6 Key Qualities of Successful MBA Candidates
Each year, MBA admissions committees sort through thousands of applications from aspiring students trying to get into their ideal business school. Blue-chip programs are seeking certain attributes in candidates, and understanding how to emphasize your strengths to align with their expectations can provide a competitive advantage.
“The process is highly holistic,” says Colin Davis, senior director of marketing and operations for MBA programs at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. “In addition to raw ability and self-knowledge, we seek purpose and clarity—why an applicant is seeking an MBA and how Booth’s program fits into their aspirations.”
Your application is your opportunity to tell your story and share what makes you special. Six key characteristics of a successful MBA applicant, experts say, are:
Strong Leadership Skills
Schools of business desire evidence that you’re a leader.
“For years, I’ve said leadership is the most important aspect of a business school application—and also the trickiest to define,” says Betsy Massar, founder of Master Admissions, a California-based MBA admissions firm.
She describes how candidates should identify their leadership experiences and leverage them to emphasize their character “and their capacity to make good judgments and bounce back under conditions of uncertainty or adversity.”
Nellie Gaynor, an MBA admissions counselor at IvyWise and one-time Wharton admissions officer, adds that schools look for future leaders who can demonstrate “how they approached a challenge, formulated a solution, and motivated others to act.”
Donna Bauman, a senior counselor at Stratus Admissions, notes this is especially crucial in a tough job market. “Candidates who’ve proven they can create value will always stand out.”
Authenticity
Being genuine in your application means staying true to yourself.
“We want essays and interviews to feel authentic—no generic answers,” says Steve Thompson, senior director of admissions at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
He urges to “go beyond merely your job title and describe the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of your decisions.” Essays must answer questions directly while presenting examples from real life and candid observations.
Gaynor concurs: “Don’t regale admissions with what you think they want to hear. Set forth your actual story—one that bridges your past background to your future aspirations in a manner that demonstrates self-awareness.”
Quantitative Competency
You don’t have to be a business major to apply, but you do have to show you can manage the numbers.
More than half of Chicago Booth’s class of 2025 did not major in business or economics, Davis points out—”so it’s certainly not required.” But schools must be able to tell you will succeed in an MBA classroom.
You can show quantitative skills through work experience, high GMAT/GRE scores, or recommendation letters that speak to your analysis skills.
Susan Cera of Stratus recommends a math-intensive prep course prior to the opening of school. UCLA and UC Berkeley provide online pre-MBA courses in accounting, statistics, and finance fundamentals.
Excellent Communication Skills
Effective, clear communication is essential—both in your application and eventually in your career.
“From essays to interviews, you must communicate your ideas well,” Gaynor states. You will use these skills in class discussions, team projects, and leadership positions later in life.
Good Recommendations
Select recommenders who actually know your strengths and goals.
“Recommendations provide the admissions committee with an outside view,” Cera says. “Choose people who will speak for you in an enthusiastic way.”
If a school asks for two letters, choose recommenders who’ve observed multiple sides of your work—so they can give them different examples of your impact.
Fit With the School’s Community
Colleges also want applicants who fit in with their culture.
“An MBA is not a degree—it’s becoming part of an extended network,” says Davis. Booth, for instance, treasures curiosity, diverse perspectives, and a “pay-it-forward” attitude.
Which is why alumni interview prospects. “Explain how you align with these values throughout your essays, recommendations, and interviews,” he suggests.
Your post-MBA aspirations should also complement the program’s resources. “There should be a natural connection between your background, your aspirations, and how the school can assist in helping you get there,” Davis adds.
