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Meet Our MBA Admissions Consultants: Liz Bender

April 15 2014 By The MBA Exchange
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An MBA graduate of The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Liz Bender majored in marketing and management. Prior to joining The MBA Exchange, she had over 10 years of corporate experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Liz has held management positions in marketing, sales and human resources for a leading pharmacy benefits management company. She gained further experience in sales and information technology at Eli Lilly and Company. At Fuqua, she worked in the admissions office where she advised MBA applicants. Her own admissions campaign produced offers from four top-tier schools. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Mathematics from Hanover College. In addition, she studied services marketing, leadership, employee and customer loyalty, and business ethics at The Center for Services Leadership at Arizona State University.

“What is your favorite aspect of admissions consulting?”

Prompting “aha” moments with applicants is my favorite aspect of admissions consulting. Since crafting a compelling, effective admissions package requires authenticity, honesty and self-awareness, my goals are to 1) understand what makes my clients unique, interesting, passionate, individuals and 2) help them express their stories effectively through each part of the application. Business school is a truly transformative experience, starting with the application process itself, so I enjoy taking these first steps with each of my clients.

“Which 3 adjectives best describe your approach to admissions consulting?”

Responsive, perceptive, candid.

“Describe your most rewarding experience as an admissions consultant?”

My most gratifying engagement was helping clients without a college degree gain acceptance to top-tier business schools – twice. Helping them to convey stories that confirmed their qualifications and revealed their potential was incredibly satisfying.

“What is the most critical component of a successful admissions campaign?”

Honesty. Applicants must first be honest with themselves about abilities, strengths, weaknesses, motivations and goals. This will guide them toward the schools that offer the best fit and chance for acceptance. Then, applicants must share this honest assessment in a compelling, articulate, passionate way that ignites the interest of the admissions committee.

“What do you do for fun outside of work?”

Most mornings I head to the gym for “boot camp” or spinning class to clear my mind before work. In my free time I enjoy reading a good novel or taking horseback-riding lessons with my daughter. Always up for an adventure with friends and family, I recently sailed the Florida Keys and am planning a Grand Canyon hike in the near future.

To learn more about our consultants please visit our Consulting Team page. If you’re interested in applying to top business schools, we invite you to submit your background information for a free evaluation of your candidacy.