Blog:
Five Tips for Couples Applying Jointly to MBA Programs
February 14, 2025
Applying to an MBA program can feel like an American Ninja Warrior competition. There are obstacles at every turn, such as conducting school research, introspecting your goals, preparing your essays, and interviewing. However, when you apply along with your partner, the degree of difficulty increases! You must prepare for two obstacle courses instead of one…
Can I Get into a Top MBA Program with a Low GPA?
February 11, 2025
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 2026 has an average GPA of 3.75. If the school admitted you with a 2.7 GPA, it would have to admit SIX applicants with a perfect 4.0 to maintain…
Five Tips for Oil and Gas Professionals Applying to MBA Programs
February 10, 2025
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…
GMAT, GRE, or Even EA: Which Test Should I Take?
February 5, 2025
MBA applicants have a lot of options with regard to standardized testing. The choices range from the GMAT to the GRE and even the Executive Assessment (EA). Additionally, several schools offer test waiver options. Although the GMAT used to be the only game in town, the GRE and EA have grown in popularity over the…
Seven Things to Do in February to Prepare for Round 1 MBA Applications
February 3, 2025
If you are reading this thinking, “I’ve got lots of time before the Round 1 2025–2026 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, 2025
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,…
Finance to MBA: Five Considerations for Applicants
January 30, 2025
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 others. MBA admissions committees like candidates with experience in finance, as they generally have the quant skills needed to succeed academically. The flip side…
How to Thank Your MBA Recommenders
January 24, 2025
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…
Five Tips for Business School Virtual and Campus Visits
January 21, 2025
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 you…
Preparing for Your HBS Interview
January 17, 2025
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…
Tips and a Template for Prepping Your MBA Recommenders
January 14, 2025
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 decide…
Tips for International Candidates Applying to Top US MBA Programs
January 10, 2025
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…