Shows
The mbaMission PodcastEP 74 | Financing Your MBA: Merit Scholarships and Financial AidGetting into business school is challenging, but PAYING for business school can be just as stressful for many MBA hopefuls. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald sit down with mbaMission Managing Director Rachel Beck to discuss all things related to financing your MBA. They talk about MBA merit scholarships, financial aid, employer support programs, and more. They also discuss some of the common questions we hear from applicants about negotiating scholarship offers and the long-term value of an MBA. If you are thinking about applying to business school -- or eagerly awaiting...
2025-10-2828 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 73 | What Makes the UVA Darden MBA Program Stand Out?The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia is known for it's top-ranked faculty,dedication to the case method, and stunning facilities. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald welcome back Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at UVA Darden. Dawna shares the qualities and features that differentiate Darden among top MBA programs, from its transformational dean, to its entrepreneurship and AI institutes, to its scholarship opportunities. Whether you are planning to apply to Darden or just beginning your business school research, you won't want to miss this conversation!
2025-10-2140 minThe mbaMission PodcastEP 71 | How (and When) to Prepare for MBA RecruitmentIn this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald welcome Liz Ramos. Liz has spent decades recruiting and hiring MBA students at firms such Bain & Company, Fidelity Private Equity, and Cambridge Associates. Today Liz shares her unique perspective on how top firms recruit and develop talent. She discusses how the MBA recruitment process has changed, what elite consulting and investment firms are looking for, and what MBA admits need to do BEFORE they arrive on campus. If you are aiming to begin business school in the next 1-2 years, this episode is a must-watch!
2025-10-0731 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 70 | Assistant Dean Breaks Down UVA Darden AdmissionsThe Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia offers one of the most rigorous and transformational MBA programs in the country. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald sit down with Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at UVA Darden. Dawna discusses the kind of applicant the Darden admissions committee is looking for, how applicants should think about application rounds, the factors that predict success in the MBA program, and much more. Whether you are planning to apply to Darden this year or just beginning your school research, you won't...
2025-09-3035 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 67 | Tips for Nailing Your MBA InterviewsRound 1 business school application deadlines are here, which means interview season is just around the corner. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast we're discussing all things interviews, and sharing our top tips for succeeding on interview day. This week Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by mbaMission Senior Consultant Susan McInerny. Harold, Jeremy, and Susan discuss interview anxiety (and how to manage it), how to prepare for your interviews, what to ask your interviewer, and what NOT to do on interview day. Today's episode is a must-listen for anyone preparing for MBA interviews, whether those interviews...
2025-09-0925 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 66 | Pitfalls of Bad MBA Interviews (and Hallmarks of Great Ones)In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast we're discussing common MBA interview pitfalls. Where do MBA interviews tend to go wrong, and why? And -- just as importantly -- what are the hallmarks of great business school interviews? This week Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by mbaMission Executive Director Devi Vallabhaneni. Devi is an alum of Harvard Business School and spent years interviewing HBS applicants as a member of the admissions board. As mbaMission's Interviewer in Residence, she conducts hundreds of interview simulations for HBS applicants every year. Devi discusses the importance of nailing your goals...
2025-09-0245 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 64 | Our Clients' Toughest MBA Interview Stories ***UPDATED***In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremey Shinewald are joined by Devi Vallabhaneni, HBS alum and mbaMission's Interviewer in Residence. Harold, Jeremy, and Devi discuss some of the most challenging interview experiences they and their clients have had. They talk about the human element of interviews, how to tackle some of the hard questions, and why it's so important to practice before your MBA interviews. 00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission podcast 00:43 Questions about your other applications 02:47 Critiques of your goals 03:45 Questions about religion 04:20 The human element of MBA interviews 04:43 HBS Post...
2025-08-1914 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 64 | Our Clients' Toughest MBA Interview StoriesIn today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremey Shinewald are joined by Devi Vallabhaneni, HBS alum and mbaMission's Interviewer in Residence. Harold, Jeremy, and Devi discuss some of the most challenging interview experiences they and their clients have had. They talk about the human element of interviews, how to tackle some of the hard questions, and why it's so important to practice before your MBA interviews.00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission podcast00:43 Questions about your other applications02:47 Critiques of your goals03:45 Questions about religion 04:20 The human element of MBA interviews04:43 H...
2025-08-1947 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 63 | Does an Entrepreneur Need an MBA?In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, we're tackling a question that we're hearing more and more often these days: can business school really prepare you to be an entrepreneur? Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald discuss their own post-MBA experiences as entrepreneurs, and whether the skills they developed in business school are necessary for aspiring founders. If you're dreaming of building your own venture, or want to understand how business school can shape a startup journey, this episode is for you.00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission podcast02:34 Modern entrepreneurship06:00 Entrepreneurship through acquisition 09:18 Can you teach e...
2025-08-1247 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 62 | How to Get a Job in Private Equity, Venture Capital, or a Hedge FundAs the private equity industry continues to expand, the number of PE associates applying to business school -- and the number of MBA students interested in entering PE post-graduation -- is on the rise. In today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald explore the worlds of private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. They break down what these roles involve, and how aspiring professionals can successfully break into these highly competitive sectors. If you're thinking about working in PE or VC after business school, this episode is for you!00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission...
2025-08-0516 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 61 | MBA 101: All You Need to Know About Business SchoolIn today's episode of the mbaMission podcast, we're breaking down MBA basics: What exactly do you learn in business school? How is the curriculum structured? And how can an MBA accelerate your career? Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald discuss what business school is all about, and then then walk through each piece of the application process, from program research to essays, recommendations, and interviews. Whether you're just starting to explore the idea of business school or are actively working on your applications, this episode is for you!00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission podcast01:16 What is an MBA...
2025-07-2921 minThe 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. Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold, Susan, or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form. Learn more about o...
2025-03-2527 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.Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold, Susan, o...
2025-03-1126 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.Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold, Susan...
2025-01-2435 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.Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold, Susan, or another one of our experienced MBA admissions consultants by filling out this form. Learn more about onTrack by mbaMission, our innovative, on-demand MBA application platform, and take our two-minute questionnaire to receive your...
2025-01-0730 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 minThe mbaMission PodcastEp 1 | The MBA Application ProcessIn this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simansky, a Senior MBA Admissions Consultant at mbaMission and Jeremy Shinewald, mbaMission Founder and President, discuss the MBA admissions process. They discuss how to start the application process; including researching schools, preparing for the GMAT or GRE, and building a strong profile. They also emphasize the importance of community involvement and leadership, both inside and outside of work. Harold and Jeremy provide tips for brainstorming and essay writing, and highlight the need for authenticity and creativity in your MBA application.TakeawaysStart the MBA admissions process e...
2024-05-2831 min