What is the Ideal time that MBA candidates should spend on Applications?

F1GMAT: What is the ideal time that MBA candidates should spend on their Application. When you talk about application, what are the critical components of an MBA application that needs attention

The MBA Exchange: There is no maximum or minimum time that ensures a “perfect” application. Each applicant has a different set of professional, personal and academic experiences to research, describe and refine.  Furthermore, each applicant has a different writing skill that determines how many iterations of the resume and essays may be required to tell his or her story convincingly.  For everyone, the key is to start the process several months before the application process so you don’t have to rush or compromise.  This also allows you time to have an expert, such an admissions consultant, review your output at various stages.

Each component – resume, application, and essays – needs to developed with patience, focus and clarity.  A sometimes forgotten element is the recommendations. Some applicants mistakenly and naively leave that entire process to the recommender with no direction or input. The fact is that no third party, even a current supervisor or colleague, knows everything about your candidacy that needs to be considered for the recommendation.  By providing a thoughtful outline of suggested topics and examples, you’ll be reducing the time and effort required to produce an on-target recommendation that serves you well.

Most importantly of all, we help our clients to optimize their candidacy before they start to work on the actual applications.  Determining which aspects of your career, community involvement, and personal life can and should be improved through proven tactics is essential.  Even the most impressive essays won’t help you gain admission if there is a missing piece to your professional or personal profile.


About The MBA Exchange®
Comprised of more than 40 experienced graduates and former admissions officers from top-tier MBA programs, The MBA Exchange has helped a CPA-reported 97% of its clients to gain admission to leading business schools worldwide.  The firm’s expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, BusinessWeek.com, and PoetsandQuants.com.

An MBA graduate of Harvard Business School, Dan Bauer is the founder and managing director of The MBA Exchange. His career includes management positions with Citibank, MasterCard International, and DDB Needham Worldwide. Mr. Bauer has served on the Board of Directors of the Harvard Business School Club of Chicago, and provided leadership for organizations including the American Marketing Association and Sales & Marketing Executives International. He is a member of the Association of Independent Graduate Admissions Consultants, Independent Education Consultants Association and the Higher Education Consultants Association, and an affiliate member of the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals.

If you have questions about today’s changing MBA admissions marketplace, or would like a free, expert evaluation of your MBA candidacy in light of these and other trends, please visit www.mbaexchange.com