UPDATE: This article was originally posted on April 9, 2021. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
If you’re just starting to think about applying for an MBA, you may be overwhelmed with just how complex the process is. There are so many things that go into a successful application, which is why we created this series to walk you through all of the crucial steps of your MBA application process.
Today, we’re zooming in on how to choose the best schools for your profile, as it is one of the first and most important steps of your MBA application journey.
Each school and MBA program is different. For example, some programs focus on social impact, others on tech or internationalism. Finding the right programs that fit your goals and values is an essential aspect of the MBA application process. Considering that you will be spending a lot of time, energy, and money during your MBA journey, it’s important that you do your research and find the right fit.
(If you missed our Part 1, no worries. You can read it here.)
Factors to consider in choosing your schools
As you do your research on different schools, there are a few key factors that will help you narrow down your options and understand which schools are the best for you.
Brand and ranking
Usually, it is assumed that the most beneficial program to your career will be the top-ranked one.
However, sometimes, it gets more complicated than that, especially depending on what you want to get out of your MBA.
If you are simply aiming to upgrade your credentials for a pay raise, ranking may be one of the most important factors for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for more specific things like connecting with certain people or obtaining a particular kind of experience, the best program for you may not be the highest-ranked.
For this reason, we suggest that you really do your research into a schools’ brand, values, and opportunities. For example, if you are particularly interested in building your experience at the crossroads of Eastern and Western business, attending Nanyang Business School may be a better option for you than attending Harvard, even though Nanyang is ranked lower.
Understanding how you want to balance brand and ranking in your application decision will require a bit of research and reflection, so be sure to allow yourself time for this step!
Majors and specializations
Not all MBAs are the same! Although all will certainly allow you to improve your business fundamentals, there are so many options to tailor your academic experience to your needs and goals. So, depending on your specific career focus and objectives, you will want to find the schools and programs that offer the kinds of opportunities you are looking for.
For example, if your career path focuses on entrepreneurship, you may want to consider Harvard’s MBA, as it offers many courses and opportunities to focus on real-life entrepreneurial experiences, such as the Harvard i-lab and Startup Bootcamp. Or, if you have a particular interest in sustainability, you will want to think about applying to Warwick Business School, as they are the global leader in sustainability and environmentalism in business and integrate these concepts throughout their MBA program.
Networks
One of the most important things gained from any MBA is an expanded network, and the kind of network you will be able to build differs greatly from school to school.
Considering the alumni network you will have access to during your MBA will have a great influence on your future. For example, if you are looking to be among changemakers who are pushing the field of business to new standards of impact, Stanford GSB could be right for you.
You will also want to think about whether establishing contacts in certain regions will be beneficial to your career. (We will discuss this more below.)
If this is an important aspect for you, we suggest connecting with students, either through school visits or on LinkedIn, and ask them about their experiences with the alumni network.
Location
Knowing where you want to be in the world is a key consideration as you think of how to best prepare for your future. For example, if one of your priorities is networking with leading innovation firms, you might want to spend your MBA time near Silicon Valley.
Luckily, schools often mold their focus around the strengths of their location; for example, given Berkeley Haas’s proximity to Silicon Valley, they have extraordinary opportunities for immersion in business innovation.
You may also want to consider which country the program is in and how its context may benefit you.
For example, if you will benefit specifically from experience working in European markets, you will probably want to consider focusing on schools located in France or the UK. Or, if you want to experience in North America but have concerns about visa considerations in the US, you might think about pursuing an MBA in Canada.
There’s no one “ideal” place to obtain your MBA, but location will ultimately play a role in your future. As such, it’s important to fully reflect on how this critical factor influences your MBA journey.
Program length
Most MBA programs vary in length, from 1 to 2 years. While there are many arguments about which is better, the answer ultimately comes down to your experience, goals, and needs.
The first thing that may come to mind is cost. However, there are both short- and long-term considerations here. While a 2-year program is likely to cost more than a 1-year program, especially considering living costs and time off of work, you must also consider how the MBA will boost your future salary. If the ideal program for your career and goals is a 2-year program and you are concerned about those extra costs, consider that the good fit will ultimately help you develop the right skills, build the right connections, and get the right perspectives to get just the position and salary you want.
If you are at the beginning of your career, a 2-year program may be a good choice, as this can allow you more time to build connections and think about how you want to shape your future. On the other hand, if you have more career experience under your belt, you may prefer a 1-year program so that you can get closer to a C-level position as soon as possible.
Your ideal program length may also depend on how quickly your industry moves. In the tech industry, for example, an extra year of leave will have a much bigger impact on the relevance of your previous experience than in the finance industry. However, if you are switching between industries, a 2-year program may be better for you, as it will allow you to complete a summer internship and get your foot in the door for your dream job.
Instruction style
Based on your goals and needs, it is important to think about the main teaching styles used within various MBA programs and how they can serve you. In general, the three primary styles are case studies, lectures, and experiential learning.
The case study method relies on providing students with practical experience in challenging business situations, which are then analyzed and openly debated in class. If you are looking to build your skills and knowledge in a fast-paced, practical way, then this is definitely an approach to look into. Harvard, for example, is known for its case study method, and students often report how quickly they were able to develop their leadership and decision-making skills as a result. However, as this method is high-intensity and requires students to speak often in front of their peers, you might need to consider if this is the kind of environment that you will maximize your learning in, especially for introverts.
The most common teaching method is lecture-based. Schools that rely upon this method, such as UCLA Anderson, believe that this is the most efficient way of transmitting as much knowledge and skills from experienced faculty and speakers to students. If you are interested in a more traditional pedagogical style, this approach may be the right fit for you.
Lastly, there is the experiential learning approach, which has gained popularity in recent years. This approach relies on “learning by doing” and is the most immersive way of developing your skills and knowledge. While you will still be engaging with traditional classroom learning, you will also be given the opportunity to test this knowledge in “live” business settings. Therefore, this approach really tests your ability to apply what you’ve learned and develops both your hard and soft skills at the same time. It is also highly valued by employers, as it assures them that you already have practical experience and commitment to your particular field. And there are some interesting opportunities that can even allow you to travel, such as Tuck’s Global Insight Expeditions.
There is no single best approach to teaching an MBA — that’s why you can find top programs across the spectrum. You must consider the style that fits you best based on your personality and objectives to really make the best decision for yourself and your future.
Campus culture
Different schools attract different kinds of students, so the kind of culture you want to be immersed in during your MBA studies is an important consideration to make as you choose where to apply.
For example, if you value a strong, social impact-minded community, Kellogg may be the place for you, as it is common for students to get involved in volunteering and service projects. Or if you want to surround yourself with problem-solvers, you might consider prioritizing MIT Sloan. No matter how you want to develop yourself, there is probably a campus environment that fits your needs!
While you can definitely get an idea of schools’ campus environment through online research and connecting with current and former students, you may also consider visiting your schools, as mentioned above.
Making the final decision
Once you have an idea of what schools fit your goals and needs, you must decide which ones you will actually put the time and effort into applying to.
Before you decide, you must first know how many you will choose to apply to. While this number depends on your own preferences and availability, we generally recommend applying to around 4 schools.
If this seems like a high number, remember that you may not always get into your dream school, especially if admissions are competitive. Given the amount of effort and time you will be putting into the application process, you will want to maximize your chances of receiving an admission offer. Plus, in the case that you are accepted to multiple schools, it’s always a benefit to be able to choose between multiple offers!
If you have more schools than this on your list, it may be good to remember that quality is better than quantity when it comes to your application. Because each school has its own questions and criteria for ideal applicants, every application will be adding a significant amount of time to the process. You may also want to consider application fees, which add up. While some of our clients have been able to manage upwards of 4 applications, and it’s certainly possible to do so if you are convinced this will be beneficial to you, keeping your priorities focused and limited is more likely to be helpful so you can manage your time and attention wisely.
Ready to start choosing your schools? Download our School Selection Exercise below.
Get help choosing schools
Given how many choices of MBA programs there are, along with all the different factors to consider when setting your priority schools, this step of the process can be pretty stressful. We know that this is an important decision that will determine the course of the rest of your career. And that is why we have assembled the best team and acquired the best expertise to help you decide what programs are best for you.
Our team has the experience you need to make your decision easier by looking through your profile and offering you expert advice on schools. We then support you through the rest of the process to help you land the program of your dreams.
Over 98.9% of our clients get accepted to at least one of their preferred programs. We’d love to help you, too! If you’re interested in working with us, apply here to put our years of experience to work for your success!
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
