The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast

The HKUST MBA has been one of Asia's top-ranked MBAs for many years - the Financial Times has ranked it top 25 globally 15 times. But, what is it actually like to study there?Stephen Shih, Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School and a former Partner at Bain & Company, shares what makes the HKUST MBA unique. We cover Hong Kong's strategic importance, the benefits of studying at a renowned science and technology university, HKUST's flexible curriculum, and the differences between the 12 and 16-month program options. Stephen also shares his views on AI's impact on MBA careers, what employers are prioritizing, and what the HKUST admissions team actually looks for beyond GMAT scores.Program Highlights - What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique?Introduction (0:00)What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique? (8:25)How HKUST is "Future-Proofing" its MBA as AI Reshapes Business (13:20)Why Hong Kong for Your MBA (20:00)HKUST MBA's 12 and 16-Month Course Structure (22:45)HKUST MBA's Student & Learning Culture (25:00)HKUST MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances? What HKUST MBA Looks for from Applicants (27:00)Post-MBA Goals (29:00)Interviews (31:05)GMAT/GRE Scores (32:15)Stephen's Final Application Tips (35:50)How HKUST MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (37:35)Career Opportunities at HKUST - What to Know & How to PrepareHow to Leverage HKUST's Career Resources to Land Post-MBA Jobs (40:30)HKUST Industry Placements & Resources for Entrepreneurs (45:45)What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Hong Kong, China & Asia-Pacific (51:00)Maximizing ROI at the HKUST MBA (52:15)About Our GuestStephen Shih is the Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Learning & Development at Bain & Company in Shanghai, China. Stephen served as Head of MBA Career Services and Corporate Relations at HKUST from 2010-11 before returning to Bain & Company as a Partner and leading its organization practice in Asia-Pacific. Stephen majored in Economics at Princeton University and got his MBA from UCLA Anderson.Show NotesHKUST MBAHKUST MBA ScholarshipsHKUST Entrepreneurship CenterHKUST MBA SuperConnector PodcastHKUST Full-time MBA Highlights by Touch MBAMBA Application Resources⁠⁠⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)⁠

Your MBA application is a "movie preview" of what is to come - a pitch for your candidacy. Imagine an admissions officer reading hundreds of applications. How can you get this gatekeeper to pay attention, remember you, believe you, care about you, and act on your application in a positive way (we must interview her!)?In this reposted episode, Darren uses the marketing classic Made to Stick as inspiration for how to create a memorable MBA application.Six elements - Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Story (SUCCES) - are the building blocks of sticky ideas. Be sure to incorporate all 6 elements into your MBA application.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)Your MBA Application is Like a Movie Preview (3:25)Simple (7:15)Unexpected (8:45)Concrete (10:40)Credible (11:05)Emotional (12:30)Story (14:35)Show Notes#113 Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t#200 The 3S’s of Scintillating Storytelling#51 Stalking the Story for Your MBA Essays#83 MBA Essays that Work – Candid Thoughts on Essays, Authenticity and Being YourselfMade to Stick, by Chip and Dan HeathResources for MBA ApplicantsGet free school selection help at Touch MBAGet pre-assessed by top international MBA programsOur favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

What does IESE look for in MBA applicants? How do they evaluate your academic aptitude, post-MBA career goals, leadership potential and fit? In this episode, IESE MBA Admissions Director Patrik Wallen shares candid insights into what makes candidates stand out — and what makes IESE’s two-year MBA unique.Program Highlights - What Makes the IESE MBA Unique?Introduction (0:00)What Makes the IESE MBA Unique? (3:30)IESE's Reputation with Employers (11:30)IESE MBA's Two-Year Course Structure (14:27) Living, Studying & Working in Barcelona, Spain (18:37)The Importance of Speaking the Local Language: Spanish (25:10)IESE MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances? What IESE MBA Looks for When Building a Class (28:00)Patrik's Thoughts on Post-MBA Goals (37:00)GMAT/GRE Scores & GPA (41:45)Resumes (48:00)Written Essays & Video Essays (52:45)Letters of Recommendation (55:35)Interviews & IESE MBA's Assessment Day (57:45)How IESE MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (1:03:35)Career Opportunities at IESE - What to Know & How to PrepareHas AI Affected Recruiting for Consulting? (1:10:55)IESE MBA's Grading System (1:17:30)What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Spain & Europe (1:20:05)Structured Recruiting & Unstructured Recruiting: What Applicants Can Expect from IESE's Career Services (1:27:45)About Our GuestPatrik Wallen is the MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School. Previously, he was Director of IESE's Career Development Center. Before joining IESE, Patrik worked as a general manager in hospitality, founded a fish importing business and worked as a software consultant. Patrik got his Masters in Science in Computer Science from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and his MBA from IESE in 2007.Show NotesIESE MBAGet feedback on your profile from IESE MBA's Admissions Team before you applyIESE MBA Scholarships and Post-Graduation Payment Aid (PPA) for MBAsIESE Full-time MBA Highlights by Touch MBAMBA Application Resources⁠⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

How can you stand out from thousands of MBA applicants with impressive CVs?Darren sits down with Ellin Lolis, Founder and President of Ellin Lolis Consulting and one of the top ranked MBA admissions consultants on Poets & Quants, to learn how she helps MBA applicants craft powerful personal narratives. With a near 99% success rate, Ellen shares the process she uses to transform an applicant's collection of achievements into a cohesive and compelling personal narrative.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)How Ellin Fell into Admissions Consulting (2:37)The Importance of Narrative: Why Data and CVs Aren't Memorable (3:37)What's Your Career Goal & Career Purpose? (10:20)Finding the Golden Thread of Your Personal Narrative (22:20)Dealing with "My Story Isn't that Interesting" (40:12)How to Differentiate Yourself when You Have a Common Career Goal (39:55)The Power of Vulnerability (45:23)Darren's Hot Dog Story - How Mundane Moments Can Make for a Memorable Story (47:19) How MBA programs are Evolving with AI (50:07) Using AI in Your MBA Applications (52:54) Video Essay Tips (59:28)About Our GuestEllin Lolis is founder and president of Ellin Lolis Consulting, which has helped 98.9% of their clients get accepted to at least one program of their choice. Ellin and her team have spent over a decade helping MBA applicants craft their story and build their careers. Prior to starting her admissions consulting firm, Ellin worked in marketing and communications.Ellin graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelors in International Cultural Studies, and is a member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC).Show NotesEllin Lolis ConsultingMy Admit CoachCo-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan MollickTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A Novel by Gabrielle Zevin More Resources⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠Get the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business Schools⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

Darren talks with N'doli Jean-Hugues "Cherif," a French and Ivorian candidate who gained admission to both INSEAD and London Business School's MBA programs. Cherif, an older full-time MBA candidate with diverse experience across five roles - including audit, management consulting, investment banking and infrastructure project finance in the public and private sector - shares his five key success factors for MBA admissions.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)Cherif's Background & Pre-MBA Plan & Goals (3:10)How Cherif Found Career Mentors & Built Future Opportunities (10:40)Cherif's 5 Key Success FactorsUnwavering Focus (17:20)Strategic Peer Review (27:15)Work with a Consultant (34:30)Self-awareness (43:15)Narrative Coherence (52:30)How Cherif Assessed his Competitiveness (1:00:00)Cherif's Interview Tips for Insead & London Business School (1:07:10)Cherif's Final Tips (1:24:00)About Our GuestN'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif graduated from Cranfield University with a Masters in Management and Concordia University with a Bachelors in Political Science. He will be attending the Insead MBA program in Fontainebleau, France, focused on a post-MBA career in infrastructure-focused private equity.After getting his Masters, Cherif worked as an auditor for PwC, management consultant for Square Management, and then in Financial Advisory and Project Finance for the government of Côte d'Ivoire and then as an investment banker for Obara Capital. He then returned to Paris with his family to do Financial Advisory and Project Finance for Egis.Show NotesFollow N'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif on LinkedInHow I Got Into Insead & London Business School: 5 Game-Changing Success Factors by N'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif (My Admissions Journey Series)Insead MBAInfravenir: Young Infrastructure Professionals in FranceThe Glocap Guide To Getting A Job In Private Equity: Behind the Scenes Insight Into How PE Funds Hire by Brian KorbLondon L. - MBA Admissions ConsultantMore ResourcesGet free school selection help at Touch MBAGet pre-assessed by top international MBA programsGet the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business SchoolsOur favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

Join Sabine King, Director of the Career Accelerator at AGSM, as she delves into the transformative impact of AI on MBA careers. She explains how AI is increasing demand for MBAs to lead ethical digital changes and how AGSM integrates AI in its curriculum for hands-on learning. Sabine emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity while leveraging AI tools for resume optimization and interview prep. Discover vital AI skills that employers seek and explore the balance of responsible AI use in assessments and career networking.

Explore design thinking to craft a fulfilling life! Discover how to create Odyssey Plans for envisioning multiple life paths. Learn to prototype your experiences through insightful conversations and internships. Follow your passions to find MBA programs that truly resonate with you. This episode emphasizes the importance of adaptability in your career journey while encouraging openness to new opportunities. Get ready to design the future you desire!

Ann-Marie Stephenson and Colleen McLister, Senior Recruitment Manager and Admissions Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, discuss the Frankfurt School MBA's admissions criteria, admissions process, scholarships and more. After listening to this episode, you will have a thorough and nuanced understanding of how to submit your strongest application to the Frankfurt School. Topics Introducing Ann-Marie Stephenson & Colleen McLister (0:00) What about the Frankfurt School MBA Surprises International Students? (4:00) How much German do Frankfurt MBA students need to thrive? (8:45) Frankfurt School MBA's Admissions Criteria & Process (11:30) Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances? (24:30) Advice on Recommendations, Case-Study Essays, Career Goals (35:00) Final Tips for Applicants (46:15) Show Notes Frankfurt School of Finance & Management Full-time MBA Programme Contact the MBA Team at the Frankfurt School #227 Inside the Frankfurt School Full-Time MBA: Admissions & Recruitment Insights with Ann-Marie Stephenson & Colleen McLister #215 Frankfurt School of Finance & Management MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Prof. Adrian Buss MBA Application Resources Get free school selection help at Touch MBA Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs Get the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business Schools Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

Sara Vanos, Executive Director of Marketing & Admissions for MBA Programs at HEC Paris, discusses what makes the HEC Paris MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics Introduction to HEC Paris MBA and Sara Vanos (0:00) Program Highlights - What Makes the HEC Paris MBA Unique? (3:20) HEC Paris MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances? (29:15) Career Opportunities after HEC Paris - What to Know & How to Prepare (52:50) About Our Guest Sara Vanos is Executive Director of Marketing & Admissions for MBA Programs at HEC Paris, where she has been for over 10 years. Previously, Sara worked in the careers office for the University of Toronto Rotman. Sara got her EMBA from HEC Paris and her undergraduate degree from Ryerson University. Show Notes HEC Paris Full-time MBA HEC Paris MBA GMAT/GRE Requirements Touch MBA's Writeup & Highlights of HEC Paris MBA MBA Application Resources Get free school selection help at Touch MBA Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs Get the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business Schools Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

Bridget Pujals is the Co-founder and CEO of Saelo, a skincare company, and a recent MBA graduate from Berkeley Haas. In this discussion, she shares how her entrepreneurial plans evolved during her studies and the invaluable resources she found at Haas. Bridget emphasizes the importance of 'co-founder dating' and strategic networking within the UC Berkeley community. She also tackles the question of whether an MBA is worth it for aspiring entrepreneurs, shedding light on vital tips to maximize this experience for startup success.