Applying to business school can be a competitive process. If you’re a college senior who wishes to enroll in business school this fall, at this point in the admissions process you have either submitted your applications during Round 1 or Round 2, or you are preparing your applications for Round 3 or Round 4 in March and April. For those of you who have completed your submissions, congratulations! All you have to do at the moment is wait for your schools’ decisions to arrive before you plan your next steps.
For college seniors who are still working on MBA applications, there are a few steps you can take today to prepare for b-school, such as taking the GMAT or GRE and speaking with current MBAs and alumni.
B-school step 1: take the GMAT or the GRE
Most MBA programs require students to submit a GMAT or GRE score with their application.
Check which exam your short-listed schools prefer, and if you have not done so already, take that exam.
If either is accepted, sit for the exam you perform better on. Although you don’t have much time, you shouldn’t take either test without first preparing for it. Take a practice GRE and a practice GMAT, and see which one you feel more comfortable with. Then, register for your exam, create a study plan, and put in the work so that you can perform your best.
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B-school step 2: visit your schools
Many MBA programs offer similar core curriculums, but not all schools are the same. Each school you apply to wants to know why you are choosing them and why they should choose you. Learning about your schools in person will help you answer these questions when asked on your application and during your interview. Schedule a tour with the admissions office so that you can sample a class, meet professors, and speak with admissions officers. Being on campus in your potential MBA environment will help inform why you are applying to that particular program.
[RELATED: 4 Ways to Prepare For Business School During Your Last Undergrad Semester]
B-school step 3: speak with current MBAs and alumni
Find other people who have already gone through the business school application process and connect with them. Luckily, you will already be meeting some of these people when you take your school tours. You can also connect with alumni from your current college or university who have gone on to attend business school after graduation. Ask them how the MBA experience was for them. Listen to their stories, and consider how you can apply their advice to your experience. Learn from their mistakes and triumphs so that you can get ahead of the game.
[RELATED: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Business School]
B-school step 4: complete your applications
This is the most important part of the process. You can’t get accepted to business school if you don’t apply. Make sure each part of your application is complete, including:
- Essays
- Exam scores
- Recommendations
- Transcripts
- Any additional required materials.
Review deadlines to ensure you have submitted within the window. Triple-check your work, and then ask your friends and family members to review your applications as well. When you are ready, hit the submit button.
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