What Business Schools Really Look for in a Graduate Application

"Business Education for the Future of Work." American University’s Kogod School of Business in Washington, D.C., offers international students a powerful combination of global exposure, career outcomes, and future‑focused business education. Founded in 1955, Kogod is the oldest accredited business school in the U.S. capital and holds AACSB accreditation, the highest international standard for business schools. Part of American University—an R1 research institution with students from nearly 140 countries and a long history of alumni in global leadership—Kogod gives you access to a diverse, internationally minded campus in one of the world’s most important political and business hubs. Kogod is nationally ranked for its programs and for graduate employability, with recent recognitions including strong placements in Poets & Quants and U.S. News lists and a top‑10 standing for employability in the QS Online MBA rankings. Graduate students report 91% employment within six months of completing their programs and an average salary near $97,000, with more than 30% average salary growth compared to pre‑program earnings. Alumni work at leading employers such as Amazon, Deloitte, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, and major government and multilateral institutions, supported by a global network of 25,000+ business alumni based in Washington, D.C. and around the world. For international students, Kogod’s STEM‑designated master’s programs—including the MBA, MS in Finance, MS in Accounting, and MS in Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence—offer the chance to build in‑demand technical skills while potentially qualifying for extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States. In addition, sustainability and ESG are core strengths: Kogod’s MS in Sustainability Management and related MBA pathways reflect the school’s global recognition in sustainability rankings and its mission to “build a more sustainable world through business.” All of this is integrated with an AI‑infused curriculum and the Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence, which help you graduate ready to use AI responsibly in finance, marketing, analytics, consulting, and entrepreneurship across international markets. If you imagine yourself working in the U.S., your home country, or a third‑country hub after graduation, would you prefer a program that is more analytics/AI‑focused or one that emphasizes sustainability and ESG leadership?