Blog:
Do Business Schools Have “Types”?
March 10, 2025
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…
Ten Things to Consider When Selecting an MBA Admissions Consultant
March 6, 2025
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…
The Macroeconomics of MBA Programs in the Post-COVID Boom
March 5, 2025
The world of graduate business education has changed in many ways since the pandemic, and these shifts are continuing into 2025. They include hiring changes in the job market, revised expectations of job seekers, and continued efforts by schools to attract a more diverse student body. The Demand Side During the pandemic, there was initially…
How the Admissions Committee Builds an MBA Class
March 4, 2025
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…
Six Things to Do in March to Prepare for MBA Applications
March 3, 2025
Six months may seem like a long lead time for preparing business school applications, but a LOT more needs to be done between now and the September submission deadlines than just writing essays. If you weren’t following along last month, check out our February tips for preparing for your MBA applications. Think back to when you applied…
What Does a “Best Effort” MBA Application Look Like?
February 28, 2025
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…
Can I Get into a Top MBA Program with a Low Test Score?
February 26, 2025
Here’s a scenario to which many of you can relate: You just took the GMAT or GRE. When you get home, you look at the average scores for your target schools, and you discover that you’re below those averages. You then pop over to Reddit and start doom scrolling as everyone tells you that your…
Should I Apply to Business School in Round 3?
February 25, 2025
Now that the Round 1 and Round 2 MBA submission deadlines have passed, you may be wondering if applying in Round 3 is worthwhile. Business schools have a limited number of spots for incoming students each year, and they look to offer them to candidates who both are exceptional and bring diversity to the class….
Nine Tips for Learning More About MBA Programs Through Students and Alumni
February 24, 2025
Reaching out to students and alumni of your top-choice programs is an important part of your MBA journey, and you have many options to do so. First, schools have invested a lot of effort to make a wealth of information available online. Frankly, this levels the playing field for applicants who cannot travel to visit…
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…