On the road to acceptance to the world’s most selective business schools, your most important ally is an expert. What would it be like to talk to a former Dean of MBA Admissions who is dedicated to connecting aspiring leaders with great educational opportunities? I publish my best insights into the MBA admissions process every week, and it’s free. Follow along here or subscribe to get insights delivered straight to your inbox.
The biggest mistake I see MBA candidates make again and again is misunderstanding the concept of “fit” between their candidacy and their dream MBA program.
An astonishing number of candidates fail to properly research and engage with the programs they are applying to. They miss the opportunity to understand how the MBA adcoms at these programs think of “fit”. And falling short in demonstrating fit in your MBA application is one of the biggest reasons candidates fail.
Read MoreShould I worry about my undergraduate GPA? How do I build an alternative transcript? How are international GPAs converted in MBA admissions?
The GPA and the ways to overcome a weak one when you are applying to top MBA programs are among the challenges MBA candidates most frequently need help with. Let’s dive into the ways in which you can make up for a below average undergraduate GPA and how to show the academic readiness MBA programs look for.
Read MoreHow could I use the optional MBA essay to strengthen my candidacy? This is the smart question successful MBA candidates ask themselves. This framework will help you decide when and how to opt into the optional MBA essay to enhance your profile.
Read MoreIt’s the stuff nightmares are made of for any MBA hopeful. After months of hard work, you have submitted your MBA application. Then you suddenly realize there is an error in it. What do you do?
Read MoreIf there is a magic ingredient to how a compelling MBA application is built, it lies in a candidate’s ability to balance the essential components of an MBA application and weave them into an overarching story, infused with passion and purpose.
Read MoreMBA candidates frequently ask how important school engagement is for getting admitted. Too often they approach it as just another checkbox. School engagement is an important part of the MBA application process but not simply to guarantee you have covered the minimum requirements for demonstrating school interest.
Read MoreYou often hear how you need to have “an MBA story”, how your MBA story is the most critical component of your candidacy, much more important than your statistics. Learn what this concept means and how to develop that story for yourself.
Read MoreThis past year, test waivers have helped many candidates who otherwise would not have been able to fulfill their dream of applying to business school. Should candidates pursuing an MBA be glad the opportunity to waive the test exists – and more importantly, should you apply for a GMAT or GRE test waiver?
Read MoreThis spring, the themes that emerged from my many conversations with MBA candidates point to an intersection where hope and aspiration meet anxiety and confusion. Here are the five takeaways of dozens of MBA conversations.
Read MoreWhether you are applying for the first time or considering re-applying, you can educate yourself on the top reasons applicants get rejected. Use this knowledge to avoid making MBA application mistakes or to strengthen your candidacy as a re-applicant.
Read MoreHow do you know if you really need an MBA admissions consulting service? How do you decide on the right one for you? What value does an MBA admissions expert offer? Here is how to do your due diligence and get some useful insights along the way, regardless of whether you end up working with an MBA admissions consultant or not.
Read MoreThis is the time of year MBA candidates are moving from thinking to action. With MBA application deadlines approaching, MBA hopefuls are trying to figure out what is the first step to take. And the mistake many of them make is to start with the wrong part. At the heart of an MBA pursuit is a professional and personal goal. It all starts with your “why”.
Read MoreGetting denied or waitlisted at your dream MBA programs is a terrible feeling. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. There is a way to overcome this challenge and create a winning MBA candidacy.
Read MoreChoosing the timing of your application is one of the most important decisions you will make as an MBA candidate. Applying in Round 1 can significantly strengthen your odds of getting admitted. However, it’s not always possible to apply in Round 1. Learn the differences between the rounds and how to make the right decision.
Read MoreMBA candidates who start their preparation early tend to be accepted to more and better schools and get offered more scholarships. Here are 3 steps you should take to set yourself up on the path to successful acceptance.
Read MoreI recently talked to the WSJ about the value of MBA rankings. In this Insights piece, I expand on the ways MBA candidates could use rankings to research and target schools that are a great fit for them.
Read MoreI’ve seen hundreds of leaders leverage their MBA to significantly and positively impact their careers. An MBA is a powerful way to equip yourself with knowledge, skills, and a network that propel you forward.
But how do you know it’s time and it’s the right thing to do?
Read MoreThe most important ingredient of a successful MBA application is reflection – taking the time to assess and understand your past, your current state, your motivations, the pivotal moments of your career so far, the future you want to build for yourself and the bridges between each of these parts.
Read MoreAs a candidate, it’s so easy to be tempted to travel down the road of trying to impress. You think of every accomplishment, every award, every activity that makes you look like the high achieving candidate top MBAs are looking for. But I am here to advise you to think of yourself differently. Don’t try to impress. Try to excite.
But what’s the difference, you say?
Read MoreAre you ready to make your MBA dream a reality? If you are ready to hit Submit, you want to make sure your MBA Application is strong and unique. How do you ensure it is? Read on to find out.
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