Applying to an MBA program is a challenging process, for any aspiring entrepreneur, whether you’re fresh out of your undergrad or coming from a non-traditional applicant path. While traditional applicants often emphasize corporate achievements, as an entrepreneur with more experience, you can showcase your unique qualities—such as innovation, resilience, and leadership—that business schools love to see. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or non-traditional MBA applicant looking to gain a competitive edge in your application, here are five tips to help you navigate the admissions process successfully.
1) Define Your Vision
One of the most important aspects of your MBA application is your vision, or your answer to the question “why an MBA?”. Admissions committees want to know not only why you want to attend their program but also how it aligns with your entrepreneurial goals. Essentially, how will you use what you will learn in an MBA program in the future?
Entrepreneurs often bring diverse and unconventional experiences to the table. By clearly articulating your vision, you demonstrate the ability to think strategically about your future and that you have a clear-cut reason for pursuing an MBA.
The question of “why do you want to do an MBA?” will undoubtedly arise in an MBA admissions interview or be asked directly in the application essays. This is your opportunity to define yourself and your goals, making yourself stand out as an applicant.
How to Do It:
- Reflect on your entrepreneurial journey. What motivated you to become an entrepreneur, and how has your experience so far shaped your goals? Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA at this time? What do you hope to gain?
- Identify the specific skills and knowledge you hope to gain from business school. For example, you might want to enhance your financial acumen or learn how to scale a startup. What is your five-year plan post-MBA? Your 10-year plan?
- Customize your application essays to each program, explaining how their curriculum, faculty, or resources align with your stated aspirations.
Example of an Interview Answer:
Instead of stating, “I want to go to business school to grow my business,” provide a specific goal: “I aim to develop my marketing skills to expand my sustainable fashion startup into international markets, leveraging [School Name]’s expertise in global business strategy.”
2) Build a Strong Personal Brand
As an entrepreneur, you already understand the importance of branding. When applying to business school, your personal brand should be just as intentional and compelling as your professional one.
Admissions committees are looking for candidates who stand out. If you’re coming from a non-traditional path, you have an edge over applicants with more traditional business backgrounds because you likely have a more defined personal brand and understanding of its importance. A strong personal brand differentiate you and highlight your experiences.
How to Do It:
- Highlight your unique traits, accomplishments, and values. For instance, if you’ve successfully launched a social impact initiative, include this in your admissions essays, MBA resume, or bring it up during your interviews.
- Use your personal statement and essays to paint a vivid picture of who you are and what drives you. Authenticity is key—don’t be afraid to share challenges you’ve faced as an entrepreneur and how you overcame them.
- If applicable, create a professional online presence (e.g., LinkedIn profile or a personal website) that showcases your entrepreneurial achievements and thought leadership.
3) Showcase Leadership and Impact
Entrepreneurship inherently involves leadership, whether you’re managing a team, pitching to investors, or launching a new product. Admissions committees want to see how you’ve inspired others and created tangible results.
Since MBA programs are mentally demanding, and require you to be able to work successfully as both an individual and a team member, demonstrating strong leadership skills will assure the admissions committee you can make the cut.
How to Do It:
- Share specific examples of your leadership skills in action. For instance, describe how you motivated your team to pivot during a crisis or secured funding for your venture.
- Quantify your impact whenever possible. Instead of saying, “I improved my company’s operations,” provide metrics like, “I reduced operational costs by 20% while increasing team productivity by 15%.”
- Discuss how your leadership experiences have prepared you to contribute to the business school community, whether through group projects, clubs, or mentorship opportunities.
4) Develop a Holistic Application Strategy
Business schools take a holistic approach to admissions, considering factors like academic performance, work experience, extracurricular involvement, and personal character. In short, it’s not just about what’s on your MBA resume, or how high your undergrad GPA was. A successful MBA application isn’t just about having a great resume—it’s about presenting a well-rounded profile that highlights your potential as a student and entrepreneur.
How to Do It:
- Balance strong academic credentials with compelling personal essays and glowing recommendations. If your GMAT or GRE test scores are lower, use other parts of your application to offset weaknesses.
- Address any gaps in your application proactively. For example, if you have a non-traditional background or inconsistent grades, explain the circumstances and how you’ve grown from those experiences.
- Demonstrate your ability to collaborate and contribute to the school’s culture. While entrepreneurship is often seen as a solo endeavor, highlighting your teamwork skills can strengthen your application.
5) Leverage Entrepreneurial Networks
Networking is an essential skill for both entrepreneurs and business school applicants. By tapping into your network, you can gain not only strong recommendation letters but insights into how to strengthen your application.
You can also reach out and network with alumni or current students of the business schools you want to apply to. You’ll not only gain a better understanding of the program but demonstrate a marked interest in the program you hope to attend. Admissions committees want to admit applicants who genuinely want to be there.
How to Do It:
- Reach out to alumni and ask thoughtful questions about their experiences. Their insights can help you tailor your application and prepare for interviews. They may also help you decide whether a program is right for you or not.
- Join entrepreneurial communities or professional organizations to expand your network and gain credibility.
- Seek mentors who can guide your application process and provide impactful letters of recommendation.
Conclusion
Navigating business school admissions as an aspiring entrepreneur requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. By defining your entrepreneurial vision, building a strong personal brand, showcasing leadership, developing a holistic application strategy, and leveraging your network, you can create a compelling application that sets you apart. If you’re not certain where to start, you can reach out to an MBA admissions consultant to get professional, proven advice.
Remember, your entrepreneurial journey is a powerful asset. Use it to tell a story that highlights your unique perspective, resilience, and potential as an MBA graduate. Business school is not just a stepping stone—it’s a launchpad for your entrepreneurial ambitions. Start your journey by reflecting on your goals and crafting an application that authentically represents you.
