At this time of the year, we like to use the blog to feature admissions tips that can assist prospective applicants as they approach the MBA admissions process. Today’s post focuses on an oft overlooked element of the MBA admissions process: researching the programs. While this sounds simple enough, we strongly recommend that applicants dig deeper than the basic marketing materials, rankings and school web sites to learn about the programs they are considering. This involves talking to current students and alumni, reading blogs and wikis, following the press, browsing discussion forums and looking into the history of the schools. Pursuing in-depth research serves two purposes:
1) It helps applicants learn more about the MBA programs on their wish list. In many cases, this level of research can alter an applicant’s preferences or help him or her to see how one program might be a better fit than another.
2) Conducting research at the outset of the admissions process will result in stronger applications and interviews. Informed candidates draft more compelling essays and come across as knowledgeable and enthusiastic in their interviews. Given the admissions emphasis on “why school X”, it’s vital to understand the unique features of each program.
We’ll use a very simple example to demonstrate why it makes sense to spend time learning about the programs. Take the case of which school can lay claim to offering the first business degree. While it may not be important to know who had the first business school, this exercise shows how facts and figures often merit comparison and further research:
Tuck‘s web site refers to their program as the first graduate school of management. Wharton‘s site refers to their program as the first collegiate school of business. Harvard Business School‘s site refers to their program as the first graduate business school to require a college degree for entrance. Chicago‘s GSB site highlights the fact that their doctoral program in business was the first established in the United States.
While all of these statements are accurate, it’s clear that applicants need to dig deeper to understand the nuances. For example, how could Tuck have offered the first graduate degree in business, while HBS claims to be the first program requiring a college degree? The answer, is that Tuck’s business program initially started out as a 3-2 program with Dartmouth college, so rising seniors at Dartmouth would shift over to Tuck for two years, graduating with both degrees. Hence, technically Tuck students did not have a 4-year college degree when entering, which is why HBS can lay claim to being the first graduate business degree that required a completed college education, etc. The list of interesting questions and answers goes on from there – and each question requires research.
This is why it can be important to look beyond the basic information that’s out there in order to develop a full understanding of each program. The spring and summer months are the best time to get up to speed on this information, so we encourage applicants to devote some time to their research. Applicants can also contact Clear Admit to set up a free initial chat with one of our counselors and discuss school selection, research and an overall timeline for the coming admissions cycle.
