The Challenge

A global leader in graduate management education wanted to understand student behavior in the U.S. business school market. Traditional surveys and benchmarks lacked the granularity to capture experiences at the level of individual schools and programs - and were unable to identify qualitative factors like peer culture, social environments, and inclusivity that strongly shape student experiences.

Our Approach

Using the TRACE AI System, we built a behavioral model trained on millions of data points from forums, reviews, and social platforms. The model uncovered not just what students said, but the underlying motivations, values, and perceptions driving their choices

Mapped key drivers of student experience — from professional development opportunities to diversity and inclusion
Benchmarked institutions on these drivers, combining qualitative and quantitative signals
Identified differentiators including culture, peer networks, and career outcomes
Built a live AI insights model that updates as conditions change

The Outcome

The organization gained a living map of student experience that serves both strategic and operational needs:

Strategic

Leaders can benchmark competitors, track shifts over time, and refine positioning

Operational

The AI model powers a matching tool that connects students with programs aligned to their goals and values