{"id":40249,"date":"2017-12-28T23:18:54","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T06:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/8-tips-for-tailoring-your-business-school-application\/"},"modified":"2018-01-03T22:03:24","modified_gmt":"2018-01-04T05:03:24","slug":"8-tips-for-tailoring-your-business-school-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/8-tips-for-tailoring-your-business-school-application\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Tips for Tailoring Your Business School Application"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When reviewing your MBA application, you want the Admissions Committee to think, \u2018Ah, they really understand the culture of our school.\u2019<\/em><\/h2>\n

What does it take to customize your application to a specific MBA program? It\u2019s tempting to want to plug your winning story into play for each program on your list once you\u2019ve done the hard work of reflecting on where you\u2019ve been, where you want to go and how business school is going to get you there. If it\u2019s good enough for Columbia, it\u2019ll be equally compelling for NYU Stern or Fuqua, right? Now that you\u2019ve got your story straight, can\u2019t you just cut and paste?<\/p>\n

No, alas, it doesn\u2019t work that way.<\/p>\n

During my eight years in recruitment and admissions at London Business School, I read too many applications from aspiring MBAs who had done just that \u2013 either the essay was a clear cut-and-paste from another application, or they were not really answering the question posed. Even worse, many of my Fortuna Admissions colleagues\u00a0have reviewed applications of careless candidates who hadn\u2019t mastered the find and replace feature, professing their love of Stanford GSB to the admissions committee of Chicago Booth. That\u2019s embarrassing.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s essential in crafting each application is making each school believe that they\u2019re your first choice. Of course, programs know that you\u2019re applying to other programs \u2013 they expect that and it\u2019s a sensible thing to do. But to win their acceptance, show them the love. This means going the extra mile to prove you understand a school\u2019s unique culture and values, and that you\u2019ve given considered thought both to how you\u2019ll contribute to their community what you hope to gain from it.<\/p>\n

So make the effort now to tailor each application to your target programs. The last thing you want to do is undermine your incredibly hard work by submitting a generic MBA application.<\/p>\n

Below are top eight tips on how to customize your MBA application:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1: DO YOUR RESEARCH.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Research each school to learn what makes them unique. Go beyond what\u2019s offered on the website and probe for the heart of their differentiators and values . This level of awareness and detail can and should come across in your application. Cite specifics that are relevant to your career vision and goals \u2013 specializations, electives, clubs and the myriad of opportunities that will be available to you. As there are many different elements you can speak to for every school, ensure you choose ones that are genuinely connected to your future, and to what you personally hope to gain from the experience.<\/p>\n

2:\u00a0 MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Work to build relationships within the community at each of your target programs. Explore your current network to reach out to alumni and students, or query the admissions team about being put in touch with someone with a similar background. Ask intelligent questions that help you learn what the school cares about and what it\u2019s looking for in new members of its community. It really shows when someone has spoken with alumni and students, and you can even drop names in your application.<\/p>\n

3: MAKE THE EFFORT TO VISIT (IF AT ALL POSSIBLE).<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nothing will give you a stronger sense of a school\u2019s personality than a campus visit. It\u2019s also where you can have more opportunistic conversations and interactions with students, faculty and admissions staff. Sit in on a class, attend an information session \u2013 seize any opportunity to get a sense of the overall vibe.<\/p>\n

Admissions teams do understand that it\u2019s not always possible to visit, especially if you\u2019re an international student. In this case, however, it would become even more important to make those student and alumni connections, and you should also look for ways to have a virtual experience through online presentations, live chats or webinars. Be sure to also follow all their social media activities.<\/p>\n

4: REFERENCE SPECIFIC INSIGHTS, CONVERSATIONS AND EVENTS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In your application, take the opportunity to mention you had great conversations with \u2018this student from this year,\u2019 discussing, for example, all the excellent club opportunities, and what this led to in the context of your aspirations and interests. While every school has its own process, and each application is different, there are always savvy ways to demonstrate how much research you\u2019ve done. Not just by writing your essays with detail and depth, but literally mentioning, \u2018I\u2019ve met this member of staff,\u2019 or \u2018I\u2019ve been to that or this event.\u2019 Admissions committees will take note of the volume of effort you\u2019ve put in.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s effective from the staff perspective, too; seeing your name and thinking, \u2018ah yes, I recall that person, I met her in San Francisco at an MBA event,\u2019 helps connect the dots. I always found it gratifying to learn that someone enjoyed our conversation and found it useful enough to reference in their application.<\/p>\n

5:\u00a0 BUILD SMART CONNECTIONS AND seek WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE EARLY.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got your overarching vision and career goals figured out, and you know how this school is going to help you take the next step in your career, you\u2019re poised to start making connections that are going to support the journey. If you\u2019re an aspiring entrepreneur, for example, you\u2019ll want to reach out to leadership in the entrepreneurship club. Perhaps you discover the club\u2019s president is running an event, and help them make some contacts. Even before you\u2019ve joined the program, it\u2019s not too early to start getting involved and demonstrate that you\u2019re really passionate about an issue, and that you\u2019re the sort of person who will positively contribute.<\/p>\n

6:\u00a0 Get to know FACULTY members.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s wise to acquaint yourself with the faculty for a deeper dive into the areas of expertise and specialization your business schools have to offer. Especially at top schools, many professors are making headlines within their field of study and publishing ground-breaking research. Try to follow the research of an individual faculty member, opinions they\u2019re advancing on the issues and\/or a book they\u2019ve recently published. It\u2019s yet another way to go beyond those online course lists.<\/p>\n

7:\u00a0 SOLICIT feedback FROM TRUSTED CONNECTIONS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve cultivated trusted alumni or student connections, ask if they\u2019d be willing to review your essays and offer you some frank feedback. Their first-hand understanding of the school\u2019s culture and what makes it unique will offer an invaluable perspective. Invite them to be candid with you, so they\u2019re emboldened to offer helpful critiques, such as, \u2018no, this essay isn\u2019t coming across as truly Berkeley,\u2019 (for example).<\/p>\n

8:\u00a0 BRIEF YOUR RECOMMENDERS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your recommenders are a key element of your strategic positioning. Meet with your recommenders and talk to them about your vision, your goals and how this program in particular is going to help you take the next leap in your career. This important groundwork will allow your recommenders to include specific snippets that might resonate with your school in their recommendation letter.<\/p>\n

At LBS, like the other top schools, we had no shortage of strong GMAT scores, high GPAs, and qualified profiles with fast-track professional records. This means your ability to convey your genuine and ardent commitment to each target school is part of what will help you stand out. In reviewing your MBA application, you want the admissions committee member to think, \u2018wow, this applicant really gets us \u2013 let\u2019s invite them for interview.\u2019<\/p>\n

Amy Hugo<\/em><\/a> is a Fortuna Expert Coach and former manager of admissions and recruitment at London Business School. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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