Are You Sure You Want To Attend An MBA Program?

by Stacy Blackman Consulting, Mar 28, 2011

As an MBA admissions counselor, I regularly receive emails from candidates who want to attend business school. These individuals are normally set on attending a few MBA programs and want to know how they can be accepted right away. Although these people may appear to be focused on business school, as we probe a bit deeper and ask questions regarding post-MBA goals, their personalities and more, we come to ask ourselves whether business school is the best decision for them at this time.

Many candidates believe that business school is the solution to all of their questions. Business school seems like the logical step, and its what you can pursue until you figure out what you really want to pursue in your career! As you begin completing your MBA applications, it is easy to dream about the prestigious business school name eventually appearing on your resume and how it will open any door you want. However, business school is not the end game, its just a means to an end.

A good way to determine if an MBA is right for you is to consider your short- and long-term goals and figure out whether an MBA will help you reach those goals. Admissions members will be asking this question and one of the easiest ways to not be accepted is to set goals that are not related to business school. As an example, some candidates would be better off working towards a degree in accounting or law.

This being said, there are many applicants who are not sure which career path they want to pursue. As opposed to other degrees, an MBA degree is flexible and can appeal to a person who wants to take a break and consider what to pursue in the future. Writing reasons such as leadership training and a stronger network is reasonable. However, it is not every persons goal to be a leader, and not everyone needs a strong network to succeed in business. Now is the time to be honest with yourself and your goals.

As you consider whether it is the right decision to pursue business school, you should also be realistic about what business school can provide. This will vary from person to person. For some it may be a chance to interview with a company they had always wanted to work for. For others it may be the credibility it brings to your resume when you go to raise money for a startup you are interesting in founding. Be honest about what you are looking for in an MBA and decide whether it can really provide what you need. This is a great time to speak to current students and alumni. Decide if the MBA experience these people have had will be a good fit for you.

Given that an MBA degree can be valuable in a number of ways, it can be confusing for people to answer why they really want to pursue business school. From my experiences, I have seen that most people tend to know deep down inside whether they should be pursuing business school. Normally when a candidate isnt that interested in going to business school it shows in their GMAT score and essays. This is a very long and exhaustive process, and certainly not worth it if you arent truly passionate. Additionally, the admissions committees should be able to see your indecision in your application.

After you prove to yourself that you want an MBA, then the fun business school application begins.

For more robust guidance on your MBA application essays, check out the Stacy Blackman Consulting Essay Guide Series school specific guides with essay tips, sample essays, information on what your target schools value and more.

Visit http://www.stacyblackman.com/essay-guides/ to learn more.