Winning Admission
With any English school you
would like to go to you must apply for admission. Each school will have its
own criteria and application process, but most will require some, if not all, of the following
items.
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First, you must fill out an application and pay the application fee.
Many times you can apply online at each individual school, or you can
use something called the Common Application .
Many colleges will accept the Common Application in place of their own. This allows you
to enter your information only one time and send it to multiple schools. The non-refundable
application fees average from $35 - $65.
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Second, you must send your high school transcript. Some schools will
send a form requesting this information directly to the school. Others will send
it to you, and you must give it to your guidance office.
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Third, you must submit your test scores from the SAT
or ACT . These standardized tests
help schools determine if you are able to do college-level work.
- Many colleges and universities require you to submit several letters of recommendation . These letters can be written by a teacher, counselor, or other adult. Make sure to give them plenty of time before the deadline.
Tips on Applying
Applying for English school can be an overwhelming task. There are many websites and
professionals who can help to guide you through the process, so don’t be afraid to
ask for assistance. Here are a few things that can also help you in the application process.
Make sure to send your applications in a timely manner. If the school has a
deadline for application, try to send them several weeks prior to this date,
even if you are using email.
It will be important to keep a copy of everything. Consider setting up a file system
where you can store what you have sent to the admissions office of the school along with personal
identification numbers, passwords, notes or emails they have sent you, and canceled checks or
receipts of fees you have paid. You never know when you may need this information.
Keeping your name consistent on all documents avoids confusion.
Decide whether you will use your middle name on your application,
or a nickname or given name. Once you have decided, don’t switch.
Letting a college know that it is your first choice can be helpful.
Colleges often keep track of these types of interactions,
and they can help you to get off of a waiting list and onto an acceptance list.
Some students include a self-addressed, stamped postcard that the college can send
you to let you know that they have received your application. This can alleviate the
worry that there may have been some confusion with the post office.
Avoid applying to too many schools. All applications take time,
requiring many careful steps. They also require money as each one has its
own application fee. Decide which schools you are truly interested in and send to those.
Some experts recommend sending applications to between five and eight colleges, but there
is really no magic number. Think of one or two that you feel confident you can get into and
can afford, two to four that you feel you have a strong chance, and one or two that would be
a challenge, but one that you would welcome.
Consider using the Common Application. There is a group of colleges and
universities that accept this application in place of their own. This allows you
to do the application once, but send it to multiple places. Some participating colleges
do require a supplement, but in most cases the Common Application is a valuable time saver.
You can find the Common Application online.
Many colleges and universities require you to submit several letters of recommendation.
These can be written by a teacher, counselor, or other adult. Make sure to give them
plenty of time before the deadline.
Don’t forget to proofread all aspects of your admissions material, especially your
application and your essay. Take the time to develop your essay so that it is a
sample of your best work. Ideally it will set you apart from others and make you stand
out as someone to be accepted into the school. Think of your application as a mirror that
reflects you as a person. Make sure that you represent yourself in the best way you can,
emphasizing your strengths and well-roundedness as well as counterbalancing any weaknesses with strengths.
MBA Admission Criteria
After you have finished English school, another opportunity is to further your
education and obtain an MBA. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a
degree that prepares students to further develop the skills needed for careers in
business and management. It is the most popular professional degree program in the world.
It is not uncommon for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in English to pursue an MBA.
The criteria for admissions has several layers. First, an applicant must
take a standardized test called the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).
In some programs the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is accepted in place of the
GMAT, but you should check with the specific MBA program in which you wish to enroll.
A score in the mid-600s will put you in the running to be accepted at many
MBA programs
Most programs weigh the type and length of your work experience as a critically important factor.
Some programs even require a minimum of five years of work experience. The goal of most business
schools it to put together a class that can share unique experiences from a variety of industries
and a broad range of work backgrounds. The two most common industries in an MBA program are financial
consultants and investment bankers. They are also the most competitive. Fortunately, when the schools
are comparing candidates they compare individuals of the same career type. So, as an English student
there will be fewer candidates with that background and it should make it less competitive for you to be accepted.
There are also personal essays that each candidate must write.
This is another chance for you to highlight your unique qualities and experience
that you will bring to the table in an MBA program. Your goal is to convince the admission’s
officer that your experience and knowledge will be valuable to the other students.
Another element is your academic transcripts from your undergraduate studies. You will need
to send in references or letters of recommendation.
You may choose to have a personal interview. Weigh if the interview would be a point
in your favor or a point against you. Some people interview better than others. Finally,
some programs are even interested in extracurricular activities and community service.
If you are a student with a Bachelor’s degree in English and wish to pursue your MBA, there may be some prerequisite undergraduate business classes you will need to fulfill first. Don’t let that hold you back. Many English majors do well in MBA programs because of the rich language background that an English degree provides. English majors are more disciplined in reading and studying large swaths of information. They are able to communicate clearly in both written and oral presentations.
You may be surprised at how the average student struggles to communicate their
thoughts clearly and specifically, not to mention spelling, recognizing grammar
mistakes, and thinking critically. English majors typically do well in an MBA
program and often are treated with preference because of the unique skills they possess.
Private colleges often ask you to write an essay .
Take the time to develop your essay so that it is a sample of your best work. Ideally, it will set you apart from others
and make you stand out as someone to be accepted into the school.
Some colleges require an interview and some simply recommend it.
This gives you an opportunity to connect with someone who will have
a say in whether or not you are accepted into the program. It is a
chance to emphasize your strengths.
Think of your application as a mirror that reflects you as a person. Make sure that you represent yourself in the best way you can.