MBA Application Process 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.

Six Important Tips for Starting Your MBA Application

MBA Applicant at a crossroads — You’re at a pivotal moment in your life and career. Be thoughtful!

March is our transition month here at Gurufi. Most of our 2023-24 cycle MBA clients have submitted their applications, and many have already gotten great news. We are beginning to think about next year’s cycle. Though most schools won’t be releasing their application formats, essays, and deadlines until much later in the year, for people looking to apply in the 2024-25 cycles, the time to begin planning is now.

This is an immense decision, and in the coming months, we’ll have a lot of updates, strategies, and insights on specific schools and general application areas. But to start with, I wanted to give some big-picture things to keep in mind on this journey. The MBA journey is a significant decision that can propel your career to new heights. The application process can feel incredibly intimidating at the start, and as you begin, here are some critical things to contemplate that can enhance your application and set you on the path to success.

Self-Reflection and Clear Career Goals

The best MBA applications convey a sense that the applicant knows themselves: their motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and, most importantly, career aspirations. Business schools are not just looking for candidates with impressive resumes; they seek individuals with a clear vision of how an MBA will catapult them toward their career goals. Start by asking yourself why you want an MBA and how it aligns with your short-term and long-term objectives. An exercise I like to do with new clients is to ask them to write, in under 50 words, why they want to earn an MBA. At the start, many people have two answers: an answer they give themselves (more money, promotion, etc.) and an answer they would give to someone on the AdCom. Think through this answer deeply and work to produce a short, direct, and compelling answer that is both personally resonant AND would be compelling to someone on the Admissions Committee.

This introspection will strengthen your application and ensure that you choose programs that align with your aspirations. Articulating your goals convincingly in your essays and interviews demonstrates purpose and direction, qualities that admissions committees value highly.

Involve Your Loved Ones

If done right, an MBA will transform your career and your life. It’s a big deal. So, talk to your family and close friends about it. Ask for their support beforehand, tell them the dates when you’ll be in the thick of GMAT studying or will be overwhelmed with the combinations of work and applications. This will let them know when you need extra help and encouragement. When it comes to your personal statements, ask them, “How would you describe me to somebody who’s never met me?” Have conversations about your strengths and weaknesses with people you trust. This outside perspective is invaluable, especially as you prepare your personal statement. The more you can build a support system for this process, the better it will go for you.

Research and School Selection

Too many applicants look at the rankings and nothing else. Instead of just trying to contort your application into only the M7 schools, do real research to find programs that are a good fit. Yes, with so many MBA programs out there, selecting the right ones to apply to can be overwhelming. But we’re talking about two years of your life, a massive chunk of money, and a decision that will alter the trajectory of your career. Taking three weekends to do extensive research on many programs is time well-spent and intelligently invested. Thorough research into each program’s culture, curriculum, specializations, and networking opportunities is crucial. Look beyond rankings; consider how each program aligns with your career goals, learning style, and personal preferences. Engage with current students and alumni, attend information sessions, and, if possible, visit campuses to get a sense of the community and resources available. Tailoring your application to reflect how you fit with each program’s unique offerings shows the admissions committee that you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in what they offer.

Academic and Professional Preparedness

Business schools assess your academic readiness through your undergraduate GPA, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant coursework or certifications. While these metrics are important, your professional experience carries substantial weight. Highlight your leadership experiences, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and any impact you’ve made in your roles. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of your experiences but the quality and relevance. Showcasing a growth trajectory and the ability to overcome challenges can significantly strengthen your application. As you put together a list of schools, the place to begin is by asking yourself whether it’s vital that you attend any business school (or the best one you can get into) or whether you’re only interested in attending a top school. If it’s the former, then be sure to apply schools from across the range of selectiveness. The old college application rule of “three safe schools, three solid schools, three reaches” isn’t a bad one to follow.

Recommendations and Networking

Letters of recommendation are a critical component of your MBA application. A few years back, we made this detailed breakdown of how to get a great letter of recommendation. In fact, we’ve done a lot of content on this! Check this, this, and this out! (and see how my hair has changed over the years!  ) Letters are so important because they provide insight into your professional accomplishments and potential for future success. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths, leadership abilities, and how you’ve contributed to your workplace. It’s essential to brief your recommenders about your MBA aspirations and discuss specific instances they might highlight to support your application.

Networking with alumni and current students can provide invaluable insights into the program and can also enhance your application. These interactions can offer you perspectives that you can incorporate into your essays, making your application more robust and personal.

Authenticity and Personal Branding

In a sea of applicants, standing out is paramount. Your essays, resume, and interview are opportunities to showcase your unique story, values, and what you bring to the table. Authenticity is key; admissions committees can discern between genuine narratives and those crafted merely to impress. Reflect on your experiences, passions, and the challenges you’ve overcome. How have these shaped you and your career aspirations? Building a cohesive narrative that ties your past experiences with your future goals while highlighting how an MBA fits into this journey is crucial.

Your personal brand is the amalgamation of your professional experiences, personal values, and the unique perspective you bring. Consistency across all elements of your application in presenting this brand can make a significant impact. Whether through your essays, your recommenders’ anecdotes, or your interview responses, ensuring a coherent and authentic representation of yourself is vital.

As you’ll learn, your MBA application isn’t just you writing about strengths and stories that you already know. There’s a sense of self-discovery that this process entails. As you think about your life, aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses, keep an open mind, and remember that this is a two-way process. Just as the AdCom will be exacting in their assessments of you, you should think carefully about whether, how, and why various schools would fit your vision for your future.

By reflecting on your career goals, conducting thorough research on programs, demonstrating academic and professional preparedness, leveraging recommendations, and maintaining authenticity, you can craft a compelling application. Remember, the goal is not just to gain admission but to ensure that the program you choose is a stepping stone toward your envisioned future. Embrace this process as an opportunity to introspect and articulate your aspirations, and you’ll find that your MBA application is not just a formality but a pivotal chapter in your career narrative.

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 Masters and Ph.D. programs in STEM, humanities, fine arts, and social sciences. 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.

Maximizing Your MBA Admission Chances: A Strategic Guide to Choosing the Right Application Round

An illustration of a contemplative man seated at a desk, pondering over which MBA admission round to apply for, with thought bubbles labeled 'R1?', 'R2?', and 'R3?' floating above his head. The background is a home office setup with business-related charts, a world map, a clock, and books, symbolizing the strategic planning involved in MBA applications. — 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.

Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Program After Admission Success!

Cartoon of a pensive MBA applicant with three thought bubbles overhead, each labeled with the names of top business schools: 'Harvard Business School,' 'Columbia Business School,' and 'Wharton.' The applicant appears slightly stressed, symbolizing the challenging decision-making process involved in choosing among prestigious MBA programs. — In the world of elite education, choosing the right MBA program can be as challenging as getting in. This cartoon captures the dilemma faced by applicants who must decide between two or more great options.

When I checked my email this morning, I remembered why this is my favorite time of year! Two of my favorite clients got into their dream schools, and my back-and-forth emails with a client who just found out that he got into Stanford brought a warm feeling to my heart that just about melted the huge pile of snow outside my house!

During the late fall and early winter, we’re incredibly busy at Gurufi, helping clients get into their dream schools. But now, our clients are starting to hear back from MBA programs, and the good news we get is fantastic and justifies all the late nights working with them to perfect their personal statements and CVs. But now, many of our clients face a happy dilemma: how do you choose between two good schools?

To be clear, it’s a champagne problem! And, to be honest, it’s a problem that we love to dump on our clients’ laps!  As we say at Gurufi, “there’s no crying on the yacht… but it’s okay to worry a bit…”

Though technically speaking picking from among schools isn’t part of my job, I often give clients some advice about this question based on years of experience. Here are ten thoughts on how to pick between schools after you’ve been offered admission!

Ask yourself: do I want to live there? One of the biggest mistakes that I’ve seen people make is to view their graduate school experience as something that they should just endure or merely Not your preferred location? Well… it’s only a few years! That is the wrong approach. If you’re happy, you’re more likely to thrive, make connections, and get the most out of the experience. So, take the school’s location and size into account. Think about whether you want to attend a large or small school and if you want to live in a major city or a small town. Ask yourself, “is this somewhere I could live?” Don’t be afraid to try something new, but listen to what your gut says and ask yourself “could I thrive here?”

Once again, look into the academics and how well they align with your goals. Especially if you’re trying to decide between comparable programs, take the time to do another “final check,” perhaps even more in-depth than when choosing whether to apply. Check out the instructors and available programs. Check the curriculum to see if it fits your professional objectives, and look into the professors to see if they have any relevant experience or publications. Contact current students and ask them what they love and what they wish they could change. Write down what you think your two years of coursework, training, resources, and extracurriculars would look like.

Okay, fine… take into account the school’s reputation and ranking. I am a HUGE believer in the idea that fit matters more than ranking, but ranking and reputation do matter. Rankings should not be the primary consideration, but they can help you determine the standing of the institution and the caliber of its curriculum.

Think about the alumni and current students you’ve met. By this point, you’ve likely talked to lots of current students and alumni. Once you’ve been admitted, use LinkedIn and other resources that the school provides to have more conversations about the school and its strengths. You’ll likely find that students are even more frank with students who’ve been admitted. Similarly, find out about how active alumni are and the kinds of things that they’re up to. After graduation, a robust alumni network may offer useful contacts and assistance.

Price compare. Usually, schools provide financial aid and cost information a few weeks after admission. Sometimes longer. As soon as you have this information, it’s time to get down to brass tacks. How much are you willing to spend? Importantly, you can also use this period to bargain. Contact the Admissions and Financial Aid offices if you’ve gotten a more generous package from another school, and ask them to close the gap. They won’t always be able to do so, but they often can, and it never hurts to ask! At any rate, once you have some solid numbers, a basic ROI assessment that includes everything from long-term trajectory to immediate salary bumps can help you figure out your next move.

Don’t forget to do a deep dive into local expenses! If you’re comparing, for instance, NYU and Ross, remember to account for the fact that Manhattan is a lot pricier than Ann Arbor.

Listen to your gut… but you don’t have to obey it! Churchill said that “intuition is reason in a hurry.” There’s real truth to this. In 99% of cases, people have a gut-level preference for one school. Begin by acknowledging what this is, and then ask why. Are you a little too enamored with rankings? Did the campus dazzle you? Whatever the reason, ask yourself a follow-up question: is the basis of my gut’s decision rational and good? If not, then be willing to deny your intuition and take a more thoughtful approach. If so, then you know what to do!

Consider the culture and ideals of the school. To learn more about the school’s culture and beliefs and determine whether they coincide with your own, visit the school’s website and go to informational sessions. If this hasn’t been made clear to you, ask somebody. Attending a school where your values align with theirs is vital, so don’t overlook it.

Dig into the data. Now is the time to get even fussier about all of the relevant data that schools keep. What’s their 1-year and 5-year employment data look like? Average salary? Long-term satisfaction rate (or its proxy: alumni giving percentage)? You probably looked at this information during the application process, but now is the time to do it again!

Take into account the school’s inclusion and diversity. A varied and inclusive school may offer a richer educational experience and can also be a positive reflection of the ideals of the institution. And if that touchy-feely stuff doesn’t move you, remember that you’re hoping to thrive within an increasingly global and diverse world, so be sure that you have the background and comfort level to do this!

I hope that you have the happy conundrum of trying to choose between great options! If you’d like to have this problem, then be sure to check us out Gurufi.com!  For seventeen years, we’ve helped thousands of clients craft powerful personal statements and attractive CVs. Check us out at Gurufi.com. Our personal statement editors and consultants have decades of experience helping clients get into top medical, law, and graduate programs. We pride ourselves in guaranteeing the satisfaction of every client. 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.