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Applying to bschool this year? It’s wise to get started NOW.

April 1, 2014 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

Yes, we realize that it’s only April 1st, and the wave of Round 1 deadlines aren’t going to hit until the Fall. Shoot, most schools still have Round 3 deadlines coming up for the still-active 2013-2014 application season. Why on earth would we be suggesting that it’s time to get started on a 2014-2015 application when Spring has hardly sprung in many parts of the world?

Well, it’s because our data show it’s a good idea.

We went back over our client list from the past few seasons and a very impressive percentage of folks who get started in the April/May timeframe end up making it in to one of their top-choice schools. Like, 9 out of 10 who began the process with us around abouts this point of the last two years had success in getting into a GREAT school later on that cycle.

There’s no guarantees of course; it’s not like you’re going to win the game simply by starting early. The reason for the high correlation with success is because this process requires effort, and many of the steps will take you much longer to get through than you realize. If you don’t believe us, here’s a story of someone who knows that part of his success was due to exactly what we’re suggesting here: starting early.

Think about the GMAT. (We know you’re basically doing all in your power to avoid thinking about the GMAT, but that’s not an advisable strategy is you’re actually going to do this bschool thing at some point soon.)

If you already have your happy score in hand, then no worries, you can feel confident that you’ve done what you need to do on this very important aspect of your application.

But if your current score is not what you’d hoped – or if you haven’t even taken the test at all yet – then NOW is most definitely the time to begin studying in earnest.

First tip: If you’re applying this coming season, then you need to plan for your first GMAT test by June at the latest.

This gives you enough time to regroup and attack it again if it doesn’t work out as you’d like the first time through.

Since it’s already April, and since most people need a good concerted amount of time for dedicated studying to get a handle on the concepts and skills that this test requires, then, well, you’d better get cracking with those books and guides. A course might even be advisable. Know thyself, Brave Supplicant. If you’re the type of person who procrastinates and procrastinates and despite all good intentions, ends up playing video games every night till 1am instead of actually working through some GMAT math problems, well, we do recommend some type of course that you have to pay for. Sometimes simply the fact that you paid for it is enough motivation to get you off your duff and working the material.

It also wouldn’t hurt to get back in classroom-mode, by going to an actual in-person course. Not necessary of course, plenty of people do just fine on the test without paying for a bunch of prep work, but we also know that the GMAT test is unlike anything you’ve likely done before and if you’re unfamiliar with the sneaky trickster questions that the GMAC people devise, then you might benefit massively from letting someone explain them to you.

So, get real about the GMAT. If you haven’t tested yet, then honestly, June is the last date we’d recommend for a first test. That leaves you so much time to deal with worst case scenarios and dashed hopes, if it comes to that (which of course we hope that it doesn’t!). You need to preserve all of August for writing essays, so you need to realistically figure out how to nail this test well in advance of that.

OK then. First wake-up call has been delivered. If you’re serious about applying to bschool this year, then please get serious about the GMAT test!

More on this getting-started subject coming later this week. Stay tuned. (Next post is here!)

Filed Under: GMAT/GRE, planning your strategy

« Previous: If you didn’t make it in…
Next: What else you should do to get started. »

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We're the snarky experts in MBA admissions!

Sometimes amused and often appalled by what candidates write in their MBA applications to top bschools, EssaySnark created this little blahg to share common mistakes. Learn from them and avoid making admissions directors laugh (or want to hurl) when they read your essays. If you are hoping to have your essay reviewed anonymously on the blahg for free, submit it for consideration.

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From a BSer January 2020:
"love the guide books!"


CLASS OF 2023 MBA APPLICATION STRATEGY GUIDES

     
    The 2020 Berkeley-Haas MBA Application Guide - updated for the Class of 2023 application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Berkeley Haas - refreshed and updated, with brainstorming exercises and structured maps to help you focus your stories!
   
    The 2020-2021 NYU Stern MBA Application Guide that covers the main essay, the EQ Endorsement and Pick Six!
SnarkStrategies Guide for NYU - discusses your requirements for the Class of 2023 essays!
   
    The 2020-2021 Columbia MBA Application Guide
SnarkStrategies Guide for Columbia Business School for 2020-2021 applications
   
    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Harvard Business School!
   
    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Duke Fuqua - up to date for the current season!
   
    The 2020-2021 MIT Essay Guide covers the org chart, the contacts for two references, and additional tips for the cover letter and 'introduce yourself' video -- and everything else you need to know!
SnarkStrategies Guide for MIT Sloan MBA - totally revised for the Class of 2023!
   
    The 2020-2021 Tuck Essay Guide has been refreshed with latest insights and advice for your essays about "investing generously" and "why Tuck"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for the Dartmouth Tuck MBA - completely overhauled for 2020, to help you demonstrate how you are nice, aware, etc stuff!
   
    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Yale SOM - updated for 2020-2021
   
    The 2020-2021 Chicago Booth MBA Application Guide - ready to go to support your Class of 2023 essay strategy!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Chicago Booth for this year's MBA app!
   
    The 2020 Wharton MBA Application Guide - even more advice on how to get to a win with those essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for The Wharton School - with new tips for 2020!
   
    The 2020 Kellogg Essay Guide - with a full methodology to identify your 'lasting impact' and your 'values' -- plus tips on 2020 world events and applicability to your essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Kellogg MBA - updated and revised for the new realities of 2020!    
      The 2020 Stanford MBA Application Guide - for "what matters most" in your MBA application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Stanford GSB for the Class of 2023
   
    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for 
UCLA
   
   

Brave Supplicants' latest reviews on The 'Snark


Apr 10, 2020
by George on EssaySnark
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I thought getting over the GRE/GMAT hurdle was fairly straightforward--disciplined study then test execution... Read more

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I used the Single Shot Express to decimate essay #1 at my first-choice school. Paired with the school... Read more

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You continue to blow me away with your commitment to us BSers! Thanks again for everything. It's been... Read more






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What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: Becoming your future self
  • 2019: What's going on with Fuqua?
  • 2019: ($) What we've seen with a few "bad MBA interview" situations
  • 2018: Just a reminder...
  • 2017: Just in case you are growing impatient....
  • 2017: What matters most is integrity.
  • 2016: Preparing for bschool (and interviews, and sorta life in general)
  • 2014: Now that your apps are in: Who had the best essay questions?
  • 2013: And the award for Worst MBA Essays goes to...
  • 2012: business etiquette
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