A master of business administration (MBA) degree can be invaluable for launching your professional career. Whether a general MBA or an MBA specializing in finance, marketing, accounting or relationship management, these degrees will improve your marketability, fuel career advancement and help you put your best foot forward.

If you're interested in applying for a top MBA program, you're in the right place. Continue reading to learn more about the most prestigious programs and tips to increase your chances of acceptance.

Applying to a Top MBA Program

While many higher education institutions offer MBA programs, there are some prestigious programs that you might want to consider applying for. These programs are offered by seven institutions, also known as the M7 Business Schools:

• Harvard Business School
• MIT Sloan School of Management
• University of Chicago's Booth School of Business
• Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
• Stanford Graduate School of Business
• Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management
• Columbia Business School

Other highly regarded programs include New York University, Yale University, Dartmouth College and the University of California Berkeley. It's also important to note that prestigious universities and colleges often have higher tuition fees, so be sure to apply to an MBA program that fits your budget.

5 Tips to Get Accepted Into Top MBA Programs

Here are other helpful tips to keep in mind as you start your MBA program application process.

1. Meet the Program's Requirements

Here are a few requirements you should meet to increase your chances of admission, including:

• Good GMAT scores
• High undergraduate GPA
• Strong essays and letters of recommendation
• Previous work experience

Ultimately, MBA admissions officers are looking for well-rounded candidates with excellent academic performances but also someone with great leadership qualities, a teamwork mentality and a solid level of self-awareness.

2. Find Out Who You Know

Another tip is to see if you know any current students in the MBA program you're applying to. You may have a former teacher, parent, sibling, relative, co-worker or boss who earned an MBA from a program you're interested in completing.

The goal is to find someone with experience with the program who knows the ins and outs. They'll be able to answer your questions and help you navigate the entire process of applying.

3. Communicate Your Unique Qualifications and Characteristics

When you apply, you must highlight why an admissions team should consider you for the MBA program. Describe your personality, work ethic, academic success and any internships you've completed.

You can also include how your professional experience will help support you in the program. Point out unique life experiences that taught you valuable life lessons and how your skills are transferable.

4. Seek Professional Tutoring or Coaching

Lastly, you should use all the resources available to help you increase the likelihood of being accepted into your desired MBA program.

For example, some organizations offer services to help prospective MBA candidates do just that. You can receive coaching, interview practice and even access some of the most common essay questions you'll need to answer from the M7 schools.

5. Practice Interviewing

You may be asked to visit the campus, hop on a phone call or participate in a video conference call to discuss your application with the admissions team. Practice is one of the best ways to manage your nerves and ace the interview.

Ask someone to review your application, and both of you can formulate questions the admissions team might ask you. You can then create your answers ahead of time. Taking time to prepare for an interview is crucial for any MBA program or future career.

Become a Potential Candidate for Top MBA Programs

Applying to an MBA program is an ambitious goal. Higher education institutions are often very selective about the candidates they accept, which might feel intimidating.

However, suppose you are extremely passionate about earning an MBA. In that case, you should do everything possible to become a viable candidate. Use some of the tips above to help increase your chances of getting accepted into an MBA program.