Read on for valuable advice!

Q: Do you have any tips for MBA applicants on how to network effectively at MBA Fairs?

Randall Sawyer, Director of MBA Admissions, Cornell’s Johnson School of Business:

1. Dedicate time to self-reflection early in the process and present a brief description of your background and goals when introducing yourself at MBA Fairs. If you provide clear information about your goals, we can provide relevant details about aspects of the program.
2. Dress professionally. Business or business casual is appropriate.
3. Relax. Fairs provide an opportunity for making a first impression, but they are mainly informational.

Suzanne Ashour, Assistant Director of MBA & MS Recruiting, Robert H. Smith School of Business:

Take the time beforehand to research the schools in attendance or that you are interested in. This way you will make good use of your time at the fair and speak to those you really want information from. Come prepared with well-thought out questions that are short and concise to allow enough time to get your answers and allow others time to speak with that representative as well.

Alison C. Goggin, Director of MBA Admissions, NYU Stern School of Business:

1. Do your homework prior to attending the fair. Find out which of your potential target schools will be present and visit their websites to gather information. The most valuable conversations between Admissions Officers and applicants occur when the applicant has some knowledge about the benefits of a school and can ask targeted questions about his or her specific interests. Develop a few questions that go beyond the website information for your target schools.
2. Take advantage of other attendees’ questions. Admissions Officers often ask the group waiting to ask a question to listen in on what they are saying. You can learn some great details about a school this way – and possibly even hear the answer to your question.
3. Be respectful of the Admissions Officer and fellow attendees’ time. If you see that your target school’s table is busy, be mindful not to take up an Admissions Officer’s time with a long list of questions. Choose your 1-2 questions carefully and then step aside to allow others to ask questions. Most Admissions Officers welcome you to stay and listen, and you can ask further questions when the group waiting gets smaller in size.

Q: Are there any specific things applicants should not do at an MBA Fair?

Randall Sawyer: Avoid interrupting conversations or acting impatiently. We focus on responding to individual questions and this may require a short wait, but it provides more valuable interactions.

Suzanne Ashour:

1. Don’t monopolize a representative at a particular school.
2. Don’t lay out your complete background and resume during a time when others are waiting to speak to that school rep as well.
3. Don’t come in casual attire; Be professional.

Alison C. Goggin: Schools’ policies on accepting applicant materials at a fair vary greatly. Before providing any potential application materials, such as a resume, ask the Admissions Officer if he or she is collecting any information from applicants.

Q: What are the elements applicants should be exploring early in their research into schools?

Randall Sawyer: Coursework and opportunities for applied learning related to your career goals, student body (size, level of engagement, diversity), overall reputation of the school in specific fields, style of instruction (case/lecture), alumni connections.

Suzanne Ashour:

1. Is it an area I am comfortable moving to/living in?
2. Length of the programs offered and do they fit into career goals?
3. Cost of the programs? (This helps to focus your time at a fair to those you can afford.)
4. Get a basic understanding of the school/program and the mission to make sure it aligns with personal goals.

Alison C. Goggin: Applicants should research their specific academic areas of interest to see what courses, student clubs, and programs the school offers in these areas. Applicants also should make note of important Admissions information, like application deadlines, the class profile, required application components, and the schools’ interview policy and process.

Q: What questions annoy you?

Randall Sawyer:

1. Why should I apply to your school? We all love our schools and we could certainly provide a list of reasons why, but the best business school for you is the one aligned with your goals.
2. What is your median GMAT? (This information is listed in the class profile.)

Suzanne Ashour: Why would I want to get an MBA?

Alison C. Goggin: In general, Admissions Officers who attend MBA Fairs are accustomed to prospective applicants having varying levels of knowledge about our MBA programs. However, any basic topics, such as application deadlines or the class profile, are covered on our websites and can be found in the materials distributed at our table.

Q: Can you recommend good next steps for after the fair?

Randall Sawyer: Send a pleasant follow-up email to admissions representatives and alumni you meet during events.

Suzanne Ashour:

1. Send an email or contact the representative of the schools you are truly interested in as a follow-up.
2. Find ways in which to interact with those schools whether it is making sure to be on the mailing/emailing lists, reading and keeping up with news about the school, attend open events if feasible.
3. Indicate you attended the fair on the application when you apply.

Alison C. Goggin: Once you have made a personal connection with and gathered more information about potential target schools, begin to narrow your list to those schools you would like to explore further. Find out how you can contact current students or student clubs at those schools to learn more about the student experience. If possible, schedule a visit to your short list of schools as this is the very best way to see how you will fit into a school’s community. Most schools have information about contacting students and visiting readily available on their MBA Admissions websites.

*****

It’s always important to heed advice from those who know what they’re talking about. Mr. Sawyer, Ms. Ashour, and Ms. Goggin are three such people. Follow their advice and not only will you present your best face at the next MBA Fair, but you’ll make the most of the event as well!

The MBA Tour will be hosting upcoming events in:

New York, February 6

Washington, D.C., February 7



Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Peter von Loesecke, the founder and CEO of The MBA Tour; Nunzio Quacquarelli, founder and CEO of QS World MBA Tour; and Wassan Humadi, Higher Ed Diversity Consultant from the US Educational Group and Al-Jamiat Magazine each expressed a strong sense of optimism and pride—optimism for the future of international MBA prospects and pride for the measures their organizations are taking to help students around the world achieve their MBA dreams.

The article in BW reports a decline in attendance at fairs in countries like Korea and India, previous “heavyweights” (in terms of sending students to US business schools). According to Quacquarelli, the decline in Korea that was seen in 2008, was due to the significantly weakened exchange rate. Korean application volume has already seen recovery in 2009, due to the strengthened Korean currency. Regarding India, says the QS World MBA Tour founder, the number of interested students in studying abroad is actually steadily increasing. However, as it becomes more difficult to acquire a visa, Indian students are shifting their interest towards business schools in Europe, Asia, and Canada, rather than to the US.

Von Loesecke, from the MBA Tour, attributes the “heavyweight” decline to the lack of current job prospects for MBAs. If prospective students don’t see job prospects, they’ll be less likely to apply—this year at least. “This happens in every recession,” says von Loesecke, “although this time the recovery will be slower. I don’t think [the decline in interest] is permanent.”

Both the MBA Tour and QS World MBA Tour are expanding their MBA fair programs into previously untapped markets. QS has been visiting Vietnam and Malaysia for the last five years. The fairs are successes, attracting over 1000 MBA candidates in each country, as many prospective students as attend fairs in more developed markets.

QS World MBA Tour has grand plans, and has already begun implementing them. The ambitious company recently launched its African Tour (that BW mentions) and plans to visit new venues in the coming year, including a trip to Saudi Arabia. Cities on the 2010 Spring Tour schedule include Bogota, Sao Paulo, Dusseldorf, Dubai, and Moscow. Latin America is another big growth region for US b-school recruitment, as is Europe—because of its depressed economies, says Quacquarelli, many Europeans are applying to American MBA programs.

World MBA Tours also offers the TopMBA Connect 1-2-1 program which provides opportunities for applicants to meet with admissions representatives from top business schools at scheduled one-on-one meetings. These opportunities also reach out on a global scale, with upcoming events in Sao Paulo, Bogota, Mexico City, Moscow, and Dubai, among many other cities in Europe and the US.

While the QS World MBA Tour makes expansion look like a piece of cake, the MBA Tour gives us what seems like a more realistic view. “Expansion in this economy requires careful consideration,” says von Loesecke. “Schools are willing to invest where they find quality and numbers. Schools are not taking risks to participate in events in markets that are not sophisticated.” He defines market sophistication as “how well students can articulate the value of an MBA degree and how familiar those students are with the requirements to get an MBA.”
MBA programs’ drive for diversity is of utmost importance to Wassan Humadi whose organization promotes b-school attendance among potential MBA students in the Middle East.

“MBA programs are saturated with diversity groups from certain countries,” explains Humadi, “[but have a] terribly low number of students from the Middle East.”

The Middle East is underrepresented in MBA programs because of its lack of access and exposure to the programs, says Humadi. The trend towards increased recruitment in the Middle East will improve classroom diversity.

Humadi isn’t kidding when she says the Middle East is the next big target market for MBA programs. A recent fair USEG Tours held in Saudi Arabia, a stop along its 10-city Middle Eastern tour, saw 3,500 students within the three hours of the fair. 30-40 universities (not all MBA programs) were represented at the event.

Related Accepted.com Resources:

• MBA Admissions Advice for Chinese Applicants
• MBA Admissions Advice for Indian Applicants
• The European MBA Alternative
• International Students Opt out of American MBA Programs

Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best

Accepted is providing free MBA admissions mini-consultations to event participants in Vancouver and Montreal. During these quick takes, MBA applicants can receive a profile evaluation and discuss school choice, their competitiveness at particular schools, how to handle weaknesses, and how to differentiate themselves so that their MBA application stands out and shines.

Applicants will also have the opportunity to:

• Attend the MBA Fair and speak with representatives from business schools around the world.
• Explore different types of MBA programs.
• Participate in interactive panels that will address topics from admissions criteria to women in business.
• Learn expert strategies on how to approach the GMAT.

The Canadian events will be held in these cities:

1. Calgary, November 10, 2009
2. Vancouver, November 12, 2009
3. Toronto, November 14, 2009
4. Montreal, November 16, 2009

If you are an MBA applicant who wants to attend these fantastic events, please register online.

Access MBA offers qualified professionals the opportunity to meet face to face with the world’s top international business schools in select cities across Europe, the Americas and the Middle East. Meet Admissions Directors One-to-One and gain the quality information you need to find the MBA programme that is right for you. Learn about the next One-to-One event taking place in your city on www.accessmba.com.

How can you ensure that those few hours are beneficial?

I recently had the opportunity to interview Peter von Loesecke, CEO and Managing Director of The MBA Tour LLC, and am sharing inside tips Peter revealed for making the most of your MBA Fair experience.

How should applicants prepare for a fair so that they can get the most out of the event?

Applicants attending MBA Tour events should prepare themselves by researching MBA programs, by thinking about their career interests and goals, and by knowing how an MBA helps them achieve those goals and interests. Career interests may be described as something that rounds out an applicant’s education or satisfies a personal goal like improving leadership skills.

What are reasonable goals for spending a few hours at an MBA fair?

A reasonable goal for anyone attending an event is to make a lasting impression so that the representative will remember you.  My suggestion is to have your resume available and I recommend wearing business attire. Business casual is ok,  but most serious students, especially those outside the US, attend in business attire.  Make sure you ask questions that pertain to your personal situation and goals and avoid asking questions that can be answered off the school’s internet site.

What should applicants do while at the fair to get the most out of it?

Expand your horizons. Everyone comes to our events with first impressions of programs and where they want to go to school. Don’t let those first impressions influence who you speak with. Try and visit with as many schools as you can and have your visit recorded. That way a program has a record of your interest.

How much time should an applicant try to grab with a school representative at a fair?

Perhaps 3 to 5 minutes with each representative present. Schools reps local to the city in which the event is being held are usually very busy. Schools from out of town will have more time to spend with you. Use that availability to make an impression. If no one is competing for time than a student can take as long as he wants. However, I urge students not to monopolize a conversation because it demonstrates a level of insensitivity.

Is it appropriate to ask for a business card and to contact the representative after a fair?

Yes, absolutely and you should send them an email thanking them for the time they spent with you. You can even resend your resume too!

What are common mistakes applicants make when participating in MBA fairs?

Asking questions that are not relevant to his or her situation or not researching schools before talking with them. Here are some questions not to ask…

“What is your average GMAT score?”…research this online on Business Week or through other sources.

“Tell me why I should apply to your school…” never ask this of an admission officer because it implies you think the school would be privileged to accept you.

“Where is your school located?“…this question does not exhibit much prior research.

Asking a local program…”How strong is your career services in this city?” A better question is: “Does your career services center have connections into XYZ industry where I am looking for a position after graduation?” The second question is a fair question and should be asked. The first one will generate a predictable response of “Of course we are strong in job placement in this city”

The more your questions relate to your goals, situation and background the better they are to ask because asking penetrating questions allows the representative to get a lasting impression of you! Remember you are considering a big investment by going back to school. Schools want to get to know you as a person.

To register or for more information about scheduled fairs, check out the MBA Tour website.

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