5 Tips for Getting into the Best Business Schools Here are five things that you need to start focusing on now. Doing so will help you build up the credentials you need to gain admission to some of the best business schools! 1. Research First, research specific MBA programs. Which schools interest you? Which programs will best support your long-term career goals? Where do you want to live? Your MBA program will typically last two years—and, as Business Week points out, location can determine factors like job placement, prestige, and opportunities to network—so you want to make sure to go somewhere you will feel happy and fulfilled, both personally and professionally. Second, familiarize yourself with the admissions exams. While the GMAT is still the standard admissions exam for over 6,000 MBA programs, many top programs have also started to accept the GRE. In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, about one in five applicants of Yale’s School of Management submitted GRE scores. This is just one example of the things you should be researching, but learning about both the GMAT and the GRE will help you determine which one you should take when you’re applying to the best business schools for you. 2. GPA Your GPA is one of the first things that top MBA programs will see in your application. Make sure you keep that GPA as high as possible, especially in classes related to your major. As you’ll see when you start researching programs, many of them require at least a 3.0 GPA for admission. Some of the best business schools want to see at least a 3.5 GPA. The time to start building the foundation for a strong transcript starts in your first years of college. 3. Letters of Recommendation As part of your school applications, many MBA programs will ask for letters of recommendation. If you want to really stand out to the admissions committee, you have to first stand out to the people who will be writing those letters. Start to build professional relationships with the managers at your internships, your supervisors at volunteering positions, and your undergraduate professors. Actively engage them regularly, asking for feedback on your work and making sure that you perform to the highest standards. Don’t be afraid to use these mentors as a resource when the time comes (or even now, since this post is all about acting early). Seek out their advice on school applications and the best business schools out there for you. You will probably find your instructors, managers, and supervisors eager to help, grateful for the trust you’re placing in them, and impressed by your active interest in your own future. 4. Extracurricular activities The Career Center at the University of Illinois stresses the importance of getting involved in intern ships and extracurricular activities. These activities “all help develop transferable skills that graduate programs and eventually employers will value—initiative, teamwork, communication, leadership, responsibility, perseverance, etc. You will also likely reflect on these extracurricular experiences when preparing your personal statement and giving interviews.” Moreover, getting involved with professional organizations as an undergraduate can help you find and network with mentors in your field early on. Some of these organizations even provide scholarships or tuition reimbursement for their members to get an MBA. 5. GMAT score (or GRE score) The GMAT and the GRE are standardized tests, one of which is almost always required for admission to most MBA programs—including those at the top business schools out there. The good news is that both of these tests are predictable and beatable. With some study and practice, you can achieve a high score. It’s never too early to begin prepping. You can utilize the official GMAT or GRE resources provided by the test makers. Take advantage of the Kaplan 20-Minute Workout. Take a free Kaplan GMAT practice test. Sign up for a Kaplan class. Your GMAT scores and GRE scores are good for up to five years, so there is no harm in taking the test sooner rather than later. In fact, it is a good idea to get it out of the way so you’re not preparing for the exam at the same time that you are working on your applications. Here’s the good news: By reading this, you’re already on your way to becoming a competitive applicant for the top MBA programs out there.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 04:52:03 +0000
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