Tips For Getting Into Your DREAM MBA School! (From a Wharton and Columbia Admit)

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive guide to the MBA application process, focusing on five key areas: academics, essays, resume, recommendation letters, and the application itself. It provides practical tips for excelling in each section, emphasizing the importance of a strong GPA and GMAT/GRE scores, crafting a compelling narrative in essays, highlighting achievements in resumes, and securing impactful recommendation letters. Additionally, it suggests utilizing the optional application section to address weaknesses and recommends resources like Target Test Prep for GMAT preparation.

Takeaways

• 📚 The MBA application process is a journey of self-discovery but can be stressful without guidance.
• 🎯 Academics: Admissions look for evidence of your ability to handle the academic workload and maintain school prestige through high GPA and GMAT/GRE scores.
• 📉 For those with a low GPA, a high GMAT or GRE score can help balance the application.
• 🔍 Research school-specific academic profiles to understand the target GPA and test scores.
• ✍️ Essays: Share your story, explain the need for business school, and demonstrate research into the program.
• 📝 Write down significant life events to craft a compelling narrative in your essays.
• 🎯 Tailor your application to show how an MBA aligns with your career goals and how the specific school can help you achieve them.
• 💼 Resume: Highlight notable brands and achievements to stand out to admissions committees.
• 📁 Simplify job descriptions and quantify achievements to make your resume accessible and impactful.
• 💌 Letters of Recommendation: Provide writers with a document outlining key achievements and work streams to help them write a compelling letter.
• 🤝 Choose recommendation writers who can speak to your work ethic and contributions, favoring close working relationships over seniority.
• 📋 Application Details: Create accounts early, understand the application structure, and thoughtfully answer every question to maximize your application's strength.
• 🔑 Utilize the optional application section to address any weaknesses and provide a complete picture of your profile.

Q & A

What are the five key sections of the MBA application process discussed in the script?

The five key sections of the MBA application process discussed are academics (GPA and GMAT/GRE), essays, resume, letters of recommendation, and the actual application itself.

Why are high GPA and GMAT/GRE scores important for MBA applications?

High GPA and GMAT/GRE scores are important because they indicate the applicant's ability to handle the academic course load and help business schools maintain their prestige, as reflected in class profiles.

What is the recommended minimum GPA for MBA applications?

The recommended minimum GPA for MBA applications is above a 3.5.

How can a low GPA be addressed in the MBA application?

A low GPA can be addressed in the optional section of the application by explaining the reasons, such as taking care of a sick parent or personal illness, which impacted academic performance.

What are the three things admissions teams look for in MBA application essays?

Admissions teams look for the applicant's story and motivations, the need for business school, and evidence of research into the program to ensure the application is tailored to the specific school.

Why is it beneficial to reach out to alumni or current students when applying to MBA programs?

Reaching out to alumni or current students can provide insider information about what makes each program unique, which can be used to tailor the application and essays effectively.

What is the significance of having a coherent narrative in the MBA application?

A coherent narrative that connects past experiences, present situation, and future goals is significant as it helps admissions teams understand the applicant's motivations and how an MBA fits into their career trajectory.

Why is simplicity in language important for the resume section of the MBA application?

Simplicity in language is important for the resume because it ensures that the admissions team can easily understand the applicant's professional experiences and achievements, even if they are not familiar with the specific industry jargon.

What are the three tips given for obtaining effective letters of recommendation for MBA applications?

The three tips are: creating a document for recommenders that outlines key achievements and work streams, guiding recommenders on the importance of conveying a personal connection and care for the applicant, and choosing a recommender who can write a compelling letter over a more senior one who may not provide as personal an endorsement.

How can the optional section of the MBA application be utilized effectively?

The optional section can be used to address any weaknesses in the overall application, such as a low GPA or gaps in employment, by providing context or explanations that enhance the applicant's profile.

What is the advice for MBA applicants regarding the GMAT preparation, as mentioned in the script?

The advice for GMAT preparation is to use Target Test Prep (TTP), which offers a topic-by-topic approach and is recommended for its effectiveness, as evidenced by the speaker's own experience of scoring 750 on the GMAT.