We know many candidates who had applied to MBA programs but didn’t get into the schools they aimed for. They often face a difficult question whether they should re-apply.
If you are convinced that an MBA will allow you to attain the professional objectives, I strongly encourage you to apply again for an MBA. The chances for admissions are much greater for the second attempt.
WHAT SHOULD YOUR STRATEGY BE?
An initial rejection may not be the last word. Understand the reasons for your failure and develop a completely new application strategy.
Most of the schools do not give reasons for a rejection, even if you call them. The rejection letters are usually very vague to avoid being hurtful. Nevertheless, most of the schools will admit that rejection is usually not due to one single element of the application. Most of the time, it is a really a result of a combination of factors, which you have to identify and correct in your new application.
Avoid hasty and simple conclusions
It is easy to attribute the rejection to factors such as low GMAT score, poor academic credentials, or less number of years of work experience etc. However, there are other factors such as the application was too late, there were quotas limiting the number of international students admitted, American admission officers not understanding your national education system etc. There is something serious to correct in your application and you have to find out what it is.
Ask yourself the right question
Here are some suggestions for reviewing your entire application:
Have I really understood the recruitment criteria for each of the school I applied to? What about in terms of academics (GMAT, GPA, Schools attended etc.) or professional experience (quality and duration of professional experience, leadership potential, etc.)?
Do I have what it takes to produce an application that represents a well-crafted profile? How does my profile differ from the thousands of other application received or from the few hundred other international applicants who have applied?
Have I tailored my application according to the specific demands of the school (for example, using words and theme from the program’s brochure in your essays, referring to specific courses etc.)? Does my whole application convey an original and clear message that conforms to the objective of the program?
Some practical tips
It is important that you do some self-introspection on why you failed to get an admission offer. Here are four tips to help you manage your feelings:
>>Wait: Finding the real reason in the heat of the moment, just after receiving a rejection letter, can’t possibly be completely objective. A few weeks of rest and thinking about other things will sharpen your ability to generate constructive criticism afterward.
>>Concentrate your efforts on understanding the gap between your application and the school’s selection criteria. Find out if you can voluntarily do something at your work that closes the gap.
>>Ask someone to help you offer a critical look at your application. Reach out to the person who knows your target school really well. Perhaps this person is difficult to find! You can find a substitute by referring to some books. For example, reading essays written by admitted students can allow you to see easily what might be missing from your own application.
>>Think of this exercise as an opportunity, rather than as a chore. It's always difficult to accept criticism even when it’s constructive. That being said, most of the courses in MBA programs are concerned with leadership, and being able to do this is key. MBA or no, you will get something out of this process.
[Read more on how to tackle LOR and Essays. The full article here]