Six Things to Do over the Summer Before Applying to Graduate School
Application deadlines for MBA and graduate programs kick off in early fall and run through mid-January. But you don’t want to delay getting started on your submissions! Budget at least three months to map out your plan, address weaknesses, and assemble all the materials you’ll need.
Here’s a six-step breakdown of how to organize yourself over the summer to reduce stress and optimize your applications.
1. Continue to research programs.
You might already have your heart set on one or two “dream” programs and chosen your backup schools, too. Keep on top of what’s happening at these programs by following them on social media and tracking any other content they release, including blog posts, video interviews, and podcasts. If you haven’t already, sign up for a webinar or campus visit (Keep in mind that it’s summer though, so most students are in internship mode. There will be more energy on campus when classes are back in session.) Reach out to student ambassadors or alumni to learn more about the curriculum, experiential resources, or professors who match your interests.
GOAL: This is about essay prep. You want to be able to pinpoint specific aspects of the program you’ll engage with. Adcoms want to know that you can hit the ground running and will be an active part of the student community.
We also suggest that you research schools not currently on your target list. This is especially important if the programs you plan to apply to are “reach” schools for you, and you are determined to clinch an acceptance the first time around. These other programs might have been under the radar for you, but think about this: they could be gems, offering an excellent education and environment where you can earn your degree and rise to the next stage of your career.
TIP: Want a second opinion? Our team at Accepted can help you refine your school list.
2. Analyze your applicant profile.
Look for opportunities to burnish your credentials in ways your target programs value. For example, if you’re applying to an MBA program and have little in the way of leadership experience or community service, get involved ASAP in something relevant that you care about. Doing so will help fill that hole in your profile. If you begin in June, you can still log a six-month track record by December. See what you can do about raising the profile of the organization you choose by contributing to their social media account or starting one yourself. If you are waitlisted, your demonstrated commitment will only grow from there.
GOAL: Show your target program that you know how to build community.
Is your academic record a bit weaker than you’re comfortable with? If so, find a class or two in one of your less-strong subjects that is relevant to your degree program, and start hitting the books. Summer is also an ideal time to prepare for any required aptitude or language tests. If your current GMAT or GRE score is disappointing, and you are applying to programs that require one of these exams, find a prep course and level up for a retake.
GOAL: Demonstrate that you can handle the academic rigor of your target school.
2. Order your transcripts.
Don’t let bureaucracy block your dreams. Order your transcript from your undergraduate program early. It might take just a few minutes and arrive digitally. If so, that’s great! But we’ve worked with clients who live in a different city or country from where they studied and were told they had to go in person to order and pick up their transcripts.
GOAL: Avoid any last-minute (unfortunate) surprises.
3. Polish your social media profile.
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile with a professional picture, go create one now! This is an essential part of your professional messaging tool kit. When you’re networking, sending a link, rather than a resume file, to a student or alum creates a lot less friction.
Review your social media through a professional lens. If there’s anything you wouldn’t want an admissions officer to see, adjust or remove it. Overtly political posts could become problematic. Likewise, social media content that features heavy drinking, drug use, or extreme behavior can damage your image.
GOAL: Create an easily accessible, professional profile that’s impressive, not detrimental.
4. Adapt your resume.
Let your resume tell a story of impact – without jargon. All the information you include needs to be accessible to someone who is not immersed in your industry. Rather than detail your functional roles, your resume should convey what you have accomplished. Use this single page to tell a story of achievement, whether in business, leadership, research, teamwork, academia, your job, or an internship. Many schools provide templates for what they expect. Your resume can communicate so much about you, including your innovation, leadership, and teamwork. But it can also convey arrogance and inattention to detail if it is not carefully considered and formatted.
TIP: Need a resume reality check? We’ve got you covered. Ask an Accepted expert for a review.
5. Line up your recommenders early.
Recommenders can make or break your application. Now’s the time to identify the right people to submit letters on your behalf – those who know your work and can speak in detail about your contributions. Give them plenty of notice, plus a short summary of what you’re applying to and what you’d like them to highlight. Send them your resume or even a draft of your goals essay.
GOAL: Secure detailed, timely, and supportive letters from advocates who know your strengths.
6. Write your essays.
Schools begin to release their essay prompts and questions during the summer. If you plan to apply to multiple schools, you will need to start months before their deadlines to give yourself a stress-free writing experience. Begin now by sketching out your ideas for themes and experiences you could write about. Check each school’s essay prompts from the previous year. Chances are they won’t change that much. Even if you end up facing a brand new or retooled essay question, thinking about and reviewing your experiences and goals will be time well spent. Your ideas will probably evolve over the coming months, and that can be a good thing, too, as you come up with new insights.
GOAL: Home in on the stories that best reflect how you take advantage of opportunity and turn that into impact.
Here are a few final ideas for things you can do over the summer to enhance your standing with graduate school admissions officers:
- Network in person or online with people working in the industry you seek to join and/or in the type of role you wish to have. Keep reading, attend seminars or professional meetings (if nonmembers are welcome), and look for other ways to deepen your understanding of what you can expect when working in that field and/or role. These interactions might also provide valuable insights that you could use in one of your essays.
- If possible, try to get a part-time job or internship related to your intended field.
Reading this blog post brings you one step closer to submitting a stellar application. If you would like personal guidance on choosing programs, polishing your resume, refining your essay strategy, or any other aspect of your applications, schedule a free consultation with an Accepted expert. We’re here to help you get accepted!
Michelle Stockman has a master’s in journalism from Columbia University and is a former staff member of the Columbia Business School admissions office. She’s also a broadcast journalist and producer, with 15 years’ experience coaching applicants to MBA, graduate, and undergraduate programs. Click here to get in touch!
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