Did you apply to business schools in the previous year(s) and didn't get a single admit letter? Yes, we know it can be extremely disheartening and one might be inclined to give up. But DON'T. If MBA is indeed your dream, if you truly aspire to a better career and a better life and you are convinced that it can happen only with an MBA, give it another shot and make sure it is your best! As Lance Armstrong, the famous cyclist and more importantly, cancer survivor, puts it, 'if you ever get a second chance for something, you've got to go all the way.'
Now let's talk about how to create an admission worthy application as a reapplicant.
Discover and annihilate all weaknesses/errors in your earlier application.
The first step is diagnosing what went wrong and why. It is the most critical aspect but often difficult to comment on. Paraphrasing Tolstoy, one could say "Successful MBA essays are all alike; every dinged application package is screwed up in its own way". Not quite true but you could have gone wrong in a million ways and without a look at the application, it would impossible to pinpoint. Still on conducting several Ding Analysis, some of the common reasons we have identified are:
- a weak career goal
- a strongly stated goal which is unfortunately unsubstantiated elsewhere in the application
- inconsistencies within/across the essays and letters of recommendation
- essays that are good individually but do not make a strong case as they lack an underlying theme
- very few or canned "why this school" points
- little or no non-work activities across the essays
It is also possible that the core of your application- the essays- are pretty good but you got the timing/profile/scores/recommendations wrong. If you get an option, always obtain feedback on your profile from the business school adcom or alumni.
The second step is to convince the admissions committee that this new Version 2.00 of you is better, brighter and worthier. Follow the process below to systematically identify and capture positive changes in your profile.
a). Think: Reflect and jot down EVERY improvement you have made in each aspect of your life. This will help you build an initial image of the Version 2.0 applicant. The usual one year period for the reapplication leaves little time for massive profile upgrades but try your best.
b). Work: Through your experiences and achievements since you last applied, illustrate how you can contribute better to the business school, gain more from it and are in a better position to achieve your short/long term goals. Been promoted? Got awards? Won new assignments? Mention 'em all.
c). Goals: Make a stronger case for your goals by specifying why/how you have greater skills, experience, perspective etc. to make your dreams come true - short-term and long-term. Preferably stick with the goal/s given last year; in case your goals have changed, you better have good reasons as you will definitely have to put it down in the essays or might have to justify in the interview.
d) Business School: Wherever asked, explaining how the tools of that specific MBA program will help you to meet your goals is an essential part of the reapplicant essay. Detail aspects of that school's learning, faculty, program, location, alumni, students etc. that will aid the achievement of your goals. If you did a GREAT job of this part of the essay last year, add to it with mentions of how your enhanced knowledge/experience makes the program EVEN MORE fitting for you.
e) Apply Early: Unless you can achieve something magical in those extra 4-5 months, APPLY EARLY!
