Ask the Expert

—Julie R. Barefoot, Associate Dean and Director of MBA Admissions, Goizueta Business School, Emory University

There are several ways that you can proactively use alumni and current students to your advantage:

1. Speak with alumni and students at an MBA recruiting fair or at an on-campus recruiting event and ask them specific questions about their experiences at the school— about the classroom environment, interactions with faculty, relationships with classmates, the availability of courses, extracurricular activities, and how an MBA from that school has prepared them for their career.
2. Visit campus and attend an MBA class. During your visit, ask current students about what the program experience is really like—ask them what they like best about their program and what areas the school needs to improve. Ask similar questions to students, alumni, and admissions professionals, and see if you receive similar responses!
3. Ask an alum who knows you well to serve as an additional recommender or to provide informal feedback about you to the MBA Admissions Committee via email or letter. The MBA Admissions Committee is very interested in receiving feedback from their alumni and current students. After all, who would know better about what kind of student will succeed at their alma mater than an alum or current student?

(more…)

Filed under: Admissions Events, B-School, Choosing the Right School, School Selection | Leave a Comment »