MBA admissions hacks. How to make your application stand out.

There is one constant in today's world of business school admissions (read MBA, Masters, or undergrad): To get accepted is much more than high metrics. You are going to have to deliver some very persuasive and compelling narratives to have a chance. The top schools (see the FT rankings) are spoiled for choice among the talented applicants that apply. They will not cut you any slack, and your profile will not be the exception to the rule.

Among all the admissions hoops you need to jump through, recognise that a high GPA and GMAT just open the door to your admissions file. This is known as "triage". Click all the metrics barometers and the AC will examine the rest of your file. There are folks in certain chat groups who think that should they deliver high metrics, they will get accepted and win a scholarship. This attitude is prevalent among certain groups of people (whose countries I will not cite). I will however add that work experience matters, community service activities matter, and leadership roles matter. Are there any other criteria? Yes, but they are highly subjective and depend on the people who read your file.

Why the MBA essays matter most

The essays matter most because they underscore who you are as a human being. Unlike a formatted exam, you can't hide. ?You can use AI. You can hire a company to write for you. What you can't do is fake it at the interview. The AC will know if you are putting them on. They have heard it all and seen it all. Therefore, your essays need to be authentic and represent who you really are and what truly motivates you.

Anyone can write. However, great essay writing is an acquired skill. Some of us are better at written forms of communication than others. Consequently, there have been diverse conversations on what constitutes a well-written essay. This has led to specific candidates looking for articles, which have gotten people accepted in the past. The practice of "borrowing" someone else's work doesn't wash well with any admissions committee. We advise being straightforward and avoiding professional jargon. Another word to the wise - Every school has data programmes to check for AI and also proofreads your work for plagiarism.

We counsel MBA and Master's candidates to use words that anyone can comprehend. Admissions people are, for the most part, not technical folks, and you can lose them in recounting your glorious campaigns and escapades. Another key to excellent essay writing is clarity. Therefore, connect the dots. You might not be the next hi-tech wunderkind, but this is unnecessary. Who you are as a human being is as important as what you have done. One look at politicians and overconfident business leaders worldwide should prove to you that what the world needs now are honest and decent leaders in business who have a human heart. We already have too many of the other sorts.

Another often neglected component in essay writing is a candidate's aptitude for expressing what motivates them. Get this wrong, and your file is binned. Some candidates feel that this is pandering. It can be if not handled judiciously. Business school admissions committees want to make sure that you will fit in and excel in their academic community. Since no two business schools have the same business education culture, this is an important determinant.

The art of telling a compelling story

Business school essays and personal statements, demand that you tell a compelling story. Your narrative needs to be authentic, highlighting what makes your candidacy unique. We suggest buttressing your communication skills, teamwork, and leadership abilities with concrete details. Certain HR people refer to these as “soft” skills. There is nothing soft about these skill assets. STEM candidates, beware. Metrics will not be enough to put you across the admissions finish line. With so many STEM candidates resembling each other, professionally speaking, you must find differentiators to make your candidacy stand out.

Another key admissions determinant is character. However, nature is hard to quantify. Admissions people look to see ingenuity, creativity, how you handle obstacles, and how well you can explain setbacks. Everyone has setbacks. What matters is that you can articulate not only why a project did not go as planned but also, perhaps even more importantly, what you learned from the experience.

When and where to apply to business school

Choosing when and where to apply to business school should be a strategic choice. Note that for most business schools, admissions kick off in September for the first round. European schools however have two class intakes so check the deadlines online. North American schools only have one intake.

The hot MBA business school programmes to apply to last year were INSEAD, London Business School, University of Chicago Booth, IESE Business School, YALE SOM, and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. There are many other excellent programmes. At the MIM and Masters' level, note that French business schools top the FT league tables.

Can I get a scholarship to a business school?

There is much chat online about getting a "free ride". Please note that nothing in life is free. Nothing. Yes, some schools do offer full academic scholarships. To win a scholarship is either merit-based or based on financial need. "Need" is a relative term. Think carefully about this. Also, I should add that winning a scholarship is akin to putting your hand in a bag of straws and hoping to find the pin. This doesn't mean you don't try. By all means, go for it, but don't expect anything.

Should I take out a loan for business school?

Many people ask us whether they should take a loan. The answer is yes. Should you get accepted to a top 20 business school, your diploma is worth its weight in gold. Almost all grads gain 6 figure salaries. This is certainly worth your investment. Secondly, many potential candidates ask us if they should hire a coach to boost their chances of getting accepted. Again, we are slightly biased on this topic since we have been helping qualified applicants for more than 25 years. Despite this, I feel the answer is yes because a great coach can make a difference. Is this worth the cost? You bet your life it is if they can get you into HBS or INSEAD. Food for thought.

Bringing it back home

Applying to business school is challenging. Do not take the application process lightly and do not feel a sense of entitlement. The opportunities you will gain are gigantic. An education of this sort will help you build a foundation, expand your network, and open career opportunities that you would be hard-pressed to do without the right contacts.

About the author

Andrew Scharf is an Award-Winning MBA Admissions Consultant ?? Executive & Career Coach recognised for helping top performers, and aspiring professionals be all they can be. His?mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world at Whitefield Consulting. Have a professional project you would like to discuss? Send him a DM for an appointment.