Selecting a Business School
Getting a career face-lift by pursuing an MBA is a very popular move these days. But how do you know which school is right for you? What are some of the important considerations that you should take into account?
As an alum of a lucartive, top 10 MBA program I try to answer some of these questions and offer some resources that may help those that are considering pursuing an advanced business degree.
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How to Select the Right School
- Speak with Alums, Students & Faculty - The best way to get information about a school is to talk with as many people as possible. Get a sense of personalities, environment and atmosphere. While pretty much everyone will try to sell you on their school, you can still learn a lot from these interactions.
- Speak with Recruiters - Most people go to business school to advance their careers in one way or another. Who better to get opinions about potential schools than from recruiters in the industry you intend to join after you get your degree?
- Centers of Excellence - geographic proximity to your industry of choice is a big deal. If you are interested in becoming a Wall Street Banker, Columbia Business School could put you in the cat bird seat. If you are interested in High-Tech, Stanford, Anderson and Haas are all good choices. Entertainment is your choice? Wouldn't it make sense to go to a school in Southern California?
- School Specialization - some schools are just known for certain areas. For example, if you are planning to become a marketing major, selecting Chicago (which is known as a phenomenal finance school), may raise some eyebrows. Interested in technology management and information systems? MIT is known for churning out superb MBAs with those specialties. Many other schools have similar reputations.
- Financing Your Degree - if you don't know that an MBA is an expensive proposition, you haven't done your homework. Getting the biggest bang for your MBA buck is often highly dependant on your ability to finance that education. The most expensive or prestigious program, may not necessarily be the one that makes the most economic sense for you.
- Alumni Network - The strength of a school's alumni network should be one of your main considerations in selecting a school. Many schools have excellent alumni networks that are concentrated in a specific geographic region. That's a big plus if you intend to stay in that area, and a serious draw-back if you intend to move elsewhere after completing your studies.
- First Hand Knowledge - if at all possible, take the time to visit as many schools as possible before you select one. Nothing can replace the knowledge you gain by going there yourself.
Serious About Getting into a Top School?
Click through the link below to read some user reviews see a detailed table of contents.
How To Get Into the Top MBA Programs, 4th Edition (How to Get Into the Top Mba Programs)
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 10/07/2008)
What is Your Motive for Getting an MBA
Top Business Schools
- Chicago - University of Chicago
- Wharton - University of Pennsylvania
- Kellogg - Northwestern
- Harvard Business School
- Ross - University of Michigan
- Stanford
- Sloan - MIT
- Haas - Berkeley
- Fuqua - Duke
- Columbia Business School
- Tuck - Dartmouth
- Anderson - UCLA
- Johnson - Cornell
- Stern - NYU
- Darden - University of Virginia
Before You Can Select a School You Need to Get In
The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 11th Edition
The GMAT is not everything, but acing it will certainly improve youe chances of getting into the program of your choice.
Amazon Price: $22.17 (as of 10/07/2008)
How To Get Into the Top MBA Programs, 4th Edition (How to Get Into the Top Mba Programs)
Each chapter explores a step in the process, from the decision to apply to surviving once accepted. The chapters on selecting the right program, marketing yourself, and writing essays provide exceptionally valuable information and tips.
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 10/07/2008)
Your MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies for Getting into the Top Business Schools
Written by the co-founders of a leading business school admissions service, this book will guide you through the demanding application process and help you differentiate yourself in the ever-growing pool of applicants.
Amazon Price: $12.23 (as of 10/07/2008)
How Important Are Business School Rankings?
In a word, they are important. However, rankings are not everything.There are a number of pulications that release business school rankings. Business Week is the best known of these, however, U.S. News and World Report, The Financial Times and Forbes also publish rankings.
When selecting your school, the considerations I highlighted above, such as school specialization, closeness to the relevant center of excellence, atmosphere and so forth should be much more important than the school's rank.
At the end of the day, if you are accepted into any one of the top 20 programs, the specific rank of the school you are joining is less important. To put a different way, as long as you join a first or second tier school, you'll be fine.
What is Your Primary Consideration in Selecting a Business School?
A Reminder: Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously
Do You Need Advice?
If you have any questions or comments that you would like me to address, I will be glad to do so. Simply leave your question below and I will answer it shortly.
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Pixelrage
Great job Posted August 10, 2007 |
