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!...
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...
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....
Age is just a number, or is it? If you are applying to business school with 4–5 years of work experience, then yes, it is. But if you’re applying with fewer, then unfortunately your age could be a red flag to admissions committees....
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...
We talk to many MBA applicants every year. But it’s the reapplicants – those who truly should have gotten in the first time - who stick with us the most. These are individuals who have already applied to business school. Based on their numbers and resumes, they should have gotten into highly competitive programs. Strong GPAs and...
If you're wondering how to stand out in your MBA application, you're not alone. Before meeting with my MBA applicant clients, I review a background write-up that they put together. Inevitably, when they are asked about their strengths as an applicant, I see the same answers come up—quantitative and analytical thinking, effective communication and teamwork, trustworthiness,...
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!...
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. ...
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...
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...
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...
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?”...
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....
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,...
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....
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!...
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....
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...
Once again this year, the Kellogg School of Management has revised its MBA essay questions. While the new prompts are certainly on-brand for this M7 program, they are more dense and multidimensional than in past years. What this means for applicants is they will need to pay extra close attention to every piece of the question...
Columbia Business School has just released its MBA application essay prompts for the 2025–2026 cycle. The Columbia MBA essays remain mostly consistent with last year (with a minor change), giving applicants a clear framework to reflect on their goals, leadership experience, and vision for their time at CBS. With a mix of short answers and...
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,...
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...
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....
"I’m glad we trashed those initial MBA essays", our client, Ben, told his consultant, Alan. Ben is one of those smart, hard-working, rockstars whom private equity firms will one day pay huge amounts of money to run portfolio companies. At the same time, he is a thoughtful person you would trust with a big favor at the...
If getting an MBA has been in your career plans, it’s not a matter of whether you will apply– but when. It’s a decision that often unexpectedly creeps up, after an external event – a layoff, a failed promotion, a gentle nudge from management, unfavorable market conditions. But what would it mean to be in the...
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....
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....
Did you know that many of the highly valued qualities that make an athlete successful also make a business leader impactful? MBA admissions committees highly value applicants who demonstrate a collaborative spirit, competitive drive, and commitment to pursuing perfection in their MBA applications....
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...
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...
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...
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...
Yes, you read that right. Every year our team coaches 125~ management consultants from one of the leading firms. Within this applicant cohort, our data has shown that applicants with a 720 GMAT are just as likely as those with a 780 GMAT to gain acceptance to top MBA programs. Why could this be? Within this impressive...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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 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...
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...
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...
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 '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...
[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...
You’re probably aware that ambitious, yet realistic MBA career 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 what...
While ‘when do MBA applications open?’ is a very relevant question (keep reading for the answer), it shouldn’t define when you begin working on your MBA application materials. Yes, we know the Round 1 MBA application deadlines seem so far away, but they’re not! Read on for our ideal MBA application timeline and you'll see why...
If Stanford GSB is your dream school, you may already be thinking about how to craft perfect essays. We’re here to help! Read on for Stanford GSB essay tips to ensure your submission stands out from the (very crowded) pack. If you’re applying to Stanford GSB, here is what you need to know. Stanford GSB Application Run Down Stanford...
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...
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 MBA...
As MBA admissions consultants, a question we often receive is which top MBA programs don't require the GMAT or GRE and whether taking one of these tests is really necessary to gain admission. We get it! Taking the time to prepare for and take the GMAT or GRE (often multiple times) is a lot of work....
As an MBA admissions consultant, I find that clients and prospective clients, especially those early in their MBA journeys, are often fraught with anxiety and indecision about standardized testing – namely the GMAT and GRE exams. Should they take the GMAT or GRE? When should they prepare and sit for the exam? What GMAT or GRE...
With the Round 2 deadline quickly approaching, you might be sitting down to tackle your Booth application over the holiday break. With an urban location as well as an innovative and flexible curriculum, this MBA program has numerous points of differentiation. If you’re applying to Booth, here is what you need to know. Application Run Down Deadlines Round 1...
