April 1, 2026
Every spring, I speak to aspiring business school students who are content to wait until the essay prompts are released in June to start working on their applications. However, I find that the most successful candidates take a long view on the application process. Before the weather gets really nice and you can be enjoying…
March 26, 2026
For decades, the MBA has been synonymous with launching startups, joining elite consulting firms or investment banks, or climbing the ranks of global corporations. But a growing number of ambitious candidates are pursuing a different path—one that blends entrepreneurship, investing, and operational leadership: entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). ETA is a pathway that’s turning ambitious MBA…
March 2, 2026
Six months may seem like a long lead time for preparing business school applications, but a LOT more needs to be done between now and the September submission deadlines than just writing essays. If you weren’t following along last month, check out our February tips for preparing for your MBA applications. Think back to when you applied…
February 11, 2026
If your undergraduate performance was dismal (read: a GPA less than 3.0), is there ANY hope of being accepted into an MBA program? Do the math! Stanford’s Class of 2027 has an average GPA of 3.76. If the school admitted you with a 2.7 GPA, it would have to admit SIX applicants with a perfect 4.0 to maintain its…
January 9, 2026
International candidates submit more than half of MBA applications, yet the international student population across the top 20 US MBA programs is roughly 35%. Do the math: it is super competitive. The tips we share in this blog post will help international applicants navigate the unique requirements of top US MBA programs—from testing and transcripts to timelines…
January 5, 2026
As you flip the calendar to 2026, perhaps you are putting finishing touches on Round 2 MBA applications so you can attend your dream business school later this year. If that’s you, get back to work! But if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take the next step in your career, read on….
December 15, 2025
MBA letters of support—sometimes called MBA endorsements or informal recommendations—are an optional but valuable part of many business school applications. Applicants often wonder whether they need them, who should write them, and how much weight admissions committees give these submissions. In this blog post, we at Stratus explain what an MBA letter of support is,…
December 10, 2025
If you’ve been placed on an MBA waitlist or offered “further consideration,” you’re not alone. In this blog post, we at Stratus break down what being waitlisted means and share eight actionable MBA waitlist tips to improve your chances of admission. What an MBA Waitlist or “Further Consideration” Email Looks Like Has this email showed…
December 9, 2025
Do MBA programs care about employment gaps? How long is too long for a resume gap? Should I explain an employment gap in the optional essay? Will being laid off hurt my MBA application? How do I talk about caregiving or a personal break in an MBA interview? These are questions that MBA candidates often…
December 4, 2025
Applying to business school is challenging for everyone. But if you were the first in your family to attend college, the process can feel especially overwhelming. From navigating college on your own to figuring out financial aid, internships, and career paths with limited guidance, you’ve already climbed mountains that most other MBA applicants never even…
December 1, 2025
With Round 2 MBA deadlines just around the corner, it’s crunch time to perfect your applications. At Stratus, our team-based approach helps applicants tackle every component strategically – from resumes and essays to recommendations. To help you maximize your chances of success, I have asked Stratus’ experienced counselors to share their top insights for Round…
November 28, 2025
As Round 1 MBA decisions start rolling in for both interview invitations and acceptances, now is the time to think about a Plan B—including which MBA programs, if any, you might wish to target for Round 2. Remember that to land a seat at your dream business school, you need to be a strong applicant…
Learn how Stratus’s team approach can help you get accepted to your top-choice business schools. Start with a FREE consultation with one of our Admissions Counselors. Our team is ready to dive into your goals, answer your questions about your profile and the application process, and help you boost your appeal to admissions committees!
