| HOW TO RESEARCH MBA PROGRAMS |
How to Research MBA programs is a key part of making sure you find the right MBA school and program for you. Before you apply, you need to decide which schools are worth applying to. Here are some of the best ways to gather the information to make the most informed decision on the right MBA program in the US.
Business school rankings. While not necessarily the most consistent or reliable source, rankings provide a detailed list of information at a glance. For more on MBA rankings, click here.
Business school accreditation. Check the school's website but also the official MBA accrediting bodies' sites (such as AACSB, ACBSP, AMBA) for information on accredited schools and programs.
Individual school websites. Each business school and specific MBA program will provide the bulk of their information online on their websites. Take the time to explore these sites, since not all are intuitively organized.
Do an Internet search on the school. Every school with tell you how great it is…but is that the whole story? An Internet search on the school or the specific MBA program can help you learn about awards and achievements, competitions won, faculty honors, research grants, publications, etc., as well as any negative publicity the school itself may not want you to see.
Attend MBA fairs. Fairs provide an opportunity to meet admissions reps and alumni of a wide variety of MBA programs at one venue.
Visit the school. If possible, a school visit is an excellent way to learn more about the program. You may be able to sit in on classes, tour the campus, meet and speak with both faculty and students. A school visit also allows you to go to administrative offices such as admissions, financial aid, and graduate studies, where you can get more details about applications, scholarships, program requirements, etc. You will also be able to get a sense of how prospective students are treated by school officials and what kind of student support is offered.
Contact employers. An MBA program is really only as good as the graduates it produces. Confirm which organizations have recruited graduates in the past and talk with their human resources departments to determine their satisfaction with the school's or specific program's graduates, whether they continue to recruit from the school, and whether they value it over others on a regular basis.
Speak with current students and alumni. The value of this personal contact cannot be over-emphasized. Only students can tell you what it is really like to be part of a particular MBA program. The admissions office at a program you are interested in may be willing to put you in touch with a current student or alumnus if you don't know any. You can also use social networking sites like Facebook to locate students to speak with, or to read testimonials and other student comments on specific business schools and the MBA programs they offer.
|
|
|
|
|
AACSB Accredited Business Schools
Pre-MBA