When you are struggling writing that ‘why MBA’ and specifically ‘why <x> school’ essay, recalling a first hand experience with current students or admissions officers of school <x> can be the key. You should make every possible effort to know about the prospective schools you may be wishing to spend those crucial years at. These meetings may present you with additional information or data which you may have disregarded earlier.
If you can get an opportunity to meet admissions officers in the MBA fairs/information sessions, you should not miss it. To maximize the returns from your visit, these pointers can be helpful -
Know the schools – It saves time, you do not end up attending the info session of the school that you may not be interested in. Do some preliminary search about your target schools by going through rankings, reading latest news articles and consulting friends. In an MBA fair, do not look for the ‘big’ names and waste time for an interaction if that is not the right school for you. Remember, your motive behind this visit is to know more about your target schools and understand how you fit.
Research and research-Â To let the school know that you are one of the interested and serious applicants, do your homework. You should find more about the school by visiting school’s website, reading some students’ blogs and speaking with alumni/current students.
Get an appointment – MBA fairs are crowded events and you can easily get lost among those hundreds of candidates. Please do not expect a personal interaction unless you have set your appointment in advance. Some info sessions are conducted for exchange of information where as some schools are willing to conduct the interview ( yes even before you submit your applications). Do not miss such an opportunity.
Have your queries ready - If you could not visit the school in person, you definitely have many questions about the teaching methodologies, culture, student profiles and career paths, financial feasibility and living etc. Admission officers will be glad to take your questions as long as they are relevant and you do not demand too much of their time.
Try to connect with all representatives – Speak with alumni, current students and admission officers. Students and alumni, especially from your own country or academic/professional background would be an indispensable resource while getting a close look at the school’s offerings and your fit.
Present yourself well – You might not know who you could meet and forge a relationship with. It could be the person who will later help you through your application process or even conduct your interview. So be tidily dressed in business wears and maintain a cheerful disposition
Finally, take the judgment call – You can evaluate the school on many aspects, including – the type of people you met, how helpful the students and admission officers were, how did they seem to like you, did you get clear responses to your questions, do you see yourself being among them?
Upcoming info sessions in India
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