The HKUST MBA has been one of Asia's top-ranked MBAs for many years - the Financial Times has ranked it top 25 globally 15 times. But, what is it actually like to study there?

Stephen Shih, Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School and a former Partner at Bain & Company, shares what makes the HKUST MBA unique. We cover Hong Kong's strategic importance, the benefits of studying at a renowned science and technology university, HKUST's flexible curriculum, and the differences between the 12 and 16-month program options. Stephen also shares his views on AI's impact on MBA careers, what employers are prioritizing, and what the HKUST admissions team actually looks for beyond GMAT scores.

Program Highlights - What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique?

• Introduction (0:00)
• What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique? (8:25)
• How HKUST is "Future-Proofing" its MBA as AI Reshapes Business (13:20)
• Why Hong Kong for Your MBA (20:00)
• HKUST MBA's 12 and 16-Month Course Structure (22:45)
• HKUST MBA's Student & Learning Culture (25:00)

HKUST MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances?

• What HKUST MBA Looks for from Applicants (27:00)
• Post-MBA Goals (29:00)
• Interviews (31:05)
• GMAT/GRE Scores (32:15)
• Stephen's Final Application Tips (35:50)
• How HKUST MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (37:35)

Career Opportunities at HKUST - What to Know & How to Prepare

• How to Leverage HKUST's Career Resources to Land Post-MBA Jobs (40:30)
• HKUST Industry Placements & Resources for Entrepreneurs (45:45)
• What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Hong Kong, China & Asia-Pacific (51:00)
• Maximizing ROI at the HKUST MBA (52:15)

About Our Guest

Stephen Shih is the Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Learning & Development at Bain & Company in Shanghai, China. Stephen served as Head of MBA Career Services and Corporate Relations at HKUST from 2010-11 before returning to Bain & Company as a Partner and leading its organization practice in Asia-Pacific. Stephen majored in Economics at Princeton University and got his MBA from UCLA Anderson.

Show Notes

• HKUST MBA
• HKUST MBA Scholarships
• HKUST Entrepreneurship Center
• HKUST MBA SuperConnector Podcast
• HKUST Full-time MBA Highlights by Touch MBA

MBA Application Resources

• ⁠⁠⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)⁠

Your MBA application is a "movie preview" of what is to come - a pitch for your candidacy. Imagine an admissions officer reading hundreds of applications. How can you get this gatekeeper to pay attention, remember you, believe you, care about you, and act on your application in a positive way (we must interview her!)?

In this reposted episode, Darren uses the marketing classic Made to Stick as inspiration for how to create a memorable MBA application.

Six elements - Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Story (SUCCES) - are the building blocks of sticky ideas. Be sure to incorporate all 6 elements into your MBA application.

Topics

• Introduction (0:00)
• Your MBA Application is Like a Movie Preview (:)
• Simple (7:15)
• Unexpected (8:45)
• Concrete (10:40)
• Credible (11:05)
• Emotional (12:30)
• Story (14:35)

Show Notes

• #113 Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t
• #200 The 3S’s of Scintillating Storytelling
• #51 Stalking the Story for Your MBA Essays
• #83 MBA Essays that Work – Candid Thoughts on Essays, Authenticity and Being Yourself
• Made to Stick, by Chip and Dan Heath

Resources for MBA Applicants

• Get free school selection help at Touch MBA
• Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs
• Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)

What does IESE look for in MBA applicants? How do they evaluate your academic aptitude, post-MBA career goals, leadership potential and fit? In this episode, IESE MBA Admissions Director Patrik Wallen shares candid insights into what makes candidates stand out — and what makes IESE’s two-year MBA unique.

Program Highlights - What Makes the IESE MBA Unique?

• Introduction (0:00)
• What Makes the IESE MBA Unique? (3:30)
• IESE's Reputation with Employers (11:30)
• IESE MBA's Two-Year Course Structure (14:27)
• Living, Studying & Working in Barcelona, Spain (18:37)
• The Importance of Speaking the Local Language: Spanish (25:10)

IESE MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances?

• What IESE MBA Looks for When Building a Class (28:00)
• Patrik's Thoughts on Post-MBA Goals (37:00)
• GMAT/GRE Scores & GPA (41:45)
• Resumes (48:00)
• Written Essays & Video Essays (52:45)
• Letters of Recommendation (55:35)
• Interviews & IESE MBA's Assessment Day (57:45)
• How IESE MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (1:03:35)

Career Opportunities at IESE - What to Know & How to Prepare

• Has AI Affected Recruiting for Consulting? (1:10:55)
• IESE MBA's Grading System (1:17:30)
• What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Spain & Europe (1:20:05)
• Structured Recruiting & Unstructured Recruiting: What Applicants Can Expect from IESE's Career Services (1:27:45)

About Our Guest

Patrik Wallen is the MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School. Previously, he was Director of IESE's Career Development Center. Before joining IESE, Patrik worked as a general manager in hospitality, founded a fish importing business and worked as a software consultant. Patrik got his Masters in Science in Computer Science from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and his MBA from IESE in 2007.

Show Notes

• IESE MBA
• Get feedback on your profile from IESE MBA's Admissions Team before you apply
• IESE MBA Scholarships and Post-Graduation Payment Aid (PPA) for MBAs

MBA Application Resources

• ⁠⁠Get free school selection help at Touch MBA⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Get pre-assessed by top international MBA programs⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Get the Admissions Edge Course: Proven Techniques for Admission to Top Business Schools⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Our favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)