MBA Event Dos and Don’ts

MBA events can play an important role at each stage of your MBA admissions journey. How far you are through the application cycle will determine how you should approach them. MBA events can sometimes be the only opportunity that you have as a prospective student to meet with MBA admissions representative in person.

Some people use MBA admissions events for initial research, and to gather general information about the graduate business opportunities available to them. Some people attend events with a clear idea of the type of MBA programs that they are looking for, and so can compile a short list of schools that they would like to speak to. Other people may be in the process of compiling MBA applications, and so see admissions events as a great resource to gain insightful hints and tips from admissions staff. And there are also those people who may have been accepted by various schools and are looking to make their final decision on where to study through speaking to admissions staff, students and recent MBA alumni.

Here are some do's and don'ts to think about before, during and after you attend an MBA event:

DO: Have answers to some of the questions that schools may ask you

Why do you want to pursue an MBA? How do you think an MBA will help your career progress? What are the key things that you are looking for in a program?

Be open minded about MBA programs

There are hundreds of thousands of variations of business graduate degrees; in terms of where you can study, when they start, how they are taught, how long they take to complete, what specializations they offer, and what they may offer the opportunity to do once you graduate. There is no clear methodology on how to figure out which MBA programs work best for you – the best thing to do would be to look at all MBA programs with an open mind and assess them on what is important to you and your career.

Tell your story

Be ready to explain to MBA admissions staff what you are doing now and if/why you want a change. Be ready to tell them about your background and what you hope to achieve through pursuing an MBA. Their job is to help you understand if their program can help you facilitate the change and career development that you are seeking. The more honest information you can give them, the more they will be able to help.

Speak to as many schools as possible

There is nothing bad that can happen from gathering information on as many programs as possible, and talking through your objectives and motivations as many times as possible. MBA admissions event attendees often overlook opportunities that are in front of them to speak with seasoned and experienced admissions staff. If a program is not right for you, chances are that the admissions staff will spot that before you and will help you on your way to find something more suitable.

Bring business cards and to build your professional network

I am consistently shocked at how MBA event attendees will stand in a room with 500+ people in the same position as them and not want to talk and compare notes with as many as possible! One of the biggest opportunities you have in attending an organized admissions event is to grow your professional network and meet people who are also applying for programs – one of your criteria when choosing a school should be whether you will enjoy and benefit from the other attendees – and so getting to know other applicants as well as possible can really help you make an informed decision as well as developing the right professional network.

Dress for success and to impress

It is important to make a good first impression, and so try to dress in a way that you think will help you to do so.

A little research

You don't have to know the ins and outs of a school to start a conversation with them – but a quick Google search on your smartphone will at least be able to tell you the location and size of a school, as well as the programs that they offer and any other major features.

Have a follow-up plan 

Think of ways that you can follow up with schools over the week that follows the event. Chances are that the admissions staff will follow up with you, but also think about ways that you can proactively seek out other perspectives, be it from current students, alumni or prospective employers that you'll be applying to once you graduate.

DON'T: Ask basic or closed questions that can be easily answered online or in a brochure

There are legitimate questions pertaining to average GMAT scores, years of experience or school location which are very relevant to an initial conversation, but can also be found inside the school brochure or on the website before you start your conversation. Try and use the time with admissions staff to ask questions that you would struggle to find online.

Ask there and then if they think you'd be admitted

Pushing MBA admissions staff to try and give you an insight into whether you are admissible after a five-minute conversation is generally not a good idea.  Admissions staff will be happy to point you in the right direction when it comes to highlighting certain points in your background in your application - but they can't give you an answer on the spot as to whether you would get in.

Make MBA scholarships or financial aid your first question 

Yes, the majority if not all schools offer MBA scholarships and financial aid, however it this is your first question then it can suggest that all other aspects of the program are of secondary importance to you!  By all means, ask about the process by which schools award financial aid and MBA scholarships, but there is nothing to be gained by making it your opening question.

Interrupt conversations, monopolize time or over-dominate the conversation 

One of the most impactful things that you can do at an admissions event is in fact to listen to other candidates talk with schools. Many candidates soon realize that they are asking similar questions to other people, and so it is sometimes just as useful to listen to other conversations as it is to have your own with a school. Most admissions staff and candidates are more than happy to have group discussions. Also be mindful that admissions staff are in attendance to meet with a number of candidates, and so try not to spend 45 minutes with the same school if there is a long line of people waiting behind you.

Dismiss schools or programs because you haven't heard of them

For every person that I meet who has that eureka moment when speaking to a school that they had not previously considered, there must be another 100 who didn't because they walked past school tables and didn't speak to them.  Every school is different and every school that you speak to is another opportunity to learn more. The most successful MBA candidates are often those who have done the most research and honed their story by explaining it many times.

Think there will be another opportunity

There may be numerous MBA events in your city but no time is ever like the present. Even if you are considering graduate school two or year years down the line, there is never a better time to start to understand what you need to do in order to make yourself as strong an applicant as possible.