At most business schools, like Harvard, Stanford, Kellogg, Wharton and others, the first application submitting deadline is coming close. That’s why you definitely need this article to know what else you can do before sending your application to the university of your choice

Harvard Admissions Essays

According to Dee Leopold, who worked as an admissions director at Harvard Business School, the essay doesn’t have to be a thing everything depends on. Instead, it’s more of an addition to everything else in your application. The current dean of admissions, Chad Losee, agrees with her, saying that in Harvard, the admissions committee always views the application package as a whole, including essays, the interview, test results, recommendations, application etc. Any one of these things cannot be a make-or-break factor.

Writing the essay, you don’t have to include things that, in your opinion, the committee wants from you. Its goal is to help the school see the special things about you. Even the essay prompt states: “what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?” Hence, don’t try to guess what should be written in your essay, instead focus on the things that will show you as a unique person worthy of getting admitted to a top business school.

The Long and Tedious Forms

In most schools, the application procedure includes filling in a long form. To do it properly and avoid forgetting something, you should give no less than 3 hours to this process. The form asks you to put down information about your previous job positions, dates of employment at the companies you’ve worked for, as well as your responsibilities and successes. Most of this data is included into your resume, but here it’s required for other purposes.

Don’t thing you’ll manage to complete it hastily or in a small amount of time: even one job description can take up no less than 30 minutes. It’s not only about jobs, though: your academic accomplishments, past awards and other activities must also be there. According to some past candidates, the form feels like several small essays put together. Taking all of the above into consideration, don’t obsess too much over the application form: it may take you a whole day if you try and put everything into it.

If the menu in the online application form doesn’t have items corresponding to your experience, it’s not a reason to panic. Remember that your resume, which doesn’t have such limited options, will be the main factor to evaluate your academic and job accomplishments.

Recommendation Letters

Most business schools, even the top ones, always give some extra time to recommenders for submitting those letters. It’s not a lot, though, so check if your recommenders managed to send the letters some days before the final deadline. Write them to remind of your request and offer them some additional information or help with technical issues if needed.

Don’t Lose Your Documents

Before your application package is even submitted, you should send test score information and university grades to your business school. If you are an international student, make sure your university transcripts are translated into English, or translate them yourself, if the school doesn’t require an official translation.

Check if your documents are completed according to the school’s rules. Don’t wait until the last deadline, have them ready at all times.

The Video Essay

At some universities, you’ll be required to send a video essay to the admissions committee. So don’t forget to record it and submit it before the deadline.

The Importance of Proofreading

For top business schools like Harvard and Stanford, no more than one-fifth of all candidates will be invited to have the interview. Thus, a lot depends on your application package. Don’t obsess over it too much, but still don’t leave grammatical mistakes and typos in. Check your essay, resume and application form for consistency. Many applicants make the mistake of copy-pasting their essays and resumes into application packages for different schools, so don’t forget to update your writings.

Before you submit, print all your documents and re-read them once more. Let someone else proof-read it for you, because new eyes always can spot things that will definitely elude your tired brain. Do not review anything after you send the package, though: if you find a mistake, you might have a nervous breakdown.

The School May Check your Background

It could be obvious, but let’s say it once more: never lie on your application, even in small detail. If you have a year or two of past unemployment, better be honest and say so. Don’t exaggerate your college grades. The schools can and will check any information in your application package. If inconsistencies are found, your chance at getting admitted will be lost.

Good luck with your application package – and don’t panic!