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Clear Admit Insights

Published: September 15, 2026
Insights into the Bloomberg Businessweek 2026-2027 MBA Rankings from Clear Admit Co-Founder Graham Richmond
Bloomberg Businessweek has released its 2026-2027 Best Business School rankings, with Stanford GSB once again leading the U.S. ranking and IMD taking the top spot in Europe and the Middle East. So, what should MBA applicants make of this year’s results? Clear Admit Co-Founder Graham Richmond offers seven takeaways. Then, we take a closer look at the shifts in rankings. 1. Bloomberg gets something important right: MBA rankings should be regional. “One thing I really like about Bloomberg‘s approach is that they resist the temptation to put every business school in Read more
Published: August 20, 2026
How to Use AI in Your MBA Application: What Admissions Officers Told Us
Across five Clear Admit MBA Essay Insight webinars this July, admissions leaders from 23 business schools sat down to discuss their essay questions—and, at the beginning of every session, their school’s policy on applicants’ use of artificial intelligence in the admissions process. Representatives from schools including Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Georgetown McDonough, INSEAD, Northwestern Kellogg, SDA Bocconi, SMU Cox, Washington Foster, and Wharton all addressed the topic. Their policies were worded differently. Their underlying message was not. If you are applying this cycle, here is the reality, drawn directly from what these officers Read more
Published: July 7, 2026
What MBA Alumni at Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI Say the Degree Is Really Worth
Tech is one of the most competitive destinations for MBA graduates, and the alumni now working at some of the industry’s most recognizable names, from OpenAI to Amazon to Adobe, are unambiguous about the degree’s value. What they describe isn’t just a credential or a recruiting lever, but a two-year reset that changed how they think, who they know, and what they’re capable of. Across 13 voices and a wide range of schools and roles, several consistent themes emerge. Raising the Ceiling, Not Just the Resume For many tech-bound alumni, the decision Read more
Published: July 6, 2026
Ten Years of M7 MBA Salary Growth
Base pay for graduates of the M7 business schools has climbed 40% over the past decade. Contrary to some recent assertions that the MBA is declining in value, particularly in post-MBA starting salaries, we take a deeper dive into the historic data. Clear Admit’s Graham Richmond espoused the enduring value of the MBA–but what about the numbers? Below, we review the post-MBA median base salaries for recent graduates from top MBA programs and the salary figures have been increasing. The table below shows median base salary for MBA graduates of the M7 business schools — Read more
Published: July 1, 2026
The MBA Isn’t a Stock Price
Why prospective students should be careful about drawing sweeping conclusions from the latest headlines. Every few years, the MBA seems to find itself on trial. Perhaps that’s because we’ve fallen into the habit of treating the MBA like a stock price—judging its long-term value by short-term movements in applications, salaries, or employment data. Applications soften. Hiring slows. Then a new technology comes along, or a recession hits, and suddenly people start asking whether the MBA has finally run its course. Having spent more than two decades in graduate management education, I’ve watched this cycle play out several times. During the Read more
Published: June 22, 2026
More Than a Credential: How the MBA Builds the Consultants at Bain, BCG, and Accenture
Strategy consulting remains one of the most popular post-MBA destinations, and the alumni now working at Accenture, Bain & Company, and BCG offer some of the clearest testimony for why. Their stories share a common arc: a desire to move from execution to strategy, a structured environment to build the skills that move, and a network that opens doors execution alone never could. Below, ten recent graduates explain, in their own words from our Real Humans: Alumni series, what the MBA gave them on the way to Read more
Published: June 3, 2026
Event Recap: How Top Business Schools Evaluate and Select Candidates
We go right to the source in Clear Admit events, as MBA admissions representatives participate in exclusive roundtable sessions and breakout panels about the application process. Just last month, 20 top MBA programs1 shared their evaluation philosophies, application mechanics, and advice for prospective students in our MBA Application Overview Webinar Series. Across the four sessions, trends emerged regarding how business schools evaluate and select candidates. We synthesized the insights from the admissions representatives to share the top trends and help you frame your candidacy for the upcoming admissions season. Key Trends from Clear Read more
Published: April 8, 2026
Visa & Immigration Insights for International MBA Students
As part of Clear Admit’s recent webinar on the global advantage of a U.S. MBA, visa and immigration expert Travis Feuerbacher, a former consular officer and current immigration attorney, offered a candid, practical look at navigating the student visa process. His message: while the process requires preparation, it is both manageable and highly achievable. The Big Picture: The System Is Stable and You Can Succeed Travis Feuerbacher Feuerbacher emphasized that despite frequent headlines about immigration policy changes, the core criteria used by visa officers Read more
Published: April 1, 2026
Cornell Johnson Deferred Enrollment MBA: Key Takeaways from Cornell’s Admissions Team
Clear Admit recently hosted a webinar exploring deferred MBA admissions, and Cornell SC Johnson College of Business offered a particularly clear and practical perspective through Director of Admissions and Scholarship Chelsea Hann. Her insights highlight both the strategic advantages of applying early and the intentionality required to stand out in the process. Why Consider Deferred Admission? Chelsea Hann, Director of Admissions and Scholarship Hann emphasized that timing is one of the biggest advantages of deferred MBA programs. Read more
Published: February 18, 2026
Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment: Key Takeaways from Stanford’s Admissions Team
Deferred enrollment MBA programs have become one of the most compelling options for high-achieving college seniors and early graduate students who want to lock in a future MBA seat while gaining full-time experience first. During a recent Clear Admit webinar on deferred enrollment, Paul Mannie III, an admissions representative from Stanford Graduate School of Business, offered a rare inside look at how Stanford thinks about deferred applicants—and what makes a strong candidate stand out. Below are the biggest takeaways for applicants considering the Stanford GSB deferred enrollment path. Deferred Enrollment at Stanford: The Big Advantage Is Freedom According Read more
Published: December 30, 2025
The Year in Review – Clear Admit Celebrates 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, we’re taking a look back at some Clear Admit community highlights from the year. Sights on Social We round up some of the most popular videos on our YouTube channel (thanks for watching!) and our LinkedIn page (thanks for sharing!). YouTube Most Watched Video: AI in MBA Essays: What Applicants Need to Know Most Attended Live Stream: Clear Admit MBA Decision Watch Party YouTube Shorts with Most Views: This Week with Clear Admit – HBS R1 Interview Invites Tips LinkedIn Post with the Most Clicks: Read more
Published: November 26, 2025
The Clear Admit Team Gives Thanks
In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, the team at Clear Admit is rounding up what we are most thankful for. It takes a community to produce podcasts, events, content and everything related to MBA admissions, and we just wanted to take a moment to highlight what we appreciate most. The Clear Admit Team Is Thankful for… Graham, Co-Founder & Podcast Co-Host: I’m super thankful for my teammates; you guys all work incredibly hard to help Clear Admit promote management education in so many different ways! I’m also Read more
Published: November 19, 2025
M7 Business Schools Continue to Dominate in Venture Capital and Private Equity Fields
While we await the publication of the Class of 2025 MBA employment reports, we thought it would be helpful to review the employment trends as of 2024. Despite a slowdown in finance industry hiring, MBA graduates continue to be drawn to careers in the finance industry due to the large compensation packages, the chance to work on high-profile deals at investment banks, and the opportunity to invest in the next billion-dollar company at a venture capital or private equity firm. As we will see below, the top MBA programs continue to have a strong track record of finance Read more
Published: September 30, 2025
Unpacking the $100,000 H-1B Fee
See updates about the H-1B visa here, “Who Will the $100K H-1B Fee Actually Apply to?“ On September 19th, 2025, the Trump administration announced the addition of a $100,000 price tag to the H-1B visa. The Proclamation, named “Restrictions on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” came into effect on September 21st, 2025.  Details around the decision were initially murky, and an atmosphere of confusion has reigned. This article will, therefore, outline who is affected, the impact of the Proclamation, and what is at stake here.  Who Read more
Published: May 27, 2025
Turning Away Tomorrow’s Leaders: Why America Must Protect Access to Graduate Business Education
In recent weeks, the U.S. government has taken steps that could dramatically restrict international students’ ability to pursue graduate education in America. After an attempt to revoke Harvard’s authorization to enroll international students was blocked in court, the government has now paused all new student visa interviews and is considering expanded social media vetting for applicants. These actions have thrown uncertainty into the plans of thousands of international students preparing to join U.S. MBA programs this fall. These are not just administrative delays—they are potential deal-breakers for students who have spent years preparing for this moment. And the Read more
Published: April 16, 2025
M7 Business Schools Continue to Dominate in Venture Capital and Private Equity Fields
Despite a slowdown in finance industry hiring, MBA graduates continue to be drawn to careers in the finance industry due to the large compensation packages, the chance to work on high-profile deals at investment banks, and the opportunity to invest in the next billion-dollar company at a venture capital or private equity firm. As we will see below, the top MBA programs continue to have a strong track record of finance industry job placement and can accelerate finance careers. In particular, M7 business schools continue to dominate in the buy-side job placements for venture capital, private equity, Read more
Published: July 31, 2024
Our Favorite MBA Admissions Essay Topics & What We Would Ask
As a team at Clear Admit, we are very familiar with the ins and outs of MBA admissions. We offer advice on essay topics, review applicant profiles and welcome admissions directors to share their insider insights – and more. As we guide MBA applicants through the admissions process, we thought it would be fun to share our favorite essay topics (in no particular order) of the season and what we would ask applicants if we were in the admissions office. Personal Favorites of the Clear Admit Team Three Votes for a Creative Essay We each Read more
Published: April 8, 2024
U.S. News 2024 Best Business Schools: Wharton & Stanford GSB Share Top Spot
The 2024 U.S. News Best Graduate Programs Rankings rolled out and we’re taking a closer look at the Best Business School list. Stanford GSB jumps five spots from last year to join The Wharton School in the top spot. These two replace last year’s #1 school, Chicago Booth, which now ranks third along with Northwestern Kellogg. Clear Admit Co-Founder Graham Richmond notes, “For the second year in a row, the US News ranking methodology favors career outcomes (salaries, rates of employment, recruiter Read more
Published: April 15, 2021
A Debrief of March Madness: Post-MBA Employer Edition
In March 2021, we selected 32 notable companies to go head-to-head in our first-ever Post-MBA Employer Edition of March Madness. These firms were selected and seeded into the bracket based on their popularity with Clear Admit’s registered users – so we had our own predictions about how things would unfold. Graham Richmond, co-founder of Clear Admit, comments on the intriguing process of watching the tournament unfold: “This was a lot of fun for those of us who are keen followers of MBA recruiting trends. It was especially fascinating to watch the three most popular domains of MBA recruiting – consulting, Read more
Published: December 8, 2020
Competition for Admission to Top MBA Programs Intensifies Amid COVID Pandemic
As if 2020 hasn’t been difficult enough, there may be some more bad news for applicants to leading business schools: Round 1 outcome data from Clear Admit’s LiveWire tool suggests that MBA applicants may be in for a tough 2020-2021 admissions season. Amid rumblings of higher application volume, we conducted a quick year-over-year analysis, looking at the percentage of total LiveWire updates represented by Rejection and Interview Invitation statuses. The rate of interview invitations and rejections at the top-16 US MBA programs suggests that schools may be handing out fewer invites – and that rejections may Read more
Published: October 26, 2020
You Could Receive $25 for Sharing Your Feedback!
The global pandemic has shut down campus visit programs and in-person admissions events, changing the ways candidates are learning about and engaging with MBA and other graduate management degree programs. Clear Admit and our partner schools want to learn about the information that’s most important to you as you’re researching graduate programs and deciding where to apply. We also want to understand where you’re looking for that information, and how business school admissions teams can best meet your informational needs. This survey will take you 10-15 minutes to complete. The questions will touch on your preferences for virtual Read more
Published: May 31, 2020
Let’s Do This: Findings from the Fall 2020 MBA Admit Preferences Survey
As Fall 2020 MBA admits have had some time to get their heads around the potential impact of COVID-19 on their MBA experience, we’ve continued to survey our audience to keep our finger on the pulse of prospective students’ preferences and plans. Today, we’re reporting the findings of our latest survey, which focused on admitted MBA students’ feelings about the possibilities of online instruction and reduced international student representation due to social distancing requirements and potential travel bans related to the novel coronavirus. Four hundred ninety people responded to this survey, which was in the field between May 4th and Read more
Published: April 27, 2020
What Are You Worried About? COVID-19 Concerns Survey Findings
Following up on our quick survey about how prospective MBA students expected COVID-19 to impact their b-school experience, we conducted some additional survey research a few weeks ago to better understand the nature of prospective students’ coronavirus-related concerns. As promised, we’ve crunched the numbers and are sharing our findings with the Clear Admit community today. The vast majority of respondents were hoping to enroll at full-time MBA programs in the United States. Because U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens are likely facing different barriers related to matriculation, all findings are presented separately for these two groups of Read more
Published: March 26, 2020
Many Factors at Play for MBA Admits: Follow-up Survey Analyses
Yesterday, we shared the results of our COVID-19 MBA Impact Survey, which asked Fall 2020 MBA admits how the novel coronavirus outbreak is influencing their decision-making about matriculating, and how much they anticipated COVID-19 to impact the educational experience and career outcomes for MBA students starting this fall. Today, we’re sharing some additional analysis to help our readers better understand the relationships among these three variables as they interpret the survey findings and what they mean for incoming students and school stakeholders. A Quick Note About Correlation Correlation is simply the relationship between two variables. For Read more
Published: March 25, 2020
To Matriculate or Not To Matriculate: COVID-19 Impact Survey Results
COVID-19 and the extreme measures required to slow its spread have had a profound impact on workers, students, families, and the global economy. With established day-to-day routines being wildly disrupted, major life changes—like enrolling in a full-time MBA program—can seem even more daunting than usual. After seeing some lively conversation on LiveWire among members of the Clear Admit community earlier this month, we put together a quick survey to get a sense of how the novel coronavirus pandemic is factoring into prospective students’ decision-making about pursuing an MBA. Most of our respondents had already applied for Read more

MBA Applywire

14
October 14, 2026 2:04pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, London Business School, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, Oxford / Saïd, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting
Post MBA Career: Energy, Other Industries
GRE: 333
GPA: 3.4
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: India
Post MBA Location: US/Europe
Notes:

2 years in family business after undergrad. And in my 4th job in 5 years - have been working with BCG as consultant on contract for 2 years now (project has social impact - affordable digital access angle)

Worked for 2.5 years in social impact sector. Before that 1 year 3 months in KPMG as data science consultant.
4
October 13, 2026 1:16pm ET
Applying: Columbia Business School, Duke / Fuqua, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Technology
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 167
GPA: -
EA: 167
Years of Work Experience: 6
Post MBA Location: US
8
October 6, 2026 7:05pm ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: NGO
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 320
GPA: 3.79
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: NYC
6
October 3, 2026 10:42pm ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Indiana / Kelley, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Notre Dame / Mendoza, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Operations strategy
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Other Industries
GMAT: 645
GPA: 2.96
Years of Work Experience: 8
Location: USA
Post MBA Location: Midwest
Notes:

Veteran. Company sponsored.
5
October 2, 2026 2:40pm ET
Applying: Chicago Booth, Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Analytics Consulting
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 333
GPA: 3.56
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: India
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MBA LiveWire

October 17, 2026 3:33am ET
Rejected at Chicago Booth
Round: Round 1
Received via portal October 17, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.67
GRE: 326
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
Application Location: New York
Juno Member: Not yet
October 16, 2026 11:34pm ET
Accepted to Duke / Fuqua
Round: Early Decision
Received via phone on October 14, 2026
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
EA: 154
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
Application Location: United States, Richmond Hill
Juno Member: Not yet
October 16, 2026 10:58pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 1
Received via email October 16, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 675
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Technology
Juno Member: Not yet
October 16, 2026 8:00pm ET
Rejected at Chicago Booth
Round: Round 1
Received via email October 16, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.85
GMAT: 695
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Finance
Application Location: India
Juno Member: Not yet
October 16, 2026 7:53pm ET
Rejected at Chicago Booth
Round: Round 1
Received via portal October 16, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 2.9
GMAT: 775
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting, McKinsey, Health Care, Providers
Application Location: South Asia
Juno Member: Not yet
View or Submit Entries
Live
Wire