Touring a B-school? These are Questions You Should Ask

There really isn’t a better way to learn about what a B-school can offer than to visit.

“Campus visits are an important part of the business school application process,” Francesca Di Meglio, of Top MBA, says. “Seeing a school firsthand can help applicants better understand the culture, learn about courses, meet professors, and see what their life might be like if they enroll there. As a result, they may have an easier time deciding where to go to school.”

But how can you make the most of your B-school visit? Ilana Kowarski, a reporter at US News, recently highlighted the top questions that every applicant should ask on an MBA campus tour.

“WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT BUSINESS SCHOOL?”

This question is intended to be asked to current students. The answers you receive can tell you how a B-schools aligns with your expectations.

“It also can pinpoint areas where the business school’s sales pitch is inconsistent with the student experience and areas where the school could use improvement,” Kowarski writes.

“DO YOU THINK I AM A GOOD FIT?”

Applicants should ask this question to admissions officers. While the question may seem loaded, experts say it can open the door to honest feedback on your candidacy.

“In a way, they’re almost interviewing us as much as we’re interviewing them, because fit is paramount, and obviously the financial aspect of the transaction matters a lot, too,” Andy Glockner, executive director of communications, marketing and graduate admissions at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, tells US News.

“WHAT KINDS OF FINANCIAL AID AM I ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AT YOUR BUSINESS SCHOOL?”

This question, aimed at financial aid officers, is particularly important in helping you put together a realistic list of schools to apply to. The lesson: discuss money before it becomes a real issue, experts say.

“You may end up going to a school that wasn’t your first, second or third choice, because you can’t say no to money,” Joseph Vijay Ingam, head admissions consultant at Interview SOS, a California-based college and graduate school admissions consulting company, tells US News.

See more questions here.

Sources: US News, Top MBA

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