Blog:
Researching MBA Programs from Afar
February 29, 2024
Thanks to all the new upgrades MBA programs have made to their websites and digital footprints since the COVID-19 pandemic began, prospective students now have so many more options to help them get to know a school from a distance. Even though in-person options are still available, there are a lot of great reasons to…
What Does a “Best Effort” MBA Application Look Like?
February 27, 2024
We at Stratus Admissions Counseling are frequently asked what it takes to get into a top-ranked MBA program. Of course, you need a strong GPA and GMAT or GRE score, along with work experience, essays, etc. But gaining acceptance also requires your best effort—meaning that you have done all that you can to create a…
How to Use an MBA to Transition into CPG
February 20, 2024
Although MBA grads are more likely to seek employment in the consulting, finance, health care, and tech industries, many recruiting options exist for those seeking employment in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Employment reports from top MBA programs for 2023 noted that MBA students were recruited to CPG companies including The Kraft Heinz Company,…
How the Admissions Committee Builds a MBA Class
February 13, 2024
Find out who you are really competing against! One of the most popular questions that I get from MBA applicants is “How do admissions committees create a class?” The answer to this question is most easily explained through one of my favorite hobbies, cooking, and one of my favorite meals, jambalaya. For those of you who don’t…
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…
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…
MBA Application Tips for LGBTQIA+ Candidates
November 27, 2023
Each year, business schools strive to admit groups of students who are diverse among multiple dimensions: demographic backgrounds, work experiences, countries of origin, and even future career plans. Schools want to create a welcoming environment for all, and that has increasingly included their LGBTQIA+ candidates and students. Some top business schools have even developed specialized…
Tips for Nonprofit Professionals Applying to Business School
November 17, 2023
If you have a nonprofit background, applying to MBA programs can be intimidating. Applicants who come from “traditional” MBA roles such as banking and consulting often have access to MBA alumni who can provide guidance during the admissions process. But if you come from a “nontraditional” role, you might not have easy access to that…
The Dynamic Duo: The MBA Degree and Six Sigma Certification
November 14, 2023
In today’s environment, earning advanced degrees and certifications has become increasingly important and often is required to remain competitive and advance your career. Gaining the best mix of complementary skills is also important and can be a great selling point to potential employers. Let’s break down the nuts and bolts of the MBA degree and…
How Long Does It Really Take to Build an MBA Application?
October 17, 2023
Most of our clients ask us, “How long does it take to put an MBA application together?” This is a great question—and one that you should consider seriously. However, there’s a different answer for every client. Therefore, in this blog post, I intend to help you build your personal business school application timeline. To start,…
Top US One-Year MBA Programs
September 12, 2023
While European business schools are starting to offer more two-year MBA programs, the number of one-year programs in the United States continues to grow. Before highlighting some of the top US-based one-year MBA programs, let’s talk about why you might consider this type of degree. In a one-year MBA program, you have the residential aspect…
What Can Indian Women Do to Gain Admission to a Top MBA Program?
September 11, 2023
With the increased awareness of the career benefits an MBA offers and business schools’ dedicated efforts to attract more women through unique program options, female enrollment is showing a big uptick. Most notably, Wharton’s MBA Class of 2023 is 52% women. And according to Graduate Management Admission Council research, 47% of GMAT test takers in…