If getting an MBA is in your future, every day counts as you build your business school profile. Whether you intend to apply to MBA programs next year or several years from now, you should take time NOW to plan your next steps so your profile will be competitive.
Here are 14 tips to guide your actions and decisions before you apply to business school:
1. Prepare for the academics.
MBA cohorts bring together students with a very diverse mix of academic backgrounds, and this diversity creates a robust learning environment. Although applicants who have studied economics, business, engineering, or accounting are often well equipped to perform in a business school classroom, students who pursued degrees in the humanities may need additional preparation. If you haven’t taken a math class since high school, consider enrolling in a pre-MBA math course so you can dust off your quant skills and be ready to hit the ground running. (Looking for other ways to flex your quant skills? See “Five Tips to Build Your Quantitative Profile.”) If your undergrad performance was less than stellar, look for ways to show the admissions committee that you will be a more confident student in their MBA program. (See “Can I Get into a Top MBA Program with a Low GPA?” for insight on demonstrating your preparedness for the rigor of an MBA program.)
2. Put the GMAT/GRE behind you.
Post-pandemic, several top MBA programs have continued to offer potential applicants an opportunity to request a standardized test waiver. Don’t count on this to be the case moving forward.
You don’t want to be working on your applications while studying for and taking your standardized test. Test scores are valid for five years, so don’t worry about taking the test too early. Nearly all MBA programs are truly test agnostic, so you should take the test on which you will perform the best. (See “GMAT, GRE, or Even EA—Which Test Should I Take?” for more information on selecting a standardized test.) Once you decide which test is best for you, create a study plan and then execute it—and remember that there is no shame in taking the test more than once!
Don’t wait until you are struggling to reach out for help with test preparation. Charles Bibilos from GMAT Ninja notes that “for many test-takers, the main problem is bad test-taking habits that lead to sloppy errors, bad time management, or inconsistent approaches to questions.” If this might be you, ask for help NOW.
3. Strive for outstanding performance at work.
MBA admissions committees will evaluate your professional experience based on the number of years you have worked as well as how you have progressed, what skills you have developed, and whether your experience will add a valuable and/or unique perspective to the business school classroom. What does this look like in real terms? Make sure you deliver everything that is asked of you. If you need extra help or don’t understand what is expected when given a task or project, ask for support. Identify what matters most to those who matter most in your company, and then figure out how you can become a subject matter expert and add value in that area. Keep in mind that this may be above and beyond your “day job,” at which you must excel.
4. Be open to new ideas and perspectives.
Take advantage of opportunities to meet new people and learn about their backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. This could be at work or through outside activities or travel. Learn to look at challenges and opportunities through the eyes of others. Engaging with individuals who are different from you will allow you to build your EQ (emotional quotient), which is valued in business schools because it is essential for becoming a business leader. Business schools want to assemble diverse cohorts of students who value the perspectives of others and will ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. In fact, many programs have introduced essays or questions in their recommendations that seek to understand your openness to diverse perspectives.
5. Take risks and seek growth opportunities.
Self-awareness is an asset. If you feel yourself stagnating in your role, this may be a sign that it’s time to move on. If you don’t feel prepared for business school yet, look for growth opportunities either within your current company or outside. Perhaps you want to try out a different function. Alternatively, you could explore another industry in which the skills and knowledge you have developed would be valued. Failure is not the end of the world; don’t be afraid to stretch yourself. If you stumble, find resources that will allow you to recover and learn from your missteps.
6. Consider the impact you hope to make.
Think about what you love about your work and what you would prefer to do less of. Set up informational interviews to better understand what those in more senior roles in your organization do. You could also look beyond your current company and investigate an industry or function that intrigues you. Find out how your current skills and knowledge might be used to add value in alternative roles. Take time for introspection and self-reflection. What motivates you? What impact do you hope to have in the world? These are big questions that you can’t answer in a single sitting. An MBA can serve as a way to bridge the skills and knowledge you have developed in your day job as you transition to a role about which you are more passionate.
7. Ask questions and listen to understand.
Be an active participant in meetings. Take notes so you can ask clarifying questions. If you are not engaged, your manager may sense that you are not interested or don’t understand. As you listen to others, don’t just listen for the purpose of responding to what they are saying; listen with the intent of truly understanding their perspective. Flexing these skills now will help you to develop as a leader.
8. Observe and make note of leadership qualities.
Pay close attention to leaders in your organization. What traits do you admire? What do you wish they did differently? Look for ways to develop your leadership skills. You don’t need to have a formal leadership role; you can lead in a variety of ways. Perhaps equally important, be aware of leaders who are less effective and understand why. Document what you witness so you can avoid similar behaviors.
9. Ask for constructive feedback.
Your recommenders will be asked to share details about a time when they offered you constructive feedback and how you handled it. Make a habit of asking for feedback, internalizing what you hear, and making a plan to address it—and then follow up to confirm that you have addressed whatever you needed to improve on. Thank those who offer guidance on how you can improve. Some may not deliver the message in the most eloquent way, so learn to discern constructive criticism when it is poorly communicated, and don’t take the delivery personally. If you are early in your career, you might be more comfortable leaning on your peers for insight with respect to how you can improve. Take a look at the Graduate Management Admission Council’s Common Letter of Recommendation to understand how your recommenders will be evaluating you.
10. Journal.
Crafting a compelling narrative for business school doesn’t happen overnight. Take time in the months and years leading up to building your MBA applications to document your short-term goals, accomplishments, achievements, and failures. Reflect on what you have learned and how you might improve. Having notes that highlight your motivations, passions, interests, and goals will enable you to quickly develop an application strategy when you get closer to applying.
11. Use your free time wisely.
In business school, you will need to juggle classes, club activities, and recruiting. MBA admissions committees will be looking for evidence that you have been able to find balance and are not one-dimensional. Working long hours can be par for the course for recent college graduates. In your limited free time, be mindful of what you do. Perhaps you want to pursue a passion project, or maybe you are committed to making a positive impact in your community. Consider the company you are keeping.
12. Create a “Yay!” folder.
In your personal email and/or a personal drive, create a folder in which you can save emails and other documentation from people singing your praises. Capture thank you emails, positive reviews, and client feedback. Look back through this periodically to see if you can observe trends. Make a habit of thanking others or congratulating them when they do a great job or go above and beyond expectations. Your felicitations might be the inspiration that someone else needs during a time of doubt or uncertainty.
13. Ask colleagues, friends, and family for input.
We are often too close to our own strengths to recognize them, yet our strengths are blatantly obvious to close contacts. Reach out to individuals who know you well and ask them to write up an anecdote that showcases when you are or were at your best. Start with your best friend and then broaden your reach to parents, siblings, high school or college friends, and teammates or colleagues. You will likely be surprised that others see things in you that you have overlooked. Think of this as your hidden potential! Save these insights in your “Yay!” folder so you can revisit them as you craft your MBA strategy.
14. Start exploring MBA programs.
It’s never too early to begin researching business schools. As a result of the pandemic, there are seemingly infinite webinars, coffee chats, and other online events that prospective students can attend. Think about what resonates with you as well as what doesn’t. Go ahead and sign up to receive emails from programs of interest to you. For now, when attending events, just listen and take notes. To get a true sense of what a program values and celebrates, follow it on social media. If you find yourself near a business school that is on your radar, swing by campus, walk around, and observe!
Not sure how to start? Connect with Stratus for a free consultation to discuss where you are now and where you see yourself in a few years.