Confusion on How to Research for MBA Programs

[anukrati]

Hi

Its always said that you should research well to find the best fit MBA Program.
You should get in touch with alumni and many more

These all things really seem so easy but when I get into the practice of doing it I get lost.
So would anyone help me in the following confusions so that I can decide well on which MBA Programs to look for.

1) Each business university website is filled of information but what is the way to discern on the required information. What all answers should we seek while going through their website.

2) While attending business schools information sessions, what are the questions we should be asking. As whenever I attend the information session I am blank and just keep reading all other people's answers.

3) While contacting alumni, what all questions we should be asking.

I hope that you can understand my problem and help on the same.

Thanks

[Indradeep]

Hi Anukrati,
Most people treat the researching of an MBA program as a purely quantitative exercise and that's where they go wrong. You need a strategic approach to this which involves the following steps:
1. Think deep about where you would like to go and with regards to this, think on 3 different parameters:
Industry
Function
Geography
This is often the most important step and takes the most time but this will be the foundation of what questions or information you would seek next.

2. The next step is to think about what role would excite you or would you rather be an entrepreneur?
Again, the pointers are:
Consulting including Management Consulting
Investment Banking
Management roles, i.e. Product Managers, Project Managers
If you don't know what each role entails, look for information on those roles.

3. At this stage, you should know where you would like to see yourself - industry, role, geography and so on and the questions then become much simpler to lead on to. As an example, if you would like to work in China (and you are not Chinese) as an Investment Banker, you should be looking to find out information about issues faced by non Chinese in Financial Services sector or you should be finding out about what qualities are more likely to get you a job as Investment Banker. These are questions that you should be thinking of, to get answers for. The source then becomes secondary - Google, alumni, students, admissions team or forums like these

4. Finally, think about your Finances, part time and full time work opportunity along with internships available. New career path almost always needs an internship and so that is essential. Think opportunities for loans

Hope this gives you something to think about and get your direction back on.Thanks,
Indradeep
Expert MBA Admissions Consulting
AGSM MBA and Management Consultant in Sydney
In India 10th to 12th July

[money9111]

Hi anukrati,

I'm glad that you asked this question as it's one of the reasons why I am now writing a book (see link below). There will be many sections based on this type of information about what you should do.
Ok now that I've done the obligatory self-promotion, here comes the answer to your questions:

First of all, you don't ALWAYS have to have a question to ask at an information session. In the beginning stages of doing your research you may not have any and that's OKAY. The more research you do and more information sessions that you attend, you'll probably start to hear things from one school rep and then want to know if that's similar at another school. Then you can use those same questions.

With my answer I am trying to challenge you to change your way of thinking about researching schools.
What is the best way to discern the required information? I remember when I researched schools, I looked at every single page on the website. I do know that I was addicted to researching schools though, but I also did this so that I knew things about the school that were deep down in the web pages. There isn't "required" information that you need to know about each school. As I wrote that last sentence, I realized that this is actually a false statement because when you interview or speak to alums/current students/admissions officers, we always say that you shouldn't ask things that can be found on the website. I always tell people to ask questions that are personal to you. More around how you and your dreams will fit with the school.

When you're talking to whomever from the school there are always ways to ask "standard" questions but in a tailored way that fits with you - when you're int he research phase. What do I mean by this? For instance... a common question that I heard when I would do information sessions or speak with a prospective student on the phone was - "Tell me about the teaching method." or "What do you think about the teaching method?" Well, without going into how this type of question comes across to the person being asked, I'll just focus on a different way that you can ask the question.

"I heard that the teaching method at UVA is strictly case-based. I'm thinking about career switching from X to Investment banking so can you help me understand more about how this teaching method would help me learn the things I will need to know for recruiting?"

That reworded question would be a great one for many reasons. One reason is because it's specific enough that it shows that you're trying to understand how you will fit in with the school. It also a type of question that people don't hear as often so they will get creative in coming up with answers to your questions. It's amazing how many times admissions officers and current students are asked the same questions over and over again throughout the year, so hearing a question worded differently is great.

When speaking with alumni, you can definitely ask questions about their experience in school, but what I also tell prospective students is to ask alums about the following:
- recruiting (not just for internship recruiting but more so for full-time recruiting)
- how close do they feel to their alumni network - now, post-MBA
- why did they decide to go to THAT school

just to name a few! let me know if you have more questions! best of luck!