before applying
You're interested in an MBA, but don't feel ready to apply yet? No problem. Even if you're not thinking about applying in the next few years, there are a few actions you can take now to make sure you're set up to be a successful applicant.
Pro-tip: Check out Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). MLT’s MBA Prep program provides coaching, tools and resources to help African American, Hispanic/Latino(a), and Native American professionals get admitted into top MBA programs in the US. According to their website, 90% of fellows have been accepted to top 10 MBA programs. We encourage you to check out their website (https://ml4t.org/mba-prep/) to learn more about the program.
1. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities
In addition to giving back to your community, through extracurricular activities, you can demonstrate and further develop your:
leadership skills
passion for certain social issues
ability to manage your time
The key is to find an issue you're passionate about. If you can explain why you're passionate about it, even better! Thinking about the why will save you some time when you apply to schools, during the essay writing and interviewing portions of the application process.
2. Focus on your Professional Development
In business school, you'll be required to contribute to your lectures and group projects based on your professional experience. To make the most out of your time in business school, now is the time to focus on your professional career. Are you a top performer at your workplace? If not, what's holding you back and how can you become a top performer? An important part of the MBA application process is your recommendations. Making sure you're a top performer will ensure you get the type of recommendation you'll need to get into business school.
In addition to performance, also think about career trajectory. How can you continue to grow and develop in the next few years? Should you aim for a promotion in your role/function or should you aim for a completely different role? The answers to these questions will be based on where you are in this moment, and where you see yourself going in the near future.
3. DEfine your short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Defining your goals is perhaps the most important step before applying to business school. Typically, short-term goals are defined as what you'd want to do post-MBA. Long-term goals typically refer to what you'd want to do about five or ten years after you get your MBA. Knowing where you want to go in the future will allow you to make more informed decisions throughout the application process, and even while in business school.