What I could have done better - Admitted Student Advice: Part 3
Let's face it, we have a TON of people applying to business school that stop being active on the forums once they start classes. Rightfully so, because business school can be HARD! I was barely active on GMAT Club when I was knee deep in assignments, networking and preparing for interviews. So I wanted to get a "last call" from all our folks before they step into their fancy business school oxfords. Here is what they had to say about what they could have done better.
Part 1 - What I wish I had known before - 70+ MBA Admit Responses
Part 2 - What I think I did well - 70+ MBA Admit Responses
neonuk
Given more thought to navigating my way through scholarships - I didn't have a coach or a seasoned MBA guide as a mentor, I mostly discussed my application with my parents, friends, and a few alumni. I sent in scholarship essays for all the schools I applied to, but didn't receive any awards on that front. I may have had a better shot if I consulted a guide or a recent graduate about the scholarship essays.
xavier8
I consider my GMAT could have been higher if I had continued studying for a few more months. However, deadlines were coming and I though myself it was better to apply in that round instead of waiting for the next year. If I could get back, I would try to get a higher score on the GMAT test.
erlandgas
I think I could have done better really pumping myself up before the first couple interviews. I think that I could've tried to fit my app with their culture. It's just that's such a hard thing to quantify and express in your apps. You see admissions consultants say try to fit their values and culture in essays. That's just fluff when I read it. Always give specific examples when talking fluff.
JKRudomanski
Researched the differences in post-MBA jobs. Prepared better for the GMAT, taken it again. Submitted applications in Rd1. Allowing more time to line up pre-MBA internships
mkv30
I could've been better at Quant and at my essays.
ankitagrawal079
In schools where I didn't get through, I should have run my essays through a couple of people, who could have advised me on improving the essay structure.
haileyyy
I could have prepare earlier. I should have applied to more schools. I should have tried harder during scholarship negotiations.
umeshsukhwani
I think I could've prepared for my interview a lot better than I did. Though I was clear in mind about what I wanted from the program, articulation of the same during my interview and some better understanding of the world current affairs would've definitely been better.
sebo08
1- The language, always room to grow, especially during the interviews and speaking. I say you should put live interview sessions on GMAT Club for those who want to practice. 2- GMAT, I did a 680 in 2 months, 3hrs after work during evenings. 3- I could have done better interviews if I had access to more useful material (videos mentioned above).
hakotaco
I wish I had spent more time researching schools, attending on-campus events at schools I was interested in, and networking with current students. I spent most of my business school preparation studying for the GMAT and only applied to UCLA Anderson. I feel that I would have applied to a wider range of schools had I done the research a year or two prior to the application process.
strawberryjelly
I was considering applying for JD / MBA programs but I chickened out as I thought I would be lucky to get into any of the business schools I applied to, let alone get into law school too, and now I am taking the LSAT and working on my JD applications to submit during my first year. This would have been a lot easier if I had just gone for it first time round! I also would have stressed less about the GMAT - I took it 3 times and got a 710, 710 then a 730. I was very fixated on making the average for H/S/W and I may have been fine with a 710.
nvdmurty
I think I could have prepared better for the video component of Oxford's application. I suspect that was the one that went against me as I really was sloppy. I really am not a video cam person, so probably will need to practice in case I have to face similar situation in future! Other aspects right from the GMAT, I have no regrets or complaints.
ZY123
I got a decent GMAT score (720) and did not try to increase it more. The best thing would be to start studying for the GMAT 6-12 months before MBA applications and try to achieve the highest possible score. A high (750+) GMAT score may not make a drastic change on whether you can be admitted to a school or not vs a 720, but it can give you a leverage to negotiate scholarships, etc. Focus on the GMAT!
tsassos
Definitely would have lied about my intended post-MBA career. I'm looking to go into Asset Management which I know isn't that marketable for schools. Would have said I wanted to do Fintech or something. I think that would have increased my odds at some of the higher schools. I could have given myself more time for my essays also, but not sure if that factored into the decision.
Persis
(1) I could've had more belief in my application and my abilities. I let everyone tell me that my profile/ GMAT score wasn't good enough to apply to better programs. The highest ranked program I applied to was USC. (2) Could have applied to Round 1 and not obsess over scoring higher on the GMAT (3)Could have had the confidence to talk to students from top schools to find out ROI, real life impact of a top 5/10 school
Synchrony
I spent way too much time and money on GMAT prep. While I did end up breaking the 700 barrier, it took ~2 years of on-and-off studying. Looking back, I could have cut that down to probably 6 months and saved several grand just from using MathRevolution.com (Quant was my weakness).
naveenchandra
I could have improved my GMAT score and applied to even better schools.
phobos1233
Of course, GMAT score of more than 690 would definitely help me.
Nyler
If I wanted to 100% optimize my b-school application, I would've started planning in undergrad and more seriously focused on working for a "blue-chip" company in like IB/consulting/PE etc. but at the same time I really enjoyed my experience working at a normal company so I don't regret that too much and it all worked out in the end
umanathk87
Well, a certain one is getting a better GMAT score. But also, taking the risk of using a lower GMAT score + tons of work ex to apply to top tier colleges. I know I could've easily avoided applying to 2 colleges and focussed that effort on 2 top tier colleges. But since I wanted a couple backup colleges, and calculating cost of risk, I didn't apply to top tier colleges.
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"Subs11"
1. Give more time for GMAT 2nd attempt - incase the first score is not satisfactory
2. Research on deadlines of colleges better - last dates for each round. Probability for each round - etc.
3. Have more confidence and apply to all colleges in my list (relates to point A1)
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shruthiarvindh
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"SenorBey"
- I was light on extra-curricular engagements so wish I had gotten involved in the organizations I ultimately helped out with 6 months to a year earlier.
- I could have rehearsed some of my stories better and the one interview for which I was not as well-prepared resulted in a WL decision.
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RicAssassin
sohamdta
I could've prepared for interviews a little better. I wish I had gone for an admissions consultant for the interview preparation part.
XyLan
contagiousme
I definitely could have reached out to more current students and alumni of the schools i applied to. the people i did reach out to were very helpful and gave some great advice. The conversations i had really helped shape my essays and were also a great talking point in my interviews.
admission2020
I could have gotten a better GMAT score so as to have a good shot at T15 schools.
priyanshubhalotia
Well, i definitely could have scored more in GMAT. That might have helped me get interview calls from a few top 15 colleges globally. I also think that working in MNCs help when you are an international student applying in schools in USA or Europe.
chinmayrav
taroon123
I think I could have planned my test prep better and spend more energy there. In hindsight, I would have tried to attend more of the MBA sessions that each school hosts in person (a good way to speak with the ADCOM and build a personal relationship).
talz94
I got accepted at 4/5 schools I applied to including H/S/W so it's hard to say what in retrospect but I think i could have started earlier to avoid last minute craziness. I applied round 2 and really started spending time on apps around end November. I wish I would have started much earlier and it would probably have been a smoother process.
Kurtosis
I probably would have loved to secure a product manager internship for a couple of months before attending the school in fall, even if it meant working for free. I am still on the look out for such an option. Apart from that, I think I did a good job at nailing the application process to perfection.
jagp20
I should've prepared my recommenders better. One of my recommenders wasn't aware of how important their submission was, thus she didn't put a lot of effort into it. Had I explained to her how important her recommendation was, I'm sure she would've done a better job. I realized this after she submitted her essays, and it took her about 5 minutes to complete them all. In fact, I didn't get an interview with any of the programs that she sent a recommendation.
sheen22
I think I could have tried more on the verbal side to get a higher score in order to have better scholarship offers. I could also have done a better research on each country's MBA ground reality beforehand.
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"abhimanyu1945"
I got admitted to Vanderbilt and got rejected from Tepper, so wrt Tepper, should have researched more about the school. Should have known target industries. Been a little more prepared for the interview since it went a little shaky.
Also, although Vanderbilt was my target school and so I'm glad to be admitted, however I probably should have applied to a top 10 school, even if just for the sake of it. Just to see how far I'd make it. So, basically one should apply to at least one dream/reach school.
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AbhimanyuS26
Structure my interview responses better - I learned with each interview that I gave and started keeping pointers ready for most probable questions. Also learned how to balance a ton of school research v/s giving direct and "straight to the point" answers
blowice27
Get in touch with admissions committee, attend webinars, ask questions. I did almost none of it. If adcom can remember your name before your submit that's a great thing. Also get in touch with students and ask them to review your essays and resume. Not everyone will respondbut even one review is beneficial.
krasha
Budget more time for applications and apply for more schools. Although I got into my target school, I feel that having acceptance to more schools gives negotiation power for scholarships.
philippi
I think I could have prepared for the GMAT a bit more strategically/methodologically to increase my input/output ratio. Also, I could have researched better what different schools are out there and what they offer in terms of double/joint degrees.
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"gmatnewbie19"
1) I should have started preparing for the GMATs earlier so that I would have the opportunity to retake the exam if I didn't do well the first time. I should have taken the exam earlier so that I wasn't left to apply to all the last rounds of applications.
2) I should have better planned the class visits and information sessions for the Executive MBA programs. These programs are not as well advertised as the full-time MBA programs.
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aviral101032
I believe that improving my GMAT score to about 50 points more would have been great. The struggle to get shortlisted on the basis of GMAT would have been much easier for me.
Aelius72
I was not prepared well enough for the Ivey's admission's interview and as a result did not connect well with the interviewer.
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"fitzpratik"
Of the many things I could have done better, few of them are:
1. I could have applied in earlier rounds - Chances of converting an acceptance to acceptance with scholarship, getting more time to prepare for classes, etc
2. Not wasting too much time on GMAT
3. Gotten my essays reviewed from accepted students
4. Explained to my recommenders how important their contribution would be to the application process.
5. Reached out to more alumni of the target business school
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"Brahma11"
Things I could have done better
- Applying to more schools in Round 1. Getting started early with applications gives more flexibility in subsequent rounds. However, you shouldn't rush the application process if there is less time or you aren't satisfied with your application.
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dikshitratan
I could have applied for some of the colleges, which I didn't apply. I didn't knew about it.
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"Timebomb"
I could have applied to fewer schools and could have put quality applications in selected schools.
I could have applied to one school that was easy to get in and that would have given a full ride. It would have prepped me for bigger tougher schools, provided me with feedback if my story is working and would have hoped as a bargaining chip for scholarship at other schools.
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GittinGud
I should have been more confident with my GMAT prep earlier and booked the exam sooner. I was forced by my family to book a slot for the exam.
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"shubham2312"
My GMAT score, although GMAT score is like salary it is never enough, but I should have understood that GMAT score is just a part of the puzzle, not the whole puzzle. I should have worked to better my profile.
- Managing pressure, at a certain time I wanted to get into WBS so desperately that I made huge blunders in the interview of WBS, hence just manage pressure/stress/expectations.
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TakingThePlunge
waybo
I could've made my story stronger by being more specific with my post MBA plan. I paint it in a broad stroke not to limit myself to one direction.
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"Priyanka1293"
A thorough research on the schools - I eliminated some schools because I knew more about some other schools.
--> Start Early
--> Focused a little more on my resume
--> My stories would've been better if I could do multiple review iterations - especially by my friends.
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MBAApplicant93
For me personally, I could have had more people review my essays. I had a couple tight-knit people (friends and family) review them, but I think having a current student and/or alumni from each school you are applying to would be a big help. Different schools have terminology, slogans, etc. It would be good to weave in as much as possible into the essays!
Vaibhav0607
I was a Round 2 admit. I wish I had applied in round 1, though the share is equally divided between R1 and R2, R1 admits get around 4-5 months before the MBA journey starts. This really helps in getting ready for the battle.
pikolo2510
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"ASPEBoston"
I should have taken the GMAT more seriously. As someone with a chemical engineering background, I thought the test would be very easy (also because I had many friends who crushed it), and I did not give it the respect it deserved. I paid the consequences but learned from the process.
Also, GMATclub was a great resource, but I feel like I spent too much time in it, refreshing forums every 10 mins after applying and worrying too much about others getting invites before me. I wish I set boundaries or time limits browsing the site to avoid overstressing, wasting time and burnout.
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Baibaobao
- prepare gmat earlier/ have a higher gmat, i got offer and scholarship from schools i applied, but during the process i worried about gmat all the time. although i got good results, i felt struggled during application
easterngod
I could have definitely squeezed more points out of GMAT and studied more efficiently. I did ~15 minutes most days for 6 months and somehow I got 48Q without ever finishing the section on time.
avinoam
I could've given myself one more month to understand the Quant part of the GMAT. I dedicated a month to doing every potential problem I could find on the Verbal section, I tried to accustom my brain to all the proper structures through repetition and I gave my self 5 days to prepare for the Quant. Doing better on the Quant would've been only for bragging rights and if I had wanted to apply to an M7.
zzz0288
A higher GMAT score -- I do believe working a bit harder on some areas of the GMAT during prep would have helped bumped my score a bit more. Not everyone has varied work or managerial experience to write about in the application, so bottom-line is that a higher than average score does become a crucial differentiator in the applicants profile, AFAIK.
ILMRG
I was fortunate to get in everywhere I applied... but there's always room for improvement. Ultimately, not to beat a dead horse, but I wish I could have crushed the GMAT more effectively. I was ill-prepared for how difficult it was going to be and how much prep time would be required to be truly excellent there. Unfortunately, having a mediocre GMAT hanging over me really put a ton of pressure on my applications. Perhaps knowing it was weaker forced me to be more effective in writing my essays/filling out applications, but it certainly caused a lot of what I felt like was unneeded stress.
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"MichaelIN"
I really wish I would have done better on my GMAT. Ultimately it all worked out, but the competitor in me really wishes I had allocated more time to studying. I was operating on a tight schedule to study and take the test before the deadline, and there were other things that came up in my schedule that derailed everything. Fortunately, I was able to speak to that in my personal essays.
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pinetree22
I should have spent much more time on my essays of the first application. I was in a rush for my first application, so the first essays were terrible (Yes, I got dinged from the school I had submitted those first essays).
gmatman77
Apply to more schools to see all the available opportunities. Still, everything worked out great for me with just my focused target school.
hypryst
I only worked with schools I met in my country. On hindsight, I could have pushed up higher in my target schools. After the facts, I got to know my story would have been a good one for some M7s
sarafa
I regret not visiting schools before my writing my applications. I'm grappling between an offer from Booth and LBS, and I know the decision would have been much easier had I visited the schools. Of course, you can also do Welcome Weekends later, but I missed these due to the pandemic. Even so, visiting schools will help you tremendously while writing apps, in explaining what you like about the school. It also shows adcoms that you're serious about attending if admitted.
HealthcareMBA2
I ought to have thoroughly examine employment reports with the help of LinkedIn, which I did too late in the process. Looking at the companies listed isn't enough. Use LinkedIn to discover how many alums work at the companies that you are interested in. I'm interested in a particular region of the country, and the schools I applied to all regularly send people to that region. I made a mistake by not getting into the nitty gritty of employment reports: yes, the schools send people to my desired region, but mostly into industries/roles that don't align with my goals. Know the numbers.
isaacnewton1234
The gmat. I scored at the low end of the gmat after two tries. I did end up at my dream school, but with 0 scholarship money. A higher gmat score might have changed that. I’m 29, so it wasn’t worth putting off another year to get a higher score, but if I was younger I would have.
ppkreik
In my Cv i didn’t put anything in terms of volunteering or community involvement. Its rare we put it in professional Cvs in Canada but for a MBA it might have been relevant.
FinanceMan
One thing I feel I could have done better on would be the essays. While I think they were good, I do feel I could have taken more time to have others review them to ensure I was clear and concise in my responses.
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Expert
10 Jun 2020, 15:43
