Begin the Brainstorming process: 15-30 minutes of writing into your Admissions Notebook, every day or so.
Visit business schools, and interview whenever feasible.
Prepare for the Exam.
Business schools typically have certain coursework prerequisites, e.g. calculus, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics. Set up a schedule to get those taken care of, as needed.
Carve out your "Short List" by late August, and request those schools’ catalogues and applications.
FALL OF APPLICATION YEAR
- Assemble support materials (resume, old term papers, etc.) that you will deliver to recommenders.
- Request recommendations, in person if possible.
- Take the Exam.
- Set up a schedule for submitting applications.
- Order transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
- Be sure you have all financial aid paperwork for schools on your Short List.
WINTER OF APPLICATION YEAR
- Fill out applications according to your prearranged schedule.
- Fill out financial aid forms according to your prearranged schedule.
- Contact all recommenders with a reminder of upcoming deadlines.
SPRING OF ADMISSIONS YEAR
- Sit Back and relax!
- If wait-listed, contact the admissions office and see whether there is anything you can do to enhance your candidacy: submit another essay or recommendation, retake the Exam, etc.
SUMMER OF ADMISSIONS YEAR
It may not be too late to take a summer course to pick up any needed prerequisites.
Visit the business school of your choice — if you have not yet done so — to make sure that it’s the place for you!