The Optional MBA Essay, Explained

Confused about optional essays? If so, you are not alone. Here are some guidelines about the optional MBA application essay.

6 Tips for Acing the MBA Interview

If you’ve recently received an interview invite, it’s a clear signal the school believes in your potential. At the same time, competition is fierce, and the interview has never been more important. Among M7 schools, your prospects of admission are generally between 1 in 10 and 1 in 18. But secure an interview and your shot at acceptance has just improved to about 1 in … [ Read more ]

Mistakes To Avoid In Your MBA Application

The seasoned Admissions Director has shrewd instincts for discerning your commitment, confidence or any hint of discrepancy across your MBA application. Just as they know what they’re looking for in an candidate to their program, they’re also savvy at spotting common mistakes. Here are seven top tips directly from MBA Admissions Directors at Stanford GSB, INSEAD, Kellogg, Booth and IMD on the most common mistakes … [ Read more ]

A Recipe For Rejection: Reasons MBA Applications Are Rejected

Why are so many candidates, with seemingly excellent credentials, rejected from MBA programs? Let’s examine eight reasons admissions directors site for rejection.

Three Crucial Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Admissions Consultant

Are you considering working with an admissions consultant? If so, you are probably discovering that there are significant differences between firms, and wondering how to choose the best match for you. Here are three crucial questions to ask before hiring an admissions consultant.

Rejected By Business Schools? A Former Admissions Committee Member’s Perspective

Having recently received a business school rejection letter, you may believe that this is the end of the road with the school(s) that rejected you. It is understandable to think this way, but once you’ve had a chance to digest the outcome, if you still have your heart set on a particular school, you really should consider applying again. Before you go down the road … [ Read more ]

Why the MBA Admissions Committee Said No

When I was the Associate Director of Admissions for Tuck, I was often really excited about candidates who I would meet on the road or at events. We would have great conversations, and I would start to envision them as part of the Tuck community. Unfortunately, when I finally reviewed their applications there were often avoidable but fatal mistakes that precluded the MBA admissions committee … [ Read more ]

A Look Into The MBA Essay Process

First impressions matter…especially in an MBA application essay. They frame a picture and set a tone. And they quickly reveal whether a candidate brings a unique perspective to the class and fit with the carefully-crafted culture of the school.

Every application goes through a rigorous vetting process, however. These processes can be as different as the schools themselves. That’s why the Financial Times recently looked … [ Read more ]

What MBA Admissions Really Want: Tips From Top Schools

The 2017 CentreCourt MBA Festival was a three-city tour that featured panel discussions with Deans and Admissions Directors from the world’s top business schools, including Stanford GSB, Chicago Booth, INSEAD, Kellogg, Berkeley Haas and others. I had the privilege of moderating these panels in New York, London and San Francisco, probing Admissions Directors for insights and industry trends that would support MBA candidates in the … [ Read more ]

Sample MBA Application Essays: A Really Bad Idea

I firmly believe that reading other people’s essays before writing your own is a huge, detrimental mistake. Here are three reasons why I never give my clients templates or sample application essays.

How To Ask For Business School Recommendations

It’s an honor to be asked to write business school recommendations, and also a big responsibility. Taking these steps will help you get great results, and also shows your recommenders that you appreciate their support.

Should Women Apply for the MBA Differently than Men?

What did we observe when we ran the admissions offices at Wharton and INSEAD? Without falling into clumsy stereotypes, we often perceived a difference in how men and women told their personal stories. We’ve summarized a few reflections and insights for women who want to secure their place at a top business school.

What Business Schools Really Think When You Ask For A Deferral

For some of you, despite having been admitted to one or more schools, you may not feel sure that are ready to matriculate – at least not to those programs. If this sounds familiar, you might be considering asking for a deferral. Here is insight into what business schools really think when you ask for a deferral.

Should You Apply To Business School In the First Round?

Every year I am asked whether or not it’s strategic to apply to business school in the first round. In the vast majority of cases, the answer is clearly yes.

How Many Schools Should You Apply To?

How many schools should you apply to? The answer will depend on your unique situation and needs, and is a key element in your application strategy. Having a clear idea of how many schools you’re targeting before you start the application process will help you plan ahead and stay organized.

The Top Mistakes Women Make When Applying to Business School

As the former lead diversity recruiter at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Karen Marks interacted with thousands of women who were applying to graduate school.  As the President of North Star Admissions Consulting she has gotten to know even more. In both of these roles, she have seen women make these common errors that severely limit their opportunities.

6 Steps to Assessing Your MBA Admissions Profile

It’s best to start the MBA application process clear-eyed, and that means knowing exactly what makes your profile competitive (and where you may have weaknesses). This honest assessment will enable you to identify the right schools for you to apply to – schools that are a perfect match for your goals, and where your skills and experience make you a great fit.

Bankers, Consultants & Engineers: Six Tips To Stand Out In A Sea of Excellence

Caroline Diarte Edwards (former INSEAD Director of Admissions), Judith Silverman Hodara (former Wharton Director of Admissions) and Cassandra Pittman (former Admissions Officer at LBS and Columbia Business School alumna) offer six tips to stand out when the best isn’t the barometer.

Top Ten: The Most Favorably Reviewed MBA Admission Consultants

Some applicants have horror stories to tell about their consultants, with experiences so bad that they have actually demanded refunds. They’ve been swayed from dream schools, put up with long response times, and even mediocre advice.

Not so with the counselors at the very top of the business. So who are the world’s most favorably reviewed MBA admission counselors. Poets&Quants has been soliciting client reviews on … [ Read more ]

Want To Know Why You Were Really Wait Listed?

Of all the possible admissions decisions, being placed on the wait list is one of the most frustrating. For tips about how to get yourself moved off of the wait list and into the business school of your dreams, please read this post. For insight into why you were wait listed in the first place, please read on.