We offer a wealth of tips and strategies across a range of topics—from application advice on Harvard or INSEAD to acing the GMAT, writing essays, navigating MBA interviews and more.
What is the Average MBA Waitlist Acceptance Rate?
Dec. 7th, 2022
You put your heart and soul into applying for an MBA in hopes of getting into a top business school. You were invited for an MBA interview and it went really well. The waiting to get the final response seemed endless. And then it came. Not only wasn’t it what you expected, it introduced a […]
Should You Get An MBA Straight Out Of Your Undergrad?
Dec. 7th, 2022
Getting An MBA Straight Out Of Your Undergrad After completing your undergrad degree, you have several options. While you could enter the workforce promptly after graduation, you could also pursue your MBA. Each option has its merits, as pursuing an MBA immediately after graduation isn’t for everyone. This article outlines the perks of pursuing an […]
MBA Application Advice: 5 Must-Dos Before You Hit Submit
Dec. 5th, 2022
The single most important thing you can do when you hit submit on your MBA application is to be confident that it’s the very best reflection of you and your candidacy – no matter which admissions round you’re targeting. Having reviewed thousands of applications during my career in MBA admissions, as head of Admissions at INSEAD […]
The Power of Giving Thanks in the MBA Admission Process
Nov. 21st, 2022
I still have the thank you note from the first student I admitted to Penn in 1990 (pictured here). It means a lot to me. Then, because it allowed me to see that I was someone that students could trust. And now, because it reminds me how powerful it is for the person across the […]
Kellogg MBA Interview: What You Need to Know + 7 Tips to Prepare
Nov. 19th, 2022
Kellogg is unique in many ways, not least that it’s the only top business school that seeks to interview every candidate who applies. It’s able to attempt this feat by flexing the strength of a worldwide network of passionate alumni, who opt-in both as ambassadors for the program and messengers to its admissions committee. While […]
How to Optimize LinkedIn: 10 Tips for MBA Applicants
Nov. 17th, 2022
It’s no secret that your social media posts are fair game to the MBA admissions committee. Nearly two-thirds of MBA admissions officers visit an applicant’s social media profiles to aid their decision-making, according to survey data from Kaplan Test Prep in 2021. Kaplan reports that 36% of admissions officers visit applicants’ social media profiles like […]
MBA Interview Prep: 3 Key Qualities of ‘Professional Presence’
Nov. 7th, 2022
There’s an awkward coaching moment that most of us hope to avoid when preparing our clients for the MBA interview. As former senior admissions professionals at top-tier schools, my fellow MBA Admissions coaches and I are seasoned at navigating sensitive subjects while guiding candidates to convey their greatest potential as future business leaders. But anything […]
How to Get Into NYU Stern
Nov. 1st, 2022
Much like New York City itself, NYU Stern has changed significantly over the years. In 2019, Stern released a ‘Call to Action,’ rebranding with its new slogan: “Change. Dare it. Dream it. Drive it.” Just as Stern has taken many steps to enhance its program in a rapidly changing, forward-thinking world, such as doubling down […]
MBA Requirements: Advice for Non-traditional Applicants
Oct. 26th, 2022
My Fortuna Admissions colleague interviewed an MBA graduate named Paul Heslop, who serves as an Operations and Planning Chief for the United Nations. Among Paul’s bevy of unique distinctions is directing peacekeeping efforts in 17 countries, clearing thousands of unexploded mines and bombs, and defending multi-million-dollar budgets to the UN Security Council. Oh, and before […]
10 Years of MBA Admissions Success: Fortuna’s Origin Story
Oct. 18th, 2022
Matt Symonds and I had known each other for about 10 years while I was at Wharton as a Senior Associate and then Acting Director of MBA Admissions, and he was the co-founder of QS and the World MBA Tour. Matt’s company would host events all over the world for prospective candidates to meet with […]
How to Address a Gap In Your MBA Resume: 5 Top Tips
Oct. 11th, 2022
A gap in a candidate’s MBA resume always gives me pause. When I was Associate Director of Admissions at UCLA Anderson, my team and I often probed into these breaks in employment in order to discern the context behind this gap, and figure out what the applicant did during this time period. Whether an unattributed […]
Decline in MBA Applications Is A Rare Opportunity for B-School Candidates
Oct. 4th, 2022
Four months ago I wrote an article for Forbes predicting a sharp downturn in MBA applications, and why now might be your best chance in a generation to get an elite MBA and secure your place at one of the world’s leading business schools. Since then, HBS has confirmed a 15.4% decline in MBA applications […]
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