The Triangle Business Journal reports that MBAs graduating from Duke and UNC Chapel Hill this year are grabbing salaries north of $90,000.

• UNC MBAs are earning an average of $91,150, an 8% increase over the previous year. 77% of its graduates already have job offers.
  
• Duke declined to provide specific numbers for this article but indicated that recruiting is up and that salaries are averaging around $90,000.
  

Both schools will release final numbers after graduation.

MBA application volume correlates to MBA salaries. Given the recruiting and salary reports that have been trickling out, I predict that next year will see an impressive -- let's say 10-20% -- increase in application volume at the top schools over this year's numbers, which are already higher than last year. 

What does that mean for you? Acceptance rates of under 20% and in some case 10%. Intense competition if you are planning to apply next fall.

If you would like assistance with your MBA application, consider Accepted.com. We offer MBA admissions consulting and editing, You can discover the benefits of having a mentor, coach, and constructive critic by reviewing our catalog, reading client feedback, and listening to our MBA podcast.

In addition, for the first time, Accepted.com has joined with Maxx Associates to offer over Labor Day weekend a new, intensive MBA admissions workshop: MBA Admissions BlastOff. To give you a taste of what you can expect at MBA BlastOff and help you launch your MBA application effort, Maxx Duffy and I are providing a free teleseminar on Tuesday May 23.

I was working today on the teleseminar details. On one hand, it is exhilarating to offer both the teleseminar and MBA BlastOff. We are presenting material that has been only available to our clients. At the same time, it was frustrating preparing for the one-hour call because  I had to choose from several hours worth of material, which we will transmit in the formal presentations.  In addition MBA BlastOff participants will work on their essays during 8 hours of writing workshops. The opportunity for quick feedback and critique should be of tremendous benefit to the lucky 30 participants. They will have instruction, personal attention, and the structure to force a concentrated dose of application effort that will result in one set of completed essays. Check out MBA BlastOff and sign up for the free teleseminar.