This article was originally published on May 19, 2022. It was last updated on August 14, 2025. “What is a good GMAT score?” is a question we field frequently from clients. Perhaps they have taken the GMAT or GRE at least once but aren’t sure if their score is “enough” to get them into their dream...
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...
The 2025-2026 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...
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...
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....
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...
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....
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...
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. ...
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?”...
If you’re researching MBA admissions consultants, you might be wondering how MBA admissions consultants charge—and which type of service is right for you. We get it! The options can be confusing, so in this article, we’re breaking down the common pricing models and service structures to help you make an informed decision....
We’re in the thick of Round 2 interview season! If you’ve made it this far, congratulations—you’re one step closer to securing a spot at your target MBA programs. While you’re likely focused on nailing your interview, remember that admissions teams still consider your entire application....
With Round 2 interview invitations going out, many applicants are shifting their focus to interview preparation. This is a smart move—interviews can be a deciding factor in the admissions process. At Vantage Point MBA, we love conducting mock interviews...
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,...
If you are fortunate enough to have finished round 1 with acceptances from multiple MBA programs in hand, congratulations! While you may have entered the application process with a mental ranking of your target programs, it’s often not that simple when it comes to making the final decision. ...
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. ...
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....
You were granted a Wharton interview, congrats! You’re one step closer to being accepted. At this point, you might be curious about Wharton interview acceptance rate. Approximately, half of all applicants receive an interview invite, but only about one in five are accepted...
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....
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....
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...
"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....
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...
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)....
2023 was a tough year for graduating MBAs looking to enter the technology industry. As a result of hiring too many people during the pandemic and the threat of a recession, major tech companies that reliably recruited MBAs instead implemented hiring freezes while laying off over 250,000 workers. The good news is that the technology industry is...
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...
Preparing for MBA interviews may seem straightforward at first. You might think that outlining and practicing your answers to standard MBA interview questions is enough to succeed, right? Hopefully so, but not always. Why Preparing for MBA Interviews Is Not as Straightforward as it Seems Interviews with admissions committees may show some consistency between candidates, but this is...
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...
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...
Congratulations! If you’ve received an invitation for a Harvard Business School (HBS) interview, you're one step closer to your MBA dream. While only about 20% of applicants make it to this stage, around 50% of those will be admitted. So, while you’re almost there, you still have one crucial step ahead: the HBS interview preparation. For...
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...
Relieved that you’ve clicked submit on your Round 1 MBA applications? Congratulations! We know the hard work and late nights that go into crafting those essays and filling in seemingly endless application questions. After you’ve taken a moment to breathe, you may be turning your attention to the next step in the process, the interview. We’ve...
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:...
If you’re interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career, either immediately post-MBA or in the long term, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re sharing the entrepreneurship-focused resources offered by the top US MBA programs. For those targeting an entrepreneurial path, it's not just about earning an MBA, but immersing yourself in an ecosystem...
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,...
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...
Gathering as much information as possible about your target MBA programs is essential for submitting strong applications and deciding where to attend. While online research and attending information sessions are helpful, nothing beats getting insights directly from an insider. This is where MBA student ambassadors come into play. In addition, student ambassadors provide valuable details about the...
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...
Think of Booth as just a ‘finance school’? Think again. Booth’s marketing and entrepreneurship departments are also fantastic. Marketing is distinguished by its focus on analytics and its recent exclusive partnership with Nielsen. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship is recognized as a highly influential incubator. These assets and more helped Booth retain the top spot on...
You may have seen headlines in the past few weeks with outtakes from GMAC’s latest survey of prospective graduate business students (i.e., people who have registered for the GMAT and submitted a survey response). GMAC asked important questions around the types of graduate business education today’s students (Gen Z, that’s you!) are seeking and why they...
To continue our ‘Insider’s Guide’ series, this week we’ll turn our attention to Kellogg. You may have heard of Kellogg’s reputation as a marketing school. Yes, it has a very strong marketing department with renowned faculty members and a strong recruiting pipeline into marketing roles. However, most students at Kellogg actually aren’t focused on marketing. The...
This week, we’re giving you a peak behind the curtain at Wharton! You may think of Wharton as ‘the finance school’, but that’s not all this top ranked program has to offer. It also boasts a world-renowned curriculum in areas such as Real Estate, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing. Curious what else might surprise you? Read on...
Overview of For the second installment of our ‘Insider Guides’ series, we’re sharing everything you need to know about Stanford MBA Admissions. You’ve likely heard of the GSB’s reputation for helping graduates launch startups and enter the tech space, but is there a place for you if those are not your focus areas? Is the culture...
This week we’re kicking off a new series! Follow along as we share ‘Insider's Guides’ for many of the top MBA programs, beginning with – you guessed it – Harvard Business School. We’ll go beyond the published facts and statistics, sharing what it’s really like to attend some of the most highly sought-after schools in the...
If you were lucky enough to emerge from the Round 2 MBA application process with one or more acceptances in hand, congrats! If you’ve also been offered scholarship money, you might be wondering, can you negotiate MBA scholarships? The answer is yes, and understanding how to negotiate MBA scholarships can make a huge difference in reducing...
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...
We recently came across this article, where the Dean of Loyola Marymount’s business school eloquently makes the case that, by investing in employees’ continuing education, employers can cultivate a higher-performing, more committed workforce. We agree and want to add our two cents – as two women who have benefitted from access to top MBA programs and...
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...
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,...
Deciding where to apply? Our newly updated Top MBA Program Comparison tool can help! This sortable table ranks the top business schools on dimensions such as class size, average post-MBA salary, top recruited industries and more. It also includes the key criteria (GPA, GMAT, etc.) to help assess where you are likely to be a competitive...
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...
With Round 1 deadlines closing in over the next few weeks, many of our clients are (smartly!) turning their focus to MBA interview preparation. We love mock interviewing with them in the lead up to the real thing and, over the years, we’ve gleaned a number of MBA interview pitfalls to which even the most impressive...
You may have seen that several top business schools, including Wharton, UCLA Anderson, and UVA Darden, recently released 2024 MBA class profiles. While MBA class profiles are always interesting to help understand trends in the business school landscape, there were a number of notable surprises this year. For those currently in the MBA application phase, what does...
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 that time of year! Top business schools are starting to release their MBA application deadlines and essay questions for the 2022-2023 application cycle. If you are applying in Round 1, now is the time to pick your first school and start drafting essays. Remember, when you apply matters. Early action programs tend to have higher acceptance...
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...
