Hankamer Program Director Offers Advice for MBA Application Process

Laurie Wilson, a director of graduate business degree programs at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, was recently featured in a U.S. News article examining the ways an MBA applicant can strengthen their rejected round one application.

Since business schools have multiple rounds for the admission process, a rejection in the first round does not mean a student should lose all hope of attending an MBA program in the fall. Although many schools do not allow students to re-apply after a rejected round one application, prospective students still have the opportunity to apply for a different program in round two, which usually has a due date in mid-January.

While rejection can be difficult, Laurie Wilson at Hankamer advises students to use a round one rejection as a learning experience, reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of their application as they go forward into round two.

“It’s on the applicant’s best interest to study their profile against the profile of what the school has advertised and self-identify areas of weakness or where you could change your application,” Wilson said. “That also shows more initiative on the applicant’s part.”

Advice from other experts ranges from taking time for self-reflection and research, finding a mentor to consult, and asking tough questions of prospective programs to ensure that the school matches the student’s goals.

Much of the MBA application process deals with timing, but knowing when and if it’s too early to apply for a program is not necessarily something a school’s admissions office can answer. The experts recommend inquiring with recruiters who are hiring for positions that you would be interested in holding post-MBA, as these figures will better know the steps required for students to meet their goals.

regions: Dallas

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