In this B-Schooled episode, host Chandler pulls together suggestions from other SBC podcasts and new insights to give you all the tools you need to survive your time on the waitlist and, hopefully, thrive. Insights from this podcast episode include: • What being on the waitlist means (and what it doesn’t) • The importance of developing an individualized waitlist strategy • Specific guidance about following your school’s waitlist process (which varies from program to program) • What to do if your school allows students on the waitlist to send follow-up materials and updates • Tips for asking f ..read more

After two years perched at the top of the heap, the Chicago Booth School of Business slipped slightly in the latest US News MBA rankings of the best business schools in 2024. This year, Stanford Graduate School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School share the top spot in a throwback to their 2021 positions. Meanwhile, the Kellogg School of Management and Chicago Booth have tied for third place, and the MIT Sloan School of Management nabbed fifth place. If anyone is wondering what happened to powerhouse Harvard Business School, US News knocked it down to number six thi ..read more

If you plan to apply to business school in the upcoming admissions cycle, you may think it impossible to improve your MBA candidacy in such a short amount of time. Not true! You can take action in three critical areas right now that will pay dividends in the fall. Academic Enhancement Did you major in liberal arts? Is your undergrad GPA 3.2 or below? In both of these scenarios, you may want to consider taking quantitative classes to enhance your academic profile. When in doubt about your test scores’ strength, consult your target schools’ admitted student profile page and compare them to the ..read more

Admissions officers and employers often make up their minds about an applicant during the first few moments of a conversation. That’s why starting on your best foot in a compelling, dynamic, memorable, and authentic way is critical. Today, we’ll discuss powerful opening statements that we call the personal MBA soundbite. Just as with essays, the first sentences of your interview have an outsized impact. Imagine your interviewer asks a quintessential icebreaker, such as, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Walk me through your resume.” That’s when it’s vital to pause, reflect, and then share a conci ..read more

This encore episode of B-School’s one-year anniversary features none other than Stacy Blackman, the head of our team and founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting. Stacy will discuss her entrepreneurial career and how an MBA helped her (and continues to help her) start three companies. She’ll also share advice for MBA hopefuls who plan to run their own firms after graduation and for those who might be approaching the application process with entrepreneurial experience already under their belt. Listen to B-Schooled episode #204 here or on any of the podcast apps listed below. B-Schooled is availab ..read more

Today, we’re covering a touchy topic that no B-school applicant wants to contemplate. But rip off the Band-Aid we must. This one’s for the MBA hopefuls whose application journey has now come to an unfortunate and disappointing end. What can you do if you don’t get into any program? While the outlook may seem bleak, there are several viable paths forward for MBA applicants who got dinged everywhere.  SBC offers a Ding Analysis as an a la carte service. Contact us today to learn more. The first path is time-sensitive: Apply to other business schools before round three deadlines hit. If y ..read more

We know MBA aspirants have an array of options when it comes to selecting an admissions consulting firm. But we also firmly believe Stacy Blackman Consulting stands head and shoulders above the rest, thanks to our amazing SBC consultants. Stacy Blackman is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. And that insider expertise pays off in spades when it comes to helping our clients get into the B-school of their dreams. Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school ..read more

The average age of business school applicants has been trending downward for more than a decade. With that, work experience expectations have shifted as well. But not everyone is ready or in a position to take the business school plunge at 26 years old. If you’re an older MBA applicant prepared to pursue the degree in your early 30s and beyond, consider these tips as you assemble your application package. Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant. Show Career Progre ..read more

Occasionally, we hear tales of MBA applicants offered admission to a top business school with a “low” GMAT score. But in truth, accepting students with scores of 700+ has been the norm at the most competitive programs. So, should you automatically retake the GMAT if you don’t hit 700? That answer depends, in part, on which version of the test you took. Right now, we’re in a transition period with the adoption of the new GMAT Focus. (In this new era, a 665 is the equivalent of an old-scale 710 or 720.) Before you start to panic and become hung up on achieving the highest score possible or fixa ..read more

The essay component is arguably the most crucial piece of your business school application. When done right, a compelling story can help counterbalance weaker aspects of your candidacy. Unfortunately, the AdCom member reading your materials has only about 15-20 minutes to form an impression of your candidacy. Great MBA essays can move the needle in your favor. Ultimately, you don’t want them to merely like your application when they finish reading it. “What you really want to be is the applicant they’re thinking about as they drive home that night, as they’re chatting with their spouse over s ..read more