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.