M7A: How Did You Get In?

Julia Sulzer, Alex (Neuber) Toczylowski

🧠 #1 Gen Z MBA admissions firm 📱 500k+ monthly views on social 🎓 Run by HBS grads 👇 Book a free consultation linktr.ee/m7admissions

  1. 11/20/2025

    S3 E5 | Making Student Loans More Affordable with Nico Echegaray (Wharton)

    In this episode, we sit down with Nicolas Echegaray (WG ’21) to unpack his path from Lima to Wharton – including how taking the GMAT early helped him score a 750, how he built a mission-driven narrative around financial inclusion, and how he navigated interviews as a non-native English speaker. Nico also shares how a viral LinkedIn post led him to an internship at Juno during COVID, why he ultimately chose Wharton, and how the MBA shaped his transition from investment banking to becoming COO of a fast-growing fintech startup. This episode is brought to you by Juno, the collective-bargaining platform that helps MBA students secure lower rates on student loans. Learn more at ⁠⁠juno.us/m7a (00:00) M7A Sponsor: Juno (00:34) Opener (01:01) Introducing Nico Echegaray (01:58) Pre-MBA Background (03:34) Motivation to Pursue an MBA (04:43) Taking the GMAT Early (05:36) B-School Selection Process (07:19) Starting the Application Process (08:05) Hiring an MBA Admissions Consultant (08:20) Crafting an MBA Application Narrative (11:09) MBA Application Challenges (11:54) Preparing for MBA Interviews (13:42) Value of an MBA Admissions Consultant (14:57) MBA Application Results (16:42) Wharton MBA Highlights (17:51) Advice for Future Applicants (and Current Students) (19:08) Post-MBA Career (24:07) Juno (25:42) Working as a COO (26:18) Changes to Federal Student Loans (27:24) Value of a Wharton MBA (28:21) Advice for Future Applicants

    32 min
  2. 10/16/2025

    S3 E2 | From Air Force to Founder with Alex Choi (Wharton)

    In this episode, we sit down with Alex Choi (WG ’19, HKS ’19) to unpack his journey from the US Air Force to Wharton and Harvard Kennedy School – and ultimately to entrepreneurship. Alex shares how he built a standout narrative as a veteran applicant, the risk of leaving active duty before knowing he’d been admitted, and how his time at Wharton and HKS shaped his perspective on leadership, service, and career design. He reflects on the transition from the military to big tech, his roles at Instagram and Alchemy, and how those experiences led him to co-found YourNegotiations.com, a consulting company helping job seekers earn more by mastering salary negotiations. This episode is brought to you by Juno, the collective-bargaining platform that helps MBA students secure lower rates on student loans. Learn more at juno.us/m7a (00:00:00) M7A Sponsor: Juno(00:00:34) Opener(00:00:49) Introducing Alex Choi(00:03:01) Decision to Attend B-School(00:03:36) Military Background(00:05:13) Why MBA?(00:07:21) Finding Mentors(00:08:31) Crafting a Compelling Narrative(00:11:15) Career Highlights Recap(00:12:32) MBA Application Challenges(00:15:04) School Selection(00:16:20) Working with an Admissions Consultant(00:17:13) Going All In(00:17:39) GMAT Strategy(00:19:08) Applying for a Dual Degree(00:20:13) Opportunity Cost of the Dual Degree(00:20:54) Value of the Dual Degree(00:21:27) Was It Worth It?(00:21:58) Why Wharton(00:23:10) Time Management as an MBA Candidate(00:24:45) Post-MBA Career Update(00:25:28) Founder Journey(00:26:54) Launching YourNegotiations.com(00:28:08) Wharton Resources for Entrepreneurs(00:30:03) Bootstrapping vs. Raising VC(00:32:22) Long-Term Goals(00:33:45) How to Get in Touch with Alex(00:34:19) Advice for Future Applicants

    37 min
  3. 10/08/2025

    S3 E1 | Building a Career in PE with Brian Willis (Wharton)

    In this episode, we sit down with Brian Willis (WG ’23) to unpack his journey from Notre Dame to Deutsche Bank, GTCR, and ultimately the Wharton MBA. Brian shares how he built his foundation in finance and private equity, what led him to step back and pursue business school, and how the experience reshaped his perspective on career, community, and balance. He reflects on his time at Wharton – from organizing Penn Fight Night to navigating personal loss – and offers candid advice on slowing down, staying grounded, and making space for what matters. Today, Brian is part of the Alpine Investors team, where he focuses on building and scaling services businesses alongside founders – combining the discipline of private equity with a people-first approach to investing. This episode is brought to you by Juno, the collective bargaining platform that helps MBA students secure lower rates on student loans. Learn more at juno.us/m7a (00:00:00) M7A Sponsor: Juno (00:00:34) Opener (00:00:45) Introducing Brian Willis (00:02:07) Decision to Attend B-School (00:03:56) Why MBA? (00:05:48) Application Timeline (00:06:35) Writing the Application Essays (00:08:09) How to Stand Out in a Competitive Pool (00:09:28) Essay Tactics (00:10:04) LOR Strategy (00:10:47) Developing Extracurriculars (00:11:48) Making Time to Build a Well-Rounded Profile (00:12:22) Time, Treasure, and Talent (00:13:32) How to Craft a Cohesive Narrative (00:15:21) School Selection (00:16:30) MBA Application Challenges (00:17:06) Retaking the GMAT (00:17:49) Taking PTO to Finish Applications (00:18:56) Leveraging Your Network (00:20:53) Wharton MBA Highlights (00:22:35) Family Illness and Loss (00:23:29) Learnings from Wharton (00:24:59) Post-MBA at Alpine Investors (00:26:15) Hard and Soft Skills Development (00:27:02) Favorite Classes at Wharton (00:31:07) Long-Term Goals (00:32:38) Advice to Future Applicants

    36 min
5
out of 5
19 Ratings

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🧠 #1 Gen Z MBA admissions firm 📱 500k+ monthly views on social 🎓 Run by HBS grads 👇 Book a free consultation linktr.ee/m7admissions