Recommendation letters have long been a core component of the MBA application. But with the rise of AI, there’s been a noticeable shift—more letters are starting to sound generic, templated, and increasingly interchangeable. Even so, whether a school requires one letter or two, AdComs still agree that recommendation letters play a meaningful role in the application. So the question becomes: what is that role today—and how do you make sure your recommendation letter actually s

Every consultation call I take, while prospective clients worry about test scores, GPAs, or years of experience, I focus on hearing their story: why they want an MBA, what programs interest them, who they hope to be with an MBA, and how their experiences tie to this vision. Because while numbers are important, personal brand is what makes an applicant stand out. What Personal Branding Really Means in the Application process Your personal brand isn’t a logo or LinkedIn headlin

Please note this post was originally written September 2025 - updates made in June 2026 are noted with a * In the last year, everyone in the MBA Admissions world, including yours truly, is talking about AI. We all know that applicants are increasingly using AI in their application process, whether it's writing entire drafts of the essay or just a polish on the resume. And while most AdComm are "okay" with it, knowing that AI is here to stay, AdComm still hopes to know the app

Happy World Health Innovation Day! Healthcare management is no longer a niche—it’s a rapidly growing field of interest among MBA...

The MBA application essays—and the Statement of Purpose for Master’s applicants—are one of the most critical parts of the application process. Beyond your test scores and résumé, the essays are the part you still have control over right now, and they’re your key opportunity to shape the story the admissions committee will hear about you. A lot of applicants assume that you need a “tragic” personal story or a long list of extracurriculars to stand out, but that’s a misconcepti

MBA Application Guide for Summer 2025, including an analysis of 2025 trends

As a second-generation American, daughter of Chinese immigrants, it has always been drilled into me that I attend a top university in the States. One of the greatest institutions of the USA is our higher education system, with world-renowned programs like Ivy League Harvard and Columbia, West Coast-respected Stanford, UC Berkeley, and many more across the country. I’m proud and honored to have experienced this firsthand, having attended UC Berkeley for my undergraduate and UC

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

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)

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

我的客戶Sunny Yen Ting Hsu 最近寫了一個blog post關於他申請MBA 和跟我合作的經驗。為Sunny很開心因為她申請的MBA program都成功錄取！ 也收到獎學金！很感謝我剛剛開始我的生意，Sunny就相信我，選我當他的MBA...

As we approach the start of the 2023 application season, I wanted to take a moment to feature and celebrate my clients of 2022 who...

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...