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Print Edition StoriesWednesday, May 26, 2010
How-To Toolbox
How to choose and make the most of an MBA program
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Step one in selecting a master of business administration program is some serious research, and that starts with the Internet.
You can’t beat the web as a comprehensive source of information once you decide to pursue a master of business administration degree. Surf the web not only for details about individual programs but the graduate education market as a whole. Here are some sites to get you started: mba.com, gmac.com, mbanavigator.com and mbaassociation.org.
Debra Woog McGinty is an MBA career coach with connect2 Corp. in Boston, who established mbanavigator.com more than a decade ago to advise people interested in business school. “All of the schools, from what I’ve seen, are working hard to reach out and make the web as personal of an experience as possible,” she said. However, she added, “I think there’s no substitute for visiting in person the programs they’re seriously interested in.”
The number of applications to business schools was on the rise in 2009. “Our research underscores that earning a graduate business degree gives people an edge in the job market that endures despite the economic cycle,” said Dave Wilson, president and CEO of the Graduate Management Admission Council, in a prepared release. He said that there is growing interest in one-year MBA programs.
Woog McGinty recommends breaking the selection process down into steps, the first of which is taking the GMAT. Next, research schools to identify some “that resonate with you.” she said. “It’s a tremendous inventory of money and also of your time. Business school is expensive from both perspectives,” she said. “You want to make sure the program is the right one for you.”
Consider these factors when looking at programs, she added: Method of instruction; value; full-time or part-time; curriculum/focus; class/alumni network size; location and culture; and reputation.
“What are your preferences for each of these factors?” Woog McGinty says. “You want to think about your top priorities when selecting your target program.”
Open your eyes and take a good look at the business school you’re considering. What is the philosophy there? What kind of student support or advisement is available? Do its professors value the student in the classroom? Does faculty provide support beyond the classroom?
Expert Tips:
• Identify your priorities in areas such as the type of instruction and support that you need.
• Schedule on-site visits.
• Take your time to find the right fit.
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