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89nk
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 09 May 2008, 18:17
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Hello Gmatclubbers,

I am planning to apply to business schools in 2011 (basically three years from now), and I created a rough timeline to go by, so I could complete the necessary items within this time frame. I have done a lot of research on the individual business schools I am interested in, and even looked over the application process; however, I am still seeking advice from others who had gone through the process to help me shape up my business school timeline.

June 2008 – June 2009 Study & take the GMAT, get involved in extra curricular activities, research schools
June 2009 – June 2010 Start visiting schools, start outlining essays
June 2010 – June 2011 Finish essays, start getting letters of recommendations, apply to top choices

I will have roughly 3 years WE. My degree is in B.S. ChemE, so I am a little skeptical about my essay writing skills. Also, I was not actively involved in any sort of club during undergrad.

I am seeking advice on tips on how to strengthen the essays, how to get involved outside of work, and any pitfalls to avoid during the application process. I have started reading Montauk’s book as well, but I am seeking some personal experience. I know I didn’t list my gpa or GMAT scores, because I do not want this to be a “rate my profile” thread (I will make one of those after I actually take the GMAT :lol: ), but more of a thread where I can get application process pacing advice to have a successful application cycle.

I know plans change, but I am the type of person that likes to follow some sort of plan. I am not sure if I am overdoing it, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, maybe this rough timeline could possibly help others in a similar position planning out their next three years to get into the school of their dreams.

I would also like to thank everyone thus far that has helped me greatly through pm’s and on the forum.
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VictoryMBA
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 12 May 2008, 11:37
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I am applying for fall '09 admission myself, so I'm still in the same boat as you in many respects. My only advice would be to focus your GMAT studying time. Decide that you will study for the entire summer, and take the exam that Sept for example. Dragging it out over the course of a year seems like a waste of time and energy.
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 12 May 2008, 11:47
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kudos for starting early although some might reckon you are startnig really early!!

getting the GMAT out of the way is a good start .... aside from find something you enjoy outside of work and really pursue it. And no this does not mean set the new HS on GTAIV

89nk
Hello Gmatclubbers,

I am planning to apply to business schools in 2011 (basically three years from now), and I created a rough timeline to go by, so I could complete the necessary items within this time frame. I have done a lot of research on the individual business schools I am interested in, and even looked over the application process; however, I am still seeking advice from others who had gone through the process to help me shape up my business school timeline.

June 2008 – June 2009 Study & take the GMAT, get involved in extra curricular activities, research schools
June 2009 – June 2010 Start visiting schools, start outlining essays
June 2010 – June 2011 Finish essays, start getting letters of recommendations, apply to top choices

I will have roughly 3 years WE. My degree is in B.S. ChemE, so I am a little skeptical about my essay writing skills. Also, I was not actively involved in any sort of club during undergrad.

I am seeking advice on tips on how to strengthen the essays, how to get involved outside of work, and any pitfalls to avoid during the application process. I have started reading Montauk’s book as well, but I am seeking some personal experience. I know I didn’t list my gpa or GMAT scores, because I do not want this to be a “rate my profile” thread (I will make one of those after I actually take the GMAT :lol: ), but more of a thread where I can get application process pacing advice to have a successful application cycle.

I know plans change, but I am the type of person that likes to follow some sort of plan. I am not sure if I am overdoing it, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, maybe this rough timeline could possibly help others in a similar position planning out their next three years to get into the school of their dreams.

I would also like to thank everyone thus far that has helped me greatly through pm’s and on the forum.
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 12 May 2008, 12:15
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That is very long term...my advice focus on excelling at work. Moving up the ladder quickly will do far more than all the preps you will do. Also get involved in extra curricular activities.
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 12 May 2008, 12:23
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Agree with River, but if you are set on studying and getting the GMAT out of the way, I would recommend a target of 3 months, not a year. Focus and study hard for 3 months, and then take it and evaluate your performance. I would set the test date after about a month into your prep, so you have a concrete goal to work towards.

Just curious, why are you waiting till 2011?

~Sam
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 12 May 2008, 12:26
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I think getting the gmat out of the way early is a great idea. It will help you see what school choices are realistic. I have to say the "average ranking" of schools I plaaned to apply to moved up by about 20 places after I took my gmat.
Of course fit with the school is important, but there are usually a couple that would work well for differnt types of people. KNowing if you should aim at the top-10, top 25 , or top 50 should be very helpful.
I almost took my gmat too late and as such would have aimed too low!
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 12 May 2008, 12:56
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Another advantage to writing the GMAT early is the opportunity to retake it if you want to be competitive for scholarships. If your first score is 700 (average for applying to top schools) but you're confident you can bump it up to 750 by studying more for a second attempt, it is much easier to manage before you get into the heat of working on your essays and recommendation letters.

I think schools offer funding awards to the top 25% of their class (my perception from what I've read... anyone who has better information should enlighten me if I'm wrong!) and having a higher GMAT score will boost your chances by a lot.
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Planning for Business School - Seeking advice. 13 May 2008, 15:50
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riverripper
That is very long term...my advice focus on excelling at work. Moving up the ladder quickly will do far more than all the preps you will do. Also get involved in extra curricular activities.
Show more

I am graduating this week, and start a full-time job next month, so I am not sure how quickly I can move up the ladder. I do plan on putting in my best effort and hitting that learning curve hard to get a good kick off start. Someone told me that the initial impact can set your career growth pace. Not sure if I fully comprehended what he had meant, but that is how I translated it. Can you expand on some points that would help someone to 'move up the ladder' in an industry?

sam77sam7

Just curious, why are you waiting till 2011?
~Sam
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I am a fresh graduate. My work experience is roughly 3 months as a engineer, and years of experience in the restaurant business, since it is family owned. I planned on working for 2 to 3 years, before applying to business school; however, 2 years seemed a little rushed so I extended it to 3 years. This might change depending on whether I feel I have accomplished enough in 2 years to make a good enough application to have a shot at the schools I want to attend.
Although, I would like to start business school as early as possible, I really want to go to a specific school, which is why I thought the 3 year planning was necessary. Do you think that I should apply earlier or any advice on the timeline?

westsider
It will help you see what school choices are realistic.
Of course fit with the school is important, but there are usually a couple that would work well for different types of people. Knowing if you should aim at the top-10, top 25 , or top 50 should be very helpful.
Show more

I was thinking the same thing, which is why I planned to take it early. I am shooting for a 760+ score :wink: , but all in all I wanted to take the GMAT early to get a gauge on realistic target schools. How did you find your 'fit' with a school? I am thinking of visiting the five schools that I would like to apply and wouldn't mind to attend. I thought that i would engage with students and professors during the visits to find my 'fit' or 'unfit' with the school. This sounds pricey.

FairPlay
Another advantage to writing the GMAT early is the opportunity to retake it if you want to be competitive for scholarships. If your first score is 700 (average for applying to top schools) but you're confident you can bump it up to 750 by studying more for a second attempt, it is much easier to manage before you get into the heat of working on your essays and recommendation letters.

I think schools offer funding awards to the top 25% of their class (my perception from what I've read... anyone who has better information should enlighten me if I'm wrong!) and having a higher GMAT score will boost your chances by a lot.
Show more

I became unsure about how much a higher GMAT would boost applicants chances looking at the no admit thread. Also, I am unsure how multiple GMAT scores are looked upon by adcoms. If someone could expand on these two points that would be great.

Thank you for everyones post.