In our first episode of The mbaMission Podcast for 2025, mbaMission’s Harold Simansky, Jeremy Shinewald, and Jessica Shklar share their takeaways from the 2024 MBA application season and make predictions for the upcoming application season. They discuss such topics as macro trends related to the economy, the impact of AI on business school admissions, and trends in GMAT scoring.
Harold: What’s happening next year? We’re seeing admissions officers striving to stay ahead of applicants who are increasingly using AI. There’s a rise in video questions and interviews. After spending hours on applications, what should candidates do if they’re feeling overwhelmed?
Jessica: International applicants will also face challenges regarding the country’s job landscape post graduation. Amidst recessionary times, business school becomes a refuge for many, as people opt to further their education while waiting for hiring to pick up.
Harold: Remember, up to 100 seats in your class have been taken for two years now.
Jeremy: It’s a new year and a revamped look for The mbaMission Podcast. We’ve decided to deliver a more polished video format featuring incredible guests: test experts, admissions directors, and our in-house admissions consultants. We want to cover the topics you are interested in, so please share your recommendations and questions. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Harold: I have a co-host now—the founder of mbaMission, Jeremy Shinewald.
Jeremy: Thanks for having me, Harold! In this first episode of 2025, we’re joined by Jessica Shklar, an industry legend with mbaMission since 2009. She has the most five-star reviews of any admissions consultant on GMAT Club and has successfully guided countless applicants into top business schools worldwide, including HBS, Stanford, and Wharton.
Harold: So, Jessica, what can we expect from 2025?
Jessica: It’s a bit mysterious after the challenging years of 2023 and 2024. Macro trends are affecting application volumes—everything from the economy to international applicant concerns about job prospects in the United States.
Jeremy: I recently attended a GMAC summit where they highlighted a 15% decline in GMAT test takers among international applicants, which might indicate application volume.
Jessica: Exactly—some might see this as an opportunity to stand out. In recent years, programs in Canada and Europe saw an increase in applications, making those schools more competitive.
Harold: With COVID largely in the past, we’re now seeing a new cycle of applicants who have navigated that situation during college, but it didn’t affect their working experience as much.
Jessica: Right, it’s critical to frame this context about application patterns, especially since business schools were accommodating during COVID. Applications began to normalize last year, reflecting a return to typical figures.
Jeremy: However, we must not underestimate the impact of deferred programs. Harvard had a limited number of deferred admissions, which means a portion of spots have already been filled for upcoming classes.
Jessica: Deferred programs allow applicants from college to secure a place in business school while gaining work experience first. This increases competition among current applicants.
Harold: So, what does all this mean for prospective students?
Jessica: Focus on what you can control—your application and candidacy. While macro trends might influence your school selection or career discussions, ultimately, the objective should be to present yourself as a strong candidate.
Jeremy: Right, let’s shift to micro trends. How is AI affecting applications, Jessica?
Jessica: Admissions directors are trying to keep pace with applicants who are adept with AI. We’re seeing a rise in video essays and additional complexities in application questions.
Harold: After extensive preparation, how should applicants handle video questions?
Jessica: It’s important to think on your feet. Business schools want to assess your ability to articulate ideas without preparation, as these skills are valuable in real-world business scenarios.
Jeremy: What are our predictions for the upcoming application cycle?
Jessica: Expect more spontaneous and varied application questions, a trend toward [current] GMAT or GRE scores, and a continued emphasis on quality in applications.
Harold: Ultimately, candidates should focus on creating the best application they can offer.
Jeremy: Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your insights, and thanks to everyone for tuning in to the mbaMission Podcast!
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Thank you for joining us for this episode of The mbaMission Podcast. To stay updated on future episodes, be sure to subscribe on all major podcast streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New episodes drop every Tuesday. For even more content, check us out on YouTube, where you can watch videos of our episodes and see our guests in action.
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