Thinking About an MBA? Here’s How to Plan For It.

The best way to increase your odds of getting into your dream business school is taking the time to submit a great application. And that means you need to start earlier, go deeper, and finish stronger. There’s a few ways to do that.

• Take the GMAT or GRE ASAP. Put in at least three to six months of study. If you’re fresh out of college, you likely won’t have to revisit the rules of grammar or basic math.
• Dial up your intellect. Develop a reading habit, explore new topics, learn another language, listen to podcasts about philosophy, neurology, economics, geopolitics, or history — whatever draws your interest.
• Curate quality work experiences. It’s not where you work that matters, but the experiences that you have that will make the difference in your future MBA applications. Volunteer for projects, train interns, and seek opportunities that put you out of your comfort zone.
• Nurture the leader in you. Leadership is not just about managing people. You can hone your leadership skills from many things, from organizing an event to tutoring younger kids in math.
• Contribute to the community. Consider getting deeply involved in one or two organizations where you can make an impact.