Author: mbaapply

  • Top 10 Best Practices for Preparing Your MBA Applications

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    Since 2004, I’ve worked with applicants from all walks of life under my MBA Apply shingle. It’s surprising I never wrote this before, but here are the 10 best practices I’ve seen consistently help applicants sharpen their odds — and their sanity — in the MBA admissions process. 1. Get the GMAT Out of the…

  • An Alternative to Entrepreneurship After Your MBA

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    A lot of MBA applicants say they want to start their own business someday. And that’s great in theory—until reality kicks in. You’ve got debt. You don’t have a killer idea (yet). The market’s shaky. And let’s be honest, it’s a huge psychological leap to go from employee to founder. Even seasoned side hustlers feel…

  • Is Business School Worth It? A No-Nonsense Breakdown

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    It’s the most common—and most loaded—question I get: Is an MBA actually worth it? The answer, like everything in business school, is: it depends. But not in a vague, philosophical way. In most cases, the answer is much more practical than people realize. So here’s the blunt breakdown, stripped of the hype and hand-wringing. When…

  • Why MBA admission is like getting six-pack abs

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    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…

  • Race, Prestige, and the Ugly Truth About MBA Admissions

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    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…

  • Top MBA Programs Compared by Personality

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    (Because Rankings Are Boring — So Let’s Talk Cars) There’s a lot of dry, earnest content out there comparing MBA programs. GMAT averages, placement stats, school culture surveys… you’ve seen it. You’ll probably dig into it. But let’s be honest — all that analysis tends to exaggerate differences that, to most people, don’t matter. So…

  • How to Improve Your MBA Application in the Final Few Months

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    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…

  • What are the ultimate MBA essay questions?

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    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…

  • How Cultural Differences Can Impact MBA Admissions

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    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…

  • What MBAs Can Learn from Wall Street’s Collapse of Empathy

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    A version of this article first appeared in BusinessWeek. When the financial crisis hit, the fury wasn’t just about subprime loans or executive bonuses. It was about tone-deafness. A total inability—or unwillingness—to understand why the public was enraged. That lack of self-awareness wasn’t limited to a few bad actors. It was systemic. And for MBA…