{"id":51633,"date":"2021-04-22T10:45:17","date_gmt":"2021-04-22T17:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=51633"},"modified":"2021-05-28T12:35:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T19:35:37","slug":"10-things-to-do-before-round-1-mba-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/10-things-to-do-before-round-1-mba-deadlines\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things to do Before Round 1 MBA Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We are approaching the end of April, and the Round 1 MBA application deadlines are 4-5 months away. We all know that the MBA admission process is extremely daunting 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 is natural for applicants to get overwhelmed in the process. However, by strategic 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 to 7 months before the Fall deadlines. If you are planning to apply in the 2021-22 admission cycle, you must start now. We have created the following plan for you:<\/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. Take it around March\/ April. If you do not get your desired score, you\nwill still have some time to retake it before you begin focusing on other parts\nof the application package (school selection, r\u00e9sum\u00e9, essays, and recommendation\nletters). Tackling both GMAT preparation and application prep with deadlines\ndrawing close, and that too, with the demands of your job, will put you under\ntremendous pressure, making it extremely challenging for you to produce quality\nwork before the deadlines. In my ten years advising MBA applicants, I have seen\nthat whenever applicants worked on essays and GMAT prep in parallel, along with\ntheir demanding professional commitments, they felt too overwhelmed to give\ntheir 100% to the application. They either ended up putting together a rushed\napplication or moved their applications to the next round or the next\napplication season. So, the best strategy is to first get the GMAT out of your\nway before picking up other parts of the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Articulate Your Career Goals:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before\nyou begin your school research, you need to figure out why you need\na management education. Reflect upon the next logical step in your career and articulate\nhow an MBA will help you get there. Articulating your career\ngoals <\/a>now will give you clarity on selecting your schools\nand save time when you start crafting your essays. Some of the most common themes you\ncan articulate are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n