Be Factual: How to Avoid Trouble During an MBA Background Check

by , Jun 28, 2010

More and more programs do thorough background checks on accepted applicants. It's during the post-acceptance background check that actual people will be poring over your application, making sure that it all "checks out" and that there are no red flags. Schools will investigate any red flags, frequently dates, facts, or numbers that dont add up.

Here are a few tips to make sure your background check doesn't get ugly. (Also, please note that if incriminating information is revealed during a background check, a school reserves the right to withdraw its offer of acceptance.)

1. Be factual. Don't exaggerate, use hyperbole, or tell any little white fibs. If you were fired from a job, don't say you quit. If you coached Little League for three months, don't say you did it for a year. If you're 35, don't say you're 30. If you already have an MBA degree, don't "forget" to include that fact in your application.
2. Include all transcripts and forms. If you "forget" to submit a form, you won't only look forgetful or careless, but suspicious. Did you leave it out of your application because you're trying to hide something?
3. Review your resume for accuracy. Don't extend the length of time you worked at a given job and don't enumerate skills you picked up that you didn't. Present and past employers will likely be contacted as referencesyou don't want to put them (or yourself) in an awkward situation because you exaggerated on your resume.
4. Admit to a criminal record. Better to admit to your past indiscretions rather than to try and let them slide unnoticed. When they are finally noticedand chances are they will beyou'll likely get dinged because you tried to hide your record even if the actual record would not have caused your rejection.

Related Accepted.com Resources:

• Navigating the MBA Maze, a free email course.
• Recipe for Disaster: Application Mistakes You Want to Avoid, a free article.