Why You Should Prepare Early for Your MBA Applications

Prepare the Best Version of Your MBA Story

During our interview with INSEAD’s admissions director, Virginie Fougea, she offered some advice to applicants: “Don’t rush. Put in the best application. Reflect on your values. That takes a little bit of time. If you rush, your application could be a random application at any school.”

Give Yourself Time to Network

We have met hundreds, maybe thousands, of MBA applicants who contacted us in June and told us confidently about their plans to visit campuses before submitting their Round 1 applications. These applicants were disappointed when we reminded them that the students would be away for their internships during the summer, making it impossible to fit in a meaningful campus visit. Even beyond the campus visits, getting students and alumni to return your calls, and being introduced from one person to another, can take time. But getting to know each MBA program in detail, digging down deeper than you can with pure desk research, is critical to articulating your fit with each MBA program and getting the admissions offer.

Reduce Your Schedule Risk

Has your boss ever dumped a big project with a tight timeline on you? Have you ever needed to take an exam like the GMAT more than once in order to reach your target score? Was your flight to visit campus in Boston cancelled because of weather? Our previous clients have faced these challenges, and worse — one applicant fell ill with Dengue Fever only weeks before the deadline. Planning ahead, far in advance of the typical MBA application timeline, gives you a buffer and protects you against risks that could derail your application plans.