- Introduction
- What are premium B-schools looking for in MBA aspirants?
- What’s your academic potential/ background?
- Do you have work experience?
- How good are you at decision-making?
- What is your vision?
- Do you possess the leadership qualities B-schools are looking for?
- How good are your analytical skills?
- Do you have a proper solution-oriented approach?
- Can you communicate effectively?
- How much do you know about yourself?
- How dedicated are you?
- Concluding thoughts
Introduction
What does it take to get into a top B-school in my country? Many MBA aspirants think about this question. Business schools receive thousands of applications every year, and the competition is high. If you’re planning to get into one of these premium B-schools, you must know how to make the application stand out by understanding what the premium institutions look for in MBA aspirants.
The exponential growth in the competition among the candidates has forced the top MBA colleges to rethink their admission policy to pick the best of the best MBA aspirants. Also, when the institutions shortlist candidates, they check if the candidate is the right fit for the program and if he/ she will be able to attend and complete the program without any hassles or shortcomings from their end.
What are premium B-schools looking for in MBA aspirants?
Before building a castle of MBA dreams, one must know what B-schools look for in an MBA aspirant and plan accordingly to stay ahead of the competition. Here are ten qualities that B-schools look for in MBA aspirants to get you started.
1. What’s your academic potential/ background?
Ask an MBA graduate about the program, and they will be able to tell you how rigorous the course is and how much effort it takes to earn the degree. Hence, B-schools have to ensure that the candidate will be capable of handling the hardships during the course.
The institutions consider the academic background of the candidate to ensure they are strong on the academic front. B-schools also consider candidates who have shown general interest in managerial studies and one can portray their extracurricular activities in the respective domain to make their applications stand out from the rest.
2. Do you have work experience?
Various institutions have kept a criterion that the applicants must possess work experience to get themselves shortlisted. Normally, B-schools prefer candidates with a minimum of 2 to 3 years of work experience. But, that alone doesn’t give you a clean chit and land you a seat in your preferred institution. An interviewer will also be taking into account the quality and field of work based on growth, handled projects, and accomplishments.
3. How good are you at decision-making?
Management programs majorly focus on case studies and decision-making. The work environment can get stressful at times, and as a professional, one is required to confidently make growth-oriented decisions. B-schools analyze if the candidate has the right mind and attitude to tackle problems in stressful situations and provide an optimal solution. Make sure you portray these skills explicitly in the application and interview process.
4. What is your vision?
Where is this MBA degree going to take you? What is your plan for the future?, will be the question the majority of the B-schools will be asking you. It’s not because they are interested in your future, but it’s just because they are looking for candidates with a strong vision. B-schools want their students to stand out from the crowd and lead the business world with full zest and knowledge.
With the emerging trends in technology and modernization and the changing course of globalization, one must identify their purpose of pursuing the MBA degree and not look at it as time passes. The candidate should have a clear thought process and a strong purpose before applying for the program, in the absence of which, you might get landed up in the rejected category.
5. Do you possess the leadership qualities B-schools are looking for?
Every B-school wants its students to land managerial/ leadership positions in reputed organizations. B-schools need to be convinced that the students have the potential to be business leaders and it’s an important quality that B-schools look for in aspirants. Ensure that you mention your past achievements that exhibit your leadership qualities.
6. How good are your analytical skills?
The ability to analyze and logically solve problems is a must-have quality for an MBA aspirant. Group discussions and personal interviews are conducted by most of the B-schools to test and understand the analyzing capabilities of the candidates.
7. Do you have a proper solution-oriented approach?
Premium B-schools in the country value candidates who are solution and result-oriented. After an MBA degree, you must be in a position to come up with affordable and optimal solutions for critical problems. Make sure you highlight this quality and relate it to any activity that you have done in the past during your admission process.
8. Can you communicate effectively?
Management jobs require effective communication and presentation skills and are one of the prime requirements of a B-school. Two places where you can portray this skill are while preparing your application or during the interview process. So roll up your sleeves and embrace yourself for any conversation that can come across to test your communication skills during the process.
9. How much do you know about yourself?
There is always a part in the interview process of B-schools to analyze the self-awareness of candidates. The real-life lessons learned from your academia or experiences gained from the previous job are analyzed during this process. One has to be confident and clear while presenting across the experiences, achievements, weaknesses, and strengths.
10. How dedicated are you?
Last but not least, dedication is crucial to succeeding in the field of management. Interviewers and B-schools keep looking out for candidates who are enthusiastic and dedicated and show eagerness to learn and grow.
Concluding thoughts
B-schools are very particular about the candidates they shortlist because when he/ she graduates, the person carries the name of the college wherever they go. Hence, the colleges keep a strict shortlisting process and look for candidates with the qualities we have discussed in the article.
If you’ve already planned for an MBA degree and are looking for a program that is going to help you master these qualities and is flexible, then the 2-year Online MBA program by JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) will be hand in glove for you. The program offers dynamic teaching techniques and will be a valuable addition to your resume. Stay tuned for more of our blogs, that would help you make the right career choices.
