Real-Life Advice
Choosing a business school may be one of the toughest and most important decisions you’ll make in this process. It can be the difference between a positive and negative experience, depending on the fit of the school with your needs and your learning style. In other words, one size does not fit all. A few pieces of advice I was given that helped me:
1) Don’t just go on a name or ranking. Sure, it’s great to have Big & Famous University on your resume, and top-tier schools are ranked highly for a reason, but everyone’s needs are different. You might just flourish at a lower-profile school, depending on your needs and course of study. Which brings me to…
2) Research schools by area of interest. Some b-schools have an international focus, some have a technology focus, and so on. Choose the one that meshes with your goals.
3) Know yourself. If you’re bad at math, don’t choose a school with a heavy math requirement. (But keep in mind, b-school IS math-heavy as a rule, and you will have to tolerate some math.) If you need a lot of class interaction, consider a school with smaller class sizes.
4) Consider the “culture” of the school. Hard-core, or more even-keeled? Competitive or nurturing? If you don’t know by reputation, ask current or former students.
5) Get up-close and personal. Visit campus, attend an open house, and ask questions. It’s the best way to get the vibe of the place and to find out specifics about how good a fit it might be for you. The interview, should you apply, is also a great opportunity not only to find out if you will fit at a school, but if they school really fits you.
For more advice from a diverse collection of sources, visit the resources section.
