Do This Before Applying To An MBA Program

Applying to business school?

Be sure to connect and speak with students currently enrolled in MBA programs to learn more about a program. That’s what Soojin Kwon, Managing Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions and Program at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, advises applicants to do before even applying.

“Chatting with students currently enrolled in MBA programs can be a valuable part of your school research process,” Kwon writes. “At Michigan Ross, we have more than 200 current students willing, ready, and excited to connect with you, answer your questions, and share their Ross experiences with you.”

Kwon outlined a few tips for applicants to make the most of their time when connecting with current MBA students.

FIND COMMON GROUND

At Ross, the Student Ambassador page includes filters for applicants to search for students based on their career interest, club, citizenship, and region.

Kwon suggests applicants to connect with students whom they can relate to.

“Chatting with students is an opportunity to get first-hand perspectives on our school’s academics, recruiting, student clubs, the Ross community, what living in Ann Arbor is like coming from places like NY, SF, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, etc., what they were looking for in a school and how Ross met their criteria,” Kwon writes.

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Prior to the chat, Kwon recommends that applicants do their research on the program.

“Simple things like deadlines, what our class profile looks like, which companies recruit on campus, etc. can be found on the Ross website,” Kwon writes. “By doing homework on a school in advance, you can have a more useful conversation.”

Additionally, experts say, applicants should use the conversation to focus on getting some perspective or insight into the application process.

“Talking to as many students and alumni as you can will not only help you narrow down your choices of where to apply, but will provide insight you can parlay into more convincing MBA essays and use to improve your admissions interviews, especially if conducted with second-year students or alums,” Stacy Blackman, who heads up Stacy Blackman Consulting, writes for US News.

BE RESPECTFUL

Lastly, Kwon says, it’s important to remember that students are busy. Be sure to be respectful of their schedules.

“While student ambassadors want to be helpful and are happy to talk with candidates, remember that they are also balancing the demands of projects, exams, recruiting, and other things,” Kwon writes. “So, remember to be respectful of the student’s time.”

Sources: Michigan Ross, US News