Test Drive an EMBA with Master Classes or an Information Session

 By Dawn Z Bournand

Choosing the right business school for your Executive MBA can be a daunting task. Luckily though, most institutions do their best to make the choice a bit easier by allowing you to test drive their program.  In a sort of ‘try-before-you-buy’ marketing move, many of the world’s best schools open their doors for potential students to have a campus visit, participate in master classes or an information session and learn about the particular MBA subjects available through their specific offering of the Executive MBA degree.  And, if visiting more than one school in a day sounds interesting, you can always check out the QS World MBA Tour and World Executive MBA Tour.

Campus Visit

Most business schools welcome potential candidates, but they will want to know you are a serious candidate before inviting you for an official campus visit.  A campus visit is a great way to get acquainted with the Executive MBA program you are considering, as it allows you to see first-hand how the students, administrators and professors interact.  You may also have the opportunity to speak directly with program participants so you can learn about the MBA subjects available and get the inside scoop from admissions directors on MBA requirements.  Harvard Business School, for example, has campus visits / guided tours scheduled in the month of June.  Most schools list their campus visit days on their website calendars, so be sure to check out when your favorite programs may open their doors to interested candidates.

Information Session

Though information sessions can vary from school to school, they are typically a session done for interested candidates in the city where the program is located, or in other major cities where the school has historically recruited. Information sessions are most often conducted by admissions directors or representatives who give an overview of the program, the requirements and what can be expected.  They will then typically open up for Q&A from those attending, so that you can get your questions answered on the spot as well as benefiting from hearing responses to questions you may not have thought of, but end up being exactly what you needed to know. HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management in Germany and EADA Business School in Spain are hosting an online information session about their dual degree Executive MBA program later this month, for instance. The presentation will include videos about the international destinations and details of scholarships, with time set aside to respond to questions.

Master Classes

Master Classes are a great way to sample an actual Executive MBA class.  If you have been out of school for a while this is an especially good way to get a taste of what the EMBA experience will offer from a student perspective.  Master Classes are usually taught by the program’s top professors, so you will be sure to sit in on an interesting class and will more than likely pick up a few interesting bits of information as you test drive the class experience.  Master classes are most often given on the school campus during a campus visit day, but they are also often offered in conjunction with an information session throughout the world.  For example, ESADE will be offering master classes this month at both their Barcelona and Madrid campuses.  During the two open days, prospective candidates can sit in on a lecture and get a feel for the program’s Executive MBA classroom experience.

QS World MBA Tour

One of the best ways to start choosing which Executive MBA program is right for you is to visit the QS World MBA Tour and Executive MBA Tour.  With two tour seasons in spring and fall that cover the globe, the tour is bound to be coming somewhere not too far from you.  The QS World MBA Tour is a great way to visit many schools at once.  You will get the opportunity to meet many top business schools in a single afternoon or evening as well as to sit in on interesting panel discussions, perhaps catch an information session and maybe even participate in a master class.  To get the latest updates on the QS World MBA Tour and World Executive MBA Tour dates and cities, simply click here.