Personal MBA Coach’s Accelerated 7-Week MBA Application Plan
Fall is flying by and the winter holidays are just around the corner. While many of us are looking forward to the upcoming holiday season, it is also a reminder that round 2 MBA application deadlines will be here before we know it.
To keep you on track, Personal MBA Coach has included a roundup of application deadlines below along with our advice on how to best use the next ~two months. While many of our clients are well into the editing phase with finalized school lists and testing under their belts, if you are just getting started, we can help you get back on track.
* Deadline is a round 3 deadline
Here is our accelerated 7-week MBA Application Plan:
Week 1: Finalize your school list and testing plans
If you have not yet taken the GMAT/GRE or have yet to achieve your target score, you should schedule your test and begin your test preparation ASAP. While you can take the test at any time during this 7-week window, be sure to develop a concrete plan today.
Similarly, if you have not finalized your school lists, that should be priority number 1. Do online research, speak to current students or alumni within your networks and attend any school events or tours near you. There may not be adequate time to plan a campus visit before you apply, but do not let this deter you from applying this year if the time is right for you.
Week 2: Select and prepare your recommenders and develop your MBA resume
Next, you should be selecting your recommenders. I have written extensively onselectingandpreparingyour recommenders in case you need help deciding who you should ask to write on your behalf or determining what information to provide them with. Remember, well thought out letters take time and your recommenders are busy; do not wait any longer to ask them, especially with the holidays just around the corner.
In addition, all applicants will need an MBA resume - more on thishere. As an added benefit, developing this resume will force you to take stock of your accomplishments, helping you to determine what to include throughout your applications.
Weeks 3, 4 & 5: Write, Write, Write
Ideally, we want to have at least one month for this process. However, if you are diligent (we suggest our clients send a new draft every 2 days and return edits within 2 days) this timeline is possible. First, get your thoughts on paper. Think through your career goals, why you want an MBA, what you hope to learn from the program and what makes you unique. Most accomplishments from your resume will not fit into your essays and this is to be expected. Then begin drafting one question at a time. I advise you to begin with the easiest schools or questions as your writing will improve throughout the process. However, if your timing is very tight start with the application due first.
Week 6: Short Answer Questions
Do not forget to leave plenty of time to answer the short answer questions. Read each requirement carefully (often candidates get thrown off by questions with character limits vs word limits) and minimize repetition.
Week 7: Proofread!!!
Be sure to leave PLENTY of time to proof read. Whenever possible, avoid writing during the last week or two and get someone unfamiliar with your work to proof your application. Our clients applications are proof read by an expert proofreader who was not involved during the application development process.
Need one-on-one support with your MBA applications?Personal MBA Coachis willing to be your guide.Personal MBA Coachhas been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for 11 years with a 96% success rate. We also conductmock interviewswith our team of former top 10 MBA interviewers. Call us today at +1 617-645-2424 or email[email protected]for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your MBA dreams a reality!