Editorial
mba
How to
make the
most of an
MBA fair
By Ross Geraghty
it’s now possible to research MBA programs without leaving your home or office,
thanks to the internet. But given the investment of time, effort and money that an
MBA demands, there is no substitute for meeting the admissions personnel of
possible schools personally. So how do you go about making the best of the event?
1) Prepare well prepared, but they can’t devote the whole event to you. Make sure
The QS World MBA Tour attracts over 60,000 visitors globally every year, that you keep your questions focused and relevant and prepare an ‘elevator
so expect it to be busy. You may have to wait to talk to many of the most pitch’, which will give them the salient facts about you in no more than
high profile schools and your time with an admissions officer may be two minutes. Bring evidence of your qualifications with you, but keep
limited. Consequently it’s imperative that you make the best of the time them in your bag until asked for.
you have. Start your preparation by using personalized ranking such as
Scorecard at
www.topmba.com to draw up a list of programs which suit 5) Don’t just focus on admissions officers
your individual criteria; visit schools’ websites to conduct further research An increasing number of schools now bring alumni to fairs. These
and time permitting, order a copy of a school’s prospectus to bring – it individuals have lived the experience and provide valuable insight
shows you have done your homework and mean business. into all the pros and cons of the business school experience, so make
the most of their knowledge.
2) Focus
Don’t waste your time on schools or programs that aren’t right; look at the 6) Look the part
current class profile and entry requirements and remember to investigate Fairs aren’t a platform for admissions, but they could provide your first
how much a program will cost. Use your time at the fair to talk to schools contact with your target school. Consequently, it makes sense to look and
which are realistic options instead of queuing for ‘big name’ schools that act in a professional manner. That doesn’t mean you should wear a formal
may not be the right match for you. business suit, but leave your old t-shirt and jeans at home!
3) Map out questions 7) Funding
Develop a list of questions in advance so that you don’t miss anything vital An MBA can transform your career prospects, but it can be expensive.
on the day. Priorities will vary by person, but you may want to ask about Ensure you research any scholarships the school offers and check whether
teaching style, student mix, academics’ backgrounds, specialisations they have any special deals with local financial institutions. Attending a
career options and the cost of living. QS World MBA Tour event qualifies you to apply for a range of dedicated
scholarships from schools such as Wharton, IE-Instituto de Empresa
4) Don’t overload admissions officers and Ashridge as well as the portfolio of QS Quacquarelli Symonds
Admissions personnel will be pleased to meet you, particularly if you are scholarships – more details at
www.topmba.com.
46 TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com
TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com 47
MBA_SPR09_pp_001-051.indd 47 17/2/09 15:37:41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177