MBA Reapplicant Tips and Resources

Most '08 MBA applicants know if they are starting b-school in the fall or not. If you fall into the "or not" category, you are facing a reapplication decision.

MBA Reapplication Tips

I am reprinting my tips for reapplicants along with a list of resources you can use as you ramp up for a successful MBA reapplication effort.

1. Determine what you need to change. Your previous approach didn't work. Don't turn in the same essays.
2. Analyze your qualifications versus your target schools' average stats and requirements.  Don't rely on miracles. Be realistic.
3. Seek feedback. Fewer and fewer schools are providing feedback, but if yours does, grab it. If it doesn't, consider obtaining an MBA Application Critique.
4. Evaluate your application. Do your essays and letters of rec (if you have access to them) add to the reader's knowledge of you? What could you do to improve them? Again, consider using Accepted's application evaluation service.
5. Work on weaknesses. For example, if you applied to business school with a low GMAT, study for and retake the test.
6. Prepare to highlight valuable recent experiences. When you reapply, you want to show that you are "new and improved."

MBA Reapplication Resources:

• Create a Better Sequel: How to Reapply Right to Business School , Accepted's featured ebook, is 20% off this month. A reader recently wrote, "After a string of Dings, the information in Create a Better Sequel: How to Reapply Right to Business School gave me confidence to start my re-application process this fall! "
• MBA Admissions: Advice for Reapplicants
• Re-Applying to Business School After Being Rejected, a podcast from MBA Podcaster. The podcast highlights the somewhat different reactions of b-schools to reapplicants .  Note the emphasis on evaluation and growth.

Not sure you can objectively evaluate your past application? Demoralized by a stack of dings? To deal with your morale issues, please see:

• Personal Statement Tip: Pick Yourself Up and Applaud.
• Admissions tip from Dr. Pausch's Last Lecture

To provide objective analysis and ensure the positive change you want to show, jump-start your reapplication effort by combining Accepted's Application Evaluation with our Start Smart MBA Mentoring(TM) service.