In this episode, Shaifali Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Ivy Groupe MBA Admissions Consulting, dives deep into MBA application essays and school interviews. She discusses the importance of each in the application process, emphasizing the need for authenticity and self-reflection. Shaifali also shares practical tips for writing compelling essays, common mistakes applicants make, and how to manage stress during the writing process. The second half of the conversation covers the role of interviews, the types of interviews, the most common questions asked, and strategies for effective preparation.

Takeaways:

Authenticity and reflection are key to standing out.
Understanding the intent behind essay questions is crucial.
Storytelling should connect experiences to larger themes.
Avoid writing what you think admissions committees want to hear.
Generative AI can assist in research but not in writing essays.
Start with self-reflection before writing your essays.
Practice common interview questions out loud for confidence.
Know your application inside out for interviews.
Follow up with interviewers to express gratitude.

Chapters:

01:21 - Meet Shaifali
03:05 - What are MBA Essays?
05:06 - Different Types of Essay Questions
07:57 - Types of MBA Essays and Their Purpose
10:58 - Storytelling in Essays
12:19 - AI in Essay Writing
13:42 - Common Mistakes in Essay Writing
15:05 - Adding a Personal Touch
18:03 - Practical Writing Tips
20:27 - Incorporating Feedback Effectively
22:30 - Managing Stress While Writing
23:47 - The Role of Interviews in MBA Applications
25:37 - Types of MBA Interviews
28:20 - Common Interview Questions and Strategies
32:36 - Job vs. MBA Interview
33:41 - Interview Preparation Essentials
36:44 - Managing Interview Stress
38:58 - Post-Interview Follow-Up and Reflection
39:55 - Outro

Essays, Interviews, & Stress