By Caroline Diarte Edwards

As a fresh year begins, you may find yourself making big goals for your future. If you’re thinking it’s time to power up your career with an MBA, it’s also time to plan your application process.

Getting an MBA is a life-changing endeavor, and getting admitted to a top school is a rigorous and competitive process. To maximize your chances of admissions success, you will need to invest considerable time, energy, and self-reflection to solidify your goals — and to define yourself in ways that stand out to admissions committees. 

If you’re hoping to apply to one of the world’s most competitive business schools in the fall, that process of self-reflection starts now.

Why Self-Reflection Matters

Business schools don’t just want a litany of your professional triumphs and academic excellence. They want to know who you are, what makes you unique, and what you care about. As former head of admissions at INSEAD and a director role at Fortuna Admissions, I have reviewed thousands of MBA applications. I feel strongly that behind the most successful and compelling applications is substantial time devoted to  self-reflection. 

My advice? Don’t go it alone. I admit that as the cofounder of Fortuna Admissions, I’m biased about the benefits of having an expert MBA admissions coach who can guide you through this process. However in the application process, you’ll be asked deep, probing questions. For instance, Stanford’s famous essay asks, “What matters to you most, and why?” With our busy lives and multiple priorities, most of us aren’t prepared to answer such questions immediately.  

Today, we are conditioned to pay more attention to our external devices than our interior lives, so self-reflection can be difficult. It takes time and sometimes a little courage to dig deeply enough into your own character and motivations to craft a unique and compelling narrative that sets you apart from a crowd of MBA applicants.

A seasoned coach provides much more than editorial support on your essays. They develop a relationship with you and push you to go deeper. Their support and probing questions will help unearth stories and reflections that define the real you and illuminate your unique narrative. Book a free consultation with Fortuna now to learn how our expert coaches can guide you through this journey. 

Reserving Time for Reflection

At Fortuna in recent years, we’ve noticed a disturbing trend of MBA applicants rushing their application process. There are a lot of pieces and parts to the application, and to put together your best, most polished case for admission, you need to plan sufficient time for each element. Don’t neglect the critical first step of getting to know yourself and your goals.

“Not allowing yourself that time and space to be introspective early on is a missed opportunity,” says Fortuna Senior Expert Coach Sharon Joyce, former Berkeley Haas Associate Director of Admissions. “For most people we’re working with, who have been incredibly successful in both academics and career to date, the missing piece at the outset is often thinking deeply on why the MBA is the vital next step and being able to express this from a place of authenticity and depth.”

As fast-track, high-performing individuals, finding the time for sincere self-reflection can feel daunting. “I tell my clients at the start of our engagement that spending time on self-reflection is the factor that ensures you’ll get into one of your top choice MBA programs,” says Fortuna Senior Expert Coach Jenifer Raver. “It’s not resume, achievements, GMAT, or GPA. How much time are you willing to invest in yourself and this process? I’m asking you to get to know yourself.” 

Unplug and Reconnect With Yourself

To craft a successful MBA application, first, take a big step back to consider where you are in your life and why you are choosing to pursue this type of degree at this moment of your career. Remember that what admissions gatekeepers want to know is your “why?” Why do you want an MBA? Why are you motivated to pursue your specific career goal? Why do you commit your precious free time to your chosen extracurricular activities? 

The New Year is a timely moment to initiate a practice of thoughtful introspection, along with ample time to make the habit routine. Intentionally building in some time for this reflection helps. We recommend giving yourself a little distance— and maybe silence. To get reacquainted with your inner self, unplug for a bit and go for a daily stroll without your phone in tow. It can do wonders for grounding your thoughts. 

Initiating a process of outcomes-oriented introspection requires intention, discipline, and time. I’ve gathered some tips and steps that lay the groundwork for a successful application to your dream school. You can find those tips here. 

Meanwhile, consider this your resolution for the new year:  Start early on your MBA reflection and enjoy yourself. The sooner you start your personal journey of introspection, the more you will enjoy the MBA admissions process, and the greater your chances of admissions success. As Fortuna Co-Founder Matt Symonds says, “If you bring awareness to the process of applying, and not just the outcome, the benefits will extend far beyond an acceptance letter.”

Caroline Diarte Edwards is a Cofounder and Director of Fortuna Admissions and former INSEAD director of admissions, marketing, and financial aid. For a candid assessment of your chances of admission success at a top MBA program, sign up for a free consultation.