MBA

Securing admission to one of the top 50 MBA programs globally is a dream for many aspiring business leaders. These prestigious institutions offer unparalleled opportunities, resources, and networks that can significantly impact your career trajectory. At Leap Quest, we understand the myriad benefits these top-tier programs provide and how they can shape your professional and personal growth. Here’s an in-depth look at the advantages of applying to the top 50 MBA programs, with specific examples to illustrate their value. 1. Exceptional Quality of Education Harvard Business School (HBS): As a consistently top-ranked MBA program, HBS offers a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The case method of teaching at HBS fosters critical thinking and decision-making skills, preparing students for real-world business challenges. Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB): Known for its focus on personal leadership development and innovation, Stanford GSB provides a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. The school’s proximity to Silicon Valley offers unparalleled access to the world’s leading tech companies and start-ups. 2. Global Recognition and Prestige Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania: Wharton’s reputation as a finance powerhouse attracts top recruiters from around the globe. An MBA from Wharton signifies a high level of expertise and competence, opening doors to prestigious roles in various industries. INSEAD: With campuses in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, INSEAD offers a truly global MBA experience. The school’s emphasis on diversity and international exposure prepares graduates for leadership roles in multinational companies. 3. Access to Extensive Alumni Networks London Business School (LBS): LBS boasts a strong and active alumni network that spans the globe. Graduates benefit from lifelong connections and support, enhancing their career opportunities and professional development. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University: Kellogg’s collaborative culture fosters strong bonds among students and alumni. The school’s extensive alumni network is instrumental in career advancement, providing mentorship, job opportunities, and business partnerships. 4. Enhanced Career Opportunities MIT Sloan School of Management: MIT Sloan’s focus on innovation and technology attracts top employers from the tech and consulting sectors. Graduates are highly sought after for their analytical skills and ability to drive innovation in their organizations. Columbia Business School: Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia Business School offers unparalleled access to major financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. The school’s strong industry connections translate into excellent job placement rates and high starting salaries for graduates. 5. Diverse and Inclusive Learning Environment IE Business School: IE’s commitment to diversity is reflected in its student body, which includes individuals from over 90 countries. This multicultural environment fosters a global mindset and enhances cross-cultural communication skills, essential for success in today’s interconnected world. University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business: Haas is known for its diverse and inclusive community. The school’s emphasis on social responsibility and sustainable business practices prepares students to lead ethically and inclusively. 6. Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation University of Chicago Booth School of Business: Booth’s faculty includes renowned researchers and thought leaders in economics and finance. The school’s emphasis on data-driven decision-making equips students with the analytical skills needed to excel in complex business environments. HEC Paris: HEC Paris is a leader in business research, particularly in strategy and entrepreneurship. The school’s strong focus on research and innovation ensures that students are at the forefront of the latest business trends and practices. 7. Leadership Development and Personal Growth Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business: Fuqua’s Leadership Development Program helps students develop their leadership skills through experiential learning and personalized coaching. The program’s emphasis on self-awareness and emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership. Yale School of Management: Yale SOM’s integrated curriculum focuses on developing leaders who can navigate complex global challenges. The school’s unique approach to leadership education emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader social and environmental impacts of business decisions. 8. Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Support Harvard Business School: HBS provides extensive resources for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) and the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship. These resources offer mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities to help students turn their business ideas into reality. Stanford Graduate School of Business: Stanford GSB’s close ties to Silicon Valley provide unmatched opportunities for entrepreneurship. The school’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies offers a range of programs and resources to support student entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Conclusion Applying to the top 50 MBA programs in the world is a strategic investment in your future. These programs offer a blend of rigorous academics, global recognition, robust alumni networks, and unparalleled career opportunities. At Leap Quest, we are committed to helping you navigate the application process and present a compelling case for admission to these prestigious institutions. Our comprehensive support ensures that every aspect of your application reflects your potential and readiness to excel in a top-tier MBA program. Click Here To Contact us All the Best Leap Quest

Securing an MBA interview is a significant milestone in your journey to getting into a top business school. It signifies that the admissions committee is impressed with your application and wants to learn more about you. However, the interview process can be daunting, requiring a blend of confidence, articulation, and strategic storytelling. This is where Leap Quest steps in. Our comprehensive approach ensures you are well-prepared to excel in your MBA interviews, making a lasting impression on the interview panel. Personalized Interview Preparation 1. Tailored Mock Interviews: At Leap Quest, we believe in the power of practice. Our tailored mock interviews are designed to simulate the actual interview environment of your target MBA programs. We replicate the format and style of the specific school, ensuring you are familiar with the process and can confidently navigate through it. These mock interviews are conducted by experienced professionals who have a deep understanding of MBA admissions, providing you with realistic scenarios and questions. 2. Customized Feedback: After each mock interview, we provide detailed feedback on your performance. Our feedback focuses on various aspects, including your responses, body language, and overall presentation. We identify your strengths and areas for improvement, offering constructive advice to help you refine your answers and enhance your delivery. This iterative process ensures you make continuous progress and build confidence with each session. Comprehensive Content Development 1. Crafting Your Narrative: Your ability to tell a compelling story is crucial in an MBA interview. Leap Quest helps you craft a coherent and engaging narrative that highlights your personal and professional journey. We assist you in identifying key experiences and achievements that align with your career goals and the values of the business school. This narrative forms the backbone of your responses, making your answers more impactful and memorable. 2. Addressing Behavioral Questions: Behavioral questions are a staple of MBA interviews, designed to assess your past behavior as an indicator of your future performance. Leap Quest prepares you to tackle these questions effectively by using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. We guide you in selecting appropriate examples from your experiences and structuring your responses to demonstrate your skills and competencies clearly and concisely. 3. Handling Difficult Questions: Interviewers often pose challenging questions to test your critical thinking and composure under pressure. Leap Quest equips you with strategies to handle such questions with confidence. We train you to stay calm, think critically, and provide thoughtful responses, ensuring you can navigate tricky situations with ease. Building Confidence and Presence 1. Enhancing Communication Skills: Effective communication is key to a successful interview. Leap Quest focuses on improving your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. We help you articulate your thoughts clearly, maintain appropriate eye contact, and use body language to convey confidence and enthusiasm. Our training ensures you come across as a poised and persuasive candidate. 2. Developing a Professional Presence: Your overall demeanor and appearance play a crucial role in creating a positive impression. Leap Quest provides guidance on professional attire, grooming, and etiquette, ensuring you present yourself as a polished and credible candidate. We also coach you on maintaining a professional demeanor throughout the interview, from the initial greeting to the final thank you. Understanding the School’s Culture 1. Research and Alignment: Understanding the culture and values of your target MBA programs is essential for a successful interview. Leap Quest helps you conduct thorough research on each school, including its curriculum, extracurricular activities, and community initiatives. We guide you in aligning your responses with the school’s values and demonstrating how you will contribute to and benefit from its unique environment. 2. Tailoring Responses: Every business school has its own set of priorities and criteria for evaluating candidates. Leap Quest assists you in tailoring your responses to reflect the specific attributes that each school values. Whether it’s leadership potential, team collaboration, or innovative thinking, we help you showcase the qualities that each program seeks in its candidates. Continuous Support and Follow-Up 1. Ongoing Guidance: Our support doesn’t end with the interview preparation sessions. Leap Quest provides continuous guidance and mentorship throughout the interview process. We are available to address any last-minute concerns, offer advice on follow-up communication, and provide moral support to boost your confidence. 2. Post-Interview Feedback: After your actual interview, we encourage you to share your experience with us. We offer a debriefing session to analyze your performance, discuss what went well, and identify areas for improvement for future interviews. This reflective process helps you learn and grow, increasing your chances of success in subsequent interviews. Conclusion Leap Quest’s holistic approach to MBA interview preparation ensures you are not only ready to face the interview panel but also to leave a lasting impression. Our personalized mock interviews, comprehensive content development, and focus on building confidence and presence equip you with the tools needed to excel. By understanding the culture of your target schools and tailoring your responses accordingly, you demonstrate your genuine interest and fit for the program. Embark on your journey to MBA success with Leap Quest, where we transform your potential into performance, and help you take that decisive step towards your dream business school. Click Here To Contact us All the Best Leap Quest

Dear MBA Aspirant We hope this blog finds you well and thriving on your journey toward an MBA. As you know, the path to securing a spot in a top-tier MBA program is demanding and multifaceted. Each element of your application needs to be meticulously crafted to showcase your strengths and aspirations compellingly. At Leap Quest, we specialize in helping candidates like you present their best selves through comprehensive support with CVs, essays, Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and LinkedIn profiles. Here’s how Leap Quest can elevate your MBA application: Comprehensive CV Enhancement 1. Tailored Resume Building: Your CV is often the first impression you make on admissions committees. We work closely with you to ensure your resume reflects your unique career trajectory, achievements, and skills. Our experts tailor your CV to highlight the experiences that align with the specific MBA programs you are targeting. 2. Highlighting Achievements: We help you articulate your accomplishments in a quantifiable and impactful manner. Admissions committees are keen on understanding the impact you’ve made in your previous roles, and we ensure your CV does just that. 3. Formatting and Presentation: A well-structured CV can make a significant difference. Our team optimizes the layout and design to ensure clarity and professionalism, making your CV not only informative but also visually appealing. Exceptional Essay Writing 1. Crafting Your Story: Your essays are where you get to tell your story. Leap Quest helps you identify the key themes and narratives that will resonate most with admissions committees. We guide you in weaving a compelling narrative that showcases your personality, values, and vision. 2. Addressing Essay Prompts: Different MBA programs have varied essay prompts. Our experts assist you in understanding and effectively responding to these prompts, ensuring that each essay is unique and tailored to the program’s specific requirements. 3. Proofreading and Editing: Even the most compelling stories can be undermined by errors. Our team provides thorough proofreading and editing services to ensure your essays are polished and free of grammatical or syntactical mistakes. Powerful Letters of Recommendation 1. Selecting Recommenders: Choosing the right recommenders is crucial. Leap Quest advises you on selecting individuals who can provide insightful and positive evaluations of your professional abilities and potential. 2. Guiding Recommenders: We provide your recommenders with detailed guidelines and examples to help them craft strong, personalized letters. This ensures that their recommendations are aligned with the overall narrative of your application. 3. Ensuring Completeness: We review and provide feedback on your LORs to ensure they are comprehensive and effectively highlight your strengths and accomplishments from an external perspective. Optimized LinkedIn Profile 1. Professional Branding: Your LinkedIn profile is a critical component of your professional brand. Leap Quest helps you enhance your profile to reflect your career achievements and aspirations accurately. 2. Consistency Across Platforms: It’s essential that your LinkedIn profile aligns with the other elements of your application. We ensure that the information presented on LinkedIn is consistent with your CV and essays, providing a cohesive narrative about your professional journey. 3. Leveraging LinkedIn’s Features: We guide you in utilizing LinkedIn’s various features to enhance your profile’s visibility and impact. This includes endorsements, recommendations, and engaging with relevant content to highlight your thought leadership. Enrollment Details:   P.S., Get started early on your applications! Start working now with your consultant on your career goals, school research/selection, professional and community involvement, and everything else you’ll need to put your best application forward this year!  Click on the link below to contact us. Click Here To Contact us All the Best Leap Quest

A great GPA and spectacular GMAT/GRE score are no guarantee of acceptance in the world’s top MBA/MS programs. Competition for entry is such that your candidacy will need to reflect much more. This is where experience inside the MBA/MS admissions office makes all the difference. The mentors and domain experts at Leap Quest have worked in admissions at 10 of the top 15 business schools, painstakingly evaluating profiles. As such, they understand the scope and depth of the vast number of small details that go into the MBA/MS admissions process. To give you a head start, we have selected 10 B-School Insider Tips for Booth, Columbia, Harvard, INSEAD, Kellogg, LBS, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB and Wharton:   Tip #1 – It’s not all about “Economics” at Chicago Booth The full-time MBA program at Booth provides a flexible curriculum, where students are expected to design their own academic experience. Even if your concentration lies in economics and the world of finance, you should be aware of what other academic concentrations are available. Know who the key professors are in each academic department and some of the key published academic research. Familiarize yourself with opportunities outside of your particular interests. The Booth MBA is a transformative experience; through your application, demonstrate to the admissions team that while you have a plan, you are open to examine the possibilities and advantages that a Chicago MBA will provide. Show the Committee that you acknowledge the importance of a well-rounded MBA education.   Tip #2 – Apply early to Columbia Business School At Columbia Business School, applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Advantages of applying early to Columbia are that the pool will be smaller and your application will likely gain greater visibility. If you are admitted, Columbia offers Early Decision, which commits you to the school, or you forego the $6,000 tuition down-payment. Early Decision is also a consideration for students who have scored on the lower end of the school’s GMAT range, because admissions can be more flexible at this initial stage. Bear in mind that while the rest of the top business schools wait until January to process the second round of applications, Columbia is continuously reviewing files from early October onwards. Don’t wait until the New Year.   Tip #3 – Spend time fine-tuning your resume for Harvard Business School With Harvard down to only one optional essay, your resume has never been more important and is often the first element the HBS file reader will review. Make sure that the strength of your credentials comes across very strongly by highlighting your achievements. Quantify your accomplishments and impact with specific numbers wherever possible. HBS is looking for candidates on a rapid career trajectory, so make sure your evolution (promotions, increasing scope of responsibility, etc) is clearly and emphatically demonstrated. In general, use action verbs and remove passive sentences or phrases. Remember that people who are not from your industry may be confused by jargon or acronyms so avoid these. You may want to briefly describe each company; this is especially important for work experience abroad.   Tip #4 – Overcome a “common” profile for INSEAD The INSEAD admissions office is inundated by some common profiles: for example, Indian IT professionals or management consultants based in Europe. Whilst INSEAD has no quota, they also want to create a diverse class, so in reality, the competition can be tougher for some more than for others. Those with a common profile need to be strong across all elements of the application: academic profile, professional track record, international experience, and activities and achievements outside of work or study. Differentiate yourself by finding some distinguishing or unique element in your profile such as a multicultural background or an entrepreneurial side interest.   Tip #5 – Recognize that culture really does matter – and know what that means at Kellogg Admissions officers at Kellogg feel a real sense of obligation to protect what makes the school unique. They want to determine if a student is the right fit in Kellogg’s culture of collaboration. The program will consistently place you in team settings. Most people can be dependable, diplomatic, mature peers for an hour at a time. But what if you’re in hour 12 of an intense case analysis? Or, what if everyone in the group wants to be the leader? Can you become the facilitator needed to get everyone on the same page?  Strong situational awareness and examples of how you can work in lots of different types of teams makes for a strong applicant.   Tip #6 – Remember that ‘global’ is not just a word, it’s a culture at London Business School LBS is a truly international business school, based in a supremely multicultural city. But at LBS, global is a culture that is woven through the fabric of the entire institution. The school is continually reworking the curriculum to best represent this focus. What global aspect will you bring to the new class? Have you worked on international projects or liaised often with international clients? Do you work on multi-cultural teams? Have you invested time in learning other languages? Are there any global secondment opportunities coming up at your company? Any and all of these things can add weight to your application. If the international aspect of the LBS experience is what drew you to the school in the first place, make sure you strongly emphasize that side of yourself.   Tip #7– Focus on feelings rather than function for MIT Sloan MIT Sloan is most interested to learn about how you thought through a particular challenge or situation, how you came up with an original, innovative solution and how you felt when you needed to make a difficult decision. They want to know who you are as a person and what makes you tick. While the school clearly values numbers and analytical skills, MIT Sloan is also interested in determining the human aspects of your

Letters of recommendation are an essential component of the business school application. Admissions Committee members rely on recommenders to vouch for you: to corroborate—and, in fact, bolster—all that you will tell them is worthy and commendable about you, and to speak objectively about your candidacy.   As you narrow your school lists, study for the GMAT/GRE and draft your essays, LORs should also be top of mind. Not only must you select the ideal recommenders, but you also must prepare them adequately!   It can be tempting to select the person with the most prestigious resume or the person easiest to discuss your business school plans with. Leap Quest encourages you not to take this approach and instead to carefully weigh your options.   How Do You Select The Ideal Person To Write Your Letter Of Recommendation? To answer this question, consider these six guiding principles. 1) Do not just look for impressive titles. This is not to say that impressive titles are a bad thing, but their title does not matter as much as their knowledge of and esteem for you. Admissions committee members will see right through a strategy to have the CEO of your company, with whom you sat in on one meeting, write a letter for you. Not only will they not be able to explain the most important aspects of your candidacy, but it may not be a very credible letter if it is clear you do not have a strong relationship with the recommender. 2) Choose recommenders who will take the time to write thoughtful, detailed letters. Select someone who will go the extra mile to delineate your worth and merits. Generalizations or unsubstantiated flattery will not help you. Choose recommenders who understand the application and selection processes and, within them, the importance of letters of recommendation. You want LORs that add a special, memorable detail about you and that make your candidacy sparkle. Not everyone is great at writing and, similarly, not everyone realistically has time to draft a carefully thought-out letter. The quality of the writing is important in demonstrating your candidacy. That said, do not worry about English proficiency. Letters are not evaluated based on grammar. 3) Identify recommenders who know you well. This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can provide. The best letters show intimate understanding of the candidate. Your recommender should be familiar with your character, your strengths, your weaknesses and your career aspirations. It is best if your recommender(s) immediately supervised you and took notice of your growth, increased responsibility, and sense of leadership. The use of specific examples will be important (more on that in my next blog) and the better the recommender knows you, the easier and more genuine these will be. 4) Select someone who can compare you to other candidates (if possible). A good letter will compare you to other candidates, putting your accomplishments in perspective (more on this below). For that reason, an ideal recommender will have the experience and exposure to compare your strengths and weaknesses to those of your peers. While this may not always be possible (and that alone is not a reason to eliminate a recommender), if you are comparing two similar candidates, this is an important factor to keep in mind. 5) Ask non-professional references if you have strong extracurriculars and/or weak recommendation options at work. While the general advice is to select professional supervisors to write your letters of recommendation, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some applications may be well served selecting at least one recommender from other walks of life: an extracurricular activity, for example, or a nonprofit you have volunteered for. If you have taken a major role in an activity outside of work, your supervisors there—and even colleagues—might be able to speak in a more informed manner about a trait that you really want highlighted in your application because it is central to you and the achievement of your goals. Further, they will be able to provide a different perspective on your candidacy. Similarly, if you do not have a suitable professional reference option, perhaps because you absolutely cannot tell your supervisor you are applying to business school or because your company is structured such that you do not work closely with one particular person, you may be best suited selecting a non-professional reference. 6) Use additional influential / alumni letters in some cases. While we said title should not be a factor in selecting your recommenders, some candidates might be lucky enough to have a close relationship (even a personal one) with someone who has strong ties to the school of their dreams. In this case (and you never know what connections you might have until you inquire), it is worth taking the time to consider them as an additional recommendation. Again, this is on a case-by-case basis, and Leap Quest is happy to advise clients on this specific situation. Remember, regardless of whom you select to write your letters of recommendation, early notice is key. Do not wait too long to make these requests. How Should You Take An Active Role In Preparing Your Recommenders? Once you have chosen your recommenders, your involvement in the process has just begun! We often hear of candidates who ask someone to write the letter of recommendation, ensure it gets submitted, and call it a day. This can be a big mistake! Your role in the MBA letter of recommendation process should be much more involved. You should take an active role to ensure that your recommenders understand what the business school wants, its values and culture. You do not want a recommender to write pages of fluffy praise: you want substance and detail, both about your accomplishments and your promise, that show a good fit between you and your school of choice. We recommend you do the following: Open communication! Talk with your recommenders about the schools you are applying to and the LOR. Share your goals

 How Much Time Should I Budget For My MBA/MS Applications   Every applicant we have worked with has been shocked by the amount of time it takes to create three to four high-quality MBA applications.   If you are applying for an MBA, then we can safely assume that you have previously applied to college and for jobs. Consequently, you may have a sense of how much time you will need to spend on your MBA applications. I’m fairly sure you’re wrong.   We have worked with many clients who are no strangers to working fast and furious. What we can tell you is that every applicant we have worked with has been shocked by the amount of time it takes to create three to four high-quality MBA applications.   We are not talking about the time it takes to study for the GMAT and earn a top score. In this article, We will discuss how much time you should budget for the other critical elements of the written application, namely your essays, resume, recommendation letters, and application forms.   Let’s assume you plan to apply to three schools in a single application round and that once you start the application process you will work consecutive weeks between now and the deadline to complete your applications.   Do you have an estimate in mind for the amount of time you should budget for applying to three schools?   4 weeks? 5 weeks? 10 weeks? 40 hours? 50 hours? 100 hours?   Our recommendation is that you should budget an average of 15–18 hours per week for ~12 weeks to build your written applications.   200 hours of work to complete three MBA applications. Really?   Really.   At Leap Quest, we have broken the process of applying for an MBA into 5 steps that we call the Leap Quest Launch Pad   Now, we know what you’re thinking…   “I work best under pressure!” “I’m a great test taker.”  “I’ve always been faster than average.”   Prospective MBA applicants are full of reasons why they are quicker, better, and smarter than the average bear. We hate to break it to you but most of those applying to business school are just as on top of their game. Also, you probably missed that we said *a minimum* of 12 weeks. Ideally you would get started as early as possible. This will allow ample time for each stage of the application process and leave room for revisions.   Here’s the breakdown of the stages of the MBA application and a general timeline of how long to can expect to spend in each stage.   To give you an idea of the scope and scale of the project of applying to business school, below we will summarize each step and provide an estimate of how much time you may need to devote to each activity based on our experience working with successful applicants to top schools.   Before we continue, let us acknowledge that everyone works at their own pace, but these estimates are in line with the experience of our clients who were deeply engaged in the process and produced successful applications of exceptional quality.   We are sharing details of Leap Quest’s Intensive Program for Fall 2024 Intake (Round 1 Deadline)   Please refer to the below table for details regarding the amount of input in terms of time that would be required from your end which again is subjected to vary depending on the candidates’ responsiveness.   Average Input Hours/week Mar – April 3 – 4 hrs May – June 5.5 – 6 hrs July – August 3.5 – 4 hrs   Also, Click here To have a look at the Leap Quest Process Flow         Step 1 –  Get to Know Yourself & Get to Know the Schools : 2 Weeks   Now’s the time for some soul searching, internet sleuthing, and school visiting. If you want to be accepted to your perfect MBA program, you’ll need to know two things: Exactly who you are and exactly what each school is about.   5 things you’ll need to understand about yourself:   Your personal strengths and weaknesses Your future goals Your learning style Your experience Your applicant profile    5 things you’ll need to understand about each school:   Campus culture Teaching methods Extracurricular opportunities Career placement assistance and stats Acceptance statistics   These ten things just scratch the surface on all there is to know about your compatibility with different schools. To make sure you fully understand all of your options, go on campus visits. This may seem like a no-brainer but make sure to time your visits for while class is in session. Your time on campus won’t be nearly as valuable if you drop in over holiday break or during the summer. It’s important you allow ample time to do this research so you can make an educated list of where you plan to apply. All MBA applicants should apply to about 5-8 schools: 2-3 reach schools, 2-3 on-par schools, and 1-2 safety schools. Choosing these programs wisely is the only way to ensure your success in business school.   Step 2 – Craft Your Resume: 2 weeks.   If you were planning to make minor tweaks to your professional resume and submit it with your MBA application, you’re about to be disappointed.  It’s essential that you create a brand spankin’ new resume for your b-school applications. Why? Because getting into business school is all about your soft skills. Sure, you’ll need to share your work experience and extracurriculars but the admissions committee is also looking at your resume for skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork. Remember: this is your chance to make an outstanding first impression. Your resume should paint a clear picture of who you are, demonstrate your career progression, highlight your strengths, and give a peek into your personality… all within the constraints of a single page. This can

One-Year MBA Options Overtake Two-Year MBAs In Popularity   For what is likely the first time ever, prospective business school students say they prefer one-year MBA programs over the more traditional two-year options more popular in the U.S. That is the surprising finding in the 2023 Prospective Students Survey put out today (April 10) by the Graduate Management Admission Council.   Not surprisingly, the race between those two residential MBA program types was close. In fact, GMAC concedes the result is within the margin of error for the survey completed by 2,710 respondents in 131 countries. Nonetheless, 22% of the would-be students seeking a graduate management education said they would prefer the more accelerated MBA program that costs less and involves half the time away from a paycheck. Some 20% expressed a preference for the two-year, full-time residential MBA.   The survey results (see table below) underscores the now commonly accepted notion that full-time MBA programs in the U.S. particularly are a mature product, and the preference for one-year options tilts in favor of European schools where a one-year MBA is more popular than in the U.S.   There Are 23 Top One Year MBAs in the USA   The highest-ranked U.S. schools with one-year options are Kellogg, Cornell, Duke, NYU Stern, Emory Goizueta, USC Marshall, Notre Dame Mendoza, and SMU Cox.   In its report, GMAC notes that the two-year MBA has been the preferred program among candidates globally. “This year, the one-year MBA surpassed it as the most popular program choice, though the difference remains within the margin of error,” according to the survey. “Across generations, Gen Z is most interested in the two-year MBA and millennials are most interested in the one-year MBA,” according to the survey. “Taken together, the full-time MBA of any duration continues to surpass interest in more flexible or executive MBAs and business master’s programs.”   Users of this data must take into account the limits of the survey. For one thing, U.S. respondents account for a mere 17% of the sample, even below the 20% from Africa. For another, as the GMAT test has lost significant market share to the rival GRE exam, fewer people register on GMAC’s site to get ready to take the GMAT test. The surveys are sent to registered users of that site one month after they sign up and then supplemented by respondents from GMAC Tours, BusinessBecause, and registered users in India of the NMAT exam acquired by GMAC. So the sample is also likely to miss many prospective students who apply to programs where a standardized test is not required.   Still, regional preferences continue to shape what candidates choose to study. Over the past five years, business master’s degrees have been most popular among European candidates, and the share has grown about 8 points since 2018. There has also been growth in business master’s interest over the past five years among Middle Eastern, African, and Latin American candidates. Interest in business master’s degrees continues to be smallest and largely stable in North America, where the MBA still reigns supreme.   The One Year MBA Overtakes the Two Year in Popularity Among Would-Be Students Source: 2023 GMAC Prospective Students Survey The GMAC survey found that candidates in North and Latin America prefer longer programs, whereas those in the Middle East and Africa, Europe, and Asia/Pacific Islands prefer programs that last 13-18 months. The most popular ten-month MBA program in Europe is at INSEAD which has campuses in both France and Singapore for MBA students. In no region do candidates most prefer programs lasting 12 months or less, GMAC said, though it is the second choice in Europe (see below table). Regional Preferences for Full Time MBA Programs Candidates in North and Latin America prefer longer programs, whereas those in the Middle East and Africa, Europe, and Asia/Pacific Islands prefer programs that last 13-18 months. In no region do candidates most prefer programs last 12 months or less, though it is the second choice in Europe   Accelerated MBA programs offered by even the best business schools are sometimes belittled as “quickie” degrees. However, all the bad press about these programs probably disappeared when The Financial Times released its 2021 list of global full-time MBA courses.   INSEAD’s one-year program topped the rankings, and there were as many as eight “quickies” in the top 15, most of them rated by experts as comparable with top global two-year programs.And it has continued to do so now that we are in the next decade.   Obviously, one-year full-time MBA programs are not the same thing as the traditional postgraduate management programs offered by IIM and the likes. But they are ideal for professionals who are budget-conscious, and don’t have much time for business fundamentals courses of the traditional course, since they may already have an undergraduate management education or significant amount of business exposure.   Many may even want to continue in the same industry after graduating. The best candidates for such courses tend to have more experience than the average full-time-MBA applicant.   Here are brief sketches of some of the best global business schools offering short-duration MBA programs. All these schools figure in the top 40 of FT’s 2021 global MBA rankings. More European schools than U.S. schools appear in the list below since more top schools in the continent offer the shorter-duration MBA program than in the US.   As with most of our articles on the best programs, this is a representative (not comprehensive) list and not a ranking. For the full ranking refer to any of the popular MBA rankings.   Best One Year MBA Programs in the World – With  Employment Report     Top B-schools in USA # B-School Location MBA Program Link Program Duration Employment Statistics 1 University of Southern California (USC)- Marshall California Program Link 12 or 24 Months Employment Report 2 Kellogg School of Management- Illinois Program Link 12 or 24 Months Employment Report 3 Cornell University- Johnson