From having helped dozens of couples consider, pursue and gain admission to top business schools over the years, The MBA Exchange has gained valuable insights on how to choose the right path for those in relationship.
Unless each partner’s background, goals and preferences align with a school’s curriculum, culture and offerings, it’s not clear that this MBA program is the best choice for either or both of you. So, do your research to confirm whether you’re likely to gain the knowledge, perspective and network that you each want and need.
2. Are both candidacies truly competitive for the targeted school?
The good news is that MBA programs tend to like having couples matriculate together. By admitting you and your significant other, the b-school figures that you’re more likely to accept their offer of admission and thus improve their yield. And couples can bring a more mature, “settled” to campus that helps to offset the party atmosphere that can negatively reflect on a school. The not-so-good news is that if one member of the couple does not a competitive candidacy, the b-school may fear that the stronger applicant will decline an offer of admission if the weaker applicant is not also admitted, thus damaging their yield.
3. Is it very important that you both attend the same business school?
Would you really turn down a more selective and prestigious school if you’re admitted but your partner is not? How would you feel if your partner faced the same dilemma? Should you both attend a less-selective school if it’s the only one that admits both of you?