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Checklist For Your MBA Application

Updated: Oct 2, 2023

One-Month MBA Application Checklist: Your Path to Success for 2024 MBA Admissions cycle

Are you gearing up for the thrilling journey of MBA admissions? 🎓 We've got you covered with a comprehensive one-month calendar checklist to ensure a seamless and triumphant application process. Follow these steps to set yourself up for success:


Week 1: Research and Prepare for the MBA Essay and application:

  • Dive deep into researching MBA programs, considering factors like curriculum, culture, location, and career opportunities.

  • Mark down application deadlines for each school and create a well-organized schedule for completing your applications.

  • Start brainstorming and outlining your essays, emphasizing your strengths and career aspirations.

  • Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution and other academic institutions attended.

  • If needed, register and begin preparing for standardized tests like GMAT/GRE.

Week 2: Refine Your Approach for the MBA Application:

  • Finalize your list of target schools and verify their specific application requirements.

  • Begin drafting your essays, seeking valuable feedback from mentors, friends, or family for continuous improvement.

  • Approach potential recommenders early and ensure they have ample time to craft compelling letters of recommendation.

  • Prepare a polished and impactful resume, showcasing your key achievements and professional experiences.

  • Stay dedicated to your test preparation, consistently studying and practicing to excel in GMAT/GRE.

Week 3: Polish Your Application and MBA Essays

  • Complete the first drafts of your essays and meticulously review them for clarity and coherence.

  • Request transcripts from all educational institutions attended, ensuring they are promptly sent to the respective schools.

  • Follow up with recommenders to confirm that they have submitted their letters of recommendation.

  • Compile a comprehensive list of your extracurricular activities and leadership roles to highlight in your application.

  • Double-check all MBA application requirements, ensuring you have all necessary documents in place.

Week 4: The Final Touch to your MBA Essays:

  • Refine and polish your MBA essays to ensure they reflect your unique personality and align with each school's values.

  • Conduct one final review of your resume, ensuring it is error-free and professionally formatted.

  • Complete all application forms meticulously, providing accurate and detailed information.

  • Submit your applications well ahead of the deadlines to avoid any last-minute technical issues.

  • Take a moment to celebrate the completion of your MBA applications and look forward to the exciting journey ahead!

Throughout the Month: Stay Engaged and Confident

  • Stay organized by keeping track of your progress using a calendar or spreadsheet.

  • Stay connected with the admissions teams of your target schools, attending virtual events or webinars whenever possible.

  • Stay focused, positive, and confident in your abilities, knowing that you have put forth your best effort in your MBA applications.

The road to MBA admissions might be challenging, but with determination and preparation, you're destined for success!


For a comprehensive profile evaluation, expert MBA essay assistance, and interview preparation, reach out to us now! Connect via WhatsApp at +91 7719497187 or drop us an email at contact@goalisb.com. Our team is here to support you in achieving your MBA aspirations!


The upcoming MBA admission deadlines 2024 are:

  1. Tuck MBA - 1 September - Guaranteed Interview, 25 September - R1

  2. IIMA PGPX - 4 September 2023

  3. Rotman MBA - 5 September 2023

  4. Harvard MBA - 6 September 2023

  5. Wharton MBA - 6 September 2023

  6. ISB PGP - 10 September 2023

  7. HEC Paris MBA - 11 September 2023

  8. Stanford MBA - 12 September 2023

  9. Yale SOM - 12 September 2023

  10. INSEAD MBA - 12 September 2023

  11. Columbia Business School - 13 September 2023

  12. University of Michigan: Ross MBA - 14 September 2023

  13. Berkeley Haas MBA - 14 September 2023

  14. IMD MBA - 15 September 2023

  15. NYU Stern MBA - 18 September 2023

  16. IESE MBA - 19 September 2023

  17. CORNELL MBA - 20 September 2023

  18. MIT SLOAN MBA - 27 September 2023


Further are some more detailed steps that would help you keep a tab on submitting parallel MBA applications:

  1. Check the eligibility and shortlist the schools on the basis of your academic and professional credentials, career goals, location preferences and budgeted costs.

  2. Once you have shortlisted your schools, request the GMAC or the ETS to send the official GMAT score or the GRE score with the schools well ahead in time.

  3. Journalise your stories and start working on the application essay drafts. For every school make an excel tracker for the application requirements like number of essays, recommendations, application parts, video essays etc.

  4. Choose your recommenders and discuss their availability and your plans well ahead in time with them.

  5. Prepare your information packets that you want to share with your recommenders and share with them in advance.

  6. Once you have the essay drafts make sure that your essays address each part of the essay question properly.

  7. You must proofread and grammar check the MBA application essays before you finalise.

  8. Pay equal attention to the resume. The MBA resume is much different from the work resume. The general content of your bullet points is likely to change. When applying for a specific job, you must provide proof that you are proficient in the technical skills involved in the role. MBA admissions committees do not really care about these details.

  9. Check with the requirements of the extra curricular and activities section for each application and create a customised template to save your inputs.

  10. Know when to stop your iterations on the essays. It is a never ending process. You must pay equal attention to the rest of the application requirements.

  11. Check with your recommenders from time to time for the submissions.

  12. Reconfirm the submission or despatch of the official score reports on your GMAC or ETS account.

  13. Plan to use the optional essay if absolutely required.

  14. Get together the necessary work experience proofs, education proofs in soft copy according to the system limited requirements for each school.

  15. Always proof read the preview of the ready application before submitting. After submission, download and save the submitted application for the interview process.

Get in touch with our expert for a detailed profile evaluation and MBA essay assistance as well as interview preparation. Whatsapp at +91 7719497187 or email at contact@goalisb.com


Some common questions we are usually asked about MBA Applications :

Q. How do I choose my stories? A. It's easy to get swept up about what sounds awesome to you or what appears remarkable to your friends, colleagues, or parents. But what you really need to do is look at your application through the eyes of the admissions officers. Q. I have excellent grades, GPA and GMAT score. What more could you possibly need? A. Top business schools receive a huge lot of applicants all of whom are brilliant, charismatic high achievers who would benefit from any programme. That is why you must think over and above your evident accomplishments and distinguish yourself in your essays and interviews by selecting experiences that are distinctive to you. Q. Placement reports mention that more than 30% of the batch at my target school join Consulting careers. Of course that is my short term goal too! Why should I even think twice? A. How can you justify your short- and long-term career aspirations when you're not sure what you want to do in the first place? Perhaps you're seeking an MBA hoping that the classes and people you'll meet will help you discover your goals. The admissions team doesn't expect you to know exactly where you want to be in ten years. However, your response to the question about your career goals is extremely important. If an applicant does not seem to have given careful consideration to his or her own future, this may be a very valid reason for rejection. You must consider whether your dream career is attainable based on your qualifications and previous accomplishments in conjunction with an MBA education. Below is an MBA checklist that you should have ensured before you finally hit the submit button to your dream MBA School application: 1. Class Profiles At Your Target School: Do you fit the bill for the school you want to apply for? The best way to do a self analysis is go through the class profiles which are freely available and compare with yours. 2. Recommendation Letters: There is a limit to how much you can swagger about yourself. Choose a recommender who would be more than happy to contribute to your story of uniqueness and adds the third party point of view to your suitability for the MBA Application. 3. Have You Shown Your Spike: Have you written down all the skills, capabilities, and talents you possess that will be critical to your future success. The round in which you apply does not matter much if your application misses the spike it deserves. 4. MBA Resume: The resume should show succinctly and systematically the career progression you have achieved till date. Does it show the summary of your profile which can be corroborated from other parts of your application. Is your resume action packed and show you as an achiever or is it full of slow, historic unnoticeable describers. 5. Awards & Achievements: The awards and achievements section does not require a whole list, but does it have just one such award or achievement which shows that you are unique? Finally, the point of this section is to give you an additional scope to reassert the strengths, skills, talents and character that you wish to show through your application. 6. MBA Essays: Do your MBA application essays answer the questions asked or are you on an ego trip of your own? Make sure you address the question and create an impressive outlay of the stories that relate. The admissions committee wants to see an honest portrayal of who you are and how you will add value to the school. 7. What Are Your Chances: If you are sure that you have what the school wants and you are able to show it through various aspects of your application. Go for it. Ensure all the parts of the application are properly in place addressing the FIT with the school. Reach out to our experienced team for a comprehensive profile evaluation, MBA essay guidance, and interview preparation. Connect with us via WhatsApp at +91 7719497187 or drop us an email at contact@goalisb.com. We're here to support you throughout your MBA application journey!

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