Poets&Quants
MBA News, Experts, & Admissions Advice With Executive Editor Pola Lem https://poetsandquants.com/
Episodes
344 episodes
US News Undergraduate Business Rankings 2026
For better or worse, US News is the king of rankings. So why does everyone care so much about this ranking, how’s it made, and how much stock should applicants put in this list?
MBA Rankings: Bloomberg Vs. QS
Three major business school rankings dropped in the same week this September. We examine what changed – and what to take away if you’re applying for business school.
"Sustainability Is Strategy, Not a Module": Inside CBS's Triple-Accredited MBA
Copenhagen Business School's MBA is capped at 50 students, triple-accredited, and built on one idea: sustainability is a business strategy, not an add-on. Pola Lem talks with Andreas Rasche, Professor of Sustainability and Associate Dean of the...
One Student’s Path: IIT To Wharton To BCG
How do students get from undergraduate degree to internship, to first job, into a top MBA program – and beyond? Today’s guest went from an IIT into consulting, Wharton MBA and then BCG.
September MBA Changes: Enrollment Drops To Scrapped Requirements
This month, Duke’s Fuqua School enrolled its smallest MBA class since the pandemic. Meanwhile, Harvard Business School killed off one of its most iconic traditions. We explore the common thread.
Top Master's In Management Programs In 2026
Is the Master’s in Management actually worth it right now? And what can we glean from the FT’s recent MiM ranking?
Leadership Lessons From Extreme Sailing
Skipper Gavin Rees led London Business School to second place in the 2025-26 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. In this mini-episode, he tells Business Casual’s Pola Lem about the leadership lessons he gleaned in this high-stakes environment.&...
Confidence Without Cringe Getting It Right In the MBA Essay
How can applicants strike the right tone when they describe their achievements? We go through some top tips – and what not to do to alienate your file reader.
The MBA That Won't Make You Quit Your Job
Can working professionals do the full-time MBA without dropping their jobs? Columbia is the most recent business school to bet yes.
What Does It Take To Get Into The M7
Last autumn, elite business schools enrolled their largest combined class in six years – yet admissions plateaued. What can students expect this year?
What US Immigration Changes Mean For International Students
Foreign students in the US are facing new, stricter visa rules limiting their time in the country. Plus, the Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for working in the US after graduation.
The Princeton Review Rankings: What Actually Matters
One ranking does things very differently. This week we talk about the Princeton Review Ranking – why it’s unusual and how it can be useful for MBA applicants.
MBA Application Changes 2026-27
We discuss the trends in this year’s b-school application questions and drill into the details at numerous top programs.
From MBA To MBB
We dig into the truth and perceptions behind the narrative of hiring cooldown in the MBB. Plus, this week we have a guest host.
MBA Application: The Couples’ Edition
Which factors should MBA couples consider when deciding whether to apply together? And how should they communicate that in their applications?
Overthinking The Essay? Stanford’s New Tool
We take a look at Stanford’s new MBA application tool and the reasons why candidates overthink certain essay questions.
Unpacking The GMAT Superscore
How does GMAT’s new ‘Superscore’ change things for b-school applicants?
Overseas MBA: The Real ROI
We dig into misconceptions and truths about the true cost of an MBA abroad.
The Gift That Keeps Giving: Philanthropic Funding
This week we talk test waivers, optional essays, and how big-ticket charitable gifts shape scholarship funding.
AI With A Human Touch: Rethinking Intelligence In Business And Healthcare With Eren Ahsen
In this episode, Gies Business professor Eren Ahsen shares his unconventional journey from mathematics and electrical engineering to machine learning in healthcare and ultimately business education. He discusses how AI evolved from an academic ...
To Ai Or Not To AI: The Admissions Essay
Should applicants use AI in their admissions essays? With extreme caution, as we hear this week.
Crafting A Career Vision
As we enter summer, we talk about how applicants can strategically approach those early MBA application dates. Plus, we demystify the ‘career vision’.
From Wall Street To The Classroom: Rich Excell On Markets, Risk, And Teaching Finance
In this episode, finance veteran and Gies College of Business professor Rich Excell shares his journey from global trading floors around the world to becoming an award-winning educator. He discusses the evolution of derivatives and market effic...
