An outstanding GMAT result, top grades and an impressive CV are not always enough to get students into the top business schools, according to a US News article. MBA admissions officers look for one particular trait in their students: their leadership potential.

Academic performance opens the doors to business schools, but showing leadership potential is what scores the place. According to MBA admissions officers quoted in the article, top MBA programmes look for students who collaborate well on group projects and possess strong communication skills. In other words, they seek students with the leadership skills necessary to succeed in business. Therefore, they also look at a student’s history of making meaningful contributions to the organisations where they have worked.

Other positive aspects in a student’s application are:

• Excellent quantitative test scores as they show the math skills required to excel in an MBA programme.

• Acknowledgement of weaknesses and finding some way to compensate for those deficits.

• Showing ways applicants hope to improve in business school.

• Describing nonacademic accomplishments

• Emphasizing nontechnical skills

• Demonstrating initiative – starting a company, leading the way for a new product idea or new market, creating social impact.

• Demonstrating problem-solving skills

• Showing an ability to innovate and think outside the box

Read more on www.usnews.com