30 - 23 minutes - 42.6 MBAll 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 episode, we sit down with SBC consultant Marc Paulo -- who has worked in admissions at UVA Darden and for private sector leaders like McKinsey and Bain -- to share lessons we have learned from working with LGBTQ+ and other underepresented applicants over the years. This podcast is NOT ONLY for members of the queer community. It is a must-listen for...
What should you do with your life? (replay): B-Schooled episode 122
August 24, 2022 06:30 - 1 hour - 148 MBIn 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 how applicants can use the MBA application process to reflect on what they really value and what kind of work might make them truly happy.
GRE vocabulary prep: B-Schooled episode 121
August 17, 2022 07:30 - 22 minutes - 41.2 MBToday 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 , Stacy Blackman Consulting’s Director of Test Prep, who’s been a GMAT and GRE tutor for more than two decades. Anthony works with his clients to develop an individualized plan of attack for a broad range of focus areas. To give an example of this, today Anthony takes a deep dive into one area of test prep he focuses on – in this case, GRE vocabulary prep – and shares a rang...
What makes you unique?: B-Schooled episode 120
August 10, 2022 06:30 - 16 minutes - 31.6 MBIt'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 for how to understand what you have to offer an MBA program that no one else can.
Data form do's and don'ts (replay): B-Schooled episode 119
August 03, 2022 06:30 - 21 minutes - 48.4 MBThis episode covers how to make the most of the data form—or the actual online application itself—and why you shouldn't underestimate its importance. We’ll cover: Optional fields Common questions applicants have about confusing fields and dropdowns The awards section(s) How you can use the data form fields to strengthen your candidacy (This is a replay of episode 21.)
Tackling your main MBA essay (Part 2 of 2): B-Schooled episode #118
July 27, 2022 07:30 - 23 minutes - 43.8 MBB-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: how best to tackle your main MBA essay. While different MBA programs approach this essay in different ways, what these programs REALLY want to understand is who you are as a person and what you are passionate about. Just as importantly, these schools want to understand WHY you are passionate about these things… and how you want to lead in these ...
Tackling your main MBA essay (Part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode #117
July 20, 2022 07:30 - 31 minutes - 58.3 MBToday 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 approach this essay in different ways, what these programs REALLY want to understand is who you are as a person and what you are passionate about. Just as importantly, these schools want to understand WHY you are passionate about these things… and how you want to lead in these areas after earning your MBA. These questions can be intimidating. The...
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and the MBA : B-Schooled episode 116
July 13, 2022 07:30 - 27 minutes - 51.1 MBAt SBC we work with an increasing number of applicants interested in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion – either because they are personally passionate about these topics, see DEI as a possible post-MBA career path, or both. If you are interested in Diversity, Equity, and/or Inclusion this is the ABSOLUTELY the podcast for you. This episode includes all of the following (and more): Tips for DEI-focused applicants applying to MBA programs Suggestions about making the most of your MBA e...
Spotlight on Darden: B-Schooled episode 115
July 06, 2022 06:30 - 20 minutes - 39 MBMPG, a former Assistant Director of Admissions and adcom member at Darden -- who's now on the SBC admissions consulting team -- shares insight into UVA's Darden School of Business and its surrounding Charlottesville community.
How to MBA your resume (replay): B-Schooled episode 114
June 29, 2022 06:30 - 20 minutes - 47.5 MBYour resume is perhaps the single most important part of your application materials. This episode (a replay of episode 16 from August 12, 2020) covers how to maximize that one precious page.
Top 10 things I wish I’d known when applying (Part 2): B-Schooled episode 113
June 22, 2022 07:30 - 25 minutes - 48.1 MBLooking 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 known when starting his own MBA application. Part One of this podcast covers tips related to vulnerability in essays, resisting the urge to present yourself as a “typical” MBA applicant, special tips for reaching out to current students and alums, interview prep, and other topics.
Top 10 things I wish I’d known when applying (Part 1): B-Schooled episode 112
June 15, 2022 07:30 - 29 minutes - 53.8 MBLooking 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 known when starting his own MBA application. Part One of this podcast covers tips related to short and long term goal planning, career aspirations, story mapping, test scores, and essay writing.
Advice for differently abled MBA applicants: B-Schooled episode 111
June 08, 2022 06:30 - 32 minutes - 60 MBErika talks with her SBC colleague Kevin, a member of the disability community, about what differently abled MBA applicants need to keep in mind, do/not do, and otherwise prepare for in their application materials, their interviews, their MBA experience itself, and their re-entry into the working world.
Round 1 kickoff: B-Schooled episode 110
June 01, 2022 06:30 - 16 minutes - 31.5 MBThis 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 before applications are released.
Disruptive technologies and the MBA: B-Schooled episode 109
May 25, 2022 07:30 - 25 minutes - 48.5 MBThe 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 disruptive technologies across industries. These exponential technologies are rapidly emerging in the fields of genetics, robotics, artificial intelligence, synthetic organisms, nanotechnology, 3D printing, virtual reality, big data, cybernetics and many other areas. Cross-disciplinary by nature, Futurism is growing in popularity among business sc...