Prof. Reiji Ohtaki, Program Director of the Nanyang-Waseda Double MBA, joined the show to talk about Waseda's International MBA Program located in Tokyo, Japan. Prof. Ohtaki runs the career management center and held many senior leadership positions for Hay and Mercer Consulting in Asia Pacific, so he's a great person to talk to about MBAs and careers in Japan.

Listen on for the insider's scoop...

Is it worth it to get an MBA if it's not Harvard, Stanford or Wharton?  Many candidates don't think so. In this episode Darren talks about the top 5 arbitrages that exist in the MBA world. If you know what's important to you, you can still "negotiate up" and get a great educational and life experience at many top MBA programs outside the top 3 (or top 7).

Can an MBA really develop "global leaders you can trust?"  This week I sat down with Anjaney Borwankar, Director of Corporate Develpment, SE Asia, to discuss how IESE MBA strives to fulfill this mission through its global makeup and case-study pedagogy.

Anjan is an IESE MBA alumni, and plays an active role on the admissions committee and career services teams. We had an illuminating discussion about what makes IESE unique, the admissions process, and why candidates should see the IESE MBA as a launching pad for a global career - not just one in Spain. You'll get some great tips here on what the school is looking for. Hint: it's not the GMAT.

Both the Economist and Financial Times recently ranked IESE as #1 and #3 in Europe, respectively, despite Spain's economic troubles. The school has overseas modules in New York, Shanghai, Sao Paulo and Nairobi, and is the 2nd largest producer of case studies in the world. If you prefer the case-study method, and want to get a global business education, IESE should be a leading contender.

The IESE MBA in 3 words: global, leadership, positive-impact.

Listen on for the insider's scoop...

Christine and I talk about the exciting new MBA collaboration between Cornell Tech and the Johnson School in New York City that starts next year in 2014. What makes it different from Cornell's traditional MBA? Who should apply? And what should candidates keep in mind when applying to this 1-year program? For the first couple years the program will be held in Google's Manhattan office in the Chelsea district. But here's what Cornell Tech's Roosevelt campus will look like.

Listen on for the skinny on this exciting new offering from Cornell.

This week I spoke with Christine Sneva, who is Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid of MBA Programs at Cornell Johnson. Christine is one of the most enthusiastic guests I've had on the show. And she really opens up on what makes Johnson special and how her team looks at applications. You can really go behind the scenes of Cornell's admissions process in this episode.

Although Johnson's class is relatively small (270 students in 2 year program, 60 in 1 year program), Christine makes it very clear that Cornell's bschool network is the 2nd largest in the Ivy League behind Harvard and that students really benefit from the size and engagement of the "Big Red" network. Johnson's flexible curriculum and 1st year focus on immersions has really helped students with internship (and job) placements.

The Cornell Johnson MBA in 140 characters or less: "#CornellMBA innovative programs & is one of the largest bschools #ILR #Dyson #MMH & most engaged alumni networks, we are Cornellians!"

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!

Mr. Edward Cook, Director, MBA Programs, Melbourne Business School to talk about the benefits of attending one of Australia's top ranked MBA programs and how to get in.

The Melbourne MBA in a Tweet: Global business leaders learning within an intimate and multicultural environment.

Listen on for much, much more...

Jolene and I discuss the value (and reputation) of MBAs in Germany, job opportunities for international MBA students in Germany, and how to get into ESMT.

The program was founded just over 10 years ago by 25 leading companies - including Bayer, Daimler, and McKinsey - who wanted to develop management talent in Germany. The school's EMBA program is ranked #29 in the world by the FT, and ESMT expects to do fairly well in the FT's 2014 ranking (the Economist ranked the MBA program #30 worldwide).  The program has two elective tracks: technology and innovation management and global sustainable development. A good chunk of students (25% this past year!) also start their own companies after graduating, no doubt due to the program's proximity to Berlin.

Candidates can get 3 months of free intensive German language training if they apply early, and can stay for up to 18 months in Germany to look for jobs.  Currently tuition is €29,000 for the 1 year program (after a €9,000 scholarship deduction) - with average starting salaries at €80,500, ROI is immediate and high.

ESMT MBA in a Tweet: The global MBA made in Germany for technology management & sustainable development.

How did Lawrence Cole, author of the popular MBA applicant blog MBAOver30, get into Wharton, Chicago Booth and MIT Sloan as a 36 year old?

Just so you know his stats: Lawrence graduated from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in 2000, worked for over 10 years at UPS and Internet Brands, and “barely broke 700″ on his GMAT. He also started 2 online businesses.

Lawrence is now a first year student at Wharton focused on entrepreneurship.

In this episode, you’ll hear Lawrence and I discuss application tips for older candidates including:

• Why top-ranked MBAs tend to trend younger
• The 2 application “booby traps” you must avoid
• The importance of movement and believability in your application
• How and why to gather as much experiential school data as possible
• Why you shouldn’t force fit in your application
• How to tie together work experience that might seem unrelated
• Common traits adcoms look for from both older AND younger candidates: initiative, impact and purpose

This episode is a goldmine of admissions tips for older candidates. Lawrence has lived and breathed MBA applications for the past year. Be sure to learn from his experience!

Don’t miss this episode – one of our best yet.

Over the past 6 months, I’ve had over 20 MBA Admissions Directors on the Touch MBA Podcast.

I’ve asked all of them, “What would you advise candidates to improve their chances of admissions?”

This is what they told me.

Here are 10 actionable tips you can use right away to boost your admissions and scholarship chances at your target business schools.

Avoid them at your own peril!

Featuring:

Megan Overbay, Duke University Fuqua School of Business 

Nadia Ahrazem, London Business School

Jeff Carbone, MIT Sloan School of Management

A M Kannan, Indian School of Business

Caroline Diarte Edwards, Fortuna Admissions

Lawrence Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Shari Hubert, Georgetown McDonough School of Business

Katherine Alford, Virginia Darden School of Business

Roy Chason, CEIBS

Libby Livingston, Emory Goizueta School of Business

Dr. Shulver and I talk about what makes Warwick's 1-year MBA unique, and what he looks for from candidates during the admissions process. 

Warwick's 1-year Full-time MBA was ranked #3 worldwide for ROI by the Financial Times with graduates experiencing an average salary rise of 84% within 3 years of graduation. The school's curriculum places a heavy emphasis on the practice of management and behavioral sciences. The program is relatively small with about 60 students in each year's cohort.

Michael is a straight shooter and offers a great perspective on how admissions selects candidates and awards scholarships. As a faculty member, he also shares a lot of insight into Warwick's academic offerings.

The Warwick MBA in 3 words: relevant, innovative, caring.

Listen on for the insider's scoop...

Having a hard time differentiating business schools? After listening to this episode, you'll have the toolkit to surgically dissect an MBA's offering. You'll also know a lot more about the student experience at LBS.

James Clark just graduated from LBS and wrote a student blog post, "What I had wished I had known when choosing business schools." In it he lists 22 questions you should ask about your target schools. I found James' perspective insightful and wanted to explore his questions in more detail for the benefit of our audience.

The Goizueta MBA is one of the few top-ranked US programs that can be completed in 1 or 2 years. The school emphasizes Day 1 Readiness: getting students exceptionally ready for class, internships, interviews, and jobs. Listen on as Libby and I discuss admissions tips, career opportunities and more at this intimate and market-oriented program in the US.

Viet is a former management consultant and investment banker - hear his take on picking business schools, getting through the application process and the INSEAD experience.

Jeff and I discuss the flexibility and opportunities of getting your MBA at MIT Sloan. Listen on for admissions tips, career opportunities and more at one of the most entrepreneurial MBA programs in the US and the world.

Darren continues his conversation with Prof. Yoshi about how candidates can stand out in the admissions process and what scholarship, career, and international opportunities there are at the Hitotsubashi ICS MBA.

The Hitotsubashi ICS MBA is one of the top English language MBA programs in Japan. What makes this program unique? And what is the value of a MBA degree in Japan?  Darren interviews Prof. Yoshi Fujikawa, faculty director of the Hitotsubashi ICS MBA program, to learn more.

Darren talks with Mr. Kannan, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, about what makes the Indian School of Business unique - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in India and Asia.

Darren speaks to Nadia about what makes the London Business School's MBA unique and gets the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the UK, Europe and the world.

Shari and Darren discuss the Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business MBA focus on global management, integrative learning, and mission to make a meaningful impact in business and society. Get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the US.

Katherine opens up to Darren about the Darden MBA's focus on general management and the case-study method - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the US.

Keegan Pierce, Associate Director of Int'l Admissions, talks to Darren about the flexible ESADE MBA program and shares some insider tips on on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in Spain / Europe.

Darren has a lively discussion with Megan about what makes Fuqua unique, and what Fuqua's adcom looks for in applicants. Listen on to get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in the USA.

Andrew Bueno joins the show and shares more INSEAD's unique format, admissions process and scholarship and career opportunities at arguably the world's most international business school.

Darren discusses 3 ways to show "leadership potential" even if you are short on work and management experience. They are demonstrating that you have had vision and made it real, attracted and influenced people, and gotten results. Just about all top MBA programs have "habit of leadership" as an admissions criteria so listen on for specific ways you can show this in your application.

Phillipe and Darren discuss what makes the HEC MBA unique and get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in France / Europe.

Darren and Dirk talk what makes the IE MBA unique - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in Spain / Europe.

Get the inside word on MBA admissions at INSEAD from Caroline Diarte Edwards who was Director of MBA Admissions at INSEAD for 7 years. Learn about INSEAD's 4 criteria (academic capacity, leadership potential, ability to contribute and international motivation) and what you can do if you are weak in any of these areas.

Darren speaks to Roy about what makes the CEIBS MBA unique - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in China / Asia.

Darren interviews James on what Cambridge MBA unique - get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in UK / Europe.

Learn about what makes the Chinese University of Hong Kong's - CUHK MBA unique and get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in Hong Kong / Asia.

Learn about what makes the Asian Institute of Management's (AIM) MBA unique and get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in Philippines / Asia.

Learn about what makes the Nanyang (NTU) MBA unique and get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in Singapore / Asia.

Learn about what makes the Erasmus Rotterdam - RSM MBA unique and get the insider word on admissions, financing and career placements at one of the top MBA programs in Netherlands / Europe.

Your resume is often the first thing MBA admissions officers see. Avoid these 7 deadly mistakes when preparing your resume.

Darren discusses the 4 “questions behind the questions” that admissions officers really want to know. If you can prepare compelling responses to these key questions, you stand a good shot of making the final cut.

Darren discusses 4 ways you can get and keep attention in your application. The primal “croc brain” that receives a pitch is intrigued by pleasant novelty, intrigue, movement, and suspense. Listen on for some very specific ways you can incorporate these elements into your MBA essays and resume.

We take the core concepts from Dan and Chip Heath's Made to Stick and apply them to your MBA application. How can you get admissions officers to pay attention to, remember, believe, care and act for you? The formula for sticky ideas (and applications) is SUCCES.