Want to be a MBB consultant? Get advice from someone who manages a thousand of them (part 1 of 2): B-Schooled episode 233
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Release Date: 01/01/2025
Why do you need (not just want) an MBA now? : B-Schooled episode 257
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Sometimes “Why do you need an MBA now?” is an essay question that programs ask directly, but more often than not it’s something applicants should end up covering in an essay response even if there isn’t a question about it. Questions around the timing of an applicant's MBA pursuit could also be asked in an interview. This episode covers common reasons why applicants need an MBA now versus earlier or later in their careers, and suggests exercises to help articulate a strong response to questions about MBA timing.
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Avoid these MBA application time & energy wasters: B-Schooled episode 256
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In this replay of one of our most popular episodes, Meg — a former University of Chicago Booth admissions committee member and current SBC admissions consultant — joins Erika to discuss some of the biggest things they see MBA candidates wasting their precious time on during the application process. They address: Their most-hated question MBA candidates often ask *Why* it doesn't make sense to worry about certain things in the admissions process What applicants' time is better spent on What waitlisted candidates should do (and not do) to strengthen their position The pros and cons of...
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MBA your resume: B-Schooled episode 255
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Your resume is perhaps the single most important part of your application materials. This episode covers how to maximize that one precious page.
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Improving your quantitative profile: B-Schooled episode 254
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In this new episode, our host Erika and fellow SBC admissions consultant (and former Kellogg adcom) Caryn have a discussion that covers: Multiple tactics applicants can use to raise their quantitative profiles, especially if they don't work in finance- or numbers-heavy roles Insight into who might want to consider the GRE or EA instead of the GMAT for their admissions test How to use the Additional Info field/essay to address any quantitative weaknesses in your candidacy
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The "One-Minute Method" for identifying strengths (Part 2): B-Schooled episode 253
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
For this two-part conversation, Chandler sits down with SBC Consultant Dawn Clare to discuss her "One Minute Method" for identifying underrecognized individual strengths. As many of you know, Dawn is no stranger to the podcast and brings so much to this conversation. Dawn graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. Dawn was also admitted to the Stanford GSB. Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at a wide range of companies, including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group and Warner...
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The "One-Minute Method" for identifying strengths (Part 1): B-Schooled episode 252
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
For this two-part conversation, Chandler sits down with SBC Consultant Dawn Clare to discuss her "One Minute Method" for identifying underrecognized individual strengths. As many of you know, Dawn is no stranger to the podcast and brings so much to this conversation. Dawn graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. Dawn was also admitted to the Stanford GSB. Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at a wide range of companies, including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group and Warner...
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6 things you think you know about MBA essays (but probably don't): B-Schooled episode 251
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In this episode replay, Chandler dives into 6 tips for MBA essays that even the most confident writers might miss.
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What 2025-26 MBA applicants should be doing right now: B-Schooled episode 249
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
This episode will motivate you to get going on your Round 1 MBA materials, and will cover what makes the most sense for you to be working on right now before applications are released.
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2025-26 MBA Admissions Season Kickoff: B-Schooled episode 248
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Memorial Day weekend in the United States represents the unofficial kickoff of the 2025-26 business-school application year! What's the number one thing you should be doing right now if you plan to apply?
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MBA applicant pitfalls to avoid: B-Schooled episode 247
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
This replay episode covers 5 MBA applicant pitfalls – as in, traits, attitudes or approaches that some MBA applicants take that can ultimately derail their chances of success.
info_outlineAre you interested becoming a McKinsey/Bain/BCG (MBB) consultant after business school? Or are you a pre-MBA consultant interested in applying to a top business school? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, this is the podcast is for you.
Today we sit down with Will Bachman. Will is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Umbrex, a firm providing rapid access to independent management consultants with experience at top-tier consulting firms. Today, Will and his team manage more than 1,000 independent consultants, over 90% of these consultants are alums of McKinsey, Bain, or BCG.
Prior to founding Umbrex, Will spent four years as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company eight years as a Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy. Will also graduated from Harvard and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School.
In the first part of this two part segment, Will and host Chandler share advice for pre-MBA consultants interested crafting applications that stand out when applying to top-tier MBA programs.
In our next podcast, Will shares advice for MBA students hoping to land a top-tier consulting internship or full time job during or after B school.
In this wide-ranging discussion Will and Chandler discuss:
- Advice for pre-MBA consultants applying to B school,
- Ways to make applications from consultants stand out from the crowd,
- Suggestions about how to make your MBA application stand out from other consultants,
- Ways to complement the traditional consultant skillset,
- Suggestions for those wanting to explore their passions—and expand their business acumen—prior to business school,
- Tips for how to combat self-doubt during the MBA application process,
In addition to all kinds of great tips and suggestions, Will has also been kind enough to share a free Consulting Skills Self-Assessment module with podcast listeners. Will developed this module with other Umbrex consultants, which helps you rate your consulting skills across more than 50 areas: https://umbrex.com/resources/consulting-skills-self-assessment/