MBA Blog
Plan B for Your MBA Applications: Six Things to Think About Now
December 2, 2022
As Round 1 MBA decisions start rolling in for both acceptances and interview invitations, now is the time to think about a Plan B—including which MBA programs you might wish to target for Round 2. Remember that to land a seat at your dream business school, you need to be a strong applicant AND submit…
December Tips for Round 2 MBA Applicants
December 1, 2022
At Stratus, we use a team-based approach when supporting our clients as they prepare their MBA applications. Going into the last month before Round 2 submission deadlines, I decided to have some of my talented colleagues share their insights on how you should approach various components of your business school applications. But first, a few…
Seven MBA Waitlist Tips
November 29, 2022
Round 1 decisions are out, and you are not in. Although you may be disappointed, the good news is that you were not denied! Here are seven tips for what you can do while you are on an MBA waitlist. 1. Breathe. Relax. Seriously, you are still in play. Celebrate! There is something—actually, probably a lot—about your application…
Tips for College (and Pro) Athletes Applying to MBA Programs
November 25, 2022
The phrase “An athlete will die twice, the first time at retirement” will ring true for many athletes. After years of investing so much time and energy to the sport, they’ve created lasting memories, built lifelong friendships, and developed personality traits during the peaks and troughs of their career. The extensive personal sacrifice required often…
Seven Tips for Writing a Standout Goals Essay for Your MBA Applications
November 23, 2022
When reviewing your business school application, admissions committees want to see that you can clearly articulate your goals and tie them into your personal story. Why, you might ask, do you need to articulate your goals if many people either change their mind or want to explore career options during their time in an MBA…
Doppelgänger MBA Programs: If You Like X, You May Like Y
November 21, 2022
How do you “fit” into an MBA program? Whether the issue is you liking a school or a school liking you (to the point that it accepts you), the question of fit is one that should always be top of mind for any applicant. Do you like a program’s teaching style? The focus of the…
Ten Tips to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile Before Applying to Business School
November 17, 2022
Among social media outlets with a professional focus, LinkedIn is the undisputed leader. The platform allows you to showcase thought leadership in your field and to weave in additional details that support your overall MBA narrative. Considering that there are word limits for just about every aspect of the application process, LinkedIn is low-hanging fruit…
College Seniors: Is an MBA in Your Future? Consider Deferred Admissions!
November 14, 2022
More and more top MBA programs are offering admission to exceptional students in their senior year of undergraduate studies and to students who began working toward a master’s degree directly after college. Although deferred admissions programs differ, the gist is that if undergraduate students know they will need an MBA degree to achieve their goals,…
Using Lessons from Greek Life in Your MBA Applications
November 8, 2022
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, as with most extracurricular experiences. You can use Greek experiences to…
Six Tips to Help You Ace Your Virtual MBA Interviews
November 1, 2022
I recently had an enlightening conversation with one of my clients as we were preparing for his MBA interviews. We were discussing the merits of scheduling an in-person versus a virtual interview, and my client shared his strong preference for virtual interviews because he could control his environment and keep some notes in the background…
Six Tips for the Wharton Team Based Discussion Interview
October 28, 2022
Congratulations! You have been invited to interview at Wharton! Making it this far in the business school application process is a huge win, but preparing for the Wharton Team Based Discussion Interview presents new challenges. As you likely know by now, Wharton’s interview process is unlike any other MBA program. Wharton’s Team Based Discussion interview…
Seven Things NOT to Do in Your MBA Interviews
October 27, 2022
So, you were lucky enough to receive an invitation to interview at your top-choice MBA program. Congratulations! For most schools, your chances of acceptance have increased to roughly 50%. However, this is less likely to be the case at schools that try to interview most candidates, such as Northwestern Kellogg, and schools that allow applicants…