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Laura Nelson

Denver Metro, Colorado

Businesswoman, MBA admissions consultant, B2B SaaS marketer, artist, and outdoor aficionado – in no particular order.

The Fallacy of HSW or Bust: Your Success Isn't Determined by Prestige

The Fallacy of HSW or Bust: Your Success Isn't Determined by Prestige

Every application season, we see amazing candidates pin their entire MBA application strategy on getting into Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton. When rejections arrive, they're devastated and convinced their career prospects are doomed. This "HSW or bust" mentality isn't just emotionally crushing – it's

The Case for Skipping the MBA

The Case for Skipping the MBA

Sometimes, the best MBA decision is not going at all. A few years ago, I worked with a candidate who got into UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. In the same week, she was offered her dream job. Instead of pursuing the MBA, she took the job. She

What's Happening in MBA Admissions Right Now: Insights from August 2025

What's Happening in MBA Admissions Right Now: Insights from August 2025

With Round 1 deadlines around the corner, a few patterns are emerging: Concerns about AI persist... but everyone's using it Nearly every MBA candidate asks "Will the ad comms know I used ChatGPT?" The real concern isn't whether you used AI – it's

Josh Cohen of Fuqua Shares His Perspective on Startup Recruiting and Risk

Josh Cohen of Fuqua Shares His Perspective on Startup Recruiting and Risk

Recently, I connected with Josh Cohen, Director of MBA Entrepreneurship Programs and Startup Recruiting from Fuqua. We talked about his journey from b-school, his startup career, and his current role collaborating with and advising Fuqua MBAs. Josh shared several timely and relevant insights related to risk, career planning, and growth,

Beyond the Headlines: What Stanford GSB Students are *Really* Saying

Beyond the Headlines: What Stanford GSB Students are Really Saying

Poets&Quants recently stirred up a lot of sh– ...er, controversy with its reporting about Stanford GSB students who say that "We're not learning anything."