Each school you apply to will provide a distinct set of essays. Nevertheless, recurring themes often appear across various institutions, such as explaining motivations for applying to business schools and identifying strengths and weaknesses.

The primary school you address will require the most intensive effort. As you progress to other schools, you may discover the ability to draw upon content and ideas from the initial application, customizing them to suit each specific application.

1. Portray yourself as a proactive, action-oriented individual - Business schools seek leaders, not candidates satisfied with simply conforming to the norm.

2. Be vigilant about ego - Emphasize your uniqueness rather than proclaiming yourself as the best.

3. Clearly articulate reasons why you are an excellent fit for each school - Mere assertions like "I am the perfect candidate for your program" won't persuade the admissions committee to place you in the accepted pile.

4. Inject passion into your writing - Admissions officers are eager to learn about what inspires you and whether you'll bring that same enthusiasm into the classroom.

5. Challenge conventions - Present unconventional essays that defy expectations and convey the message, "There's more to me than meets the eye."

6. Highlight an unconventional journey to business school if applicable - Admissions officers value those who take risks.

7. Discuss aspects such as your gender, ethnicity, minority status, or foreign background - Only if these factors have influenced your perspectives or experiences.

8. Populate your essays with numerous real-life examples - Specific anecdotes and vivid details leave a more significant impact than general claims and broad summaries.

9. Showcase a sense of humor or vulnerability - You're a genuine person, and it's perfectly acceptable to reveal it!

Typically, schools request two letters of recommendation (LoR) from individuals familiar with your capabilities and able to vouch for you, such as a recent manager or professional colleague. There's a common assumption that a higher-ranking recommender is better, but this isn't necessarily true. If the Managing Director of your company provides a superficial LoR, it might actually work against you.

There are two approaches to this:

1. Address aspects that haven't been covered in the rest of your application.
2. Reinforce certain qualities you've highlighted in your essays, such as commitment, vision, innovation, leadership, etc.

Crafting a compelling professional resume is not just a box to tick but a strategic move that can significantly impact your MBA application journey. While many candidates may confuse it with a CV, understanding the difference is crucial – your MBA application typically demands a resume, which offers a succinct snapshot of your qualifications and professional journey, contrasting with the more detailed curriculum vitae.

As you delve into resume creation, remember the golden rule of conciseness, striving for brevity and clarity, with a general recommendation of keeping it to a single page unless your experience warrants expansion. Moreover, consider the aesthetics and readability of your document, opting for a clean layout and accessible language that ensures your achievements and skills shine through effortlessly. Specifically, focus on illustrating growth in each role, involvement in projects, promotions, awards, and noteworthy achievements.

Certain schools, particularly the larger and more established ones with extensive MBA alumni networks, may assign their alumni to interview shortlisted candidates. Others, for the sake of maintaining consistency, insist on the involvement of someone from the Admissions committee in the process.

Thoroughly review the content of your application. Reflect on what you've conveyed in your essays and on your resume. Are there specific questions that you can anticipate? Address those responses in advance to avoid being caught off guard. Seek input from others, such as friends, colleagues, or neutral parties, to review your application and pose potential questions.

In some cases, the interview may delve into technical aspects, including case studies, general knowledge topics, and even puzzles.

Conducting a comprehensive mock MBA interview allows you to practice beforehand and avoid experimenting directly in front of the Admissions Committee.