Key Takeaways
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March 11, 2023
Which MBA Program is Right for You? Use Our MBA Fit Tool to Find Out!
Key TakeawaysSelecting 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 our MBA......
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August 29, 2021
How to Find the Best MBA Admissions Consultants
Key TakeawaysIf you’re wondering how to find the best MBA admissions consultants, this article is dedicated to you. While I can’t claim to have all of the answers, I can give you my perspective as someone who has been on both sides of the table:......
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March 15, 2021
Comparison of Top MBA Programs
Choosing the right MBA programs has never been easier with our side-by-side comparison of the top MBA programs....
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April 25, 2024How Sports Can Make Your MBA Application Stand Out
Key Takeaways Yes, sports stories can make for highly compelling and relevant MBA application content! The level at which you competed or performed is far less important than what you learned about teamwork and leadership and how you have leveraged those learnings. Significant personal reflection......
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April 18, 2024
3 Lessons We Learned from Rejected MBA Applicants This Year
Key Takeaways 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......
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April 12, 2024
Why Applicants Can Ignore the 2024 U.S. News MBA Ranking
Key Takeaways 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......
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April 4, 2024
The Best MBA Programs for Technology
Key Takeaways 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......
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March 28, 2024
Decoding Your Undergraduate Transcript for MBA Admissions
Key Takeaways The adcom looks at more than just your cumulative GPA when reviewing your undergraduate transcript. They scan it line-by-line. They will be looking for evidence that you can handle the rigor of their MBA curriculum through your overall grades and performance in relevant......
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March 21, 2024
Successfully Navigating a Job Change While Applying to Business School
Key Takeaways Key Takeaways 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......
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March 7, 2024
Am I Too Young for a Top MBA Program? Or Too Old?
Key Takeaways Age is just a number, right? We’d certainly like to think so. However, if you’re considering applying to business school, you’ve likely come across the class profile for your target programs. These reports can be helpful in determining how the admissions committee will......
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March 6, 2024
Who Gets into Stanford GSB?
Key Takeaways 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......
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February 29, 2024
How Do I Find the Best MBA Admissions Consultant…for Me?
Key Takeaways 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......
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February 21, 2024
Do You Need a Finalized Test Score Before You Hire an MBA Admissions Consultant?
Key TakeawaysWe love this time of year because we get to speak with a ton of prospective MBAs. A common question we hear is something to the effect of, “I’m planning to retake the GMAT or GRE, should I wait until I finalize my score......
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February 15, 2024
How to Ace Your MBA Interview
Key Takeaways We’re in the thick of interview season for Round 2 applicants! If you’re among this group, first of all, congrats on making it to this stage. You’re well on your way to making it across the finish line for one or more of......
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February 8, 2024
How to Prepare for MBA Interviews – Expecting the Unexpected
Key Takeaways Preparing for MBA interviews can seem fairly straightforward at first. All you need to do is bullet out and practice your answers to the standard MBA interview questions and you should be good to go, right? Hopefully so, but not always. Why Preparing......
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January 31, 2024
The M7 Business Schools: A Comprehensive Guide
Key TakeawaysIf applying to 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 are the US......
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January 25, 2024
The Top 3 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Business School Interview
Key Takeaways With Round 2 MBA deadlines in the rearview mirror, many of our clients are (smartly!) turning their focus to preparing for business school interviews. We love mock interviewing with them in the lead up to the real thing. Additionally, many on our team......
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January 18, 2024
Understanding the MBA Application Process: Five Things You Can Be Doing Right Now
Key Takeaways 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 things you can be doing right now to give yourself a leg up on the MBA......
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January 11, 2024
How to Choose an MBA Program
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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December 29, 2023
How to Answer Kellogg’s Video Essay Questions
Key TakeawaysKellogg’s round 2 application deadline is quickly approaching! If you are applying, you’ve likely seen that the application includes three video essays that are due within 96 hours of the application deadline. As such, today we’re sharing our tips for how to prepare for......
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December 28, 2023
Applying to Business School in Round 3, Worth It or Not? Here’s How to Decide
Key TakeawaysIf 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 business school in round 3 instead. You’ve likely heard that your chances of acceptance are much lower......
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December 21, 2023
MBA Application Form Best Practices
Key TakeawaysYou’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. The initial impression someone gets of you tends to stick. If......
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December 14, 2023
Three Mistakes to Avoid in Your MBA Application Essays
Key TakeawaysIf you’re applying to business school in Round 2, you’re likely hard at work refining your MBA application essays. As such, we thought it would be a good time to share three mistakes we commonly see people make in this critical application component, but......
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December 7, 2023
What GPA Do I Need for a Top MBA Program? And What Should I Do If Mine Isn’t Great?
Key TakeawaysAs 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......
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November 30, 2023
MYTH: GMAT / GRE scores are correlated with acceptance outcomes at the top MBA programs.
Key TakeawaysYes, 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......
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November 23, 2023
Is an MBA Worth It for Me? The Top Three Things to Consider
Key TakeawaysIf 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. Where should......
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November 16, 2023
Should I Get an MBA? Stuff They Tell You and Stuff They Don’t
Key Takeaways 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......
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November 8, 2023
What to Do When You’re on the MBA Waitlist – A Step by Step Action Plan
Key Takeaways So, you’re on the MBA 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 MBA waitlist means that the adcom really liked you and thought......
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November 2, 2023
How Long Do MBA Applications Take and Am I Behind for Round 2?
Key TakeawaysThere are many takeaways we could share from our experience advising hundreds of MBA applicants over the last decade or so. However, we think one of the most important is that the vast majority of MBA hopefuls vastly underestimate the amount of time it......
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October 26, 2023
Wharton Interview Tips: How to Prepare for the Team Based Discussion
Key Takeaways You were granted a Wharton interview, congrats! You’re one step closer to being accepted and you might wonder what your odds of acceptance are at this point. Well, roughly half of all applicants are invited for a Wharton interview, but the school only......
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October 19, 2023
Taking a Stand While Applying to Business School
Key TakeawaysToday we’re going to talk about a topic that may be top of mind given recent world events where much dialogue has occurred on social media – how your online presence can impact your candidacy. Do adcoms even look at applicants’ social media profiles?......
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October 12, 2023
Acceptance Rates at Top MBA Programs – Should They Inform Your Application Strategy?
Key TakeawaysAs 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......
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October 5, 2023
The HBS Interview – What to Expect & How to Prepare
Key TakeawaysIf you are part of the fortunate group who received an HBS interview invitation this week, congratulations! While there are no firm statistics, we estimate that about 20% of applicants make it to the HBS interview stage and, from here, your chances of admission......
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October 3, 2023
The Top Deferred Enrollment MBA Programs
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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September 28, 2023
The Best MBA Programs for Private Equity and Venture Capital
Key TakeawaysIf you peruse the ‘our team’ sections of the top private equity and venture capital firms, you’ll notice a common theme – many of their more senior investment professionals have MBAs from top business schools. Not only does the MBA experience provide the technical......
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September 19, 2023
GMAT Waivers – Which Top MBA Programs Offer Them and Should You Request One?
Key TakeawaysAs MBA admissions consultants, a question we often receive is which top MBA programs offer GMAT waivers (or GRE waivers) 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......
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September 14, 2023
Common MBA Interview Questions and How to Prepare
Key TakeawaysRelieved 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......
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September 13, 2023
What Kellogg’s Adcom Told Us About the Kellogg Video Essays
Key TakeawaysKellogg’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......
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September 7, 2023
Do Business Schools Care if You Visit? Demystifying MBA Networking
Key TakeawaysWhat 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......
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August 31, 2023
Round 1 MBA Application Checklist – Do These Things Before You Submit
Key TakeawaysThe last few weeks before the Round 1 MBA application deadlines can be a whirlwind! The team at Vantage Point MBA is here to help. Here is our seven-step Round 1 MBA application checklist to help you get across the finish line: Round 1......
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August 24, 2023
The Best MBA Programs for Sustainability
Key TakeawaysIn a world where environmental consciousness and corporate responsibility are top of mind, the idea of sustainability has evolved from a mere buzzword into a driving force shaping the business world. At its core, sustainability reinforces the idea that businesses can thrive while safeguarding......
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August 17, 2023
The Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship
Key Takeaways 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,......
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August 11, 2023
Sloan MBA Essay Guidance for 2023-24
Key Takeaways 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,......
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August 3, 2023
What is a Deferred MBA Program and Should I Apply?
Key TakeawaysIn recent years, we’ve seen significant growth in deferred MBA programs at the top business schools. A trend that started primarily with the HBS 2+2 program and Stanford Deferred Enrollment has now come to Wharton, Chicago Booth, Columbia, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, and more. The list of deferred admission (or......
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July 27, 2023
How to Ensure Your Tuck MBA Essays Are Stellar
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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July 20, 2023
How to Approach the New (!) Kellogg Essays
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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July 13, 2023
A Wharton MBA Essay Example and Tips for Making Yours the Best They Can Be
Key TakeawaysThe Wharton MBA essay prompts 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, this application can be a good one to tackle early in......
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July 6, 2023
MBA Application Deadlines for 2023-2024
Key TakeawaysThe 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......
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June 29, 2023
The Best MBA Programs for Healthcare
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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June 22, 2023
MBA Student Ambassadors: The Secret Resource for MBA Networking
Key TakeawaysGathering as much information as possible about your target MBA programs is an essential step to submitting the strongest applications possible and ultimately deciding where to attend. While researching online and attending information sessions are valuable, nothing beats getting insights directly from an insider.......
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June 16, 2023
Columbia Business School – What’s New (a Lot!) and How to Wow the Adcom with Your Essays
Key TakeawaysSeveral 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......
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June 8, 2023
MBA Letter of Recommendation Questions and a HBS Letter of Recommendation Sample
Key TakeawaysLetters of recommendation play a vital role in MBA applications. These letters, 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......
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June 1, 2023
When Do MBA Applications Open? A General Timeline to Help You Plan
Key TakeawaysWhen 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......
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May 25, 2023
Virtual MBA Admissions Events – A Comprehensive List by School
Key TakeawaysExpressing 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......
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May 18, 2023
The GMAT Focus Edition and What it Means for Your MBA Applications
Key Takeaways 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......
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May 12, 2023
Stanford MBA Essay Tips
Key TakeawaysEarlier this week, Stanford announced its application deadlines for the ’23-’24 admissions cycle and confirmed that its main essay questions will remain unchanged next year. Round 1 applications will be due on September 12, 2023 and Round 2 applications will be due on January......
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May 4, 2023
MBA Rankings and Their Role in School Choice
Key TakeawaysThe 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......
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April 27, 2023
Booth – An Insider’s Guide
Key TakeawaysThink 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......
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April 21, 2023
Will Gen Z Kill the MBA?
Key TakeawaysYou 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......
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April 13, 2023
Kellogg – An Insider’s Guide
Key TakeawaysTo 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......
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April 6, 2023
Wharton – An Insider’s Guide
Key TakeawaysThis 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,......
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March 30, 2023
Stanford GSB – An Insider’s Guide
Key TakeawaysFor the second installment of our ‘Insider Guides’ series, we’re sharing everything you need to know about Stanford GSB. 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......
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March 23, 2023
Harvard Business School – An Insider’s Guide
Key TakeawaysThis 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......
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March 16, 2023
MBA Scholarships – Can You Negotiate Them and, if So, How?
Key TakeawaysIf you were lucky enough to emerge from the Round 2 MBA application process with one or more acceptances in hand, congrats! A subset of you may have even received offers of scholarship money to help offset the very significant cost of attending a......
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March 9, 2023
Should I Hire an MBA Admissions Consultant? Three Non-Obvious Reasons the Answer May Be Yes
Key TakeawaysIn past articles, we’ve discussed how MBA admissions consultants charge for their services and the questions to ask when you’re interviewing MBA admissions consultants. It dawned on us, however, that we’ve never really shared our perspective on why you should hire an MBA admissions......
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March 2, 2023
How MBA Admissions Consultants Charge and How to Decide What Service is Right for You
Key TakeawaysIf you’re in the process of interviewing firms like ours, you might find yourself confused about how MBA admissions consultants charge for their services. We get it! In today’s article we’ll do our best to lay out the way our industry tends to package......
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February 23, 2023
Why MBA? Three Unexpected Ways Business School Pays Off
Key TakeawaysIf you’re considering an MBA, you’ve likely given much thought to the benefits you hope to glean and whether they are worth the time, money, and energy you will expend to attain the degree. Many people’s ‘why MBA’ is either a desire to accelerate......
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February 16, 2023
What GMAT Score Do I Need for Harvard? Answers to Your Most Pressing GMAT and GRE Questions
Key TakeawaysAs 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 I take the GMAT or GRE? When......
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February 9, 2023
Who Gets into Harvard Business School and What Does that Mean for You?
Key TakeawaysYou 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 a nutshell, the article proved that, while these two uber competitive programs......
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February 2, 2023
MBA Interview Questions – Don’t Let These Stump You
Key TakeawaysPreparing for your MBA interviews can seem fairly straightforward at first. All you need to do is bullet out and practice your answers to the standard MBA interview questions and you should be good to go, right? Hopefully so, but not always. While interviews......
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January 26, 2023
The Case for the Employer Sponsored MBA
Key TakeawaysWe 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......
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January 20, 2023
Top Deferred MBA Programs: Should You Apply?
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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January 12, 2023
Applying in Round 1? Start This Part of the MBA Application Process Now
Key TakeawaysThere’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......
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January 4, 2023
Round 3 MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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December 29, 2022
MBA Application FAQs
Key TakeawaysBeing 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......
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December 22, 2022
MBA Application Checklist – Do These Things Before You Submit
Key TakeawaysThe last few weeks before MBA application deadlines can be a whirlwind! The team at Vantage Point MBA is here to help. Here is our seven-step MBA application checklist to help you get to the finish line: MBA Application Checklist Set calendar reminders for......
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December 15, 2022
Harvard Business School vs. Stanford GSB
Key TakeawaysWith 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......
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December 8, 2022
MBA Waitlist Strategy – 10 Dos and Don’ts
Key TakeawaysSo, 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......
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December 1, 2022
Top MBA Program Comparison and How to Use It
Key TakeawaysDeciding 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,......
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November 17, 2022
Post-MBA Goals – Will My Short-Term Plans Resonate with the Admissions Committee?
Key TakeawaysYou’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......
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November 17, 2022
Applying to MBA Programs While Unemployed
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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November 3, 2022
How To Write Sloan’s Pre-Interview Essays
Key TakeawaysIf you submitted a Round 1 application to MIT Sloan’s MBA program – or perhaps you are planning to apply in Round 2 – you may have been surprised as to how little you were required to write. While many of Sloan’s peer programs......
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October 27, 2022
Three Tips for Writing Compelling MBA Essays
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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October 18, 2022
MBA Application Timeline – What to Do and When If You’re Applying Round 2
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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October 13, 2022
Questions to Ask MBA Admissions Officers in Your MBA Interview
Key TakeawaysAs if the stress of preparing what you will say about yourself during your MBA interviews wasn’t enough, you’re likely also trying to think of questions to ask MBA admissions officers, if one (or two!) will be your interviewer. Not to fear, with a......
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October 6, 2022
The HBS Interview – Two Real Life Experiences
Key TakeawaysIf you applied to HBS in Round 1 this year, October 6th is a big day – HBS interview announcement day. We sincerely hope that you received the news you were dreaming about. If you did, be sure to schedule your HBS interview as......
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September 28, 2022
Ever Think of Starting a Business? An Interview with Vantage Point MBA’s Co-Founder
Key Takeaways If you’ve ever thought about starting a business (maybe that is even why you are applying to business school!) or simply enjoy reading about people who’ve taken that leap, we’d love for you to check out Vantage Point MBA Co-Founder Melody Jones’s recent......
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September 22, 2022
MBA Interview Prep 101: Common Questions, Preparation Techniques, School Specific Insights and More
Key TakeawaysRelieved 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......
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September 15, 2022
Tuck Essay Questions & Tips
Key TakeawaysWith 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......
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September 8, 2022
MBA Interview Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Key TakeawaysWith 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......
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September 1, 2022
INSEAD Essay Questions & Tips
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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August 25, 2022
MBA Class Profiles – What They Mean for Your Applications
Key TakeawaysYou 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......
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August 18, 2022
Chicago Booth Essay Questions & Tips
Key TakeawaysAre you applying to Chicago Booth? If so, read on for the Chicago Booth 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......
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August 11, 2022
Quick Check Before You Submit! Don’t Make These Three MBA Application Mistakes
Key TakeawaysWith 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......
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August 4, 2022
MIT Sloan Essay Questions & Tips
Key TakeawaysIf 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 (or, ideally, have already started working on it). Perhaps the trickiest thing about the unique MIT Sloan essay is the......
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July 28, 2022
MBA Admissions Advice About Social Media
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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July 21, 2022
Stanford GSB Essay Questions & Tips
Key TakeawaysApplying 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......
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July 14, 2022
Round 1 vs. Round 2 MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysHBS is due in eight weeks! 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......
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July 7, 2022
Wharton MBA Essay Questions & Tips
Key TakeawaysApplying 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......
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June 30, 2022
Round 1 MBA Application Timeline: A Month-by-Month Guide to Keep You on Track
Key TakeawaysIs 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......
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June 23, 2022
Kellogg MBA Essay Questions and Tips
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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June 16, 2022
MBA Application Deadlines for 2022-2023
Key TakeawaysIt’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.......
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June 9, 2022
HBS Essay Advice: Frameworks, What to Avoid, and a Strong Example
Key TakeawaysIt’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 seems fairly simple. As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as......
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May 28, 2022
What Matters Most in MBA Admissions?
Key TakeawaysIf 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 –......
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May 25, 2022
MBA Acceptance Rates at the Top U.S. Programs and How the Data Should Inform Your Application Strategy
Key TakeawaysAs 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......
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May 19, 2022
What Is a Good GMAT Score? Answer These 5 Questions to See If You Should Consider a Retake
Key Takeaways “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 program. At the end......
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May 11, 2022
Older MBA Applicant? Here Are Some Tips So That Your Age Doesn’t Hold You Back
Key TakeawaysAre 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......
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May 4, 2022
How to Get the Adcom Excited About Your MBA Career Goals Essay Plus an Example
Key TakeawaysIn 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......
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April 27, 2022
MBA Career Goals – Crafting a Compelling Short-Term Vision
Key TakeawaysYou’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......
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April 21, 2022
The Consortium: Member Schools, Application Process, and an Amazing Scholarship Opportunity
Key TakeawaysAre you familiar with The Consortium, formally known as The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM)? If not, you should be! This amazing nonprofit’s mission is to “enhance diversity and inclusion in global business education and leadership”, which is something we can all......
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April 15, 2022
How to Network for Your MBA Applications (And Why You Should Start Now) + A Free Download
Key TakeawaysHow to network and why exactly networking is important is something 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......
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April 6, 2022
Understanding MBA Admissions Consulting Prices
Key TakeawaysAre you considering hiring an MBA admissions consultant and curious to understand how MBA admissions consulting prices work? It’s confusing, we get it! In today’s article, we’ll do our best to clarify the various ways MBA admissions consultants charge for their services and share......
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March 30, 2022
Is a 2.5 GPA a Non-Starter for MBA Admission? How To Overcome a Low GPA
Key TakeawaysOne of the most common concerns we hear from clients is that their low GPA will prevent them from being accepted to the MBA program of their dreams. Whether it was because you chose the toughest major at your university, had a little too......
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March 24, 2022
‘When Do MBA Applications Open?’ and Other MBA Application Timeline Questions
Key TakeawaysWhile ‘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!......
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March 16, 2022
Stanford GSB Essay Tips
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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March 9, 2022
MBA Program Selection: How to Decide Where to Apply
Key TakeawaysMBA 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......
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March 3, 2022
The Truth About Round 3 MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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February 18, 2022
Top MBA Programs That Don’t Require the GMAT – Which Are They and Does It Matter?
Key TakeawaysAs 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......
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February 16, 2022
Wharton Team Based Discussion: How to Stand Out
Key TakeawaysYou were invited to interview with Wharton, congrats! You’re one step closer to getting accepted. You might wonder what the odds of acceptance are for those who participate in the Wharton Team Based Discussion. Well, Wharton interviews roughly half of all applicants, but only......
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February 2, 2022
GMAT and GRE Myths Debunked
Key TakeawaysAs 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......
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January 31, 2022
HBS 2+2 and Other Deferred MBA Programs – Should You Apply?
Key TakeawaysIn recent years, we’ve seen significant growth in deferred MBA programs at the top business schools. A trend that started primarily with the HBS 2+2 program and Stanford Deferred Enrollment has now come to Wharton, Chicago Booth, Columbia, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, Darden, and Yale. The list of......
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January 26, 2022
HBS 2+2: Why It Matters and How to Get In
Key TakeawaysHBS 2+2 is the ‘OG’ of deferred enrollment (or deferred admissions) MBA programs. It was the first to launch in 2007 and has rightfully earned a reputation as a spectacular opportunity for superstar college seniors (and those who entered a master’s program right out......
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January 20, 2022
Deferred Enrollment MBA Program Round Up
Key TakeawaysIf 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......
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January 17, 2022
Thanking Your Business School Recommenders
Key TakeawaysIf you’re like many of our clients applying to business school in Round 2, you may have put the finishing touches on one of your last applications this week. Congrats! We can still recall the sense of relief from our time in your shoes.......
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January 5, 2022
Negotiating Business School Scholarships – It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask
Key TakeawaysIf you were lucky enough to emerge from the Round 1 business school application process with one or more acceptances in hand, congrats! It was competitive year, made even more challenging by a limited ability to visit and network with schools in person. A......
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December 26, 2021
MBA Essay Advice – Chicago Booth
Key TakeawaysWith 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......
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November 26, 2021
Should You Sprint for Round 2 or Wait Until Round 1 Next Year?
Key TakeawaysThat’s the question facing many MBA applicants at this time of year. The Round 2 deadlines are quickly approaching in January but waiting until Round 1 next year means delaying matriculation until fall of 2023. So which timing is right for you? As with......
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November 16, 2021
Top MBA Program Comparison and How to Use It
Key TakeawaysDeciding where to apply? Our newly updated Comparison of Top MBA Programs can help! This sortable tool 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,......
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October 26, 2021
Are You Behind? Your Round 2 Application Plan
Key TakeawaysIf you’re planning to apply to an MBA program (or multiple) in round 2, it’s ‘go time’! Ideally you already have a strong application strategy and personal brand that you’re leveraging to start thinking about how to approach one of the most critical and......
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October 18, 2021
MBA Interview Prep – How to Plan for the Unexpected
Key TakeawaysPreparing for your MBA interviews can seem fairly straightforward at first. All you need to do is bullet out and practice your answers to the standard questions and you should be good to go, right? Hopefully so, but not always. While interviews with members......
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October 7, 2021
Three Tips for MBA Interview Success
Key TakeawaysIf you’ve recently hit submit on your MBA applications, after doing a little happy dance that you no longer have to spend every free moment on essays, your attention will quickly turn to the interview portion of the process. Most schools will release interview......
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September 24, 2021
Essay Advice – Dartmouth Tuck
Key TakeawaysYou may have seen that Businessweek recently reaffirmed its #2 ranking for Tuck amongst US MBA Programs. While specific rankings are of debatable importance, there’s no doubt that Tuck has amazing attributes to offer – beautiful surroundings, a personalized experience, and a passionate alumni......
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September 13, 2021
How to Tackle Kellogg’s Video Essays
Key TakeawaysWith Kellogg’s Round 1 deadline quickly approaching, our admissions consulting clients have been asking how best to prepare for and tackle Kellogg’s video essays. For context, let’s think about what Kellogg is trying to learn about you from this portion of the application. Since......
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August 29, 2021
How to Find the Best MBA Admissions Consultants
Key TakeawaysIf you’re wondering how to find the best MBA admissions consultants, this article is dedicated to you. While I can’t claim to have all of the answers, I can give you my perspective as someone who has been on both sides of the table:......
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August 17, 2021
Essay Advice – Columbia Business School
Key TakeawaysWorking on your Columbia Business School application? Here is what you need to know: Application Run Down Columbia is one of the only top schools where the timing of when you click “submit” can matter. Since Columbia has rolling admissions, it’s often to your......
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August 9, 2021
Do This Before You Submit Your Round 1 MBA Applications!
Key TakeawaysIf you’re a round one MBA applicant and you haven’t had the “oh sh#t” moment yet, you’re probably not paying attention. Starting with HBS on 9/8, round one applicants face a busy month as they finalize their applications and make last minute changes before the deadlines.......
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July 22, 2021
Essay Advice – Kellogg School of Management
Key TakeawaysKellogg’s 2021-22 application is open! If you’re considering applying to Kellogg, here is what you need to know: Application Run Down The deadlines are as follows: Round 1: 15 September 2021 Round 2: 5 January 2022 Round 3: 6 April 2022 (please do yourself......
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July 11, 2021
The HBS Essay: Where to Start
Key TakeawaysAt first glance, the Harvard Business School essay question, which remained unchanged again this year, seems fairly simple. What more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy? However, after giving it some thought, many candidates find themselves quite lost, trying to figure......
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June 30, 2021
Essay Advice – University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School
Key TakeawaysWharton’s 2021-22 essay questions are out and offer a fresh twist on last year’s questions! As in prior years, their prompts are direct and allow enough word count to paint a robust picture of who you are and why Wharton is right for you......
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June 24, 2021
Should You Retake the GMAT/GRE? Answer These Five Questions to Find Out
Key Takeaways“Is my test score strong enough?” That question is plaguing hundreds, if not thousands, of MBA applicants this time of year. By now, many MBA hopefuls have taken the GMAT or GRE at least once, but aren’t sure if their score is “enough” to......
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June 14, 2021
Essay Advice – University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business
Key TakeawaysMichigan Ross’ full time MBA application is live! This midwestern stalwart prides itself on its collegial culture and focus on action-based learning. Its location in one of the preeminent ‘college towns’ and passionate alumni network also count as some of this program’s key selling......
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June 7, 2021
Networking For Your MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysIn the already subjective MBA application process, “networking” can seem particularly abstract. What exactly is networking in this context? Do you really need to do it? How do you get started? What Is Networking? Let’s start there. Some folks think networking is very transactional......
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June 7, 2021
MBA Deadlines ’21-’22 : Updated Releases!
Key Takeaways*Updated June 7, 2021 It’s that time of year! The top MBA programs are starting to release their deadlines and applications. Now is the time to pick your first school and start drafting essays in order to be ready for the September and October......
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June 3, 2021
Essay Advice – UVA’s Darden School of Business
Key TakeawaysAnd so, it begins…the first 2021-22 MBA application is live! Last week, the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business opened their application, which again includes a variety of short answer essay prompts (although they’ve been tweaked slightly from last year). They will continue......
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May 24, 2021
How Much Time Does It Take to Apply to B-School?
Key TakeawaysA question we often hear this time of year is “when should I start working on my MBA applications if I’m applying in the fall?” It seems so far away… But it’s not! You can guess where we’re going with this. The answer is......
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May 18, 2021
Is a One-Year MBA Program Right for You?
Key TakeawaysIn a climate where there has been increased debate about the ‘value for money’ you get from a traditional full time MBA program, you may wonder whether a one-year MBA program is an option worth considering. After all, the cost of attending these programs......
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May 10, 2021
What Matters in Choosing an MBA Program
Key TakeawaysWhen evaluating top MBA programs, rankings such as those published by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Economist, and several others, are a logical starting point and can provide a general pulse on how the market feels about each school. That said, have......
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May 3, 2021
Do These Things to Ensure Your MBA Recommendations Are Stellar!
Key TakeawaysAs an MBA hopeful, you are undoubtedly aware that your MBA applications require letter(s) of recommendation to support your candidacy. You may wonder, how important are they to the admission committee’s evaluation of you? What, exactly, are they hoping to glean from your recommendations?......
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April 26, 2021
How to Be a Leader at Work, Even When You’re (Still) Not “At Work”
Key TakeawaysUpdated 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......
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April 19, 2021
Successful MBA Applicants Have These Things in Common
Key TakeawaysWhile many people think of January as the time to reflect, I find that spring – with its first warm days, sunlight extending a little later into the evening, and flowers emerging from the ground – can be an equally optimal time to set......
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April 7, 2021
Negotiating MBA Scholarships – It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask (Politely and Humbly, That Is)
Key TakeawaysIf you were lucky enough to emerge from the Round 2 business school application process with one or more acceptances in hand, congrats! It was competitive year, made even more challenging by the inability to visit and network with schools in person. A subset......
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March 29, 2021
How to Develop Your Personal Brand
Key TakeawaysIn our recent series on developing compelling MBA career goals (click to read Part I and Part II), I discussed how these goals are an integral component of your ‘personal brand’. So, what is a personal brand exactly and how do you go about......
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March 22, 2021
MBA Career Goals – Part II: Crafting a Compelling Long-Term Vision
Key TakeawaysIn 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. While ‘checking those boxes’ will demonstrate to the admissions committee that you understand the type of companies that hire......
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March 15, 2021
Avoid These Three MBA Application Pitfalls
Key TakeawaysThis time of year, our team is doing a lot of “ding analysis”, which is when someone who applied this past year asks our team to help them understand what went wrong. Below are some of the common pitfalls we see, which we hope......
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March 15, 2021
Comparison of Top MBA Programs
Choosing the right MBA programs has never been easier with our side-by-side comparison of the top MBA programs....
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March 8, 2021
MBA Career Goals – Part I: Crafting a Compelling Short-Term Vision
Key TakeawaysAs an MBA admissions consultant, one of the first – and most critical – things I do with clients is help them develop their ‘personal brand’. A strong, authentic personal brand is the backbone of a successful application. It is the marketing pitch you......
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March 1, 2021
How to Make Your Resume “MBA Ready”
Key TakeawaysThe 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......
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February 22, 2021
Unemployed (or Have an Employment Gap) and Applying to Business School? Here’s What to Do
Key TakeawaysAs an MBA admissions consultant, a concern I sometimes work through with clients is how to address an employment gap in their MBA application. Given the upheaval of the past year, even more prospective MBA candidates than usual have faced job changes or periods......
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February 5, 2021
Researching MBA Programs When You Can’t Visit
Key TakeawaysUpdated 2.4.21 A critical component of a winning MBA application is demonstrating that you are the perfect “fit” for the school to which you are applying and that you are excited about that specific program. This is harder than it sounds! Making an effective......
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January 31, 2021
Prepare for These Three Questions Before Your MBA Interview
Key TakeawaysWith Round 2 application deadlines behind us and interview invitations being released in the coming weeks, many MBA hopefuls will soon be shifting their focus to interview prep if they haven’t already. It’s smart to get a head start, especially this year. We’re finding......
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January 28, 2021
Announcing Small Group MBA Workshops for Deferred Admissions Applicants
Key TakeawaysLet’s Get Efficient With the launch of our new Small Group MBA Workshops, we’re offering the benefit of working with a Vantage Point MBA consultant in small, high value sessions where you’ll receive some personalized feedback alongside learning from the questions and feedback of......
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January 20, 2021
How to Overcome a Low GPA in Your MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysUpdated 1.14.21 One of the most common concerns we hear from clients is that their low undergrad GPA will prevent them from being accepted to the MBA program of their dreams. Whether it was because you chose the toughest major at your university, had......
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January 7, 2021
MIT Sloan Cover Letter Advice: Maximizing 300 Words
Key TakeawaysIf you’re working towards submitting a Round 2 application to MIT Sloan’s MBA Program, you’ve likely given thought to what you want to express in the required 300-word Cover Letter (or, ideally, have already started working on it). Perhaps the trickiest thing about this......
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January 5, 2021
Start the New Year Right! Do These Five Things to Get a Leg up on Your MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysGoodbye 2020 and hello 2021! While it seems every New Year comes with a sense of optimism and hope for the future, this year takes that sentiment to the extreme. Perhaps you’re planning for a fresh start in more ways than one by applying......
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December 22, 2020
Insights from MBA Students on Campus…a Dose of Hope to Close Out 2020
Key TakeawaysAs the first semester of ‘business school in a pandemic’ comes to a close, we reached out to our past clients who are currently on campus to see what things have really been like. They graciously provided insights on everything from virtual classes to......
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December 15, 2020
10 Dos and Don’ts for Getting off the MBA Waitlist
Key TakeawaysUpdated 12.14.20 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......
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December 8, 2020
Applying to or Considering a Part Time MBA Program? Read this First
Key TakeawaysPeruse any of the MBA admissions sites or forums and you’ll find that most of the dialogue is geared towards full time programs. While much of the advice translates to part time programs, clients I speak with who are interested in the latter option......
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December 1, 2020
Tackling the HBS Essay? Start with This Step
Key TakeawaysUpdated 11.30.2020 At first glance, the Harvard Business School essay question, which remained unchanged again this year, seems fairly simple. What more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy? However, after giving it some thought, many candidates find themselves quite lost, trying......
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November 23, 2020
How to Tackle One of the Hardest MBA Essay Questions in Three Steps
Key TakeawaysWhen it comes time to write your MBA application essays, one topic you can count on having to cover for nearly every program to which you are applying is why that particular school is the best fit for you. As an admissions consultant, I’ve......
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November 17, 2020
Do This If You’re Applying to MBA Programs in Round 2
Key TakeawaysPerhaps it’s because this year has been…untraditional to say the least, time is flying by. The earliest Round 2 deadlines are approaching in just over six weeks! With the holidays thrown in the mix, the time that remains will elapse before you know it.......
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November 8, 2020
Debunking Three Myths About the GMAT/GRE
Key TakeawaysAs 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. Which test should they take? When should they prepare and sit for the exam? Is......
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October 29, 2020
How To Stand Out In The Wharton Team Based Discussion
Key TakeawaysUpdated 10.29.20 You were invited to interview with Wharton, congrats! You’re one step closer to getting accepted. You might wonder what your odds are from here. Well, Wharton interviews roughly half of all applicants, but only accepts one in five. So, they’re looking to......
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October 25, 2020
Should You Sprint for Round 2 or Wait Until Round 1 Next Year?
Key TakeawaysUpdated 10.23.20 That’s the question facing many MBA applicants at this time of year. The Round 2 deadlines are quickly approaching in January, but waiting until Round 1 next year means delaying matriculation until fall of 2022. So which timing is right for you?......
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October 19, 2020
Deferred MBA Programs – Are They Right for You?
Key TakeawaysIn 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,......
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October 11, 2020
Three Tips for MBA Interview Success
Key TakeawaysIf you’ve recently hit submit on your MBA applications, after doing a little happy dance that you no longer have to spend every free moment on essays, your attention will quickly turn to the interview portion of the process. Most schools will release interview......
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October 2, 2020
These Three Bullets Should Be On Your MBA Resume
Key TakeawaysUpdated 10.1.20 With Round 2 deadlines roughly three months away, now is a great time to get started on your MBA resume, if you haven’t already. As an MBA admissions consultant, I often find that clients underestimate the importance of the resume portion of......
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September 27, 2020
The Sound of Silence…You Hit Submit, Now What?
Key TakeawaysPhew…you just hit submit on your last Round 1 MBA application! At first it’s a huge relief, as pulling double duty with a full time job and seemingly endless versions of your essays (not to mention all of the stress and uncertainty with the......
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September 18, 2020
There ARE Dumb Questions: Pitfalls to Avoid in Your MBA Interview
Key TakeawaysUpdated 9.17.20 After interviewing countless MBA hopefuls for Kellogg, I can solve the apparent mystery of whether the questions you ask the interviewer matter – they do! Why? The questions you ask demonstrate three key things. First, they show how interested you are in......
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September 10, 2020
How to Tackle Kellogg’s Video Essays
Key TakeawaysWith Kellogg’s Round 1 deadline quickly approaching, my admissions consulting clients have been asking how best to prepare for and tackle Kellogg’s video essays. For context, let’s think about what Kellogg is trying to learn about you from this portion of the application. Since......
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September 4, 2020
Do This Before You Submit Your Round 1 MBA Applications!
Key TakeawaysIf you’re a round one MBA applicant and you haven’t had the “oh sh#t” moment yet, you’re probably not paying attention. Starting with HBS on 9/8, round one applicants face a crazy couple of weeks as they finalize their applications and make last minute changes......
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August 26, 2020
The Most Efficient Way to Network
Key TakeawaysAs an MBA admissions consultant, I’ve seen time and again how networking in advance of applying to MBA programs can make all the difference between a standout and forgettable application. Yet, I’m often surprised by how often this part of the process is overlooked,......
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August 10, 2020
Which Apps are Out? MBA Deadlines & Essays
Key Takeaways*Updated August 10, 2020 By now, most of the top MBA programs have released their application deadlines and essay topics for the 2020-2021 season. Below we’ve summarized what’s out so far so you can stay on top of it. Remember, when to apply matters.......
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July 28, 2020
Six Weeks Until Round 1 Deadlines – Here is Your Plan for Success!
Key TakeawaysPerhaps it’s because this summer has been…untraditional to say the least, but time is flying by. The earliest Round 1 deadlines are approaching in only six weeks! That realization may strike fear in many of you, which is understandable, but try to harness the......
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June 5, 2020
Our Challenge to YOU: Be the Change
Key TakeawaysThe 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,......
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May 4, 2020
Be The Mosquito!
Key Takeaways“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, as the days slowly tick by and an underlying sense of fear seems unavoidable, it is easy to......
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May 1, 2020
Researching MBA Programs When You Can’t Visit
Key TakeawaysA big part of putting together a winning MBA application is demonstrating that you are the perfect “fit” for the school you are applying to, and that you are excited about that specific program and school. The schools’ websites only get you so far;......
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April 7, 2020
How to Be a Leader at Work, Even When You’re Not “At Work”
Key TakeawaysEvery MBA hopeful is, or should be, considering how he or she can step-up and lead at work, no matter your title or even role. This has been an essential differentiator for those hoping to demonstrate what many b-schools call a “habit of leadership”.......
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March 25, 2020
How to Position Your Career for the Current Uncertainty: You Need Options
Key TakeawaysMelody 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......
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February 25, 2020
Networking For Your MBA Applications
Key Takeaways Last week, Vantage Point MBA Senior Consultant, Katie M., hosted a webinar on GMAT Club’s YouTube channel on a very timely topic: networking for your MBA applications. In the already subjective application process, “networking” can seem particularly abstract or can be simply another......
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February 17, 2020
How To Stand Out In The Wharton TBD
Key TakeawaysFirst of all, if you were invited to interview with Wharton, congrats! You’re one step closer to getting accepted. You might wonder what your odds are from here. Well, Wharton interviews roughly half of all applicants, but only accepts one in five. So, they’re......
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February 10, 2020
Five Things You Can Be Doing Right Now
Key Takeaways It’s already February, and while it may seem like you have plenty of time before the first round of MBA application deadlines, there are several things that you can be doing right now to give yourself a leg up on applications this year......
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February 5, 2020
Should You Apply in Round 3?
Key Takeaways If you’re wondering where the last six months went, how they flew by in a blur, you’re not alone! If the first two application deadlines for the top MBA programs somehow got away from you, you’re also not alone! And now you’re probably......
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January 27, 2020
Still in College? HBS 2+2 and Other Deferred MBA Programs May Be For You
Key Takeaways As a college senior, are you wondering, “If I take this job over another, will my chances of getting into grad school be higher or lower?” or “Will this job give me enough experience to be appealing to the top MBA programs when......
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December 19, 2019
What Matters in Choosing an MBA Program
Key Takeaways The rankings, such as those published by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Economist, and several others, are a logical starting point when evaluating MBA programs and can provide a general pulse on how the market feels about the school. That said,......
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June 19, 2019
How to Make Your Resume “MBA Ready”
Key TakeawaysThe 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 spent hours getting it right to go out into the job market, only to find that you’re......
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June 11, 2019
Should You Apply Round 1 or Wait for Round 2?
Key TakeawaysHBS is due in 13 weeks. This is the time of year when many applicants realize that the crazy project from work, your wedding planning, or whatever else has been a major time commitment has left you feeling pressed for time in what is......
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June 3, 2019
Are You Behind? Your Round 1 Application Plan
Key TakeawaysIf you’re planning to apply to an MBA program round 1, it’s go-time! Many schools have already released essay topics and deadlines, so hopefully you already have a strong application strategy and personal brand that you’re leveraging to start thinking about how to approach......
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May 22, 2019
How to Develop Your Personal Brand
Key TakeawaysAn insightful applicant asked me last week “when have you seen an applicant fail?” I love this question. And as I thought about the applicants who had come to us asking for an assessment of what went wrong last year, there was one thing......
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May 13, 2019
These 3 Bullets Should Be On Your MBA Resume
Key TakeawaysAs you’re applying to business school, your resume is like your executive summary: it should concisely tell the story of how you’ve grown and developed over the course of your career as well as provide an indication of your focus areas and motivations. However,......
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May 7, 2019
A Winning Approach to the HBS Essay Question
Key TakeawaysAt first glance, the Harvard Business School essay question, which will remain unchanged again this year, seems fairly simple. What more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy? However, after giving it some more thought, many candidates find themselves quite lost,......
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April 23, 2019
Want to Show That You’re a Leader? Try Being Vulnerable
Key TakeawaysPicture this: in an interview you’re asked a question about something that went wrong in a past job. Instead of simply explaining what happened, you find yourself shamelessly spinning a story about how you had a feeling all along that whatever “it” was would......
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April 23, 2019
For the Ladies: it’s Not “We”, it’s “Me” for Your MBA Applications
Key Takeaways It’s not “we” it’s “me”. For the ladies out there, repeat that one again to yourself. For a large portion of the women I work with each year who are applying to the top MBA programs, at some point in the process we......
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April 9, 2019
How to Have Impressive Extracurriculars When You’re Busy
Key TakeawaysKeeping 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, being an engaged community citizen and leader is critical for your MBA applications. We find that......
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April 2, 2019
How Much Time Does it Take to Apply to B-School?
Key TakeawaysLast week we presented to a large bank’s analyst class, and one of the first questions we were asked was “when should I start working on my applications if I’m applying in the fall?” It seems so far away… But it’s not! You can......
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April 1, 2019
Breaking News – HBS Releases Early Deadline & Essay Prompt!
Key TakeawaysHarvard has announced a new early admissions round that they are calling “Round 0.” They also released the essay prompt, with a deadline of April 1, 2019 at 11:59pm. Below is the essay prompt: “As we review your application, in one word what more......
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March 26, 2019
Don’t Quit Your Day Job!
Key TakeawaysMBA applications take up a TON of time!! From studying for the GMAT to visiting schools, writing essays, prepping recommenders and interview prep, we estimate that the average applicant spends around 150 hours to 250 hours applying to b-school depending upon the number of......
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March 26, 2019
Avoid These Three Application Pitfalls
Key TakeawaysThis time of year, our team is doing a lot of “ding analysis”, which is when someone who applied last year comes to us and asks our team to help them understand what went wrong. Below are some of the common pitfalls that we’ve......
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September 23, 2018
Writing Your Own Recommendations: Right or Wrong?
Key TakeawaysEvery year we run into a question that the “interwebs” appears to be conflicted about. Is it ok to write your own recommendation, or hire an admissions consultant to write your recommendations, and then have your actual recommender submit it? A lot of people......
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August 22, 2018
HBS is Due in Less Than Two Weeks
Key TakeawaysFor those Round One MBA applicants out there, if you haven’t had the “oh sh#t” moment yet, then you’re probably not paying attention. Harvard Business School applications are due in two weeks. Starting with HBS on 9/5, round one applicants face a crazy couple......
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April 13, 2018
VP Weekly Three: Top Three Questions About the Waitlist
Key TakeawaysIf you find yourself on the waitlist at this point in the application season, we know how frustrating it can be. After months of hard work and waiting for a decision, it’s tough to hear that you have to wait even longer. However, being......
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April 3, 2018
How an HBS Re-Applicant Made Sure That She Got In This Year
Key TakeawaysPutting in the time and effort to apply to top tier schools only to be rejected across the board is extremely disappointing. For many people, this defeat leads them to give up on business school completely. However, with hard work and a good strategy,......
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April 2, 2018
So Your Dream School Invited You to a Networking Brunch…Now What?
Key TakeawaysOne of our clients was recently in this exact situation. Her Kellogg application was submitted and her interview was completed. She was just waiting for the final decision. Then, she received an email inviting her to an intimate networking brunch in her hometown of......
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March 23, 2018
Pursuing an MBA in Order to Change the World? We’ll Coach You For Free!
Key TakeawaysBusiness leaders can have an enormous impact on enhancing communities and the world through finding creative solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges. For example, Coca-Cola’s robust supply chain has brought much-needed medications to rural areas in developing countries, and Google supplies innovative......
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March 14, 2018
VP Weekly Three: Top Three Questions About MBA Letters of Recommendation
Key TakeawaysLetters of recommendation can be a tricky aspect of the MBA application process, particularly if you’ve just changed jobs or don’t plan on telling your employer that you’re applying to business school. We often speak with applicants who are unsure who to ask to......
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March 7, 2018
Demonstrating Leadership When You Only Have a Few Years of Experience
Key TakeawaysIf you’re in your first few years of work after college, the challenge of meeting the “leadership potential” threshold for the top MBA programs can seem daunting. You may have just barely started to feel comfortable with the job you were hired for, so......
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February 28, 2018
VP Weekly Three: The Three Best MBA Questions We Heard This Week (…With Answers)
Key TakeawaysEvery week we speak with MBA applicants who are trying to figure out how the MBA application process works and how they stack up to the competition. So, in this series we will track the best questions we’ve received and periodically send out a......
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February 25, 2018
Five Things You Can Do Right Now to Enhance Your MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysIt’s already February, and while it may seem like you have plenty of time, there are several things that you can be doing right now to give yourself a leg up on applications this year. Take a look at the list below, start laying-out......
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February 21, 2018Can you Negotiate with a Top Business School?
Key TakeawaysThe short answer is “it never hurts to ask”. Over the years, many of our clients have gotten the amazing news that they have been selected for a scholarship from at least one of their desired MBA programs. Sometimes, however, the money comes from......
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June 13, 2017
When To Retake The GMAT – And When Not To
Key Takeaways“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......
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June 5, 2017How You Can Demonstrate Leadership in your MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysMore 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......
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May 31, 2017Writer’s Block? Ideas for Starting Your Essays on the Right Path
Key TakeawaysMany 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......
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May 11, 2017Non-Traditional Applicant: Weakness or Strength?
Key Takeaways“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......
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May 1, 2017Your MBA Plan for the Next Two Months
Key TakeawaysThis year’s MBA applications will be released by the schools sometime in June or July (on average). So what can you be doing now? A lot. If you start now, then you can knock out some of the low hanging fruit and be ready to......
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April 21, 2017What you need to know if you’re applying to Columbia Business School
Key TakeawaysColumbia 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......
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April 18, 2017Demystifying MBA Application Networking
Key TakeawaysIn 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......
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April 11, 2017How to Overcome a Low GPA in Your MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysLow 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......
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April 5, 2017
Acceptance to an M7 in Round 3? Yes it’s possible!
Key Takeaways 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.......
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March 28, 2017Starting Your Start-Up: Do You Need an MBA?
Key TakeawaysIf you’re smart, motivated and have a good idea, then what value will an MBA really bring to you? Everyone knows that any good start-up requires a lot of trial-and-error, learning-by-doing, and sometimes learning-through-failure to actually get to the right place. Though you can’t......
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February 14, 2017School Choice: How to Decide Where to Apply
Key Takeaways“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......
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February 8, 2017
A Real INSEAD Interview Experience
Key Takeaways INSEAD takes a different approach to the interview than many other top schools. All interviews are conducted by alumniYou’ll have two interviews (with two alumni selected based on their backgrounds)Interviews can be longer (over one hour is common)Interviews are not blind. In general,......
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February 6, 2017
Haas Part-Time MBA: Advice from a Current Student
Key TakeawaysOver the last few years, the University of California Berkeley’s (Haas) Part-Time MBA program has been consistently ranked as one of the top part-time programs in the country. Last year, U.S. News and World Report once again ranked Haas #1 overall, ahead of other longstanding......
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February 4, 2017Good things come to those who DON’T wait: 10 Dos and Don’ts for getting off the waitlist
Key TakeawaysSo 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......
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February 1, 2017There ARE Dumb Questions: Pitfalls to Avoid in Your MBA Interview
Key TakeawaysAfter interviewing MBA hopefuls for Kellogg over the past six years, I can solve the apparent mystery of whether or not the questions you ask at the interview matter: undoubtedly,they do. Like the overall admissions process, much of the interview is subjective. There is......
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January 30, 2017
Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2017 Released Over the Weekend
Key Takeaways Here we go again! Financial Times kicked off a new year of MBA rankings over the weekend. The FT ranking stacks up 100 MBA programs from around the world (not only U.S. schools) and is often considered the most credible and reliable of......
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January 26, 2017
Wharton’s MBA for Executives – Impressions from a Current Student
Key Takeaways Last year I had the privilege of working with Tom*, an applicant to the Wharton MBA for Executives Program in San Francisco. After his first term, Tom has offered his insight and advice for those considering the Wharton EMBA. 1) What has surprised you......
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January 23, 2017
What You Can Do Now to Prepare for Round 1: Best Practices from Last Year’s Success Stories
Key Takeaways It may be “only January” now, but for most busy MBA applicants, the deadlines sneak-up faster than you think. As such, we compiled a list of best practices from our clients this past year that can help guide you over the next few......
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January 18, 2017
The Truth about Round 3
Key Takeaways If you’re wondering where the last 5 months went, how they flew by in a blur, you’re not alone! If the first two, and in some cases three, application deadlines for the top MBA programs somehow got away from you, you’re also not......
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December 21, 2016Two Weeks Until the Deadlines – What Can You Do?
Key TakeawaysMore so than any other year, this year we’ve had a ton of calls from people who the deadlines have snuck up on. Whether you were (or still are) engrossed in the election, busy at work, or simply having too much fun, you’re not......
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December 10, 2016
Exit Polls: Interview Reports for Stanford, Haas, Sloan, Columbia, Booth and Fuqua
Key TakeawaysMany of the top MBA programs have fairly similar interview formats – conversational discussions about your past and future that are meant to assess “fit” as well as your true desires to attend the school and its alignment with your goals. As part of......
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December 9, 2016
Full-Time or Part-Time: Which MBA is Right For You?
Key TakeawaysIf you are like me and believe that the MBA is one of the most, if not the most, valuable advanced degrees you can earn, then the question becomes “should I go to a full-time (“FT”) MBA or a part-time (“PT”) MBA program?” Great......
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November 30, 2016
Exit Poll: Wharton’s Team-Based Discussion and Interview
Key TakeawaysThis week’s exit poll is from a client, Harrison, who recently completed the group interview (Team-Based Discussion) at Wharton. Below we summarized his day and experience for all of those round 2 Wharton hopefuls! After arriving in Philly around 10:00am (give yourself plenty of......
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November 29, 2016Should you sprint for Round 2 or wait until Round 1 next year?
Key TakeawaysThat’s the question facing many MBA applicants at this time of year. The Round 2 deadlines are just around the corner in January (only 5 weeks away!) but waiting until Round 1 next year means delaying matriculation until fall 2018. So which timing is......
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November 21, 2016
Volatility plagues (yet) another MBA program ranking
Key TakeawaysAt Vantage Point, we have a love-hate relationship with the rankings. On one hand they provide a directional indication of the quality of MBA programs and competitiveness of admission. On the other, complex and/or subjective ranking methodologies and the volatility that ensues can be......
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November 18, 2016Whose advice really matters on your MBA applications?
Key Takeaways“It takes a village”, the old adage goes. That’s one way we like to summarize the MBA journey. Although the application process may seem like a long, lonely road at the beginning, savvy applicants know to seek multiple perspectives along the way. And in......
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November 16, 2016
Exit Poll: What is the HBS Interview Really Like?
Key TakeawaysYou can read about each school’s interview process all over the internet, and we can tell you from our experience what it’s like all day long. However, what we’ve found is that applicants really appreciate hearing first-hand from someone who is still sweating from......
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November 11, 2016
The Election is Over – Time to Get Moving on Round 2 Applications
Key TakeawaysYou have approximately two months before the round two MBA application deadlines. So it’s time to un-glue yourself from the news, excuse yourself from the continued debates, and focus your attention on your own future – business school. With the holidays coming-up, round two......
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November 1, 2016
How to Use Free Advice for Your MBA Applications
Key TakeawaysFrom free consultations with admissions consultants, “ask” forums, peer evaluations, and webinars, to the endless supply of interview reports, and school presentations, there is a ton of free stuff out there to help you on your MBA journey. Here’s how to make the most......
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October 30, 2016How Stanford GSB’s Latest Fellowship is Reshaping Applicants’ Career Goals
Key Takeaways“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......
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October 19, 2016
The Latest Rankings from The Economist – What Do They Mean?
Key Takeaways Back in June, we tackled the loaded question of whether or not the MBA rankings matter. (And of course, it depends.) But regardless of how reliant on or independent from the rankings your school selection decisions were, you’ve likely gotten comfortable with your choices......
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October 13, 2016
What MBA Applicants Can Learn From the Presidential Debates
Key TakeawaysWhether you are a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent, you’re probably just as tired of this election cycle as the rest of us. That said, the Presidential debates are a Master Class in communication strategy for those preparing their MBA applications. The two......
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October 10, 2016
First Impressions: Insights from First Year MBA Students After The First Two Weeks
Key Takeaways As an MBA applicant, you have probably visited your target schools, spoken with alumni and maybe even spoken with current students to assess the culture and fit of the school with your goals. As we tell all of our clients, the more you......
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October 6, 2016If you’re an international candidate to US MBA programs, read this before finalizing your post-MBA career goals!
Key TakeawaysAs 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......
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September 23, 2016Why Your MBA Friends Are Not Always the Best People to Review Your Essays
Key Takeaways Last year I had a client who called me panicking – “I showed my applications to several co-workers and they completely tore apart my essays! What do I do??” This applicant had a really amazing story (he got into everywhere he applied, by......
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September 12, 2016
Inside the Black Box: What Happens After You Hit “Submit”
Key TakeawaysA month or so ago, we at Vantage Point Admissions shared information on the composition of the adcoms at some of the top schools. Knowing your audience is absolutely critical and can make the difference between getting in, or getting dinged. So, it’s crucial......
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September 1, 2016When to Punt to Round 2
Key TakeawaysHBS is due in less a week. Kellogg, Stanford, Booth and LBS – just two weeks later. This is the time of year when many applicants realize that the crazy project from work, your wedding planning, or whatever else has been a major time......
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August 12, 2016Deadlines are Weeks Away, Acceptance Rates are Low…But Now is Not the Time to Freak-Out!
Key Takeaways“If I only had a dollar for every time you pulled me back from the ledge!” A current client sent me the email above the other night right after a back-and-forth where he was worryin g about his GPA and GMAT quant score, both......
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July 26, 2016
Quick Point: Updated R1 MBA Application Deadlines Calendar
Key TakeawaysBy now, the great majority of schools have released both their application deadlines (shown in the calendar below) as well as their essay topics. HBS (the first deadline among the top schools) is due in only six weeks, so if you haven’t already, this......
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July 22, 2016MBA CAREER SPOTLIGHT ON: Brand Management
Key TakeawaysAs 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......
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July 17, 2016
Know Your Customer: Meet the MBA Admissions Committee
Key TakeawaysHope everyone’s MBA applications are off to a fantastic start! Whether you’re in marketing now or aspire to take that first marketing class in business school, you probably already know the value of understanding your customer or target audience. So, to help as you......
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July 15, 2016Advice for European Applicants to the Top U.S. MBA Programs
Key TakeawaysSince moving to Switzerland for what my family and I are calling an “extended business trip”, I’ve had the opportunity to interview MBA applicants from several countries as an alumni interviewer for Kellogg. Through this experience, as well as consulting to clients from Europe......
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June 30, 2016
Do Rankings Matter? A Few Ways to Think About this Common Question
Key Takeaways 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:......
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June 24, 2016
Updated R1 Deadlines Calendar: Many More Dates Released!
Key TakeawaysOver the last few weeks, many schools have released their 2016-2017 deadlines and essay topics. The MBA application year is certainly in full swing! If you haven’t already, now is an ideal time to set a date for GMAT and research schools. We recommend......
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June 7, 2016
Quick Point: Updated R1 Deadlines Calendar
Key TakeawaysAt this point, many of the top schools have now released their R1 deadlines and essay topics. Please see below for all of the deadlines that we have thus far. As always, continue to check our blog as we update this. Most deadlines should......
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May 23, 2016
Quick Point: Updated MBA R1 Deadlines Calendar
Key TakeawaysWe’ve now added Ross and UNC Kenan-Flagler to our aggregated R1 deadlines calendar. Ross and UNC recently released their deadlines and essay topics the upcoming application year – so there’s no better time to start than now! Note that UNC has an early action......
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May 19, 2016Who Are YOU to the Adcom?
Key TakeawaysI 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......
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May 12, 2016
Quick Point: Updated R1 Deadlines Calendar
Key TakeawaysHBS and Tuck have released their round one deadlines! Note that Tuck allows you to visit the campus and schedule an in-person interview. Historically, there have been limited spots for each date, so please schedule early. We added their applicant-initiatied interview deadlines to this......
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May 12, 2016
How is Your Columbia Application Going?
Key TakeawaysNow 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......
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April 29, 2016
Struck Out? MBA Reapplicant Strategy and Stories to Inspire
Key TakeawaysYou’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......
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April 28, 2016
Quick Point: Round 1 MBA Deadlines Calendar (So far…)
Key TakeawaysWe figured that you have enough to worry about, so we’re aggregating all of the round 1 deadlines into one calendar that we’ll continue to update as new dates are posted (…you’re welcome). If you haven’t already, it’s time to get going! Based on......
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April 21, 2016
Quick Point: Columbia Dates and Essays are Live! Applying Before the Deadlines to Columbia Can Give You an Advantage!
Key TakeawaysColumbia 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......
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April 20, 2016
Quick Point: Stanford GSB Deadlines Announced!
Key TakeawaysStanford’s application deadlines are as follows: Round 1 – September 21, 2016 Round 2 – January 10, 2017 Round 3 – April 5, 2017 Look for essay topics coming out sometime in June. Time to get started! Contact us to start strategizing: www.vantagepointadmissions.com...
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April 20, 2016Confessions of an International Applicant
Key TakeawaysVantage Point recently had the chance to catch up with Katrin, a recent Columbia Business School grad and busy management consultant based in New York City. We asked her a few questions about her experience applying to business school as an international applicant and......
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March 22, 2016
Confessions of a Younger Applicant
Key TakeawaysVantage Point had the pleasure of interviewing Anjelica, a Columbia Business School graduate, about her experience as a younger MBA applicant with <2 years of experience. She’s now a successful finance professional at a major bank in New York City and a valuable resource......
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March 16, 2016
U.S. News Releases 2016-2017 Business School Rankings
Key TakeawaysFYI – today, U.S. News & World Report released its updated business school rankings. The top school rankings tend to shift by a place or two ever year, but of note for this year, Yale moved into the top 10 for the first time......
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March 14, 2016
How Applying to MBA Programs Has Changed Since Your Co-Worker Applied
Key TakeawaysWhen 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.......
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March 8, 2016
Career Switching + Your MBA Application
Key TakeawaysSo, 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......
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February 29, 2016
Why You Should Visit The Schools Now for R1 2016 Applications
Key TakeawaysRound 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......
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February 21, 2016
An Alumni Interviewer’s Advice for Off Campus Interviews
Key TakeawaysWhat makes for a strong performance in an alumni interview? Simple. Show that you’ve done your homework. About the school, but also about yourself. With alumni interviews you need to start by recognizing your audience. Your interviewer, who is probably doing 3-4 interviews a......
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February 12, 2016
Non-Traditional Candidates: Advice from Someone Who Went from Capitol Hill to a Top Five MBA Program
Key Takeaways“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......