In this MBA application strategy tips series, I will share two strategies before Choosing Schools for the Round 1 MBA Application:
1) Find your Strengths and Weaknesses
Depending on your profile strengths, consider applying to your top 2 schools in one round.
So what is a strong profile?
Two years back, when an applicant reached out to me, the person had leadership in 6 deals and continued to engage in a non-profit without any break. The grades were all impressive, and the person had the most promotions. He was a strong fit for Harvard and Stanford. Eventually, he got into Stanford. His profile ticked the academic, volunteering, and professional growth milestones. But it doesn't mean that the entire application pool for Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton are only high achievers. There would be some weaknesses. Let us say you have a lack of volunteering coming from travel if you are a consultant, remote work if you work in the Oil & Gas industry or manufacturing in a client location, culture – if you are working in Investment Banking or any country or company where you must put in 12-16 hours and unofficially work on Saturdays too. In that case, continued volunteering is not possible.
Then there are applicants with academics at the borderline of the class's median GMAT/GRE or GPA.
Once you recognize your weakness, build your profile and work on personal branding.
If you need my help with profile evaluation, reach out to me, Atul Jose
A particular branding might work for Stanford, but if you just rephrase it for Harvard, that rarely translates to a Win. You must iterate your essays from the start and highlight projects, life experiences, and goals that align with the school's values.
2) Good Backup as a Strategy for Round 2
I have advised against applying to tier 2 schools in Round 1 as a backup. Still, a backup strategy would be extremely useful if you are unsure about your chances at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, or Booth. For me, tier-2 is any school outside the top 20 ranking in the US. Since the US has the best salary, we are benchmarking against US schools.
A good backup school is in the 5-15 range of top US school ranking with credible funding support and an accessible alumni network.
Use Round 1 to test the waters if you are targeting Harvard and Stanford. Choosing schools in the 5-15 rank will give you feedback on stretching your ambition for Round 2. You will also have a set of narratives that worked in multiple schools. Use the same core narrative but customize it for your top school based on its culture and values.
The biggest advantage of having an offer in hand is your confidence. You will approach Round 2 with a fresh perspective.
