New Year’s Resolutions for MBA Applicants
Making a list of New Year’s resolutions for 2026 can be a powerful exercise for future B-school aspirants. They can help you stay motivated and committed, build new habits, and seek support and accountability as you pursue your ambitious career goals. The following nine New Year’s resolutions for MBA applicants offer a stress-reducing roadmap to guide your journey for the exciting year ahead.
Curious about your chances of getting into a top B-school? Contact us to talk strategy with a free 15-minute advising session with an SBC Principal Consultant.
New Year’s Resolutions for MBA Applicants
Resolution #1: Create a Robust Action PlanÂ
As an MBA applicant, you will likely have a lot on your plate, including preparing for the GMAT or GRE, completing your application, and working full-time. Creating an action plan and timeline that effectively balances all these tasks is vital. Consider setting aside specific times each week for studying and try to stick to a consistent routine.
The amount of time MBA aspirants spend on their applications will vary, depending on their writing abilities and general work efficiency. That said, plan to spend 40-60 hours preparing four to eight applications. Non-native English speakers will likely need to spend more time on their applications, mainly on writing, revising, editing, proofreading, formatting, and entering essays.
Resolution #2: Improve Your Time Management SkillsÂ
A solid study plan and good time management should be among the top resolutions for MBA applicants. This way, you can stay organized and on top of your tasks. This may involve setting goals each day or week, prioritizing your to-do list, and learning to say no to non-essential commitments.
Different folks have different sorts of work patterns. Some are most efficient when they can break up tasks into manageable pieces. Others work best when they can devote eight hours to marathon writing sessions. MBA applicants should know how they work effectively and efficiently and structure their writing/editing sessions accordingly. If you’re a procrastinator, check out these tricks to improve your time management skills.
Resolution #3: Prepare for the GMAT or GREÂ
The GMAT or GRE is an integral part of the MBA application process. Preparing for these exams takes considerable time and effort. Start by familiarizing yourself with the exam format and content. Consider signing up for a prep course or working with a tutor to help you reach your target score. Approximately 60% to 80% of MBA applicants retake the GMAT, and many see improved scores with additional preparation.
SBC’s test prep experts can work with you to identify your individual learning style, uncover weaknesses in your foundational knowledge, and set manageable yet ambitious goals. The earlier you can complete this component of your MBA application requirements, the happier you’ll be.Â
How to Manage Test Anxiety for the GMAT, GRE
Resolution #4: Research MBA ProgramsÂ
Not all MBA programs are created equal. Your mission is to find a program that aligns with your career goals and interests. As you begin your research, consider location, curriculum, cost, and reputation. Make sure you understand your criteria and preferences to take your business school selection beyond rankings.
Do you want to be in the city or a rural setting? What type of coursework most interests you? Do you prefer a close-knit class or an extensive network? Do you need to be near a particular location for personal or professional reasons?
One of the best ways to gather insights about a business school is to speak with current students or alumni. They can provide a unique perspective you won’t find in brochures or official websites. Remember to approach these conversations with an open mind and respect the time and insights students and alumni share. Their experiences can provide invaluable guidance as you navigate your MBA journey.
Once you have found the schools that appeal to you, you can filter those down to the select few to which you will ultimately apply.
Resolution #5: Build Your MBA ResumeÂ
Your resume is often the first thing that MBA admissions committees will see. So, you’ll want to make a strong impression. Make sure to highlight your relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments, and tailor your application materials to the specific MBA program you are applying to.
Business school applicants often find it helpful to frame their accomplishments using the STAR method. That stands for situation, task, action, and result. For each employment position listed on your resume, think of a project, initiative, or transaction where you made a meaningful contribution. Then, describe the situation, task, actions, and results.Â
Leadership skills are a top priority for elite business schools. If you need to find ways to bolster leadership examples for your resume, check out this SBC post.Â
Resolution #6: Seek Feedback on Your ApplicationÂ
As you work on your MBA application in 2026, you’ll want to seek input from others. This might include asking a friend or mentor to review your resume and essays. Someone new looking at your essays and data forms may more easily spot a typo, missing word, or that extra period at the end of a sentence.
Some additional areas to go over with your reviewer could include:
- Can you clearly identify my career goals?
- Are my reasons for wanting an MBA sound?
- Do you see any weaknesses in my application?
Or better yet, go beyond and engage an SBC admissions consultant to expertly guide your application strategy.
Resolution #7: Practice Your Interview Skills
The MBA interview process can be intimidating. But it’s also an opportunity to showcase your ability to think on your feet. While interviews are the final stage of the admissions review process, it’s never too early to start getting comfortable with them. Start practicing your interview skills by conducting mock interviews with friends or career advisors, and be sure to research the MBA program beforehand to have informed responses to potential questions.
We cover MBA interviews in multiple episodes of SBC’s B-Schooled podcast. Take a listen to Episode #135 for killer tips. Â
Resolution #8: Deepen Your Community Engagement
MBA admissions committees value candidates who demonstrate a commitment to their communities. Schools often seek applicants who have contributed positively to organizations, clubs, or local initiatives. Having interests outside of work shows that you can balance multiple commitments and that you are capable of juggling academics with clubs, conferences, recruiting, and more.
This year, one of the top resolutions for MBA applicants should be to deepen their involvement in a cause that matters to them. Whether volunteering at a non-profit, mentoring younger professionals, or organizing events within a professional association, find ways to make a meaningful impact. These experiences enrich your personal and professional growth and give you compelling stories to share in your essays and interviews.
If you’re unsure where to start, reflect on your passions or your community’s needs. Then identify the roles where your skills can provide the greatest value.
Resolution #9: Stay Positive and FocusedÂ
The MBA application process can often be stressful. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital for staying motivated and energized. Regular exercise, healthy meals, and adequate sleep are not just good for your overall health—they are critical tools to keep your mind sharp throughout the journey.
That’s a wrap for 2025
These New Year’s resolutions for MBA applicants can help you focus on specific areas of improvement, stay motivated and committed, build new habits, and seek support and accountability as you pursue your career goals.
Whether it’s sharpening your test-taking skills, crafting a compelling application, or honing your interview techniques, each resolution serves as a building block toward your ultimate goal: securing a spot in a top MBA program. Adopting these habits will enhance your candidacy and prepare you for the rigors of business school and beyond.
Remember, this journey is not just about getting into B-school—it’s about setting the foundation for long-term personal and professional success. Lean on your support network, stay positive, and keep pushing forward, knowing that every step brings you closer to achieving your dreams. Here’s to making 2026 a transformative and rewarding year!
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Thank you for making Stacy Blackman Consulting a top destination for your MBA research. We hope this resource continues to serve you well as you embark on a life-changing, career-boosting journey. Have a wonderful holiday, and see you back here in 2026!
Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.
Ashley
Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...
×Pauline
A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...
×Laura
Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...
×Andrea
Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...
×Jennifer
Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...
×Erin K.
Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...
×Susie
Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...
×Dione
Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford.  Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...
×Anthony
Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year.  Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...
×Meghan
Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...
×Amy
Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...
×Ally
Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...
×Emma
Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. ×
Dana
Dana served as Assistant Director of Admissions at Columbia Business School for the Full-Time MBA program and has over 10 years of experience working in higher education. Known as a scrupulous file reader, Dana reviewed countless applications and assisted in rendering final decisions for the Admissions Committee at CBS. While leading information sessions at Columbia and on the road, Dana met and advised myriad applicants� ...
×Holly
Holly worked as a member of the NYU Stern MBA Admissions team for seven years and holds an MBA from NYU Stern. In her tenure as Director of NYU MBA Admissions, Holly worked closely with admissions teams from Columbia, Michigan Ross, UVA Darden, Cornell Johnson, Berkeley Haas, Yale SOM, and Duke Fuqua on recruiting events domestically and internationally. On the NYU Stern admissions committee, Holly conducted interviews, planned and hosted events, and trained staff on reading and interviewi ...
×Mark
Mark has been working in global higher education for nearly ten years, focusing on MBA Admissions at European programs including Oxford Said Business School and London Business School (LBS). At the University of Oxford’s Said Business School, Mark was the Associate Director of MBA Recruitment, leading the recruitment of all applicants to the Oxford MBA and 1+1 MBA programs. In this role, Mark advised countless MBA applic ...
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