Helpful for: MBA Applicants
Read Time: 10 minutes
Quick Facts:
We are bombarded with large amounts of information every day. Whether it is school, work or entertainment related, it seems like someone is always trying to grab our attention. In the end, who do we listen to? Often times it is someone we trust, and believe has something valuable to say. Recruiting reviewers for your MBA application should follow that principle.
The benefits of having an extra pair of eyes look over your application are significant. To start, they will be able to spot any grammar errors, typos and missing words in the countless forms you’ve filled out. On a deeper level, they might empathize with your stress and offer reassurance that your application strategy is solid. However, it is highly unlikely that there won’t be a single reviewer whose opinion plants a seed of doubt in your mind, that disrupts your entire progress. So, what do you do in a similar situation? You swallow your pride, and accept the fact that not all MBA application advice is useful. Stacy explains:
Selected Quote:
It’s really tough for someone to read through your MBA application and not also want to give “advice.” Human beings are full of opinions, after all, and anyone close to you would just be trying to help. But the issue is that if you’ve already planned out your application strategy — especially if you’ve worked on that strategy with an admissions consultant — it would be a shame to derail your progress just because a well-meaning friend made you doubt yourself.
Some examples of poor advice you should stay away from would be from a hard-headed MBA graduate who believes that since they were accepted to a top program, the only way to approach an essay question is the way they did; also, parents or friends who’ve completed a business degree decades ago with outdated information. In contrast, a reviewer with minimal knowledge in the application process might be a good idea when assessing whether your personality shines through.
Useful Information: Keep in mind that the clearer you are in what you expect from your reviewers, the more likely it is that they will follow your request. You should limit them to two, and be direct when telling them they’d be most helpful by focusing on obvious mistakes in grammar and structure. Who will you choose to review your MBA application, and why?
Finally, remember to be respectful by listening politely and attentively as these people have taken time out of their day with good intentions. Still, don’t let a hasty comment derail your plan by changing everything at the last minute. Stay confident, and don’t forget that you are on the right path towards securing a great education and successful career.
Curious what happens after you’re accepted? Read What is an MBA Background Check? Complement it with A Creative Way to Pay Your MBA Fees and if you’ve been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, A Startup Business During Your MBA.
Source: Stacy Blackman
