Many business school applicants wonder how they can impress the admissions committee and stand out from the rest of the pack. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are several things you can do to improve your chances of being accepted into your target program. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to make a great impression on MBA admissions representatives. Read on for advice that will help you shine!
First things first. Understand what the admissions committee is looking to build by going through thousands of applications. They’re trying to build a diverse class of individuals who have the capability of creating a significant impact with their work. If they feel you’ll add value to the incoming class, you’ll get the admit.
Goal of impressing the MBA admissions committee
The goal of impressing the MBA admissions committee through your application is to get an interview invite.
If you’re hoping to impress the MBA admissions committee and earn an interview invite, you can do a few things.
The first thing is the resume.
Resume
According to Soo Jin Kwon, Admissions Director at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, first impressions matter, and your resume is the first thing that the admissions team looks at. Therefore, make sure that your resume makes a solid first impression.
Your resume should be
- One page in length
- Focused on your accomplishments rather than responsibilities
Take a look at this article for expert tips on how to dazzle the MBA admissions committee with your resume.
Essay
There are a number of ways to impress MBA admissions committees through your essay.
- First, be clear and concise in your writing. The admissions committee will be reading through a large number of essays, so you want to make sure that yours is easy to follow.
- Second, it is important, to be honest, and open about your goals and ambitions. The admissions committee wants to see that you have a clear sense of purpose and are committed to pursuing your goals.
“Don’t sweat too much on trying to find things about yourself that no one before has done. Instead, focus on telling the MBA admissions committee who you are and differentiation will occur naturally”, as advised by Lisa Giannangeli, Stanford GSB’s MBA admissions director.
- Third, be sure to highlight your unique strengths and accomplishments. What sets you apart from other applicants? What are your most impressive achievements, leadership personality traits, and skills? Sharing this information will help the admissions committee see why you would be an excellent fit for their program.
- Finally, be sure to express your excitement about attending the MBA program. The admissions committee wants to see that you are enthusiastic about the opportunity to receive an MBA education. By following these tips, you will give yourself the best chance of impressing MBA admissions committees and increasing your chances of being admitted to the program.
Take a look at this article where we have discussed expert tips on how to write an essay to impress the MBA Admissions Committee.
Admissions Events
Almost all business schools now conduct virtual events where you can interact with the admissions team of that business school. Any event that you attend is an opportunity to impress the admissions committee and improve your chances of getting into your dream school.
Here are a few tips on how to make the most of these opportunities:
- Be engaging and outgoing: Introduce yourself to as many people as possible, strike up conversations, and be genuinely interested in what others have to say. This will show that you are confident and well-rounded, two qualities business schools highly value.
- Be prepared: Research the schools you are interested in beforehand so that you can intelligently discuss their programs with members of the admissions committees. Admissions officers appreciate it when applicants have a clear idea of why they want to pursue an MBA and how they plan to use it in their future careers.
- Follow up: After the event, make sure to follow up with the admissions officers you spoke to. Send them a brief email thanking them for their time, and reiterate your interest in the school. This will help to keep you top of mind as they review applications.
High GMAT Score
A high GMAT score is one of the best ways to impress the MBA admissions committee. Business schools use the GMAT as a way to measure your academic ability and potential success in their program.
A high score shows that you have the ability to handle the rigors of business school and that you are likely to be successful in your courses. In addition, a high GMAT score can also help you stand out from the rest of the applicants. With so many qualified candidates applying to business school, a high GMAT score can be the deciding factor that gets you into your dream school.
So if you’re looking to impress the MBA admissions committee, aim for a GMAT score that is at least 30 points above the average GMAT score of the incoming class. It could be the key to getting into the business school of your choice.
What if you have an average score?
An average GMAT score doesn’t have to be a death sentence for your MBA application. While a high score can certainly impress the admissions committee, there are other ways to make your application stand out.
- Start by focusing on your undergraduate transcript. If you have a strong academic record, be sure to highlight that in your applications.
- In addition, focus on your professional experience. Business schools are looking for applicants with good work experience, so be sure to highlight any projects or accomplishments that are relevant to your application.
- Try to come up with your leadership personality traits, and back them with instances from your professional and personal life where you have created a quantifiable impact. B-schools look for leadership personality traits in a candidate and would be impressed if you are able to show them what they are looking for in an easy-to-understand manner backed by significant quantified impact.
- Finally, don’t forget the power of recommendations. Strong letters of recommendation can go a long way in making up for a low or an average GMAT score.
Take a look at this article to know how to get good letters of Recommendation to impress the MBA admissions committee.
You can give yourself a fighting chance of getting into your dream school despite an average GMAT score by following these tips:
- Do your research – The first step to impress the business school admissions committee is to do your research. Find out as much as you can about the school, its programs, and what kind of students they are looking for. This will help you tailor your application and stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.
- Be passionate – Be passionate about what you want to do and why you want to attend business school. Admissions committee members can tell when an applicant is truly interested in their program and are more likely to give them a closer look.
- Be professional – Your application should be error-free and well-written. This means proofreading for grammar and spelling mistakes and making sure that your essay flows well. It also means using proper business etiquette when corresponding with admissions staff.
- Offer something unique – What can you contribute to the business school community that no one else can? Whether it’s your professional experience, cultural background, or extracurricular interests, find a way to make yourself stand out from the rest.
- Highlight your achievements – Make sure to highlight your most impressive academic and professional achievements in your application. This will show the admissions committee that you are a high-performing student capable of succeeding in their program.
- Demonstrate your leadership potential – Business schools are looking for future leaders, so it’s important to demonstrate your leadership potential in your application. Talk about any leadership roles you’ve held in the past, or mention any special projects you’ve spearheaded or created an impact with your work.
- Show your motivation – Your goals and motivations for attending business school should be clear in your application. Admissions committees want to see that you have a clear plan for your future and that their program will help you achieve it.
- Have a strong recommendation letter – Your recommendation letters are an important part of your application, so make sure to choose your recommenders wisely. Choose people who can speak to your business skills and potential, and make sure to give them plenty of time to write a strong letter.
Final Thoughts
To impress an MBA admissions committee
- Start by ensuring that your application is error-free and provides a strong overview of your academic credentials and professional accomplishments.
- Then, reach out to your personal and professional networks to see if anyone has any connections at the school you’re interested in.
- Lastly, thoroughly research the school and tailor your application accordingly.
By taking these steps, you’ll increase your chances of catching the eye of the MBA admissions committee and earning an invitation to interview.
At Admit Expert, we have helped hundreds of students get into top MBA programs around the world. We would be happy to help you too. Schedule a free call with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals.
