The mbaMission Podcast

mbaMission
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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.

  1. Ep 90 | Navigating DEI in MBA Admissions: Advice for Today’s Applicants

    3D AGO

    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 Managing Director Harshad Mali about how diversity, equity, and inclusion are being reinterpreted in business school admissions following the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. They explain what admissions committees are really looking for today, how schools define diversity beyond race or ethnicity, and why authenticity remains a critical factor in successful applications. This conversation is essential listening for MBA applicants who want to understand how to present their experiences honestly, thoughtfully, and strategically in a shifting admissions landscape. 00:00 Why diversity enriches MBA learning 00:41 DEI and admissions: current context 01:29 When DEI becomes contested 03:10 Expanding the definition of diversity 05:18 The Supreme Court ruling explained 07:42 Are MBA classes becoming more uniform? 10:02 Holistic admissions and merit 12:36 Applicant stories that challenge assumptions 15:08 Addressing identity in applications 17:32 The importance of authenticity 19:08 What applicants should focus on now 20:15 Closing thoughts and guidance Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    21 min
  2. Ep 89 | Stanford GSB Interview Breakdown

    FEB 10

    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 Stanford’s structured behavioral interview. They discuss how GSB evaluates candidates, why authenticity matters so much, and how applicants can prepare without sounding rehearsed. Essential listening for anyone preparing for a Stanford MBA interview. 00:00 Why Stanford Interviews Are About Connection 00:53 Meet the Experts: Christine Patel & Julie-Anne Heafey 02:04 What Stanford Interviewers See and Behavioral Format 02:51 “Structured Behavioral Interview”: What That Means 08:23 Stanford Prep: Build Your Story Bank (Even Beyond the Resume) 13:30 Mock Interviews: How to Prep Without Sounding Robotic 22:34 How mbaMission Preps Candidates  24:11 Favorite Stanford Mock Question: “Why Stanford?” 25:28 Avoid the “Touchy-Feely Class” Trap in ‘Why Stanford’ 26:51 Final Advice for Stanford GSB Interviewees Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    28 min
  3. Ep 88 | Exploring the EMBA

    FEB 3

    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 MBA Admissions Consultant Julie-Anne Heafey to unpack who EMBAs are designed for, what makes their admissions process unique, and how experienced professionals should evaluate fit. Together, they explore key considerations including career stage, leadership experience, employer support, testing requirements, time and travel commitments, family impact, and long-term career goals. The conversation also addresses common decision points, such as when an EMBA makes more sense than a part-time MBA or a one-year immersive program like Stanford MSx or MIT Sloan Fellows, and why thoughtful planning around logistics, finances, and narrative is essential for success. This episode is especially valuable for senior professionals weighing whether an EMBA is the right next step—and how to approach the process strategically and confidently. 00:00 Executive MBAs: A Major Commitment of Time and Resources 01:28 What Is an Executive MBA and Who Is It For? 03:03 When Do You Actually Need an EMBA? 09:20 Time Commitment, Employer Support, and Family Buy-In 11:06 Location Matters: Choosing the Right EMBA Campus 14:29 EMBA Career Outcomes: Staying vs. Changing Roles 17:12 Cost of an Executive MBA and What’s Included 18:38 Testing Requirements: GMAT, EA, Waivers, and Thresholds 23:17 Age, Seniority, and “Am I Too Early or Too Late?” 27:40 Application Strategy: Goals, Essays, and Interviews 33:23 EMBA vs. One-Year Mid-Career Programs (MSx, Sloan Fellows)  Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    36 min
  4. Ep 87 | The US MBA Visa Maze

    JAN 27

    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. MBA visa journey, from F-1 student visas and STEM-designated OPT to the H-1B lottery and longer-term pathways. They discuss how top employers continue to sponsor MBA talent, why business schools are actively working to attract international candidates, and how shifting application trends may actually create new opportunities for global applicants. Rather than viewing visas as a barrier, this conversation reframes them as a strategic, multi-stage process that can support long-term career growth in the U.S. and beyond.  00:00 Navigating the H-1B Visa Landscape 02:58 Understanding the MBA Journey and Visa Options 06:03 The Role of Business Schools in Talent Development 08:52 The Impact of the $100,000 H-1B Fee 11:59 Future of Work and Remote Opportunities 15:01 Embracing Uncertainty in Career Decisions Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    21 min
  5. Ep 86 | When is the right time to apply to business school?

    JAN 20

    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,  hosts Harold Simansky and Jeremy Shinewald are joined by mbaMission Senior Consultant Nisha Trivedi to unpack when the right time to apply really is. Together, they discuss how to assess your personal and professional readiness, how Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3 admissions differ, and why application quality should always outweigh speed. They also explore how work experience, career progression, layoffs, test timing, test waivers, and deferred programs factor into the decision. If you’re wondering whether now is the right moment—or if waiting could strengthen your candidacy—this episode will help you make a confident, strategic call.  00:00 When Is the Right Time to Apply for an MBA? 02:32 MBA Application Rounds Explained (R1 vs R2 vs R3) 10:43 What “MBA Readiness” Really Looks Like 13:33 Deferred MBA Applicants: Timing and Strategy 18:58 What Makes a Great MBA Application 19:49 Work Experience, Impact, and MBA Readiness Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    29 min

  6. JAN 13

    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 explore accelerated, one-year programs designed for experienced professionals, including Stanford MSx, MIT Sloan Fellows, London Business School Sloan Fellows, and USC IBEAR. Joined by mbaMission Managing Director Debbie Choy, the conversation breaks down who these programs are built for, how they differ from EMBAs, and why they often serve as a strategic pause for reflection, leadership growth, and career reinvention. If you’re a senior professional considering your next move—and wondering whether a mid-career MBA could be the right investment—this episode offers practical insight and clarity. 00:00 What Makes Mid-Career MBA Programs Different 03:04 Inside the Stanford MSX Program 05:50 The MIT Sloan Fellows Experience 07:30 Who These Programs Are Best For 12:12 Career Transition and Job Search Strategies 15:06 Comparing MSX and MIT Sloan Programs 18:02 Diverse Applicant Profiles and Success Stories 26:55 Navigating the Application Process 27:53 Financial Considerations and Investment in Education 29:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    33 min

  7. JAN 6

    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 is joined by Katy Lewis, mbaMission Executive Director and former MBA admissions reader at the Stanford GSB. Katy shares valuable insights into the GSB admissions process, discusses the ways in which applicants can truly stand out, and explains what applicants tend to get wrong about Stanford admissions. If the Stanford GSB is your dream MBA program, you do NOT want to miss this conversation! 00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission podcast 01:59 Experience on the Stanford GSB admissions committee 05:55 Breaking down the Stanford GSB admissions process 09:18 How to stand out: The importance of recommendations 10:56 How much do your GPA and test score matter? 12:04 Are small mistakes deal-breakers? 14:21 Comparing application rounds 15:35 Dual degree applicants 17:20 The admissions consultant perspective  21:16 What do applicants get wrong about the admissions process? 22:06 Do you need to be an entrepreneur to get into Stanford? 27:55 Advice for Stanford GSB applicants Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    33 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    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 mbaMission podcast, Harold Simanksy is joined by Senior Consultant Nisha Trivedi and Managing Director Harshad Mali. Harold, Nisha, and Harshad discuss the benefits and challenges of being either a nontraditional MBA applicant or an overrepresented MBA applicant, and the strategies that applicants in either category can use to stand out in their applications. If you're applying to business school and wondering how your background will impact your chances of admissions, you won't want to miss this conversation! 00:00 Welcome to the mbaMission podcast 01:43 Who are nontraditional MBA applicants? 02:46 Who are overrepresented MBA applicants? 05:00 Successful nontraditional business school applicants 07:50 Successful overrepresented business school applicants 09:39 Explaining: Why an MBA? 12:22 GPA and test scores (GMAT/GRE) 15:00 The value of diverse voices in business school 15:50 Advice for nontraditional MBA applicants 17:58 Advice for overrepresented MBA applicants 19:51 Managing the "unknown knowns" 24:29 Where should nontraditional applicants apply? 25:44 Final thoughts Book your FREE 30-minute MBA admissions consultation with Harold 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 customized learning path. ‼️Use code MBAMPOD for 30% off any onTrack subscription‼️ Contact Us: info@mbamission.com Follow Us: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    mbaMission
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The mbaMission Podcast
  • Show Website
    The mbaMission Podcast

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