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MBA Sweet Spot: How to Dream Big and Apply Smart

The MBA journey is a deeply reflective process, centered around understanding your goals and aspirations.

Being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses is crucial in determining how you measure up and which schools are the best fit for you.

While targeting M7 schools is an admirable goal, it’s important to diversify your application strategy by including a range of schools.

Typically, the MBA community categorizes schools into the following groups to help applicants create a balanced list (this is typically for 2-year MBA programs):

  • Reach Schools: These are schools where your qualifications are slightly below the average admitted student profile. They represent an ambitious target, but you should definitely consider schools where your application might be a stretch, given the competition. Out of the M7 schools, HBS and GSB are reach schools for many applicants.
  • Realistic Schools: These are schools where your profile aligns well with the average admitted student. They offer a good chance of admission based on your qualifications and are generally more attainable compared to reach schools.
  • Safety Schools: These are schools where your profile is well above the average, providing a safety net for your candidacy. These programs might still offer excellent opportunities and align with your career goals. But the MBA is a big investment, so make sure you are excited to attend these schools if they are the only ones that offer you acceptance.

How to make a realistic selection

Here are five (5) steps you can follow to ensure you are including a realistic selection of business schools for your MBA application.

  1. Review your profile: Evaluate your undergraduate academics, work experience, GMAT/GRE scores, and career goals. Understand where you stand relative to the profiles of admitted students at top M7 schools and other programs of interest.
  2. Research schools and curriculums: Dive deep into the details of each MBA program. Look beyond rankings and consider factors such as curriculum, faculty, culture, location, and alumni network. Determine which programs offer the best alignment with your career objectives and personal values.
  3. Seek feedback: Seek advice from mentors, current students, and alumni of the MBA programs you’re interested in. They can provide valuable insights into the application process and the reality of life at these schools.
  4. Finalize your school list: Develop a list of schools that includes a mix of reach, realistic, and safety options. Ensure that each program on your list aligns with your career goals and offers a strong fit.
  5. Tailor your MBA applications: Customize your applications for each school, highlighting why you’re a good fit for its specific program. Be careful about copying and pasting the same responses across different schools as your responses may come across as generic. Address each school’s unique characteristics and demonstrate how you align with their values and goals.

Strategy across application rounds

The strategy of applying to reach and realistic schools in Round 1, and safer schools in Round 2, is a well-considered approach with several benefits.

In Round 1, the admissions committee reviews a fresh pool of applicants, which can sometimes lead to more flexibility in decision-making. There are generally more spots available in the class, improving your chances of admission if your application is strong, even if the school is considered a stretch. Applying in Round 1 also demonstrates your commitment and enthusiasm for the program.

Typically, interview invitations from Round 1 are issued in October or November, with decisions and acceptance notifications coming in December. This timeline allows you to evaluate your Round 1 results and decide if you are satisfied with your offers. If not, you can choose to either reapply to the same schools in the next application cycle (Round 1 of the following year) or pivot to other schools in Round 2. Your choice will depend on whether you are willing to wait another year or if you believe you can enhance your profile further, such as by improving your standardized test scores or achieving a promotion.

Tools to help you consider your profile

When I was identifying my reach, realistic, and safety schools, I used the following tools to help me get a rough sense of my competitiveness before I sought any advice from my MBA admissions consultant:

In conclusion

Selecting the right MBA program requires a realistic and strategic approach.

While aiming for US M7 schools is an admirable goal, it’s essential to balance your applications with a mix of reach, realistic, and safety options.

By conducting thorough research, evaluating your profile honestly, and understanding each program’s unique offerings, you can make a well-informed decision that aligns with your career aspirations and increases your chances of success!

Jeff Zhang currently serves as a Consultant at McKinsey, specializing in private equity, transportation, technology, and sustainability sectors. Before this role, he spearheaded the creation of an innovative final-mile logistics product at a startup, later acquired by Shopify. His background includes significant experience in consulting, logistics and successful applications to global MBA programs.

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