All b-schools actively search for applicants with proven leadership capacity and demonstrated problem solving abilities in their past life prior to b-school. As an applicant you can highlight the supervisory roles you have held while at college/university, work, outside of work, volunteering initiatives, etc. Chronologically, the most recent happenings would take importance. Any instance where you have helped others, your teammates, peers at university, colleagues from a social endeavour, will showcase your organizational management and team building nature. All this greatly adds up to your profile being considered as suitable for the MBA program. The admissions committee of any b-school welcomes candidates with not just intellectual vivacity but also the ability to take on challenging obstacles, lead a team amicably to find enterprising solutions.     

In the US the average GPA required for MBA programs amongst top ranked universities is around 3.53 and amongst the lower ranked universities is around 3.37. It is safe to say that a minimum of 3.0 plus would be required from any applicant. Similarly, most Canadian universities also require a minimum of 3.0/4 GPA for their MBA programs, this seems to be the norm for b-schools in Germany, Australia and the UK as well. 

The above does not mean an applicant with low GPA scores doesn’t stand a chance. A rich mosaic of work experiences, good trajectory within an organization can compensate for the low scores in college. Moreover, while looking into the transcripts the admissions committee does consider the difficulty level of the subject major, scores in quantitative modules, etc. 

Applicants could also undertake certificate courses outside of their academic institution and show those results as evidence of their interest in certain subjects. Since admissions councils consider an application holistically, they will look for all round growth of the candidate in multiple spheres of their profile. Hence, a low GPA will necessarily not sound the death knell of your MBA dreams. 

All MBA programs have more than one admissions essay. Also, essays for MBA programs vary b-school to b-school. The essay questions are framed keeping in mind the admission committee’s need to find out about the candidates’ proclivity to business, managerial capacity, negotiation, team working skill, project initiation, and project management ability, etc. 

Commonly asked questions are the expected ones expecting students to describe their ambitions/ short term and long term plans, life/ academic/ work experiences, why study MBA?, why study MBA in this particular b-school?, and what after the MBA?. 

B-schools are also asking certain unique questions in trying to nudge the applicants to think out of the box and provide creative answers in a different manner/structure.

Some sample MBA admissions essay questions that are different:

• Describe yourself to the admissions committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. (NYU)
• What matters most to you, and why? (Stanford)
• Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (Wharton)
• What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (Haas-Berkeley) 
• List 25 random things about yourself. (Duke)
• Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (Kellogg-Northwestern)

In addition to the above, most b-schools seem to have an optional essay question, this question asks candidates to come forth with any additional information regarding their profile that the admissions committee might need to know, that is not already provided in any of the other essays. Students can use this essay to explain certain gaps in their work life due to personal reasons, or explain any other extraneous happenings that might have affected their previous work experience or academic exposure. 

All the essay questions generally have specific word limits/character limits provided alongside them such as – 500 words, 3000 characters, etc. In the rare case that no word constraint is mentioned, applicants are expected to stick to the 2 page rule. Less is more in this case, impactful essays can be written concisely.   

MBA programs require their applicants to submit at least 2 or more professional recommendations. One letter will be mandated from your current workplace superior/reporting personnel. The admissions committee looks for confirmation from work place recommenders on the applicant’s profile, leadership prowess, managerial/team working ability, client feedback, project management expertise, problem solving skills, etc. This implies, your letter must describe your workplace projects and anecdotes that emphasize your professional dexterity, and provide sufficient examples supporting your candidature to the MBA program.

Students must ensure their choice of recommenders have interacted with them for at least a year or more, only then can valuable feedback be given in the LoRs. An important/major client can also be a recommender. More than the title/workplace designation of your recommender, the professional relationship that you have shared with the recommender is given higher weightage. The recommender via his/her letter must be able to attest to your professional milestones or accomplishments, interpersonal relations with your peers in the workplace, and your contribution in the organizational environment. 

Generally academic references are discouraged and do not add much value in the MBA application process. This is due to the nature of the MBA programs. Since they are very practically inclined and application oriented, most b-schools want to gauge the industry readiness and exposure of the applicants, rather than just their intellectual potential. Moreover, the GMAT and transcripts of applicants will be used for that purpose. 

A standard business resume or CV will be expected. Applicants must be mindful to not miss out on details and include all relevant information regarding their full-time employment history; internships or apprenticeships; part-time work history; volunteer activity; educational qualifications; extra-curricular pursuits & sports; special achievements & awards, if any. 

Please note, some universities might ask for a 1 page resume, then ensure you follow the requirement. If not, depending on your profile and work history your resume may extend beyond a page, but double-check with the b-school on resume length stipulations. Remember a lengthy resume does not always reflect an impactful work life. Most b-schools expect a pdf version to be uploaded. They might also mention the maximum file sizes allowed such as 10MB. Unnecessary graphics and pictures in the resume are discouraged. 

Almost all b-schools in the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK conduct interviews as part of their admissions process. The interviews are an opportunity for the admissions committee to further assess your interpersonal skills and communication ability. Commonly you would be asked questions on your past work and life experiences, your career plans and motivations in applying for the MBA program, how you can contribute to the b-school and why you are keen in attending their university. The interviews are conducted in English and generally do not exceed an hour. 

Some universities conduct interviews only by invitation, that implies not all candidates are interviewed. Interview invitations are considered a positive sign for students, but they are not a sureshot indication of guaranteed admission. Interviews for international applicants are held virtually. These interviews are conducted by admissions committee members, alumni, or senior MBA fellows (2nd year MBA). 

As the above mentioned criteria’s have made it abundantly clear, there is no linear check all boxes approach for securing an admission into a coveted MBA program. Your undergraduate degree, GPA, work experiences, leadership skills, problem solving ability, essays, recommendations, interview are all considered together as a wholesome package while deciding if you are suitable for the MBA program at that particular b-school. It is true that straight-A students with an excellent professional record and great GMAT score will find it easy to secure admits, but MBA schools are also in the lookout for candidates with passion, self-starting ability, who can harness their strengths and manage their weaknesses. Even if you lack in certain areas, you could compensate via performance in other factors.

Most b-schools follow a rounds system, wherein there can be anywhere between 3 to 5 rounds inviting applications for their upcoming MBA programs. It is common knowledge that earlier rounds imply b-schools would be having more spots/spaces in their MBA cohorts. So being an early bird does have its perks in terms of scholarship availability and admission odds. The above being said, b-school admissions committees do expect fully completed/best versions of the applications, rather than subpar/incomplete early submissions. Particular b-schools do give out corresponding acceptances after each round. 

Most US and Canadian follow the traditional rounds system in the MBA application process. Some b-schools strictly have only 3 rounds, while certain others have 4 to 5 rounds. Certain exceptions include the Columbia business school that follows rolling admissions. Most MBA programs in the US and Canada require 2 years for completion.

In contrast with the US & MBA programs that run for 2 years, many european b-schools in Germany and the UK offer 1 year MBA programs. Thereby, admission deadlines vary since many programs have intakes in January. Notably, German business schools such as the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and the Otto Beisheim Graduate School of Management – WHU have deadlines indicating scholarship availability and even discounts on your tuition based  on how early you apply to the program. Though certain established names such as the London Business School, Cambridge – Judge Business School, follow the system of application rounds. 

Australian b-schools have multiple rounds inviting applications. All universities encourage international applicants to apply early on in the admissions cycle.Please verify with the concerned university on the last deadline accepting international student applications. MBA program duration varies between 16 months to 24 months, depending on the university and MBA concentration. Some universities offer an immersive 2 year experience as well as a fast track 18 month option in their full time MBA program. Interestingly, Macquarie Business School – Macquarie University offers 4 intakes every year with 2 rounds for each intakes (a separate deadline for international applicants). Their program duration is between 1.5 – 2 years. 

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