The MBA school
visit can certainly be a nerve-wracking experience. On my first school visit, I
felt both excited and terrified. I was effectively considering a completely new
life for myself at the schools I was visiting, and that in and of itself can be
overwhelming.
For me, as I
imagine for many of you out there, preparation is the biggest key to reducing
my nerves and helping me to feel more in control of my experience. Here are
some thoughts for you to consider regarding your school visits:
How to Prepare:
· Research
the school in depth in advance (1-2 months), and refresh your stats and
information about the school just before visiting to have the basics fresh in
your mind. Writing down this information in a notebook you keep with you can be
great for keeping all the facts straight, especially when visiting multiple
schools in the same city.
· Have
an idea of your personal story and reasons for going to B school. Of course,
this doesn’t have to be incredibly crisp as it does in the interview phase, but
you should have the basics—what you’re doing, where you’re heading, why B
school, why now—ready to share, as you will be asked this by multiple
individuals.
· Schedule
class visits to the MBA courses you’d like to sit in on. Remember: most MBA
programs don’t have Friday classes, so don’t expect an easy Friday away from the
office. You will likely need to be there on Wednesday or Thursday to attend
classes and be on campus when students are present.
·
…Which
brings me to my next point. Take off work—I mean really—in advance. Try your
best to stay totally plugged into the B school experience while visiting. I saw
many people responding to work emails during the class visit, and taking work
calls in the middle of information sessions, which made for a big distraction
to them and everyone else.
· RSVP
to events and programming Admissions makes available, such as information
sessions, school tours, and office hours with the AdCom. Many insider tips into
the application process are dished out at these events.
· RSVP
to B-school events that are open to recruits. Due to smart planning, in one
weekend, I was able to attend NYU Stern’s Opening Doors for Women
event, a Columbia Business School “Spotlight On” series event, and was invited
to several student-run happy hours and Halloween events. There’s no better way
to learn about the school first hand than attending these events.
· Look
up the clubs at the school that interest you, and email the student leads of
those clubs to meet up for coffee or a drink at their convenience to discuss
the program.
· Of
course, if you have friends at the school or in the community, make time to
treat them to a meal—trust me, they are temporarily poor and will appreciate
it—to also hear from them firsthand about their experience.
· Get
your transportation logistics sorted out. Taking a red eye to San Fran to visit
Stanford in the morning when you get off the flight….not a great idea in the
slightest. Showing up to Chicago without a clue on how to ride the Metra out to
the school…no good. Download HopStop and plan
out your transport in advance if you are in a city, organize your car rental in
advance if you are driving, and give yourself plenty of time to account for
missed turns, traffic, train work, and all the terribly inconvenient hold-ups
that always seem to happen when you least expect.
· Research
the city. This place could very well be your home for the next two years, so
make sure you check out the city and not just the school itself to get a feel
for your potential new home.
What to Wear:
· I
couldn’t find this information anywhere and had to ask friends. Here is the
deal:
· Dress
business casual to professional when meeting with the AdCom or going to any formal
recruiting events.
· Dress
smart casual in the more informal settings, such as going to a coffee chat or
meeting with students you’ve reached out to.
· Prepare
as you would for an interview: get a manicure, don’t dress too “flashy” or wear
anything too tight or low cut. Remember, you are here to get a feel for the
school and make a first impression and build relationships. Look your best to
feel your best.
· Comfortable
shoes. You will likely be going across campus multiple times and doing lots of
walking, so now is not the time to be a martyr in 5 inch Louboutins.
What to Bring:
· A notebook
and pen to take notes.
· Business
cards to hand to people you meet to stay in contact.
·
A
portfolio or handbag big enough to carry all of the “take home” materials you
will inevitably receive as a part of your visit.
· A
list of questions that are tailored for each audience you will be interacting
with (student questions, AdCom questions, event questions, etc.).
· The
addresses of where you’re going in your notebook or Smartphone.
· A
water bottle, snacks, mints, and so forth. Between bouncing to and from campus
locations for several different events, not to mention the typically limited
on-campus options, it’s a good idea to have some basics with you to keep your
energy up throughout the day.
·
A
focused and energetic attitude that’s eager to fully soak in the school visit
experience!
Preparation, energy, and focus during the
school visit help get you to Business School…and beyond!
I’d love to hear your
feedback and questions in the comments section below.
Ashley Wells
is a Strategy and Operations consultant at Deloitte. She is currently enrolled
in Forte’s inaugural MBA Launch program for women. She is an MBA 2014 candidate
hopeful and is excited to share her experiences and insights throughout the MBA
application process. She has a degree in Political Science from The George
Washington University.
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