How to Make Your MBA Application Stand Out

Make your MBA application shine! Get expert tips on researching schools, tailoring your resume, securing recommendations, and acing interviews to stand out from the crowd.

How to make your MBA application stand out

In this blog post, admissions directors offer practical tips on what to do – and what to avoid. The more you research a school, its ethos and its students, the more likely you are to find the right fit.

Prepare your application in good time

Plan your application with enough time before the deadline. Applying early shows that you are a candidate who knows exactly what they want and is determined to study at their chosen school, says Jordi Robert-Ribes, managing director of student review website EDUopinions. "You need to identify your preferred MBAs several months before the deadline," he says.

Send out requests for letters of recommendation as early as possible, says Brandon Kirby, Senior Director of Marketing, Sales and Admissions at Rotterdam School of Management. "They are one of the few parts of the process where the applicant cannot control the timing," he notes. "There is nothing worse than being ready to submit something but waiting for [letters] to come in, so let your recommenders know in good time and share all deadlines."

Do NOT use the same CV you would use for a job application, advises Amy Duckworth, Director of Admissions at Imperial College Business School in London. "Focus on highlighting the impact and achievements in each role, rather than a job description," she says. "Be sure to highlight promotions and career progression."

Submit your application early, especially if you hope to secure a scholarship, Duckworth adds. "Securing your place early gives you more time to prepare, network and meet your classmates early, and take advantage of the school's career service."

Find out which universities are included in the Financial Times (FT) ranking of MBA degrees. Learn how the table was compiled. Remember that applying for an MBA is about finding the best fit for you and the school, says Paula Amorim, MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School in Barcelona. "Applying for an MBA is a process where you and the admissions committee get to know each other," she adds. "Do your research and take the time to think thoroughly about your motivations and how the particular business school can help you achieve your goals."