Empowering future leaders to land the MBA of their dreams. 🚀 From higher ed executive to entrepreneurial innovator, I've spent years on the frontlines of Graduate Management Education, shaping how tomorrow’s leaders are formed. Now, I’m bringing that experience directly to you, connecting ambitious minds with the right MBA paths to unlock their full potential. Because where there’s a will, I find the way.
If this is the #1 quality MBA programs want, how are you showing it?
What do MBA Admissions Committees really want?Ask a group of MBA AdComs to name the number one quality they look for in candidates, and one word will rise to the top: Self-awareness. It’s no coincidence that the entire MBA application process is designed to test this very quality. After all, how else would you answer essays like the HBS one asking, "What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become?" But this leads to an important question… What does self-awareness really mean?Self-awareness is more than just knowing your strengths and weaknesses. It’s about understanding who you are and how you’re perceived by others. It’s being in tune with your role in team successes, your contributions to your workplace, and how your values drive your actions - in both life and leadership. But here’s the catch... The surprising self-awareness gapHarvard Business School research found something eye-opening: while 95% of people think they’re self-aware, only about 10-15% actually are. That’s a pretty wide gap, isn’t it? No wonder in another study, 99% of respondents reported working with at least one annoying, un-self-aware colleague. Sound familiar? So, how do you make sure you’re part of that top 10-15% - the truly self-aware? Especially when you know that MBA programs are watching closely? How can YOU show the self-awareness MBA programs look for?It starts with frequent self-reflection. You have to take time to evaluate your actions, decisions, and the outcomes they create. This doesn’t mean endlessly questioning yourself but rather taking a moment to pause and process. Journaling is one powerful tool for this - it helps identify patterns in your behavior and emotions. But reflection alone isn’t enough. You also need perspective. From brainstorming to breakthroughs: A Round 1 candidate’s MBA essays approachWith Round 1 wrapping up, I had the pleasure of interviewing one of my MBA ABC participants about his essay writing journey. He opens up about the entire process - from the early stages of brainstorming to finalizing his essays - offering candid insights into the challenges, the pivotal role self-reflection played in shaping his strategy, and the value of being willing to start fresh when a story didn’t quite hit the mark. Curious about how he overcame the MBA essay writing challenges and refined his essays? ​Dive into the full interview for all the insights.​ Onwards and upwards, Petia |
My MBA Path
Empowering future leaders to land the MBA of their dreams. 🚀 From higher ed executive to entrepreneurial innovator, I've spent years on the frontlines of Graduate Management Education, shaping how tomorrow’s leaders are formed. Now, I’m bringing that experience directly to you, connecting ambitious minds with the right MBA paths to unlock their full potential. Because where there’s a will, I find the way.
How the "why MBA" question got twisted I saw a version of this maddening mistake three times on r/mba this week alone. Sometimes I chime in but it's, of course, a futile battle. The myth persists, kept alive by MBA candidates (or admits) and MBA admissions consultants alike. As a rule, these are people who never sat on the other side of the table as admissions directors. But somewhere along the way, they decided that "why MBA" means you, MBA hopeful, have to prove well beyond reasonable doubt...
Truth or Myth: MBA Essays Can Save a Low GMAT or GRE? You’ve probably heard it before: “Great MBA essays can make up for a poor GMAT, but a great GMAT can’t make up for poor essays.” It’s a saying as old as admissions forums themselves, and while it sounds catchy, it’s far from entirely accurate. Yes, essays are critical. But let’s get one thing straight: the GMAT and GRE measure something entirely different. Your essays won’t tell AdComs how well you think under pressure with the timer on....
Hard Truth #1: The MBA AdCom can love you and still say "no" to you. In MBA admissions, knowledge is power. The learning curve can be steep, and reapplying is no fun. As a former Dean of MBA Admissions, I’ve closely tracked trends in the MBA admissions space for over a decade. I’ve observed the ebb and flow of application volumes and the evolving profiles and motivations of applicants to top MBA programs. When I launched My MBA Path, I quickly joined AIGAC, the Association of International...