Think about your CANDIDACY first and your APPLICATION second
By Jeremy Dann
MBA candidates targeting first round deadlines have either submitted their applications or are in the final phases of managing word counts, proofreading their essays and preparing for interviews. But b-school applicants aiming for second and third round deadlines still have a ton of opportunities to work on not only their applications, but also their candidacies as well.
With two and a half months beforemost second round due dates and a good four-plus months before third round deadlines, candidates can definitely bolster their candidacies by doing some pretty straighforward activities:
- Amp up community service involvement by seeking leadership roles or reconnect with causes you’ve worked on in the past
- Seek out new repsonsibilities at work
- Travel to locales that might provide fodder for essay and interview answers
- Read books and magazines that further develop interests you will be discussing in your app
To read more about how to improve your *candidacy* check out this blog entry from a couple of months ago. You still have a lot of opportunities; make the most of them!
January 18th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
[...] At this time of year, lots of people are starting to think about submitting Round 1 applications in Fall 2007. While new applications are not yet posted, there is a ton that you can do to improve your candidacy. Read this post by Jeremy Dann for thoughts on candidacy issues. I view the GMAT as one of the most important things to get out of the way NOW. If you are planning to apply this Fall, ideally you would not be juggling your full time job, outside commitments, school visits, essays, managing recommenders AND studying for the GMAT. If you do the GMAT now, it’s just one less thing to focus on in a few months. [...]
February 8th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
[...] In reflections on the application process thus far, she explains that she completed 9 applications in three weeks! WOW! This is a very tight schedule, with little room for poor writing, or indecision about schools or strategy. Not to mention, it does not give recommenders much time. That said, if fast and furious is your style, you should also know that if you plan to apply, it is always to your benefit to plan ahead with regards to your candidacy. Candidacy is something that you can start working on NOW, as early as possible, and it is something that you can work on continually until you submit your applications. Jeremy Dann elaborates on this in a prior posting: Candidacy First, Application Second. [...]