This post is the second in our series on using strategies to answer specific questions from the 2018 Official Guide. Here, one of our most experienced GMAT tutors, John...
If an MBA is in your future, it is never too early to start improving your profile. MBA applications require a significant time commitment, with applicants devoting hundreds of hours across months to prepare their applications. Starting well ahead of deadlines will help you to manage your time and to make sure that you are able to give your applications your best effort. Whether you plan to submit an application this year or in the next few years, you can take steps today to improve your chances at getting into your top MBA program.
Add volunteer and leadership experience.
For the application process, is important to show that you have interests outside of the workplace and that you take an active role in those activities. Attending business school is a social experience and it is expected that you will take part in many different types of activities to build bonds with your cohort. Admissions committees want to see that you are an active participant with extracurricular activities and that you will be an engaged member outside of the classroom. Now is not the time to pick up a new activity for the sake of the application. Instead, consider your hobbies and the activities that you have been involved with in the past and if there are opportunities for you to strengthen your involvement.
Leadership experience is an important part of the application; however, many MBA applicants work in competitive jobs and do not have a lot of down time. Nevertheless, you should try to find opportunities to take on leadership roles. These roles can be with an internal organization at work or with an extracurricular. Demonstrate initiative where you can, it will help you to stand out on your applications.
Interact with your target business schools.
Getting an MBA ensures that you will become part of a business network for life. Networking is so important in the business world; yet, many people forget about the importance of networking during the application stage.
There is a lot of information related to MBA programs: rankings, the programs’ websites, blogs, and videos. Admissions committees want to see that you have gone a step beyond the information that is online and that you have directly interacted with business schools. This indicates your interest in the program and also sets you apart from other applicants who have not done an in-depth level of research.
In-person connections are also valuable for you. They will allow you to confirm that the program is a good fit. Take time to visit business schools if they are located nearby or if you can travel. If you do visit, meet admissions staff, go on a campus tour, and attend a class. If you are not able to visit a school, then attend virtual events. Many schools offer informative webinars or other virtual ways to interact with them.
Reach out to students. Speaking with current or recently graduated MBA students is a great way to learn more about the culture of the program. They will be able to share an insider’s perspective and will provide more nuanced information than you would get from reading a website.
Take or retake the GMAT.
While some people are natural standardized test takers, the GMAT is a hurdle for most in the MBA application process. Your GMAT score is valid for 5 years so why not study for and take the exam early? Once you begin the application process, you will become occupied with the other aspects of the application. Preparing for and taking the exam at a strategic time, when you are less busy, will minimize the stress of the process.
Taking the GMAT at least twice is also a good idea. Ideally you want to have a GMAT score that is on par with or higher than the average score at your target schools. If on your first attempt, you earn a score that is the average score of your target schools, consider taking the GMAT once more to see if you can get a higher score. The admissions committees also want to see that you have self-awareness about your statistics and that you are trying to elevate your candidacy to the very best that it can be.
Choose your recommenders.
Letter of recommendations are the wildcard of the application. Many applicants have a recommender who agrees to help them only to delay submitting the letter or to back out at the last minute due to other obligations. You will spend a lot of time and effort on your application so do not leave this portion to chance.
You should be prepared to guide your recommenders by providing examples and anecdotes that showcase your strengths. You can start to keep track of these interactions so that you will have notes ready for the letters. Make sure that your recommenders have more than enough time to complete their letter and that they know what to expect. It is also good practice to have a backup candidate in mind in case your recommenders are not able to fulfill their obligation.
About the Author
Rona Aydin has an MBA from Oxford and is the Founder of Oriel Admissions, an MBA admissions consulting firm that provides services to MBA candidates to help them prepare their business school applications.