Getting a Head Start with B-School Admissions
By Stacy Blackman
Admissions Strategy Consultant
Many business schools do not publish their applications until fairly close to their first
round deadlines. Despite the fact that you cannot dive in and begin writing essays
or scheduling interviews until applications are posted, you still have an opportunity
to plan ahead and positively impact your application now. If you are thinking about
applying to business school several months or even a year before the applications are
due, this document will help you find ways to begin taking action now.
Since 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped hundreds of clients gain
admission to every top business school in the world. The company's approach,
based on developing and implementing a winning marketing strategy, makes the
application process less stressful and more successful.
GPA
Your GPA is an important piece of your application. Unfortunately, it is
one of the only parts of the application that is already completely set. If you have a
below average GPA, or low grades in quantitative/business classes, consider taking a
course now to prove your academic skills. You want to be able to build a case to the
schools that you will be able to succeed academically in their program, and and that
you are taking steps to build skills that may have been lacking and that you are
mature enough to balance academics with your career.
Career Progression
Have you been in the same job, at the same level for several
years? If so, what would it take to secure a promotion or demonstrate upward
mobility? If an official title change is out of the question, brainstorm what you can
do to take on more senior responsibilities. Volunteer to mentor a newcomer to the
office. Ask to be placed on a high level project. Take on a leadership role that no
one else wants responsibility for. Opportunities always exist, but the true stars are
the ones that seize them!
Many applicants consider taking a new job prior to applying in hopes that it will
round out their experience and show progression. Be careful about this type of
move. If it does not make sense in the context of your career goals, such a move
could actually hurt you. You want to convey that you are focused and doing what
you can to progress towards your stated goals, not just focused on landing a great job.
GMAT
The GMAT is a piece of the application over which you still have a great deal
of control. If you have not taken the GMAT before, do your best to get it out of the
way before you start working on writing your applications. As busy as you may be
now, it will only be worse once you add essays, data forms and recommendations to
your plate. Consider a course or private tutor. Preparation is essential for most to
excel on the test, both in terms of knowledge and your mental state when you take
it. Taking a course often helps you maintain discipline while studying.
If you have already taken the GMAT and received a below average score, consider
retaking it. You should consider whether you truly gave it your all the first time
around. If you think it would be possible to obtain a higher score, it is worth
retaking, as the schools will look at your highest score.
Recommendations
Remember that you are going to ask a few recommenders to
do a lot of work on your behalf. It is not a bad idea to keep in mind who you want to
ask and be sure to "wow" them over the next few months. You may even want to
take them to lunch and discuss your MBA plans with them so that they are not
surprised when the time comes. You want to be certain that your recommenders will
actively support your candidacy.
Extracurricular Activities
If you do not have any meaningful activities in your
profile, you should become involved now. Even the most overworked individual can
find time to do something. Go online and look for community service groups in your
community, brainstorm things that you enjoy doing and seek them out. Think about
activities that you participated in as an undergrad and become re-engaged. It’s
great to be able to show continuity in your interests. If you are already involved
know that the quality of your contributions is most important. It’s great to have
been volunteering at a soup kitchen for the past year. But if you can say that you
conceived of and led a program to grow donations or raise awareness of the soup
kitchen, even better. In and out of work, any leadership role you can take on will be
an asset to your application.
Many companies sponsor community service opportunities. If you are too
busy to leave the office, you may be able to find activities within your working
environment.
Essays
It is extremely helpful to be aware of what types of questions you will be
asked. Although many schools change their essay questions from year to year, by
reading a prior year’s application, you will get a good idea of the types of stories you
will need. Knowing that you will be asked to describe a leadership experience may
motivate you take on a leadership role – in or outside of work. Knowing that you will
have questions about community involvement will push you to finally become involved.
School Selection
You have a better chance of being admitted to any school if it is
the right school for you. Many candidates look at rankings and decide to apply to
the top few schools. You will be far better off if you do your own research, talk to
students and alums and, if possible, visit campuses. Doing this type of research
early on will help you to better understand the schools, and quite possibly change
your mind about where you want to apply. You also will be better qualified to
answer the question, "Why do you want to go here?" Demonstrating an
understanding of what makes a school unique and showing that you are truly
passionate about attending will take you far.
Please note that these are general recommendations and do not apply to every case.