Thanks
Abhi26007 for starting this thread.
As admission consultants, here is our first contribution to the topic:
HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CHANCES FOR FALL DEADLINES?The month of May has begun, and the Round 1 MBA deadlines are only 4-5 months away. We are aware that the MBA admissions process is both difficult and time-consuming. Preparing for the GMAT, researching schools, attending admission sessions, preparing for essays, approaching recommenders - a number of things to do.
It is normal for applicants to feel frustrated throughout the application process. However, by organizing ahead of time and getting started early, you can make the application process satisfying and relaxing. We have seen that our most successful candidates are those who begin their application process 6 to 7 months before the MBA application Fall deadlines. If you are planning to apply for fall deadlines, you can start now. There is some luck involved with MBA admissions, but that doesn't mean you can just roll the dice and see what happens. There are many things under your power that you can do to tilt the odds in your favor.
WHEN DO MBA APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FALL 2021? The majority of on-campus MBA programs have several rounds of admissions. Since each program has its own admissions process, it is important to review the dates individually. However, the first round of admissions usually starts in September and lasts until October. Few programs start Round 2 in October, but most Round 2 dates fall around the new year. The dates for Round 3 vary considerably and range from January to April. Schools that give a Round 4 usually have earlier Round 3 dates. Check the dates of your preferred programs carefully, and begin your application process with the earliest rounds for your target schools...
WILL COVID-19 INCREASE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF MBA APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2021?According to GMAC, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant rise in b-school applications for fall 2020. As the pandemic pressured professionals worldwide to reconsider their careers, business schools registered a surge in applicants for full-time, in-person MBA programs. This demonstrates MBAs' credibility as resume boosters and as the favored upskilling tool in times of crisis.
Since many international students deferred their start date to 2021 due to coronavirus travel constraints in 2020, B-schools are expected to have fewer places available in the upcoming recruiting season, rendering the admissions period much more competitive.
SO, HOW CAN CANDIDATES MAXIMIZE THEIR CHANCES OF LANDING A SPOT IN 2021?Schools usually make the most offers in the first and second rounds, and thus by applying early, you are already increasing your chances of getting into your dream schools. If you don't know where to begin or are concerned about standing out in a crowded applicant pool, here's some advice, based on our experience, on how to plan your MBA application for the fall.
HERE IS A CHECKLIST YOU SHOULD WORK ON:
1. Solid GMAT
2. Define your career goals
3. Begin the process of selecting the right business school
4. Participate in Virtual events/Interact with Alumni and Current students
5. Create your resume
6. Letter of recommendation
7. Story for essays
8. Interviews for MBAs
To read in detail about each of these points, feel free to visit the
full article here.
FINALLY, HOW MANY MBA PROGRAMS SHOULD I APPLY TO?Our advice is to apply to each school on your list, or at least to those for which you are fully prepared. The solution is simple: apply in one round, choose 2 target schools, 2 stretch schools, and 2 safe schools, and submit when your application is at its best. Getting started on the above things right now will make the rest of the application process much easier for you. It will also help you find your gaps at an early stage and you will be able to work on filling those gaps which will, in turn, make your application much stronger.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!
MBA & Beyond 
07 May 2021, 19:50
