I recently returned from the 25th Annual AIGAC Conference, hosted from May 12 to May 15, 2025, by three of California’s most prestigious business schools: UC Berkeley Haas, Stanford GSB, and UCLA Anderson School of Management. The theme for this year’s conference was Values, Sustainability, and Transformative Leadership—a timely focus as business education continues to evolve in response to global shifts.

Each year, the AIGAC conference brings together admissions consultants and admissions officers from around the world to foster meaningful dialogue, strengthen professional ties, and stay current on trends shaping graduate management education. The event re-energizes us before application season and enables us to guide our clients with greater insight and context.

This year’s conference brought together representatives from leading programs in the U.S. (including HBS, Stanford, Kellogg, Booth, Sloan, CBS, Fuqua, Ross, Darden, and more), Europe (LBS, INSEAD, HEC, IESE, ESADE, SDA Bocconi, Imperial), and Canada (Rotman). Through interactive sessions, panel discussions, school tours, and masterclasses, we delved deep into emerging topics like AI in education, DEI, leadership development, sustainability, and the evolving role of essays and career services in MBA admissions.

May 12–13: UC Berkeley Haas

At Haas, the second-oldest business school in the U.S., we explored the school’s defining principles: ' Student Always,’ ‘Confidence Without Attitude,’ ‘Question the Status Quo,’ and ‘Beyond Yourself.’ These values shape Haas’s commitment to ethical leadership and entrepreneurial innovation. We learned about Haas’s new cross-campus entrepreneurship hub, the role of career services, and how video essays and recommendation letters are evaluated.

A highlight was the Master Class on “AI for Business Leaders,” where we explored how AI is transforming decision-making in both the classroom and the corporate world.

Equally valuable were our networking opportunities with admissions teams from over 30 top global MBA programs. Through candid discussions and breakout sessions, we gained critical insights into the admissions landscape, including application volume trends, student visa updates, and how AI is reshaping both candidate evaluation and instruction.

Breakout Session at Haas

  

With fellow AIGAC members and admissions officers at Berkeley Haas

May 14: Stanford GSB

Our third day took us to Stanford GSB, a school committed to developing leaders who “change lives, organizations, and the world.” We experienced firsthand Stanford’s emphasis on bold thinking, personal reflection, and integrity.

The conversations focused on helping applicants craft meaningful narratives through deeper self-awareness. We also discussed how Stanford is preparing AI-fluent leaders who can thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment.

The Stanford GSB campus, where bold ideas and values intersect

May 15: UCLA Anderson

At Anderson, the school’s core values—“Think Fearlessly,” “Drive Change,” and “Share Success”—came alive through every session. The career development resources impressed me most: with 8 Parker advisors and over 70 ACT coaches, students receive highly personalized support from day one. Programs like Alive, Summer Immersions, and Anderson-facilitated interviews (AFT) are key to their career success.

The MBA student panel offered authentic insights into student life and learning outcomes. The day ended with a compelling Masterclass on “Building the Transformative Leader’s Toolkit: AI as a Strategic Asset,” demonstrating how Anderson integrates AI into its curriculum to prepare students for future-ready leadership.

 

Ending the conference on a high note at UCLA Anderson

A special moment with my former student at Anderson

Key Takeaways from AIGAC 2025

• AI as a Strategic Imperative: Across all three schools, AI was not just a discussion topic but a strategic focus—integrated into coursework, leadership training, and even the admissions process.
• Values-Based Leadership: All programs reinforced their commitment to cultivating values-driven leaders capable of navigating complexity with purpose and empathy.
• Student-Centered Career Development: From Berkeley’s career services to Anderson’s ACT coaching model, the emphasis was on tailoring support to help students achieve their unique goals.
• Admissions Transparency & Collaboration: Panels and breakout discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of schools and consultants to support applicants holistically.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: DEI continues to be a cornerstone of admissions strategy, program design, and student experience across schools.
• Evolving Application Tools: Schools are refining how they use essays, video prompts, and letters of recommendation to assess not just competence, but character and fit.

Final Reflections

Though each school we visited had its unique identity and values, they all shared a common goal: to prepare agile, forward-thinking leaders for an increasingly complex world. As an admissions consultant, I work closely with applicants to align them with programs that reflect their values, goals, and potential. Attending this conference empowers me to guide my mentees more effectively.

A big thank you to UC Berkeley Haas, Stanford GSB, and UCLA Anderson for their generous hospitality. Special thanks to the incredible AIGAC Conference Committee—Maria Cecilia Pineda, Paulo Cesar Moraes Oliveira, Eric Lucrezia, Kelly R. Wilson, Thomas Kalandranis, Manan Maheshwari, and our dynamic Executive Director, Faye Mackenzie.

It was also a joy to reconnect with founding member Maxx Duffy and to welcome our new president, Candy Lee LaBalle, whose energy and vision will continue to strengthen AIGAC’s mission. Special thanks to outgoing president Adam Markus, whose leadership took us to new heights, including a visit to the Indian School of Business earlier this year.

Looking forward to AIGAC 2026!

Read My Previous AIGAC Conference Blogs:

• 15^th AIGAC Conference 2022 – Changing Trends in Management Education- Key Takeaways
• AIGAC 2021- Virtual Conference -MER’s key Takeaways
• AIGAC 2020 Virtual Conference- the Key Takeaways on Changes amid COVID-19
• AIGAC Virtual Conference 2020 - an Astounding Success
• AIGAC 2016 School Representatives Share their Insights at AIGAC Conference at MIT-Part 2
• AIGAC# 16 School Representatives Share their Insights at AIGAC Conference at MIT-Part 2
• AIGAC #16 School Representatives Share their Insights at AIGAC Conference at MIT -Part 1
• AIGAC# 2015 8th Annual Conference – Reflections of AIGAC 15

About MER (myEssayReview)

Poonam Tandon, the founder of MER (myEssayReview), is a Ph.D. in English with 14 years of MBA consulting experience and 3 decades of teaching experience in India and the US. Poonam has successfully guided hundreds of students worldwide to gain admission into the esteemed MBA, EMBA, and specialized master's programs in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Throughout her four-decade-long professional career, she has reviewed 11,000+ essays written by applicants worldwide.  Poonam was among the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club from September 2012 to December 2023.

📬 Contact & Follow: Need help with your application for 2025-26 application cycle?  Email Poonam at poonam@myessayreview.com with questions.

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