B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit

Our 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.

You 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 your short and long-term career goals, this episode is for you!

We 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 concise Even if you think you have everything covered for your essays, be sure to give this podcast a listen.

In 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 waitlisted candidates should do (and not do) to strengthen their position The pros and cons of MBA message boards What MBA candidates should do if/when they find themselves filled with doubts

This 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.

This 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 with one of your recommenders for some time, and finally What you should do if you work for a family-owned business (This is a replay of episode 12.)

In 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 to understand how you handled the situation, what you learned from the experience, and/or how you have grown and changed. In last week's episode, we discussed: A low GMA or failing grades A mistake you made or something you regret (such as a DUI or an honor code violation) The need to *stand out* from the crowd (especially if you come from an overrepresented demographic) And this week we will tackle three additional topics, with even more candor: Failing grades or low GPA Being a candidate that is significantly "older" or "younger" than other applicants A sneaking suspicion that your school selection is way out of reach To be clear, this conversation is not just for people who've encountered these specific situations. The real takeaways from this episode focus not on the situation but an approach. And–let's face it–who doesn't have at least one part of their application they are nervous about? Today's guest, Caryn Altman, worked as an Admissions Officer for the Kellogg School of Management where she read and evaluated countless applications. Caryn also holds an MBA from Kellogg and has been a longtime admissions consultant with SBC.

In 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 to understand how you handled the situation, what you learned from the experience, and/or how you have grown and changed. The first in a series of two podcasts, this episode will cover how to address: A low GMAT/GRE score A mistake you made or something you regret (such as a DUI or an honor code violation) The need to *stand out* from the crowd (especially if you come from an overrepresented demographic) To be clear, this conversation is not just for people who've encountered these specific situations. The real takeaways from this episode focus not on the situation but an approach. And–let's face it–who doesn't have at least one part of their application they are nervous about? Today's guest, Caryn Altman, worked as an Admissions Officer for the Kellogg School of Management where she read and evaluated countless applications. Caryn also holds an MBA from Kellogg and has been a longtime admissions consultant with SBC.

If 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?

All 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 ANY APPLICANT who might not feel as if they are part of the mainstream and/or who has a unique perspective to share. Do not miss these nine great tips for those wishing to tell their unique stories in bold and authentic ways.