Preparing for the MBA application requires a holistic approach to your personal goals, and allowing time to evaluate your strengths, weaknesses—and to work on improving them.
This involves prepping for the various aspects of the application, including the GMAT and the IELTS English-language test, which Cristian had to sit as a native Colombian.
Cristian studied for the GMAT using online resources, including the GMAT club.
"GMAT club is free for any student that wants to prepare for business school. You get the preparation, the books, and a huge database. It's about more than just the resources and quantities. It's about preparing effectively."
Once completed, Cristian supplied his scores to emlyon.
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4 - Showcase substantial experience Just as with MBA programs, the MBA typically requires students to have a few years’ work experience. During an application, it’s important therefore to share your professional achievements, emphasizing leadership roles, projects, and—especially for the emlyon MBA—international exposure. As a part of the application process, emlyon requires that candidates take a business scenario-based digital test to showcase their managerial and leadership skills. "The digital test examines your managerial skills in stressful situations," Cristian explains. "You are receiving emails and calls, and you have to handle different stakeholders simultaneously." For Cristian, this exemplified how important it is to apply to an MBA with the relevant experience, and not before you have built up a strong professional skillset. "If you didn't have previous experience of managing people or working in stressful situations for a company in the corporate world, the test would be very tough," he says. 5 - Be specific about why you want to join the program One of an MBA application's most critical aspects is articulating why you want to join the program. For this, it’s best to avoid generic statements and focus on specific aspects of the program that appeal to you. During the digital test for emlyon, there are four questions that candidates have to answer within a set time that focus on these specifics. Cristian says: "The four questions in the test were: ‘Why me?’; ‘Why an MBA?’; ‘What are my long-term goals after the MBA?’; and, ‘How is this MBA going to help me to achieve them?’" The questions are designed to show how much thought you've given the program, and are your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the specific course. Additionally, when answering, you can explain how the program will bridge any knowledge- or skill-gaps, and can contribute to your long-term career vision. "It's a well-designed screening process to check that the candidate has the right motivations to apply,” says Cristian. "Before applying, I questioned if the school was the right-fit for me, and if I was going to get the best out of the program. In my case, it was clear. So, my advice is: before you apply, take your time to reflect on why you want to not only study an MBA, but this specific MBA." This article was written by Laura Wise, working for Business Because