B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit

This engaging conversation with UCLA Anderson's Assistant Dean Alex Lawrence covers the program's new essay, what the adcom is looking for in prospective MBA students, how Anderson runs its applicant interviews, unique aspects of the program, what students do around campus, and much, much more.

In this replay of a popular past episode of the B-Schooled podcast, we cover: Two big mistakes we see applicants make regarding school selection An exercise to help you think about and narrow down your school list Which business schools have reputations or are otherwise known for being strong in particular areas

Everyone – and we do mean everyone – gets stuck on their MBA Applications from time to time. So it really isn't a question of IF you are going to hit a wall in your application process. It's a question of WHEN and—more critically—a question of WHAT you're going to do when this happens. In the second part of this two-part episode host Chandler Arnold explores what to do when you hit a wall. This episode includes additional tips and suggestions, including such topics as: Embracing the element of the application you hate the most, Reminding yourself why you are doing this, Having the courage to start over (part 1), Having the courage to start over (reason 2), and Reminding yourself that you are lucky to be in a position to apply

Everyone – and we do mean everyone – gets stuck on their MBA Applications from time to time. So it really isn't a question of IF you are going to hit a wall in your application process. It's a question of WHEN and—more critically—a question of WHAT you're going to do when this happens. In the first part of this two-part episode host Chandler Arnold explores what to do when you hit a wall. This episode includes 5 specific tips and suggestions, including such topics as: What you can learn by exploring WHY you're stuck Specific suggestions about using authenticity and vulnerability to bust through walls Embracing the fact that early drafts are often very bad The power of changing gears The benefits of stepping away and gaining perspective Chandler will also explore five additional strategies next week.

In this episode, Erika talks with fellow Stacy Blackman Consulting team member Deedee, who spent 12 years on the MBA admissions team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Sloan School of Management. Deedee's passion for Sloan comes through as she gives invaluable insight on the program's unique application requirements (such as a cover letter, an organizational chart and a 1-minute video), and also explains how the program integrates with the Boston and Cambridge communities, as well as the wider MIT campus.

The podcast discusses the significance of structure in MBA essays and the need for integrating interesting stories. It highlights the importance of being vulnerable and authentic in presenting oneself. The speaker shares firsthand experiences of helping their community and discovering a passion for corporate social responsibility. It also explores the journey of an applicant in volunteering, tutoring, and striving for scalable social change. Lastly, it emphasizes the role of a powerful conclusion and authentic storytelling in crafting an impactful essay.

This episode covers: - How you should think about and position your short- and long-term MBA career goals in both the short-answer responses on business school applications, as well as in career-related essays. - What you should do if you have no idea what your career goals are, or if the main reason you want to go to b-school is to explore different options for your future career path. - Whether it's a bad idea to say you want to completely change careers or stick with what you're doing now.

Host Chandler Arnold sits down with longtime friend and MBA classmate Carie Lemack to talk about using an MBA in the aerospace field (specifically) and emerging sectors (more generally). Carie has served as a CEO and COO in aerospace enterprises, as an advisor to a number of aerospace startups, and is the co-founder of the Zed Factor Fellowship Program, a fellowship that empowers aspiring space and aviation professionals from historically excluded backgrounds. In this wide-ranging conversation Chandler and Carie laugh a lot. They also have radically candid conversations about a variety of topics, including: Advice for people interested in using their MBAs in Aerospace and other emerging industries, Tips for breaking into a new industry from a nontraditional background, Practical suggestions for how to leverage your passion to transition into a new field, Suggestions for women working in typically male-dominated industries, Suggestions for MBA students thinking about how to prioritize their time in business school, How to choose the "fights worth fighting for" in business school and in life, and Advice for MBA applicants doubting whether or not they "have what it takes" when applying to business school.

If you've toyed with the idea of using an artificial intelligence tool to write your MBA essays, this is the episode for you.

One thing many admissions officers focus on is identifying applicants who have a strong record of learning and growth, in both their professional and personal lives. With that said, effectively DEMONSTRATING you are open to learning and you have a proven aptitude for growth is often easier said than done. But don't worry. In this podcast, we share specific tips and suggestions you can use to highlight the things you've learned--and the ways you've grown--in three areas of your application: your essays, your recommendations, and your interviews. Listening to this podcast is a must for anyone who wants to distinguish themselves as a thoughtful and emotionally intelligent applicant.