Scott Edinburgh
January 25, 2024

MBA Admissions Events Do’s and Don’ts

MBA admissions representatives want you to get to know and like their schools! Believe us, we know – we asked our team of former M7 admissions directors, and they all confirmed it. Sometimes this interaction is an overlooked step in the MBA application process. Yet for many schools, it is a critical one.

MBA Admissions Events are a great way to engage with your target MBA programs. However, it is easy for prospective students to interact the WRONG way. To ensure you do not make this mistake, Personal MBA Coach has prepared a list of key DO’s and DON’Ts.

MBA Admissions Events Do’s:

  • DO considerable research in advance. If you are not prepared (more on how below) you will easily make one of the below mistakes.
  • DO plan which schools you want to speak to before you arrive. You cannot speak to everyone. First of all, it is an open room, and it is easy for other schools to see whom you are talking to. If you proclaim your love for each school for unique reasons, it will seem a bit obvious after time. Second, you cannot do enough research to have intelligent conversations with 27 different schools.
  • DO keep an open mind when making your school lists. As a follow-up to the previous bullet, while you cannot speak to everyone, you should develop a broad list that includes both reach schools and safety schools. If you still have not decided which schools you want to target, make sure to check our blog on school selection. Keep an open mind. Many candidates are surprised at how well they would fit at a school they never intended to apply to (and vice versa).
  • DO dress the part.These are business events, and you should dress appropriately. Take the time to change (if you are coming from a casual workplace) and freshen up before you enter the event.
  • DO bring memorable questions. Your goal here is for admissions representatives to remember you. Arrive prepared with personal questions that show you have done your research and are truly passionate about the school. An example of this would include probing about specific programs related to your field of interest.

MBA Admissions Events Don’ts:

  • DO NOT speak just for the sake of speaking. In an effort to be noticed, many candidates will speak just to say something. This can actually do more harm than good. It is easy for admissions representative to remember candidates who wasted their time and did not say or ask anything intelligent or insightful. Think carefully about whether what you say is putting you in the best light.
  • DO NOT ask a question that can be answered easily online. This a classic example of speaking for the sake of speaking. If you can easily find the answer to a question on a school’s website or in a brochure, why use precious face time asking it?
  • DO NOT interrupt. At busy events, it can be tempting to push your way to the front or interrupt to be heard. Proper etiquette is crucial here; it can be surprisingly easy to make a bad impression. Remember, admissions directors interview lots of candidates and will evaluate these moves.
  • DO NOT say anything negative. This may seem obvious, but often admissions representatives come up to me after events to share stories of students who asked negative questions or made negative comments such as “Why did your school make Y change? It was better before.”
  • DO NOT try to get someone to sell you on her school. In a similar vein, questions such as “Why should I go to X school?” are also deal breakers. While you may be lucky enough to be in a position to ask this question one day, MBA events are not the time.

If you are looking for more tips on how to engage with schools at MBA fairs, check out this quick tips video.

MBA Admissions Events

Over the next few months, there are a number of national and international MBA informational events planned to provide you with opportunities to meet with admissions representatives. Personal MBA Coach is excited to be joining many of these MBA fairs!

Looking for help with your Round 3 MBA applications?

There is still time! Find out how Personal MBA Coach’s Comprehensive MBA Packages can help you achieve MBA application success today!

Or if you are thinking of applying to business school in fall 2024, NOW is a great time to get started. Personal MBA Coach is currently helping round 1 applicants develop a compelling MBA application plan through both our Early Planning and Comprehensive packages.

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