Stratus Admissions Counseling

MBA Round 2 Application Tips for November from Susan Cera, Stratus Director of MBA Admissions📆 On average, MBA students have 4–5 years of work experience, with about 80% falling between 3 to 8 years. But remember, it’s not just about the number—*how* you’ve grown matters! Make sure your experience shows you’ll bring value to the classroom and excel in post-MBA recruiting. 💡Key Points to Showcase: 👉 Progress & Growth Show if you’ve taken on roles with increasing responsibility, managed people or projects, or earned promotions. 👉 Strategic Timing Be ready to explain why *now* is the right time for you to pursue an MBA, especially if you’re outside the typical experience range. Need guidance? Stratus counselors are here to help! Schedule a free consultation today. https://bit.ly/3UICXMy #MBAJourney #StratusAdmissions #WorkExperience #CareerGrowth #MBARound2 #MBAR2 #businessschool #bschool

In our latest video, Stratus MBA Admissions Counselor Joe Farr highlights “doppelgänger” programs that offer similar experiences—like Yale SOM and Georgetown McDonough. 📚 Yale SOM is known for strengths in nonprofit management and a mission of Lux et Veritas (light and truth), emphasizing truth through knowledge. 🏛️ Georgetown McDonough benefits from its Washington, D.C., location, weaving public policy insights into its curriculum. Its Jesuit foundation focuses on cura personalis—care for the whole person. 📚🏛️Both schools offer a global perspective and integrate liberal arts to sharpen critical thinking skills. #MBA #BusinessSchool #YaleSOM #GeorgetownMcDonough #GlobalBusiness #CuraPersonalis #LuxEtVeritas #StratusAdmissions #doppelgangerprograms #bschoolfit

Now’s the time to make sure your MBA Round 2 application stands out! Stratus Director of MBA Admissions, Susan Cera, is here to talk about what you should focus on in November if you’re applying to MBA programs with January deadlines! 🎯 Check Your Test Score: Do you have a score you’re comfortable with? Remember, top schools are test-agnostic, so choose the GMAT or GRE based on where you’ll perform best. 💼 Test as Part of a Holistic Review: Admissions evaluates your whole profile! The test is one way to show you’re prepared for the rigor of a top MBA program. If your GPA is 3.8+, a slightly lower score might be okay. If your undergrad GPA wasn’t as strong, aim for a higher score to balance it out. Questions about your MBA journey? Schedule a free consultation with a Stratus counselor. https://bit.ly/4fcVzwk #MBAApplications #Round2 #GMAT #GRE #MBATips #StratusAdmissions #MBAJourney #BschoolTips #BusinessSchool #BusinessSchoolTips #howtogetintobusinessschool #MBARound2

Looking to strengthen your MBA profile? Giving blood, joining charity runs, and making donations are great, but they may not showcase the leadership and community engagement top schools want to see! Focus on quality and impact—like mentoring, creating initiatives, and taking on roles that reflect your unique skills and passions. Here are some creative ways real Stratus clients have demonstrated leadership in their communities: 👉 Language support for new immigrants 👉 Mentoring programs in male-dominated industries 👉 Re-engaging with sports as a volunteer coach 👉 Supporting individuals with learning disabilities 👉 Leading initiatives in niche industries like fashion and health Show how your engagement today reflects the impact you’ll have as an MBA student! Top MBA programs value meaningful engagement and real impact over volunteer hours. For more insights, sign up for a free consultation with a Stratus admissions counselor today! https://bit.ly/3ApjJEG #MBAApplications #MBAJourney #Leadership #CommunityEngagement #StratusAdmissions #TopMBA #ImpactfulLeadership #howtogetintobusienssschool #howtogetanMBA

Rankings are helpful, but they don’t tell the full story. Your MBA decision should be about fit, not just numbers. ⭐ Personal Fit: Rankings don’t reflect your unique goals. A lower-ranked program might align better with your career aspirations. ⭐Specializations Matter: Interested in a niche? Some programs shine in areas like healthcare, real estate, or fintech, even if they aren’t top-ranked. ⭐Geography Counts: Location can provide valuable industry access and networking, which rankings can’t capture. ⭐Alumni Network Strength: A strong, active network may benefit you more than a higher rank. ⭐Ranking Fluctuations: Don’t overvalue changes in rank; focus on curriculum, support, and outcomes. If you’d like some help shaping a good list of schools that fit your profile, reach out to any of the counselors here at Stratus for a free consultation! https://hubs.la/Q02WwYms0 #StratusAdmissions #MBADecisions #BeyondRankings #MBATips #SchoolFit #BschoolFit #MBAPrograms #HowtogetanMBA #BschoolRankings #howtofindabusinessschool #alumninetwork #personalfit

How do you know if an MBA program is truly “you”? It’s more than just the curriculum—it’s the teaching style, community vibe, and connections you feel with students and alumni. Finding your “reach” schools that fit is easy, but what about “target” and “likely” schools that give you that same warm, fuzzy feeling? In this video, Stratus MBA Admissions Counselor Leila Labanieh Moro explores “doppelgänger” MBA programs—schools similar in many ways, with different acceptance rates: Stanford GSB and its fit-friendly counterpart, UW Foster! 👀https://hubs.ly/Q02WtgBc0 #MBAAdmissions #FindYourFit #StratusAdmissions #BusinessSchool #MBAGoals #StanfordGSB #UWFoster #bschool #howtogetintobusinessschool #howtogetanmba

📅 Round 2 Applicants: October Tip! 📅 Susan Cera from Stratus Admissions is back with a key tip: Attend events! 🌐 Don’t just rely on program websites; dig deeper! Attend webinars, join coffee chats, and if you’re in a big city, check out local business school events. If possible, visit campuses to connect with students and get a true sense of the program and your fit. Stay tuned for more tips to keep your Round 2 prep on track! 👌 Questions about your Round 2 journey? Schedule a free consultation with a Stratus counselor today! https://hubs.la/Q02WjQ9C0 #MBAAdmissions #Round2Prep #BusinessSchool #StratusAdmissions #ExploreYourFit #CampusVisits #MBATips

In our latest video, Stratus Senior MBA Admissions Counselor Jennifer Jackson Jackson highlights "doppelgänger" programs that offer similar experiences—like Harvard Business School and UVA Darden—where one may be more accessible. When exploring MBA programs, finding the right "fit" is about more than rankings. Consider: 📚 Do you like the teaching style? 🎯 Is the curriculum’s focus aligned with your goals? 🤝 Do you vibe with the students and community? Creating a list of "reach" schools that feel right is the easy part. But what about "target" or "likely" schools? Often, finding these with the same sense of connection takes more effort. 👀Watch now https://hubs.la/Q02V-GG40 #MBAFit #BusinessSchool #BSchoolAdvice #HarvardBusinessSchool #HBS #HarvardMBA #UVADarden #UVAMBA #MBAJourney #MBATips #StratusAdmissions

Stratus Director of MBA Admissions Susan Cera is here with your October prep advice for Round 2 MBA applications. Step 4️⃣ this month, nurture potential recommenders. Beyond your current immediate supervisor, who will go to bat for you? Identify several people to serve as an additional recommender. Invite them to lunch, go for a run, or play a round of golf on the weekend to discuss your plans. Not in the same place? Schedule a virtual meeting. Share your goals and get a sense of whether they will support you in your quest to get an MBA. Questions about your Round 2 journey? Check out all of Susan's tips for October (linked below) and schedule a free consultation with a Stratus counselor today! https://hubs.la/Q02VTf_j0 #MBAJourney #BusinessSchool #ApplicationTips #MBARound2 #MBAPrep #ExploreSchools #StratusAdmissions

🚨Flexible MBA Programs Tailored for Experienced Professionals on the Rise🚨 Evenings If you live in a major metropolitan area, it is likely that a local MBA program offers evening classes. Although it might take you more than two years to complete your degree, you won’t have to relocate, can continue with your job, will have opportunities to engage with students in the full-time program, and can leverage career resources to move your career forward. Weekends Quite a few top business schools offer weekend programs. Your cohort will likely be based locally or regionally and include more seasoned professionals than a full-time program. With a smaller class, you will build very strong bonds with your classmates while also gaining access to school-wide resources such as clubs, conferences, career management professionals, and alumni. Mid-career Executive If you have roughly ten years of work experience and are at the director level or above, there are many outstanding MBA programs to consider. Some, such as MIT’s Sloan Fellows, Stanford GSB’s MSx, and USC’s International MBA (IBEAR), are one-year, full-time programs. Online MBA The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the availability of online curricula at many top business schools. Now, it is possible to get an online MBA (with some in-person opportunities) at Michigan Ross, Berkeley Haas, NYU Stern, and UNC Kenan-Flagler. These programs offer maximum flexibility as you retool to take your career to the next level. Regardless of your age, Stratus Admissions Counseling can help you identify MBA programs that are the right fit and will move you toward your career aspirations. Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation! https://hubs.la/Q02Vb-4W0