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

Happy AI Appreciation Day! Though with how often we talk about it these days… maybe it’s more like AI Appreciation Year? 😅 Despite early resistance, AI has become integrated into how we work, think—and yes, even apply to business school. MBA programs are rapidly adapting their admissions processes and offerings to stay ahead. So today’s guide explores the evolving role of AI in MBA applications. 🤖 The AI Dilemma in Applications Here’s the awkward truth about AI: most progra

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...

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

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

The MBA application can be broken down to a few key deliverables Academic Transcript Resume/CV (Work Experience) GMAT (or GRE)...

I’ll be honest - before I applied to business school I never thought I needed a MBA. I was working in entertainment at one of the top...