Keep MBA Impostor Syndrome in Check

MBA applicant experiencing imposter syndrome before starting business school.

Do you ever worry that any moment, a colleague, professor, or boss will realize you’re a total fraud? Sure, on the outside, you’re crushing it—building a killer resume, networking like a pro, maybe even racking up some serious promotions. But secretly? You’re convinced everyone will eventually figure out that you’re not as smart, talented, or capable as they believe. If that sounds familiar, hello, impostor syndrome.

And if you’re heading off to business school this fall, buckle up. Impostor syndrome often spikes hard for newly admitted MBA students, right around the time you realize you’re about to be surrounded by 400+ insanely impressive classmates. But trust us—whether you’re prepping for your first day on campus, applying this fall, or still building your MBA dreams, impostor syndrome doesn’t discriminate.

Clinical Psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes coined the term in 1978 to describe low expectations of success or a feeling of intellectual fraudulence. Guess who else suffers from I.S.? Michelle Obama. Howard Schultz. Lady Gaga. Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor. Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Tom Hanks. And let’s say it’s a long list, and you’re in good company.

There are still days when I wake up feeling like a fraud, not sure I should be where I am.—Sheryl Sandberg

And spoiler alert: if you’re in the MBA game at all—applying, admitting, or enrolling—you’re more likely to face impostor syndrome, not less.

In fact, 70 percent of people will experience impostor syndrome at some point in their career. Take a look around the room at your next meeting. Chances are, most people sitting there also struggle with massive self-doubt. The next time you feel like a fake who’s about to be unmasked, try these three strategies to keep your impostor syndrome in check.

Own your successes

“Imposter syndrome is more common than you might think among high achievers,” says Ryan Sharman, Head of Career Development at Cambridge Judge Business School. “It can be the ‘elephant in the room’ but recognising it for what it is and talking about it can normalise your experience.”

“Remember that it’s natural to feel apprehensive when making big life defining decisions, including applying for an MBA,” Sharman adds. “Other people who have trodden the path or are about to, are likely to have experienced similar emotions and challenges.”

So, don’t shrug off wins like landing a killer new job, a promotion, or getting into a top-ranked business school as mere luck. Nuh-uh. Hard work, determination, skills, and talent are the reasons for your success.

That voice trying to convince you that every triumph you’ve ever had is due to some accident is merely a distortion of reality. Mute that sucker and celebrate your accomplishments! You earned them and deserve to enjoy the results of your hard work.

Ditch the goal of perfection

Do you set unreasonably high goals for yourself? Not meeting them usually leads to frustration, disappointment, and thus “confirmation” that you really don’t measure up. And even if you do manage to meet that lofty goal, there’s still something you could have done better.

Striving for perfection can adversely affect your career if you avoid challenges out of fear of making a mistake. Instead, set reasonable goals and accept when the result is “good enough.” To be clear, it’s not about aiming for mediocrity, notes Valerie Young, author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women. It’s about living in the real world.

“What it does mean is, with some obvious exceptions such as performing surgery or flying an airplane, not everything you do deserves 100 percent. It’s a matter of being selective about where you put your efforts and not wasting time fussing over routine tasks when an adequate effort is all that is required. If you get a chance to go back and make improvements later, great—if not, move on.”

Seek opinions from a trusted source

If you doubt whether your accomplishments have come as a result of your own efforts, check in with others for impartial feedback. Ask a supervisor what they think of your job performance—their comments might be the wake-up call your doubting self needs. Now, we shouldn’t rely solely on external sources for validation. But hearing the unvarnished truth from a trusted friend or mentor can provide clarity. It can also help reframe your distorted self-impression.

The next time impostor syndrome strikes, and you doubt whether you deserve a place at the table, remember that hard work, talent, and drive got you where you are today. As this affirming TedTalk points out,

“We may never be able to banish these feelings entirely, but we can have open conversations about academic or professional challenges. With increasing awareness of how common these experiences are, perhaps we can feel freer to be frank about our feelings and build confidence in some simple truths: you have talent, you are capable, and you belong.”

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Thinking about applying to business school? Already feeling that little voice whispering you’re not good enough for the schools on your list? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone, either. Our team of expert MBA admissions consultants can help you build a strategy that highlights your strengths, tells your story with confidence, and shows the admissions committee exactly why you belong.

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

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