#233 6 Ways to Make Your Application Stick (Repost)
Thu Jan 29 2026
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 (3:25)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 YourselfMade to Stick, by Chip and Dan HeathResources for MBA Applicants
Get free school selection help at Touch MBAGet pre-assessed by top international MBA programsOur favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)
More
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 (3:25)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 YourselfMade to Stick, by Chip and Dan HeathResources for MBA Applicants Get free school selection help at Touch MBAGet pre-assessed by top international MBA programsOur favorite MBA application tools (after advising 4,000 applicants)