If you communicate them successfully, it will determine whether you are admitted. This is especially important if you are applying without the typical experience of a successful applicant, such as three to five years of work experience. If you consider yourself atypical applicant, it becomes that much more imperative to wow the admissions committee with your objectives and qualifications.

Once at school, students who know what they want are best able make the most of their two years. If you are in doubt about your goals, opportunities for career development-such as networking, mentoring, student clubs, and recruiter events-are squandered.

A Few More Questions to Ask Yourself
After you decided you are at the right point in your career for an MBA and you are committed to pursuing a career in business, you're at the next stage in the process: finding a school that fits your individual needs. The more realizing what you want from an MBA, the more likely you are to choose the best business school for you. Think about the personal and financial costs, as it may be the single biggest investment of your life. And it will impact your life and your lifestyle now and for years to come and, if you have a spouse or significant other, his/her life or lifestyle as well.

• How much salary will you forego by leaving the workforce? Can you survive without it? Which fixed costs (mortgage, daycare, and so on) do you have that will persist through your MBA program?

• What will the tuition be?

• What's the cost of living in the area where the school is located? Is it higher or lower than where you are now?

• How will you pay for it? Will you require borrowing money? If yes, what are potential sources of funds? Will you get family assistance (parents, spouse, grandparents, and the rest)? Then, how will loans affect your standard of living?

• If you have a family, spouse, or significant other, how will getting your MBA affect them?

• If your spouse or significant other works, will he/she be able to find a new job in a different location? Will school cut short his/her career progression?

Until you mull over all the pros and cons of leaving the workforce for two years and returning to school. Or, in the case of a part-time program, those of committing your nights or weekends to class and studying for three to four years, you aren't ready to make your decision.