In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A, we head to the UK with Charlotte Russell-Green, Head of MBA Recruitment and Admissions at Cambridge Judge Business School.
After training in Drama and Theatre at Goldsmiths in London, Charlotte transitioned into marketing after graduation and has now worked in the MBA market for over 10 years. She started her MBA career at QS, managing the marketing for the World MBA Tour events in North America and has worked in marketing, recruitment and admissions at Cambridge ever since. Her passions at work include building and growing teams, streamlining processes with the use of new technologies, and recruitment and business development strategy.
Keep reading for her take on this year’s MBA application process, highlights of the MBA program, and campus life at Cambridge Judge.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Charlotte Russell-Green: The Cambridge MBA offers a truly experiential and collaborative learning environment, underpinned by the academic excellence you’d expect from a world-class university. What sets it apart is its impact: the curriculum, shaped by feedback from recruiters, alumni, and faculty, is both rigorous and practical. Students apply their learning through two live consulting projects, a simulated executive board presentation, and a summer internship. A wide range of workshops further builds a portfolio of essential skills, from financial modelling and critical thinking to resilience and intentional leadership, preparing students for both immediate and long-term career success.
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
CRG: After the application deadline, each submission is reviewed by the Admissions Team and the Head of Recruitment and Admissions, who approves the interview invitations. All interviews are conducted virtually, and following the interview feedback, the Admissions Committee decides on offers, which are typically sent within 2-3 weeks.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing they should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
CRG: We get this question a lot, but without giving too much away… the essays help us understand how applicants think, reflect, and whether they’re a good fit. We look for answers that directly address the question while showing capability, resilience, self-awareness, and a sense of who they are. Common pitfalls? Relying solely on AI (yes, we can tell), not answering the question, and accidentally naming another school – copy and paste with care!
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately how many applicants do you interview? Who conducts the interview and what is the nature of the interview? Will your admissions interviews be in-person or virtual for the 2025-2026 admissions season?
CRG: Interviews will be held virtually this year, with successful candidates invited to an Admit Weekend in Cambridge. This includes dinner at an historic college with alumni, a taster lecture, careers workshop, lunch with current students, and a city tour – a great way to connect with your future classmates and get a real feel for life at Cambridge.
Interviews are conducted by faculty or senior leadership, and I recommend preparing as you would for a job interview: know your application and CV thoroughly, and be ready to discuss any industry you’ve expressed interest in.
The number of interviews vary by round with Round 3 being the largest with around 220 interviews; other rounds range from 70 to 150.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
CRG: 90% of our class is international so we do not envision any issues in admission. However, it’s important to familiarise yourself with our language policy, as you may be required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS. The policy can be viewed here. It goes without saying that you should also look at the visa requirements as most international students need a visa to study in the UK. The university’s international students’ office has a useful website to refer to, here.
CA: What is your favorite spot on campus?
CRG: Anywhere along “the backs,” which is along the River Cam at the back of the Cambridge Colleges. It is SO stunning!
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
CRG: The Cambridge MBA offers plenty of opportunities to connect with recruiters, companies, and the wider network, through on-campus events, consulting projects and international trips. The International Business Study Trip takes students to a global hub, this year it’s Nairobi, for company visits, lectures, networking, and cultural experiences.
Closer to home, the two-day “Future Forum” in Cambridge brings together students and alumni for inspiring talks from companies like BCG, Google, Microsoft, BlackRock, Meta, Sony, Octopus Investments, PwC, Zoe and Alibaba, alongside expert-led workshops and rich networking opportunities.
