Plan your MBA- The Steps to Success - MBAkarma

The entire MBA application process can be overwhelming.

Crushing the GMAT (or getting crushed by it), deciding which schools to apply to, writing and re-writing essays, arranging application documents, following up with recommenders (and hounding them), balancing a job, TOEFL, Interviews, Deadlines.

Aargh!

Life was simple in high school. You know how the day is planned, what classes you have and when the exams are.

Don’t you wish there was an easy ‘time-table’ to refer to while applying for MBA as well.

Applicants can get bogged down by the MBA application process and give precedence to wrong things at the wrong time. For instance, focusing on trivial application requirements while you should be writing essays, or taking the GMAT too late can result in a poor or incomplete application.

Use this calendar as a road map to track your progress and confirm that you are prioritizing correctly.

The timeline for doing an MBA in India differs from doing an MBA abroad.

Always confirm the exact dates from the university website, but this calendar act as a guide and help you plan well in advance.

MBA application process in INDIA- Steps to Success

MBA application process ABROAD- Steps to Success

The steps to success from GMAT preparation to beginning your MBA can take between 12-18 months for an Indian MBA, whereas 12-24 months for an MBA abroad.

Yes. You need to start preparing for an MBA at least 1-2 years in advance!

Although most of these steps to MBA deserve a complete book of their own, let me briefly explain these here.

1.     Prepare for GMAT– Generally speaking, if you spend 2 hours every day, then 16 weeks of preparation can land you a good score. Start preparation between October to December.

2.     Brainstorming MBA Plans & Shortlist B-Schools– Finalize your post-MBA career goals and shortlist target universities between January to March.

3.     Take GMAT– Take the GMAT by April. It will allow you buffer time for a second attempt in case you wish to improve your score.

4.     TOEFL/IELTS- In case it is a requirement; just put it behind you as soon as possible, preferably by June.

5.     Choosing Recommenders- In June speak to and choose your recommenders wisely.

6.     Arrange all the necessary documents- By July gather all past graduation and employment paperwork to avoid last minute mishaps.

7.     Essays & Application– The day applications open- you do nothing but churn great essays.

8.     Application Deadlines– Submit your application (essays and the works) at least ten days ahead of the application deadline.

9.     Interviews– Post application, start practicing answers to all anticipated interview questions. More importantly, prepare for the temperament to sit and answer in an interview situation.

10.  Admission results- Congratulations! To know what to post successful admission, read my post HERE!

11.  Plan Finances- You should have been saving for b-school since a long time. But now begin your fight for external scholarships or bank loans to fund your fees and living expenses.

12.  Resign from Job– Resign one to three months before you move, depending on your notice period, unless leaving on a sabbatical. But do not burn bridges with your organization- you may always want to return.

13.  Prepare to move– Plan ahead in case you are moving cities or countries, as this will require some effort.

14.  Begin B-School– A new chapter begins! Do your homework on how to be successful at B-school.

Look at the calendar above once again.

Is your progress to a B-School on track?

If you still have questions, email us on info@MBAkarma.com or get a FREE Profile Review.