Erin Town is Director of MBA Admissions, Foster School of Business, University of Washington. Erin has been doing MBA admissions for Foster for over 11 years. Go to http://www.touchmba.com/foster-mba-admissions-interview for a full breakdown of the program's key advantages and fast facts about admissions, financing, and careers at Washington University's Foster School of Business MBA program.
Oct 02, 2015•48 min
Bloomberg Businessweek ranked the Ivey MBA the #1 international MBA program in 2014, largely due to employer and student satisfaction. Darren interviews J.D. Clarke, MBA Executive Director of Masters Programs Recruitment and Admissions, about the school's unique offering and admissions process. About Our Guest John-Derek (J.D.) Clarke is the MBA Executive Director of Masters Programs Recruitment and Admissions, Ivey Business School at Western University. J.D. got his MBA from Ivey in 2010. He ha...
Sep 03, 2015•43 min
Darren talks to Andrew, a recent MIT Sloan MBA graduate, about his internship and job search experience at Sloan. Andrew worked for Target as a Senior Analyst doing business intelligence and analytics before business school. He landed an internship with Uniqlo (one of the world's top 5 retailers) in New York City and will be heading to Cupertino to work for Apple this month. This episode will give you a great feel for how recruiting works at top US business schools and what to look out for as yo...
Aug 15, 2015•33 min
Do you know how to solve a problem that has no precedent? Kelly Wilson, Executive Director of Masters Admissions at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business, shares with Darren how Tepper equips its students to do this through a mastery of analytics, year-round leadership development program, and one-on-one attention with professors. Kelly and Darren also talk in depth about Tepper's admissions process, how to prepare for Tepper's behavioral interviews, and the school's extensive career servi...
Jun 14, 2015•44 min
This week Darren sat down with Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions at Yale School of Management, to discuss Yale’s mission of “educating leaders for business and society.” How does this translate into the curriculum? How does the school plan to evolve? And what does this mean from an admissions and career perspective? Don’t miss this very informative chat about what makes Yale unique and how you can give yourself the best shot of getting in. About Our Guest Bruce DelMonico...
Jun 07, 2015•50 min
Dozens of MBA applicants come to Touch MBA every month for free school selection help and a common concern is how to overcome a low GPA. How can you show top-ranked programs that you will perform well in an intense Master's level program? That you belong with other MBA candidates who got A and B+ averages as undergraduates? Applicants with low GPAs need to send 2 signals: 1) that they're academically capable and 2) that they have a strong work ethic. Listen on for 7 concrete ways you can communi...
Jun 04, 2015•15 min
At Touch MBA we help point applicants in the right direction when it comes to best-fit schools . But which schools should you target in the first, second or third rounds? Should you apply to all your top choices in round 1? In this episode, Darren talks to Dean Nordheilm, who came to Touch MBA last Fall and just got into Kellogg. Dean applied to 4 top schools - Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan and Northwestern Kellogg - and learned many lessons along the way. We discuss his "roun...
May 16, 2015•29 min
This week I sat down with Jessica Chung, Associate Director of Full-time MBA Admissions at UCLA's Anderson School of Management. We had an in-depth and open discussion about UCLA's MBA offering and culture, what admissions is looking for, and how the program supports students in their career searches. After listening to our conversation, you'll get an insider's feel for the qualities Anderson is looking for and how the school is evolving. Jessica is very transparent about the admissions process ...
Apr 09, 2015•58 min
Over the past decade, Tyler Cormney and MBA Prep School have achieved a 90% success rate with clients at the world's top schools. What are the key steps to preparing an application that puts you in the top 10%? Hint: it's not your essay(s). Don't miss this value-packed episode and feel free to ask Tyler your questions in the comments! You can find a list of questions asked at http://touchmba.com/how-to-apply-for-a-top-mba-tyler-cormney-mba-prep-school About Our Guest Tyler Cormney is the CEO and...
Apr 03, 2015•43 min
Darren speaks with Julee Conrad, Assistant Director of MBA Admissions and Recruiting at Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University, about Fisher's unique advantages and how to best position yourself in the admissions process. Go to http://www.touchmba.com/ohio-state-fisher-mba-admissions-interview/ for a full breakdown of the program's key advantages and fast facts about admissions, financing, and careers at the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business MBA program.
Feb 28, 2015•46 min
Many of our podcast listeners come to Touch MBA to get free school selection help. One of them, Li Daming, recently got into Northwestern Kellogg, Insead, Michigan Ross, Duke Fuqua and Cornell Johnson with scholarship funding. How did he do it? Daming has literally invested hundreds of hours (and plane miles!) in the application process – be sure to benefit from his experience as he shares his best tips. There’s lots of gold nuggets in this one. Enjoy… I’m always excited to hear listeners succee...
Feb 21, 2015•43 min
There’s no perfect school for everyone, so the saying goes. Education, like love, is all about fit. Top business schools are looking for candidates that would fit with their program, culture, and values. And you should be looking for programs that match your goals too. How can you demonstrate fit in your application without sounding disingenuous or even worse, like everyone else? Darren shares 4 common mistakes applicants make when trying to prove fit. This comes from reading thousands of applic...
Feb 14, 2015•18 min
What is the difference between Masters in Management, MBA and specialized Masters degrees? Which one makes most sense for you? A number of you coming to Touch MBA for school selection help are considering multiple Masters programs so I thought it would be good to dedicate one short episode to covering key differences from an admissions, curriculum, career and reputation perspective. Dirk is involved in all 3 programs for IE Business School so I played the role of "applicant" and asked him common...
Dec 27, 2014•19 min
Want to attend a top 30 program in the US that lives and breathes "business is personal?" Darren talks to Ruthie Pyles, Director of Graduate Programs Admissions and Recruiting, W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, about how Carey works intimately with its students to achieve their educational and career goals. Go to http://www.touchmba.com/wp-carey-mba-admissions-interview/ for a full breakdown of the program's key advantages and fast facts about admissions, financing, and ...
Dec 23, 2014•53 min
How about getting your MBA from one of Hong Kong's most prestigious universities AND also having the option to study one semester at either Columbia Business School, London Business School or Fudan University School of Management? Sachin Tipnis, Executive Director of MBA Programmes at HKU, joins the show to discuss the HKU MBA's unique format and career benefits. Darren and Sachin also talk about HKU's admissions process in-depth so you know exactly how to best prepare your application. Go to ht...
Dec 07, 2014•53 min
If you're thinking about getting an elite and rigorous MBA in Canada, you have to to consider the Rotman MBA (University of Toronto) based in Toronto. Get the inside scoop as Darren chats with Leigh Gauthier, Acting Director of Recruitment & Admissions & Director of Careers for the Full-time MBA. Rotman is a pioneer in the business education space and it's great to hear how they are challenging the traditional MBA curriculum to produce sought after graduates. Go to http://www.touchmba.co...
Nov 21, 2014•53 min
Did you know that China is on track to overtake America as the world's biggest economy by 2016? Dr. Longkhai Zhao, Executive Director of the MBA Program at Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, joins the show to discuss why he thinks Guanghua is the best place to learn about China business at this pivotal point in the country's history. We also discuss Guanghua's admissions process, career opportunities for international students in China, and the changing status of the MBA degree ...
Nov 07, 2014•36 min
Looking for an intimate MBA experience but want the benefits of a large alumni network at a good cost? Get the inside scoop on what makes the Smeal MBA unique and its admissions process – straight from MBA Admissions Director Stacey Peeler. Go to http://www.touchmba.com/smeal-mba-admissions-interview for a full breakdown of the program's key advantages and fast facts about admissions, financing, and careers at Penn State University's Smeal College of Business MBA program.
Oct 31, 2014•35 min
Interested in tech, entrepreneurship and strategy and looking for strong ROI from a European MBA? The UCD Smurfit MBA in Ireland boasts 90% + employment rates after their 11 month program to go along with a relatively affordable tuition (29,500 EUR) and generous scholarships. Get the inside scoop on what makes the Smurfit MBA unique and its admissions process – straight from MBA Program Director Orla Nugent. Go to http://www.touchmba.com/ucd-smurfit-mba-admissions-interview for a full breakdown ...
Oct 24, 2014•42 min
Want to get a rigorous business education grounded in economics and analytics from a renown US business school? Simon awards 75% of its students scholarships and prides itself on its 90%+ job placement rate within 3 months of graduation. Rebekah Lewin, Assistant Dean of Admissions & Student Engagement at Simon Business School, University of Rochester, joined the show to discuss what makes Simon unique, career prospects for Simon grads, and what fit qualities she's looking for from applicants...
Oct 16, 2014•57 min
Want to study business in idyllic St. Gallen, Switzerland, with an experienced cohort of 40-50 classmates from around 30 countries? The school prides itself in its individual support and strong relationships with corporates in finance, pharmaceuticals, FMCG and luxury good industries. Nearly 50% of graduates made a "triple transformation" and switched geography, industry and function. Listen on for the inside scoop as Darren interviews Zwanet Van Lubek, Head of Marketing and Recruiting, Careers ...
Oct 10, 2014•39 min
Are you looking for a hands-on, customizable and intimate MBA in the heart of one of the world's great research universities? Darren sits down with Mark Lockwood, MBA Director of Recruiting, Admissions, and Alumni Affairs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to discuss the program's key advantages and admissions process. At only $66,000 USD for a 2-year program, the Illinois MBA offers sneaky good value for a top-ranked MBA. Go to http://www.touchmba.com/illinois-mba-admissions-tips for a...
Sep 26, 2014•50 min
What is relatively unique about the HKUST MBA? #1 ranked Asian MBA program in the world by Financial Times past 5 years Finish the program in 12 or 16 months Most international MBA program in Hong Kong, usually 25-30 nationalities represented in 120 person class; 95% of class is from outside Hong Kong HKUST has great exchange relationships - participants are guaranteed exchange spots with nearly 60 MBA programs around the world Financial Times rated HKUST's faculty #1 for research in Asia Strong...
Sep 17, 2014•39 min
Here at Touch MBA we help you find your best-fit business schools . But what about getting an MBA in the first place? How can it help you? Do you need an MBA to become an entrepreneur? What should you consider when choosing between 1 and 2 year programs? And will the MBA be as valuable in the future? I sat down with Prof. Franz Heukamp, Associate Dean of MBA Programs at IESE, to get his thoughts on these very important questions. Getting an MBA is a massive investment. As Prof. Franz points out,...
Sep 04, 2014•28 min
Few business schools can match the size and scale of Columbia Business School. The school has two intakes in August and January with 750 students graduating each year. Over 450 business leaders speak on the campus annually and Columbia has 40,000 alumni around the world. Students can choose from over 17 concentrations, 100 student clubs and 200 electives. And all of this takes place in New York City, a global business hub with over 3,000 MNCs. This week I had an in-depth chat about the Columbia ...
Aug 29, 2014•1 hr 8 min
Dr. Dana Brown, MBA Programme Director at Said Business School, joined the show this week to discuss what makes the Oxford MBA unique and its admissions process. Being one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Said is looking for students with strong academic abilities. Although they evaluate applicants holistically, Said recommends having a minimum 3.5 GPA and Dana made it very clear that the school thinks the GMAT is important. They are also looking for critical thinkers with open...
Aug 18, 2014•39 min
What's the best MBA program for supply chain management? Or entrepreneurship? Or marketing? Many applicants who come to Touch MBA for help picking schools have this exact question. One of the biggest frustrations candidates have is figuring out the key advantages of schools. As one listener wrote, "It's difficult to know which one is the best in a certain area." In this episode, Darren gives a 3-step framework for quickly and effectively researching a school's academic strengths - "The MBA Physi...
Aug 03, 2014•15 min
Over the past year hundreds of applicants have come to Touch MBA to get profile assessments and find their best fit schools . One of the most common problems I see is weak career goals. Career goals are important – and necessary – for you to figure out your best fit schools AND to improve your chances of acceptance. In this episode, I cover 5 ways adcoms evaluate your career goals so you can make yours bulletproof. Are your career goals defined? Do your career goals reflect a sense of purpose, p...
Jul 25, 2014•19 min
Who better to learn storytelling from than a two-time Pulitzer Prize Winner for dramatic nonfiction? This week Darren uses Jon Franklin’s Writing for Story as guidance for “stalking the story” and writing MBA essays that grip and reveal. Franklin pioneered the narrative nonfiction genre, and his book is full of gems for applicants struggling with their essays. After listening to this episode, you’ll know whether you are a) telling your best stories and b) writing your essays in the most compelli...
Jun 20, 2014•22 min
Ms. Christie St-John, Director of Admissions, Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University, joined the show to discuss the Vanderbilt MBA. The program is focused on giving students a high-touch and flexible education that will prepare them well for internships and job placement success Vanderbilt's medical, law and education programs are also highly ranked and Owen encourages its MBA students to study across disciplines. Nashville is the epicenter of the US healthcare industry, and ...
Jun 11, 2014•50 min
