As you spring into action and start creating your MBA application materials, there is one piece that will play an outsized role in whether you pass the evaluation of MBA admission – or not. And no, that piece is NOT your test score.

The piece I am talking about is your career vision. Defining your “why” – or your career goals if you prefer to think of it that way - means taking stock of where you are now in your career, where you want to be, and what is the gap between the two.

The MBA – the right type of MBA program - should be what bridges the gap.

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Last week, Harvard and Stanford released their Round 1 MBA admissions decisions. Who got in?

When MBA applications are down, do the doors to the most selective MBA program open a bit more widely, especially for US candidates?

The MBA candidates who got admitted In Round 1 were the ones who didn’t waste time daydreaming of how they will be the lucky ones selected by the AdCom.

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If you are one of the candidates applying to multiple top MBA programs, you are looking at writing a dozen, maybe even more, MBA essays.

If you put a dozen essays together, it will be like a small book! You could call it your forward-looking memoir because it will have chapters about your past, your present, and also your future.

Does the idea of writing a book intimidate you? Yeah, me too.

But there’s lots of good news when it comes to writing the collection of your MBA essays!

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A lot of times, in so many aspects of business, it’s not about “doing the thing.” It’s a combination of that, knowing what matters to the person receiving your efforts, and knowing how to better interact with the other people who you don’t think about immediately.

 In the world of MBA admissions, you’re aiming for not just the grades, not just a great essay, not just ANY old recommendation letters. People are looking for specifics on those. Petia told me there are all kinds of “hidden” red flags that keep you in the “maybe” or rejected pool that people just don’t know until they’ve been there.

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The changes to the GMAT exam, announced earlier this year, created waves of speculation and anxiety in MBA candidates. As if a change in the format itself wasn't enough, what's also changing is both the score scales AND the score scale distribution. 

All of a sudden, you're being told your 730 GMAT, the same one that put you solidly near the average for just about any of the very top MBA programs, is now being equated to a mere 675. 

Is this true? What do the changes really mean?

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Earlier this year, ETS announced the launch of a new, shorter version of the GRE exam. The GRE general test now takes less than two hours to take! This makes the GRE General Test the shortest and most efficient test for business school admissions. What, if anything, should MBA candidates do differently to prepare for the new GRE? Find out the most important tips about your GRE test prep.

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“Can we identify trends on Round 1 application volumes compared to the previous cycle?”

The questions started popping up in online forums before the Round 1 deadlines were in even in our rearview mirror!

You MBA hopefuls are a data-driven bunch!

You want to be in the know – especially about MBA application volumes and how they might impact your odds.

I get it! The MBA application process always includes hope intertwined with doubt: “How strong is my candidacy? Do I have a shot?”

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Creating an outstanding MBA story is an art of omission. What you leave out is just as important as what you leave in.

Your job is to NOT throw shovelfuls of details at the MBA AdCom reader.

Your job is to mercilessly remove the details that weigh your narrative down and only leave the ones that let the “so what?” of your story shine through.

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A high stakes circus act. That’s what the execution of your MBA application can feel like sometimes. Before you dismiss this admittedly ridiculous metaphor, consider the similarities. As an MBA candidate, you will need to juggle multiple responsibilities, balance your strengths and weaknesses, and demonstrate adaptability and resilience.

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Have you ever wondered how MBA AdComs determine the competitiveness of candidates? In this article, we will delve into the evaluation process used by top MBA programs to identify promising applicants. By understanding what makes an MBA candidate stand out, you can navigate the MBA admissions journey with confidence. Let's lift the curtain and explore the intricacies of the MBA evaluation process together.

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As a former Dean of MBA Admissions with over 15 years of experience, I have seen many misconceptions about the MBA admissions process that can hinder your progress towards creating a strong MBA candidacy. Let's explore some of the most common misconceptions about the MBA admissions process and help you learn how to approach the process with a sense of curiosity, possibility, and authenticity.

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Applying for your MBA can be a daunting and challenging task. MBA hopefuls often wonder how they can stand out from the competition. While statistics, such as GMAT or GRE scores, GPA, and years of work experience are necessary for admission, they are only the first hurdle. In this article, we will explore the four essential narratives of leadership, accomplishment, challenge, and growth and how they can help you craft compelling MBA application stories.

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Extracurricular activities may end up being the perfect way to showcase your leadership, teamwork, and time management skills in your MBA application. What you do with your free time can make all the difference and might just nudge you from a good applicant to a “must admit”.

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You might think that your GMAT or GRE test score is the ultimate determining factor for MBA admissions. But what if I told you that the real secret to success lies in understanding the MBA application process? And what if we threw in some data-driven insights to spice things up?

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As an MBA candidate, you need to know how the GMAT Focus Edition will affect your candidacy. Will the new GMAT format be easier? Should you wait until the GMAT Focus Edition becomes available? Here’s how to think of the change in the GMAT exam as it affects your MBA candidacy.

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