Jack Kerouac kept a notebook before he went On the Road. Larry David’s notebook of wry observations and embryonic comedy routines was lost and then found on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Now, your notebook should play a big part of your business school admissions process. This is as simple as carrying around a notebook during the spring and summer months to scratch down your thoughts about your applications. Some of these might be random ideas that come to you while you’re working at your desk, sitting on a plane, or braving the morning commute. But you should also plan to spend, say, half an hour of scheduled quality time per week with your notebook for a couple of months.
If you are starting to think about applications before most essay questions have been published, know that most of the themes are universal from year to year and should not come as a surprise to applicants. Take time to write down your preliminary ideas relating to:
- Your main career accomplishments to date
- Examples of your leadership abilities
- Outside interests, passions, and main achievements in your “extracurricular” life
- People and events that have influenced you
- Your career goals after business school…and your broader life goals
- Areas in which you need improvement or personal development
- How business school will benefit you
Don’t settle for writing down your general thoughts. Be specific. As a matter of fact, be incredibly specific. I encourage my clients to employ what I call “micro-examples” to bring their essays to life. That means finding those discrete moments that encapsulate major experiences in your life. Your notes will be an incredibly valuable resource, whether you’re tackling the admissions process by yourself or working with an applications advisor.
Some other things to scratch on your pad:
- Your thoughts on what schools are right for you
- Who will your best recommenders be – and what do you want them to say?
- Comments from your friends and family, and colleagues if appropriate
Founded in 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped thousands of MBA applicants gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world. The Stacy Blackman team, comprised of MBA graduates, former admissions officers and expert writers, editors and marketers, helps clients develop and implement a winning marketing strategy. Stacy Blackman clients have a significantly increased probability of admission to top schools and are frequent recipients of merit scholarships. The company is regularly featured in publications such as BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist. Visit the Stacy Blackman blog for daily news updates and admissions tips, and check out the company’s e-publications for more in depth school by school guidance.
