Admitted MBA Student To-Do List
Has the euphoria over your acceptance to the b-school of your dreams subsided slightly? Then it’s time to refocus your energies on all of the big and little details that make up your admitted MBA student To-Do List. Here are some of the specific areas that need your immediate attention.
GIVE NOTICE GRACEFULLY
If your supervisor already supported your plans to attend business school, sharing the great news of your admission won’t be awkward at all. However, some applicants need to keep their application plans quiet so as not to jeopardize their employment. In that case, now is the time to let your employer know you’re leaving.
You should explain your reasons, give plenty of notice, and offer to help train your replacement if applicable. Make every possible effort to leave on good terms to keep this part of your professional network intact.
SET UP A BUDGET
Step one of your admitted MBA student To-Do List: get your finances in order. Avoid credit card debt, and save, save, save as much as you can before school starts. Forgo unnecessary purchases, and try to live slightly below your means. Remember, your projected budget should factor in expenses beyond tuition and living costs. Travel, student clubs, and study abroad trips greatly enrich the b-school experience.
MAKE HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS
This aspect varies depending on the school. For example, at Harvard Business School, 80% of MBA students live on campus. Housing in residence halls at HBS is assigned by lottery. Other schools offer limited on-campus housing and refer new students to nearby rental houses or apartment complexes.
Prospective students can visit apartments and houses in their new city during Welcome Weekend. But start the process early. Schools have strict deadlines for campus housing. Make sure to find out those important dates early on if you prefer to live on campus.
BRUSH UP ON QUANT SKILLS
Business schools regularly report that many soon-to-be first-year students lack some basic quantitative skills. A quant refresh should be on your admitted MBA student To-Do List if that sounds like you. Review the course syllabus online and purchase textbooks in advance if you can.
Many top MBA programs offer so-called math camps for accepted students during the summer. If you have any weak spots in this area, sign up so that you’re ready to hit the ground running once school starts.
CONSIDER A PRE-MBA PROGRAM
Many admits do pre-MBA internships to explore a new field of interest, gain training insights, and begin networking with recruiters months before the formal recruiting process begins.
Others participate in short, company-sponsored programs, such as McKinsey Early Access, BCG Unlock, and Experience Bain. Applications are poised to open, and deadlines come quickly, so don’t delay if this option interests you.
Still other admits take advantage of pre-term, non-academic travel programs, such as Kellogg Worldwide Experiences & Service Trips (KWEST), which unite more than 80% of incoming students through social, site-seeing, and community service activities.
REACH OUT TO FELLOW CLASSMATES
Schools often host receptions for admits where they can mingle and network with alumni and their fellow admits. Welcome Weekend is another prime opportunity to begin connecting with your future cohort. If you’ve followed the MBA forums, you may already have a head start on building relationships with other admits.
Find out if your program hosts a Facebook group for your class. If not, offer to help set one up. Business schools make it easy for classmates to get to know each other pre-term. Take advantage of these social opportunities, and you’ll arrive on campus feeling already at home.
Finally, enjoying some quiet time before things get crazy should also be on your admitted MBA student To-Do List. Cross a few items off your bucket list. Connect with family and friends you won’t see much of during the next two years. Dive back into those hobbies and extracurriculars that made you a desirable, well-rounded candidate in the first place.
The months leading up to the start of business school is an exciting time. But it flies by in a flash. Knowing what to expect and laying the foundation for a smooth transition to student life will make your first year less stressful and even more rewarding.
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Stacy Sukov Blackman launched her MBA admissions consulting company in 2001 and has since helped thousands of clients gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world, many with merit scholarships. SBC is also the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. Contact us to learn more.