Apply MBA
Applying successfully to an MBA program is straightforward but not easy. Any application for business school requires a demonstration of clear thinking, clever planning, and a steadfast resolve to show why you're an excellent candidate.
Each business school has its own unique set of application requirements, which means you'll need to read instructions carefully and think of different ways to demonstrate your abilities to the target admissions audience. Here are some key tips on how to apply.
While each business school has entry criteria to help ferret out candidates, almost all MBA programs require the following:
- An application form
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- An essay
- Letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
- Standardized test scores
- A personal interview
- Financial aid application
The MBA Application Form
Your completed application form is the first document a business school reads, and it can be a deal-breaker if you're careless in preparing it. Application forms can include a personal biography and a list of personal, academic, and professional accomplishments.
You may want to make photocopies of the application forms before you start, since you may make errors in filling them out. Create several drafts of your statements on your computer so you can revise them. Use straightforward language and do not try to impress anyone by gilding the lily. Your accomplishments should speak for themselves. Even though you use a spell checker, be sure to have someone you trust read through everything, searching for typos or grammatical errors. Then complete the form.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Some business schools take a close look at your resume--not only at job history, relevant content, and clarity, but at your business presentation. Read application instructions carefully, since many MBA programs spell out precisely what they're looking for in this document. List your work experience chronologically or by skill set. If you're submitting a CV, follow academic formatting. You may want to search online for resume models to copy.
Application Essay
Not every business school considers the essay a vital component--but most do. Before you write a word, be sure you have read the instructions carefully, since many MBA applications require specific essay topics. Here's the best tip of all: address the topic squarely, add no filler, and do not stray from the required subject.
You'll need to write a unique essay for each school to which you apply. Some typical topics include:
- Why are you applying to business school?
- What are your career goals?
- Why have you chosen this MBA program?
Letters of Recommendation
Reference letters should be written only by people with a business or academic orientation, and who are directly familiar with your work and accomplishments. The application may require them to address specific topics, but also be sure to ask your prospects to provide clear examples of your strengths and potential. Ask them to cover:
- How long they have known you and in which capacity
- What strengths distinguish you, and what your best qualities are
- How you interact with others
- Specific examples of how you have impacted business, academic, or personal projects and relationships.
Transcripts
Round up transcripts from every academic institution you attended, whether you graduated or not. Be sure to request these early enough to meet the application deadline, or you can jeopardize your acceptance.
Standardized Test Scores
You'll need to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and submit your scores to get into an MBA program. Some business schools place high value on your scores; others are more interested in your combined academic and work experience. If you already have a sub-par grade point average, you can boost your chances by doing well on the GMAT. A high score, however, is no guarantee that you'll be accepted into an MBA program. If you want to increase your chances of scoring well, take a GMAT preparation course.
The Personal Interview
Many business schools require interviews, while others allow candidates the option of skipping it. If you don't interview well, you may want to avoid this option. But if you're well-spoken, this is a great opportunity to enhance your application.
Want to know how to excel in your interview? Relax. In most cases, a school will not ask you in to interview unless they already were satisfied with your test scores, your application, and your letters of recommendation. Here are some tips:
- Dress appropriately in formal business attire
- Speak candidly about your strengths, with assurance
- Don't stretch or pad your accomplishments
- Be friendly
Financial Aid Application
If you've decided to attend business school, don't wait to complete your applications for financial aid. There are deadlines for scholarship committees, lenders, and grant institutions, so you'll want to coordinate your efforts in applying to an MBA program with seeking financial assistance.
Options include government and private student loans, but government programs usually offer more favorable terms. Federal Stafford Loans are fixed-rate, graduate-school loans with a life-time ceiling up to $138,500. They may be subsidized based on student financial need. Federal Graduate PLUS loans are fixed at 8.5 percent and can be taken up to the full cost of your business school education, less previous loan amounts.
MBA
Career in MBA:
Upon completion, an MBA leads to responsible positions in business, taking critical managerial decisions that lead to the growth of any top-notch organization. MBA programs are run throughout the world, because their relevance is across industries, business sectors and economies. And what’s more, this exciting profile comes with an even more exciting pay packet.
Advantage MBA
Open newer avenues: An MBA provides the modern manager with tools and skills needed to identify new opportunities for organizational success. MBA programs are designed to make one aware of different approaches that have traditionally helped in managing organizations.
Understand business dynamics better: An MBA provides a person with the ability to understand the nuances of business and the dynamics involved in managing it. An MBA is useful for anyone who wants to refocus his or her career.
Get Picked by the Best
The foremost traits that corporate recruiters look for and find in MBA candidates are:
- Sound communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to analyze and strategize
- Leadership skills
Call it the effect of globalization or to combat competition, companies today are taking all measures to ensure professional conduct in all aspects of their functioning. These changes in the business environment have a natural and direct correlation with the kind of people that are hired to run companies, irrespective of the fact that they are naïve graduates or experienced racehorses.
MBAs Remain the Top Choice
It is perceived that certain professional characteristics are innately present in most MBA recruits:
- Emphasis on professionalism
- Stress on deliverables and deadlines
- Better understanding of a company’s integrated functionality
- Internationally mobile and sensitive to cultural diversity
Identify the MBA in You
Self-assessment
Self-assessment should be the first step in any major career or life altering decision. Take time to reflect on your experiences, your abilities and your ambitions. Understand your career path; the planning and the timeline required to achieve it. Assuming that the MBA will help you achieve your goals, what is it that you want to learn and gain through an MBA program? If you self-assess well, you'll be in a better position to understand your strengths and opportunities.
Define your career path
To understand where you see yourself a few years from now, the most important step is to define your career path; what are the choices you plan to make to take charge and further your goals?
What makes a good MBA candidate?
Apart from possessing a good aptitude, there are a number of other qualities that top B-schools look for before selecting a student. There’s a lot you can do to show the B-schools what a good candidate you are, but you need to be clear about your own abilities and goals. Are you honest and sincere? Do you have enough knowledge about the school and the course that you are applying for? How focused are you with respect to your career goals?
The Other Side of the Coin: The MBA Life
As in all careers, there is a flip side to being an MBA. Though not a huge deterrent, one should know about the life of an MBA as well.
A bit of a reality check here, but the personal life of most MBAs especially during their training period and formative years in an organization is extremely hectic. One of the primary reasons being: high performance pressure. Most MBAs are at the helm of affairs for business concerns involving decision and policy making that demands a lot physically and mentally. The ones spearheading departments are responsible for what the whole team does, and every decision you take affects not just you, but often your entire team and impacts the entire organization.
But then, what's life without challenges? If you feel that you are made for tackling life head-on, and are excited about your work being meaningful, what are you waiting for? An MBA is a great first step towards your dream destination.
GMAT
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), is standardized exam given at various locations in the United States and Canada and around the world. Throughout North America and many international locations, the GMAT is administered only via computer. In those international locations where an extensive network of computers has not yet been established, the GMAT is offered either at temporary computer-based testing centers on a limited schedule or as a paper-based test (given once or twice a year) at local testing centers. GMAT is the most popular standardized test, Thousands of graduate management programs around the world use the GMAT for the evaluation of prospect student for admission in business studies (MBA and BBA).
The GMAT exam is power tool for admissions professionals
Thousands of graduate management programs around the world use the Graduate Management Admission Test in their admissions process. You may be considering whether your program should adopt the GMAT exam, as well.
Interest in graduate management education has never been higher, and the job of selecting a class to fill the limited capacity of most MBA programs has never been more challenging. The applicants come from different countries, cultures, academic backgrounds, and levels of work experience. Using the GMAT exam gives admissions professionals one element of the application that is a consistent measure. The GMAT exam is given under standard conditions around the world, with the highest level of security, to ensure that scores are comparable across applicants.
The GMAT exam is accessible to students around the world
The GMAT exam is conducted throughout the year in more than 150 countries around the world. Combination of permanent and mobile test centers creates access for virtually every prospective applicant. Online registration in most locations makes the process of registering for the test fast and easy.
Register for GMAT
With computer adaptive testing (CAT), registering for the GMAT is quite simple and easy. The cost to take the exam —or "appointment fee" is currently $250. The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) takes most major credit cards, personal checks, and money orders.
