Before the application windows open…

There are a number of things you want to do before the application windows open for whichever round you are applying to.

GRE vs GMAT

I got introduced to the GRE through a colleague of mine who had to do the GRE because he was applying to do a Masters in Financial Engineering at Berkeley Haas. Most schools do not have a preference but I have been made aware that some top schools in Europe still prefer the GMAT. It is important to see what your school of choice prefers. You should also do practice tests for both to see which one you are more comfortable with.

The Princeton Review are one of many websites that compare the GRE and GMAT so you might find them useful.

Give yourself enough time to take the tests. This is because you will need a lot of time to study for them especially if quants is not your strength or if English is not your first language. You will probably have to sit the tests a few times to improve your scores and finding $250 to pay for each attempt might not be that easy. I attempted the GRE twice in 2014 and once this year. My score this year was my highest but not by much. A friend of mine believes you should only redo tests if your study method is different i.e. you are dedicating a lot more time, you are going for classes as opposed to self study, but that if you study the same way (which I did) your scores will not improve significantly. I do not have a view on that but I clearly proved her right!

It might also be a good idea to know the universities you will be applying to so that you can take advantage of the free option to send your results to up to 5 schools (this is for GRE – I am not sure if its the same with GMAT). I did not do this and ended up having to pay $25 to send my scores to each of my choices. I then realised that some schools do not require you to send your scores to them until you have been accepted so look out for this. They are happy for you to report your scores manually in the interim.

Educational transcripts

We all know how difficult it can be getting transcripts from institutions in some African countries. It is extremely difficult in my country and can take months. You need to ensure you start the process of getting one if you do not already have it months before the application opens. If your transcript is not in English, you will also have to get it translated.

Resume

You might as well start working on this. Keep in mind that US schools are used to one page resumes which was difficult for me. I managed to get mine down to one and a half pages but you should always aim for one page.

Visiting the schools

Now this was a big issue for me as I live in Africa and travelling to the States isn’t cheap. A lot of the schools advise you to visit them so you can get a feel for the school and see if you are both the right ‘fit’ for each other. This is something that is important to them and is always talked about. Others, such as Tuck, allow applicants to ‘self initiate’ interviews. This literally means you get to the college campus for an interview on a date and time of your choosing. The time slots are however limited and they fill up pretty quickly so you have to be alert. I however could not visit.

A lot of the business schools have tours around the world. They focus on the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia but not Africa which is unfortunate. Tuck however visited Nigeria and South Africa in 2017 and 2018 so they at least make an effort (so you see why I have a soft spot for them). Do not underestimate how much schools appreciate you making the effort to attend their sessions. They also hold webinars and might have alumni in your area which are other ways to connect with them. I however know schools understand how difficult it is for non-US residents to visit them but they always appreciate any effort you make to learn more about them!