Five Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Business School

Find out how to minimize your chances of receiving a decline letter when applying to business school from MBA admissions dean, Jacqueline Brito

The average person does not handle rejection well.  So if you want to minimize your chances of receiving a decline letter from your top-pick MBA program, I encourage you to avoid the following behaviors while applying to business school:

1. Asking for a GMAT exemption

Asking for a GMAT waiver is a huge red flag for admissions directors.  There are individuals who suffer from severe test anxiety, but a request for a GMAT waiver could be construed as merely an excuse.  Most admission practices include reviewing candidates’ files holistically.  To that end, standardized tests are weighted along with all the other admission requirements when applying to business school. 

1. Making excuses

When asked how you prepared for your exam; stating that you didn’t have much time, or that you took it at the last minute, may work against you.  If this is your stance, and if you‘re applying to business school late in the recruitment cycle, you could be sending an alarm to admissions that you procrastinate and therefore, should not be perceived as a serious MBA candidate.

1. Questioning MBA admission requirements

Questioning a school’s MBA admission requirements by being argumentative when asked to submit additional documents could be interpreted as a lack of respect for the institution’s processes.  It’s perfectly acceptable to ask about MBA admission requirements, but you may not get too far when the behavior is perceived as confrontational.

1. Trying to leverage MBA scholarships

 Don’t try to play schools off one another to negotiate MBA scholarships. If you are expecting a counteroffer on your MBA scholarships, what you will likely receive are well-wishes instead.  This might not be the best time to test your negotiation skills; especially if you are not a competitive candidate in the first place.

1. Applying to business schools that fit your schedule and not your future

Do not apply to a program simply because the structure is more conducive to your schedule; especially if you do not meet the admissions requirements for that particular program.  Choose your program wisely and you will receive more favorable results.

First impressions are lasting; therefore, do your part to make a positive one.  Since we are in the business of helping individuals achieve their education goals, admission professionals will go out of their way to assist you, but only when you demonstrate a sense of self-awareness when applying to business school, and a commitment to doing your part.

By Jacqueline Brito

Jacqueline Brito, SPHR, is assistant dean at Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business where she oversees recruiting, marketing, and admissions for the school’s MBA programs. She brings many years of corporate experience to Rollins, including key roles at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando International Airpo