When applying to top MBA programs, it can feel like most of your effort is focused on convincing the admissions team that you’re the right fit for THEM. But the truth is that getting an MBA is a huge investment of time and money, so it’s equally important to find a program that is the right fit for YOU.
MBA program websites offer a ton of useful information, but one of the best ways to really understand the MBA experience is to speak with current students or recent graduates from the programs you are considering.
Fortunately, most of the top US business schools offer MBA student ambassador programs that give prospective students the opportunity to speak directly with student representatives who are excited to help you learn more about their MBA program. Networking with student ambassadors to better understand the culture, curriculum, extracurricular opportunities, career services, and unofficial word on the street about MBA programs is always a good use of time. Student ambassadors present a safe space in which you can ask questions you may not feel comfortable asking the admissions team, and most schools enable you to connect with ambassadors who match your interests or background to ensure their perspective is especially relevant to you.
Although you may hit it off with your ambassador and want to request a letter of support, keep in mind that they probably get a ton of requests and don’t have a lot of time. Save that request only for connections that feel really special. Instead of trying to impress your ambassador in hopes of them advocating on your behalf, it’s more valuable to ask them real questions that matter to you.
The insights you gain from your ambassador connection may help you better understand the program—thus inspiring you to write an even stronger essay about why this program is the best fit for you and better enabling you to describe how it will help you accomplish your personal, academic, and professional goals.
If possible, contact student ambassadors early in your MBA admissions journey to ensure you have time to incorporate your learnings into the application process.
To get you started, here are a few links to student ambassador programs at some of the top US business schools:
| Business School | Ambassador Program |
|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon Tepper | MBA Student Ambassadors |
| Columbia Business School | Hermes Society |
| Cornell Johnson | Admissions Ambassadors |
| Dartmouth Tuck | Tuck Ambassadors |
| Duke Fuqua | Student Network |
| Georgetown McDonough | MBA Student Ambassadors |
| Harvard Business School | Admissions events |
| Indiana Kelley | MBA Student Ambassadors |
| Michigan Ross | Student and Alumni Ambassadors |
| MIT Sloan | Student Ambassadors |
| Northwestern Kellogg | Admissions events |
| NYU Stern | Contact a Sternie |
| Rice Jones | MBA Student Ambassadors |
| Stanford GSB | MBA Ambassadors |
| Texas McCombs | McCombs Ambassador Committee |
| UCLA Anderson | Admissions Ambassador Corps |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | MBA Student Ambassadors |
| University of Chicago Booth | Connect with a Student |
| University of Virginia Darden | Student Ambassadors |
| USC Marshall | Student Ambassadors |
| UW Foster | MBA Ambassadors |
| Vanderbilt Owen | MBA Recruiting & Admissions Fellows |
| Wharton | Admissions Fellows |
| Yale SOM | Student Ambassadors |
For additional insights that you may find useful throughout your MBA journey, check out the Stratus MBA Admissions blog.
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