Resources

Do you have questions about the MBA admissions process? Are you looking for help on how to write your business school application essays or structure your resume? Below are some valuable resources created by the team at Gatehouse Admissions to support you on your business school journey. If you would like one-on-one advice from one of our Consultants, click here to request a free consultation.

HBS Essay Example

Harvard Business School Application Essay Example

Writing the Harvard Business School (HBS) essays is a daunting task, and candidates often find themselves wondering what dreams, stories and traits are worth sharing with the HBS admissions committee.  The following essays, along with the associated commentary, reflect one candidate’s strategy. Megan’s essays are excerpts from 50 Examples of Successful HBS Essays (and Why They …

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HBS Essays

Harvard Business School Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2025-2026

A business school’s essay prompts can provide clues about what it values. That is certainly the case for Harvard Business School (HBS). Each of HBS’s three application essay questions tie to one of the school’s admissions criteria. As HBS states on its site, the business school seeks individuals who are Business-Minded, Leadership-Focused, and Growth-Oriented. The …

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Stanford GSB Essays

Stanford Graduate School of Business Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2025-2026

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) holds the title of being the world’s most discriminating MBA program. With an acceptance rate that hovers around 7%, the business school has the enviable position of curating a class of amazing stars. Yet, there is an unenviable side to this as well:  so many of the GSB’s …

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Stanford GSB Sample Essay

Stanford Graduate School of Business Application Essay Example

How many times have you thought about what truly matters most to you? Or what fuels your drive, or what guides your decisions above all else? There is a good chance that you have never thought deeply about your response to any of these questions. That makes the Stanford GSB’s main essay prompt—What matters most …

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Wharton Essays

Wharton Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2025-2026

When you hear “Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,” the first thought that pops into your head might be “finance”—and understandably so, given that the Wharton MBA program has been a leading institution in the area of finance since the school was founded in 1881. But what you might not realize is how much …

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MIT Sloan Essays

MIT Sloan School of Management Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2025-2026

MIT Sloan seeks individuals with confidence but not arrogance. The atmosphere on campus is considered “scrappy” and humble, never stuffy or competitive. The school wants people who are eager to learn and willing to help others do so as well. Sloan also prioritizes innovation, showing a preference for applicants who go against the grain, develop …

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Northwestern Kellogg Essays

Northwestern Kellogg School of Management Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2025-2026

MBA students at Northwestern Kellogg often value the strength of the school’s community, with classmates dedicating themselves fully to both their own professional development and that of their peers. Kellogg is committed to producing capable leaders who are as thoughtful and driven as they are empathetic and inclusive. According to Kellogg’s website, the school seeks …

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CBS Essays

Columbia Business School Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2025-2026

Columbia Business School (CBS) requires three essays and two short answers as part of its application. Through your essays, the school hopes to better understand your experiences and career goals, as well as your rationale for wanting to pursue your MBA at CBS specifically. We at Gatehouse appreciate the program’s range of essay topics, because the variety …

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Duke Fuqua

Duke Fuqua School of Business Essay Questions and Strategic Guidance, 2025–2026

While doing your research into Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, you have undoubtedly come across “Team Fuqua.” The phrase helps outsiders understand the spirit of the school’s culture, in which everyone works together and is an integral part of a larger whole. But to those on campus, it means even more: Team Fuqua represents …

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Guide for Recommenders

A Guide for Your Recommenders: Writing Compelling, Impactful Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation (LoRs) play a vital part in an applicant’s pursuit of admission to business school. With thousands of candidates vying for a limited number of spots, compelling, impactful LoRs can significantly tip the scales in favor of acceptance. The admissions team depends on LoRs for several reasons: LoRs can help the team gauge …

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Guidance for your MBA Recommendation

Must-Knows about MBA Letters of Recommendation

Your business school recommendations will be a critical part of your application. If your letters are specific, are evidence-based, and demonstrate advocacy, they will increase your chances of acceptance.   Managing the Recommendation Process To maximize the quality of your recommendations while minimizing friction, we recommend the following steps:  Select recommenders who know you well, are …

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HBS interview guidance

Preparing for Your HBS Interview 2025-2026

With expert commentary from former members of HBS admissions committee, Brooke Wheelan and Laura MacLean. HBS reports that the school interviews approximately 20% of applicants. This means that with just shy of 10,000 applicants per year, HBS interviews fewer than 2,000 candidates—and dings roughly 8,000 without ever even having spoken to them. If this number …

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