Is your GMAT score high enough for top business schools? 🤔 In this episode of the GMAT Club MBA Podcast, Brian Fobi (GuruFi.com) and Maria Wich-Vila (Applicant Lab) tackle the most debated question in MBA admissions: What’s a good GMAT score? They break down how admissions committees really use GMAT scores, when it makes sense to retake the test, and how much weight the GMAT carries compared to your GPA, work experience, and essays.

Do you need a McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, or Google on your resume to impress MBA admissions? In this powerful episode of the GMAT Club MBA Podcast, we sit down with Will Torres (Global Admissions Director, Stanford GSB) along with Maria Wich-Vila (Applicant Lab) and Brian Fobi (GuruFi.com) to uncover what admissions directors truly value when reviewing applications. From blue-chip employers to test scores and essays, we break down how adcoms really assess candidates—and why context and authenticity often matter more than the “brand names” on your resume. Do applicants from MBB, FAANG, or top banks really have an advantage? How adcoms evaluate candidates from smaller companies or unconventional paths. The truth about GMAT/GRE scores in admissions decisions. Why context matters more than numbers. How essays reveal authenticity—and what makes them impactful.

Crafting strong MBA essays isn’t just about storytelling — it’s about showing admissions committees who you are beyond your resume and test scores. In this GMAT Club Podcast episode, Brian and Maria, along with Bruce DelMonico (Head of Admissions at Yale School of Management), dive deep into the real job of MBA essays and explain how AdComs evaluate them. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Why business schools need essays when they already have your resume How admissions committees view the use of tools like ChatGPT in essays Common mistakes applicants make and what AdComs don’t want to see The real role of MBA essays in your application strategy Examples of standout essays from top applicants Balancing professional vs. personal stories (with insights from Yale SOM) How to showcase program fit authentically What happens behind the scenes — how many people actually read your essays Harvard MBA essay insights: business-minded, leadership, and growth-oriented essays

In this GMAT experience talk show, we talk to Anurag Wadhwa, an Electrical Engineer from IIT Roorkee who scored 725 in his last GMAT Focus exam solely by solving official questions and taking numerous mocks in the final phase of his preparation. Coming from an engineering background gave Anurag a decisive advantage in the quant section, but how did he manage to gain mastery in verbal and data insights through practice? What was his method for practice? What was his typical GMAT study routine? That's what we are going to find out in this video. Hit that 'like' button and subscribe to our channel to support us in bringing you more inspiring stories like Anurag's.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Angelo Adams, First generation college student and President of Zipcar, as he takes us through his remarkable journey from the U.S. Army to becoming the CEO of a leading car-sharing company in the US. In this episode, Soojin Kwon, former Dean of Michigan Ross Admissions, interviews Angelo and understands how he transitioned from military service to pursuing an MBA at Michigan Ross School of Business, the challenges he faced in business school, and how he navigated his career post-MBA. From his first role at Johnson & Johnson to leading teams at Otis and Zipcar, Angelo offers invaluable advice on leadership, career transitions, and the power of personal branding. Get actionable insights and inspiration, whether you're an aspiring MBA student, a transitioning veteran, or someone aiming for leadership roles in the corporate world.

In this episode of GMAT Club Career Talks, Soojin Kwon, former Dean of Michigan Ross Admissions, interviews Kristen Schultz, Ross MBA, who pivoted into her dream Non-Profit sector after working for 6 years as a Management Consultant at Deloitte. Kristen currently works as a Vice President of Operations and Strategy at Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization in the Greater Chicago area. In this video, Kristen shares her journey at Deloitte as a consultant, her lessons, and what ultimately led her to fulfil her dream of working in a non-profit. Join us as delve into her inspiring story and explore and career insights she has gained after getting her MBA.

Your MBA is Just the Start: How to Grab Life-Changing Opportunities What happens after getting an MBA? Is it worth the investment? To find out, I interviewed 10 GMAT Club professionals who have completed their MBAs and built careers in consulting, finance, tech, and entrepreneurship. Their answers might surprise you! 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The reality of post-MBA careers: Expectations vs. Reality ✅ How an MBA impacts salary, career growth & work-life balance ✅ The biggest regrets and best decisions from MBA grads ✅ Industry insights: Consulting, Tech, Finance & Beyond If you're considering an MBA or wondering what life looks like after graduation, this video is packed with real-world insights to help you make an informed decision!

Join us for an insightful conversation with Selena Salazar, a seasoned product manager who has successfully navigated her career through industry giants like Meta and Apple. In this episode, Soojin Kwon, former Dean of Michigan Ross Admissions, talks to Selena and delves into her journey, exploring the key decisions, challenges, and triumphs that have defined her path in product management.

In this GMAT podcast, we talk to Naman Aggarwal, an Indian Electronics Engineer who scored an impressive 715 on his latest GMAT attempt. That's a 99.5th percentile score achieved with just 4 months of effective self-study. Naman's journey stands out due to his meticulous planning, focused approach, and positive attitude towards learning from mistakes. As Naman put it, "I made countless mistakes in my preparation, just like every GMAT student, but I worked hard to ensure I didn’t repeat a single one. That’s what helped me reach the 99th percentile by studying only with the Official Guide, GMAT Club's Forum Quiz, and YouTube videos." In this interview, we will dive deeper into Naman's approach, study habits, and preparation techniques.

Many GMAT success stories revolve around rigorous studying and relentless practice. But what if I told you that too much studying could actually hurt your score? In this video, we talked to Simon, a bright undergrad student from Texas A&M University, who faced an unusual challenge—his mock scores started dropping despite intense preparation. Just two days before his actual test, he scored a disappointing 645 on a practice exam. Instead of pushing harder, he made a bold decision: he completely stopped thinking about the GMAT, focused on relaxing, and reset his mindset. The result? He walked into test day feeling refreshed and scored an incredible 735 which is 99 percentile GMAT score. In this episode of GMAT Success Stories, we talk not only about Simon’s GMAT prep strategy but also about the role of mindset, and how sleep, nutrition, and mental well-being can make or break your GMAT score.

Welcome to another episode of GMAT Success Talks. Today, we are covering a phenomenal GMAT story of Vatsal, who scored 715 - a 99.5 percentile score - on his latest GMAT focus test, using GMAT Club resources, including forum quizzes, GMAT Club’s YouTube videos and official questions. Vatsal took the classic version of the GMAT in Oct 2023, scoring 710. He then took a break and resumed prep for the GMAT Focus edition in June 2024. Studying only through GMAT Club and official sources, as mentioned already, and immersing himself in intensive practice sessions, Vatsal scored 715 in 4 months. Today, we'll explore his GMAT journey, his challenges, and the unique timing techniques that propelled him to success on the verbal.

Meet Kseniia, a former Public Relations Head at Google in Russia, whose inspiring journey defied the odds and landed her admissions to Wharton, Chicago Booth, and Yale SOM. Coming from a non-traditional background, Kseniia shares how she overcame challenges like a low GPA, five GMAT attempts, and rejections. Learn how she crafted a compelling narrative, leveraged international experience, and aced her MBA applications to some of the most prestigious business schools in the world.

In this GMAT Success Story episode, we delve into the GMAT journeys of Piyush a petroleum engineer from ISM Dhanbad, India, currently working in the oil and energy sector. Piyush recently scored a 735 in GMAT Focus attempt, hitting the 100th percentile on his 4th attempt. After preparing on and off for the GMAT for almost two years, today he is here with us to share his journey and help you avoid the mistakes that he initially made. So guys get ready to be inspired as we dive into his GMAT journey!

Experiential Learning is a differentiator for NYU Stern students and a critical piece of the MBA journey for many Sternies. In this podcast with GMAT Club, Sternies' will share their individual stories about Experiential Learning opportunities.

In this GMAT experience talk show, we talk to Tavishi, a young MBA aspirant from India who recently scored 725 in her latest GMAT Focus exam. It’s a 99.9 percentile score on the new GMAT Focus edition and she achieved this feat in her first GMAT attempt. Tavishi faced many problems in her GMAT prep as many other test-takers; She wasn’t able to study long hours due to her demanding work schedule; she would often lose interest after studying for a day or two; she would rush through the test for lack of time management, sacrificing accuracy. She eventually overcame these challenges, made significant improvements in her preparation & practicing strategies, made the most of the Magoosh GMAT course she had purchased and faced her actual GMAT attempt with full confidence and scored 725. In this podcast, we talk to Tavishi and try to understand her GMAT journey in her own words.

In this video, Maria Wich-Vila, founder of ApplicantLab teaches how to draft a competitive MBA application quickly. In this session, she will cover: * 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"?

In this conversation with Ankit Mehra, IESE MBA and CEO & Co-Founder, of GyanDhan, we will discuss how prospective MBA students can finance their MBA education with education loans and scholarships.

Join us in a comprehensive talk about the F1 Student Visa process with, Travis Feuerbacher, former U.S. Visa Officers and licensed U.S. immigration attorney having expertise working for the U.S. Department of State, making decisions on over 180,000 visa applications to the United States. In this session, we will walk you through the process of applying for a US Student Visa. We will cover everything from the interview questions you may encounter to the proof of funding required for your visa application. We will also cover some of the common reasons for visa refusal. Getting your US Student Visa can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation and knowledge, you can increase your chances of success. Make sure to watch till the end for valuable tips and insights on navigating the visa application process. If you are a prospective international student looking to study in the United States, this video is a must-watch. Don't let the visa application process overwhelm you - let us help you every step of the way. Subscribe to our channel for more helpful tips and advice on studying abroad and visa application processes.

Let’s face it; many applicants typically apply to 5 or more MBA programs and usually, there is a great deal of overlap between the mba application essay prompts of business schools. Here's the catch: while prompts may look similar across different applications, each business school has its own set of expectations. So, how do we navigate this labyrinth without squandering your valuable time and energy? In this video, Brian T. Fobi (Founder of Gurufi.com) explains how to repurpose your mba essays for multiple MBA applications, tips for personal statements, Do's and Don'ts in MBA application essays.

Join us as we go behind the scenes with former Admission Directors of Top business schools to give you an inside look at what really happens after you submit your MBA application. How applications are processed, who reads your essays, GMAT and GRE test scores, resumes, work experience, and recommendation letters, what criteria are taken into consideration, how decisions are made. this video former adcoms provide valuable insights into MBA admissions process, how to prepare for your MBA interview, how to answer behavioral interview questions, how to explain gap year, and provide tips on what candidates should keep in mind. Don't miss out on this exclusive behind the scenes peek into the MBA application process. Stay tuned for more insider tips and advice on navigating the competitive world of MBA admissions.