In the application process, there are some things that should be avoided. They are called “red flags”. This term relates to all the information that looks bad in your application and can get you rejected. There are lots of things you have never imagined that can become an obstacle on your way to the MBA degree.
Most of these negative things are easily recognized – for instance, if you have got a less than positive recommendation letter from your previous boss, or your GPA is very low, you already know that it must interfere with your admission to the school you’ve chosen.
Some “red flags” have been noted in an article published by the Admissions Director Symposium (supported by GMAC).
The article states that admissions boards always have a list of negative items that may show up in a candidate’s application. For instance, if you have changed jobs quite often, or your colleagues think you are a bit slow and difficult to talk to, it may be a straw that will weigh down the admissions staff’s opinion about you. Some of these “flags” are easy to miss, but experienced admissions board members have ways to identify them. Of course, they always share such stuff with colleagues to help them weed out people they don’t want in their business school. Often, your negative qualities are trumped by your accomplishments, but sometimes even one “flag” may be the reason for your rejection.
As an example of negative things that must not be overlooked, the authors have mentioned too much communication with the admissions staff. In their opinion, it shows your weakness and inability to believe in yourself. People dependent on others are not welcome in the business schools’ environment: future company executives or entrepreneurs should be strong-willed and able to form their own opinions. Each student’s contribution to business classes in school is important, and passive people won’t be able to take part in discussions. Also, the authors mention that such a personality trait may cause the future graduate’s inability to build a successful career.
Written for admissions directors and board members, this article could also be useful for all business schools applicants so they know that pestering admissions offices won’t work in their favor at all.
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