I will teach you how to bring your life stories to essays faster with F1GMAT's essay guides. Download below or subscribe to F1GMAT's Service and work with me - Atul Jose, Author/Editor/Founding Consultant, F1GMAT(16 Years of helping applicants gain admissions to M7 and Top 30 schools) What is an M7 MBA?
M7 or magnificent seven is a self-proclaimed title created for the group of 7 top Business Schools – Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, Chicago Booth, MIT, and Kellogg School of Management.
Related: Subscribe to F1GMAT’s Career Planning Service to find out which M7 MBA program is right for you
In this in-depth coverage of M7 MBA programs, we cover:
- M7 MBA – Salary Comparison
- M7 MBA – 2023 vs. 2022 (Salary Increase in Percentage)
- M7 MBA Ranking - Popular Publications
- M7 MBA – Cost
- M7 MBA – Median GMAT and GPA
- M7 MBA – Acceptance Rate
- M7 MBA – Essay Questions (2025 Entering Class)
M7 MBA – Salary Comparison
F1GMAT's Research Insight - M7 vs Top Non-M7 MBA
Although the M7 MBA is an attempt to create a league of its own, much like an Ivy League School, the salary difference is noticeable in 2023, where NYU Stern, Cornell, Ross, Duke Fuqua, Yale, Darden and Tuck MBA (non-M7) offers an equal total median salary for an MBA as offered by Kellogg ($205,000), Wharton ($205,000), Harvard ($205,000), and Columbia ($205,000).
Chicago Booth maintains its top position ($213,000) after a hike of $8,000 in the total salary, Stanford was ranked at #2 ($212,500) with a total salary hike of $7,500, whereas four M7 schools- Kellogg ($205,000), Wharton ($205,000), Harvard ($205,000), and Columbia ($205,000) ranked third along with seven non-M7 schools- NYU Stern, Cornell, Ross, Duke Fuqua, Yale, Darden and Tuck.
MIT, with a $200,000 total MBA salary, was ranked fifth since Haas – a non-M7 school, was 4th with a total median salary of ($203,000).
M7 MBA – 2023 vs. 2022 (Salary Increase in Percentage)
Wharton, Harvard, and Columbia experienced no hike in total base salary for 2023, maintaining $205,000 for both years.
Chicago Booth ($213,000)(3.9% hike per year), Stanford ($212,500) (3.6% hike per year), MIT Sloan ($200,000) (2.5% hike per year), Kellogg ($205,000) (5.12% hike per year), all offered 2% to 6% increase in total median salary compared to 2022.
| M7 Business School | Total Salary (2022) | Total Salary (2023) |
| Harvard | $205,000 | $205,000 |
| Wharton | $205,000 | $205,000 |
| MIT Sloan | $195,000 | $200,000 |
| Kellogg | $195,000 | $205,000 |
| Columbia | $205,000 | $205,000 |
| Chicago Booth | $205,000 | $213,000 |
| Stanford | $205,000 | $212,500 |
M7 MBA Ranking - Popular Publications
An aggregate ranking of US News and Financial Times would give you a fair understanding of the best MBA programs on the increase in salary, employer reputation, peer review, and value for money.
Wharton is #1, followed by Kellogg. MIT was at third. Chicago Booth was fourth. Columbia was at fifth followed by Harvard at sixth and the final position by Stanford completed the M7 MBA aggregate ranking.
| M7 Business School | US News | Financial Times | Average Ranking |
| Wharton | 2 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Kellogg | 3 | 6 | 4.5 |
| MIT | 5 | 6 | 5.5 |
| Chicago Booth | 4 | 10 | 7 |
| Columbia | 12 | 3 | 7.5 |
| Harvard | 6 | 11 | 8.5 |
| Stanford | 1 | 23 | 12 |
See: MBA Ranking factor and methodologies to compare how US News and FT evaluate schools.
M7 MBA – Cost
Of the M7 MBA programs, Chicago Booth was the costliest in 2023, reaching $259,030, while Stanford was at a close second - $257,430. The rest of the cohort – Wharton, Columbia, and Kellogg, was in the middle with a $250,000 to $255,000 cost range, while Harvard, with a $249,039 total cost, was the most affordable M7 MBA program.
| M7 Business School | Total Cost |
| Chicago Booth | $259,030 |
| Stanford | $257,430 |
| Wharton | $254,432 |
| Columbia* | $254,116 |
| MIT | $2,51,488 |
| Kellogg* | $240,864 |
| Harvard | $249,039 |
Editor’s Note: Cost Data for Columbia and Kellogg for 2024-25 with hikes in tuition fees is yet to be published as of June 2024. We will update the table as the two schools publish the data.
M7 MBA – Median GMAT and GPA
The median GMAT for the M7 schools ranged from 728 to 740, with Harvard leading at 740.
Stanford, with 738, was 2nd.
Kellogg, with 731, was third.
Columbia, Booth, and MIT at 730 were in fourth position.
Wharton, at 728, had the lowest GMAT score among M7 schools.
Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and Kellogg have seen the entry class’s GMAT scores increasing, ensuring that the variations in the application volume doesn’t compromise the class quality.
Wharton had to adjust the GMAT, witnessing a fall of 4 in average GMAT score while maintaining the same GPA – 3.6 as last year.
GPA entry criteria have increased for Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Kellogg by .01 to 0.1 points.
With a reputation for attracting the highest international and US minorities while also maintaining a strong women representation, Columbia eased the GPA requirement but increased the GMAT entry criteria to maintain the strong ‘diversity’ brand in the cohort without impacting the academic quality of the class.
Booth’s 730 GMAT and 3.6 GPA seem to be working, as the school didn’t tinker with the entry criteria.
| M7 Business School | Median GMAT (2023) | Median GMAT (2022) | Average GPA (2023) | Average GPA (2022) |
| Harvard | 740 | 730 | 3.73 | 3.7 |
| Stanford | 738* | 734* | 3.77 | 3.7 |
| Wharton | 728* | 732* | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| Columbia | 730* | 727* | 3.5 | 3.6 |
| Chicago Booth | 730 | 730 | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| MIT | 730 | 730 | 3.61 | 3.6 |
| Kellogg | 731* | 730* | 3.7 | 3.6 |
M7 MBA – Acceptance Rate
The M7 MBA program’s acceptance rate ranged from 7% to 31%.
Stanford was the toughest to get in for three consecutive years.
Harvard was the second toughest to get in, with an 11.5% acceptance rate.
MIT's acceptance rate increased to 14% with a relatively small class size (409).
Kellogg was the easiest (31.4%).
Columbia (15.26%) 2nd and Chicago Booth (15.22%) were 3rd, while MIT, and Wharton were in the middle (14%).
| M7 Business School | Acceptance Rate | Application Volume (2023 Entering Class) | Class Size (2023) | Application Volume (2022 Entering Class) | Class Size (2022) | Application Volume (2021 Entering Class) | Class Size (2021) |
| Harvard | 11.5% | 8149 | 938 | 8264 | 1015 | 9773 | 1010 |
| Stanford | 6.9% | 6190 | 431 | 6152 | 424 | 7367 | 432 |
| Wharton | 14.1% | 6194 | 874 | 6319 | 877 | 7338 | 897 |
| Columbia | 15.26% | 5895 | 900 | 6535 | 782* | 6,535* | 1215 |
| Chicago Booth | 15.22% | 4184 | 637 | 4352 | 621 | 5037 | 621 |
| MIT | 14% | 2,921** | 409 | 4,100** | 408 | 4,100** | 450 |
| Kellogg | 31.4% | 1,684** | 529 | 2,500** | 503 | 2,500** | 508 |
** No Data - Approx on Class Size and acceptance Rate
M7 MBA – Essay Questions (2025 Entering Class)
1. Harvard
Applicants to the MBA Class of 2027 (matriculating fall 2025) need to respond to three essay prompts:
• Business-Minded Essay: Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)
- Creative Problem Solving: HBS MBA Business-Minded Essay Example
- HBS Business-Minded Essay Example: Minority Entrepreneurship
- HBS MBA Business-Minded Essay: Private Equity and Power of Community
• Leadership-Focused Essay: What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)
- Harvard MBA Leadership Essay Example – Small Business Values
- Harvard MBA Leadership Essay Example & Mental Health – Building Awareness
- Harvard MBA Leadership Essay Example: Addiction, Setback and Leadership Mantra
- Harvard MBA Leadership Essay – Breaking Away from Family Business
- Harvard MBA Leadership Essay Example - War, Immigration and Starting Over Again
- Harvard MBA Leadership Essay Example – Trauma, Healing & Finding Authentic Self
- Harvard MBA Leadership Essay - Non-Profit (South Africa)
• Growth-Oriented Essay: Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)
- Harvard MBA Curiosity Essay – Life Starts at NO
- Harvard MBA Curiosity Essay – Growth through Collaboration (AI in Healthcare)
- Military & Search for IMPACT - Harvard MBA Growth Essay Example
- Harvard MBA Growth Essay Example – Learning from the Best
- Harvard MBA Curiosity and Growth Essay Example – Scarcity
- Harvard MBA Growth Essay Example – The American Dream
- Harvard MBA Curiosity Essay Example – Crypto As a Tool for Good
- Harvard MBA Growth Essay Example – Drug Addiction and Gaming
- Harvard MBA Career Choice Essay Example - Creative or Finance
Joint Degree Essays:
• Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School must provide an additional essay: How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (up to 400 words)
• Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences must provide an additional essay: The MS/MBA Engineering Sciences program is focused on entrepreneurship, design, and innovation. Describe your past experiences in these areas and your reasons for pursuing a program with this focus. (recommended length: 500 words). Applicants will also be able to respond to an optional essay.
2. Stanford
Question 1: What matters most to you, and why? (up to 650 words)
For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?
Question 2: Why Stanford? ( up to 400 words) Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.
3. Wharton
Question 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)
Question 2: Essay 2: Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)
Reapplicant: Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)
4. Booth
Question 1: How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)
Question 2: An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)
Reapplicant: Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words.)
5. Columbia
January Entry Essays:
Short Answer Question 1: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)
Short Answer Question 2: Why do you prefer the January-entry term? (50 characters maximum)
Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)
Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to develop as inclusive leaders. Through various resources and programming, students explore and reflect on the following five inclusive leadership skills: Mitigating Bias and Prejudice; Managing Intercultural Dialogue; Addressing Systemic Inequity; Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking; and Creating an Inclusive Environment. Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome. (250 words)
Essay 3: We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership--academically, culturally, and professionally. How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific. (250 words)
August Entry Essays:
Short Answer Question 1: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)
Short Answer Question 2: How do you plan to spend the summer after the first year of the MBA? If in an internship, please include target industry(ies) and/or function(s). If you plan to work on your own venture, please indicate a focus of business. (50 characters maximum)
Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)
Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to develop as inclusive leaders. Through various resources and programming, students explore and reflect on the following five inclusive leadership skills: Mitigating Bias and Prejudice; Managing Intercultural Dialogue; Addressing Systemic Inequity; Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking; and Creating an Inclusive Environment. Please respond to one of the below (250 words).
• Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one of these five skills and tell us the actions you took and the outcome.
• Alternatively, please share a specific example of how you made a team more collaborative or fostered a greater sense of community within an organization.
Essay 3: We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership--academically, culturally, and professionally. How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific. (250 words)
6. Kellogg
Question 1: Intentionality is a key aspect of what makes our graduates successful Kellogg leaders. Help us understand your journey by articulating your motivations for pursuing an MBA, the specific goals you aim to achieve, and why you believe now is the right moment. Moreover, share why you feel Kellogg is best suited to serve as a catalyst for your career aspirations and what you will contribute to our community of lifelong learners during your time here. (450 words)
Question 2: Kellogg leaders are primed to tackle challenges everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Describe a specific professional experience where you had to make a difficult decision. Reflecting on this experience, identify the values that guided your decision-making process and how it impacted your leadership style. (450 words)
7. MIT Sloan
Cover Letter: MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect and passion.
Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).
Short Answer Question: How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your identity. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background. (250 words or less.)
M7 MBA Essay Guides
• Harvard MBA Essay Guide
• Stanford MBA Essay Guide
• Wharton MBA Essay Guide
• Chicago Booth MBA Essay Guide
• Columbia MBA Essay Guide
• Kellogg MBA Essay Guide
• MIT Sloan MBA Essay Guide
Non-M7 ~ M7 Schools (Salary)
• Tuck MBA Essay Guide
• NYU Stern MBA Essay Guide
• Haas MBA Essay Guide
Which M7 MBA is right for you?
Subscribe to F1GMAT’s Career Planning Service to find out which M7 MBA program is right for you. You may initiate a conversation with me – Atul Jose (Founding Consultant, F1GMAT), through LinkedIn before subscribing to the Service.
