Final Thoughts After 20 Years of MBA Advising: Part 1

This episode is bittersweet for our longtime podcast co-host, Chandler.

Chandler is preparing to step away from his co-hosting responsibilities in order to care for his aging parents and launch a new venture for philanthropists. He would like to share how much he has enjoyed co-hosting and wants to say a HUGE thank you to Stacy, Erika, Yvonne, Esther, Alex and the entire SBC team for their amazing friendship and support along the way.

As Chandler thought about how to frame his last podcast, he ultimately decided to take my own advice. As our loyal listeners know, Chandler has closed each of his podcasts over the past four years with the words "be authentic, be bold, and to have a solid plan".

To that end, he will conclude his four years as co-host (and 20 years of advising MBA applicants) with a three-part series in which he gets very authentic and very bold in order to help you create a solid application plan.

In this first of three episodes, Chandler takes a no-holds barred look at the first phase of the application process, and shares his biggest pieces of advice in each of the following categories:

• Planning your application (including the very best place to begin, which most people miss)
• Defining career goals,
• Addressing lower-than-desired quant scores,
• Quantifying your resume,
• Using the data forms strategically, and
• … a special surprise at the end of the episode he hasn't shared before.

This episode 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 essays, your resume, your recommendations, and your interviews. To help set you up for success, today we offer ten suggestions touching on the following topics:

• Thinking through your overall application narrative to make sure this boldly and authentically represents who you are
• Reviewing your essays for common typos and other errors
• Asking your proofreader to help you by looking for the right things
• Bolstering quantitative results metrics—as well as adding useful context—to your resume
• Following up with your recommenders
• Reviewing your social media footprint
• When to actually hit submit (and when not to)

AI AND THE MBA APPLICATION

Today we are talking about ai and the MBA application with SBC expert, Yvette.

After graduating from HBS, Yvette led the HBS Alumni Circle and served as VP of HBS alumni club. Unique among MBA admissions consultants, Yvette also has extensive experience in the AI space and is the architect of MBA AI, an AI specifically focus on MBA admissions.

In this segment Chandler and Yvette sit down to discuss:

· What top MBA programs are saying about AI with regard to their application processes,

· Things you should DEFINITELY AVOID with regard to ChatGPT and AI regarding your application,

· Several AI usages that generally seem to be compliant and effective with regard to improving your application,

· A useful overview AI detectors (and how they can help you),

· and a final tip that everyone should keep in mind when applying.

In this episode, we cover how to make the most of a program's data form—the actual online application itself—which is made up several informational data fields, dropdowns selections and short-answer fields. Too many applicants overlook the opportunities in this unassuming form!

We'll cover:

• Optional fields

• Common questions applicants have about certain fields and dropdowns

• The awards section(s)

• How you can use the data form fields to strengthen your candidacy

The Benefits of an MBA During Uncertain Times

Today's guest, Dawn, graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. Dawn was also admitted to the Stanford GSB.

Dawn is a full-time advisor and senior consultant with SBC who has 18+ years of experience getting clients from around the world admitted into full-time, deferred and executive MBA programs. Dawn has a high success rate having clients admitted every year. 99% of clients who work with her on four or more schools have gained admission. She has had several double admits to Harvard and Stanford. Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at companies such as: Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group and Warner Bros.

In this episode Chandler and Dawn talk about a range of topics related to the value of an MBA during uncertain times, including:

• The value of an MBA in today's changing world,
• Whether or not an MBA really matters if you are doing well in your current career,
• The benefits of earning an MBA for mid-career professionals,
• How AI will influence job and career opportunities in the coming years, and a range of other topics.

Chandler and Dawn will also share a number of specific client examples and lessons learned from recent application cycles.

Listening to this episode is a must for any applicant considering the value of an MBA in today's rapidly evolving world.

For this episode Chandler and SBC consultant Dawn talk about key questions to consider when applying during Round Two.

Dawn graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. Dawn was also admitted to the Stanford GSB. Dawn is a full-time advisor and senior consultant with SBC who has 18+ years of experience getting clients from around the world admitted into full-time, deferred and executive MBA programs. Dawn has a high success rate having clients admitted every year. 99% of clients who work with her on four or more schools have gained admission. She has had several double admits to Harvard and Stanford. Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at companies such as: Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group and Warner Bros.

In this episode Chandler and Dawn talk about a range of topics to help applicants stand out during the Round Two, including:

• Why do business schools have more than one round for admissions?
• Do you think there is a difference in applying round one or a later round?
• Is there any advantage in applying in Round Two?

Chandler and Dawn will also share a number of specific client examples and lessons learned from Round Two applications.

Listening to this episode is a must for any applicant applying during Round Two.

In the final episode of Erika's three-part conversation with her HBS classmate Rahul Mehendale, they discuss the unique role Rahul has taken on in her graduating class that's brought everyone closer together. It's an uplifting, inspiring talk you don't want to miss, full of great advice for aspiring MBAs.

In part two of this three-part discussion, Erika chats with her HBS classmate Rahul Mehendale about his experience at business school, as well as his consulting and entrepreneurial career to-date.