Five Tips for Managing the MBA Application Process

• Registering For the GMAT
• Know Yourself
• Letters Of Recommendation
• Decide Upon A School and Finalize
• Help With Applications

Applying for business school can take some time and it takes a lot of thought to create an impressive application. Prospective students should take about one full year to get everything that they need before officially starting school. The more time you take, the less stressful this process will be. You will be happier with the application that you create and you won’t have to settle because you are running out of time. There are a number of things you should about the MBA application process, but let’s take a close look at just five important factors to consider.

Ranking: 10 Best Online MBA Programs

1. Registering For the GMAT

When applying for an MBA program, you will be required to take the GMAT test. The test scores you get from this test will play a large role in how a potential school sees you. Consider this test to be similar to the SAT, which you used to get into college in the first place. Set a goal for your GMAT and spend approximately three to four months preparing. There are usually classes in your area that will hold review sessions for the test and you can find a number of study guides that can help you get ready.

2. Know Yourself

When you start the application process, you want to make sure that you know what your intentions are. What is your purpose for enrolling in an MBA program? This is something you will need to convey in various aspects of your application. Not only do you really want to know and understand yourself from an academic perspective, but you also want to effectively communicate yourself as a business professional as well.

3. Letters of Recommendation

When you apply for an MBA program you will be asked to submit a few letters of recommendation. These letters help represent you as a student and a professional. You can ask for these letters from people like a professor that knows you well, or your boss at work. The key is, to make sure that you ask for these letters months in advance of actually needing them. We all lead busy lives and you don’t want someone to feel pressured to get your letter done. They should have enough time to jot down some ideas and eventually write down what they want to say about you. You will get a better letter this way.

4. Decide Upon A School and Finalize

Once you have filed your applications (you should always apply to a few different schools) you will want to take a little bit of time to weigh the options from your acceptance letters. Each school will offer you something different and you need to decide which option will fit into your life. Going away to school might not be something you want to do but maybe that school offers an online program you could utilize. Make your final decision in an educated manner.

See: Is an Online MBA Worth It? 

5. Help With Applications

There is nothing wrong or against the rules with asking somebody to help you with your application process. This might entail someone who can help with your resume. You could also ask for assistance from a professor that you trust and is knowledgeable about the application process.

Your ultimate goal as a prospective MBA student is to create an authentic application that will impress college admissions professionals. You need to take time to pay attention to all of the details and ensure that your grades are acceptable. If you feel like you may need more time in order to apply in an effective manner, then do so. You won’t hurt your chances of getting into school by taking a little extra time to work on your application.