Once you have decided on the type of MBA program you wish to attend and the style of content delivery that fits your learning style, you will then need to determine which graduate schools offer it and what their application requirements are. While each school will be different there are some requirements you may find in common.

Pre-requisites

Many programs have pre-requisites such as years of full-time professional experience, minimum cumulative grad point averages from undergraduate institutions, minimum GMAT or GRE scores, minimum TOEFL or ELTS scores for international students, official copies of transcripts, essays, letters of intent, and/or letters of recommendation; depending on the graduate school and specific program there may be others. Researching the program and determining what requirements are in place will greatly reduce future frustration, money, and time.

The Application Form

Your form should be clear, complete, and neatly filled out. You should make several photocopies of the blank form and try several drafts before you fill out the official form to submit. Have someone proofread the application to be sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Be keenly aware of deadlines as this will affect your acceptance possibility.

Transcripts

Graduate schools will require official copies of your undergraduate transcripts; official copies come directly from your undergraduate institution to the graduate school’s admission office. Most schools will require transcripts from all institutions from which you took classes that ultimately led to your undergraduate degree. So if you attended community colleges or a number of schools before finally completing your Bachelors degree then all these transcripts will be included. Additionally, if you have any graduate degrees or graduate work, you may be asked to include those transcripts as well. Check with the school to see exactly what they need and how they prefer to receive these documents.

The Resume

The resume details your educational background, work experience, unique skill sets, professional associations, and accomplishments. The resume should reflect your educational history to include undergraduate institutions attended, degree(s) conferred and the date of completion. Cumulative GPAs may be useful to the admissions committee when they meet or exceed the admission requirement. High school details are not shown on resumés for application to graduate programs. Work experience is expected to be in chronological order from most recent to least recent; the detail of company name, location, position title, and duration of that employment to include both the month and year.

In the narrative under each position include detail of major responsibilities and authorities as well as areas of accomplishments. In addition to your educational background, include professional association and community involvement as well as any areas of special interest that will give the reader insight into you personally. References do not necessarily need to be included on your resume especially when you are included letters of recommendation with your application packet. Consider working with the academic advisor or career advisor for assistance.