Explore every episode of the podcast THE GMAT Club Podcast

What Really is Test Anxiety?

Is Test Anxiety Always a Bad Thing?

Treating Test-Taking Like a Sport

Building an Effective Pre-Exam Routine

Breaking Negative Thoughts Before the Test

Two Ways to Manage Test Anxiety

Building Awareness, Focus, and Mindfulness

Developing Mental Skills Through Consistency

Where to Begin Managing Test Anxiety

Important Medical and Informational Disclaimer

Effects of Adderall and Ritalin

Addressing Brain Fog and Deficiencies

Efficacy of Omega-Three Supplements

Balancing Alertness with Caffeine Intake

Hidden Risks of Taurine Drinks

Navigating Over-the-Counter Nootropic Blends

The Final Verdict on Supplements

Managing Anxiety with Beta Blockers

Identifying and Evaluating Cognitive Struggles

Understanding Standardized Testing Accommodations

Student #1: 255 to 655

Student #2: 350 to 710

Student #3: 535 to 635 (Q69 to Q82)

Student #4: 505 to 705

Student #5, 530 to 740

Student #6, 1st Percentile to 90th Percentile in Verbal

What Makes Michigan Ross Different

Action-Based Learning and MAP Project

The Advantage of Ann Arbor

AI in the Ross MBA Curriculum

Ross’s Strength in Consulting

Trends in Tech Recruiting

Using AI in MBA Applications: What Ross Thinks

What the Best Essays Look Like

Ross MBA Interview Process

Application Evaluation Process

Who Is the Right Fit for Michigan Ross

• Is an MBA interview like a job interview — or something completely different? 
• Can you (and should you) script your answers? 
• Does a tough interview mean bad news? What a great MBA interview feels like 
• The real traits AdComs are evaluating 
• Differences between AdCom-led and alumni interviews 
• Practical prep advice and post-interview etiquette 
• Tips to stay calm, confident, and authentic

Recent Policy Changes to US Student (F1) Visa

New Mandatory Social Media Reivew Requirement

Contradictory Information on Visa Form vs on LinkedIn Profile

Reduction in the Validity Perriod of Student Visas

Changes to Visa Interview Locations

Should you remove controversial social media posts

Pre interview Documentation

Why Visa Officers Sometimes Do Not Look at your Documents

Proof of Funding

Does School’s Reputation Matter in Securing a Visa?

The Role of Career Plans & Ties to Home Country

The Interview, What Visa Officers Want to Know

3 Things Visa Officers Evaluate in the Interview

Red Flags in Interviews

When & Why Should One Hire Immigration Attorney

What If Your Visa is Not Approved

Can GMAT Truly Make or Break Your Admission Chances?

What If Your GMAT Score Is Lower than School’s Average?

When It Makes Sense to Re-Take the GMAT and When It Doesn’t

When the GMAT Is a Strong Gift

GMAT vs GRE

Has GMAT Regained Dominance Post-Covid?

Are There Cut-Offs for GMAT Scores?

What’s a Good GMAT Score for Myself? (Precise Decision Framework)

Profile Roast Segment - #1 Canadian Banker Targeting M7 B-Schools

#2 Indian Finance Entrepreneur

The Impact of Big Companies on Resume

How AdComs Compare Candidates from Big vs. Small Companies

How BSchools Form Their MBA Class

What’s the First Thing AdComs Look in Your Application?

How Low GMAT / GRE Scores are Assessed?

What If You Haven’t brought a Big Impact in your Work?

When Applicants Don’t Recognize their Potential

When an Applicant Built a Hospital & didn’t Mention it in the Application

What AdComs Really Want to See in Essays

Intro

Why Essays When Schools Have My Resume?

How Schools See ChatGPT’s Use in Essays?

What AdComs Do Not Look For (in Essays)?

The REAL Job of Essays in MBA Application

Examples of Standout Essays from Top Applicants

Professional vs Personal Stories in Yale Essay

How to Emphasize that You are a Good Fit for the Program

How Many People Read your Essays?

Essay: The First Thing AdComs See?

Essay Roast Segment

Business Minded Essay (Harvard)

Leadership Essay (Harvard)

Growth-Oriented Essay (Harvard)

Why GMAT

Practice Techniques for Quant and Data Insights

Deciding to Retake for 695 in 1st Attempt

Taking 20 Mocks in 30 Days - How that Helped

Last days before exam & Test Day experience

My Daily Practice Routine

Tips to Improve Data Insights Score

Dealing with Long RC Passages  

Which Mock Tests Did I Attempt

Choosing the Army: First Career Step After College

Building Leadership Confidence in the Army

From Army to MBA

Why MBA

MBA Experience: Expectations vs. Reality

Overcoming Challenges in Business School

Landing My First Job After MBA

The Brand Manager Role at Johnson & Johnson

Was MBA worth it?

Otis to Zipcar - Brand Management to General Management

The power of your LinkedIn profile

Navigating Major Career Struggles

Main hurdle in transitioning from Manager to Leadership role

My Supoerpowers

Rapid-Fire Questions with Angelo

What I’d Tell My 20-Year-Old Self

Advice to prospective MBA students

About your journey

Did you choose the detour yourself, or were you advised by mentors?

What made you stay longer than 2-3 years despite your non-profit aspirations?

Did you imagine you’d get an MBA?

Did b-school feel daunting with your non-quantitive background?

How did you feel starting b-school and any advice for women considering it?

How did you decide which b-school’s to consider?

What advice would you give someone considering this journey?

How did you feel about participating in the social impact segment of your class?

Would you advocate b-school for young people pursuing careers in social impact?

After 7 years at Deloitte, how did you transition to planned parenthood?

Starting a job during the pandemic while pregnant

How did you realise you needed to slow down, make changes and adjust your approach?

Juggling a job, raising kids and maintaining a partnership

What kind of role model do you want to be for your kids?

How do you coordinate and collaborate effectively?

Walk me through a typical work day

What do you love about your job?

How did you face and learn from your failures?

What moment or incident helped you recognise the gap?

What epic decision in your life do you consider good?

What advice for MBA hopefuls without a strong network or family business background?

Things you gained from business school

Do you use a vision board or set goals regularly?

What motivated you to work with a coach?

What’s the first app you check when you wake up in the morning?

What is your biggest pet peeve?

What is your favourite way to unwind after a hectic day?

Advice you’d give to your younger self

How to decide for an MBA?

Switching Careers

Why MBA?

Choosing the right MBA

MBA Experience

Challenges during an MBA

Impact of an MBA

Is an MBA worth it?

Moving from one organization to another

CPG to Product Management via MBA

What I Love about Product Management

Identifying Companies with Great People

The Role of Backdoor Networking

How MBA Helped in Transitioning into PM

Why MBA Realization

My Mentors & Support System

Work Life Balance in PM Career

Mistakes I Wish I Avoided

What I Loved Most about Business School

Importance of BSchool Networks

Reflecting on Biggest Decisions of my Life

What I Do in Free Time

Advice to my Younger Self

Does MBA Help in Choosing the Right Career

01:27 GMAT Prep Timeline of Naman

02:25 Inconsistencies in Initial Prep phase

06:37 Creating a 4 Month Study Plan; New Study Routine

10:50 Preparing for Quant Section

12:33 Preparing for Verbal Section

15:05 Preparation for Data Insights

17:30 Handling Challenging Topics

20:35 Learning from Mistakes; Error Log Management

22:52 Practice Tests Strategy

28:06 How I Analysed my Mock Test Scores

31:03 Test Day Experience and Tips

35:31 Advice to GMAT Students

Meet Simon

Beginning the GMAT Prep

How Gruelling Study Schedules Impacted my Score

How I Reset Mindset a Day before the Exam

Importance of Good Sleep, Nutrition, and Mental Well-Being

Study Strategies for Quant Topics

Study Resources

Overcoming Data Insights Challenge

Advice to GMAT Students

Taking Notes during Study

Deferred MBA Plans

GMAT Classic in Oct 2023 with 710

Resuming GMAT Focus Prep in June 2024

Using GMAT Club Effectively for Prep

How to Ace Data Insights Section

Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning

Balancing Study and Work

Mock Test Strategy

Test Day Experience

Kseniia's Background; Undergrad; Full time work

Getting Masters at Bocconi University

Challenges of coming from non-traditional background

Tackling low GPA

5 GMAT attempts

Setting a compelling narrative in Essays

Handling rejections and reapplying

What Really Worked for Me

Role of International Experience

Interview Experience

Why MBA in US (over Europe)

My Advice for MBA Applicants

Things I would have done differently

Intro

How I began my GMAT Preparation

Why I enrolled in many GMAT courses

Resuming GMAT Prep after Rejection from ISB

Drastic Changes in GMAT Prep Strategy

Big Learnings from Mock Tests

Question Review - Is it Useful?

Tips for Exam Day

Did I follow a Set Study Routine

Offbeat way to look at Reading Comprehension

Lindsay, Hunter and Daisy intros

Hunter's talks about Stern's flagship experiential learning courses

Daisy talks about some real world experience gained through the Berkley Center

Lindsay adds context around experiential learning, how prospective students can explore opportunities

Hunter describes the project he worked on and the skills he was able to build as a result of the Stern Consulting Corps

Daisy talks about the Venture Associates startup

Lindsay talks about how experiential learning can  be applied in recruiting

Daisy talks about sustainability business pitch competition

Lindsay gives tips for applicants starting their MBA journey

Beginning the GMAT Prep

Dealing with Procrastination and Inconsistencies

Advice to new GMAT students

Magoosh Course & Study Routine

The Speed vs Accuracy Trap

Practice Test Strategy

GMAT Day Experience

The “Administrative Review” Nightmare

How Psychology Plays a Role in GMAT Success

Future MBA Goals

Audience Questions

* Which actions to prioritize with the time you have left

* Some pragmatic advice on selecting school(s) to apply to

* How to "speed run" your way through the application, including essays, recommendations, and the resume

* Should you address your last-minute application in the "Optional Essay"?

4 Ways to Finance Your Education Abroad

Benefits of Taking an Education Loan

Secured Education Loans

Unsecured Loans

Secured vs Unsecured Comparison

Lender Types

Non-Cosigner Loans

Loan in INR vs USD

Refinancing Loan for a lower rate

Indian Loans to NRIs

Multiple loans

Interest on sanctioned loan or used loan

Credit Score requirement

The F1 Application

SEVIS Registration, I20

Visa Application Form (DS-160)

F1 Visa Interview Overview

Carrying documents during travel

What to Expect in your Student Visa Interview

Applying to Visa from a different country

What’s next if my visa is rejected

Common reasons for visa rejection

Visa requirements for partners

Normal visa processing time

Allowed jobs for F1 visa holders

F1 Visa for another degree in the US

Visa Renewal

Errors in DS-160

Changing school/university after visa approval

Intro

Walking the MBA application tightrope

3 Basic Rules to Remember for Repurposing Essays

There’s Nothing Wrong in Repurposing Text

Example of Repurposing Stanford and Fuqua Essays

Intro & Agenda

What Happens After You Submit MBA Application

Holistic Review - What We Really Look in the Application

Resume and Work Experience

Do Schools Create Applicant Pools by Geography

Does a gap year hurt admission chances

How GMAT / GRE Scores are Evaluated

Recommendation Letters

MBA Application Essays

Video Essays

MBA Interview Process

How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions

Read Mukul’s detailed GMAT debrief on GMAT Club https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-fe-705-story-of-perseverence-and-persistence-426685.html
 

Studying Nuclear Engineering, Time in Army

Deciding to go for MBA

Beginning GMAT Preparation

Preparing GMAT Study Plan

Balancing Military Duty and GMAT Prep

Switching from GMAT to GRE

GRE Prep Strategy

Error Log, Prep Resources, GRE at Home

Meditation and Relaxing Techniques I Used

Brainstorming for Essays

Why Stanford?

Preparing for Stanford MBA Interview

Why MBA after 6 years in gaming industry

GMAT Focus vs GRE - How I Decided

Starting the GMAT Preparation

Course correction after first practice test

GMAT Study materials I used

My 6 week GMAT study plan

Study strategy for GMAT Quant

Study strategy for GMAT Verbal

Timing Strategy for Reading Comprehension

Deciding section order

Researching MBA programs for applying

How I approached application essays

Preparing for my MBA interviews

My tips to GMAT students

Lukas, a lawyer turned Management consultant, was always aspiring to get an MBA from top business schools in the world and work in Strategy Consulting. To achieve this dream, he began his GMAT preparation while working full time first as a Lawyer and then as a Management Consultant. After 5 years of rigorous preparation, he managed to score 760 in the 3rd GMAT attempt. After securing 99 Percentile on the GMAT, he approached MBA application process with the same passion and zeal. He applied to 6 best business schools in the world: HBS, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Berkeley Haas, Chicago Booth, and Kellogg. He got waitlisted at Haas but received admits from Chicago Booth and Kellogg schools of Management with decent scholarship amount.

Nimisha recently got into the prestigious Masters in Management of London Business School (LBS MiM) after scoring 730 (90% percentile) on the GMAT with 2 months of preparation. Nimisha has always been very passionate about the MicroFinance sector. To transition into her dream sector, within 1.5 years of completing her engineering in Electronics and Communications and working at KPMG, she decided to pursue a Masters in Management from Europe. She took the GMAT test and scored 730 in the first attempt within 2 months. She then applied to two top MiM programs in Europe: LBS and HEC Paris. She eventually got into the LBS MiM program.

In this video, we interviewed Dauan, a French Korean GMAT student, who improved from 610 to 730 on the GMAT within 4 months. After getting 610 in this first diagnostic test, he knew that he had only around 4 months to prepare and that he had only one shot which if he mess up can't afford to wait for the following year. 

Intro

Pre-MBA jobs at Blockchain, Mastercard, & Rappi that inspired me for MBA

Founding a Startup 

Planning to do an MBA

How recommendation letters provided strength to my MBA application

What made my application successful

How do I Shortlist BSchools to Apply

Which BSchool am I Picking for my MBA?

Anurag, an Indian-origin Engineer based in New Zealand, scored 645 in his recent GMAT Focus edition exam. Anurag’s GMAT focus edition prep was a roller coaster ride. He had scored 650 in his first GMAT classic test attempt. He then decided to shift to the new gmat and eventually scored 645 (90th percentile) on GMAT Focus in the third attempt.

 In this interview, we explore her incredible GMAT prep journey, filled with determination, hard work, and strategic methods for GMAT preparation. How Keerthi planned her GMAT study around the tried and tested formula of Concept Mastery, Timed Practice, and Reviews. From understanding the GMAT exam structure and content to devising a personalized study plan, you will gain a comprehensive insight into Keerthi’s path to GMAT success. So, if you're aspiring to crack the GMAT, or if you're simply seeking inspiration and guidance on your own GMAT journey, this video is a must-watch! Join us as we unravel the secrets of GMAT success and motivate you to embark on your own path towards achieving your GMAT score goals.

In this interview, we uncover his whole journey of GMAT preparation as well as Masters in Management application for ESSEC, what prep resources he used, his preparation techniques for GMAT Quant and Verbal sections, GMAT study plan, GMAT test-taking experience, and timing strategies on the GMAT.

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring MBA journey of John, a PE/VC Associate and former management consultant. John was raised in a trailer in the backwoods of Alaska, and his family was consistently below the poverty line growing up. Being the first in his family to go to college, John ended up creating Bain & Company's (and MBB's) very first affinity group for FGLI individuals. He also came from a small and little-known growth equity fund so getting into both the Stanford GSB ad Wharton (when he knew that they typically have access to candidates with much more background's than ones such as John) was a massive hail mary for him. In addition, John did not use any MBA consultants on his journey to his MBA programs, which is a bit atypical as well 

In this episode, we interview Deepesh, an Indian student who had received conditional admission offer from IMD's MBA program and had a challenge to get a high test score within the designated timeframe. Deepesh had the choice of taking either GMAT or GRE. He decided to take the GMAT exam and scored 680 in his first attempt. Hoping to improve his GMAT score in next attempts, he continued his study for the GMAT only to find out in subsequent attempts that he was not making any significant progress on the GMAT. Soon he realized that GRE was a better option for him and switched to GRE preparation and scored 333/340 in the very first attempt. In this session, we uncover Deepesh's GMAT & GRE preparation journey, his test taking experience, motivations for MBA, etc.

In this episode, we dive into Arya’s journey who got admitted to the MBA/MPP dual degree program at Duke Fuqua. We discuss Arya’s pre-MBA preparation story, her extensive social sector work, the highs and lows of business education, and her post-MBA goals. From networking events to work-life balance, Arya offers an authentic and inspiring glimpse into the transformative world of MBA life at Duke Fuqua.

In this episode, Nate Le shares his approach towards applications essays and interviews which landed him into HBS, Kellogg, Haas, Fuqua and Ross.

In the consultant's corner, Sam and Nina discusses what it means to "Be yourself" in the personal statement.

How to pronounce Emory Goizueta?
Why MBA and Why now?
Non-quantitative background for taking the GMAT
Non-quantitative background for an MBA
Business school applications during the lockdown
How to write a compelling MBA essay?
How to address a few drawbacks in your MBA applications?
Why Emory Goizueta MBA?
Why it is important to choose the correct school for the MBA?
What are some surprising things about Emory's MBA?
Core MBA classes
About Emory MBA’s small class size and why it is helpful.
What advice do you have for Emory Goizueta MBA applicants?
What are some overwhelming parts of the MBA applications?
How to spend time on the MBA application process?
 

How and why did you choose LBS?

What kind of students thrive at LBS?

About the Exchange program with NYU stern

Differences between European MBA and US MBA

How LBS has helped you in your career?

Advice for prospective LBS applicants

Consultant's Corner: Advice for constructing a powerful and effective personal statement

What type of students thrives at IESE?

What do admissions look for in an applicant?

How to address the lack of international experience?

Suggestions for prospective applicants

The case method and popular classes at IESE

International experience through Oversees module at IESE

Women and leadership programs at IESE

Career support and placements at IESE

How does IESE MBA transform a person and their career?

How to use ChatGPT in your MBA applications?

In this episode, we will uncover the MBA journey of Rashmi Singh rashmis2502 a first-generation college grad by discussing on the following.

Rashmi’s consulting background
Why MBA?
Thoughts on Impact Consulting
Why Oxford Said MBA?
Gender equity
Why now for the MBA?
European MBA vs US MBA vs Indian MBA
Oxford Said’s application process
Advice on Letters of Recommendation
Tips on how to prepare a comprehensive MBA application
How to write post-MBA goals?
Oxford Said admissions interview
How to use LinkedIn during your application process?
Mistakes made as an applicant
Negotiating a scholarship
Oxford Said cohort/community

In the consultant's corner, Sam and Nina addressed how to find a balance between making a compelling case as a strong applicant and coming across as bragging.

Sonali's background
Why MBA?
How did you choose your target business schools?
Why Fuqua?
Culture at Fuqua
About Fuqua's 20 random things about yourself essay
One surprising thing about the Fuqua MBA experience
About #TeamFuqua
Advise for Fuqua applicants
Career support at Fuqua

Guest Speaker: Andrea Flores from IE university

Andrea Flores is a professional in the higher education sector with over 10 years of experience, currently Head of Global Recruitment at IE University in Madrid, Spain. Her passion is to see education shape the future of society and how, through sharing IE University’s values of humanities, entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and innovation, she can have an impact on the leaders of tomorrow. She currently manages the Global Recruitment department for both graduate and undergraduate degrees at IE University across the five schools, including IE Business School and the MBA programs. Her purpose is to provide candidates an experience in line with IE’s vision of the future and to recruit the best talent globally.

Episode Summary:

0:33 Intro to Lisa Rios, Assistant Dean for MBA Admissions at NYU Stern School of Business

2:12 Intro to Devna Shukla

3:55 Intro to Drew Stern

7:17 How did you start exploring the MBA?

14:43 How did the Stern MBA help you in your career?

23:39 Can you tell us about a challenging time at Stern and how did you navigate it?

28:20 How did you build relationships at Stern MBA?

33:30 Student clubs at NYU Stern

36:54 How did the Stern MBA help your leadership style?

43:36 Navigating change and uncertainty?

43:36 How to answer Stern’s essay question about personal call to action?

50:45 If you were to do it again, what would you change about your Stern MBA experience?

55:45 What would be your advice to NYU Stern prospective applicants?

59:14 Closing

Join Senior Associate Dean, Russ Morgan, for insight into what is new at Duke's Fuqua School of Business. From a new Diversity, equity, and inclusion concentration to the entire MBA program becoming STEM-designated, Morgan will shed light on the new and exciting things happening in the MBA program.