logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2022
1h 5m

#196 How I Got Into Berkeley Haas MBA (a...

Darren C. Joe
About this episode

Bridget Pujals shares lessons learned from her MBA application journey, culminating in admits to Harvard, Wharton ($70K scholarship), UCLA Anderson ($100K scholarship), and Berkeley Haas ($175K scholarship). She will attend UC Berkeley Haas this Fall.

While her results are spectacular, Bridget took the GRE three times, and spent two years researching, preparing, and applying to b-schools. As Bridget makes clear, “It was a two year grind to make this happen. No one sees the tears.”

Bridget and Darren discuss the importance of knowing your priorities, starting your essays early, and the benefits of working with an admissions consultant.

And after working in product management roles at Postmates and Facebook for 6 years, Bridget shares her thoughts breaking into product management at startups and tech giants.

Questions

  • Introducing Bridget (0:00)
  • Bridget’s Pre-MBA Career & MBA Application Journey (3:20)
  • Bridget’s Best Application Tips (18:20)
  • Prepping for MBA Interviews (29:00)
  • The Consortium & Scholarships (33:00)
  • Picking & Prepping Recommenders (37:40)
  • Breaking into Product Management (41:00)
  • How Bridget Plans to Pursue Entrepreneurship at Berkeley Haas (54:20)

About Bridget

Bridget Pujals will be attending the UC Berkeley Haas Full-time MBA in Fall 2022, where she will focus on entrepreneurship. After graduating from UC Irvine with a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry, Bridget worked for Postmates in business development and sales before transitioning into a product management role. She then worked for Facebook as a Senior Product Manager (Messenger) and Product Lead (Privacy for Instagram Direct). Bridget also launched a coaching service to help more women break into product management roles in technology and serves as a Startup Mentor for First Round Capital.

Episode write-up and show notes: https://touchmba.com/how-i-got-into-uc-berkeley-haas-mba-bridget-pujals

Get free, personalized school selection help at Touch MBA: https://touchmba.com

Up next
Mar 2024
#220 GLOBIS MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Tomoya Nakamura - "Find Your Kokorozashi"
Sometimes, it's hard to differentiate MBA programs. That is not the case with GLOBIS University, Japan's number 1 MBA, which prizes entrepreneurial skills, societal impact, and helping its students find their kokorozashi (personal mission). Professor Tomoya Nakamura, President of ... Show More
1h 14m
Apr 29
#229 AI's Impact on MBA Careers: An Insider's Perspective
Darren confronts his own "AI anxiety" with Sabine King, Director of the Career Accelerator at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at University of New South Wales (UNSW). Together, they explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the demand for MBA gradu ... Show More
40m 53s
Feb 2025
#228 3 Exercises to Design Your Life and Find Best Fit MBA Programs
Darren shares 3 design thinking exercises from Bill Burnett and Dave Evan's Designing Your Life that will help you build a joyful life - and find MBA programs you are excited about. Topics Introduction (0:00) Make Odyssey Plans - Imagining Life 1, 2 and 3 (3:45) Prototype - "Buil ... Show More
18m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
S8E23: Emily Brierley, Head of MBA Recruitment & Admissions at Cambridge Judge Business School
Send us a textLooking to get your MBA in 2023 or beyond? Then you don't want to miss this conversation with Emily Brierley, Head of MBA Recruitment & Admissions at Cambridge Judge Business School! We discuss all things MBA, including:How to think about if an MBA is right for ... Show More
42m 47s
Oct 2022
S8E19: 2023 MBA Internship Applications - Key Dates + Application Tips
Send us a textIf you're a first year MBA, pay attention. MBB and top boutique consultancies have announced application deadlines for 2023 MBA summer internships. In this episode we're sharing 3 application tips and the key dates you need to know for each firm. Questions ... Show More
8m 54s
Feb 2024
S13E2: Advanced Degree Program Deadlines Are Coming - Here's How to Stand Out
Send us a textFebruary and March is peak application season for advanced degree candidates -  PhDs, MDs, JDs, Postdocs, PharmDs, etc. In fact, the first bridge program application deadlines close on February 19. These bridge programs are a fast track for advanced degrees to break ... Show More
30m 19s
Sep 2022
S8E6: Why I Got My MBA - Stephanie's Journey to Fuqua and (eventually) McKinsey
Send us a text"Should I get an MBA? "Is an MBA right for me?" "When is the right time to get my MBA?"Today, we're answering all your questions about the wisdom of an MBA. Specifically, Duke Fuqua alum and former McKinsey Engagement Manager Stephanie Knight shares her decisio ... Show More
26m 29s
Apr 2022
S6E29: Unlock, BCG's Pre-MBA Summer Program
Send us a textBCG Unlock is a chance for first year MBA candidates to get a head-start on the consulting recruiting process. In this episode, Stephanie chats with BCG’s MBA recruiting leader, Jeff Kovick, about the summer program, who is eligible, why to apply, how the firm is th ... Show More
29m 6s
Oct 2023
30. Consulting 101: Feat. Jane Licurse
Send us a textIn today's episode we break down everything you've ever wanted to know about consulting ranging from a day in the life, how do projects get staffed, what to expect in the interview and more. We also have an honest discussion about business school, burnout ... Show More
1h 4m
May 2022
S7E5: How Consulting Firms View Online MBAs
Send us a textConsulting firms do NOT view online MBAs as favorably as on-campus MBA programs.  While online MBAs are a convenient way to earn a business degree, if you're getting your MBA as a means to break into consulting, you should take pause. In this episode, Jenny Rae ... Show More
6m 41s
Dec 2022
S8E30: A Week in the Life of a BCG Consultant (with Fangfei Yin)
Send us a textFangfei Yin spent 4 years at BCG out of undergrad and is now in the process of getting an MBA at Stanford GSB. On the side, she helps aspiring consultants navigate the rigorous journey into the industry as a Management Consulted coach. In the episode, we discuss:Key ... Show More
24m 1s
Mar 2024
51. Private Wealth Management "PWM" 101 (for the Ultra Rich) Feat. Tony Abbiati
Send us a textManaging the wealth of the world's richest clientele is an exciting, prestigious, high stakes business.  We sat down with Tony Abbiati, CEO of SCS Financial, an ultra high net worth private wealth management firm to understand the business model of RIAs (Regist ... Show More
1h 10m
Aug 2023
Advice for MBAs interested in economic development and real estate: B-Schooled episode 173
In this episode host Chandler Arnold sits down with Melissa Román Burch, Chief Operating Officer at the NYC Economic Development Corporation and HBS alum. In her current role, Melissa mobilizes public and private investment through tax incentive programs, tax exempt bond financin ... Show More
36m 12s