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.
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.
Read More“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?”
Read MoreCreating 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.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreHave 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreApplying 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.
Read MoreExtracurricular 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”.
Read MoreYou 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?
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreUnderstand the weight of your GMAT or GRE in the MBA admissions process. Learn why the resume is so important and how all MBA application components in the MBA admissions process are evaluated. Discover more about the holistic nature of the MBA admissions process.
Read MoreThe 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.
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