Ranking Masters in Finance Programs

Make Yourself Into a Great MBA Candidate in Three Years

 

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Ever receive that advice? Like me, you were probably moving too fast, overlooking the details or underlying questions. And this caution was a reminder: The result is only as good as the process.

This same wisdom pertains to your business school application. After graduation, you probably mapped out the coming years. You’d land a decent job, build up your savings, climb the ladder, and then head back to an MBA program. Pretty good plan, actually. Just one hitch: Sometimes, we get so tangled up in the minutia – our assignments, relationships, and routine – that we forget the bigger picture. If your heart is set on business school, that means building a track record in leadership, and community service (along with a deep network).

In a recent column with Bloomberg Businessweek, Stacy Blackman, an admissions consultant and author of The MBA Application Roadmap, shared how you can position yourself for graduate school during those post-graduation years. Here are her ideas for increasing your chance for acceptance:

• Focus on Career Progression: “Have you been in the same job, at the same level, for several years? If so, take on more senior responsibilities. Volunteer to mentor a new worker. Ask to be placed on a high-level project. Or take on a job that no one else wants.

Many applicants hope that taking a new job prior to applying will round out their experience. But if it doesn’t make sense in the context of your career goals, it could do more harm than good. You want to show that you’re focused and doing what you can to progress toward your stated goals—not just focused on landing a great job.”

• Structure Your Down Time: “If your application is a little lean when it comes to meaningful activities outside of work or school, now’s the time to get involved in a cause you care about. Look for community service groups in your town. Think about activities you participated in as an undergrad and get reengaged. It’s a plus to show continuity and commitment to your interests over time.

If you’re already involved, know that the quality of your contributions is important. It’s great to have been volunteering at a soup kitchen for the past year. But if you can say that you conceived of and led a program to increase donations or raise awareness for the soup kitchen, so much the better. In and outside of work, any leadership role will be an asset.”

• Burnish Your Academic Credentials: “If you have a below-average GPA or low grades in quantitative/business classes, consider taking a course to prove that your academic skills have improved. You want to show business schools you’ll be able to handle their program, that you’ve taken steps to build skills that may have been lacking, and that you are mature enough to balance academics with other activities.”

To read all of Blackman’s insights, click on the Bloomberg Businessweek link below.

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

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