Selecting an MBA program, or a graduate management degree, need not be a daunting experience. The first step is to form a list of factors that are important to you. At this point in your career, you should know exactly why you want an MBA, what it will do for you and your goals, and the specifics of what you want to study (admissions officers will expect you to know this).
To create this list, ask yourself, "What am I looking for in an MBA?" Do you want traditional finance and accounting knowledge or are you interested in corporate and social responsibility? Perhaps you are "green" minded and want to focus on environmental management and policy? Are you more entrepreneurial in nature or are you a by-the-book, bottom-line type of person? Know what you want, and be confident in your choices. There is an MBA program out there for you. You can find it!
You should research several facets of each program you are interested in: the curriculum and program requirements, the faculty and their areas of research/consulting interests, the backgrounds of the students with whom you will be studying, the facilities, student services including the career management program, the location, costs (both direct and indirect), alumni involvement, and accreditation. Those are the tangibles.
But also consider the intangibles. Visit the campus and the b-school. How does it feel? Do you think you could fit in? What's the culture like? Does it seem to have a collaborative environment? Are you comfortable with the students and faculty you meet?
Talk, talk, and talk some more to the various constituent groups. Talk to the current students, talk to the faculty, talk to the alumni. Talk to the other applicants who have been admitted.
Know who will be in class with you. What experiences will they bring to the table? How will they contribute to the overall learning experience? Some programs will offer an admitted student weekend for you to get to know the program and the people. Take advantage of this opportunity. Oftentimes, it is the intangibles that can make or break your final decision.
Admission Requirements
For most MBA programs, application requirements are as follows:
- The application form requesting personal data and educational and professional background.
- Official transcript(s) of all college-level academic work (undergraduate and graduate). At minimum, applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- An official GMAT score. International applicants must submit an official TOEFL score, unless their undergraduate degree is from a U.S. institution.
- Statement of Purpose and essays.
- Two or three letters of recommendation, preferably work related.
- R?sum? and supplemental employment form.
- Interview.
A Word about Work Experience
While professional work experience is not a requirement for admission to some schools, it is highly desirable and gives the applicant an advantage in the admission process. In the School of Business at The George Washington University, less than ten percent of our students have one year or less of work experience. A solid background of several years' work experience significantly strengthens an applicant's profile. Work experience also will benefit the applicant in the classroom. You will be able to apply your own experiences to the management theory being learned.
Kathleen A. Rogan, former Director of the GW Global MBA, is currently Chief of Staff, Graduate Programs, at the GW School of Business. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College and her MBA from The George Washington University.
