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The mbaMission PodcastEp 60 | How I Decided Between MBA ProgramsAfter navigating the rigorous MBA application process, receiving an acceptance from one of your target business school can be a huge relief. But what if you find yourself with offers from more than one of your target schools? Today we welcome back Austin Sandoval to the mbaMission podcast. Austin was accepted to multiple top-15 business schools and offered generous scholarships from each one. In this episode, Austin talks with Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald about his receiving his MBA acceptances and shares his insights on weighing competing offers, negotiating scholarships, and ultimately making his final decision about where to...2025-07-2232 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 55 | Strategies for Nailing the HBS Application EssaysLast year Harvard Business School changed it's MBA application essays for the first time in nearly a decade. The changes were significant, and caused anxiety for many business school hopefuls. After working with applicants on the new HBS essays for the last year, we're sharing what we've learned. In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Gatehouse Admissions founder Liza Weale share their reactions to the essay changes and discuss effective strategies for tackling each of the Harvard Business School essay prompts.00:00 How to write the new HBS application essays01:28 Our...2025-06-1729 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 54 | How to Nail Your Post-MBA Career GoalsMost business schools will ask you to discuss your career goals in your MBA application. Why do MBA programs ask about your goals when they know that your plans may change while you're in business school? And how do they evaluate your goals? In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky, Susan McInerny, and Jeremy Shinewald discuss what makes a "good" post-MBA goal, and why it is critical to identify goals that are right for YOU, rather than presenting goals that you think the admissions committees want to hear.00:00 Developing your post-MBA goals00:42 What...2025-06-1021 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 53 | Underdog MBA Applicants Accepted at Top ProgramsThe MBA admissions process is, in many ways, subjective. Broadly speaking the top MBA programs want to see a high GMAT or GRE score, a strong undergraduate GPA, and solid work experience. But, there is no magic formula for getting admitted. In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald discuss the clients who have surprised us over the years -- the long-shot applicants who were successfully admitted to top business schools -- and how they overcame weaknesses in their profiles and impressed the MBA admissions committees.00:00 Long-shot MBA applicants who were admitted...2025-06-0340 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 49 | Top Tips From MBA Admissions InsidersThe team at mbaMission has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the business schools of their dreams over the last twenty years. In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Susan McInerny discuss the most important things applicants need to know as they begin -- or plan ahead for -- the MBA application process. From strategically planning your timeline to building your professional profile the RIGHT way, we're sharing our top tips for MBA hopefuls who are considering applying to business school in the next 1-2 years.00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission...2025-05-0631 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 48 | How to Choose an MBA Admissions ConsultantIf you are applying to business school -- and especially if you are applying to the most competitive MBA programs -- having an admissions expert in your corner can significantly improve your chances of admission success. At mbaMission, we help our clients unlock their most powerful stories and present their strongest possible profiles to the admissions committees. So, how do you choose the right admissions consultant for you? In this episode of the mbaMission podast, Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Susan McInerny discuss the qualifications and skills you should look for when selecting a consultant. Book your F...2025-04-2914 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 47 | Private Equity MBA Applicants: What Are Your Chances at Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton?Many individuals working in private equity have their sights set on Harvard Business School, the Stanford GSB, and Wharton for their MBA education. Business schools love PE applicants -- but does that mean you are guaranteed a spot in one of these elite MBA programs if you work in PE? Does coming from private equity give you an advantage in the application process, or put you at a disadvantage? In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald welcomed our friend Liza Weale, former mbaMission consultant and founder of Gatehouse Admissions, to discuss the unique...2025-04-2247 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 46 | From 11 MBA Acceptances to HBS Student Body PresidentFormer mbaMission client Hayden Tanabe was admitted to a whopping eleven MBA programs, including Harvard Business School, the Stanford GSB, Dartmouth Tuck, Northwestern Kellogg, and more. He ultimately chose to attend Harvard Business School and is currently serving as the HBS student body president. In our latest episode of the mbaMission podcast, Hayden talks with Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald about his application journey, how he made his decision to attend HBS, and his experience as an MBA student and a member of the HBS student government. Follow @haydentanabe on TikTok for more on his MBA journey!2025-04-1547 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 43 | What Makes a Compelling MBA Application Essay?For many business school applicants, writing application essays is the most daunting piece of the admissions process. What are MBA admissions committees looking for in your essays? What are the key components of personal statements? What mistakes do applicants commonly make when discussing their post-MBA goals? Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Gavriella Semaya discuss all of this and more in our most recent episode of the mbaMission podcast. Contact Us:info@mbamission.comFollow Us:YouTubeLinkedInInstagram2025-03-2527 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 41 | How Should You Use AI in Your MBA Applications?How can ChatGPT and other AI programs make the MBA application easier? Can you use ChatGPT for your business school research? Can you use it for your essay brainstorming? How about for the actual writing of application essays? And SHOULD you use AI for these and other stages of the application process? In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky, Jessica Shklar, and Jeremy Shinewald discuss when you should -- and shouldn't -- use AI in your business school applications, and how to use it effectively.Contact Us:info@mbamission.com2025-03-1126 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 33 | How Early Should You Start the MBA Application Process?Business school applications typically open in late spring or early summer -- but when should you actually start preparing your MBA candidacy? Earlier than you might think! In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Gavriella Semaya discuss the many components of MBA applications and the importance of starting the process early. They share sample timelines and outline the work you should be doing to build your MBA candidacy one year, two years, or even 3-5 years before you apply to business school.Contact Us:info@mbamission.com2025-01-2435 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 31 |Top MBA Admissions Trends for 2025In our first podcast episode of 2025, mbaMission's Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Jessica Shklar share their takeaways from the 2024 MBA application season and make predictions for the 2025 application season. They discuss macro trends related to the economy, the impact of AI on business school admissions, trends in GMAT scoring, and more.Contact Us:info@mbamission.comFollow Us:YouTubeLinkedInInstagram2025-01-0730 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 3 | MBA Letters of RecommendationSummaryIn this podcast episode, Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Harold Simansky and mbaMission Founder and President Jeremy Shinewald discuss the importance of recommendations in MBA applications. They highlight the common mistakes applicants make and provide tips on how to choose the right recommenders and prepare them effectively. Harold and Jeremy also emphasize the need for recommenders to provide specific examples and evidence of the applicant's accomplishments and unique qualities. TakeawaysRecommendations are often overlooked but play a crucial role in MBA applications.Applicants should choose recommenders who know them well a...2024-06-1124 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 2 | MBA Application Fatal FlawsSummary:In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Harold Simansky and mbaMission Founder and President Jeremy Shinewald discuss fatal flaws in MBA applications. They highlight the importance of setting realistic and aspirational goals, demonstrating fit with the school, mitigating weaknesses, and showcasing leadership and impact. Jeremy and Harold also emphasize the need for authenticity and avoiding the trap of trying too hard to impress. The conversation concludes with a discussion of mbaMission's resources, including a free consultation and the comprehensive onTrack by mbaMission MBA application platform.Takeaways:...2024-06-0430 min