Best Admissions Consultant Podcasts (2025)

I’m Lydia Hall, and—though it might sound a little corny—I like to call myself a professional storyteller. (It’s a bit more efficient than describing all of the many hats that I wear!) To be more specific: I’m an admissions consultant, editor, writer, and teacher. I’m most passionate about amplifying people’s voices and helping them tell their own …

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Helping First-Gen and Low SES Students Succeed: A Regional Model That Works 38:20

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2d ago38:20

38:20

With first-generation and low SES students facing steep barriers to completion and career entry, Great Jobs KC has built a replicable model that starts in high school, continues through college, and delivers real workforce outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Great Jobs KC CEO Earl Martin Ph…

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MBA Wire Taps 439—655 GMAT, MBB consultant. 332 GRE, undecided goals. Targeting HSW. 30:48

3d ago30:48

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In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began with a wonderful review of the podcast, from an industry professional! Graham highlighted Clear Admit’s ongoing summer series of webinars, which focuses on top MBA programs’ admissions essays, and is attended by more than 20 of the top MBA programs. The final event is on Wednesday of this week, and inc…

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Episode 438: Tips on Goals, Essays, Recs & Interviews 27:52

8d ago27:52

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Welcome to another special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, recorded live at the Clear Admit MBA Fair at MIT Sloan School of Management in May 2025. In this panel session, "Admissions Tips: What You Say – Goals, Essays & Interviews," we dove into four core components of the MBA application: career goals, application essays, profes…

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Washington Update: July 2025 Reconciliation Bill’s Impact on Higher Ed 38:48

9d ago38:48

38:48

Higher education leaders are facing the most sweeping set of federal regulatory and funding changes in over a decade. In this Washington Update episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton welcomes back frequent guest Tom Netting, president of TEN Government Strategies, to discuss the July 2025 budget reconciliation bill—federal…

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MBA Wire Taps 437—695 GMAT, enlisted. MBA and Sustainability. 331 GRE, Startup founder. 38:22

12d ago38:22

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In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, recognizing that we are now moving into the new application cycle. Graham highlighted Clear Admit’s ongoing summer series of webinars, which focuses on top MBA programs’ admissions essays, which will be attended by more than 20 of the top MBA progr…

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Shoe Shoemaker, Co-founder, COO HYBRD - Do Hard Things, Ep. 494 18:02

12d ago18:02

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Shoe has had years of experience in the fitness tech space, first at WHOOP building their analytics team, then at Appex, a mobile app roll-up company responsible for 1/2 the portfolio. Now she's focused on building HYBRD, the performance hub for modern athletes while training for an Ironman in 2025. Social Handles: Instagram: @hybrd_shoe , @hybrd_a…

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Eve Weinberg, Impresario Events in Toronto, Canada, Ep. 493 8:56

14d ago8:56

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Follow her journey and attend one of her events in Toronto, Canada - not to be missed to talk to the expert in the field: https://www.hillcrestdesign.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveweinberg/ *********** Susanne Mueller / www.susannemueller.biz TEDX Talk, May 2022: Running and Life: 5KM Formula for YOUR Success https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT…

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Podcast: Tips on Test Scores, GPAs, Work Experience & Extras 22:06

15d ago22:06

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Live from the Clear Admit MBA Fair at MIT Sloan School of Management, we welcome Kate Murphy from Columbia Business School, Joe Korevec from the Cornell Johnson Tech MBA, Amy Mitson from Dartmouth Tuck, and Emily Sharkey from Georgia Tech Scheller. In this panel session, "Admissions Tips: What You’ve Done – Tests, Work & Activities," they dove into…

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Building a Connected College by Aligning Strategy and Services 37:26

17d ago37:26

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Most colleges rely on more than 20 disconnected systems to support students, creating confusion, reducing engagement, and lowering graduation rates. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Elliot Felix is the founder of brightspot Strategy (acquired by Buro Happold in 2020) and the author of The Connecte…

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Military Applicants: Law School Admissions Strategy & More with Harvard Law Grad Brian Henson 1:13:04

16d ago1:13:04

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In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Spivey J.D. admissions consultants Danielle Early (former Associate Director of Admissions at Harvard Law School and military/veteran admissions specialist) and Mike Burns (former Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at Northwestern Law and Navy veteran) interview Brian Henson, a former consulting clie…

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MBA Wire Taps 435—705 GMAT, private equity. Architect in London. Enlisted military, 332 GRE. 35:52

17d ago35:52

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In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire; we followed this by highlighting a new article published by Clear Admit that summarizes the current situation for international students seeking visas to study in the United States. Graham noted Clear Admit’s summer series of webinars, which focuse…

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Eve Weinberg - Principal Designer at Hillcrest Design, Toronto, Canada, Ep. 492 18:46

19d ago18:46

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Follow her journey: For 24 years, Eve has been committed to aligning her passion for making a lasting impact with innovative, purposeful and creative designed solutions for her clients. At the heart of our work are human-centered, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. https://www.hillcrestdesign.ca/ *********** Susanne Mueller / www.susannemuelle…

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Episode 434: MBA Decoded--Who Goes, What You Learn, and Why It’s Worth It 25:25

22d ago25:25

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Whether you're just beginning to explore the MBA path or are deep into your application journey, this panel from the 2025 Clear Admit MBA Fair is designed to break down the essentials of business school and answer the questions every prospective student has—but might be too afraid to ask. Representatives on this panel include Melissa Rapp, Associat…

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Using AI to Fix Admissions and Enrollment Without Losing the Human Touch 38:22

23d ago38:22

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AI can change how colleges and universities approach enrollment, making it faster, fairer, and more aligned with student success. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton talks with Ashish Fernando, founder and CEO of EDMO and iSchoolConnect, about how institutions can use artificial intelligence to improve admissions, a…

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MBA Wire Taps 433—Entrepreneur to Investment Banking. Waive the test or submit 312 GRE. Engineer, passion for dance. 38:52

25d ago38:52

38:52

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, which did include more waitlist movement last week. There is still some considerable uncertainty with respect to enrollments of international students who are waiting for their visa interviews.! Graham highlighted Clear Admit’s summer series of web…

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Jenny Harrow-Keeler, Cofounder & Executive Director Integrative Healers Action Network (IHAN), Ep. 491 23:52

26d ago23:52

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Jenny Harrow-Keeler is the cofounder and Executive Director of the Integrative Healers Action Network (IHAN), a nonprofit that mobilizes trauma-informed, integrative health practitioners to support frontline communities impacted by climate disasters throughout California. Through IHAN, she has led statewide efforts to bring integrative care—includi…

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Interview with Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Michael Levy 38:38

25d ago38:38

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Dr. Tania Heller has a discussion with Dr. Michael Levy, board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Co-founder and Director of IVF at Shady Grove Fertility (SGF). The content of the podcast is for general informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice.By Tania Heller, MD

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How Utah State Is Using a Connected Campus to Boost Student Engagement and Persistence 36:45

1M ago36:45

36:45

Digital transformation in higher education often focuses on technology. But for Utah State University, the transformation has been about outcomes: improving retention, strengthening equity, and building scalable systems of support without overhauling infrastructure. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks wit…

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MBA Wire Taps 432—329 GRE, Biotech sector. 3.86 GPA, Hospital administration. 685 GMAT, AI and robotics. 36:31

1M ago36:31

36:31

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, which is now becoming quieter as we move into the summer season. We then continued our discussion on the recent U.S. Government decisions as they pertain to international MBA students; Harvard appears to have won a recent decision in their fight wi…

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Dasha Tyshlek, Healthy Living & Farming, Ep. 490 19:24

1M ago19:24

19:24

Dasha Tyshlek helps R&D and scientific companies bring their newest technologies to market through go-to-market planning, competitor analysis and market research, and customer discovery. Her team's hands-on approach has ensured her clients have immediate traction and business opportunities. She is the host of Biomedical Frontiers: Stories with Inno…

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Strategies to Help Adult Learners Re-Enroll and Graduate 37:53

1M ago37:53

37:53

How Cross-Sector Partnerships Help Adult Learners Return, Persist, and Complete Degrees With over 41 million adults in the U.S. holding some college credit but no degree, colleges and universities are under pressure to implement effective adult learner enrollment strategies. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton sp…

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MBA Wire Taps 431—Japanese in the US. 326 GRE, consider retake? LBS vs INSEAD. 39:17

1M ago39:17

39:17

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, which includes a little movement on wait lists. We then continued our discussion on the recent U.S. Government decisions as they pertain to international MBA students; visa interviews are now available again. No doubt this whole situation is causin…

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Esther Akua George, Founder of GoGreen Foods Farmacy and HerbSpice Community, Ghana, Ep. 489 22:11

1M ago22:11

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Esther Akua George is a food sustainability advocate passionate about the intersection of agriculture and climate resilience. As the founder of GoGreen Foods Farmacy and HerbSpice Community Ghana, She promotes healthy consumption to support sustainable food systems. With expertise in agricultural engineering and over six years in the food industry,…

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High Structure Course Design for Student Engagement, Retention, and Success 40:38

1M ago40:38

40:38

Higher education leaders are searching for better ways to engage students, improve retention, and close equity gaps—especially in the wake of COVID-related learning disruptions. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Justin Shaffer, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Teaching Professor in …

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Top 25 Admissions Tips from Former Harvard Law Admissions Officer & New Spivey Consultant Sam Parker 1:27:14

2M ago1:27:14

1:27:14

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Anna Hicks-Jaco interviews Sam Parker, Spivey’s newest admissions consultant, on her top 25 (or so) strategic law school admissions insights from her years as Associate Director of Admissions at Harvard Law School. They discuss advice for prospective law students getting ready to apply for the 2025-2026 …

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MBA Wire Taps 430—337 GRE, 2.96 GPA. 327 GRE, 3.8 GPA. Booth vs Darden. 36:39

2M ago36:39

36:39

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, which includes some movements on wait lists. We then continued our discussion on the recent U.S. Government decisions as they pertain to international MBA students, and the consequences for U.S. citizens who remain on the summer waitlists. Graham t…

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Kate Wells, CEO, Parlor Games, Ep. 488 18:26

2M ago18:26

18:26

Kate Wells is a hormone expert and true biochem nerd who has been educating practitioners about hormones for many years. Starting out as a High School science teacher, and then pivoting to the business world, Kate knew she wanted to combine her passions for science and business and found the perfect match in leadership roles at labs specializing in…

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Dr. Nadine Kelly - Helping others all the time, Ep. 487 9:57

2M ago9:57

9:57

Bio: Nadine Pierre Kelly, otherwise known as NPK, is a retired Medical Doctor (pathologist), founder of NPK Health Integration, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Health Integration Coach, former Akimbo Workshops Head Coach (founded by Seth Godin), a contributor to Medscape, and host of the Health Raisers podcast. Social Media …

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Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies for Small Colleges 33:26

2M ago33:26

33:26

Shared services and consolidation strategies are helping struggling small colleges stabilize operations, reduce costs, and pursue sustainable growth—without compromising institutional identity or student outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Jason Duggan, CEO of Thesis Elements, about ho…

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From Marine to Mentor: A Global Vision for Student Success 45:11

2M ago45:11

45:11

In this transformative episode of The Indian Scholar, we sit down with Scott Clyde, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management at Xavier University, Cincinnati. From his early days in the U.S. Marine Corps to shaping student journeys in higher education, Scott shares powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, and purpose-driven enrollment. …

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MBA Wire Taps 429—Part-time vs Full-time. Reapplying, from India. Judge vs LBS. 40:51

2M ago40:51

40:51

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the recent U.S. Government decisions as they pertain to international MBA students, and specifically those who are applying and are admitted to Harvard’s MBA program. Graham then discussed the recent Paris-based MBA admissions event he helped moderate, which brought 10 of the best U.S.-ba…

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Dr. Nadine Kelly - retired MD, Drummer, Ep. 486 16:27

2M ago16:27

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Nadine Pierre Kelly, otherwise known as NPK, is a retired Medical Doctor (pathologist), founder of NPK Health Integration, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Health Integration Coach, former Akimbo Workshops Head Coach (founded by Seth Godin), a contributor to Medscape, and host of the Health Raisers podcast. Social Media Handl…

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Adding Leadership Development to Academic Curriculum Design in Higher Ed 28:24

2M ago28:24

28:24

While higher education leaders often cite leadership development as a priority, few institutions treat it as a teachable, measurable skill. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Scott Cowen about why leadership education should be integrated into the academic curriculum—and how institutions can implement …

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MBA Wire Taps 428—From China, 675 GMAT. From Africa, 333 GRE. Columbia vs Yale. 36:52

2M ago36:52

36:52

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the recent events and activities in the news; specifically, we discussed the recent U.S. administration’s decisions around visa interviews for international MBA students. These are, frankly, very disturbing times, which can seriously harm the MBA experience at for all candidates at top MB…

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Susannah Steers - Moving Spirit, Ep. 485 21:03

2M ago21:03

21:03

Susannah Steers is your guide on a quest to understand how we can move better, feel better in our bodies and connect more deeply to our people and the world around us. Join her for some conversation, interviews with experts, and conversations with everyday people about what movement means to them. You might just find that movement feels a little di…

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When DEI Is Off the Table: How Higher Ed Leaders Can Still Drive Institutional Change 45:14

2M ago45:14

45:14

Higher education’s approach to DEI is under fire—from political pressure, public skepticism, and internal fatigue. But abandoning DEI isn’t the only option. In this episode of Changing Higher Ed®, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Columbia Law professor Susan Sturm about how higher ed institutions can continue to drive inclusive institutional change…

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MBA Wire Taps 427—Entertainment goal, 695 GMAT. Consultant, no GMAT yet. Kellogg vs HBS. 37:50

2M ago37:50

37:50

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the recent events and activities that Clear Admit has been involved in, including our MBA Fair in Boston, and online admissions events series that wrapped up last week. More than 600 attendees participated in our most recent virtual event, which included admissions representatives from UP…

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LeeAnn Marie Webster - Mt. Kilimanjaro & Ironman, Ep. 484 20:13

2M ago20:13

20:13

LeeAnn Marie Webster is the creator of the Regret Release Method and author of the forthcoming book “That’s Regrettable! Releasing the Past to Fuel Your Future.”. She is an attorney turned international Keynote speaker, Moth StorySLAM winner, and entrepreneur with 20+ years’ experience in coaching, marketing, and business development in a range of …

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Aligning Higher Ed with Workforce Needs and Nontraditional Learners 31:36

2M ago31:36

31:36

Higher education is facing a growing disconnect between traditional academic pathways and the needs of today’s learners and employers. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of Who Needs College Anymore?, about how institutions can realign aca…

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Dean Z of Michigan Law on Admissions Advice and AI: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly 38:41

2M ago38:41

38:41

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Mike Spivey and Anna Hicks-Jaco have a conversation with Sarah Zearfoss (also known as "Dean Z"), who has long led the admissions office at the University of Michigan Law School as Senior Assistant Dean and who hosts the admissions podcast A2Z with Dean Z. The group discusses using generative AI to write…

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MBA Wire Taps 426—Investment banker, 325 GRE. Argentinian Strategist. Booth vs Ross. 30:37

2M ago30:37

30:37

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the Round 3 activity on LiveWire; interview invites and final decisions continue to roll out for this shortened application round; next week Chicago / Booth and Imperial Business School are scheduled to release final decisions. Graham noted the Clear Admit promotion, where for every new e…

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Lyndon Fraser - Ladder Artist, Montreal, Canada, Ep. 483 21:18

3M ago21:18

21:18

My name is Lyndon Fraser. I am a circus artist originally from New York, but now I’m in Montreal training in acro-ladder. I’ve always loved flipping, twisting, and pushing myself to become the best version of me. My circus journey started when I was 15, but at 16, I made the big decision to move away from home to pursue it full-time. It’s been a lo…

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Confronting the Storm: Resistance to Change and Current Attacks on Higher Education 37:43

3M ago37:43

37:43

Higher education faces increasing external pressures and diminishing public trust—creating an urgent need for institutional adaptation. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Brian Rosenberg, former president of Macalister College and author of "Whatever It Is, I'm Against It," about why resistance …

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Episode 425--Making the Most of Your MBA: Career Paths, Pivots, and Possibilities 28:37

3M ago28:37

28:37

This special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast is all about making the most of your MBA—the careers it unlocks, the pivots it enables, and the lifelong impact it can have on your professional journey. To unpack this important topic, host Graham Richmond is joined by an expert in the field: Christine Murray, Associate Dean for Career…

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MBA Wire Taps 424—First Gen, Civil Engineer. 337 GRE, 2.99 GPA. Johnson vs Darden. 35:34

3M ago35:34

35:34

In this week's MBA admissions podcast we began by discussing the Round 3 activity on LiveWire; interview invites and final decisions continue to roll out for this shortened application round; next week UPenn / Wharton, Northwestern / Kellogg, IESE, MIT / Sloan, Yale SOM, Minnesota / Carlson, Columbia, Washington / Foster, UCLA / Anderson and Washin…

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Theresa Mami Baduba Ansah, CEO, Founder & Creative Director at MBA Mode, Ghana, Ep. 482 20:16

3M ago20:16

20:16

Theresa MBA is a highly qualified Technical Apparel & Fabric Art Design, Cloth Doll & Toy Artist, Fashion and Creative Arts Instructor with solid background in accounting. 17 years of extensive experience in Fashion Entrepreneurship, managing people, building the capacity and empowering individuals to become self-reliant marked by strong leadership…

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Strategic Affiliation in Higher Education: What Colleges Can Learn from The Colleges of Law and TCS Education System 32:12

3M ago32:12

32:12

Strategic affiliation in higher education offers an alternative path for institutional sustainability—one that maintains mission and autonomy while accessing shared infrastructure and support. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Matt Nehmer, President of The Colleges of Law, about his institution…

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Waitlist Predictions for the 2024-2025 Law School Admissions Cycle 14:08

3M ago14:08

14:08

In this episode of Status Check with Spivey, Mike discusses the various factors that are at play for this cycle's waitlist season, his predictions for how it will go, and his advice for waitlisted applicants. For more on waitlist strategy, check out our Waitlist Deep Dive podcast episode! You can listen and subscribe to Status Check with Spivey on …