If you have taken the GMAT, congratulations to you! Now what do you?
The best advice is to speak with someone who can evaluate the rest of your application and provide you with a non-biased opinion as to your
competitiveness. I know sitting for the GMAT is not a joy (I've done it), so please be assured that my colleagues and I only recommend taking the test again
if we think it is truly beneficial or necessary.
Now that you have your scores, you can take that deep, holistic view of your candidacy. One thing to keep in mind is that most applicants to
selective b-schools clear the same academic qualification hurdles you're facing. So you need to make especially sure your
intangibles section – the
"wow" factors, your essays, letters of recommendation, resume and possibly even optional essays – all reflect who you are and where you want to go. The business school admission
process is more than just a "who has the best numbers" system; it's a chance for you to stand out in the crowd and show the admissions committee you
have something long-lasting to offer the school.
Another step in the application process to consider is the ever-present question of money – and if you should apply for financial aid. But is
it too early to start thinking about it? Typically, most applicants begin the financial aid application process in January or February. It's difficult to begin earlier
than that because you will want your tax information to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
which is used to determine your eligibility for federal loans.
So is there anything you need need to do now at this point? Not necessarily. If you anticipate securing private loans (in addition to federal loans) to fund your
graduate business education, I highly recommend obtaining a copy of your credit report now. The sooner you receive that report, the sooner you can clean up any
credit problems. Oftentimes, these reports contain inaccurate information, so getting one now will allow you plenty of time to correct any mistakes. I recommend
making sure you have good credit prior to applying for a private loan.
Lastly, one thing you might want to hold off on is your letters of reference.
Whenever possible, it's best to wait until you have the rest of your application
together so you know what
to have your recommenders focus on about you. Instead, start taking a look at getting your list of extracurriculars together, tightening your resume, and put some more time into
researching your target schools. Get to know what they're looking for and make sure they're
also the right fit for you. If you've got a pressing question about the MBA admissions
process, please don't hesitate to give us a ring at 703.242.5885.
