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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 30, 2026
An estimated 80% of all businesses are considered family businesses to some degree. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the vast majority of business schools offer one or more courses focused on the unique challenges of running a business that means a whole lot more to you than just making money. If you are already working…
January 28, 2026
Looking to earn an MBA to enhance your career or pivot to a different role or industry? If so, you aren’t alone; the majority of first-year MBAs want or need the degree to make a career change. So, if the bulk of a graduating class has a job within three months of graduation, you’d think…
January 27, 2026
Finance is one of the largest industries that business schools draw from. Here, I use the term “finance” broadly, including corporate finance, investment banking, equity research, private equity, asset management, and other roles. MBA admissions committees like candidates with experience in finance, as they generally have the quant skills needed to succeed academically. The flip…
January 23, 2026
Most applicants we work with at Stratus tend to feel bad asking busy people to spend a lot of time on these letters—to the point where some even limit the number of schools to which they apply. The good news is that people who want to see you succeed (which all your recommenders should) usually…
January 22, 2026
Are you aiming for a job in a competitive finance area such as risk management, corporate finance, or algorithmic trading but don’t want an MBA—at least for now? If so, consider applying for a Master of Finance (MFin/MSF) degree. There is high demand for skilled finance professionals, and this degree can prepare you for a…
January 21, 2026
There is no better way to get to know an MBA program—and for an MBA program to get to know you—than to make an on-campus visit. However, you can also learn quite a bit about a program by conducting online research. If, for whatever reason—distance, a busy work schedule, or cost constraints—you cannot visit a…
January 16, 2026
Congratulations! You’re one of the roughly 20% of applicants to Harvard Business School (HBS) each year who have been invited to interview. Of those, about 50% are admitted to HBS. HBS interviews are different from those of other schools, so it’s important to prepare for those differences to increase your chances of acceptance. Here are…
January 13, 2026
Letters of recommendation understandably tend to give applicants more anxiety than the rest of the MBA application, since it’s the only element out of one’s control. Luckily, this can be one of the more straightforward parts of the application. I encourage applicants to get their recommendations out of the way as soon as they know…
January 9, 2026
International candidates submit more than half of MBA applications, yet the international student population across the top 20 US MBA programs is roughly 35%. Do the math: it is super competitive. The tips we share in this blog post will help international applicants navigate the unique requirements of top US MBA programs—from testing and transcripts to timelines…
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 23, 2025
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,…
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!
