The "Why Our School?" Essay with Jeremy Shinewald, mbaMission
Release Date: 12/03/2025
English Proficiency & the MBA: Inside the Duolingo English Test with Elie Bechara
Inside the GMAT
“Testing isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about proving you’re ready to succeed.” When most people think about business school admissions, they focus on test scores, essays, and interviews. But for many candidates around the world, there’s another critical piece of the puzzle: proving you can succeed in an English-speaking academic environment. In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach is joined by Elie Bechara, Head of the Duolingo English Test in Europe, to break down how English proficiency testing fits into the modern MBA application—and why it matters more than...
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Going Beyond Tips & Tricks with Brian Prestia, Reason Test Prep
Inside the GMAT
“It’s not about the rules and formulas—it’s about the decisions you make in how you approach a question.” Most GMAT candidates start their prep the wrong way: by diving straight into content, formulas, and practice questions. But what if that approach is actually holding you back? In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Brian Prestia, founder of , to break down what the GMAT is really testing—and why success has far more to do with how you think than what you know. Together, they explore the difference between memorization and reasoning, why “tips and...
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EA Prep Week 10: Test Complete! The End of an EA-ra
Inside the GMAT
"The score isn't the end. It's just the starting point." After ten weeks, GMAC Zach has finally taken his EA exam! In this candid debrief episode of Inside the GMAT, Zach sits down with instructor Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep to break down his real testing experience—from last-minute rescheduling to test-day distractions and everything in between. Zach walks through how he handled each section, what threw him off (including a chaotic testing environment and a few “wait, is this a typo?” moments), and where his strategy held up—or didn’t. Together, they unpack the psychology of...
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The Case for Reasoning Skills in the Age of AI with GMAT Buddy's Ayham Shakra
Inside the GMAT
"Lose the urgency. Accept the learning process.” In a world where AI can generate answers instantly, what actually sets great decision-makers apart? In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with GMAT tutor and founder of , Ayham Shakra, to unpack the real skill behind success—not memorization, but reasoning. Ayham explains why the GMAT isn’t a math or English test, but a training ground for structured thinking: the ability to filter noise, identify patterns, and make decisions under pressure. Together, they explore why so many test-takers struggle, how...
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How to Eliminate Careless Mistakes on the GMAT
Inside the GMAT
“You should actually get a little bit excited when you make a careless mistake—because you’re about to get better.” Everyone makes careless mistakes on the GMAT—even well-prepared test takers. In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Manhattan Prep instructor Stacey Koprince to break down why these mistakes happen and what you can actually do to prevent them. Stacey explains the critical difference between a true knowledge gap and a careless mistake—and why the latter is often the easiest type of mistake to fix. Instead of beating yourself up when you spot...
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EA Prep Week 9: Exam Day Tips and Listener Q&A with Stacey Koprince, Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
“The biggest score killer isn’t one wrong answer. It’s inconsistent pacing.” Zach sits down once again with test prep expert Stacey Koprince—this time with a big milestone to share: his EA exam appointment is officially booked (date undisclosed, of course). From there, the conversation becomes a practical, stress-reducing roadmap for what to do after a practice test dip and before the real thing. Stacey helps Zach break down his recent practice exam results into three clear categories—strengths you can’t coast on, fixable mistakes worth reviewing, and true “kryptonite” topics...
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The Data Insights Deep Dive with Sergey Kouk of Admit Master
Inside the GMAT
“This section isn’t just about getting into business school — it’s about being ready once you’re there.” Host GMAC Zach welcomes back GMAT expert Sergey Kouk from for a deep dive into one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the exam: the Data Insights section. Together, Zach and Sergey demystify what Data Insights really tests, why it matters for business school and recruiting, and how test-takers should approach it strategically rather than emotionally. Sergey explains how the section builds on the former Integrated Reasoning questions, why Data Sufficiency now plays a...
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EA Prep Week 8: What Goes Up...Might Come Down Ft. Stacey Koprince, Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
“This is why you take practice exams. So that you know what you DON'T want to do on test day.” Practice tests don’t always move in a straight line—and this week, GMAC Zach finds that out firsthand. After hitting a personal high on his previous EA exam practice exam with a 155, his latest score dips slightly, sparking an honest conversation about score fluctuations, confidence traps, and what really causes plateaus during EA prep. Joined, as always, by Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep, they unpack why the third practice exam is such a common stumbling point, how overconfidence can...
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AU is All-In on AI: In Conversation with Kogod's Dean David Marchick
Inside the GMAT
“AI is going to be as profound as fire or electricity. Even if that’s one-millionth true, we have to take it seriously.” In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with , to explore how business education is being reshaped by AI, career pivots, and the skills that truly matter over a lifetime. Marchick reflects on his unconventional career path and how those experiences shape his student-first approach to leadership. He explains why “psychic income,” not just financial return, drives his work in higher education, and why helping students experiment, fail, and grow...
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Eating Your GMAT Vegetables with MyGuru's Stefan Maisnier
Inside the GMAT
“The only person you’re really competing with is who you were yesterday.” Preparing for the GMAT isn’t supposed to be easy—and that’s the point. In the last episode of 2025, GMAC Zach sits down with Stefan Maisnier, longtime GMAT instructor and parter at , to unpack why GMAT prep feels so challenging, what skills the exam is actually measuring, and how the mindset you develop while studying can pay dividends far beyond test day. Stefan famously describes GMAT prep as “eating your vegetables”—not always enjoyable, but undeniably good for you. Together, Zach and Stefan...
info_outlineWriting the “Why Our School?” essay is one of the toughest—and most overlooked—parts of the MBA application. In this episode, GMAC Zach sits down with Jeremy Shinewald, founder of MBA Mission and one of the most trusted voices in MBA admissions, to break down how to turn this high-stakes prompt into a powerful statement of fit.
Jeremy explains why this essay is far more than a formality, where most applicants go wrong, and the three core components every strong response must include: your context, your goals, and a bridge that connects those goals to the school’s specific resources. He also shares insider tips from two decades of advising thousands of candidates, including how to avoid sounding generic, why authenticity matters more than perfection, and how to demonstrate conviction that resonates with admissions committees.
If you want to tell your story with clarity, purpose, and genuine fit, this episode is your roadmap.
Featured Resources:
mbaMission: https://www.mbamission.com
onTrack by mbaMission: https://ontrack.mbamission.com
About Our Guest:
Jeremy Shinewald is the founder of mbaMission (Poets and Quants 4x top-ranked MBA admissions consulting firm) and is an industry founder, innovator and driver. He is the author of the Complete Start to Finish Guide to MBA admissions and “‘What Matters?’ and ‘What More?’: 50 Successful Essays for the Stanford GSB and HBS (and Why They Worked)”. He is the creator of onTrack by mbaMission, an asynchronous MBA admissions course and platform which Poets and Quants called, “the most comprehensive MBA admissions resource ever created.” Jeremy’s thought leadership has led to him being quoted in the WSJ, NYT and many other media outlets.
Takeaways:
- The 'Why Our School' essay is crucial for MBA applications.
- Applicants often make the mistake of pandering to schools.
- Authenticity is key; don't try to be someone you're not.
- Understanding your goals before applying is essential.
- Researching schools thoroughly can enhance your application.
- Your personal statement should reflect genuine fit with the school.
- Communication skills are vital in the application process.
- Context in your essay should lead to your goals.
- Don't leave your application to the last minute.
Chapters:
00:00 The Journey of Entrepreneurship
00:35 Understanding the MBA Admissions Process
05:25 The Art of Personal Statements
08:19 Crafting the 'Why Our School' Essay
10:36 Crafting Your MBA Goals
15:07 Understanding the School's Fit
18:19 The Importance of Clarity in Goals
20:20 Valuing the 'Why This School' Essay
22:07 Final Thoughts on the Application Process