MBA application advice to help you stand out

MBA application advice to help you stand out

We often hear of prospective candidates looking for MBA application tips to give them the edge. And this makes perfect sense: after all, MBA programmes are highly competitive, with the most sought-after courses attracting as many as 20 applicants per available place. When applying for an MBA, your application must stand out from the rest.

The process typically starts with you submitting a form along with supporting information to strengthen your MBA application, such as your GMAT or GRE score. Through this form and the essays and interviews that follow, you’ll need to explain what you hope to achieve through completing an MBA and show the selection committee that you are prepared for the workload.

The strongest applicants will also make it clear what they can contribute to the programme and how their values align with those of the institution they are applying to. At Warwick Business School, for example, we look for individuals who can see the bigger picture and have a passionate drive to make a difference – embodying our Change Maker values.

Ready to get started? Read on for MBA application advice from successful Warwick Business School (WBS) applicants, featuring practical tips that will help you to research, plan and write.

If you’ve decided that an MBA would be right for you and want to explore your options, head over to our MBA courses pages to discover the range of programme types offered at WBS.

Five insider tips for a successful MBA application

The best MBA application advice naturally comes from the first-hand experiences of those who have secured places and gone on to succeed – both on their chosen MBA programme, and also in later professional life. Over the years, our MBA graduates have helpfully shared their thoughts on what makes a winning application. Discover their top tips below.

1. Establish your goals and what motivates you

Why are you applying for an MBA? Many of our top applicants started out by mulling over their motivations and condensing them down into a short, well-thought-out summary. This then acts as a guiding principle for your application, helping you to maintain focus on what matters most.

Johnny Wolf, WBS Executive MBA graduate, explains how this approach helped him:

It is crucial to clearly know why you are interested in achieving an MBA. I suggest you write down what you hope to benefit from your MBA as it will become useful throughout the application. It sets the tone of your essays and helps you focus your writing direction on that goal.

2. Research the MBA landscape

MBAs are amongst the most flexible education programmes you can undertake. Most business schools offer different modes of study to suit your needs, so before applying for an MBA you should find out about the possible options and decide on what would work best for you. With WBS, for example, you could opt for a full-time, one-year MBA; alternatively, you might consider part-time routes such as the in-person Executive MBA, the blended learning MBA or the online MBA programme. Regina Quartey, graduate of the WBS Executive MBA programme, offers this advice:

The MBA world is vast and you will find that no two programmes are the same. There are programmes that specialise in specific areas, from finance through to executive leadership, and it helps to have an initial understanding of what sort of programme excites and interests you.

3. Explain how the programme will work for you

Take the time to review how the entry requirements, learning outcomes and delivery methods vary between different courses and business schools. Throughout the application process, you’ll need to show the selection committee that you are a strong fit for your chosen programme – and this includes demonstrating how you’ll complete it successfully alongside any existing commitments.

As part of her MBA application tips for prospective candidates, Regina went on to say:

The Executive MBA programme has enabled me to be exactly who I am, with the life commitments I have and still thrive – but I had to know and understand myself to select the MBA programme that suited me as a person. When you understand yourself, you know you can be upfront in your application and interviews and turn up as yourself – knowing that you align with the Institution before they make that decision for you.

4. Consider how your values align with the business school

Business school recruitment teams are interested in hearing about your professional experience and dedication to learning, but also what drives you and the values that underpin your work. We’ve seen promising candidates miss out on course places because they put too little emphasis on this as part of the application process.

Thato Kanjere graduated from our Global Online MBA in 2022. He recognised that Warwick Business School shared his curiosity, openness, and commitment to excellence, and built his MBA application around these points of common ground:

All of these values resonated with me and I was able to come up with scenarios where I had applied each of these values. I was also able to build a theme around my journey so far where I could demonstrate these values.

Watch this video to learn more about how putting your values front and centre makes for a strong MBA application.

5. Show how you’ll contribute to the MBA programme

MBAs are inherently practical: you’ll find that there’s a strong emphasis on experiential learning, and active participation is encouraged so that candidates can develop based on each other’s experience. The success of this style of teaching depends on you arriving ready to share openly and engage in group discussions. Throughout your MBA application, look to demonstrate that you’re the type of person who is willing to speak up and get involved. 

Open days are an ideal opportunity for you to get to know more about what’s expected of you and what value you can offer. Thato reflects on his experience of attending a WBS taster lecture:

[The taster lecture] was interactive, fun and informative. I learnt from the lecturer and other applicants. By getting a sense of the school and teaching environment I could build a case on what my contribution to the class would be and what I was also looking forward to.

Ready to make a start on your MBA application?

WBS offers a range of MBA programmes that empower you to become a business leader and make a meaningful impact. If you’re looking to make sure you’re the right fit before submitting your MBA application, you can send your profile to our Recruitment team for an informal review.