Schools want you to like them, too! At an MBA admissions event, you can meet school representatives to ask about information you wouldn’t find online, assess if you’d be a good fit with the school’s culture, and match your goals to the school’s resources and career outcomes.
Here is my advice on how to prepare for an MBA admissions event and make a good impression, with inputs from Magdalena Bozhinova, Process Manager and International Project Manager for Advent Group’s MBA, EMBA and Masters in-person and online events.
Why should you attend an MBA admissions event?
Admissions events are typically free to attend. They require candidates to sign up and submit their updated resumes and profiles, and then help them match with universities that are a good fit.
Here’s what you can expect at an MBA admissions event:
One-to-one and group meetings: Applicants get to meet with and compare schools from different geographies in one place and learn about their MBA programmes.
Panel discussions: Admissions events often include presentations and Q&A sessions on business school programmes and the MBA application process.
Resume reviews: You can also get your resume reviewed by admissions consultants at the event, like SWC’s “Roast My Resume” sessions where we give constructive feedback on your CV.
Network: Admissions event mixers are a great place to network with school representatives, fellow applicants, alumni, and event organisers.
Dos and Don’ts at an MBA admissions event
Research: It’s important to research the participating schools and programmes at the admissions event.
Prepare questions: You have limited time with the school, and candidates who have not prepared often leave a bad impression. Schools like candidates who ask about their culture, alumni, career outcomes and resources, internships and recruiting, international exposure opportunities, and scholarship support.
Develop your MBA narrative: Have a short, clear elevator pitch ready to help differentiate your profile from other candidates and tell the school what you stand for. In particular, your short-term goals should be clear.
Network: An MBA event is a great opportunity to meet other applicants (and maybe future classmates) and grow your professional network.
Don’t dress casually: This is a business event, so dress the part! That means a pantsuit or formal dress for women, and button-down shirt for men.
Don’t speak just to be noticed: Sometimes it’s better to listen in group discussions and panel events to understand what other candidates prioritise and bring to the table. Don’t interrupt unnecessarily.
Don’t forget to follow up with the school: Once you have spoken with the school, ask for their contact information. Send a thank-you note to the school representative the same day or the day after.
For our full list of tips on what you should do before, during, and after an MBA admissions event, read our full blog here.
Are there any basic requirements to attend an MBA admissions event?
Basic eligibility requirements to attend an MBA admissions event differ from one organiser to another. For Access MBA events, candidates are typically required to fulfil the following criteria when they sign up:
- At least 3 years of professional experience
- English language proficiency
- A Bachelor’s degree 4-5 years prior to their planned year of application to the MBA
- Managerial experience for EMBAs
Admissions events are strictly managed to help students maximise their time with schools. That’s why this information is important for the event team to evaluate the candidate’s profile, match them with business schools, and make sure that both schools and candidates have a positive experience at the event.
Thinking of applying to business school in 2024? Book a free chat with the expert consultants at Sam Weeks Consulting to get started.
