Crank out a competitive MBA application and get into your top business schools.
It probably doesn’t surprise you to hear that MBA admissions are competitive. However, it may surprise you to hear just how competitive they have recently become.
Business schools are reporting a spike in MBA applications, and that means more people fighting over a handful of spots. The top 25 business schools in the United States admit only around 25% of their applicants, with the most selective business schools’ acceptance rates hovering closer to 10%.
With that said, let’s talk about standing out. You’re in the process of checking off the requirements on your MBA application checklist, but you know you can’t settle for what’s merely required. How are you going to make your application stand out to the top MBA programs of your dreams?
Here is your checklist to becoming a competitive MBA applicant:
Research, research, research
To be competitive, you have to make a case for why you are a good fit for the business schools to which you are applying. That means you have to do your research.
If possible, visit your target business schools on two separate occasions:
- First, make an appointment, take a tour, speak to the staff in the admissions office, etc. This will give you the “public face” of the school and lots of great information.
- Second, stop by unannounced. Wander around the campus, chat with students during lunch, introduce yourself to faculty, and sit in on a class, if possible. This will give you an inside look into what the school is really like, and whether you will fit and flourish in that environment.
No, it’s not required that you visit your schools multiple times, or that you network with students, alumni, and staff. But it’s also not required for b-schools to admit you. Do your research and you’ll be able to make a convincing case for your admission to that school. More importantly, you’ll be more likely to be happy and successful once you are actually there!
A GMAT score that goes above and beyond
This raises the question, what is a good GMAT score? It’s important to know what GMAT score your target business schools require, and then to try to surpass that minimum requirement.
The percentile associated with your GMAT score represents how much of the competition you are outscoring. For example, a 700 is around the 90th percentile, placing you in the top 10% of GMAT test takers on one of the most important quantitative MBA application factors.
For the top MBA programs, the average score of those admitted is above a 700, which means to be a truly competitive applicant to those programs, you may need to score even higher than the 90th percentile.
Competitive applicants don’t think of their GMAT scores as simply “good enough.” To stand out to b-school admissions officers, think of your score on the GMAT—and your preparation for the exam—as a meaningful investment in your future. Start here with a free Kaplan GMAT Practice Test.
Work experience that works for you
Your résumé/work experience is typically either the first or second most important factor of your MBA application. Most schools require 2-3 years, if not more, of full-time work experience.
Though it’s not possible to change what your work experience is (and, to be sure, lying on your b-school application is a surefire way get rejected), it is possible to control how your work experience is viewed and interpreted by b-school admissions officers.
Yes, this is your chance to list your experience, but make sure you highlight your growth and accomplishments in each role, zeroing in on the (preferably quantifiable) outcomes of the tasks you were in charge of.
Additionally, to really stand out from the crowd, don’t forget to draw on ALL of your experience. MBA admissions officers value community involvement and other types of non-work experience—especially roles that showcase leadership and management abilities.
Take control of everything on your resume and ask yourself, “What do I want this experience to say about me to admissions officers?” Your résumé should reflect your personal brand, which should be built into your application essays.
Speaking of which…
Essays that reflect your personal brand
You’re selling a product with your MBA application: YOU! It may feel strange to think of yourself as a product or brand, but that’s exactly how you go about composing a compelling b-school application essay for a competitive MBA application.
Start by developing your personal brand. Then, use that brand as a motivating theme for your application essays. Don’t just rehash your résumé in your essays: build your best experiences into compelling stories. Focus on the lessons learned and the obstacles overcome.
Don’t just tell your business schools what you think they want to hear, either. Remember, this is all about standing out in a positive way. Your personal brand is about YOU. Yes, you want to show why you are a good fit based on your research into the school, but you should do so by demonstrating how your unique strengths and skills will contribute to that business school.
Recommendations that convey the right message
Help your recommenders help you! Ask people who know you well and whom you trust to write excellent recommendations. Personal knowledge of your talents and skills is far more important than an impressive title. If I could get Oprah to write me a recommendation, that would be awesome, but as I have never met the woman, she probably couldn’t contribute much to my competitiveness as a business school applicant.
Give your chosen recommenders talking points to guide them towards skills that are a part of your personal brand and that b-schools value (collaboration and teamwork, leadership, time management, communication skills, ability to overcome obstacles, etc.). Although what they write is ultimately up to them, don’t just assume your recommenders know what to say.
Here’s the bottom line: To be a competitive MBA applicant, take control of the process and how you’re viewed every step of the way. And, above all, stand out!
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