From Dreaming to Doing: Your Insider's Guidebook for acing the RWTH Aachen MBA Application! | Aditi Nair

Getting started on your journey

As you set your sights on the prestigious RWTH Aachen Business School, prepare to embark on a journey that goes far beyond showcasing academic achievements and professional milestones. The application process is a voyage of self-discovery, an opportunity to introspect and articulate not just what you have accomplished, but who you are at your core. Our school seeks to understand the unique individual behind those achievements - your distinct qualities, your driving passions, and your personal values.

The processes you go through aren't mere formalities but are designed to delve deep into your character, uncovering your guiding principles, academic motivations, and career aspirations. It's a chance to differentiate yourself, to let the admissions committee see beyond the numbers and into your unique experiences and perspectives.This article is crafted to guide you, step by step, through this critical journey. Let's embark on this path together, turning your application into a compelling and insightful story that captures the essence of what makes you an ideal candidate for RWTH Aachen Business School.

Start as early as possible:

A common pitfall for many aspirants is underestimating the time investment required for a successful application. Essential steps, such as reaching out to referees, briefing them adequately, and allowing them ample time to compose meaningful recommendations, can span weeks. Similarly, applying early means a fair shot at being eligible to apply for a scholarship. As I write this article, the deadline for the next early bird discount is around the corner (01 April 2024).

Know your "why?":

Why RWTH Aachen Business School? Why MBA? Why now? Make sure you have absolute clarity on these questions and the same is an underlying theme of your letter of motivation. Go through the course catalogue on the website and understand what excites you about RWTH Aachen Business School. Most importantly, how do the above reflections align with your journey?

Get in touch with us!

Utilise our availability on the RWTH Aachen Business School website, on LinkedIn, and on the UniBuddy platform to address any lack of clarity you may have. Talk to students. Talk to alumni. Find out what it’s really like. Go beyond the website too! Get a diverse perspective on what life is really like at the school. After all, we are the ones who have been in your shoes.

Letters of recommendation:

Letters of recommendation are crucial in your MBA application, offering the admissions team a vital third-party perspective on you. Don't underestimate this step. Choose recommenders who know your work ethic and achievements well; whether they are current or past supervisors, regardless of their designation in the organisation. Prepare them by sharing your MBA aspirations and career goals, emphasising the importance of their endorsement. A recommender who can convincingly articulate your strengths and contributions will significantly bolster your application.
Three rules I ensured while getting my letters of recommendation were:

1. I chose people who know me very well, irrespective of their designation in their respective organisations.
2. I chose people who genuinely like me and would push for my candidacy - they took the time from their busy schedules to write a carefully considered recommendation, in alignment with my letter of motivation.
3. I chose people who addressed more than one key aspect of my personality - they addressed my intellect, my managerial and leadership potential, my work in previous projects and my overall personality. I believe this gives the letter of recommendation a well-rounded perspective.

Letter of Motivation:

1. Brainstorm for yourself: Tackle the letter of motivation as an expression of your journey; separate from what you’ve mentioned in your CV. Start with your whys and brainstorm your entire journey. Begin somewhere and your writing skills will naturally enhance as you progress. Focus on identifying topics that highlight your key strengths, experiences, and notable achievements.
2. Structuring your LoM: Create an outline that logically sequences the main points you want to address. Be mindful of how you allocate importance to each part of your letter.
3. Being Unique is your USP: Reflect on what distinct expertise and insights you can bring to the MBA program and make sure to highlight these in every aspect of your letter. Additionally, introspect on the experiences that have shaped your perspective of the world. Use this self-awareness to infuse your application with a narrative that is uniquely yours.
4. The First Draft: With a clear outline in place, commence drafting. Don't worry about achieving perfection in this initial phase. First drafts are often messy, but ensure that the essential points are well-connected and flow smoothly.
5. Revision Process: Revising your letter can be the most demanding part. Critically assess each element of your draft, removing any unnecessary content. Refine your writing to enhance clarity and conciseness, paying close attention to structure, verb usage, and vocabulary.
6. Proofreading: The final step is thorough proofreading. If writing isn't your forte, consider having someone skilled in grammar and spelling review your work (cough *Grammarly * cough). An external perspective can be invaluable for spotting errors.

Tailor your CV:

When preparing your resume for the MBA application, it's crucial to understand that it should be distinctively different from a typical job-seeking resume. Focus on tailoring it to highlight results, achievements, and accomplishments, rather than it being a laundry list of job responsibilities. It's important to demonstrate how you've made a significant impact in your previous roles. Include notable instances of leadership and community involvement, even those from your undergraduate days, to provide a well-rounded picture. Keep your resume concise, ideally to a single page, with clear and professional formatting, consider using a format like the German CV or Europass.

Extra-curriculars:

Prioritize depth over breadth in your extracurricular achievements. Align your extracurricular choices with what truly matters to you, not just as a means to fulfil admission requirements. Your dedication to your hobbies and interests showcases a more human side to you, it shows discipline and commitment even when there isn’t material gain, qualities that can significantly enhance your appeal as a candidate.

Take tests that would strengthen your application and ones that are mandatory:

While there are no mandatory aptitude tests to apply to RWTH Aachen Business School, one would require an English language certificate. If you already have a score from a previous aptitude test, feel free to add it to your documents of achievement to highlight your application further.

Final check:

Browse through the RWTH Aachen Business School website and use the required documents section as your checklist. Double-check that you have gathered all the documents you need. This is a glorious opportunity, make sure to include all documents that showcase your unique journey.

Congratulations on your Interview callback! Now let's get to work 😛

1. Aim to make a positive impression, clearly communicate your strengths, and articulate what you can offer to the program, how do you add to your prospective class?
2. Be prepared to discuss your reasons for pursuing an MBA, your CV, your application, your WHYs and your potential contributions to the program.
3. Research the course, browse through the modules and make mental notes of what excites you. Prepare insightful, genuine questions that exhibit your interest.
4. Practice mock interviews with peers, friends, and family to help refine your responses and build self-confidence.
5. During the interview pay attention to your interviewer's cues, understand their perspective and align your responses to best reflect your point of view.
6. The institution seeks candidates who are the right fit for the course, not necessarily those who appear perfect on paper so make sure you articulate yourself and portray your true journey. Identify and be ready to discuss your unique selling points and stories that make you a compelling candidate.
7. Approach the interview with confidence and a genuine eagerness about the prospect of joining our Business school. Treat it like a conversation; a two-way street, RWTH Aachen Business School is an exceptionally student-driven institution and I’m certain your interviewer would gladly address any questions you have.

The process of securing a place in the MBA program will demand strategic thinking, careful planning, the skill to persuade, and some effort – in essence, it serves as excellent preparation for the MBA program itself.

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