The MBA Application

The MBA application process feels like it was AGES ago – here’s a quick summary of some tips and my experience with the process:

GMAT preparation:  Please get this out of the way as soon as possible. After you’re done with the whole application process, you’ll realise this was the easiest part of the whole thing. It’s not difficult, but with a job, and other priorities in your busy life, it’s going to be tough to get the time for consistent preparation. There’s no need to build a library of GMAT books at home – 1 or 2 will do just fine, provided you do them well. I did the offical GMAT book, as well as the Princeton one. Kaplan’s great if u want your ego deflated.

Essays: Start ur essays in time – u have no idea how much time it’s going to take you, unless of course you have tons of exotic experiences (climbed Mount Everest, swum the English Channel, cut an album, u get it). Also, if u can, aim for Round 1. I’ve never believed in paying consultants to get your essays in shape. If you write reasonably well, and have researched the school you’re applying to, you’ll do just fine. Ask people you know who go to the MBA schools you’re targetting to look over your essays if they can.

The whole MBA application is like the recruitment process – more specifically like the HR interview. You need to know yourself inside out, you need to be excited about your experiences, you need to know about the organisation you’re applying for and show a keen interest them. Don’t lose your genuineness – please. It’s what sets you apart.

Recommenders: Identify your recommenders well beforehand. And make sure you know the number of recommenders the school needs (2 vs 3 / number of work vs non-work / bosses vs peers, supervisors vs non-supervisors, etc etc). Oh and make sure your recommenders submit their essays well before they go off on their holidays – which will always tend to be around your application deadlines).

Interviews: The experience will probably vary depending on the interviewer, and the school but all-in-all, it’s not a terrifying experience at all. Some are more structured than others (LBS was with the interviewer having read my entire application from cover to cover and there was a short presentation), Kellogg had a little bit of structure – the interviewer hadn’t read my application but did have a list of questions he wanted to cover, INSEAD on the other hand was very conversational, and an experience I really enjoyed. My partner felt the same. I came out of both of mine, feeling it had been a great opportunity to meet some fanatastic people.

Actually, I’ve really liked that about INSEAD – that my experience with everyone I’ve met from the school (admits, alums, admissions’ folks) has been consistent. Which wasn’t the case with all the other schools. I’m not easily impressed, I assure you, but with the INSEAD folks I have been. And I’m looking forward to meeting a lot more of them soon.

The INSEAD open day is in October in Fontainebleau and in November in Singapore. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to make it for either one as I’m going travelling. Hopefully I’m going to read all about them on the INSEAD MBA Admits’ forum.