MBA admissions authenticity trend for 2026 applications
Applicant Strategy, Application Process, Application Strategy, Drew Hoff, Essay Guidance, Essay Strategy, Essay Writing, Essays, Yale SOM
MBA Admissions Strategy, Application Tips, Essay Guidance
As political tension rattles the U.S. visa system and high-profile schools like Harvard face international admissions delays, panic is setting in among global MBA applicants. But with 15 years in the field, I see this moment differently: not as a crisis, but as a strategic window. The fear is thinning out competitive applicant pools, creating rare opportunities for those willing to act decisively.
MBA Admissions, Essay Strategy, School-Specific Insights, MBA Admissions Consulting
Columbia Business School has revised its 2025 MBA Essay 2 prompt, removing direct references to DEI and inclusive leadership frameworks. While the language is now broader, focusing on collaboration, inclusion, and community, the underlying goal remains the same: Columbia wants applicants who can lead with empathy and build effective teams across differences. Here’s why the change likely happened and how to approach the new essay with strategy and authenticity.
