Tips For Customizing Your MBA Applications

Most MBA applicants apply to a number of schools including reach, target, and safety schools.

In fact, experts even recommend applicants to apply to roughly four to six schools.

Writing multiple essays for different applications can be tedious. Often applicants will find a way to write the same essay but simply swap out the names of the schools.

Experts say this strategy won’t get you anywhere.

Amy Hugo, an Expert Coach at Fortuna Admissions and former manager of admissions and recruitment at London Business School, recently discussed why simply copying and pasting an essay won’t cut it and how applicants can actually customize their essay for each school that they’re applying.

“What’s essential in crafting each application is making each school believe that they’re your first choice,” Hugo writes. “Of course, programs know that you’re applying to other programs – they expect that and it’s a sensible thing to do. But to win their acceptance, show them the love. This means going the extra mile to prove you understand a school’s unique culture and values, and that you’ve given considered thought both to how you’ll contribute to their community what you hope to gain from it.”

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Hugo stresses the importance of doing your research when it comes to each school.

This means going beyond what’s simply listed on the website but really looking for the differentiators in what makes each school valuable.

“This level of awareness and detail can and should come across in your application,” Hugo writes. “Cite specifics that are relevant to your career vision and goals – specializations, electives, clubs and the myriad of opportunities that will be available to you.”

MAKE CONNECTIONS

It can also be helpful to build meaningful connections with people in your target b-school community.

Hugo recommends that applicants reach out to students and alumni or even asking the admissions team to put you in touch with someone so you can learn more about the program.

“As you do, ask intelligent questions that help you learn what the school cares about and what it’s looking for in new members of its community,” Hugo writes. “It really shows when someone has spoken with alumni and students, and you can even drop names in your application.”

HELP YOUR RECOMMENDERS HELP YOU

Recommendations are an integral part of the MBA application. Thus, Hugo recommends applicants to brief their recommenders on their application for a specific school.

“Meet with your recommenders and talk to them about your vision, your goals and how this program in particular is going to help you take the next leap in your career,” Hugo writes. “This important groundwork will allow your recommenders to include specific snippets that might resonate with your school in their recommendation letter.”