Overcoming 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 he work as an HBS Admissions Officer—as well as her masters and doctoral work—to:

• Dive into the scienctific underpinings of anxiety, what it is, and where it comes from
• Share perspectives from various experts about phsiology 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 axiety 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.

After you submit your MBA applications, should you contact the admissions committee with updates on your candidacy? What should you do if you find an error in your materials? Should you start preparing for your interviews now?

This episode answers those questions and more, and advises listeners on the best way to make use of their time between submission deadlines and their interviews.

Life Lessons I'd wished I learned 20 Years Ago – Part 2: B-Schooled Episode 260

For this occasional ongoing podcast series, our host Chandler speaks with a number of corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, and wellness icons and asks the question: what life lessons do you know today you wish you’d known 20 years ago?

In this episode, Chandler shares 5 pieces of wisdom that stood out – including a personal piece of advice from Stacy Blackman, our founder.

Some of these lessons are narrowly focused on applying to business school. Some lessons are about making the most of the magical period of time you are actually *in* business school. And some lessons center the many years that come after… as you use what you have learned to build a life that is hopefully full of meaning, joy, and impact.

Whether you are applying to business school, in business school, or working as a professional post business school – this is a very special episode not to be missed.

For this episode our host Chandler spoke with a number of corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, and wellness icons and asked the question, what life lessons do you know today that you wish you’d known 20 years ago?

In this episode Chandler shares 5 pieces of wisdom that stood out.

Some of these lessons are narrowly focused on applying to business school. Some lessons are about making the most of the magical period of time you are actually *in* business school. And some lessons center the many years that come after… as you use what you have learned to build a life that is hopefully full of meaning, joy, and impact.

Whether you are applying to business school, in business school, or working as a professional post business school – this is a very special episode not to be missed.

In order to stand out from your MBA competition, you need to take a step back and assess your candidacy from the admissions committee's point of view. This episode explains what they're looking for, how to differentiate yourself if you're in an over-represented demographic or industry bucket, and generally what types of themes successful applicants focus on in their essays.

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.

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 MBA message boards
• What MBA candidates should do if/when they find themselves filled with doubts

Your resume is perhaps the single most important part of your application materials. This episode covers how to maximize that one precious page.