What My MBA Application Journey Has Taught Me

I am applying for a spot in the class of 2017; my MBA application journey started December last year and it has been a rollercoaster ride. To summarize: I’ve taken the GMAT three times (scored 610, 650 & 710), I’ve responded to countless MBA essay prompts, I’ve been 'dinged' by schools – before and after my interview, I’ve put together and tossed away several plans for my MBA application, I’ve written and rewritten my MBA essays, I’ve asked myself why so many times that I have forgotten why I wanted to know the answer. I’ve cried, laughed and eaten ice cream (in some occasions I did all three together). But through it all, I’ve learned some valuable lessons.

Here’s a short list:

There is no place too weird to write an MBA essay (or part of one): so far I have written mine in a birthday party, a client briefing, a wedding reception, on the way to work or back from it, at a cocktail party, in my dream – this was the weirdest, I had to jump out of bet to put down the idea in reality though. After a while you get used to it, people ask about my red book when they see me now; it’s taken on a personality of its own! I got an invitation recently and the host specifically said, “Just you, no books.” Needless to say, I won’t be going; I’ll be tackling those MBA essay prompts. She’ll understand. The MBA application is an introspective process

I’ve found things out about myself I never knew: I’ve always been a confident introspective person but I have never in my life questioned my motives as much as I have in the last couple of months. When I decided to apply this season, I spent an entire week asking myself why – why I wanted an MBA, why I wanted to go to the schools I wanted to go to, why I chose the career path I chose, why I wanted to pursue my goals, why I was born where I was born, why I was asking myself why, why the schools should admit me, why any school should pick me rather than another person with the same work experience and from the same demographics. Answering these questions helped me put things in perspective, it also showed me things about myself that I either didn’t know or had forgotten. Even if I don’t get into a school (which will not happen), I’m already a better person thanks to the MBA application process.

Suddenly, 24 hours a day is not enough. As a consultant, I was already aware that some days needed extra hours, but as an applicant, I now know that 24 hours is not enough for any day. Now that MBA application deadlines are around the corner, I am willing to pay for an extra six hours every day. That brings me to the next point…