The Touch MBA Admissions Podcast

Hosted by Darren C. Joe

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235

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May 2026

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About the show

Get an inside look at how top business schools assess MBA applicants. Interviews with MBA Admissions Directors and students from the world's top-ranked MBA programs. Discover what makes each business school unique. Strategies and tips on how to craft winning MBA applications. Straight talk on how to get accepted to MBA programs like Harvard, Insead, LBS, NUS and many, many more.

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June 16, 2026Episode 23727 min

#237 3 Storytelling Strategies to Power Up your MBA Application (from Storytelling Champion & Author Matthew Dicks)

Almost two years ago, I heard 10-time Moth GrandSLAM winner and novelist Matthew Dicks share his storytelling secrets on the Knowledge Project Podcast with Shane Parrish. Then, I listened to entire the 2-hour podcast again, it was that good! I've now listened to this interview three times!I wanted to share 3 storytelling tips from the episode to help you craft compelling stories for your MBA applications.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)Story is Change over Time (3:00)The Architecture of Story: How to Structure your Stories (12:45)Beginnings: Give Them a Reason to Listen (15:10)How to Maintain Interest: Stakes, Suspense, Surprise (17:00)Summarizing Key Takeaways (22:30)Show NotesThe Knowledge Project Podcast: How to Become a Master Storyteller (and IMPOSSIBLE to Ignore)Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling by Matthew DicksStories Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Brand by Matthew Dicks#113 Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*tResources for MBA Applicants⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠Join our Admissions Edge Course & Community⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

May 19, 2026Episode 23625 min

#236 Get Ahead Before You Apply with MBA Pre-Assessments

Many top-ranked MBA programs in Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia actively encourage applicants to connect with admissions teams before submitting an application. But most applicants don't know this - or are too nervous to reach out.Should you contact admissions before you're ready? What if you haven't taken the GMAT yet, or your resume isn't polished? And how do you make sure the conversation is actually useful for both sides?In this episode, Darren invites Admissions Directors from three top-ranked programs - IESE (Spain), CUHK (Hong Kong), and AGSM (Australia) - to guide you on how to approach these early conversations, what to expect, and how to use them to strengthen your application.If you're considering reaching out to an MBA admissions team before applying, listen to this first.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)What is an MBA Pre-Assessment? with Roanne Law, CUHK MBA (3:15)How to Engage Early - Tips & Expectations with Patrik Wallen, IESE MBA (11:15)Addressing Common Concerns About Pre-Assessments with Kenneth Cheung, AGSM MBA (18:30)Show NotesCUHK MBAIESE MBAAGSM MBAGet pre-assessed by top MBA programs#116 Interacting with MBA Admissions Officers at Events#192 MBA Coffee Chats: Thoughtful Advice on How to Get the Most Out of Your MBA with Adam Putterman, Kellogg MMM ’19Resources for MBA ApplicantsGet free school selection help at Touch MBAGet pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠Join our Admissions Edge Course & Community⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

May 12, 2026Episode 2351 hr 16 min

#235 EDHEC Global MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Sandra Richez

Sandra Richez has spent two decades overseeing each aspect of the EDHEC Global MBA - from admissions and curriculum to career outcomes and alumni relations. As Program Director, she has a clear view of what distinguishes the program, and she didn't hold back in this conversation.We cover a range of topics: EDHEC's history, reputation and location in Nice, France, how the program's 10-month format attracts a more experienced and collaborative cohort, and why the MBA consistently ranks among the top 10 worldwide for return on investment. Sandra also walks through EDHEC's scholarship opportunities, career resources, and how the school continues to evolve its curriculum - most recently around AI and sustainability - to stay relevant in a fast-changing business environment.The admissions section is particularly valuable. Sandra offers specific guidance on resumes, recommendations, interviews and essays that any MBA applicant would benefit from hearing, regardless of which school they are targeting.TopicsProgram Highlights - What Makes the EDHEC MBA Unique?Introduction (0:00)What Makes the EDHEC MBA Unique? (5:00)EDHEC's Student & Learning Culture (17:20)EDHEC MBA's Return On Investment (24:10)EDHEC MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances? What EDHEC Looks for from MBA Applicants (32:10)GMAT/GRE Scores (36:45)Tips on EDHEC MBA's Recommendations, Resumes, Video & In-Person Interviews, Timed Essays (39:00)How EDHEC MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (52:15)Career Opportunities at EDHEC - What to Know & How to PrepareHow to Leverage EDHEC's Career Resources to Land Post-MBA Jobs (57:25)EDHEC's Industry Placements (1:06:00)Advice for MBAs in an Era of AI Disruption (1:08:30)Last Career Tips for MBA Applicants (1:13:00)About Our GuestSandra Richez is Program Director of the Global MBA at EDHEC Business School, where she was also previously Head of Global MBA Career Services & Student Affairs. Before coming to EDHEC, Sandra led Executive Education & Training for Accor Hotels, ESSEC, SKEMA, and ISC Paris. Sandra majored in International Relations & French at Tufts University and got her Masters in Hospitality from ESSEC in partnership with Cornell's School of Hotel Administration.Show NotesEDHEC Global MBAThe Best MBA Programs in FranceMBA Application Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)⁠

April 1, 2026Episode 23456 min

#234 HKUST MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Stephen Shih

The HKUST MBA has been one of Asia's top-ranked MBAs for many years - the Financial Times has ranked it top 25 globally 15 times. But, what is it actually like to study there?Stephen Shih, Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School and a former Partner at Bain & Company, shares what makes the HKUST MBA unique. We cover Hong Kong's strategic importance, the benefits of studying at a renowned science and technology university, HKUST's flexible curriculum, and the differences between the 12 and 16-month program options. Stephen also shares his views on AI's impact on MBA careers, what employers are prioritizing, and what the HKUST admissions team actually looks for beyond GMAT scores.Program Highlights - What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique?Introduction (0:00)What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique? (8:25)How HKUST is "Future-Proofing" its MBA as AI Reshapes Business (13:20)Why Hong Kong for Your MBA (20:00)HKUST MBA's 12 and 16-Month Course Structure (22:45)HKUST MBA's Student & Learning Culture (25:00)HKUST MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances? What HKUST MBA Looks for from Applicants (27:00)Post-MBA Goals (29:00)Interviews (31:05)GMAT/GRE Scores (32:15)Stephen's Final Application Tips (35:50)How HKUST MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (37:35)Career Opportunities at HKUST - What to Know & How to PrepareHow to Leverage HKUST's Career Resources to Land Post-MBA Jobs (40:30)HKUST Industry Placements & Resources for Entrepreneurs (45:45)What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Hong Kong, China & Asia-Pacific (51:00)Maximizing ROI at the HKUST MBA (52:15)About Our GuestStephen Shih is the Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Learning & Development at Bain & Company in Shanghai, China. Stephen served as Head of MBA Career Services and Corporate Relations at HKUST from 2010-11 before returning to Bain & Company as a Partner and leading its organization practice in Asia-Pacific. Stephen majored in Economics at Princeton University and got his MBA from UCLA Anderson.Show NotesHKUST MBAHKUST MBA ScholarshipsHKUST Entrepreneurship CenterHKUST MBA SuperConnector PodcastHKUST Full-time MBA Highlights by Touch MBAMBA Application Resources⁠⁠⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)⁠

January 29, 2026Episode 23318 min

#233 6 Ways to Make Your Application Stick (Repost)

Your MBA application is a "movie preview" of what is to come - a pitch for your candidacy. Imagine an admissions officer reading hundreds of applications. How can you get this gatekeeper to pay attention, remember you, believe you, care about you, and act on your application in a positive way (we must interview her!)?In this reposted episode, Darren uses the marketing classic Made to Stick as inspiration for how to create a memorable MBA application.Six elements - Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Story (SUCCES) - are the building blocks of sticky ideas. Be sure to incorporate all 6 elements into your MBA application.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)Your MBA Application is Like a Movie Preview (3:25)Simple (7:15)Unexpected (8:45)Concrete (10:40)Credible (11:05)Emotional (12:30)Story (14:35)Show Notes#113 Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t#200 The 3S’s of Scintillating Storytelling#51 Stalking the Story for Your MBA Essays#83 MBA Essays that Work – Candid Thoughts on Essays, Authenticity and Being YourselfMade to Stick, by Chip and Dan HeathResources for MBA ApplicantsGet free school selection help at Touch MBAGet pre-assessed by top international MBA programsOur favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

October 30, 2025Episode 2321 hr 33 min

#232 IESE MBA Admissions Insights with Patrik Wallen

What does IESE look for in MBA applicants? How do they evaluate your academic aptitude, post-MBA career goals, leadership potential and fit? In this episode, IESE MBA Admissions Director Patrik Wallen shares candid insights into what makes candidates stand out — and what makes IESE’s two-year MBA unique.Program Highlights - What Makes the IESE MBA Unique?Introduction (0:00)What Makes the IESE MBA Unique? (3:30)IESE's Reputation with Employers (11:30)IESE MBA's Two-Year Course Structure (14:27) Living, Studying & Working in Barcelona, Spain (18:37)The Importance of Speaking the Local Language: Spanish (25:10)IESE MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances? What IESE MBA Looks for When Building a Class (28:00)Patrik's Thoughts on Post-MBA Goals (37:00)GMAT/GRE Scores & GPA (41:45)Resumes (48:00)Written Essays & Video Essays (52:45)Letters of Recommendation (55:35)Interviews & IESE MBA's Assessment Day (57:45)How IESE MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (1:03:35)Career Opportunities at IESE - What to Know & How to PrepareHas AI Affected Recruiting for Consulting? (1:10:55)IESE MBA's Grading System (1:17:30)What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Spain & Europe (1:20:05)Structured Recruiting & Unstructured Recruiting: What Applicants Can Expect from IESE's Career Services (1:27:45)About Our GuestPatrik Wallen is the MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School. Previously, he was Director of IESE's Career Development Center. Before joining IESE, Patrik worked as a general manager in hospitality, founded a fish importing business and worked as a software consultant. Patrik got his Masters in Science in Computer Science from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and his MBA from IESE in 2007.Show NotesIESE MBAGet feedback on your profile from IESE MBA's Admissions Team before you applyIESE MBA Scholarships and Post-Graduation Payment Aid (PPA) for MBAsIESE Full-time MBA Highlights by Touch MBAMBA Application Resources⁠⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

October 17, 2025Episode 2311 hr 1 min

#231 Crafting a Personal Narrative that Stands Out with Ellin Lolis

How can you stand out from thousands of MBA applicants with impressive CVs?Darren sits down with Ellin Lolis, Founder and President of Ellin Lolis Consulting and one of the top ranked MBA admissions consultants on Poets & Quants, to learn how she helps MBA applicants craft powerful personal narratives. With a near 99% success rate, Ellen shares the process she uses to transform an applicant's collection of achievements into a cohesive and compelling personal narrative.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)How Ellin Fell into Admissions Consulting (2:37)The Importance of Narrative: Why Data and CVs Aren't Memorable (3:37)What's Your Career Goal & Career Purpose? (10:20)Finding the Golden Thread of Your Personal Narrative (22:20)Dealing with "My Story Isn't that Interesting" (40:12)How to Differentiate Yourself when You Have a Common Career Goal (39:55)The Power of Vulnerability (45:23)Darren's Hot Dog Story - How Mundane Moments Can Make for a Memorable Story (47:19) How MBA programs are Evolving with AI (50:07) Using AI in Your MBA Applications (52:54) Video Essay Tips (59:28)About Our GuestEllin Lolis is founder and president of Ellin Lolis Consulting, which has helped 98.9% of their clients get accepted to at least one program of their choice. Ellin and her team have spent over a decade helping MBA applicants craft their story and build their careers. Prior to starting her admissions consulting firm, Ellin worked in marketing and communications.Ellin graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelors in International Cultural Studies, and is a member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC).Show NotesEllin Lolis ConsultingMy Admit CoachCo-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan MollickTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A Novel by Gabrielle Zevin More Resources⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠Get the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business Schools⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

August 25, 2025Episode 2301 hr 26 min

#230 Five Keys to MBA Admissions Success with N'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif, Insead MBA '26

Darren talks with N'doli Jean-Hugues "Cherif," a French and Ivorian candidate who gained admission to both INSEAD and London Business School's MBA programs. Cherif, an older full-time MBA candidate with diverse experience across five roles - including audit, management consulting, investment banking and infrastructure project finance in the public and private sector - shares his five key success factors for MBA admissions.TopicsIntroduction (0:00)Cherif's Background & Pre-MBA Plan & Goals (3:10)How Cherif Found Career Mentors & Built Future Opportunities (10:40)Cherif's 5 Key Success FactorsUnwavering Focus (17:20)Strategic Peer Review (27:15)Work with a Consultant (34:30)Self-awareness (43:15)Narrative Coherence (52:30)How Cherif Assessed his Competitiveness (1:00:00)Cherif's Interview Tips for Insead & London Business School (1:07:10)Cherif's Final Tips (1:24:00)About Our GuestN'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif graduated from Cranfield University with a Masters in Management and Concordia University with a Bachelors in Political Science. He will be attending the Insead MBA program in Fontainebleau, France, focused on a post-MBA career in infrastructure-focused private equity.After getting his Masters, Cherif worked as an auditor for PwC, management consultant for Square Management, and then in Financial Advisory and Project Finance for the government of Côte d'Ivoire and then as an investment banker for Obara Capital. He then returned to Paris with his family to do Financial Advisory and Project Finance for Egis.Show NotesFollow N'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif on LinkedInHow I Got Into Insead & London Business School: 5 Game-Changing Success Factors by N'doli Jean-Hugues Cherif (My Admissions Journey Series)Insead MBAInfravenir: Young Infrastructure Professionals in FranceThe Glocap Guide To Getting A Job In Private Equity: Behind the Scenes Insight Into How PE Funds Hire by Brian KorbLondon L. - MBA Admissions ConsultantMore ResourcesGet free school selection help at Touch MBAGet pre-assessed by top international MBA programsGet the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business SchoolsOur favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

April 29, 202540 min

#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 graduates, the evolving strategies of career services, and how leading business schools are equipping their students to thrive in an AI-world. Topics Introduction (0:00) AI's impact on demand for MBAs (5:50) How AGSM embeds AI into its curriculum & career services (8:30) AI tools for resume optimization (11:30) The importance of authenticity & one's mindset in using AI (13:30) What AI skills do employers expect from MBAs? (17:00) Using AI for psychometric testing, initial assessments & interview preparation (26:00) Using AI for career exploration (30:00) AGSM's AI courses & resources (36:00) Ethical use of AI (38:40) About Our Guest Sabine King is the Director of the Career Accelerator at  Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. Previously, she worked for Education First as a Program Manager and Cox Purtell as a Recruiting Specialist. She graduated with a degree in Business Management from the International School of Management in Germany. Show Notes AGSM MBA UNSW AI Institute ChatGPT Microsoft CoPilot Crystal - The Personality Data Platform VMoc - Career Acceleration Platform Case Coach - Case Interview Prep Platform Graduate First - Job Assessments Expert Still need help? Get a free profile review, including best-fit MBA programs & ways to strengthen your profile MBA Application Resources Get free school selection help at Touch MBA Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs Get the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business Schools Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants) The Best MBA Programs in Australia 

February 25, 202518 min

#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 - "Building is Thinking" (8:20) Wayfind - Following Energy and Engagement (13:30) Show Notes Designing Your Life - How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life The Fail-Safe Solopreneur - 6 Essential Practices to Manage Your Well-Being Working for Yourself #46 Steve Dalton’s The 2 Hour Job Search: The 80/20 Formula to Target Employers & Secure First Interviews #188 Steve Dalton’s The Job Closer – Giving Job Seekers Straightforward Frameworks that Work Fast and Work Well #192 MBA Coffee Chats: Thoughtful Advice on How to Get the Most Out of Your MBA with Adam Putterman, Kellogg MMM ’19 #194 Building a Professional MBA Network with Nicolle Lee, Wharton MBA ’22 #156 Three Questions to Ask Before You Make a Career Move with Gary Lo MBA Application Resources Get free school selection help at Touch MBA Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs Get the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business Schools Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)