A peek into what change the Forte Foundation is implementing [Show Summary] In honor of Admissions Straight Talk’s 10th anniversary episode, our first ever guest is back. Elissa Sangster is the CEO of the Forte Foundation which is at the forefront of increasing female representation in the business world – from the classroom to the…
Would You Benefit From a Mock Wharton TBD (Team-Based Discussion)?
Can I prepare for a Wharton TBD? “Chance favors the prepared mind,” said Louis Pasteur, and I agree. A successful Wharton Team-Based Interview is all about the team’s success and your contribution to the team. It’s not about strutting your stuff or dominating the conversation. It’s also not about being a wallflower or going with…
Would You Like to Improve Your Language Skills? [Episode 446]
Are less-than-stellar language skills preventing you from reaching your professional or academic or personal goals? [Show summary] Christina Ball, Fulbright scholar and founder of Speak! Language Center and B-Speak! brings her love of cultures and languages to this episode. She describes the approach her programs take to making language learning enjoyable and effective for those…
Preparing for Your MBA Interview Questions
You’ve scored your MBA interview invitation. Now what? Practice, practice, practice! You do not want to wing this; the more prep you do before the big day, the more confident you’ll be and the more smooth and seamless your answers will be. You’ll be asked lots of questions that cover topics like your background, your…
7 Important Tips for Your HBS Post-Interview Reflection
Congratulations! You’ve just completed another step on the road to acceptance to Harvard’s MBA program – your interview. Now you have 24 hours to send HBS your Post-Interview Reflection…so let’s get started! When it comes to carrying out this process, there’s really one major thing you need to do: Reflect! How to reflect efficiently and…
How to Answer MBA Application and Interview Questions about COVID-19 and Other Major Events of 2020 [Video]
2020 has been a dark, dismal year, but as it draws to a close there’s light at the end of the tunnel. A vaccine is on the horizon. The election is behind us. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll soon be able to gather, hug, meet, and travel. Maybe we’ll be able to largely return to the…
Seven Tips for MBA Interview Prep
An invitation to an MBA interview is an achievement and cause for celebration, but the interview itself can be a daunting prospect – if you are not properly prepared. Make the most of this opportunity by following our tips for a successful interview. 1. Preparation is everything While you may not have control over the…
9 Tips for Team Interviews
Since so much of b-school life and learning includes team discussions, the adcom needed a tool for assessing how applicants will fit into the team-based discussion culture of their programs. Thus, the Team-Based Discussion (TBD) was born. What’s the difference between individual interviews and team-based interviews? I like to compare individual interviews to blind dating….
9 Tips for Writing a Memorable MBA Interview Thank You Letter
You’ve finally finished your b-school interview and are looking forward to heading home, crossing this experience off your MBA application to-do list, and waiting to receive your acceptance letter. However, before you file the day away, it’s appropriate to send thank you notes to all of the people who helped you during the day. Gratitude…
Here’s One Way to Ace Your MBA Interview
Whether you just your Round 2 interview invitation or are still waiting to receive it, now is the time to prepare. Acing your interview is the final step in getting into the MBA program of your choice. Setting your interview goals and priorities, understanding what the admissions interview is all about, and creating a plan…
8 Things MBA Applicants Should Do After Submitting Their Applications
Within twelve hours I heard the same question from three clients, so I suppose this question may be on the minds of more than three. The question that may be plaguing you too, is this: “Now that I’ve submitted my applications, what should I do?” Well, you’re not done yet… The following are a list…
The Art of Interviewing—Are You a “Can” or a “Cannot”?
“I am doomed… This is a disaster… I really never expected this… What am I going to do?” This from Daniel, a prospective PhD student. I couldn’t imagine what had happened to cause such a negative response, especially as Daniel is a very strong candidate with impeccable credentials. My shock was further compounded when he…
Ask Away at Your Admissions Interview!
An interview works in two directions: The interviewer asks you questions to see if you’d be a good fit for the school in question, and you ask the interviewer questions to help you determine if this program is right for you. In order to come up with some good questions, you’ll want to make sure…
6 Tips for Talking About Your Weaknesses
How do you react when you read/hear the weakness question? With this question, schools are assessing how well you self evaluate. Like a business problem, they want to hear your plan of action, your implementation, and your success rate. Here are some tips to help you a) think about and evaluate your weaknesses, and b)…
Prepare for Interviews with Positive Imagery
Imagine yourself standing on a tennis court: Picture yourself tossing the ball into the air and then smashed an ace serve right past your opponent. Then, walk into your interview and nail that too. Why should you think about tennis when you could be spending your last pre-interview moments recalling formative leadership experiences and key…
What to Expect at Your In-Person MBA Interview with an Adcom Member
This post is part of a series exploring the different forms MBA interviews take and how you can ace them all! Some MBA adcoms choose to interview candidates individually, themselves, and do not delegate this task to alumni or students. Why adcoms use this method It’s a resource-intensive process, but adcoms get as much as they invest. Moreover,…
Everything You Need to Know About Preparing for Your MBA Interview
Congratulations on receiving your MBA interview invite – you should feel great about making it this far in the admissions process! Just when you thought it was time to sit back and relax, it’s now time to tackle your next challenge: preparing for your interview. There are four things you need to know when prepping…
Are You Selling Yourself Short?
“I founded a small candy company,” said Roberto.* I could see in the faces of my fellow admissions committee members that they were not that impressed with the candidate; none of them had ever heard of “Del Sol Candy,”* and Roberto’s modest description did not make it sound all that impressive an accomplishment. Many times…
3 Keys to Successful Interview Preparation
“3 Keys to Successful Interview Preparation” is excerpted from MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools, by Linda Abraham and Judy Gruen. Throughout this book I’ve emphasized the importance of knowing your goals, knowing the schools where you apply, and knowing yourself. Finding where these points converge is essential for…
The Columbia MBA Interview – A Fresh Lens
“Do I want this person in my network for the rest of my life?” In an Accepted-hosted Q&A session, Emily French Thomas, Columbia MBA Admissions Director, provided the following insight into the Columbia MBA application interview process: social and emotional IQ are key. Columbia interviews are conducted by alumni, and French emphasizes that for them, a strong…
