“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
A world-class education, especially from a top-ranked school and university can put you on an unparalleled life and career trajectory. Education is an investment that sets you up for long-term professional success, a distinguished peer network, and personal growth that comes with the pursuit of goal setting and achievement.
Ten years ago, I was accepted to the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, consistently rated a top 10 MBA program globally. A global MBA education has put my life and career on an unimaginable journey of incredible learnings, growth, and experiences.
Over the years, it’s been a personal mission of mine to share my experience with those who embark on this journey. I have mentored and coached hundreds of students to get accepted into their top-choice universities. My observations about students who crack into dream universities reveal 7 common attributes and traits.
As you prepare to pursue an education from top institutions globally, building these attributes into your professional and personal life bring you closer to your dream university.
- Understand and acknowledge why it is your dream university. Is it the brand? Is it the powerful network? Is it the location? Is it the curriculum? Your ‘why’ drives you. The more you understand your motivations, the more you stay motivated. The school is not the end, it is simply a means to an end. Recognize and realize this early on.
- Start your prep and research early. Dream universities need nurturing and time. Do the due diligence on the websites/internet. Talk to current students, recent alumni, admissions, professors, second/third/fourth degree connections at your dream university. Ask them questions you didn’t find answers to online. Due diligence clarifies your thoughts and helps eliminate choices not right for now.
- Distinguish yourself in any and every way possible. Lean into your interests and play to your strengths. Some ways to do this are to maintain top academic grades, crack standardized tests, aim for prestigious awards, acclaimed recognition, published research papers, build thought-leadership, become a subject matter expert.
- Identify potential careers and build relevant work experience. Be it internships, full-time jobs, startup stints, entrepreneurial ventures, family business stints, or shadowing professionals; understand what careers you want to go into after school and what does it entail. An education is a means to a career. Going into the degree with a goal will enable you to make the most of it.
- Find and hone passions outside of academics and work. Top schools seek a holistic candidate with life outside a 9-5 and grades. Focus on creating impact, outcome, and uplift people and communities around you. Running a marathon for a cause, advising a non-profit, volunteering at an under-resourced school; showcase leadership and a well-rounded personality.
- Be consistent with ALL of the above. Build excellence in your profile over a sustained period of time. Impact and outcome needs time. Follow your interests and they will keep you motivated and inspired. Take breaks as needed, but always come back to it.
- Enjoy the process and avoid taking yourself too seriously. College admissions is a process of Self-discovery. It is not so much about getting admitted to your dream school, but the process of setting goals, measuring them, working toward them consistently and finally achieving them is what’s truly satisfying. After it all, your dream school is only a steppingstone to live a full real life.
As part of my personal passion to mentor students, I have seen hundreds of students take on the daunting college admissions process at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Having personally been through the process, I can safely say, the journey to the destination is equally rewarding.
Trust the process, put in the work, and the path to your dream university will become clearer. I leave you with this quote for inspiration.
I am so proud to mentor and coach students in association with @reach Ivy alongside my life-long friend and mentor @vibha Kagzi. Vibha remains an eternal inspiration for me and a lot of what I learnt about college admissions is thanks to Vibha’s tireless work and passion for education and cracking into the ivy leagues.
Please reach out to our team if you have any question this college admission season.
Authored by Archana Rao, Senior Counselor, ReachIvy.com.
