Events

MBA applications have changed shape over the past few years: shorter word counts, more schools asking for short video responses, and less room to hide behind a polished but generic answer. Karla Magana Figueroa worked on Harvard Kennedy School’s admissions committee and has placed clients at Stanford GSB and HBS. Jessica Burlingame has coached MBA and EMBA applicants worldwide since 2006. Greg Guglielmo, ranked ninth nationally by Poets & Quants, has reviewed essays for nearly every top program.

This panel breaks down what shorter essays and video prompts actually reward, and where applicants still get it wrong. Expect talk about pacing a video response, trimming an essay without losing its substance, and how committees read these newer formats differently than long-form essays. Bring your own application questions.

Join us for Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler II, an exclusive opportunity to explore our Full-Time MBA Program and experience life as a Tar Heel! Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or are ready to apply, this event offers a comprehensive understanding of the UNC Kenan-Flagler experience, both inside and outside the classroom.

Join us for an optional welcome social in the evening on Thursday, November 5, and a full day of programming on Friday, November 6. A detailed agenda will be shared closer to the event. Prospective students are welcome to bring one guest.

What to Expect:

• Admissions Process: Gain insight into the application and admissions process, including details about what admissions committees look for in MBA applicants.
• Career Success: Learn how we prepare you for career success—from practical skills application to structured career tracks and industry-relevant connections.
• Classroom Insight: Sit in on a mock class led by Kenan-Flagler faculty to get a feel for our dynamic, hands-on academic environment.
• Student Perspectives: Hear directly from current students about their involvement in clubs, the MBA Student Association, and how you can take on leadership roles to shape your own experience.
• Network and Connect: Enjoy ample opportunities to interact with current students, faculty, and MBA program staff who make up our supportive community.

By attending, you’ll receive a $150 application fee waiver for our Full-Time MBA program! (Please note: this waiver cannot be applied if you are submitting your application through The Consortium or if you’ve already submitted your application.)

Join us for Spotlight On: The CBS Community, an event that will celebrate our vibrant and dynamic community at CBS. Spotlight On: The CBS Community is an opportunity to get a taste of the academic environment, hear from young alumni, get first-hand insights into the student experience, and learn more about the Full-Time MBA admissions process. 

MBA admissions decisions get made behind closed doors, and the three coaches on this panel used to be in that room. Emily Lammers co-led the admissions committee at Berkeley Haas, Kelsey Kephart spent three years on Columbia Business School’s admissions team, and Mike Hochleutner ran Stanford GSB’s admissions office for over a decade.

In 45 minutes, they’ll compare notes on what actually moves an application forward this cycle, where applicants waste time on the wrong details, and how adcom priorities differ by school. Bring a question about your own application or target schools, and expect straight answers rather than a single formula for getting in.

Two Degrees. One Global Perspective.

Monday, November 9, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. Eastern | Virtual Event

The Wharton MBA gives you the business toolkit. Lauder gives you the global perspective to put it to work.

What if you could combine a world-class MBA with a deeper understanding of the cultures, economies, and global forces shaping business today?

Join Clear Admit for a special virtual event exploring the Wharton MBA and Lauder MA in International Studies joint degree program at the University of Pennsylvania.

In just 24 months, students can earn both a Wharton MBA and a Master of Arts in International Studies, combining rigorous business education with interdisciplinary coursework, language study, and immersive international experiences.

During this session, you’ll hear directly from the Lauder Institute’s Admissions Director, who will introduce the program, explain what makes the joint degree unique, and share how it prepares graduates to lead across borders, cultures, and industries.

The event will conclude with an open Q&A, giving you the opportunity to get answers to your questions directly from the admissions team.

Why Consider the Wharton MBA Lauder MA?

Today’s business leaders need more than traditional management skills. They need to understand the people, cultures, and complex global dynamics that influence how organizations operate.

The Wharton-Lauder joint degree brings these skills together through an integrated educational experience.

Students benefit from the strength of Wharton’s MBA curriculum while developing a deeper understanding of international markets, cross-cultural communication, and global leadership through the Lauder Institute.

The result? Two complementary degrees designed to prepare graduates for careers in an increasingly interconnected world.

What You’ll Learn During This Webinar

• Two Degrees in 24 Months: Understand how the Wharton MBA and Lauder MA fit together and what makes the joint degree experience distinctive.
• A Truly Global Education: Explore how international immersion, language study, and interdisciplinary coursework help students develop a deeper understanding of global business.
• The Lauder Experience: Discover the program’s close-knit community, international focus, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Preparing for Global Leadership: Learn how the combination of business expertise and international perspective can help graduates navigate complex markets, cultures, and organizations.
• Live Q&A with Admissions: Bring your questions about the program, student experience, and admissions process for an open discussion with the Lauder Admissions Director.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is particularly valuable for prospective MBA applicants who are interested in international business, global leadership, or careers that span countries and cultures.

Whether you’re already considering the Wharton MBA, exploring joint degree options, or simply curious about how Lauder could complement your career goals, this is an opportunity to learn more about the program directly from admissions.

Join Vanderbilt’s Consulting Career Coach for a candid conversation with current students about pursuing a career in consulting. Our student panelists will share their experiences navigating the recruiting process, preparing for interviews, exploring different consulting paths, and balancing career goals with the demands of the program.

Whether you’re already considering consulting or simply curious about the opportunities available, this session will offer an inside look at the resources, coaching, and student experiences that can help you prepare for your next career move

Your questions. Their Stern experience. Join Clear Admit and NYU Stern for an open conversation about life in the MBA program and the paths that lead there.
We will be hosting this event on Reddit (r/mba) and the direct link to the event will be added here on the morning of November 11th.

Use the optional registration form to receive the link via email:

You can also add to calendar and check r/mba on November 11 at 2pm eastern!

Get an Inside Look at Harvard Business School

What does it take to get into Harvard Business School? What is the HBS MBA experience really like? And how can that experience shape your career long after graduation?

Join Clear Admit for Inside HBS Admissions, a special one-hour webinar featuring Dana Fernandez, Director, Marketing, MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School and three HBS alumni.

Together, they’ll offer perspectives from both sides of the MBA journey, from the admissions process to life at HBS and the opportunities that follow graduation.

Whether you’re actively preparing your HBS application or simply exploring whether Harvard Business School is the right fit for your goals, this conversation will help you better understand the program and what makes the HBS experience unique.

What We’ll Explore

• Inside HBS Admissions: Hear directly from Dana Fernandez about Harvard Business School and its admissions process.
• The HBS Student Experience: Learn from alumni about their time at HBS, including the classroom experience, community, and opportunities that shaped their MBA journey.
• The Value of an HBS MBA: Discover how the HBS experience has influenced alumni careers, professional networks, and personal growth.
• Perspectives You Won’t Find in a Brochure: Gain firsthand insights from people who have experienced HBS as students and can reflect on the lasting value of their MBA.

Meet Our Speakers

Dana Fernandez | Director, Marketing, MBA Admissions, Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School Alumni (To be announced)

Hosted by Mike Tarantino | Clear Admit

Deferred MBA applicants face a strange problem: you’re submitting essays that read almost exactly like your first round, except now the goal is proving something changed. Most people either ignore the deferral entirely or apologize for it, and neither approach gives an admissions committee a reason to say yes this time.

In 45 minutes, Rifat will cover what deferred essays actually need to show, how to talk about the months since your first application without sounding defensive, and where most drafts go wrong. Bring a specific line from your essay and he’ll help you sharpen it live.

In honor of Veteran’s Day, please join us for an MBA Campus Visit that will feature members of the Columbia Business School Veteran’s Club who will discuss how an MBA from CBS has built on their unique military leadership experiences.

This event will offer attendees an opportunity to hear from the admissions team about the MBA program and application process, participate in a lecture with a faculty member, engage with current students, and tour our campus.

This event is open to all prospective MBA students.

Do you have your sights set on deferred enrollment MBA programs? Join us to hear how to amp up your application for these special pathways to b-school. Full-time MBA programs traditionally require several years of full-time work experience, but deferred enrollment MBA programs allow candidates to apply – and secure a seat in a future class – during their senior years of college or final years of masters study. How can you demonstrate your fit for this kind of program? How should you approach the admissions process?
Hear directly from leading programs in this two-part Deferred Enrollment MBA Webinar series in November 2026.

Dates: November 17 & 18 2026.
Time: 12 pm-1 pm Panel & 1 pm-close Breakout Q&A with Individual Schools
(all times Eastern)

In each event of the series, we will begin with a 60-minute panel with representatives from leading MBA programs to learn about their deferred enrollment opportunities. Specifically, we will cover:

• Program structure
• Why schools offer these kinds of programs
• Who makes a good fit for deferred enrollment

This series will feature each of our participating schools in a panel discussion where they will take pre-submitted questions from registered attendees. Each panelist will then separate into their own breakout rooms where they will engage in Q&A from attendees directly. Register today and if you can’t make it, we will send you a recording of the event.

This event will feature the following MBA programs:

November 17th
Carnegie Mellon Tepper Future Business Leaders
Chicago Booth Scholars Program
Cornell Johnson Future Leaders Program
Michigan Ross
Yale SOM Silver Scholars

November 18th
UC Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access
Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program
UPENN Wharton School Moelis Advance Access Program
Stanford Deferred Enrollment Program
UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Program (FYSP)

Do you have your sights set on deferred enrollment MBA programs? Join us to hear how to amp up your application for these special pathways to b-school. Full-time MBA programs traditionally require several years of full-time work experience, but deferred enrollment MBA programs allow candidates to apply – and secure a seat in a future class – during their senior years of college or final years of masters study. How can you demonstrate your fit for this kind of program? How should you approach the admissions process?
Hear directly from leading programs in this two-part Deferred Enrollment MBA Webinar series in November 2026.

Dates: November 17 & 18 2026.
Time: 12 pm-1 pm Panel & 1 pm-close Breakout Q&A with Individual Schools
(all times Eastern)

In each event of the series, we will begin with a 60-minute panel with representatives from leading MBA programs to learn about their deferred enrollment opportunities. Specifically, we will cover:

• Program structure
• Why schools offer these kinds of programs
• Who makes a good fit for deferred enrollment

This series will feature each of our participating schools in a panel discussion where they will take pre-submitted questions from registered attendees. Each panelist will then separate into their own breakout rooms where they will engage in Q&A from attendees directly. Register today and if you can’t make it, we will send you a recording of the event.

This event will feature the following MBA programs:

November 17th
Carnegie Mellon Tepper Future Business Leaders
Chicago Booth Scholars Program
Cornell Johnson Future Leaders Program
Michigan Ross
Yale SOM Silver Scholars

November 18th
UC Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access
Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program
UPENN Wharton School Moelis Advance Access Program
Stanford Deferred Enrollment Program
UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Program (FYSP)

Have questions about the MBA admissions process? Get answers directly from the people who review applications.

Join Clear Admit and admissions representatives from seven of the world’s leading MBA programs for a special live Ask Me Anything (AMA) event on Reddit’s r/mba community.

Whether you’re preparing an application, researching business schools, or planning your MBA journey, this is your opportunity to connect directly with admissions professionals and get their perspectives on what it takes to build a strong MBA application.

Friday, November 20, 20262:00 PM Eastern | 1:00 PM Central | 11:00 AM Pacific
Panel session will last 60 minutes and then school-specific breakouts will begin immediately after and run until close.

Location: Reddit’s r/mba community (direct link will be available here or in your email on November 20)
Format: Live, interactive Q&A
Cost: Free (pre-registration is not required to participate)

Want to make sure you don’t miss the conversation? Register below to add the AMA to your calendar. Registration is optional, and everyone is welcome to participate directly on Reddit.

Meet the Participating Business Schools

Admissions representatives from seven top MBA programs will be joining the conversation:

• Chicago Booth School of Business
• Dartmouth Tuck School of Business
• Harvard Business School
• MIT Sloan School of Management
• Stanford Graduate School of Business
• UCLA Anderson School of Management
• UVA Darden School of Business

Your Questions. Their Answers.

What do admissions committees really look for in an MBA applicant? How can you demonstrate fit with a particular program? What should you know before you apply?

This is your chance to go straight to the source.

Topics you might explore include:

• Application Strategy: What makes an application stand out? What are some common mistakes to avoid?
• Essays & Recommendations: How can applicants effectively communicate their experiences, goals, and potential?
• Admissions Interviews: What should candidates expect, and how can they prepare?
• Program Fit & School Culture: How can applicants evaluate different MBA programs and determine where they might thrive?
• Career Goals & Outcomes: How should applicants articulate their professional goals and explain why an MBA is the right next step?
• Evaluating the MBA Experience: What should applicants consider about a program’s academics, community, and opportunities when deciding where to apply?

No question is too basic, and you don’t need to be actively applying to benefit from the conversation.

Is a masters in management (MiM) the right fit for you?

Full-time MBA programs traditionally require several years of full-time work experience, but specialized masters programs allow candidates to apply during their senior year of college for a program that would begin the Fall term after they graduate or after a limited amount of experience.

What makes someone a good fit for this kind of program? How are Master in Management programs structured? What can you do to put your best foot forward in the application process at leading MiM programs? Hear directly from eight leading business schools on these important topics by joining us for our upcoming event series.

In these 60-minute panel events, we will speak with representatives from top MiM programs to learn about their offerings and admissions process. Specifically, we will cover:

Program structure
Why schools offer these kinds of programs
Who makes a good fit for a MiM
Application requirements
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Admissions advice

Each event will feature a panel discussion with participating schools where they will tackle the topics outlined above and take pre-submitted questions from attendees.

Here are the schools you can expect to see at each of the two MiM events:

December 1st:
Carnegie Mellon Tepper
Emory Goizueta
Johns Hopkins Carey
Toronto Rotman
Vanderbilt Business

December 2nd:
Chicago Booth
Michigan Ross
Georgetown McDonough