MBA Part 2: The secrets to a successful application

You are investing in your future, so be prepared to invest some time in your application. A successful MBA application takes time and research. After narrowing down your options to the business schools that are right for you, you then need to prove to them that you will be the right student for their program.

Now it is time to be marketing yourself.

Requirements vary greatly between business schools. The top schools can select the very best – students with high GMAT scores, extensive business and managerial experience and great presentation skills. But a high GMAT score does not guarantee you a place at a high ranking school, and often the school you feel fits your needs best may not require a GMAT result at all.

The application process

You need to start your application well in advance – at least a year before you plan to start your MBA. A typical business school application may require your education transcripts, GMAT scores and English language test scores, employment record and CV, two references, answers to specific questions or essays, and an interview. Make time to do it well and the return on investment will be with you for life.

To complete all of these you will need to have a good understanding of yourself, what you have to offer, and what the school offers you. Research the school thoroughly – not just their online guides or prospectus; talk with alumni from the course, read the school’s student blogs, and join their online discussions. You can also purchase Clear Admit’s impartial guides to the top US business schools through StudyLink. These give valuable insights into what each school specifically wants from a candidate.

Remember, the school is looking for two things – how well you will fit in, and how well you will stand out. They want to create an interesting and diverse class, so they need to know how you will contribute to that, and what makes you unique.

They are also looking for evidence of your leadership potential, intellectual ability and the thought you have put into your career plan.

Testing, testing…

Preparing for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) can take a large amount of your MBA application time, especially if it has been a while since you last studied, or if English is not your first language. The test gives business schools a standardised way to assess candidates. It is split into three parts: analytical writing, quantitative and verbal. Most of the top business schools will require a score of 650 or higher - not only US schools but also those in the UK, Europe or Australia.

The GMAT is designed to test your logic and persuasive writing, and does not assess academic knowledge beyond basic maths and grammar. You can practice with sample tests and prep materials - find more about this at www.gmac.com. Focus on the areas you feel are your weakest. Remember the GMAT is not the only part of your application and it may make more sense to spend extra time on your essays or enhancing your other credentials.

What schools really look for…

Many schools only require GMAT results if your undergraduate degree does not meet their requirements. The University of Exeter (in South-West England) offers a 12 month full time MBA and requires a minimum of three years work experience. GMAT results are not required and English proficiency test results are only required for non-native speakers. Students must be at least 24 years old.

In contrast, Bond University in Queensland, Australia, requires at least eight years work experience for its Executive MBA program, and at least three of those years at a managerial level. They also require two references, a letter of employer support and a cover letter outlining your careers goals and the reasons for choosing an MBA with Bond. As one of the best universities in Australia for graduate outcomes, an MBA from Bond University has a good reputation and students benefit from the experiences of their hand-picked peer group.

One of the newest MBA programs on offer in Europe is at ESMT, in Berlin. They offer generous scholarships and a small, internationally diverse class. All self-sponsored candidates are eligible for between 20,000-40,000 euros in financial aid. The online application for the ESMT MBA requires good GMAT and English language proficiency scores, education transcripts, answers to set essays and an interview - which can be conducted by phone, video conference or in person.

Ulf Drier, from ESMT, says their program is unique thanks to the access to the 25 founding multinational companies who provide sponsorship for the substantial scholarships, as well as excellent career opportunities after graduation.

Remember that a successful MBA application will require strategic thinking, organisational skill and the ability to market yourself – all of which is good training for the MBA itself, and for your career in the future.

For more advice on how to get started with your MBA application, chat with one of our student counsellors today.

Don’t miss out on your course of choice: Important deadlines for your application

Australia and New Zealand – Apply now to start in July/August 2008. Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis and the earlier you apply, the earlier you will have an answer from the institutions. Submit your application and supporting documents to us now. You do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you.

If you applied to start in February/March 2008, you should be accepting your offer and applying for a student visa. If you have applied and you do not yet have a response, contact your counsellor. Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed a place in a course until after your acceptance of offer and deposit have been processed. You should also be planning your travel, temporary accommodation, and other arrangements. Work with your counsellor on your next step and confirm your place.

Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course, completing your applications, confirming your enrolment, and applying for a student visa.

USA and Canada – The main term starts in September but several start dates are available throughout the year. To start in September, it is best to have your application submitted by the end of January. Application deadlines vary and we encourage you to apply well in advance for best consideration and to allow time to apply for a visa.

Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

UK – Submit your application to StudyLink now to start in early 2008. There are limited courses and institutions offering a January/February start and our counsellors can help you find one to match your interests. If you are considering starting in September 2008, the UK's main term, we encourage you to apply by the end of December for best consideration.

Contact a counsellor to discuss your study plans.

Counsellor of the month: Jana Rezkova

Jana is an international student counsellor in our Sydney office. She has travelled and studied all over the world, completing her BA in the Czech Republic and her Masters (in Applied Linguistics) in Australia. She has also studied in Spain and England and travelled throughout Asia.

Jana really enjoyed her postgraduate experience in Sydney. She says, “The studies in Australia are quite practical and up to date – and also Sydney is a great place to be as an international student.” Travelling and learning foreign languages are her big passion and she really enjoyed the diversity of Pakistan on a recent trip. The next destination she would love to visit is South America.

As a student counsellor of StudyLink, Jana understands exactly what international students are going through in their decision and application process, and loves helping them with their study plans. “I have been in their shoes and I know what it’s like,” she says. “Making the step to study overseas is a big decision… be prepared for lots of paperwork and allow yourself enough time for the application process. But most importantly, follow your dreams and don’t give up!”

If you would like to discuss your study plans with Jana, contact her at StudyLink Australia.

UK: Newcastle University looks to a greener future

Newcastle University will play a key part in research into green energy solutions with its new Sir Joseph Swan Institute for Energy Research. The Institute was opened last month, and is located in the University’s Devonshire Building - in the heart of the cosmopolitan Northern England city of Newcastle.

Sir Joseph Swan, the Tyneside-born inventor, created the first electric light bulb back in the late 19th century. It is hoped the Institute named in his honour will lead to bright ideas in biofuel research, electrical power engineering for new and renewable energy generation, and cleaner solutions to fossil fuels. It is supported by the regional development agency, One NorthEast, which is putting £100 million into energy research over the next five year.

A hundred years ago, Newcastle was known for its coalfields. Now, the university looks to a future at the heart of the knowledge economy, rather than the industrial economy. It is one of the fastest growing universities in the UK, and according to the Time Online guide, “with its unusually wide range of degree courses, and top rated student facilities, it’s not hard to see why.”

About a fifth of the student population come from overseas, and find Newcastle a friendly and inexpensive place to live and study. Good rail links mean it is less than three hours from London, and there are many international and European air services direct to the city.

Manasvini Prabhat, from India, says “Newcastle offered me something of a ‘package deal’ - a well-reputed university, the course of my choice (chemical and process engineering) with the flexibility I wanted, as well as a scholarship to slightly ease the financial load.”

To find out more about the wide range of degrees offered at Newcastle University, contact one of our student counsellors.

Australia: La Trobe and Microsoft in major technology partnership

La Trobe University recently announced the establishment of a new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre, in partnership with Microsoft.

It is the first campus-based Microsoft centre in Australia, and will be located in the research and development park in the University’s main Melbourne campus. Students, academics and local businesses will benefit from access to cutting edge hardware and software, providing start-up facilities for research and product development.

Professor Paul Johnson, La Trobe University’s Vice-Chancellor said the centre will “encourage the innovative abilities of our students, furthering their entrepreneurial skills and career prospects.” Mentoring opportunities with software giants such as Microsoft, Intel and i-mate will also benefit students and small businesses.

As a member of the International Network of Universities, La Trobe has a strong commitment to globalisation in all study areas and has links with over 250 institutions in over 40 countries. It has also formed a new alliance with HCL Technologies Ltd, India’s leading IT services company, providing recruitment and internship opportunities for recent La Trobe graduates.

The main Bundoora campus of La Trobe University is about 30 minutes from Melbourne’s city centre, and is one of the largest in Australia. It covers 200 hectares of beautiful parkland and even has its own on-campus wildlife sanctuary. Over 3000 international students attend classes in this safe, supportive environment.

For more information about computer science and electronic engineering opportunities at La Trobe University, or about any of their other programs, talk with one of our student counsellors.

La Trobe University CRICOS provider code: 00115M

US: Monterey Institute Fellowship for Peace

If you love languages and want to make a difference in the world, then the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California is the graduate school for you. And their new scholarship offers additional financial support for learning the key languages of the future.

The new Kathryn Davis Fellowship for Peace is open to all students admitted to the Institute’s Master’s programs. It provides full cover for tuition, board, books and travel costs for study at the prestigious Middlebury Language School from June to August 2008. Students can take Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Russian intensive summer language course at the Vermont-based school, which works in partnership with the Monterey Institute.

The Monterey Institute requires advanced standing in a second language for all admissions – a pre-requisite that is unique amongst US graduate schools and creates a truly international environment. One-third of Monterey students are from other countries, and almost all US-born students have lived abroad. Plus, almost half of the faculty members are international.

The Monterey Institute has also recently been ranked thirteenth in the Entrepreneur magazine & Princeton Review survey of over 900 graduate schools. Dr Ernest J. Scalberg, Dean of the Fisher Graduate School in International Business at Monterey, said, “We have a distinctive MBA program in that all of our graduates are able to apply an entrepreneurial way of thinking to international business opportunities.”

As well as the business school program, Monterey offers Master’s degrees in international policy studies, environmental studies, trade policies, translation and interpretation. The Graduate School of Language and Educational Linguistics offers a Master’s degrees in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) and teaching a foreign language, as well as non-degree intensive language courses.

Chris Cheng, who is completing his master’s degree in International Policy Studies at the Monterey Institute, says, “You should come here if you have a passion for international affairs, a passion to help people and improve the international climate, if you have a passion for languages. This is the place for you.”

To find out more about studying at the Monterey Institute, chat with one of our student counsellors.