Getting Ready for Round 2 MBA Applications

For many people, the weeks leading up to the new year are a time of merriment and a full calendar of socializing with family and friends. However, for Round 2 MBA applicants, this is likely “crunch time” as deadlines in early January loom.

If you’ve already completed a first or second draft of your MBA essays, spend these next few weeks proofreading and polishing to make sure they hit all the right notes. Do they convey your passions? Do they clearly address your career goals? And crucially, do they show why X school is the best fit?

If you haven’t yet sought feedback on your essays, now is the time to enlist a family member, colleague, or trusted friend to look them over. However, their primary concern should be your spelling and grammar, not making you second-guess your strategy.

Another key component of the MBA application is the resume, so make sure yours is in tip-top shape. Get rid of any jargon or industry-specific acronyms that a lay person wouldn’t recognize; highlight achievements to identify results and impact; and show the skills you have gained.

Remember, this is not a resume designed to land a job interview—it’s another important way to tell your story to the admissions committee…and it’s often the very first document the person reviewing your application will open.

Finally, ensure your recommendation letters are in. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you know you’ll get your materials uploaded in time, but you simply can’t be as confident about your recommenders. If you haven’t received confirmation that they’ve submitted their letters, stop everything and do what you can to help them finish this critical task.

Best of luck to all candidates applying in Round 2!