Sincerity. Honesty. Candor. We encourage MBA candidates to incorporate these attributes into their applications, and when they do, the result tends to be successful essays. But can an applicant go too far? The answer is “yes,” especially when candor turns to negativity. Sometimes, when MBA candidates believe they are just being candid, they are actually revealing themselves as predisposed to pessimism—which can make connecting with their profile challenging for the admissions reader. Such situations are unfortunate, but luckily, they are also avoidable; an ostensibly “negative” idea can almost ..read more

Overall, throughout your business school application journey, avoid letting your MBA applications take over your life by making time to step away and enjoy yourself and by staying connected with loved ones. They will support you no matter how things turn out. And of course, if you feel you need more help navigating this process and your feelings about it, do not hesitate to connect with a qualified admissions professional ..read more

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business George Washington University School of Business ..read more

Do not dwell on the mistakes. Do not send new essays. Just accept your own fallibility and move on ..read more

Read the rest of this entry   ?” “Introduce yourself.” “What will you contribute to our community?” This prompt appears to be Rotman’s twist on these kinds of essay questions, and it uses the interesting angle of the “spike factor” as its framework. We assume that if you are targeting Rotman for your MBA, the “spike factor” concept is already familiar to you, but if it is not, you will clearly need to do some research before you can craft an effective essay response. In short, the concept was originally developed by (and subsequently borrowed from) McKinsey & Company to refer to ..read more

More of a visual learner? Check out our is released every Tuesday, and you can find it on all the major podcast streaming platforms, including , this podcast is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about applying to MBA programs and crafting a standout application. . You can now stay easily up-to-date with the latest tips, trends, and news in MBA admissions, whether you are commuting, working out, or just relaxing at home. is more than just an information source; it is a comprehensive guide to mastering the MBA admissions process. Featuring expert guests, actionable advice, and ..read more

If community is your main priority, either school could be a great fit; they both have genuinely close-knit cohorts and long-lasting alumni connections. This is why many applicants apply to both programs and then have difficulty choosing between them! If you are interested in learning more, we offer “Learning about” modules for both Darden and Tuck, as well as many other MBA programs, in , our on-demand and highly customizable admissions course. We go deep into the reasons someone might opt to attend the different schools, the reasons someone might attend them, their curricula, their career op ..read more

Read the rest of this entry   , in which we offer detailed advice on when and how to take advantage of the optional essay (along with multiple annotated sample essays) to help mitigate any problem areas in your profile ..read more

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