Yale MBA Application Tips from Current Students
Whether you plan to submit a Yale MBA application or apply elsewhere, we’ve got great advice to pass along. Take a look at these tips from current Yale School of Management students. When asked what advice they would offer this year’s MBA hopefuls, here are a few of their best nuggets.
Research exhaustively
Business school is a huge, expensive proposition. For that reason, conducting ample research to find out every detail you can about each school is vital.
“Try to get as many data points on schools as possible. The first step is research, research, research. Each business school has unique characteristics that make it stand out from the others. I found the ones that spoke to me and my interests and took a deeper dive on those. That meant getting on the phone with current students and still more online research. The next step was to actually interact with the schools—go to presentations, go to events, visit campuses, and connect with admissions.” – Rayan Mansour ’20
Prepare thoroughly
Create a timeline that incorporates the schools to which you will apply and in what particular round. Working backward from this timeline should help you set goals in terms of GMAT preparation, essay writing, planning to attend events, etc.
“It may sound simple, but once you have a sense of what schools you will apply to, make sure to really understand all of the application requirements! MBA applicants are typically working full time and are generally busy people, and it will help you in the long run to know the nuances of each school’s application requirements. There are differences across schools, such as essay question prompts and required supplemental information. It gave me a lot of peace of mind to map everything out and avoid some last-minute surprises before submitting my applications.” – Rebecca Baehr ’20
It’s okay to ask for help
It can be hard to stay motivated when you are faced with so many competing responsibilities, both as an applicant and from the real world. Never underestimate the importance of having someone you can vent to who knows exactly what it feels like in your shoes.
A little nudge from your application buddy, and having a sense of support, community and accountability to another person in the MBA trenches, can go a long way toward keeping your motivation levels running high and your eye on the prize.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Reach out to current students or recent alumni to hear about why they chose a certain school, reach out to friends and family for help revising your essays, set up a GMAT study plan with a friend. The application process can be challenging, and having a support network will make a world of a difference.” – Jordan Woll ’20
It’s a lot to absorb, but the sooner you hash out all of the details, the better prepared you’ll be to fine-tune your application and polish those essays. If you need guidance on your Yale MBA essays, we can help! Or, check out any of our SBC strategy guides to help you learn the secrets for creating standout application essays.
