Forget About Business School Rankings… What is the Best Full Time MBA Program for You?
So you’re thinking about advancing your education and making the plunge into pursuing a full-time MBA. What is the first thing that comes to mind when considering all of your options? “Check the rankings.” Right?
Rankings are the primary way prospective students think about their education options, particularly when it comes to the MBA. But why do we think that way? It’s not the best way for you to understand your options in business schools and full-time MBA programs. Nor is it the best way for schools to communicate what they offer. Business school rankings have flourished simply because they are a great business model for publishers.
So when you’re thinking about which full-time MBA program to choose, get away from the “best business school” mentality. Shift your thinking towards, “Which school has the best full-time MBA program for me?”
Most business school websites offer similar information, when in fact there are a plethora of differences between schools. These differences are hard to perceive just by visiting a website, or even talking to an admissions counselor. To find the best full-time MBA program for you, make sure you evaluate the following:
• Alumni networks
• Regional cost of living
• Regional culture and lifestyles
• Social Media Self-Representation
• Faculty teaching style
• Curriculum
By looking closely at each of these factors, you will be able to reach a more personal decision about your MBA education.
All of this being said, it’s important to note that rankings do provide some value for sure, otherwise they wouldn’t exist. There is no doubt that the #1 ranked school or full-time MBA program has many high-quality characteristics that ultimately led to its high ranking. However, the majority of people pursuing an MBA are not going to go to a top-20 ranked school. Finally, the whole concept of ranking, or qualifying these schools to a single number, is highly arbitrary and does not typically help students find the best school for them.
Some schools even give prospective students the opportunity to connect with current students. This is an excellent way to get an insider’s perspective on your top schools of choice. For example, Thunderbird School of Global Management encourages prospects to make a T-bird connection with one of their current students by filling out a simple form which you can view here: http://www.thunderbird.edu/meet-t-bird
Choosing a full-time MBA program is a complex decision. So rather than focusing your efforts on increasing your test scores and paying for coaching to get into the highest ranked school, it’s best to think about what you personally need and want out of a business school.
Rankings are the primary way prospective students think about their education options, particularly when it comes to the MBA. But why do we think that way? It’s not the best way for you to understand your options in business schools and full-time MBA programs. Nor is it the best way for schools to communicate what they offer. Business school rankings have flourished simply because they are a great business model for publishers.
So when you’re thinking about which full-time MBA program to choose, get away from the “best business school” mentality. Shift your thinking towards, “Which school has the best full-time MBA program for me?”
Most business school websites offer similar information, when in fact there are a plethora of differences between schools. These differences are hard to perceive just by visiting a website, or even talking to an admissions counselor. To find the best full-time MBA program for you, make sure you evaluate the following:
• Alumni networks
• Regional cost of living
• Regional culture and lifestyles
• Social Media Self-Representation
• Faculty teaching style
• Curriculum
By looking closely at each of these factors, you will be able to reach a more personal decision about your MBA education.
All of this being said, it’s important to note that rankings do provide some value for sure, otherwise they wouldn’t exist. There is no doubt that the #1 ranked school or full-time MBA program has many high-quality characteristics that ultimately led to its high ranking. However, the majority of people pursuing an MBA are not going to go to a top-20 ranked school. Finally, the whole concept of ranking, or qualifying these schools to a single number, is highly arbitrary and does not typically help students find the best school for them.
Some schools even give prospective students the opportunity to connect with current students. This is an excellent way to get an insider’s perspective on your top schools of choice. For example, Thunderbird School of Global Management encourages prospects to make a T-bird connection with one of their current students by filling out a simple form which you can view here: http://www.thunderbird.edu/meet-t-bird
Choosing a full-time MBA program is a complex decision. So rather than focusing your efforts on increasing your test scores and paying for coaching to get into the highest ranked school, it’s best to think about what you personally need and want out of a business school.