Dr. Dimitrios Vonofakos joins us to pick up where we left off on our previous episode, “Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of a Grad School Exam,” alongside Anish Merchant. Dimitrios summons up his encyclopedia of knowledge on the psychological aspects of test-taking to bring us a fresh perspective on test anxiety, facing your fears, and applying problem-solving frameworks to real-world challenges (not just test-taking). Join us for an in-depth guide to overcoming mental hurdles and acing the test of life. 

Episode Summary 

• 01:52 - Dimitrios shares memories of a cherished childhood photo. 
• 03:15 - How did life lead Dimitrios to study psychoanalytics at the University of Essex? 
• 05:10 - Dr. Dimitrios examines his role at Merchant GMAT & Admissions and the ways he’s utilizing psychoanalysis in his work. 
• 06:31 - What sparked Dr. D’s interest in GMAC in the first place? 
• 07:28 - If the GMAT were an actual person, how would Dr. D describe it? 
• 08:16 - What is this ‘person’ — in this case, the GMAT — trying to bring out of another individual? 
• 09:02 - Dr. D examines how fear is the greatest challenge that students have to face as they tackle the GMAT. 
• 10:37 - Dimitrios reflects on the promises companies make to improve students’ scores but how the reality never lives up to those expectations. 
• 11:47 - How do people deal with anxiety? 
• 14:40 - Dr. D speaks on frameworks that Merchant applies to navigate the mental blocks of test anxiety.  
• 18:18 - How are the psychological challenges we face on the GMAT a metaphor for the challenges we face in our lives? 
• 21:51 - Dimitrios touches on the idea of “skipping” — and how you don’t have to solve everything. 
• 22:56 - Dr. D leaves us with two insights that he thinks are essential for those navigating the GMAT and the tests of life. 
• 25:40 - How can you get in contact with Merchant GMAT & Admissions? 

Links
Merchant GMAT & Admissions

University of Essex

Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalysis

The GMAT Exam 

Guest Information
Linkedin

Resources
Study MBA in the USA

A GMAT Story & Additional Resources

Merchant GMAT & Admissions

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Anish Merchant often recounts “The Hero’s Journey” — the story of a hero who goes on a grand adventure to find where he or she belongs. Stories like this inspired Anish to leave the U.S. in pursuit of his own grand adventure — one that helped him find where he belonged: in Buenas Aires, Argentina. Rather than this signaling the end of his journey, it was the birth of a new one. Anish’s new calling took shape in the form of his company, Merchant GMAT & Admissions, which helps students navigate the GMAT and, as an extension, life itself.


Episode Summary 

• 02:53 - What is the meaning of Anish’s name? 
• 03:39 - Anish explains how seeking adventure brought him to his new home — Buenos Aires, Argentina — and how it changed the trajectory of his life. 
• 05:58 - What is it about Buenos Aires that resonated with Anish so much?
• 07:05 - Anish looks back on the origins of his company, Merchant GMAT & Admissions. 
• 10:44 - How does Anish see the role of an MBA degree in a person’s life?
• 12:05 - Anish gives advice to students who see the GMAT or MBA as an end goal, and suggests that it’s simply a means to an end. 
• 14:48 - As important as it is to know what you want to do, Anish stresses the importance of knowing what you don’t want to do. 
• 18:47 - Anish compares the pathway to an MBA to the path you walk in life. 
• 19:34 - How is the GMAT a metaphor for life itself?
• 21:40 - Anish breaks down problem-solving structures that are inherently present in the GMAT. 
• 24:15 - Anish talks about how the fear of failure inhibits students from performing to their potential. 
• 26:35 - Anish gives one last story on how working in international education has changed his life. 
• 28:00 - Who is Anish’s favorite superhero (and what superpower would he want)? 

Links
Buenas Aires, Argentina

Merchant GMAT & Admissions 

Meaning of the name Anish

The GMAT Exam 

MBA 

Guest Information
Linkedin 

Resources
Study MBA in the USA

A GMAT Story & Additional Resources

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Introduction 

Maryam Esmat, a Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 honoree, returns for the second part of her interview. In this episode, Maryam shares the work she’s done for NASA by AURA on the James Webb Space Telescope, her current research on the topic of dark matter, and the rarity of Arabs in the physics realm. 

Join us to hear how Maryam is mentoring the next generation and paving the way for students looking to follow in her footsteps. 

Episode Summary 

• 02:00 - Maryam reflects on her time at the Space Telescope Science Institute, working on the James Webb Space Telescope. 
• 05:29 - Maryam mentions two separate projects she worked on with the James Webb Telescope — (1) calibrating the space telescope AND (2) informing exoplanet scientists on how to use it.  
• 07:27 - How did Maryam react to being chosen for the Forbes Middle East 30 under 30? 
• 09:14 - Maryam explains dark matter, what it is, and why it’s important.  
• 15:32 - Maryam talks about her experiences collaborating with scientists, including the HAYSTAC collaboration and Dr. Katelyn Breivik. 
• 20:11 - Maryam debunks common misconceptions about the astrophysicist community, and how she believes people should view them. 
• 23:28 - Maryam touches on being one of the only Arabs, especially women, in the physics and astrophysics space. 
• 26:25 - Maryam gives a PSA to all Arab physicists out there in the world — contact her — she’s part of a Discord channel that connects Arab physicists worldwide! 
• 27:07 - Maryam highlights how important it’s been to her to mentor students, from helping them apply to U.S. institutions through EducationUSA to now mentoring them in astrophysics and creative writing. 
• 29:00 - Maryam shares her advice for students looking to study in the U.S. 

Links 

NASA by AURA

James Webb Space Telescope

Space Telescope Science Institute 

Forbes 30 Under 30

Dark Matter

Haloscope at Yale Sensitive to Axion CDN

Katelyn Breivik

Guest Information

Linkedin 

Resources

Study at Lycoming College

Study Astrophysics and Astronomy in the USA

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