Thanks to all the new upgrades MBA programs have made to their websites and digital footprints over the past several years, MBA applicants now have so many more options to help them get to know a school from a distance. While in-person options are also quite valuable, there are a lot of great reasons to start your business school research online.
Save time and money!
In design, people talk about building prototypes fast to test an idea. The same concept applies to MBA research. Before you request time off from work and invest the time and money to buy plane tickets and book hotel rooms, conduct online research to confirm that an MBA program is a great fit for you. You can quickly scan employment reports and curriculum offerings from the comfort of home to build a short list of schools that have the resources that are most important to you in an MBA program.
Schedule targeted communication with MBA students in areas that interest you most.
You can learn so much by conducting online research and emailing with students who have similar interests. Taking the time to connect to the president of the consulting club or the PE club and learning more about its offerings will enable you to ask better questions when and if you visit in person. The knowledge that you gain from this specialized research will also help you share more specific details when writing your application essays and answering interview questions. Almost every MBA program has a page on its website where you can reach out to student ambassadors for that program to ask about clubs and classes of interest.
Leverage the connections you make to keep learning.
As you meet with student ambassadors and club leaders, you will learn more about other initiatives or centers at the school. Ask these new contacts to connect you with others at the school who can share more information. Sign up for online coffee chats and virtual webinars. Watch the videos posted on the business school’s admissions page. By conducting thorough research online, you can absolutely shine just as much as someone who visits campus. In fact, if you really do your homework, you will shine more than someone who did not put any advance planning into their school visit. Keep detailed notes from your conversations with students so you can compare different programs on the areas that matter most to you.
If you want to work with a coach who can guide you through the MBA research process and help you stay focused in finding your best-fit MBA program, Stratus can help. Reach out for a free consultation today!