Sunday, December 2, 2012

MBA SPECIAL...PLAN YOUR MBA



PLAN YOUR MBA 

A step-by-step guide on how to make an MBA abroad a seamless process

FEBRUARY: START EARLY
 Plan your career
> Reflect on your career till date and future goals > Research job descriptions related to your goals
Why MBA?
> Consider why you want to undertake an MBA > Think about how the MBA experience will help you develop personally and professionally
MARCH – APRIL: HAVING DECIDED TO APPLY, BUILD YOUR PROFILE
Research Goals:
> Talk to professionals currently in the job you want > Articulate your short and longterm goals
Bolster your professional experience:
> Take on projects aligned with your goals > Build international experience, diversify functional experience > Fast-track your promotion
Take stock of your academic preparation:
> Plan your GMAT, two to three months preparation should suffice > Take the TOEFL > Bolster your transcript with additional courses if you have a weak GPA
Consider your extra-curricular profile
> Build upon your hobbies and interests. > Social work is not compulsory but helps you add another facet
MAY – JULY: RESEARCH YOUR SCHOOLS
> Shortlist five to six colleges, dividing them into two dream, two fit and two safety schools > Consider academic fit, cultural fit, tuition expenses, loan programs, career service statistics and location > Research the schools, identifying courses, experiential programmes and clubs you are interested in > Reach out to student ambassadors and club leaders with specific queries > Write to a couple of professors whose courses you would love to learn more about > Talk with alumni about the academic and cultural experience > If you have the time and money to visit, plan a trip to your topschools > Mark your calendar for admissions events in your city > Give your GMAT and submit your scores to selected schools
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
> Arrange the required number of college transcripts > Schools start releasing application essays > Start identifying themes and experiences you want to highlight > Build a professional resume, articulating achievements and impact > Identify your recommenders, brief them on your goals, and provide inputs for your recommendations > Consider engaging a professional counsellor if you feel overwhelmed > Get a second opinion on all your application
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
> Submit five to six strong applications in R1 > Start interview preparation > See decision deadlines and plan for R2 > Start the new year with an admit
 
Rajdeep Chimni   (The writer is co-founder,  Admissions Gateway, admissions consultants in India) ET121127

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