MBA admission strategy Archives - Consultants' Corner

Start Preparing Now! A Sample Schedule for Round One 2025 Applicants

A busy, but calm, MBA applicant — If you have a plan, applying to MBA programs doesn’t have to be (too) stressful

Spring is a wonderful time of year for us here at Gurufi. As we hear more about our clients’ success stories, we take pride in helping them earn admission to their dream schools. Just last week, we had multiple clients reach out to us about their plans for the fall, which include matriculating into HBS, Wharton, Stanford GSB, INSEAD, and many more.

Our record speaks for itself, but we also know that not everybody can afford us, so we try our best to provide free information that, if followed, can improve your chances of admission to your dream MBA program.

Thus, over the next few weeks, we’ll but putting out a 12-part video guide about how to approach your MBA admissions journey. Before we start, though, I wanted to provide a quick-and-easy breakdown for people who are just beginning to think about applying for an MBA. Below is a breakdown for people starting now who intend to apply for Round One admissions (due dates in September or October). Obviously, this is a rough guide, and so be sure to check the due dates for the particular schools you’re applying to!

April – Establish Your Strategy

Research MBA programs: Research MBA programs to determine which schools align with your career goals and personal preferences. Rankings are a good place to start, but don’t end there! A good tip is to make a list of three strengths in a business school, three areas of emphasis, and three “miscellaneous” factors (geography, cost, length of program, etc.) and use that list to inform your Google searches. Remember, in this initial phase, you want to create a fairly extensive list that you can then pare down.

Connect with alumni and current students: Reach out to alumni or current students from your preferred MBA programs to understand their experiences and the school’s culture better. View this as an opportunity to being ranking and even eliminating some candidate schools.

Identify your recommenders: Think about who you could ask for recommendation letters and inform them about your MBA plans. Be smart about your strategy here. Select people who know you well, and think of the recommendation process as an interactive one, where you provide the letter writer with as much information as they need to write you a great letter. For additional insight, check out these videos.

May – Prepare for GMAT/GRE

Study for GMAT/GRE: If you have not taken these tests or want to improve your score, now is the time to start preparing in earnest. Every candidate’s GMAT process is different, and it often comes down to how much time you need to earn the score you’re looking for. I’ve known candidates who’ve prepared for 18 months because they were never very quant-heavy in their educations so they needed a lot of help. Others only need a few weeks.

Register for the exam: Make sure to register for the exam to give you enough time to retake it if necessary.

June – Take GMAT/GRE and Begin Applications

Take the GMAT/GRE: Aim to take your GMAT/GRE in June. This leaves enough time to retake the test if you’re not satisfied with your score.

Start drafting essays: Begin working on your application essays. Be sure to customize each essay to the specific MBA program.

July – Refine Your Applications

Continue refining essays: Spend this month polishing your essays, ensuring they reflect your experiences and ambitions accurately. If you need professional help, we can certainly help with that! When you get help, though, be sure to remember that you should retain active ownership of your essays. What that means is that you shouldn’t just passively accept whatever changes and advice they give you. Ask questions, and be sure that the final polished version sounds like the best version of what you had in mind, and not somebody else’s essay. Here is a useful primer on how to get great advice on your Personal Statement.

Prepare your resume: Update your resume to highlight achievements, leadership roles, and skills relevant to an MBA program. Similarly, we can also help you with your CV revisions!

August – Finalize Your Applications

Review applications: Thoroughly review your application, checking for any errors or inconsistencies.

Get feedback: Have a mentor, friend, or family member review your essays and overall application.

Finalize letters of recommendation: Remind your recommenders about the upcoming deadlines and provide them with any necessary information about your achievements and goals.

September – Submit Your Applications

Final review and submission: Give your application a final review and submit it well ahead of the deadline.

Prepare for interviews: Begin preparing for potential interviews by practicing common interview questions and formulating questions you would like to ask.

Thank your recommenders: Send a follow-up ‘thank-you’ note to anybody who wrote you a letter of recommendation. A short, sincere, hand-written note is the gold standard.

October – Interviews and Follow-ups

Attend interviews: If invited, attend the MBA program interviews. Remember to ask thoughtful questions and demonstrate your interest in the program. Here are some quick tips for your MBA interview.

Send thank you notes: After your interview, send a thank you note to your interviewer expressing your appreciation for their time. Again, the ideal way is a short, sincere handwritten note. If that’s not possible, an email will do.

Remember, applying for an MBA is a process that requires meticulous preparation. It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to reflect on your career goals, research potential programs, and craft a compelling application.

Month	Activities
April	1. Research MBA programs 2. Connect with alumni and current students 3. Identify your recommenders
May	1. Study for GMAT/GRE 2. Register for the exam
June	1. Take the GMAT/GRE 2. Start drafting essays
July	1. Continue refining essays 2. Prepare your resume
August	1. Review applications 2. Get feedback 3. Finalize letters of recommendation
September	1. Final review and submission 2. Prepare for interviews
October	1. Attend interviews 2. Send thank you notes

Again, do remember to tailor this grid to align with specific school deadlines and your personal schedule.

For more help with your personal statement, check us out at Gurufi.com. Our personal statement editors and consultants have decades of experience helping clients get into top MBA programs. Our specialty is helping you craft compelling personal statements that move the needle in your admissions process! For questions, shoot us an email at service@gurufi.com. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Partner’s Guide to Surviving the MBA Application Process (and beyond!)

Cartoon illustration of a supportive young man comforting his stressed MBA student wife, who is surrounded by study materials. He offers her a cup of tea and a reassuring smile in their cozy study room, filled with a soft glow from the desk lamp, emphasizing their strong bond and mutual support. — Behind every successful student, there’s a supportive partner offering strength and a cup of tea during those long study nights.

With spring around the corner, we’re going to be spending the next few weeks producing blogs designed to help people who are just starting their MBA application process with the aim of submitting in Round One this summer. At Gurufi, we help scores of people each year earn admission into their dream schools, and in the 17+ years we’ve been doing this, we’ve learned that spouses and partners often play a key role. As such, I wanted to begin this series with a discussion about the best ways to include them in your application process.

As the spouse or partner of a future MBA student, you are an important part of the support system that will help your loved one succeed in business school. While the journey through business school can be both exciting and challenging, it is important for you to be well-informed and prepared for the experience. Here are some tips to help you thrive during this pivotal and transformative moment in your partner’s career and life.

Understand the demands of business school: Business school is a rigorous and demanding program that requires a significant amount of time and effort. It is important to understand the demands of the program and be prepared to support your partner as they navigate the challenges ahead. Be aware of the time commitment involved, including late nights, early mornings, and weekends dedicated to coursework and studying.

Importantly, this extends to the application process! It’s incredibly helpful to have a frank and specific conversation about your application schedule, what it entails, and moments when you’ll need additional help. Which brings us to Point 2…

Communicate openly and honestly: Good communication is key to a healthy and supportive relationship, especially during the challenges of business school. Make sure to have regular, open, and honest conversations with your partner about their experiences and how you can support them. Be an active listener and offer encouragement and support when needed. Relationships are complex and dynamic, and at various moments one of you will need somebody to lean on, and at other times the other will… and at still other teams, you’ll prop each other up! Understand, though, that an MBA can be pretty intense, so during these two years, you should expect to do more of the propping-up for an exhausted and spread-thin partner.

Be flexible and understanding: Since business school can be demanding and stressful, it may require significant changes to your normal routine. Be flexible and understanding of your partner’s needs and try to make changes that will help both of you balance your priorities. This may include adjusting your work schedule, rearranging household responsibilities, or making other modifications to your daily routine. Remember that an MBA is an investment in both of your futures, so try to keep this collaborative and supportive attitude.

Get involved in the business school community: Joining the business school community can help you stay informed about what’s happening and provide opportunities to meet other partners and spouses. This can include attending events, participating in clubs and organizations, or volunteering for events and initiatives.

Maintain your own interests and hobbies: It is important to maintain your own interests and hobbies, even during the demanding time of business school. Make time for the activities that bring you joy and fulfillment and consider taking on new challenges and experiences that will help you grow and develop.

Encourage self-care and stress management: Business school can be a stressful time for both you and your partner. Encourage your partner to prioritize self-care and stress management, including exercise, healthy eating habits, and time for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Offer support during high-stakes times: Business school is full of high-stakes moments, such as exams, presentations, and networking events. Offer your support and encouragement during these times and be there to celebrate your partner’s successes and provide comfort during setbacks.

Be a sounding board: Business school can be a time of intense self-reflection and growth, and it is important for you to be a sounding board for your partner. Listen to their ideas and provide a supportive environment in which they can explore their thoughts and goals.

Build a network of your own: Building a network of friends and colleagues can help you stay connected and informed during business school. Seek out opportunities to connect with other partners and spouses, and consider joining clubs and organizations that align with your interests.

Of special note is that many business schools have clubs or organizations specifically for B-school partners, and having a network of partners and spouses can provide an incredible outlet for frustrations, a set of sympathetic ears who understand your particular situation, and social outlets for times when your partner is heavily involved in school or professional activities.

Plan for the future: Business school is an investment in your partner’s future… AND YOUR FUTURE TOGETHER! As such, it is important to plan for the changes and opportunities that may come with a new degree. Consider your long-term goals and aspirations and have open and honest conversations about how an MBA will alter the trajectory of your shared lives.

As the partner of a future MBA student, you have a critical role to play in their success. By offering support, encouragement, and a strong foundation of love and understanding, you can help your partner navigate the challenges of business school and achieve their goals. This is a journey you’re taking together, so try to embrace the spirit of collaboration, mutual support, and the love that brought you together in the first place!