If you are applying to business school in 2015, this is the perfect time to start refining your candidacy. North Star’s clients are currently working on these five components.
- Clarifying their goals, and identifying specific post-MBA positions.
Successful candidates are able to articulate why they need an MBA, and to pinpoint the type of role that they are looking for after graduation. It’s not enough to say that you want to go into marketing – you need to tell them that you want to work in CPG for a global company like Mars. Start investigating post-MBA roles, and identify positions and companies of interest.
- Researching a broad range of schools.
This is a perfect time to conduct school research. Please keep an open mind, and consider stretch schools as well as those that are more accessible. Look online, attend receptions, and talk to students and alums.
- Getting their testing out of the way.
One of the biggest mistakes that applicants make is leaving the testing until the last minute. Most people take the exam at least twice, so starting now gives you enough time to do so. If you are just starting the process, I suggest taking a practice GRE as well as a practice GMAT in order to see which test feels more intuitive.
- Considering additional quantitative courses.
If you haven’t taken many quantitative courses, or didn’t do well in them, it can be helpful to enroll in supplemental classes now and submit strong grades when you apply. Calculus, statistics, accounting and micro and macro economics are good options.
- Revising their resumes.
The most effective business school application resumes are often quite different from professional ones, especially if you are coming from a technical or a non-traditional field. Revise your resume now so that you are highlighting progression and transferrable skills, and telling a clear professional and personal story.
