Know Yourself

Business school admissions officers want to know whether you have the ability to succeed both academically and professionally.

So it’s critical that you know your own abilities and goals and how they fit in with the schools where you are applying.

Erika, who graduated college with a Liberal Arts background, explains how she completed some key business coursework to demonstrate to admissions that she had what it takes to succeed.

Abishek offers his advice on who should pursue a graduate management degree.

Put a Face on Your Presentation

• Be honest. Admissions professionals can tell when someone is just saying what they think the admissions committee wants to hear. Tell the truth about what you are looking to get out of the MBA degree, what your goals are, what you are passionate about, and why you are interested in their school and program.
• Be realistic. It's one thing to say you want to be a great chef, but that may not be practical if you’ve never even boiled an egg. Make sure that your career goals are based on an accurate assessment of your experience and skills. Also, check that your credentials match the typical admissions requirements of the schools to which you apply; you want to apply where you have a solid chance of being admitted.
• Be proactive. Share not only what you hope to gain but also what you want to contribute. Student interaction is an important part of the MBA education. Show that you'll be a valuable member of the learning community.
• Be knowledgeable. Know about the school and program where you are applying. Show that you are familiar with the given school and why you are a good fit.
• Be a good fit. Part of being a good fit for a school has to do with the culture and the community. A visit to the campus and talking with former and current students can help you figure out if you fit in. Cultural considerations should also help you decide where to work. Companies in the tech sector, for instance, typically have a different culture from consulting firms and investment banks. Know what kinds of cultures will be best for you. The CultureMatch report in the CareerLeader assessment will help you determine the right cultures for you.
• Be ready. Your post-MBA employment options will depend largely on your pre-MBA exposure and experience, so make sure that you have enough pre-MBA experience to help you take advantage of all the benefits your degree offers. Find out the expectations of MBA employers and MBA admissions committees in terms of your experience. If you don't have enough right now to benefit fully from an MBA, get some more experience, further define your goals and apply later.