{"id":15193,"date":"2025-12-01T09:42:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/?p=15193"},"modified":"2026-03-09T12:33:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:33:46","slug":"december-tips-for-round-2-mba-applicants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/december-tips-for-round-2-mba-applicants\/","title":{"rendered":"December Tips for Round 2 MBA Applicants"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/December-to-tdo.png?ssl=1\" alt=\" style=\"width:209px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>With Round 2 MBA deadlines just around the corner, it\u2019s crunch time to perfect your applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Stratus, our team-based approach helps applicants tackle every component strategically \u2013 from resumes and essays to recommendations. To help you maximize your chances of success, I have asked Stratus\u2019 experienced counselors to share their top insights for Round 2 applicants. Let\u2019s dive in with starting with the most important first step, choosing the right programs to apply to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Choosing the Right MBA Programs for Round 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you dive into essays and recommendations, take one last look at your school list. If you absolutely need to be in business school in September 2026, make sure your list includes a balanced list of dream, stretch, target, and likely programs. Remember, a \u2018likely\u2019 school might even be a part-time or online program at one of your stretch schools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t assume admission is guaranteed simply because your stats are above the program\u2019s average. Admissions committees evaluate much more than numbers, they want to see genuine fit and interest. Take time to research each program and show how your goals align with what the school offers. For more detailed guidance see \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/how-to-find-the-best-business-schools-for-you\/\"><strong>How to Find the Best Business Schools for You<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Defining Your Post-MBA Career Goals <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you say your goal is to work in consulting for MBB (McKinsey, Bain, or Boston Consulting Group) but you give no background or context, it is hard to stand out. However, if you share that you have worked with strategy consultants in your current role as an internal retail strategy analyst and have been inspired by their data-driven recommendations, you give the reader some context. Business schools know that you may change your career goals, but they want to know what drives your goals and that you understand how the resources in their program can help you reach these goals. To learn more about setting goals, see \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-standout-goals-essay-for-your-mba-applications\/\"><strong>Six Tips for Writing a Standout Goals Essay for Your MBA Applications<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/donna-bauman\/\"><strong><em>Donna Bauman<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Kellogg alum and former UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA admissions committee member<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\"><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why Your Career Goals Matter in MBA Applications\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vqaOuwFUXt4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Crafting a Standout MBA Resume<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When I was an alumni interviewer for Columbia Business School, I only had the candidate\u2019s resume to review in advance of the meeting, and it was often hard to gauge what they were looking to get out of business school based on their resume alone. Consider including an indication of your post-grad&nbsp;career goals in the interests\/leadership experience section of your resume so the interviewer sees your efforts to achieve the goal. For example: You want to pivot into tech, so you\u2019ve taken classes through Codecademy or participated in a hackathon. Or you want to become an entrepreneur, so you set up a stand at your local farmers market to hawk a prototype of your product. This will help your interviewer understand how dedicated you are to your future professional goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/kelly-lundy\/\"><strong><em>Kelly Lundy<\/em><\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;<em>\u2013&nbsp;CBS alum and<\/em>&nbsp;<em>former Columbia Business School alumni interviewer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Work Effectively with MBA Recommenders&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Letters of recommendation (LoRs) can feel like a wild card to applicants, since this is the one area of the application in which the content is in someone else\u2019s hands. However, there are ways for you to provide support to your recommenders and potentially shape their content. Take the time to synthesize the relevant information across all of the recommendations you are requesting so your recommenders understand the process and are familiar with the questions they will answer. Share with them how you have differentiated yourself from your peers or stood out from others with similar roles. Regardless of the school, there is a good chance they&nbsp;will be asked about a time when they provided constructive feedback to you. Think back to examples that showcase your growth and consider sharing with them (1) the specifics of the feedback, (2) how you responded immediately to the feedback, (3) how you acted over time in response to the feedback, and (4) how you have developed your weakness into a competency or perhaps a strength in the long run. And remember, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gmac.com\/reach-and-recruit-students\/prepare-candidates-for-the-exam-classroom\/common-letter-of-recommendation-lor\">recommenders<\/a> are part of your team and want to see you succeed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/sophie-hilaire\/\"><strong><em>Sophie Hilaire<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>\u2013 Wharton alum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Networking with Current MBA Students for Insights&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All MBA programs are excited to see you on campus for tours and class visits. While not required, an on-campus visit can be a great way to connect with current students and really feel the&nbsp;culture of a school. This is in addition to the great online resources available to help prospective MBAs connect with and learn more about these MBA programs.&nbsp;You should be thinking about this on two levels: connecting directly with schools (webinars, coffee chats, more official ways to connect\u2014probably at least two or three) and connecting directly with students. To connect with students, try to find a common interest: Do you play soccer? Do you enjoy volunteering with youth? Are you interested in helping others with financial literacy? Find a club with a similar interest and start there! If you are reaching out via LinkedIn, make your note personal and take time to learn about who you are reaching out to. See \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/21-questions-to-ask-students-and-alumni-while-researching-mba-programs\/\"><strong>25 Questions to Ask Students and Alumni While Researching MBA Programs<\/strong><\/a>\u201d and \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/the-value-of-mba-student-ambassador-programs\/\"><strong>The Value of MBA Student Ambassador Programs\u201d&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a>for more tips.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/melisa-prevost\/\"><strong><em>Melisa Prevost<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Berkeley Haas alum and former Berkeley Haas alumni interviewer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Maximizing Impact in Short-Answer MBA Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t forget about the short-answer section of the applications. Remember that sometimes these answers are not all that short (looking at you, Stanford)! Short answers are not the main essays or the pure biographical information you have to complete. Don\u2019t tackle these at the last minute because&nbsp;they often give you a valuable chance to highlight another part of your background or experience. Be sure not to completely overlap these answers with either your essay(s) or your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/jennifer-jackson\/\"><strong><em>Jennifer Jackson<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;HBS alum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Structuring Your MBA Application Writing Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with an outline! Before you spend a lot of energy writing, make sure you are answering the question and using your best stories. Think about the entire application. Are you covering your key themes (strengths) across the application? When it comes to writing, don\u2019t worry about word count too much for the first draft (don\u2019t write double, but don\u2019t constrain yourself). When you feel it is in a good place but not yet polished, have a trusted advisor read it to make sure it sounds like and is showing the best version of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/melisa-prevost\/\"><strong><em>Melisa Prevost<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Berkeley Haas alum and former Berkeley Haas alumni interviewer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\"><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Should YOU Write the Optional Essay in MBA Applications?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3LNtzau4v8E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Writing Compelling MBA Essays That Stand Out<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine for a moment that you are an admissions officer. You have more than 100 applications to review before an upcoming deadline, and you have just finished your double-shot espresso to provide the stamina to read and evaluate all of those essays. Now, think about how you can increase the odds of being one of the applicants who catches that reader\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Humans connect to others through stories and experiences. Open your essay with something interesting, personal, and unique that encourages the reader to want to know more. What specific challenges did you face? How did you overcome those challenges to move forward and achieve measurable impact? Satisfy your reader with a closing that ties your story together and helps the admissions team understand more about what truly drives you and helps connect your talents, ambition, and character to the values and culture of that specific MBA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/shari-deluryea\/\"><strong><em>Shari DeLuryea<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Emory&nbsp;Goizueta&nbsp;alum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Getting Feedback to Strengthen Your MBA Essays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While it\u2019s imperative that your essay reflect your own personal voice and style, it\u2019s equally important to get feedback from people in your life whom you know and trust to ensure that what you share is likely to resonate with audiences outside of yourself. Choose reviewers who have ideally applied to MBA programs or at least worked in business, so they can understand the transferable skills, as well as reviewers who can give your essays the \u201cDoes it make sense without knowing any jargon?\u201d test. In addition, empower your reviewers to be honest with you. Sometimes, accomplishments that feel like a big emotional lift for us may not translate into the personal growth story we\u2019re aiming for when read by others. Most importantly, your reviewers should help determine whether you actually answered the essay question. Sometimes candidates tell AMAZING stories that don\u2019t directly answer the question\u2014because they personally see the connection without realizing they may need to spell it out more clearly for the reader. An honest reviewer can help you identify your blind spots and take your essay to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/about\/mba-admissions-counselors\/leila-moro\/\"><strong><em>Leila Moro<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>&nbsp;\u2013 Stanford GSB alum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Following Up and Thanking Your MBA Recommenders <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>About two weeks before your deadlines, check on your schools\u2019 portals to confirm that recommendations have been submitted. If they haven\u2019t, send your recommenders a kind reminder. After you submit your applications, send your recommenders a note\u2014handwritten if they are working in an office, or via email\u2014thanking them for their time and effort on your behalf. If you think it is appropriate, sending a small gift card to a local restaurant or coffee shop is a nice touch. For more ideas, see \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/how-to-thank-your-mba-recommenders\"><strong>How to Thank Your MBA Recommenders<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/lisa-cummings\/\"><strong><em>Lisa Cummings<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Cornell Johnson alum and former MIT Sloan admissions committee member<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reapplying to MBA Programs: What You Need to Know <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a recent \u201cding analysis,\u201d I noted that the individual was a strong applicant but failed to put together a strong application. Keep in mind that every year, there are far more well-qualified applicants for top MBA programs than there are seats in their classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what Leila has to say about reapplying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given how competitive it is to get into the top business schools\u2014and many candidates have their hearts set on just a few\u2014it\u2019s no surprise that reapplying to business school is quite common and even encouraged. Admissions departments do not see reapplicants in a negative light; however, they do expect an explanation of what has changed and what makes you a better candidate since the last time you applied. Did you identify your weaknesses? Did you work on them and grow as an applicant? Did you dig deeper in your personal essays and demonstrate more self-awareness and introspection? Have you taken on more leadership opportunities? Did you retake the GMAT or GRE and do better this time? As long as your application isn\u2019t just a cut-and-paste of the prior year and shows personal growth and additional readiness for their MBA program, the admissions committee will be happy to consider you a second time\u2014and your persistence will likely reinforce your interest in their program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/about\/mba-admissions-counselors\/leila-moro\/\"><strong><em>Leila Moro<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>\u2013 Stanford GSB alum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Preparing for Your MBA Admissions Interview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During the interview, you need to be an expert about yourself and your history. This may sound obvious, but many miss the fact that you have to not only know the rote facts as listed on your resume, but you also have to be prepared to answer what your thought process was along the way\u2014particularly as you switched from one job to another. The interviewers can see \u201cwhat\u201d you did on your resume, so you need to be prepared to explain the \u201cwhy\u201d as well as any lessons learned along the way. See \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/congrats-on-submitting-your-mba-application-what-to-do-next-part-1\/\"><strong>You Submitted Your MBA Application in Round 1 \u2013 Now What? Prepare For Interviews!<\/strong><\/a>\u201d for guidance on sharpening your interview skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/mba\/team\/joe-farr\/\"><strong><em>Joe Farr<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>Yale SOM alum and former SOM admissions interviewer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\"><div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Our Top 7 MBA Interview Tips\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qHETFblgZ6A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Round 2 is your best chance to secure a seat in business school next year, so every detail counts, from essays and resume to recommendations and interviews. With these insights from our Stratus team, you have a roadmap to strengthen your application and make a memorable impression.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t wait\u2014schedule a <strong>free consultation with one of our MBA admissions experts<\/strong> today and give yourself the best chance of getting accepted to your top-choice programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With Round 2 MBA deadlines just around the corner, it\u2019s crunch time to perfect your applications. At Stratus, our team-based approach helps applicants tackle every component strategically \u2013 from resumes and essays to recommendations. To help you maximize your chances of success, I have asked Stratus\u2019 experienced counselors to share their top insights for Round&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":19287,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[378,1150],"tags":[922,919,920,541,613,528,662,921],"class_list":["post-15193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mba","category-monthly-admissions-tips","tag-alumni","tag-december","tag-goals","tag-mba-application-essays","tag-reapplying","tag-recommendations","tag-resume","tag-short-answers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>December Tips for Round 2 MBA Applicants<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Going into the last month 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