school research

A key part of the MBA application process is researching the different business schools programs. Doing this early on, will help you define which GMAT/GRE score you should be aiming for, and will later help you during essays and interview questions. Additionally, it will make your decision process easier, since you will have a good understanding of each school's strengths and exactly why you are applying to each school.

1. define what's important for you

People decide to attend business school for different reasons. Whether is advancing your career, switching function or industry, or just taking time to explore other alternatives, it is important that you clearly define your priorities. Some main factors to keep in mind:

• Location

• School ranking/Prestige

• Career interests (recruitment at school)

• Alumni Network

• Cost

• Type of program (full-time vs. part-time)

Take time to think through the most important factors for you and give the appropriate weight when making application decisions. 

2. determine schools that are THE right FIT

Once you've defined what's important for you, start researching schools that are in line with those requirements. At the same time, pay close attention to their class profile, and determine if you’re a fit for the school. Key things to review in the admitted class profile include:

• GMAT/GPA/TOEFL scores (aim to be within 80% range)

• Average years of experience

• Class size (and % acceptance)

• Industries represented (incoming and after graduation)

It is important that you understand the school's expectations and work towards meeting on factors you can control. This will help you determine which schools will be on your "dream school list" vs "safe school list".

3. narrow the list, dig deeper

After you've gone through the process of defining your priorities, and developed a list of potential business schools to apply to, the next step is to really get to know the school. It is important to go beyond the surface and understand the school values and unique offerings. This process can be helpful for you to see if the school is the right fit for you, and you are the right fit for the school. Get to know current students and alumni. They are usually very open to sharing their experiences with potential admits. Consider finding out about:

• How is the student culture? (i.e. collaborative, competitive)

• What are the school strenghts? (i.e. entrepreneurship, social impact, tech, consulting)

• Where are the majority of alumni located? How engaged are they?

Many schools have admissions events, diversity events and attend multiple conferences. These are great opportunities to get to know their offerings better and to make meaningful connections.