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Case Study: MBA in U.S.A. |
Scheduling
I spent about a month collecting all
the information I needed about getting an MBA in the U.S.A. It wasn't just an MBA from
anywhere that I was aiming for, I wanted the best degree on offer to set me up for a great
career ahead.
These are the notes I referred to when making my schedule. I will not share my schedule
because you ought to make one that suits your needs.
Tests:
- I need to register for a test date. Getting test dates can be difficult during the
peak periods between June to January. It's wise to register at least three months in
advance.
- I need to request GMAT and TOEFL bulletins which can be requested online. I have to keep
a month to get the forms, get a dollar draft made and send the form to the required
address.
Start the test registration work atleast four months before the test date.
- Immediately familiarise myself with the contents of the tests and set my self a target
score so that I can schedule how long I need to prepare before taking the tests.
University application deadlines:
- Universities have about two deadlines for international students. The first is somewhere
between October end and early December for most good universities and the second between
January and March. It's better for International applicants to apply before the first
deadline as it improves their chances of admission.
- Universities would want my applications complete in all respects before the deadline.
This includes the GMAT and TOEFL score reports, which may take about a month to reach the
university after I take the test.
So, the test registration work should start atleast five months before the university's
first application deadline.
Preparing documents to accompany my application:
I need to submit the following documents -
1. School and college marksheets (called transcripts) - Some universities issue official
transcripts in a format required by U.S. Universities. Otherwise, photocopies signed and
attested by university registrar or Principal works alright.
I would need to visit my university for this.
2. Recommendation letters - I need to identify people I know well and who will be willing
to spend time in writing my recommendations. Most universities have their own formats of
recommendation letters. I must send the format and request for recommendations at least
three months prior to university application deadlines. I have to start speaking to my
recommenders immediately.
3. The GMAT and TOEFL score reports have to be sent directly through ETS (the company that
conducts the tests). I can name five universities at the time of taking the test. I need
to decide the universities I have to apply to before taking my GMAT and
TOEFL. In case
there are more than five universities I wish to apply to I must fill out the additional
score reports form in the GMAT bulletin (The booklet I use to register for the
test). I have to do this immediately after I take the test. Probably send out the
request the day after taking the test. I need to get a dollar draft made or use a credit
card to make payment for test registration and additional score reporting.
4. Financial documents like a bank statement and Affidavit of Support need to accompany my
application. Bank statement must be got from a Bank where my sponsor has an account
showing funds to support my expenses during the period of study. Affidavit of Support is
to be made on a legal stamp paper showing that my sponsor will fund my tuition and living
expenses for my study.
5. Essays take time to write. I have to download university application forms as soon as
they are available, get familiar with the essay questions and set aside at least two
months to write essays.
6. Finally, the documents have to be couriered to the universities, I have to keep at
least 15 days for the courier to reach the universities after I despatch.
Working on applications: Universities release their applications by the month of
June or July for the preceding year's Fall semester intake. I have to start downloading
application forms as early as I can, probably by July.
Shortlisting universities: I have to decide where to apply by the same time, by
about July end, so that I have enough time to prepare for their applications.
The above information allowed me to
set a schedule which I followed successfully.
There are activities to be completed after sending out applications, you would be in the
groove to handle them as they come.
Next > GMAT/TOEFL
Case
Study: International student getting an admission into Wharton
Business School, one of the top business schools in the world. The study
discusses the process as well as the important application issues for
the business school admission process.
(This story is meant to describe the MBA
admission process in the U.S. The name of the person, and some facts have been changed to
conceal the identity of the person. The story must be considered fictitious.)
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