But given the investment of time, effort and money that an MBA demands, there is no substitute for meeting the admissions personnel of possible schools personally. So how do you go about making the best of the event?
1) Prepare – The QS World MBA Tour attracts over 60,000 visitors globally every year, so expect it to be busy. You may have to wait to talk to many of the most high profile schools and your time with an admissions officer may be limited. Consequently it’s imperative that you make the best of the time you have. Start your preparation by using personalized ranking such as Scorecard at www.topmba.com to draw up a list of programs which suit your individual criteria; visit schools’ websites to conduct further research and time permitting, order a copy of a school’s prospectus to bring – it shows you have done your homework and mean business.
2) Focus – Don’t waste your time on schools or programs that aren’t right; look at the current class profile and entry requirements and remember to investigate how much a program will cost. Use your time at the fair to talk to schools which are realistic options instead of queuing for ‘big name’ schools that may not be the right match for you.
3) Map out questions – Develop a list of questions in advance so that you don’t miss anything vital on the day. Priorities will vary by person, but you may want to ask about teaching style, student mix, academics’ backgrounds, specialisations career options and the cost of living.
4) Don’t overload admissions officers – Admissions personnel will be pleased to meet you, particularly if you are well prepared, but they can’t devote the whole event to you. Make sure that you keep your questions focused and relevant and prepare an ‘elevator pitch’, which will give them the salient facts about you in no more than two minutes. Bring evidence of your qualifications with you, but keep them in your bag until asked for.
5) Don’t just focus on admissions officers – An increasing number of schools now bring alumni to fairs. These individuals have lived the experience and provide valuable insight into all the pros and cons of the business school experience, so make the most of their knowledge.
6) Look the part – Fairs aren’t a platform for admissions, but they could provide your first contact with your target school. Consequently, it makes sense to look and act in a professional manner. That doesn’t mean you should wear a formal business suit, but leave your old t-shirt and jeans at home
7) Funding – An MBA can transform your career prospects, but it can be expensive. Ensure you research any scholarships the school offers and check whether they have any special deals with local financial institutions. Attending a QS World MBA Tour event qualifies you to apply for a range of dedicated scholarships from schools such as Wharton, IE-Instituto de Empresa and Ashridge as well as the portfolio of QS Quacquarelli Symonds scholarships – more details at www.topmba.com.
8) Use the information sessions – At the QS World MBA Tour you can learn a lot through information sessions on topics such as GMAT and the applications process. Many events also feature master classes in which you can see business school academics in action and sample what studying for an MBA might be like.
9) Evaluate – Many MBA students say that they knew the right school as soon as they talked to its representative; trust your instincts as much as your research. Ensure you assess the people you meet – are they interested in you? Can they answer your questions easily and authoritatively? Are they professional? Meeting people face-to-face like this is as much about you making a judgment as it is about obtaining relevant and comprehensive information.
10) And, finally – relax and enjoy yourself!
Read the full article: How to make the most of an MBA fair