{"id":25075,"date":"2014-08-01T03:00:52","date_gmt":"2014-08-01T10:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/choosing-the-right-mba-program-dont-make-this-mistake\/"},"modified":"2014-08-01T03:00:52","modified_gmt":"2014-08-01T10:00:52","slug":"choosing-the-right-mba-program-dont-make-this-mistake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/choosing-the-right-mba-program-dont-make-this-mistake\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the Right MBA Program: Don\u2019t Make This Mistake"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ChoosingIf you’re in the process of choosing the right MBA program to apply to, you’ve probably got a mountain of questions threatening to create a mental avalanche in your head… Better close those blinds. Migraine’s coming. There’s selectivity (Can I get in?<\/em>), affordability (Can I pay for it?<\/em>), flexibility (Can it work with my schedule?<\/em>), location (Can I live there long-term?<\/em>)… And of course, the grandaddy of all MBA decisions - fit. There\u2019s been a lot of talk about \u201cfit,\u201d and the idea is that choosing the right MBA program means picking one that most aligns with your career goals. That makes sense, right?<\/p>\n

WRONG. <\/p>\n

Prioritizing \u201cfit\u201d is the biggest mistake you can make when choosing the right MBA program for you. <\/strong> You\u2019ll improve your chances of getting into b-school AND your opportunities post-b-school if you follow one simple rule - \u201cGo to the best school you can get into.\u201d We\u2019ll repeat this again.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to the best school you can get into.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everyone on board? Good, let\u2019s break it down. <\/p>\n

First of all, we want to make it clear that we\u2019re not asking you to ignore fit completely. That\u2019s not what we\u2019re saying. An MBA is a huge investment of time and money, and you should take the time to reflect on your goals and try to find a school that will best help you meet those goals. <\/p>\n

But what we ARE saying is not to give \u201cfit” more weight than it deserves. We see this ALL the time. Steven, marketing guru, focuses only on Kellogg<\/a> simply \u201cbecause it is the best for marketing,\u201d crossing other great schools like HBS or Stanford off the list. MBA programs tend to get categorized into certain industries - Stern<\/a> is \u201cknown for\u201d banking and Wharton<\/a> is \u201cknown for\u201d finance. But just because a school is \u201cknown\u201d for something doesn\u2019t mean that\u2019s all they do. The truth is that in the end, every top school will prepare you for whatever it is you want to do post-MBA.<\/p>\n

For example, everyone always thinks they need to go to Stanford<\/a> to get into the tech, but that\u2019s not the case. In a recent article from Poets & Quants<\/a>, looking at the top 25 tech firms, Wharton, Kellogg, and Harvard all beat out Stanford for the number of alums in senior leadership in Silicon Valley. According to these stats, schools not \u201cknown\u201d for tech are the ones dominating the industry. So if you want to become a titan in tech, you\u2019ve got just as good a chance of climbing to the top whether you go to Wharton or Stanford. Going to a top school can get you wherever you need to go.<\/p>\n

More important than “fit” is that you know what you want out of the program. In an interview<\/a>, Alladi Venkatesth, Associate Dean of Masters Programs from the Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine, explains that top schools will all have the same core courses, from which students can develop their business vision. But a lot depends on the student. He says, “It is not so much which program you select, but rather what you are seeking to get out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Plus, sometimes it’s better not to “fit” in. Remember that schools are looking for diversity. Kellogg needs bankers just as much as Stern does.<\/a> In fact, with a different background, you might actually stand out from all the applicants, and post-MBA, getting a banking job from Kellogg will be even easier than it would be, in many ways, out of Stern. Just imagine how much less competition there will be!<\/p>\n

So then how should you be choosing the right MBA program?<\/h3>\n

1. Do your research<\/h3>\n

Figure out how these programs will help you reach your goals, but don\u2019t get stuck on what the program is \u201cknown\u201d for. Look at the MBA experience as a whole. Will this program not only give the you the right skills, but also the right network, resources, and support that you need? How will the school\u2019s ranking and reputation come into play<\/a>? Get to know these programs inside and out. (This will also come in handy in your apps when you have to demonstrate your knowledge of the program so you can show why THAT program is the best for you)<\/p>\n

2. Be realistic with your profile\u2026 but also take a chance.<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve done your research, you\u2019ll have a better understanding of where you stand what schools you should target. But don\u2019t throw a school out just because you don\u2019t fit some perfect mold there. This process is subjective. We hear time and time again from admissions officers that schools are looking for PEOPLE, not PROFILES<\/a>. If your schools are lower than the average or you\u2019re older than the average, it doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t get in. And that\u2019s why you need to\u2026<\/p>\n

3. Play the numbers game.<\/h3>\n

Apply to a nice mix of schools, which means casting a wide net. You never know what\u2019s going to happen (this process is HIGHLY subjective, after all), so you have to mix things up to increase your chances. While the GMAT is never the end all be all reason someone gets in or doesn\u2019t get into a school, it IS a good indicator of candidacy. A reach school is one where the average GMAT is above yours (or a HIGHLY competitive school in the top 3 - those are a reach for eeeeveryone). Mid-range is where your GMAT falls in line with the average for the school, and a safer option is one where your GMAT is above the average. We recommend applying to at least 7 schools (more for indian applicants<\/a>), and going with 2 reach, 3 mid-range, and 2 safe. Having a smart school selection strategy is key, as schools are getting more competitive<\/a>. <\/p>\n

4. Go to the best school you can get into. <\/h3>\n

Yeeeaaaahhhhh, you got this one.<\/p>\n

\"choosing<\/div>\n

<\/br><\/p>\n

Ready to make that list? Here’s some resources to help you out: <\/p>\n