The Independent MBA: Dog eat dog for top courses

Ask any alumni from one of the top schools and they will tell you that the hardest part of an MBA is getting in. And never more so than now. With companies laying off staff in large numbers in the economic downturn, many schools have found themselves inundated with applications from those keen to put their pay-offs to good use.

"This year it's three times harder to get into a top school because of the recession," says one 27-year-old who recently won a place at a top US school. "Suddenly everyone is applying, and I found myself up against some really stiff competition."

So, if you've set your heart on making it onto a high-ranking MBA course, how can you maximise your chances of success?

Shortlist the right schools

Look at the rankings, study relevant publications, websites and brochures, and make sure you're applying to those with the right fit. Some schools focus on technology, for instance, while some concentrate on finance; others offer a broad programme. Doing your homework at this stage will increase your chance of acceptance, because good schools are as concerned that you will benefit from what they can offer, as with what you can offer them.

You also need to do some serious networking. Though this can seem rather contrived to many British applicants, in the US it's standard practice. Make contact with alumni from schools that interest you, to get a flavour of the place and ascertain exactly what they are looking for. "Part of the application is really matching your own skills to what the school wants," says another successful applicant, who conducted a focused campaign of contacting alumni. "You don't get that in a brochure, only from talking to people."

Maximise your score inthe gmat

A good score on the GMAT is the cornerstone of your application. Without a high mark the top schools, especially in the US, will be out of your reach. Although basically an intelligence test that according to GMAT you cannot cram for, many people find that practice does in fact help them gain a better mark.

Kirsty Sutton, 30, who prepared her MBA applications over a year and was accepted on a full-time course at Said Business School, decided that practice would make perfect. "I did a lot of practice test-taking, sitting at home in front of the computer and running through the tests just to get the timing right. I really think it helped."

You might consider one of the courses that gears you up for the exam – the British education system, which concentrates on essay writing and discursive argument, doesn't leave candidates particularly well prepared for the quick-fire multiple choice format of the GMAT.

Tackling the admissions essay

Once you have your GMAT score you will have a better idea of which schools are likely to accept you, and can move on to the admissions essay. Schools demand several of these mini-dissertations, usually asking you to describe in broad terms what qualities you have acquired during your life and why you think they would make you well placed to take an MBA at that institution.

"You do need to put a lot of thought into the essays," says Sutton. "I think most are looking for a very diverse group of people and they want to know experiences you have had and how well you can communicate them. You need to be aware what is going on the world and that should come across, along with indications that you're a thinking, generalist sort of person. An MBA is highly interactive and you will get a lot more out of it if you are confident and articulate."

Think of the process as basically marketing, advises another alumni. "You're a product and you're trying to sell it. At the end of it, they want to get a feel for you, for what the product is."

Get the right reference letter

References are important and you need to get them in motion early on. Think hard about who you would like to recommend you, and choose people who are familiar with the qualities you are trying to sell. Vague statements about character or performance will get you nowhere, so don't be afraid to brief referees beforehand, outlining what you would like them to get across.

Give a good interview

Interviews are often conducted by alumni, who are trying to make sure that you are the sort of person who would fit in to the school. Though often informal, it is still a good idea to prepare.

"I had a clear idea in my mind about how I was going to sell myself," says Sutton, "I reviewed my CV and thought about the sorts of work I had done, and how that might be translated into business success."

Be prepared to put your life on hold

Preparing to get into a top school can involve many hours of work over an extended period. Be prepared for the impact this will have on your relationships and friendships, and try to minimise other sources of stress.