The process of developing a Wharton-worthy resume begins freshman year of high school. Business is a broad and diverse field, and top programs are seeking to admit students who will use their passion for business to solve real-world problems. Honing your particular hook in business, as well as demonstrating your background in applying business acumen in tangible ways, requires that you get creative and devote significant time outside of the classroom to building and applying your skills.
Command Education Senior Mentors work with students to refine their unique business interests, identify resources to expand their knowledge, and build a compelling application that showcases their individual strengths. To gain insights into how our expert Mentors coach students to level up their business-focused application profiles, we sat down with Senior Mentor Ian Mullane, who shared his unique approach to supporting students with business aspirations!
What are admissions officers at top business programs looking for? How can students stand out to these programs?
Ian: It’s not enough for a student to say they’re “interested in business”—business is a vast field, and failing to specify your interest or show any meaningful prior engagement in your sector of interest will convey a shallow understanding of both business as a discipline and your reasons for pursuing it. Top business programs are looking for problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and innovators, so students must articulate how their niche interest within the business field connects to a real-world issue they want to solve.
The best way to do so is to start with a problem you’re interested in solving. For example, perhaps you’ve noticed that existing makeup lines don’t have inclusive products for people with cleft lips, or maybe you have a speech impairment and want to develop a product to assist people with similar challenges. Consider issues that have directly affected you or those in your community. Then, brainstorm how you might use your technical knowledge to address the issue you have identified. Your solution doesn’t have to be world-changing—you may not develop a makeup campaign that rivals Kylie Cosmetics, but creating a product that you sell at a local craft market will go a long way in conveying the concrete steps you’ve taken to affect social change entrepreneurially.
As a final note, when it comes time to put together your applications, be sure to showcase your technical knowledge as you highlight the initiatives you have participated in. While you don’t need to be an expert, you should familiarize yourself with and employ industry terminology and concepts. This will allow you to communicate your ideas with confidence and specificity and demonstrate a clear understanding of the field.
How can students find the right business school for them?
Ian: The best business program varies based on a student’s interests, values, and long-term goals. Because business is such a diverse field, no two programs are the same, so students should take an honest inventory of what they value in a school in order to find the best fit. Some business schools prioritize hands-on learning through internships and co-op programs. For instance, Northeastern University is well-known for its co-op model, where students alternate between classroom learning and full-time internships. Meanwhile, schools like Babson College emphasize entrepreneurship, requiring students to develop real-world business applications as part of their curriculum. If you’re passionate about inequality or social change, consider business programs with a public policy focus, like those at Wharton (particularly its Social Impact Initiative) or Berkeley Haas, which places a strong emphasis on business and society. Students should also note that studying business isn’t just for those who want to become CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Creative thinkers and those passionate about art and business should consider programs like Parsons’ BBA in Strategic Design and Management. Your business degree should align with what excites you and the problems you want to solve. It should not just be a stepping stone to your place on Forbes’ 30 under 30.
How can students find their niche within business?
Ian: Finding your particular niche should begin with thoughtful consideration of your personal experiences and core passions. Ask yourself: What problems do I care about solving? What industries or business models interest me? What business or company is particularly inspiring to me? What personal experiences have shaped my perspective on business?
From there, conduct research to explore different subfields within business. If you care about economic inequality, consider public policy and corporate social responsibility. If you’re drawn to social change, look into impact investing or nonprofit management. If you are skilled at interacting with data and numbers, you may be a strong candidate for a finance or economics track. If you’re artistically inclined, consider brand management or marketing strategy.
One of the best ways to test out different niches is to develop a passion project. Start brainstorming solutions to a problem that interests you, then break down what you don’t know and what skills you need to develop further in order to solve it. Doing so will not only help you chart a path to practicing your business acumen in real-world settings, but it will also indicate the particular methodology and approach you gravitate to most. Do you find yourself getting lost in the fun of designing a website or putting together flyers for your venture? That might be your first indication that marketing is for you!
What extracurriculars or clubs should a prospective business major participate in?
Ian: While traditional business clubs like FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and DECA are great starting points, admissions officers are looking for more than passive participation. In addition to these clubs, look for opportunities in which you are externally evaluated and provided with feedback on your ideas, particularly those organized as Shark Tank-style pitch competitions and startup incubators. Winning awards in these events will show colleges that your skills have been highly regarded by third-party reviewers and that you have taken the initiative to turn your theoretical knowledge into tangible products. Students should also seek to gain real-world business exposure by interning for a local business or conducting research in areas like economic policy, market analysis, or consumer behavior. Finally, the most effective way to learn and showcase your knowledge is by launching a project of your own—whether it’s a small business, nonprofit, or financial literacy blog, an independent initiative will provide you with end-to-end experience brainstorming, executing, and scaling a business concept.
How does Command Education help students develop their business hook?
Ian: At Command Education, we want students to take charge of their learning—the student is in the driver’s seat; the Senior Mentor is the GPS that helps them navigate the often winding path to the right collegiate program.
Students often come to us with a general interest in business but aren’t sure how to narrow their interest or develop a compelling application. Command Education Senior Mentors help students refine their ideas, identify opportunities for growth, and provide them with the tools to execute their own independent initiative from start to finish. Our team has a wealth of experience in an array of fields, so we provide the tangible expertise necessary to help students break their ideas down into actionable steps and connect them with resources to bring their projects to life.
Top business schools are looking for the next generation of leaders who are ready to innovate and solve real-world problems. Whether you’re interested in finance, entrepreneurship, social impact, or brand strategy, the key to standing out is to showcase a genuine passion for solving problems and a clear track record of using business tools to spur positive change.
At Command Education, we offer specialized expertise for students seeking to craft compelling applications to top business programs across the nation. If you’re ready to take your business aspirations to the next level, schedule your free consult today to learn more about how we can help you navigate the college admissions process with confidence.
*Names and details have been changed to protect students’ privacy.
