How To Make a Good Impression on Admissions

The global pandemic has caused huge changes in the job market for everyone. In the United States, graduate school application specialists are seeing spikes in the number of students applying for admission into a variety of graduate programs. Students are going through the application process for business school, law school, and in the helping fields at higher rates than ever before. While this will mean a stronger job force down the road, it also makes for more competition now. If you're someone considering applying for an MBA program, to a law school, or a potential applicant seeking an MSW or BSM degree, read on for ways you can make an impression during the admissions process.

Writing a Clear Personal Mission Statement

Before applying to any graduate school or program, you'll want to take some time to reflect on your goals, dreams, and values. The same way you'd write a mission statement for a business, many admissions counselors will ask for your personal mission statement. Your mission statement should reflect, not only your career goals but who you are and how you envision your future as part of a larger community. Taking time with this can be the difference between an acceptance or rejection.

For programs that don't require personal mission statements, you can still use it as an elevator speech during your admissions interview. By having a clear, targeted way of expressing who you are, you'll be one step closer to an organized and professional first impression.

If you're considering applying to a business school for an MBA, CPA, or advanced business degree, there's always the option of MBA consulting to help prepare you for the admission process. MBA admissions programs are more rigorous than they used to be, and working with an MBA admissions consultant could make a huge difference in the ultimate decision on your application.

Dressing for Success

When it's time for your admissions interview, you'll want to make a good impression. This will start with how you dress. Many people think that because they got away with hoodies and jeans in undergrad school, it's okay to dress the same in graduate school. The truth is that many MBA programs or other professional tracks require students to dress business casual. The workforce demands business casual dress at a minimum, so these programs put in dress codes to get students better prepared.

To show the applications team you're one step ahead, go to your interview in an appropriate outfit. For women, a knee-length skirt and a pair of extra wide calf knee high boots topped with a scarf should do the trick. For men, dress pants and a polo shirt or a button-up shirt with or without a tie would be appropriate. Top your outfit off with a smile and confidence, and you'll have them hooked.

Being Authentic

Admissions specialists are people. They want to genuinely connect with other people, not with potential students reading off scripts or who are too formal. When you go to your interview, be sure to let your personality and what makes you unique shine through. Any good campus community starts with a group of people with different interests, passions, and talents. Telling them what you could add to their school simply by being you is a great idea. That is, being authentic matters.

Because of the pandemic, many application meetings and interviews are happening over Zoom and other digital programs and apps. The same rules apply when interviewing in this format; dress nice, smile, and be you.

In the end, graduate school admissions counselors are looking to build diverse student populations. Schools are not as focused on grade point averages and test scores as they once were. Instead, application specialists are looking for students who are sincere and committed to social justice causes and looking to make a difference. In a world saturated with social media, they're accepting students unafraid to be their authentic selves and open about their flaws. Being yourself and treating the application process like a job will give you your best shot at being accepted into the graduate degree program of your choosing.