Making it to one's dream school may seem like a daunting task, but Faith Career is here to tell you that it is not. It requires preparation - serious, thoughtful preparation - often meticulously planned well ahead of the R1 deadline of one's target business school.
If you're reading it at least 5-6 months before your target business school's deadline, then grab a cup of coffee & a notepad because you'll have plenty of meaningful work to do by the time you finish reading this blog post. If you are reading this blog post right before submitting your MBA/MIM/graduate program application in R2/R3, then please know that most content written in it might not apply to you simply because you might not have the time to carry out the preparatory pointers listed below.
Please note that in addition to the points written below, it is important for you to check the minimum entry requirements for the school. These could include your undergraduate degree's GPA, your GRE/GMAT scores, your English language proficiency test score (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL), recommendation letters (and from whom - academic or professional referees). In many cases, the university's website will have information about the requirements. If you're unable to find the minimum requirements for, let's say, GMAT score, then having a look at the class profile will help you gauge your chances of getting an offer letter or an interview call from that school. To make your profile competitive, you need to surpass the minimum entry requirements and write compelling essays which build a strong case for you.
#1) Have a heart
Think beyond yourself. Care about the world around you. If you're working in an office, it might be a good idea to take an initiative, lead it, and create impact that changes the lives of those around you better at least in some ways. The initiative doesn't have to be huge (it's good if it is) if the scope is limited, but you should show the adcom how you went beyond your job description. Some of our previous students have mentored others in their organisation. Some others have participated and led/co-led training & development programs. These are some of the many ways in which you can show the MBA adcom that you're not just minding your own business in the company, but also care about those around you.
#2) Talk to yourself
Do this to really get to know yourself. Introspect and become more self-aware. This will also develop your emotional intelligence and make you emotionally mature. (And while we are at it, let's remember that more & more B-schools these days are valuing EQ way more than IQ.) Get to *really* know yourself. Think about the kind of impact that you wish to have in your career (and not only in the current job that you are doing). Ideally, it should be something that you’re proud of now and will be even when you finish your professional career. Ponder about your vision for yourself (and your plan to achieve it). Some of our students have the specified steps to work towards the vision ready, but many don't and that's fine as long as the vision remains unwavered.
#3) Share yourself
Many applicants that we have spoken to in the past 7+ years have told us that they want to write ABC or XYZ in their application essays because they think that the admissions committee will be pleased to read ABC or XYZ. This is simply not true. You need to share your true self. You need to highlight your uniqueness and tell the adcom what makes you you. Quick word of emotion: Your application is not your therapist's office - don't overshare! Don't create a laundry list of potential 'uniquenesses' about you. Instead, try a more productive exercise - list all of them and pick the ones which are truly unique to you. Mark our words when we tell you that if you want to bolster your chances of getting an offer letter from your target business school, you should really show your uniquenesses to the adcom. If you don't know how to 'extract' your uniquenesses, sign up to work with us and our coaches will share a set of questions which you can use to bring out your USPs and build your personal brand.
We would like to highlight that a 770 in GMAT may not guarantee an admit from the school of your choice if you are not able to present yourself well as a candidate through the non-factual parts of your application. That's why we recommend that you work with our seasoned coaches on the three "human" parts of your application - essays (most important), CV/résumé, and recommendation letters. Once you receive an interview invite, our coaches will train you via mock interviews for the final interview.
Below are some success stories that you might find inspirational ✨
Smriti’s journey from Ambedkar University to London School of Economics (LSE) –https://www.faithcareer.org/post/progress-story-smriti-s-mpp-offer-letter-with-35-scholarship
Nikhil’s story of bagging offers from 5 B-Schools in the UK with scholarship, without a GMAT score - https://www.faithcareer.org/post/5-mba-offer-letters-in-4-months-without-gmat
Yash’s story of making it to Top 3 Canadian Universities (York University [Schulich School of Business], University of British Columbia [Sauder] and McGill University [Desautels]) - https://www.faithcareer.org/post/progress-story-yashashwat-s-mim-application-journey
Do you want to start your success story as well?
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