How can prospective students find their perfect fit among the overwhelming choice of degrees on offer?
According to GMAC data, over 225,000 prospective students applied to MBA programs in 2018. With the continued popularity of the MBA, courses have cropped up all over the world, providing applicants with literally hundreds of alternatives to select from.
MBA programs are accessible in both full-time and part-time formats. Online MBAs are also becoming increasingly popular, with GMAC reporting that application numbers increase year after year.
This creates a significant problem for prospective business school students: how do you select your ideal program in this sea of options?
Asking the right questions, as with many major decisions, is a smart place to start. Here are five questions to ask yourself while you look for the ideal MBA program.
1. What are my goals?
Most MBA students return to school with a specific objective in mind, whether to change industries, create a network, or start their own business.
Even though many MBA programs share fundamental modules, each has its distinct specialty. Knowing what you want to get out of your MBA experience will help you narrow down your alternatives and find a program that is a good fit for you.
If you want to change industries, seek programs with a proven track record in this field.
Over half of alumni (52 percent) shift sectors on the Global MBA program at ESSEC Business School, which prepares graduates for positions in Luxury Brand Management, Consulting, or Technology, for example.
2. Who will my classmates be?
Participants in a successful MBA school are encouraged to learn from each other as much as they learn from teachers.
Keeping this in mind, having a rough notion of who your classmates will be might help you make an informed selection about business school.