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Your Early Profile

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 Contents

Introduction 3

Your Early Profile 3

Why do i want a graduate business degree? 4

Is now the right time for me to apply? 5

Conclusion 8
Contributors 8

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of GMAC in the United States and other countries.

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Introduction

A big congratulations is in order! You’ve taken a major step

towards getting an MBA or a graduate business degree by visiting
[Link]. There are so many opportunities out there for someone
as ambitious and successful as you.
Business school provides you with the leadership skills, business
knowledge, and networking opportunities that are valuable to your
career. With an MBA or other graduate business degree, you’ll gain
a competitive edge in the job market, command a higher salary,
and enjoy new and challenging opportunities. You’ve worked hard
to get where you are. Now it’s time to take the next step.

Your Early Profile

Whether business school has been on your
mind for years or you have only recently become
interested, the first step to any successful MBA or
graduate business school application is developing
a crystal-clear understanding of why you want to go.
You will be asked this question in your short answers,
essays, and interviews. It’s crucial to be convinced
that you want that degree, before you can begin to
convince the admissions committee to admit you.

There are, of course, many great reasons for

pursuing an MBA or graduate business degree.
In the 2017 GMAC Alumni Perspectives Survey,
86% of respondents said business school prepared
them for leadership positions, 86% said it prepared
them for their chosen career, and 82% agreed it
increased their earning power. In addition, an
overwhelming number of respondents (95%) rated
their business school degree as having a good
to outstanding value. You will rarely, if ever, meet
someone who regrets getting an MBA or graduate
business degree.

 Table of Contents 3
Why do I want a graduate business degree?

To-Dos Covered:
! • Develop your answer to ‘Why b-school?’

Different applicants will have varied reasons for going to graduate

business school. Some common reasons we see are:

• To build skills in specific business functions

(e.g., marketing, operations)

• To gain leadership and management skills

• To find a job with a greater social impact

• To increase earning potential

• To switch to a job in a different sector or industry

• To gain international exposure and a global perspective

• To gain access to employment opportunities in

another country

• To help start a new business

... and many more

Whatever your motivations are for applying to

business school, make them specific. Rather than TRY IT OUT:
just saying you want to build skills, know which State the reason you want to get an MBA below.
specific skills you want to build and what kind Then, reference this answer as you work on your
of job or company you would like to apply those application and practice saying it with confidence
skills to after business school. Also, have a clear as you prepare for your interviews.
idea of which resources provided by business
schools will help you – courses, clubs, hands-on Why do I want an MBA or graduate business degree
projects, etc. In other words, make sure you have (and which specific elements of the program will
a clear understanding of how getting an MBA or help me accomplish my career goals)?
graduate business degree will help you accomplish
your career goals.

Attending b-school will have an impact on your

personal life, including your personal development,
time, location, finances, and family. Now is also a
good time to define your personal goals as they
relate to getting a graduate business degree.

 Table of Contents 4
Is now the right time for me to apply?
To-Dos Covered:
! • Develop your answer to ‘Why now?’

Pursuing an MBA or graduate business degree is The latest [Link] research indicates that the top
a major life decision. There are many considerations two reasons people delay their plans for business
and possible changes to your life as you take the school are (1) financial reasons and (2) personal/
initial steps toward earning your degree. For family reasons. So, it’s helpful to think through
example, if you pursue a full-time, two-year MBA, these questions to understand and determine with
you will likely leave your job and potentially move confidence that now is the right time. The good news
to a new city. Conversely, a part-time program could is financial resources, such as scholarships and loans,
allow you to stay in a job you love, but could pose are more accessible than ever, and our families may
challenges with time-management. That’s why it is be more flexible than we think. Of course, there
important to consider the impact an MBA may have will never be a perfect time to apply, but even the
and determine if now is the right time to consider process of exploring an MBA can teach you a lot
making these changes. about yourself and your career prospects. It’s never
too early to get this exploration started!
Answering these three questions can help you
decide whether now is the right time to apply.

1. Is now the right time in your professional life? TRY IT OUT:

What are your career objectives? Are you
unsure if your current job or company can Similar to the ‘Why an MBA?’ question, it’s helpful
help you achieve those goals? Or do you to write down your answer to this question for
love your job and your current employer is future reference in your essays and interviews.
encouraging you to apply to school in order to Why am I pursuing a graduate business degree?
gain new skills?
2. Is now the right time academically?
Do you have the discipline and drive to be
a full-time student for up to two years, or
the time-management skills to balance the
demands of a part-time program? What
education background is preferred for your
proposed career? Can you identify gaps in
your background, experience, or training that
could stop you from reaching your goals?
3. Is now the right time in your personal life?
How are you paying for business school or
supporting yourself during your studies?
How will the decision affect your family?
Do you have the flexibility and desire
to relocate?

 Table of Contents 5
TRY IT OUT:
Why is now the right time to pursue an MBA or graduate business degree?

TRY IT OUT:
How will my family life be affected by my decision to attend b-school?

TRY IT OUT:
What level of financial security and income is important to me? How am I going to pay for b-school
or support myself during my studies?

TIP:
There are many ways to finance your degree that will lead to a strong “return on investment” – especially
if you plan in advance. Consider these five funding sources, but keep in mind that most students use a
combination of these options to fund their graduate management education.

 Table of Contents 6
Attending b-school will also broaden your horizons and catapult you to a whole new level, leading to major
career shifts. Let’s think about how your professional life will be impacted and what you envision your career
will look like in the future.

TRY IT OUT:
What is my career objective?

TRY IT OUT:
Are there any particular careers where my skills could be especially valuable?

TRY IT OUT:
Why is obtaining a graduate business degree the next step for me? Will it help me get to where I want to go?

TIP:
Check out job functions in which employers place recent graduate business hires and the major
skill sets they require for mid-level jobs.

 Table of Contents 7
Conclusion

No matter what your career goal is – advancing or changing your current career, starting your
own business, or helping those in need – business school can get you there faster. Check out
the "My Schools and Story" guide to help you get started with the process of choosing a
program and applying to schools.

Contributors
Shelby Colby
Strategy Analyst; incoming MBA student
Graduate Management Admission Council

Joanna Chau
Content Manager
Graduate Management Admission Council

Eric Chambers
Director, Market Development; former admissions officer
Graduate Management Admission Council

Andrea Sparrey
Founder and CEO
The Sparrey Consulting Group

Maria Wich-Vila
Founder and CEO
[Link]

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