Whenever I meet with a prospective student, one very common question is around what to do to make the application more competitive. This is a tough question as there are so many things you can do to strengthen your application. Sometimes people tend to overlook some of the things they have done in their lives such as a volunteer work done some years ago. If you present this experience using the Specific-Measurable-Attainable-Relevant-Time-bound approach, you can make a very good impression on the Admissions Committee.

I have reviewed many applications to date and some of the applications were very strong and they stood out almost immediately and some of them put themselves out of the running almost immediately.

Today, I decided to write about 10 things that would definitely be detrimental to your application:

1. Rushing your application: You have to proof-read your application. We respect the fact that you are applying to multiple business schools but we really do not need to know which ones they are.
2. Generic essays: Doing some research beforehand will definitely strengthen your application. You might think all MBA programs out there are similar and yes in some ways they are but every business school has a competitive edge. Figuring out that competitive edge and highlighting it will show the Admissions Committee that you have done your research well. Also tying their competitive edge to your future goals will make a long-lasting impression.
3. Choosing wrong references: When it comes to references, we do realize that what they will say about you will be beyond your control, however, having said that, there are still some things you can do to prepare your referees. You can educate them about Rotman’s MBA program. You can let them know that this program is based on team work heavily. This means we are looking for individuals who have good interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. Our student body is made up of 40% international students; we want individuals who value diversity and who are flexible. You will be asked to attend many employer events and networking sessions; we need people with good communication skills to approach various business leaders. Also knowing how to present yourself well will go a long way.
4. Submitting an incomplete application: At the Rotman School, we review applications once they are complete. You will have to submit every single component required.  This includes external components such as transcripts from all institutions attended, including exchange programs. Both of your references submitted and your test score must have arrived at the Rotman School.
5. Generic questions during the interview: If you are invited for an in-person or phone interview, it means you are inching ever closer to being admitted into our program. The Assistant Director who reviewed your application thought you made a competitive candidate, thus contacted you for an interview. Turning this opportunity to your advantage is in your hands. Consider this like a job interview; come prepared and well-dressed. Have thoughtful questions. Asking the tuition fee or the duration of the program will not help you much. Asking anything that can easily be found on the website will show that you have not done your research with due diligence.
6. Excluding pertinent information: You are expected to submit a truthful application. Excluding any pertinent information such as your current studies or past work experience might jeopardize your application. Also, always keep in mind small things can strengthen your application remarkably.
7. Underestimating the MS Word’s spell check tool: English might be your native language but it does not mean that you mastered the Spelling Bee! Those IT professionals at Microsoft developed spell check feature for everyone. Take advantage, but don’t rely on it exclusively, as there are many words that sound the same that have different meanings!
8. Writing those essays for the sake of writing: Yes, you are applying for a business school but this does not mean that you should exclude the human factor. We receive around 1100 applications a year; yes, we have a lot of reading to do. Isn’t it a great opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd? Definitely write something you are passionate about. For more details, you can refer to my past post “How hard could it be to write those admissions essays?”
9. Exaggeration: We are all human beings and we all make mistakes. The art is taking ownership of our mistakes and turning them into a learning experience. If you are able to demonstrate these qualities, you will definitely earn some brownie points.
10. Plagiarism: Refrain yourself from copying and pasting directly from the Internet and Rotman’s website. It is easy to tell from the tone you use in your essays which sentences are genuinely yours and which ones belong to someone else!

Paying attention to these 10 points will definitely increase your chances of admittance into Rotman’s MBA program.Of course, once you polish your essays, it’s time to get ready for the admissions interview!