MBA Tours: Top B-Schools Hit the Road

QS prides itself on going beyond event organizing to provide primary research for MBA candidates, Quacquarelli says. For instance, the QS Global 200 Business Schools Report surveys MBA employers around the world to determine which schools are most popular with employers. They also offer a scholarship scheme that has awarded some 100 students with funds for post-graduate education.

• Founded by Wharton MBA Nunzio Quacquarelli in 1990
• Hosts 112 QS World MBA Tour events in 82 cities annually – 30 of those in North America
• Runs the QS Women Leadership Forum
• Releases an annual report on the world’s top 200 business schools according to employers
• Launched registrant wristband program to provide schools with students’ data
• Between 80 and 140 business schools participate in events

The MBA Tour

Founded in 1993, The MBA Tour is unique in that it doesn’t cling to the booth-after-booth, career-fair format, according to CEO Peter von Loesecke. “We’re finding that format is becoming less and less effective for candidates because the numbers are getting higher and the information schools are trying to convey to candidates is not as individualized as it would be in a career fair,” he says. The fair portion accounts for only one-third on average of the entire conference – the primary portion focuses on  panel discussions, which tackle specific topics such as how admissions officers evaluate applications.  In addition, individual B-schools host receptions, essentially information sessions, for interested applicants –  smaller or lesser known institutions offer small group discussions. Select schools also have the option to browse through registrants to find and contact students they feel would be a good fit for their MBA programs.

For the 2013-2014 recruiting season The MBA Tour will host 54 events in cities ranging from Chicago to Shanghai.  Last year more than 20,000 people registered on The MBA Tour’s website globally, with attendance ranging from 200 to 500 candidates per event.

• Founded in 1993
• For 2013-2014 recruiting season the tour will host 54 events in 28 different countries
• Emphasis on panel discussions, which  range from application information  to career advice from alumni
• Individual school receptions and small-group meetings
• Select schools have the option to browse registrant pool and contact strong candidates for individual meetings

Access MBA Tour

Christophe Coutat founded the Paris-based Access MBA Tour in 2004 after visiting several MBA fairs during his own B-school search.  He found the experience impersonal and overwhelming. “I did not like being lost in the middle of 50 schools and being pushed randomly from one famous brand to another,” Coutat says. “I felt that most candidates attending this type of event were probably missing the right schools for them, going back home with a couple of brochures feeling more lost than before.”  So he launched the Access MB Tour, which emphasizes one-on-one interviews and selectivity.  The tour arranges 20-minute interviews between candidates and schools.  It also screens applicants and exhibitors in advance – typically only one-third of the preregistered candidates are selected to participate in the event, he says. Applicants are generally required to hold a bachelor’s degree, be fluent in English and have three years of experience to be admitted.

This year the tour will visit 66 cities across the globe.  Each event draws an average of 400 registrants – roughly 133 of these students will be selected to participate. Coutat says the tour matches 20,000 candidates per year to 120 MBA programs for 20-minute meetings with admissions directors. The tour also includes workshops – intimate round tables with B-school representatives – and panel discussions. Coutat is confident the method is an effective one: “This is a unique experience, and most of the candidates come to choose their program with us, and they usually leave our event knowing which MBA to apply for.”

• Launched in 2004
• Matches 20,000 candidates per year to 120 MBA programs for personal interviews
• Will visit 66 cities in 2013 and host 121 events
• Emphasis on 20-minute, one-to-one meetings between selected schools and candidates
• Average 400 registrants per event – one-third are typically selected to participate
• Participating candidates should be fluent in English, have three years of work experience and hold a bachelor’s degree

Regardless of which event or tour company you choose, they all offer an opportunity to get a little face-time and glean information to help wheedle down your MBA choices.  Sounds like a win-win for everyone.

DON’T MISS: A REPORT ON THE MBA TOUR’S STOP IN NEW YORK CITY