One of the best ways for prospective business school students to learn about how well they might fit with an MBA program is by engaging with enrolled students who come from a similar cultural background. To facilitate this research, top business schools are offering diversity events this year to provide aspiring MBAs an opportunity to attend educational panels, interact with alumni and students, and glean strategic insight regarding application development. Additionally, depending on the school, prospective students who are not from underrepresented groups but who share and uphold a school’s diversity mission can also attend. Note that some MBA programs require interested candidates to register or even apply to participate or attend these events.
Here are details on this year’s diversity events at some of the top MBA programs in the United States:
This year, the Yale School of Management (SOM) combined its Belonging Days: Women’s Perspectives and Belonging Days: Diverse Perspectives weekends into one event: Yale SOM Perspectives. Hosted by the school’s seven affinity groups, prospective students were invited to campus to experience Yale SOM’s vibrant and diverse community on September 25–26, 2025. In addition to engaging with affinity group leaders, attendees had access to the Admissions Office, Yale faculty, the Career Development Office, and the Academic Affairs and Student Life team to hear more about the Yale SOM MBA experience.
Johnson Means Business (JMB) takes place at the Cornell Johnson campus in Ithaca, New York, on October 16–18, 2025, and offers prospective students the opportunity to participate in panels, mock classes, and networking sessions with current students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The event will give attendees insight into admissions application strategies and the Johnson MBA program and student experience. JMB participants who apply to Johnson by the Round 2 deadline will receive interview invitations and will receive a Johnson application fee waiver. Those interested in attending must apply by October 3.
Kellogg Black Management Association Conference
The 39th annual Black Management Association Conference, which will be held at Northwestern Kellogg on October 25, 2025, is the longest-running annual conference organized by the school’s students. Prospective Kellogg students have the opportunity to engage with current students, alumni, and administration members. This year’s theme is “Pay Me in Equity: Exploring the Power of Opportunity & Ownership.” The agenda includes guest speakers from Coca-Cola, the NAACP, and The Vistria Group, and event tickets are available for purchase here.
Berkeley Haas Diversity Symposium
Berkeley Haas will host an on-campus symposium on October 25, 2025, where both prospective and current students as well as faculty, staff, and alumni will discuss diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Prospective students have the opportunity to learn about the diversity at Haas through speakers, community-building opportunities, and information sessions.
The 2025 Duke MBA Women’s Leadership Weekend
Duke Fuqua’s annual MBA Women’s Leadership Weekend will be held October 30–November 1, 2025, on campus. According to the event’s website, the weekend “incorporates both formal and informal interaction with Fuqua students, alumnae, faculty, and administrators.” Attendees will be able to attend a mock class, learn about career resources and support, receive an overview of degree formats, and more.
Indiana Kelley will host its MBA Preview Weekend October 31–November 1, 2025. Attendees will be able to interact with current students, faculty, and staff while learning about Kelley’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The event registration form is available here, and the registration deadline is October 5.
Wharton Veterans Visit Day (Virtual)
Wharton Veterans Visit Day (On Campus)
Wharton will host a virtual event for all prospective Wharton MBA students who are veterans on Thursday, November 6, 2025, and the on-campus version of the event will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Both are hosted by the Wharton Veterans Club and will allow attendees to learn about leveraging their military leadership experience in business while introducing them to the Wharton community. The on-campus version of the event will also include a class visit, student panels, career conversations, and time to engage with Wharton’s admissions team. Registration forms are available online for the virtual event and the on-campus event.
Spotlight On: The CBS Community
The Columbia Business School (CBS) Office of Admissions will hold a full-day, on-campus event on November 8, 2025, allowing prospective students to learn more about student life, academics, financial aid, and the admissions process as well as to network with community members and experience a class firsthand. On the school’s website, the event is described as a celebration of the “vibrant and dynamic community at CBS.” Advance registration is required to attend this event, and the registration deadline is 9:00 a.m. ET on November 6.
NYU Stern
On November 14–15, 2025, NYU Stern’s Association for Hispanic and Black Business Students, Stern Women in Business, and OutClass will host Stern Immersion 2025. This on-campus event will provide prospective students the opportunity to learn more about the school’s “inclusive and diverse community” as well as the student experience. Attendees may attend a mock class and panel discussions and connect with Stern’s affinity groups. Advance registration is required to attend, and the school notes on its website that space is limited.
Discover Vanderbilt Business is a day-long, on-campus event taking place on November 15, 2025, for prospective students to connect with current Vanderbilt Owen students as well as the school’s faculty, staff, and career coaches. The event will culminate in a closing reception. Attendees who have started an application are eligible for an on-campus interview on November 14, and there will be an optional welcome reception for all Discover Vanderbilt Business attendees that evening. The event registration form is available here.
Established in 1982, The Duke MBA Workshop will be held on campus at Duke Fuqua on November 20–23, 2025. The workshop is open to prospective students on an invitation-only basis and is designed to provide insight into the school’s admissions process, allowing candidates to network with the Duke community and alumni. The event interest form is now available, and the submission deadline is October 6.
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