While Booth’s question is unchanged from the 2016-17 application cycle, the pictures are different this year. There is more focus on exploration between classmates, across Chicago, and within yourself.

Given our commitment to helping individuals make data-driven decisions, I was particularly proud of to be part of the committee that conducted the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC) 2017 MBA Applicant Survey. We shared the findings last week at two conferences: AIGAC 2017 and GMAC 2017. I was excited to share our findings with peers and with admissions officers from around the globe, because it highlights the voice of the applicant.

Last week at the 2017 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Annual Conference, I had the honor of presenting to over 100 MBA Admissions professionals from around the world on ways that MBA admissions teams can attract more women to MBA programs globally. Here is what we learned.

With the release of its 2020 MBA Application, NYU Stern marks a significant change to the required essays candidates are asked to complete. Most notably, Stern is dropping its infamous open-ended creative essay, which allowed applicants to submit almost anything to “introduce” themselves to their classmates, so long as it was not perishable and could fit within certain size limits.

Our morning was filled with the stunning views from the Wharton West facility in San Francisco. The EMBA and MBA programs both presented at AIGAC 2017, providing insights relevant for all applicants who might be thinking of a Wharton MBA. There were some specific suggestions and tips for entrepreneurs applying to the program, addressing issues that often come up for candidates as they look for ways to communicate their success.