MBA Application Planning Guide Final 5 8

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

Contents INTRODUCTION 3 STEP 1:

 YOUR EARLY PROFILE 3



Why do I want an MBA? Is now the right time for me apply? What is my background?

3 5 6



How do I prepare for test day?

7

STEP 2:

SCHOOLS AND MY STORY 8





What story do I want to tell? Where should I apply?

STEP 3:

THE KEY PIECES OF MY APPLICATION



8 9 11 11 13 14 16 16



What is an MBA resume? How do I prepare my recommenders to write a letter? How do I tackle essays? And what about those short answer questions? How do I know when I am ready to press submit?

STEP 4:

EVERYTHING ABOUT INTERVIEWS 17



How do I prep for my interviews? 17 How do I ace my interview? 20 THE ULTIMATE APPLICATION CHECKLIST 21 CONCLUSION 22 CONTRIBUTORS 22

© 2017 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). All rights reserved. GMAC®, GMAT®, GMATPrep® and Graduate Management Admission Council® are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council in the United States and other countries. Skype® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

Introduction

A

big congratulations is in order! You’ve taken a major step towards getting an MBA by registering for the GMAT® exam and downloading this guide. Now it’s time to think about the process to get into the school that is the right fit for you. The truth is the application process can be long and somewhat arduous, with many components such as taking the GMAT exam, choosing the right school for you, filling out applications, writing essays, conducting school interviews, and collecting recommendations. But you can be successful with the right steps and planning. We have gathered our best tips and advice in this guide for you to achieve your ultimate business school admission goals. We want to walk you through this multifaceted journey and prepare you to tell your best ‘MBA story’ so you can stand out from other qualified applicants. Keep in mind that your individuality is your greatest strength, and your unique story is crucial in distinguishing yourself from other candidates. Getting organized now and planning ahead will maximize all the possible opportunities to enhance your candidacy and help you showcase your unique and amazing story.

STEP 1 YOUR EARLY PROFILE Applying to business school can be a lot of work, but it can be made easier if you focus on the most important piece of the entire process: knowing who you are. This includes knowing what your goals are and why you want to go to business school now. Answer these questions early in the process to not only motivate you through weekends sacrificed to essay writing and studying, but also to equip you to complete each part of your MBA application with intent and confidence.

Why do I want an MBA? To-Dos covered: n Develop your answer to ‘Why MBA?’ Whether business school has been on your mind for years or you have only recently become interested, the first step to any successful MBA application is developing a crystal-clear understanding of why you want to go. You will be asked this question in your short answers, essays, and interviews. It’s crucial to be convinced that you want the degree, before you can begin to convince the admissions committee to admit you.

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Mba.com Application Planning Guide

There are, of course, many great reasons for pursuing an MBA. In the 2017 GMAT® Alumni Perspectives Survey, 86% of respondents said business school prepared them for leadership positions, 86% said it prepared them for their chosen career and 82% agree it increased their earning power. In addition, an overwhelming number of respondents (95%) rated their business school degree as having a good to outstanding value. You will rarely, if ever, meet someone who regrets getting an MBA. Different applicants will have varied reasons for going to business school. Some common reasons we see are: n To build skills in specific business functions (e.g. marketing, operations) n To gain leadership and management skills n To find a job with a greater social impact n To increase earning potential n To switch to a job in a different sector or industry n To gain international exposure and a global perspective n To gain access to employment opportunities in another country n To help start a new business

… and many more

Whatever your motivations are for applying to business school, make them specific. Rather than just saying you want to build skills, know which specific skills you want to build and what kind of job or company you would like to apply those skills to post business school. Also, have a clear idea of which resources provided by business schools will help you – courses, clubs, hands-on projects, etc. In other words, make sure you have a clear understanding of how getting an MBA will help you accomplish your career goals.

TRY IT OUT: Write out why you want to get an MBA. Then reference this answer as you work on your application and practice saying it with confidence as you prep for your interviews.

Why do I want an MBA (and which specific elements of the program will help me accomplish my career goals)? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

Is now the right time for me apply? To-Dos covered: n Develop your answer to ‘Why now?’ Pursuing an MBA is a major life decision. There are many considerations and possible changes to your life as you take the initial steps toward earning your degree. For example, if you pursue a full-time two-year MBA, you will likely leave your job and potentially move to a new city. Conversely, a part-time program could allow you to stay in a job you love, but could pose challenges with time-management. That’s why it is important to consider the impact an MBA may have and determine if now is the right time to consider making these changes. Answering these three questions can help you decide whether now is the right time to apply. You can access our B-School Self-Assessment Infographic for a full list of considerations: n  Is now the right time in my professional life? What are your career objectives? Are you unsure if your current job or company can help you achieve those goals? Or do you love your job and is your current employer encouraging you to apply to school so that you can return with new skills? n Is now the right time academically? Do you have the discipline and drive to be a full-time student for up to two years, or the time-management skills to balance the demands of a part-time program? What education background is preferred for your proposed career? Can you identify gaps in your background, experience or training that could stop you from reaching your goals? n Is now the right time in my personal life? How are you paying for business school or supporting yourself during your studies? How will the decision affect your family? Do you have the flexibility and desire to relocate? The latest mba.com research indicates that the top two reasons people delay their plans for business school are (1) financial reasons, and (2) personal/family reasons. So, it’s helpful to think through these questions to understand and determine with confidence that now is the right time. The good news is financial resources, such as scholarships and loans are more accessible than ever, and our families may be more flexible than we think. Of course, there will never be a perfect time to apply, but even the process of exploring an MBA can teach you a lot about yourself and your career prospects. It’s never too early to get this exploration started!

TRY IT OUT: Similar to the ‘Why an MBA?’ question, it’s helpful to write down your answer to this question for future reference in your essays and interviews.

Why is now the right time to pursue an MBA? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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Mba.com Application Planning Guide

What is my background? To-Dos covered: n Assess your background and personality n Track down your undergraduate transcript Thinking about your background and the story you want to tell is likely where you will focus most of your early preparation work. It will serve you especially well when you are writing essays in Step 2. The three components of your application background are your experience (what have you done?), your statistics (what objective metrics can the admissions committee use to evaluate you?), and your personality (who are you?). n Y  OUR EXPERIENCE: The best way to think about what you have done and what has shaped you is to think about important activities and memories from your past. Some questions to think about are:



TIP:



Now is a good time to track down your college transcript to confirm your GPA because you will need this document to fill out applications. Candidates are often surprised to learn that schools are interested in transcripts from every school they attended. Don’t wait! Find out whatschools need early and get (or order) those documents. ________________



n  Childhood and High School: What memorable stories do you have from your childhood? Who were your major influencers? What were your strengths as a child and how did they have an impact on you then? Were there major changes or transitions that you went through that changed your perspective? n College: How did you decide where to go to college? What did you major in and why? What classes did you love the most and why? What student activities were you a leader in, and how did that help you grow? What did you learn from non-academic experiences, such as an on-campus job or volunteering? n  Professional Experience: What jobs have you had since graduating from college? Why did you select these jobs? What are some challenging professional experiences you have had? Rewarding ones? How have you been a leader in your professional environment? What have you learned that’s made you better in your job? n  Community Involvement: Have you done any volunteer activities since college? Have you been a leader or had a measurable impact in any of those activities? Why did you choose to do these activities?

n YOUR STATISTICS: The two most important statistics that admissions committees use are your college GPA and your GMAT score. College transcripts and GMAT score results are the best indicators of academic success in business school. Admissions professionals want to make sure you are fully prepared to handle the academic demands of their program and that is why they ask for these important pieces of information to be included in your application. Even if your GPA is a bit lower than a school’s average, the good news is that a strong GMAT score can persuade an admissions committee of your academic aptitude. We will discuss the GMAT exam later in the guide. n YOUR PERSONALITY: No one knows you better than you do, but now is a good time to become even more self-aware. Ask close friends, family members and colleagues about what they think your strengths and weaknesses are and what would make you a good candidate for business school. It’s also a good time to take a few personality or strengths tests, like the MBTI or StrengthsFinder,to get a clearer sense of your personality. Being aware of your weaknesses can help you improve them, and playing up your unique personality strengths in the application can help you stand out!

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

TRY IT OUT: Write down what you think are your strength and weaknesses. Then add to the list as you get feedback from others. STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

1. 2. 3. 4.

How do I prepare for test day? To-dos covered: n Study for and take the GMAT exam n Re-take the GMAT (if needed) Studying for and doing well on the GMAT exam lets you show schools that you have what it takes to succeed in the business school classroom. You can do it, but you’ll need to prepare by creating a study plan, selecting the right prep method, and knowing what to expect on test day. n CREATE A STUDY PLAN  Before you start preparing a plan, download the GMAT® Handbook to learn everything you need to know about the exam and get our GMAT Prep Timeline to help you create a step-by-step study approach. It includes links to tips, products, and advice for improving your weak areas and enhancing your strengths. n PREP FOR THE TEST   Start with a download of the free GMATPrep® Software, a diagnostic tool to help you discover which areas of the exam to focus on. Many candidates choose to purchase the Official Guide for GMAT® Review, 2017 to practice with real, past GMAT exam practice questions. Visit the mba.com store for additional study materials based on your needs. Also, explore what preparation method you would like to use – study on your own, enroll in a course, or hire a tutor. n PLAN FOR TEST DAY  We suggest taking a virtual tour of the test center to know what to expect on the day of your exam. It also helps to understand what to bring and what not to bring to the test center (including proper identification). Lastly, get a good night’s rest. You’ve planned, you’ve prepared, now you’re ready! n RE-TAKE THE GMAT EXAM (if needed)  Did you feel rushed? Were you nervous? Did you struggle with certain areas? The good news is, you can always cancel your score immediately after taking the exam or 72 hours after taking the test, should you feel that it didn’t truly reflect your abilities. Also, most schools will only consider your highest score, so it may be worth it to try again. The decision to re-take the GMAT exam is a personal choice that depends on your unique situation. If you think you can do better by taking the test again, you may register for the exam on mba.com just as you registered for the first exam. For more information, download the GMAT® Handbook. You can also leverage the GMAT Enhanced Score Report (ESR) to get more information about your performance on the exam, so you can better focus future study, test-taking strategy and speak more authoritatively about your skills.

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Mba.com Application Planning Guide

STEP 2 SCHOOLS AND MY STORY This step is about taking the ‘who’ and the ‘why’ you thought about in Step 1 and turning it into a unique ‘MBA story’. This is also when you determine who your audience — the business schools you choose — will be.

What story do I want to tell? To-dos covered: n Develop your ‘MBA story’ Determining the ‘MBA story’ you want to tell through your business school application is the culmination of all the planning you have done thus far. It is how you tell the admissions committee who you are and why you want to go to business school now. Your story connects your background to your reasons for wanting an MBA now to achieve your ultimate career goals. The ‘MBA story’ you want to weave through the application is:  am a (insert key personality trait) leader with a background in (insert something “I from your background). I want to get an MBA now because it will (provide specific resources) that will help me to (insert reasons) as I strive to achieve my career goal of (insert career goal).”

TIP:

The components of:

Having a basic ‘MBA story’



ready will help you throughout the application process. However, it is important to note that many additional aspects

n Who you are (key personality trait and your background) n W hy you want to get an MBA now (reasons) n What you want to do (career goal)

 form the core of your application. Even if you never state them as directly as will you do in the ‘MBA story’ framework, it helps to have this simple story in mind as you develop your application.

of your personality and

TRY IT OUT:

background will work

My ‘MBA story’

themselves into your eventual application. After

I am a ___________________________________ leader with a background

all, a candidate is typically

in ___________________________________________________________________.

successful because of the

I want to get an MBA now because it will provide ____________________

entire portfolio that they have created through their life and work. ____________________

that will help me to ______________________________________________ as I strive to achieve my career goal of ________________________________.

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

Where should I apply? To-dos covered: n Visit schools and observe a class n Develop answers to ‘Why this school?’ n Choose and finalize list of schools where you will apply n Review online admissions criteria at each school

n

VISIT SCHOOLS AND ANSWER ‘WHY THIS SCHOOL’

First, evaluate your options and choose programs that fit your needs. Consider your interests, career goals, and learning style. There are more degree opportunities and choices than ever before so be sure to explore all your options. The School Finder tool on mba.com can help with that. Once you have narrowed down a few business schools, we recommend visiting as many as you can. These campus visits will give you the best chance to learn about the program and to determine whether you would be a good fit there. While on campus, be sure to attend a class. That’s the best way to talk to faculty and students as well as observe what the program is like. These class experiences will help you answer the question ‘Why this school?’ and you can talk about them in your essays and interviews.

TIP: Should a school visit not be feasible, don’t panic! There are many other ways to learn about a school’s offerings and culture. For example, many programs offer interactive webinars, student blogs, program overviews, and opportunities to connect with student ambassadors that can help you determine if you’re a good fit from afar. _____________________

n NARROW DOWN THE LIST  It’s important to narrow the list of schools you will be applying to because each school requires its own separate application and essay(s). You want to ensure that each individual application gets your best effort. If you start early, consider a plan that allows you to apply to the schools in both the first and second rounds of application deadlines.  Another reason to narrow your list of schools early is to allow adequate time to learn about them. Most admissions committees care a great deal about your cultural fit with their program. To convince the schools (and yourself!) that you are a good fit, you need to learn about the school by engaging fully. n REVIEW ADMISSIONS CRITERIA  Each school usually posts a page in the admissions section of their website about who they are looking for in their MBA class. Be sure to find this page for each school! If you can’t find it, don’t be shy about reaching out to the school to ask! Although your ‘MBA story’ should be the same for each school, different schools look for distinctive characteristics. So, for one school you may want to talk more about examples of you being a leader whereas for other schools you may want to highlight examples of your creativity and intellectual curiosity.

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Mba.com Application Planning Guide

TRY IT OUT: Which schools will you be applying to? SCHOOL



APPLICATION DEADLINE

1. 2. 3. 4.

Why do you want to go this school? Be specific and create a list for each school. Top 5 reasons I want to go to __________________________ school are: 1. ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

STEP 3 THE KEY PIECES OF MY APPLICATION Step 3 is where the actual, concrete storytelling begins. Your recommendations, resume, essays, and short answers are where the admissions committees have the first opportunity to hear your unique story and truly understand what differentiates you from everyone else in the candidate pool.

What is an MBA resume? To-dos covered: n Create 1-page MBA resume Equipped with your ‘MBA story,’ you can use your resume to highlight all the accomplishments that have shaped you and your career path. The resume is a snapshot of the achievements you’re proudest of, and therefore it needs to be carefully crafted to illustrate those aspects. It is also likely to be the first document that the admissions committee examines thoroughly. Think of it as a comprehensive introduction to you and your first opportunity to shine!

OUR TOP 10 RESUME TIPS: 1.

2.

MBA resumes are one page. Whether you have been in the workforce for 10 months or 10 years, all the admissions committee wants to see is one page. The information does not need to be as comprehensive as traditional professional resumes or Curricula Vitae (CVs). Keep your language simple. Your language should still be readable to someone completely unfamiliar with your company or industry, especially if you work in a highly-specialized role or technically complex field. Stay away from complex jargon or acronyms an outsider wouldn’t understand!!

3.  Be wise with your bullets. As one admissions consultant says, “the bullets are the heart of the resume.” Put the most bullets points in your most important areas (e.g. your current job) and aim to keep any one bullet to two lines. 4.   Make sure each bullet point shows an outcome. Schools are less interested in what exactly you have done and are more interested in the impact you have made with your actions. Don’t just simply say “built sales program,” instead say “built sales program that increased revenues by X.” 5.  Go easy on the margins and spacing. No one wants to read a resume that doesn’t have some white space. Don’t squish everything together and always aim for 0.75 to 1.0 inch margins. 6.  Stay away from small or funky fonts. Try to keep the body font around size 11 and do NOT use a non-standard font. Stick with the classics – Arial or Times New Roman. 7.  The majority of the page should be for your ‘must have’ sections. These sections are for ‘Work experience’ and ‘Education.’ In the education section, you can list more than just your degree and your GPA, especially if you have been out of college for less than five years. Make sure to include select college leadership activities and awards.

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Mba.com Application Planning Guide

8.  R  emember ‘helpful’ sections. Don’t forget to include 1-2 sections that highlight your extracurricular activities or additional abilities, labeled ‘Hobbies,’ ‘Community Leadership’, ‘Skills,’ or simply use an ‘Additional Information’ section to contain all three. They help to showcase your personality and commitments you’ve made. 9.  Ruthlessly prune your content. Ask two questions for each bullet point: (1) does this contribute to telling my story? (2) will this differentiate me from other business school candidates? The answer should be yes to at least one question! 10.  Ask someone else to review your resume. Your resume is the easiest place to make small errors. Have someone else proofread it to ensure there are no grammar and spelling mistakes.

TIP: Resumes for U.S. business schools do not ask for information that can be common in other countries. For example, personal details such as age or marital status are not considered appropriate to include.

TRY IT OUT: Write out what some of the key bullets would be for your two most recent jobs. [COMPANY NAME] [Your title]

[Company location] [Start month/Start year – Present]

• _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________

[COMPANY NAME] [Your title]

[Company location] [Start month/Start year – Present]

• _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________ • _______________________________________________________________________________________

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

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How do I prepare my recommenders to write a letter? To-dos covered: n Identify your recommenders n Create materials to prepare recommenders and share with them Think of your recommenders as additional storytellers for you. Their role is to confirm and complement the story you are telling. Although they should always be the ones to do the letter writing, there is some work you can do to help prepare them for this important task, especially if they have never written a business school recommendation before. Your first task is to select your recommenders. Most schools ask for two recommendations, one of whom is a current supervisor. The other recommendation is often also professional (e.g. someone who knows you from work), however, it can also be someone who has been in a leadership role with an organization that you have volunteered with on a consistent basis. Recommendations do take some time to complete, so be sure to ask your recommenders early.  ext, you’ll want to prepare materials to help them understand your story. Fortunately, you can leverage a lot of N the work you already did in Steps 1 and 2 to develop these materials. Consider preparing a Word document or a PowerPoint slide deck with a one page/slide dedicated to your ‘MBA story’ and all the work you did in Step 1 and another page/slide about each school – why you want to go there and what the relevant deadlines are.  he best recommendation letters cite specific examples of when you were a strong performer rather than just T stating that you are a strong performer. Consider an additional page/slide that lists some specific examples of when you were a strong leader, when you acted upon feedback well, which weaknesses you have improved upon, etc. Be sure to give these materials to your recommender at least five to six weeks ahead of the application deadline to give them adequate writing time. It may also be helpful to set up a call or in person discussion with them to answer any questions before they start writing, and to actively manage them priority to the deadline. Recommenders are often busy professionals, and even the most well-meaning person might forget about an upcoming deadline! For this reason, you may also want to have back-up recommenders in mind. Should your first choice have a chance of circumstance where they are unable to deliver, it will make you more confident to have a clear backup option in mind.

TIP: If you are looking for specific advice to offer your recommenders, along with the materials you’re going to share, you can direct them to this guidance, prepared by the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants, in collaboration with a number of business schools.

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TRY IT OUT: Now it’s your turn to start thinking about your recommenders by filling out the table below:

Recommender name and job title

Elements of your story you want them to cover

Specific examples of you as a strong performer

1.

2.

3.

How do I tackle essays? To-dos covered: n Read online advice about specific school essay prompts n Create story map for essays n Draft and refine essays

TIP: If you ask friends or mentors to read your essay drafts, ask them if the essay reflects who you are and if your ‘MBA story’ comes across clearly. Since some essay topics can be quite broad, it’s important to be clear about the key points of your candidacy and not ramble on about disconnected topics.

 he first step in tackling essays is to read the free essay tips and advice offered T by online graduate business education resources, like Poets and Quants and Clear Admit. They can provide great advice on how to navigate the specifics of each schools’ essay prompts. This will help you avoid the common mistake of not actually answering the prompt. Your ‘MBA story’ should come across in any essay you write, but your priority should be to fully address the question(s) asked in the prompt.  nce you learn about the prompts, but before you start writing, we suggest O going through a story mapping exercise. To communicate the themes of your ‘MBA story’ in your essays, you want to demonstrate these themes through examples, not merely with direct statements like “I am a leader” or “I want to work in operations.” For example, if your career goal is to work in management consulting, think about stories of when you helped friends build their businesses or when you worked on a consulting-type project at your current company or to help a non-profit organization. The admissions committee will be much more convinced by your application if you can back your story up with specific examples.  hen you’ve mapped out the stories to use as examples in your essays, you’re W ready to begin writing! Many candidates report that this process took longer than they anticipated. Although you may be able to draft a 500+ word essay in a matter of hours, you may need to spend double or triple that time editing or even re-writing the essay to make sure it really stands out.

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

TRY IT OUT: Now it’s your turn to do some simple story mapping as your brainstorm for your essays:

Possible ‘MBA story’ themes to communicate in your essays

[Insert key personality characteristic #1]

Specific examples and stories to support themes

[Insert a few stories of you demonstrating this trait] • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________

[Insert key personality characteristic #2]

[Insert a few stories of you demonstrating this trait] • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________

[Insert theme from your career background]

[Insert a few stories of you having an impact in your current career function/industry] • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________

[Insert post-MBA career goal]

[Insert a few stories of how this career goal developed] • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________ • ____________________________________________

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… And what about those short answer questions? To-dos covered: n Start and refine short answers One element of the application that candidates frequently put on the back burner is the short answer section – that is, the minor questions asked within the application form itself. Some examples of common ‘short answer’ questions may include, ‘Greatest Accomplishments’ or ‘Reason for Leaving a Job.’ While this section may not seem be as important as your essays and resume, you still want to put your best foot forward. Be concise as many schools put strict word limits on their short answer questions! Our advice is to draft your answers early and then come back to refine them once you have finished your essays and resume.

How do I know when I am ready to press submit? To-dos covered: n Carefully review every detail of your application n Submit and send your application! – Breathe a huge sigh of relief  hen you think you are ready to press submit, do yourself a favor and read everyW thing one last time. Make sure that every word is spelled correctly and every period, comma, and semicolon is in its proper place. Many schools allow you to print out a PDF version of your application before you submit. Do this and then take a red pen and identify any errors. Consider giving the document to a friend or mentor to double check everything as well.

TIP: If you are applying to multiple schools, make

Once you’ve crossed every ‘t’ and dotted every ‘i’, go ahead and press submit. Congratulations! You’ve put in so much hard work and now you are done with your application! But one more question….

How will you treat yourself after submitting your application? 1. _____________________________________________________________________

sure you have the correct school name in the essay! We’ve heard from admissions officers that this silly, yet fatal,

2. _____________________________________________________________________ 3. _____________________________________________________________________ 4. _____________________________________________________________________

mistake is more common than you’d think.

5. _____________________________________________________________________

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

STEP 4 EVERYTHING ABOUT INTERVIEWS If completing your application is about telling your story on paper, the MBA interview process is about telling your story in person. The interview gives you the opportunity to bring your story to life for the admissions committee and to show them just what a great fit you would be in their program.

How do I prep for my interviews?

To-dos covered: n Schedule interviews n Refine and practice answers to ‘Why MBA?’, ‘Why now?’ and ‘Why this school?’ n Familiarize yourself with the STAR method n Create stories with the STAR method n Conduct 2 – 4 practice interviews Some schools offer interviews to all applicants and other schools use invite-only interviews. Either way, be sure to schedule your interviews as soon as you can. This will allow you to select a comfortable interview time that gives you enough prep time. The first step in preparing for your interviews is to refine your answers to ‘Why an MBA?’, ‘Why now?’ and ‘Why this school?’ You will likely be asked some form of these three questions in an MBA interview and your answer needs to be confident and well thought out. As you refine your answers, be sure to practice what you would say aloud and in front of a mirror. You can have the best answer to ‘Why an MBA?’ on paper, but it doesn’t matter unless you can clearly and confidently communicate that answer in a live interview. In addition, many interviews contain behavioral questions to learn more about your experiences. You will likely be asked questions, like “Tell me about a time when you did X?” The STAR method is a great framework for answering these behavioral questions. It works like this:

n Situation: Describe the situation you and/or your team was in.



n Task: Describe the task that you and/or your team was given in light of the situation.



n Action: Describe the action that you specifically took to address the situation.



n Result: What outcome happened as a result of your actions.

This framework helps keep you from rambling as you answer behavioral questions, but most importantly, it drives you to think about the result or impact of your actions. Admissions committees ask you these types of questions because they want to understand how you impact the teams and organizations you are a part of. We suggest developing a few STAR examples for some key MBA interview questions, which we have provided on the following page. In addition to practice sessions in front of your mirror, we suggest you conduct between two to four practice interviews with someone who is familiar with the MBA admissions interview process. If you do too many practice interviews, you run the risk of seeming too ‘artificial’ or ‘scripted’ in your actual interview. If you don’t do enough practice interviews, you run the risk of not seeming polished enough on interview day. Two to four should be the sweet spot!

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Mba.com Application Planning Guide

TRY IT OUT: Now try building out STAR-method stories for some common questions:

Tell me about a time when…. … you demonstrated leadership SITUATION

TASK

ACTION

RESULT

ACTION

RESULT

ACTION

RESULT

… you failed at something SITUATION

TASK

… you worked with a difficult teammate SITUATION

TASK

Mba.com Application Planning Guide

… you persuaded someone SITUATION

TASK

ACTION

RESULT

ACTION

RESULT

… you set a goal and achieved it SITUATION

TASK

… you thought outside the box to solve a problem SITUATION

TASK

ACTION

RESULT

ACTION

RESULT

… you received feedback that surprised you SITUATION

TASK

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How do I ace my interview?

To-dos covered: n Conduct actual school interviews n Your application is completely done! – Breath a huge sigh of relief again

If you can interview on campus, we highly suggest going and making the most of your day there. Schools often allow you to visit classes or have programming you can participate in before your interview. Take advantage of these opportunities to learn about the school and try to relax before your upcoming interview. That being said, don’t worry if you cannot make it to campus for an interview. Schools are aware that this travel may not be possible, and you will not be penalized if you do an interview via a Skype call, in another city, etc. Once you’re about to start the conversation, here is our most important interview advice yet – don’t forget to breathe and smile! You know who you are, you know why you want to go to business school, and you have thought about many great STAR examples that demonstrate your abilities and your uniqueness. If you seem like you are relaxed and enjoying your interview, chances are your interviewer will reciprocate the feeling. After it’s over, don’t forget to send a thank you note to your interviewer. Now you can breathe another huge sigh of relief. You are completely done with your application to business school!

 So, what will you do to celebrate the great job you’ve done as you wait to hear decisions from schools?

1. __________________________________________________________________________________________



2. __________________________________________________________________________________________



3. __________________________________________________________________________________________

TIP: Share the accomplishment of completing the application process and connect with other candidates who have done the same by tagging #MBAJourney on Facebook and Twitter.

The Ultimate Application Checklist Use this list to stay on track as you prepare and keep the application process stress-free.

STEP 1

YOUR EARLY PROFILE n n n n n n n

STEP 2

SCHOOLS AND YOUR STORY n n n n n

STEP 3

Develop your ‘MBA story’ Visit schools and observe a class Choose and finalize list of school preferences Review online admissions criteria at each school Develop your answers to ‘Why this school?’

YOUR APPLICATION n n n n n n n n n

STEP 4

Register for the GMAT — Congrats! You’ve already done this. Develop your answer to ‘Why an MBA?’ Develop your answer to ‘Why now?’ Assess your background and personality Track down your undergraduate transcript Study for and take the GMAT Re-take the GMAT again (if needed)

Create 1-page MBA resume Draft and refine short answers Identify your recommenders Create materials to prepare recommenders and share with them Read online advice about specific school essay prompts Create story map for essays Draft and refine essays Carefully review every detail of your application Submit and send your application! – Breathe a huge sigh of relief

EVERYTHING ABOUT INTERVIEWS n n n n n n n

Schedule interviews Refine and practice answers to ‘Why an MBA?’, ‘Why now?’ and ‘Why this school?’ Familiarize yourself with the STAR method Create stories with the STAR method Conduct 2 – 4 practice interviews Conduct actual school interviews Your application is completely done! – Breathe a huge sigh of relief again

Conclusion The application process is finally complete! You have put everything you have into this – time, effort, creativity, not to mention the months of studying, weeks reflecting on past experiences for your MBA story and days preparing for interviews. But you must admit, all that work, introspection, and preparation, has been a revealing and personally rewarding process. You can now speak with confidence about who you are, your unique story, what you can accomplish and where you want to be in the future. With that, you are equipped for an exhilarating journey toward attending your dream school, maximizing your impact and, hopefully, changing the course of your life.

Contributors Shelby Colby Strategy Analyst; incoming MBA student Graduate Management Admission Council® Joanna Chau Content Manager Graduate Management Admission Council® Eric Chambers Director, Market Development; former admissions officer Graduate Management Admission Council® Andrea Sparrey Founder and CEO The Sparrey Consulting Group Maria Wich-Vila Founder and CEO ApplicantLab.com