Application Consulting The First Phase of the MBA Application

The first round deadline for most business schools admissions happens in late September or early October. The application process is made up of several phases (preparation and research, writing, interviews), many moving parts (resume, recs, GMAT score, etc.), and also entails a fair amount of writing. In short, it's not a cut and paste, easy process! Getting organized early will only strengthen your MBA application and reduce the stress when the deadlines roll around. In this post, we’ll breakdown the MBA admissions process and make some recommendations for the early part of the application process. Keep reading to get a sense of some specific things you can do now to start your process ahead of time. I. The MBA application components Most, if not all, business school ask that you include the following items in your application: An undergraduate transcript (unofficial or official – double check with your schools of choice) A professional resume 2 professional references GMAT or GRE score (again, double check if the schools of your choice accept the GRE) Essays (2 or more) If you haven't already taken the GMAT, it's crucial that you start thinking about the test and preparing for it now. Visit the GMAT page of our site to learn more about test preparation and available resources. II. Draft a list of business schools Compiling a list of schools allows to you scope out your process. The number of schools you apply to makes a big difference when you're in the thick of admissions. As you build your list of schools, consider a few different factors in making your decision: Play the numbers game: review the school’s average GPA and GMAT requirements. Think about what you want out of business school and determine whether the school’s focus maps onto yours. Consider geography if it’s important to you. Get a feel for the school by speaking to alums or visiting campus. Go to a local info session. Do you have the bandwidth to put together multiple applications for the first round deadline? Once you have a preliminary list, conduct in-depth research on each school you wish to apply to. Being well-informed about the school’s profile and mission will not only help you decide whether it’s the right institution for you, but it will also inform how you craft your application narrative. III. Create an account on the school's MBA admissions website Registering as a prospective student with the school is important for a couple reasons: By signing up, you are flagging your interest for the school. Make yourself known! You will be added to their admissions mailing list and receive important information about the school! The more you know about the school, the better! Taking 1 and 2 above into account, when you receive the schedule for info sessions, go to the event to learn about the school and meet admissions officers. IV. Getting into the nitty gritty of the application rocess With your list ready, sign into to each school's application portal to receive official information on the application. Identify the school’s application deadline. Make a list of the required essays for each school. Project manage your process: create a schedule of external and internal deadlines. Contact your undergraduate institution to request transcripts (do that now)! Evaluate your resume and finalize it before your dive into essay-writing. That's one thing you can check off the list. Brainstorm your desired recommenders and think about how you will approach them. You might say, â€Å"It’s only July! Isn’t a bit early to get started on an October deadline?† Well it is early, but it’s not too early. As an MBA admissions consultant, I promise that you will thank yourself later if you’ve knocked off the 4 steps outlined in this post before September rolls around. ;