MBA Re-Applicants: Provide New Insights

So, the last application cycle did not work out in the way you’d hoped. Follow along on the blog this week, as we cover the steps you will want to take for a successful re-applicant journey. While the disappointment may sting, the good news is that business schools will highly value you, as a re-applicant, for your persistence and tenacity.

When you update your application materials, keep in mind that schools may review your updated submission alongside your initial application. You will want to ensure that your updated materials provide new insight to the Admissions Committee on who you are and how you will fit into their program. 

• Check program policy regarding recommendation letters. Many programs request that you provide new reference letters, although you may opt to use the same recommenders. If possible, include at least one new reference who is in a current managerial role and can speak to your recent professional accomplishments. 

• Update your resume to include results you’ve achieved and impacts you’ve had since your last application. Also, consider what activities may round out your resume. Look for professional or volunteer involvements that may set you apart from other applicants. 

• Submit new essay responses. Show commitment and don’t be afraid to expose some vulnerability. Some MBA programs will provide a re-applicant question, while others (including Stanford and Harvard) do not. If the application does not provide you explicit space, use your personal statement to show the reader your leadership or innovation potential through a recent endeavor. You will also want to explain the reasons behind your re-application. Ensure that your writing is clear, cohesive, and polished. 

• See below some sample re-applicant essay questions. (While some programs deem the question optional, we encourage you to take advantage of this additional space to demonstrate exactly why your candidacy is more compelling than in your previous application.)

Chicago Booth: Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words)

UPenn Wharton: Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)

Northwestern Kellogg: How have you grown or changed personally and professionally since you previously applied and what steps have you taken to become the strongest candidate you can be? (250 words)

MIT Sloan: (Optional) Tell us what has changed for you both personally and professionally since you last applied. (short answer) 

Columbia: How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate how you plan to achieve your immediate and long term post-MBA professional goals. (500 words)

NYU Stern: If you wish to highlight any changes from your last application, you may do so in the optional essay 3: Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. (250 words) 

MBA Re-Applicants: Update Your Strategy

So, the last application cycle did not work out in the way you’d hoped. Follow along on the blog this week, as we cover the steps you will want to take for a successful re-applicant journey. While the disappointment may sting, the good news is that business schools will highly value you, as a re-applicant, for your persistence and tenacity.

Once you identify your last submission’s weaknesses, consider some of these strategies to improve your likelihood of success as a re-applicant. 

• Apply in Round 1 or Round 2 of the admissions cycle. 

• Consider if there are other, more accessible, programs that could prepare you for your desired career. 

• If you have a low/marginal undergraduate GPA, consider taking additional courses to bolster it. And be sure to address any red flags, such as a low GPA, in optional essays.  In doing so, you don’t want to make excuses for your low GPA.  Rather, you want to guide the reader to those areas of your life, such as professional projects or leadership roles, that you believe are more indicative of your ability to thrive in a rigorous environment.

• Think about how your test scores compare to those of admitted students. Are you willing to get a tutor or take a course to improve your score? Remember MBA admissions committees will only ever consider your highest score, no matter how many times you’ve taken the exam.

• Try to gain more professional and/ or volunteer experience(s) that will provide leadership and teamwork opportunities, as well as demonstrate your interest in and commitment to your future goals.  

MBA Re-Applicants are Highly Valued by Admissions Committees

So, the last application cycle did not work out in the way you’d hoped. Perhaps you didn’t receive a seat at your dream school or within your desired geographic area. Whatever your experience, you now find yourself thinking about re-applying to business school. Follow along on the blog this week, as we cover the steps you will want to take for a successful re-applicant journey. While the disappointment may sting, the good news is that business schools will highly value you, as a re-applicant, for your persistence and tenacity.

Before you begin the re-applicant process, assess your initial application effort. Did you receive any acceptances, or waitlist offers? What components of your application were weak?

• Consider your school selection. Did you apply only to elite or reach programs? 

• Did your GMAT/GRE score and undergraduate GPA fall within the average ranges for admitted applicants at your preferred schools?

• Did your application materials present your strongest case? Were your written materials clear, grammatically correct, and polished? Did your resume accurately reflect your academic and professional qualifications? Did your essay responses adequately demonstrate your commitment to an MBA, as well as show the reader your abilities in innovation (critical/creative thinking and problem solving) and/or leadership and/or teamwork?

• When in the cycle did you apply? Applying later (after the January deadlines) can negatively impact an otherwise qualified candidate. 

Consider this when you Re-apply to Law School

The last application cycle did not work out in the way you had hoped. Perhaps you didn’t receive a seat at your dream school or within your desired geographic location. Whatever your experience, you now find yourself thinking about re-applying to law school. The good news is that law schools will highly value you, as a re-applicant, for your persistence and tenacity.

Before you begin the re-applicant process, assess your initial application effort. Did you receive any acceptances, or waitlist offers? What components of your application were weak?

• Consider your school selection. Did you apply only to elite or reach programs? Did you get into any programs that could offer you a solid foundation for your career? Consider carefully if declining any seats and reapplying is the appropriate decision for you.

• When in the cycle did you apply? Applying later can negatively impact an otherwise qualified candidate. 

• Did your LSAT/GRE score and undergraduate GPA fall within the average ranges for admitted applicants at your preferred schools?

• Did your application materials present your strongest case? Are written materials clear, grammatically correct, and polished? Did your resume and personal statement adequately demonstrate your commitment to the study of law, as well as show your abilities in critical and creative thinking, and/or leadership, and/or teamwork?

Once you identify your last submission’s weaknesses, consider some of these strategies to improve your likelihood of success this year. 

• Apply earlier in the admissions cycle.

• Consider more accessible programs that could prepare you for your desired career. 

• If you have a low/marginal undergraduate GPA, consider taking additional coursework to bolster it. And be sure to address any red flags, such as a low GPA, in optional essays.  In doing so, you don’t want to make excuses for your low GPA.  Rather, you want to guide the reader to those areas of your life, such as professional projects or leadership roles, that you believe are much more indicative of your ability to thrive in a rigorous environment.

• Think about how your test scores compare to those of admitted students. Are you willing to get a tutor or take a course to improve your score? The good news is that most law schools will only consider your highest score, and you will have the option to address low LSAT scores in the optional essays too. 

• Gain intern or volunteer experience(s) that demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the study of law.  

Update your application materials, keeping in mind that schools often review your updated submission alongside your initial application. You will want to ensure that your updated materials provide new insight to the Admissions Committee on who you are and how you will fit into their program. 

• Submit a new personal statement. Show commitment and don’t be afraid to expose some vulnerability. Discuss your re-application and the reasons behind it. Some schools may ask explicitly for the reason you did not matriculate into a law program the prior year. Ensure that your writing is clear, cohesive, and polished. 

• Some law schools request that you provide new reference letters while others do not. If possible, do include at least one new reference letter from a recent professor or a current professional manager who can attest to your professionalism and/or intellectual capabilities. It is also good practice to let your previous year’s references know that you plan to reuse their submissions.  

• Update your resume to include the activities and employment you’ve engaged in since your last application. Also, consider strategically, what activities may round out your resume. Look for internship or volunteer activities that will give you relevant experience and that may set you apart from other applicants.