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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 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 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…
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 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 3, 2025
If you are considering submitting MBA applications in Round 2, will you be ready in time for early-January deadlines? Will your application be the strongest application you can submit? Or might you be a substantially more compelling candidate if you wait until September 2026 to apply? 1. Am I at peace with my standardized test…
October 1, 2025
As many aspiring MBA students are wrapping up Round 1 applications or anxiously awaiting a coveted interview invite, perhaps you are wondering where to begin! Do not worry. If you use your time wisely, you can complete several applications to submit before Round 2 MBA deadlines this January. Here is what you need to be doing in…
September 2, 2025
September is a crucial month for MBA applicants targeting top programs. It’s the final stretch before Round 1 deadlines, and there are several key tasks to complete to ensure your application is polished and ready to go. Here are some essential things to focus on this month: 1. Put the finishing touches on essays. Your…
August 4, 2025
August is one of my busiest months as an MBA admissions counselor, which means it’s definitely busy for my clients! For most folks, it’s the last full month before Round 1 applications are due. To make the most of this final sprint to the finish line, let’s talk about some of the things you should…
July 1, 2025
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…
June 2, 2025
If you intend to submit business school applications in Round 1, you have about 100 days until the first deadlines. The month of June is an exciting one because most MBA programs will release their deadlines and any changes in their essays. Bookmark our Deadlines page, which will be updated as new dates and essays…
May 1, 2025
As the weather gets nicer and you look forward to summer, it might be harder to focus on your business school applications. There’s so much you can be doing in May to make it easier on yourself in the coming months—so you can enjoy your summer and still be ready for R1 deadlines! Here are…
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!
