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Apr 2909:00 AM PDT
-10:00 AM PDT
What’s in it for you- Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with Jenifer Turtschanow, CEO, ARINGO. Come with your details prepared and ARINGO will share insights! Pre-MBA Role/Industry, YOE, Exam Score, C/GPA, ECs Post-MBA Role/ Industry & School List.
Apr 2908:00 PM EDT
-09:00 PM EDT
Join us for a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Juno’s Co-Founder, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about financing your MBA in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Apr 3010:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
Applying to business school from a finance background? Personal MBA Coach is here to help with this quick tips video on how to set yourself apart during the MBA application process!
Apr 3010:00 AM EDT
-10:30 AM EDT
Sia Admissions Founder Susan Berishaj will walk through why reach/target/safety produces the wrong list for many specific profiles, how admissions committees at different programs read the same background differently, and more...
Apr 3012:00 PM EDT
-01:00 PM EDT
Starting at $975 and offering up to $545 of savings, our new Amplify Hourly Packages offer structure and support in certain high-value areas (story development, resume, essays, interviewing) to help get your applications across the finish line.
Apr 3009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Thinking about PE/VC? Most consultants are. Few actually make it. Learn how to position your profile, build the right skills, and break into Private Equity & Venture Capital.
May 0108:30 AM EDT
-09:15 AM EDT
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
May 0108:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
PersonalMBACoach
Expert
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,807
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 11
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
Expert reply
03 Apr 2019, 14:43
Kudos
Bookmarks
April is upon us! This means that the first round 1 deadline is likely just over five months away.
While the 2019-2020 MBA application deadlines and questions have not yet been announced (stay tuned for more details on this), last year, the first round 1 application deadline was in early September. If you are applying to Columbia Business School, they will start accepting applications within 4-6 weeks! We expect similarly timed deadlines this year.
Regardless of whether you followed our MBA Kick-Start Plan, it is time to kick your MBA application efforts into high gear.
To help you make the most of your time and avoid last minute cramming (which is never great for anyone), Personal MBA Coach has put together this 5-month plan.
Month 1: April
1. Schedule campus visits for your target schools
This is a great time to visit while classes are still in session
2. While visiting schools over the summer is ok, it is always best to see campuses in action
Develop or solidify your GMAT/GRE preparation plan
Many of you may be well underway here (or even have already completed your testing)
3. Customize your resume for your MBA applications
Your MBA resume should differ from your professional one
While you may need to tweak your resume later this summer, we advise our clients to get most of their resume development work out of the way before essay questions are released
4. Fine-tune your career goals
Putting pencil to paper (so to speak) on your career goals now will save you time while developing your essays
Month 2: May
1. Narrow down your school lists
Your final list may change (particularly if your GMAT/GRE score is not as you expected), but it is ideal to have an initial idea of your school list by May
2. Brainstorm essay topics
As soon as the essay questions are released, get started on brainstorming and outlining!
3. Prepare your personal story
Give extra thought to your personal story and what makes you unique
Keep this story in mind as you outline your essays
4. Begin to identify potential recommenders
Think about who will write the best letters (not just who is the most impressive on paper!) and begin putting out feelers
5. Continue GMAT/GRE preparation (if you can take the test this month, it is ideal)
Month 3: June
1. Draft your essays
Essay development should be getting the bulk of your attention this month
2. Finalize and prepare your recommenders
Nail down your recommenders and schedule time to prepare them appropriately
3. Take the GMAT/GRE
If you have not already done so, try to get your testing completed by mid-summer
This will give you time to retake the test and not be too rushed
4. Network with current/former students
Speak with current students and alumni in your network to learn more about their programs
This will not only help you to confirm your interest, but it will also give you strong material for your applications
Some schools specifically ask who you talked to, so do not forget this step
Month 4: July
1. Edit, edit, edit
Editing should be well underway at this point for most, if not all schools
However, your essays will again take up the bulk of your time in July as you continue editing and developing essays for additional schools
2. Revisit school lists as needed
Based on your score, you may want to critically evaluate and expand your school list
My average candidate applies to 5+ schools
3. Attend MBA events
Personal MBA Coach will be attending and presenting at multiple MBA Tour and Forté Foundation events in July and August. Email us for details
These are great opportunities to speak with admissions committee representatives from your target schools
Month 5: August
1. Put finishing touches on essays
By August, you should be wrapping up your essays. We advise clients to lock their essays at least 2-3 weeks in advance of deadlines
Last minute changes are rarely for the better
2. Ensure LORs are ready to go
Follow up with your recommenders and make sure they are on track
Ask your recommenders if they need any additional information from you
3. Work on short answer questions
Allocate enough time for short answer questions
Often these questions take longer than you might think and are an important part of the application
4. Proofread, proofread, proofread
ALWAYS get someone unfamiliar with your applications to do a thorough review
We use a separate proofreader to do final application checks
By starting now and following this plan, you will be able to breathe easy come September!
Keep in mind that while it is great to have the full five months (or more) to prepare, we regularly work with clients who start later in the year and craft custom timelines accordingly.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. Our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th
percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email [email protected] for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
Sign up now and lock in rates before they increase this spring!
You may also like these other blog articles:
The 2020 Best Business School Rankings
How To Get In When Reapplying
While the 2019-2020 MBA application deadlines and questions have not yet been announced (stay tuned for more details on this), last year, the first round 1 application deadline was in early September. If you are applying to Columbia Business School, they will start accepting applications within 4-6 weeks! We expect similarly timed deadlines this year.
Regardless of whether you followed our MBA Kick-Start Plan, it is time to kick your MBA application efforts into high gear.
To help you make the most of your time and avoid last minute cramming (which is never great for anyone), Personal MBA Coach has put together this 5-month plan.
Month 1: April
1. Schedule campus visits for your target schools
This is a great time to visit while classes are still in session
2. While visiting schools over the summer is ok, it is always best to see campuses in action
Develop or solidify your GMAT/GRE preparation plan
Many of you may be well underway here (or even have already completed your testing)
3. Customize your resume for your MBA applications
Your MBA resume should differ from your professional one
While you may need to tweak your resume later this summer, we advise our clients to get most of their resume development work out of the way before essay questions are released
4. Fine-tune your career goals
Putting pencil to paper (so to speak) on your career goals now will save you time while developing your essays
Month 2: May
1. Narrow down your school lists
Your final list may change (particularly if your GMAT/GRE score is not as you expected), but it is ideal to have an initial idea of your school list by May
2. Brainstorm essay topics
As soon as the essay questions are released, get started on brainstorming and outlining!
3. Prepare your personal story
Give extra thought to your personal story and what makes you unique
Keep this story in mind as you outline your essays
4. Begin to identify potential recommenders
Think about who will write the best letters (not just who is the most impressive on paper!) and begin putting out feelers
5. Continue GMAT/GRE preparation (if you can take the test this month, it is ideal)
Month 3: June
1. Draft your essays
Essay development should be getting the bulk of your attention this month
2. Finalize and prepare your recommenders
Nail down your recommenders and schedule time to prepare them appropriately
3. Take the GMAT/GRE
If you have not already done so, try to get your testing completed by mid-summer
This will give you time to retake the test and not be too rushed
4. Network with current/former students
Speak with current students and alumni in your network to learn more about their programs
This will not only help you to confirm your interest, but it will also give you strong material for your applications
Some schools specifically ask who you talked to, so do not forget this step
Month 4: July
1. Edit, edit, edit
Editing should be well underway at this point for most, if not all schools
However, your essays will again take up the bulk of your time in July as you continue editing and developing essays for additional schools
2. Revisit school lists as needed
Based on your score, you may want to critically evaluate and expand your school list
My average candidate applies to 5+ schools
3. Attend MBA events
Personal MBA Coach will be attending and presenting at multiple MBA Tour and Forté Foundation events in July and August. Email us for details
These are great opportunities to speak with admissions committee representatives from your target schools
Month 5: August
1. Put finishing touches on essays
By August, you should be wrapping up your essays. We advise clients to lock their essays at least 2-3 weeks in advance of deadlines
Last minute changes are rarely for the better
2. Ensure LORs are ready to go
Follow up with your recommenders and make sure they are on track
Ask your recommenders if they need any additional information from you
3. Work on short answer questions
Allocate enough time for short answer questions
Often these questions take longer than you might think and are an important part of the application
4. Proofread, proofread, proofread
ALWAYS get someone unfamiliar with your applications to do a thorough review
We use a separate proofreader to do final application checks
By starting now and following this plan, you will be able to breathe easy come September!
Keep in mind that while it is great to have the full five months (or more) to prepare, we regularly work with clients who start later in the year and craft custom timelines accordingly.
Need personal support? Founded by a Wharton and MIT graduate, Personal MBA Coach regularly helps applicants navigate their applications each year. Our comprehensive support includes mock interviews with a team of former M7 interviewers and customized GMAT/GRE tutoring with tutors who scored in the 99th
percentile.
Personal MBA Coach has been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 11 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email [email protected] for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!
Sign up now and lock in rates before they increase this spring!
You may also like these other blog articles:
The 2020 Best Business School Rankings
How To Get In When Reapplying
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