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As you have learned in the military planning for the mission is just as
critical as the execution. Many of the things will occur simultaneously
and some will occur sequentially. It will feel like a combined armed
services operation.
In executing a mission, you receive the mission (Get into an MBA program and
...).
Now you must develop a tentative plan and start necessary movement. Then
you need to recon the schools and finalize your plan. Now let's move out.
Receive the Mission and Make a Tentative Plan
What are you trying to accomplish? Who, what, where, when, why, how.
Although you may not have all the answers right now, as you go through the
process, think about this. Why are you getting an MBA? When will you
attend? Who do you need to coordinate with or help you plan this out?
Where do you want to go? How will you pay for the tuition?
I don't want to overwhelm you. The most important part of the mission is
the what. The others are important, but be clear on the what. Now
make a tentative plan.
Start Necessary Movement
I know you do not have all the answers. You cannot wait for all the
answers before you get into action and begin to coordinate the assault or
movement. What do you know? What has to get done? What
resources are available? Here are some:
Register for GMAT - some military locations let you take the GMAT at your
base/post.
Note - when I was in the service I took the test for free at
the education center on our post. Check with them to see how you need to
register for the test.
MBA.com -
GMAT resource - articles, online practice test software, and more
MBA.com - Register for the Test (Check with your military education center
on your base/post)
Study for GMAT - I studied using a book. I did not take a course
but there are courses available.
This score is very important. From my view, schools ratings are affected
by the median or mean score of their students.
However, other experience, undergraduate performance, your interview and your
essays are also very important.
The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition
Start thinking about/doing:
Who would recommend me?
Will I need Financial Aid?
Understand the FAFSA.
Visit the education center.
Recon
There are two types of reconnaissance.
Recon using a map and recon by being on the ground.
Map Recon
Get information on
schools you are interested in attending. Make a list.
You can search for
schools or see a list of schools
here.
You can also get
good information from books about MBA programs.
Also, check
out the school websites.
As you make a
list ask yourself, what is similar about these schools? (location, class
size, ranking, concentrations...)
Search for
information about the city the school is located in as well.
Ground Recon - you may want to
wait until you are accepted
Physically seeing the campus is also valuable, however, I know this is not
always easy or cheap.
Before
you go make a list of questions you want to answer.
Physically
seeing the campus is also valuable, however, I know this is not always easy or
cheap.
If you do
visit the school, schedule a campus tour, perhaps meet some of the students,
maybe attend a class
Recon the
layout of the school, the environment, the safety, local schools if you have
kids.
Human
Intelligence
Talking
to people about the school is very valuable. Here are some ideas:
Use a website
like LinkedIn to find people who have graduated already and perhaps who were in
the military.
If/when you
get an interview, this is a good time to ask thoughtful questions. I
emphasize thoughtful.
Complete the Plan
As you determine where you want to attend, when you want
to apply etc, collect all the due dates for applications and for other forms
like financial aid.
Another thing you need to consider and plan for is how you will separate from
the service and the process involved. This is beyond the scope of the
website. You don't want to be in a situation in which you plan on
attending an MBA program and you never coordinated your discharge, or you
coordinated your discharge to early because you decided you did not want to get
an MBA for a few years.
Complete your plan as best you can. Develop timelines. Put due
dates, set aside time to fill out essays. This all takes time and
planning. The old saying, "Failing to plan is planning to fail" is very
true.
Execute the Mission
Applying
Make sure you know the rules of the game
Every school may be slightly different but make sure of the
following
The due dates - when is the
application due including interviews, test scores, recommendations and the like
- there are often different deadlines for different rounds of acceptances
As an example, take a look at
University of Chicago's criteria.
Note - some schools will only
accept online applications.
Recommendations
Each school will probably require 2-3 recommendations.
If you are applying to 5 schools that means 10-15.
When I applied I asked 3 people for recommendations.
They filled out all 5 for me. For your information, I asked a previous
battalion XO, my current battalion XO and my old ROTC commandant who was not
stationed near me.
I personally believe these make a huge difference so
choose wisely and give them enough time.
Be clear with them on when you need them completed by.
Again, choose wisely. I looked for people that believed
in me and trusted me.
Resume
Yes you will probably have to send a resume.
You probably can find a format that suits your taste
online or in Word. There are also services available. I did this
myself.
Put things in civilian terms and avoid acronyms.
Essays
Most if not all applications will require multiple
essays.
What are they looking for? I am not completely sure,
but this is what I think
1.
Can you write coherently? Details matter like grammar and punctuation.
2.
Interesting things about you that are not captured in the sterile application
and numbers.
3. What
are you bringing to the table.
The questions I wrote about were questions like If you could meet anyone
living or dead who would you want to meet? If you could visit any place,
where would you go? Describe a challenge you faced that significantly
shaped the person you are today?
Interviewing - When you apply to an MBA program, an interview may be
scheduled.
Prepare for the interview-
See section on employment - great
resources to translate your experience to civilian terms.
I emphasized my leadership
experience. The responsibility I had leading is what I felt separated me
from others.
My advice is to wear your Class A uniform and not your battle
dress uniform. This is just my opinion from experience.
Practice.
So, tell me about yourself....Are you ready for that
question? How do you start? How much detail?
Don't start rambling. Let's see I was born in 1983.
I played baseball in my backyard.....then when I was twelve, I bought a new
glove.
What do you want people to know about you.
Be authentic. Do not BS, do not embellish. Do not be
stiff either. Be yourself.
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