What makes a good application? Darden School of Business MBA Student Pranita Sadavarte Talks About her MBA Application process

The one question that haunts each one of us who embark on the journey of college applications is –
What makes a good application?
Of coursewe all definitely know what a ‘typical’ good application consists of – good
grades, an amazing score, substantial relevant work experience, extra-ordinary extracurricular activities and leadership experiences, and a stellar story. But these aforementioned aspects only define a ‘good’ application. Do these same aspects also constitute what all of us dream of – an ‘excellent’ application?

Well, guess what. The answer is – NO. You may have sub-par score or work experience,but you can still craft an ‘excellent’ application!
Our decision of pursuing higher education is a culmination of various factors that lead us upto the point where we are today. These factors aren’t just our score, academic performance, work experience, etc. These factors are based on our choices. We make
certain choices, including our decision of higher education, based on all the activities and events that have influenced us right from our childhood. Our lifestyle, upbringing, personality, values, childhood/mature experiences, friends, family, professors, colleagues,
society, etc. – OUR IDENTITY – they all play a major role in defining our preferences and in shaping our self!

Our choice for a relevant field for higher education often feels as a very obvious and conscious choice to us, sometimes even highly influenced by the ones surrounding us.But in reality, every decision that we make is a reflection of way more than that. And it is precisely this journey that sets us apart from everyone else. Our identity is what makes a huge difference to the AdCom who receive and review hundreds of applications all at the same time. But how do we connect the many dots that form our identity and
present it in the form of application?

While a ‘good’ application may definitely highlight the logical choice defining story of the candidate along with the other quantifiable aspects, an excellent application forces a candidate to actually introspect and trace one’s choices and interests all the way back to
their childhood.
Having grown up in an educated family and an encouraging career-focused environment, we make choices that are a result of conscious decision-making. But in this whole process of logic-driven living, we may not necessarily realize that each of our choice
reflects a certain quality and value that we uphold most in our life.
For me, I realize as I look back now, that all my decisions are based on creativity and
empathy. It is this discovery of our most intrinsic and intimate values that helps in crafting a stellar application as you can then tell your journey, your story in the most personalized way!

In order to lead up to the discovery of our innate values and patterns, it often requires some direction, hand-holding, and a push to think in ways never used before and to rekindle the spirit that makes us who we always have been. It is this where we need experts like ReachIvy as they are one of the few who really push you outside your comfort zone and get you thinking about each and every aspect of your life. In a systematic yet creative manner, ReachIvy helps you identify your core which plays an instrumental role in connecting all the dots and presenting yourself in the truest form in the applications. It is this honest and fresh perspective that makes you a ‘different’candidate – something that highlights your application among a pile of the many!

ReachIvy has housed experts who will provide end-to-end guidance and insights to propel you further in the process of applications. The depth and breadth coverage provided by the team in unraveling and discovering various facets help in creating a detailed, specific, and exclusive story that goes way beyond just the scores, academics, and work experience!