Thomas is in a challenging spot. He applied to his dream MBA program and was rejected. While he is considering applying to different programs next year, his heart is really set on his top choice. When evaluating Thomas as a reapplicant, the admissions committee will look critically at whether Thomas has shown significant growth or improvement in one or more key areas of the application.
With several months to work with before the next application cycle, Thomas should carefully assess his profile to identify his strengths and areas for improvement. Let’s review the various aspects of a reapplicant’s profile and initial application experience to seek opportunities to make impactful changes.
Direct Feedback from the Admissions Committee
It is rare, but occasionally the admissions committee will offer an explanation or feedback when rejecting an applicant. Some business schools that offer this feedback include Virginia Darden, Emory Goizueta, and Indiana Kelley. Business schools that do not offer formal rejection analysis sessions may be willing to give informal, ad-hoc feedback upon request. This will most commonly happen when the reason is clear, such as to inform a younger applicant that their experience is insufficient to meet the program’s professional experience expectations or to align with that class’s trend towards more experienced candidates. While the applicant may not be able to change this part of their profile in the short term, at least they understand the expectations of the program.
Analyze the Interview
For applicants who received an interview but did not gain admission, revisiting the experience is likely to be a source of insight. Some interviewers will be direct with critical feedback during the interview. In this case, the applicant should take the feedback to heart and use it as a focal area for improvement. Other interactions can also be subtly revealing. If the interviewer asked several follow-up questions about the feasibility of a career goal, or dwelled on certain career changes, for example, this suggests an area that may have affected their interview report. It is a good idea to follow up with your interviewer to see if they will provide “off the record” feedback on areas of concern that may have affected your application. International applicants may also want to consider whether their English ability limited the flow of the conversation. In such cases, intensive English conversation practice should be a priority.
Target Competitive Test Scores
Improving test scores is one of the most direct ways any applicant can make a tangible short-term improvement. Applicants who apply with a below average score need the other parts of their profile to be especially strong to prove their abilities and knowledge are sufficient to project success in the program and in their post-MBA careers. For the applicant who finds him or herself in this position, refocusing on test prep could be a great way to level up their profile. The same is true for an applicant with a test score close to the program’s average. Pushing to achieve an eye-catching score can show an ability to apply oneself to a task and validate their aptitude for MBA studies.
Work Around a Low GPA
As with a low test score, those who apply with a low GPA must showcase exceptional strengths in other areas – usually professional experiences and/or test scores. Therefore, an impressive job change, promotion, or test score improvement could be a catalyst to a successful reapplication. Key skills growth that points toward the post-MBA career direction might also help. If an applicant has a specific academic weakness, such as low quantitative grades, they may consider taking supplemental coursework, such as MBA Math.
Revisit Essays
Storytelling is an essential part of the MBA application process. Reapplicants would be wise to revisit their writing with a critical eye, consider their choice of stories, and invite a trusted friend or a mentor to read the essays and share feedback. Reapplicants are typically asked to resubmit all essays. This will require a significant change to the essay writing approach, whether that means choosing new subject matter, telling the stories differently, or both. In addition to the program-specific essays, reapplicants should also expect to write the Optional Essay – or a specific Reapplication Essay – in an effort to highlight and explain changes to their profile and emphasize their commitment to their dream program.
For example, Northwestern Kellogg requires the following essay for MBA reapplicants:
How have you grown or changed personally and professionally since you previously applied and what steps have you taken to become the strongest candidate you can be? (approximately 250 words)
Evaluate Career Progress
As mentioned above, career growth can be crucial to strengthening one’s profile when an area such as GPA or test scores lag behind. However, the reapplicant should also be aware of possible red flags in their professional background. For example, staying in one position for several years without an increase in job scope or responsibilities or having a repetitive or cyclical job that doesn’t offer many chances for accomplishments could be signals that a job change would be eye-catching to the admissions committee. Career growth is always critical for a business school candidate, but a job change towards a post-MBA career move could be especially impactful for a reapplicant. Of course, changing one’s job comes with its own set of considerations and shouldn’t be undertaken without having a plan.
Consider School Fit
When a program really is someone’s dream target, they should be able to point to several areas where their goals, values, and study needs align with what the program offers. It’s possible that this was missing from the first application. The reapplicant can show their dedication to the program by attending in-person and virtual information sessions and connecting with students and alumni to confirm their fit for the program and help to communicate this as central talking points in essays and interview questions.
[Conclusion]
Reapplying to a competitive MBA program can be even more intimidating than applying the first time. But the reapplicant has gone through the process before and may be able to turn that to their advantage. By taking a long, honest look at their profile and making a concerted effort to improve it, reapplicants