Looking Back and Forward
While everyone is playing the waiting game, I thought I would offer a few thoughts about this past season and what it might mean for future applicants.
With the wrecked economy and so many people applying to business school as a result, everyone knew the application process this year would be tough. And it’s been true. Even my clients that would normally walk through the process have struggled. All things considered, perhaps the most important factor this year has been timing; my clients who applied in the first round seemed to enjoy a distinct advantage, with a 100% interview invitation rate for those applying to two-year U.S. programs, even for those with a GMAT score below 700.
The number of applicants and re-applicants (who will have the advantage of knowing themselves and the process much more deeply, and who will probably be targeting the first round) will likely remain high or even rise this year, with layoffs expected to increase throughout the U.S. economy and worldwide. For 2009-10 applicants, then, this means applying early has never been more important and that you should start your GMAT and/or TOEFL test preparation now, if you haven’t already begun.
You should also be thinking about your applications themselves. Recognizing this more difficult landscape, I’ve begun offering a Foundation Package that will begin in May of this year and last for two months. By the end of June, you should have both a highly developed resume and goals essay that will jumpstart your applications and leave you strategically placed for the rest of the application process. You’ll be able to present your resume during school visits, or hand it directly to admissions committee representatives and alumni at MBA fairs and information sessions. You’ll also be able to speak with confidence about your career aspirations, which are the foundation of your entire application and now more difficult to establish given the economic crisis.
To learn more about the Foundation Package, please click here. For more general information about my services or to arrange a free consultation, please contact me.