How to build your profile for an MBA/MiM in your final year?

If you’re someone who is aiming to get into a top masters or deferred MBA program, chances are you’re wondering what are the things you can do to boost your odds of getting in. First let us understand the broad components AdComs are looking at while assessing your application. 1. Undergraduate CGPA 2. GMAT/GRE Score 3. Internships or Work experience 4. Recommendation Letters 5. Extra-curricular activities 6. Motivation to study further Out of this list there are certain things that are in your control, like applying for more internships or taking additional courses, and some things that are not – e.g. your GPA. There are two key points in planning your final year. First, is developing a good sense of your strengths and weaknesses on your resume and addressing it, even if they seem to be outside your reach. Second, is to outline your short term and long term goals very explicitly so that any new activity you take up is in conjunction with these goals. Let’s delve deeper. 1. Undergraduate GPA If you have a lower than average GPA, first assess whether it’s something you can work to pull up in the next semesters. If not, take up more academically challenging courses outside of class, (but aligned with your long term goals) to prove that you’re indeed academically strong. For example, if you want to pursue Consulting after an MiM at LBS, and have a low GPA, take up a certified online course in strategy or advanced accounting. Alternatively, you could work hard to score higher on the GMAT/GRE. 2. GMAT/GRE If the schools you’re applying to require a score, you should get this out of the way as early as possible. Juggling applications and final year stress is already tough, and the GMAT/GRE shouldn’t add to it. That’s why, give yourself the space to appear for this exam at least twice and way in advance of your deadlines. If you’re unable to score higher here, take up courses that are quant heavy that can highlight your analytical abilities. 3. Internships and Work Experience Most of us are under the assumption that a higher number of internships implies a stronger resume. In reality, the more impact you’ve personally been able to create at your organisation, the more powerful it is on your application. You can craft a compelling storyline with your internships being closely linked and leading up to your post graduate goals. For e.g., if you’ve had a variety of unrelated internships in your first few years of college, try to take up ones that directly tie into your long term goal in the final year. If you’re worried about your past internships appearing random, focus on the transferable skills that you picked up from these experiences. 4. Recommendation Letters Recommendation letters are quite underestimated in this process and hold more weight than you think. Therefore, to ensure that this element of your application is impressive, you need to prepare yourself as well as your recommender. This means, you not only need to identify your potential recommenders, but also see to it that they truly endorse your candidacy. The most genuine ways to do this is to forge stronger relationships with them, undertake projects under their guidance, proactively ask for feedback etc. 5. Extracurricular Activities This goes without saying, but undertake only those activities that you’re genuinely passionate about. AdComs are experts at spotting unauthentic pursuits, for e.g. if you show a volunteer role at an NGO on your resume and have not had consistent volunteering experience, it will appear slightly suspicious. Rather, stick to the activities you’ve been consistent with and aim for leadership positions in your clubs/committees. Introduce new initiatives, better an existing event, and find more meaningful ways to contribute. 6. Motivation to Study Further AdComs want to know what exactly drives you and why you want to study at their institution. Once you’ve established a story line around your past and future aspirations, connect the dots and show AdComs how their institution fits in this journey. To nail this, you have to thoroughly research your course, the electives, international offerings, the school’s special appeal etc. Talk to alums, attend webinars and keep journaling whatever you learn. It is essential to be organized during your final year so you are abreast with deadlines and have a roadmap that you can stick to.