14.01 Best New Year's resolution for college and MBA applicants
14.01 Welcome to Year 14 of the Athena Mentor newsletter!
Over the years, more and more students come to Athena Mentor determined to apply to a bachelor's program in business. So this year, we'll be strengthening our focus on the best preparation for a business career.
It may not be what you think! If you've got your sights set on majoring in chemistry, history or even studio art--you have certain advantages you can leverage in achieving a successful career. We'll have a lot to say about that in the coming weeks.
You may not know that Athena Mentor has, from our first day, advised MBA hopefuls as well as college applicants. Some of my advice applies to all of you. So to celebrate the new year, I thought you'd like to take a look at the big picture, by watching the video and reading the newsletter I published on LinkedIn today for MBA candidates.
Athena Advises
"What's the best lipstick color for me?" asked my sister.
I answered: "The one you actually wear."
What's the best camera for you?
The one you actually have in your pocket.
What's the best improvement you can make in your college or MBA application?
The one that's staring you in the face.
It's January, a time of new resolutions. Quit chewing off your lipstick, start thinking of your iPhone as the best camera since Daguerre--and get moving on your application!
Recently I was talking with someone who is considering applying to business school next fall. Like many of you, his main activity so far is trawling the internet, looking for what worked for other people and comparing himself to a hypothetically perfect candidate.
"I read that one guy started an investment club at his college and enrolled 200 students."
Well, you could start an investment club.
"No," I was told. "It's too late."
Do not be discouraged by discovering that other people have done X and been admitted to, say, Harvard Business School. You will never know whether that is the reason they were admitted--or the reason the committee almost rejected them.
Yes, you will learn that some people have done extraordinary things. Instead of taking this to mean your case is hopeless, why not take this as inspiration to do--not exactly what they did, but something new and different, that is truly you?
"Who will be a strong MBA candidate in 2023?" asks my colleague Petia Whitmore. "By the way," she writes, "when I get asked, 'What are my admissions odds?' I always ask the candidate what they would do differently if I told them their odds are 20% versus 35%. I have yet to receive a good answer."
So what can you do differently to improve your college or MBA application? My advice to you is: This is not a rhetorical question. There are things that you can do and you probably already know what they are. Make sure that your New Year's resolutions for improving your application hit the mark. Ask yourself very seriously, "What are the strengths of my application? And what do I really need to improve?"
And then--here's the clue: Do it.
The best change is the one you actually implement.
Click for the video: https://bit.ly/MBAapp2023
If you need help figuring out your next best move, Athena Mentor would be happy to hear from you!
Dr. Marlena Corcoran
Founder and CEO
Hi, I’m a creator
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