Why Some Candidates Never Apply to Business School

I was in contact with a DiversityMBAPrep.com user who plans to apply to business school next fall. A year out, she is on track to hit the MBA application submit button. She is preparing for the GMAT, which she plans to take in January and she has already begun to build relationships with admissions officers to learn more about the various business schools. I have full confidence in her ability to be successful in the application process. But it got me thinking about the number of young professionals that I’ve met over the years who were on track six to twelve months before their anticipated application dates and didn’t actually apply. Some of them never applied to business school – not because they changed their mind, but because they got off track and never turned it around.

For those of you that are more than six months from applying to business school, here are my tips for staying on track to applying to MBA programs:

(1)    Develop a Firm Timeline

So many candidates have these loosey-goosey timelines for applying to business school. “I’m planning to apply next year. I’m going to start studying for the GMAT soon.” And I call “Bull$%&#!” For most of you, this means that you have no plan at all, you just have an idea. And ideas aren’t real; they are just figments of our imagination.

You must understand the process of applying to business school and what you need to get done and by when. You must map out your action items and put it on a firm timeline. Give yourself real deadlines for completing the GMAT, taking additional courses, fleshing out your short and long-term goals, building relationships, etc.

(2)    Study for the GMAT Now

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is no joke. 99.9% of the people who take these standardized tests need to put in significant study time to perform at their best. Expect that you will fall in that category and get to studying! I have taken the GMAT (granted it was seventeen years ago when it was still on paper and I had to walk uphill both ways to the testing center). The exam is tough, but with the right attitude and study plan, you can perform well. So believe that you can score well and start studying. Include your GMAT prep in the first part of your firm MBA application timeline. Get it out of the way as quickly as possible so you can move on to the other parts of your application.

(3)    Get the Encouragement that will Keep You on Track

Some of us need “sweet” encouragement. “I know that getting an MBA is important to you and I believe you can do it. How is GMAT test prep going?” And some of us need a swift kick in the butt. “You spent all day Saturday hanging out with your friends? I thought you said you wanted to go to business school and that you were focused on the GMAT. Oh, you’re not serious!” We are not completely self-motivated and often need other people to encourage us and hold us accountable to the targets that we’ve set for ourselves. They didn’t make up the goals – you did! They are just trying to help you out. So make sure you have those people around you that will remind you periodically of what’s at stake.

(4)    Find Support to Submit Stellar MBA Applications

There are lots of resources available to help you in the MBA application process. Use them. Don’t assume that applying to business school is like undergraduate. It’s not…at all. Seek out advice from experts and use tools that clarify how to efficiently and successfully apply to business school. Many MBA programs offer insight into applying to their programs and there are numerous blogs, books, articles and videos that detail the process. And of course, there is our site, DiversityMBAPrep.com which strives to simplify the process of applying to business school with the aim of driving more women and minorities to MBA programs.

So many people have applied and been accepted to business school before you so know that you can do it too. But “can” only implies that you are capable, instead you need “will”! “Will” to prioritize your goals. “Will” to take this process seriously. “Will” to make it happen!