5 helpful tips to prepare for your MBA
Preparing for your MBA is more than just working to get a great GMAT score. While a high score on your GMAT is certainly a big achievement, there are other factors that most business school applicants forget to consider during the process.
Whether you’re planning to pursue an immersive two-year program or a simple part-time course, these 5 tips will help you get ready for your MBA.
How to prepare for your MBA
Most MBA admissions committees determine an applicant’s eligibility by closely analyzing said applicant’s history as a student and employee over the past years. And since admissions committees consider a myriad of factors on your application, it’s important to start preparing well before you hand in your application documents.
1. Get a high GPA for undergraduate coursework
Strong grades indicate that you have the capacity to take on the rigorous coursework that most MBA programs offer. In your undergraduate program, focus on keeping your GPA high — at least 3.5 to 3.7 — to increase your chances of getting admitted to the program you want.
2. Talk to students and alumni
Talk to current and former students from the MBA program that you’re applying to. This is the best way to get a clearer perspective on the things that you want to know about this MBA program before jumping all in. If you have friends who have previously gone to business school, their opinions and insights also might help you make a better decision about your MBA.
Some programs may offer campus tours and introductions to help applicants get a more solid idea of how campus life will be. If you happen to come across an offer, don’t turn it down. Take all opportunities you can to understand your program better.
3. Build a track record of leadership
Most MBA programs seek applicants who possess potential leadership skills. This is why building a strong track record of leadership will help your chances of getting into a program you like. You can start by being the president of a successful club or sports team in your university. If you’re currently working, you can also look for leadership opportunities at work, such as leading a certain initiative or being the team lead to a specific segment in your office.
4. Choose a concentration
Business schools vary in their specialties. Some are great at entrepreneurship and marketing, while others are great at international business.
Determining what specialty you want to pursue in your MBA not only helps you choose which program to apply to. It will also influence your decision on which elective classes you sign up for later and prepare you to take advantage of on-campus recruiter visits.
The summer before your MBA starts is an ideal time to create a list of interesting agencies/businesses that recruit at your campus. Conduct research on contacts from your intended companies and find out if you can arrange an informational interview with them.
However, try not to get uberly attached to a single company. Competition is fierce in business school, therefore, it’s always wise to keep your options open to be free of any disappointments.
5. Mentally brace yourself
Business school can be both mentally and physically taxing. Apart from the rigorous academic demands of their MBA, students also need to deal with all the social challenges that come with business school. Following the concept of “work hard, play hard” could offer some advantages later on, but it can pose several challenges, particularly for students with families.
Knowing what to expect beforehand will help you mentally brace yourself for what might come. To avoid getting overwhelmed by responsibilities, schedule appropriate break periods to help you recover from school-related stress.
Preparing for your GMAT
Now that you’ve prepared everything else, you can focus on your GMAT. There are tons of online resources that can help you achieve a great score, such as this post. You might also want to consider enrolling for a GMAT review course online, so you can familiarize yourself with the types of questions you might encounter in the exam.
If you aren’t sure where to find reliable review courses, you can go to this page and check out their list of great online review courses. Surely one of them can help you ace your GMAT.
The bottom line
Success in your MBA all comes down to how well you prepare. As early as your undergraduate degree, you have to build strong grades for a stronger chance at getting into the program of your choice. Build connections with people who can help you familiarize yourself with the life of a business student. Be a good leader and show initiative in all your endeavors. And mentally brace yourself for what may come.