A New MBA Admissions Cycle Begins
I'm kicking off MBA Application strategy with new Round 1 candidates and I have important advice for you.
Most applicants kick off their application journey by obsessing over test score. It makes sense—it’s a very important data point, and improving it takes time.
But here’s what so many MBA candidates miss: Your test score will be glanced at. Your resume will be evaluated.
That’s right. When an admissions officer opens your app, your resume is the first thing they’ll closely review.
And while test scores offer a quick gauge of your academic readiness—and a weak one can take you out of the running—a high score alone won’t set you apart. Even a 755 is just another 755 in a sea of strong applicants.
This is why your resume is the single most important thing you should be working on RIGHT NOW—even while you’re still prepping for the GMAT or GRE.
But MBA candidates often ask me "Isn’t It Too Early to Work on My Resume? I can do this in August, right?"
Absolutely not. In fact, starting early gives you a huge strategic advantage.
Why? Let me show you.
When you work on your resume now—months before the application deadlines—you might uncover gaps you can still address.
Sure, you can’t fast-track a promotion overnight. But here’s what you can do:
➡️ Step up to lead a project that demonstrates leadership and initiative.
➡️ Take a more visible role in your extracurriculars – in an employee resource group, or volunteer efforts, or a cross-functional task force.
➡️ Find ways to showcase measurable impact in your current role that you can point to later.
None of these happen in a month. But if you start now, you can make real changes before you hit submit on your MBA application.
Because the thing to keep in mind is this:
Your Resume Shapes Your Entire ApplicationOn April 4th, I'm running a live workshop where I'll show you how the most successful MBA candidates approach resumes. Suffices it to say, you don't want to miss it. Save your spot now:
Free Live MBA Resume Workshop with a former Dean of MBA Admissions.