MBAの出願と日本の大学受験とは勝手がかなり違います。
日本の大学受験(一般入試)では、入学試験の点数が高い方が合格に有利となりますが、MBA出願においては(高い点数が有利とは)必ずしも言えません。
実際、MBA予備校が公表する(日本人出願者や合格者データを見ても)高い点数を取得しても不合格の志願者もいます。逆に、スコアがそれほど高くなくてもトップ校と言われるMBAに合格している人もいます。後者は出願者の中でも際立った「訴求ポイント」があったと推定されます。
MBAの出願は入社試験に近いと言えます。つまり、自己のアピールが重要ということです。自分がいかにユニークな経歴を持ち、様々な経験を積んできたのか。そして、入学した後に何をやりたいか、さらに、自分が(入学後の)MBAプログラムにどのように貢献できるかなど…。
ちょっと恥ずかしくなる位、自己アピールすることが必要です。
【English】
The MBA application process is quite different from university entrance exams in Japan.
In Japan’s typical entrance exams, even a single extra point can give you a competitive advantage. However, when it comes to MBA applications, strong test results (such as high TOEFL or GMAT scores) do not always guarantee acceptance. In many cases, especially for prestigious schools, these tests are simply used as a cutoff.
In fact, looking at the data from prep schools regarding Japanese applicants, there are people who scored much higher than I did but were not accepted. On the other hand, some MBA candidates with relatively lower scores have been accepted into top-tier MBA programs.
It is likely that those in the latter group possessed a compelling “appeal point” that other Japanese applicants did not have.
One point that is often overlooked when applying to overseas universities (or graduate schools) is that Japanese applicants are not directly competing with their counterparts from the U.S. or U.K.
In other words, there are certain spots for Japanese or Asian candidates, and we, as Japanese, compete within that group.
The MBA application process is more like a job application than a traditional entrance exam. This means that self-promotion is extremely important. You need to demonstrate how unique you are and showcase the various experiences you’ve gained.
In addition, you need to show what you intend to do after admission and your potential contribution to the MBA program.
In fact, it’s necessary to promote yourself to the point where it might feel embarrassing.
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