With a careful, smart plan, your MBA application process doesn’t have to be so hard!
It’s April, which means that many of you are beginning in earnest the process of applying for MBA programs. Congratulations on making this potentially life-changing decision!
In this video, we lay out five things to do to prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.
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.
Every year, Gurufi’s consultants help applicants build compelling personal statements that get them into their dream schools. There are many ways to write a great essay, but I’ve found that the best ones are always about the future.
Unfortunately, when most people begin writing their personal statements, their first thought is what from their past they hope to highlight. After all, since you’re trying to prove that you’re qualified and prepared for an MBA, wouldn’t the natural inclination be to delve into the past, highlighting accomplishments and experiences that define your current professional identity? However, this approach, while important, only tells half the story. The key to a compelling MBA application lies not in the recollection of the past but in the clear vision of the future.
In short, if you can provide a compelling, personal, and plausible vision for your future, your application will likely succeed.
The Future as Your Guiding Star
This is why when I run workshops to help people write personal statements, our first activity is called “Envisioning Who You Want to Become.” That’s because the starting point of your MBA application should be a forward-looking vision. It’s essential to have a concrete understanding of what and who you aim to become. This future-oriented perspective isn’t just about setting goals; it’s about envisaging a version of yourself that is more skilled, more knowledgeable, and more impactful. The clarity of this vision will not only guide your application but also your career trajectory.
Once you lay out your future in all of its specificity and ambitious glory, you need to reflect on how an MBA can bridge the gap between where you are now and where you hope to be. Understanding how an MBA will serve as a bridge from your current position to your future aspirations is crucial. It’s about recognizing the specific skills, networks, and knowledge that an MBA program can provide and how these elements are integral to achieving your long-term goals. This understanding demonstrates to the admissions committee that you have a clear purpose for pursuing an MBA, making your application more compelling.
Contextualizing Your Past
At this point, you may be saying, “yeah, okay… but my personal statement is my past, though, right?” Yes… and no. Your future goals are central to your application, and your past experiences and achievements play a significant role in laying the groundwork. The key is to contextualize these experiences in terms of your future aspirations. Each accomplishment, challenge, and learning experience from your past should be a building block that supports your journey toward your future goals. If your past, present, and future don’t align in a way that makes sense, your essay will be incoherent. A simple question that I often ask is “does this feel like the same person?” If the events from your past that you choose to highlight don’t serve to show that you’re likely to achieve the dreams you present, that won’t make sense to the reader.
A disjointed narrative that swings between past achievements and future aspirations without a connecting thread will weaken your application and undermine the sense of theme that any good essay has. The art lies in weaving your past experiences into a narrative that flows seamlessly into your future vision. This coherence in your story not only makes your application more compelling but also demonstrates your ability to strategize and plan for long-term objectives.
Selecting and Emphasizing Stories
When you take a future-directed mindset, the decision of which stories and accomplishments to include in your application will naturally be guided by their relevance to your future goals. Select experiences that showcase skills and qualities that are not only impressive in their own right but also pertinent to the future you envision. This selective approach ensures that every part of your application is working towards the same end goal – to showcase your potential as a future leader. Each story you include should be told with an emphasis on how it contributes to your future vision. It’s not just about what you achieved, but how those achievements have prepared you for future challenges and opportunities. A well-told story that connects your past success to your future potential can be a powerful tool in your application.
Inspiring Confidence in Your Future
Of course, the ultimate aim of your MBA application is to convince the admissions committee that you are not only a product of your past but a promise of the future. If your application can make the reader excited about what you are set to achieve and confident in your ability to do so, your chances of admission increase significantly. In fact, a future-focused application that effectively incorporates your past experiences positions you as a candidate with immense potential. When the admissions committee sees a candidate who not only has a clear vision for their future but also a solid foundation from their past to build upon, they tend to get excited about these applicants. In my experience, these are the ones who have success.
Starting with a clear vision of what you aspire to become, understanding how an MBA will help you get there, and then using your past experiences to reinforce this narrative, creates a compelling and coherent application. By focusing on the future, you not only align your application with your long-term goals but also present yourself as a candidate who is ready to embark on the transformative journey of an MBA program. The past is your foundation, but the future is your horizon – aim for it.
If you are struggling to bring together your past and future, have the editors / consultants at Gurufi give you a hand. 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.
A strategic moment of decision-making for an MBA applicant: choosing between Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3 for submission.
As winter reaches its deepest depths, many of you are just starting your MBA journeys. There is a lot to figure out between now and when you hit “submit” on your final application, and Gurufi is here to help! Every year, we help scores of applicants earn admission to their dream MBA programs.
Unlike other professional schools like law school or medical school that have a single set of application deadlines, MBA admissions at most schools have multiple deadline dates, or “rounds,” that are, roughly, in September / October, December, and March / April. Each of these rounds has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these can be crucial in deciding when to submit your application. Here’s a detailed look at the typical timeline, benefits, and drawbacks of each round.
Before starting, it’s important to point out that, whatever round you apply to, the basic metrics for assessing your application will be the same. Strong applicants, in any round, need a compelling vision for their future, a clear sense of how / why and MBA will help you achieve this future, strong work background, and good grades and test scores (though test scores are not always required).
Round 1: Early Birds Catch the Worm
Timeline: Applications are generally due in September or October.
People who have been thinking about an MBA for a while, or who have sketched out life plans / professional trajectories where they can see their MBA applications coming from a mile away often begin their applications a year out or more, preparing their GMAT / GRE and crafting their admissions strategies. These folks often enter the Round 1 pool.
Benefits:
Demonstrating Eagerness: Applying in Round 1 shows the admissions committee your strong interest and eagerness in the program.
Maximizing Chances: Since no seats have been filled yet, you’re competing for the full range of available seats, which can potentially increase your chances of acceptance. This is often school-dependent, though. Some schools make an effort to make each round similar in terms of seats offered and the general criteria, while others prioritize R1 by offering more seats.
Early Access to Financial Aid: Being the first group, you have the earliest shot at financial aid and scholarships, a significant factor for many.
Drawbacks:
Tight Deadlines: The deadlines for Round 1 are typically the earliest. You’ll need to have all elements of your application ready, including test scores, recommendation letters, and essays. Similarly, if you’re up for a big promotion in the winter or you know that your company tends to issue evaluations and promotions at the end of the calendar year, you may not be able to incorporate these assessments or professional advancements into your application in a meaningful way.
Less Time for Preparation: If you need additional time to strengthen your application or retake entrance exams, the early deadlines can be a significant constraint.
Round 2: Striking the Balance
Timeline: Applications are usually due in January.
Benefits:
Popular Choice: Round 2 strikes a balance between available seats and time for preparation, making it a popular choice. At many schools, the largest chunk of seats are reserved for the R2 round, though, again, this is not universal. You may want to talk to the school about their allotment and even see if they have data on a per-round basis (many do).
Second Chance: It’s an optimal choice if you missed Round 1 or needed more time to enhance your application.
Drawbacks:
Increased Competition: Despite many seats being available, competition can be fiercer due to a higher volume of applicants. The difference is volume between R1 and R2 is quite substantial. Again, it’s school-dependent, but at many schools, it’s as high as 2x – 3x… or even higher.
Limited Scholarships: Some scholarship opportunities might have been exhausted in Round 1, potentially affecting your financial aid options. One particular way this manifests is that if you’re hoping to earn admission into multiple schools and play them off each other to maximize your financial aid (which you should always try), then that’s easier when schools have more discretionary resources earlier in the process.
Round 3: The Last Minute Rush
Timeline: Applications are typically due in March or April.
Benefits:
Ample Preparation Time: Ideal for those who decide late to pursue an MBA or need extra time to boost their profiles. This round is especially attractive for people who hope to include end-of-calendar-year assessments and promotions in their applications.
Flexible for Profile Enhancement: Beneficial for retaking tests. It’s often the case that an applicant’s preferred timeline is test score dependent. If you get an initial test score that you think won’t keep you competitive at your preferred school, then you should look to delay to a later round, retake the test, and apply in R3.
Drawbacks:
Limited Seats: A significant portion of the class has already been filled, leading to intense competition for the remaining seats.
Scarce Financial Aid: Scholarships and financial aid are often scarcer in this round.
Visa Issues for International Students: Might pose timing challenges for obtaining necessary visas.
Making the Right Choice
When deciding which round to apply in, it’s crucial to weigh these benefits and drawbacks against your personal circumstances and preparedness. Here are some additional tips to consider:
Assess Your Readiness: Be realistic about how prepared you are with your GMAT/GRE scores, essays, and recommendation letters. There are often delays in getting transcripts and letters of recommendation(always give your writers at least 2 weeks!), and writing multiple strong personal statements, sometimes takes candidates months. Don’t underestimate the effort and time required. If you’re thinking of submitting for R1, you really need to be in full preparation in the spring.
Consider Your Profile Strength: If you think your profile could be stronger with more work experience or better test scores, waiting for a later round might be beneficial.
Research Individual School Policies: Each school may have slightly different timelines and policies. Ensure you understand these specifics to make an informed decision.
Understand the Financial Implications: Consider how applying in a particular round might affect your chances for scholarships and financial aid. Choosing the right round to apply for your MBA is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your admission chances and overall experience. By understanding the nuances of each application round and aligning them with your personal situation, you can optimize your approach and increase your chances of success in this competitive landscape. Remember, each journey is unique, and the best choice always aligns with your personal and professional readiness.
Other than the GMAT, the most time-consuming part of the application is also the trickiest: the personal statement. If you need help with your Personal Statement, the editor / consultants at Gurufi have decades of experience helping clients get into top MBA programs. Contact us today. 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.
This grid provides a basic understanding of the three rounds of MBA applications, but remember that each school may have slightly different timelines and policies, so it’s crucial to do your research. As you decide which round to apply in, weigh the benefits and drawbacks against your personal circumstances and preparedness.
Round
Typical Timeline
Benefits
Drawbacks
Round 1
Applications due in September/October
Round 1 is generally the preferred round for most applicants. Applying early can demonstrate to the admissions committee your eagerness and strong interest in the program. Additionally, as no seats have been filled yet, you’re competing for the full range of available seats, increasing your chances of acceptance. You also have the first shot at financial aid and scholarships, which can be a significant factor for many applicants.
On the downside, the deadlines for Round 1 are usually the earliest, meaning you’ll need to have all elements of your application, including GMAT/GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and essays, ready to submit. For those who need additional time to strengthen their applications or retake entrance exams, this can be a significant drawback.
Round 2
Applications due in January
Round 2 is often the most popular round, providing a balance between available seats and time to prepare a strong application. If you missed Round 1 or needed more time to enhance your application or retake the GMAT/GRE, Round 2 is the optimal choice.
Although there are still many seats available in Round 2, competition is typically fiercer due to the higher volume of applicants. Additionally, some scholarship opportunities may have been exhausted in Round 1, potentially impacting your financial aid package.
Round 3
Applications due in March/April
Round 3 allows the maximum amount of time to prepare your application, making it ideal for those who decide late to pursue an MBA. It can also benefit those who need extra time to boost their profiles, such as retaking the GMAT/GRE or adding more work experience.
The most significant drawback of Round 3 is the limited number of available seats. By this round, a significant portion of the class has been filled, and the competition for the remaining seats is intense. Scholarships and financial aid may also be scarcer. Furthermore, international students may face visa timing issues.
In Part 2 of my seminar of writing a powerful personal statement, I talk about how you can turn your story ideas into compelling and interesting essays that engage the reader and make them view you as an interesting, prepared, and attractive candidate. Though these seminars were written for MBA applicants, the same basic ideas and approaches will also work for graduate, medical, law, and undergraduate applicants.
