So you want to get your MBA from a top tier MBA school? How do you go about differentiating yourself from the countless other applicants that are in the same boat as you? Well here is where I can help you. I myself went through this process and attended one of the top 5 MBA schools in the world. Having been through the process and attended I can tell you what the schools (or at least mine in particular) are looking for and what you can expect from the MBA application process.

Know what you want and why

First things first, narrow down the field. I can’t count the number of times people have approached me asking for information about my school and my MBA. They always want to know “How do I get in?”, “What GMAT score do I need?” etc. The first thing I ask is, “Why do you want an MBA?”. I get answers from wanting more money to starting their own businesses. I knew a guy that wanted an MBA to simply boost his resume and wanted to put as little effort into actually getting one as he could. Smartly he paid very little for his MBA but he got what he wanted.

For MBAs it is true that you get what you pay for. You may learn just as much from a less ranked school but you may not have the networking, professors, class choices and prestige as the higher ranked B-school. Determine what you want out of your MBA and it will determine what you put in (time and money). This may be a top tier school or something else.

Now that you are set in that you want the most out of your MBA you need to decide what you’d like to focus on. Just like undergrad the top MBA schools are known for different concentrations. The University of Chicago GSB is known as an excellent financial school but just down the street is Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management that is known for marketing. Pick the schools that match your educational profile and goals.

Now we are cooking. You have decide that an MBA from a top tier B-school is right for you and you have narrowed down the list to the few that match your profile. Let’s get to applying.

Take your short list of B-schools and get all their application material and look at when the applications are due. Additionally look and see if they have rolling admissions. If they do then the key is to get your application in as early as possible. You are then competing with far fewer applications and more openings. Most of the applications will be similar in that you need reference letters, essays, GMAT, undergrad transcripts, interviews etc. The number and variety will differ but in general the idea is the same. They want to know as much about who you are that they can. Assuming you get accepted you will represent them as a marketing tool the rest of your career and they do not want to have bad PR.

With that being said no one component is more important than the other per se but that doesn’t mean that any one of the is unimportant. It is you as a whole they want to get to know.

GMAT

Lets get this one out of the way first as it is the one most people stress about. My advice. Don’t stress this. Certainly a good score helps and you shouldn’t blow this off but don’t go hog wild spending all your time trying to get 10 more points while neglecting all the rest of the application. Some schools probably have a minimum that they are willing to accept but if you compensate that with other strong components you will do fine. In my opinion you should simply pick up one of those books with practice tests etc and brush up on your skills and take the practice exams.

Interviews

At some point you are going to have to meet someone from the school. At some institutions they have current MBA students conduct interviews, others have alumni, admin staff etc. Any way you look at it, it is the same. They are seeing if you fit their criteria and expectations of their school. My advice here is to be yourself. Walk in with confidence and enthusiasm and sell yourself. One question they will undoubtedly ask is “Why an MBA and why our school?”. Make sure you prepare your answer for this and do your homework about the school and program. Many schools MBA programs are slightly different and in some cases radically different. Talk about these points and your preferences and demonstrate that you are serious and interested in their program. As far as why an MBA you already did that as part of your prep work from earlier.

Essays

Most MBA applications will also require some sort of essay. These vary greatly in both number and content. Some are more along the lines of “Why do you want an MBA?” to more bizarre ones like “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?” I didn’t spend much time writing my essays but I did think a lot about what I wanted to write. I really struggled with writing something that “they wanted to hear” vs. what I felt was my answer. In the end I wrote what I wanted and not what I thought they wanted to hear. I guess this approach really worked out in my favor since I was accepted. I’d suggest the same for any prospective MBA student. Be yourself and answer honestly.

Reference Letters

I just wanted to write a quick note on reference letters. A huge plus is if you can get someone who earned his or her MBA from the same program and you know from a professional level. Try to avoid friends and family unless there is a special circumstance. Most schools will ask for very specific references, such as current employer, etc. Lastly give your referrer plenty of time and all the material to complete the letter. Most people are more than willing to help given you isn’t burdening them with too little time.

There are of course a few odds and ends such as the application and resume but you should already have these. The application is generally factual such as prior work experience, education, and community work where again don’t hesitate to sell yourself.

In the end do your homework, and spend time on all aspects of the process but most importantly do it for your own reasons. Assuming all goes well you’ll be off and studying for your MBA courses gaining valuable training for your future. Good Luck.

About The Author

Paul Maywood is a freelance writer and is a married father of 3 living in Chicago (burbs). I have an advanced degree and work and stuff….that’s about it.

• Passing the GMAT, Graduate Management Admission Test