Beyond the Numbers How to Stand Out From Other Qualified MBA Applicants

It is getting harder and harder to stand out from the pack when applying to business school, especially when it comes to the quantitative side of the equation. The average GMAT scores of top schools are higher than ever and only continue to rise, with programs like Kellogg and Wharton reflecting higher and higher average scores on a yearly basis. You have a top GPA? Join the club! You wont be the only applicant who got good grades in undergrad. Admissions into business school are as competitive as ever so it is really important to find non-quantitative ways to stand out. Let’s explore some strategies you can take to stand out in a more qualitative fashion: Passion: Business schools love applicants who love them, so the more you can show your passion and excitement for the program you are applying to, the better off you will be. Passion can come across in a few different ways, the most accessible of which is via the essays. A well-written essay that oozes enthusiasm  is not only a good read, but also really makes the candidate memorable and thus, stand out to the Admissions Committee. In addition, in-person interactions like class visits, information sessions and interviews can go a long way in differentiating a passionate candidate and allow the application to really jump off the page. Fit: It’s not just about whether you seem qualified on paper to attend a school   its also about whether you are a good fit for the school you are applying to based on the strengths  and characteristics of the program as well as your unique development needs. Expressing a strong fit with the program will make  you to stand out because so few candidates can effectively address  this and make a real case for why they should be admitted. Personalization: One thing most applications seek to do is unearth YOUR unique reasons for being interested in a  program, and how the program is the ideal next step for you both personally and professionally. It is not enough to simply  answer application-related questions. Its also critical to personalize your responses so your application is a unique package that personifies your fit with the program in a memorable way. School Knowledge: School knowledge plays more of a role in allowing a candidate to stand out than most ever truly comprehend. This knowledge will be obvious to the Admissions Committee during each stage of the evaluation process, and doing your research can really pay dividends come decision day. Numbers don’t lie, but they rarely tell the full story to truly stand out in today’s highly competitive application climate, applicants must go beyond the numbers and implore the tactics above to guarantee their success. Applying to business school? Call us at 1-800-925-7737 and speak with an MBA admissions expert today, or take our free MBA Admissions Profile Evaluation  for personalized advice for your unique application situation! As always, be sure to find us on  Facebook,  YouTube,  Google+  and Twitter. Dozie A.  is a Veritas Prep Head Consultant for the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. His specialties include consulting, marketing, and low GPA/GMAT applicants. You can read more articles by him  here.