Blog:
The Best MBA Programs for Consulting
April 23, 2024
I remember researching business schools back when I was still in the Army, before I applied to MBA programs. As a nontraditional applicant, I felt intimidated by the post-MBA world, as this would be the first time I’d have a “real” civilian job. With droves of leadership experience but not much knowledge around what a…
Five Things You Need to Know About Taking the GMAT/GRE
April 12, 2024
As MBA applicants know, standardized test scores are a vital part of the business school application process. For you, the candidate, it is important to understand the testing process, timelines, and differences between the GMAT and the GRE. This year, some of the test differences have changed as a result of the newly launched GMAT…
Six Tips for Business School Reapplicants
April 6, 2024
If your 2023–2024 MBA applications were not successful, don’t despair! Take a little time to absorb the disappointment. After all, you spent significant time and effort in crafting these applications. As soon as you are able, however, focus on the future. Many MBA candidates are successful in their subsequent applications! Here are six tips to…
Ten Tips to Maximize the Value of Your MBA Campus Visits
April 3, 2024
Here’s one bright spot in MBA admissions: all the M7 programs are now offering on-campus visits. Therefore, be sure to review the campus visit options at HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Northwestern Kellogg, Chicago Booth, Columbia, and MIT Sloan—as well as other top programs—to determine the best-fit MBA program for you. Although you should also learn about an MBA program through online…
Seven Things to Do in April for Round 1 MBA Applications
April 1, 2024
Every spring, I speak to aspiring business school students who are content to wait until the essay prompts are released in June to start working on their applications. However, I find that the most successful candidates take a long view on the application process. Before the weather gets really nice and you can be enjoying…
MBA Ding Analysis (or Why You Didn’t Get In)
March 29, 2024
Every year, after business school decisions are released, we at Stratus get an influx of requests for a “ding analysis.” These applicants want to understand why they were rejected by their top-choice MBA programs. To gain acceptance to a highly ranked business school, you need to both be a strong applicant AND submit a strong…
Ten Things to Consider When Selecting an MBA Admissions Consultant
March 27, 2024
Getting an MBA is possibly one of the biggest investments of your life. As you ponder this $100K-plus investment, you are likely to realize that you cannot do something as important as this on your own. Although friends or colleagues might be able to help, rarely do they have enough expertise to move the needle…
Top MBA Programs for Sports
March 26, 2024
When I worked at ESPN, the MBA was not yet popular outside of the finance and marketing departments. Some of my colleagues had earned a Master of Science in Sports Management (UMass Amherst was the most popular program at the time) to gain insight on managing the business of sports, but that was about it….
Top MBA Programs for Social Impact
March 25, 2024
Social impact has become the cornerstone of many MBA programs. While finance, marketing, operations, and organizational structure will always be the core of an MBA curriculum, many programs have leaned into weaving social impact into their core, while others have developed concentrations, pathways, or majors around social impact. Whether you want to pivot to social…
Seven Habits of the Most Successful MBA Applicants
March 21, 2024
Although the world keeps changing at an accelerating pace—and the MBA admissions process continues evolving with test waiver options, program delivery models, and both in-person and virtual recruitment offerings—the habits of the most successful MBA applicants have remained constant. Here are the core habits that our most successful Stratus MBA clients have followed on their…
Future Business Leaders: Listen to These Podcasts!
March 20, 2024
Perhaps the very best podcast I have listened to that offers insight for future business leaders is an HBR IdeaCast episode with Guy Raz. In this episode, Raz discusses the three qualities that hundreds of business founders and leaders of successful organizations have in common: they create a culture of collaboration, encourage risk taking, and allow for…
Five Considerations When Applying to Wharton’s Lauder Program
March 13, 2024
Top MBA programs all have elements of international exposure and adventure, but Wharton’s Lauder 24-month dual degree sets itself apart as the first of its kind in the United States: an MBA from Wharton, plus an International Studies MA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences. Within the Lauder program, students integrate…