This is the time of year when many applicants realize that the crazy work project, wedding planning, or some other major commitment has left them feeling pressed for time in what is a longer process than they originally thought. As such, this is also the time when many applicants start wondering...
Originally published on September 19, 2023. Most recently updated on July 29, 2025. MBA applicants often ask whether top programs offer GMAT or GRE waivers and if taking these tests is necessary. Preparing for these exams can be time-consuming, so it’s natural to seek alternatives. Yes, some MBA programs offer GMAT or GRE waivers, but this is more...
If you’re applying to MIT Sloan’s MBA Program, you’ve likely given thought to what you want to express in the required 300-word Cover Letter. Perhaps the trickiest thing about this unique application component is the word limit, which is incredibly short and forces you to have a laser focus on the elements...
As an applicant or prospective applicant to top MBA programs, you might be wondering about MBA program acceptance rates …and rightly so, applying to business school takes a ton of time and energy, you want to make sure all the effort pays off in the end!...
In a world where environmental consciousness and corporate responsibility are top of mind, sustainability has become more than a buzzword—it’s a driving force shaping the business world. At its core, sustainability reinforces the idea that businesses can thrive while protecting the environment, promoting social equity, and supporting economic resilience....
In past articles, we’ve discussed how MBA admissions consultants charge for their services and what to ask when interviewing them. But it dawned on us—we’ve never really shared why you should consider hiring an MBA admissions consultant in the first place....
If you browse the “Our Team” pages of top private equity and venture capital firms, you’ll notice a trend—many senior investment professionals have MBAs from top business schools. An MBA provides the technical and leadership skills needed to excel in PE and VC....
If applying to a business school is on your radar (or perhaps you’re already in the process of doing so), you’ve likely come across the somewhat mysterious term ‘M7’ - what is this exactly, you may wonder. Generally speaking, the M7 business schools (also know as M7 MBA schools) are the US programs that are considered...
If you’re researching MBA admissions consultants, you might be wondering how MBA admissions consultants charge—and which type of service is right for you. We get it! The options can be confusing, so in this article, we’re breaking down the common pricing models and service structures to help you make an informed decision....
We’re in the thick of Round 2 interview season! If you’ve made it this far, congratulations—you’re one step closer to securing a spot at your target MBA programs. While you’re likely focused on nailing your interview, remember that admissions teams still consider your entire application....
Most applicants pursue an MBA to advance their careers or pivot into a new industry or function. And business school absolutely delivers on that front. It fills gaps in your foundational business knowledge, provides access to career services, and vastly expands your network—all of which can be crucial to reaching new professional heights....
With Round 2 interview invitations going out, many applicants are shifting their focus to interview preparation. This is a smart move—interviews can be a deciding factor in the admissions process. At Vantage Point MBA, we love conducting mock interviews...
Yes, it’s only January, and it may seem like you have plenty of time before the first round of MBA application deadlines. However, there are several crucial steps you can take right now to give yourself a head start (and reduce your stress in the fall). ...
If you’re panicking with less than a week to go until round 2 MBA application deadlines begin, you might be wondering if you should consider applying to MBA application round 3 instead. You’ve likely heard that your chances of acceptance are much lower in round 3, but most programs have a third round for a reason,...
If you are fortunate enough to have finished round 1 with acceptances from multiple MBA programs in hand, congratulations! While you may have entered the application process with a mental ranking of your target programs, it’s often not that simple when it comes to making the final decision. ...
The final weeks leading up to MBA application deadlines can feel overwhelming, but the Vantage Point MBA team is here to guide you with our 7-step MBA Application Checklist, designed to streamline your process and ensure you submit a strong application....
You’ve likely heard the phrase, ‘you’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression.’ Turns out it’s actually a real thing rooted in psychology - a phenomenon called the primacy effect. ...
Waitlisted for your dream MBA program? Understanding the MBA waitlist acceptance rate is only part of the equation. Developing a strong MBA waitlist strategy is key to improving your chances of acceptance. This MBA waitlist strategy should highlight what makes you a strong candidate and address any weaknesses in your original application....
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take a pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for. If you’re applying to business school in Round 2, you may still be in the thick of applications. ...
If you’re applying to business school in Round 2, you’re likely hard at work refining your MBA application essays. With that in mind, we thought it would be a good time to share how to avoid common mistakes. These are three mistakes we commonly see people make in this critical part of the application process. ...
If you’ve begun to consider whether to apply to business school (maybe you even read our last article, 'Should I Get an MBA? Stuff They Tell You and Stuff They Don’t'), you likely have a multitude of questions swirling in your mind. ...
Social media’s impact is a hot topic, especially given the recent election in the U.S—But how does your social media presence really affect your chances when applying to MBA programs? Could sharing a strong on social or political issues impact the way MBA admissions committees see your application?...
Preparing a strong MBA application takes more time and effort than most applicants anticipate. With over a decade of experience advising MBA hopefuls, we’ve witnessed firsthand the significant difference between well-prepared applications and those rushed at the last minute....
You were granted a Wharton interview, congrats! You’re one step closer to being accepted. At this point, you might be curious about Wharton interview acceptance rate. Approximately, half of all applicants receive an interview invite, but only about one in five are accepted...
As MBA admissions consultants, we’re commonly asked, ‘what GPA do I need for a top MBA program?’ We get it – it’s easy to be concerned that a low GPA (which you have no ability to change at this point) will prevent you from being accepted to the MBA program of your dreams....
Are you applying to Chicago Booth? If so, read on for the Chicago Booth MBA essay questions and tips to ensure your answers stand out from the pack. We’re also sharing ideas for how to structure your Chicago Booth essay responses based on what we’ve seen be successful in the past....
HBS and Wharton applications are due in less than 2 weeks. Kellogg, Stanford, Columbia - just one week later. If you've been planning to apply in Round 1, we know you're likely ready to ‘be done with it already.’ We get it. But let's take a pause. Feeling tired or frustrated isn’t a great reason to...
Originally published on July 13, 2023. Updated on July 3, 2024. The Wharton MBA essay prompts are confirmed for 2024-2025 and they remain unchanged from last year. The questions are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you (and vice versa). As such,...
Earlier this week, Stanford announced its application deadlines for the ’24-’25 admissions cycle and confirmed that its main essay questions will remain unchanged next year. Given the reflection and iteration required to craft a compelling Stanford application, it’s never too early to get started on the essays....
Age is just a number, right? We’d like to think so. But if you’ve been researching business schools, you’ve probably come across the class profile for your target programs. These reports help you understand how the admissions committee might view your stats—like GPA and test scores....
You may have seen this article on Poets & Quants, which shared some eye-opening data from our peer firm, Fortuna Admissions, about who gets into Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School. In a nutshell, the article proved that, while these two uber competitive programs tout their diverse class compositions, in reality they show a clear preference...
If you’re planning to apply to business school and looking for a partner in the process, your head might be spinning from all the firms you see on MBA forums, Poets & Quants, etc. It’s hard to cut through the noise and be confident that you’ve identified the best MBA admissions consultant for your needs. Why...
Preparing for MBA interviews may seem straightforward at first. You might think that outlining and practicing your answers to standard MBA interview questions is enough to succeed, right? Hopefully so, but not always. Why Preparing for MBA Interviews Is Not as Straightforward as it Seems Interviews with admissions committees may show some consistency between candidates, but this is...
If you're applying to the Kellogg MBA program, you’ve likely seen that the application requires three video essays, which must be submitted within 96 hours (4 days) of the application deadline. For the 2024-2025 cycle, the deadlines are September 11 for Round 1 and January 8, 2025 for Round 2. These Kellogg video essay questions are...
In a recent LinkedIn post, our Co-Founder and President, Melody Jones, shared the following: “On Friday last week, a prospective client asked me why I decided to get an MBA. I'm actually surprised that more people don't ask me that :) In case my story inspires you, I'm going to share why I made the decision over...
Congratulations! If you’ve received an invitation for a Harvard Business School (HBS) interview, you're one step closer to your MBA dream. While only about 20% of applicants make it to this stage, around 50% of those will be admitted. So, while you’re almost there, you still have one crucial step ahead: the HBS interview preparation. For...
If you are currently in your senior year of college or enrolled in a masters’ program that you began right after graduation, this article is for you. While it might be tempting to coast through to your final year, we urge you to consider whether you should apply to one or more of the top deferred...
Relieved that you’ve clicked submit on your Round 1 MBA applications? Congratulations! We know the hard work and late nights that go into crafting those essays and filling in seemingly endless application questions. After you’ve taken a moment to breathe, you may be turning your attention to the next step in the process, the interview. We’ve...
Kellogg’s Round 1 deadline is today! As you are likely aware if you are applying, the application includes three video essays that are due within 96 hours of submission. As such, today we’re sharing how best to prepare for and tackle the Kellogg video essays. Although Kellogg is not sharing their questions in advance this year, we...
What is MBA networking and why exactly is it important are questions we’re frequently asked by our MBA admissions consulting clients. In an already subjective and sometimes vague process, “networking” can seem particularly abstract or worse, can simply be another “thing” on your long MBA application to-do list. While there’s no hard deliverable attached to networking, we...
The last few weeks before the MBA application deadlines can be a whirlwind! To make sure nothing falls through the cracks, here is our 7-step MBA application checklist to help you get across the finish line with confidence: Round 1 MBA Application Checklist Set calendar reminders for each of your target schools. We get it. This sounds dumb....
If you’re interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career, either immediately post-MBA or in the long term, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re sharing the entrepreneurship-focused resources offered by the top US MBA programs. For those targeting an entrepreneurial path, it's not just about earning an MBA, but immersing yourself in an ecosystem...
Aside from HBS and Stanford GSB's notoriously open-ended prompts, MIT Sloan's essay 'question' (if you want to call it a question) is undoubtedly the one that leaves applicants scratching their heads about what to write. Not only is Sloan's 'Cover Letter' format unique, but the word limit is incredibly short and forces you to have a...
The rise of deferred MBA programs at the top business schools has been remarkable. What began with the HBS 2+2 program and Stanford Deferred Enrollment MBA has now come to Wharton, Chicago Booth, Columbia, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, and more, demonstrating the growing popularity of MBA deferred admission. This trend shows no signs of slowing; the list of deferred...
If you thrive in tightknit communities and value experiential learning, particularly in an international locale, Dartmouth Tuck might be the perfect fit for your MBA journey. Speaking of ‘fit’, this concept should be central to your Tuck MBA essays to ensure their content resonates with the Tuck admissions committee. So, what exactly entails ‘fit’ with Tuck? Fortunately,...
If you’re applying to Kellogg and have been patiently waiting for them to release their essay questions, the time has come! The prompts have been reworked this year, after a number of application cycles without changes. Without further ado, here are the prompts for this year’s Kellogg essays: Kellogg Leaders are primed to tackle today’s pressing concerns...
The MBA application season is in full swing! Most top business schools have released their MBA application deadlines for 2023-2024. Some schools have also officially opened their applications, and many have shared essay questions. If you are applying in Round 1, now is the time to get started. By July, we recommend that Round 1 applicants have...
If you’re interested in pursuing a post-MBA career in healthcare, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re sharing the healthcare-focused resources offered by the top US MBA programs. Whether you aim to work for a healthcare or pharmaceutical company, invest in the healthcare space or pursue countless other tangential careers, these programs will...
Gathering as much information as possible about your target MBA programs is essential for submitting strong applications and deciding where to attend. While online research and attending information sessions are helpful, nothing beats getting insights directly from an insider. This is where MBA student ambassadors come into play. In addition, student ambassadors provide valuable details about the...
Several key things have changed this year when it comes to the Columbia Business School application. First, they’ve done away with rolling admissions for their fall cohort as well as the option to apply early decision. There will now be rounds that mirror most peer schools. Having seen clients stress about when to hit submit in a...
Letters of recommendation play a vital role in MBA applications. These MBA recommendation letter, crafted by trusted individuals who have witnessed the applicant's journey, validate what applicants assert about themselves and provide additional context about their accomplishments, character, and potential. When we first speak with clients about this component of the application, they are often unclear...
When it comes to plotting out your MBA applications, knowing when to start and what to expect can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without the right pieces. You may be wondering, when do MBA applications open? Is there anything you should be doing now before applications are available? When is the optimal time to...
Expressing why a specific MBA program is a fit for your career goals, personality, and more is crucial for a compelling application. But you can't make your case solely by relying on a school's website. You need deeper insights and information. A good way to further your research is to attend virtual MBA admissions events for...
GMAC's announcement of the updated version of the GMAT called the GMAT Focus Edition has generated quite a bit of excitement within the business school community. But since the test hasn't been launched yet, MBA hopefuls are left wondering what to expect. What will this new version of the GMAT be like and what will it...
The results are in! The latest MBA rankings have been released by U.S News & World Report, with the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business being at the top of the list. U.S News uses eight distinct ranking factors to compile its MBA rankings, which include placement success, student and recruiter survey data, and class...
Think of Booth as just a ‘finance school’? Think again. Booth’s marketing and entrepreneurship departments are also fantastic. Marketing is distinguished by its focus on analytics and its recent exclusive partnership with Nielsen. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship is recognized as a highly influential incubator. These assets and more helped Booth retain the top spot on...
You may have seen headlines in the past few weeks with outtakes from GMAC’s latest survey of prospective graduate business students (i.e., people who have registered for the GMAT and submitted a survey response). GMAC asked important questions around the types of graduate business education today’s students (Gen Z, that’s you!) are seeking and why they...
To continue our ‘Insider’s Guide’ series, this week we’ll turn our attention to Kellogg. You may have heard of Kellogg’s reputation as a marketing school. Yes, it has a very strong marketing department with renowned faculty members and a strong recruiting pipeline into marketing roles. However, most students at Kellogg actually aren’t focused on marketing. The...
This week, we’re giving you a peak behind the curtain at Wharton! You may think of Wharton as ‘the finance school’, but that’s not all this top ranked program has to offer. It also boasts a world-renowned curriculum in areas such as Real Estate, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing. Curious what else might surprise you? Read on...
Overview of For the second installment of our ‘Insider Guides’ series, we’re sharing everything you need to know about Stanford MBA Admissions. You’ve likely heard of the GSB’s reputation for helping graduates launch startups and enter the tech space, but is there a place for you if those are not your focus areas? Is the culture...
This week we’re kicking off a new series! Follow along as we share ‘Insider's Guides’ for many of the top MBA programs, beginning with – you guessed it – Harvard Business School. We’ll go beyond the published facts and statistics, sharing what it’s really like to attend some of the most highly sought-after schools in the...
If you were lucky enough to emerge from the Round 2 MBA application process with one or more acceptances in hand, congrats! If you’ve also been offered scholarship money, you might be wondering, can you negotiate MBA scholarships? The answer is yes, and understanding how to negotiate MBA scholarships can make a huge difference in reducing...
As an MBA admissions consultant, I often see clients, particularly those just starting their MBA journey, feeling anxious and uncertain about standardized testing—namely the GMAT and GRE. Questions like “Should I take the GMAT or GRE?”, “When should I prepare and take the exam?”, and “What GMAT score do I need for Harvard?” come up frequently....
We often get asked "How hard is it to get into Harvard Business School?" as applicants wonder if it's even worth submitting an application. You may have seen this recent article on Poets & Quants, which shared some eye-opening data from our peer firm, Fortuna Admissions, about who gets into Harvard and Stanford’s MBA programs. In...
Preparing for your MBA interviews can seem fairly straightforward at first. All you need to do is bullet out and practice your answers to the standard MBA interview questions and you should be good to go, right? Hopefully so, but not always. While interviews with members of the adcom may entail a certain level of consistency between candidates, this...
We recently came across this article, where the Dean of Loyola Marymount’s business school eloquently makes the case that, by investing in employees’ continuing education, employers can cultivate a higher-performing, more committed workforce. We agree and want to add our two cents – as two women who have benefitted from access to top MBA programs and...
If you are currently in your senior year of college or enrolled in a graduate program that you began right after graduation, this article is for you. While it might be tempting to coast through to the summer, we urge you to consider whether you should apply to one or more of the top deferred MBA...
There’s something about a new year, the promise of what’s to come and the thrill of possibility, that has our whole team feeling excited about 2023! The new year is also when we see a major shift in the conversations we’re having with you all – from “help me put finishing touches on my round 2...
If the first two application deadlines for the top MBA programs got away from you, you’re not alone! Now you might be questioning if you should apply in round 3 or wait until next year. While we can’t make the decision for you, we can tell you the truth about round 3 MBA applications. How Top Business...
Being a week or so out from many Round 2 MBA application deadlines, we’re fielding a lot of questions from our clients on how to fill out the actual ‘application’, otherwise known as the application data form. It’s easy to stress that your answers won’t be ‘right’ or will negatively impact your chances of admission in...
With Round 2 deadlines approaching in less than one month (!!), we’re in peak essay iteration mode with many of our clients. For those who are applying to both Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB, the question often arises of what makes these two world-class, uber competitive institutions different from one another. What ‘type’ of applicant...
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 reasons,...
Deciding where to apply? Our newly updated Top MBA Program Comparison tool can help! This sortable table ranks the top business schools on dimensions such as class size, average post-MBA salary, top recruited industries and more. It also includes the key criteria (GPA, GMAT, etc.) to help assess where you are likely to be a competitive...
You’re probably aware that ambitious, yet realistic post-MBA goals are critical to a compelling business school application. Not only that, understanding how business school will accelerate or pivot your career path is essential to justifying the financial and time investment required to pursue an MBA. Many clients we speak with have a general sense of their post-MBA...
If you’re one of the many who have been impacted by recent tech sector layoffs, you are likely pondering the next steps in your career. Change and uncertainty are scary, but they can also result in important reflection on what you want that next step to be. If business school has been in the back of...
If you submitted a Round 1 application to MIT Sloan’s MBA program – or perhaps you are planning to apply in Round 2 – you may have been surprised as to how little you were required to write. While many of Sloan’s peer programs require several 400- to 500-word essays, Sloan’s only written requirement is a...
If you’re applying to business school in Round 2, you probably know that writing compelling MBA essays is the foundation of a successful application. In fact, in our experience, writing compelling MBA essays has become increasingly important to admissions success. There are a lot of candidates out there who are qualified on paper and can gather...
If you’re applying to MBA programs in round 2, now is the time to buckle down and make sure you are adhering to a realistic MBA application timeline. While January may seem far away, there is a lot that goes into strong MBA applications and an MBA application timeline can help ensure you don’t procrastinate. Ideally, you...
As if the stress of preparing what you will say about yourself during your MBA interviews wasn’t enough, you’re likely also trying to think of questions to ask MBA admissions officers, if one (or two!) will be your interviewer. Not to fear, with a number of former MBA interviewers on our team, we can help you...
If you received an HBS interview invite or are just curious what the experience is actually like, you’re in luck! We got the scoop from two former clients who travelled to campus for their HBS interview (and were ultimately accepted). Note that HBS is still offering a Zoom option this year, but they are also returning...
If you've ever thought about starting a business (maybe that is even why you are applying to business school!) or simply enjoy reading about people who've taken that leap, we'd love for you to check out Vantage Point MBA Co-Founder Melody Jones's recent interview with digital magazine, GoSolo. As she shares, Melody and her Co-Founder (and best...
Relieved that you’ve clicked submit on your Round 1 MBA applications? Congratulations! We know the hard work and late nights that go into crafting those essays and filling in seemingly endless application questions. After you’ve taken a moment to breathe, you may be turning your attention to the next step in the process, MBA interview prep....
With just over a week until the Round 1 deadline, many MBA hopefuls are likely hard at work on their Tuck essay questions. The Tuck essay questions are not ones to rush through – demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the Tuck program is key to successfully selling yourself to the school. In fact, Tuck devotes an entire...
With Round 1 deadlines closing in over the next few weeks, many of our clients are (smartly!) turning their focus to MBA interview preparation. We love mock interviewing with them in the lead up to the real thing and, over the years, we’ve gleaned a number of MBA interview pitfalls to which even the most impressive...
If you are applying to INSEAD and have begun work on the INSEAD essay questions, you’ve likely discovered that there are A LOT of them and each one allows for a fairly robust word count. Be sure to plan for the time commitment involved in applying to this program! There are also video interview questions to...
You may have seen that several top business schools, including Wharton, UCLA Anderson, and UVA Darden, recently released 2024 MBA class profiles. While MBA class profiles are always interesting to help understand trends in the business school landscape, there were a number of notable surprises this year. For those currently in the MBA application phase, what does...
With less than one month until Round 1 MBA application deadlines begin (yikes!), we thought it would be a good time for some ‘real talk’, as the saying goes. We’re often asked about the biggest MBA application mistakes we see from MBA hopefuls. We’ll be the first to say that most ‘mistakes’ aren’t dealbreakers on their own,...
If you’re applying to MIT Sloan’s MBA program, it’s important to give serious thought to the MIT Sloan essay questions. These questions are your chance to share who you are and why you’re a good fit for the program. Don’t forget, the MIT MBA essay must fit into a 300-word cover letter, which can feel a bit limiting, but...
If you’re applying to business school this year, you’ve likely been scanning the internet for MBA admissions advice to help you put your best foot forward. Today we’re going to talk about a topic that doesn’t come up much on MBA admissions advice forums or blogs but can be used to your advantage in MBA applications...
Applying to Stanford GSB? If so, you’ve likely begun thinking about how to approach the Stanford GSB essay questions and, more specifically, pondering ‘what matters most to you and why’. Who knew you would be doing so much soul searching during the MBA application process, right? We’ve got you covered. Read on for the essay questions...
Applying to the Wharton MBA program? If so, you’ve likely begun thinking about how to approach the Wharton MBA essay questions. You’ve come to the right place. Read on for the Wharton MBA essay questions and tips to ensure your responses are as strong as possible. Wharton MBA Essay Questions How do you plan to use the Wharton...
Is it us or is the summer flying by? It’s July 1st, and that officially means it’s time to kick your MBA application work into high gear, if you are applying in Round 1. To help you stay on track, we’ve put together a high-level MBA application timeline. Read on to see if you’ve accomplished what...
If Kellogg School of Management is on your list of target MBA programs, you’ve likely begun thinking about how to approach the Kellogg MBA essay questions. You’ve come to the right place. Read on for the Kellogg MBA essay questions and tips to ensure your responses are as strong as possible. Kellogg MBA Essay Questions Kellogg’s purpose is...
It’s that time of year! Top business schools are starting to release their MBA application deadlines and essay questions for the 2022-2023 application cycle. If you are applying in Round 1, now is the time to pick your first school and start drafting essays. Remember, when you apply matters. Early action programs tend to have higher acceptance...
It’s 'go' time! HBS has announced next year’s deadlines and confirmed its essay question, which remained unchanged again this year. At first glance, the HBS essay question might seem simple, but applying effective HBS essay tips and utilizing a robust HBS essay framework is vital. Crafting a strong response requires HBS essay tips to understand what...
If you’re like many MBA hopefuls applying to business school this year, you’ve begun to map out your application approach and are daydreaming in earnest about what it would be like to attend your top choice program. As you consider your own qualifications – both your strengths and your weaknesses – you may wonder, what matters...
As an applicant or prospective applicant to top MBA programs, you might be wondering what your chances of acceptance are…and rightly so, applying to business school takes a ton of time and energy, you want to make sure all the effort pays off in the end! To simplify things, we’ve compiled a list of MBA acceptance...
This article was originally published on May 19, 2022. It was last updated on August 14, 2025. “What is a good GMAT score?” is a question we field frequently from clients. Perhaps they have taken the GMAT or GRE at least once but aren’t sure if their score is “enough” to get them into their dream...
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Are you an older MBA applicant to a traditional full-time program? A number of clients and prospective clients we speak with each year are surprised to learn that they fall into this category and that their years of work experience can be a point of weakness in their application. Please don’t abandon your dreams of...
In last week’s article, we provided some tips to ensure the short-term goals you share in your MBA career goals essay will resonate with the admissions committee. We shared that your post-MBA goals should be specific, realistic, and logical. This is all true, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. While a strong short-term MBA...
