In less than 50 days, I will be submitting my application for at least one of my chosen schools (Sloan has the honour of being the school with the tightest deadline for me). Here’s a look at where I am now with respect to my MBA applications
GMAT: Done (710 – well within the 80% range for all the schools I’m applying to)
Resume: 75% done (its done but not completely reviewed by all the people I want it reviewed by)
Online app:
- Stanford – 40% done
- Sloan – 20% done
- Others – Not Started
Recommendations:
- Stanford – One submitted (my micromanaging skills have paid off, somewhat), One outstanding
- Others – Outstanding
Essays – My Wharton draft is ready to be seen. I’ve just sent it to my friends to take a look at. I’m not sure the order the review should take – friends before MBAs or the other way round? I hope it survives this review from my friends; my first draft was thrown back at me, someone offered to spend the application fee, that way I’ll “get some value out of it” – I have some brutally honest friends. Thankfully I have drafts of bits and pieces of the essays that I have written down in my application log/ book as the ideas occurred to me for the other applications. Now that I’m done with the GMAT I will try to put them together.
Next steps:
- Take advantage of the 30-mins free consultation from different consultants to get an opinion on my candidacy. I don’t know if I’m going to use one, seriously doubt it because of the associated costs.
- Send emails to my new alumni contacts to see if I can get extra help around essay review
- Get all my essays drafted and send out to reviewers
- Finish the online application – This si tougher than I thought it would be. I don’t want to give one word answers, I want to make maximum use of that opportunity so its taking a lot of probing and thinking to complete it.
- Throw a party (this has nothing to do with MBA application, but I really want one and it’ll be a great way to thank all those involved in reviewing the many different aspects of my application)
Did I miss anything?
Naija MBA Gal 
topdogmba
August 5, 2014 at 10:32 am
Thanks for the honest update on your status. It makes me feel in good company to see where you are. I think we’re about equal, although I’ve spent more time on research and planning than actual writing so I definitely feel the pressure to work on essays now!
I don’t think it matters which group you show your essays to first, but make it the people who know you best and you trust to give honest feedback. Also, bear in mind that it may take a few days for people to respond given their busy schedules etc.
From my experience, current students and alums are especially useful for giving you references to classes, professors, clubs etc. that will really help personalise your application to a particular b school. And, erm, sometimes people without MBAs just don’t understand what a grind this process is.
Throwing a party sounds like a great idea though!
NaijaMBAgal
August 5, 2014 at 10:47 am
I’m glad to hear it. When I looked at the deadline I felt rushed, partly because I’m behind schedule according to my original plan. I just want to make sure people have enough time to look at it, that’s why I want to get it out there on time.
I’m using very honest people, you won’t believe the feedback I’ve received. I almost think people are using this as an opportunity to get back at me for my harsh reviews but I’m taking it in good faith.
pullingthatmbatrigger
August 5, 2014 at 10:54 am
Big yes to the party! But you look like you’re making great headway here. I’m struggling with the essays too to be honest. I wish I had friends who could read it for me and give me feedback, that’s always been my role by default! None of my friends are MBAs either, which makes it harder.
I think it’s a good thing that people are giving you harsh feedback. As soul crushing as it might be now, it will probably force you to dig deeper and give it your best. A recommendation already sent it? Whoa, that’s awesome. Great going.
NaijaMBAgal
August 5, 2014 at 11:02 am
My close friends are not MBAs, the MBAs I know are those I met while I was researching schools, I’ve become friends with some of them but not as close as those who have known me for a long time.
There are some of my friends who simply correct the grammar of my essay and move on, this is what I do, it might work for you: download a random sample essay online, send it to your friends along with yours and ask them to identify which is yours. If they pick the wrong one or they can’t identify yours, its not personal enough.
pullingthatmbatrigger
August 5, 2014 at 11:09 am
Did you meet them in person? All the MBAs I have spoken to recently are all over the country and I didn’t feel right asking them since I’ve barely spoken to them a few times!
But that is a great idea! If I remove all the obvious references that would tell them it was me (name of company, undergrad college and so on), that should be a great way to determine how personal it is. Thanks for the suggestion!
NaijaMBAgal
August 5, 2014 at 11:16 am
A few. Most of them I haven’t met in person. During our discussions, I shared a lot of information about myself. Some of them volunteered to help, others I had to ask. I told them why I wanted their help and they were willing. I think it’s worth the risk
MBA on my mind
August 5, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Hii! You have gotten some serious headway with your apps, I’d say. Good job! Especially with the one recommendation already done.
On the feedback, stark honesty is what’s required. Some of the feedback I received last cycle had me in tears! Its great that you’ve got friends who’d do that for you.
I think you could send it to friends and MBA’s simultaneously and compare feedback? Then sit down, analyze and incorporate relevant feed back into your app. Just a thought!
Oooo and a party! Love the sound of that! 😀
NaijaMBAgal
August 5, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Great idea, I’ll do that.
Thanks. I appreciate them more now.
ProGMAT
August 9, 2014 at 7:50 am
Hi,
You are at a good pace to complete your application on time.
I am yet to take my GMAT this year. I am also preparing my resume. Please share some good points that I can consider to initially complete it and after that I will send it to my friends and colleagues for review. Any help from anyone is appreciated. I hope I will get a chance to do a party this year. 😀
Good Luck!!
Thanks and regards.
NaijaMBAgal
August 9, 2014 at 10:02 am
Good luck with the GMAT. I’ll try to put something together.