Blog:
How the Admissions Committee Builds a MBA Class
February 13, 2024
Find out who you are really competing against! One of the most popular questions that I get from MBA applicants is “How do admissions committees create a class?” The answer to this question is most easily explained through one of my favorite hobbies, cooking, and one of my favorite meals, jambalaya. For those of you who don’t…
Can I Get into a Top MBA Program with a Low GPA?
February 7, 2024
If your undergraduate performance was dismal (read: a GPA less than 3.0), is there ANY hope of being accepted into an MBA program? Do the math! Stanford’s Class of 2025 has an average GPA of 3.77. If the school admitted you with a 2.7 GPA, it would have to admit SIX applicants with a perfect 4.0 to maintain its average—but…
Should I Consider a Master in Management or Master in Management Studies?
February 6, 2024
Are you a liberal arts or engineering major who is interested in accelerating your career in business? Did you miss out on taking introductory courses that would prepare you for roles in consulting, banking, or general management? You might consider a Master in Management (MiM) or Master in Management Studies (MMS) degree. These early-career, pre-experience…
Should You Apply to Business School in Round 3?
February 5, 2024
Now that the Round 1 and Round 2 MBA submission deadlines have passed, you may be wondering if applying in Round 3 is worthwhile. Business schools have a limited number of spots for incoming students each year, and they look to offer them to candidates who both are exceptional and bring diversity to the class….
GMAT, GRE, or Even EA: Which Test Should I Take?
February 2, 2024
As if the MBA admissions process didn’t have enough moving parts, the testing options for MBA applicants keep changing! Beyond just deciding between the GMAT, GRE, EA, or even skipping a test if it’s optional, now there is another level of nuance to consider with the GMAT Focus. For a few months in early 2024,…
Seven Things to Do in February to Prepare for Round 1 MBA Applications
February 1, 2024
If you are reading this thinking “I’ve got lots of time before the Round 1 2024–2025 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…
Part of a Family Business? An MBA Could Be Right for You!
January 31, 2024
An estimated 80% of all businesses are considered family businesses to some degree. Unsurprisingly, 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 in a family business,…
Five Tips for Business School Virtual and Campus Visits
January 30, 2024
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 from online research. If, for whatever reason—distance, a busy work schedule, or cost restraints—you find that…
Preparing for Your HBS Interview
January 29, 2024
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. 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 some things…
Tips and a Template for Prepping Your MBA Recommenders
January 26, 2024
Letters of recommendation tend to cause applicants more anxiety than the rest of the MBA application because this is the only component that is out of their control. Luckily, this also can be one of the more straightforward parts of the application. I encourage applicants to get their recommendations out of the way as soon…
Tips for International Candidates Applying to Top US MBA Programs
January 25, 2024
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. If you are an international candidate, here are ten things to consider as you prepare to submit your MBA applications: 1. Timing Most top MBA programs have…
Five Tips for Oil and Gas Professionals Applying to MBA Programs
January 22, 2024
Given the current state of the oil and gas industry, many professionals in this vertical are looking to refocus their career on a less volatile field, while others want to reform the industry from within. An MBA may be a good option either way. If you are currently working in oil and gas and are…