By late October, it is easy to feel like the MBA application train has already left the station.
You look around and see people who started in the summer or already submitted in Round 1.
You might be wondering
Am I already behind?
Should I wait until next year?
Can I really pull this off in time?
You can.
Because what matters most right now is how you move forward from here.
Momentum is critical.
What Momentum Actually Looks Like
Momentum is not about going faster. It is about creating forward motion.
It is choosing to take the first step instead of waiting for the perfect moment.
It is building consistency, not chaos.
It is stacking one small win on top of another until you look up and realize how far you have come.
Momentum is what turns a late start into a strong finish.
Waiting Kills Momentum. Action Builds It
We talk to many applicants who feel stuck in decision paralysis this time of year. They think they need more time to feel “ready” before they begin. Or they think they should wait until the holidays and do their entire application in one big sprint. What they forget is that waiting tends to create more pressure, not better results.
The best way to move forward is, well, to start moving.
Once you begin, even with something small — a short brainstorming session, a rough outline, a call with a recommender — your brain shifts from hesitating to creating. That shift is everything.
In fact, researchers at Harvard found that even small progress on meaningful goals is the most powerful motivator for continued effort. It is called the Progress Principle, and it is exactly why the first step matters so much.
Once you begin, your momentum starts to build. The work becomes easier to return to. The path forward becomes clearer. Read the study summary here.
Momentum reduces stress, builds energy, and gives you the confidence to keep going, even when the work gets hard.
Last year, one of our clients came to us at the end of October feeling completely stuck. They were overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Instead of focusing on the entire application, we helped them focus on the next right step.
Within a few days, they were writing their first essay draft. Two weeks later, they had built real confidence and were making good progress in the process. They ended up submitting three thoughtful applications and receiving two admits. What changed was not the amount of time they had. It was momentum.
There Is Still Time to Apply Thoughtfully
This the time to rush. It’s the time to move forward with purpose. You still have time to build a strong, authentic, and well-structured application but time only helps you if you use it.
Once you build momentum, every next step becomes easier. You are no longer dragging yourself forward. You are moving with direction.
Let’s Build Your Momentum Together
At Ellin Lolis Consulting, we help applicants go from stuck to strategic. Our All-In Services are designed to help you harness your energy, focus your efforts, and bring your story to life no matter when you started.
We provide structure, accountability, and expert insight to turn your late start into a powerful finish.
Apply to Work With Us and let’s build momentum together — starting today. We only have 4 spots left for Round 2, so make sure to get in touch ASAP!
You do not have to do it all at once. You just have to start. And once you do, you will be amazed at how far you can go.
