How to get into a top MBA program

There is no doubt that you will find the competition for top-ranking business schools incredibly stiff, and this is true whether you are applying to study in the USA, UK, Australia or Europe. When you are thinking of investing time and money in your Master of Business Administration degree and want the best chances of being accepted, then you should consult our guide on how to apply to the best business schools.

It is worth noting that many prestigious, globally recognized business schools, such as the Wharton School of Business and the Harvard Business School, will admit only a very small percentage of applicants who apply.

How do you make sure that you are part of that 10%?

There are some things that cannot be changed…

You should start by being honest with yourself. This is the most important thing that you need to do. There is no way for a person to change their grade average (GPA), their level of work experience, or their general intelligence. If you are not suited to the top-ranked schools, you can still study an MBA even though you may not be able to do so.

You can still improve your performance in a few ways

When you did not do as well as you expected on your GMAT, you should consider taking another Graduate Management Admissions Test. Many schools will only consider the most recent score you obtained. If you are approaching a promotion or taking on more challenging responsibilities, you may want to consider waiting a year before improving your work experience profile.

In cases where English is not your native language, you need a good IELTS score, so it makes sense to participate in an IELTS prep course to help you improve your results.

What makes a good MBA candidate?

We could reasonably expect them to be looking for someone with a stellar academic record, a GMAT score of 800, the ability to speak 12 languages, and who served as the CEO of Dell. Furthermore, you might expect that they are looking for someone with a gold medal from the Olympics or a Nobel Peace Prize. Who knows, maybe someone like that will turn up.

Schools consider what each student brings to the class and to the school as a whole, though. Honesty is therefore essential. Please do not lie about your identity.

How did those tests turn out?

The GMAT is one of the most important tests that you need to take if you want to get into most of the top business schools. At the best MBA programs, scores will typically range from 500 to 700, but there are some that will exceed that limit. You may have the opportunity to determine your acceptance or denial based on how well you do on the test, so study hard and don’t be afraid to retake it if you have to.

Many schools rely on the GMAT as an important factor in determining how likely you are to succeed. With your current level of intelligence and discipline, can you be successful in this program? Furthermore, students who score high on the GMAT reflect well on their prestige and selectivity, due to their high GMAT scores.

You should, however, consider your English language proficiency when applying to other schools as well. As a result, you should ensure your IELTS score is 6.5 in order to be able to keep up with English-speaking students.

Does work experience matter as well?

Yes, there is no doubt about it. In the absence of the required work experience, you won’t be accepted into the program. In order to qualify for the top MBA programs, you will generally need at least two or three years of work experience. You also stand out from the crowd through the type of experience you have acquired throughout your career.

Your application will be evaluated based on how quickly you have advanced your career, the reputation of your company, and the recommendations you make for your management and leadership skills. It is also likely that you will receive extra credit if you have accomplished something unique. Do you have any experience starting a business, developing a new technology, or working in an industry that is underrepresented at the school?

Help them to help you with recommendation letters

Taking some time to think about who you would like to write you a recommendation letter, and what they should say, is important. If you provide your referee with more information, they will be able to help you shine.

It is important to let them know what makes you special and let them know specific examples that prove it. The letters of recommendation are proof of your application strengths, so make sure that they demonstrate all the different attributes that prove your ability and potential.

Writers need feedback

It is a good idea to show your application to two or three friends or colleagues for their feedback. Make sure you don’t make too many changes that don’t sound like you; otherwise, it will appear as if your personal statement was written by a committee or a computer algorithm. It is important to choose people who can correct spelling or grammar errors as well as those who know how to write well.

Gather as much information as possible

During the interview, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the school to the potential employer. Do your research well before the interview.

Please do not forget to check out the impartial advice on Divi Educare and to join one of our forums where you can share your questions and tips with our MBA advisers and other MBA candidates.

The Clear Admit MBA guides cover the programs, demographics, campus life, the job placement process, and application procedures for a range of MBA schools. You can read one of these guides quickly without having to trawl through countless websites – they’ve done all the hard work for you! Here at Divi Educare, you can purchase one of these guides.

Follow the application process closely

If you need to send the school something, make sure you do so when it is needed. It is not a good idea to miss a deadline. Nevertheless, if you have to submit an application to a school with two rounds of deadlines, don’t rush to get in the first round – take the extra time if you need it to write a more impressive application.  Being early doesn’t offer any real benefits.

When it matters, hire a consultant

Candidate support is also provided by Clear Admit for MBA students. Because they have insider knowledge of the admissions process, they can offer advice on essays, recommendations, and school choices, and they can prepare you for mock interviews.

Rankings are not the only factor to take into consideration when choosing a business school. What you hope to achieve from it, and where you feel most comfortable, should be considered. Browse Divi Educare’s wide selection of MBA programs.