MBA applicants go through several stages before submitting their applications. First they try to figure out if they really want an MBA. This lasts anywhere from three months to five years. Second, they try to figure out if they have what it takes to get into top schools. Third, they come up with a list of schools and develop a general application strategy. Finally, it is time to craft a winning application. This article represents our best advice, without knowing the unique circumstances of a given applicant, on how to put together top-notch applications.

Here are some ground rules. First, themes are a great start, but have limited value. By "themes" I mean how you try to position yourself, in a marketing sense. We recommended in our application strategies article that you should think about the themes that describe you. This is important because it can provide some focus for your application and the pieces therein. But you will be lucky if the admissions committee members consciously identify any themes in your application. They will be spending anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes on your entire application--and most of that time will be spent on your essays. If you get to interview, you may add another 45 minutes of "face time" with the admissions committee. You've got to make the best use of that time. You've got to be efficient; you've got to be sharp; you've got to make your point and move on.

Second, applications designed by committee resemble many things designed by committees. In other words, when you get multiple perspectives on your essays and applications and try to combine those perspectives together, you end up with writing that is devoid of creativity, unfocused, and representative of the lowest common denominator of that group. The corollary to this rule is if you ask people for advice, they will give you advice, whether they know what they are talking about or not. If you decide to get help on your applications--something we highly recommend, regardless of whether you use a professional service--make sure the person is qualified, and then trust his or her advice. And by the way, "running your essays by" an MBA you work with is like getting a haircut from someone who has a hairstyle you like. It's risky! Don't do it unless that colleague has actual expertise and some experience getting people into MBA programs.

Once you sit down and start to work, maybe with a trusted, qualified advisor standing by, this process becomes all about you and your stories. The challenge is to tell those stories within the limitations of these applications. This article should give you some of the tools you need to make that happen.

I am going to refer to the Harvard Business School application from time to time to talk about the different application components, but most of the discussion applies generally. I will try to mention important differences. When I get to the essays, I will refer to many top MBA program applications, so bear with me.

1. Personal Information

This section of the application, including "Name," "Birthdate," "Country of Citizenship," "Have you applied to HBS before?", "Social Security Number," etc., is the least complicated section of the application. I won't say much about it, but there are a few issues to consider.

The HBS application, under "Optional Information," asks for gender and race. This is not the time to make a political statement by refusing to identify yourself by race, if you have a claim of being an underrepresented minority. If you are unsure as to your status, you should contact the admissions offices and ask what their rules are; alternatively, you can make the claim but be prepared for a challenge or documentation. Women are still a distinct minority at top business schools, and will have a better chance for attaining admittance than a similarly situated male applicant.

On the subject of citizenship, it is reasonable to assume that international applicants are not all created equal in the eyes of the admissions committee beholder. In their quest to create the most diverse class, the applicants applying from high-volume countries, like China and India, are going to face higher hurdles than are those from say, Mexico or Brazil. I would not say that business schools have a strict quota, but their international numbers stay pretty constant over the years. Also, the schools are getting more serious about English-language capabilities and are wising up to applicants who have others write their essays for them. It is important for international applicants who get help on essays to make sure that their own voice is showing through, and that the writing is still theirs.

2. Undergraduate School and Transcript

Again, there's not much for you to do here, by the time you are actually filling in data on these forms. It is important to give your undergraduate schools enough time to get transcripts to you. As you fill out the self-reported transcript, be honest! These are facts that can be checked and you would be taking a big risk by falsifying data.

3. GMAT Scores

You must report your best GMAT scores here, but remember that you also must request that ETS submit your official scores directly to the institution. And ETS will not lie. The ETS report will also include all of your scores, and the admissions officer will see them. They say they only use the best score, but the lower scores are right before their eyes. They are not meaningless.

4. Resume

Here, finally, you have a chance to actually affect your chances for admissions. The resume is not a significant piece of the application puzzle, but it is still one of the ways the admissions committee can get to know you. (By the way, you should also bring a resume to any interview)

A good business school resume is not significantly different from a job-seeking resume. But there are good resumes and bad resumes. Typically, we recommend one-page resumes for anyone who hasn't been the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. If you are going over a page, you are probably not succinctly describing your qualities and accomplishments. The format should be clear, neat, and uncluttered. You should use appropriate spacing, bullets, and tabs to set apart different jobs and activities. The font should be no smaller than 10-point, and probably would be better if it were 11-point or even 12-point. The margins should rarely be less than 1 inch on each side.

The substance of the resume should focus on your more recent employment (or academic performance). You should be able to describe this recent or current job in 3-4 bullet points, at most, making sure to use action words and highlighting impact--quantitatively, if possible. Your earlier roles will get shorter shrift and less space, unless you did something particularly important. Your academic background should follow your work experience, generally, and should be limited to 3-4 lines for each school attended. Only list the most important honors and school activities.

If you have space, you might also include an "Other interests" section, in which you may note hobbies, activities, and community involvement. Generally it is not appropriate to include a "Statement of Objective" in this business school resume. They know what your objective is--to gain entrance into their school!

One other thing. If you have engaged in activities that are co-sponsored by two entities, list the more prestigious entity first. This is a small point, but why not get an extra edge. For example, if you did research work for NASA and the University of Alabama. Put NASA first. Similarly, if you judged business plans for the competition sponsored by the Yale School of Management and Goldman Sachs. Put Goldman first… unless you're applying to Yale.

In addition to asking for a resume, Harvard (like some other schools) asks for specific information on each position for each company for which you have worked since graduating from college. It asks for the nature of the business, your title & salary, and also for some short answers on responsibilities, accomplishments, and challenges. Much of this will be covered in your essays, but it is important to get the details right. Be consistent and use the space available (however limited) to put your best foot forward. This is a chance to turn into prose the halted bullet points you have on your resume. But don't get too cute. Be clear and concise.

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