How to master your MBA application

Our Recruitment Lead shares top strategies to make your application for Australia’s leading MBA stand out.

The entry requirements to study an MBA at the world's top business schools are extremely high, and the application process can be time-consuming – so it's important to get it right. We spoke with Recruitment Lead Melissa Poulton about what to pay attention to when you’re going through the process.

From the basics of checking for typos to ensuring your CV is telling the right story. Whether you’re considering a Part-time MBA, Full-time MBA, Executive MBA or Senior Executive MBA, Melissa shares her insights into making sure you nail your application.

Perfect your CV

One of the most important things to get right, says Melissa, is your CV.

“Spend time on your CV, because that is one of the main tools our admissions team use to see what you’ve been up to,” she says.

You want to make sure you are giving them the right information.

“They’re interested to see what companies you’ve worked for, but also how your skills align to our program,” she says.

“Look at some of the subjects we have on offer and highlight where your skills align to these.”

Regardless of how strong your experience might be, it can be undone with a lack of attention to detail.

“Treat it like a formal job application and make sure you also think about grammar and formatting. It’s all important.”

Highlight your career progression

Within your CV, Melissa suggests you emphasise your leadership experience.

“The MBA is a post-grad, experience style program, so professional experience and career progression is really important,” she says.

“Some people think when it’s an academic program it’s just your undergrad or marks that matter but the MBA is different.

We expect professionals to apply who have the relevant experience.” That doesn’t mean your background needs to be in a traditional corporate field.

“We encourage diversity, so it can be a unique field, but you need to have built some sort of career.”

Embrace your entrepreneurial experience

Melissa also encourages people to highlight any innovative endeavours.

“Have you made a change in the company you worked for? Do you have entrepreneurial experience? Have you created a business?" she says.

“Melbourne Business School prides itself on being an innovative, entrepreneurial institution.

We want to be changing the future of business, so we want to attract people who want to build on that – not only in the program, but also in their careers.”

Think about your goals  When you’re preparing your personal statements, Melissa suggests considering your knowledge gaps.

“Think about where the gaps in your knowledge are that you want to work on, and specifically, how the program will help you address them,” she says.

“It’s important to have that self-awareness about how the program will help you improve your skills and our career.”

Prepare professional references ahead of time

One area of the process where people get stuck, is when it comes to supplying references.

Unlike traditional jobs where the references can be supplied after you have applied, the MBA application process requires your references to have given their feedback, before you can hit submit.

“Once you’ve submitted your referees’ details, they’ll be sent a report to complete where they rate your skills and comment on your professional abilities.

“They need to submit these reports before you can complete your application.”

Melissa therefore suggests reaching out to your referees well before the application deadline.

“Make sure they know it’s coming and give them timelines of when you need to complete it by,” she says.

“We have had people get stuck because they go to fill out their references on the last day of applications, only to realise they can’t complete the process in time.”

When it comes to who should be your referee, Melissa stresses they need to be professional contacts, personal ones won’t be accepted.  “Ideally we want one to be a recent line manager, but it doesn’t have to be current, just within the last five years,” she says.

“Both need to be people who have worked above you in an organisation who can comment on your suitability for the program, and your professional ability and they need to have known you for at least six months.”

The requirements are a bit different if you are looking to apply for our Senior Executive MBA program. In this instance you just need the contact details for two references, and they can be on the same level in the organisation.

This is reflective of the fact SEMBA applicants are usually at the top of their field.

Full-time applicants

If you are wanting to apply for the Full-time MBA, there are a few additional things to consider.

“Make sure you have your GMAT or GRE general test results ready before you apply,” Melissa says.

“You will need a GMAT or GRE if you haven’t completed your undergraduate in Australia, or if you're wanting to be considered for any of the Scholarships on offer."

What score should you be aiming for when applying for an MBA?

“Our recent cohort got an average of 695 for their GMAT test score. So, anything higher than that is going to put you in good stead” she says.

For GRE a minimum score of 157 on the quantitative section and a minimum of 152 on the verbal section are required. But it’s important to remember obtaining these scores doesn’t guarantee admission.

English language guidelines

If English isn’t your first language, Melissa recommends checking the University of Melbourne Graduate English language requirements page.  

“Sometimes people miss this, because they aren’t aware that they need to take an English language test,” she says.

"Our classrooms require strong classroom discussion – so candidates need to be able to demonstrate English language abilities.” 

While the to-do list may seem overwhelming, Melissa encourages people to persevere.

“It will all be worth it when you receive that acceptance offer into Australia’s number one MBA,” she said.

If you have more questions about the application process for any of our MBA programs, contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected].

To learn more about studying at Melbourne Business School, visit our Degree Programs page.