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Aug 24, 2020 · Choosing a business school starts with self-reflection. While factors like rank and popularity of a business school can play a role, fit ultimately comes down to your unique needs and wants. Therefore, you should ask yourself pointed questions to unlock your true and in-depth preferences.
- Why It’S So Important to Choose The Right MBA Programs
- Assessing Your MBA Admissions Profile
- Determining Your Needs and Wants in An MBA Program
- Reaches, On-Pars, and Safeties
- How to Research and Choose The Best MBA Program For You
- So, How Many MBA Programs Should I Apply to?
- Putting Together Your Initial List of B-Schools to Apply to
- Two Examples of How to Choose Which MBA Programs to Apply to
- Example 1: Ted
- Example 2: Joyce
By approaching school selection thoughtfully and systematically, you will save time, money, and effort in the long run. You will conserve precious energy for the nitty-gritty work of the applications. You will also be able to devote time to planning school visits (when possible) and recommendations, two things that are often compromised in the heat...
Thinking about what you want and need in an MBA program is the fun part. Before you do that, though, you’ll need to tackle the less fun part: assessing your profile. Knowing a program has everything you’ve ever dreamed of is nice, but if it does not welcome applicants like you, it’s just a fantasy. Conversely, learning that a seemingly so-so progra...
Now it’s time to focus on the future: what you want and need in your MBA program. If you are visiting schoolsnow, the visits can help you sort through these points and see them in a new light. For example, you might have thought you could never spend two years outside a city, but stopping by Tuck on a ski trip opened your eyes to the abundant diver...
Now it’s time to determine what types and levels of MBA programs you’re competitive and qualified for, and what if any are out of reasonable reach. I use the following categories: 1. Reasonable reach:Acceptance is not likely, but with a great application, is within “reasonable” reach. 2. On-par:With a great application you’ll have a solid chance of...
You may be researching schools already. Going through the steps we’ve mentioned will help you do so efficiently and objectively. That means that you should eliminate from consideration: 1. Programs that lack elements you consider essential 2. Programs where you are not qualified Some applicants will immediately run into a dilemma here: What if you ...
Now that you know what you’re looking for in an MBA program, what’s the magic number? How many is too many and how many is not enough? Your specific situation and needs should drive your choice of how many schools to apply to – in each category: reasonable reach, on-par, and safety. Having a clear idea before you start your applications of how many...
As you have gone through the previous steps, a group of feasible and appealing programs most likely has evolved almost organically. It’s time to firm it up in preparation for the hands-on application process.
How can all of this information be practically applied? Here are two hypothetical, representative examples that illustrate how this school selection process works.
Who is Ted?
1. 25-year-old American male of Korean ethnic background 2. Industry: finance 3. Work experience: two years as an investment banking analyst followed by one year in private equity 4. Stats: combined GMAT score of 720 and a GPA (from a strong but not elite college) of 3.45 5. Post-MBA goal: to return to PE at a higher level
More about Ted
His career track record of impact and accomplishment is solid but not exceptional; similarly, he demonstrates clear but not outstanding leadership. His extracurricular activitiesare consistent but do not elicit a “wow.” MBA brand is important to him, but he accepts that (although qualified) he may not be competitive at Wharton or Columbia. Given his age, he would rather reapply (at least he knows where he can improve if needed – leadership, impact, and higher GMAT) than attend a program that...
Which MBA programs does Ted apply to?
During his research he was surprised to find a few on-pars that interested him, and he put all three on his list: 1. Georgetown McDonough (when he visited, he was unexpectedly thrilled by the extensive campus resources and the high caliber of students) 2. USC Marshall (a lot more intense than he’d thought, and he was invigorated by the Asia focus) 3. Cornell Johnson (where his private equity experience will be a slight differentiating factor, and Cornell gives him an Ivy brand). He also chose...
Who is Joyce?
1. 30-year-old female 2. Work experience: a junior manager in manufacturing operations, with a record of solid advancement and leadership 3. Stats: a GMAT score of 690; an undergrad GPA of 3.3 from a second-tier state school; and a graduate (supply chain and IT) GPA of 3.65 from the same school 4. Extracurricular activities: significant leadership in her church 5. Post-MBA goal: to acquire a mid-level management position in global operations at a top-tier manufacturer that will lead to senior...
More about Joyce
Joyce needs to get in this year because of her age, since chances of acceptance decrease for each year after the age of 30. Her work experience is a strength, not just because of her strong record, but also because women in operations are relatively few, and core manufacturing-related experience isn’t highly represented in many programs. She doesn’t have the time, the resources, or the desire to apply to more than six schools, and she feels she should be able to gain acceptance to an appealin...
Which MBA programs does Joyce apply to?
Joyce targets two reaches: 1. Michigan Ross 2. MIT Sloan Two on-pars: 1. Indiana Kelley 2. CMU Tepper And two safeties: 1. York Schulich (in Toronto) 2. Purdue Krannert For both of the above hypothetical applicants, objective assessment of their profiles, thoughtful examination of their needs and wants, extensive school research, and consideration of the number of schools to apply to yield promising lists of targeted MBA programs.
Apr 28, 2021 · April 28, 2021, 12:00 AM PDT. Getty Images. You want to pursue an MBA. That seems like a pretty straightforward plan until you consider just how many different paths could lead you to that...
- Jordan Friedman
10 Smart MBA Stats to Know Before You Apply. Find MBA Programs Matched to Your Interests. Is an MBA the Right Degree for You? Improve Your Career Prospects with an MBA. Business School Ranking Lists by Category.
May 12, 2022 · These are the seven key factors to consider when choosing a business school: How does the business school place in global rankings? If the prestige of a business school is important to you, an easy way to compare business schools is using university rankings.
Apr 26, 2024 · What to Look For. Narrowing Your Options. Additional Considerations for MBA Students. Next Steps. FAQ. Choosing an MBA program can be hard, but there are ways to narrow your search. Learn more about which factors to consider and how to find the right MBA program for you. Credit: Marko Geber / DigitalVision / Getty Images.
