You don’t go to ESADE just to learn. You go to become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
In this episode of The MBA Golden Buzzer, ESADE Admissions Director Beatriz Campos returns to talk about transformation, what it means, how it happens, and why ESADE is designed for it.
As a former MBA consultant turned admissions leader, Beatriz brings rare clarity to what applicants get right (and wrong) about ESADE and what you should be doing now if you want to stand out.
ESADE Is More Than a Business School. It’s a Community That Changes You
“We’re not just admitting candidates. We’re shaping people.” That’s how Beatriz describes ESADE’s approach to culture.
The small class size means students aren’t just names on a spreadsheet. They’re individuals the admissions team is deeply invested in. “You’re dealing with people’s emotions. Their dreams. Their aspirations,” she said. That personal touch isn’t just warm and fuzzy. It’s part of what makes the ESADE experience so transformational.
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The Rambla of Innovation Isn’t Just for Entrepreneurs
Yes, ESADE has a startup spirit. But you don’t need to be launching the next unicorn to benefit from its innovation ecosystem.
“It’s a space where your preconceptions get pushed and tested,” Beatriz explained. Whether you’re building tech in the Fab Lab or rethinking sustainability strategy in a corporate setting, the Rambla of Innovation forces you to stretch your thinking.
And yes, it’s beautiful. But more importantly, it’s useful. “It helps you change how you think about business. Even if you’re not going into entrepreneurship.”
The Learning Doesn’t Stop in the Classroom
ESADE’s learning model is 50 percent academic and 50 percent hands-on, and Beatriz means it.
“You’re not just cracking cases,” she said. “You’re solving real problems for real companies, who then implement your ideas in their teams.”
It’s not just a simulation. It’s consulting in real time with real stakes. Students leave ESADE knowing not just what to do, but how to adapt what they’ve learned to situations no textbook could have predicted.
Barcelona Is the Advantage You Haven’t Fully Calculated
We all know the lifestyle pitch: great food, walkable neighborhoods, sunny skies. But Barcelona is also one of Europe’s top business hubs.
“Our students are working with top firms in consulting, finance, tech, and startups,” Beatriz shared. “Being based here means immediate access to industry, talent, and opportunity.”
It also makes ESADE a magnet for international companies and a launchpad for global careers.
The Students Who Thrive? They’re Curious and Unafraid to Explore
When asked what kind of student thrives at ESADE, Beatriz didn’t hesitate. “The curious one.”
ESADE rewards the student who pushes beyond their comfort zone. The one who signs up for a class in ESG even though they’ve never cared about sustainability. The one who shows up for speaker events, tech workshops, and late-night idea jams on the rooftop.
“You don’t have to change your entire career path,” she said. “But if you leave ESADE exactly as you came in, you missed the point.”
Want to Show Fit? It’s Not About Listing 10 Names
Beatriz’s golden buzzer advice is to talk to people and show that you actually listened.
“It’s not about a laundry list of alumni,” she said. “It’s about who opened your eyes to something new. That’s the kind of insight we’re looking for in your application.”
Whether you’re just starting your application or putting the finishing touches on your essays, make space for that connection to shine through.
GOLDEN BUZZER TIP: Ask Yourself, “Will This Experience Truly Change Me?”
“The real question isn’t just, ‘What will I get out of this MBA?’” Beatriz said. “It’s ‘Will I become the person I’ve always wanted to be?’”
That’s the ESADE difference. It’s not just about what you learn. It’s about how it shapes who you become.
Ready to Apply to ESADE? Be Authentic and Be Strategic.
At ESADE, connection matters. But that doesn’t mean you can wing it. You need to show the admissions team that you understand what makes the program unique and why you belong there.
At Ellin Lolis Consulting, we’ve helped countless clients earn admission to ESADE, including candidates with nontraditional backgrounds or lower test scores. We know exactly how to position your profile to align with ESADE’s values, culture, and community.
Our 98.9% success rate comes from a proven process. We don’t just edit your work. We partner with you to find the story only you can tell and then shape it into an application that admissions officers remember.
Apply to work with us here, and let’s build an ESADE application that’s personal, powerful, and strategic.
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
