Overcoming MBA Anxiety With An HBS Admissions Officer, Part 1: B-Schooled episode 262
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Release Date: 09/24/2025
One MBA, Two Paths: Stanford MBAs on Building Impact Across Business, Wellness & Global Investing with Terry Cumes & Tristen Langley: B-Schooled episode 283
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In the second installment of our Paths Less Traveled series, Stacy Blackman interviews Terry Cumes and Tristen Langley, a married couple who share how the same Stanford GSB foundation led one to global wellness entrepreneurship and the other to top-tier technology investing — and what this says about career optionality, partnership, and long-term impact. Here are the full bios for these amazing interviewees: Tristen Langley has over twenty-three years of experience in venture capital, operations, M&A and equities research with leading international investment and technology companies....
info_outline
Strategies for handling one of the biggest MBA dilemmas: B-Schooled episode 282
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In this episode we discuss 4 things MBA candidates should consider when facing the “Bird in Hand” dilemma: meaning, when they have been admitted to at least one program, but are considering not claiming their spot, forgoing the sure thing and taking the risk of trying again in the future in the hopes of getting into a program they’re even more interested in.
info_outline
Negotiating MBA Merit Scholarships: B-Schooled episode 281
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
This episode discusses how accepted MBA candidates should go about asking for an increase in merit aid; the four situations a candidate might be in and their associated negotiating tactics; and detailed advice for approaching such an ask over the phone vs. email.
info_outline
Paths Less Traveled: Paul Earle, Kellogg MBA, Kellogg Faculty Member and GOODLES Cofounder: B-Schooled episode 280
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
For years, MBA applicants have asked some version of the same question: "What job will I get after graduation?" It's understandable. Recruiting is a visible and important part of the MBA experience. But after decades working with business school graduates, Stacy Blackman has noticed something more interesting: the most meaningful MBA outcomes rarely follow a straight line. That's the premise behind Paths Less Traveled, a new B-Schooled podcast series launching this week. Each episode features conversations with MBA alumni whose careers evolved in unexpected directions over time....
info_outline
How social media can affect your MBA candidacy: B-Schooled episode 279
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In this episode, Erika explains how your social media behavior could affect your MBA candidacy — positively or negatively. She covers what admissions committees might be looking for on your online profiles and platforms that could be problematic, as well as what kinds of social media posts might actually end up strengthening your candidacy. She also explains how reviews of your social media accounts don’t end once you’re admitted.
info_outline
How to prepare for Wharton's Team-Based Discussion: B-Schooled episode 278
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In this replay of a past episode, Erika talks with Anthony Penna, a fellow SBC admissions consultant who spent 10 years with the Wharton School in Career Management and as Associate Director of Admissions for the full-time MBA program. As Anthony served on the implementation and design team for Wharton's Team Based Discussion (TBD) interview format, this episode focuses on his insight advice for MBA candidates who will be interviewing with Wharton.
info_outline
GMAC MBA Application Trends Survey Recap: B-Schooled episode 277
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
In this episode, Alex Liff interviews Andrew Walker, GMAC’s Director of Research Analysis and Communication about the latest MBA application trends survey that he just completed. Andrew offers interesting insights into the latest trends both on the applicant and corporate recruiter sides and talks about what to expect going forward.
info_outline
Final Thoughts After 20 Years of MBA Advising (Part 3): B-Schooled episode 276
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Final Thoughts After 20 Years of MBA Advising: Part 3 B-Schooled Co-Host, Chandler, is preparing to step away from his co-hosting responsibilities in order to care for his aging parents and launch a new venture for philanthropists. Chandler has decided to conclude his four years as co-host (and 20 years of advising MBA applicants) with a three-part series in which he gets very authentic and very bold in order to help you create a solid application plan. In this final of three episodes, Chandler takes a no-holds barred look at the last stages of your MBA application. In this...
info_outline
Final Thoughts After 20 Years of MBA Advising (Part 2): B-Schooled episode 275
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Final Thoughts After 20 Years of MBA Advising: Part 2 B-Schooled Co-Host Chandler is preparing to step away from his podcast responsibilities in order to care for his aging parents and launch a new venture for philanthropists. Chandler has decided to conclude his four years as co-host (and 20 years of advising MBA applicants) with a three-part series in which he gets very authentic and very bold in order to help you create a solid application plan. In Part Two Chandler takes a no-holds barred look at the “heart” of your MBA application: your essays, your recommendations, your...
info_outline
Final Thoughts After 20 Years of MBA Advising (Part 1): B-Schooled episode 274
B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit
Final Thoughts After 20 Years of MBA Advising: Part 1 This episode is bittersweet for our longtime podcast co-host, Chandler. Chandler is preparing to step away from his co-hosting responsibilities in order to care for his aging parents and launch a new venture for philanthropists. He would like to share how much he has enjoyed co-hosting and wants to say a HUGE thank you to Stacy, Erika, Yvonne, Esther, Alex and the entire SBC team for their amazing friendship and support along the way. As Chandler thought about how to frame his last podcast, he ultimately decided to take...
info_outlineOvercoming MBA Anxiety With The Help of an HBS Admissions Officer
- Part One: Understanding What Anxiety Is In The MBA Application Context
For this very special three-part series, we are joined by SBC Consultant Pauline. Pauline holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, worked for years as an HBS Admissions Officer, and has presented/lectured at Stanford, Tufts and Villanova.
Pauline is also uniquely positioned to speak about anxiety as it relates to the MBA application process. Pauline is passionate about Business, Education and Spirituality and worked as a Level 1 Hospital Trauma Chaplain. She also holds a Divinity degree in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
This episode starts with a bit of radical candor about the fact that there are LOTS of things that applicants can find themselves worrying about. This includes the test taking process, starting your application, writing (and rewriting) those essays, pressing send, preparing for interviews, managing worries while waiting for your decision, wrestling with imposter syndrome, and so many other topics.
In this episode, Pauline draws from her work as an HBS Admissions Officer—as well as her masters and doctoral work—to:
- Dive into the scientific underpinnings of anxiety, what it is, and where it comes from
- Share perspectives from various experts about physiology of anxiety
- Discuss the neurocognitive components, including the way anxiety affects the way you process information
And there is good news—so much good news. Chandler and Pauline also share:
- a reminder that ALL applicants face anxiety at some point in their application process
- the benefits of "leaning in" to the discomfort anxiety sometimes brings
- understanding your own "window of tolerance" as it relates to anxiety
- ways procrastination and anxiety are often interconnected
- specific tips and tricks to implement IN THE MOMENT when anxiety strikes
- the difference between "self-care" and "self-preservation" on your application journey
- powerful things you can learn about yourself by facing anxiety head-on
This podcast is a must for anyone struggling with anxiety, worry, or self-doubt on their MBA journey.