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Quick Answer
Before submitting your MBA application, follow this last-minute checklist. Review your essays, resume, recommendations, transcripts, test scores, and application forms one final time. Double-check for typos, confirm that all documents are uploaded correctly, and ensure your story and career goals are consistent across materials.
Taking this final step helps you submit a polished, error-free application that maximizes your chances of earning an interview invite. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of what to review before you click “submit.”
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- MBA Application Last-Minute Checklist
- Review and Proofread Your MBA Essays
- Double-Check Your Resume Alignment
- Confirm Recommendation Letters Are Submitted
- Verify Test Scores and Transcripts Are Updated
- Cross-Check the Application Form for Accuracy
- Ensure Consistency Across All Materials
- Confirm Deadlines and Submission Requirements
- Final Tips Before Submitting Your MBA Application
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s Next?
MBA Application Last-Minute Checklist
Here’s a list of the common application components across most MBA applications and what to look for:
| Application Component | What to Review |
|---|---|
| Application Form | employment dates, titles, responsibilities, activities, awards, reasons for leading, explanations for gaps, and short answers |
| Transcripts | unlocked PDF; GPA, program, and dates match with the application form |
| Test Scores | correct test, raw scores, and percentile; name and DOB match with score report |
| Resume | 1-page PDF resume (generally), achievement-oriented bullet points, quantifiable results, MBA-relevant leadership, and consistency with formatting |
| Essays | responses that answer the prompts; clarity, authentic voice, clear formatting, no typos |
| Recommendations (if available) | submission status, strength of examples, alignment with your stories, and correct recommender details (name, title, company, etc.) |
Note that some MBA programs request official test scores with your application. However, others require official scores upon matriculation.
TTP PRO TIP:
Ensure that your test score report matches your application exactly, including name and date of birth.
Review and Proofread Your MBA Essays
Your essays are a critical aspect of your MBA applications. Specifically, they share your unique voice, values, and context for your career to date and future goals.
Here’s our list of MBA essay proofreading tips:
- Confirm your alignment with the prompt. Make sure that your essay answers the specific question and that you don’t overlook follow-up questions. Additionally, if the prompt asks, “Why this school?” be sure that you provide specific examples of courses, programs, clubs, and other elements from that program.
- Proofread carefully. Read your essays out loud to identify any awkward phrasing. Then, look carefully for typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors.
- Check for tone and authenticity. As you read aloud, confirm that your writing sounds like you — not an AI tool or another person.
- Drop the fluff. If you’re pressed for space, eliminate filler words and jargon. Then, make sure that your responses fit the word count limits for each essay.
AI tools can be helpful for outlining, brainstorming, and trimming word count. However, don’t outsource your writing completely — MBA admissions committees will know.
TTP PRO TIP:
Essays should sound like your authentic voice — not an AI tool or someone else.
Double-Check Your Resume Alignment
Your MBA application resume should provide a comprehensive overview of your professional career to date. Note that it will also be referenced during your interview at most programs. So, make sure that it bolsters your candidacy. Here are a few things to check in your MBA resume review before submission:
- Lead with impact. Your resume bullet points should communicate specific examples of when you’ve driven impact, rather than detail day-to-day responsibilities.
- Quantify your achievements. Use metrics to describe your impact whenever possible and applicable. However, some bullet points won’t have metrics associated with them, and that’s OK!
- Showcase leadership and teamwork. Emphasize achievements when you’ve led a project, team, or initiative. Additionally, showcase your cross-functional collaboration, as appropriate.
- Review your formatting. Ensure that you use consistent formatting and margins throughout the document. Also, confirm that your text and bullet points are aligned.
Keep your resume to 1 page — unless application instructions explicitly allow for more.
TTP PRO TIP:
Your resume should showcase your most relevant professional, academic, and other activities.
Confirm Recommendation Letters Are Submitted
A missing recommendation could potentially mark your application incomplete. Further, your application could be pushed to the next round.
As a result, it’s critical that your recommendations are received on time. In the final week, follow this MBA recommendations checklist:
- Check your status in the application portal. Verify that each of your recommenders has submitted. If not, send them a gentle reminder of the deadline.
- Confirm details. Ensure that your recommender’s name, contact information, and company info are accurate.
- Review for consistency. If you have access to your recommendations, review them for accuracy and consistency. Further, your recommendations should support key themes in your application, rather than completely replicate what you’ve already provided.
Not all recommenders share their work with applicants. Therefore, it’s OK if you can’t review the content in detail.
KEY FACT:
A missing recommendation could delay your application or push it to a later round.
Verify Test Scores and Transcripts Are Updated
Pay close attention to the details regarding your MBA transcripts and test score submission, including:
- Test score logistics —Confirm that you’ve selected the right test (GMAT, GRE, or EA), reporting code, and that the school received the score (if required for the application).
- Name and DOB match — Make sure that your test score record and application show the same name and date of birth. Otherwise, inconsistencies may cause delays with your application.
- Transcripts — Confirm whether the program requires an official transcript when you apply or when you matriculate. Then, make sure your dates and GPA are consistent with your application form. Finally, upload an unlocked transcript from your undergraduate and graduate institutions (as applicable).
For more details on test support and timing, check out the following links:
- MBA Test Prep: Your Guide to Crush the GMAT or GRE exams
- GMAT Test Dates: How Do I Choose?
- How to Send GMAT Scores to Schools
TTP PRO TIP:
Make sure your test scores, personal details, and transcripts match across all application materials.
Cross-Check the Application Form for Accuracy
While the MBA application form may look straightforward, it’s critical that your forms are consistent with your other materials. Specifically, check the following:
- Employment history — Verify that your titles, start and end dates, promotions, and responsibilities align with your resume.
- Activities and awards — Make sure that your achievements and descriptions match what’s on your resume and essays, as applicable.
- Short answers — Keep your tone and themes consistent with your essays. Additionally, do not paste your resume bullet points into your job descriptions. Instead, use the space to discuss your day-to-day responsibilities if the prompt asks for descriptions.
- Explanations for gaps —If you have gaps in your academic or professional experience, address them in your optional essay or short answer, as appropriate.
- Optional Essays — Follow the instructions carefully, and do not paste another essay from another program. Instead, stay factual and direct in your response.
TTP PRO TIP:
All forms should fully align with your resume, essays, and supporting materials.
Ensure Consistency Across All Materials
The core of the MBA application checklist is consistency across all of your application materials. While you don’t need to center your entire application on a single theme, your materials should present a coherent narrative and personal brand.
With that goal in mind, review your application for the following:
- Core themes — Are your leadership, impact, teamwork, and career goals aligned across your essays, resume, and recommendations?
- Career goals — Are your goals aligned across short answers and essays? Are they realistic and achievable? Further, is an MBA instrumental in helping you achieve them?
- Data form — Do your titles, companies, and dates line up?
Review your application with fresh eyes — not after you’ve finished a marathon session of essay-writing.
TTP PRO TIP:
Your application doesn’t have to focus on a single theme, but it should tell a clear, cohesive story.
Confirm Deadlines and Submission Requirements
Round 1 application MBA windows are firm. Therefore, you must ensure that your application is complete beforehand.
Here are some last-minute surprises to avoid:
- Time zones — Confirm the time your application is due on the deadline.
- File formats and sizes — Save your resume as a PDF and follow instructions on sizes and file names.
- Character and word limits — Ensure that your text fits into the application form boxes and that your documents include responses that meet the word count limits.
- Supplemental requirements — Review the honor codes, assessment tests, and video essay requirements in advance. Then, budget your time accordingly.
TTP PRO TIP:
Time zones, file formats, and word limits can create last-minute issues if overlooked.
Final Tips Before Submitting Your MBA Application
Plan to submit early — ideally, the day before the application deadline. That way, you’ll avoid any unforeseen technical issues. Follow these final MBA application tips to finalize your submission:
- Export your application to a PDF. This ensures that your responses have been uploaded properly and display accurately.
- Name your files clearly. For example, FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf.
- Run a spelling and grammar check on your essays. However, don’t let an AI tool rewrite your work.
- Reconfirm your contact information. Additionally, review your LinkedIn profile to ensure that companies, jobs, and dates align with your resume and data form.
- Pause, then submit. Once you complete your final check, step away for a few minutes. When you’re ready, return with fresh eyes, give everything a final scan, and hit submit!
TTP PRO TIP:
Stepping away briefly before submitting can help you spot last-minute issues.
Key Takeaways
Your MBA application is more than just a set of documents. Instead, it’s a story of what you’ve achieved and where you’re going. A careful review of these MBA application last steps will help ensure that you put your best foot forward in the process.
Avoid common MBA application mistakes by following the steps in this post, verifying your submissions, formatting your documents, and ensuring consistency across all materials. With an organized final pass, you’ll submit your MBA application successfully and (hopefully) move on to the next step!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What should I review before submitting my MBA application?
Follow the steps outlined in this article to conduct a comprehensive review of your application materials. Specifically, these will cover your application form, transcript, test scores, resume, essays, and recommendations.
Do admissions committees care about small typos?
Generally, small typos will not kill your chances. However, multiple errors will signal a lack of care and attention to detail. Keep in mind, the competition is stiff across the top MBA programs, and consistent mistakes can make a difference between an admit and a ding.
How can I confirm my test scores were received?
Check the application portal to see the status of your score reports. As discussed, some MBA applications require official score reports, whereas others accept unofficial scores. If your score is still pending, verify that you sent the scores using the correct program code and that your name and date of birth match.
Should I follow up with my recommenders before the deadline?
Yes. If your recommenders have submitted, be sure to reach out and thank them for the effort. If your recommenders have not submitted, send a reminder a few days before the deadline. Then, provide the link, deadline time zone, and a quick thank you.
What happens if I miss an MBA application deadline?
Most MBA programs are strict with deadlines. If you’re late, your application will usually be pushed to the next application round.
What’s Next?
If you need MBA application submission advice in your final days and weeks, we can help! Book a free consultation with one of our expert admissions consultants today.
