9 Application Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

by Stacy Blackman Consulting, Jul 31, 2013

In this business, I've seen applicants attempt to pull off just about any trick under the sun to gain a seat at the MBA program of their dreams. Let me share with you nine mistakes---big and small---that will doom your chances with the admissions committee. No matter how confident of your embellishing abilities you may be, I urge you to heed the errors of those who have walked before you!

1. The applicant who lied on her application AND got caught.This woman breathed a sigh of relief when she got accepted to her top school and figured those lies on her application would never be found out. WRONG. Not only did the school she was supposed to attend find out she was telling tall tales, she was escorted out of school. So not worth it.
2. The application for Harvard that began with, Since I was a child, Ive dreamt of attending Stanford Graduate School of Business.Its like calling your boyfriend by the wrong name. Sure, he could forget it, but he probably wont. Make sure you have the right name with the right application.
3. The application that read like a re-shuffled resume. If youre giving the admissions committee information they can already get from your resume, youre not giving them information.
4. The applicant who stalked his admissions contacts. If your contacts have to change their phone number, youve called too much. Needy doesnt = Acceptance Letter.
5. The applicant who filled his application with big words. To quote Forrest Gump (kinda), Smarter is as smarter does. If you want to appear smart, be as well informed as possible. If you want to appear to be trying too hard, fill your application with words you dont actually know how to define without using a dictionary.
6. The applicant who didnt practice for the interviews. Everyone from the president to your local priest practices for speeches and interviews. You should, too. Unless you think boring and rambling are the keys to a good interview.
7. The applicant who went on and on about her parents.Even if youre Malia Obama, its best to talk about yourself in your interview rather than focusing on your parents like this applicant did. Unless your parents are planning on attending B-school with you, they dont need to be the focus of your application and interview.
8. The applicant who thought rules didnt apply to him. Red flag alert: The applicant who cant follow the rules is the employee who cant follow the rules. Cut it out, rules are rules. They apply to you, no matter what youve been told before.
9. The applicant who grandstanded during info sessions. Be a nice person and a team player. Dont hog the airtime or you come off like a hog. Theres only one reason to ask a question: because you want to know the answer. Otherwise, give everyone else a chance to ask the same question over and over again.

This post originally appeared as the second installment of a new seriesB-School Admissions Tips You Cant Live Withouton the MBA websitePoets & Quants.

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If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more.