Blog:
Understanding Private Equity and Venture Capital: What MBA Applicants Need to Know
December 2, 2025
For years, private equity (PE) was the holy grail for many MBA candidates and students. Given the growth of the sector, an MBA is no longer required for certain roles, but firms still recruit heavily at top schools. Many candidates I talk to are interested in PE or venture capital (VC), but they don’t have…
How to Get into INSEAD
December 2, 2025
INSEAD, boasting two intakes and a three-language entry requirement, has consistently been one of the top business schools in the world, ranking #1 globally in the Financial Times MBA Rankings in 2016 and 2017.
December Tips for Round 2 MBA Applicants
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…
Understanding Private Equity and Venture Capital: What MBA Applicants Need to Know
November 30, 2025
For years, private equity (PE) was the holy grail for many MBA candidates and students. Given the growth of the sector, an MBA is no longer required for certain roles, but firms still recruit heavily at top schools. Many candidates I talk to are interested in PE or venture capital (VC), but they don’t have…
How to Get into Columbia Business School
November 29, 2025
How are you going to take advantage of being at the ‘very center of business?’ Your answer to this question is one of the keys you need to unlock a future at the prestigious Columbia Business School (CBS). As in general with New York City, it really is all about location, location, location in your application, whether physically or figuratively.
Plan B for Your MBA Applications: Seven Steps to Take Now
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…
How to Get into Harvard Business School
November 25, 2025
Many people are intimidated by the prestige of Harvard – the worldwide reputation, internationally known professors, beautiful campus with manicured lawns – but once students settle in to the HBS experience along with hundreds of diverse peers from around the world, it just feels like the perfect place to earn your MBA.
MBA Application Tips for LGBTQIA+ Candidates
November 25, 2025
Each year, business schools strive to admit groups of students who are diverse among multiple dimensions: demographic backgrounds, work experiences, countries of origin, and even future career plans. Schools want to create a welcoming environment for all, and that has increasingly included their LGBTQIA+ candidates and students. Some top business schools have even developed specialized…
How to Write a Compelling GMAT Test Waiver Request
November 24, 2025
Not too long ago, the GMAT was the sole gateway to a top MBA program. These days, the GMAT is starting to become less of a “must” with each increasing year due to many contributing factors—notwithstanding a global pandemic, schools wanting to access a more diverse swath of applicants, and admissions committees gathering data on…
How to Get into Duke University Fuqua School of Business
November 24, 2025
So, you are thinking about applying to Duke’s daytime MBA program? First, learn how to pronounce the name of the school – FEW-kwa. Say it again, FEW-kwa. It doesn’t really roll off your tongue but the name is half of “Team Fuqua” so you will be well served to learn to say it correctly.
How to Get into Yale School of Management
November 21, 2025
Do you want to immerse yourself in an education that will provide you a full passport – stamped with complex business issues and personal interactions that traverse the globe? At Yale SOM, you will be surrounded by global talent from across all sectors and regions with a broad range of backgrounds and interests.
What Is DEI, and Why Do Business Schools Care About It?
November 21, 2025
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a collection of policies and programs within an organization designed to encourage representation and participation of people across all racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and ability backgrounds. With the increased attention being paid to DEI principles both across the United States and around the world, tomorrow’s business leaders need to…