One of the most frequent questions that we get is whether rankingsreallymatter. Do you have to go to the top ranked MBA program to be successful in life? Clearly the answer is no. There are many paths to success. But, let’s be honest: ingenerala graduate of a top-ranked program wil l have more recruiting options and degree...
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...
Now that Columbia's essay topics are out, we know that many of you have already gotten started! Below, we listed a few tidbits about Columbia to keep in mind as you are developing your story and rationale for "why Columbia". Even if Columbia isn't on your list, we recommend that you take a look at the Columbia...
You're used to succeeding in just about everything you do - from Little League MVP up to being promoted early in your rockstar career. So, what happened with your b-school applications last year? Firstly, every year it gets harder and harder to get into the top MBA programs as we've mentioned before. A ton of qualified people...
Columbia is one of the only top schools where the timing of when you click "submit" actually can matter. Since Columbia has rolling admissions, it's often to your benefit to submit your application early. So, here are the dates and essay topics, which happen to be the same as the last two years. For reference, last...
When I was applying to business school, I was lucky to work in an environment (an investment bank) where I was surrounded by MBA graduates. And as such, I was voracious about soliciting their advice and feedback as I started the MBA application process. It was helpful to hear their stories of why they selected particular...
So, you’re ready for the next chapter in your career, and you know that an MBA is a crucial next step in that journey. But what if your post-MBA career goals represent a significant shift – in industry, function, or both – from your background? How will the admissions committee perceive your desired switch? Well, that all...
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 classes in the fall is extremely short (see below for why sitting in on a class is the most important part!) Sometimes there are only...
“Chris – I remember our first marketing group together. You kept wanting to take the lead on the quant side and couldn’t figure out how to use Excel. We all thought it was adorable.” As it turns out, you don’t need to know Excel to get into a top MBA program. For those of you coming from...
