mbaMission

What makes mbaMission different?

It starts with a simple idea: treat MBA admissions consulting like the serious, full-time profession it is.

♦️ Jeremy Shinewald founded mbaMission with the belief that applicants deserve consultants who do this work full-time, not people squeezing it in during lunch breaks or evenings. From the start, the goal was to support clients on their timeline. One of the things Jeremy still loves most about the work is meeting applicants from around the world each year and hearing about their ambitions, setbacks, and the ways they’ve grown.

♦️ Katy Lewis remembers discovering mbaMission when the firm had only about 10 consultants. What stood out immediately was the philosophy and the rigor behind the approach. Today, she says one of the most rewarding parts of the job is mentoring and coaching applicants from across the globe.

♦️ Jessica Shklar brings the perspective of someone who has been through the process herself—earning admission to Harvard, Stanford, Kellogg, Yale, and UCLA—before helping applicants navigate it today.

Today, mbaMission is a team of over 20 full-time consultants working with applicants across industries, geographies, and career paths. Different perspectives, one shared goal: helping applicants tell their story and earn their place at the world’s top business schools.

Thinking about applying? You can book a free consultation with our team. The link is in the comments.

Who tends to thrive when working with mbaMission?
There isn’t just one answer. But there is a pattern.

🔹 Harold Simansky often works with applicants from venture capital, private equity, and real estate, where his own background helps him quickly align with their goals and career paths.

🔹 Susan McInerney is drawn to clients who are ready to invest fully in the process. The more passion and energy applicants bring, the more she matches it.

🔹 Jessica Shklar loves working with applicants who are motivated not just to check boxes, but to do the deeper introspective work that makes an application truly compelling.

🔹 Julie-Anne Heafey frequently partners with applicants in finance and consulting because she understands their world firsthand, but she also works with candidates from media, tech, healthcare, and many other industries.

And these are just four voices on our team.

With over 20 consultants at mbaMission, we work with applicants from virtually every industry, background, and career stage. What matters most is your willingness to engage with the process and put forward your strongest story.

Thinking about applying to business school? Book a free consultation with our team. The link is in the comments.

Every MBA applicant is different.
So are our consultants.

Some clients need a confidence boost.
Some want structure and timelines.
Some need honest, direct feedback.
And some just send edits at 2:30 a.m.

That’s why at mbaMission, there’s no single “consulting style.”

🔹 Jessica Shklar helps applicants discover what makes them truly distinctive.
🔹 Debbie Choy brings structure and organization to a process that can feel chaotic.
🔹 Devi Vallabhaneni blends direct advice with equal parts therapist, boss, and professor.
🔹 Katy Lewis adapts to every client’s working style, whether they want frequent calls or minimal check-ins.

Different approaches.
One shared goal: helping applicants put forward the strongest possible MBA application.

Because when these perspectives come together, it creates something even more powerful — a team that supports every type of applicant.

Thinking about applying to business school? Book a free consultation with our team. I dropped the link in the comments.

East Coast or West Coast for your MBA? The differences run deeper than geography.

In Episode 91 of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky sits down with mbaMission Managing Director Debbie Choy to unpack what truly sets West Coast MBA programs apart and how geography can shape culture, recruiting, and career paths.

In this episode:
🌉 How tech and entrepreneurship influence West Coast MBA programs
💡 The innovation ecosystems shaping schools across California and Seattle
🎬 UCLA Anderson vs. USC Marshall for media and entertainment careers
🏢 Why UW Foster has such a strong corporate pipeline in the Pacific Northwest
🤝 The power of the USC Marshall Trojan Network
🌏 International connections and Asia-facing opportunities
🧭 How to decide if a West Coast MBA is the right fit for your goals

🎧 This is an episode you don't want to miss!

🔗 Link to listen is in the comments ⬇️

Has DEI actually changed in MBA admissions — or just the way we talk about it?

In Episode 90 of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky is joined by Senior Consultant Nisha Trivedi and Managing Director Harshad Mali for a candid conversation about what diversity really means in today’s admissions landscape.

🎓 They break down:
🔹 What the Supreme Court ruling actually changed
🔹 How schools are redefining diversity beyond demographics
🔹 Whether MBA classrooms are becoming more uniform
🔹 How applicants should approach identity authentically
🔹 What matters most in your story now

If you’re wondering whether DEI still plays a role in admissions — or how to thoughtfully present your background without trying to “game” the process — this is an important listen.

🔗 Link to listen is in the comments!

Can a past mistake on your record hurt your MBA chances? It’s a question mbaMission Executive Director Jessica Shklar hears often — especially as more schools add the “honor code violation” disclosure to their applications.

Here’s the truth: Answering “yes” isn’t the end of the road. It’s the beginning of a conversation.

In many cases, the application literally walks you forward — “Please explain…” then straight into your work experience, activities, and impact.

The process doesn’t stop at your mistake — it moves on to who you are today.

If you own your story, give context, and show growth, that challenge can sit alongside real leadership, maturity, and momentum.

Past mistakes don’t define your future in this process. How you’ve grown from them does.

Stanford GSB interviews are not like other MBA interviews.

They’re structured.
They’re behavioral.
And they go deep.

🎙 In Episode 89 of the mbaMission Podcast, Harold Simansky is joined by Senior MBA Admissions Consultants Christine Patel and Julie-Anne Heafey to break down what actually makes the Stanford interview different — and how to prepare without sounding robotic.

🔎 What “structured behavioral interview” really means
📚 Why you need a real story bank beyond your resume
🧠 How to prep without over-rehearsing
💬 What interviewers are truly evaluating
🚫 The mistake applicants make in “Why Stanford?”

Stanford is assessing more than your accomplishments. They’re evaluating reflection, self-awareness, and depth.

If you want to walk into your GSB interview feeling grounded and authentic, this episode is essential. Search “mbaMission Podcast Ep 89” on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

🔗 Link to listen is in the comments!

Most HBS interview candidates underestimate one thing: how well the interviewer already knows them.

As Zoe shares in this conversation with Heidi, her HBS interview felt completely different from other business school interviews. The interviewer had done a deep dive. They knew her story, her decisions, and her trajectory. Not just at a surface level, but in real detail.

That changes everything.

Because if the interviewer already knows your application inside and out, preparation is not about memorizing answers. It is about knowing yourself. Your choices, your impact, your judgment. And being able to speak to all of it several layers deeper than what is written on the page.

This is where many candidates get caught off guard. They assume the interview will stay high level. It does not. HBS expects you to engage thoughtfully with your own story and explain your reasoning under pressure.

That is why going in “generally prepared” is not enough.

This is exactly how Devi Vallabhaneni, a former HBS interviewer, prepares our applicants. She reviews each application the way HBS does and then works with candidates to pressure test every part of it, so nothing feels unfamiliar when the questions go deeper than expected.

If you received an HBS Round 2 interview invite, this is the moment where preparation really matters.

Learn more about the HBS Intensive Interview Simulation with Devi down in the comments 👇

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make in the Harvard Business School interview? Showing up as only their “work self.”

As Devi Vallabhaneni explains, the interview is about more than your job title and spreadsheets. The committee wants to see you as a whole person — your passions, values, and the human behind the resume.

🎯 Don’t flatten your story into just your employer identity. The most successful candidates show both sides. Devi will work with you to make sure you put your best foot forward in the interview — not leave yourself wondering later what went wrong.

👉 Work with Devi in an HBS Intensive Interview Simulation:
https://hubs.la/Q040Wj_l0

Want to stand out in the Harvard Business School interview? Start with STAR.

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is the single most underrated tool candidates can use. As Devi Vallabhaneni explains, it helps you avoid rambling, structure your thoughts, and prove you’re prepared for the unpredictable.

HBS interviews are dynamic. The STAR method ensures you’re never caught off guard.

👉 Practice the STAR Method and much more with Devi in an HBS Intensive today - https://hubs.la/Q040Wc2d0

Is an Executive MBA the right move for you?

If you're a mid- or senior-level professional wondering how EMBAs compare to part-time, full-time, or one-year programs like MSx or Sloan Fellows—this episode is for you.

🎙️ In Episode 88 of the mbaMission Podcast, Jeremy Shinewald and Harold Simansky team up with Senior Consultant Julie-Anne Heafey to unpack:

✅ Who EMBAs are really designed for
✅ How the admissions process differs
✅ The impact of testing, travel, and employer support
✅ Career outcomes and long-term ROI
✅ Whether a one-year mid-career program might be a better fit

It’s a thoughtful, real-world breakdown to help experienced professionals evaluate their next step with clarity.

🔗 Link to listen is in the comments!