Applying for an MBA at Said Business School, Oxford

It's obvious what the content of this post is going to be around, so let's get to it. For the record, I am currently studying for my MBA at Oxford, so I know a little bit about what I'm saying!

Step 1:
Write your GMAT and get a good score. Like with all other b-schools, the definition of "good" at Oxford too is dependent on your background. If you've been dealing with numbers all your life, you're expected to get a high quant score. For an Indian male in IT, anything less than 700 will make things a little hard. However, this doesn't mean you retake the GMAT if you've gotten 690. The time may be better spent by concentrating on other areas of your application.

Step 2:
Check whether you need to write TOEFL/IELTS. The English language test requirements have changed this year, particular the clause for waiver of the test. Make sure you read the fine print. Engage with the Admissions Team early if you feel you're on the borderline and want the requirement waived for your specific case. If it's not a big issue, give the test. It will make life easier.

Step 3:
Decide who your referees would be and involve them in your application process. Make sure your referees know you well, make sure they have specific examples and stories to tell. Oxford is very particular about what the referees say (as are most business schools), it's a huge part of your application. If you're not sure your referee would give you an excellent recommendation, you haven't chosen the right person to recommend you.

Step 4:
Find out about the school. I mean, really find out. You should know what you're getting into. Oxford is a young school, which has its advantages and disadvantages. Find out what they are. Talk to alumni, read student blogs. Both the official and unofficial ones. If you're interested in technology, do you know about the Silicon Valley Comes To Oxford event? If you're interested in social entrepreneurship, do you know about the Skoll World Forum? Do you know what the business school's relationship is with the wider university?

Step 5:
Plan and think about your essays. The Oxford essays are unique in their size. The career goals essay is somewhat standard but it is a 1000 word limit. You have to plan it through. And the other essay, the one that asks you about your life's greatest influence in 2000 words, that's the one that requires the most planning. Think about it, instrospect and choose your topic. Try and bring out different aspects of your character. It's an essay that gives ample scope for creativity, stand out in how you treat it. It's not easy to hold someone's attention for 2000 words, how many times have you flipped through a newspaper, read the first 300 words of an article and moved on? Make the effort, it will be worth it.

Step 6:
Don't ignore the rest of the application. Your essays are important but the rest of the application is no less either. Use the various fields to showcase different aspects of your personality. Show that a 9-5 job (or 9-9 job) is not the only interesting thing about you. The Oxford experience is about a lot more than just the b-school. You have to convince the Admissions Committee that you'll be a good fit in such an environment.

All the best!