You are currently browsing the MBA category.

July 15, 2026
Known for its extremely close-knit, down-to-earth community, Dartmouth Tuck wants to learn about you and how you will contribute to and support the individuals in it. The school’s admissions committee also wants to see that you truly understand and value the program’s unique culture, which has evolved away from any major city. For its application…

July 14, 2026
Chicago Booth, well-known for its quantitative approach and highly flexible curriculum, continues to use the application process to identify strong qualitative thinkers who offer a broad diversity of experiences that will bring variety to class discussions and add complexity to the team dynamics the school emphasizes. This year, the program’s application has changed dramatically; in…

July 13, 2026
The global coronavirus pandemic disrupted standardized testing, making it challenging for MBA applicants in some parts of the world to secure a seat in a testing center. As a result, test takers could also opt to take an online (at-home) version of the GMAT, GRE, and Executive Assessment (EA), but this was not an option for…

July 6, 2026
UCLA Anderson stands out among MBA programs because of its location in a large city with many different industries, its collaborative culture, and the flexibility it offers to customize your business school experience. Anderson looks for applicants who embody the school’s three pillars: sharing success, thinking fearlessly, and driving change. As you think about the…

July 6, 2026
Cornell Johnson has a small, close-knit community and an amiable, internationally focused culture with an emphasis on collaboration. The school looks for candidates who will have an impact on the program both as students and after graduation. Leadership, teamwork skills, the ability to analyze problems, and strong interpersonal capabilities are key traits the admissions committee…

July 6, 2026
Early July is about two months before the first regular-decision MBA application deadlines. If you’re preparing to apply to business school, you’re likely pretty overwhelmed by all there is to do, but it helps to lay out the tasks in steps to keep all the moving parts together. Here are some things you should do…

July 2, 2026
MIT Sloan wants you to make your pitch for admission in a somewhat unique application essay format: a business cover letter. Although the information the admissions committee wants is not that different from what most programs seek, the presentation might be a bit daunting for some candidates. Sloan also asks for a short video introduction,…

July 1, 2026
NYU Stern’s collaborative, dynamic, and diverse culture is truly shaped by the school’s location in the heart of New York City and can be defined simply as IQ + EQ. While I believe that Stern still truly believes in supporting change, this year, the school has switched up its application essays to give you more…

June 30, 2026
This year, Michigan Ross condensed its essay questions to one short career-related query and a multiple-choice prompt designed to provide an opportunity for you to share a story that demonstrates your resilience, grit, and community-building traits. Part 1: Career Aspirations What is your short-term career goal, and how do you plan to leverage the Ross…

June 25, 2026
I’ve had this conversation too many times to count over the last ten years: talking to an MBA applicant who aspires to scale the ten-foot wall to break into the elite world of investment banking (IB). I’ve helped them, and I can help you too. The path from auditor, engineer, pricing analyst, consultant, and even…

June 23, 2026
The school’s essay prompts focus on three specific themes. In these essays, HBS seeks evidence that applicants are business minded, leadership focused, and growth oriented, and in this post, we offer our tips on how to approach these essays. Business-Minded Essay Please reflect on how your choices have influenced your career path and aspirations. (300…

June 22, 2026
The application essays for the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) are among the more expansive and demanding of those for the top MBA programs; the GSB truly wants to get to know you. With a 650-word essay that necessitates some soul-searching, 350 words on your interest in Stanford specifically, and multiple optional short answers…
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!