Applying To Business School While Unemployed

Every year, Personal MBA Coach speaks with clients who ask, “Can I get into business school if I was recently laid off?” And every year, the answer is: Yes! While it may be harder to achieve, it is far from impossible! 

If business school is part of your future career plans and you were recently laid off, you do not necessarily need to wait another year to apply for your MBA. Below are five tips on how you can apply this year with a reasonable chance of success.

• Optimize your time

Though it is entirely possible to get in if you were recently laid off, this is not a reason to kick back and catch up on your favorite TV show (as tempting as it may be). In your application, most of all you want to show that you are likely to succeed in the future and you are prepared to put effort into that. If you are searching for a new job, the job search itself should become your full-time occupation – network, research, interview prep, you name it. 

Furthermore, make sure you demonstrate your drive by pursuing other opportunities to grow. Take an online course, join a non-profit, take on an internship or start your own business. 

• Look for opportunities in your future career field

Regardless of how you are filling your time, you should show schools that you are taking steps NOW to achieve your post-MBA goals. This means you should fill your time with opportunities that will advance the skills you need long term. If you are going to secure a short-term role while applying to business school, you are better off taking a step down (or if you can swing it, working for free) if this will help you to grow your skills and network. In other words, consider accepting a lower-level job in your target field or doing an internship. Even volunteering in your target field is a good use of your time. This shows admissions directors that your career goals are authentic and you are willing to do what it takes to succeed long term. 

• Make sure the rest of your application shines

If you are applying after being laid off, frankly speaking, you have no excuse not to devote enough time to test prep and application development. The bar will be higher if you are applying without a job so strive to get a test score ABOVE your target school’s average. Applying while unemployed with a low test score can be a challenge. Similarly, be sure you have allocated as much effort as possible to thinking through your personal story and crafting strong essays and short answers. 

• Pay attention to your extracurriculars

Whether these extracurriculars turn into temporary full-time work or remain a side focus, having strong extracurriculars will be especially important if you are applying while unemployed. Look for ways to pick up extracurriculars you set aside while working full time or opportunities to take a leadership role within your current activities. The more you can show tangible impact outside of the office, particularly in areas that tie with your story and post-MBA plans, the better! 

• Be transparent about the layoff in your application

Layoffs happen, and admissions directors value candidates who are candid. When you fill in your employment details, almost every application allows you to state the reason for leaving, and it is okay to say that you were laid off. Then, use the optional essay to explain that you were laid off. Keep this factual; this is not the time and place for a sob story. Instead, use the remaining space in the optional essay to outline the steps you took to build up your profile – whichever tips you took from the above points, this is the place to discuss them. Again, just keep it factual. And good luck!

Need help with your MBA applications? Reach out to Personal MBA Coach today to find out how we can help you maximize your chances of success through our comprehensive packages! There is still time to submit for round 1!