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In this episode, a former University of Chicago Booth MBA admissions officer shares her insight on Booth's new essay set.

This episode recommends various ways business school applicants can edit down their MBA essays without compromising the power of their stories and anecdotes.

Suzanne Ginestro is a seasoned CPG executive leader with over 27 years of marketing expertise across the food and beverage industry. She is currently the Chief Marketing Officer for Califia Farms and leads a 35-person marketing organization that encompasses brand management, creative services, communications, and consumer engagement. Suzanne's previous roles include Chief Marketing Officer at Quest Nutrition, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer for Bolthouse Farms, and marketing leadership roles at Red Bull North America, Pinkberry Ventures, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, and Kraft Foods. Suzanne currently serves on the board of Zevia (ZVIA) and has previously served on other corporate and non-profit boards, including Humm Kombucha and Village School. Suzanne earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and her MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

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.

Paul Altman is a Partner and Managing Director and joined The Sage Group at its inception in 2000. He focuses on consumer M&A transactions, advising high-growth lifestyle brands on transactions across multiple subsectors, including e-commerce, specialty retail, apparel & accessories, home, CPG, wellness, and beauty & personal care companies. He attended University of Michigan Ross for a joint BBA and law degree, and went to Wharton for his MBA. www.sagellc.com

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.

Erin Krawiec is the President and co-founder of Pitch Your Peers Seattle ("PYP Seattle), a nonprofit that turns philanthropy into a collaborative, pitch-driven experience where women fund impactful local causes. Her career spans entrepreneurship, high-tech business roles, and serving as an expert witness in corporate litigation—an unconventional path shaped by curiosity and a drive to make an impact. Today, she focuses on building community and creating opportunities for others to engage in meaningful philanthropy. Nicole Small has served as CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies since 2014 and is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of both entities. As part of her work at LHP, Ms. Small, co-founded the IF/THEN initiative which was built to encourage and advance women and girls in STEM. She is also the co-founder and advisor of Pegasus Park, a life sciences innovation campus based in Dallas. From 2001-2013 Ms. Small was the Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the Perot Museum of Nature & Science. Earlier in her career, Ms. Small held positions including founder and CEO of a tech start-up, EIR at a Bay area business incubator, and analyst with McKinsey & Company. Ms. Small holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.

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.

Patrick Curtis is the founder and CEO of Wall Street Oasis, one of the largest online communities for elite careers in finance and consulting, which he has built over nearly 20 years into a platform reaching millions of visitors each year. He began his career as an investment banking analyst at Rothschild, spent several years in private equity, and holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School. He also leads WSO Academy, a structured mentorship and interview prep program that helps students land offers in investment banking and other competitive consulting and finance roles. Website: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrickmanningcurtis WSO LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wall-street-oasis WSO Instagram: @wallstreetoasis Wall Street Oasis: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com?affiliate=sbc WSO Academy: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/academy?affiliate=sbc

It's not uncommon for overachieving MBA applicants to focus so much on trying to convince the adcom why they're worthy of a spot at their program that they inadvertently also communicate that they're already SO gifted and accomplished, they actually don't need a masters degree in business to succeed in the future. This episode discusses why all business school candidates need to be able to clearly explain why they need an MBA, especially if they are in one of four applicant buckets where it's important to clarify that need. Common reasons for getting an MBA are covered, as are reasons that might be realistic but are best left out of one's application materials.

We're often asked: "This is my GMAT/GRE score and this is the score I want—how many hours of tutoring do I need?" Our honest answer: before we can recommend a plan, we need to review one of your recent practice tests alongside you. This deep-dive analysis allows us to pinpoint strengths, weaknesses, and the most efficient path to your goal. Enter Stacy Blackman Consulting's Test Review package. This episode not only covers what that service includes, but also shares priceless MBA test-prep insight from Stacy Blackman herself and SBC's test prep expert, Anthony Ritz.

In this installment of Paths Less Traveled, Stacy talks with Ann Hsing. Upon graduating from undergrad at MIT, Ann opened and operated a bubble tea shop in Boston. She then worked as a strategy consultant at the small boutique Callidon Group, focusing on private equity due diligence projects and pricing structures. Next, Ann returned to school to earn her MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Following business school, she was Vice President in Equity Derivatives Sales at Credit Suisse from 2009 to 2013 in New York City. Ann then joined The Alinea Restaurant Group. At the time of her departure, she was Director of Business Operations. Ann is now CEO of Seline and Pasjoli Restaurants.

In this episode we talk to Ty Greenberg, a former SBC client and a Stanford GSB graduate. Ty talks about his unusual background, his initial rejection from all of the business schools he applied to, changes he made and his eventual success as a reapplicant. HIs inspiring story offers helpful lessons to applicants coming from unorthodox backgrounds ,or who are considering whether to reapply to their dream schools after not succeeding initially.

The things that scare us – especially in the context of MBA essays – are often the things that make us feel vulnerable, uncertain, or insecure. In short, things that force us to take our armor off and be vulnerable. Vulnerability in business school essays also offers you a powerful opportunity to connect with your reader, demonstrate self-awareness and/or EQ, and – most importantly – tell a really memorable and compelling story about yourself. In this episode we talk about how to choose an essay topic offers these opportunities for candor and vulnerability, including sharing a range of examples and categories of essays that might be a good fit for you. This is a must for anyone interested in writing their MBA essays more boldly and more authentically.

Stacy interviews Anthony Ritz, Stacy Blackman Consulting's Head of Test Prep, to reveal the biggest MBA test-prep missteps he's seen students make over his many years in admissions consulting and test-prep tutoring.