“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...
More often than not, when I bring-up the topic of how to demonstrate “leadership experience” in an MBA application, the response is “but I’m not in a management position”. Truly, that’s OK. The average age of most entering classes hovers around 26-28, so it’s not a surprise if you haven’t yet started managing a team. The...
Many of the business schools have started releasing their 2017 - 2018 applications, including the much anticipated essay questions. For many, this is the fun part; and for just as many, this is the part they dread. Boiling down your accomplishments, passions, and goals to 500 - 750 words is no easy task. But step one...
“I’m a non-traditional applicant – how do I offset this weakness in my application?” “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 agree?” So which one is it? Is a “non-traditional” pre-MBA background or career path a boon or a disadvantage...
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 a round 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 sometimes vague process, “networking” can seem particularly abstract or worse, can be simply another “thing” on your long 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...
Low undergrad GPA? Whether it was because you chose the toughest major at your university, had a little too much fun, or were so involved in extracurriculars that you didn’t have enough time to study, the good news is that this is one of the easiest items to mitigate in your MBA applications. For most people, college...
Round 3 (“R3”) deadlines are upon us, which for some applicants represents the last chance for 2017 admission to an MBA program or a “do-over” round for applicants who came out of Round 2 (“R2”) with unsatisfactory results for any number of reasons. As we discussed inThe Truth About Round 3, chances of admission in R3...
“Where should I apply??” That’s invariably one of the first questions that anyone thinking about getting an MBA asks us. And it’s a question that takes some diligence, and perhaps some introspection, to answer. You want to be thoughtful about school selection for a couple of reasons. First, the application process is expensive and time-consuming. So, you...
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,...