Tips for Finalizing Your B-School List
One of the most important decisions youll make during the MBA application process is which schools youre going to apply to in the first place. We knowduh, right? But seriously, we cant stress enough how important it is to put significant thought into which programs youre going to dedicate dozens of hours to over the coming months.
Each year we see excellent candidates who want to prematurely take themselves out of the running for some of the top programs. Make no mistake: it is extremely tough to get into a highly ranked business school. Certain programs have single-digit acceptance rates, and literally thousands of more-than-qualified applicants are turned away each year. But if you dont even give yourself a chance at admission, you may always wonder, What if? Is there anything worse?
Thats why we typically recommend that people ask themselves whether or not getting an MBA is most important to themor if getting an MBAfrom a certain schoolis what really matters most. If youd truly be at peace with never getting an MBA if you werent accepted to School X, then you can move forward by focusing all of your efforts solely on your dream school or schools.
However, if you want an MBA no matter what, then youd be wise to consider five or six schools, or maybe spread your efforts across Rounds 1 and 2.
We hope you at least give yourself a shot at the programs youre really interested in, though. Applying to top business schools is something of a self-selecting process: most people who apply are overachievers who would be assets to any class. Its easy to let that discourage or intimidate an applicant to the point of not even trying. You might think, Whats the use? There are thousands of other people like me fighting for spots.
But wed argue: 1) no, there isnt anyone elseexactlylike you, so figure out how to differentiate yourself, and 2) why would you want to make it easier for someone else to get in by taking yourself out of the mix? You deserve a shot just like everyone else.
Think of it this way:
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