In our 5-month MBA application plan, Personal MBA Coach suggests spending April and May narrowing down your target school list.
Understandably, you may be asking yourself: “Which schools should I apply to?”
Picking the right business school is a complicated and personal process and a key component of our services. Below we share 6 tips for selecting business school programs.
Want more information on what sets the leading business schools apart? Check out Personal MBA Coach’s school-specific site pages to get insights on how to navigate the application process and learn more about different MBA programs, campus culture, class profiles, deadlines and essay tips.
1) Begin with the statistics
Statistics such as average GPA, GMAT/GRE/EA, years of experience, acceptance rate and starting salary will give you some good benchmarking data and a better idea of which schools could be potential options for you. Of course, these statistics are not the only factor and the whole package matters, but these provide a strong initial guide. To get started, check out these blogs about the US News, Financial Times and Bloomberg Businessweek rankings.
2) Go broad
Our average candidate applies to 5 to 8 schools. Make sure that you have some “reach” schools, some “more likely” schools and some “safer” schools, especially if you want to ensure an acceptance this year.
All business schools look to fill their classes with diverse candidates, and you cannot always predict which school might need someone who fits your profile. Adding a broad range of schools helps to balance this out.
3) Pay attention to culture
Culture is more than a buzzword: it will be key to having a fulfilling MBA experience and developing lasting long-term relationships. Do you want a small, close-knit campus where everyone lives and studies nearby? Are learning teams important to you? Do you consider the entire city your campus? As you talk to alums and visit schools, these are just some of the many questions you should ask yourself while narrowing your list.
To help you navigate student engagement, Personal MBA Coach has prepared these tips for you:
4) Look carefully at the curriculum and program offerings
Review each school’s program offerings, including available courses, extracurriculars and workshops, paying attention to what makes the program unique. You also want to consider specific curriculum requirements and match these against your preferences. For example, is a flexible curriculum important to you? Do you want to be able to waive classes? Is the ability to study outside of the business school an important criteria for you? Do you thrive with more hands-on opportunities? Is the ability to study internationally important? All schools vary in the degree to which they meet these needs so do your research. Not only will this help you determine which programs will be the best fit, but this research will be critical as you target your application.
5) Explore areas of excellence
Similarly, explore emerging areas of research at each campus. This is particularly important if you have a specific focus. Finding a professor who is working on a project in your area of interest could be a key driver of both your experience on campus and your chances of success during the application process.
6) Consider location
Sure, you can live anywhere after graduation, and companies from all over the world will travel to recruit. But for obvious reasons, it is much easier to recruit at schools that are closer geographically. This does not mean you should only consider city schools. Look at which schools your target companies visit for recruitment, what local opportunities are available to candidates and which speakers come to campus.
Looking for guidance as you select business school programs to apply to? Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you via our comprehensive services.
