How to get into business school: 9 tips from the students who've done it

There are many challenges in getting into business school, whether you wish to attend a top MBA program or not. MBA applications and admissions are stressful, time-consuming, and resource-intensive processes.

The majority of prospective students make significant personal investments to get into graduate school. They want some type of return. At the very least, they want to be admitted to a decent school.

The business-savvy applicants need more than the generic advice of experts that tells them to "research schools thoroughly" or "study for the GMAT".

The Divi Educare website has collected nine of the best MBA admissions tips from current MBA students based on their comments section:

1. Start The Process Early

The last thing you want is to scramble to put together an application strategy for good schools that have access to the best and brightest minds in the world. This is what a Chicago Booth MBA had to say:

"Start the whole process as early as possible.". Be prepared for setbacks, delays, and additional diligence on the schools' part. If you plan to spend two years at one of the schools you're applying to, you might as well make informed choices."

2. Get The GMAT Done First

Having a strong GMAT score is a key part of your MBA resume. If a candidate does not meet a school's initial screening requirements, he/she is unlikely to be considered, so be sure to prepare and give yourself time to retake the exam if you don't receive the score you believe you deserve. This is what a Vanderbilt MBA student said:

The GMAT should be taken as soon as possible. The first time around, I did quite well on this test after studying for three months straight. This is what I believe is required to perform well on this test. You should put in the effort and time since it will have an impact on your admissions result and scholarship package."

3. Visit The School and Sit In On A Class

Consider visiting the campus and sitting in on a class at potential schools to get an idea of their culture and atmosphere. Putting in the time to visit a school shouldn't determine whether you apply or not, but if you do submit an application, the fact that you visited can demonstrate how serious you are about their program. This is the response of a Tuck School of Business MBA candidate for 2019:

Take a tour of the campuses. However, even if the admissions officers don't care, it will give you a whole lot of insights to discuss in your essays and interviews. It also helps you choose where to attend if you receive multiple offers."

4. Meet With Current or Former MBA Students

It is probably best to meet current students or alumni of the schools you are considering attending or have graduated from in order to understand the pros and cons of a program. By networking, you also gain access to professionals that you may be able to contact in the future. A student at Duke's Fuqua School of Business is completing her MBA this year:

By visiting your top schools, you're showing that you're dedicated to the school.  Students and alumni can recommend you to schools, some schools may waive the application fee if you obtain a recommendation."

5. Be Yourself In Your Essay, Application, and Interviews

The quickest way to have your application rejected is to try to be the perfect candidate or write an essay that shows what you think the admissions office wants to see from you. In your professional life, people can tell when you are not being honest, and telling a mundane story about being an excellent employee doesn't showcase your personality or character.

Make sure to tell a story of how your unique contribution will make a difference to the class - you're competing with founders of start-ups, investment bankers, and valedictorians. This piece is from an MBA student at Chicago Booth:

"Don't write cliché essays or respond to interview questions the way you think they should be answered. Show someone who you are. “Schools want a diverse group of personalities to contribute to their communities.”

6. Show Your Business Acumen on Your Resume

You shouldn't just keep your business or career achievements to yourself because you're trying to be different. When answering interview questions, make sure to emphasize concepts and themes you want to discuss, which will impress the interviewer. Here are some tips from a Villanova MBA candidate:

Do not be humble at this time. Now is your chance to shine! Your resume/CV should reflect your business acumen, even if you work in a technical field. You usually do not include your business skills in a resume that highlights your technical skills.

7. Understand how each school can contribute to your professional and personal development

Even though many top-tier programs cover all disciplines, different schools tend to specialize in certain fields. For example, Chicago's Booth is renowned for quantitative finance and economics, placing a large percentage of students in the finance industry; whereas Northwestern's Kellogg is more of a general management school that has a marketing-related reputation. MBA candidate at Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto:

Make sure you research every step you take. Do your research on schools and their focus areas, such as their location, relationship with employers, and potential career paths, and the history of faculty members."

8. Do not submit too many applications

Although it may seem like a wise decision to submit applications to as many schools as possible that fit your criteria, burning out or becoming frustrated with the process may lead to submitting weak applications. An MBA student at UPenn's Wharton School has the following advice:

"I would recommend applying to six schools at the most. After I applied to six, I found myself getting burnt out. It just became too much, even with the assistance of a consultant, and the quality really started to decline if I continued.”

9. Hire An Admissions Consultant

A top-ranked business school in Delhi will increase your chances of admission by hiring a professional, just like you would hire an attorney or industry expert. Finding a reputable, experienced one who brings competence and experience is the only challenge. Here are some thoughts from a recent Columbia Business School MBA candidate:

Choose your consultants wisely by researching them. It was definitely the consultant who added value to my application. I really appreciated the help my consultant gave me in narrowing down key elements in order to write "my story" concisely and clearly that addressed what Columbia was interested in."

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