Category: Admissions

If you’re early in your career (or even still in college), you’ve probably asked: “What can I do now to improve my chances of getting into a top MBA program later?” It’s a fair question. But also a loaded one. Because the deeper issue isn’t what you should be doing. It’s why you feel the…

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…

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…

This started as a response I wrote on the old BusinessWeek forums after a few understandably frustrated PE guys got their dings. But the topic comes up every year, so here’s the broader explanation. MBA programs build their incoming classes with intention — and diversity plays a central role. Not for performative or political reasons,…

A common question I get from applicants is, “What makes a good MBA essay?” The answer isn’t what most people think. Good writing—especially for business school—has nothing to do with style, polish, or sounding “professional.” In fact, those habits from corporate life often hurt your writing more than help. If you’re used to writing polished…