Marketing Yourself to an Admissions Committee

Effective marketing requires not only that you maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses, but also that you work on expressing your unique qualities as an individual. Illustrating to the admissions committee that you are a good fit for their institution is another aspect of effectively marketing yourself to an MBA program and will ultimately lead to success on your overall application.

First things first: you're not going to win over the admissions committee overnight. The first step in the application process is understanding the different components for the application and knowing how to successfully complete your application.

The Application
Many MBA candidates underestimate the time it takes to complete a business school application. For many top business schools, it's not just a matter of turning in a paper application. There are usually many components to the application, including essays, letters of recommendation, the GMAT and preparing for the interview. It is in your best interest to spend a considerable amount of time researching, preparing, and eventually applying to your top choices.

You should begin the application process at least a year before you would like to start at business school. Therefore, if you were to anticipate beginning in September, you would be wise to start researching and organizing your application materials in June of the previous year.

Succeeding in the MBA application process requires strategic thinking, sound planning, organizational skill, persuasive ability and lots of hard work. Really, preparing the application is the first step in the rigor of an MBA education!

The Essay
The essay questions are the heart of the application. In fact, the better the school, the more likely it is that your essays will influence the final decision. Essay questions are designed to find out who you are, how you are unique, what you have accomplished, why you want an MBA and where you are headed.

Your essays will tell the admissions committee about more than just your writing skills; they also reveal your honesty, level of maturity and uniqueness, as well as your understanding of what the program offers and requires.

The Recommendations
Most business schools require applicants to submit two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are usually obtained from employers and/or current or former academic professionals. When choosing your recommender there are a few simple guidelines you should follow:

First, you should choose a person who knows you well. Don't just choose a professor or supervisor because he or she is well-known, or has a good reputation in the industry.

Second, choose a person you genuinely like. If you like a person, it is more than likely that they feel the same way about you. A recommender who likes you will be able to articulate your strengths and weaknesses, intellectual ability and leadership potential.

The Interview
The admissions interview is used by business schools primarily to assess candidates' interpersonal skills, motivation and unique strengths. �At the same time, admissions interviews provide an excellent opportunity for you to engage the interviewers in a healthy discussion about the program and get your questions answered.� All candidates are asked a standard set of questions. As an MBA candidate, you should be prepared to talk about yourself and bring your passion and energy into the interview. Below are a few tips to consider when preparing for your admissions interview:

• Prepare for the most likely questions (why you want an MBA, why you want to attend this school, what you can contribute to the program).
• Know the program and the school, and be prepared to ask questions.
• Practice! Practice! Practice! Ask a friend to perform a "mock interview" with you.
• During the interview, listen for clues. It's an interview, so you won't know all of the questions, but if you listen for clues, you'll have an easier time judging what questions might come next!

Visit the Full-time UST MBA Program

A great way to get an in-depth look at the Full-time UST MBA is to attend one of our scheduled Information Sessions. An Information Session is an opportunity for you to learn more about the curriculum, career services, student life, financial aid and admissions requirements. Here is our schedule of Information Sessions for the Academic Year 2007-08:

Please RSVP to attend »

Fall Admissions Deadline Approaching: Dec. 15
The second application deadline in the 2007-08 admissions season is swiftly approaching. Contact the Full-time Admissions Team with questions regarding your online or paper application! You can reach us at (651) 962-8800 or ustmba@stthomas.edu.

Visit Us
Thinking about visiting campus? Sign up for an Information Session!

Upcoming session:
Thursday, December 6
Minneapolis and St. Paul sessions available

Validated parking is available in Minneapolis at our 11th Street and Harmon Place ramp.

Personalized Visits
We also provide personalized on-campus visits. To set up a classroom visit or a personalized informational meeting with an admissions professional or a professor email or call us at (651) 962-8800 or (800) 328-6819 (ext. 2-8800).

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