An MBA application is largely evaluated based on three variables: GMAT or GRE scores, and work experience, along with your essays. Other crucial aspects may include your undergraduate GPA, letters of advice, diversity, extracurricular/community actions, and, where relevant, interviews.
1. GMAT/GRE Scores
Your test scores are the most significant number in regards to applying to MBA applications. While most applicants nevertheless take the GMAT, nearly all the best MBA programs will accept either test. There is some evidence that a great number of schools will allow you in with a relatively lower GRE score.
You should compare your test score into the median GMAT score for a given institution to find out how likely you are to gain admission (to evaluate GRE scores to GMAT scores and utilize this handy conversion application). Broadly speaking, if you are 50 or more points shy at the median score, your odds of getting into a schedule become quite slim (and ideally you should be at or above the median on your top choice colleges).
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2. Work Experience
The MBA is an extremely collaborative degree. You’ll be working closely with your fellow students to resolve business problems. A huge portion of what you will be expected to draw in this difficult process is your work experience. Because of this, MBA plans seem to fill their classes with pupils with varied, high-quality work experience.
It’s important your job experience is represented in the resume you’ll submit as part of your application, which important job success is represented in some combo of your documents as well as your letters of recommendation.
Most conventional MBA programs favour students with 3-7 years of job experience. Those with more experience will frequently find higher success applying to executive MBA programs. Those with less experience tend to be well-advised to wait for another year or two before implementing. There are always exceptions but don’t be surprised if your program doesn’t do and you anticipated if you only have a year or two of expertise when you employ. Look closely at the median age or work expertise for applicants accepted to the applications you’re applying to, and also aim for schools in which you’re near that median.
3. Essays
The documents are significantly more important for an MBA application than they had been for your college program. Most programs need anywhere from 3-7 essays, and now you can easily write thousands of words answering them all. Even worse, there is very little standardization in one of the essay subjects, therefore it can be tough to recycle your documents from one application to another.
The one essay you are going to need to write for almost any app is what I call the”Why does an MBA make sense for me today?” essay. MBA programs want to know an MBA makes sense given your career trajectory: where are you coming from professionally, what do you hope to gain out of your MBA, and what’ll gaining an MBA permit you to achieve with your career. A very clear response to this question is the most indispensable part of your essays.
There is a lot of specific tips which can be provided for the essays, however broadly speaking, be certain that you take some opportunity to find out exactly what each question is really asking for. Make certain you are receptive to the questions, so that you honour any word limits, and that your answers show a wide array of your experiences and strengths.
4. Undergraduate GPA
GPA is an important element for MBA programs compared to many other graduate levels. At the same time that you need to look at the median GPA of those apps you are considering the view how aggressive you’ll be, it is simple to compensate to get a below-median GPA with above-median test scores or unusually strong work experience.
5. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation for MBA applications should come from a person who can speak to your work and/or leadership abilities. Ensure your recommenders understand you well, a person who can speak to your skills is a whole lot more significant than someone who has an impressive title or a link to the app you’re applying to.
Letters must be pure advocacy. Some recommenders feel they need to give a balanced description and really go so far as to provide criticism of the applicant. Speak with your recommenders in advance and provide them with a sense of what you would want them to write and make sure they are on board. It might even be worth bringing particular areas of your work you’d prefer that the recommender to emphasize (e.g. a job you were lead on that went particularly well, or even a favourable trait you are known for in the workplace ).
Ultimately, some recommenders throwback the recommendation to the offender, stating”why not write the letter and I’ll sign off on it.” If that is all your recommenders is willing to do, find a different recommender. You are going to be composing anywhere from 3-7 essays for every school; the admissions committee may well comprehend if you are also the writer of your letters of recommendation. A fantastic recommender will give you praise you wouldn’t even think to provide yourself.
6. Diversity
MBA programs chiefly focus on collaborative work, and the modern workplace has individuals from a vast array of backgrounds. Consequently, MBA plans seek to get courses that represent the diversity of the modern office. Attracting students from a broad array of cultural and professional backgrounds. Ensure that your program highlights any unusual or useful perspective you would bring about the programs you apply to.
7. Extracurricular and Community Activities
You are more than your grades and your job experience. Everything you do in your free time serves as another way to highlight what you’ll bring to the community of the MBA program. If you are especially enthusiastic about a particular action, it’s often a fantastic idea to emphasize that activity from one of your documents.
8. Interviews
Not all MBA programs conduct interviews, but if a program does make interviews portion of its process. It can be a substantial determining factor of admissions.
The trick for interviews would be to be well prepared. Know the professors you are considering working with. Understand the advantages of this program, and any particular classes, specific programs, or aspect of the program you’d be particularly considering. Come prepared with questions and an understanding of this program.
Closing Thoughts
Your primary focus when planning to apply to MBA programs should be about getting good test scores and writing good essays. In particular, be certain that you can clearly articulate why an MBA is a perfect degree for you at this point in your career. Also, what exactly you see an MBA helping you achieve.
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