VisionBlog Series: Bolstering your Business School Application!

Jan 3

Have you ever wondered what it takes to have a stand-out application to your dream business program?

For our first post, we have an exclusive interview with a recruitment coordinator from a reputable Ontario university business program. We asked a series of questions that are top of mind for students and parents when undergoing the application process.

Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways

Grades, including the circumstances they are achieved under, are a key driver for business school program applications.
Extracurricular activities are a key component for scholarship decisions and remain important in university.
Do not wait until the last minute to complete your application components! This often leads to rushed quality which can be avoided.
Students can stand out in many ways in an application. It’s important to be authentic and show your passion/ interests for schools to see.
Virtual interviews can be daunting, but with a bit of practice and adjustments, they can also be a lot of fun!
There is a lot of information available regarding the business world, but it’s important to find reliable and bias-free information sources.
The world of business is changing. It is important to keep up with current events and track goals for technical and soft skills to help you take on this dynamic industry!

1. Do grades really matter for business programs?

Rationale: Often, students believe grades are the most important aspect of any university application. Contrastingly, many students feel that business programs are “easier” because they have lower minimum grade requirements than other programs (e.g. STEM programs).

Response: Yes, but how you achieve those grades are just as important. Our goal is to admit students who have the right preparation to be successful in a rigorous full-time professional program, not simply those with the best grades. Any factors that provide a student with an unfair advantage (e.g. repeating courses) are all factored into “grades”.

2. What is the impact of my community involvement/ extracurriculars?

Rationale: Students are often confused about the impact of extracurricular activities in the admission process. Are these the most important? Least important?

Response: For admission purposes, community involvement and extracurricular activities are not always used. However, this information is used for scholarship opportunities. Therefore, take the time to brag about yourself and your achievements – it may result in being awarded additional scholarships.

Once you're in the program, though, community involvement and co-/extra-curricular activities will be essential. The pathway to your professional career isn't based solely on what happens in the classroom; it's defined by the networks you create, competitions you participate in, clubs you contribute to, and the value you give and gain through your co-op work terms.

3. What are common issues you have found in university applications?

Rationale: To help you avoid these!!!

Response: We often see a handful of prospective students wait until the last minute to complete their supplementary applications. However, this can create added stress, affecting a student's overall performance in the application and/or virtual interview (if applicable). Therefore, to do your absolute best, give yourself ample time to complete all required/recommended admission components.

Lastly, some prospective students don't explain the extenuating circumstances that may have affected their high school marks on their supplementary applications. As a result, we can't consider their circumstances during their application review.

4. What makes a candidate stand out?

Rationale: Try to use these to make yourself stand out!

Response: Due to the changes happening within the business and financial industries, you (as an applicant) should demonstrate your ability to be:

Engaged in and committed to life-long learning
A socially responsible team-player
Entrepreneurially-minded
Data-savvy and analytical
Capable of solving complex problems

In addition, we look at your communication skills during the online interview and trait assessment process. Did you demonstrate:

Passion in your responses
Engagement with your audience
Authenticity in your responses and mannerisms
An articulate response
Advocacy for a position within the program.
Diversity in your experiences - can you learn from your peers and teachers and apply it to your learning strategies

5. How can students best prepare for a virtual interview?

Rationale: As part of certain applications for business programs, there is a requirement to complete a virtual interview. This is seen as a good preparation tool for students who will enter the world of business as there are often needs to go through a virtual interview process.

Response: We're interested in getting to know you better and assessing your skills beyond what your marks can tell us; that's why we provide all applicants with the following tips:

Treat your online interview as if it was a Skype job interview.
Ensure that your posture is proper and professional.
Ensure that your photo ID is focused, clear, and at the correct distance to be viewed.
Is your face at the right distance from the camera? Ideally, your webcam should be capturing only your face and shoulders.
What's in the background of your video? Your interview should be done in an environment without background distraction or interruptions by others.
Are you looking into your camera to create a personal connection with your interviewer?
Have you reviewed your practice session responses? This is a great way to make sure you're satisfied with the way your responses are coming through.
Don't forget, you can practise as many times as you would like.
Smile, take a deep breath, have fun, and be yourself!

6. How can students learn more about the business world?

Rationale: Many students that enter a business program in first year wished they knew more about business prior to choosing it as a career path. This may stem from the lack of business programs offered by their high school and/or misinformation provided by peers, media, and other sources.

Response: To learn more about business programs, you need to do your research, including:

Reviewing official websites
Reviewing official social media platforms
Speaking with current students
Attending events/webinars
Taking campus tours
Asking questions (connect with Recruitment Coordinators)

If you want to find out more about business in general – READ. Stay up-to-date and get informed by:

Subscribing to trade journals and magazines
Read local, domestic, and international business news articles
Review blogs, vlogs, videos, and forums
Connect with industry professionals
Get involved in high school business clubs and organizations
Sign-up for business related courses

7. What is a piece of advice you would give to prospective business school candidates?

Rationale: Applying to university is an overwhelming process and it can be daunting for many students. After entering first-year, just like any other post-secondary education program, there is a steep learning curve during the transition period of a business school program. Here’s how you can navigate the period of uncertainty and stay focused on your goals!

Response: As someone who's interested in the world of business, you need to know how the industry is changing and why, plus what that means for you as a future business and financial professional. This includes the following factors:

Emerging technology and artificial intelligence are creating a significant shift in the way businesses run and it’s affecting our financial eco-systems.
Financial professionals are now using real-time, continuous, big data information, where historically, financial reports and year-end reviews were used to determine how a business performs and its potential for future success.
Societal changes have companies placing a much higher value on the intangible aspects of their operations, such as sustainability and social impacts. While financial performance remains important, businesses are setting their sights broader in measuring success to create longer-term, more impactful value for society. This includes everything from making a significant and positive impact within the community to environmental responsibilities.
Social capital is also on the rise as companies build resilient, fast-paced, innovative working environments with teams focused on solving problems that need to be refined, adjusted, and adapted as disruption continues.

Because of this, technical skills for any professional will become basic foundation. And skills like adaptability, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking will be essential.

Wrap Up

We would like to thank our interviewee for their responses and time. Although this may not represent the views of all business programs in Ontario, these tips are helpful nonetheless for aspiring business school students.

It’s important to keep in mind that there are many ways to be “successful” as a business school student based on your definition, experiences, and goals. The goal of this post is to provide you with some insights on what business school programs look for from applicants, and how you can apply some of these in your applications to make sure you are presenting your best self!

We will continue to deliver you with blog content over the next few months as you embark on your application journey for business school programs. Please remember to sign up for our mailing list to receive up-to-date content as it is released! You can also check us out on LinkedIn!

Lastly, if there is anything that is top of mind for you, please use our “Contact Us” form to reach out and we would love to help answer your questions, if we are able to, or use your questions to fuel our next blog!

Best Wishes,

&Vision Team

Jacqueline Sue