Millions of people dream of getting an MBA abroad. But the process of making this dream come true is quite tough. The entrance exam and application process present many challenges to aspiring individuals, where some cannot clear the entrance exam while others struggle with MBA application. The most daunting aspect of the application is acknowledging and addressing weaknesses in the application. Weaknesses such as low GMAT scores, low percentage in high school or graduation, gap year, lack of leadership experience, etc. can become a hurdle to success. However, with the right guidance and approach, you can turn these weaknesses into your strengths.
In this guide, you will learn how can you turn your application’s weak points into powerful strengths.
Acknowledge and Own Your Weakness
Accepting your weakness is the first step toward success. You need to be honest with yourself, where you confidently accept your shortcomings and don’t make them a reason for your failure. MBA admission committees prefer students who have faced adversity with a positive attitude and growth mindset in their careers. They don't consider those students who try to gloss over or hide a weak area, this puts a bad impression on the admission committee and makes you dishonest.
Try to openly acknowledge your shortcomings in your application or essays, whether it is your low GMAT score, lack of formal leadership experience, etc. Admit everything with maturity and move on. Demonstrating maturity and self-awareness by acknowledging your weaknesses is the first step in turning in into strengths.
How can You do it?
This is how you can tackle these questions in your application or interview: While my GMAT score is below average than what I targeted I have consistently demonstrated strong analytical skills in my work as a financial analyst, as reflected in my professional evaluations and qualitative performance reviews.
Provide Context
Weakness needs explanation. An explanation that carries context like- explaining a difficult personal circumstance, a career pivot, or a learning curve. Providing this explanation with logic and context can easily make interviewers understand the problems you faced in your past. Make sure to explain to the interviewer not present an excuse, and offer a fuller picture of challenges you came across in the past.
How can you do it?
This is how you can explain the interviewers confidently: During my undergraduate years, I juggled multiple part-time jobs to support myself financially, which impacted my academic performance. This experience however taught me resilience and time management skills which I have since applied successfully in my professional life.
Leverage Other Strengths
You need to maintain a balance in your application. You need to be smart enough to add weaknesses and strengths in an equal ratio where strengths can be more than weaknesses but not vice versa. It is good that you’ve highlighted your weakness with transparency and honesty but you also need to highlight the area where you excel. Focus on the things that you can do best and set a record in that area. If you have mentioned your low GMAT score then do mention your robust career with significant achievements. In other terms complement your weakness with your strengths so that it balances out your application.
How can You do it?
Here is how you can let strength mitigate your weakness. Although I couldn’t score in GMAT what I targeted, my 4 years of experience in operations have provided me with deep business insights, business operations, and strategy, which I believe will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the MBA cohort.
Craft a Compelling Personal Story
A mentioned that weakness needs explanation that should be communicated in such a way that it doesn’t sound like an excuse. Similarly, weaknesses can become strengths when they are woven into a compelling personal story. Interviewers and admissions committed are always interested in listening to candidates who are self-aware and can describe themselves without mentioning their test scores and job titles. With the help of an essay, you can show your unique journey describing the ways you navigated challenges and how it helped you in preparing for your MBA. By crafting a narrative that highlights both your strengths and your areas of growth, you can present yourself as a well-rounded and self-reflective candidate.
How can You do it?
Creating a compelling narrative is easy you can answer in this way Growing up in a small town with limited resources I learned the value of perseverance and resourcefulness early on. Despite these challenges, I became the first one in my family to attend college and then pursued a master's for my higher graduation. Whatever hardships I have faced I would like to narrate my experience with the connections I meet and bring these values to a top MBA program.
Conclusion
In conclusion, everyone has some weaknesses and strengths, which affect our lives as well as careers majorly. You are not alone in the race of facing challenges but what makes you different is how you tackle those challenges and make yourself more strong. By acknowledging and owning your shortcomings, providing context, showing growth, leveraging your strengths, and crafting a compelling narrative you can easily turn your weaknesses into strengths.
