Tips and Tricks for Choosing an MBA Program
With so many options to choose from, you need to consider what program length, location, learning style, class size, elective offerings, and career support best suit your needs and goals. Determine which criterion are the most important to you.
- Create
a Short-List of Programs
With your list of must-haves in hand, begin your research into specific programs. MBA Portal sites like mba.com are a great place to start paring down your list. Get more detailed information from school websites, and gain insider perspectives by reading student blogs and social media channels. - Network
Talk to people: friends, family, colleagues, alumni, staff, recruiters. Talk about their experiences and lessons learned. Ask questions. Determine where they hire and what they look for. Talking to people will give you first hand experiential insight that can’t be found online or in a brochure. - Attend
Events and Introduce Yourself
When you’ve determined the short list of programs you feel best suit your needs and goals, get out and attend events. The staff and faculty working for a school reflect the type of culture and personality of the program, so live interaction will provide you with first-hand understanding of whether or not it’s a good fit.
Be sure to take the time to introduce yourself and share a little about you and your goals. This can help the recruiting and admissions team put a face to the name if and when you do apply. Remember that first impressions are powerful though, so you want to be positive and professional, and not go overboard with a sales pitch.
