Many of our round 2 candidates are busy preparing their applications for the January 9 deadline, so we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit some of the highlights from our series of application tips in recent issues of the admissions enewsletter. We’ve selected some key points about each component of the application to help guide you through the process. To read the full articles, please visit the links below.

The GMAT (August Issue)

• Schedule your appointment. Available appointments change as registration and capacity fluctuates, so it’s important to secure your appointment in advance.
• Prepare. The earlier you begin studying for the exam, the better. The Graduate Management Admissions Council encourages candidates to start preparing at least four weeks before their scheduled exams.
• Send your score. Once you complete the exam, please designate Yale SOM to receive an official copy of your score report — we won’t have access to your report unless you do. It’s important to submit your request as soon as possible so we can match your report with your application.

Letters of Recommendation (September Issue) 

• Plan ahead. Because your current or former supervisor is very busy, it’s best to ask far in advance. It might be helpful as well to have a conversation with your recommender ahead of time to tell him or her about your career goals and why you want to get an MBA.
• Ask someone who knows you well. The biggest mistake candidates can make with recommendation letters is asking the CEO of the company or some other high-ranking official who hardly knows them. By asking someone in your department with whom you’ve worked closely, you’ll likely get a letter that includes plenty of details regarding projects you’ve worked on and your day-to-day initiatives.

Essay (September Issue)

• Outline your thoughts. Before you start writing, it’s helpful to jot down your thoughts in a quick outline. By doing this you’ll be sure your essays have a natural progression and include everything you want to convey.
• Write about what you know — you. We’re interested in learning about your goals, past experiences, and ideas. Don’t change your focus to something you think we want to hear. Be true to yourself and create a cohesive focus throughout your essays.
• Review before you submit. After you’ve finished your first draft, ask a friend or family member to read your essays. It’s helpful to have a fresh set of eyes go over your work. But remember — make sure your essays are your own work. A friend can give general advice, but shouldn’t draft any part of your application.

Résumé (October Issue) 

• Sell yourself. Try to avoid a general list of job responsibilities and instead focus on highlighting your accomplishments and skills. This is your opportunity to tell us what you’ve contributed to your office, so emphasize results, not just responsibilities.
• Keep it brief. Your resume should touch upon the most important points. It’s not necessary to include every detail of everything you’ve done; the more minutiae you include, the less the important information will stick out.
• Fill in the gaps. It’s helpful to list your experiences in chronological order so we can get a sense of your career progression. If you’ve stepped out of the work force for a little while, be sure to talk about it in your application.

good article!