Get an insider’s take on MBA admissions at Goizueta Business School at Emory University with Melissa Rapp, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions, in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A.
Melissa leads strategy, recruitment, and enrollment across a portfolio of MBA and Specialized Master’s programs. A respected voice in graduate education, she brings over 20 years of experience designing admissions systems that are effective, inclusive, and human-centered. Her career includes leadership roles at top institutions, including Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where she served as Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA and MSMS programs. Known for her cross-functional collaboration, Melissa works at the intersection of education, innovation, and impact, building pathways that enable talent to rise and thrive.
She is a frequent speaker and thought partner on the future of graduate education, enrollment strategy, and leadership development. Outside of work, she finds joy in sailing, hiking, reading, and dining outdoors, especially on a perfect day.
Keep reading to get tips on how to write your most authentic essay, what to expect from the application process, and highlights of the MBA program and campus life.
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Melissa Rapp: Goizueta is launching a redesigned curriculum this year. For the past 2 years, we conducted research with current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and corporate partners to inform the updates. The new curriculum is more dynamic and thoughtfully prioritizes cross-functional problem solving and career readiness.
The changes include more quantitative preparation during onboarding, a technology course that evolves with the latest trends, co-teaching and shared case studies across functional areas, earlier focused preparation for internship interviewing, and Flexible Fridays in the Fall to accommodate networking and interview opportunities.
We are also introducing Growth Week, a week focused on bringing the fundamentals learned in the core curriculum together in an interdisciplinary way. During Growth Week, student teams will compete to solve a business problem of a corporate partner. This year it will be Coca-Cola.
The new curriculum retains aspects of the previous curriculum, such as completing a semester-long client project and elective options within the first year to better prepare students for successful internships.
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?
MR: I think of each application round like the start of a race—every applicant crosses the starting line at the same time, but the course each one takes may vary. After the deadline, we begin initial reviews and start sending out interview invitations. Invitations continue to go out for several weeks, depending on the flow of the process and what we learn along the way.
From there, it’s a dynamic race. Initial reads, interviews, and second reviews are all happening simultaneously. Every application also gets a final review and a recommended decision before we meet as a team to look at the full picture and make final calls.
No two paths look exactly alike, but our process is designed to ensure that each candidate gets a fair, thorough, and unbiased evaluation. We’ve built in multiple layers of review to ensure every applicant is given the consideration they deserve.
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?
MR: We approach the written and video essays as opportunities to get to know the person behind the application. We’re not looking for perfection; we’re looking for authenticity. The strongest essays are the ones that tell a story, grounded in real experiences and reflections. They help us understand your values, perspective, and how you navigate the world, personally and professionally.
A common mistake we see is when applicants treat the essay like a second resume. We already have your accomplishments and roles in your application materials. What we want here is you. Your voice. Your “why.” Another misstep is guessing what we want to hear, rather than answering the question or being honest about your journey.
As you sit down to write, keep this in mind: this is your chance to speak directly to the committee. Use it to share something real. We’re not just evaluating qualifications; we’re building a community. And we’re looking for people who will add something meaningful to it.
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?
MR: Our interviews are by invitation, most of which are conducted virtually. We offer a limited number of in-person interviews during our Fall Preview Events. The interviews themselves are conversations with a member of the admissions team. The interviewers will have your resume, but will not see your application. We encourage applicants to be prepared but not overly prepared and to relax. In addition to answering a few questions, we will leave time for you to ask questions, too.
CA: If your application features an impromptu video interview/video essay, how does it differ from the main interview? What should applicants know about this step in the process?
MR: The video essay is very short compared to the interview but it is a great opportunity for candidates to share something with the whole admissions committee. Only one of us can interview you but the video essay is seen by everyone. Answer the question your asked with a personal response and let your personality show!
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
MR: International applicants should feel confident that they are applying to a community that values their insights and will support them throughout the application process, as students, and as alumni. We work collaboratively with our International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) team to make sure incoming students have the documentation and support they need to navigate the visa process.
CA: What is your favorite spot on campus?
MR: My favorite space on campus is The Hatchery, which is part of Emory’s Center for Innovation. It’s a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and it buzzes with creativity. Whether students are launching startups, working on social impact ideas, or just looking for space to think big, The Hatchery is where ideas come to life. What I love most is that it’s a space where students from all across the university come together to collaborate. MBAs alongside public health students, undergrads, and PhDs. There are whiteboards filled with ideas, people pitching in practice sessions, and faculty mentors dropping by to offer feedback. It’s not just a cool space; it has an energy. The Hatchery shows how leadership starts with curiosity, and real innovation happens when diverse perspectives come together.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
MR: I always want to highlight the exceptional return on investment our MBA delivers. Our graduates don’t just land great jobs, they also move on to meaningful leadership roles. We consistently rank among the top 5 MBA programs for career outcomes with high employment rates and competitive starting salaries across a range of industries, making a Goizueta MBA a great ROI. But what matters even more is what’s behind those numbers: personalized career support, a tight-knit, global alumni network, and a curriculum designed to equip students with the tools they need from day one. We emphasize a personalized experience…we know every student by name, understand their goals, and help them achieve real outcomes quickly. It’s an environment where students don’t just succeed; they thrive.
