Why MBA Applicants Should thank them! It's Good for your Health

Although Thanksgiving Day has evolved from a day of reform and gratitude to “Turkey Day”, when families willingly or unwillingly sit around a table, and pretend to enjoy each other’s company, the day signifies the importance of gratitude. For MBA applicants, it is a day to forget about Round 2 deadlines, and GMAT preparation. The 6 month to 1-year journey of MBA application, right from picking the school to arranging funds can be stressful. You don’t have to sacrifice the sense of well-being during this long journey.

According to studies by Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami, groups that wrote about things that they were grateful tends to feel better about their lives, had fewer visits to the Doctor, and exercised more. In contrast, the group that focused on all the problems in their life felt irritated and unhappy.

If you think about the journey, there are websites, forums, supervisors, managers, admission consultants, alumni, current B-School Students, friends, and family who have made your journey a less stressful one. Consider this week as a “Thanksgiving Week.”

So how can MBA Applicants thank the individuals?

1) GMAT Instructors & Community

What most applicants fail to do after scoring a 700+ in their GMAT is to thank the community, and excellent instructors who have made this dream a possibility. Although you read about debriefs, and general thank you note to the community, one on one communication can add the personal touch that is well deserved. Think about the numerous times a community member answered your specific GMAT question. It is easy to send a “Thank You” privately through forums or through twitter accounts. Do it! You will feel good.

2) Recommenders

What differentiates an average endorsement of your candidacy from an unshaken faith in your capability is the recommendation letter. You will face several obstacles while getting that recommendation letter on time. This can be due to the recommender’s schedule or the time it takes to create a well-crafted letter. Whatever is the case, the manager is putting her reputation on the line to endorse you. Thank them with “a simple thank you note” or “Buy them their favorite book, Music Album or DVD.”

3) Consultants

You paid the consultant but most ethical consultants will go beyond the hourly requirements, and offer you services that are satisfactory. Thank them with a “testimonial.” Do not fail to mention what made them unique. Include specifics, and the impact they had on the application. Let their service be known to future MBA applicants.

4) Current Students & Alumni

The journey is meaningless without selecting the right school. The research can last anywhere between 1 to 3 months, and depending on the GMAT score, other schools might also be shortlisted. The critical groups that influence school selection are Current Students, and Alumni. The numerous phone and chat conversations with this group have convinced you to pick one school over the other. Take this opportunity to send a simple “Thank you Note” for helping you make the right decision. The real impact of picking a school will only be realized after 2-3 years but they have offered you some important inside information. Thank them for it.

5) Family & Friends

Although initially friends might react differently to your aspirations, real friends will stick by you, and understand that this is your dream. The no-show in parties and Saturday nights will not antagonize a real friend. Thank them for their support. Finally, the family - the group that sponges off your frustrations and pushes you to pursue the “Wackiest” goals. They are the real heroes. Take them out for Dinner this weekend, and thank them in person. A simple “Thank you” will suffice.

If you feel that we have offered you some useful advice this Thanksgiving weekend, share this article with your friends.