![\"Is](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/10-Days-B-School-Application-Enough.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
There are a number of steps involved in the MBA application essay writing process<\/a>: contemplating the questions, choosing the topics, and crafting a collection of short stories that tell a tale and appeal to an admissions committee. Each of these steps takes time. But HOW MUCH time do you actually need? A day? A week? A month?<\/p>\n I think the best way to maximize efficiency is to give yourself plenty of time \u2013 about one to two weeks \u2013 per application. The following tips should help you get organized:<\/p>\n 1. Do the easy stuff first.<\/strong><\/p>\n Before you sit down to focus on your essays, make sure that you\u2019ve already taken care of the application basics \u2013 get your GMAT squared away, school selection finalized, transcripts sent out, recommenders lined up, resume polished<\/a>, etc. There are two benefits to this: First, you\u2019ll be able to focus better on your task at hand after you\u2019ve already crossed off so many things on your to-do list; and second, you\u2019ll have a much clearer idea of your admissions profile once you\u2019ve tackled these objective application elements.<\/p>\n 2. Reserve more time for your first application.<\/strong><\/p>\n The first essay and application almost always take the longest to complete. It rarely comes naturally to applicants to think and write about their accomplishments and failures, career background and goals, leadership<\/a> and teamwork experiences, and turning points in life. Getting used to writing in such a way takes practice. After you\u2019ve forced yourself to think and write in this new way, you\u2019ll find subsequent essays less challenging.<\/p>\n 3. Leave time for the tricky ones.<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s always a tricky essay that holds up the schedule, and that essay is different for every applicant. You may blow through a 500-word career goals essay only to get bogged down in a 200-word culture-shock essay. Mental blocks don\u2019t adhere to a schedule. Be prepared for the unexpected!<\/p>\n 4. Understand that life happens.<\/strong><\/p>\n A project at work suddenly requires overtime or travel, a family need suddenly fills a weekend, a recommender suddenly has no time to write a recommendation. Unanticipated events may cause you to put your application on hold, even after diligent and steady progress, leading you to delay submitting several applications until Round 2.<\/p>\n So yes, set a schedule, try to stick to it, but recognize that an application is ready when it\u2019s ready. Recognize that submitting a GREAT application<\/a> in the second round is far better than submitting a mediocre application in the first round. Mediocrity doesn\u2019t get accepted to top, highly selective business schools.<\/p>\n Accepted admissions advisors are available to help you achieve your admissions goals. Check out our MBA Application Services<\/a>, work one-on-one with your dedicated admissions pro, and create a winning application that you can submit proudly\u2026and on time!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a05 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your MBA Application Essays<\/a>, a free guide This article<\/a> originally appeared on blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/p>\n![\"Get](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/CTA-MBA-A-Z-26-Great-Tips.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Get](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Accepted-New-MBA-Sig.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Three MBA Application Poisons and Their Antidotes<\/a>, a short video
\n\u2022 Sample MBA Application Essays<\/a><\/p>\n