Blog:
Seven Tips for Low-Income MBA Applicants
December 11, 2025
Top business schools are increasingly seeking socioeconomic diversity alongside other dimensions such as race, gender, nationality, and professional background. Admissions committees understand that students who’ve navigated financial constraints bring valuable perspectives on resource allocation, risk assessment, and stakeholder impact that can’t be learned from a textbook—perspectives that make case discussions richer and challenge assumptions in…
First-Gen and MBA Bound: Tips for Standing Out in Your MBA Applications
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…
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…
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…
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…
CPA to MBA: Conduct a Pre–Business School Audit
November 12, 2025
Every year, thousands of accounting and audit professionals set their sights on top MBA programs. You’ve earned your CPA, served demanding clients, and climbed the ranks, but that alone won’t earn you a coveted seat at Wharton, Chicago Booth, or Columbia. Before you hit “Submit” on your business school application, take time to audit yourself—not…
Using Lessons from Greek Life in Your MBA Applications
October 20, 2025
Often, I have conversations with clients about whether or not they should use a story from their fraternity or sorority days as part of their business school application. As a former president of my sorority, I understand the leadership experiences available through Greek life, like most extracurricular experiences. As with any story in your application,…
Resources for Black MBA Applicants
October 10, 2025
Black students represent an important talent pipeline for firms across industries. In this blog post, we at Stratus outline several notable pre- and post-MBA programs that will provide a great launching pad for your professional career. (Note: Program details are subject to change. Please consult each organization directly to verify program availability and eligibility requirements.)…
LGBTQIA+ Clubs at Top MBA Programs
October 2, 2025
Even though the national conversation around diversity has shifted since last year, business schools continue to value diversity along every dimension and go to great lengths to make their programs welcoming to all, including LGBTQIA+ applicants and students. The top MBA programs in the United States all have LGBTQIA+ student clubs. As you research business…
Top Business School Clubs and Recruiting Events for Active-Duty Military and Veterans
October 1, 2025
Are you an active military member or a veteran considering applying to business school? MBA programs seek veterans and active military members because, as we discuss in “How to Leverage Your Military Experience in MBA Applications,” traits that lead to success in military service can also lead to success in business school and beyond—in particular,…
How to Leverage Your Military Experience in MBA Applications
October 1, 2025
Perhaps you are leaving active military service and hoping an MBA can help provide a smooth transition to civilian life. Or maybe you are pausing your active service to get an MBA with the goal of gaining skills to boost your military career. Will schools view your military service in a positive light? YES! The…
Top MBA Programs’ Fall 2025 Diversity Events for Prospective Students
September 30, 2025
One of the best ways for prospective business school students to learn about how well they might fit with an MBA program is by engaging with enrolled students who come from a similar cultural background. To facilitate this research, top business schools are offering diversity events this year to provide aspiring MBAs an opportunity to…