Blog:
Attention International Applicants: Top US MBA Programs with STEM Designations
September 29, 2025
The top 25 MBA programs have all certified their programs or a specific major, pathway, or concentration as STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). A STEM designation for an MBA program allows international students with F1 visas the eligibility to extend the Optional Practical Training (OPT) period to work in the United States from 12 months…
Applying to MBA Programs When You Have an Untraditional Background
September 25, 2025
Over the past 10–15 years, top MBA programs have accepted more students from untraditional backgrounds, including education (e.g., Teach for America), the Peace Corps, PR/media/communications, and the government/public sector. Having students from a range of different backgrounds adds to the diversity of business school classes. In all types of programs, but especially those that use…
MBA Application Optional Essay: Strategic Tips for Applicants
September 22, 2025
When applying to top MBA programs, you’ll likely encounter an “optional essay” as part of the application process. It can be tempting to skip this section, especially if you feel your application is already strong. But should you? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all; it depends on your circumstances and the specific guidance provided by each school….
Wharton MBA Interview: Tips for the Team Based Discussion
September 18, 2025
Unlike any other MBA interview, Wharton puts you in a room with strangers and asks you to build something together in 35 minutes. Today, I want to share some tips that will help you prepare for Wharton’s unique interview: the Team Based Discussion (TBD). Wharton’s TBD is conducted in a group environment, with only ten…
Five Reasons to Pursue an MBA Along with the CFA Designation
September 17, 2025
Earning a CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter is indeed a time commitment: the average charterholder spends around 300 hours studying for each of three levels of the exam, and fewer than 20% of entering Level I candidates successfully complete the program. Many financial professionals might wonder whether pursuing an MBA in addition to the CFA…
Is a Tech MBA the Right Path for Your Career?
September 15, 2025
Technology is everywhere these days—and careers revolving around technology are the focus of many MBA programs. Although a general-management MBA will help you build strong management and business skills, if you are looking to pivot specifically into technology, there are tech-focused programs designed to help you do so. In addition, all tech MBA programs are…
Six Steps to Writing Strong MBA Application Essays
September 12, 2025
In today’s competitive admissions climate, a successful MBA application requires significant time, planning, and self-reflection. One of the most important elements of that application is the essay, which is where you set yourself apart. The right essay can have a positively transformative effect on your profile—and, with it, your admissions decisions. Given our decades of…
Three Tips as You Consider the ROI on an MBA
September 9, 2025
In its most recent , the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reported that MBA applications soared by nearly 12% after two years of decline. Furthermore, a 2024 GMAC survey reported that median total compensation increased by 33% following graduate business training. These trends highlight that the return on investment (ROI) for an MBA degree remains…
September To-Do list for Round 1
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…
The Best MBA Programs for Real Estate
August 28, 2025
An MBA with a focus in real estate can help hone your skills across development, property law, and market analysis. In recent years, I have worked with architects, sustainable development experts, and those who did real estate on the side looking for an MBA program to hone their real estate skills. Those graduating with a…
Five Tips for Veterans Transitioning to an MBA Program
August 21, 2025
Arriving at Wharton after six years in the Army was a culture shock for me, to say the least. Life quickly shifted from OPORDs to exams, uniforms to athleisure, steady paycheck to zero income, following orders to charting a path, being saluted to being waved at. After navigating the transition from the military to business…
Liberal Arts Major to Finance Professional: Four Tips for Leveraging an MBA
August 15, 2025
Many prospective business school students with nontraditional backgrounds, such as those with liberal arts degrees, plan to leverage an MBA to rebrand themselves and pivot into the financial services industry. An MBA will open many doors for students with liberal arts degrees by providing such students with an opportunity to meet prospective employers and build…