Writing an essay is in many ways similar to writing any other text: you’ll have to compete for the reader’s attention against normal day-to-day interruptions (a phone that rings, a colleague in need of assistance, etc.) and against the reader’s own boredom or worries. No matter how much time you’ve put into it, bearing in mind the life span your essay will have once it leaves your hands and becomes part of one application file among many others, will help you structure and elaborate it in a way that ensures it will be read attentively and, even more important, become memorable.

If you are thinking about applying for an MBA, the first thing you have to check is application deadlines and admission requirements. You’ll need to submit several documents, so make sure you have enough time to gather and prepare them.

Don’t despair: just present a flawless application. There are many valid reasons for someone to apply late for an MBA. Maybe there’ve been changes in your workplace that made you reconsider promotion prospects; maybe you’ve finally found that investor to finance the business venture you’ve been planning for so long.

Whatever the reason, many institutions now have “fast track” application processes to ensure that late applicants are still considered for their programs. Regardless, it’s always worth to try and get in a top MBA program – even if you’re a late applicant. To help you along that path, this blogpost addresses the must-dos for the early stages of a successful late application.