The MBA has become the degree of choice for employers looking for top-notch, highly educated employees. This means that if you are applying to an MBA program, you will probably have a lot of competition. Aside from the usual strategies--good grades in the bachelor’s program and a good work resume--there are some other things you can do to help your chances of getting accepted to a high quality Australian MBA program.
Tooting the Horn
Of course you have to showcase your talents. Tell them about your success in undergraduate years, your community service, and your work experience. Help them understand your strong points and how they relate to an Australian MBA program. Some things admissions counselors like to see: leadership, organization, problem-solving skills, and willingness to try new things.
However, do not toot your horn too loudly. Bragging is often a sign of compensation for a weak background, so be realistic. It is said that when something sounds too good to be true, it is--that goes for you as well. Be ready to back up every claim you make with facts and proof.
What Makes You Different?
You will be competing with hundreds of other applicants. You will need to stand out. Make a list of things that will set you apart. Do not tailor this to what you think their ideal student is--tailor it for outside that list. For instance, they may not list international relations as an important part of the admission criteria, but if you have successful experience in it, that will be a plus.
Here are just a few things that will set you apart:
• Professional and scholastic awards and honors
• References from others about unusual things you did for them
• Testimonials about your willingness not only to work hard, but work smart as well
Also, let the admissions committee know what you want you want to be doing five, ten, and twenty years after you graduate--in other words, the things that would make them proud to call you a graduate.
Also, remember that no matter where you take your Australian MBA, the degree is what you make it. You will only be in school for a couple of years at the most, so get everything you can out of it and prepare well for your future.
Moving Ahead with an Australia MBA: Apply Now!
Australian business schools are renowned worldwide for their expertise and quality. Students who complete a MBA in Australia will be well equipped to advance in the workplace, prepared to thrive in the business community anywhere in the world. With so much to gain, students should be eager to begin their time as a MBA student in Australia. However, before students can embark on this one of a kind experience, it is important to first understand Australia MBA admissions.
The first element to any MBA application is previous schooling. Since a MBA is an advance degree, all applicants will be required to provide evidence of a bachelor degree or some equivalent certification. Most schools will accept this proof in the form of an official transcript. To apply for MBA programs, students should first request a copy of their transcript from the school where their undergraduate coursework was completed. Australia MBA admissions may also use this transcript to check for course prerequisites and GPA. The requirements for these elements will vary depending on the school and program.
Another facet to a MBA application is work experience. The MBA programs in Australia are designed for experienced business professionals who are seeking to take their career to the next level. The curriculum is rigorous and catered to real world professionals who have a wealth of personal experiences to draw from. Therefore, all applicants will be required to submit a detailed resume as part of their Australia MBA admissions. This resume should include all professional work and any relevant volunteer opportunities, including dates and contact information of past and present employers and associations.
Applicants will also be required to demonstrate their skill with the English language to apply for MBA programs in Australia. To this end, most applicants take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). All international students are required to take this test, though some may substitute the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some students may be able to waive this test in the Australia MBA admissions process after completing a face to face interview. However, since an IELTS score is required for student visas in Australia, all students are encouraged to take the test anyway.
Some elite schools will also require a score from the GMAT as part of their MBA application. However, not all schools will require this test, so applicants should check with the school of interest to be sure. Even if the score is not required for admission, some students complete the test anyway as a way to set themselves apart. Students are certainly allowed to submit a score from the GMAT even if it is not necessarily required. This score can help students stand out from other applicants.
While these aspects of Australia MBA admissions are fairly standard, applicants also have the chance to show a bit more of their personality and skills through letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are powerful pieces to any MBA application, providing a more thorough glimpse at what the applicant has to offer. Most schools will require at least one letter of recommendation, though most applicants are encouraged to procure two. Letters of recommendation should be written by qualified individuals who know the applicant professionally or in an educational setting. Bosses, supervisors, or teachers are often great choices to write these letters.
Last, but certainly not least in the Australia MBA admissions process, is the personal essay. This essay should be viewed as a letter of intent in which applicants can explain their goals and strengths. This letter is one of the best ways for applicants to set themselves apart. This essay should have a strong voice, be grammatically clean, and have a clear structure that communicates the applicant's plans. The personal essay will be the most time intensive portion of the Australia MBA admissions process, but for those who do it well, the effort will most certainly pay off.
Though the specific guidelines will vary from school to school, interested students should start developing their MBA application well in advance in order to ensure that there is plenty of time to meet the deadlines and get accepted. Applicants who take the time to complete a thorough and polished application are more likely to get accepted to start an exciting MBA education at one of the revered business schools in Australia.