Seeking Feedback From Family And Friends On Your MBA Applications? Here Is Some Advice

As you prepare your MBA application materials, it can be helpful to seek feedback from family and friends.  However, it’s important to consider a few key factors, laid out below, in order to get the most valuable and constructive feedback.

Ask the right people for feedback

Be sure to ask the right people for feedback.  This means choosing individuals who know you well and can offer insightful and honest comments about your strengths, weaknesses, and potential as a business leader.  This might include close family members and friends, mentors, or colleagues who have worked with you in a professional capacity.  Remember that everyone will have his or her two cents when it comes to providing thoughts on your materials.  Therefore, avoid asking for feedback from people who don’t know you well or who may not be qualified to assess your MBA potential as this can derail you from your MBA strategy.

Get feedback sooner rather than later

Try to get feedback sooner rather than later in the MBA application process; essays are more malleable when they are first being developed.  Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for feedback, as this can leave you with little time to make necessary changes and/or cause you to panic if someone recommends that you change your strategy (as a caveat, any pivot in strategy should be given much thought – always remember, that these are ultimately your application materials – see the next point!). Soliciting feedback as early as possible will give you enough time to think through any suggestions and evaluate whether they should be applied to your work.

Always remember that these are your application materials

It’s also important to remember that, while feedback from family and friends can be valuable, you are the one making the ultimate decision about your application materials. These are your materials and it’s important that they accurately reflect your thoughts, experiences, and goals. Don’t feel pressured to make changes simply because someone else suggests them – ultimately, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your application materials are authentic and accurately represent who you are and what you hope to accomplish.

Make sure that your voice is coming through despite feedback

Finally, make sure that your true thoughts and voice are coming through in your application materials. MBA programs are looking for authentic, well-rounded candidates who have clear goals and the drive to achieve them. Don’t try to fit a certain mold or present yourself in a way that doesn’t feel genuine (which can often happen when seeking feedback from others). Instead, focus on being authentic and highlighting your unique strengths and experiences. This will not only help you stand out as a candidate, but will also make the application process more enjoyable and rewarding.

In summary, seeking feedback from family and friends can be a helpful part of the MBA application process if done in a constructive way.  By following the tips above, you can get valuable feedback in your quest towards crafting strong, authentic MBA application materials.

About Ivy Groupe:

Ivy Groupe is a boutique MBA admissions consulting company founded by Shaifali Aggarwal, who has been recognized as a top MBA admissions consultant by Business Insider and Poets & Quants. She received her MBA from Harvard Business School and undergraduate degree from Princeton University. Shaifali’s philosophy focuses on authenticity and storytelling to help clients craft compelling and differentiated applications that stand out. With this approach, Shaifali’s clients have gained admission to top-tier MBA programs such as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, Columbia, Booth, Tuck, and Yale, among others.

Click on the links to learn more about our company and how you can work with us to maximize your chances of gaining admission to the MBA programs of your choice.

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