Five Reasons Why Reading Books Can Increase Your MBA Admissions Chances

I just read an interesting blog written by Amit Somani, Managing Partner at Prime Ventures, where he shared about the importance of reading.

He started his blog with this interesting quote from Charlie Munger, the co-founder of Berkshire Hathaway:

In my life I have known no wise people who don’t read all the time. None.Zero.

I’d like to add to this.

When it comes to the MBA application process, those who read have a natural outlet that can help them in the application process.

Here are five reasons why MBA applicants should take up the habit of reading if they don’t do so already.

– The MBA admissions board will often ask applicants what interesting books they have read recently during their interview.

– Reading can be a wonderful outlet that can help B-School applicants reduce their stress while navigating a very stressful application process.

– No one knows it all. Reading gives MBA applicants the opportunity to learn new ideas about a variety of topics. You never know when information you pick up from a book can come in handy in your professional and personal life.

– Reading and discovering new information will make you more interesting to talk to. This is especially true when you are willing to deviate from your core area of expertise to learn more about a variety of topics.

– Finally, reading can be fun. It can also help to spark your creativity when you sit down to work on your B-School application essays. You never know what new ideas you can come up with from reading that can impact your MBA essay.

Some MBA applicants may roll their eyes and say that I don’t understand the crazy lives they live and how busy they are.

I get it.

I’ve been working with many applicants who work those same busy hours. But one way you can differentiate yourself from other “busy” candidates is by becoming an avid reader.

Get rid of the lack of time excuse. If former president, Barak Obama, could find an hour each day to read, there isn’t any excuse in the world why we can’t each read more. None of us is as busy as a U.S. president!

In an interview with a New York Times reporter a few days before he finished his term in office, he shared the following words regarding the impact of books on his life:

…books were a sustaining source of ideas and inspiration, and gave him a renewed appreciation for the complexities and ambiguities of the human condition…

There are simple tools that make it so much easier today to read. Gone are the days when we had to go through the lengthy process of ordering a book and waiting days or weeks before it arrived. Neither are we limited to libraries for access to books.

At a click of a few buttons you can download the free Kindle App and can begin to read books that interest you immediately.

Other audio apps like Audible can be a great option for those who want to listen to books while running or commuting.

You can check out New York Times Best Seller Lists as a starting point. Ask friends you know who like to read for suggestions. Keep a list of suggested books.

My friend, Janice, recently recommended the book, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, to me because I told her I wanted to learn more about Asian culture and I have found this book to be fascinating!

If you have other book suggestions for me just drop me a line at Chioma@expartus.com. Wishing you a fun summer and happy reading!