There may only be one application for each school, but everyone approaches the process with a different attitude or style. What\u2019s yours? Take this short quiz to find out - and discover some helpful application tips along the way!<\/p>\n
Directions: Give yourself 4 points for every A, 3 points for every B, 2 points for every C, and 1 point for every D.<\/em><\/p>\n 1. You decided to apply to business school because...<\/strong><\/p>\n A) It's been the plan since high school: 2 years of work experience, then on to an MBA program. Also, you took the GMAT when you were 19, and it\u2019s about to expire. 2. When deciding what schools to apply to, your logic was something like the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n A) Why trust anything other than your personal ranking algorithm - based on placement rates, prestige factor, faculty publications, and location desirability? 3. When it comes to taking the GMAT...<\/strong><\/p>\n A) You took a prep course in undergrad, scored a 750, and think you might take it again. Hey, you have your eye on some serious scholarship cash! If you haven't taken the GMAT yet, check out this article<\/a> for tips on how to study for the GMAT while working.<\/em><\/p>\n 4. When it comes to researching the schools of your choice, you...<\/strong><\/p>\n A) Have a set of color-coded folders with department brochures, info-session notes, and business cards from current and former students. Check out our weekly MBA roundups<\/a> to stay on top of b-school news!<\/em><\/p>\n 5. When going on b-school visits, you...<\/strong><\/p>\n A) Sit in on a class, participate in seminar discussion, lunch with current students, tour the campus, and attend an evening party to get a sense of school culture. To get the most out of your bschool visit, check out this article<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n 6. When deciding who to ask for your recommendations, you...<\/strong><\/p>\n A) Constructed a chart to determine how to best allocate your references to showcase different aspects of your work personality and leadership style (you will give each writer a consultant-approved list of your strengths and weaknesses). 7. In terms of essay prep...<\/strong><\/p>\n A) You started four months before the official prompts were released, registered for a creative nonfiction writing class to hone your rhetorical skills, and hired an English prof and an admissions consultant to help you polish the final product.
\nB) You have a good amount of work experience under your belt, and you\u2019re looking to switch careers or gain a broader business perspective.
\nC) All your friends have one.
\nD) You\u2019ve been unemployed for 15 months, and you\u2019re thinking it might be time to try a different career strategy than carpet-bombing the same 10 firms with your cover letter and resume.<\/p>\n
\nB) Two reach schools, two \u201clikely\u201d schools, and one safety
\nC) Whichever schools are in the region and have reasonable application fees
\nD) Only schools that have a \u201c4th Round\u201d (you missed the first three!)<\/p>\n
\nB) You took a GMAT course a year before applying and allocated a few months for intensive prep.
\nC) You took one or two of the free CATs offered on the GMAC website.
\nD) You\u2019ll let the outcome dictate your plans: if you score 550 or higher, you\u2019ll shoot a few apps out. If not, you\u2019ll take it next year or something.<\/p>\n
\nB) Collected some materials from school visits and info-sessions.
\nC) Glanced at the websites a few times.
\nD) Took note of the application deadlines.<\/p>\n
\nB) Sign up for a class visit and a lunch with current students, but skip the Q & A session afterward to hang out in the city with some pals from college.
\nC) Attend an info-session in your home city; why waste cash on a trip if you\u2019re not even accepted yet?
\nD) Didn\u2019t know people did that.<\/p>\n
\nB) Asked your work supervisors; you\u2019ve spent so many hours at work you can\u2019t imagine who else you would ask.
\nC) Even though you\u2019re technically supposed to get recommendations from work supervisors, you kind of missed the boat on that (a week before the deadline is cutting it close), so you\u2019re going to call in a few favors from your colleagues.
\nD) Intend to ask your best friend from college. He or she is very familiar with your work ethic!<\/p>\n
\nB) You had all your friends read your essays and provide feedback.
\nC) You allocated a weekend to take care of it.
\nD) You cut and paste from other essays you\u2019ve written and filled in the gaps with some fluff.<\/p>\n