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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 31, 2026
When you decide you need an MBA to take the next step in your career, how do you choose where to apply? Even the strongest MBA candidates—who have competitive test scores, solid GPAs, and impressive work experience—face uncertain admissions odds. Acceptance rates at top programs are often in the single digits, and no profile is…
March 27, 2026
GMAT and GRE test scores are an important part of an MBA candidate’s application. Many applicants ask Stratus how many times they can take the GMAT or the GRE exam, and they worry about their scores. How can you tell if your score is high enough? When can you be confident that taking a test…
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 24, 2026
Here’s a scenario to which many of you can relate: You just took the GMAT or GRE. When you get home, you look at the average scores for your target schools, and you discover that you’re below those averages. You then pop over to Reddit and start doom scrolling as everyone tells you that your…
February 17, 2026
Researching your target MBA programs is an important part of your MBA journey—and a key part of that research should be reaching out to students and alumni of your target programs. You have many options to do so! First, schools have invested a lot of effort to make a wealth of information available online. Frankly,…
February 13, 2026
Applying to an MBA program can feel like an American Ninja Warrior competition. There are obstacles at every turn, such as conducting school research, introspecting your goals, preparing your essays, and interviewing. However, when you apply along with your partner, the degree of difficulty increases! You must prepare for two obstacle courses instead of one and consider…
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…
February 5, 2026
MBA applicants have a lot of options for standardized testing. The choices range from the GMAT to the GRE and even the Executive Assessment (EA). Additionally, several schools offer test waiver options. The GMAT Although the GMAT used to be the only game in town, the GRE and EA have grown in popularity over the past several years. In response,…
February 4, 2026
A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a fantastic degree for people seeking foundational skills and knowledge about business. BBA grads receive a practical education in core areas such as accounting, finance, and marketing while cultivating skills in critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and communication. The degree provides flexibility for graduates to become employed in different…
February 3, 2026
If you are reading this thinking, “I’ve got lots of time before the Round 1 2026–2027 deadlines,” think again! Although September may seem far away, preparing now for Round 1 applications will enable you to develop a well-thought-out and comprehensive application by reflecting on your story and creating the strategy to pull out all of…
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