7 ACTIONABLE

STEPS TO
IMPROVE YOUR
PROFILE 
 2

GUIDE
TO BUILDING A
STRONG PROFILE

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Evaluate Your Profile

3 Build Your Academic Profile

4 Prepare for Your GMAT

5 Get Relevant Internships

6 Build Your Extra-curricular Profile

7 Showcase Social Volunteering

8 Get Quantifiable Achievements

9 Plan Your Timeline

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How to Build Your Profile

for 2022 Applications

Are you aiming to get into top business schools in 2022?

 
The applications for 2022 intake opens in less than 4 months and that allows you some time
to present a strong application in front of the Admission Committee. 
 
FACT: Top schools have an acceptance rate of  8-12%. So, to ensure that you are among the
selected candidates, you need to create a profile that stands out in the eyes of Adcom.
 
Creating a strong profile is a time-consuming process and hence getting a head start is
advised.

Top international universities assess your profile on a variety of factors. They not only look
for excellent academic scores, but a well-balanced, holistic profile which includes a good GPA,
extra-curriculars, work- experience and  a high GMAT/ GRE score.
 
In case you are confused on how to create a strong and a unique profile, here are tips that you
can follow to improve your chances of an admission into top ranking universities. 
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1. Evaluate Your Profile

The very first step before you start your application process  is to know where you stand, how
good is your candidature and whether you are eligible for your target program in a particular
university. 
 
A proper evaluation of your profile will help you in this pursuit. 

 
An early profile evaluation helps you gain deeper insights into your strengths and weaknesses
and hence you can work on them accordingly. Highlighting  strengths and compensating for
weaknesses is the trickiest part of the application and a proper profile evaluation helps you
analyse them better.
 
We at MiM-Essay have spen years evaluating tens of thousands of diverse profiles and used
our experrience to build the most comprehensive profile evaluation in the market today, you
can access the same to get a Free Profile evaluation, complete with scores for strengths,
weaknesses and recommendations for improvement. $1.41 trillion
Resources:
  Amount of student loan debt
You can check your profile score via the link below:  outstanding in the United States
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2. Build Your Academic Profile

Academic excellence is a mirror of your persistence and hard work.

Building an impressive academic profile is a helpful tactic as most applicants

have similar academic scores and to differentiate yourself, an excellent academic
profile can be a good highlight.

This increases your chances of being accepted by the top universities, especially
ones in Canada, US and Australia, which give high GPA more preference.
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A Grade Point Average Score (GPA) is a metric that Adcom consider to

GPA decide how good you are as a student and a learner. A high GPA also
opens opportunities to attain a scholarship. 

Wondering what kind of GPA is considered to be competitive by schools?  

 
While a 9+ GPA is spectacular, not everyone scores around that range.  
On an average, an 8+ is considered to be competitive.  
At times, you need a 7+ as a bare minimum requirement for certain
B-schools,  particularly for Canadian and UK based Universities.  
 
However, even if your GPA falls below 8.0, it is not a deal breaker.
You can work on other parts of your profile to compensate for the same.  
 
But if you are still in college, go through your curriculum thoroughly and
work really hard for your examinations.  A score of 7+ to unlocks several
options.

Projects show how you have gone above and Academic

beyond academics.
Writing relevant Academic Papers and Projects
undertaking Semester Projects showcase how
you are actualising your academic prowess.

Competitions There are various academic competitions

organized.
Participation at such events make a  strong
impact  in your application, it shows you were not
just constrained to your academics but looking
for ways to broaden your understanding.
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3. Prepare for your GMAT/ GRE

Remember, your GMAT/ GRE scores can make or break your chances of being accepted by top
B-schools. Although, numbers alone cannot define your ability, the Admissions Committee sift
through GMAT/ GRE scorecards to shortlist candidates and make an initial decision.

Sometimes very high ranked schools, can eliminate you completely if you dont meet a certain
score, that is decided by your cohorts or nationalities average. 

You can give either the GRE or the GMAT, the goal must be to get the highest score possible.

A 325+ in GRE or 690+ in GMAT is considered a good score, and should be aimed for.
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So, if you are planning for the Fall 2022 intake, the Round 1 deadlines are around
September-October, your goal should be  clearing your GMAT/ GRE examination before
that.

To achieve a strong score, preparation for about 2-3 months is usually enough.

Hence plan to take the GMAT max to max by Aug- Sept, make sure you give enough time
for the official scores to be sent to the schools (about 7-10 days)
 

Resources:

Here are our blogs that would help you abundantly to score 700+ in GMAT. 

https://info.mim-essay.com/GMATTips

https://info.mim-essay.com/GMATSTUDY
 9

Not planning to take GMAT or GRE?

NO
PROBLEM!
The following are some of the business schools that don’t require GMAT/GRE for
their master program.

AUSTRALIA UK CANADA FRANCE IRELAND

Melbourne Warwick Toulouse Trinity

University De
Business Business Business College
Montreal
School School School Dublin

University of Cass Sobey School EM UCD Michael

Sydney University of Business Normandie Smurfit 

Greenoble
Monash University of Dublin City
Ryersom Ecole de
University Edinburgh University
Management

Macquarie
Graduate University of
IESEG
School of Strathclyde
Management 

La Trobe
University
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4. Get Relevant Internships

Getting hands-on practical experience in the same field in which you wish to study further
matters A LOT!
 
Having a strong brand (such as Google, Deloitte, McKinsey) associated with you adds
weight to your application and makes you a preferred candidate over other applicants
with similar profile. 

A relevant internship in a startup or a small business can also add value if you highlight
your position of responsibility. Reflecting your individual role and contribution to the
organization and how you were able to create a strong impact.
 
 
Further if you are applying for a specialized degree such as masters in finance, your work
experience in the same industry for example, banking and insurance sector will help you
abundantly. 
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5. Build Your Extra-Curricular 

    Profile

Universities want students who can contribute to the rest of the class and to the school as
a whole.
 
Are you a student who has just a good academic record?
Or can you bring something to the table other than academics?
 
All international universities prefer students who have a holistic and well-rounded
personality. An excellent academic score and impressive work experience is definitely a
plus but building up your extra-curricular adds up on your application.
 
Be a student who is active and have taken up endeavors in a variety of pursuits, and hence
in turn built up key skills of Leadership, Empathy, Initiaitve Taking etc.

Another key thing to remember is that its not just about participating or being a member,
schools like people who have gone above and beyond and made a difference.

  
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Extra- curriculars can be varied in nature, 

Here are some examples of pursuits you can take up:

Sports

Joining a sports team showcases your team work, leadership and self-development. To

build your extra-curricular profile, sports can be a viable option 
 
You can play sports such as cricket, football, volleyball, etc for the college/company
sports team.  Being elected as the captain of the team is highlighted instantly.
You could also participate in sports team in various open tournaments organized by
different clubs. 
Portraying any state level or national level achievements can be a bonus.
 

Clubs & Associations

There are various clubs and associations in the form of academic, cultural and social clubs.
Joining clubs can allow one to practise important life skills such as leadership,  effective
communication, networking- values that the Adcom evaluates your profile on.

You can join an academic club in debate, poetry, science, mathematics, engineering or
clubs in any subject that interests you.  
 
You could also participate in culture clubs at college.  Being a part of any creative clubs
and associations such as arts, music, drama and visual arts can show you as one who 
thinks outside the box    

You could also volunteer in social clubs such as AIESEC and Enactus. This shows that you
are open to learning and makign a difference
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Student Council

Student Councils within an institute represent the interests of the students who study
there.  Involving in Students councils makes you stand out from the crowd and portrays you
as a responsible engaged problem-solver.
 
Since, you work together with other peeople, lead events, take initiatives you learn how to
face challenges and therefore it is considered as an impressive extra-curricular activity.

Learn a new language

Learning an additional language makes your extra-curricular profile stronger. It provides a

competitive advantage over the monolingual applicants because you can connect better
with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

In fact, if you have already decided which country to pursue further education, try to learn a
language native of that country. For example: If you are planning to study in Paris, learning
French would provide you immense benefits. 
 
Also, if you are interested in client-based roles such as marketing and consulting, knowing a
local language is a must. This makes the Adcom take notice.
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6. Showcase Social Volunteering

Volunteer work and community service is a good add-on.

This shows the Admission Committee that you have the ability to see beyond your
personal comfort and address the needs of the society.
 
Social Volunteering lets you make a difference in the world, while simultaneously
exploring leadeership, team skills and making you an empathetic individual.
 
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To showcase your social volunteering skills, you can:

 

Join any social causes related to human rights, women

empowerment, etc.  

Join an environmental group like Green peace, care

foundation and many more.

Volunteer for NGOs such as Teach for All, Smile Foundation,

Help age India, CRY, etc.

Take initiative in organizing social campaigns such as blood

donation camps, teaching underprivileged, organizing
fundraising  drives, cleaning drives, etc.  

Remember its not just about getting resume points by participating

but taking charge and showing you can take initiatives. 
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7. Get Quantifiable Achievements

Measurable achievements are something Adcom take notice of.
They are interested in not just participation, but the impact you have had on your surroundings.
Apart from sounding impressive, it informs the Adcom of your credibility.

For example if you are applying for a management program and you highlight your work
achievements by mentioning 

“Managed a team and helped grow company’s revenue”.

 
Although,  it will have a positive impact but adding measurable accomplishments tends to
impress to Adcom much more.

Hence,

“Managed a team of 20 people and helped grow company’s revenue by 50%”

will create a larger impact.
 17

Hence, aim to get quantifiable achievements to make your application stronger , this way
the Adcom can clearly picture the impact you have made. 

Here are some ways you can portray your achievements in your application:
 

Percentage increase in sales volume or the number of units sold.

If you have worked in the any revenue driving department, the best way
to get your application noticed is to show the numbers and state how
you have made an impact within the organization.  For Example:

Managed 10-person sales force and increased sales revenue by $2 million

Cost Reductions
You can mention any percentage reduction in cost for the
organization due to your strategies.  For Example:

Reduced the production cost by 25% by reducing waste in processes

such as unnecessary transportation

The time frame you accomplished a target

Numerical indicators stating your commitment to work 

 For Example:

Worked 10 consecutive weeks including weekends to complete project

within the deadline, winning the best project award.
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However, even if you do not have any work experience, you can still ensure quantifiable
achievements in your application.
Here is how: 
 
Number of societies and events you were part of
Number of  organizing tram members led
Increased footfall you brought in the same

Adcoms look for profiles with holistic development. Quantifying

your impact acts as a magnet for the Adcoms.  For Example:

Served as the president of Economics department and spearheaded

various events such as treasure hunt, debates, etc.
Led 2 college fests for 2 consecutive years
Increased the footfall by 50% by implementing innovative marketing
strategies

Number of awards you have won

You can quantify any awards that you have won due to your hard
work and labour.

Achievements are impressive and being able to quantify them is an

excellent approach to building a strong application. 

For Example:

Recieved an award for research done on bankruptcy laws in.....

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Bonus Tip: Get International

Experience

In this era of globalization, getting an international experience helps you  in personal

growth and career development.
It broadens your comfort zone. It makes you independent, improves your communication
skills, increases your understanding of diverse cultures- values that the international
universities are concerned about.

So, here is how you can do it:

  
You can opt to study a semester abroad as a part of an exchange program of your
college 
You can seek offers with international volunteer organizations such as Red Cross, Save
the children, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative or any other humanitarian
organization
You can undertake an internship abroad
 
Getting an international experience instantly makes you stand out from other applicants
and makes you more attractive in the eyes of the Adcom. 
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Plan Your Timeline

Proper planning is the key to success. A well-strategized roadmap will alleviate unnecessary
stress and anxiety that leads to enormous amounts of errors- something you definitely
cannot afford. 
 
Each school has several Essays, SOPs, video essays, LORs formats, resume requirement, so
keep a 15-20 day window to work on and perfect each schools application.

Plan your timeline such that you will have ample of time and can meet the Round 1 deadline. 
 
To help you out in planning an ideal roadmap to building a strong application, here are some
tips that you need to keep at the back of your mind:

Start work on Profile Building

Prepare for GMAT or GRE 

Start Working on Your Application

   Apr.    May    June    July    Aug.     Sept.   Oct.

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Profile Building

1
A strong profile is the stepping stone to a successful career.
With more time in hand, you can build a stronger profile. So,
the sooner you start working on building your profile, the
better.

Prepare for GMAT or GRE

2
Firstly, figure out if you want to appear for GMAT or GRE. 
Although, most universities and business schools accept both
test scores, it is one's personal choice which exam he is willing
to take. 
Give the one where your probability of scoring is higher.
 
So, start preparing for GMAT or GRE well in advance. In fact,
aim to give it between July- September to  be on the safe side.

Build Your Application

3
Presenting a strong application counts for 30-40% of
admission weightage.

Create a unique resume, build strong LORs and carefully work

on the essays as these are a reflection of your personality and
your slaes pitch to the school.
 
For Round 1 September 2022 intake, then you must begin
working on your application latest by June so you have enough
time for multiple edits.
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Conclusion
Profile building is an important part of the Journey, and allows you to have enough content
to populate your essays and resume.

That said, the applications can make or break your chances, as they will determine how you
showcase these strengths and compensate for your weaknesses.

Via our All in One Services we have been offering dedicated support for the past 6 years in
everything from building effective essays, brainstorming strengths, Finalizing resumes to
preparing effective LORs.

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