So much work goes into applying to b-school, that most people don’t stop to think about the 8-12 months between getting in and going back.
If you have never heard the phrase “drinking from a fire hose” in the context of getting your MBA, you will. It’s perhaps the best comparison for how intense it can be.
This time of year is about finishing well and new beginnings. And Summertime, and sipping lemonade and relaxing. Before you head off to the beach, however, you might want to do a few things to advance your MBA application process.
Preparing business school applications is a grueling process, but there is another use of the word “prepare” which is far more important than the actual process itself. How about this play on words: Are you making proper preparations to prepare your applications?
We are often reminded (and rightly so on the one hand) that finding a common thread in our careers is an important step in convincing the admissions committees you have been progressively responsible and focused, and have not just meandered through your professional life.
While finding that common thread is indeed a critical exercise to not only ensure you are ready for the b-school application process, but also to judge whether or not you have a solid vision for your future, a trap that often ensnares b-school applicants and alumni alike is worrying too much about the logical progression of your career trajectory from a narrative point of view. Applicants often become distracted or obsessed about finding this “theme” in their careers to the point that they force a round peg into a square hole just to try and make everything connect.
Lots of folks ask about quitting their jobs when applying to business school, but are there reasons for doing so that will not put off the admissions committees? Perhaps.
While for those who just finished off their third round b-school applications, it’s already time for others to begin thinking about “next season.” Application season begins in earnest after all of last year’s applications are processed, and every final offer of admission is made and filled.
