The EMBA Admissions Team’s Top Tips for Applicants
Advice for putting together your best application, from resume to recommendation and beyond.
Last month, we welcomed the MBA for Executives Class of 2023, which means it’s time to start our next application cycle. The application for the MBA for Executives Class of 2024 launched last week, and we are looking forward to getting to know you. Here’s some advice from our team to consider as you start your application.
Your resume is a great place to start your application and showcase your skills and work experience to the admissions committee. Plan to keep your resume to one or two pages. It is important to provide your professional history and trajectory but keep this part of your application succinct. Use your resume to tell us about yourself; feel free to briefly include other experience (volunteer work, committees, or activities) that shape who you are on a more personal level. Be sure to proofread and use spell-check before you submit! And, finally, I encourage you to join an upcoming virtual information session to learn more about both our program and application.
—Liz Lewis, Assistant Director of Admissions
An MBA is a major investment, and it’s important that you take the time to explore how a program aligns with your personal trajectory, goals, and mission. This research will be invaluable for you, both in deciding on where to apply and in enabling you to put forth the strongest and most authentic application you can. Now is a great time to begin that journey! Take the opportunity to submit a resume for pre-assessment, join a virtual information session, or attend one of our upcoming webinars.
—David Daniel, Assistant Director of Operations and Marketing
Each year, through art and science, we build a dynamic and diverse class. We carefully consider each candidate as an individual while also thinking about how they will contribute to the cohort as a whole. As you develop your application, be sure to focus on the unique voice and perspective you bring to the cohort based on your leadership experience, functional roles, career trajectory, academic exposure, management style, personal values, interests, and background. Especially since we are all navigating the admissions process online, it is important more than ever to express who you are to the admissions committee—communicating both how the program would positively impact you and how you would impact your potential classmates.
—Christine Balzano, Associate Director of Admissions
Identifying recommenders is often stressful for applicants. Take time to think about who knows you well and can really speak to both your character and work performance. A current supervisor who knows you professionally makes a great first recommender. The letters of recommendation provide valuable perspective on your application, so make sure your recommenders are people who can highlight aspects of your candidacy and potential that might not show otherwise.
—Wendy Tsung, Assistant Dean
Another important part of recommendations is timing. The application process moves pretty quickly once we pass each round deadline; we’ll read complete applications immediately. Be sure to connect with your recommenders as soon as possible and make sure they know the application deadline, so that your application isn’t missing a critical component. One trick is to tell your recommenders that the deadline for the submission of their letters is a few days prior to the actual deadline. When the earlier deadline day arrives, check your application status page to see if your recommendations have been submitted. If you need to send your recommenders a gentle reminder, you can do so from the status page.
—Joanne Legler, Director of Admissions
We hope you find these tips helpful and that you’ll take the time to get to know us this year! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at emba.admissions@yale.edu.