给第一轮申请的同学的九条建议－1 - ChaseDream

This can be a great way for you toidentify early - with months before the deadlines - where you are weak in yourcandidacy. If you take a look at a current MBA application for one of theschools you are interested in, you will see what information you need to highlightthere - everything from job descriptions to extracurricular activities andacademic awards. Is there any particular area where you will appear weak, based on what the applicationis asking for? Are there areas you can strengthen? Use this quick assessment totarget your actions over the months you have before the deadlines.

Many candidates who start theapplication process close to the deadlines find that they do not have a goodchoice of recommendation writers. Perhaps a direct supervisor might be upset atthe thought of you leaving your job to pursue an MBA, so you don’t feel you canask them for an MBA application recommendation. Perhaps you have not performed to your highest potentialat a certain position and are reluctant to ask that supervisor for arecommendation. Perhaps you have recently obtained a new position and you don’tknow your direct supervisor well. Perhaps you have lost touch with a priorsupervisor who could have recommended you and given insights about your recentperformance.

在你想申请之前你就需要考虑让谁来帮你写推荐信，一封好的推荐信往往可以帮你增添很多录取的筹码。

Certifications: You can provide theadmissions committee with another factor to consider by securing value-added credentials like certificationsand professional credentials (like the CFA or Six Sigma training). The CFA, forinstance, is so difficult to secure that if you have passed all three levels,this provides a strong indication that you have excellent analytical skills andthis can offset your lower-than-ideal GPA or GMAT score.

Workplace awards also provide thecommittee with some “proof” that you have excelled in the workplace and areamong the best performers. They indicate you have the abilities – analyticaland leadership – to excel both at their business school and in your futurecareer.

如果你希望可以通过更多的证书来证明你的分析能力， CFA无疑是一个非常有利的证据，如果你能把三级都考出来的话。

Since you have some time before the deadlines, you should really assessthe strength of your extracurricular record and build it up further if needed. Most candidates need to improve their extracurricularrecord before admissions, and you have an opportunity since you are focusing onthe admissions process so early!