Artificial intelligence is shifting from a specialized technical capability to something every business leader has to understand. It’s influencing everything from product design to day-to-day decision-making. So what does that mean for you as an MBA applicant? How much do you need to understand about AI? Do you need a technical background? And how do you figure out...
If you’re considering a post-MBA career in real estate, it’s important to understand how recruiting works. Unlike more structured recruiting pipelines, real estate is smaller and more relationship-driven. It’s also far more tied to specific markets. That makes where you go to business school even more critical. The right school doesn’t just offer relevant coursework. It gives...
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 you’re serious about building a company, joining an early-stage startup, or scaling a family business, choosing the best MBA program for entrepreneurship matters. The “best” program isn’t simply the one ranked highest - it’s the one whose ecosystem, resources, and culture align with how you want to build. Our team of admission consultants at Vantage Point...
We’ve helped hundreds of applicants craft compelling applications, gain admission to top programs, and maximize the long-term value of their MBA experience. With former admissions directors and top-tier MBAs on our team, we know firsthand what an MBA can truly offer — not just in terms of career acceleration, but in shaping your leadership skills, expanding...
If you're fortunate enough to finish Round 1 with multiple MBA acceptances, congratulations! That is a significant achievement. You may have entered the process with a mental ranking of your top programs, but when it comes time to make a final decision, things often feel more complex....
During the season of Thanksgiving, 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. And if you applied in Round 1, you're likely anxiously awaiting your schools' decisions....
If you're starting to think seriously about applying 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: ...
If you’re exploring an MBA to accelerate your career in healthcare, you’re in the right place. This article highlights the top U.S. MBA programs offering standout healthcare-focused resources, networks, and pathways. Whether your goal is to work in healthcare or pharmaceuticals, invest in the sector, or build a career in one of its many adjacent fields,...
Congratulations! You got into an MBA program, and you're gearing up for what many consider to be the most transformative two years of their lives. While it’s important to celebrate and recharge, the months between now and your program’s start are also a valuable runway to set yourself up for success—if you use them wisely....
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....
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....
2023 was a tough year for graduating MBAs looking to enter the technology industry. Tech companies over-hired during the pandemic. Now, facing recession threats, these same companies implemented hiring freezes. They laid off over 250,000 workers. The good news is that the technology industry is expected to recover in 2024 as the economy improves and over-hiring adjusts....
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...
If you’re interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career, you’ve come to the right place. This applies whether you plan to launch immediately post-MBA or in the long term. In this article, we share the specific resources offered by top US programs. Furthermore, for those targeting this path, success is not just about the degree. Instead, it...
We recently came across this article. The Dean of Loyola Marymount's business school wrote it. He eloquently makes a case. Investing in employees' continuing education pays off. Employers can cultivate a higher-performing workforce. They can also build a more committed workforce. We agree and want to add our two cents. We are two women who have...
You’re probably aware that ambitious, yet realistic post-MBA goals are critical to a compelling business school application. In addition, you must understand how business school will accelerate or pivot your career path. This clarity helps justify the financial and time investment required to pursue an MBA. Many clients we speak with have a general sense of their...
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've ever thought about starting a business, this story may inspire you. If you enjoy reading about entrepreneurs who took that leap, check out Vantage Point MBA Co-Founder Melody Jones's recent interview with digital magazine, GoSolo. In the interview, Melody explains how she and her Co-Founder (and best friend), Meredith Shields, turned their passion for coaching...
In last week's article, we shared tips for short-term goals. We want to ensure your MBA career goals essay resonates 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. A strong short-term goal shows you understand who...
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...
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...
In Part I of this series on MBA career goals, I shared how to craft a short-term career goal that is specific, realistic, and logical. Checking those boxes' shows the admissions committee something important. You understand which companies hire from their program. But that alone won't excite them about having you in their incoming class. This is...
As an MBA admissions consultant, I help clients with several critical tasks. First, I help them develop their ‘personal brand’. This is often the most important element. A strong, authentic personal brand is the backbone of success. It drives your entire application. It is the marketing pitch you present to schools that demonstrates three key things. First,...
As an MBA admissions consultant, I often help clients with one concern. They want to know how to address an employment gap in their MBA application. The past year brought upheaval. More prospective MBA candidates than usual faced job changes. Many experienced periods of unemployment. They fear admissions committees will view this negatively. They worry about...
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,...
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....
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.” — Betty Reese In the current environment, the days slowly tick by. Fear often feels unavoidable. Many of us feel helpless and long for the recent past when life felt normal. I know I often do! Sometimes my...
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...
Melody and I have held off on sending out advice over the last week as the right “advice” has seemed like a moving target. However, it looks like uncertainty will be the new “situation normal” for a while; and as two banker girls who lived through the 2008-2009 financial crisis, we have some advice for how...
When I bring up how to demonstrate 'leadership experience' in an MBA application, applicants often respond, 'but I'm not in a management position”. Truly, that's OK. Most entering classes average 26-28 years old. So don't be surprised if you haven't yet managed a team. The truth is that many, if not most, applicants to top business...
You're smart, motivated, and have a great idea. What value will an MBA for entrepreneurs really bring? Every startup requires trial-and-error, learning-by-doing, and learning-through-failure. You can't get this from a classroom alone. But MBA programs for entrepreneurs do provide fast-track learning. They offer benefits that accelerate your idea and growth potential. Below are considerations from startup founders....
Deciding between a full-time vs part-time MBA? You're not alone. Many professionals struggle with this choice. Both options offer the same valuable degree, but the experience differs significantly. I served as admissions director at Chicago Booth's Evening and Weekend MBA Programs. I love discussing FT vs PT options. In the past, 'part-time' suggested a lesser, less rigorous...
“Stanford will pay you to attend its business school-but only if you agree to work in the Midwest.”(Business Insider, September 27, 2016) This is likely the most intriguing statement we have heard in years. As MBA admissions consultants we talk to our clients consistently about post MBA plans: including industry, job function and location. With the MBA...
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...
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...
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....
