Politics. Religion. Race. Trauma. Identity. In today’s polarized world, it’s no surprise that applicants aren’t sure how to include potentially sensitive or controversial topics in their MBA applications. Over the years, we’ve worked with applicants who have written about everything from political work and religious exploration to deeply personal experiences involving discrimination, illness, loss, and hardship. And while...
Are starting a new job and applying to business school mutually exclusive? Whether your recent career transition was driven by a disappointing bonus, continued layoffs in the finance or tech sectors, or an unexpected job offer, it’s completely normal to wonder how the move will impact...
If you’re anything like most MBA applicants, you probably haven’t dusted off your undergrad transcript and taken a close look in several years. Most applicants are understandably focused on their overall GPA (because MBA programs publish a mean or range for each admitted class) and the brand associated with their undergraduate institution (because they have an...
We love this time of year because we get to connect with so many aspiring MBAs. One of the most common questions we hear is: “I’m planning to retake the GMAT or GRE. Should I wait until I have my final score before hiring an MBA admissions consultant?”...
If you’re grappling with MBA admissions rejection(s) right now, you’re not alone. Like any rejection in life, it stings regardless of the source. But it’s critically important to recognize the bigger picture: admissions statistics at top MBA programs work against almost everyone. That’s why M7 acceptance rates in 2024 ranged from approximately 8% at Stanford GSB...
Did you know that many of the highly valued qualities that make an athlete successful also make a business leader impactful? MBA admissions committees place strong value on applicants who demonstrate a collaborative spirit, competitive drive, and commitment to pursuing perfection in their MBA applications....
Last year I had a client who called me panic. “I showed my applications to several co-workers and they completely tore apart my essays! What do I do?” This client had a compelling, authentic story. And for context, he was ultimately admitted to every program he applied to. ...
The resume you used to get your last job is not the one you will use to apply to business school. I know, it’s frustrating! You perfected your resume to land a job, only to find that you’re going to have to rework it for your MBA application. I promise you, it’s a worthwhile time investment!...
Whether you're concerned about job stability, visa policies, or long-term planning, the decision to pursue an MBA in uncertain times may be on your mind. ...
Are you debating whether to apply via the the Consortium in Round 2 (deadline is Jan. 5th, 2025)? Or perhaps you’re ready to dive in but feeling overwhelmed by the additional essays and their unique focus? Either way, we’ve got you covered!...
Truly spectacular letters of recommendation complement and enhance an MBA application seamlessly. But before agonizing over the content that you want your recommenders to include in their respective letters, make sure you have dedicated ample time to choosing the right individuals....
In our recent series on developing compelling MBA career goals (click to read Part I and Part II), I discussed how these goals are an integral component of your ‘personal brand’. So, what is a personal brand exactly and how do you go about discovering yours? What Is a Personal Brand and Why Does It Matter? The personal...
This time of year, we do a lot of 'ding analysis.' Many applicants from last year asks our team for help. They want to understand what went wrong. Below are some of the common pitfalls we see, which we hope will help you know what to avoid as you start the MBA application process this year. <strong>Being...
Updated 2.4.21 Researching MBA programs is critical for a winning application. You must demonstrate ‘fit’ with your target schools. This requires understanding both yourself and the program’s culture. This is harder than it sounds! Making an effective case as to why a program is a fit requires a nuanced understanding of both yourself / your goals and...
Updated 12.14.20 So, you’re on the waitlist for your dream school? It wasn’t the decision you were hoping for, but the good news is that you’re still in the running. Being on the waitlist means that the adcom really liked you and thought you would be a great fit for their program but, for any number of...
Updated 10.1.20 These three bullets should be on your MBA resume if you want to stand out. When crafting your application, your resume deserves special attention. The right MBA resume bullets can make the difference between acceptance and rejection. Round 2 deadlines are three months away. If you haven't started your MBA resume, now is the time....
A successful MBA application demonstrates your alignment with a specific institution. While official websites provide foundational data, school marketing materials often blur together. Top-tier programs all highlight cutting-edge coursework, acclaimed faculty, and premier corporate recruitment networks. Consequently, researching MBA programs when you can’t visit requires a shift toward subjective metrics: institutional culture and personal compatibility. This is...
It’s already February. You may feel like there is plenty of time before the first round of MBA application deadlines. However, there are five things you can be doing right now to strengthen your applications and reduce stress later. Review the list below and start planning your timeline for the year. Assume that everything will take...
The resume you used to get your last job is not the one you will use to apply to business school. I know - it’s frustrating. You spent hours getting it right to go out into the job market, only to find that you’re going to have to rework that small but powerful document in order...
If you’re just starting, the timeline below can help you stay on track over the next 13 weeks. This MBA application plan ensures you hit every deadline. So hopefully, you already have a strong application strategy and personal brand that you’re leveraging to start thinking about how to approach one of the most critical and time-intensive...
A winning HBS essay strategy can make the difference between a good and a standout application. Many candidates struggle to know which stories best highlight their leadership and personal growth. At first glance, the Harvard Business School essay question seems fairly simple. It will remain unchanged this year. What more would you like us to know as...
It’s not "we" — it’s "me." For the ladies out there, repeat that to yourself. Why Women Struggle With Self-Promotion For a large portion of the women I work with each year who are navigating MBA applications for top programs, we eventually discuss the 'W': not win, not woman, but "we." Women tend to feel uncomfortable taking credit...
Understanding the MBA application timeline is crucial for business school success. Last week we presented to a large bank's analyst class, and one of the first questions we were asked was “when should I start working on my applications if I’m applying in the fall?” It seems so far away...
This time of year, our team is doing a lot of “ding analysis”, which is when someone who applied last year comes to us and asks our team to help them understand what went wrong. Below are three common MBA application pitfalls our team frequently identifies during 'ding analysis.' Avoiding these mistakes is crucial as you...
Want to change the world through business? Our MBA scholarship helps social impact leaders get into top programs—for free. Business leaders can transform communities by solving society's most pressing challenges. Coca-Cola's supply chain delivers medications to rural developing areas. Google provides educational technology to underserved schools. What will you do? Vantage Point MBA's MBA of IMPACT...
Every week we speak with MBA applicants trying to figure out how the MBA application process works and how they stack up to the competition. So, in this series we will track the best questions we've received. We will periodically send out a summary of the answers (think FAQ style). This will help fast track the...
When I bring up 'leadership experience' in an MBA application, applicants often respond, "but I'm not in a management position." Truly, that's OK. Most entering classes average 26-28 years old. So don't be surprised if you haven't yet managed a team. The truth is that many applicants to top business schools have never managed anyone. Most,...
Schools will release this year's MBA applications sometime in June or July, on average. So what can you be doing now? A lot. If you start your MBA application timeline now, you can knock out some low-hanging fruit. You'll be ready to hunker down once the applications come out. First thing’s first - if you haven’t taken...
Low undergrad GPA? Perhaps you chose a tough major or focused too much on extracurriculars. Whatever the reason, a low GPA is actually one of the easiest weaknesses to mitigate in your MBA applications. College was years ago. You've grown since then. You've started a career, earned promotions, and maybe even managed a team. Your progress since...
The Haas Part-Time MBA at UC Berkeley ranks consistently among the nation's top part-time programs. U.S. News and World Report once again ranked Haas #1 overall—ahead of Booth and Kellogg. The Haas Part-Time MBA offers flexible scheduling through its Evening & Weekend format. This supports work-life balance while advancing your career. But is the Haas Part-Time...
It may be “only January” now, but for most busy MBA applicants, the deadlines sneak-up faster than you think. As such, we compiled a list of best practices from our clients this past year that can help guide you over the next few months. Schedule Your Class Visits Now “I visited all of my target schools the year...
This year, more than ever, we've fielded calls from panicked applicants. Deadlines snuck up on them. Were you caught up in the election? Swamped at work? Or just enjoying life? You're not alone. Many are just now facing their MBA 'to do' list. They wonder if they can finish in time. Here's what's realistic based on...
This week’s exit poll is from a client, Harrison, who recently completed the group interview (Team-Based Discussion) at Wharton. Below we summarized his day and experience for all of those round 2 Wharton hopefuls! Harrison arrived in Philly around 10:00am. Pro tip: give yourself extra time. Traffic can surprise you. He went straight to the admissions office...
You can read about each school’s interview process all over the internet, and we can tell you from our experience what it’s like all day long. However, what we’ve found is that applicants really appreciate hearing first-hand from someone who is still sweating from the experience. So, we’ve selected one client for each school who we...
Want free MBA application advice? There's plenty available - from forums to webinars to school presentations. Here's how to use free MBA admissions resources effectively while avoiding common pitfalls. Disclaimer -Vantage Point specializes in providing personalized admissions strategies to applicants aiming for the top schools. So to clarify, this post is not about how to use customized guidance...
“Stanford will pay you to attend its business school-but only if you agree to work in the Midwest.”(Business Insider, September 27, 2016) This is likely the most intriguing statement we have heard in years. As MBA admissions consultants we talk to our clients consistently about post MBA plans: including industry, job function and location. With the MBA...
Your first year MBA experience starts before classes even begin. As an applicant, you've probably visited your target schools. You've spoken with alumni and current students. You wanted to assess the culture and fit. Therefore, the more you know about what MBA life is really like, the better. When you sit down for your interview, this...
“If I only had a dollar for every time you pulled me back from the ledge!” A current client sent me this email the other night after a back-and-forth about his GPA and GMAT quant score. Both were fine, but I get it—I’ve been there. A few years ago, I struggled to pull together my own applications...
Hope everyone's MBA applications are off to a fantastic start! Whether you're in marketing now or aspire to take that first marketing class in business school, you probably already know the value of understanding your customer or target audience. So, to help as you move into the essay-writing phase, we've gathered information on a sample set of...
Over the last few weeks, many schools have released their 2016-2017 deadlines and essay topics. The MBA application year is certainly in full swing! If you haven't already, now is an ideal time to set a date for GMAT and research schools. We recommend talking to alumni and visiting the campuses (if summer visits are available...
At this point, many of the top schools have now released their R1 deadlines and essay topics. Please see below for all of the deadlines that we have thus far. As always, continue to check our blog as we update this. Most deadlines should be posted by sometime in July but for now, it's great to...
We've now added Ross and UNC Kenan-Flagler to our aggregated R1 deadlines calendar. Ross and UNC recently released their deadlines and essay topics the upcoming application year - so there's no better time to start than now! Note that UNC has an early action option (the October deadline) and its official "round 1" deadline is in...
Now that Columbia has released its essay topics, many applicants have already started preparing their Columbia MBA essays. Below are a few key points to remember while developing your story and rationale for “why Columbia.” Even if Columbia is not on your list, review the Columbia essay prompts. They may spark ideas while you develop stories for...
Columbia stands out among top MBA programs. Moreover, the timing of your application submission can significantly impact your chances. Because of its rolling admissions, applying early often works to your advantage. Therefore, if you're considering applying to Columbia Business School, staying informed about Columbia Business School admissions and Columbia MBA application deadlines is essential. In addition,...
Stanford's application deadlines are as follows: Round 1 - September 21, 2016 Round 2 - January 10, 2017 Round 3 - April 5, 2017 Look for essay topics coming out sometime in June. Time to get started! Contact us to start strategizing: www.vantagepointadmissions.com...
MBA admissions changes happen faster than most people realize. My Personal Experience When I applied to business school, I worked at an investment bank. There, I was surrounded by MBA graduates. I eagerly sought their advice. Their stories helped me understand two things. First, why they chose particular schools. Second, how they navigated the process. Why Context Still Matters At...
Round 1 applications aren't due until September and October on average. So, you have plenty of time, right? Not really. The window of time to visit and sit in on a class in the fall is extremely short. See below for why sitting in on a class is the most important part! Sometimes, there are only...
