Washington U / Olin MBA News
Get the latest MBA news from Washington U / Olin.
Published: December 11, 2025
GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation Analysis for MBA Applicants and Recommenders
Applying to business school entails a great deal of work for prospective students – and almost as much effort for the people writing their letters of recommendation. An effective MBA recommendation provides rich information about the candidate’s strengths, key accomplishments, and leadership abilities. It’s also important that a recommendation fully address every question that is asked by the admissions committee. So, when an applicant is targeting six schools that ask different questions across their recommendation forms, this can translate to a great deal of time and effort for already-busy recommenders. To alleviate some of this pressure,
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Published: December 7, 2025
The Week Ahead: Many MBA Decisions, December 8-12, 2025
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week. Busy week for decisions! Several leading MBA programs are releasing their final Round 1 decisions this week. Wednesday, December 10, Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Penn / Wharton, Northwestern / Kellogg, UVA / Darden, Georgetown / McDonough and Johns Hopkins / Carey are scheduled to release their Round 1 decisions. Thursday, December 11, MIT / Sloan, Berkeley / Haas, Dartmouth / Tuck and Duke / Fuqua are scheduled to release their Round 1 decisions. Friday, December
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Published: November 2, 2025
The Week Ahead: MBA Deadlines & WashU Olin Decisions, November 3-7, 2025
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Deadlines & WashU Olin Decisions The new season of full-time MBA admissions is underway with application deadlines, interview invites and final decisions forthcoming. Monday, November 3, Oxford / Saïd has its Stage 3 application deadline. Tuesday, November 4, INSEAD has its Round 2 application deadline. Friday, November 7, Washington / Olin is scheduled to release its Round 1 decisions. How “The Wires” Can Help Visit MBA LiveWire for the latest “buzz” about MBA admissions, including interview invitations
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Published: October 21, 2025
Round 2 MBA Application Deadlines 2025-2026
To help you stay organized, we’ve compiled all of the Round 2 MBA application deadlines (and other Rounds taking place between November 1st, 2025, and February 1st, 2026) in one place. You’ll find links to our corresponding Essay Topic Analysis in the “Essay Analysis” column. School Deadline Decision Essay Analysis Application Live? WashU Olin 11/1/2025 12/12/2025 Yes Yes Maryland Smith 11/1/2025 12/15/2025 Yes Yes Oxford / Saïd (R3) 11/3/2025 12/12/2025
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Published: September 18, 2025
LinkedIn MBA 2025 Ranking: Gains, Losses, Arrivals, Departures
Following up on our coverage of LinkedIn’s 2025 Top MBA Programs, we wanted to take a closer look at the major year-to-year changes: the greatest gains, biggest losses, new arrivals and departures. To start, here is a look at the programs that made the biggest jumps in the top 100 rankings from 2024 to 2025. Greatest Gains from 2024 to 2025 School 2024 Rank 2025 Rank Change EADA Business School 88 69 ▲19 National University of Singapore NUS Business School 89 72 ▲17 University of Toronto Rotman School of Management 66 49 ▲17
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Published: August 28, 2025
Weekly Refresh: MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Questions
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions updates and advice on the Clear Admit site. The 2025-2026 admissions cycle is getting closer with some deadlines, essay topics and recommendation questions coming out. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: ASU W.P. Carey Babson / Olin Boston College / Carroll CEIBS IESE Business School Florida Warrington Georgia
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Published: August 21, 2025
WashU Olin Receives $10M Gift for Innovation, Leadership
Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School (WashU Olin) has announced the receipt of a $10 million gift from Jerry Kent, BSBA ’78, MBA ’79, and his wife, Judy Kent. Judy and Jerry Kent are longtime university benefactors. (Photo: Stephanie Marie Photography) The gift, which is the largest awarded to the school in the past decade, is the most recent in a long list of actions taken by Jerry and Judy Kent to support Olin Business School. Judy Kent spoke of the couple’s “duty to give back”
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Published: August 20, 2025
Admissions Director Q&A: Luke Bretscher of WashU Olin
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome Luke Bretscher, Assistant Dean and Director of Recruitment and Admissions at Washington University’s Olin Business School. Luke spent over a decade working in admissions and enrollment across a range of institutions—public and private, large and small—and he’s passionate about helping students find the right fit for their goals. He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership, an MBA with specializations in Finance and International Business, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Analytics at WashU. He lives in St. Louis with his
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Weekly Refresh: MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Questions
Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions updates and advice on the Clear Admit site. The 2025-2026 admissions cycle is on the horizon with some deadlines and essay topics coming out. Apps are going live as well, which means recommendation questions are available. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Berkeley Haas NYU / Stern Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Duke / Fuqua
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Real Humans of Google: Emerald Deku, Washington Olin MBA ’23, Strategic Financial Analyst
Emerald Deku, WashU Olin MBA ’23, wants you to know that “the MBA is the perfect playground for bold experimentation.” In this Real Humans: Alumni, Emerald walks us through said playground, digging into the standout strengths of her MBA experience that prepared her for an internship and full-time role at Google. Her grounded enthusiasm is contagious and sheds light on why the WashU Olin MBA is a sound launchpad for whatever your plans may be. Emerald Deku, Washington Olin MBA ’23, Strategic Financial Analyst at Google Age: 33 Hometown:
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Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Students Placed in Consumer Product Goods
Consumer Product Goods (CPG) is an industry proving increasingly popular amongst MBA graduates. Household-name employers and complex business strategy combine to attract business school talent, and the sector frequently seeks MBA alumni for its management roles. In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the percentages of MBA grads who joined the CPG industry. Business School % in CPG Boston College Carroll School of Management 12% Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business 15% Cambridge Judge Business School 6% Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 5% CEIBS 8% Columbia Business School 5% Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate
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Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Students Placed in Healthcare
Healthcare offers MBA graduates the chance to join a dynamic, rapidly-evolving industry. With its need for strategic thinking and strong leadership, this sector’s growing popularity amongst business school alumni is no surprise. In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the percentages of MBA grads who joined the healthcare industry. Business School % in Healthcare Boston College Carroll School of Management 17% Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business 7% Cambridge Judge Business School 6% Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 12% CEIBS 14% Columbia Business School 4% Cornell University SC Johnson
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The Week Ahead: Late Round Deadlines, Decisions & Interview Invites, May 12-16, 2025
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Late Rounds Continue More top MBA programs are now releasing their final decisions. Tuesday, May 13, UPenn / Wharton is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. Boston College / Carroll has its Round 5 application deadline. Wednesday, May 14, Northwestern / Kellogg, Georgetown / McDonough and IESE are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions. Thursday, May 15, MIT / Sloan, Yale SOM, and Minnesota / Carlson are scheduled to release their Round 3 decisions.
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Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Students Placed in Tech
Business and tech are intertwined, as people need tech to access services and products. As this symbiotic relationship grew during the 21st century, demand for the skill set of the MBA with a technology specialization has become pervasive. In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see what percentage of students of the MBA Classes of 2024 placed into the tech field. Business School % in Tech Boston College Carroll School of Management 6% Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business 27% Cambridge Judge Business School 23% Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 29% CEIBS 19% Columbia Business
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Real Humans of Applied Materials: Rufus Ayisi, Washington Olin MBA ’24, Senior Financial Analyst
In this Real Humans: Alumni, we meet Rufus Kwesi Kumi Ayisi, Washington University’s Olin Business School MBA ’24, who combined his background in engineering and finance to carve out a strategic role at the intersection of both disciplines—now serving as a Senior Financial Analyst at Applied Materials. Originally from Accra, Ghana, Rufus brought six years of pre-MBA experience in engineering and audit roles to WashU Olin, where he pursued an MBA in finance. Drawn by Olin’s experiential learning model, collaborative culture, and flexible curriculum, Rufus immersed himself in team-based projects and a global business
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Published: April 29, 2025
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Post-MBA Consulting Industry Placement
Consulting is one of the most popular post-MBA industry choices for business school candidates, alongside finance and tech. It’s a dynamic field with diverse clients, strategic challenges and more. In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the percentages of MBA grads who joined the consulting industry. Business School % in Consulting Boston College Carroll School of Management 13% Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business 2% Cambridge Judge Business School 14% Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 26% Columbia Business School 31% Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management 31% Dartmouth College
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Published: April 26, 2025
Choosing Between Top Part-Time or Full-Time MBA Programs
Comparing a business school’s part-time MBA versus full-time MBA means considering many factors. Requirements for flexibility, types of experience, and teaching method must all be taken into account, and evaluated against personal factors such as individual commitments and financial situations. In this article, we will outline the details of and the differences between the two programs, and assist in your decision as to which suits you best. We will also explore business schools with the top part-time MBA programs. Understanding the Full-Time MBA Option A full-time MBA usually lasts one or two
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Published: April 22, 2025
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Finance Industry Placement
In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the percentages for placement in the finance industry at top business schools. Finance has typically been in the top three of industry choices for full-time MBA graduates, alongside tech and consulting. The finance industry presents myriad options for MBA graduates to pursue dynamic and lucrative careers, and the quantitative rigor of leading MBA programs supports such paths. Business School % in Finance Boston College Carroll School of Management 29% Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business 19% Cambridge Judge Business School 26% Carnegie Mellon
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Published: April 13, 2025
The Week Ahead: Late Round Deadlines, Decisions & Interview Invites, April 14-18, 2025
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Round Three is underway. Final decisions for Round 2 have completed. Attention now turns to Round 3 and beyond. Tuesday, April 15, USC / Marshall has its Round 3 application deadline. Indiana / Kelley has its Round 4 application deadline. Washington / Olin has its Round 5 application deadline. Wednesday, April 16, NYU / Stern has its Round 4 application deadline. London Business School is scheduled to release its Round 3 interview invites. Friday, April 18,
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U.S. News 2025 Best Business Schools: Wharton Stands Alone at the Top
April showers bring May flowers and the U.S. News Best Graduate Programs Rankings. That’s right, the 2025 Best Business School list is live. Once again, The Wharton School claims the top spot. Stanford GSB slipped from sharing the #1 spot last year to tying for second with Northwestern Kellogg. Chicago Booth now ranks fourth while MIT Sloan holds fifth place again. Clear Admit Community Manager Alex Brown notes, “Congratulations to Wharton for topping the U.S. News
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Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GRE Scores by Top U.S. Business Schools
Average GRE scores by business school can provide applicants with a sense of the rigor of the MBA program, expectations of the adcom and general competitiveness of the applicant pool. While the GMAT used to be the only accepted admissions exam at leading MBA programs, many have opened up to other options, including the GRE. Starting in September 2023, the GRE consists of a 30-minute Analytical Writing section, which includes one essay. An additional Verbal Reasoning section features two sections with 18 minutes allowed for 12 questions and 23 minutes allowed for 15 questions, respectively. Another two
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Published: February 26, 2025
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs
See where your GMAT score lands among the top U.S. MBA programs, as we report the average GMAT scores in the chart below. If you have yet to take the GMAT, you can also get a sense of what score you need to target. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic abilities and a high score can help you stand out in admissions. Also, average GMAT scores play a role in schools’ rankings. If you completed the GMAT Focus edition, with a score ending in 5, please refer to Coming
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Published: February 24, 2025
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: International Student Statistics
International students statistics can showcase an element of diversity at leading business schools. In the chart below, see the percentage of international students at U.S. business schools. U.S. School % International ASU W.P. Carey School of Business 48% Babson College Olin 85% Boston College Carroll School of Management 24% BYU Marriott School of Business 32%* Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 39% Columbia Business School 46% Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management 35% Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business 30% Duke University Fuqua School of Business 41% Emory University Goizueta School of Business 45%
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Published: February 23, 2025
The Week Ahead: MBA Decisions & Merage Deadline, February 24-28, 2025
Welcome back to the series, The Week Ahead, in which we provide a brief rundown of what is happening in MBA admissions this week! Late Round Deadlines & Decisions Interview invites continue to roll out for Rounds 2 and 3 candidates. Thursday, February 27, Washington / Olin is scheduled to release its Round 3 decisions. Friday, February 28, Oxford / Saïd is scheduled to release its Stage 4 decisions. Georgia Tech / Scheller and SMU / Cox are scheduled to release their Round 2 decisions. Saturday, March 1, UCI / Merage has its Round 3 application deadline. How “The Wires”
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Published: February 12, 2025
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Percentage of U.S. Minorities at Top U.S. Business Schools
The percentage of U.S. minorities at top U.S. business schools can provide a sense of the diversity you will find in your MBA program. Business school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and self-identify as African American or Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic American or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or those who are multiracial or multiethnic are considered a minority. See the percentage of minorities as reported by top business schools in the chart below. U.S. School % U.S. Minorities ASU W.P. Carey School of Business 41% Boston College
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