Do you plan on adding MBA Class of 2029 to your resume? If so, now is the time to start preparing!
It may seem early, with Round 1 deadlines coming in September/October, to think about your MBA applications, but believe us, it is not! This is the perfect time to begin your initial preparations, and Personal MBA Coach is here to help! Last month, we published our Kickstarter series. In this blog, we are diving further into early MBA admissions prep.
Personal MBA Coach is already working with applicants for Fall 2026.
Here are the four main areas you should be focusing on NOW to set yourself up for MBA application success this summer and fall:
1. School Evaluation and Selection
- Familiarize yourself with the overall MBA landscape. School rankings can be a great way to get the lay of the land (check out our analysis of the U.S. News and Financial Times MBA rankings here), but they are not the be-all and end-all. There are an increasing number of strong programs outside of the traditional M7 schools.
- Begin deeper research on the programs that best fit with your long-term goals and ideal learning environments. By researching schools now, you can get started drafting your essays right away once the essay questions are released this spring.
- Develop a target school list (our average client applies to 5 to 8 schools) and be sure your list includes a balance of “reach”, “target” and “safer” schools.
- Schedule campus visits! Wherever possible, you should visit the campuses before applying. There is no better way to get to know a school, and many admissions committees want to see that you are truly interested in their programs. If you wait until the summer, you will not get to see campuses in full action, so plan accordingly.
- Network. Look for current students or alumni in your immediate or extended networks and take the time to talk to them now. Learn about their experiences and what sets their programs apart. This will not only help you confirm fit, but also further demonstrate your interest to admissions committees.
To learn more, check out our school selection blog.
2. Letters of Recommendation Preparation
- This is a great time to start thinking about who you want to write your letters of recommendation. By selecting your recommenders now, you have plenty of time to prepare them.
- Select the person who knows you best and can write the strongest letter, not the person with the most impressive title.
- If there is a skill set your future recommender has not yet seen (especially one that aligns with your story), now is the time to let it shine so they have plenty to write about come application season.
For more tips, check out this blog.
3. Fill in Extracurricular Gaps
- We touched on this last month in our Kickstarter series, and we continue to focus on it with our early planning and Round 1 clients.
- Leadership roles outside of work can significantly strengthen an application, especially if leadership is currently a gap.
- As you select activities to add or deepen, focus on quality over quantity.
- Focus on areas you are genuinely passionate about and that align with your story. For example, if you want a career in education consulting, volunteer in the education space. This may seem obvious, but a long list of unrelated activities will not meaningfully strengthen your application.
4. Begin Thinking About Your Story
- Everyone has a unique story, spend time now thinking about yours.
- This is the time to reflect on the themes that tie together your personal and professional journey.
- Ask yourself: What are you truly passionate about? What drives your career goals? What experiences have shaped you the most?
- A strong application tells a fine-tuned, authentic story. This is often harder than it sounds, so take advantage of the extra time to get an early start.
For more, check out our personal story blog.
Remember, it is never too early to start, and Personal MBA Coach is here to help! Reach out today if you are ready to get started!
