When applying to business school, it’s easy to focus on perfecting your application—acing the GMAT or GRE, writing compelling essays, and crafting a standout story. But one critical factor that’s often overlooked? The actual cost of an MBA. ...
Receiving a Stanford GSB interview invitation brings a flood emotions. At first, you’re overjoyed, after all, you’ve been anxiously refreshing your inbox ever since hitting submit on your application. With Stanford’s rolling interview invitations, every ping from your email felt like it could be the one. And when the invitation finally arrived, excitement quickly mixed with...
The 2025–2026 MBA application season is underway as schools begin sharing their deadlines and essays for the upcoming cycle. While many schools have kept their questions the same as last year, we still expect some marquee changes. In particular, applicants should pay close attention to updates from top programs. Round 1 MBA Application Timeline Regarding the Round 1...
Wharton has been nothing but consistent with its essay prompts for the last 12 years, making only minor tweaks to its two required essays over that time. But change is inevitable. After a delayed application opening, the new Wharton MBA essay prompts for 2025-2026 are confirmed, bringing the most notable update in over a decade....
After much anticipation, Harvard Business School (HBS) has released its 2025-2026 essay prompts with only minor wording changes from the prior year. Although the edits (deletions, mostly) are subtle, our team finds them to be a solid improvement from last year. For context, HBS overhauled its longstanding single essay prompt last year, replacing it with a trio...
As another MBA admissions season wraps up, we’ve been connecting with applicants who didn’t get the news they were hoping for. These rejected applicants came to us for answers, hoping to understand what held their applications back and how they can improve their chances if they decide to reapply....
Keeping yourself involved in extracurricular activities while also gunning for that next promotion or trying to learn Python for your day job is no easy feat. That said, MBA extracurricular activities are an important part of your overall story — they reflect your engagement beyond the office and can be a valuable way to demonstrate leadership...
You've spent months preparing for this moment. This is the culmination of countless hours of hard work. Soon enough, you will be hitting the submit button on your business school applications. And then the waiting game begins. But first, let's talk about one of the steps leading up to the moment you click submit. What can you...
HBS sent the MBA community reeling when it announced (after months of rumors) that it would be changing its longstanding, single essay prompt this year. The prior question, “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?”, was introduced in...
The 2024-2025 MBA application season is underway as schools have begun sharing their deadlines and essays for this upcoming cycle, with many more expected over the next month. While many schools have kept their questions the same from last year’s cycle, we do expect some marquee changes this year as well. Round 1 MBA Application Timeline Round 1...
A post caught my eye on the r/MBA Reddit thread this week. It posed a question: “Are there non-soul crushing careers out of MBA?”. The author, an M7 grad, was questioning their career choices. Despite landing coveted roles in management consulting and then private equity, they felt that neither had delivered on their promises....
As another MBA admissions season comes to a close, our team has heard from a number of Round 2 applicants who didn’t get the news they were hoping for on decision day. These rejected MBA applicants came to us looking for answers on where they went wrong and what they can do differently if they decide...
On April 9, 2024, U.S. News released its annual ranking of the best MBA programs in the U.S. We pay attention because the U.S. News MBA Ranking is typically considered to be the most credible and reliable of the various rankings publications (including Financial Times, The Economist, etc. LinkedIn even got in the game this year)....
Yes, you read that right. Every year, our team coaches over 125 management consultants from leading firms. Our data reveals a surprising trend within this cohort. Applicants with a 720 GMAT are just as likely to earn admission to top MBA programs as those with a 780 score. Why does this happen? One might assume elite schools...
Selecting an MBA program to apply to is about more than just rankings and scores. Your fit with a particular program and school – both in terms of what you’re looking for and what they’re looking for – is extremely important. Use...
MBA program selection is invariably one of the first things we discuss with our MBA admissions consulting clients. While they often hope we’ll quickly help them narrow down their list of target schools, it’s just not that simple. In fact, how to decide where to apply is a question that takes some diligence, and perhaps some...
*Updated June 7, 2021 It's that time of year! The top MBA programs are starting to release their deadlines and applications. Now is the time to pick your first school and start drafting essays in order to be ready for the September and October deadlines. Over the next few weeks, all of the deadlines and essay topics...
Updated 4.21.21 Every MBA hopeful is, or should be, considering how he or she can step up and lead at work, no matter their title or role. Highlighting an array of times you’ve led is an essential differentiator for those hoping to demonstrate what many b-schools, notably Harvard Business School, call a “habit of leadership”. But in the...
Choosing the right MBA programs has never been easier with our side-by-side comparison of the top MBA programs....
Let’s Get Efficient Deferred MBA admissions candidates: Get expert support through our new Small Group MBA Workshops. We're offering the benefit of working with a Vantage Point MBA consultant in small, high-value sessions. You'll receive personalized feedback. You'll also learn from your fellow participants. Whether you're just getting started or halfway through, these sessions empower you with...
Updated 10.23.20 That’s the question facing many MBA applicants at this time of year. The Round 2 deadlines are quickly approaching in January, but waiting until Round 1 next year means delaying matriculation until fall of 2022. So which timing is right for you? As with all aspects of the MBA application process, it depends. To help you...
In recent years, we’ve seen significant growth in deferred MBA programs at the top business schools. A trend that started primarily at Harvard Business School with the 2+2 program and Stanford GSB has now come to Wharton, Chicago Booth, Columbia, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, Darden, and Yale. The list continues to grow every year. As a college senior,...
Updated 9.17.20 After interviewing countless MBA candidates for Kellogg, I can solve the mystery of whether your questions matter. They absolutely do. To remain competitive, you must recognize the specific MBA interview questions to avoid. The inquiries you choose demonstrate your level of interest, your listening skills, and your professional engagement. Second, they often demonstrate how well...
The events of the last few weeks, let alone the last few months, have left me feeling, well, a lot: anger, sadness, disappointment, discomfort, and yet hope for a better tomorrow. But I know that is nothing compared to what our black friends, neighbors, colleagues, and fellow citizens are, and have been, feeling in this country....
Every MBA applicant must demonstrate leadership at work, regardless of title. A consistent "habit of leadership" differentiates top candidates. Remote work has reduced traditional opportunities like elevator pitches and spontaneous meetings. But clear ways to stand out still exist. Here's how to demonstrate leadership during crisis—no matter where you work. Why You Must Step Up NowMBA applications...
Last week, Vantage Point MBA Senior Consultant Katie M. hosted a webinar on GMAT Club's YouTube channel. She tackled a timely topic: networking for your MBA applications. In the already subjective application process, "networking" can seem particularly abstract. It can feel like simply another item on your long MBA application to-do list. What is it exactly?...
Wondering where the last six months went? They flew by in a blur. You're not alone. The first two deadlines for top MBA programs slipped away. You're not alone there either. Now you're questioning: Is MBA Round 3 worth it? Or should you wait until next year? The Truth About Round 3 MBA Applications We can't decide for...
Should you apply Round 1 vs Round 2? HBS deadlines are just 13 weeks away. At this stage, many applicants realize that work projects or personal commitments have consumed more time than expected. Consequently, the application process feels more rushed than originally anticipated. This is also the time when many applicants start wondering whether they should...
An insightful applicant asked me last week “when have you seen an applicant fail?” I love this question. And as I thought about the applicants who had come to us asking for an assessment of what went wrong last year, there was one thing their applications had in common: lack of a clear theme....
Harvard has announced a new HBS Early Deadline Essay Prompt for an early admissions round they are calling “Round 0.” They also released the essay prompt, with a deadline of April 1, 2019 at 11:59pm. Below is the essay prompt: “As we review your application, in one word what more would you like us to know as...
For those Round One MBA applicants out there, if you haven’t had the “oh sh#t” moment yet, then you’re probably not paying attention. Harvard Business School applications are due in two weeks. Starting with HBS on 9/5, round one applicants face a crazy couple of weeks as they finalize their applications and make last minute changes before...
Finding yourself on the MBA waitlist can feel frustrating after months of hard work. However, being waitlisted doesn't mean sitting idle—most schools welcome updates that strengthen your candidacy. We've received countless questions about the MBA admissions waitlist over the past month. Here are the top three questions answered to help you navigate this critical phase. 1) Will...
One of our clients was recently in this exact situation. Her Kellogg application was submitted and her interview was completed. She was just waiting for the final decision. Then, she received an email inviting her to an intimate networking brunch in her hometown of [major US city*]. Her mind immediately started racing, wondering “What does this...
The MBA Letters of recommendation often creates anxiety. This is especially true if you've recently changed jobs or prefer not to tell your employer about your business school plans. We constantly hear from candidates unsure who to ask—or worried that admissions committees will read into who skipped writing their MBA recommendation letter. Below, we answer the...
If you're in your first few years of work, meeting the 'leadership potential' threshold for top MBA programs can seem daunting. You may have just started to feel comfortable with your job. How will you show admissions committees that you have what it takes to be a leader? Yesterday The Wall Street Journal published a fabulous article...
The short answer: 'It never hurts to ask.' Over the years, many of our clients have received amazing news. Schools have selected them for scholarships from at least one of their desired MBA programs. Sometimes, however, the money comes from a second or third choice instead of their coveted first choice. So, the question we often get...
“Do I need to retake the GMAT?” That’s a question plaguing hundreds, if not thousands, of MBA applicants this time of year. By now, many MBA hopefuls have taken the GMAT at least once but aren’t sure if their score is “enough” to get them accepted to their dream programs. While the GMAT is only one data...
Are you a non-traditional MBA applicant worried your background hurts your chances? Many applicants ask: "I'm a non-traditional applicant — how do I offset this weakness in my application?" Others wonder: "I think that my non-traditional background is a strength in my application because it differentiates me from all the consultants and bankers — do you...
Columbia Business School is one of the top MBA programs in the world and receives over 6,000 applications every year across its August and January entry options. With an acceptance rate hovering around 17% (for the class of 2018), it takes more than just a great GMAT score to make the cut. Diversity, leadership, impact, perseverance...
In an already subjective and often ambiguous process, networking can feel abstract—or just another task on your MBA application to-do list. What is it exactly? Do you really need to do it? How will it help you get into your dream school? How do you get started? These are all questions that we’ve been hearing a...
Round 3 ("R3") deadlines approach. For some applicants, this represents the last chance for 2017 MBA admission. For others, it's a "do-over" round after unsatisfactory Round 2 results. As we discussed in The Truth About Round 3, chances of admission in R3 are notoriously low, particularly at the top programs. However, they’re not impossible, and if...
"Where should I apply?" This question starts every MBA school selection journey. It's a question that requires diligence and introspection. You want to be thoughtful about MBA school selection for several reasons. Let us guide you through the process. So limit your list strategically. Choose schools that make sense for you while maximizing admission chances. So, you...
The INSEAD interview differs from other top business schools. Understanding this difference is crucial for your preparation. Here's what makes the INSEAD MBA interview unique—and how to succeed. All INSEAD interviews are conducted by alumni. You'll have two interviews. Alumni are selected based on their backgrounds. INSEAD interviews can last over one hour. They are not blind. Applicants...
So you're on the MBA waitlist for your dream school? It wasn't the decision you hoped for. But here's the good news: you're still in the running. Being on the MBA waitlist means the adcom really liked you. They thought you'd be a great fit. But for various reasons, they couldn't extend an offer—yet. And that...
Here we go again! Financial Times released its 2017 MBA rankings over the weekend. The FT ranking evaluates 100 MBA programs worldwide. It includes international schools, not just US programs. Many consider it the most credible global ranking. (This is not an endorsement of the FT rankings over any other methodology but is purely a reflection...
Last year I had the privilege of working with Tom*, an applicant to the Wharton MBA for Executives Program in San Francisco. After his first term, Tom has offered his insight and advice for those considering the Wharton EMBA. 1) What has surprised you the most about the program? Tom: The biggest surprise was how much work this program...
If you’re wondering where the last 5 months went, how they flew by in a blur, you’re not alone! Missed the first two MBA application deadlines? You're not alone. Some candidates even miss three. It happens more than you think. Now you're facing a tough choice. Apply in Round 3? Or wait until next year? We...
Should you apply Round 2 MBA or wait for Round 1 next year? Thousands of applicants ask this question every fall. With Round 2 deadlines just 5 weeks away in January, the decision feels urgent. Round 2 deadlines approach quickly in January (only 5 weeks away!) but if you wait for Round 1 next year, you...
At Vantage Point, we have a love-hate relationship with the rankings. On one hand they provide a directional indication of the quality of MBA programs and competitiveness of admission. On the other, complex and/or subjective ranking methodologies and the volatility that ensues can be misleading. Yet, we continue to dissect the rankings year after year. The...
“It takes a village” to navigate the MBA journey. However, finding the right MBA application advice is critical to your success. Although the process may seem lonely at first, savvy applicants seek multiple perspectives along the way. Notably, even if you do not seek advice, people will often offer it freely. As in all matters, not all...
Back in June, we tackled the loaded question of whether or not the MBA rankings matter. (And of course, it depends.) But regardless of how reliant on or independent from the rankings your school selection decisions were, you’ve likely gotten comfortable with your choices by now. That is, until The Economist published their 2016 full-time global MBA rankings late...
Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent, you're probably just as tired of this election cycle as the rest of us. That said, the Presidential debates are a Master Class in communication strategy for those preparing their MBA applications. The two candidates, while miles apart on the issues, both seize moments on stage...
As an international applicant to a top US MBA program, you’re surely aware of the special challenges you may face once admitted, particularly in applying for a visa and securing housing. However, one thing you may not have considered is how your non-US citizenship impacts the reality of your career goals. In other words, if you’re...
Understanding the MBA application process gives you a critical advantage. A month ago, we shared information on adcom composition at top schools. Knowing your audience can make the difference between getting in or getting dinged. Therefore, as you write your stories, remember who's reading them. Tailor your content and eliminate industry jargon. This month, we delved deeper...
By now, the great majority of schools have released both their application deadlines (shown in the calendar below) as well as their essay topics. HBS (the first deadline among the top schools) is due in only six weeks, so if you haven't already, this is a great time to talk to your recommenders and start making...
As an MBA admissions consultant, a big part of my job is helping my clients develop and think through their post-MBA goals. Communicating a clear vision and direction for your career is a key piece of the MBA application after all. Naturally, I work with a lot of clients that are pursuing post-MBA careers in consulting...
Since moving to Switzerland for what my family and I are calling an "extended business trip", I've had the opportunity to interview MBA applicants from several countries as an alumni interviewer for Kellogg. Through this experience, as well as consulting to clients from Europe over the years, I've compiled a list of advice and considerations that...
I read a Forbes article yesterday titled Why 'Results-Oriented Professional' Is The Worst Personal Brand that was so relevant to our work at Vantage Point that I had to share it. The term “personal branding” gets thrown around a lot, especially in MBA application strategy. But what does it really mean, tangibly? The definition of a personal...
You're used to succeeding. From Little League MVP to early promotions in your rockstar career, you win. So what happened with your b-school applications last year? Don't worry — a strong MBA reapplicant strategy can turn rejection into acceptance. Every year, top MBA programs get harder to enter. Schools receive thousands of qualified applicants. They can't...
Vantage Point recently had the chance to catch up with Katrin, a recent Columbia Business School grad and busy management consultant based in New York City. We asked her a few questions about her experience applying to business school as an international applicant and all the unique challenges that brings. Read below for her candid and...
Vantage Point interviewed Anjelica, a Columbia Business School graduate who got in as a younger MBA applicant with less than 2 years of experience. She's now a successful finance professional at a major bank in New York City. Her story offers valuable guidance for anyone with a non-traditional pre-MBA career or limited work experience considering applying...
FYI - today, U.S. News & World Report released its updated business school rankings. The top school rankings tend to shift by a place or two ever year, but of note for this year, Yale moved into the top 10 for the first time since 2012 (a HUGE jump from 13th to 8th), effectively bumping Darden...
You are ready for the next chapter in your career. You also know an MBA is a crucial next step. But what if your post-MBA goals represent a major shift? Successfully explaining an MBA career switch is critical to how the admissions committee views your application. This shift could involve a new industry, function, or both....
If you're a non-traditional MBA candidate coming from a government, nonprofit, teaching, or journalism background, you face unique challenges — and unique opportunities. Here's how one former Capitol Hill staffer got into a top-five program.“Chris – I remember our first marketing group together. You kept wanting to take the lead on the quant side and couldn’t...
