How to Create a Competitive Admissions Application

Students decide to enroll in an MBA program for multiple reasons. Some students seek the knowledge needed to progress their careers, while others look to gain the skills to build a successful new business. Whatever the reason, the process begins with doing the proper research to find out which program is best for the student. The Economist says, “Finding the right school is not just about looking at rankings, or choosing one considered as “prestigious.” The key to making the right choice is, understanding why you want to take an MBA, and what you expect it to do for you.”

Wherever you start your search, the last step will be to complete the application process for the program or programs you choose. The application process varies by schools but typically includes completing the actual program application, the submission of required documents, such as GMAT scores and undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, a copy of their professional resume and often, a statement of purpose and sometimes an admissions interview.

Stacy Blackman is the founder of leading MBA admissions advisory company, Stacy Blackman Consulting. She often contributes to USnews.com on a “Strictly Business” MBA blog. She offers advice to future MBA program applicants for creating the best application for admission. In her US News blog, Blackman explains that, “Every MBA candidate brings something unique to the table, but business schools are always on the lookout for specific qualities as they review the thousands of applications that cross their desks each season.”

The five qualities that Blackman discusses are, a leadership track record, display of quantitative competency, excellence communication skills, realistic post-MBA plans and have enthusiastic recommendations. Recommendations are a key element of the MBA application. Finding reliable recommendations that can truly speak to your character as an employee or as a leader can give you an extra edge over other applicants, so it is important to choose whom you ask to give letters of recommendations wisely.

The Career Center at UC Berkeley also offers some guidance to finding the correct person for a letter of recommendation, “The best letter writers are those that know you well and can provide an evaluation of your ability to perform and succeed at the graduate level.” The Berkeley Career Center also tells graduate school applicants that the best time to get a letter of recommendation from a professor or supervisor is at least two months before the letter is required for an admission deadline.

Scores from the GMAT test is also a key element of the application. Not all programs require the GMAT for admission, but the programs that do require it heavily depend on these scores for admissions decisions. While completing initial research on programs, look to see what the average GMAT scores is for the last incoming class of students. Publications like Bloomberg and U.S. News often have this information included in their program rankings.

Preparation for the GMAT is important for achieving a high score. It is recommended to complete a test preparation course prior to taking the GMAT. Some schools offer these courses and will also offer applicants a waiver for application fees if they complete the program before applying. The Drexel LeBow College of Business offers students a six-week GMAT prep course at its campus in Philadelphia. LeBow offers a discount on the course to anyone who applies for the MBA program prior to the start of the prep course.

Kaplan, a leader in standardized test preparation and professional education, shares advice from their GMAT instructors for avoiding the top three mistakes that students make while preparing for the GMAT exam. The biggest mistake that students make when preparing for the test is failing to make studying concrete. While preparing for the GMAT, students should do more than just say they need to study for the test, but rather they should specifically schedule a date and time to study as well as the aspect of the test that you will study.

In addition to the GMAT scores, applicants must also provide a copy of their professional resume. Creating a successful resume will give you the opportunity to really highlight your skills and your career aspirations. Stacy Blackman shares on her blog that the admissions representatives look for applicants who “will become successful leaders in highly collaborative work environments.” “They want to see skills that are transferable to almost any industry,” she explains. Blackman also recommends that applicants revise their resume to reflect on the aspects that are important to an MBA program, not necessarily an industry specific job.

Whichever program you choose to apply for, being able to have a competitive application will give you a leg up on the competition for admission. The most important part of completing an application is that you have done the proper research and that the program is the best fit for you as a student and as a future business professional.

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