At Stratus, we use a team-based approach when supporting our clients as they prepare their MBA applications. Going into the last month before Round 2 submission deadlines, I decided to have some of my talented colleagues share their insights on how you should approach various components of your business school applications.

But first, a few words about school selection. If you absolutely need to be in business school in September 2021, craft a list of schools that includes your dream school, stretch schools, target schools, and even one or two likely schools. It may be the case that a likely school is actually a part-time program at a stretch school. Don’t presume you will be accepted to a program simply because your stats are stronger than the program average. Make sure to do your research and demonstrate your fit with and interest in what each program offers. 

Goals:

If you say your goal is to work in consulting for MBB but you give no background or context, it is hard to stand out. However, if you share that you have worked with strategy consultants in your current role as an internal retail strategy analyst and have been inspired by their data-driven recommendations, you give the reader some context. Business schools know that you may change your career goals, but they want to know what drives your goals and that you understand how the resources in their program can help you reach these goals.
Donna Bauman – former UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA admissions committee member

Resume:

Many applicants have updated their resume just once since college, adding information about promotions or job changes. Will that job-focused resume resonate with admissions committees? Don’t just attach your latest resume to your application; tailor it for your new target audience. Make sure it highlights the skills, leadership, and teamwork that schools like to see in candidates.
Lisa Cummings – former MIT Sloan admissions committee member

Short answers:

Don’t forget about the short-answer section of the applications. Remember that sometimes these answers are not all that short (looking at you, Stanford)! Short answers are not the main essays or the pure biographical information you have to complete. Don’t tackle these at the last minute, because they often give you a valuable chance to highlight another part of your background or experience. Be sure not to completely overlap these answers with either your essay(s) or your resume.
Jennifer Jackson – HBS alum

Reaching out to students: 

Although the playing field has been leveled (no one can visit campus these days), this increases the importance of making connections with the programs you are interested in. You should be thinking about this on two levels: directly with schools (webinars, coffee chats, more official ways to connect—probably at least two or three) and connecting directly with students. To connect with students, try to find a common interest: Do you play soccer? Do you enjoy volunteering with youth? Are you interested in helping others with financial literacy? Find a club with a similar interest and start there!
Melisa Prevost – former Berkeley Haas alumni interviewer

Essay writing:

Imagine for a moment that you are an admissions officer. You have 100 applications in your review queue, and you have just finished your double-shot espresso to provide the stamina to read all of those essays. Now, think about how you can increase the odds of being one of the applicants that catches the reader’s attention.

Humans connect to other humans through stories. Open your essay with something interesting that encourages them to want to know more. What specific challenges did you face? How did you overcome these challenges to achieve measurable impact? Satisfy your reader with a closing that ties your story together and helps the admissions team understand more about what truly drives you.
Donna Bauman – former UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA admissions committee member 

Writing process:

Start with an outline! Before you spend a lot of energy writing, make sure you are answering the question and using your best stories. Think about the entire application—are you covering your key themes (strengths) across the application? When it comes to writing, don’t worry about word count too much for the first draft (don’t write double, but don’t constrain yourself). When you feel it is in a good place but not yet polished, have a trusted advisor read it to make sure it sounds like and is showing the best version of you.
Melisa Prevost – former Berkeley Haas alumni interviewer

Essay review:

Of course, you need to write your own essays, but it is always a good idea to have one or more people read them and give you feedback. Does your essay make sense without additional context? Did you answer all parts of the question? If appropriate, did you demonstrate that you have taken the time to get to know this specific school? These details can make all the difference between whether or not you get moved forward to an interview.
Soterios Rouman – Stanford GSB alum

Following up with recommenders:

About two weeks before your deadlines, check in your schools’ portals to confirm that recommendations have been submitted. If they haven’t, send your recommenders a kind reminder. After you submit your applications, send your recommenders a note—handwritten if they are going into an office, or via email—thanking them for their time and effort on your behalf. If you think it is appropriate, a small gift card to a local restaurant or coffee shop is a nice touch.
Lisa Cummings – former MIT Sloan admissions committee member

Reapplying:

In a recent ding analysis, I noted that the individual was a strong applicant but failed to put together a strong application. Keep in mind that every year, there are far more well-qualified applicants for top MBA programs than there are seats in their classes. Here’s what Soterios has to say about what to do after being denied:

For anyone who had their heart set on one specific MBA program—and only that program—but learned they were denied admission this year: for what it’s worth, I was denied the first year I applied to Stanford GSB but was admitted (and attended) the following year. It is absolutely possible. You’ll need to understand and address any weaknesses in your application over the next year—whether that means retaking tests, taking on additional leadership roles inside and outside of work, showing quantifiable achievements, or getting more personal and crafting even more compelling essays. At the same time, there are so many great MBA programs out there, and I would also encourage you to explore other options as alternatives.
Soterios Rouman – Stanford GSB alum