Mission Admission is a series of MBA admission tips; a new one is posted each Tuesday.
Two weeks ago, in our Mission Admission series, we noted that it is not too late to improve your candidacy by engaging in community activities. Today, we send a similar message with regard to personal leadership—it is not too late to take personal steps to bolster your chances.
Many candidates completely ignore the personal side of their candidacy. But, if you have completed a triathlon, learned a language, published an article or simply been an inordinately dedicated neighbor/sibling/mentor in an unofficial capacity (for example), these kinds of stories can provide interesting points of differentiation. So, if you have an activity or adventure in mind that you would otherwise complete later, pursue it now. We are not suggesting that you go out and start writing poetry tomorrow in hopes of getting something published. But, if you are a dedicated poet and have poems that you have long intended to submit, do so now. If you can run 20 miles and always planned to run a marathon, do it now. (However, we do not suggest that if you hate running you start training now.) Your personal stories can set you apart.