Application Components More Important Than High GRE And GPA Scores
Jeff Schmitt
6 min read
Application Components More Important Than High GRE And GPA Scores
Strong essays, interviews, and recommendations carry more weight than numbers alone in MBA admissions, experts say.
The three key components play a significant role in showing admissions officers who an applicant is beyond a high GPA or accomplished resume. Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, says that while there isn’t one “most important” part of an application, essays interviews, and recommendations are critical elements.
“Compelling essays, recommendations, and interviews can provide context for a low GMAT score or GPA. But the reverse is not true,” Blackman writes. Additionally, “strong numbers will never make up for weak essays or a disorganized, negative recommendation.”
HIGHLIGHT YOUR WEAKNESSES
While it may seem counterintuitive, one strategy to building a strong application is actually to showcase your weaknesses in an honest manner.
“Everyone has weaknesses,” Blackman writes. “You’re better off acknowledging and incorporating them into your application than hoping the person reading your application will miss them.”
Blackman says that your essays are a good opportunity to speak openly about your shortcomings.
“While we doubt that many business school admissions committees would formally support this statement, we would cast our vote for essays as the most important part of your application,” Blackman writes.
Essays, Blackman says, play a key role in the admissions process largely because they create a level playing field for applicants to convince the admissions team of your candidacy.
“The essays are your opportunity to present your strengths and explain your weaknesses,” Blackman writes. “They also go a long way toward convincing the adcomm that you have a lot to offer the program and that you belong in their class.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Interviews are another key area in the admissions process that are a good opportunity for applicants to show their personality.
“B-school admissions officers say they use interviews to gauge whether an applicant has key personality traits that are beneficial for future executives, such as clarity, self-awareness, humility and sincerity,” Illana Kowarski, a reporter for US News, writes.
Additionally, strong recommendation letters can help further paint admissions officers a portrait of who you are.
“Getting that third-party perspective on [applicants] is really important to figure out their personality, their passions, and their goals,” Natalie Lahiff, a former admissions counselor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who now serves as an MBA admissions consultant with Solomon Admissions, tells Fortune. “The recommendation will either boost that application—or it could go the opposite way.”
Next Page: 2 ways to become a more compelling MBA applicant
2 Ways To Become A Compelling MBA Applicant
When it comes to MBA admissions, even the smallest detail can make the biggest difference.
US News recently spoke to experts on ways that applicants can make themselves a more compelling MBA applicant to secure acceptance into their dream B-school—from self-introspection to volunteering.
LOOK WITHIN
One important trait that admissions officers seek in applicants is a strong sense of self-awareness. That means having a solid understanding of both your strengths and your weaknesses.
“We don’t feel that people need to come in with a life plan already mapped out, but we do like to get a sense for how people think about the decisions that they make,” Chad Losee, managing director of MBA admissions and financial aid at Harvard Business School, tells US News.
Building strong self-awareness, experts say, starts with practicing self-reflection. And when it comes to MBA admissions, it’s best to start that practice well before applications are due.
“Initiating a process of thoughtful introspection at least seven months ahead of application deadlines gives you both ample time to get reflective and to make the habit routine,” Caroline Diarte Edwards, Co-Founder and Director at Fortuna Admissions, writes. “Insights may not arise immediately. But just vocalizing the questions and inviting the answers can inspire surprising connections. Answers may appear suddenly or at odd moments – just as you’re falling asleep, reading an article, or walking to the supermarket.”
VOLUNTEER REGULARLY
Volunteering is another great way to show admissions officers that you’re well-rounded as a candidate. Experts say, however, the key is demonstrating volunteerism consistently.
“While, many applicants participate in the occasional fundraising walk or an annual corporate outreach day; those who demonstrate ongoing involvement in one cause or organization will be of special interest to the admissions committee, especially if it is related to their current or future career,” according to Clear Admit. “A candidate who has contributed over a longer period is likely to have developed his or her responsibilities beyond ladling soup or stuffing envelopes.”
Next Page: Why Boston University’s $24K Online MBA is so innovative.
Questrom’s first online MBA program starts on Aug. 2 with 401 students
Why Questrom’s $24K Online MBA Is Groundbreaking
In 2019, Boston University launched its $24K online MBA program, an innovative lower-priced online graduate program that has been making a lot of noise—and for good reason too.
Inside Higher Ed recently spoke to a BU $24K MBA student who gave insider insight into why the program is one of a kind.
FLEXIBILITY & RIGOR
One of the main reasons why Kaitlin Dumont, who enrolled in the $24K MBA program in 2021, chose BU was because its new online program is just the right amount of challenge.
“The balance of flexibility and rigor—the program is not only designed to fit into my life, but also blends leading-edge asynchronous learning with live sessions and teaming to create a rigorous and holistic learning experience (and I don’t claim to be an expert learning designer by any means, but I’ve been in close enough proximity to some world-class instructional designers to know that this is the real deal),” Dumont tells Inside Higher Ed.
LOW COST, HIGH QUALITY
BU’s $24K online MBA program is almost half the cost of its in-person program, which costs more than $56K. For some, the value of an in-person MBA is worth the higher cost. However, Dumont says, BU’s $24K online MBA is just as valuable as its in-person counterpart.
“This fallacy may have been true a decade ago, but with the advance of modern technological capabilities and superior online learning instructional design, I don’t think this argument can hold water any longer,” Dumont tells Inside Higher Ed. “I suppose in a higher-priced M.B.A. program, especially an in-person degree with a smaller cohort, I may be able to grab a cup of coffee with a faculty member and pick their brain like I did in undergrad—however, I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible the faculty are, hosting virtual office hours and always willing to answer questions (and if you can’t get in touch with a faculty member, there is a wonderful team of learning facilitators to support students).”
