Every year, the Association for International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC) brings admissions consultants and admissions officers together for candid conversations about the state of MBA admissions, curricula, careers, and more.

This year’s conference was held at Duke Fuqua School of Business and UNC Kenan-Flagler, and here are five things that stood out to us:

Many reports show that MBA application volume is down this year. We don’t have the full numbers just yet, but it’s hard to ignore that market dynamics and policy changes in the U.S. have caused this trend.

As a result, candidates are diversifying their odds and keeping their options open. For example, we’re hearing that the average MBA applicant is applying to more programs and putting deposits down at multiple programs. Scholarship negotiations have become the norm and some admits are leveraging their MBAs for promotions, while holding off on the final decision on whether to enroll until summer.

In terms of the applications themselves, candidates are increasingly leaning on AI tools for school research and essays. Given that many AI tools pull from sources like Reddit, the information is often inaccurate or outdated, which Admissions officers warn reflects poorly on candidates. There is nothing worse than focusing on a club that no longer exists. And while most everyone agrees AI is an important tool, it’s painfully obvious when essays have been fully generated by AI.

Interestingly, while MBA programs have committed to incorporating AI into their curricula, for the most part, admission offices have yet to integrate it into their evaluative process.

Finally, several programs signaled changes in their applications for the upcoming cycle. We’re excited to see some of these updates, and we’ll be talking about them in the coming weeks and months!

While the data is still coming in, anecdotal feedback across top MBA programs reveals that recruiting outcomes are better than last year. Consulting and banking are still solid career paths post-MBA, and the big employers are still hungry for MBA talent. Of course, these aren’t the only post-MBA career paths, as grads are still landing offers outside of the “traditional” industries and functions.

It’s still too early to provide solid numbers, but we’ll be interested to see how the numbers break down for 2026 vs. 2025 career outcomes. Look out for those employment reports later this year, and we’ll be sure to share our take.

We also discussed what differentiates the most successful candidates. The skills that were mentioned most frequently included AI fluency, communication and executive presence, collaboration, and professional agility.

While MBA grads need not be experts in AI, they must demonstrate a working knowledge and practical use of current tools – hiring companies reinforce this. Additionally, soft skills are very much top of mind for recruiters and career officers.

In light of policy updates, the mechanics of building classes have changed. Demand from international candidates has declined, and some candidates are shut out of the process altogether. For example, in recent years, there has been strong and growing demand among candidates from Nigeria, but the visa ban has made it virtually impossible for Nigerian candidates to attend U.S. MBA programs.

In response to policy changes, programs have adjusted their recruitment and admissions strategies. Some have adopted creative ways to recruit candidates, and others discussed how they’re supporting candidates through the visa application process.

Overall, we’re hearing that the quality of diverse applicants is still strong, and that MBA programs are doing everything they can to build diverse cohorts. These efforts not only show up in recruitment, but also specific application essays (for example, lived experiences), along with additional scholarships and resources.

By now, AI topics have been integrated into the curricula of MBA programs to ensure that students are prepared to enter their post-MBA careers.

For example:

Of course, many other programs have integrated AI into the curriculum to support students and develop true fluency. In case you missed them, check out our deep dives into:

Many in the room agreed that access to information is cheap and fast, and knowledge has become a commodity. However, judgement and accountability still matter – in MBA classrooms and in business careers.

The unique opportunity MBA students have is to develop judgement and accountability in classrooms and among their peers – and know there is room to fail. An MBA has always offered this, and AI can’t quite replicate this learning. Admissions officers admit that most programs can do a better job of communicating this as part of the value proposition.

One of the biggest challenges MBA programs face is keeping up with the constantly evolving changes in AI. The pace demands that programs evolve more quickly than the academic cycle has typically been able to in the past.

While we don’t think the MBA is going anywhere soon, significant changes in the market have given many potential candidates pause. Programs need to do a better job of communicating the lifetime value an MBA can provide: leadership skills, client relationship management, judgement, accountability, and access to a community.

Thanks for reading Behind the MBA! If you found this newsletter helpful, forward it to a friend! If you have ideas for a future post, reach us at [email protected].

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