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“Lead” versus “Led” and Not Overusing Techniques in Your Application Essays

A common mistake we see in our clients’ MBA application essays is the misuse of the verb “lead.” A deeply entrenched and widespread misunderstanding seems to exist as to which spelling connotes present tense and which connotes past tense. One of our consultants even had a client raise their voice in passionate defense—of the wrong usage! In case you are not completely confident about this word yourself, we hope this blog post helps clear up the issue for you.

Manhattan Prep

Will I Get In? And If I Do, Will I Want to Attend After All?

Not surprisingly, one of the most common questions we receive from MBA candidates is “Will I get in?” Of course, this is an important question to consider before applying, and we suggest that you honestly assess and understand your candidacy and risk profile within the context of your target school’s typical student body before completing or submitting an application to that school. However, once you have determined that you will in fact apply to a particular school, you should not let this question haunt you or halt your progress. Many applicants spend too much time worrying and not enough time working. Your admissions decision is ultimately out of your control, so just focus on submitting the best application you possibly can.

How Business School Rankings Should Factor into Your School Search

Which MBA programs are really the best? Harvard Business School, the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School? Or maybe UPenn Wharton, Columbia Business School (CBS), and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College? What about Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the MIT Sloan School of Management? Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business? The Yale School of Management? The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley?


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2025–2026 MBA Essay Tips

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MBA Program Updates

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