Many interviewers report that they make up a big percentage of their mind about applicants during the first few minutes of an interview. This episode replay shares a number of very specific suggestions and tips to make yourself stand out during these first interactions, now that we're in the thick of Round 2 interview season.

Our host Chandler shares his suggestions for something he calls a “personal MBA soundbite” – including how you can create this soundbite, how you can incorporate it into the beginning of your first question, and how you can use this language to provide a framework for your entire interview.

While each is different, the main goals of a personal MBA soundbite are to:

1. summarize who you are in an interesting/memorable/dynamic/compelling way at the start of your interview,
2. create a framework for the first part of your conversation so that the interviewer understands your life and work experiences in the appropriate context given your future goals, and
3. develop a short *elevator pitch* that can not only be useful as you prep for your interviews… but also in terms of other elements of your admissions journey–from speaking to current students, to alums, to admissions officers, etc.

This episode is perfect for anyone wanting to start off on the right foot for that all-important MBA admission interview.

After you've celebrated the huge achievement of getting into an MBA program, you have to figure out how you're going to pay for it!

This episode replay focuses on the details of paying for your MBA with your own money, with "free" money, or with loaned money. It also includes what the FAFSA is used for and what your program's financial aid office can assist with.

It can be devastating to receive a ding after months of hard work on your MBA applications. This episode replay focuses on what a ding from any given program may or may not mean, and also gives advice on how you might choose to move forward.

In this replay episode of B-Schooled we sit down the Recy Dunn. Recy currently serves as the CEO of Ascend Public Charter Schools and oversees a network of 16 schools serving 6,000 students in grades K-12 across Brooklyn, NY. Prior to his role with Ascend, Recy served as the Chief Strategy Officer of the NYC Department of Education as well as a variety of other education leadership roles at both the local and national levels.

Recy earned his MBA and his MA in Education from Stanford. In this episode, Recy and host Chandler Arnold share:

• Suggestions for MBA students interested in the field of education
• Thoughts focused on how education is a central civil rights issue of our time
• The value of an MBA for those working within school districts, drawing from Recy's experiences in California, DC, and New York
• The value of an MBA for those running education-focused social enterprises, drawing from Recy's experiences leading Ascend Public Charter Schools
• The value of an MBA for those working with philanthropists, drawing from Recy's experiences with the Broad Foundation and receiving an $11M gift from MacKenzie Scott
• Thoughts on diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of education
• Tips for current MBA students who are passionate about education

We can’t thank Recy enough for joining us. Listening to this podcast is a must for anyone passionate about education, equity or leading social enterprises.

In part 2 of this duo of popular past episodes, Cathy, an INSEAD graduate, answers frequently asked questions about MBA programs outside of the US. Topics include the differences between European and US-based MBA experiences, the visa process, the interview process, recruiting information, and more.

In this replay episode, our host Erika talks with Cathy, an SBC consultant and INSEAD grad, about some of the major European MBA programs and how they compare to US-based programs in terms of the admissions process, acceptance rates, campus experience, post-graduation employment opportunities and more.

During Round 2 interview season, this episode replay covers 3 reasons why candidates who seem similar on paper could end up with drastically different MBA admissions results.

While there are deferred-admissions programs for MBA hopefuls who are still in college, is it possible for someone with just 1 or 2 years of work experience to get into an MBA program "the normal way"?

It's not impossible, but it's pretty rare. This episode replay explains why, and gives advice for MBA applicants who are less than 3 years out of college.