Admissions Tips

Browse our weekly admissions tips, or choose the category most relevant to you: researching, planning, applying, deciding.

Published: February 27, 2019

Four Reasons You Need to Visit Clear Admit’s Interview Archive

If you're preparing for a Round 2 MBA admissions interview, we wanted to remind Class of 2020 hopefuls that Clear Admit can help with the final hurdle to acceptance: the interview. The Clear Admit Interview Archive is a repository of first-hand accounts shared directly by MBA applicants after they have interviewed with one or more of their target top-tier business schools. The details shared in these reports—from the questions asked to what the applicant would do differently if he or she had it to do over—provide invaluable information as you prepare for your interviews. Read more

Published: February 25, 2019

MBA DecisionWire Spotlight: Berkeley / Haas or UCLA / Anderson for Tech

In this MBA DecisionWire Spotlight, which highlights MBA candidates’ choices as shared in Clear Admit’s DecisionWire, we take a closer look at a candidate accepted to Berkeley / Haas and UCLA Anderson. The candidate is interested in tech and also received a scholarship offer, worth $80k, from UCLA / Anderson. Clear Admit’s Graham Richmond spent some time crafting a lengthy response: Read more

Published: February 17, 2019

Podcast Episode 29: Wharton Team-Based Discussions (TBD)

In this episode, your hosts Alex Brown and Graham Richmond break down Wharton’s group interview – the ‘Team Based Discussion’ (TBD) – and offer a wealth of tips and background to help applicants ace their Wharton admissions interview. Ranging from the history and purpose of the TBD to the specifics of this year’s TBD prompt, Alex and Graham – who both formerly worked in admissions at Wharton – deliver the most in-depth podcast that ever been produced on this topic. They also provide sage advice on how to deal with different personality types in your TBD and explain the pros Read more

Published: February 4, 2019

Podcast Episode 28: How to Interview at Harvard Business School

Were you lucky enough to receive an interview invitation to Harvard Business School? Clear Admit's admissions experts, Graham Richmond and Alex Brown, are here to help you prepare! Richmond has counseled hundreds of applicants along the way, read hundreds of HBS interview reports, and even been through the HBS interview process himself. Brown, the author of "Becoming a Clear Admit: The Definitive Guide to MBA Admissions," has worked in the admissions space since the 1990s, and trained admissions officers at dozens of leading schools. Together, they tackle every aspect of the HBS interview process in this podcast episode, including: Read more

Published: January 20, 2019

Understanding the MBA Admissions Interview – Part I

Yale SOM has already released some Round 2 interview invites, according to MBA LiveWire. Michigan Ross released its first wave on Friday of last week. Harvard plans to release its invites in two waves, January 28 and January 31. the MBA admissions world is buzzing about one thing: INTERVIEWS. With so much interview anxiety in the air—and knowing that it only stands to build from here—we’ve decided to devote this week at Clear Admit to all things interview, introducing a series we ran during the last two admissions cycles. We’re getting the ball rolling with the first part Read more

Published: January 13, 2019

Jumpstart your MBA journey: The MBA Tour North America

The MBA Tour North America: MBA & Business Master’s Conferences Our friends over at the MBA Tour are back on the road again. Meet University of Southern California, Boston University, University of Cambridge, IESE, HEC Montréal, & more top Business Programs! Join them in a city near you: Los Angeles: Saturday, January 26 San Francisco: Monday, January 28 Boston: Wednesday, Read more

Published: December 16, 2018

Using Social Media to Help Your B-School Application: Advice from Admissions Directors

If you’re an MBA candidate, you should know that there’s more to an MBA application than the forms you fill out and the essays you write. In this age of social media, what you post online can have repercussions in the admissions process and on your future career. Admissions offices at leading business schools know that most applicants maintain an online presence and will sometimes check to see what they’re posting. We recently discussed this very issue in our article, Social Media in MBA Admissions: Can Your Twitter Feed Derail Your B-School Dreams?, which focused on the results of a Kaplan Test Prep survey that reported that 40 percent of admissions officers have visited an applicant’s social media page. So, the question becomes: “How can I make sure that my social media works for me and not against me?” We put this question to admissions officers at some of top b-schools around the country including Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, and Emory’s Goizueta Business School. While this is a re-post from one year ago, these tips hold true today. Find out what they had to say to MBA candidates with regard to their social media presence: Read more

Published: December 10, 2018

Podcast Episode 26: Round One and Done?

Did you make it through Round 1? First, congratulations! But next, where did you end up and where do you want to go from here? Whether you’re dealing with lots of dings or have the luxury of choosing where to attend, or if you received a few acceptances, but think you can aim higher, our latest podcast is for you. In Episode 26: Round 1 and Done?, Clear Admit resident admissions experts, Alex Brown and Graham Richmond, break down the possibilities for candidates who applied in Round 1 and discuss how they should (or shouldn't) approach Round 2. They also talk about scholarship support, and how they can influence one's approach. Read more

Published: December 9, 2018

Navigating the MBA Waitlist: A Clear Admit MBA Podcast Replay

With Round 1 MBA decisions rolling out, we’re revisiting a timely episode in the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast series: Navigating the MBA Waitlist. Unlike the black and white decisions some candidates have received in recent weeks—the coveted acceptances and the less popular rejections—we know many of you find yourselves in a murky gray area called the waitlist. While a straight-up acceptance would obviously be preferable, we’re here to tell you that top programs really do admit a fair number of candidates off the waitlist in Round 2 and even later—so stay positive! Beyond remaining optimistic, there are Read more

Published: November 19, 2018

Podcast Episode 25: 8 Tips You Need to Succeed in Round 2

Many MBA hopefuls may see Round 2 deadlines looming in the distance, but, based on what goes into applying to business school, those deadlines are closer than they appear. Whether you’re just kicking off your MBA applications or have some experience knowledge from Round 1, our podcast this week will help you succeed in Round 2. Read more

Published: November 18, 2018

A Comprehensive Set of MBA Interview Resources

As interview season kicks into high gear, for this week’s admissions tip we wanted to offer a comprehensive resource with all of our key interview tips. We begin with our four-part series that discusses the different types of interviews that MBA programs undertake. We then included our six tips for interview etiquette, our post on the five most popular interview questions, and finally our review of the seven hardest interview questions. Part 1: Open versus Selected What you will learn from Part 1: We examine which schools offer open interviews, and which offer interviews by invitation. We examine why schools Read more

Published: November 8, 2018

How to Prepare for MBA Interviews – Clear Admit’s Webinar Recap

Do you need help preparing for your MBA interviews? Clear Admit’s experts are here to give you advice and tips to be successful at navigating the admissions process. On Wednesday, November 7, we aired our interactive webinar “How to Prepare for MBA Interviews,” hosted by Alex Brown, Clear Admit’s long-time admissions expert and author of Becoming a Clear Admit: The Definitive Guide. The webinar covers: Different types of interviews that business schools conduct and why understanding each interview type matters for candidates. Nuances that exist across alumni, admissions committee and student-led interviews. A break down of the five most common MBA admissions interview Read more

Published: November 1, 2018

Thinking About Berkeley Haas for Your MBA? Here’s Why You Should

Sponsored Content U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business ranked #7 by the U.S. News & World Report and The Economist, #9 by Forbes, and #10 by the Financial Times. It reaches these high rankings thanks to the school’s academic rigor, exceptional faculty, and business ecosystem. The School offers multiple MBA programs including: Full-Time MBA: This 21-month program helps students build a fluency in business fundamentals that inform confident leadership decisions. Evening & Weekend MBA: This part-time Read more

Published: October 31, 2018

How Does Michigan Ross’s MBA Program Stand Out?

Sponsored Content The Michigan Ross School of Business is ranked #7 by the U.S. News & World Report, #12 by Forbes, #21 by The Economist, and #26 by the Financial Times. What makes the school top-ranked is their large and influential alumni network, excellent career services, and outstanding value. The school is home to multiple MBA programs including: Full-Time MBA: This full-time MBA program takes an active and rigorous approach to learning with globally-oriented curriculum designed to help you succeed. Evening MBA: Read more

Published: October 30, 2018

Why Should You Choose NYU Stern for Your MBA?

Sponsored Content The U.S. News & World Report ranks New York University Stern School of Business #13 while The Economist ranks them #14. They’re ranked #23 by the Financial Times and #21 by Forbes. NYU Stern achieved these results through a combination of a strong global alumni network, expert research, and a collaborative culture. The School offers a few MBA program options, including: Full-Time MBA: This two-year program includes opportunities for experiential learning and networking with a close-knit student body in NYC. Read more

Published: October 29, 2018

Episode 24: 7 Hardest MBA Admissions Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Clear Admit’s Alex Brown offers a closer look at some of the toughest interview questions MBA applicants stand to face as part of the admissions process at leading schools. Brown, who worked for several years as part of the admissions team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, is also the author of Becoming a Clear Admit: The Definitive Guide to MBA Admissions. In today’s podcast, Brown unpacks the hardest questions he’s known applicants to face as part of the interview—a topic he’s an expert on thanks to interviews he himself conducted when he worked at Wharton. As a Read more

Published: October 29, 2018

The Top Reasons to Earn Your MBA at Duke Fuqua

Sponsored Content The U.S. News and World Report ranks Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business #11 in the U.S., The Economist ranks it #13, while Forbes and the Financial Times rank Duke Fuqua #14 and #19 respectively. The school has been able to reach such heights due to its close-knit community, customizable education opportunities, and exceptional career management. The school offers multiple MBA program options including: Daytime MBA: This full-time MBA program offers 14 concentrations and is ideal for individuals Read more

Published: October 28, 2018

Clear Admit Webinar: How to Prepare for MBA Interviews

Need Help Preparing for MBA Interviews? Don’t Miss Our Free Clear Admit Webinar In this 90-minute webinar, Clear Admit’s Alex Brown will take a deep dive into what it takes to best prepare for your interviews at the elite MBA programs. Brown will begin by providing insights into the different kinds of interviews that business schools conduct, and explain why understanding each interview type matters for candidates. Brown will then explore the nuances that exist across alumni, admissions committee and student led interviews. Brown will also break down the five most common MBA admissions interview questions and the seven Read more

Published: October 28, 2018

What Makes Cornell Johnson’s MBA One of a Kind?

Sponsored Content U.S. News and World Report ranks Cornell University’s S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management the #15 Best Business School in the U.S. while the Financial Times and The Economist rank the school as #17 in the world, and Forbes ranks the school #10. Cornell Johnson was able achieve such high rankings due to its expert professors, hands-on immersions, and team-focused approach. The school offers multiple MBA program options including a: Two-Year MBA: This 21-month program is located in Read more

Published: October 25, 2018

The Unique Qualities that Help UVA Darden Stand Out

Sponsored Content The U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Virginia Darden School of Business #13 with The Economist ranking them #10 and the Financial Times ranking the school at #32 and Forbes ranking them at #11. UVA Darden was able to achieve these results through a unique educational experience, global courses, and exceptional faculty. UVA Darden is home to a few MBA program options, including: Full-Time MBA: This full-time program takes a case-method approach to learning, which includes classroom learning and experiential Read more

Published: October 24, 2018

Admissions Explains What Makes Yale SOM Unique

Sponsored Content The U.S. News and World Report and The Economist rank the Yale School of Management #11, #13 by Forbes, and #15 by the Financial Times. Yale SOM has been able to reach such lofty heights due to the school’s exceptional career opportunities, world-class educational experience, and focus on personal development. The school offers two MBA programs including an Executive MBA program. Full-Time MBA: This two-year MBA program is focused on teaching students what they need to know to understand how markets work and how to Read more

Published: October 22, 2018

Episode 23: 5 Most Common MBA Interview Questions You Need to Ace

Many Round 1 MBA applicants find themselves in the thick of interview invitations right now. In case there’s any doubt, that’s a terrific place to be! Some schools do feature applicant-initiated interviews, but at the vast majority of top schools, receiving an invitation to interview means you’ve made an important cut in the process, and the admissions team wants to get to know you better. Congratulations! Our guest this week is Clear Admit’s own Alex Brown, who worked for several years as part of the admissions team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He’s also the author of Read more

Published: October 22, 2018

7 Tips from 7 Top-Tier Business Schools to Help You Choose the Right MBA Program for You

Sponsored Content Choosing where you want to attend business school for your MBA program is not an easy decision. First, you have to consider how your top picks rank on the 2018 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Business Schools, the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, and the Economist. But that’s just a piece of the puzzle. You also need to consider what each MBA program is synonymous with, whether that’s experiential learning, exceptional career management, world-class faculty, or something else entirely. Then, you have to decide how all of those distinct aspects fit your needs, wants, and plans. For example, one school might Read more

Published: October 21, 2018

Waiting on an Interview Invitation? Tune into Clear Admit’s LiveWire and MBA Chats

Since we know some of you may be waiting anxiously in the next few weeks for interview invitations, we wanted to remind you about two key resources that can help you through this busy—and often stressful—time: MBA LiveWire: Live reports from real candidates throughout the admissions process. Find the profiles of other applicants who applied to your target schools. Get live updates of those who have received an interview invitation or an admissions decision. Sort by school, admissions round, and the status of each entry to find the information you’re looking for. MBA Chats: Chat rooms dedicated to the top schools below, in Read more

Published: October 14, 2018

Top HBS MBA Interview Tips from Actual Interviewees

We know that many of you Class of 2021 hopefuls are eagerly awaiting your interviews with the Harvard Business School (HBS) admissions committee. To help you prepare, we’ve rounded up the top interview tips from experienced candidates, as reported in the Clear Admit Interview Guide. You can thank us—and them—by paying it forward and submitting reports of your own after you interview. Whether on campus, via Skype, or in any of several global hub cities, HBS interviews are all “non-blind,” meaning the adcom members conducting your interview will have fully examined and be familiar with your application. Let’s see what sage advice last year’s class passed on. Read more

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MBA Applywire

November 20, 2024 9:42pm ET

Applying: Babson / Olin, , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Emory / Goizueta, Rice / Jones, Rochester / Simon, SMU Cox, UCI Merage, Washington U. / Olin

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Technology - Entrepreneurship

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Entrepreneurship

GRE: 333

GPA: 2.56

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Lagos

Notes:

I just got rejected for WashU Olin and I have an interview invitation with Questrom. GPA continues to bother me but I addressed it in my supporting essays.

November 19, 2024 12:51pm ET

Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Tech in government

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , McKinsey

GRE: 319

GPA: 2.9

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

I got cancer when I was undergrad that's why my undergrad GPA is low. After MBA I want to work in consulting then make a social impact in Africa through entrepreneurship

November 19, 2024 12:06pm ET

Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden

Pre-MBA Career: Wealth Management and Military

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Asset Management, inc. HF, Other Companies: Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management , State Street , Vanguard

GPA: 3.80

Years of Work Experience: 7

Location: San Diego

Post MBA Location: Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Charlotte

Notes:

UG Degree: BBA Financial Markets at an Accredited Institution.

Civilian Work History: 3 years as Wealth Advisor under an RIA in Minneapolis and Denver. Total AUM of ~$350-400M, served as a salaried advisor in a primary and secondary capacity. Holistic services to include investment management, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, tax planning, etc.

Military History: 4 years as a supply/logistics officer heading efforts for air/ground mobility, defense contracting, supply and procurement, and fiscal budget management while located at various bases within CONUS and multiple forward deployed locations.

Professional Certifications: Obtained Certified Financial Planner designation (2022) and Series 65 (2019).

November 18, 2024 12:50am ET

Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, NYU Stern, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Consulting

Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , Barclays , Citibank , Credit Suisse , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase

GRE: 323

GPA: 3.32

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

Education:
- Combined Major in Economics and Statistics
- CFA Charterholder (passed all three levels on the first attempt)

Professional Experience:
- Manager at a Big 4 firm Specializing in capital projects and infrastructure, with a role similar to investment banking
- Seven years of experience, mainly in financial services in Ghana

Extracurricular Activities:
- Pro bono capital-raising services for SMEs
- Aspiring to run a full advisory firm for SMEs in the future
- CFA exam coaching and tutorial classes for candidates
- Founder of a travel and tour club offering affordable trips to explore beautiful and historic scenes in Ghana

Will being 32 years old affect the attractiveness of my candidacy?

November 17, 2024 9:24am ET

Applying: Columbia, , Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Stanford GSB, UCLA Anderson, Yale SOM

Pre-MBA Career: Higher Education

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Media, Undecided Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey , JP Morgan , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase , Apple , Google , Microsoft , Andressen Horowitz , Charles River , Sequoia Capital , Blackstone , KKR , 21st Century Fox , Comcast , Walt Disney

GPA: 3.97

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Denver, Colorado

Post MBA Location: New York City

View or Submit Entries

MBA LiveWire

November 21, 2024 4:51am ET

Waitlisted at NYU Stern

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on November 19, 2024

GPA: 3.54

GRE: 331

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Nicaragua

Note:

Waitlisted without interview. How can I flip this in my favour?

November 21, 2024 3:13am ET

Accepted to Washington U. / Olin

Round: Round 1

Received via email November 20, 2024

GPA: 3.81

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Finance

Application Location: Los Angeles

Note:

100K scholarship!

November 20, 2024 11:49pm ET

Interview Invite to Berkeley / Haas

Round: Round 1

Received via email November 20, 2024

GMAT: 645

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Note:

Consortium

November 20, 2024 9:20pm ET

Interview Invite to Dartmouth / Tuck

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on September 04, 2024

GPA: 3.74

GRE: 311

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Tampa, FL

Note:

Applied early enough to guarantee interview.

November 20, 2024 9:19pm ET

Interview Invite to U. Washington / Foster

Round: Round 1

Received via email on October 31, 2024

GPA: 3.74

GRE: 313

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Tampa, FL

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