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PODCAST · business

The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast

by Darren C. Joe

Get an inside look at how top business schools assess MBA applicants. Interviews with MBA Admissions Directors and students from the world's top-ranked MBA programs. Discover what makes each business school unique. Strategies and tips on how to craft winning MBA applications. Straight talk on how to get accepted to MBA programs like Harvard, Insead, LBS, NUS and many, many more.

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Episodes

  1. #241 The Paramedic Method: Revive Your MBA Essays & Beat the Word Count, Too

    “Deleting prepositional phrases and replacing “is” forms with active verbs energize your prose.” – Darren, Touch MBA Darren edits an applicant’s essay using Professor Richard Latham’s Paramedic Method, an editing exercise to reduce your word count and energize your prose. Use the paramedic method...

  2. #240 What Does "Holistic" Mean?

    Just about every top-ranked MBA program says they evaluate applicants “holistically” i.e. no single factor, whether GMAT score, GPA, work experience or background – can make or break an application. Top MBA programs almost like to brag about high GMAT scorers that didn’t get in to prove this. As…

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  3. #239 How to Capture the AdCom's Attention (Repost)

    Capturing your reader's attention is the most important goal of your MBA application. You want the admissions officer to remember you after reading 20 applications that day. The longer you can keep his or her attention (in the right way!), the better your chances are of landing an interview. In...

  4. #238 Feel Ordinary? Try "The J.D. Vance" Positioning Strategy

    "So I didn't write this book because I've accomplished something extraordinary. I wrote this book because I've achieved something quite ordinary, which doesn't happen to most kids who grow up like me." - J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy J.D. Vance's memoir - Hillbilly Elegy, written when he was 31…

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  5. #237 3 Storytelling Strategies to Power Up your MBA Application (from Storytelling Champion & Author Matthew Dicks)

    Almost two years ago, I heard 10-time Moth GrandSLAM winner and novelist Matthew Dicks share his storytelling secrets on the Knowledge Project Podcast with Shane Parrish. Then, I listened to entire the 2-hour podcast again, it was that good! I've now listened to this interview three times! I…

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  6. #236 Get Ahead Before You Apply with MBA Pre-Assessments

    Many top-ranked MBA programs in Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia actively encourage applicants to connect with admissions teams before submitting an application. But most applicants don't know this - or are too nervous to reach out. Should you contact admissions before you're ready? What if…

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  7. #235 EDHEC Global MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Sandra Richez

    Sandra Richez has spent two decades overseeing each aspect of the EDHEC Global MBA - from admissions and curriculum to career outcomes and alumni relations. As Program Director, she has a clear view of what distinguishes the program, and she didn't hold back in this conversation. We cover a range...

  8. #234 HKUST MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Stephen Shih

    The HKUST MBA has been one of Asia's top-ranked MBAs for many years - the Financial Times has ranked it top 25 globally 15 times. But, what is it actually like to study there? Stephen Shih, Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School and a former Partner at Bain & Company, shares what...

  9. #233 6 Ways to Make Your Application Stick (Repost)

    Your MBA application is a "movie preview" of what is to come - a pitch for your candidacy. Imagine an admissions officer reading hundreds of applications. How can you get this gatekeeper to pay attention, remember you, believe you, care about you, and act on your application in a positive way (we...

  10. #232 IESE MBA Admissions Insights with Patrik Wallen

    What does IESE look for in MBA applicants? How do they evaluate your academic aptitude, post-MBA career goals, leadership potential and fit? In this episode, IESE MBA Admissions Director Patrik Wallen shares candid insights into what makes candidates stand out — and what makes IESE’s two-year MBA...

  11. #231 Crafting a Personal Narrative that Stands Out with Ellin Lolis

    How can you stand out from thousands of MBA applicants with impressive CVs? Darren sits down with Ellin Lolis, Founder and President of Ellin Lolis Consulting and one of the top ranked MBA admissions consultants on Poets & Quants, to learn how she helps MBA applicants craft powerful personal...

  12. #230 Five Keys to MBA Admissions Success with N'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif, Insead MBA '26

    Darren talks with N'doli Jean-Hugues "Cherif," a French and Ivorian candidate who gained admission to both INSEAD and London Business School's MBA programs. Cherif, an older full-time MBA candidate with diverse experience across five roles - including audit, management consulting, investment...

  13. #229 AI's Impact on MBA Careers: An Insider's Perspective

    Darren confronts his own "AI anxiety" with Sabine King, Director of the Career Accelerator at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at University of New South Wales (UNSW). Together, they explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the demand for MBA graduates, the…

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  14. #228 3 Exercises to Design Your Life and Find Best Fit MBA Programs

    Darren shares 3 design thinking exercises from Bill Burnett and Dave Evan's Designing Your Life that will help you build a joyful life - and find MBA programs you are excited about. Topics Introduction (0:00) Make Odyssey Plans - Imagining Life 1, 2 and 3 (3:45) Prototype - "Building is Thinking"...

  15. #227 Inside the Frankfurt School Full-Time MBA: Admissions & Recruitment Insights with Ann-Marie Stephenson & Colleen McLister

    Ann-Marie Stephenson and Colleen McLister, Senior Recruitment Manager and Admissions Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, discuss the Frankfurt School MBA's admissions criteria, admissions process, scholarships and more. After listening to this episode, you...

  16. #226 HEC Paris MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Sara Vanos

    Sara Vanos, Executive Director of Marketing & Admissions for MBA Programs at HEC Paris, discusses what makes the HEC Paris MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics Introduction to HEC Paris MBA and Sara Vanos (0:00) Program Highlights - What Makes the HEC...

  17. #225 Is an MBA Worth It for Startup Founders? with Bridget Pujals, Berkeley Haas MBA '24

    Should aspiring entrepreneurs get an MBA? Bridget Pujals, University of California Berkeley Haas MBA '24 and Co-Founder of Saelo, shares her experience being an active founder during her Full-time MBA. What resources did she find most helpful? What should active and aspiring entrepreneurs…

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  18. #224 Important Things to Look for in MBA & EMBA Programs with Prof. Steven DeKrey, HKUST Business School

    Steven DeKrey, Senior Advisor and Professor Emeritus at HKUST Business School, has over 40 years of experience in building and running top-ranked MBA programs worldwide, including at Northwestern Kellogg, the University of Florida, Asian Institute of Management and HKUST, where he was Founding...

  19. #223 How to 3x Your Chances to Top 10 MBA Programs with Melody Jones, Vantage Point MBA

    Melody Jones, Co-Founder of Vantage Point MBA Admissions Consulting, has been helping applicants get into top 10 MBA programs for over a decade. How does Vantage Point help applicants triple their chances compared to other applicants? Melody shares key learnings, examples and questions you can…

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  20. #222 Mid-Career MBA Alternatives with Richard Campbell (HBS Program for Leadership Development, LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership & Strategy, 500 Global Accelerator)

    What should you do if you have 10+ years of working experience but are looking for an MBA-type experience to build your skills and network? Richard Campbell, Founder and CEO of 10Adventures, joins the show to discuss his experience with three mid-career MBA alternatives: Harvard Business School's...

  21. #221 Excellent Advice for Living (and MBA Applications!)

    Inspired by Kevin Kelly's Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I Knew Earlier, Darren shares 10 bits of wisdom that could materially improve your chances of getting into business school and building a successful career. Topics Introduction (0:00) School Selection (3:00) Support Network…

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  22. #220 GLOBIS MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Tomoya Nakamura - "Find Your Kokorozashi"

    Sometimes, it's hard to differentiate MBA programs. That is not the case with GLOBIS University, Japan's number 1 MBA, which prizes entrepreneurial skills, societal impact, and helping its students find their kokorozashi (personal mission). Professor Tomoya Nakamura, President of GLOBIS USA,...

  23. #219 From Military to MBA, Consultant & More with Beau Gresham, NYU Stern MBA '20 - "Find Your Champions"

    Beau Gresham, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Mastercard and NYU Stern MBA '20, shares his journey as an applicant, student, and alumni of NYU Stern. How did Beau transition from the military to consulting through the MBA? How was the NYU Stern Full-time MBA experience? How did Beau break…

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  24. #218 Lessons from Listeners (Vol. 2): Drawing a Roadmap for Admissions, Prioritizing Conversations, Prematurely Applying, Being Strategic Yet Flexible

    Darren shares more hard-earned application lessons from four listeners (now graduated MBAs): drawing a roadmap for the admissions team, prioritizing conversations when picking schools, "prematurely applying" and being strategic yet flexible Want to share your hard-earned application lessons?...

  25. #217 Lessons from Listeners (Vol. 1): Working for Unknown Companies, Determining Best-Fit Schools, Dealing with Dings

    Touch MBA's goal has always been to offer you evergreen content that will help you shortlist and get into best-fit MBA programs. We invite listeners to share lessons from their MBA application journeys not just on the podcast, but in written form, too. These short reflections are full of timeless...

  26. #216 The GMAT Focus Episode (GRE, too)

    How are top business schools using the GMAT Focus exam, which will replace the GMAT in January 2024? What do you need to score and on which sections? Do schools prefer the GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE? Darren asks Admissions Directors from two top schools – Toronto Rotman (#1 in Canada by the…

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  27. #215 Frankfurt School of Finance & Management MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Dr. Adrian Buss

    Professor Adrian Buss, Associate Professor of Finance and Academic Director of MBA Programs at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, discusses what makes the Frankfurt School’s MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics Introduction (0:00) Program...

  28. #214 Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Prof. Wan Wongsunwai

    Professor Wan Wongsunwai, Associate Dean of MBA Programmes and Director of MBA Programmes at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School, discusses what makes the CUHK MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics Introduction (0:00) Program...

  29. #213 Duke University Fuqua MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Shari Hubert

    Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, discusses what makes the Duke Fuqua MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics Introduction (0:00) Program Highlights – What Makes the Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA Unique?...

  30. #212 Georgia Tech Scheller MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Jonathan Clarke

    "We pride ourselves in being at the center of business and technology... We've asked employers, 'How would you describe our students?' and most often the words we get back are 'humble, hardworking and good problem solvers.' I think that's fantastic and that's how I would describe our students as...

  31. #211 Vanderbilt MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Sue Oldham

    Sue Oldham, Associate Dean at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management, discusses what makes the Vanderbilt MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics Introduction (0:00) Program Highlights - What Makes the Vanderbilt MBA Unique? (4:40)...

  32. #210 Georgetown MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Shelly Heinrich

    Shelly Heinrich, Associate Dean, MBA Admissions and Director of Marketing at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, discusses what makes the Georgetown MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics Introduction (0:00) Program Highlights - What...

  33. #209 How Wharton Reviews MBA Applicants & More with Thomas Caleel, Former Head of MBA Admissions for Wharton

    Thomas Caleel, former Head of MBA Admissions for Wharton, takes us behind the scenes of how an Admissions Director builds a class and what he or she looks for from applicants. What are the key qualities and characteristics that admissions committees look for? How did Thomas' team review 8,000...

  34. #208 Undercover MBA Subrankings

    You’ve heard about US News & World Report and Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, but did you know Financial Times also ranks business schools’ alumni network and career effectiveness? Or that QS ranks business schools worldwide according to specialization? After updating Touch MBA’s school...

  35. #207 NUS MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Wedad Sunny

    Wedad Sunny, Deputy Director and Head of Marketing and Admissions of MBA Programmes at National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, discusses what makes the NUS MBA unique, the school’s admissions process, career opportunities and more. NUS is consistently ranked as one of the world’s...

  36. #206 Strategies for Optimal MBA Student Loans with Nikhil Agarwal from Juno

    Nikhil Agarwal, Co-Founder of Juno, shares optimal strategies to minimize your MBA student loans in 2023. Nikhil shares everything you you need to know about the following variables to secure the best financing package for your situation: Loan terms Repayment schedules Variable vs. fixed interest...

  37. #205 ESMT Berlin MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Rebecca Loades

    Rebecca Loades, Director of MBA Programs at European School of Management and Technology (ESMT Berlin), discusses what makes the ESMT Berlin MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. ESMT was founded in 2002 by 25 leading companies - including Bayer, Daimler, and...

  38. #204 IESE MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Paula Amorim

    Paula Amorim, MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School, discusses what makes the IESE MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. Topics: Introduction (0:00) IESE MBA Program Highlights - What Makes IESE Unique? (5:10) IESE MBA Admissions & Scholarships…

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  39. #203 What Are Your Game-Changing Differentiators? with Paul Bodine from Admitify

    Paul Bodine, one of the world's most experienced admissions consultants and president of Admitify, shares how he helps clients with seemingly par-for-the-course profiles discover their game-changing assets. How does Paul help his clients dig deep to unearth their most remarkable stories? How does...

  40. #202 Inside the National University of Singapore (NUS) MBA with Tilla Caveng, NUS MBA '24

    Tilla Caveng, a full-time MBA student at National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, shares her top application tips and lessons learned from her first 6 months at NUS. Questions Introducing Tilla (0:00) Tilla's Pre-MBA Career & MBA Application Journey (2:52) Tilla's Best Application...

  41. #201 Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Jochem Kroezen and Maria Tsachli

    Jochem Kroezen, Academic Director of Rotterdam School of Management's (RSM) Full-time MBA Program, and Maria Tsachli, Recruitment & Admissions Manager, Americas, discuss what makes the RSM MBA unique, the school's admissions process, career opportunities and more. Introduction (0:00) | Program...

  42. #200 The 3S’s of Scintillating Storytelling

    “A well-crafted story helps create a magical sort of clarity. It can illuminate an experience your audience could not have fathomed a few minutes before, or draw them so close that they imagine they can feel your heart beating.” - How to Tell a Story by The Moth Compelling stories make admissions...

  43. #199 10 Application Lessons from 10 Years of Touch MBA

    We're nearing 200 episodes of Touch MBA. Feeling nostalgic, Darren reflects on 10 lessons for applicants from 10 years of Touch MBA! 10 Lessons from 10 Years of Touch MBA Introduction (0:00) Know Your Must Haves (2:00) Work on Your MBA Pitch with Others (5:50) Master the MBA Coffee Chat (9:10)...

  44. #198 Inside the London Business School MBA & Honing Your Story with Chris Tran, LBS '22

    Chris Tran, London Business School (LBS) MBA '22, shares lessons learned from applying to and attending LBS, as well as how he landed his first post-MBA consulting gig in London. Questions Introducing Chris (0:00) Chris' Pre-MBA Career & MBA Application Journey (3:45) Consulting as a Post-MBA...

  45. #197 Pivoting Geographies & Breaking into EdTech with Tony Ngo, Harvard Business School 08

    Tony Ngo, Harvard Business School '08, shares how he used the MBA to pivot to Vietnam, first in finance, and then as an edtech entrepreneur with Everest Education. Questions Introducing Tony (0:00) Tony's Pre-MBA Career & MBA Application Journey (5:00) Tony Pivots Towards Asia - Post-MBA Careers…

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  46. #196 How I Got Into Berkeley Haas MBA (and HBS, Wharton, UCLA too!) & Breaking into Product Management with Bridget Pujals

    Bridget Pujals shares lessons learned from her MBA application journey, culminating in admits to Harvard, Wharton ($70K scholarship), UCLA Anderson ($100K scholarship), and Berkeley Haas ($175K scholarship). She will attend UC Berkeley Haas this Fall. While her results are spectacular, Bridget…

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  47. #195 Business School Selection Simplified - How to Shortlist MBA Programs You're Excited About and Competitive At

    “The most frustrating part I have found is the vast amount of information about schools, applications, and chances that is out there. It’s been hard to sift through all the noise and really figure out what schools are good for you and what your actual chances are.” – Margaret, USA Feel the same...

  48. #194 Building a Professional MBA Network with Nicolle Lee, Wharton MBA '22

    Nicolle Lee, Wharton MBA '22, shares how building relationships helped her reach her MBA goals - including breaking into the real estate industry. After listening to this episode, you'll have a detailed and instructive case study of what's required to make a career pivot at a world-class business...

  49. #193 Hiring Trends & Salaries for Business School Graduates via the Corporate Recruiters Survey

    What are corporate recruiters looking for from business graduate students? And how do median MBA salaries compare to those of specialized business masters programs? Darren shares 3 interesting findings from GMAC’s Corporate Recruiters Survey. This way, you can think more like an admissions…

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  50. #192 MBA Coffee Chats: Thoughtful Advice on How to Get the Most out of your MBA with Adam Putterman, Kellogg MMM '19

    How can you make the most of your MBA experience? After reflecting on their own MBA experiences and those of hundreds of successful grads, Adam Putterman, Northwestern MMM '19, and Bob Manfreda, Stanford GSB '19, wrote MBA Coffee Chats: Thoughtful Advice on How to Get the Most out of your MBA.…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Get an inside look at how top business schools assess MBA applicants. Interviews with MBA Admissions Directors and students from the world's top-ranked MBA programs. Discover what makes each business school unique. Strategies and tips on how to craft winning MBA applications. Straight talk on how to get accepted to MBA programs like Harvard, Insead, LBS, NUS and many, many more.

HOSTED BY

Darren C. Joe

CATEGORIES

business careers

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast have?

The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast currently has 240 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast about?

Get an inside look at how top business schools assess MBA applicants. Interviews with MBA Admissions Directors and students from the world's top-ranked MBA programs. Discover what makes each business school unique. Strategies and tips on how to craft winning MBA applications. Straight talk on how...

How often does The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast release new episodes?

The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast publishes regularly with 240 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast?

You can listen to The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast?

The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast is created and hosted by Darren C. Joe.
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