Blog:
How to Thank Your MBA Recommenders
December 28, 2023
Applying to MBA programs involves asking one, two, and sometimes even three people (perhaps if you’re applying to joint programs) who are typically very busy to spend time writing you a customized letter of recommendation. Although the Common Letter of Recommendation does save recommenders some time, they still need to tweak each letter for word…
Do Business Schools Have “Types”?
December 27, 2023
Do business schools have “types”—meaning, are shared characteristics common among all students? The short answer is yes, but it is more nuanced than that. What you think is a school’s type may not be its type at all. So, how does this play itself out? The most mundane way is that most people who gain…
Tips for MBA Letters of Support
December 26, 2023
Anyone applying to business school knows that getting great recommendations will strengthen their candidacy. When selecting recommenders, you want to ask managers and mentors who will advocate for you and share specific examples of how you have contributed and made an impact in an organization. See our blog post, “Four Steps to a Five-Star MBA…
College Seniors: Is an MBA in Your Future? Consider Deferred Admissions!
December 22, 2023
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,…
Should I Consider a Master’s Degree in Finance?
December 21, 2023
Are you aiming for a job in a competitive finance area like investment banking, research, consulting, or investment management but don’t want an MBA, at least for now? If so, consider applying for a Master of Finance degree (MFin/MSF). There is high demand for skilled finance professionals, and this degree can prepare you for a…
Resources for Hispanic/Latinx Candidates Applying to MBA Programs
December 20, 2023
As of 2022, Hispanic and Latinx citizens made up the largest ethnic or racial minority in the United States at approximately 19% of the US population, but they held fewer than 4% of senior executive leadership positions in corporate America. Increasing awareness and building the talent pipeline in the Latinx community may help reverse the…
Marketing Role to MBA: Seven Easy Tips to Get Accepted
December 19, 2023
More and more candidates with a marketing background are applying to top MBA programs, and the competition to land a spot in a coveted program gets fiercer every year. How can you capitalize on your background in marketing to submit the strongest possible applications? Here are seven tips to consider: 1. Remember, you’re marketing yourself….
Eight MBA Waitlist Tips
December 14, 2023
Has this email showed up in your inbox? Thank you for submitting an application to YOUR DREAM MBA PROGRAM. Your application has been selected for further evaluation as part of our Round 2 applicant pool. This means that the Committee has identified key strengths in your application and requires additional time to review your candidacy….
What If I Have an Employment Gap on My Resume?
December 13, 2023
One question that MBA candidates often ask is how admissions committees will view employment gaps on their resume. Given that the power of an MBA program lies largely in the opportunity to learn from your peers, admissions committees value candidates with strong and unique work experiences. Therefore, committees will first focus on the quality and…
The Top Seven Reasons Why You Should Apply Through The Consortium
December 5, 2023
In recent years, business schools have increased their commitment to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion across their programs. While we all work toward empowering diversity and inclusion in our workplaces, The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management partners with business school programs to help grow the number of African American, Hispanic, and Native American business…
Plan B for Your MBA Applications: Six Things to Think About Now
December 4, 2023
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, 2023
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…