The M7 business schools represent seven distinct, vivid cultures, each with its own history, values, characteristics, opportunities, and challenges.

Of course, there are many commonalities among the M7 schools, as well: all are highly competitive, offer robust academic resources, are supported by a committed and involved alumni network, and attract top-tier recruiters (even in down business cycles). Yet each one also has a unique, strong, and distinctive personality that both reflects and drives its leadership in the MBA realm. These programs have risen to their prominent position because the schools are the leaders in their domain: graduate business education. So, they reasonably expect their students and applicants to have correspondingly high ambitions, but together, they also represent diversity.

In 2026, the M7 schools continue to attract the brightest minds from around the globe, with highly competitive admissions and world-class academic resources. Let’s take a deep dive into these schools and see what they have to offer the next generation of business leaders.

Table of Contents

• Harvard Business School
• Stanford Graduate School of Business
• MIT Sloan School of Management
• The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
• Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management
• University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business
• Columbia Business School

What Sets the M7 Business Schools Apart

There are other elite MBA programs, of course, but the M7 schools have an ongoing, shared history; their deans connected with each other years ago and formed a group that meets regularly and shares information. Over time, these meetings have grown to include other individuals within their admissions offices, creating a consistent flow of information across multiple levels. The meetings address a range of issues, including best practices for components of the admissions process and responses to current events that directly affect MBA admissions.

Here are some other characteristics that make the M7 schools stand out:

• Prestige – Each M7 school is globally recognized as a leader in business education.
• Rigorous Academics – From the case method at Harvard Business School to the flexible curriculum at Chicago Booth, the M7 programs provide an intellectually challenging environment.
• Top Recruiters – The M7 schools attract the world’s leading companies across industries, ensuring that students have access to unparalleled career opportunities.
• Global Network – The alumni networks of the M7 schools are vast, influential, and highly supportive, offering lifelong connections.

While the M7 schools share these qualities, what sets them apart is their unique cultures and offerings. Let’s explore each one in more detail.

Harvard Business School, Class of 2027

• Median GMAT: 685  
• Median GPA: 3.76  
• Acceptance Rate: 11.2%  

Immersion could be the keyword for the Harvard Business School (HBS) experience. The program’s cornerstone is the case-study approach, intertwined with experiential learning; students read a case and then intensively analyze it both before and in class. The aim is to train students in complex, real-world decision-making. Students then have numerous opportunities to sharpen this training through practical application. By continuously engaging with classmates from different functions, industries/sectors, and geographic regions in these case discussions, students radically expand their perspectives, thought processes, and knowledge. This immersive experience is enhanced by the smarts, passion, and ambition of HBS students. Outside of class, these high-achieving, high-energy students participate in many clubs and volunteer activities. The two years of the MBA program reportedly fly by, thanks to the nonstop immersion and engagement.

What HBS Looks for in Applicants 

Given its case method approach, HBS seeks students and future leaders who will carry their weight and contribute fully in the classroom – people who have something to say and the ability to communicate it. Further, students must be able to listen, respond thoughtfully, and adapt to new ideas as the dialogue progresses. Beyond the requisite high level of accomplishment, HBS seeks people who enthusiastically and effectively engage.

Stanford Graduate School of Business, Class of 2027

• Average GMAT: 740  
• Average GPA: 3.76  
• Acceptance Rate: 6.8% 

Nothing less than transformation, that’s what the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is about – both yours and the kind you bring to the organizations and communities you touch. Stanford’s Silicon Valley DNA, highly customizable program, and emphasis on innovation, change, and entrepreneurship shape its MBA experience. It’s a small, elite cohort that goes on an exploratory journey together, and many students emerge in a different place than they expected when they started out. This journey integrates the personal and the professional – in Stanford’s multifaceted pedagogical approach, building business and leadership skills is tied to understanding and defining one’s mission and vision. Beyond the MBA classroom, students learn from and engage with numerous guest speakers who represent the cutting edge of their fields. They are also encouraged to access Stanford’s other top-notch programs, including law, medicine, engineering, the humanities, and the sciences. During the MBA program, students form a robust, mutually supportive network for testing ideas, boundaries, and their own assumptions and inclinations.

What the Stanford GSB Looks for in Applicants

Stanford wants people who will be excellent “fellow travelers,” people who have – and will therefore bring to the program – a unique point of view. The school values risk-takers and change agents. At the same time, these individuals deliberately remain a “work in progress,” always open to new information, ideas, and situations and willing to shift gears accordingly. They relish exploration and collaboration.

MIT Sloan School of Management, Class of 2027

• Median GMAT: 730  
• Median GPA: 3.69  
• Acceptance Rate: 14.1%

What’s special about the MIT Sloan MBA program is its zeal for tackling large, multifaceted problems. The school’s students learn how to develop robust solutions that can weather uncertainty, ambiguity, and change, and they relish the challenge. The adcom appreciates people who lead organically by drawing others along the journey to solve complex problems. The Sloan MBA approach is rooted in two concepts that intertwine: invention, which entails creativity and agility, and data-driven analysis, which entails rigor and objectivity. These concepts align with MIT more broadly. Just as a robust process involves iteration, this program supports its pedagogy with ongoing experiential learning opportunities (in other words, practice) to reinforce and deepen the learning and ensure that students grasp topics and hone skills in a real-world context. In essence, Sloan MBA graduates are able to see around corners and make constructive use of whatever they encounter. They lead others through the process, driven by their vision and their passion to tackle compelling problems.

What MIT Sloan Looks for in Applicants

MIT Sloan seeks students who are open to following where the data lead, even if doing so contradicts their personal preferences or assumptions. The school is also interested in people who possess both vision and practical skills, who are creative and analytical. That doesn’t mean an applicant must embody these qualities 50/50, but if, for example, a candidate is primarily creative and visionary, they also need to show a record of concrete impact and achievement. Needless to say, curiosity and a collaborative mindset are also sought.

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2027

• Median GMAT: 735  
• Median GPA: 3.7  
• Acceptance Rate: 20.5% 

The Wharton MBA program is big, with almost 900 students per class, multiple opportunities for joint degrees and certificates (from law and veterinary medicine to the MBA/MA Joint Degree in International Studies program with the Lauder Institute and the JD/MBA), more than 20 majors, an extensive range of electives (including courses across the many other campus schools), and clubs in several broad categories: professional, athletic, social and special interest, community service, geographic, and cultural. Yet Wharton does not sacrifice quality for quantity. Its many majors are deep and rigorous. Moreover, the MBA program’s structure – dividing each incoming class into four clusters, each of which is further divided into cohorts of approximately 70 students, and then into diverse five- or six-person Learning Teams – ensures broad exposure and drives dynamism throughout the learning process. What students learn from their teammates and classmates will help them take full advantage of the program’s vast resources. While bigness and abundance characterize this program, Wharton has devised a learning structure that personalizes and optimizes it for students.

What Wharton Looks for in Applicants

Wharton wants applicants who, along with being high performers, are actively engaged in activities and/or interests that contribute somehow. This doesn’t necessarily have to be community service, but it does need to be some form of clear and consistent engagement outside of work that positively affects others. Finally, given Wharton’s extensive opportunities and resources, it is essential that applicants show that they are resourceful; Wharton does not want its abundance squandered.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Class of 2027 

• Median GMAT: 687 
• Median GPA: 3.68  
• Acceptance Rate: 28.6%

Management has long been, and remains, the hallmark of the Kellogg MBA program, a comprehensive discipline grounded in leadership and global perspective. The premise is that, given today’s rapid change and high volatility, strong management capabilities are needed more than ever. Moreover, they can be applied across industries and sectors. Kellogg’s renowned management resources include two management-focused majors, “Management Science” and “Managing Organizations,” along with numerous other traditional majors. To complement these pillars of business training, Kellogg offers innovative “pathways,” which are cross-functional sets of courses that address timely topics, including “Growth and Scaling,” “Data Analytics,” and “Social Impact.” Students can mix and match majors and pathways, benefiting from the accumulated wisdom of the scholars and experts who devised them. Kellogg has innovated in another area as well: It is one of the first top-tier U.S. MBA programs to offer a one-year option (for people with some academic business foundation). Not least, Kellogg is renowned for its abundant global opportunities, in which almost one-half of its students participate.

What Kellogg Looks for in Applicants 

Kellogg greatly values work experience that shows an applicant’s exemplary people skills – including leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and communication – and presents a record of meaningful accomplishment. Because Kellogg’s student body is particularly strong in philanthropic activity, including this element in one’s application is a good way to show fit with the program.

University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Class of 2027

• Median GMAT: 736  
• Median GPA: 3.6  
• Acceptance Rate: 28.7%

Academic and intellectual rigor combined with curricular flexibility – this intriguing balance is what the Chicago Booth MBA program offers. Intellectual culture is paramount at Chicago Booth, reflecting the character of the broader university to which it belongs. In the Chicago Booth MBA program, ideas are important – having them, sharing them, challenging them, testing them, and acting on them when the time is right. Chicago Booth has unrivaled quantitative depth and analytic rigor among MBA programs. This is a fantastic asset for students who want to refine their strengths in these areas and for those seeking a rock-solid foundation. The school’s flexibility allows students to tailor their learning program to their needs, which puts the onus on students to understand what they need. Although students do not have to select a major, many do, and some even pursue multiple majors. Chicago Booth offers a wide array of options, including both standard choices, such as “Accounting” and “Marketing Strategy,” and less-common ones, such as “Behavioral Science” and “Econometrics and Statistics.”

What Chicago Booth Looks for in Applicants 

Chicago Booth looks for people who have the self-knowledge, critical thinking skills, and resourcefulness to make the most of the MBA program’s flexibility and strengths and to use them productively. And because the school values ideas, it seeks applicants who will go beyond practical career training to explore new topics, areas, and disciplines and who will challenge themselves intellectually.

Columbia Business School, Class of 2027

• Average GMAT Score: 734  
• Median GPA: 3.6  
• Acceptance Rate: 20.9% 

Integral to the Columbia Business School (CBS) MBA program and identity is its New York City (NYC) home, which the CBS website refers to as a top asset of the program. To CBS, this location equals access. To complement the program’s renowned full-time faculty, CBS attracts adjunct professors and speakers who are thought leaders in many areas of business and beyond, because so many either reside in/near NYC or visit frequently. Within this vibrant setting, CBS builds its student community from the start by creating diverse clusters of 60-75 students who take all first-year classes together. CBS’s depth in finance is unique, and the school offers special programs for private equity and value investing. Other highly acclaimed specializations are “Social Enterprise” and “Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management,” the latter strengthened by the plethora of major pharma companies within a couple hours’ drive of campus. The NYC location also reinforces and amplifies the program’s entrepreneurship resources, given the city’s strong tech and fintech ecosystem.

What CBS Looks for in Applicants 

Beyond strong professional and academic track records, CBS wants people who have a plan to take advantage of the school’s resources, engage with the surrounding city and its endless opportunities, and pursue their defined goals. Because it’s easy to fade into the background amid the immensity of NYC and the dynamism of Columbia University, CBS also wants students who can and will forge bonds with their peers.

Key Takeaways on the M7 Business Schools

With their deep resources, commitment to academic rigor, and diverse student communities, the M7 schools provide unparalleled opportunities for MBA students. While each school has its own distinctive culture and specialties, all the M7 programs offer transformative experiences that will shape your future.

As the MBA landscape continues to evolve, the M7 schools will remain at the forefront in developing leaders who can navigate tomorrow’s complex business challenges. If you’re aiming for a career that will have a global impact, one of these seven MBA programs could be the ideal place for you to start your journey.

Related Resources

• Free MBA Admissions Guides
• The Business School Selectivity Index: GMAT Scores, GPAs, and MBA Acceptance Rates
• Admissions Straight Talk Podcast

The post M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2026 appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Here’s a look at eight MBA programs with especially strong consulting tracks and impressive placement rates at elite consulting firms.

1. INSEAD

With campuses in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, INSEAD offers a unique global perspective that is highly valued in consulting. The one-year MBA program is intensive, allowing students to quickly transition into the workforce. INSEAD’s strong network with leading consulting firms and its diverse cohort further enhance its standing in the industry. With 55% of the Class of 2024 hired into management consulting, INSEAD is a great option for individuals interested in this career path and looking for a global MBA program. 

2. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Kellogg is renowned for its collaborative culture and strength in marketing and strategy, which are critical in consulting. The school’s emphasis on teamwork and strategic thinking aligns well with the demands of top consulting firms. Kellogg also boasts a robust consulting club and high placement rates at McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. Of Kellogg’s Class of 2024, a full 35% accepted jobs in the consulting field. 

3. Chicago Booth School of Business

Chicago Booth’s data-driven approach and analytical rigor make it an excellent choice for future consultants. The school’s emphasis on empirical research and quantitative analysis prepares students for the analytical challenges of consulting. Chicago Booth also benefits from a strong consulting club and an extensive alumni network in the industry. With 33.8% of the Class of 2024 entering jobs in consulting, Booth is an excellent program for prospective MBAs interested in this professional path. 

4. MIT Sloan School of Management

MIT Sloan’s focus on innovation and analytical problem-solving makes it a strong contender for aspiring consultants. The school’s curriculum includes a variety of consulting-focused courses, and Sloan’s Action Learning Labs provide hands-on consulting experience. The program’s graduates are well prepared for the strategic and analytical demands of working at the leading consulting firms. Of MIT Sloan’s Class of 2024, 32.1% accepted consulting roles. 

5. Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School’s location in New York City provides students with unparalleled access to major consulting firms. The program offers a strong consulting track and has a high placement rate at top consulting firms. In addition, its connections make it a prime choice for aspiring consultants, as proven by the 30.6% of its Class of 2024 who entered consulting roles. 

6. The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Wharton is known for its analytical rigor and strong finance program, which translates well into consulting. The school has a strong track record of placing graduates at McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. Wharton offers a dedicated consulting major and numerous consulting-focused electives. With 25.2% of its Class of 2024 accepting positions in consulting, Wharton is a great choice for candidates interested in the big three firms. 

7. Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School (HBS) consistently tops the various MBA program rankings and offers a strong pipeline to elite consulting firms. It boasts a robust consulting club, extensive alumni network, and a curriculum that uses the case study method exclusively – an approach that prepares students particularly well for the rigorous problem-solving component of consulting positions by simulating real-world problems. The latest HBS employment report backs this up, revealing that 18.0% of the Class of 2024 entered consulting. 

8. Stanford Graduate School of Business

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) emphasizes leadership and innovation, which are highly valued in consulting roles. The program’s smaller class size ensures that students receive personalized attention and forge strong relationships with faculty, which can be beneficial in securing career placements in consulting. In 2024, the GSB saw 14% of its graduates go into the consulting field. 

For aspiring MBAs who aim to break into elite consulting firms, an MBA from a top business school can be a powerful springboard. The leading programs offer unparalleled recruiting access, consulting-focused resources, and strong alumni connections, while equipping students with the analytical, strategic, and leadership skills needed to thrive in the industry. Ultimately, choosing the right MBA program means weighing each one’s consulting track record, resources, and network against your personal career ambitions.

Related Resources

• How to Write a Winning MBA Goals Essay: Tips to Clarify and Communicate Your Career Vision
• MBA Admissions Advice for Career Changers
• When the MBA Optional Essay Is No Longer Optional

The post Top MBA Programs for Consulting Careers appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

The HBS admissions office announced several updates for the 2025-2026  admissions cycle. New criteria for admission were laid out and three shorter essays introduced in place of the program’s long-standing single essay prompt. Although the essays have been shortened, applicants must still understand the importance of self-reflection before picking up the proverbial pen. We have all had experiences in our lives that have shaped who we are personally and professionally. It is critical to spend time focusing on your motivations and identifying your strengths and weaknesses so you can uncover your authentic story and present it effectively to the adcom. 

HBS is looking for some specific information from its candidates, and the program’s decision to request that information through three brief essays might make the task of writing these essays seem easier at first. However, it is often more challenging to provide a story’s context and convey the details of the impact you have had with fewer words. It is essential to recognize that the essays are part of a holistic process, and the story you want to tell is found in the various parts of your application, not just in your essays. Make sure that you are clear on what you want to convey to the adcom across the totality of your application. Each essay asks you to identify one or more experiences that have been formative in some way. Beyond selecting a specific life event or events (personal or professional) to discuss in each essay, you must convey the outcome or the impact of the experience(s). Don’t use the same experience from one essay to the next. Consider each essay a novel opportunity for HBS to learn something new about you. 

Before jumping into your essays, remind yourself that Harvard’s mission is to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Also, review the Who Are We Looking For? section of HBS’s website, which elaborates on the three characteristics that are common among its students: Business-Minded, Leadership-Focused, and Growth-Oriented. Further, HBS provides context for the meaning of Business-Minded, Leadership-Focused, and Growth-Oriented and is specific about how it will identify each of these characteristics in your application. 

Ready to get to work on your HBS application? Read on. 

HBS application essay tips

Business-Minded Essay: Please reflect on how your choices have influenced your career path and aspirations. (300 words)

This question requires you to explore your motivation for the professional steps you have taken and the direction you want to take in your career. Any aspect of your life might have influenced decisions that you’ve made, so don’t limit yourself to one specific area. Consider both personal and professional experiences that have shaped your beliefs and attitudes. How have they defined your world view and self-perception? What insight can you derive from your experiences, and how have they influenced your professional journey and your plans for your future career? 

Leadership-Focused Essay: What experiences have shaped how you invest in others and how you lead? (250 words)

With this question, the HBS adcom wants you to identify pivotal experiences that have influenced your relationship with others and the positive impact you have had on them. Remember to discuss a different experience in this essay than you did in your first essay. Whether you share a personal challenge that had a profound impact on your values or an event that changed your perspective, this essay requires you to dig deep and reflect on the effect the experience had on your perception of leadership and your outlook on navigating your environment. The adcom wants to know what you have done with your learning. What specific actions have you taken to support others in their journey that reveal what you learned? This example will showcase the impact you will have within the HBS community.

Growth-Oriented Essay: Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

To begin this essay, reflect on times when you were curious about something and were motivated to continue learning because you were driven to grow. What was it that fed your curiosity? How did that strong desire to learn manifest itself? The experience you describe of being curious will demonstrate what you did to continue the learning process. What activities did you engage in, and how did they contribute to your ongoing development? Were there specific people that you interacted with, and if so, what did you learn from them? Next comes, as you might have guessed, the impact. Based on the curiosity that drove you to continue learning, describe how you grew. What part of the experience contributed to your growth? How did your perspective change, or what skills did you develop through the process? 

HBS application deadlines

Source: HBS website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with HBS directly to verify the essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

HBS class profile

Here’s a look at HBS’s Class of 2026 (data taken from the HBS website):

Number of applications: 9,856 

Enrolled: 930

Women: 45%

International: 35%

Primary Citizenship

• United States: 65%
• Asia: 13%
• Europe: 8%
• Mexico, Central & South America: 5%
• Canada: 3%
• Middle East: 3%
• Africa: 2%
• Oceania: <1%

U.S. Race/Ethnicity (Federal guidelines reporting)

• White: 49%
• Asian American: 25%
• Hispanic or Latino: 10%
• Black or African American: 8%
• Multi-race: 4%
• Did not report: 3%

Average GPA: 3.69

Average years of work experience: 5

Median GMAT score: 740

GMAT score range: 540-790

Middle 80% GMAT score range: 700-770

Median Verbal GMAT score: 42

Verbal GMAT score range: 27-51

Middle 80% Verbal GMAT score range: 38-47

Median Quantitative GMAT score: 49

Quantitative GMAT score range: 35-51

Middle 80% Quantitative GMAT score range: 45-50

Median Verbal GRE score: 163

Verbal GRE score range: 145-170

Middle 80% Verbal GRE score range: 157-168

Median Quantitative GRE score: 163 

Quantitative GRE score range: 146-170

Middle 80% Quantitative GRE score range: 157-169

Undergraduate majors

• Business/Commerce: 24%
• Engineering: 22%
• Economics: 19%
• Math/Physical Sciences: 18%
• Social Sciences: 12%
• Arts/Humanities: 5%

Pre-MBA Industry

• Consulting: 18%
• Venture Capital/Private Equity: 16%
• Technology: 12%
• Financial Services: 10%
• Consumer Products/Retail/E-Commerce: 9%
• Manufacturing/Industrial/Energy: 9%
• Health Care/Biotech: 8%
• Nonprofit/Government/Education: 6%
• Military: 5%
• Media/Entertainment/Travel: 4%
• Services: 2%

Related Resources

• M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2025
• Admissions Straight Talk podcast
• The Business School Selectivity Index, a free tool

The post Harvard Business School MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2025-2026], Class Profile appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Options for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can still consider applying in Round 3 (R3) at a few top programs, especially if you have a unique background or profile that these schools might be seeking to round out the diversity in their classes. MIT Sloan’s R3 deadline is April 7, and the Stanford GSB’s is April 8. Some great programs have a fourth round, including Carnegie Mellon Tepper on May 5, Texas McCombs on May 15, and UNC’s Kenan-Flagler on April 29. Vanderbilt Owen even has a Round 5 deadline on May 15. 

Did you steer growth in Africa, lead a new product in Eastern Europe, or pioneer a revolutionary health program in Mongolia? These are the kinds of unique experiences and insights that many top MBA programs would love to have represented in their student body. While visa challenges tend to discourage R3 and R4 applicants who need an F-1 Visa to study in the United States, if you have U.S. residency, you might be a prime candidate for one of these later rounds. 

Moreover, if you are living in the United States, you might find one of the many top MBA programs with part-time options to be a great alternative if there are weak points in your profile. Students in Berkeley Haas’s full-time program have a median GMAT of 730 (Class of 2026), but those in its part-time program have a median GMAT of only 700 (with 80% of students falling within the 610-750 range). The average GMAT score for students in Northwestern Kellogg’s full-time program is 733 (Class of 2026), while the average GMAT for Evening and Weekend MBA program students is 694. Kellogg waives test requirements for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher in a business, economics, or STEM field, and for candidates who graduated from a Northwestern undergraduate program. Chicago Booth’s full-time students have a 729 average GMAT (Class of 2026), but the average for students in its part-time program is only 692. If you believe your GMAT score held you back at HBS, you might consider part-time programs, which offer the opportunity to graduate with the same degree without making another attempt – or several! – to improve your GMAT scores.

If you have more than eight years of work experience, you could consider applying to an EMBA program; most of those have rolling admissions every month. However, for this option, you must be actively employed and able to present a letter to the program from your employer stating that appropriate allowances will be made for you to attend the program as needed. Non-U.S. candidates are not eligible for EMBA programs unless they are working in the United States. You cannot get a student visa for a part-time program.

Options for Non-U.S. Citizens

If you are an international student, you are not a good R3 candidate for U.S. fall-entry MBA programs because of possible visa issues. However, there are alternatives that might put you in a business school classroom in the coming year. First, if your heart is set on building your career in the United States, then there are some program options to consider here. For example, if your goals are in finance, you might consider a Master of Financial Engineering degree from Berkeley-Haas (the R3 deadline is June 5) or an MS in finance from Georgetown (the R5 deadline is May 2, and R6’s is June 20).  Columbia offers a Master of Applied Analytics whose final deadline is June 1. 

Options Available Outside the United States

MBA aspirants who wish to pursue international careers might consider top MBA programs in Europe and Canada. Cambridge Judge has one remaining deadline for this year: May 6. And IESE has an R4 deadline of May 6. Similarly, opportunities are still available to apply for INSEAD’s August intake, for which the R2 deadline is April 22, R3’s is June 17, and R4’s is August 5.

Opportunities to Address Your Weaknesses

Finally, if your heart is still set on HBS and its full-time U.S. program peers, early release offers you time to assess your application profile and address any weaknesses over the next seven months. Many applicants find Accepted’s rejection review the perfect starting point in identifying the parts of their application and profile that would benefit from improvement. 

Have you made a noticeable impact beyond the norm in your professional role? Have you demonstrated deep community engagement? Is your GMAT/GRE score meeting (or ideally, exceeding) your target program’s average score? If not, this is a great time to take action and patch those holes.

If you would like a free profile review to identify weaknesses in your profile or shortcomings in your previous applications, register for a free consultation.

Related Resources

• Harvard Business School MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines 
• Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Selecting the Right One
• Rejection and Reapplication: How to Respond, podcast Episode 523

The post Rejected by Harvard Business School – Now What? appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

For many business degree hopefuls, the MBA remains the gold standard of graduate management education, and not without reason – an MBA can be the start of a new chapter in your life. Professionally, it can help you accelerate your career or make a career pivot. Academically, it can help fill gaps in hard and soft skills. Personally, it can help you discover more about yourself. For these reasons, many cite their MBA experience as being transformative. 

An MBA is the goal for many people who aim to pursue a business career. But what about individuals who have the desire to pursue graduate management study and start making their mark in the business world but don’t meet the work experience requirement of most MBA programs? Is gaining acceptance to business school without work experience possible? The short answer is yes, it is! The two most common paths for candidates in this situation are pre-experience master’s programs and deferred MBA programs.

Pre-experience/Early Career Programs

The terms “pre-experience” and “early career” are used interchangeably, but they both refer to programs that cater to recent graduates (“recent” meaning fewer than three years out of college). While the first offering in this category was the general management MiM (master’s in management) degree, the portfolio of programs now includes master’s degrees in finance, innovation and entrepreneurship, and data analytics, to name but a few options you might find at business schools today. Business master’s (BMs) degrees in data science, accounting, finance, and health administration are generally the most searched BM programs in the United States.

Applicants in this category are commonly referred to as pre-experience or early career candidates, and this market continues to be popular; according to GMAT Geographic Trend Report: Testing Year 2024, while global GMAT scores are most often sent to MBA programs (63% of them are), the proportion of GMAT score reports sent to BM programs has declined from 36% in 2020 to 30% in 2024. Although pursuing an MiM or similar program doesn’t negate the need for an MBA down the road (indeed, you will find individuals with both an MiM and an MBA), these programs are excellent choices for recent graduates looking to explore their options in the business world. 

Candidates who opt to pursue their business studies now, rather than waiting until they’ve earned a few years of work experience, might do so for a few reasons: they might want to specialize early on in a certain area, such as finance or marketing, to enter a specific function; they might want to “convert” their liberal arts or science degree into a business career; or they might come from a business undergraduate degree but want to better understand how theory is applied in the real world so they can hit the ground running in their post-graduate job. Whatever the candidate’s reason, these degrees provide an excellent foundation and help individuals build the skills, knowledge, career support, and network to get a head start in their careers. Additionally, some MBA programs provide a path for their MiM students to return to complete their MBA as a second-year student.

Deferred MBA programs allow students in their final year of study (or just after, if they’re pursuing a master’s without full-time work experience) to secure a seat in the MBA classroom before gaining the generally required work experience. These programs tend to attract highflyers – students with excellent academic credentials and internships, who have demonstrated leadership potential, and who have already started formulating career goals. These candidates understand, and can articulate, how an MBA will help them achieve their goals. These programs are a great option, because they offer security (you don’t have to worry about studying for the GMAT and writing applications while juggling your busy work schedule!) and add some clout to your resume (“Wow, already accepted to an MBA program before you’ve even graduated? Impressive!”). Of course, as with anything, there are pros and cons, so it’s important to determine whether committing yourself to a deferred program makes sense with your career plans. If you decide that a deferred MBA program is the best option for you, bear in mind that they are incredibly competitive. 

Here’s some information to help you better understand which schools offer deferred MBA programs and what these programs are all about. (Information is accurate as of February 2025.)

Harvard Business School 2+2 Program 

Harvard’s 2+2 program is what the name implies – a minimum of two years (four, maximum) of work experience, followed by two years of MBA study. Harvard is looking for “innovative thinkers who have demonstrated leadership and analytical skills and want to develop their knowledge and passion to make a difference in the world.” And this difference doesn’t have to be in a “traditional” business area. In fact, the 2+2 shows some preference for candidates who are pursuing paths “that aren’t as well established”; this could include candidates who plan to work in an operating company, come from a lower socioeconomic background, are first-generation college students, aim to pursue a technically demanding role, or aspire to entrepreneurism. So, if you’re not focused on joining one of the “big three” strategy consulting firms, don’t let that stop you from applying. You might just be what the 2+2 is looking for.

New York University (NYU) Stern NYU x NYU/Stern Program

Undergraduates from NYU’s College of Arts and Science, Tandon School of Engineering, Global Liberal Studies program, Stern School of Business, and Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development can opt to join the full-time, two-year MBA program at Stern (without needing to take the GMAT or GRE) two to five years after they graduate. Financial support is a big pull with this program – accepted students are granted an Early Advancement Award of $10,000, which covers part of their MBA tuition. These students are also eligible for other Stern scholarships, including the Berkley Early Advancement Fellowship, which covers all fees and tuition for the year in which they matriculate. Accepted students with an interest in technology or in the fashion and luxury industries, and who have relevant post-undergraduate experience, can enroll in the Andre Koo Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA program or the Fashion & Luxury MBA program, rather than the traditional two-year MBA program.

Columbia Business School (CBS) Deferred Enrollment Program

CBS’s deferred admissions option offers flexibility; admitted students can explore the professional world for two to five years before beginning their MBA studies at a time that works best for them. This is a great opportunity for individuals who are looking to explore their career options and develop a better understanding of their business interests and passions. The flexibility continues once students begin their studies; they can specify in a letter of intent whether they prefer the 16-month (January) program or the 20-month (August) program, the latter of which includes a summer internship. Having spent time in industry or entrepreneurship during the deferment period can help students determine which MBA journey will offer the teaching and experience they need to achieve their desired professional and academic development.

Wharton Moelis Advance Access Program

Wharton’s deferred admissions program offers recent undergraduate or master’s degree students the chance to work for two to four years before joining the MBA program as a Moelis Fellow. The program is meant for “students who are ambitious, innovative, and prepared to use a sense of professional liberty to maximize their early career experiences.” In addition to seeking proactive, motivated students, Wharton encourages admits to take professional risks during the deferment period and take advantage of the opportunity to “pursue [their] early years with increased confidence and risk-tolerance.”   

Stanford Graduate School of Business Deferred Enrollment Program

Stanford’s program offers something that most do not – deferred MBA admits are able to take as little as one year (but no more than four) to gain experience before beginning their MBA studies. It is open to students in either the final year of their bachelor’s or joint bachelor/graduate program, and to those in a graduate program that they started immediately after their undergraduate study. We should note that Stanford uses the same evaluation criteria for deferred candidates as it does for applicants to its full-time MBA program, assessing how they think, lead, and see the world.

Stanford cites deferred enrollment as a good option for candidates who are unsure of their long-term professional path and feel they would benefit from gaining full-time work experience first. The school also indicates that some industries – such as private equity, biotech, and management consulting – recruit only MBA candidates who have either pre-MBA experience in that field or specialized knowledge. So, taking time out to gain that experience and knowledge can be valuable in ultimately achieving your post-MBA career goals. 

Interested in a dual degree option? Some of Stanford’s programs allow you to wait until the first year of your MBA to apply for a dual degree; others prefer that you apply in the year immediately before you matriculate in the Deferred Enrollment Program.

Stanford expects admitted students to “pursue opportunities that enable [them] to build expertise, enhance [their] skills and knowledge, expand [their] perspective, and develop professional judgment and self-confidence” during the deferral period. So you will need to reflect on what activities will allow you to develop and how you should spend your pre-MBA time.

Kellogg Future Leaders Deferred Enrollment Program

“Graduate with the confidence that incredible things are ahead.” Kellogg’s deferred enrollment program allows admitted students to work for two to five years before beginning their MBA journey. The admissions committee wants to get to know you and to understand your motivations and why Kellogg is a fit for you. Master’s and undergraduate students (excluding law, medical, and PhD students, who apply through the standard admissions process) can come from any study discipline and either graduated in the past year, are in their final year, or went straight into graduate study post-bachelor’s.

The usual admissions requirements apply – test scores, essays, letters of recommendation, interviews – for some candidates, but not all. Applicants who are already engaged in undergraduate studies at Northwestern are exempt from having to take either the GMAT or GRE, so that’s one application requirement that can be ticked off the list for candidates already wearing the purple N.

Yale School of Management Silver Scholars Program

Yale’s program works slightly differently from the other deferred admissions programs on this list. College seniors earn their MBA in a fast-tracked, three-year format immediately after they complete their undergraduate degree. The program structure is as follows: Year 1 covers the core curriculum, Year 2 involves a full-time internship, and Year 3 comprises electives. The opportunity to develop academic skills while simultaneously gaining professional experience is a unique one. In addition, Silver Scholars learn alongside students from Yale’s traditional MBA program. Access to knowledge and experience? Check!

Yale says, “Silver Scholars are chosen for their combination of intelligence and common sense, maturity and curiosity, passion and compassion. Each has made a difference and distinguished themselves in a particular field of interest.” You’ll need to ensure that you really stand out through the application process (which is largely the same as for the traditional MBA program). Remember, you’ll be studying alongside students with five years of professional experience. You’ll need to convince the adcom that you have what it takes to contribute to classroom discussion and debate.

Chicago Booth Scholars Program

Chicago Booth’s program is open to students who plan to pursue either the full-time or part-time MBA and allows candidates to apply before they graduate from college, then defer and gain professional experience for two to five years before enrolling in one of the school’s MBA programs. Booth cites flexibility as one of the major differentiators. Booth Scholars have the option of pursuing the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA, if one of those programs is a better fit with their career objectives.

Booth says that candidates for the Scholars Program “demonstrate intellectual curiosity, personal maturity, competitive scores, and leadership” and that they “have a history of substantive internships or part-time jobs and/or an entrepreneurial spirit.” The application essays make clear that successful candidates need to be able to articulate their career goals and where the MBA fits in. The school wants intelligent, independent thinkers with a considered career map. Although one’s professional goals can change during the deferment period, of course, the adcom wants to see that candidates have taken the time to think through their career path and how attending Booth aligns with it.

UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Program

Darden’s program allows final-year undergraduate students, or full-time master’s students without work experience, to work for two to five years before starting their MBA studies. Student backgrounds are diverse, because Darden aims to recruit individuals who bring to campus a range of abilities and professional and academic experience. In 2024, 121 Future Scholars were admitted and were in the deferral period, busy enhancing their professional experience. This group comprises an internationally (20%) and academically (46% non-business degrees) diverse group of students hailing from 16 countries and 43 undergraduate institutions. Applicants are evaluated in three areas: academics, extracurricular involvement, and personal characteristics. While the latter of these criteria is vague, the adcom does say that the school is looking for individuals who “aspire to be future ethical leaders and managers in a global world.” Putting thought into why you have the potential to be this kind of future leader, and whether your values align with Darden’s, would be time well spent.

MIT Sloan Early Admission

If you are an “ambitious and forward-thinking student,” Sloan’s deferred admissions option might suit you. It is open to final-year students who will not enroll in a PhD, MD, or JD program immediately after graduation and to those in graduate study (who started immediately after completing their bachelor’s) without full-time work experience, except for internships or co-op experiences. Accepted students can work for two to five years before joining the MBA program.

The admissions process is slightly different for Early Admission candidates, and the application calendar differs for non-MIT undergrads. Candidates are required to submit a 300-word cover letter demonstrating their fit with the school. MIT is quite specific about who it’s looking for. The school wants “thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world … people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative … who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to pre-empt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas.” There is a lot to think about and squeeze into a one-page cover letter, so carefully consider how you fulfill the program’s stated criteria. Additionally, candidates must submit a resume and a 60-second video in which they introduce themselves to the class. This video is an excellent opportunity to show your personality and bring the person introduced in your cover letter to life. A second video is required in whish applicants must respond to open-ended questions that are randomly generated.

Additionally, interested MIT students who have a cumulative GPA of 4.2 or higher are in luck, because they can waive the GMAT/GRE.

Berkeley’s Accelerated Access Program 

Berkeley’s Accelerated Access Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students and encourages domestic and international candidates with diverse backgrounds and academic areas of study to apply. Admitted students not only have access to the full-time MBA program but are also eligible for consideration for dual degree programs.

Students are required to work for a minimum of two years before beginning their MBA studies but are allotted a maximum of five years in which to explore their career interests. Although Berkeley does not require its deferred students to follow particular career paths, it prods them to pursue “employment that enhances [their] leadership profile and prepares [them] to contribute to the mission-driven business community” at the school. To ensure that admitted students are meeting the required criteria, some admissions offers are conditional, and students are required to attend check-ins with a Berkeley Haas advisor or career coach. Additionally, a review might be conducted prior to the intended enrollment date to ensure that the student has met the required terms. 

Carnegie Mellon Tepper Future Business Leaders Deferred MBA Admissions Program

In February 2021, Tepper joined the deferred admissions space with its Future Business Leaders program, which allows students to defer for up to four years while they gain professional experience. The program is open to college seniors who plan to graduate from a U.S. university in the current academic year and do not yet have full-time work experience. The school says that “competitive applicants will have a strong academic record, professional internships, and undergraduate leadership experience.” Tepper’s adcom also expects candidates to have put some thought into their career goals and why the program format is a good fit for them (essay alert!). The GMAT/GRE is waived for Carnegie Mellon students, and admits are eligible to apply for scholarships, with decisions to be made at the time of matriculation.

Georgetown McDonough MBA Advanced Access Program 

The most recent player on the MBA deferred admissions scene is Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, with its MBA Advanced Access Program (MAAP). The program allows candidates who are either in their final year of undergraduate studies or in graduate school – and have no full-time work experience – to apply for deferred enrollment. Accepted students can secure a place in the class two years out from when they apply, with the option of extending this time period to three or four years.

The application process is thorough. In addition to the standard written application essay (candidates have three question options to choose from) and video essay, MAAP candidates must complete program-specific essays. The prompts for these essays ask candidates not just about their career goals but also about where they stand in working to achieve them. Additionally, applicants are expected to describe their personal and professional development plans. So, you’ll want to take some time to reflect on how you can present yourself as a proactive, principled future leader who will contribute to the school’s community and make an impact in the business world.

If these options sound interesting, but you’re still unsure whether you should study for a master’s now or wait to pursue an MBA, schedule a free consultation with an Accepted admissions expert today!

Related Resources:

• MBA Acceptance Rates: The Selectivity Index
• Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for MBA Applicants
• Retaking the GMAT with a 700 – Should You Consider It?

The post Deferred MBA Programs and Other Options for MBA Hopefuls with No Work Experience appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Congratulations! You’ve just completed another step on the road to acceptance to Harvard Business School (HBS) – your interview. Now, you have 24 hours to send HBS your Post-Interview Reflection (PIR). So let’s get started!

When it comes to this part of the process, there’s really one major thing you need to do – reflect! 

How to Reflect Efficiently and Effectively

As soon as possible after your interview, sit down and think about everything that happened during your meeting. Try to complete the first three tips on the following list immediately after your interview.     

1. Think about any of your responses that might not have been as clear as you wanted them to be.

Make note of any answers you gave in which you didn’t hit the nail on the head or your logic or story was a little fuzzy. Was the point you were trying to make relevant and important? If not, let it go. If it was, consider how you could clarify the point in your PIR.     

2. Analyze any responses you gave that you feel were incomplete.

Jot down any points you would have liked to have made if you’d thought of them during the interview. What should you have included?

3. Take note of the responses you feel you did a great job on.

Take a moment to appreciate the answers you gave that were on point — where your thought process was organized, you were articulate, and you conveyed your response clearly. Give yourself a pat on the back! But then move on – there’s no need to be redundant or circle back to these responses.

4. Choose the elements you want to focus on in your PIR.

Most of the content of your PIR should come from what you identified in the first two tips on this list. Focus on the points that relate to what you most want HBS to learn and remember about you.     

Because you don’t want your PIR to be only about clarifications and adding things you forgot to mention in your interview, make sure to also weave in and close with a reference to something in the interview you feel you aced – but do so in a way that is additive or enhances meaning, rather than being redundant.       

Also, don’t shy away from reflecting on the interaction itself. Think about what you learned during or from the interview experience. For example, did the interviewer question you on a topic from a perspective you hadn’t considered before? Did you gain insight from being thoughtfully challenged on an answer? Showing that you are always learning and thinking – always open to reevaluating experiences and ideas – can only help your case.

Lastly, you can also show enthusiasm by reiterating that HBS is the MBA program for you and stating how and why the interview experience reaffirmed that for you.

5. In terms of tone, think of your PIR as a one-on-one conversation with another person.

As HBS advises, “Think of it… as an email you might write to a colleague or supervisor after a meeting.” While this email metaphor connotes dialogue and conversation, it does not imply – or permit – a lack of professionalism. Write your PIR as you would a business email: you can use the first (“I”) and second (“you”) person. Keep it cordial, and be sure that it is well written, grammatically correct, and professional. 

6. Keep it concise.

Don’t repeat any information that was conveyed in your application. The HBS adcom already has that on file and has reviewed it. And don’t repeat what you said in the interview. They’ve heard that information already, too. 

7. Say “thank you!”

Be sure to express your thanks for your interviewer’s time and the school’s continued consideration. Your social IQ is on display. They’ve invested time into reviewing your application and meeting with you. Make sure to say, “Thank you.” 

Make Your Reflection Meaningful

To ensure that your PIR is meaningful, focus on being introspective and specific. Rather than just summarizing the interview, dive deeper into how the experience affected your understanding of yourself, your goals, and your fit with HBS. 

Reflect on both your strengths and your areas for growth, showing that you can learn from the experience. Relate key moments of the interview to your long-term vision and how they reinforced or reshaped your desire to pursue an MBA at HBS. A meaningful reflection conveys self-awareness, maturity, and a genuine passion for the program.

Using the seven tips we just presented will make writing your PIR a much easier experience. And the result will be a more effective, compelling statement that puts the final, lasting shine on your application.

Good luck!       

Related Resources:

• Harvard Business School MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines 
• Rejected by HBS – Now What?
• Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for MBA Applicants

The post Seven Important Tips for Your HBS Post-Interview Reflection appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

How to Respond to the New Harvard Business School HBS MBA Application

Show Summary

In this episode, Linda Abraham invites Accepted consultants Esmeralda Cardenal and Kelly Wilson to discuss the updates to the Harvard Business School application and provide insights into how applicants can approach the essays. They emphasize that HBS is still looking for leaders who have made an impact and can grow in any environment. While the criteria may be similar to before, the way applicants communicate their experiences has changed. The panelists advise applicants to focus on the entire application, not just the essays, and to demonstrate growth, leadership, and curiosity throughout. They also discuss the potential impact of the new essay requirements and the importance of authenticity in the application process.

Show Notes

Welcome to the 585th episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for tuning in. 

Are you applying to Harvard and other top MBA programs? We have a panel discussion today focused on the changes to the Harvard Business School application. If you like what you hear, I invite you to check out Accepted’s services and take advantage of our free consultation offer. It’s like a free sample, if you will. You can request any of our panelists to provide a free consultation and potentially work with you on your application. To sign up for your free call, please provide the information requested at www.accepted.com/mbafreecall. 

Our panelists today are Esmeralda Cardenal, former director of admissions at top MBA programs, and an experienced Accepted MBA admissions consultant, and Kelly Wilson, former admissions director and dean, and now an experienced Accepted MBA admissions consultant. 

Welcome back to Admissions Straight Talk. [2:00]

[EC] Thank you.

[KW] Kelly Wilson:

I’m delighted you can both join me. 

Harvard Business School has changed things up this year. It has completely rewritten its criteria, completely changed its essay questions, and added a written test requirement for those taking the GMAT Focus, which is currently the only GMAT exam available for applicants. To me, the most significant– and I might add underrated change – is a change in the criteria. The new essay questions are getting all the attention, and they are certainly important and deserving of attention, but the application is more than just the essay questions. 

I’d like to start with the criteria. Panelists, what do you think of the new criteria? [2:03]

[EC] I think Harvard is still looking for basically the same things he had before. A lot of people talking about the change of essays, the change of essays. But at the end of the day, I think they’re still looking for a leader who has made an impact, who is able to grow in whatever circumstances or environment they have developed. I don’t see that as a big difference. The way that you have to communicate that information is now different, but I think the criteria stay the same or basically the same as before. With that in mind, I think that even if the essay questions are shorter, a lot of people have said, “Oh, the new essay questions don’t lead to deep introspection, et cetera,” but I would actually disagree with that because since the criteria are the same, they’re still looking for these three key areas. You still need to do deep introspection to make sure that you fit, that you have stories like that that align. Then you’re able to answer then the essay questions separately.

[KW] The way I was thinking about this, I agree that I don’t think they’re that different. What I looked at was the old criteria, and then I looked at the section in your application we’ll look for, and there’s a lot of parallels there. I agree that it’s positioned differently with the business minded, leadership focused, growth oriented. But once you dig into what they’re looking for, I think it’s very similar.

I agree with you. There are some differences. I think there’s a greater emphasis on diversity here. I also think they’re a little bit more Stanford-like, frankly, in their focus on change. 

I visited a professor at Harvard Business School several years ago, and at one point he asked me, “What do you see as the common thread in your clients who are accepted to Harvard Business School?” I thought for a minute and said, “Leadership and impact.” He smiled and the conversation moved on. Then at the end, I said, “Wait a minute. What do you see as the common thread in your students?” As many clients as we’ve had accepted to Harvard Business School, he’s certainly still seen a lot more Harvard Business School students than I had. He smiled again and he said, “I was smiling because I was thinking the same. That’s what I see as the main common thread among all our students. They’re incredibly diverse in where they’ve led and where they’ve had that impact, but they’re all leaders who’ve had impact.” Again, that conversation was several years ago. But given how slowly schools change, I don’t think that has changed or is going to change. [6:30]

[KW] What did you mean when you said you see more about diversity here?

It says, “Leadership takes many forms in many contexts…They must develop and nurture diverse teams…We create a class that includes different kinds of leaders, from the frontline manager to the startup founder to the behind the scenes thought leader…We are looking for individuals who desire to broaden their perspectives through creative problem solving, active listening, and lively discussions.” That’s where I was seeing it. [8:01]

[KW] The reason I ask is because I would say I think, and I’m curious if you all agree, given that the Supreme Court decision no longer allows admissions to include the factor of race, I think schools needed to find a way to invite examples that might incorporate aspects of diversity that will be able to convey different experiences that people have. I’m glad you pointed that out because that was something that I think is an interesting part of the shorter questions and the more specific prompts, but I’m getting ahead of ourselves maybe.

I think you’re making a very valid point. The main reason I wanted to start with the criteria is I think applicants need to know that when they’re filling these applications out that it’s not just the essays. As important as the essays are, it’s the boxes too. When they’re asking about your family background, if you come from a disadvantaged background and you’ve now made it to Harvard or Yale or you’re a top student, well, that’s a sign of growth. I think that’s a key point here. In terms of the post-MBA goal, what kind of impact do you hope to have? Maybe your short-term post-MBA goal is to get a job in X, Y, Z. But that’s not really impact;, that’s getting a job. How do you see it going beyond? They might even have changed that to post-MBA aspiration. How can applicants show these qualities throughout the application? [9:32]

[EC] What I would say is it’s not only the essays. It’s not only the essays. It is very, very important that the resume tells a story as well. Usually, for a lot of the time, and that’s what happened when I was admissions director, the resume will be the very first thing that you read. If the resume is vague or doesn’t really convey that many accomplishments or impact, then I would glance over it a little bit quicker than if the resume had a lot of meat, a lot of information in there. I think it should tell the same story that you’re telling in the essays. Then also the letters of recommendation should also corroborate the story you’re telling, the growth mindset, how great of a leader you are, and how you’ve led, and how you have turned around from a situation of weakness, let’s say, or a room for improvement. Things like that and your business mindset. I think that those two things need to of course talk besides everything else, besides the career aspirations and everything. You have to still think through the criteria as you prepare every item of the application.

[KW] I agree with Esme in terms of how she’s talking about the component parts. I do think that there is an initial inclination anyway just to focus on the essay because that does feel like the biggest part of the application where candidates are conveying who they are and what they’ve done. The reality is every piece of that application is a perspective of that person. Those components should work together, for sure. An applicant should step back and make sure that the full application in the holistic aspect of it conveys a cohesive story. It’s beyond just looking at the essay questions.

In terms of the resume or the work history or the activity history, which are probably the meatier parts of the boxes, what are some of the pitfalls that applicants need to avoid in completing them? [13:06]

[KW] I alluded to what I’m about to say here, but I think a pitfall is for an applicant to think about their candidacy as just in one lane when the reality is they need to think about it from these varying perspectives. There’s not one right answer or one right type of experience for someone to draw on. I think the authenticity is something that candidates should strive for as they’re pulling together all of the components of their application to demonstrate who they are.

[EC] I would say that a common pitfall that I see over and over again, and Kelly hastouched a little bit on this before, is the overemphasis on the essays and the underemphasis on the other parts of the application. Oftentimes I see clients rushing through the application boxes because they feel that it’s less important, and these are just as important. I would say that that’s a common thing that you have to… I make my clients all, once they have decided to apply to school, to create an account and start filling the personal information part of the application for two reasons.

One, so they can start receiving the communications from the school, but the second reason is so that they are aware of the length of the portal and how many questions they have to answer and give themselves time to answer each one of those questions. I think those questions plus the essays, the resume, and every item of the application, it is a whole. Conveys all the stories. There are parts of your background that you might not be able to answer them in the essays, but that you will be able to for reasons for leaving a job or gaps in your resume or any other parts of extracurricular activities or things like that that you can actually explain in the application boxes. But you need to spend time on them, especially because they are so limited in characters and wording.

The only thing I would add to what you both have said is in terms of the resume, work, and activity history sections, don’t just describe what you did, describe the impact that you had. Both Kelly and Esmeralda have said the achievements that you had, the leadership roles you had. Admittedly, you don’t have a lot of room. So to the extent possible, quantify, because that’s one very succinct way to highlight not just what you did but what you’ve done, the results that you’ve achieved. It’s not just about your responsibilities, it’s about results. That’s the impact that Harvard wants to see in those sections. That can really, again, help you bring out and show that you have the business-minded focus, leadership focus, and growth mentality that Harvard is looking for. 

Let’s turn to the essay questions. Do you have suggestions for approaching the new essays? [15:45]

[EC] For the business-minded essay, first of all, keep in mind that you’re going to have also the career aspirations essay, which is I believe 500 characters long. You don’t want to repeat that information there. What I would do is, first of all, they’re asking for a reflection of your experiences. Not for your experience, but experiences. I would describe, provide a short summary of those experiences, how they have influenced your career. Then focus more on, I would say the impact that you would have in the mid to long-term.

Because if career aspirations are going to have your short term, you’re going to decide what you’re going to do after the MBA, role, industry, et cetera. I would not talk about those in this essay, you only have 300 words, but should be maybe a reflection of what you’ve done up to now and what you plan to do later on in the future and the anticipated impact that you see coming in. I see this as more of a goal essay, but taking in mind that you’re going to have another goals essay very short and to the point in the form, so you have to manage those two.

[KW] I would just add as you think about your experiences and you think about how did that change you? How did that shape you? The word influenced here is all of us have life experiences that direct us forward, and we get to decide how we use that life experience in the choices we make. I think it’s really important to understand that it is because of your experiences that you think about things in the way you do. I agree that the forward-looking conversation around the impact that the candidate plans to have in the business organizations or community, the forward-looking, is I would say most important part of this essay.

Let’s discuss the leadership-focused essay, what suggestions do you have for applicants? [21:20]

[KW] Again, we’re drawing on the experiences and how that has changed who we are or helped defined who we are. I think here it’s important to really think about opportunities to lead, whether it’s formal or informal. How have you made someone’s life better, invested in others, and to demonstrate that you have an idea of how this investment should work, but then going beyond again to how do you want to further develop? Some applicants will not have as much experience in formal leadership at least, but certainly with coming to business school have an idea of going forward into their career and thinking about how they want to be known as a leader and what kind of leadership traits that as an applicant you want to carry through your career, I think is an important thing to share here.

[EC] I think it’s very important that they say back to the criteria, it doesn’t matter if they have had or not a formal leadership role. That is a big question that I see coming up again and again for my clients when they said, “Oh, I am not a project manager. Oh, I don’t have this role.” I’m working with a client right now whose role is software engineer too, whatever that is, but he has had not only promotions but also leads team in different countries, et cetera. He is a leader, whether his role in that direct… He has no one that he is supervising directly, but he’s still a leader. I think you have to keep that in mind in terms of when they talk about leadership focus, a lot of people say, “Oh, I haven’t had leadership,” or no, maybe you do, so let’s explore what you have done.

Also, I think that a lot of questions we have to raise to ourselves answering the essays about this to answer this essay. For instance, when have I been a source of inspiration to others? How others took my initiative… I mean my ideas and roll with it? What happened to those things? I think it is good to recognize if you have been a leader already. If you already been the leader that you want to be and say what other areas you would like to develop to be even a stronger leader. I think it’s a lot of self asking questions about how your experiences, especially if you haven’t had a formal leadership role, and be able to put that into paper in terms of saying how that has shaped you and where you want to go from there.

I agree with both of you. I just want to add a couple of points. I think Esme, you were touching on this. Years ago, I was at a class and the speaker was speaking about the difference between leadership by status and leadership by stature. You can also say leadership by virtue of talent or by virtue of title. If you are a leader by virtue of title, you might want to touch on how you earned that title. Again, you don’t have to touch on it in all places, but you can touch on in different places some of these things so that you’re not repeating yourself. How did you get the title? What have you done with it? How have you nurtured and empowered those people working with you or under you? Also quantify how many people you’ve led.

Years ago, my son was on the yearbook committee at his high school. He found the program they were using – I think it was Photoshop – really fascinating. The professional who was guiding them was urging all members on the yearbook committee to learn the program. Well, he sat down every night and worked to master this program. The person who was initially chosen to be the chair of the yearbook committee didn’t, and the yearbook fell behind. My son is a fairly quiet guy. He’s not your flashy kind at all. He’d learned the program, so he was helping everybody on the committee. When the chair who had been elected and selected finally admitted he wasn’t capable of leading it, they all chose my son because he’s the one who’d applied himself and mastered the tool. They got it done in time for graduation which was a big question at the time. 

I assume that applicants to Harvard would have more current examples than something from their senior year of high school, but that is a very simple example of somebody who assumed a leadership role based on what he had done by virtue of his character and his diligence. Keep that in mind. Again, you want to provide examples whether you have a title or not, how you got the title, how you’ve used the title to empower others, and also remember to indicate somewhere, not in all places, but somewhere, how many people you’ve led.

Let’s move to the growth-oriented essay. [24:17]

[EC] I would recommend if you use professional examples for the first tool, this is a great way to use a personal example, so the admissions committee gets to know you. I would also try to use the STAR method, the situation, task, action, results, just to keep it focused on how you’ve grown, what the situation has, how you’ve grown and the results that came from it. Definitely keeping the curiosity and the passions in mind as you do this. I would say be creative in terms of this is your time to shine in terms of sharing with admissions committee who you are, what you do.

For instance, if you are… Again, if you are an engineer and have worked in [inaudible 00:28:58], maybe this should be something about completely different that is not, let’s say. I would say to just keep that in mind. Keep that in mind. You don’t want to talk about the same things in each essay. Even if you use different examples, you want to change it a little bit. Also, ideally, always keeping the growth mindset. How you’ve grown. That’s why I think that you have to have a cause and effect or a start method where you presented before and the after, and so that they can clearly see how you’ve grown.

[KW] I just want to underscore a little bit of what Esme said, the idea of being able to choose an example that might be a little bit different. I think this is the easiest place to be creative with the answer. I’m thinking about a client that I’ve worked with who had an engineering background and was also a piano player. He had this right brain, left brain thing going on, which I thought was really interesting. He talked about wanting to learn more about this one particular composer and spending his time doing that. He was able to convey how that curiosity, that desire to learn more about something that he didn’t know about in terms of being a pianist, really rounded out this art form that he really has loved. To me that’s an example that you could expand on that would be very different than a work example, but also I think the idea of really being motivated and underscoring the curiosity I think could lead to a really interesting example here.

I also like the idea of using this for a non-work activity. Going back to the diversity point that we made earlier, curiosity can be seen in many ways. I also want to point out that this is the one essay where Harvard says, “Please share an example.” One example. I think that Esme’s and Kelly’s point about using the STAR or CAR approach… They only want one example here. It makes storytelling much easier. 

Everybody’s going to be writing about leadership. Everybody’s going to be writing about business orientation. Everybody’s going to be writing about growth. I think the old question allowed for more individuality than these questions do, but Harvard still wants this diverse class and still wants this different perspective. How can they be individuals, given the tight word limits and the more directed questions in this application? [30:45]

[EC] First of all, I think that there are a lot of people saying that these new essay questions don’t allow for deep introspection. I actually disagree. They are just different. They’re different, they’re shorter, but you still need to do the introspection in order to answer them. We at Accepted… I really love the questionnaire that we give out to our new clients because it allows them to really do that introspection and put down in the screen too and then paper, what they’ve done, achievements, everything. We ask these questions, we lead the client to answer this questionnaire for this introspection to happen. I think that is a very, very important step that you need to do to answer these essays.

My very first advice would be you want to write more before you write less. Don’t attempt to write your first raft of 250 words and write 250 words because it is going to be nearly impossible. If you get to do it, more often than not you won’t be saying anything because people get to be so focused on saying very little that you ended up saying very little of everything. What I would say is write freely, answer the question freely first. Then once you have the example and you have all the items and example, then that’s when you start cutting it down until you take out all the fats and leave it to 300 or 250 words. That will be my actually very first advice on how to approach these essays. Kelly, I’m sure you have more so I’m not [inaudible 00:34:11]-

[KW] I’m thinking, Esme, back to an answer you gave earlier, which was to make sure that your clients are starting an application early and really understanding what all of the questions within the application are asking. That’s where I was thinking of from the standpoint is start with the end in mind as you’re getting ready to think about essays. Step back and think about what does the rest of the application tell HBS about you, and what are the things that they don’t yet know that could differentiate you? Then prioritize those things by which would give you… Or which would give them insights into who you are and how the program will be better because you’re there as a student and as an alum.

Exactly what you said, Esme, I start by answering without considering the word count. Then I think the first edit is to… One of the first things to do is to think about what detail can be rolled up and what detail is critical to leave in terms of getting to that word count. Then when even the first round of editing is done, let’s make sure that we go back to that beginning and the things that you want to make sure that you’re conveying that they weren’t edited out because we’re rolling some of the detail up. I think that’s the challenge with the shorter essays, for sure, is to be able to tell the story you want to tell and convey the appropriate detail where it’s needed.

I think you’re both giving great suggestions. What I sometimes recommend applicants do is start with notes. I’m not talking about essays or full sentences. List the things you want the school to know, in this case Harvard to know. Then look at the places you’re going to have to show them whether the resume, the work history, the activity history, the essays, and fill it in. This is so that there’s minimal overlap and the reader is getting the fullest picture of the applicant. 

Given Harvard’s desire to have this diverse class, you want to highlight your multidimensionality so that you’re not just going to be in one bucket. You’re going to fill several buckets and several different needs that they want to have in their class or labels that they want to have in their class, assuming they’re looking for that.

There are also mechanics in writing that will put your writing on a diet. Give it Ozempic. Use the active voice for more vigorous writing. If you write, “The boy threw the ball,” or, “The ball was thrown by the boy,” the latter is the passive voice, and it’s much wordier. You don’t want that. Use the active voice. 

There are also lots of things you can do to put your writing on a diet. Did you come to the conclusion that something happened or did you conclude? Did you make a decision or did you decide? If you can use a verb where there are nouns, you are almost always making your writing more concise. There are other tricks like that. “He went in a hurry,” or “He hurried.” Any of those things will just make your writing more concise and allow you to reveal more about your experience and qualifications. 

Do you think these essays are going to be easier or harder for applicants this year than the one long question that they had previously? [35:48]

[KW] As I was thinking about the impact of the new essay questions from the school’s perspective, I think it’s a much more directed prompt that likely will give them specific information that they’re seeking, right? The broader, longer essay allows for more leeway and many schools are going to several short essays. I was just looking at a couple of other schools that have done the same thing, but and so I think that in some respects it’s harder, but I think now that we have the tip of putting your writing on a diet, super helpful. But I do think it’s harder to convey a story with fewer words because you may not be able to be as descriptive. I think this is where we can help candidates as they’re really going through this essay process, help them to achieve the essay that they’d like to have at the end.

[EC] What I would say is, yes, it’s easier to come up with examples. They’re pretty much asking you what you need to write about. The part of not knowing what to write about, of course you don’t have to worry about that anymore. That’s easier. What I think is harder is to stand out because everybody’s going to be writing about leadership, everybody’s going to be writing about growth. How do you stand out from everybody else? Especially if you have an overrepresented background in terms of industry focus, et cetera. How do you stand out? I think that’s going to be the key here.

That’s what I think you have to… But if you keep your… Again, if you still do your introspection, and if you have a story of what you want to say and diversify what you’re going to say where, like you said Linda, I think that you will be able to still convey it. But if you just approach the essays, okay, I’m going to find examples for this and just write the essays without thinking about other parts of the application, then I think you might have a harder time standing out from everybody else who’s doing exactly the same.

I think it’s interesting you’re saying that the more conventional applicant is going to have a harder time standing out. I would say the more distinctive applicant is going to have a harder time standing out because there are fewer places to show that distinctiveness, thinking of some of the older Harvard essay questions. But I think the bottom line is everybody’s going to have a hard time standing out because the questions are so focused and so short. I think that’s going to be the challenge with this set of questions. I think on one hand, as you said, Kelly, it means that Harvard is probably going to get answers that are giving it more of what it wants as opposed to the more open-ended question that was there previously. 

The last major change in Harvard’s application is the requirement for applicants who are taking the GMAT Focus, if invited to interview, to also take a writing assessment. Why do you believe Harvard is adding this requirement? Do you think more applicants are going to take the GRE as a result? [40:42]

[EC] I’m already recommending, as a consultant, my clients to take the GRE over the GMAT just because it is less costly, and they don’t have to spend lots of time and money and getting the writing, the GMAT writing assessment. I think that’s something that GMAT… I think it is considering and talking with HBS at the moment, I believe MIT is another school that is asking for that. I would say I think it’s a mistake the GMAT made, and I think it might be a year before that is fixed because people have to decide what tests to take. I think that that’s what it is. How about you, Kelly?

[KW] I agree. It’s surprising on one hand that the folks at the Graduate Management Admission Council didn’t anticipate this as a potential issue, or maybe they did and that was the risk they were willing to take. But the analytical writing or the writing component of the GRE, it’s the one piece of the application that is certain to be written by the applicant. Schools don’t look at it as a polished piece of writing, but it certainly does provide adcom with a check of writing skills if that’s something that they need. On one hand, I’m not surprised that HBS is adding this requirement. I think there’s more than one way to skin that cat, I guess to use a phrase, KiraTalent also has a writing component that schools could use as well. It just dawned on me, let me go back to say, so the Graduate Management Admission Council obviously have packaged the writing component as a separate tool, so perhaps they were thinking of it.

Obviously the new GMAT was in the works for a long time. AI burst on the scene in November of 2022, about a year and a half ago, a little more than a year and a half ago. By then, GMAT Focus was well into development. I think the point of the GMAT Focus and the new GRE was to be friendlier to the test taker without being less predictive for the business schools. I’m wondering if this was underway before AI burst on the scene and the possibility of AI-written essays. GMAC was basically figuring, “This will sell us more GMAT tests because it’s not going to have the writing component and it’s going to be shorter. We’re going to have the other stuff tested and still be predictive.” Then AI came, and suddenly it was like the schools felt like they really want a writing sample that they know an applicant wrote. [43:41]

[EC] Absolutely.

[KW] I think you’re absolutely right there.

[EC] I think that’s one more reason why your essays have to be genuine, have to, I would say stay, away from ChatGPT and AI at all parts. Spend time with your essays, spend time on your story, try to be as genuine as possible so that they don’t sound fabricated by an AI tool.

What do you wish I would’ve asked you about the HBS application? [45:39]

[KW] I think we talked about it. What I had thought about is just in terms of the Supreme Court decision and where people can draw on their life experiences, I think there is room in this new approach to the essay or essays, there is room to draw on those different life experiences. I think that’s the one component that… Last summer, a lot of people were talking about the Supreme Court decision. The schools have had to work through that this past year. We’re seeing as a result of that through looking at the different applications how different schools are dealing with navigating that decision. This definitely is an important component, but I do think we touched on that for sure.

[EC]I would say the question that we can discuss is whether the applicant pool would change as a result of this change in the essays. It’s something I wonder myself because now the essays are similarly easier, and at least the large part of the applicant pool feel like, okay, these are essays that I can answer because they’re a little bit more similar to what the other business schools ask. In my experience, I’ve been doing this for almost 10 years, I felt that applicants, there is some sort of fear about facing the HBS essay because, “Okay, I really want to apply to HBS, but where do I start? What do I say? What’s unique about me? How do I convey this part of my background with the fact that I want an MBA program from Harvard? How do I do that? Every other school is asking me exactly, but this one…” I wonder if we’re going to see an increase in applications just because of the sheer fact that the essay questions are easier to answer. That, again, I don’t have the answer to that question. My prediction is probably yes, but it will be interesting to see once the application deadline’s rolling and we see some data.

Do you think that was part of the motivation for the change? [47:53]

[EC] Could be. They have changes in their leadership. You have a new dean coming in and she has fresh ideas. Probably was a result of not only her, but maybe the whole committee’s decision. Another thing could be a reason of a lot of physical exhaustion when you’re reading as long essays year after year after year. It can be a little daunting. Also, the fact that as an admissions officer, you also want to make sure everybody under the same rules and see. You want people that have a business mindset, that have leadership, that have growth. If you don’t ask those questions, some people are not going to tell you those questions. They’re going to talk about something else. I guess a lot of the things went into detail. Could be the application, in light of changes, wanting to get more applicants could be one reason. I don’t think it was the only reason why they did that, but could be one of them. Yeah.

[KW] I do find it interesting. On one hand you think why does HBS need more applicants? But on the other hand, it’s the composition of the applicant pool and certainly people who, like you said, may have been intimidated by the much broader question or maybe someone who just hasn’t had the resources to invest in some of the activities that could help them prepare for this application. Perhaps that will allow them to be on the playing field.

Anything else you want to bring up before we bring this to a close? [49:40]

[EC] What I would just say is don’t take the essay changes and the shortness of the essays now, the requirements, as a hint that you don’t need to do the deep introspection for HBS. You still need to do just like you did before. You still need to come up with examples and need to come up with a whole story that tells that you’re not repeating yourself or creating redundancies. They don’t want to see the same story over and over again with different language. I think that you need to just do the deep introspection. I would actually invite you to come on board and work with us, even if it’s just for the brainstorming session and getting that done so that you can get some really good examples and really put together a really compelling application.

[KW] I would just echo Esme and say that certainly knowing yourself and understanding what motivates you and what drives you is a key part of navigating the MBA admissions process in general and certainly for the HBS application.

Relevant Links:

•  Sign up for a Free Consultation
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• Natalie Grinblatt Epstein, Consultant profile
• Michelle Stockman, Consultant profile
• Kelly Wilson, Consultant profile

Related shows:

•  Do You Have the Spike for Toronto Rotman?
• MIT Sloan: For Rising Executives Considering an MBA
• How to get into Berkeley Haas
• What’s New at Penn’s The Wharton School. And How to Get In

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The post How to Respond to the New Harvard MBA Essay Questions [Episode 585]  appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

U.S. STEM MBA Programs: An Overview

STEM certification programs have proven application bonanzas for top business schools. STEM certification may have begun pre-pandemic as a way to alleviate uncertainty in the visa process, but the programs have proven to be a robust inducement for MBA applicants, particularly from foreign countries. According to Poets & Quants, “At Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, the move to designate its entire MBA program STEM in early 2021 paid dividends this year. . . Its applications rose by an incredible 21%, an increase of 450 to 2,555, even though Cornell presumably felt the same domestic squeeze as its peer schools.”

[List of top STEM OPT U.S. Business Schools >>]

Cornell’s new MBA class has students from 43 countries, a dramatic rise from 30 countries from 2021. Cornell is receiving roughly double the number of international applications as domestic applications. Poets & Quants also reported strong upticks in foreign student enrollment among 27 B-schools surveyed: “In the top 10, the average gain was 10.2 percentage points, or 36.6%, with Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business the biggest by points — 18, or 72%, to 43% — and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania the biggest by percentage: 84.2%, or 16 points, to 35%.

“Across all 27 schools, the average gain from 2020 to 2022 was 14.6 percentage points, or 69%. The biggest gain was at CMU Tepper, which doubled its total from 28% to 56%; notably, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School gained 23.5 points, or more than 200%, to 35%. Three other B-schools more than doubled their international ranks in two years.”

Are you an international MBA applicant? We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs! CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU GET ACCEPTED >>

The GMAC’s survey from 2019 was the first to inquire about a program’s STEM-certification, and found that these programs were more likely to report growth in international applicants. A total of 195 of the 804 U.S. programs responding reported that their programs were STEM-certified (24%). Among them, the most common program types were Master of Data Analytics (28%); Master of Finance (22%); and Master of Information Technology (14%). And while a majority of both STEM-certified (53%) and non-STEM (57%) programs reported declines in total applications during this period, STEM-certified programs fared better among international applicants. In the 2019-2020 academic year, 43% of STEM-certified programs grew their international applications, compared with 26% of non-STEM programs.

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Given ongoing concerns over visa status and one’s ability to work in the U.S. after business school, programs that are STEM-certified are sure to be more appealing to this applicant pool.

While some MBA programs – such as Chicago Booth, Wharton, Virginia Darden – now offer specific concentrations that qualify international students for STEM OPT, others – such as Berkeley Haas, Carnegie Mellon Tepper, and Rochester Simon – qualify MBA graduates of all majors in their MBA programs for this extension.

During 2021, MBA programs have seen a rebound in international applicants, and many schools (NYU Stern, Darden, and Yale) are touting this return. Still, they are maintaining their STEM certifications because it will pave the way for their graduates to get jobs and stay in the U.S. long enough to pay off or pay down their loans. Despite its cost, the MBA degree continues to pay robust dividends right off the bat. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article: “At about 98% of universities that offer master’s of business administration programs, graduates typically made more money two years out of school than they had borrowed, a Wall Street Journal analysis of federal student loan data for nearly 600 programs found.”

STEM MBA Programs

Name of MBA Program	Majors That Are STEM Designated	MBA Essay Tips
Arizona State Carey	All MBA Platforms	Tips
Babson MBA	1) Business Analytics and Machine Learning 2) Quantitative Finance	Tips
Berkeley Haas	All Majors	Tips
Brigham Young Marriott	Management Science and Quantitative Methods	Tips
Carnegie Mellon	All Majors	Tips
Chicago Booth	All MBA programs	Tips
Columbia Business School	MBA and EMBA programs	Tips
Cornell Johnson	1) Two-Year Management Science MBA 2) One-Year Management Science MBA 3) Tech MBA 4) MPS in Management 5) MPS in Management - Accounting Specialization	Tips
Dartmouth Tuck	STEM track	Tips
Duke Fuqua	Second Major in Management Science and Technology Management (MSTeM)	Tips
Georgetown McDonough	Management Science major	Tips
Harvard Business School	Management Science track	Tips
Indiana Kelley	Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing or Supply Chain and Operations	Tips
Lehigh University College of Business	Business Analytics (a concentration within 1-MBA)	Tips
Michigan Ross	STEM track	Tips
MIT Sloan	MBAn	Tips
New York University	Tech MBA Two-year full-time MBA	Tips
Northwestern Kellogg	Management Science MMM Program for Dual Engineering/MBA Degrees	Tips
Notre Dame Mendoza	MBA/Master of Science in Business Analytics Dual Degree	Tips
Pace University	MBA in Information Systems	Tips
Purdue Krannert	MBA-STEM	Tips
Rice Jones	All MBA Programs	Tips
Rochester Simon	All Specializations	Tips
Rutgers	STEM designation	Tips
Stanford GSB	1) All MBA majors 2) MSx	Tips
Syracuse	FT MBA, M.S. in Business Analytics, MS in Finance, MS in Marketing and MS in Supply Chain Management	Tips
Texas McCombs	14 of the 22 concentrations for the full-time MBA program	Tips
University of California, Davis	All Majors	Tips
University of California, Irvine	Analytics in Digital Leadership concentration	Tips
University of California, Los Angeles	All Specializations	Tips
University of California, Riverside	All MBA Programs	Tips
University of California, San Diego	1) Full-time MBA 2) FlexEvening 3) FlexWeekend	Tips
University of California San Francisco	1) Financial Analysis, MS 2) Information Systems, MS 3) Full-Time MBA 4) Marketing Intelligence, MS 5) Energy Systems Management & MBA 6) Environmental Management & MBA (4+1), BS/MBA 7) Financial Analysis & MBA (4+1), BSBA/MS	Tips
University of Connecticut	1) Business Analytics 2) Digital Marketing Strategy 3) Financial Analysis and Investments	Tips
University of Delaware Lerner	Major in Business Analytics	Tips
University of Georgia Terry	Only open to U. of Georgia undergraduates; includes 45 majors	Tips
University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler	All MBA Programs	Tips
University of North Texas Ryan	MBA in Business Analytics	Tips
University of Washington Foster	Management Science	Tips
University of Wisconsin - Madison	1) Specialization in Operations and Technology Management 2) Supply Chain Management	Tips
USC Marshall	Specialization in Management Science	Tips
Vanderbilt Owen	Finance Concentration	Tips
Wharton	1) Business Analytics 2) Business, Economics & Public Policy (BEPP) 3) Business, Energy, Environment & Sustainability (BEES) 4) Operations, Information & Decisions (OID) 5) Quantitative Finance 6) Statistics	Tips
Washington University in St. Louis (Olin)	Full-time MBA	Tips

We’re going to do our best to keep this table current. However, please do not rely on this table; confirm the STEM designation yourself to make sure that the MBA programs you apply to really have that designation. And if you find out a school has attained STEM certification and is not on the list, please let us know by emailing blog@accepted.com.

If you would like to learn how to get into top MBA programs that offer STEM OPT eligibility and are a good fit for you, register for a free consultation with me. 

At Accepted, we’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too! CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.

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By Jennifer Bloom, admissions consultant at Accepted for 20 years and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). She is an expert at guiding you to produce application materials that truly differentiate you from the rest of the driven applicant pool. If you would like help with your application, Jennifer can suggest a number of options that work with any budget. Want Jennifer to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• STEM Applicants: Why Your Statement of Purpose is So Important
• Top MBA Application Essays: How to Answer Them Right (school-specific essay tips)
• The Questions You SHOULD Be Asking – ANSWERED!, a podcast episode

The post Top STEM MBA Programs: A Comprehensive STEM-OPT Eligible List appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Distance learning and unstable market conditions due to the Covid pandemic have not hurt the fortunes of MBA grads from top programs. The 2022 employment reports released in recent weeks from top schools, including NYU Stern School of Business, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business, MIT Sloan, Harvard, and other peer programs have all announced record-breaking starting salaries for grads. 

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NYU Stern MBA Salaries Soar

Median base salaries for NYU Stern were $170,000–the highest ever–up $15,000 from the previous year. Median signing bonuses of $35,000 were on par with 2021, and average total compensation rose by $14,340 to an unprecedented $196,143. 

Within three months of graduation, 94.1 percent of Stern graduates had accepted job offers; 86.6% had accepted job offers by graduation. Top hiring industries remained consistent: consulting (31.2 percent), investment banking (27.2 percent) and tech (17.0 percent). 

Brian Ruggiero, Associate Dean of Career Services, boasted that the Class of 2022, which had begun their MBA studies during the pandemic, “adapted quickly to the resulting paradigm shifts. The demand for these skills is clear,” he said, pointing to the high acceptance rates for jobs three months after graduation being on par with pre-pandemic levels, as well as the highest compensation on record. Early data for the Class of 2023 also show “strong demand for Stern talent,” he added, evidenced by a 100% success rate among seekers of internships. 

Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2022 Almost at 100% Employment

Similarly, University of Michigan Ross School of Business reported that an eye-popping 99% percent of their 2022 grads were offered jobs within three months of graduation, landing median salaries of $165,000 and a $192,270 median salary package. Both salary figures reflect a $21,000 increase over the previous year.

The B-School Selectivity Index:
Are You Competitive at Your Dream School? >>

UC Berkeley Haas, Dartmouth Tuck, and Georgetown McDonough Report Great Employment Outcomes

On the West Coast, the 2022 class at UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business had a 93.8% job offer rate, up 4% from the prior year, returning that figure to among the highest of the pre-pandemic years. The median base salary for Haas MBAs was $155,000, up by 3.7% from the previous year.

Dartmouth Tuck’s employment data released November 22 for the Class of 2022 showed that 98% of Tuck grads had job offers within three months of graduation, with median base salaries rising by 16.7% to $175,000 from $150,000 in 2021. Ninety-three percent of grads received a median signing bonus of $30,000, bumping median total compensation to $202,900, up more than 15% from last year.

Georgetown MBAs enjoyed average base salaries of $138,552, up from $126,107 last year, and an average signing bonus of $36,342. A statement from their website noted that “96% of students received a job offer within three months of graduation and 95% accepted their offers – tying last year’s placement records as the highest levels ever achieved by Full-time MBA graduates. The record-setting average salary marks a 10% increase from 2021, with bonuses increasing by 6%. 

“The outcomes presented in this report are a testament to the extraordinary talent in the Class of 2022,” said Christy Murray, associate dean and managing director of career services at Georgetown McDonough. “These students began their MBA journey amid ongoing disruptions and uncertainty from the global pandemic, yet through their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence, they were well positioned to secure impactful roles in business across a wide range of industries and sectors.” 

Wharton MBAs pocketed their highest-ever median base salary of $175,000, a jump of 12.9 %. Salaries had been flat at $150,000 in 2019 and 2020, rising only to $155,000 in 2021. Within three months of graduation, 98.7% of Wharton’s MBAs seeking jobs received offers. Wharton’s 20222 employment report, released November 17, also revealed that more grads than ever found jobs in tech, despite the current flurry of layoffs and hiring freezes at tech giants Meta, Amazon, and Twitter. 

However, an article in Poets&Quants cautioned that Wharton’s impressive results in landing tech jobs may be a bit of an outlier: 

“. . . techies should be wary of seeing Wharton’s success in tech as a sign of rebound. While the raw number of Wharton MBAs finding jobs in tech is higher than ever, the percentage of the class in the industry is down slightly, as the number of job-seeking graduates in 2022 (633) is 8.2% more than in 2021 (585) as a result of Wharton enrolling larger classes at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Moreover, Whartonites’ success in landing tech gigs runs counter to many of their peer schools, where tech hiring is down — and in some cases down big — and likely points to a very different tech landscape graduates faced this summer as they rounded out their offers.”

Other MBA 2022 Jobs and Salary Stats

The following data is from Poets&Quants and underscores that whatever hardships and uncertainties students experienced while applying and earning MBAs during such a volatile period, their investments are paying off handsomely now.

• Harvard Business School grads saw a 16.3% year-to-year increase in median salary to $175,000 and median performance bonuses increase to $40,000 powered a leap in total median compensation to $223,100, a one-year jump of 17.5%.
  
  
• Virginia Darden School of Business MBAs made a median $175,000, up 21% from the Class of 2021;
  
  
• At MIT Sloan School of Management, average base salary increased 7.6% from the previous year, to $159,391, and median base salary grew 10% to $165,000; total median compensation was $204,700, up 4.7% from $195,600 last year;
  
  
• At Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, median salary for the class jumped $15,000, to $165,000, and is up 18% since the last pre-pandemic graduating class in 2019; bonuses stayed at a median $30,000, and with 87% receiving them, median total pay came out to $191,100, up 8.7% from $175,800 last year.

Soaring MBA Salaries’ Significance for Applicants

These stats reflect several factors: 

1. The enduring value of the full-time two-year MBA degree from top MBA programs.
   
   
2. Inflation, which increases salaries and will allow most of those who borrowed their tuition to pay off their debt with cheaper dollars.
   
   
3. A tight labor market in which businesses – even if we are in a recession – are willing to pay for top talent.

Many of the 2022 MBA grads applied to business school in winter and spring 2020 at the height of COVID lock-downs, social isolation, and distance learning. Unemployment hit 14.8% in April, 2020 and remained above pre-COVID levels until Fall 2021. These grads looked at the dismal events of the time, swallowed hard, and concluded that the environment is paving the way for them to obtain their MBA. As you consider whether to apply at a time of rising layoffs, possible recession, and general instability, consider the payoff that these grads have experienced by taking the plunge when they did.

Are you considering an MBA to maximize your earning potential? The stats show that the investment is worth it, but it takes an outstanding application to impress the elite schools. Our experienced MBA admissions consultants work with you one-on-one, throughout the process, to help you get ACCEPTED!

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For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. Want an MBA admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related resources:

• Starting Salaries for MBA Grads Climbing
• M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2022
• Is an MBA Worth It, or Is the Sky Falling Down on the MBA Degree?, a podcast episode

The post Class of 2022 MBAs Earn Bullish Starting Salaries appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

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Find out how you can benefit from Stride Funding [Show Summary]

Tess Michaels shares what’s new at Stride Funding, the innovative educational financing company she founded, and reflects on the impact that her Harvard Business School MBA has had on her impressive success today.

Interview with Tess Michaels, Founder and CEO of Stride Funding [Show Notes]

Welcome to the 495th episode of Admissions Straight Talk. Thanks for tuning in. I don’t usually plug Accepted services on this podcast, but Accepted is having a fantastic special, the last one of 2022, and I would be remiss if I didn’t share this news with Admissions Straight Talk’s listeners. You can save up to $1,000 on Accepted services between now and November 14th. You premeds looking to next year, now is your opportunity to lock in a package at this very special rate AND start your application early. For those of you with December and January deadlines interested in a few hours of invaluable editing and advising, you too can save. Go to accepted.com, choose the type of service that’s best for you, and use coupon code SAVENOW. This special ends November 14th. 

I’d like to welcome back to Admissions Straight Talk Tess Michaels, Founder and CEO of Stride Funding. Tess graduated from Penn with a Bachelor’s in Applied Science and another Bachelor’s from the Wharton School in Global Impact Investing and Operations Management. While at Penn, she founded SOCEANA, a platform to democratize giving and promote corporate volunteerism, which was acquired in 2018. After graduating and being accepted to Harvard’s 2+2 program, she worked at Goldman Sachs as an analyst for two years, and then at Vista Equity Partners as a private equity associate. As soon as she arrived at Harvard Business School, she founded Stride Funding, which we’re going to learn a lot more about in today’s show. 

Can you give us an overview of Stride Funding’s approach to student financing and how it differs from traditional student loans? [2:20]

Absolutely. As you mentioned, I was actually inspired by my own experience as a student when founding Stride. I was part of the 2+2 program at Harvard. I knew I was going to pursue my MBA, and candidly went through the back and forth of the question, “Is it worth it to go back to school?” That sticker price is just so hefty, and I realized a lot of my peers were in the same boat. I was even asking everyone, “If you could solve one thing, what would it be?” and everyone kept saying, “I want to go back to school, but the costs are prohibitive and I have no guarantee around the outcomes.” 

I became really fascinated with two concepts. One, how do we actually structure products to align incentives and naturally tie into the outcomes that students receive?

And secondly, how do we increase access? I found it so backward that despite going to a great school and great program, almost every lender asks for students to have co-signers. In fact, 92% of private loans require a co-signer which really just means being backed up by a wealthy parent or family member who has a clean credit score and can guarantee your loan. To me, that felt like such a backward system because the whole point of going to school is to do better than your family and to create future potential in your growth. I’m happy to walk through the ways that we’ve addressed this with Stride’s products, but that was really where we started.

Can you describe Stride Funding’s three products? [4:08]

We have three products on the market and are continuing to grow our product set. They range on the spectrum of product differentiation and then differentiation on access. Each of our products is non-co-signer based. Anytime you come to Stride, you know that you are going to be evaluated based on your future potential, not your historical background. That’s a core belief at Stride. With that being said, we have products that are more traditional, non-cosigner loans. We have products that are as innovative as income share agreements where you pay a fixed percentage of your income over a set number of years, and then we have products that are in between where you only make payments when you’re earning and when you are earning, they’re fixed dollar amounts that you make. That’s an overview of our three products on the market, but we continue to think about different ways to adapt them as student needs evolve.

How does one qualify for a Stride Funding income share agreement? [5:16]

We really wanted to change the entire student lending experience end-to-end. Oftentimes, there are restrictions on being able to get access to funding. The process itself is not that student-centric, and it takes a lot of time even to know if you’re going to be approved. There’s not any support on the back end to make sure that lenders are actually your supporters, so we addressed each of these. 

First of all, applying is as simple as going on our website, and within 15-20 seconds, you can see if you’re eligible for funding. The full application end-to-end takes 10 minutes to complete and you’ll know if you’re fully approved the same day. Once students are actually approved into Stride Funding’s ecosystem, we have all sorts of wraparound support to make sure that they know they have a partner, not just a provider. For example, we support a lot of nurses, so we have access to NCLEX Prep which is nursing exam prep. 

As far as the actual product structure, it is meant to really create a sense of security and peace of mind around affordability for students. Our contracts are only up to five years long, which is very short compared to a lot of loans that are 10 to 20 years long. You only make payments when you’re earning above a certain amount, and you don’t accrue any expenses while you’re in school or during points of nonpayment. We’re really focused on putting the student first.

How does one qualify for Stride Funding? Does your credit to date matter? [7:07]

Great question. Right now, we focus on students who are within two years of graduation. The programs are very varied, from MBA to nursing. We look at credit as far as ensuring students have clean credit. If you have little to no credit, that’s okay. Actually, I think one of the broader issues in the United States is a lack of financial literacy, so students just don’t know that they should open up a credit card early and build credit for seven years. But that’s totally fine. We just make sure that students don’t have derogatory marks or bad credit.

How much will Stride lend a student? [7:56]

We always advise that students take out grants or scholarships first. Free money is better than anything you have to have as a real obligation. Then students typically look at subsidized federal loans, and then after that, when they’re looking at Grad PLUS that’s when they should consider Stride. We typically fund up to $25,000 per year, so $50,000 per student. There are exceptions to the rule, but that actually ends up being around what our average borrower needs for degree programs.

Do students end up paying about the same or less or more in total repayment when compared to traditional private loans? [8:45]

For our degree programs, nearly all of our capital comes from large impact investors and large nonprofits so it’s meant to be very affordable. Typically, we look at our costs for an expected student to be relatively similar to what you would pay for federal loans. However, it comes with many more protections built around not making payments when you’re not earning. We’re really thinking about making sure that affordability is one of the most important factors.

Back in September, I saw Stride Funding’s announcement about the launch of the income share financing program alongside Stanford Law and the new nonprofit, the Flywheel Fund for Career Choice. Can you share more? [9:26]

This is a really exciting initiative for the whole team. We essentially looked at this and said, “How do we create an evergreen fund for programs where there tends to be almost misalignment around what students want to pursue versus the cost of education? How do we tackle that head-on with products like income share agreements, where inherently everything is tied to outcomes?” Similar to MBA programs, in law school programs, you’ll often see a lot of students pursuing corporate law even though they really want to do public work. We had some really great partners and supporters who were the folks who brought the inspiration towards grad.

We then partnered with them and said, “We’ll structure this so that every single dollar recouped goes back into funding more students.” Students pay a percentage of their income, so if they earn less, maybe because they’re pursuing public work, they pay less. The maximum a student will ever pay is what they would’ve paid had they taken out federal funding. Even if a student does decide to pursue Corporate Law, at the end of the day, they still have an affordable product. 

For us, this was really a win-win. It creates a way for the school to be able to support students pursuing more diverse paths. It also allows students to focus on what their passions are and ensures that cost is not a barrier for anyone.

How is this self-perpetuating? [11:18]

We worked to set up a separate nonprofit with capital from alumni and other folks in the space and every dollar that is now being lent out to these students, when it is recouped, it’ll go back to fund future students. That really allows it to be evergreen.

Do you see other law schools or maybe other programs following Stanford’s lead? [11:42]

Yes. We are already deep in talks. We had a lot of inbounds following the announcement from peers of Stanford, both in law programs and other degree programs as well. We see this being a model that could be applicable much more broadly.

What are some of the fields that Stride is currently serving? [12:14]

The biggest segments that we focus on are STEM, like engineering and data science, healthcare, and business. Those are our three biggest segments, but there are a lot of other fields that we support, like education, where teachers tend to have very low variability professions post-graduation. As we grow, we’ve naturally tried to find ways to be able to offer our products to a broader suite of students across a more diverse set of programs.

This seems to work most effectively when students have the potential for high earnings, but if the potential salary in a specific field is lower, does it still work? [12:50]

Great question. Just to be clear, it works best where there is predictability around the earnings. It’s not so much about the absolute number. A teacher is a great example because we are able to structure the product differently. We know to a very high degree of certainty what someone who is pursuing, let’s say, a Master’s of Education is likely to earn, so we structure the product for that type of earning differently. I would not say it is in any way better or worse based on high or low-earning professions. Variability is probably the biggest impact.

What is some additional support Stride provides to its borrowers beyond just the money lent and the favorable terms? [14:00]

This is an area where we continue to think about ways to evolve. A lot of it is figuring out for any set number of hours a student has in the day, what tools they actually will utilize because more isn’t always better. Vetting high-quality tools that are going to add value is really what we focus on so we’ve really thought about that in a few key buckets. One is when students are in school and helping them find access to exam prep and ways to improve their ability to track progress while in school. Once they have officially graduated, the next step is applying for jobs. We’ve partnered with players like Teal that create job tracking systems students can actually manage where they’re applying. We’ve also looked at certain tools where students can essentially scan their resume and then scan the job description and see what phrases or things to include so they could better appeal to a certain employer.

And then, lastly, we really create an open network for students to reach out to when they have questions about their own job search process. That’s still in the early innings. We have the benefit of getting to see a lot of schools that have done it well. We’ve seen some of that in the non-degree space in boot camps that do up-skilling and re-skilling, like learning to do software engineering in a set number of months. Those programs actually have built pretty robust career offerings and support because the point of it is not just to teach a valuable degree but to make sure that you are placed into a job with meaningful salary uplift. It’s been great to learn lessons from players like that.

Do you lend to undergrads that are juniors or seniors? [15:57]

Great question. We currently fund students within two years of graduation, but we’re always looking to expand. That includes all master’s programs and undergrad students who are in the later half of their programs. During COVID, we also expanded to support students in non-degree programs that are really high quality. It’s amazing looking back at when you and I first spoke years ago, when we were a single-product company focused on one specific market with our direct-to-consumer offering, and now we’ve expanded to three products, and nearly 10,000 students across degree and non-degree programs. It’s just amazing to see how much has changed.

Do you feel your degree in business was worth your investment in time and money, both out-of-pocket variety and the opportunity cost? Why or why not? [16:55]

I appreciate you asking. Candidly, I 100% think it was worth it. In the moment, it was a tough decision. As you said, I was in a private equity investing job and earning well, and I enjoyed the work. I made the leap, and business school, in so many ways, was an accelerant for this next chapter of my life where I was really able to surround myself with amazing mentors and peers who helped guide me as I built Stride. I’m still very close with a number of my professors. Our team is based in Boston, and I was just back there and met with Jeff Bustang, one of my professors who I did multiple independent projects with while in business school. It was great to catch up with him and share what I’ve learned and get his advice as we think about some additional growth factors.

I also am still very close with a number of my friends who are also founders coming out of business school. I feel like we’re on similar paths of building our businesses and growing our teams. I also got a lot of exposure to folks who became investors in Stride who were connected through the Harvard Business School Network, like Deborah Quazzo and others. That connectivity and bond is something that is hard to put a finger on exactly what makes it so special, but it really does work. 

As a side note, something that’s pretty exciting is we actually have a Harvard Business School case that’s being written about Stride. It’s in the final reviews right now. A professor inbounded us about wanting to do a case that every first-year student starting with the upcoming enrolling class of 2023 will have to read. It’s a really special moment for me personally and for the whole team.

Was the Harvard Business School education valuable? [19:22]

I had the luxury of studying at Wharton for undergrad and then working in finance. For me, the classes that were the most helpful were the ones that I didn’t have exposure to before. Things like tech sales. It turns out so much of my job is really understanding how to structure deals and how to think about making the right approach with different types of partners across our ecosystem. Also, we had an actual class called Deals, where negotiation meets law and taught me how to think about credit structuring. Those were incredibly valuable. I also found a lot of the classes where we talked about not just the wins but also the failures that different entrepreneurs have had to be incredibly useful so that I did not repeat the same mistakes.

I think all of this really comes together in the way that they taught the business school class through the case method. That was completely different than what I experienced in undergrad, which was learning from a textbook or a PowerPoint deck. I found the case method to be fascinating because our peer set came from such different backgrounds. We had everything from people who were in the military to people who worked in the corporate arms of different companies across healthcare and energy and the like. For me, it was really interesting to be able to hear life lessons from folks who got to see it firsthand and to be able to absorb their lessons.

What do you see coming down the pipe for Stride? [21:25]

For us right now, we’re really focused on continuing to increase access for more students as we diversify our product set, expand into new types of programs, and go deeper with our existing students. We’re really thinking about education financing as one of the first big “purchases” that a student makes but how do we think about what else these students need going forward on their paths? There are really great tools like Mint to think about budgeting and financial wellness. What about when students open up a credit card? How do they think about the right features and benefits for them based on their financial position? A lot of this is through just really strong engagement and feedback loops from our own students to learn what else in their life roadmap Stride can support. At the end of the day, we don’t just want to be a provider, we want to be a partner with students.

What would you have liked me to ask you? [22:25]

One of the things that I think is really interesting to touch on is what I learned from the collaboration at HBS and how that’s impacted how I think about leading teams.

For me, what was really fascinating beyond just the case method was the types of ways that HBS got us to work in very high-functioning and tight-knit teams on a lot of different exercises. One of my favorites was the field class. They had us go abroad for 10 days and consult for a company. I went to Vietnam and consulted for a company that creates dairy products. It was totally out of my wheelhouse, but it was such an amazing experience. They taught us so much about understanding how to do launches with a team. You understand each other’s working styles. You really think about how each person is motivated and what they are trying to get out of the class. Some people wanted to just learn and be on the field while other people focused on getting the highest grade.

What are your motivations for being here, and how do you most effectively work with the team as far as knowing your skillset and being able to stay engaged? I think that’s really worked with my team. I myself have evolved a lot. I went from wearing a lot of hats to now having a full executive team. We tripled our team size over the last year. Now, if I’m the best in the room on any one topic, then I’m probably in the wrong room. I think so much of it is about knowing that you’re surrounding yourself with folks who have super high brilliance, low ego, and setting up the right environment for them to be open about how they work best, what they’re motivated by, and creating a conducive ecosystem for them. It’s been amazing taking those learnings and applying them to Stride.

Where can listeners learn more about Stride Funding?

Definitely check out the website at stridefunding.com and you can also email me at tess@stridefunding.com with any questions you have. I would also love to hear people’s thoughts on what we’re building, what else we could do, and how to really make a dent here.

Related links:

• Stride Funding
• Stanford Law Pilots New Financing Model
• What it Takes to Get Accepted to Harvard, Stanford and Wharton
• Accepted’s Admissions Consulting Services

Related shows:

• Entrepreneurship at HBS: How Stride will Help You Fund Your Future
• How an MBA Can Help Entrepreneurs
• The Only Online Ivy League Executive MBA Program
• Approaching Your MBA Application
• How to Get Accepted to Cornell Johnson MBA

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The post Stride Funding: Where Your Education is an Investment and not a Debt [Episode 495] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Gratitude is key

A thank you email follows a lot of the same rules as other correspondence: a greeting, the purpose of the letter, the essential content, and a closing farewell. However, unlike other emails, a well-written thank-you starts and finishes with gratitude. Capably done, it can elicit an emotional response, create bonds, nurture the development of relationships…and in this case, further the case to accept you!

8 steps to creating a memorable MBA interview thank you letter

Following these tips will assure that your thank-you email is read, appreciated, and remembered. It will bring you one step closer to receiving that acceptance at your top choice MBA program!

1. Start with an appropriate greeting.
   
   Be sure to address the person formally. Use their relevant title, like Dr. Smith, Professor Jones, or Ms. Johnson. Unless the person encouraged you to use their first name in the interview, show respect and use the more traditional and formal form of address in written correspondence.
   
   
2. Offer your purpose for writing.
   
   Right after the greeting, say something like,
   
   “I’m writing to thank you for speaking with me on Monday.”
   
   Or,
   
   “I’m writing to thank you for the tour of the campus. ”
   
   << Click here for an analysis of the most common MBA interview questions and how you can ace them! >>
   
   
3. Explain how their help or thoughtfulness affected you personally.
   
   Make your statement of appreciation meaningful by illustrating specifically how you benefited from the experience. For example: “You were generous with your time, and your insights about the program provided me with a fuller appreciation of what I can gain once admitted.” Or: “I enjoyed the campus tour very much, and particularly appreciated your showing me the new Entrepreneur Idea Lab, which interests me very much.”
   
   In addition to pointing out at least one thing that you learned from this individual, describe in specific terms what it meant to you. If you do this well, the reader will take your compliments to heart.
   
   
4. Show how you learned more about the program from the conversation.
   
   Mention particular examples of how their conversation helped you better understand your target program and your goals. What did you discover about the program that you hadn’t known before? Did you find out about an exciting opportunity? Did the person share something they had in common with you that influenced how you view your own positions or goals?
   
   
5. Include information you had offered to provide or any final questions you have.
   
   The adcom has noted any follow-ups needed from you, so this is also an ideal opportunity to provide it. Offering this in your thank-you note shows initiative and good judgment that you take seriously the adcom’s request for more information about you.
   
   If any questions occurred to you after your interaction with the person, this is the place to ask. Don’t make up a question to have something to ask – you don’t want to appear insincere or make the note too long.
   
   
6. If you have any significant additional information, provide it.
   
   Is there something you wish you had said during your interview but didn’t? Squeeze in this last-minute, but substantial point, in a succinct paragraph at the end of your note. This should be reserved only for information of substance, such as new publications, awards, or grades. Although you want to send your thank you note as soon as possible, it’s worth it to wait a day or two if you anticipate receiving meaningful updates.
   
   
7. Keep it brief.
   
   We’ve suggested writing a number of important things, but they need to be done in crisp, concise language. And by all means, your last line should restate your authentic gratitude for their time and consideration.
   
   
8. Check your spelling and grammar.
   
   After doing your own proofread, have someone else with a keen editorial eye also check for typos, spelling and grammar errors before you send it off. It can be very hard to catch them yourself if you have been looking at the letter over and over again. Any errors will reflect poorly on you, despite the sincerity of your ideas.

NOW you can wait

Let’s say as you think back on your interview that you feel you made mistakes, had “unforced errors,” or missed certain opportunities. Please don’t dwell on any mistakes, real or imagined. You may not have answered every interview question perfectly. In fact, you’ll probably think of better ways you wish you could have answered some questions, worn a more sophisticated outfit, or expressed a more confident “Goodbye” as you left. 

Just think positive thoughts about the outcome you wish for. You probably did better than you thought, and now it’s time to look ahead to the future and hope for the best. 

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Haven’t interviewed yet? We can help you! Prep one-on-one with an experienced MBA advisor when you check out Accepted’s Mock MBA Interview Services. And when you’re done, we’ll help you write those post-interview thank yous!

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For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. Want an MBA admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Preparing for Your MBA Interview Questions
• 7 Common MBA Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
• 7 Tips for Writing Harvard Business School’s Post-Interview Reflection

The post MBA Interview Thank You Letter: Eight Key Tips appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Are you the Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton “type?”

Each year, Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton are flooded with applicants who have great experience and powerful stats. However, most are not the applicants these programs are looking for. If these elite programs are on your radar, you need to know if you will be considered a viable candidate. And if you are, you’ll want to know the ingredients of an application that will positively wow the admissions committee. 

So if you’ve got Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton on your mind, don’t miss our on-demand webinar, What Does It Take to Get Into Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton? with MBA admissions veteran Linda Abraham, founder and president of Accepted. During this hour, Linda answers the most important questions that smart applicants ask about applying to these programs, including: 

• How can you determine ‘fit’ with the cultures of these schools?
  
  
• How do the interview processes differ in each school?
  
  
• What are the schools looking for in their essays?
  
  
• Is there even such a thing as a Harvard type? A Stanford type? A Wharton type?

And more! 

You don’t have time to waste applying to schools where you don’t fit. Instead, learn which top programs will fit like a glove! Show your business smarts by making time to watch our on-demand webinar.

Watch now:

About the Presenter:

Since founding Accepted 25 years ago, Linda has been a sought-after admissions expert for media outlets including Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, U.S. News, and The Wall Street Journal. She is the host of the Admissions Straight Talk podcast, co-author of MBA Admissions for Smarties, and has been a frequent contributor to Poets & Quants. Every year Linda looks forward to hearing from Accepted’s many clients who have been accepted to Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, among other top MBA programs.

For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more. Want an MBA admissions expert to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

The post What Does It Take to Get Into Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton? appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Chicago Booth and Wharton (University of Pennsylvania) share the #1 spotlight in U.S. News’ Best Business Schools of 2023 rankings, released March 29.

The metrics for the rankings are based on career placement success, student excellence and qualitative assessments by experts. MBA rankings are studied voraciously by applicants, students, and alumni but remain controversial. 

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Notable changes this year

• Chicago Booth’s rise reflected improvements on several metrics: a class GMAT score up by six points to 730; an acceptance that fell by five points to 22.6%; a higher score by corporate recruiters that now matches Harvard and Wharton; and a spike in average salary and sign-on bonus for last year’s MBA grads of $7,300 to a record $180,144–the second-highest of any business school. (NYU Stern had the highest of all schools at $181,803.) Placement for the Class of 2021 jumped five points three months after graduation, at 96.4%. 
  
  
• Wharton’s acceptance rate dropped by 4.9 percentage points to 18.2% and their average GMAT score rose by one point. Wharton MBAs enjoyed a jump in average salary and signing bonuses by $6,600 to $179,692, the second-highest of all schools behind only Booth. Job placement three months after commencement moved up by 3.3 percentage points to 96.8%.
  
  
• Top-ranked schools continued to jostle for position, with some flagship programs rising and others falling. Stanford’s GSB dropped by three notches, tying with Kellogg (Northwestern) for #3. Harvard and MIT Sloan remain tied at #5–no change from last year. Yale University’s SOM notched its highest ranking ever at #7, with Columbia and Haas (UC Berkeley) nipping at its heels, sharing the #8 ranking. Yale’s rise stemmed from a six-point rise in its average GMAT score to 726; a drop of six percentage points on its acceptance rate to 23.6%; and a dramatic 8.8 percentage improvement on its placement rate three months after graduation to 94.1%.
  
  
• Harvard Business School’s fifth-place showing reflects a surprisingly low employment at graduation of 69.0%, lower than any other Top 10 school. Its placement rate three months after graduation was 92.3%, the second-lowest for a Top 10 program. And the average salary and bonus for Harvard’s MBAs last year was $172,774, lower than seven other U.S. business schools. Harvard lost out on other metrics as well, including a higher admit rate of 12.5%, up from 9.2% last year, and average GMAT and undergrad GPAs that were lower than many other competitors. 
  
  
• Ross (University of Michigan) ascended into the Top 10 from #13, while Tuck (Dartmouth College) dropped to #11. Stern (NYU) and Fuqua (Duke University) share the #12 spot. Many other programs in the top 25 leaped forward, including Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, rising five places to #21 and Mendoza College of Business (Notre Dame) gaining 11 places to rank 25th. 
  
  
• Outside the Top 25, Washington University’s Olin Business School in St. Louis rose seven spots to #29 and the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business rose eight positions to place #47.

While U.S. News had dropped standardized test scores from its online MBA ranking earlier this year, it kept the average class GMAT and GRE scores in its formula for the full-time program rankings. 

The rankings were based on a survey of all 493 institutions with master’s-level business programs in the U.S. accredited by AACSB International. A total of 363 survey recipients responded; the final rankings are based on 134 business schools that provided enough data on their full-time MBA programs and had large enough 2021 graduating classes seeking employment for valid comparisons. The rankings also include some programs conferring degrees such as Master of Science in Management and Master of Science in Industrial Administration.

U.S. News 2023 Top 10 Full-Time MBA Programs

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U.S. News 2023 Top 10 Part-Time MBA Programs

Hoping to start business school in 2023 at one of these top-ranked programs? Check out our MBA Admissions Consulting & Editing Services and work one-on-one with an expert consultant to create an application that will get you ACCEPTED!

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Related Resources:

• Do MBA Rankings Matter?
• Top 10 or Bust: Dispelling 2 MBA Myths
• Is an MBA Worth It, or Is the Sky Falling Down on the MBA Degree?
• Financial Times Ranks Wharton as #1
• M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know

The post U.S. News MBA Rankings 2023 [Full-Time & Part-Time] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

The Financial Times has released its global rankings of the best MBA programs and has considerably shuffled the deck. Several top-ranked programs fell several notches, while others rose considerably. For the first time since 2011, Wharton has returned to its status as #1 in FT’s list. 

Other programs that made giant strides in the rankings include Columbia Business School (ranked 8th in 2020), and Kellogg (Northwestern), now #5 (11th place in 2020). One reason for such huge fluctuations was that five of the top U.S. programs (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, and Columbia) were not listed at all last year at all, skewing that year’s results. 

Other highly rated programs that suffered serious tumbles in the rankings include London Business School, Tuck (Dartmouth), and UVA Darden. In fact, 69 of the 91 schools ranked fell in the rankings, many of them by double digits.  

Compared with last year, many of these schools’ rankings looked like riders on a roller coaster, with some plunging far below and others rising by as much as 20 points to unprecedented heights. 

As we have cautioned before, it’s vital to keep these rankings in perspective. They are based on many variables that have little or nothing to do with the quality of the curricula per se.

Do you see yourself in one of these top programs? Find out how working one-on-one with one of our Admissions Consultants can help get you ACCEPTED!

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Related Resources:

• Top 10 or Bust: Dispelling 2 MBA Myths
• Top MBA Programs Get STEM-Certified to Attract Int’l Students
• B-School Selectivity Index: Discover the Schools Where You are a Competitive Applicant

The post Financial Times Ranks Wharton as #1 in 2022 Rankings appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Most grad students take out student loans to finance their higher education and can end up saddled with debt running into hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time they graduate. According to a Wall Street Journal analysis of federal student loan data for nearly 600 programs, graduates of approximately 98% of universities that offer MBA programs usually made more money two years after graduation than they had borrowed. Contrast this with law schools, where approximately 6% of programs had grads with higher median salaries than debt for the same time period.

There are many reasons that students pursue an MBA – the promise of a significantly higher salary, the ability to enter a new industry, or the pursuit of an executive track to name a few. However, the high cost of getting an MBA, which can range from $100,000 to $250,000 or more after living expenses are added to tuition and fees, can be enough to change many potential students’ minds. Despite the relatively low-interest federal loans available to grad students, the amount that students can borrow is fixed at $41,000, leaving some students with no choice but to take out additional higher-interest (but unlimited) Grad Plus loans. So it is encouraging to potential MBA applicants to see that what has long been thought of as a “no-brainer investment” does essentially pay off.

However, there are other factors which skew the data somewhat. There have been efforts to diversify the applicant pool for business schools, yet a significant proportion of MBA applicants still enter programs with professional experience, often in finance or other high-earning industries, thereby accelerating their career paths and making the post-MBA cohort a financially healthy group. Moreover, the data in the Wall Street Journal’s analysis reflects federal government loan programs and does not include private loans.

Not everyone who graduates with an MBA sees significant increases in salary. According to Paulo Goes, dean of Tulane business school, 2020 grads have had an especially difficult time since a lot of companies stopped recruiting MBA graduates during the pandemic. The impact of this slow-down is seen in graduates’ placements and salaries.

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For-profit business schools had a lower rate of students who repaid their loans after two years. Strayer University in Washington, DC had 2% of students fully repay their loans during the two-year period following graduation, with about 33% asking to temporarily stop payments. Strayer students borrowed a median of $74,000, but half of the grads earned less than $57,000 two years post-graduation.

Approximately a dozen other business schools revealed median debt loads that were greater than grads’ median salaries. Several schools stated that this is because students attended their expensive dual-degree programs. Roseman University of Health Sciences reported the highest debt to earnings of any program, with students borrowing a median of $172,000.

Even so, there is much to be gleaned from the data that would make an MBA worth the time and investment. Analysis shows that at several elite programs, including Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the median starting salary after graduation permitted more than half of grads to pay off their federal student loan debt within two years. 

Interestingly, some of the most expensive MBA programs had some of the lowest debt load. Graduates of Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business borrowed a median of $41,000 in federal loans without turning to more expensive Grad Plus loans. Harvard Business School graduates had a median of $41,000 in debt, and median salaries of about $172,000. According to Chad Losee, Harvard’s managing director of MBA admissions, approximately 56% of the class of 2020 graduated with some debt, averaging $79,000 in combined federal and private loans. 

As Poets & Quants points out in its analysis of the Journal’s article, earnings are a reflection of the graduate’s chosen industry and the job’s location. Harvard reported a record pay year with 7% of the latest class taking positions in hedge funds and investment management jobs. The median total compensation for last year’s grads was $203,307, including a median salary of $152,682, sign-on bonuses of $27,500 reported by 54% of grads, and $132,500 in other guaranteed compensation reported by 27% of grads.

It is also worth noting that business schools have been increasing the number of scholarships they award to students over the last decade. Harvard distributes scholarships to defray the cost of its MBA program, distributing $40 million in fellowships to its MBA students last year. Approximately half of the enrolled students received scholarships averaging more than $42,000 per student in fiscal 2020.

P&Q top 10 business schools debt-income ratio

There seems to be much reassurance in the data that an MBA from a top school will indeed open doors to a lucrative career and allow one to pay off debts sooner than other programs.

Are you considering an MBA to maximize your earning potential? The stats show that the investment is worth it, but it takes an outstanding application to impress the elite schools. Our experienced MBA admissions consultants work with you one-on-one, throughout the process, to help you get ACCEPTED!

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Related Resources:

• Is an MBA Worth It, or Is the Sky Falling Down on the MBA Degree?, a podcast episode
• Top MBA Application Essays: How to Answer Them Right
• Top 10 or Bust: Dispelling 2 MBA Myths

The post MBA Students Pay Off Student Loans Faster Than Other Grad Degrees appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

This is the third post in our series, What HBS is Looking For.

This is not about “community service” — it’s not about doing halo-worthy things in your free time. (Though neither Harvard Business School nor I will discourage that, and “engaged community citizenship” and “community service” certainly can overlap.)

Community service is an activity that you do; engaged community citizenship is a quality that you embody. Doing community service does not automatically mean you possess the quality of engaged community citizenship.

Harvard Business School explicitly seeks this quality in its applicants – announced in bold letters on its “Who are we looking for?” page.

Understanding the terms

Plaudits to HBS for the directness and clarity. Yet it’s a complex idea. Let’s see exactly what “engaged community citizenship” means by examining each element.

• Engaged

  Showing up. Participating, with your heart and mind as well as your actions. When you ask a question or make a comment, it’s not just for participation brownie points; it’s thoughtful, pertinent, contributing. You share doubts and fears as well as offer solutions. You know how to listen, you do listen, and you synthesize what you hear. You check your ego at the door, knowing it’s not about you, it’s about the issue or project or process.

• Community

  It’s your organization and your team or department within it. It’s your social circle. It’s your sport team and/or religious group and/or music ensemble and/or hobby club. It’s your service organization. Not least, it’s your school – including the HBS classroom. It is also your neighborhood. And your country. It’s the people around you on the subway platform. It’s every group formal or informal with which you have a connection.

• Citizenship

  Citizenship involves a sense of responsibility, a sense of ownership, the values that inform and drive your engagement with your community. First and foremost, you care – about the community at large, the people within it, and, yes, yourself. You act on that caring and your actions reflect that caring. Therefore, you are ethical and honest. You are reliable and generous. In a nutshell: You can be counted on to pitch in and do the right thing for your community.

For more HBS application essay advice: Harvard Business School Essay Tips [2022 – 2023] >>

How to demonstrate engaged community citizenship

Actually, the quality of engaged community citizenship is something that any b-school adcom will value. So how do you express it effectively in your application? Use example and anecdote. For HBS, reflect it in your essay, even if indirectly. Also, try to bring it out in your resume and your interviews. Ask your recommenders to highlight it.

If you have it – let it enhance your candidacy.

Work one-on-one with an experienced admissions expert on your Harvard MBA application when you purchase a Comprehensive MBA Application Package. We look forward to helping you get accepted to your dream school!

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Related Resources:

• Sample Essays from Admitted HBS Students
• Harvard Business School MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines
• What Does Harvard Business School Want? [Short Video]

The post What Harvard Business School Is Looking For: Engaged Community Citizenship appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

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 it sounds. Let’s break it down.

Understanding the terms

So what does “analytical aptitude and appetite” mean?

• Analytical

  This word encompasses a range of things – quantitative methods, various tools and processes such as decision trees and FMEA, mental and intellectual objectivity, an exacting attitude. Parsing the relationship between a whole and its parts. Pursuing root causes.

• Aptitude

  Ability, innate and/or learned.

• Appetite

  This is the really interesting word, because it’s open to interpretation. We can read it as meaning to enjoy, to savor, to be open to, to relish, to hunger for, to have capacity for. Here are some of its practical implications and nuances (in question form):

• Do you use objective analysis in understanding past events, planning future actions and strategies, and making decisions?

• Do you respect results and outcomes determined by objective analysis even when they don’t jive with your preconceptions, ideologies, or preferences?

• Does your analytic mindset allow you to be comfortable with – even relish – ambiguity and uncertainty?

• Do you help your teammates understand and use analytic approaches and thinking?

• Do you use language effectively as an analytic tool, e.g., when the team is facing a muddle, are you the one who can verbally separate the threads, clarify them, and guide the team to understand their relative weight and importance?

How to demonstrate analytical aptitude

As the HBS website indicates, for HBS, analytical aptitude is not a solitary feast (regardless of how hearty the analytic appetite). You’ve got to bring your analytical chops to the table, i.e., to classroom debates and case studies, projects, etc. Therefore, to use a music analogy, you must be able not only to read and play the analytic score, but also to improvise, on the spot and with other virtuosos.

The adcom will grasp your analytical aptitude from your transcript(s), test score(s), and resume. But if you feel these elements don’t adequately show this dimension, use other parts of the application (essay, short answers, additional info, recommendations) to amplify it.

How to show your analytical appetite

As for showing analytical appetite:

• Your resume may reflect this quality, depending on your work.
  
  
• Invite your recommenders to discuss this quality and to provide examples.
  
  
• In your essay, use a story or two that demonstrates analytical appetite.

And don’t worry – it won’t hurt to let other programs you apply to appreciate your analytical aptitude and appetite!

Work with an experienced admissions consultant who will guide you as you mine your experiences and then craft an application that demonstrates the analytical aptitude and appetite that HBS is seeking.

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Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid: Eliminate the 5 Most Common Flaws in Your MBA Application, a free guide
• What Does Harvard Business School Want?, a short video
• Sample Essays from Admitted HBS Students

The post What Harvard Business School Is Looking For: Analytical Aptitude and Appetite appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

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How can an MBA degree help an entrepreneur? [Show summary]

Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School grad Ben Faw reflects on the value of his MBA and the role it played in his successful career.

Why this serial entrepreneur feels his time at HBS was invaluable [Show notes]

What happens to Harvard Business School MBAs after their first job? Do they still value the HBS MBA experience? Let’s ask Ben Faw, who was a member of the HBS MBA class of 2014.

Ben Faw was previously a guest on Admissions Straight Talk way back in Episode 59, just about seven years ago. At that time, Ben had just graduated from HBS and was about to take a position with LinkedIn. Prior to attending HBS, Ben attended West Point as well as the US Army Ranger School, and served in Hawaii, Iraq, and Kuwait. What’s happened since graduating from HBS? Let’s find out from Ben.

When we last spoke, you were about to graduate from Harvard Business School and start a position at LinkedIn. What’s happened since then? Bring us up to date. [1:53]

It’s been a really interesting and exhilarating journey. There’s been a couple of twists and turns. But to start with, LinkedIn was a super positive experience for me. I was able to get a lot of understanding around particularly technology and the digital advertising ecosystem and just a ton of exposure to what a top organization in the technology field can look like, and particularly what it takes to maintain a strong positive culture. As you know, none of these cultures come for free. They’re something you build and then have to maintain, and you’ve got to see all of that. 

Then, I had worked with a classmate of mine from business school on a startup project that got to the point where I could actually join full-time in the fall of 2015, about a year and a half after business school. That company, BestReviews, ended up growing quickly. We sold that in early 2018 to Tribune Publishing, which has published the Chicago Tribune and several other newspapers, for over a hundred million. I was fortunate enough to be able to help a lot with that integration, got a little bit of knowledge around the newspaper world, and transitioned to an advisory role there.

I have built out a new software company called AdVon Commerce, leveraging a lot of the insights and perspectives from working in that e-commerce and digital marketing world. I got married at the very end of 2019, which proved fortuitous given the situation that unfolded in 2020.

Do you feel like you’re still using your MBA degree, either the network or the education, looking back on the experience? [3:54]

I personally believe, and the data would prove it out, that I use almost every aspect of the MBA every single day of the week. And that includes Saturday and Sunday. I don’t always work all of those days, but for me, it’s the network that is used almost every single day for me, certainly multiple days per week in one capacity or another directly, and then indirectly in the lessons and insights from the network every day. The skills and perspectives are an everyday occurrence for me. Whether it be thinking about the strategy, the financials, the marketing, each aspect is something that, at least from my work, has been a daily activity. I couldn’t be more grateful. And I frankly don’t think I would have had the same level of success or accomplishments without the training, the network, and also the confidence that Harvard Business School and the MBA experience gave to me.

Do you think the case method was a significant ingredient in that value proposition? [5:03]

I think in my own case it was, just because I learned well through that method. For me, it provided a way to truly see this in action, in an actual scenario. One thing I did was I actually wrote a small journal entry every day while at business school on what I took away from the cases. That process of preparing for a case, experiencing a case in the classroom, and then that final reflection on the case really helped the knowledge sink in a little bit deeper than it might have otherwise.

Did you know when you started Harvard Business School that you wanted to be an entrepreneur in the tech space specifically? [5:49]

I thought it was a place that would be pretty interesting, and having done time at Tesla Motors prior to Harvard Business School, I had a little bit of a taste of the clean tech side of the industry, but there were some things about the tech world within entrepreneurship in terms of some of the collegiality, some of the acceptance, and almost encouragement of failure, the kind of never-ending focus on learning, that I thought were pretty unique. At the same time, I kind of realized that unless you’ve got a project and either you want to go alone or a team that you really want to be a part of, forcing entrepreneurship can be a mistake. For me, I felt confident it would be something I’d pursue. I felt like the timing would make sense. For me, doing that first year and a half at LinkedIn was the right decision.

It’s interesting: Once you get into the entrepreneurial world, particularly if you’re going to do any sort of meaningful partnership or a sale of a business, the counterpart is almost always to put some value, if not a lot, on the other brands you’re associated with. In my own case, that’s one of the areas where Harvard Business School and the MBA had an impact. When a partner can say, “We like your business; we like what you’re doing. However, our superiors are going to have some points of concern,” we can say, “Oh, this guy worked at Tesla; he worked at LinkedIn; he went to Harvard Business School.” Those are ways of de-risking.

None of these things ever hurt us, at least in conversations that I’ve been a part of. In theory, I could have just gone straight into entrepreneurship. But I think I would have potentially been limiting myself over the longer term because of that incremental training brand and network from LinkedIn.

Looking back on your MBA experience, was there any particular class or extracurricular activity that you found most valuable? [7:50]

I’ve thought about that a decent amount actually, like, “What were the things that maybe had the largest impact or that I took the most away from?” There’s probably a couple that really stick out. One was I was fortunate enough to do a couple, actually three, I think, independent projects with then professor Srikant Datar, and now Dean Srikant Datar. If you haven’t met Srikant, he’s just a wonderful, wonderful person and also incredibly brilliant. The tutelage under his watchful eye and encouraging spirit was incredibly meaningful for me and planted a lot of the seeds for how I’ve thought about design thinking and innovation, which have been a big part of all of my different business pursuits so far.

The other, I would say, would be being incredibly deliberate about how I allocated time. I had a smaller pool of a few dozen people that I got to know extremely well. I know some people thought, “Oh, I’m going to somehow get some real small set of knowledge on every single person in the whole class.” Maybe that’s right for some people, but for me, it was the right path to be a little more focused and deliberate. Those relationships and the way those people taught me things beyond the classroom itself was incredibly impactful. It continues to be impactful today.

Anything at HBS that you wish you would have done, and you didn’t get a chance to do, no matter how deliberate and good you were at prioritizing? [9:38]

I think I came short on numerous things. A couple that stand out in hindsight: I did not fully take advantage of the platform in terms of the various schools that exist inside of Harvard. My interactions at the law school, the graduate school of design, the Kennedy school, were very limited. That was a big miss looking back versus what could have been. I think leveraging the overall greater Harvard education community, particularly MIT, which is so nearby. I didn’t cross register for any classes and didn’t get as deeply engaged with that community. Ironically, from my limited engagement, I did meet my now wife. But I think if I’d have been more engaged there, there would have been even more value. I don’t think I took every opportunity. There’s a lot of people who will engage with an MBA student, and I didn’t always take advantage of that. I think I was probably too reticent to reach out at times and leverage either the alumni network or even other people who didn’t go to the particular school I was at who still would’ve engaged.

You have, on some level, realized the entrepreneurial dream: You founded a company (BestReviews), you grew it, and within a few short years you sold it for over a hundred million dollars. If somebody has that dream, what should MBAs interested in entrepreneurship (specifically serial entrepreneurship) pursue to achieve entrepreneurial success? [11:05]

There are three ingredients that I would recommend to anyone who’s going to business school or at business school and knows with reasonable certainty they want to take an entrepreneurial path. I think there are three things you could probably focus on, and they’re almost certain to pay off. One would be leadership skills. The other would be cross-functional skills; I would almost call them general management skills. The last would be selling skills, actual sales.

The reason I say this is if you can’t lead anyone, your ability as an entrepreneur will be hampered almost certainly. You have to build a lead on some level or another or partner with someone who’s very good at leading; that could be a workaround. I was fortunate that I had this leadership experience with banking and in the military. I also had some supply chain and tech experience from Tesla. And then at LinkedIn, I got direct experience selling as well. That understanding of a couple of different functional areas, having worked in them and understanding of some different aspects of business, was incredibly important. Because it’s really tricky to think you’re going to suddenly be able to tell marketing, sales, engineering and product what to do if you know nothing about those functional areas.

Selling itself, I think, is a cornerstone skill. There’s zero entrepreneurs out there that I’ve met who don’t have some selling abilities. People like to demonize Mark Zuckerberg from time to time on many things, including not really being a sales guy. But guess what? He’s been able to sell through some top tier recruits like Sheryl Sandberg, and that’s as much selling as anything.

I was surprised that you listed leadership because you were in West Point. You were in the military; you were in Ranger School. I would have thought that you could have given a PhD in leadership after that kind of training. [13:37]

It’s a valid observation. I think the tweak is the way that you lead. Leading one group of people is not necessarily the same way you’ll lead another group of people. There is certainly someone out there who can jump straight from leading a military organization, maybe, to leading one of the private sector. But for me at least, I needed quite a bit of kind of retooling to be able to fit the situation. The core skills and practices, I think, are very, very similar. But the nuance and the application can be incredibly varied. For me, that time in banking, and at Tesla, and at LinkedIn all helped me better adapt my leadership style to leading an entrepreneurial technology company versus leading a unit in the military.

I was in a very nuanced situation even in the military; I was allowed to operate with a large degree of autonomy. Then I had a large degree of autonomy at LinkedIn in particular in the role I was in. But I think there’s something to be said for being able to put in place and build certain processes. It’s ironic: You hear people thinking that these military guys are going to be super hierarchal. Some of them are. You think they’re very process-oriented and some of them are. However, building processes is not the same as following them. And if you think of people who are really good at building processes, it’s actually not necessarily a military person. You could have someone who’s done incredibly entrepreneurial things. They’ve never been a part of a bigger company, but they actually know how to build processes quite well because they’ve been forced to. Whereas the big company person from Google or whatever in tech, or from the military, they may have very, very limited skills at building the process. Because guess what? Someone already built it for them.

You have your own new startup, AdVon Commerce. Can you tell us about it? [15:50]

It’s been an exciting journey. One of the insights from all the time at BestReviews and particularly through the Tribune integration acquisition, was there are all of these incredible curators of content who built incredible publishing organizations. But they’re simultaneously trying to digitally transform because they were print-focused prior, whether they be a magazine, or a newspaper, or a trade journal. They are at the same time trying to build digital subscription models, and they’re trying to build digital advertising models. This is a lot to take on at once for anyone. And there’s this opportunity in commerce that some of them see and some of them don’t. But it’s hard to simultaneously do two things at once, much less three or four. I realized there was an opportunity to build potentially tools, products, and solutions for these publishing organizations to help them adapt and hopefully even thrive in a very post-print digital world.

One of the exciting things about the Tribune experience was being able to help keep jobs in journalism. We were a profit center within a struggling company. With AdVon Commerce, we’ve been able to have a similar positive impact where we can truly help companies and support high integrity journalism, which I think now more than ever is an important aspect of what America stands for and what the world stands for.

We’ve talked about your experience in the MBA and valuable experiences for entrepreneurs at Harvard, or immediately post. Do you have advice for people before the MBA, let’s say between college and business school? [17:30]

That’s another question I’m not asked very often. There’s a place there for building out mentorship, I think. If you can establish even one or two of those mentor relationships, I think that can be a really interesting time to build that. If it becomes a skill, you probably want to look at, post-MBA, is it one of these places where you always have effectively both a mentor relationship or more than one where people are giving perspective to you, that you engage with? And then also a protege relationship, where you’re a mentor to perhaps someone who’s pre-MBA, or in their MBA?

That journey is best begun prior to the MBA. I was fortunate enough to have several mentors who helped guide and recommend me. Some of them are embedded in MBA and some of them were not. But they each were able to offer unique perspectives and advice to me, and if you start those relationships and that kind of process pre-MBA, you’re going to be that much better positioned for the kind of transition and the post-MBA roles and so forth.

I remember Sheryl Sandberg saying, “Don’t ask me if I’ll be your mentor.” It’s a relationship that develops organically both ways. On your LinkedIn page seven years ago, you had something about, “If you’re just interested in a transactional relationship, please just pass.” I have had mentors where the relationships developed organically, and I’d like to think I’ve mentored some people along the way. How do you think these relationships develop? How did your mentor relationships develop? [18:58]

I completely agree with Sheryl Sandberg on that and with you. Ironically, one of the companies I worked at did have a formal program, and I was assigned a mentor. Actually, a couple of them. And it was positive. I got something out of those relationships. But ironically, the people from that organization that I would consider to be long-term mentors and I’m still connected with were not on that list from the company. I agree with you. It’s something that happens organically. And I think you build a relationship, and you build trust. I feel super fortunate; I actually don’t have any mentors who I have lost touch with or been cut off from in any way. The same mentors that I had prior to going to business school are still mentors I engage with on a regular basis. It’s just the list has expanded, which I feel fortunate about.

They can come from very typical paths. In my case, I was reaching out to some people inside my network for advice as I was preparing for business school and transitioning out of the military, and that produced a pool of mentors. And then at each career transition, I’ve been able to check in with those mentors. I’ll almost inevitably end up with another mentor through the transition process. Because suddenly, when you’re in a different seat, you move from a LinkedIn to a Bestreviews as an entrepreneur, there’s a pool of people who have either context or interest in that co-founding experience, so they’re going to be added to your list in a unique way.

One of the things that you’ve emphasized in this interview is the value of brand. Certainly, you have lots of top brands on your resume. Now that you’re hiring people and MBAs, are you looking at M7 only? Or Harvard, Stanford, Wharton only? Or do you have a wider pool? [21:32]

For our organization, do we value brands? Do we understand brands? Certainly. Our view is that brands are a signal, but they’re not the only signal by any stretch of the imagination. I just took a call with a potential recruit last night who’s definitely not from an M7, definitely not even a top 20 MBA program. Instead, we think a lot about how we can’t train hungry, and hungry is incredibly important in the entrepreneurial world. There’s many roles where it doesn’t matter, but in our org, it does matter. We can’t negotiate with hungry or not. We can’t teach you to be smart or to learn quickly. If you have that attribute, that’s incredibly important. And we can’t teach a good attitude. Those are our big three.

Sometimes, these brands can be a sorting and filtering factor for some of those attributes. But in many cases, not so much. We try to optimize for those things and be just a little bit transparent right out of the gate. These things are incredibly important to us as a company. If these are things that also describe you and that are important to you, that’s awesome. Because that’s where we’re going to start, and that’ll open up the doors. Ironically, we do have some very branded people, but we also have some people for whom you wouldn’t be familiar with any of their brands, who have done incredible things for the company. I would say that we always try to keep an open mind, and it can be a part of the mix for sure. But it’s certainly not something that’s all-consuming or any gating item.

What are your plans going forward? Do you see yourself as a serial entrepreneur? [23:45]

I haven’t been asked that question. I think I want to optimize for certain things that make entrepreneurship a good fit for at least the time being. I don’t know that it means always, but it’s so hard to find the ability to make such a meaningful impact in such a short period of time. And it’s so hard to be able to work only with the people that you really want to work with. It’s hard to be so aligned economically and incentive-wise. If our businesses do real well, I’ll do well, and I’ll be able to use that resource to help other people. If I’m doing really well in a role for company X, well, suddenly their stock is going to do well potentially, and their shareholders and so forth will do well. But they may choose to use that money to support something that I’m completely not excited about, and that’s a bummer given that we have such, particularly in the recent world, a reminder that life is not infinite. There’s a short tenure we have. Doing things that are super not impactful or that you’re not passionate about is something, I think, you have to be real careful with.

When we spoke way back in 2014, you had recently written an article about things you had and had not learned at HBS, including the value of an MBA experience. You wrote then, “We will graduate from Harvard Business School in a few days with many authentic relationships that have already been incredibly rewarding and made us better versions of ourselves. These amazing bonds are priceless and define our experience here, helping us learn that people matter far more than money.” Do you agree with what you wrote there? [25:11]

I agree with it even more than I did then. Having had some level of what some might consider to be financial or monetary success, for me, it’s certainly something I’m very grateful for. But I think the alternative side of the coin is I have an incredible pool of accomplished, and talented, and incredibly interesting friends. Even within my pool of friends, I feel incredibly fortunate in the relationships that I have throughout not just the US but the whole world. If I value my own kind of life from a relationship perspective, it’s just so incredibly rich. That’s by far the most valuable resource that I have.

Without Harvard Business School, it wouldn’t be nearly as rich. The things that have transpired post-Harvard have only opened even more of those same doors to even more incredibly authentic and, frankly, exciting relationships. I don’t think there’s an infinite quantity. But boy, there is more quantity than I expected. I kind of felt like I had this pool of friendships I’d built through the military and West Point and so forth. And I thought, “Even if Harvard Business School’s two years versus four years of undergrad, even if I have half the same quantity coming out, it’s a huge win, and it’s worth every penny of the costs.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. Through all the different kinds of secondary effects and so forth, you can end up with an even larger pool of authentic relationships from HBS and from business school in general than from your undergraduate experience.

I never would have expected that because it is shorter. But because it ties in so deeply with the rest of your life, in many cases, it’s just one relationship that leads to another. There’s individual friends I have from business school who, because of them, I have a handful of other friends now because they’ve introduced me to their friends that we end up connecting on any number of levels. It’s an incredible Flywheel Effect.

What would you have liked me to ask you? [28:18]

One interesting question is, what’s the biggest challenge of the MBA in terms of the experience and how you leverage it? That’s one that I haven’t been asked. For me, the biggest challenge remains that there’s always four right choices, four doors to go through, and four different things to do with that 12 o’clock appointment. I didn’t fully appreciate that, despite being a person who’s pretty good at time management and prioritization, just how many competing good choices there would be. That’s the biggest challenge of the MBA. What I think is incredible about it is if you can really nail it, that doesn’t go away.

Even now I feel incredibly fortunate, but I know I’m not alone. There’s almost always four interesting ways to make a career change or four or five places I could live, or four or five calls I can take at 7:00 p.m. How you weigh and measure and make the trade-offs on what to do with that precious resource of time is, I think, the biggest challenge of the MBA and arguably the biggest opportunity, if you can really nail internal processes and practices that don’t create a fear of missing out, don’t create a bunch of regrets. Instead, they can create confidence in your process and in how you approach time management. I think that can be an incredible foundation for the rest of your professional and adult life. In most cases, if you have any level of success, it will not get easier. It will get progressively harder and harder because there’s just more and more competing tasks and opportunities for your time.

Where can listeners learn more about you and AdVon Commerce? [30:58]

Our site is advoncommerce.com. It’s pretty easy to find us. I’m on LinkedIn and have some of my blog content up on benfaw.com. It’s always nice to hear from people, and I have some writing out there that may be helpful. I certainly hope it is!

Related links:

• AdVon Commerce‘s website
• BestReviews‘ website
• benfaw.com
• Harvard Business School MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2020 – 2021]
• Get Accepted to Harvard Business School, an on-demand webinar
• Top MBA Programs for Entrepreneurs
• Journey to Duke Fuqua: Marine-Turned-MBA, Entrepreneur, and Dad, an interview with a veteran and Duke Fuqua MBA student
• Accepted MBA Admissions Services

Related shows:

• Entrepreneurship at HBS: How Stride will Help You Fund Your Future
• What Post-MBA Life Is Like, During COVID and Beyond
• What These Seasoned Startup Founders Have Done Since Earning Their Stanford MBAs
• A Stanford MBA with a Passion for Both Business and Humanities
• A Harvard MBA’s Experience & Advice on Writing the Perfect Essay
• Is an MBA Worth It, or Is the Sky Falling Down on the MBA Degree?

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The post An MBA Success Story Reflects on His HBS Experience, 7 Years Later [Episode 419] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

Thank you, Harvard Business School. That’s what applicants should think when they visit the program’s website and find “habit of leadership” on its “Who are we looking for?” admissions page.

It’s common knowledge that HBS values leadership, but with this phrase, the adcom succinctly expresses how they view leadership – dynamic, deep, intrinsic, long-term. It’s something you possess and bring to your experiences, not something that describes your involvement in isolated situations (i.e., the proverbial “leadership experience”). Not just HBS applicants, but all b-school applicants can benefit from reflecting on the phrase – and then determining how they embody it in their actions.

What is habit?

There are a gazillion excellent articles and treatises on the meaning of leadership. Many if not most of them are valid – it’s a concept that’s inherently contextual. I’m focusing on the other word. The key to this message is habit.

Habit is…

• ACTIVE
  

  A habit is something that is done. It’s not something bestowed upon you (like the title Team Lead) and it’s not something ascended to (advanced to Project Manager). Whether good or bad, habits are something you do.

• REFLEXIVE
  

  A habit is a part of you. You may think about it objectively in your mind, but it’s also part of your behavior. Yet that doesn’t automatically mean it’s innate – a habit may be learned (you probably know someone who trained herself to become more patient or more decisive or less defensive). Therefore, if you aren’t a “born leader,” you can still develop the habit of leadership.

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• KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
  

  You exercise the habit of leadership in school, in your family, with friends, at work, in your community. It means that when something needs doing or when you perceive an opportunity for positive impact, you shift into gear to make it happen – even if it’s hard, even if it’s not your designated role, even if you’re not sure exactly how you’ll do it. Simply, it’s what you do.

• SOMETIMES INVISIBLE
  
  Because it’s action oriented and not title or ego oriented, the habit of leadership, ironically, may sometimes seem invisible, a hidden force. Routine and regular. Example: your friends, tired after a long day of canoeing on the Delaware River, squabble about where to go for dinner. You gently draw the group’s focus to the two most feasible options, proposed by two different members of the group; everyone starts to feel enthusiastic again. They may not consciously recognize your leadership; in fact, the person who proposed the “winning” idea might feel like the leader! (More irony: real leadership often allows others to feel like the top dog.) Of course, the opposite is also true sometimes: your leadership habit may require you to visibly assert an opposing vision or emphatically convince people to join you in taking a risk.

While this quality is something HBS explicitly seeks, any b-school adcom will value it – after all, someone with “leadership experience” isn’t necessarily a leader fundamentally, but someone with the “habit of leadership” is. All b-schools want leaders.

How to demonstrate your habit of leadership

Having the habit of leadership is great, but it’s only helpful in your Harvard MBA application if you express it effectively. That means – you’ve heard it from us ad infinitum – use examples and anecdotes. Look for opportunities to portray your habit of leadership, even in essays on other topics. Also, try to bring it out in your resume and your interviews. Ask your recommenders to highlight it. It can only enhance your application and your candidacy.

Work with an experienced admissions consultant who will guide you as you mine your experiences and then craft an application that demonstrates the habit of leadership that HBS is seeking.

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Related Resources:

• Leadership in Admissions, a free guide
• What Does Harvard Business School Want?, a short video
• Harvard Business School MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines

The post What Harvard Business School Is Looking For: The Habit of Leadership appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.

The U.S. News 2023 ranking is now live! Click here to check it out >>

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U.S. News has just released its 2022 rankings of the best full-time and part-time MBA programs. The rankings are based on surveys sent out to the 486 business schools with master’s-level business programs in the US, accredited by AACSB International. 

According to Poets & Quants, unlike the Economist and the Financial Times, only the U.S. News list ranks all the major U.S. business schools. All the M7 business schools opted out of the Economist’s ranking, and five of the M7 chose not to participate in the Financial Times ranking. 

Of the 486 business schools that received surveys, 364 replied, and 143 supplied sufficient data and had large enough 2020 graduating classes looking for employment for valid comparisons. Schools were ranked in eight areas. The data collected was standardized in order to compare them with the mean and standard deviations of other schools. U.S. News weighted and added the indicator standardized scores (z-scores) and gave the top school a score of 100. The remaining schools received a percentage of the highest score. The final ranking is in descending order based on these scores. MBA specialties were also ranked again this year.

[Read: Do MBA Rankings Matter?]

Highlights of the 2022 MBA Ranking

These were some of the significant changes in the full-time MBA rankings: 

• Stanford University and University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) retained their first and second place rankings this year. Stanford was able to do this despite dropping in four of the specialty MBA rankings. 
  

• Harvard Business School crept up to fifth place from last year’s sixth, which was its lowest position ever in the U.S. News ranking. 
  

• Dartmouth College (Tuck) advanced two spots and unseated New York University (Stern) to take the number ten spot.
  

Part-time business school rankings also showed some movement:

• University of Chicago (Booth), University of California, Berkeley (Haas), and Northwestern University (Kellogg) maintained their leading spots in the top three positions. 
  

• Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) (eighth last year) and University of Texas, Austin (McCombs) (seventh last year) exchanged places and share the seventh spot.
  

• Indiana University (Kelley) is a newcomer to the top ten this year, taking the spot from Emory University (Goizueta).

U.S. News 2022 Top 10 Full-Time MBA Programs

U.S. News 2022 Top 10 Part-Time MBA Programs

Hoping to start business school in 2022 at one of these top-ranked programs? Check out our MBA Admissions Consulting & Editing Services and work one-on-one with an expert consultant to create an application that will get you ACCEPTED!

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Related Resources:

• The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Competitive MBA Applicant, a free guide
• Business School Selectivity Index [Can I Get Into My Dream School?]
• Do MBA Rankings Matter?

The post U.S. News MBA Rankings 2022 [Full-Time & Part-Time] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.