This article is time sensitive. Last updated on 8.10.2020

While COVID-19 seems to have put the brakes on a lot of plans, we can be quite sure that personal growth has not been limited. As jobs remain in a flux, many professionals have taken this as an opportunity to enhance their skills and to advance or switch their career. This blog will share a detailed analysis of the top colleges MBA in the US and you can find a complete list of all the essay prompts as well as deadlines here. 

The preparation for an MBA requires experience, and a meticulous approach to detail and research. You need to be sure of your college list, the resume has to be spot on, and the essays are definitely not easy to ace (you could browse our section on how to get the SOP right). With many changes taking place world over in the field of education due to the Covid pandemic, the norms for applications have changed as well. For UG courses, there have been huge changes in the approach to standardised tests and scores. Quite a few colleges have gone test-blind for UG courses.

However, for MBA, the standardised score requirement is usually a GMAT or GRE, and almost all colleges and universities do require a score for application. 

We can see that a top-notch program like MBA at MIT Sloan does not require scores, as mentioned on their site:

“However, in view of challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we will allow candidates for the 2020-21 admission cycle to submit their application without the test and review their submitted material as is and without negative inferences. If admitted, candidates will not be required to take a test.”

Due to this, one might be tempted to apply without a score. But in all honesty, scores are like a threshold that needs to be crossed. Given that a large segment of applicants come from competitive demographics like India and China, not taking a GMAT could risk the entire application process. The real application hinges on the narrative that you build for yourself using story-arcs in your stories and essays. How you build your narrative will help you stand out amongst other applicants. 

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The recommendations too are a key element of the application since they can validate your experience. Do not use recommendations only as a method to sing praises for your work experience, but use them to demonstrate your skills from an objective perspective. 

Do remember that all of the entailing research is only for Full Time MBA programs. Have a look at this list for a comprehensive analysis of process changes, deadlines, admission requirements, and a complete list of essay prompts for the top MBA programs in the US.

How to proceed with your application:

Step 1: Choose your deadline.

The Round 1 deadline for most of these MBA applications has passed (or is almost about to pass). Round 2 will be due in January, which means that there are still more than 2 months left to work on that application. 

Step 2: Order your transcripts

While most applications will accept an unofficial transcript, they will require a sealed official transcript from your school/college. This might take some time, so do not leave it for the last moment. There is a deadline for the submission of transcripts, beyond which the application will be rejected, no matter how strong it is. 

Step 3: Submit your Standardized Test Score.

In some isolated spots, the idea seems to be floating that scores are not required. However, given the competitive nature of the program, as discussed, standardised scores a necessary threshold you need to cross. 

Step 4: Update your resume.

Ensure that your resume has been updated to reflect the latest developments in your career. How to write one?

Step 5: Write your essays.

An essay for an MBA application takes time and effort. Make sure you begin early and work on a few iterations before submitting it.

Step 6: Choose your recommender.

A recommendation is a great tool to let someone else vouch for your skill set. Choose with care.

Step 6: Prepare for your interview.

Step 7: Pay the application fee. 

The application fees range between $200 to $250 for most MBA programs. Choose a few that you are confident about. Applying to too many is not economically wise. Applying early can give you a better chance at landing good funding as well.

Use this list to plan out your MBA application in detail and with ease. For more assistance, get in touch with us on email.

Further Reading:

Should I write about the coronavirus in my essay?

How to write an SOP using great paragraphs

Why does an application process have so many components?