International MBA Student Checklist

So, you’re looking to study abroad and earn an international MBA. Becoming an international student is a unique opportunity to open your mind and enrich your life. It also makes for an impressive addition to your resume or CV.

Whether you’re looking to go to business school in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, or Asia, certain aspects of applying to an MBA program may differ for international students and will therefore require some careful consideration.

1. Search for international MBA programs

According to expert Kaplan MBA consultant Helen Szyra, there are several criteria that all candidates need to evaluate when choosing a business school. Location; program ranking, reputation, and accreditation; and the length, structure, and curriculum offered are just a few key factors. You may also want to think about the program’s start date, the quality of the careers office, cost, student life, networking opportunities, university partnerships, and professors.

In addition to these, prospective international MBA students may need to include some extra criteria into their business school search:

• What are your goals? Determine what you ultimately want to do with your MBA. If you want to work on Wall Street, perhaps attending a school on the East Coast will give you time to network with your target employers and attend industry events. If you want to work in luxury goods or fashion, look at business schools close to industry hubs like Milan or Paris. If you want to enter the Asian market, you might want to look into applying to INSEAD, which has locations in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. Weigh the value of graduating from a particular school and consider how the degree carries over to different markets. Whatever your goals, make sure the program aligns with what is important to you.
• What kind of education do you want? If you are going to study internationally, you will notice that teaching and leadership styles vary by culture. You need to decide which style best suits you. For instance, if you’ve only had a UK education, perhaps you want to try studying somewhere in the United States or Asia to gain a completely new educational experience.
• Do you speak the language? Today, most international MBA programs are taught in English, generally considered a global business language. All classes at HEC Paris are taught in English, for example, however all non-native French speakers are required to also take a French class as part of their curriculum. You need to decide if you want a program like HEC, in which you can learn the native language while getting your business courses in English, or if you want one that is taught completely in English without any other language requirement. This choice should coincide with what area of the world and market you ultimately want to work in. If English is not your first language and you are applying to a school where lessons are taught in English, you will most likely need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exams as part of your application.

2. Build a network with your target business schools 

Attend international MBA fairs and talk to people from the business schools that interest you—they’ll be able to share in-depth knowledge of the program. Better yet, visit the school and set up meetings with the admissions office if possible. While this is more difficult, especially if it entails traveling abroad, gaining first-hand experience not only gives you an idea of whether the business school is a good fit for you, it may also allow you to get one-on-one time with admissions officials before you submit your application. This could come in handy during your interview and will help the admissions committee members put a face to your application.

3. Get your business school application together 

Once you decide on which programs you want to apply to, find out what’s required for international student admission. This includes things like application deadlines, essay requirements, transcripts, recommendations, entrance exams such as the GMAT or GRE, or any language exams like TOEFL or IELTS.

4. Take the GMAT or GRE

Most likely, you will need to submit a GMAT or GRE score as part of your international business school application. As we all know, the majority of MBAs in the United States require the GMAT, and now many accept the GRE as well. This is also true for many non-U.S. business schools.

If you have a choice between the two tests, you’ll need to decide which would be best for you and the program you’re applying to. Once you decide, you’ll need to register for a test date and give yourself about two or three months to study before you take the exam. Don’t rush it—make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare.

5. Organize your application materials

Before submitting your application, ensure your transcripts, recommendations, essays, and other parts of your application are organized and look professional. This is the committee’s first impression of you, so make it an outstanding one.

Apply early. There are many benefits to being the early bird. Not only does it show your serious interest in that school and planning skills, your application will be one of the first ones the committee looks at, and since they don’t have as many early applications, it’ll be more likely to get attention. Another benefit is that early applications have a higher chance of receiving scholarships and financial aid. Also, if there are any issues, such as lost transcripts or recommendations, you have time to sort it out before the deadline.

6. Figure out how you will pay for business school

It’s no surprise that earning an MBA as an international student is expensive. You’ll need to determine if you can fund the degree and travel expenses yourself and, if not, where you’ll get the rest of the money. Will you look for scholarships, or are you ready to take on the responsibility of applying for a loan? Don’t forget that applying early increases your chances of financial aid, so make sure you get that application in pronto.

Winning a scholarship can also help open doors when it comes time to interview. See if the school has a specific scholarship for your nationality, especially if your nationality has low representation at that school. It may increase your chance of success. There are also external sources, like Fulbright, that offer funding contributions. Paying for your international MBA can require lots of research and sacrifice, but it will be worth it.

7. Apply for your visa

Securing a visa can be tricky, depending on what passport you hold. The visa situation varies widely from country to country. If you are an EU citizen looking to study elsewhere within the EU, this won’t be much of a concern. On the other hand, if you’re looking to study in the U.S. coming from a different country or are a U.S. student looking to study abroad, you need to check the immigration office to learn about student visa requirements and submit the proper applications and paperwork. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to sort this out, as visa processing times can sometimes take months.

Applying to business school can be daunting, and as an international student you’ll face extra hurdles, but the future rewards are worth it. 

To learn more about business school admissions and how to make your international MBA application stand out, check out our free live online MBA Admissions Seminar.

 

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