The MBA application process can feel like it touches every corner of your life and career. Applicants need to take the GMAT (or GRE), conduct school research, develop their story and and career goals, write and revise essays and resumes, request recommendations, and attend interviews,...

This is the second post in our series, What HBS is Looking For. So, HBS wants “analytical aptitude and appetite.” Hardly a surprise. You might be tempted to simply skim that section of the website message without giving it much thought. Maybe it’s not as obvious as...

Whether you’re applying for an MBA, a PhD in Public Policy (or many other doctoral fields), or a Masters in Social Work, you’re likely to talk about social enterprise or community service goals in your application. For some, this will be your primary objective –...

7 Steps to MBA Acceptance in 2019 was a great success! Attendees learned what they can do right now (and over the next few months) to ensure that their b-school applications next year are as strong as they can possibly be. If you missed it, or...

If you missed Round 2 deadlines, or if you didn’t get accepted, it’s time to refocus: how will you make a plan to achieve your MBA goals? Does it make sense to apply Round 3? Or should you hold off until next year’s Round 1? There’s...

The answer, as is often the case in MBA admissions, is…it depends. You didn’t think we’d give you a clear cut yes or no answer, did you? FACT: The chances of gaining acceptance decrease as the rounds progress. This means that acceptance rates in R3 are...

You work for the family business and are applying for an MBA. Will this background be a net plus for you, or a minus? How can you make the most of this experience? Whether you work for your family’s tiny startup with headquarters in your home’s...

Applying to MBA programs in the Fall? Then you’re probably planning to meet with MBA admissions committee members at various types of events – school visits, MBA fairs, school receptions, etc. – as part of that process. Adcom members are preparing for you as well. In...

These essays give the adcom a well-rounded view of you – they go beyond what you’ve done to capture how you think and respond, even how you imagine. Moreover, they require you to communicate complex thoughts and experiences in few words. For the four short...

Whether you're applying to b-school, law school, med school, grad school, or college, this checklist will be the same. Don't hit that "submit" button until you've completed the following 5 steps: 1.  You’ve made sure that your application presents a holistic, multi-dimensional picture of you. Each section of your application should not just present you as a strong candidate on its own,...