How to Get Started:

Applying to Business School as an

Undergrad or Recent Graduate

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 Contents
Why Business School? 3

Choosing What to Study 4

Crafting Your Business School Story 5

Self-Reflection: Expressing Who You Are 6

Articulating Your Goals 7

Answering “Why Business School?” and “Why Now?” 8

Tying It All Together 9

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 Return on investment
A graduate business degree pays off many times over in the long run.
A recent survey of alumni found that 9 in 10 alumni report a positive
ROI, recouping their investment in just a few years following graduation.1
Most business master’s graduates agree their degree prepared them
for their chosen career and increased their earnings power.3

Career opportunities
A graduate business degree can expand your skillset, helping you
stand out to employers and putting you on the fast track to management
positions. Most business master’s graduates agree that they’ve had

Why Business opportunities for quicker career advancement than their peers
without a degree.2

School? In-demand skills

Current undergraduates and early professionals can choose to pursue
Thinking of going to business school? a specialized or general management master’s program, gaining skills
You’re not alone! Every year, thousands of to accelerate their career trajectories. Nine in 10 global corporate
undergrads and early professionals like you recruiters say they’re confident in graduate business schools’ ability
make the choice to invest in themselves with to prepare students to be successful in their organizations.4
a graduate business degree—the proven path
to accelerated career development and exciting Network support
opportunities across industries, organization
types, and continents. You can’t underestimate the importance of relationships to career
opportunities and being a part of an extensive business school alumni
A graduate business degree adds significant value network can get you in the door at leading organizations. A recent
to your life and career in a number of ways. survey found that 9 in 10 alumni say they would recruit an alumnus
from their program for a job at their company.5

Global mindset and mobility

More on mba.com
Why Employers Love Business
Business school courses teach the skills that the next generation
Master’s Graduates executives will need in the globally interconnected and dynamic
economy of the future. For many, earning a business master’s
1. Graduate Management Admission Council. (2020). mba.com Longitudinal Survey.
degree abroad creates opportunities to establish a career and
2. Graduate Management Admission Council. (2020). mba.com Longitudinal Survey. life in a new country.
3. Graduate Management Admission Council. (2018). Alumni Perspective Survey.
4. Graduate Management Admission Council (2020). Corporate Recruiters Survey.
5. Graduate Management Admission Council. (2018). Alumni Perspective Survey.

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 Do you know what you want to do?
If you want to work in a specific function or industry, a good place to start is to
contact employers or those in the role to ask them how the degree will help boost
your application. Job adverts are useful to identify the skills recruiters are looking
for and don’t be afraid to speak to potential employers.

Different types of programs Choosing between

There are many different types of business different programs
master’s degrees that will help you gain Degree programs offered by different
the skills you need for your chosen field. business schools may all be called the same
Consider starting your search with these thing so do a little digging to understand
popular program types:
Choosing
exactly what is covered in the program.
First, check out the core program. What is
z The Master in Management (MiM)
covered? What role does it play in the overall
complements all undergraduate

What to Study
program? Will it give you a grounding in the
majors and will help you learn
subjects you need? If you’ve already studied
general management principles.
some of the topics, make sure you won’t be
Deciding what to study for your business master’s z Master of Data or Business Analytics repeating content. Next look at electives as
degree can be difficult as there are many different degrees meet the growing need for these give you an opportunity to tailor your
degrees out there. As you start the process of skilled professionals who can extract learning experience or broaden your focus
getting ready to apply to business school, it’s okay insights from data. beyond the specialization. Be sure your
if you’re not sure yet what you want to study or interests are covered.
identified what program type is right for you, but its z A Master of Finance readies you
important to at least have a sense of what’s available for a career in fields such as finance,
and start thinking about it. insurance, risk, and banking. Check
admissions criteria carefully as while
Here’s some key information and guidance for you most programs are targeted at those
to take into account as you begin your journey to early in their career, some require  Pro tip
business school. significant work experience.
If you have a specific employer or job
z Master in Marketing programs
More on mba.com will not only give you a good grounding
in mind, ask the school for details on
where graduates go. Which employers
What Are the Different Types of in marketing principles, such as branding, hire from them and for what roles? This
Business Master’s Degrees? strategy, and market research, but will will help make sure you find a good fit,
How to Choose Your Business Master’s also enable you to refine your degree and ensure you’ll have an alumni network
Degree Based on Your Career Goals through electives covering topics such to leverage in your job search when you
Career Explorer Tool: How to as analytics or digital. complete the program.
Start Building a Bright Future

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Crafting
Your Business A critical, but often overlooked first step to conquering the business school admissions
process is taking the time to think through the story you want to tell with your applications.

School Story Giving yourself the space to step back and be introspective about who you are, where
you want to take your career, and how a graduate business degree can help you get
there can be helpful not only for your applications, but can also help you understand
Congratulations on choosing to pursue a for yourself why you’re making this investment at this moment in your life’s journey.
graduate business degree! The question is:
what’s the best way to get started? Being thoughtful about how you present yourself and frame your
personal brand are essential to putting together applications that:

z Tell an authentic and compelling narrative

z Differentiate you from other qualified applicants

z Stick in the minds of the admissions committees

Investing your time at this step early in the process will push you to develop a clear
and concise personal brand statement and help you stay on message as you craft the
various parts of your applications, including your essays, short answers, and even in
More on mba.com selecting who will write your letters of recommendation.
Business School Grads Better at
Finding Professional Happiness
Read on in this guide for advice on expressing who you are, articulating your goals,
and conveying why a graduate business degree is the right move for you right now.

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 As a first step, take some time to reflect on these questions related to who you are,
where you come from, and what you’ve already accomplished in your life and career.
This list is not comprehensive—consider this a jumping off point for your self-exploration.

Your personality traits Your background Your accomplishments

z How would you describe z What internship or z Have you earned any

Self-Reflection:
yourself to someone you full-time professional awards or honors in
just met? experience do you school, university, or
z What interpersonal have to date? at work?

Expressing qualities do you believe

define your personality?
z Where did you grow up?
What kind of environment
were you raised in?
z Was there ever a time
you experienced a
failure, and came away

Who You Are

z What motivates you?
z Have you had to from it stronger?
z Do you have any personal
stories that reveal a key overcome any personal or z Have you done
character trait? professional hardships? volunteer work for
Your business school applications are so much a cause that you’re
more than the sum of your undergraduate GPA, z What are your z Where have you
traveled, and how has passionate about?
internships, GMAT™ exam score, and extra-curricula weaknesses?
experiences. Successful applicants weave their that travel affected you? z What academic projects
z What kind of work brings have you completed
story into the various parts of their application and z What was/is your
you satisfaction? that you’re especially
articulate why accepting them into the program will undergraduate major?
add value to the class and enrich their classmates’ Why did you choose proud of?
business school experiences. Conveying who you it and what have you z What kind of leadership
are, your background, and your accomplishments learned from it? experience do you have?
are key to this.  Pro tip
It can also be helpful to involve people close to you. How would a colleague or close
friend describe you? What they say may differ from your own self-assessment and
More on mba.com reveal something interesting. You may have taken a personality assessment like the
Overcoming Your Doubts as Birkman Method or StrengthsFinder in the past. Now’s a good time to revisit your
an International Student results and understand what they say about you.

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Articulating Here are tips for articulating your career goals in a way that is clear,
compelling, logical, and achievable.

Your Goals Be honest about what you want

Remember, this is your life! Your goals
Gap analysis
Identify the new skills you’ll need to
Business school admissions committees should reflect what you want for yourself, acquire to get where you want to go,
want to understand not only who you are and and definitely not your best guess of what as well as the skills you already have that
where you come from, but also where you want the admissions committees want to hear. you can build on. Connecting the dots
to go and what you want to do. Narrow things down by what industries between where you’ve been and where
interest you, what functions are a good you’re headed will make for a compelling,
First things first: it’s okay if you’re unsure! fit, where you want to be geographically, logical narrative.
The admissions committees understand that and other parameters that can focus
your plans may change, but articulating clear your exploration. Short-term goals leading to a
career goals highlights that you have done
long-term vision
the work of envisioning your ideal professional Research
future and underscores your commitment to Consider not just your end goal—where
the journey of your career. You’ll want to demonstrate that you’ve you want to be in 10+ years—but also the
done your homework and understand in short-term steps that will lead there.
a realistic sense what it will take to get This is where you want to be the most
where you want to go. Research your specific and should include details around
target industries and roles and get a sense
More on mba.com of the trends that may shape their future.
your internship plans and the years after
graduation. Make sure that these goals
Tell the Story of You in Your Networking and informational interviews
Business School Application
are realistic and that you’ve thoroughly
with people in the roles you see yourself researched how expanding your skills will
in will help you find clarity. help build toward your long-term vision.

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 Here are some tips for framing the importance of a graduate business
degree to you achieving your goals:

Be specific It’s okay to get personal

There are a lot of reasons for someone to If personal or family circumstances are
pursue a graduate business degree. You driving the timing of your application
could simply rattle off a few of them and decision, it’s okay to be upfront about that.
be done with it, but that wouldn’t reveal However, this shouldn’t be your only rationale.
anything about its specific value to you Work your personal circumstances into your
and your career goals. Try to be as specific career narrative, and relate the value of a
and thoughtful as possible. If you want to graduate business degree to making your
develop your skills, which skills, and why? circumstances work for your life. For instance,
If you want to break into a specific career if you’re moving to a new city or country be

Answering path, be specific about how you plan to use

your internship and coursework to make
that happen. You need to make clear that
closer to family or a partner, part of your “why
business school?” and “why now” answer
could be that you need to establish a new

“Why Business you’ve given the question of “why business

school?” significant thought.
network in a new city so that you can start
your career on the right foot.

School?” and Relate your timing to your

career goals
What you bring to the table
Business school admissions committees
are particularly interested in applicants
“Why Now?”
Timing is everything, and the admissions
committee needs to know why you think who they believe will add to their classmates’
earning a graduate business degree at this experience. Your applications and interviews
early stage of your career is the right move are your chance to make your case for
for you. How will it accelerate your journey why your perspectives, interpersonal skills,
It’s important that your business school story
to your career goals? Be prepared to enthusiasm, and more will enhance others’
include a compelling, personal, and specific
provide a specific answer. learning and growth.
answer to the questions “why business school?”
and “why now?”. In evaluating candidates,
business school admissions committees want
to understand how their program’s experience  Pro tip
and resources will contribute to your professional
goals and why now is the right time for you to Once you’ve identified your best fit programs that you plan to apply to, you’ll
take this step, so it’s critical that you be able to need to adapt your answer to “why business school?” to address the more specific
spell it out clearly and persuasively. question of “why this program?”. First consider this in a more general sense from
your own personal perspective before tailoring your response to a specific program
to ensure that your authenticity shines through.

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 There’s no one tried and true formula for doing this but consider starting with one of
the frameworks below and then adjusting it to make it work for you. Of course, all the
details you developed earlier in this guide won’t necessarily be reflected here but keep
those points in mind for later phases in the application process. You’ll be glad you have
them later.

I’m a __(personality trait)__ young professional who majored in __(under-

personality trait undergrad
gradmajor
major)__ applying to business school to __(“why “whybusiness school?”)__
business school?”
to help me achieve my long-term goal of __(career goal)_ .
career goal

Tying It I’m a __(background)__

background bachelor’s student who is passionate about
background/accomplishment
__(background/accomplishment)__ and I plan to __(“why “whybusiness
business

All Together school?”)__ with my graduate business degree so I can __(career goal)__.
school?” career goal

I’m pursuing a graduate business degree now to __(“why business

“why business school?”
Now it’s time to pull the different elements so I can __(career goal)__ as a part of my passion for
career goal background/
of your story together into a personal brand accomplishment
sfdfdfdfdf .
statement that will serve as your lodestar
throughout the admissions process. This will
help ensure that you stay on message and Remember, the most important thing is that you be authentic. If you learn nothing
use the different pieces of your applications else from this guide, it should be that your secret weapon in the admissions process
to communicate a clear and consistent is you and what makes you unique. Being thoughtful about how you tell your story will
business school story that is uniquely yours differentiate you from the pool of other qualified candidates and increase your likelihood
and makes you stand out. of earning a spot in one of your top choice programs.

 Pro tip
Consider your personal brand statement a kind of “elevator pitch” as
you network and meet new people—not only as a part of the admissions
process, but also once you start your program and get acquainted with
your classmates. Repeat it and rework it until you feel natural and confident
saying it conversationally, and you’ll get to the point where it’s second
nature to consistently work the key parts into your introductions.

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You’re on
your way to
business school!
With the tips provided in this guide, you
have what you need to begin your journey
to business school with your best foot forward.
As you begin to identify your best fit programs
and pull together the key pieces of your
Next steps
applications, you’ll be glad you put the time mba.com is your go-to source for information and insights as you begin to narrow
and thought into these first steps. your choices and identify your best fit programs. Here’s a collection of expert advice
and resources for you to consult:

z Quiz: Which Business Master’s Degree Should I Do? Answer just a few simple
questions and we’ll put you on the right path.
z How to Choose Your Business Master’s Degree Based on Your Career Goals.
Use our infographic to pinpoint your interests and learn which business master’s
programs are most popular for your specific selections.
z What to Study: A Business Master’s Now or an MBA Later? Read our expert
advice to help determine the right path for you.

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