Applying in 2023? This is what you should be doing today.

 

One of the most common questions we receive during this time of year is, ¨What should I be doing today if I plan to apply to an MBA program or another graduate program later this year?¨ Although Round 1 2023 MBA applications do not open for another five months, there are many things that candidates can do between now and mid-June that will undoubtedly increase their odds of success. The following is a list of our recommendations for how you can be a proactive and opportunistic applicant during this critical period.

 

1. Get your exams out of the way.

Exams like the GMAT and GRE require considerable time, effort, patience, and mental stamina. Expect to spend eight to twelve hours per week on the GMAT or GRE over three to six months. To maximize your exam results, it is important to sign up for a course if self-study is a challenge, read the study guides, monitor areas of weakness and progress with practice problems in the workbooks, take mock exams, and sit for the official test multiple times. We recommend structuring a schedule that allows for up to three official attempts to diversify certain risks, such as distractions in the testing center, technical problems, test anxiety, a bad night’s rest, or any other unexpected issues that would lead to underperformance. We also recommend scheduling the first official exam as soon as you begin studying (two to three months out). This allows you to have a clear goal in mind, set up a study schedule with a steady cadence, and avoid procrastination. Lastly, if you lack confidence or proficiency in your English abilities, we recommend incorporating a similar strategic plan during these five months for the TOEFL or IELTS exams.

2. Assess your CV and profile for gaps and weaknesses while there is still time to fix them.

Applying to a graduate program is a holistic process. Admissions Committee members look for candidates who demonstrate a variety of technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills and abilities across all aspects of the application. To identify potential areas of weakness, you must first understand which skills and abilities these Admissions Committee members like to see. In addition to visiting each program’s website or looking online for interviews with Admissions Committee directors, we recommend paying close attention to each school's Letter of Recommendation prompts (available on Clear Admit). For example, with MBA applications, recommenders are typically asked to grade candidates based on the following:

  • Awareness of Others

  • Humility

  • Adaptability and Resilience

  • Imagination, Creativity, and Curiosity

  • Initiative

  • Trustworthiness and Integrity

  • Interpersonal Skills with Subordinates, Peers, and Superiors

  • Leading or Managing Teams

  • Maturity

  • Self-awareness

  • Self-confidence

  • Teamwork, Influence, and Collaboration

  • Listening

  • Quantitative Aptitude and Analytical Thinking

  • Verbal Communication

  • Results Orientation

  • Strategic Orientation

  • Problem-Solving

  • Developing Others

If, for whatever reason, you are unable to think of at least a few solid examples (professional, academic, or personal) to demonstrate each of these abilities, now is the time to start looking for opportunities at or outside of work to fill in the gaps. Finally, make sure that you have been involved in at least one DEI-related initiative at or outside of work. Many schools will ask about your involvement in DEI-related efforts at some point in the application and interview process.

 

3. Join the distribution lists of your target programs, attend webinars and online events, and reach out to current students and alumni.

Engaging with the Admissions Committee, current students, and alumni is arguably the most important component of the school research and selection process. Through these events and conversations, you will put yourself on the radar of the Admissions Committee, educate yourself on the unique aspects of each program, build a network, and create personal anecdotes that will serve you well in the essays and interviews. For some programs (e.g., LBS), you will be specifically asked to write about your conversations with alumni or current students within the application form. For other programs, the ¨Why our school?¨ essay question will present the perfect opportunity to show you went above and beyond just visiting the school’s website. 

 

4. Think about your potential recommenders and how to develop those relationships.

Although it may be too early to formally mention your application plans to your direct boss or other potential recommenders, it is never too early to work on these relationships or to make the extra effort to exceed their expectations. When opportunities present themselves at work, think about how to stand out from your peer group. When asked to do something tedious or unenjoyable, pay close attention to your attitude and behavior. We all suffer from recency bias. Your ability to excel during these next few months will be what your recommenders remember when you finally ask them to write your recommendations. Also, when they eventually sit down to write the letter, they will be more likely to rank you well and to provide strong evidence-based examples of what separates you from your peers, two key components of a successful letter of recommendation.

 

5. Take time for self-reflection and introspection.

Every successful application requires self-reflection and introspection to craft an impactful narrative connecting your past, present, and future. In the case of the Harvard and Stanford MBA applications, these reflections serve as the foundation for personal essays such as ¨What more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?¨  These programs are interested in understanding your motivations, values, and influences on a much deeper level.   They want you to peel back the layers of your life to identify what matters most to you, how you arrived at where you are today, and who you are at your core as a human being. Answering such profound questions is not an easy task. In fact, most of us have never taken the time to think about what has guided or defined our lives and decision-making processes. Based on our experiences advising applicants, we understand how important it is to be patient with this reflection process. As such, we recommend finding a quiet place where you can relax and let your mind wander for a little while before the applications open.

 

6. Look at past applications and essays for your target schools. 

For most programs, applications do not change significantly from one year to the next. While Admissions Committees may tweak an essay’s word count or phrasing, they typically do not change their criteria regarding what they look for in candidates. With this in mind, we recommend that you review past applications, essay questions, and application tips (HBS tips) for your target schools before the 2022 cycle opens. Familiarizing yourself with these questions will allow you to identify the most likely components of each application and potentially overlapping essays between programs. When the applications finally go live in mid-June, you should be ready to effectively manage the three-month window and apply to each of your target schools in the first round.

7. Commit yourself to the process.

The MBA application process is an emotional rollercoaster that requires tremendous commitment and discipline. There’s a lot to do over the next nine months to get an application to where it needs to be to compete for a place at a top MBA program. Achieving a standardized test score in the top 10% (or 15%) of global test takers, writing great essays, and executing the rest of your application to perfection are all unique and complex challenges. Each one involves making significant sacrifices over an extended period. However, in the end, we promise you it will all be worth it!

Conclusion

If done correctly, the work you put in over the next five months will meaningfully improve your chances of acceptance at the top programs in the world. For schools with acceptance rates below 20%, it is essential to outwork your competition, be strategic in your approach, and check as many boxes as possible. In our opinion, each one of these suggestions addresses an important and unique aspect of the holistic application process. We hope that these recommendations have been insightful, and, as always, we would love the opportunity to learn more about where you dream of going and how we can help you get there. Please feel to reach out to us either by email at contact@azuladvisors.com or by clicking on the button Request A Free Analysis. We look forward to hearing from you!