Getting Accepted Means Getting Down to Business

Congratulations on your acceptance. Take a moment to celebrate this major achievement! After all, your application beat out thousands of talented candidates to secure this coveted spot.

Of course, now it’s time to get down to business. Before you begin your program, you will need to start preparing for your MBA – there is much to do: telling your bosses you are leaving your job, getting your financing in order to fund your education, catching up on all that pre-matriculation coursework before you enrol, and using your vacation time effectively.

Tackling these four items effectively will ensure your success both in the short-term as you prepare to head back to school and in the long-term as you re-enter the workforce with your degree in hand.

1. Tell your boss without burning bridges.  Remember that your boss will be an important reference in the years ahead when you return to job hunting.

It’s critical that you preserve your relationship.  Be sensitive to the boss’ needs and understand the concerns that they may have.

Then, go out of your way to make the transition as smooth as possible.

For instance, you may offer to train your replacement and ensure that all projects are up-to-date and well documented.

2. Juggle your prematric requirements. Every school requires students to complete some quant module to demonstrate competency.

Failure to complete these online modules will result in your not matriculating.  I warn you now that these modules do take time!

Don’t wait till the last minute to get started on them. Make sure that you get them out of the way before jaunting across the globe.

3. Fund your degree. Whether you already have significant savings to invest or you plan to fund your MBA through loans, be diligent in completing your financial paperwork.

For US students, this means completing the FAFSA. International students are eligible for loans at most top schools, but must work with those schools directly to apply for them.

For those who are worried about the cost of education, be persistent in tracking down every possible funding source!

There are many one-off scholarships that are not prominently announced and finding these requires some serious sleuth work!

4. Capitalize on time off. R&R is important and must be had, but don’t leave your employment and settle for leisure only.

The time between quitting your job and starting your MBA can be used to explore a new career or travel to a region in which you have always been interested or in which you may like to work in in the future.

For example, Jenny left her position in sales and took an unpaid internship for several weeks at a leading consumer goods company during the summer.

While there, she made great contacts which allowed her to secure a full-time position at a top rated Consumer Goods company once she finished her degree.

Acceptance is an amazing victory, but don’t let the joy stop you from preparing for your MBA with diligence and vigor.

The effort you put at this point in your life will likely be rewarded down the road as you begin the post-MBA phase of your life.