Author: mbaapply

As an MBA admissions consultant, my job is to help applicants shape strong applications — from essays and resumes to recommendations and interviews. But often, what people want to know is this: “Can you help me overcome a low GMAT?” The Short Answer? Not Really. Can you get in with a low GMAT? Maybe. But…

Let’s ask a simple question: If you walked into a classroom filled with mostly Indian and Chinese faces, would you perceive the school as more or less prestigious? Now imagine you’re not a student, but a recruiter from McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, or Apple—where post-MBA roles are about building relationships with clients, investors, and stakeholders who…

One of the most common questions I get: “What can I realistically do to improve my MBA chances in the next few months?” If you’re applying soon — within this cycle — here’s the honest truth: you don’t have time to reinvent yourself. But you do have time to sharpen the edges. Focus on these…

Over the years I’ve worked with applicants from every corner of the world, writing about every topic under the sun. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about MBA essays, it’s this: Most of them try too hard. Some are illuminating (like Stanford’s “what matters most to you and why”). Others are comically off-base (“if…

I don’t often write articles aimed at specific cultural groups. That’s because MBA admissions criteria tend to transcend nationality or profession. Regardless of where you’re from, you’re expected to demonstrate three core things: But after reading thousands of applications—and watching how Indian and other Asian applicants often stumble despite excellent test scores and solid work…

Now that some of you are starting to get interview invites, one of the most common questions I get is: “How do I best prepare for my MBA interview?” Here’s the short answer: Talk. Out loud. A lot. It sounds almost too simple. But the best interview prep is vocal, not mental. It’s a physical…