What To Do After You Get Accepted

Four Hurdles For Employees Headed To Business School

While we’re on the topic, US News and World Report also ran a piece on areas where students traditionally struggle to adapt to business school. Unlike medical or law school, b-school students generally work for four or more years before enrolling. As a result, their transition back to the classroom can be a bit awkward.

These students have managed accounts and campaigns worth millions. Many called their own shots and had people reporting to them. And did I mention that some earned fat paychecks and grew accustomed to a certain ‘lifestyle?’ Once they start school, they’re taking orders with little input, collaborating among equals, and living like monks. And did I mention they’re conducting projects and presentations that few will ever see (let alone even net a nickel)?

So if you’re heading to business school, prepare yourself: Studying is just one of the major transitions you’ll face. Here are some others:

1) Time Management: At work, you come in at 8:00 and leave at 5:00. You check your emails on your commute and before bed. And you may occasionally slip in a few hours during the weekend. Business school? You’re always doing something: Classes, studying, student groups, meetings, and events. And you don’t have a boss guiding you on what’s important and how much time to spend where. And that can be a big adjustment for some.

2) Self-Direction: It’s the same principle: You don’t have bosses telling you where to be or when in business school. You have to figure out what works best for you. In business school, your days are jam-packed and the pace is unrelenting. And you truly won’t know how well your system worked until after exams. And that means you need to create a plan ahead of time, In fact, Tyler Cormney, a Harvard Business School graduate and co-founder of MBA Prep School, counsels students to figure out which classes to take and clubs to join long before they step foot in class. In Cormney’s words, “The two years will be over in the blink of an eye.”

3) Connect With Peers: For some – particularly introverts – work is a place where you complete tasks. For them, a few friends are all you need. And work is simply a means to an end. Well, business school is a destination. It is that end. And your classmates (and alumni) will serve as your network for the rest of your professional life. As a result, you need to cast a wider net. Your peers expect you to be involved. And the social scene is one of the big draws of any business school. Between coursework, clubs, and activities, you’ll always have something to do.  So heed the advice of Deborah Knox, a Stanford grad and MBA admissions consultant and cut back on your commitments outside of school. In her words: “The less you have distracting you, the better.”

4) Build Skills: Before you start class, take a refresher on the basics, particularly finance and accounting. You can refresh your skills through books, online courses, or even tutors. But don’t go into class without mastering the basics. Business is a language that requires a context. If you can’t understand it, you can’t move forward. Once you fall behind, it’s nearly impossible to catch back up.

Source: US News and World Report