NORTH STAR ADMISSIONS BLOG
GMAT or GRE?
Standardized testing is one of the least understood and most dreaded parts of the business school application process. Here are some of the most relevant factors to consider when deciding whether to take the GMAT or GRE. Schools Accept Either Test. With a very few...
Why You Should Visit Business Schools BEFORE You Apply
Next year’s MBA applications are rolling out, and the deadlines are earlier than ever. There are a lot of things that you should do right now – and here is why you should plan to visit business schools before you apply. Business Schools are Different. On paper,...
Common MBA Application Mistakes
Unsuccessful business school applicants often make one of these common MBA application mistakes. The good news is that they are usually totally fixable and preventable– the first step is taking an honest look at your candidacy. Unclear and/or Unrealistic Goals. This...
MBA Admissions: Fact or Fiction?
As a former Tuck Admissions Officer and the Founder and President of North Star Admissions Consulting, I know that it can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to MBA admissions. There is no shortage of damaging misinformation out there – here is the...
Are you the perfect MBA Candidate?
Do you have a 4.0 from Harvard, an 800 GMAT, international experience with McKinsey and your own charity, which you started in your garage while also building your social impact tech start-up? If so, you are the perfect MBA candidate! Just kidding. Actually, MBA...
Why the MBA Admissions Committee Cares About Your Activities
You might be wondering why the MBA admissions committee asks so many questions about your extracurricular activities. Why does it matter “what you do for fun” outside of work or what clubs you joined during college? They want to admit engaged students. The top...
Should You “Settle” For Your Second Choice Business School?
This time of year, I talk to lots of people who are thinking about reapplying to business school, even though they have been admitted to great programs. This situation arises when people get into schools that were lower on their list, but not their top choice, and...
More Business School Admissions Advice You Don’t Want to Hear
There is so much information swirling around about business school admissions that it can be hard to know what to believe. It’s also easy to find advice that supports what you want to hear, which can lead to trouble. In addition to the blind spots that I previously...
What Olympians Teach Us About MBA Admissions
Over the years I have worked with Olympians, as well as professional and Division 1 college athletes. They tend to be extremely successful in the MBA admissions process, and share many common strengths. Resilience You don’t succeed as an elite athlete without failing...
The Hardest MBA Interview Question
“Do you have questions for me?” It seems so innocent and benign, but this can actually be the hardest MBA interview question for many people to answer. The wrong response can completely undermine the great impression that you made throughout the interview. Even more...