Ten Critical MBA Application Tips (and not the ones you might think)
Dr. Don Martin
During the 28 years I served as a Dean of Admissions, I reviewed approximately 125,000 applications (eleven of those years were spent at Chicago Booth, where I personally made final decisions for over 80,000 full time MBA applications.). Over that time, I met tens of thousands of prospective students from more than 50 countries. Gradually I came to believe that there were several important tips that many were not being given. Below you will find ten of what I consider to be truly the most important tips as it relates to the MBA application process.
Why are you doing this? If it is just about the money, you need to expand your thinking. I’ve met countless MBA graduates who are extremely unhappy, and for whom the lure of wealth became a recipe for disaster. Your reasons for pursuing an MBA, or any sort of graduate education for that matter, should have the monetary benefits last on your list, not first.
You do not have to be superman or superwoman. Contrary to what many admissions committees lead you to believe, you simply need to be yourself. Do not try and take on another persona. It will become very apparent when you do, and the reaction will not be to your advantage. As Oscar Wilde so adequately said, “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.”
Consider rankings, but do not focus on them as the only criteria to determine your list of options or the rank order of that list. This is by far one of the biggest mistakes prospective business school students make. There is absolutely nostatistical evidence that your ultimate career success is directly tied to the rank of the MBA program from which you graduated. More about this later.
Take word of mouth for what it is – word of mouth. This is the second biggest mistake prospective business school students make. Remember: This is your educational and career path, not that of your advisor, parents, significant other, friends, or co-workers. While these individuals can be well meaning, they should never be permitted to dictate your decisions and plans. Ultimately, that is for you alone to determine.
Do your research! Make sure you know about each individual MBA program to which you will be applying. Follow directions. Answer every essay question. And when asked why you want to attend a particular business school, your reasons should apply to that program, only – not to any other.
Remember: The evaluation process is a two-way street. As you are evaluating the institutions you are interested in, they are evaluating you. Every contact you have will make an impression, for better or for worse.
Make sure you send application materials to the right institution… I cannot emphasize this enough. Many applicants send essays for one program to the admissions committee for another. When this happens, the chances for admission drop considerably.
Be calm, confident, and professional at all times. Do not over-react if something goes wrong. Do not expect perfection from admissions committees. If they make a mistake, be gracious. And remember: There is a big difference between confidence and conceit; between being professional and being pompous. You need to be prepared to put your best foot forward as an applicant, but that does not mean being rude, argumentative, or arrogant.
Be appreciative. Say thank you. Smile. This is huge! As they say, you do not get a second chance to make a first impression. And as we know, first impressions become lasting impressions.
Remember: Your ultimate success in life is due to you, not to where you studied. This is one of my favorite quotes: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”–Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, 1872-1933
Be sure to check out Dr. Don’s book, “Road Map for Graduate Study, A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students,” on the Grad School Road Map website. If interested, go to The Book page on the site, scroll down, click on the Order Now box, and for a reduced price, use discount code GSRM.
