30-Point School Selection Framework
30-Point School Selection Framework
A structured framework for evaluating an applicant's profile and identifying appropriate MBA target schools.
A structured framework for evaluating an applicant's profile and identifying appropriate MBA target schools.
ACADEMIC PROFILE
/10
Academic foundation, standardized test scores, undergraduate background and additional education.
EMPLOYABILITY & CAREER TRAJECTORY
/10
Professional impact, progression, future vision, employer strength and communication.
AMBASSADOR QUALITIES
/10
Leadership, extracurriculars,
personal narrative, global mindset
and community impact.
01 Academic Profile /10
Evaluate the academic foundation of the applicant
Evaluate the academic foundation of the applicant
FACTOR
FACTOR
SCORING
SCORING
Standardized Tests: 0–3
Standardized
Tests: 0–3
Standardized Tests: 0–3
3 = exceptional performance relative to the school's average.
2 = strongly above average.
1 = around the school's average.
0 = below the school's average.
3 = exceptional performance relative to the school's average.
2 = strongly above average.
1 = around the school's average.
0 = below the school's average.
GPA & Transcripts: 0–3
GPA &
Transcripts: 0–3
GPA &
Transcripts: 0–3
3 = exceptional academic performance.
2 = above-average performance.
1 = average performance.
0 = below average.
3 = exceptional academic performance.
2 = above-average performance.
1 = average performance.
0 = below average.
Undergraduate Pedigree: 0–2
Undergraduate Pedigree: 0–2
2 = highly prestigious institution.
1 = strong academic reputation.
0 = limited academic brand recognition.
2 = highly prestigious institution.
1 = strong academic reputation.
0 = limited academic brand recognition.
Technical / Advanced
Education: 0–2
Technical / Advanced
Education: 0–2
2 = strong additional academic or technical foundation.
1 = relevant additional foundation.
0 = none.
2 = strong additional academic or technical foundation.
1 = relevant additional foundation.
0 = none.
02 Employability & Career Trajectory /10
Evaluate how convincingly the applicant demonstrates professional impact and future potential.
Evaluate how convincingly the applicant demonstrates professional impact and future potential.
FACTOR
FACTOR
SCORING
SCORING
Professional Impact: 0–2
Professional
Impact: 0–2
Professional Impact: 0–2
Evidence of creating measurable business or organizational impact.
Evidence of creating measurable business or organizational impact.
Career Progression: 0–2
Career
Progression: 0–2
Career
Progression: 0–2
Clear progression, promotions and increasing responsibility.
Clear progression, promotions and increasing responsibility.
Future Vision: 0–2
Future
Vision: 0–2
Clear post-MBA career goals and evidence of progress toward them.
Clear post-MBA career goals and evidence of progress toward them.
Company / Employer
Strength: 0–2
Company / Employer
Strength: 0–2
Strength and reputation of the applicant's employers.
Strength and reputation of the applicant's employers.
Communication &
Recommendations: 0–2
Communication &
Recommendations:
0–2
Communication &
Recommendations: 0–2
Communication and presentation ability, together with the strength of professional recommendations.
Communication and presentation ability, together with the strength of professional recommendations.
03 Ambassador Qualities /10
Evaluate what the applicant brings beyond academics and employment.
Evaluate what the applicant brings beyond academics and employment.
FACTOR
FACTOR
SCORING
SCORING
Workplace Leadership: 0–2
Workplace
Leadership: 0–2
Workplace Leadership: 0–2
Initiative, ownership and leadership at work
Initiative, ownership and leadership at work
Extracurricular
Leadership: 0–2
Extracurricular
Leadership: 0–2
Leadership and impact outside the workplace.
Leadership and impact outside the workplace.
Personal Narrative: 0–2
Personal
Narrative: 0–2
Personal
Narrative: 0–2
A distinctive background, experience or perspective that contributes to the cohort.
A distinctive background, experience or perspective that contributes to the cohort.
Global Mindset: 0–2
Global
Mindset: 0–2
International, cross-cultural or diverse experiences.
International, cross-cultural or diverse experiences.
Community Impact: 0–2
Community
Impact: 0–2
Community
Impact: 0–2
Evidence that the applicant will contribute meaningfully to the school community
Evidence that the applicant will contribute meaningfully to the school community
Your MBA Horizon Score
Your MBA Horizon Score
The framework produces a total score out of 30. The score is intended to guide school selection and strategy rather than represent a literal probability of admission.
The framework produces a total score out of 30. The score is intended to guide school selection and strategy rather than represent a literal probability of admission.
ACADEMIC PROFILE
___ / 10
EMPLOYABILITY & CAREER TRAJECTORY
___ / 10
AMBASSADOR QUALITIES
___ / 10
School Positioning
SCORE
POSITIONING
28 -30
28 -30
Elite / highly selective
Elite / highly selective
24 - 26
24 - 26
Top 15 US + INSEAD / LBS
Top 15 US + INSEAD / LBS
20 - 22
20 - 22
Top 30 US + Top 15 Europe + Top 5 Asia
Top 30 US + Top 15 Europe + Top 5 Asia
18 - 19
18 - 19
Top 50 US + Top 30 Europe + Top 10 Asia
Top 50 US + Top 30 Europe + Top 10 Asia
What are business schools really asking?
Can you thrive?
Can you thrive?
Can you thrive?
Do you have the academic foundation and preparation needed to succeed in a demanding business school environment?
Do you have the academic foundation and preparation needed to succeed in a demanding business school environment?
what are your motivations & career objectives?
what are your motivations & career objectives?
what are your motivations & career objectives?
Are your reasons for pursuing an MBA clear, and do your career goals show a credible direction for what you want to achieve after the program?
Are your reasons for pursuing an MBA clear, and do your career goals show a credible direction for what you want to achieve after the program?
What will you bring?
What will you bring?
What will you bring?
Beyond your work and academics, what leadership, perspective, experiences and qualities will you contribute to the business school community?
Beyond your work and academics, what leadership, perspective, experiences and qualities will you contribute to the business school community?
want to know where your
profile stands?
want to know where your
profile stands?