Are you finally ready to take the leap and apply for an MBA?
The application process for the MBA and that too an international one has multiple steps involved. Depending on where you want to pursue your MBA, you need to plan your MBA application a year ahead or sometime even longer.
Apart from knowing the procedure of the MBA application, you also need to understand the timelines. Also, it would help if you thought about how much time each component would take and how it will all fit into your calendar. Because this is at least a year-long process, it is a best practice to have a well-planned schedule for all the important tasks that you need to do when preparing to apply for an MBA.
Here is a list of all the things that you need to accomplish to go through your MBA application process successfully:
GMAT Study Plan :
Ideally, you should plan your first attempt at GMAT between February and April, and this leaves you enough time to prepare for a second attempt if you don’t get a desirable score or if you want to improve your score. In such cases, you can plan for your second attempt between June and July.
However, this rule may not be right for everyone. The timing of the test would highly depend on the schools you are interested in which academic cycle you are looking to pursue and other plans. Additionally, the preparation time would also vary from one person to another. Where a few people would need 4 to 5 months to prepare for the GMAT exam optimally, and others may require only a month. Whatever your preparation duration may be, it always good to start early. Give yourself at least a couple of months to prep.
Make sure you have a study plan which includes comprehensive preparation of all subjects. You can visit GMAT’s official website for a study plan, tips, and practice tests.
Timeline: February to April for First Attempt and June to July for Second Attempt
TOEFL
Students typically prefer to take TOEFL in July. Though you may have studied in the English medium, most of the universities and schools require you to submit a TOEFL score. You can always try for a TOEFL waiver, but you can’t always be sure if the university will approve your waiver. TOEFL is not a complex test, especially if you are fluent in English. However, ensure you take the well within time and keep your score ready for the MBA application.
You can get an overview of the exam on its official website.
Timeline: July
Finalizing Post-MBA Goals
Though choosing to do an MBA would naturally mean you have set post MBA career goals, it is often recommended to keep a list of goals ready as these are necessary at every stage of your application process. You may know what your goals are; however, articulating them efficiently would take up a lot of research, analyzing, and drafting.
As it is the most critical element of your application, you have to give it your best attempt and make sure your career goals will leave a mark with the admissions officers.
Timeline: January to April
Business School Research or Visit
You need to research and shortlist the best-fitted business schools. It is best if you can do this simultaneously with your GMAT preparation. Your business schools list will help you realize your ideal GMAT score. And, take advantage of GMAT’s five free schools’ option to send the score.
This step could be the most important one as not only your preparation and application process, but your career will depend on the b-schools you are targeting. Make efforts to get in contact with alumni or the student community of the colleges to learn about campus life, curriculum, and other opportunities.
If it is possible for you to visit your target schools as a part of your professional or personal trip, you should take this opportunity to know more about the culture, student life, and campus activities there. However, if you are aiming for an international business school, visiting a campus just for the research would be too expensive, hence, not recommended.
However, B-schools have been introducing new initiatives to make sure that international students are not at a disadvantage.
Timeline: March to June
Essay writing
More than your resume or test score essays, you an opportunity to showcase who you are. If you feel that your true self either professionally or personally is not coming through in the other components of the application, this is a chance you need to grab and go.
Apart from your logical and analytical skills, you need to make sure you show your growth as a person, your social and emotional side. Though this can be a very frustrating experience, you might understand yourself, your goals, and your plan better through this experience. Most R1 deadlines end between September and October.
Timeline: August to October
Planning Recommenders and Recommendations
Admission officers are looking for validations of the claims you have made in other components such as applications and essays. These recommendations generally come from your professors or peers who have seen or worked with you closely.
An excellent recommendation gives your whole application a boost, and they can clearly judge your candidature with your potential and strengths.
Mostly the recommenders would be senior working professionals who would not have enough time to write down a complete recommendation. Hence, you would need to help them considerably throughout the process. Make sure you give the recommenders a deadline much prior to your actual deadline, as they might take their time to write the recommendations for you.
Timeline: August to September
Filling Online MBA Application
Filling in the application for you’re business school should be your second step of the application process right after your GMAT exam. Depending on third party websites for the information about colleges, essay topics or details is a big no-no. Always rely on the official university website.
While filling the application, make sure you read between the lines; most b-schools have hidden questions on their application forms. If you don’t pay attention or are not prepared enough, such questions may come as a surprise to you.
A few times, these forms can very long and detailed that by the time they get to the end of it, they either run of time or get tired. Make sure your answers during the application are in sync with your essays.
Timeline: August to October
Preparing for the interview
Interviews are the only time you come face to face or get time to in-person talk and convey your opinions to the admission officers. However, don’t jump right into the interview prep just after submitting your application. Taking a few days’ break before getting to the prep can help you refresh and rejuvenate.
Of course, the serious interview preparation would only start after you get an interview invitation from the applied universities. Though adequate preparation and research are excellent, don’t over-prepare for it. Because the interview would not incorporate many technical questions, it would mostly be about your past experiences and achievements, and your future and career goals. Try to be yourself and effortless with your answers. You would need at least one to two weeks of serious preparation for your interview.
Timeline: November to January
MBA Financing Plan
Like GMAT, your need to plan your financing plan over a two time frames. International MBA programs are expensive, and you need to understand the requirements and financial options for pursuing an MBA. Firstly, you need to do enough research and learn in-details about the financial assistance a college can provide.
Secondly, talk directly to some financing agencies to understand the reality and plan your application process better. However, the financing process starts after you get admission. As this can be a time-consuming process, it would better to try to finish before the R1 deadlines.
Timeline: Current year January to March or Next year February to March
Round 2 Admission Plan
Ideally, you would want to get your admission in Round one. However, with the structure and timelines of interviews and results, you would not have much time after R1 results and before you need to start your R2 prep. Hence, to be safe, it is better to begin your R2 preparations after your R1 ends. You might want to a week or two off before you start doing this.
You always need to prepare for R2 applications, even if you did well in R1, and are sure about your results. This is one of the reasons for the long and strenuous process.
Timeline: November to January