{"id":48075,"date":"2020-03-05T12:13:59","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T19:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=48075"},"modified":"2020-09-29T12:48:15","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T19:48:15","slug":"7-things-to-do-before-round-1-mba-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/7-things-to-do-before-round-1-mba-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things to Do before Round 1 MBA Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


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We all know that the MBA application process is extremely challenging and time-consuming. Preparing for the GMAT score, researching schools, attending admission events, writing essays, approaching recommenders-the list of to-do things is endless. It\u2019s natural for people to get overwhelmed in the process. However, by planning and starting early, you can make the application process rewarding and enjoyable. Year after year, we have seen that our most successful students have been the ones who had started their preparation ahead of time - 6-8 months before the Fall deadlines.  If you are planning to apply in the 2020-21 admission cycle, you need to start now.  We have created the following plan for you: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                March, April, May <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Beat the GMAT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First\nand foremost, conquer the GMAT- this biggest hurdle in your journey. GMAT is\nthe most significant parameter you will need to make a list of your target\nschools. If you do not get your desired score, you will still have some time to\nretake it before you begin focusing on other parts of the application package\n(school selection, resume, essays, and recommendation letters). Tackling both\nGMAT preparation and application prep with deadlines drawing close, and that\ntoo, with the demands of your job, will put you under tremendous pressure,\nmaking it extremely challenging for you to produce quality work before the\ndeadlines.  In my nine years of experience, I have seen that whenever\napplicants worked on essays and GMAT prep in parallel, along with their demanding\nprofessional commitments, they felt too overwhelmed to give their 100% to the\napplication, and they either ended up putting together a rushed application or\nmoved their applications to the next round or the next application season. So the\nbest strategy is to first get the GMAT out of your way before picking up other\nparts of the application.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.  Begin School Selection Process:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next crucial phase in the application process is school selection. After earning your desired score, begin researching your target schools based on your specific criteria. School research also demands sufficient time. With proper planning, research, and initiative, you can pick out schools that will align with your credentials and aspirations.\u00a0 For school selection<\/a>, \u00a0you will have to consider many factors e.g. geographical location, loans, scholarships, key projects\/courses, employment reports, and companies that are regular recruiters over the years. Based on your profile (work experience, industry, GMAT, goals, interests, etc.), you should look at rankings to understand a group of programs that are strong in your field and where you are competitive. Also, it will help you categorize them into dream schools, reach schools, and safety schools. Visiting forums, attending info sessions, talking to alumni, and current students, visiting schools (if you can) will help you determine your \u2018fit\u2019 with the school and its culture. I am sure all this homework will prepare you well and give you enough confidence to finalize your list of 6-7 target schools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Strengthen Your Position at Work:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To strengthen your profile, take initiatives at work, and\nlook for opportunities to manage challenging projects or teams. Try to go above\nand beyond your regular job responsibilities and volunteer for leadership\nroles. For example, you may mentor a junior employee or organize a\ncompany-sponsored volunteer event. Polish and refine your LinkedIn profile and\nmake it a robust marketing tool. As you prepare for the application season,\nmake sure you are taking actions that align with your personal and professional\ngoals. All of these steps will add value to your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and will also give you\nextra material to discuss in essays and interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Get Involved in Some Extracurricular Activities: <\/strong>Indeed, business schools value academic background, professional experience, and career progression. But they also give significant weight to your extracurricular and community service activities<\/a> because they want to have people who have well-rounded personalities and have other interests as well. So it is never too late to volunteer for new experiences at work and outside of work. Try to get involved in an activity you are passionate\u00a0about.\u00a0 Whether it is practicing sports, singing in your church\u2019s choir, or volunteering in a temple or a Gurudwara, get involved on a regular basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

             June, July, August <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.  Build Your Resume: <\/strong>Now that you are ready with your\nlist of target schools, it\u2019s time to work on constructing your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. MBA Resum\u00e9<\/a> is very different from a job\nr\u00e9sum\u00e9, so you will need a significant amount of time and effort to build it. Now\nthat many schools have reduced the number of required essay questions, resumes\nplay a more significant role in evaluating students\u2019 applications. Make sure\nthat your resume tells the full story of your professional, educational, and\nextracurricular achievements. I\nwant to quote Ross Admission Director Soojin Kwon, \u201cFor me, the r\u00e9sum\u00e9\nis just as important as your essays. Think of it as a trailer of the movie\nabout you.\u201d <\/em>By making an engaging trailer (r\u00e9sum\u00e9), you are building Ad\nCom\u2019s interest in your movie (essays and recommendation letters). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.  Reach Out to Recommenders: <\/strong>It\u2019s also time to choose your recommenders. \nChoose someone who can write the best letter about you, not the person with the\nmost impressive title. Your recommender should be the one who knows you well\nand has evaluated your work. If you are applying to many schools, your\nrecommenders will need time to work on those recommendation letters.<\/a> They are busy people, so you may\nwant to apprise them of this favor that you expect from them soon. I would\nencourage you to request a meeting with each of them to guide them about the\nprocess and format of recommendation letters and discuss the key themes you\nwould like to showcase in your application. Lastly, please give them enough\ntime and continue following up with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.\u00a0 Brainstorm Stories for Essays:\u00a0 <\/strong>The schools start rolling out their essay questions in May- June, so you should begin brainstorming your ideas\/stories for essays. Everyone has a unique story. Dig deeper to find yours. Even though B-schools change their essay topics from one year to another, there are going to be concepts that are common across business schools. For instance, all schools will expect you to write your Goals Essay<\/a>, so take your time to identify your short term and long term goals. Make sure your goals are realistic as well as ambitious. Also, start thinking of your most significant leadership experiences, accomplishments, your background, life experiences, your greatest strengths (and weaknesses, too), and how these will help you add value to your target school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some\nof the most common themes you can organize your thoughts on are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n