MBA Applications Round 2 starts in 90 days!
Jonathan D.
Accomplished Education Industry Executive boasting over 12 years of successful leadership in steering education businesses growth
As I am closing Round 1 applications with my MBA applicants, Round 2 is already around the corner. As always, HBS will be first with a deadline on January 4 (along with a bunch of other schools), while GSB follows one day later along a bunch of business schools with deadlines in the first 10 days of January 2023. Keep in mind that Round 2 is usually more intensive as Round 1 (more than 10 programs have deadlines on January 4-5). See below for the main deadlines:
With around 90 days till next round, I wanted to share with you our best practices and thoughts on how to maximise your time and prioritise your efforts. I have personally always been a big fan of shorter timelines and, while very challenging, a lot can be done in 90 days!
I like to break down the days into available hours. Having worked with hundreds of applicants, I know that most working professionals can allocate up to 2 hours a day (regularly) to their MBA application work.
With two hours a day only, you still have 180 hours to dedicate to your MBA applications
Boost your GMAT score
For the last 4 years, all of our M7 admitted students came from varying backgrounds with unique profiles/experiences. However, more than 90% had a GMAT score of 730+. We've seen an increase of our applicants GMAT score average and we would strongly recommend you to score over 740 to maximise your applications’ outcomes. With 90 days to go, you can achieve a lot on the GMAT front. Keep in mind that 49% of GMAT test takers have started their GMAT prep 4 to 9 weeks before their exam and that it takes an average of ~130 hours to get above 730. If unsure about your prep timeline and strategy, get in touch with me and I will gladly help you refine your study plan.?
It sounds cliché, but you get to know yourself.
Introspection and self-reflection are some of the most important aspects of your MBA application, as they allow you to get a thorough understanding of yourself, both personally and professionally.?Introspection gives you access to understanding yourself; self-reflection lets you process what you learn, and insights are the answers you come up with and that you can act upon. The whole idea is to create a thorough personal mapping that you will therefore “transform” and adapt to create your MBA Applicant Mapping.?
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You want to focus on five major dimensions:?
Build your MBA Applicant Mapping
We have developed a unique way to simplify, yet maximise, the overall application process for our applicants.?Building an MBA Applicant Mapping will ease your essay writing and best prepare you for the interviews.?In one page, you can easily build the main attributes that you want to emphasise. After completing your genuine introspection and self-reflection, this is when you start to strategise your mapping.?A typical MBA Applicant Profile will have 5 main attributes - 3 being more personal?(e.g. International Outlook or Entrepreneurial)?and 2 being more professional?(e.g. Supply-Chain or Retail & Fashion). For each main attribute, a number of associated skills will be listed?(some skills could become main attributes: e.g. Project Management).?Please note that leadership is not an attribute - it’s the combination of all.
Research the MBA programs (and network)
Getting an MBA will impact your life and career. One of the most common mistakes we see with MBA hopefuls is the fixation on rankings and prestige. While we naturally do not discount those, we believe that it is paramount that you consider additional aspects to build the launch pad for your future career.?Admission Committees are obsessed with fit, and you should be too.That’s why it’s essential to do your homework and gain an in-depth understanding of various programs. It’s very easy to reach out to current students or alumni online through LinkedIn. Also, leverage your personal network as it is very likely that someone could establish an introduction to a student or alumni at a specific school. The more you learn from people who have attended the program, the better fit you may be able to create.?
Engage your potential referees
When it comes to the (in)famous Letters of Recommendation (LORs), it is too often mistaken that what really matters is who you pick rather than what they will write. You are 10 months from embarking on your MBA and now is the perfect opportunity to engage your current supervisor about your MBA plans – if you can, involve her/him in the process and you can be sure that she/he will likely be thrilled to support you. Transparency is an important value in business and is highly appreciated by Admissions Committee. Start to also list down potential referees for the second LOR – look at previous supervisors, senior stakeholders, clients (if you are not working in a highly confidential industry like Consulting) or internal mentor (something common in the Tech and Consulting industries for example).?
Senior Clinical Data Management Professional | Mentor | Isha Hatha Yoga Teacher | Volunteer
2 年Insightful post as always!!! Thank you :)