2021 Cohort application requirements and tips

As you prepare to apply for your spot in the 2021 Cohort, we want to make you aware of what we are looking for in applicants and what is asked in the application.

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What we are looking for:​

• Applicants that are applying to business school by January 2022 (MBA Class of 2024)

• Applicants that articulate a thoughtful research and reflection on why business school and why now -- we are not looking for a "perfect" MBA candidate but we want to know that you are ready to put in the work needed to get you to your best applications when the time comes

• Applicants that demonstrate some of the characteristics business schools look for: hard work ethic, ambition/drive, leadership, teamwork, engaged citizenship or community involvement, passion, etc.

• Applicants that adhere to basic professional practices/norms: courtesy, concise writing, neat formatting, proper grammar and spelling, etc.

• Applicants that demonstrate readiness for the rigor of business school and leadership, as indicated by GMAT/GRE examination. Having a solid GMAT/GRE score is foundational to developing a successful application; we expect that you have been doing this preparation in advance of joining BSP. Though the exam score is not the only or main evaluation factor for BSP admission, we use it to understand where you are in relation to the rest of your application, as business schools will.​

  • BSP requires a minimum GMAT equivalent score -- 650 for round 1 and 620 for round 2

  • For all score submissions, the following apply:​

    • GMAT and GRE exams are both accepted; BSP uses this score conversion tool to determine the GMAT equivalent score for GRE exams

    • Official exam score reports are highly preferred and must be valid (i.e., completed in the last 5 years)

    • Practice exam score reports will be accepted, however, three exam score reports from different days within 45 days of application deadline must be submitted which meet the required minimum score

    • All score reports must show a clear date stamp as well as composite, quantitative, and verbal scores

    • Practice exam scores are only accepted from exams provided by GMAC (GMAT provider), ETS (GRE provider), Manhattan GMAT, Veritas Prep, Kaplan, Magoosh, or The Economist

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What we ask you in the application:

• Personal information -- name, gender, country of origin, location

• Education -- undergraduate school, degree, GPA (graduate details if applicable)

• Professional background -- current company and position, past industries (resume must be uploaded)

• MBA application context -- target schools, re-applicant status

• Official/practice GMAT or GRE score -- minimums of 650 for round 1 and 620 for round 2

• Short essays -- questions to help us get to know your more deeply, but briefly

  1. ​What do you aspire to do? Why do you want to pursue an MBA? (150 words max)

  2. What are you most proud of having experienced, overcome, or accomplished? (50 words max)

  3. Tell us about a time you failed at something and what you learned. (150 words max)

  4. How would you contribute to the Business School Prep community during and after the program, if selected as a fellow? (50 words max)

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In approaching the short essays, while we are not expecting "perfect" essays, we are expecting you to put in worthwhile time and thought so your story is clear and compelling. Our recommendation is that you draft a version offline, get one or two people to review for clarity and grammatical issues, and then refine before submitting in the form. Keep in mind that the word limits are LIMITS -- the form will not allow you to exceed the maximum set.

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Finally, our application platform allows you to save and return to your application, so take advantage of that.  Should you have any questions as you work through the application, email us at yam.bschoolprep@gmail.com.

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We look forward to reviewing your application!