From the Horses Mouth - 5 tips for an effective MBA application

#1 Make sure you stand out

"Show us through the application, resume, and especially the essays, what is unique about yourself and why you're a good fit for our school. Be professional, know yourself, and research the school to which you're applying."

- Associate Director of Admissions at Ross School of Business

#2 Tell a consistent, complete story

"Applications that stand out are ones that complete a good story. Everything in the application should provide a consistent story about why an MBA, why now and why specifically an MBA from McCombs. The application should tell us what you want to get out of the program and conversely, what you feel you will bring to the program."

- Christina Mabley, the Director of MBA Admissions at McCombs School of Business

#3 Show them you’re a leader. Yet, you’re also a team-player.

“Columbia Business School selects applicants from varied business and other backgrounds who have the potential to become successful global leaders. Their common denominators are a record of achievement, demonstrated leadership and the ability to work as members of a team.”

- Admission rep from Columbia Business School

#4 As an international applicant, stress how you can add to the diversity of the community

“Crafting a diverse class with diverse backgrounds, citizenship, industry and function is an important part of the admissions selection process and the education we provide. We want a well rounded student class body to enrich the learning of everyone. It's just part of the job of crafting a class versus admitting a class.”

- Rosemaria Martinelli, the Associate Dean of Student Recruitment & Admissions at the Chicago Graduate School of Business

#5 Strong academic performances, good professional experience and stand-out personal qualities don’t hurt!

"At NYU Stern School of Business, our MBA admissions process is holistic and individualistic. Our Admissions Committee is focused on three key areas: 1) academic ability 2) professional potential and 3) personal characteristics, as well as "fit" with NYU Stern. Throughout the process we provide our applicants with continual communication and personalized attention. Ultimately, we want to ensure that each student who enrolls believes that Stern is the right fit for his or her personal and professional aspirations.

Many applicants think the Admissions Committee wants to hear what we write on our website, which is not what we are looking for. Ultimately, what makes candidates stand out is when they are self-aware, know what they want and speak from their heart in their application. Each person's story is unique and compelling, and each applicant should tell his or her story. When you read over 6,000 essays in an admissions season, the personalized stories are the ones that make you sit up in your chair."

- Isser Gallogly, the Executive Director of MBA Admissions at NYU Stern School of Business