Online MBA Application Tips

If you are applying to certain business schools, such as MIT’s Sloan School of Management, you may be required to fill out your application online. While an online application can be quicker and more convenient, you still need to be careful. Here are some tips.

• Proofread your online MBA application. While filling out an online application can be faster and easier than writing out all your answers, you still need to check everything you write. Typos are often viewed by MBA admissions officers as a sign that you don’t pay enough attention to detail. Spellcheck can’t catch everything. Luckily, however, most online applications make it so it’s very easy to fix your mistakes.

• Don’t assume that all online MBA applications are the same. While some can be completed entirely online, others require you to print out your answers and mail them in.

• Ask each business school about your application options. Most business websites will provide a detailed overview of their application process. Some, such as Harvard Business School, even require you to fill out a form before you send in your application. If you have any questions about how to apply, call or email an MBA admissions officer for help.

• Start early. Online MBA applications still have deadlines. The earlier you read the application, the more time you have to think about the best ways to answer each of the questions.

• Check your application before sending it in. If you can, print out a copy and read it first. Sometimes, it is easier to spot typos on paper than on a computer screen. It may also help to read your answers aloud or use screen reading software. For more proofreading tips, check out this article from the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

• Keep a printed copy of your MBA application for your records.

• Make sure you get confirmation emails from the business schools after you apply. If you do not receive a confirmation email, call to ask whether or not the school got your application.