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.