Students often ask us if being an international student helps or hurts their chances of MBA application success and how they can maximize their chances of acceptance. Business school applications are notoriously complicated. What makes them feel like ancient Chinese torture is the uncertainty of how big of a role is played by each application parameter viz recommendations, essays, GMAT score, extracurriculars (Best extracurricular activity for college admissions), work experience or the interview with the holy admission committee.
Subjective they may be, however, they provide a little bit of insight into the black hole of the admission process into an MBA program. One thing everyone can be certain about is that an MBA application process is not very cheerful. It is long, sometimes confusing and often designed to probe your brain until its grey matter starts spilling out, making your hair greyer through the process.
Yes, the process is grueling and the usual profile of an MBA applicant is one who already has a demanding job.
Leap Quest will answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about the MBA/MS applications and offer some tips that will help you make the most of this element of your MBA/MS application.
Its easy to get distracted and confused with the lot of random information available that, does not assist you in making the right decision. Profession abroad education consultants will support you in picking the right university choice with the collective inputs based on your international test score, interest, experience and strengths to enhance the success rate of your MB/MS admission.
Yes undoubtedly you should go with the consultants to ease your application process. As, each and every university has its own motivation and consideration in collecting the admission documents and, filtering the candidates. Professional education consultants are adept with every university context and help you to present yourself at the best
The only reason is to maximize your success rate in getting the admission at your desired target admission schools. Starting with story telling, university selecting to the point of resume building and presenting yourself with the confidence in front of the admission officers, professionals at Theleapquest -study abroad consultancy will brainstorm and nurture you personally.
This varies considerably based on the country you are applying from. Business schools are looking to develop well-rounded classes, which means you are going to be evaluated not just on your own stats but on how you add diversity to the class.
Top US MBA programs receive a large number of applications from certain regions, and if you are coming from one of those regions, your chances of success do decrease. It should come as no surprise that India is one such area. Conversely, there are many countries in which applying to business school, particularly in the US, is not very common. In this case, your odds of success are higher than those of US applicants.
Regardless of where you are applying from, the best way to stand out is to develop a compelling and ownable personal story. Admissions committees want to know how you will improve the business world (and the world at large) when you graduate from their MBA program. They are also looking for evidence of how you will make your unique mark.
While doing something remarkable or overcoming a difficult situation can produce strong essay content, it is important to recognize that many applicants write successful essays without this type of material. The most important thing is that your essays fit with your story and paint a clear picture of who you are as a student, classmate, employee, and overall individual. It is also important that your application shows you are aware of the realities of job searching as an international candidate. For example, if you hope to work in the US post-MBA, be sure that your target industry frequently sponsors H1B visas.
Not sure where to begin? Leap Quest finds that personal story development is one of the areas in which students require the most guidance. Find out how we help candidates craft focused, logical, and unique personal stories via our comprehensive services.
Candidates applying to US schools from other countries often want to know the best MBA programs for international students. At the top US business schools, international students make up a significant portion of the student body.
Columbia Business School’s class of 2023 is composed of nearly 50% international citizens (48% in the latest reported data). Stanford GSB and Yale SOM also accept a high number of international candidates, with 47% and 44% international students in the class of 2023 respectively. MIT Sloan follows close behind (43%) and Booth’s latest class profile information reported 39% international students.
HBS and Berkeley Haas’s most recent class profiles reported 37% international citizens, followed by Wharton and Kellogg (both 36%). NYU Stern’s class of 2023 is close behind at 32%.
Please keep in mind that not all schools report class profiles the same way.
There is no magic characteristic that will make you an easy admit for a program. Every school will be looking for different qualities based on the school’s values and in an effort to build a diverse community.
The committee will be considering several aspects of your candidacy when reviewing your application: Will you be successful in their academic environment? (This is typically evaluated using GPA and standardized test scores.) What qualities and expertise will you bring to the classroom and community, and have you expressed the inclination to share this with your peers? Business schools are looking for candidates with varying skill sets, but more importantly they are looking for candidates who understand how that will benefit the school’s community.
MBA admissions committees will also look at your work experience to determine whether you have demonstrated the potential for leadership. Some schools will explicitly ask you for your post-MBA goals. In this case, committees are often evaluating whether your previous experience, paired with the school’s resources, will get you to where you want to be professionally.
Top MBA programs (not to mention future employers) are increasingly recognizing the value of diversity of thought and expertise for the business school experience and the bottom line. This makes the MBA classroom a welcome place for those applying from less represented industries and functions.
When applying with less traditional work experience, you will still be expected to submit a competitive test score because schools do not want to set you up for failure in the classroom. However, your unique accomplishments and expertise are often likely to help set you apart. Be sure to thoughtfully articulate the advantages of your unique experiences to the committee.
The test score is really the only standardized indication of your academic abilities so it is important to put your best foot forward here. Do not be afraid to take the test multiple times as committees will typically view multiple attempts as a sign of your determination. The GMAT/GRE/EA also allows the admissions committee to stratify a large pool of candidates. Keep in mind that you are not applying in a vacuum, and you are being compared with other strong applicants applying during the same round.
This engagement can be an important consideration based on your target schools. Every school evaluates your engagement with admissions differently. Some schools, such as Columbia and MIT, will observe whether you have attended admissions events (virtual, on, or off campus) to determine your level of interest in the program.
For schools that consider this, you will want to make sure you attend at least a couple of events before applying. Other schools, like Harvard, do not track this; therefore, you should spend your time elsewhere when preparing the application.
If you are asking if you can promise your boss that you will still be available part time to continue doing the work you were doing pre-MBA, then the answer is: This is highly discouraged and likely would not work in your favor. The first semester of an MBA program is incredibly busy with multiple competing priorities and little flexibility. You do not want to spread yourself thinner or you’ll miss out on the experience that you’re investing so much in.
However, if squeezing in part-time internships during the semester is important to you, many schools have these types of opportunities, but you will have to do your research. For example, given Columbia’s location in Manhattan, students have copious opportunities to spend part of their week in an internship to broaden their experience and network in a given industry and/or function outside of the full-time summer internship experience.
Pick recommenders you have worked closely with and who can speak to your leadership potential and the quality of your deliverables. An MBA admissions committee will not expect you to risk a bonus, promotion, or job by asking your direct supervisor if they are not supportive or aware of your plans. In this case, a dotted line manager, a project manager, or former manager either at your current or past employer are good options.
If you are working for your family business, or own your own business and you are the boss, clients and other stakeholders often can write a strong recommendation for you.
The most objective way to stand out is to have stronger than average test scores. Once you have maximized your score, focus on aspects of the application you have control of, such as engagement with the school (if they value this) and developing a strong overall application. (If you are working with Leap Quest early in the application process, you also can look into stepping up at work or through your extracurricular activities.) Think about how you can uniquely add value to your MBA peers and focus on what sets you apart.
Another way to convince an MBA admissions committee that you are different from your peers with similar backgrounds is to specifically understand how you will contribute to the school and make those around you better.
Cultural fit is as important for you as it is for the admissions committee. You are going to thrive in a place that has the right opportunities and resources for you professionally, academically, and socially. An admissions committee will be able to evaluate your fit based only on the information you provide so, once again, do your research, and make sure you are clear about how your experiences, values, and goals align with what the school can offer in those three domains.
Additionally, part of your “fit” will be evaluated by how you can contribute to the community, so as you are learning about a school’s culture, think about how your interests and expertise will complement the school’s.
The short answer is no; however, the better question to ask would be whether your application needs to focus on a single professional short-term goal. In that case, yes, the best applications choose one goal to communicate to the committee. This makes for a clearer, more streamlined narrative when describing how you will engage with the school to achieve your professional goals.
Keep in mind that committees will not follow you around with your goal essay and require that you pursue only the courses and resources related to it. Once you matriculate, you will be able to seek out coursework, events, and opportunities across industries and functions.
Are you an international candidate seeking guidance throughout the application process? Leap Quest is here to help you maximize your chances of success. Visit our services to learn more.