APPLICATION ADVICE NEEDED!!

[soupermba]

I am taking the GMAT on November 22, which is exactly three weeks from yesterday. I am also applying to 6 different schools for Fall 2011 enrollment. I am in crunch mode right now and feel like I still need to devote all of my time to preparing for the upcoming GMAT. However, this will conflict with the time that I need to devote to my applications for three of the six schools to which I am applying. Please see the dates below.

School 1: Round 1 deadline is November 15. Round 2 deadline is January 15
School 2: Round 2 deadline is November 15. Round 3 deadline is January 10 (already missed round 1 deadline on 10/21)
School 3: Round 2 deadline is November 15. Round 3 deadline is January 20 (already missed round 1 deadline on 10/15)

Despite taking the GMAT one week after these 11/15 deadlines, I have already spoken to the admissions departments at each of these schools to confirm that I can still apply for these deadlines and submit my GMAT scores the following week. My predicament is this: I am worried that in order for me to meet the 11/15 deadline (only two weeks away!!) while also studying intensively for the GMAT, that I will end up sacrificing some quality on my application essays. WHICH IS BETTER...MEETING AN EARLIER APPLICATION DEADLINE BUT SACRIFICING QUALITY, OR, APPLYING FOR A LATER DEADLINE BUT WITH CONFIDENCE THAT MY APPLICATIONS REFLECT MY BEST EFFORTS??

Any advice that you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Kaneisha Grayson]

Hi SouperMBA,

I can tell you with 100% confidence that it is more important to apply when your applications reflect your best efforts.

You SHOULD NOT try and write your essays in less than two weeks while also trying to study for the GMAT. You'll end up compromising your GMAT score AND your essays! In fact, you may find yourself challenged to comfortably meet the deadlines for six schools by January.

My suggested action plan for you is:

Spend a Saturday writing first drafts of as many of your essays as you can. You need to write as freely as you can without worrying about using the right words, saying exactly the right thing, or even staying that close to the word limit. Just make sure you are answering the question.

On the following Sunday, send your first drafts to 3 trusted friends (at least one great writer, one who knows you well personally, and one who knows you well professionally) that have the time and desire to help edit your essays. Ask your friends to return your edited essays with his/her comments by Nov 22. Of course, I always recommend working with a reputable admissions consultant/coach but I understand that not everyone has the money/desire to use one.

While your essays are being edited by someone else, you are free to focus exclusively on your GMAT prep until Nov. 22. Take your GMAT on Nov. 22, after which you can focus exclusively on your essays until your mid-January deadlines.

That's my two cents. It's what I would tell you if you were paying to be my client--and you just got it for free!

Good luck!
Kaneisha