3 Tips for Overcoming Self Doubt

The business school admissions process can bring about anxiety and self-doubt for many applicants. Compiling a list of business schools, from safety to reach, can make you question whether or not you truly deserve a seat in the MBA class.

Sophie Hilaire, an admissions consultant at Stratus Admissions Counseling, recently offered a few tips to help applicants overcome these challenges and confidently pursue their MBA dreams.

REMEMBER YOUR WHY

When self-doubt starts taking over, it can be helpful to recall why you belong in business school. Hilaire recommends reflecting on the unique perspectives and skills that you bring to the table.

“Reread glowing letters of recommendation from managers, mentors, or professors who affirm your talents and potential,” she says. “You can also ask your colleagues or close friends what they think your best qualities are–these could become key items in your essays down the line. Many programs will ask how you plan to contribute to their incoming class, so if you’re armed with a list of traits those closest to you can already vouch for, chances are you won’t be hurting for specific examples to bring those traits to life in your essays. Most importantly, tune your inner dialogue to highlight your core competencies rather than perceived shortcomings.”

CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY

It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this process—and many people may be sharing the same doubts as you.

“Almost everyone there is navigating the same space as you and is feeling the exact same way,” Hilaire says. “Sometimes just voicing self-doubts out loud can lessen their power over you. And hearing ‘I’ve been there, too!’ from others will help normalize feelings of inadequacy.”

UTILIZE A GROWTH MINDSET

Self-doubts are a normal part of the admissions process. How you respond to these doubts makes all the difference.

“A little nervous energy shows you care, so funnel it into genuine passion and drive,” Hilaire says. “When doubts around belonging arise, get curious about what you’ll learn or how you’ll grow rather than fixating on some arbitrary admissions metric you don’t meet. Approaching the process from a growth mindset makes it an exciting opportunity, not just a hurdle.”

Sources: Stratus Admissions Counseling, Association of MBAs