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how long to prepare? I have 3 months.

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how long to prepare? I have 3 months.

by speedyb09 » Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:01 am
So today is June 13, and as of earlier this week I decided that I wanted to finally get over my paralyzing fear of the GMAT and get my MBA. Thing is, application deadlines will be coming up in September, and looking around these forums I see people who have been working on their apps for over a year. Is three months just really not enough lead time to get started on this?

I have been thinking about getting an MBA for years, so the decision isn't sudden. I also know much of my time will need to be invested on my GMAT score, as that is going to be a really sore spot in my application. Having been out of school for a few years, I know the essays will take longer than usual and I will have to break it to my employer that I am thinking about going back to school to get some recommendations. I have researched which programs I want to apply for.

So again, is three months really a lost cause, and should I aim for admission for Fall 2015 instead of Fall 2014?

And if you think it can be done, I would love any thoughts on a timeline to beast mode my way through this. Timelines are key, and more experienced people will have great insight on this!
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by WouldBeCrazy » Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:42 pm
Most people will tell you that time is not enough. Then again, those are the people who told you GMAT is soooo tough, application is soooo lengthy, getting admission is like getting a lottery and such stuff!!.

I started my journey last year in July. By the time I picked up my study, I had a major mishap and suspended my preparation for more than a month. The point is you have enough time.

As you have identified your schools, you can start filling up your online application forms right away, when you are too bored and you need some break. Filling up application does not cost you anything.

Ask your referees to complete the online reference well in advance.

When you get some time, start working on your essays. Instead of writing the essays in one shot, build up essays slowly. After sometime you will realise, most of the essays are essentially very similar.

While doing the applications and essays in parallel, focus on GMAT study. 2 months dedicated time is quite enough for GMAT. When I said 2 months, it means weekdays 2-3 hours regularly and 10-14 hours on weekends and 3 days 10-14 hours just before the test day. The key is to identify the RIGHT BOOKS very quickly. Rather spend 1-3 days to identify the right book for you. While you do your intensive studies, you will require breaks and use that break to fine-tune your essays.

By the time your GMAT is over, you are ready with your application too. In fact I submitted all my applications in the evening of my GMAT test, in Nov. And some school started their process as late as Feb.

I too was scared by many stories and after the journey, I would say it was much much easier than people told me earlier. No, I am not saying this bcoz I am on the other side.

Just focus on your GMAT and score well. Best of luck
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by CriticalSquareMBA » Sun Jun 16, 2013 1:46 pm
Hi there,

Short answer, you have enough time. However, one very straight forward question: why R1/3 months? First of all, not all R1 deadlines are in Sep which means you actually have through Oct/Nov depending on the program. Secondly, why R1? Don't cram in an application solely because you've heard people say R1 is the best round. A stronger application in R2 > a rushed application in R1 any day. Think about this carefully. If you go for R2, you'll have 5 - 7 months which is far better. We work with our clients on a timeline of ~4 - 5 months / school. You need this time to develop your story, prep your recommenders, work on essays, etc.

NOTE OF CAUTION: I know @wouldbecrazy is trying to help and I agree with him you have enough time. However, I don't agree with his proposed list of activities (no offense intended). DO NOT begin your online application nor send your recommenders invites to the application. Engage your recommenders at a high level and ask if they will support you, but do not have them fill anything out. You need to have a story before you do any of this and the online application is the last component you should fill out. Not because it's inconsequential (it absolutely isn't) but because it's the last part of your story and needs to fill any gaps your strategy may have left along the way. This is a very holistic process and you can't have anything "start" before you know how every piece is working together.

Therefore, if you want beast mode, here's my suggestion. Until the middle of July, study for the GMATs full time. Then, take a 3 - 4 online adaptive practice GMATs to identify your score range (average + / - 20). A good set of tests is the Manhattan CAT exams. This will give you an understanding of how your GMAT will work in and if your recommenders need to speak to your analytical or quantitative skills. Then, develop your resume, prep your recommenders, and get them started. This should take you into the first couple of weeks of August. Then, in parallel, study for the GMATs and begin work on essays.

I'm not saying R1 or R2 is the right answer. I'm saying if you are not ready, be honest with yourself about when you can put forward your best application. And R2 means if you don't do well for any reason on the GMAT, you've given yourself enough time to give it another shot.

If you're interested - I'd love to chat with you about this and help you determine what may be the best strategy for you as you approach this process. There's a lot to consider and I want to make sure you understand the moving pieces so that you can make an informed decision. Feel free to sign up for a free consultation (link in the signature) - I conduct every one so it would be a better way to continue this conversation versus writing essays via a forum.

I hope to speak to you soon!

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by money9111 » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:11 am
I would not even worry about any decision deadlines until after you've finished the GMAT. Studying for the GMAT is different for everyone. I actually wrote about this today for my book (see link in signature - yes, I had to plug it) but what I wrote about is the fact that for me, I had to study for the GMAT for a full year. Having been to business school now (graduated from Johnson at Cornell University in May) and having had many discussions with my classmates - I can tell you that yes, some people can study for the GMAT for two months, take it once and be done with it. Others, like myself, struggle with it for a whole year. Now the type of person that you are can only be known by you. I would suggest studying for a bit and then taking a practice exam to see where you are. Once you figure out how much further you have to go to get in the range of your target schools THEN you can start thinking about which Round to apply in.

Do not underestimate how arduous the actual application process is minus the GMAT. It would be in your best interest to not think about that until after you've conquered the GMAT.

Hope that helps!
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by mikesbld1117 » Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:26 am
Wonderful post! I am in a similar situation. I recently decided to go back to school for my MBA and had to ask myself the hard questions: can I test prep, get my credentials and references in order, and have enough time to write my essays by the beginning of R1? The truth is that we are really lucky just to be entertaining the idea of going back to school. I think we shouldnt look at the GMAT as some daunting test that decides our future, rather I would look at the test as just one more thing to master. We all could ( and sometimes let) this process overwhelm us, but I think its best to try and stay grounded, have some fun with it.
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by pegasus99 » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:38 am
I would have to agree with Money 9111 - he has been through the process with great success and his advice about getting your GMAT first is 'on the money'. You've done well to have researched which programs you want and now give yourself time to prepare your very best application. The GMAT is key and chances of doing great on the first try, after a long hiatus, are small. You can start work on your essays and everything else that involves preparation right away but this is a process of self-examination and synthesis and should not be rushed. Also, not all application deadlines are in September. Do your homework on the different Round times.
You sound like to feel you have a way to go and setting a time limit on yourself may not be to your advantage. Bottom line, take it easy and start preparing for the GMAT. A good score will set you on the right track and help you home in on all the rest. Best of luck.
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by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:52 pm
Just a little anecdotal addition, which shows that it is possible (although it depends on you). I had one client, a young Russian woman, who finished 10 schools in about five weeks. Even I am a bit baffled as to how she managed that while working full time, but still, the fact of the matter was she did. (But I'm assuming she didn't sleep all that much that month)
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by pegasus99 » Wed Jun 26, 2013 4:29 am
That is most unusual - I wonder what her results were? The fact is that many people cram the application process in to three months, sometimes with great success, but a longer, less rushed period to prepare will result in a more considered, well-oriented application, and probably a better GMAT score. In any case, it's a high-anxiety time.
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