Your Accelerated Summer MBA Application Plan
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Summer is flying by! This means that candidates hoping to meet Round 1 2021 MBA application deadlines have less than two months to develop winning applications.
In an ideal world, Personal MBA Coach clients start working on their applications 3-6+ months before their first deadline. But if that’s not you, don’t despair! With dedication and proper planning, there is still time to meeting early fall deadlines, even if you still have to take an admissions test for the first time or retest to reach your target score.
Round 1 2021 MBA application deadlines
To keep you on track, here’s a roundup of application deadlines to some of the most popular full-time MBA programs:
Your 8-week MBA application plan
There’s still time to develop very strong applications for your dream MBA programs! Here’s Personal MBA Coach’s suggested 8-week MBA application timeline.
Week 1
Admissions test planning
If you are just getting started, the first step is to solidify your testing plans. If you have not yet taken the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment, you should schedule your test and begin your test preparation ASAP.
If you have taken an admissions test, you’re off to a great start.
In this case, begin by comparing your score to the average score at your target schools to see where you stand. Keep in mind, if you come from an overrepresented demographic, you want an above-average score to be competitive.
If your score does not measure up, ask yourself if you have truly reached your potential. Have you taken the exam multiple times? Did you use a tutor to help?
Based on the answers to these questions, consider whether you should retake your chosen exam with additional preparation.
Confirm your target school list
By July, you should have a strong idea of your target schools. While one or two schools may come on or off this list later in the summer based on your ultimate GMAT/GRE/EA score, it is important that you use week 1 to solidify your list.
Take the time now to conduct online research, attend virtual tours, and speak to current students or alumni within your networks.
If you need help with how best to evaluate a school’s cultural fit, check out our recent article.
Week 2
Select and prepare your recommenders
Use week 2 to select and prepare your recommenders.
When selecting your recommenders, Personal MBA Coach advises you to consider these five guiding principles:
- Impressive titles will not wow admissions committee directors.
- Your recommender should be willing and able to take the time to write a great letter.
- The best recommenders know the candidate well.
- Select a recommender who can compare you to other candidates (if possible).
- Non-professional references can be a valid choice if you have strong extracurriculars and/or weak recommendation options at work.
Once you have selected who will write your letters of recommendation, take the time to prepare them well! Do this ASAP as well-thought-out letters take time and your recommenders are busy. For more on how to best prepare your recommenders, check out this blog from Personal MBA Coach.
Week 3
Develop your MBA resume
Keep in mind: an MBA resume differs considerably from a professional one. A professional resume shows potential employers that you have the specific skills and experiences they are looking for. You are selling your ability to do the job and should include industry-specific terminology and jargon.
An MBA resume, on the other hand, provides evidence that you have been successful and demonstrated leadership. You are selling your future potential.
Consider these four key pieces of advice as you develop your MBA resume.
- Your resume SHOULD BE a description of your job.
- Include results wherever possible.
- Highlight leadership experiences and transferable skills.
- Show multiple aspects of your profile.
Developing this resume will also require you to take stock of your accomplishments, helping you to determine what to include throughout your applications.
Weeks 4, 5, & 6
Write, write, write
While our clients often spend months writing their essays, if you are diligent (we suggest our clients send a new draft every 2 days and return edits within 2 days), this timeline is possible (depending on the number of schools you apply to).
Begin by getting your thoughts on paper. Think through your career goals, why you want an MBA, what you hope to learn from the program and what makes you unique.
Then begin drafting one question at a time. Personal MBA Coach advises you to begin with the easiest schools or questions, as your writing will improve throughout the process. However, if your timing is very tight, start with the application due first.
If you are looking for targeted help on how to handle specific essay questions, check out one of Personal MBA Coach’s free e-books: M7 Essay Analysis or Beyond the M7.
Week 7
Write out answers to the short answer questions
Do not forget to leave plenty of time to answer the short answer questions. Read each requirement carefully (for example, character limits vs word limits) and minimize repetition.
Practice video interviews
An increasing number of programs require that applicants complete video interviews/essays. For some schools, such as MIT Sloan, this video question is provided in advance and applicants submit a pre-recorded video with their applications. For other schools, including Kellogg, Yale SOM, and INSEAD, applicants are asked to record videos on the spot after submitting their applications.
Practicing for these interviews is key. However, do not write out and memorize your answer as you do not want to sound overly rehearsed. As you practice, consider factors such as audio quality, demeanor, and fluency in addition to the content itself. Personal MBA Coach has proprietary software available to help candidates prepare for these videos and includes analysis of sample videos in its comprehensive packages.
Week 8
Proofread!
Be sure to leave PLENTY of time to proofread. Whenever possible, avoid writing during the last week or two and get someone who is not familiar with your work to proof your application.