Know Yourself
Business school admissions officers look for candidates who can succeed both academically and professionally. Understanding your own abilities and goals and how they fit in with the schools where you are applying is critical during the admissions process.
6 Ways to Know When You're Ready for Business School
- Be honest. Don’t just say what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Be honest about why you are pursuing a graduate degree, what your goals are, what you are passionate about, and why you are interested in their school and program.
- Be realistic. Shooting for the stars is great, but it’s more practical to make sure that your career goals are based on an accurate assessment of your experience and skills and that your credentials match the typical admissions requirements of the schools to which you apply.
- Be proactive. Student interaction is an important part of a graduate program education, so explain how you’ll contribute to the learning community.
- Be knowledgeable. Show that you are familiar with the school and why you are a good fit for their program.
- Be a good fit. The best ways to learn about a school’s culture and community are by visiting the campus and talking with former and current students. Figuring out what culture you thrive in will also help you decide industries are best suited for you – the banking industry is much different culturally from the high-tech industry. Check out the CultureMatch report in the CareerLeader assessment to learn more.
- Be ready. Your employment options will depend largely on your pre-B-School work experience. Find out the expectations of employers and admissions committees in terms of prior experience. If you don't have enough to benefit fully from business school, gain more experience now, further define your goals, and apply later.
