One of the challenges you face as you prepare a business school application is making sure your application does a good job of representing the real you. The worst thing you can do is write an application that reflects someone you think a school is looking for.

Admissions officers want to see the applicant behind an application: who you are, where you want to go with your career, what you want from your education, and the reasons behind your goals. They need to understand all this to ensure that—

• their program will provide you with the education you need to succeed
• your interests, abilities, and personality will make you a good fit with your classmates and the school community
• your career goals are realistic and can be supported by their career services office
• your level of commitment to their program is high

To be able to communicate all these things in your application, you should first do some self-assessment. You need to know yourself well, know how you like to learn, and know which skills you have and which you need to develop.

You also need to be clear about your career goals and be able to articulate how the program to which you are applying supports your overall career plan. Admissions officers try to allocate the places they have in each class to those most likely to be academically successful in the program and achieve their career goals. As an applicant, you will be more competitive if you state a clear career objective and explain how the program will help you achieve your goal through the education and career services they offer. 

CareerLeader, an online self-assessment tool used by more than 200 graduate business programs worldwide can help you take a more in-depth look at your interests, skills, and abilities before writing your applications and going to school interviews. Use CareerLeader to develop the sharp, clearly worded career focus you need to write a successful application—and to start your business school education fully prepared to pursue the satisfying, successful career path that is right for you.

To learn more about CareerLeader and how it can help you define your application strategy and career goals, click here.

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