Applying to a top MBA program? With admit rates often under 15%, even tiny mistakes can cost you a spot. That’s why self-editing isn’t enough. No matter how strong a writer you are, once you’ve lived inside your own essays for weeks, you’ll miss things—logic gaps, awkward phrasing, even tone mismatches. After weeks of working on your essays, you’re simply too close to the material. You know what you meant to say, but that doesn’t guarantee the AdComm will read it the same wa

It's mid August and if you're planning on applying for R1 you're probably freaking out a bit, but don't worry, take a deep breath, we got this. You can still submit high-quality applications if you focus on what truly matters and prioritizing the programs that fit you. Here's a streamlined checklist to help you prioritize wisely and make every week count. Decide on your top 2-3 programs - At this stage, applying to 5+ schools for R1 isn’t realistic. Focus on 2–3 programs—ide

Today, June 5th, is World Environment Day —a perfect reminder that business can’t ignore the planet. The good news? ESG (Environmental,...

The 2025 intake cycle was an incredible one, where all of my clients secured at least one admission to an MBA/Masters Program, with many receiving multiple admissions! And although the competition for international students getting admitted to USA/European MBA programs remain fierce, my "100% admit" INSEAD streak continues, a client secured an admit to USA #1 MBA Program Wharton (and M7 program Columbia), and total scholarship offers topping $500K USD—plus a full-ride fellow

Note: This article was originally written in 2025 and updated as of June 2026. For those considering applying to a Master’s or MBA program, this is typically the time of year when standardized testing becomes real. Whether you’re just starting or already deep into studying, I want to share how to approach the GMAT/GRE more strategically—based on my experience as a former standardized test tutor and someone who self-studied to the 95th percentile on the GMAT. If you want a ful

Round 2 deadlines usually land around the first week of January, and for some reason, R2 always feels more stressful. Maybe it’s the “last chance” pressure for international students, or the fact that it coincides with the end-of-year holidays… whatever it is, time flies. The good news? With proper planning and a clear timeline, you can mitigate a lot of that stress. Here’s my recommended approach for R2 applications: If applying to 5 schools: Start as early as September, and

Round 1 and Round 2 attract different types of applicants, so if you’re applying in Round 2, your approach should reflect that. Let’s break down what admissions is looking for: Applicant Profiles by Round Round 1: Typically draws highly prepared, well-rounded applicants with strong GMAT/GRE scores, academics, and experiences. Admissions expects top-tier qualifications. Scholarships also tend to be more generous in this round Round 2: Still attracts high-caliber candidates, bu

If you’re deciding whether to apply Round 2 this year or wait for Round 1 next year, it helps to understand the trade-offs. Here’s a...

5 Reasons why ChatGPT or AI isn't going to write you a successful MBA application essay or Masters Statement of Purpose (SOP)

2023 success clients

MBA vs. Masters of Business/Marketing/Entrepreneurship/Finance anything business related - a common question I often receive from...

Start of summer, aka the start of MBA Application season!

Note: This article was originally written in 2023 and updated as of June 2026. The GMAT has long been the flagship standardized test for MBA admissions. While no one enjoys taking standardized tests—especially one as challenging as the GMAT—it has traditionally served as a key way for candidates to demonstrate academic readiness and competitiveness. This is particularly true for international applicants and those with weaker academic backgrounds. However, over the past few ye

With a program in mind and the basic steps towards completing your application, it’s now time to consider other factors that may help...

Now that you’re equipped with the basic steps on how to apply it’s time to think about the program itself as in which program should you...

As a higher education consultant/coach I have had inquiries from prospective students of all ages and they’re always curious to know...

Blog Post #7: Essays, Personal Statements, and Interviews My personal favorite part of the application, and for others, the dreaded: the essays/personal statements/interviews. I personally love this part of the application because it's the most malleable portion of the application and you're essentially telling your own story! However, although this is a lot of fun to me as I LOVE storytelling, I've noticed that for many of my clients they struggle in telling their own story.

Work experience is one of the most important parts of the MBA application—and like academic record, it’s also one of the least flexible. You can’t change what you’ve done. But you can shape how it’s presented, which is where a lot of applicants underestimate their control. In most cases, MBA programs expect applicants to have at least a few years of full-time experience—with at least two required but typically a minimum of three. This ensures you’ve had enough time to contrib

The thing that EVERY prospective MBA student dreads, the dreaded: GMAT (or GRE). If you’re going for one of the M7 or really any school in the top 25, it’s unfortunately unavoidable. Furthermore, for better or for worse, it is also one of the more influential parts of an application because it’s a reflection of your current academic “ability”. The good news is if you have a weaker academic record, a high GMAT/GRE score can offset that. In general, I encourage you to try and r

One of the key components of the MBA application is academic record. As expected, top MBA and Masters programs are looking for a solid...