GMATmatters significantly, much like gaining admission to top-tier universities. However, focusing solely on the exam will not guarantee your success. To see acceptance letters land in your inbox, you must recognize that elements beyond your GMAT performance also carry substantial weight.
Based on a survey of 50 elite MBA admissions consulting agencies, GMAT results account for just 21.7% of a standard MBA application's evaluation. Therefore, what other variables should you weigh prior to submitting your MBA application?
13. Being Multilingual
Proficiency in additional languages accounts for roughly 1.4% of the decision weight. Admissions panels view polyglots (a useful vocabulary term for your IELTS/TOEFL) as possessing exceptional communication abilities. These individuals demonstrate a capacity for multitasking and enhanced cognitive function. Hence, now is the moment to finally study that language you have been delaying.
12. Undergraduate Major
Your undergraduate field of study makes up a modest 2.4% of an MBA application's importance. It does not negatively impact your chances whatsoever, seeing as an MBA program welcomes applicants from a wide array of academic disciplines. It is a widespread fallacy that a business background serves as the optimal preparation for an MBA. Data from the QS Top MBA website indicates that roughly 27% (on average) of accepted students at premier US business schools hold a business or closely related degree.
11. International Experience
If you possess global work background, now is the time to highlight it in your submission materials. Although international exposure does not carry overwhelming influence (merely 3%), it can provide a competitive advantage over rival applicants and offer a platform to demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
10. Industry Background
Regardless of the sector you have operated in, your professional history reflects your general management background. It represents 3.1% of the application's weight. The following link shares a personal account by Kenny Lim, a Harvard Business School MBA alumnus with an undergraduate background in Electrical Engineering - How my Engineering and Manufacturing background prepared me for an MBA.
9. Years of Work Experience
The duration of your professional tenure matters only to a minor extent in your evaluation (just 4.7%). Demonstrating your leadership talents remains the most crucial aspect when pursuing this qualification.
8. Extracurricular Activities
Your extracurricular activities define your involvement in things other than academics. It enhances your leadership skills and paves a chance for you to pursue your passions. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Nevertheless, it accounts for only 5.7% of weight in your application. Introverts rejoice!
7. College/ University Attended
The better the university or college you attend during your under graduation, the better your impression is in your application. Although, it is not of much significance (5.9%) as it does not majorly affect your admission.
6. Notable Employer
If you have worked with a noteworthy employer, mentioning it in your application is a good idea. It establishes your worth in the industry; it shows how your skills have been polished. It holds a 7.3% of weight in your application.
5. Recommendation Letters
You might want to start buttering that teacher who holds grudges against you now. Recommendation letters weigh 7.6% in your application. They put on display your general conduct in academia and work. Keep in mind to get recommendations from teachers and employers you like and with whom you worked your best with so that you get letters appreciating your skills and behaviour akin.
4. Undergraduate GPAs
It was a topic of discussion at your household. Now, it will be one with admission officers too. While scoring well definitely gets you closer to your admission, a poor academic performance can taint your application form as it holds a significance of 10.3%. So, make sure to apply to safe and moderate schools and not only ambitious ones.
3. Admission Interviews
Prepare well for this one. Admission interviews hold a crucial 12.1% weight in your application. Do not flout this opportunity of wooing the admissions committee in a vis-a-vis. Practice your interview skills with the commonly asked questions. Nobody will judge you in front of a mirror. Here is a list of possible questions you will face during an interview - Top 20 MBA Interviews Questions.
2. Essays
Significant to a whopping 14.5% in your application, essays play a significant role in getting you into the college/university of your dreams. Try enhancing your vocabulary and writing skills. Here is a list of 20 must-do tips for MBA essay by The Princeton Review.
1. GMAT Scores-
GMAT scores are, of course, the most important bit of your MBA application. Weighing an aforementioned 21.7%, it is a deciding factor, in terms of cut-off marks, to the colleges that you would call safe, intermediate, and ambitious. It is advised to start preparing for this test as early as 3 months before the test date. A guide through the process GMAT preparation.
Therefore, there are various factors at play when you apply to universities for your post-graduation. Keeping this in mind, it is vital for an application to be well-rounded. Being a jack of all trades seems like a safe option here. Nonetheless, it is wise to look into the preferences of universities you are applying to. For example, you might find out that your dream university stresses more upon undergraduate GPAs than anything else. In such a case, make sure your academic profile is lit.
Getting an admit is in your hands and improvising your profile to the terms of the colleges you are tackling is the way to go.
For more guidance through the application process, please visit our University Application section.