Once you decide to pursue an MBA, the first thing that starts is your GMAT preparation. You then decide on the universities you plan on applying to, have your academic transcripts made, work on the application essays, get recommendation letters from your employers and finally face the MBA interview. Most globally ranked MBAs follow this comprehensive application process where the admission decision based on an applicant's overall profile and not just on test scores.

ACE THE ADMISSION PROCESS

Take the case of computer engineer Alex Whelan (name changed), who has been working with a leading software company for the past six years. He has an excellent academic record (top five in his engineering class) and a GMAT score of 720.Yet, when he applied to the top seven MBA programs last year,he was rejected by all.
An inspection of his essays and resume revealed that Whelan had nothing substantial to differentiate himself from the rest of the applicants. Neither did he have a clear idea of why he wished to do an MBA, or a definite career focus.These were probably his major weaknesses - the reasons for his rejects. Most MBA applicants to the global top 20 MBA programmes have almost the same profile: Male IT candidates averaging five years of work experience and 700+ GMAT scores. Women with similar profiles have marginal gender advantage over their male counterparts.

WHAT MBA ADMISSION COMMITTEES LOOK FOR...

During your MBA, you would have to attend classes, work on assignments and give exams. Thus, having a good academic record and high GMAT score definitely help as they are fair indicators of your intellectual aptitude. But these are not sufficient to get you in. Admission committees on the other hand, are looking for more.

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD

Most MBA programs do not specify any cutoffs for academic or GMAT score requirements. They look for candidates with work experience or those who have demonstrated leadership, team and social skills beyond the academic environment.
Most successful MBA applicants have anywhere between two to eight years work experience - the average being about five years. While there have been instances where candidates with less than two years or no work experience have been selected, you would need to have other significant achievements to your credit in order to qualify for this.Being employed at a good position and with a reputed brand helps, but what your attitude towards your work, initiatives that your have taken and your accomplishments are more important.Your resume, recommendations and essays are means though to communicate these to the admissions committee.
Committees like candidates who have demonstrated leadership characteristics, have taken independent initiatives and are good 'team players'.Talk about these in your essays and back your claims with recommendations.
Your biggest differentiator is your attitude and focus.However strong your profile may be,you cannot succeed if the...