The mbaMission Podcast
Welcome to the mbaMission podcast, where every week we discuss different MBA application components and give our expert guidance on everything business school admissions related.
Episodes
102 episodes
Reapplying to Business School: MBA Admissions Strategies for Reapplicants | Ep. 102
Many successful MBA applicants were not accepted the first time they applied.In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Executive Director Jessica Shklar and Senior Admission...
From Rejection to Partner: 32 Years at Boston Consulting Group | Ep. 101
What does it really take to make partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and stay with the firm for more than three decades without losing yourself? Debbie Lovich, BCG managing director and senior partner, joins host Harold Simansky and mbaMis...
100 Episodes Later – Reflections, Lessons, and What Comes Next
In this milestone 100th episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky and mbaMission founder Jeremy Shinewald reflect on more than two years of MBA admissions insights. They share favorite moments, discuss what sets applicant...
Product Management as an MBA Career Path | Ep 99
Think product management is just a Silicon Valley thing? Think again. In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, Managing Director Rachel Beck and host Harold Simansky break down one of the most in-demand post-MBA career paths that mos...
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HBS Professor on AI, Leadership and the Future of the MBA | Ep 98
What does the future of business school look like? Harvard Business School Professor Joshua Margolis joins host Harold Simansky and MBA Admissions Executive Director Jessica Shklar to explore how AI is reshaping the MBA experience.Joshu...
What Business Schools Really Want: The Truth About Extracurriculars | Ep 97
Business schools ask about your activities outside of work but what are they really looking for?In this episode, host Harold Simansky is joined by MBA Admissions Executive Director Jessica Shklar and MBA Admissions Managing Director Rac...
EP 96 | MBA Rejections Explained: Why You Got Dinged and How to Improve Your Business SchoolApplication
Getting rejected from business school can feel discouraging but it’s often a signal, not a setback.In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Nisha Trivedi and MBA Admiss...
Ep 95 | Harvard Business School vs Stanford GSB
Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business sit at the very top of the MBA world—but the experience at each school can be dramatically different.In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky and J...
Ep 94 | MBA Reapplication Strategy: What Successful Reapplicants Do Differently
What should you do if your first MBA application cycle did not go as planned?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald and MBA Admissions Managing Director Debbie Cho...
Ep 93 | What Makes a Great MBA Admissions Consultant? Experience, Strategy, and Expertise
How do you choose the right MBA admissions consultant, and what separates experienced advisors from newcomers to the industry?In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission founder Jeremy Shinewal...
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Ep 92 | Finance Applicants Beyond Private Equity: How to Stand Out in MBA Admissions
Private equity often dominates the MBA admissions conversation — but finance is far broader than PE alone.In this episode, host Harold Simansky is joined by mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald and Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Julie-A...
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Ep 91 | West Coast MBA Programs You Are Probably Not Considering (But Should)
West Coast MBA programs offer more than just proximity to tech. In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky is joined by MBA Admissions Managing Director Debbie Choy to explore the distinctive culture, career pathways, and h...
Ep 90 | Navigating DEI in MBA Admissions: Advice for Today’s Applicants
DEI may be under scrutiny, but diversity hasn’t disappeared from MBA admissions — it’s evolving.In this episode of The mbaMission Podcast, host Harold Simansky speaks with Senior MBA Admissions Consultant Nisha Trivedi and MBA Admissions...
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Ep 89 | Stanford GSB Interview Breakdown
What makes the Stanford GSB interview so different from every other MBA interview?In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky sits down with Senior Admissions Consultants Christine Patel and Julie-Anne Heafey to unpack Sta...
Ep 88 | Exploring the EMBA
In this week’s episode of the @mbaMission podcast, the team takes a deep dive into Executive MBA (EMBA) programs and how they compare to part-time, full-time, and mid-career MBA options. Jeremy Shinewald and Harold Simansky are joined by Senior...
Ep 87 | The US MBA Visa Maze
The U.S. MBA visa process can feel overwhelming for international applicants—but it’s far more navigable than many assume. In this episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harshad Mali, Harold Simansky, and Jeremy Shinewald break down the full U.S. M...
Ep 86 | When is the right time to apply to business school?
Timing your MBA application can be just as important as your credentials. Applying too early—or too late—can affect everything from your testing strategy to your chances in a competitive applicant pool. In this episode of the mbaMission podcast...
Ep 85 | Why Mid-career Pros Choose These Business Schools
Mid-career MBA programs offer a very different experience from traditional two-year MBAs—and for the right candidates, they can be transformational. In this episode of the mbaMission Podcast, hosts Jeremy Shinewald and Harold Simansky...
Ep 84 | Insights From a Former Stanford GSB Admissions Committee Member
The Stanford GSB is the most selective business school in the country, admitting only 6-8% of applicants each year. So how can you stand out in an incredibly competitive pool? In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Jeremy Shinewald i...
Ep 83 | Nontraditional vs. Overrepresented MBA Applicants
What does it mean to be a nontraditional MBA applicant? What about an overrepresented applicant? Understanding these distinctions can make a big difference in how you approach your business school applications. In this week's episode of the mba...
Ep 82 | The Best MBA Programs for Healthcare
Healthcare is a dynamic and fast-changing industry. More and more MBA students hope to improve lives by driving innovation and strategy in the healthcare space, whether in biotech, pharma, hospital administration, or digital health. In this wee...
Ep 81 | Stanford GSB Application Essays: What the AdCom is Looking For
The Stanford GSB application is notoriously challenging, and includes a variety of essay and short answer prompts including the famous: "What matters most to you, and why?" In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simanksy and J...
Ep 80 | The Impact of AI on Business School and MBA Careers
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we think, work, and lead. If you're thinking about earning your MBA, AI is likely on your mind. In this week's episode of the mbaMission podcast, Harold Simanksy is joined by mbaMission Managing Director...
Ep 79 | How to Land Your Dream MBA Internship
For many business school students, securing a summer internship between the first and second years of their MBA program is a top priority. These MBA internships are competitive, and the recruitment process starts earlier than you might think. I...
Ep 78 | The State of MBA Admissions in 2025
2025 has been a unique (and at times unpredictable) year when it comes to business school admissions. Questions around the economy, tariffs, AI, international student visas, and more have left many aspiring MBAs wondering: is this the right yea...