Five ways to prepare for an MBA while working

Balancing the demands of work with studying and applying for an MBA can be taxing. Here are a few tips from successful applicants that could help one cruise along.

1. Plan in Advance: Professionals looking to do an MBA should start working on it a year ahead, says Chaitanya Kalipatnapu, co-founder of executive education programme provider Eruditus and Insead alumnus. Research business schools and interact with alumni, he says.

2. Leverage Weekends: Vaibhav Pandey, a management student at ISB and an ex-software engineer, capitalised on his weekends for GMAT studies. It is equally important to find a support system, he says.

3. Highlight Leadership: Highlight experiences that demonstrate your unique abilities, says Kalipatnapu. Mention instances that show your leadership potential and list cross-cultural experiences, he adds.

4. Avoid Clichés: “Clichés do not work at all,” says Kalipatnapu. Support your application with strong anecdotes. “Essays should tell your personal story,” says Pandey.

5. Apply in the First Round: While each B-school has a different admission format, Kalipatnapu says it’s best to apply in the first round. “If schools have a quota or are focused on diversity, it becomes hard to justify yourself in the second round,” he says.