There are almost 600 accredited MBA programs available worldwide, which can make the choice of where to study daunting, to say the least.
“Probably the majority of people applying to business school are at a point in their careers where they know they want to shake things up, but they don’t know exactly what they want to do with their professional lives,” Stacy Blackman says in a piece on how to choose an MBA program, published Monday in the Financial Times.
“If that’s the case with you, look at other criteria: culture, teaching method, location, and then pick a place that’s a good fit for you with a strong general management program. Super-defined career goals don’t have to be a part of this process.”
Jumping Off Points to Choosing a Program
- Research the rankings to determine your reach, target and safety schools.
- Become a regular reader of school websites and blogs.
- Take some time for personal reflection. Why an MBA and why now? Where do you want to study–in a big city or smaller community? Future professional plans?
- What’s your learning style? Some schools are lecture-based; others are a hands-on, experience-based learning environment; some schools offer a blend of all three.
- Visit the campus to determine whether the culture makes it a good fit for you. Go to as many school-sponsored events as possible.
FT also published advice this week on making the application, getting the right visa and securing outside funding. Remember, there’s an MBA program out there for everyone. With just a bit of research, you’ll find the program best suited to your career goals and lifestyle.
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Read the full article: Choosing an MBA Program
