The Seven Biggest Mistakes That Got Me Four Dings

5. I applied in Round 2

We’re getting into the nitty-gritty here, but I think I would have stood a better chance applying in Round 1. Many schools claim that there isn’t a difference in between rounds, but I think psychologically the applications would have weighed less on me if I had gotten them done in October. Also, I would have had a few more weeks to get more applications done had I decided to take my rejection letters and apply to another set of schools in Round 2.

TAKEAWAY: Apply when you are ready, but be ready early

6. I didn’t turn the process of applying into a habit

Applying is a lot of work. A lot more than I expected. I would have been much better off if I had planned on doing another draft of an essay every day, just like when I had studied for the GMAT every day. It is much easier to build up momentum when you are not trying to remember what inspired you last week.

To quote William Butler Yeats: “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.”

TAKEAWAY: Make the iron hot by striking

7. I didn’t connect the dots between my background, business school, and my future goals

Finally, my message could have been clearer. In my head it made sense: medical device engineer —> business school —> HEY PRESTO! Medical device entrepreneur. My applications required a few leaps of faith in order to believe that this was a realistic path that I was passionately committed to.

TAKEAWAY: Make your rationale for applying to business school crystal clear

I would love to hear what YOU think! What mistakes did you make in your applications, regardless of whether or not you were accepted?

ScottDuncanScott Duncan is a medical device engineer in his late twenties looking to transition from designing medical devices to starting and running the companies that develop them. He is sharing his MBA application journey at a blog under his own name at ScottDuncan.com.

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