Getting To Know a Business School Without Visiting

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust the world into unprecedented times.

For many in the class of 2022, that has meant making a decision on where to attend b-school without even visiting campus.

In a recent Yale School of Management blog post, students offer a few tips on getting to know a b-school without visiting.

CONNECT WITH STUDENTS

For many prospective MBAs, one of the best ways to learn about a b-school is by connecting with current students or alumni.

“After getting my offer of admission, I was contacted by SOM alumni and students,” Abhishek Agarwal, a Class of 2021 Yale SOM MBA, says. “The conversations were very helpful to understand more about SOM’s unique, tight-knit culture.”

Experts say making these connections is key – especially if you want the inside scoop on what a b-school experience is like.

“Nothing compares with hearing first-hand accounts that offer a realistic view of the b-school experience,” Sherry Holland of Stacy Blackman Consulting writes for P&Q. “Have conversations about why they decided to go to business school, why they chose the program they did, the highlights or surprises of their experience, and what they wish they had known when starting this process.”

ATTEND EVENTS, ONCE YOU’RE ABLE TO

Many Yale SOM MBAs say they were sold on SOM after attending events.

While this isn’t possible at the moment, admitted students should try to attend admitted student events later down the road, if possible.

“I would definitely recommend to incoming students to attend as many events as possible during orientation and the first few weeks of class,” Emily Sun, a Class of 2021 SOM student, says. “This is really the time for people to get acquainted and share in the experience of starting out in a new environment.”

Read the rest of the student reflections here.

Sources: Yale SOM, Poets & Quants