Look at the typical applicant pool at each school that interests you and think about how you compare. Pay attention to grade point average, Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) scores, education, work experience, and accomplishments. You may need to address one or more of these areas in your application.
Look at Historical Data
You will never fully understand a school's current applicant pool. But you can look carefully at whatever historical information is published.
Understand that numbers can be deceiving. When a school accepts 33% of its applicants, for instance, you do not necessarily have a one-in-three chance of gaining admission. Your credentials may be so strong that your chances are considerably higher. Or they may be weak enough that you are unlikely to be admitted.
Remember That No One Is “Average”
When comparing yourself to the "average" MBA applicant, keep in mind that the term does not describe any one specific person. Rather, it illustrates a collection of traits across a broad spectrum of people.
You may find that there is an area of your background that is weaker than average. But you may be able to compensate if you are better than average in one or more other areas. If so, emphasize those areas in your applications.
Graduate Management Admission Test® and GMAT® are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council®. All rights reserved.
|
