B-Schooled: Get Your MBA Admit

Round 1 of the 2026-27 MBA application cycle is soon drawing to a close, and along with those deadlines comes a surge in self-sabotaging applicant behavior. This episode covers 3 things you should do before submitting, as well as 3 mistakes you should avoid making after your materials are in.

Attention GRE and GMAT test-takers! Did you know there are certain words in a given reading passage that can help you quickly figure out the correct MBA admissions test answers? Well, there are, and we call them "indicator words." Indicator words are among the most powerful tools for solving several types of verbal questions on both the GMAT and the GRE. In this episode, SBC's Director of MBA Test Prep, Anthony Ritz, walks through what indicator words are, what they do, and how they are used to solve problems. The episode concludes with a full example question, in which Stacy Blackman herself applies these lessons to produce the correct answer using only two words from the argument. If you prefer to watch this episode (as screens are shown with test questions), you can find it on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/stacyblackmanconsulting Learn more about SBC's MBA Test Prep services here: https://www.stacyblackman.com/testprep/ The example question discussed during the episode is: Historian: Newton developed mathematical concepts and techniques that are fundamental to modern calculus. Leibniz developed closely analogous concepts and techniques. It has traditionally been thought that these discoveries were independent. Researchers have, however, recently discovered notes of Leibniz's that discuss one of Newton's books on mathematics. Several scholars have argued that since the book includes a presentation of Newton's calculus concepts and techniques, and since the notes were written before Leibniz' own development of calculus concepts and techniques, it is virtually certain that the traditional view is false. A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however. Leibniz' notes are limited to early sections of Newton's book, sections that precede the ones in which Newton's calculus concepts and techniques are presented. In the historian's reasoning, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles? (A) The first provides evidence in support of the overall position that the historian defends; the second is evidence that has been used to support an opposing position. (B) The first provides evidence in support of the overall position that the historian defends; the second is that position. (C) The first provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion that is drawn to provide support for the overall position that the historian defends; the second provides evidence against that intermediate conclusion. (D) The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is evidence offered in support of the historian's own position. (E) The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is further information that substantiates that evidence.

In this replay of one of our most popular episodes, Anthony Ritz, Stacy Blackman Consulting's Director of Test Prep -- who's been a GMAT and GRE tutor for more than two decades -- shares a range of specific suggestions, tips and proven test-prep strategies for the GRE's Vocabulary section. Check out Stacy Blackman Consultings MBA Test Prep services here.

In this episode we discuss the unique value proposition offered by Cornell's Johnson Graduate school of management via a variety of MBA programs. Cornell offers a full two year MBA on its Ithaca campus, a one year, tech focused MBA at its NYC campus and hybrid MBA programs split between it's NYC and Ithaca campuses. Cornell also offers deferred MBA admission via its Future Leaders program. In this podcast, the dean of Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of management, Vishal Gaur, and the head of its NYC one year program, Manoj Thomas discuss the various programs offered by the school, what makes them unique, what they look for in candidates, key trends affecting the MBA landscape and much more.

This episode is the first half of a two-part series discussing 12 things that admitted MBA applicants should be doing between now and heading to campus in the fall.. Part 1 covers To Do's related to an applicant's current and future networks, as well as other important actions to take before leaving a job. We also discuss how to head off possible issues with your background check after you're admitted. If that's something that concerns you, be sure to check out SBC's MBA PreCheck service (on our website under "Work With Us"). Stay tuned for Part 2 next week!

In the second installment of our Paths Less Traveled series, Stacy Blackman interviews Terry Cumes and Tristen Langley, a married couple who share how the same Stanford GSB foundation led one to global wellness entrepreneurship and the other to top-tier technology investing — and what this says about career optionality, partnership, and long-term impact. Here are the full bios for these amazing interviewees: Tristen Langley has over twenty-three years of experience in venture capital, operations, M&A and equities research with leading international investment and technology companies. Langley sourced, led and was operationally involved with private investments that have returned over $5 billion to investors. Tristen Langley holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She completed her graduate studies in software engineering at the Fraunhofer IESE, Germany. She earned a Bachelor of Science (First Class Honors) from the University of New South Wales and was the recipient of the University Medal. Tristen is now the Executive Director and Cofounder of Amalfi Capital Management, Limited. Terry Cumes is an international executive who has built, launched, and managed several global travel and education businesses. Terry is currently the CEO of Willka T'ika Essential Wellness, Peru's original luxury wellness center located in the Sacred Valley. Under Terry's leadership, Willka T'ika welcomes scores of groups each year from around the world. Each group is unique with programmatic themes ranging from yoga and mindfulness to transformative leadership in business. In 2022, Willka T'ika was included in "9 of the World's Best Wellness Retreats" by CNN and nominated "Best Digital Detox Retreat" by Vogue Magazine.

This episode discusses how accepted MBA candidates should go about asking for an increase in merit aid; the four situations a candidate might be in and their associated negotiating tactics; and detailed advice for approaching such an ask over the phone vs. email.

In this episode, Erika explains how your social media behavior could affect your MBA candidacy — positively or negatively. She covers what admissions committees might be looking for on your online profiles and platforms that could be problematic, as well as what kinds of social media posts might actually end up strengthening your candidacy. She also explains how reviews of your social media accounts don't end once you're admitted.