This is the second of five articles on how to begin your MBA application process. The articles were written by Brian Fobi, CEO of Gurufi, and they present the author's personal and professional experience on the topic.

The best MBA applications present the applicant as clear-eyed about what they want and secure in who they are and what they bring to the table. As such, the very first exercise you should do to prepare for your MBA applications is to answer these questions for yourself. In the fifteen years that I’ve worked with clients, I’ve discovered that most flawed personal statements were caused by applicants not knowing for themselves why they want to earn an MBA. By contrast, once you have answered a core set of questions, putting together the rest of your application becomes much easier.

Indeed, it’s easy to get bogged down by the immediate hurdles – GMAT scores, essays, recommendations, and interviews. However, taking a moment to look beyond these challenges and imagine your life after completing your MBA can be a powerful motivational tool. This vision of the future is not just a daydream; it’s a strategic step that can guide your application journey and ensure you’re aiming for goals that truly resonate with your aspirations. And, once you have this vision in mind, you can align your application strategy to it.

The importance of a clear vision

Embarking on an MBA is a significant investment of time, energy, and resources. It’s a decision that can pivot your career path, expand your network, and transform your perspective on business and leadership. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what you hope to achieve at the end of this rigorous journey. Visualizing your post-MBA life helps in setting these concrete goals, whether they involve ascending to a leadership role, pivoting to a new industry, or launching your own venture.

How to visualize your post-MBA life

The process of visualization involves more than just daydreaming about a successful career; it’s about creating a detailed mental image of your future that encompasses various aspects of your life. Here are some steps to guide your visualization. For each of them, you should set a timer for 2 minutes, close your eyes, think about the prompt, and then immediately after do 3-5 minutes of free writing where you lay out your replies and thoughts.

  • Career path: Picture yourself in your desired job role. Imagine the responsibilities you’ll handle, the projects you’ll lead, and the impact you’ll make in your field. Consider the types of organizations you want to work for and the values they uphold. Be as detailed as possible in terms of field, position, your progression up the ranks, and maybe even location and broader goals you hope to achieve for yourself and the broader sector, community, or world you hope to improve.
  • Skills and knowledge: Reflect on the skills and expertise you’ll gain through an MBA. Visualize yourself applying these new competencies, whether it’s strategic decision-making, financial acumen, or innovative problem-solving. Imagine a day at your dream job. What are you doing, and how is this informed by what you learn in your MBA program, the connections you build there, or other aspects of your intended MBA experience?
  • Network and Relationships: Think about the diverse network of peers, mentors, and industry leaders you’ll meet. Imagine the collaborations, the exchange of ideas, and the lifelong friendships that will enrich your professional and personal life. How have these relationships broadened your horizons and prepared you for what’s to come? In turn, how are you contributing to these networks and relationships?
  • Personal Growth: Beyond career and networking, consider how an MBA will transform you personally. Imagine the confidence, resilience, and broader worldview you’ll develop through this experience.
  • Contribution to Society: Lastly, visualize how you’ll use your MBA to make a positive impact on society. Whether it’s through sustainable business practices, social entrepreneurship, or corporate philanthropy, think about how you’ll contribute to the greater good.

Setting your goals based on your vision

Once you have a vivid picture of your post-MBA life, use this vision to set your short-term and long-term goals. These goals will become the guiding star of your MBA application, helping you articulate why you want to pursue an MBA, what you hope to achieve, and why a particular program is the right fit for you. Again, jot down your thoughts on this. Most MBA applications will ask you some version of “what are your medium-term and long-term goals?” As such, laying this out now – even in sketch form – in response to the five questions above will be quite helpful.

Communicating your vision in your application

Your ability to clearly articulate your post-MBA vision can set you apart in the application process. Use your essays, interviews, and recommendations to convey how your MBA will serve as a bridge between your current state and your future aspirations. This clarity of vision demonstrates purpose, ambition, and the ability to plan strategically for your future – qualities that are highly valued in MBA candidates. Creating this clarity of vision begins by articulating it at the very beginning of the process.

Visualizing your life post-MBA is a crucial step in the application process. It provides clarity, motivation, and direction, ensuring that your efforts are aligned with your ultimate goals. This vision becomes the foundation upon which you build your application, choose your programs, and eventually, chart the course of your career. By imagining your future success, you’re not just daydreaming; you’re laying the groundwork for making that dream a tangible reality. Embrace this vision, let it guide you through the challenges of the application process, and step confidently towards a future that you’ve already begun to shape in your mind.

For more help with your MBA personal statement, check us out at Gurufi.com. Our personal statement editors and consultants have decades of experience helping clients get into top MBA programs. Our specialty is helping you craft compelling personal statements that move the needle in your admissions process! For questions, shoot us an email at service@gurufi.com. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.