Academic Performance

Admissions officers look for evidence of quantitative prowess through undergraduate Calculus courses. If you have a non-quantitative background your performance in calculus will be scrutinized even further. Additionally, admissions officers are more willing to forgive a lower quant score on the GMAT if the applicant has completed an advanced mathematics course.

Admissions officers understand that undergraduate students will mature in their academic performances. Although your total undergrad performance is important, the admissions committee will look to see if you are indeed a late bloomer.

The strength of the undergraduate institution is considered by the admissions committee.

Traditionally, undergraduate degrees within certain fields tend to do well in business school. The academic rigor of your undergraduate major will play a role in the admissions process.

Some schools will forgive a lower-than-average GPA if the applicant took on a heavy course load during undergraduate studies because of double majoring.

There is some benefit to having an advanced degree, including the ability to mitigate a lower undergraduate GPA. However, a graduate degree may come at the expense of a greater amount of work experience.

Test Performance

List the highest GMAT score you have attained.

Admissions officers like to see balanced percentages between Verbal and Quantitative.

If you have a non quantitative background, this percentage will be scrutinized closely.

Admissions officers see your past GMAT scores. Taking the GMAT several times could indicate to the admissions committee an inability to properly prepare for one of the most important factors in the application process

If you have a non quantitative background, this percentage will be scrutinized closely.

Work Experience

List the number of months you have been working

Managerial experience lets the admissions committee know that you are progressing and that you have opportunities to show leadership. Management and leadership are correlated; make sure you bring this out in your essays.

There are certain industries and career tracks that are typical "feeder-industries" from where a large number of MBA applicants come. Admissions boards will sometimes group applicants together with other applicants from similar career backgrounds.

An application that lacks a recommendation from a direct superior is often suspect. The superior need not necessarily be a senior manager or executive, but simply someone who can personally attest to your career accomplishments.

Applicants with military experience typically have extensive leadership and teamwork experience---something MBA programs greatly value.

MBA programs are becoming increasingly global in their curricula. A diverse, international student body is a valuable asset to any of today's MBA programs. International work experience can indicate that you are comfortable working with others from diverse backgrounds. It indicates an applicant’s ability to leave their comfort zone.

Extracurricular Experience

Admissions committees like to see a well-rounded applicant with extracurricular activities and leadership roles in those activities. Admissions officers want to quantify your experience in order to see how significant it is.

Holding a leadership position distinguishes you from your peer group.

This indicates if you have continued your community or social involvement after your undergraduate years. Admissions committees are keen on sincerity. They want to know that this is an activity that you would take an interest in even if you were not applying to b-school.

Being a member of varsity sports team is viewed favorably by admissions personnel. Varsity sports take considerably time out of an undergraduate's schedule.

Personal Demographics

Schools look positively upon applicants who are the first in their family to attain a high level of education.

Admissions committees are willing to forgive a lower GPA if the student was highly encumbered with other responsibilities during undergraduate studies.

In order to create a diverse, student body, admissions committees will look favorably upon an applicant who is part of an ‘underrepresented minority’ group.

Some regions of the world are considered to be overrepresented or underrepresented.

If you have a condition that may have influenced any parts of your applicant package let it be known in your application, possibly within the optional essay.

Legacy counts, and so do dollar bills. Being related to a significant donor -- that is a person with their name on a b-school building -- does count in the admissions committee’s mind.

Recruiters view MBA job candidates with foreign language skills as a bonus in an age of increasing global connectivity. Thus the admissions committee does, too.

The older an applicant is, the less emphasis the school places upon undergraduate GPA and the more important work experience and GMAT score become. Be aware that applicants significantly older than the median age at a school may not be viewed as trying to possibly escape a dead end career.

It is harder for admissions officers to ding an applicant that they have met in person versus one that is anonymous and only on paper. Schools like to know that the student is genuinely interested in the school as opposed to using them as a “back-up.”

There is an advantage to applying during rounds one and two. There are often very few open seats left by the third round.

The essays are one of the most important aspects of the MBA application since it is the applicant’s only chance to display him/herself outside of their GPA and GMAT score. It is the opportunity to “jump off the page” and present a compelling case for admission to the committees. Aside from being able to spot errors in grammar and improve clarity, professional admissions consultants can help applicants craft essays that showcase their strongest and most unique attributes and show that they fit well with an MBA Program.