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AMA/Office Hours with Former Stanford GSB Admissions Director [7/15/2026] (Recording)

I spent more than 16 years working at Stanford GSB, including five years as Executive Director of the school's Center for Leadership, where I helped revamp the MBA leadership curriculum, and more than a decade as Director of the Stanford MSx Program and Director of Admissions. I taught electives, advised students, strategized with the deans, and read thousands of applications. If business school is your objective, I'm happy to offer any insight I have to the admission process and how to maximize its value proposition.

MBA Application Teardown: Transform Your “Why MBA / Why Now” Essay [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Struggling with your Why MBA, Why Now essay? You are not alone. This session is the opening of a three-part MBA Application Teardown series, where I take real, anonymized application materials, tear them down the way an admissions reader would, and rebuild them into something sharper and more memorable, live and in front of you. We begin with the essay at the center of every application: the goals essay that answers why you want an MBA and why now. Across the three sessions, we rebuild the pieces that carry the most weight: your goals essay, your short answers, and your resume. Attend all three to see how a complete application comes together as one coherent story, or drop into the single session you need most. In this teardown, you will watch a generic goals essay become a specific, compelling one: • See how an essay that feels deeply personal to the writer reads as generic to an admissions officer, and exactly why. • Learn the difference between stating your ambition and making it credible and memorable. • Watch vague career goals sharpen into a clear, believable through-line of why an MBA and why now. • See how the rebuilt essay becomes the spine that every other part of your application must reinforce. This is the essay everything else hangs on. Once your goals essay is sharp, your resume, short answers, recommendations, and interviews all have a center of gravity to point toward. Getting it right is challenging because you cannot read your own goals the way a stranger will. Watching it happen to someone else's essay is a great way to see your own clearly. I have guided more than 100 applicants into every M7 program, across the top 20 in the U.S., and into leading international programs, including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Get the essays that everything else depends on admission-ready. Register now to claim your spot in the live teardown.

5 Common MBA Application Weaknesses and How to Overcome Them [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you worried about potential weaknesses in your MBA application? Join me as we identify and, more importantly, talk about how to overcome common MBA application weaknesses. Having worked through a couple of these myself to earn admission into multiple M7 programs, I look forward to helping you maximize your chances of admission at M7s and beyond.

HELP -- I'm Non-Traditional! AMA with Jessica B [6/8/2026] (Recording)

You didn't take the standard path. That doesn't mean you can't get into a top program — it means you need a sharper strategy than most. This is an open AMA for applicants who don't fit the typical mold: career changers, military veterans, physicians, founders, late-career applicants, people with non-linear resumes, or anyone who's ever wondered whether admissions committees will know what to do with them. I've worked with all of you. Since 2006, my clients have come from backgrounds that don't map neatly onto the McKinsey-to-HBS pipeline — and they've gotten into M7 programs anyway, frequently with scholarship. Three times Poets & Quants has recognized me as one of the best admissions consultants in the field. Bring your specific situation. Ask me whether your background is a liability or an asset, how to frame a career that's hard to explain in 250 words, whether EMBA or full-time MBA makes more sense for where you are, or anything else that's been keeping you up at night. No slides. No agenda. Just answers.

Intel Collection for the MBA: Schools, Careers, and the Application [6/11/2026] (Recording)

This is the second session in the MDMP for MBA series series structured around the seven phases of the Military Decision-Making Process. Each session stands on its own, but together they form a complete framework for military and veteran applicants to systematically and strategically approach the MBA admissions process. In this session, we'll focus on mission analysis and cover how to collect HUMINT and AI-enabled SIGINT to improve your understanding of the critical elements of MBA application: target schools (including class profiles, employment outcomes, and culture), post-MBA career paths (industries, functions, recruiting pipelines, compensation), and the components of the application itself (essays, recommendations, and academic preparation. We'll also cover resources available to military and veteran applicants, from the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon to Service to School and school veterans clubs. By the end, you'll know how to build your candidate school list, how to research post-MBA careers, and how to gather the intelligence that makes every later decision in the process a sound one. Hosted by Ian Kennedy, former Army Special Forces (18E, 1st SFG) and Stanford MBA/MS, who has coached military and veteran applicants into admissions at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, LBS, Duke, and more.

Top 5 AI Prompts Every MBA Applicant Should Master [7/11/2026] (Recording)

While you cannot use AI to write your essays (the adcom can tell!), in this session we will look at how to use AI as a smart diagnostic tool to strengthen your application materials. You will walk away with five specific prompts that help you audit your own work, strip out generic phrasing, and highlight the true impact of your achievements. While AI is excellent for identifying gaps and pressure testing your narrative consistency, it cannot replace the nuanced positioning that comes from human strategy. This session will show you how to use technology to clean up the baseline copy so you can then focus your energy on the deep personalization required for top tier programs.

How to Choose the Right International Career Move [6/10/2026] (Recording)

If you're considering a move abroad, a degree in another country, or a pivot into a more international career, the hardest part is often not ambition: it's choosing well. A lot of smart professionals get stuck between several “good” options: stay where you are and keep building, go abroad for a master's, switch markets, accept a less obvious opportunity that may open bigger doors later, or wait for a clearer path. This webinar is designed to help you think through those decisions more strategically. In this session, we'll look at how to evaluate an international move in a way that goes beyond excitement, fear, or generic expat advice. We’ll cover how to weigh career upside against cost, visa realities, employability, timing, and quality of life, and how to identify which option actually fits your long-term goals. In this webinar, you'll learn: - how to evaluate whether an international move is strategically worth it - when a degree abroad makes sense and when it probably doesn’t - how to compare countries, cities, and career markets more realistically - what people often underestimate about visas, employability, and timing - how to choose between a safer path and a more ambitious one - how to make a move that is not just exciting, but coherent By the end of the session, you’ll leave with: - a clearer framework for evaluating your next international career step - better questions to ask before committing time, money, or energy - a more realistic understanding of what makes a move viable - more clarity on whether your best next step is to relocate, study, stay put, or reposition first This webinar is for professionals who are: - considering relocating for work - debating whether to pursue a master’s or MBA abroad - trying to break into a new international market - weighing multiple career paths across countries - looking for a more strategic way to plan a global career move Whether you're early in the process or already deciding between specific options, this session will help you think more clearly and move forward with a stronger strategy.

Cómo posicionarte para una búsqueda de empleo internacional [6/22/2026] (Recording)

Buscar trabajo en un contexto internacional no consiste solo en traducir tu CV al inglés o postular a más ofertas. Muchas veces, el verdadero problema es otro: tienes experiencia, capacidades y criterio, pero tu perfil no se entiende con claridad fuera de tu mercado, tu sector o tu país. En este webinar veremos cómo posicionarte mejor para oportunidades internacionales, para que tu experiencia tenga más sentido para recruiters, hiring managers y programas en entornos globales. Hablaremos de cómo presentar tu trayectoria de forma más clara, cómo destacar lo que realmente importa y cómo construir una narrativa profesional que resulte creíble, relevante y competitiva. En este webinar aprenderás a: - entender por qué un perfil sólido puede perder fuerza en un proceso internacional - identificar qué partes de tu experiencia no se están traduciendo bien fuera de tu contexto local - presentar tu trayectoria de una manera más clara, estratégica y atractiva - construir un perfil que conecte mejor con empleadores internacionales - mejorar la forma en que explicas tu experiencia en tu CV, LinkedIn y entrevistas - evitar errores comunes al postular a oportunidades globales Al final de la sesión, saldrás con: - una idea más clara de cómo posicionar tu perfil para el mercado internacional - un mejor marco para explicar tu experiencia y tus fortalezas - más claridad sobre qué cambiar en tu CV, LinkedIn y narrativa profesional - una forma más estratégica de presentarte para oportunidades fuera de tu país o sector actual Este webinar es para profesionales que: - quieren acceder a empleos en empresas internacionales o en otro país - están intentando reorientar su perfil hacia un mercado más global - sienten que su experiencia tiene valor, pero no está “aterrizando” bien en procesos internacionales - quieren presentarse con más claridad, confianza y estrategia - están aplicando a roles globales, programas internacionales o posiciones en inglés Tanto si estás empezando tu búsqueda como si ya llevas tiempo postulando sin conseguir la respuesta que esperabas, esta sesión te ayudará a entender cómo hacer que tu perfil sea más claro, más legible y más competitivo en un contexto internacional.

Nailing the CBS MBA Essays w/ New 2026 Tips! [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle the Columbia Business School MBA essays with confidence? Join me, Melanie, for an exclusive session where we'll dive into the latest tips for the 2026 application cycle. With my background as an MBA Admissions Interviewer at CBS and an MBA alum from both Columbia Business School, I have the insights you need to craft compelling essays that stand out. In this session, we'll cover proven, actionable strategies specific to each of Columbia's essays. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or a dual degree program, this event is designed to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you on your journey to CBS!

MBA Application Fundamentals for Non-Traditional Candidates [7/7/2026] (Recording)

Are you applying to business school with a non-traditional or non-business background? Are you intimidated by the application process, unsure on where to start, or just a little stuck on ways to communicate your experience? If so, this session is for you! ​During this event, we'll discuss: • Common myths about MBA class profiles • Current trends in MBA admissions • Market trends about post-MBA jobs • How non-traditional candidates can stand out About Laura: I've led a multifaceted career path across the entertainment, tech, marketing, and consulting industries, with a particular focus on guiding MBA candidates toward their dreams. Early on, I recognized that I wanted to pursue marketing. To learn more about it, I networked, listened, pitched myself, and floated the idea of pursuing an MBA. I heard "no" more often than not, and I forged ahead. The University of Michigan - Ross School of Business's full-time MBA was a transformational experience, building my business foundation, practical experience, network, and confidence. Simultaneously, I started paying it forward to future MBA candidates. My professional and MBA admissions consulting experience make me uniquely qualified to support candidates seeking admission to top MBA programs to facilitate their professional and development goals. As a marketing professional, I've: 🧱 Established departments at 4 startups – from Series A to publicly held companies 📈 Generated demand for >50% of revenue across 2 organizations 🚀 Launched new products, features, and lines of service 💵 Served at 2 consecutive organizations with acquisition exits ↗️ Ascended to the VP of Marketing role on an executive leadership team As an MBA admissions consultant, I've: 🥇 Contributed to 2 leading MBA admissions firms 📝 Collaborated with >300 candidates applying to top MBA programs 🎓 Facilitated successful applications to all M7, Top 20 U.S., and Top 10 international MBA programs 💰 Enabled clients to earn millions of dollars in scholarship funding 💫 Co-founded a brand and earned consistent 5-star ratings from satisfied clients

✍️ Write MBA Essays That Stand Out: Why MBA, Why Now, Why This School [6/25/2026] (Recording)

🤔Are you struggling to write clear, specific, and convincing answers to “Why an MBA?”, “Why now?”, and “Why this school?” These three questions sit at the heart of almost every strong MBA application. They may look simple, but weak answers are one of the fastest ways to sound generic, unfocused, or interchangeable with thousands of other applicants. In this focused 45-minute session, you’ll learn how to turn these core essay themes into a sharper, more differentiated MBA story. ✍️ We’ll break down what admissions committees are really looking for, why these questions matter so much, and the most common mistakes applicants make when writing about their goals, timing, and school fit. You’ll see examples drawn from successful MBA application materials, along with detailed analysis of what makes an answer strong or weak. We’ll cover how to connect your background, career goals, personal motivations, and school research into essays that feel specific, credible, and authentic. You’ll also learn how to avoid vague claims like “global network,” “diverse community,” and “leadership opportunities,” and replace them with school-specific details that actually strengthen your candidacy. By the end of the session, you’ll understand how to: ✅ Build stronger answers to “Why MBA?”, “Why now?”, and “Why this school?” ✅ Connect your past experience to your future goals ✅ Show real school fit without sounding generic ✅ Make your essays more personal, strategic, and admissions-ready ✅ Avoid common essay mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications We’ll close with a live Q&A where you can ask about your own essay strategy, school fit, goals, or anything that wasn’t fully clear from the presentation. Seats are limited, so register now to strengthen one of the most important parts of your MBA application. 🚀 ⭐ Plus, attendees who stay for the full session will automatically be entered to win a free 1-hour coaching session with me, a $259 value.